Those Candidates Who Attended the Weekend Were

On the weekend of March 6-8, despite heaps of snow, airline cancellations, sickness, exams and other obstacles, a total of 25 friars from around the province gathered either in Miramar Retreat Center, Duxbury, MA, San Lorenzo and St Francis of Assisi Friaries, Jamaica Plain, MA or St Anne/St Augustin Friary and Parish in Manchester, NH to welcome and accompany seven men on their Capuchin discernment journey.

We are grateful, first and foremost, for the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout our entire time together. We are also grateful to each candidate who made many sacrifices to attend. But in a very special way we thank so many friars who took time away from their busy schedules to be with us during all or part of the weekend. I'd like to make special note of the men in formation; all of the postulants, one of the two novices (the other being in California and obviously was unable to attend) and all of those in Jamaica Plain except one who was away and one stationed in Long Island were with us. I am sure all of the friars in the province were praying for the success of the retreat weekend. Many contacted the candidates and myself promising a special remembrance in their thoughts and prayers and for this we are so grateful.

I dare say there is no other province or religious community who have so many members of their groups represented at their come and see gatherings. This speaks so well of us and the love we feel for our way of life as well as our strong desire to see our province and ministries continue and flourish.

Those candidates who attended the weekend were: George Arias ------28 ----- Brooklyn, NY ------Presently self employed Bill Foley ------20 ----- N Chelmsford, MA ---- College student @ UMass, Lowell, Majoring in History and Philosophy Alex Hamula ------24 ----- Trumansburg, NY ----- Graduate of Ithaca College Christopher Kerfoot ---- 22 ----- Spartansburg, SC ----- Graduates this May with a degree in Philosophy Scott Leet ------48 ----- Yonkers, NY ------Assistant District Attorney, Manhattan Ryan Mohr ------23 ----- Albany, NY------Graduate of Union College Francisco Serrano ------28 ----- Middletown, NY------3rd year college student at St John's University majoring in Philosophy

Our presenter was to be Fr. John Tokaz. However, he was ill most of the week and although he tried so hard to be well enough to give his prepared conferences, it was felt he should sit this one out; we've asked him to present at our next gathering of candidates. Fr. Michael Connolly graciously substituted and offered an excellent presentation on "Capuchin Franciscan Spirituality: Creation, Incarnation and the Cross".

All of the candidates and postulants shared their vocation story on Friday evening and then Brothers Andrzej, Johnny, John Koelle and Erik Lenhart shared their faith journey before and after a deliciously prepared luncheon by the friars of San Lorenzo and St Francis of Assisi. Each friar expressed what attracted them originally to the Capuchins and the way in which they were trying to live Capuchin Franciscan spirituality in their lives and circumstances. These inspiring stories by the candidates, postulants and friars proved to be some of the most outstanding experiences of the four discernment weekends we've offered thus far this academic year.

We completed the weekend by visiting our very active and multi-cultural parish of St Anne/St Augustin where Br. Paul Crawford greeted us warmly and shared a history of the Capuchins in New Hampshire and Br. Mike Vricella, who serves as deacon there, shared his vocation journey. Those talks and then witnessing Fr. Joe Gurdak celebrating Sunday Liturgy and his love for the people and theirs for him showed by word and example why the Capuchins are so loved there. After the noon Mass on Sunday we enjoyed a delicious meal which is served after two Masses every Sunday. Just about all of the parishioners attended in the church hall as they do each week; this was the first time any of us experienced or even heard of such a wonderful expression of an intensely close church community.

The hospitality afforded us by the Divine Word Fathers and Brothers in Duxbury and then the friars in Jamaica Plain and Manchester as well as the parishioners at St Anne/St Augustin will never be forgotten. Among many highlights of the weekend was the announcement that our five outstanding postulants are all hoping to move forward to the next stage of their initial formation and four remarkable candidates will be applying to our postulancy program this year. We continue to be blessed by deeply spiritual and generous men willing to follow the Lord after the example of Francis and trying to live Capuchin spirituality in these times.