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AUTUMN APPEAL 2019 4 Y 0 E A 0 R

St . ofm, cap. 1559 -1619 S 1619 — 2019

Capuchins of Central Canada 2100 Jane Street Toronto, ON M3M 1A1 Province of Mary, Mother of the Good Shepherd A Message from Our Provincial Minister

Autumn 2019

“This is how the Lord acts:” said the . “He does things simply. Humility and simplicity are God’s way of life.” This is the same way of life that Christians are called to assume in our lives and in our missions.“The true greatness is to make yourself small, and serve ”, said Pope Francis.

This was the message given a year ago to 220 Capuchins who met pope during the Capuchin general in 2018, September in Rome. “It takes strength to be weak and greatness to be humble” was my famous message to the capuchin brothers during the year 2018 – 2019. Capuchin brothers are led by the spirit of humility and simplicity in serving the simple and poor in different provinces in Canada. We thank God for the beautiful summer that is just gone by without major mishaps. Though some of us dread cold, the fall colors cheer us with spectacular scenes in mother nature.

We take this opportunity to thank you for the generosity and kindness you have shown towards our Capuchin brothers especially to our brothers in formation. Br. Michael Mascarenhas is back studying at St Peters after experiencing a wonderful time in the parish at Wallaceburg ON. Br. Michael also had the opportunity to visit El Salvador with the parish team to build houses for the poor.

Br. Sunil D’Costa was a blessing at Poverello Charities during summer. Residents of Poverello Charities (a residence for people with mental health issues) loved the gentle, loving presence of Br. Sunil. He also spent time learning Spanish and now he is back studying at St. Peters. Br. Peter Poel and Martin Ngo made their first vows to religious life at St. Philip Neri church on July 21, 2019. Br. Martin Ngo has begun his studies, also at St Peters.. Br. Peter Poel was previously ordained before joining the Capuchins, now he is ministering at Poverello Charities, a ministry that is close to his heart. We pray and hope that the good Lord will send us more brothers this year. We are hoping to revitalize our vocation promotion.

Thank you for your contributions. Your financial help makes it possible for us to continue the formation and education of our brothers. We continually look forward to your spiritual and financial support through which you are part of our great Capuchin mission in Canada. We promise our prayers to you and your family and are always grateful to you. We thank God for you around the Eucharistic and dining table because with your help we are able to nourish both our soul and body.

Let me again bless you with the blessing of St. Francis of Assisi “The Lord bless you and Keep you. May He show His face to you and have mercy. May He turn His countenance to you and give you peace. The Lord bless you”.

-2- Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of the death of St Lawrence of Brindisi. ofm, cap. Feastday 1559 -1619 July 21

“Nos cum prole pia benedicat Virgo Maria.” “Mary, with Her loving Son, bless us each and every one.”

Giulio Cesare Russo was born in Brindisi , Kingdom of , to a family of Venetian merchants. After the early death of his parents, he was raised by his uncle and educated at Mark's College in Venice. Cesare joined the Capuchins in Verona as Lawrence. He received further instruction from the University of Padua . An accomplished linguist, in addition to his native Italian, Lawrence could read and speak , Hebrew, Greek, German, Bohemian, Spanish, and French fluently. Brother Lawrence was ordained a priest at the age of 23.

At the age of thirty-one, Father Lawrence was elected superior of the Capuchin Franciscan province of . [1] He was appointed definitor general to Rome for the Capuchins in 1596; Pope Clement VIII assigned him the task of preaching to the Jews in the city. He was sufficiently proficient in Hebrew that the rabbis assumed he had been a convert from Judaism. Beginning in 1599, Lawrence established Capuchin monasteries in modern Germany and Austria, furthering the Counter-Reformation and bringing many Protestants back to the Catholic faith.

In 1601, he served as the imperial chaplain for the army of Rudolph II, , and successfully recruited Philippe Emmanuel, Duke of Mercœur , to help fight against the Ottoman Turks . He then led the army during the brief liberation of Székesfehérvár in Hungary from the Ottoman Empire , armed only with a crucifix .

