Interview: Our life & work in Philly's Padre Pio Center
Our brother Alex Hostoffer, OFM Cap., and postulant Joseph West of our Padre Pio Prayer Center in Philadelphia, PA, were honored to be interviewed by Andrew Yacoby & Gus for their video series From Kensington, With Love which highlights the work of various ministries within the Kensington neighborhood. As the video highlights, women and men have fallen victim to the opiod crisis there, a plague which remains "one of the most urgent public health challenges of our time."
Andrew writes: "The Capuchin Franciscans have been serving the poor and addicted in Kensington: hear their experience showing human dignity to the least of Christ's body." We thank him and Gus for their time with us, and we ask you to join us in our prayer and work for the women and men who need a helping hand, our warmth and graciousness, and our encouragement and light in the midst of the darkness that sometimes surrounds them.
Our March Vocation Discernment Weekend
Raf Anguiana, OFM Cap., our brother who works in Vocational Discernment for our Province of Capuchins, sent us a photo from the Vocation Weekend held at Alverno on March 9-10 where there were "12 wonderful men who are looking into our way of life."
Our Br. Tage Reports from Papua New Guinea
Thanks and a promise of continued prayers go out to our brother Tage Danielson, OFM Cap., whose ministry is in full swing in the Custody of St. Michael the Archangel of Papua New Guinea. He filled us in on his year's work with the PNG Postulants concluded, and he reports on his blessed Christmas there:
November 28 was the final day of the Postulancy year at Padre Pio Friary in Madang. After morning Mass, we gathered outside the friary, near the Mary statue, for a group house photo.
From left to right: Br. Lucas Tamshong, Kulex Peter, Samuel Kawagle, Tage, Emel Willie and Simon Tindini
Kulex and Emel are approved for the Novitiate, which is in the Philippines.They should be arriving there in February. Samuel and Simon are invited to return to Padre Pio Friary in February for year two of Postulancy.
The Port Introduces a YouTube Channel!
At The Port, our Evangelization Ministry in Pittsburgh, PA, we've noted a principle of mission offered by Bishop Barron: "Lead with Beauty."
As part of this, we're piloting a YouTube channel.
Earlier this year we had the opportunity to sit down with a few musician friends who have helped us out with Port events, recording in our new Port studio, located in our former friary kitchen!
The goal of this project is to support the local Arts Community and engage the culture with positive, faith-influenced contributions. Our hope is to expand the channel beyond music to various Arts and Franciscan content.
We've completed three initial recordings, the first of which from a local Catholic couple who form a folk harp-guitar duo, the Stapletons. Thanks to our brother Pablo Lopez, OFM Cap., who ran the videography and edited the videos.
Please consider subscribing and stay tuned for some new musical entries coming soon!
Vows for a Lifetime: Our Brothers Make Their Perpetual Profession
Our brothers Joseph Pham, OFM Cap. (R) and Stephen Cantwell, OFM Cap., (L) made their "perpetual profession" of the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience as Capuchin Franciscan friars. Having professed their temporary vows three years ago, they have made their lifetime choice of fidelity to the Lord's call to our Franciscan way of life and to the brothers of our International Religious Order of Capuchin Lesser Brothers (Capuchin Friars Minor).
The Profession Mass took place on Saturday, August 19, 2023, at our motherhouse church of St. Augustine Church in Pittsburgh, PA.
While it is active, feel free to witness the Mass and Profession below -- and keep our brother Joseph and Steve in your prayers.
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