In 1602, he was elected of the Capuchin , at that time the highest office in the Order. He was elected again in 1605, but refused the office. He entered the service of the , becoming papal to Bavaria . After serving as nuncio to , he retired to a monastery in 1618. He was recalled as a special envoy to the King of Spain regarding the actions of the of Naples in 1619, and after finishing his mission, died on his birthday in Lisbon. H e was entombed at the Poor Clares' Convento de la Anunciada (Convent of the Annunciation) in Villafranca del Bierzo , Spain.

Beatified June 1, 1783 Canonized December 8, 1881 Proclaimed Doctor of the Church Pope Pius XI Pope Leo XIII March 19, 1959 Pope John XXIII

-3- Please Pray For… Our Men In Formation

Bro. Michael Mascarenhas Bro. Sunil D’Costa Bro. Martin Ngo Solemnly Professed Simply Professed Simply Professed in Priestly Formation London, ON London, ON London ON

We wish to take this opportunity to say how grateful we are for your steadfast support of us, the brothers in formation, and for your continued prayers for us and our various good works.

We pray for each of you, our benefactors, and your families that you may remain safe, and Bro. Peter Poel continue to know God’s peaceful presence! Simply Professed Toronto, ON

this benefactor appeal when

you have finished with it !

Let’s help maintain god’s creation together! -4- Benefactor’s Appeal Report January 01, 2019— October 11, 2019 A reminder that all Burses close annually and all reports begin with January and report Burse totals up to the current published date

-5-

All Souls 2019

Dear Friends;

When death takes our friends and relatives from us, we feel a deep loss. Sometimes this loss is an unexpected shock to us, while at other times it is a slow and exhausting separation. However it takes place, it is an experience unique to each of us who are left to mourn and we all feel an emptiness.

Our faith tells us that they are in some way now with God. However in our emptiness we want them with us at our side. We have so much to yet share with them, more questions to ask of them… but we no longer can.

However, there is a way we can be with them spiritually , a loving and intimate way and that is in the Eucharist. We pray that God will reveal himself to them and that He will bring them to that sublime fulfillment as they remain in God’s presence. We also believe they too will pray our behalf to God asking Him to help us in our day to day struggles and to be for us a steadfast guide on our life journey. This is truly the Communion of !

Especially during the entire month of November, we invite you to remember your loved ones through our online Capuchin (Private) Mass Intention Program , so we can join you in offering up prayers to God for them. Or perhaps light an online Virtual Candle in their memory.

We wish to express our deep gratitude to you for allowing us this privilege of joining with you in this sacred act of remembrance.

Fraternally,

Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of the faithful Bro. Alan Gaebel, ofm, cap. departed, through the mercy of God, Development Office rest in peace. Capuchins of Central Canada

-6- CAPUCHIN (PRIVATE) MASS INTENTION PROGRAM

Available NOW on our website, you may send us your (Private) Mass Intentions and/or light a Virtual Candle. While we are promoting this opportunity via our online presence we will also accept mail-in requests for (Private) Mass Intentions. (Virtual Candles are available online only ).

Mail—in requests must include all of the following along with your payment. 1. Your Intention (maximum 1 per Mass) 2. Preferred date ** Participating Friaries 3. Preferred Friary** St Francis—Blenheim ON, St Conrad—London ON ** if any preference St. Clare—London ON, St Philip Neri - Toronto ON or St Anthony—Toronto ON

Please send in your payment for this program separately, (specify “CMI Program”) Please DO NOT COMBINE with other donations as these funds are accounted for separately , and are not eligible for Tax Receipts as specified by the Canada Revenue. Agency.

-7- THE CAPUCHIN LEGACY PROGRAM

As Christians one of the most important tasks we have is that of faithful stewardship. This is beautifully expressed in St. Francis’ “Canticle of the Creatures” which gives thanks for our interdependent relationship with all of God’s creation, in which we all share.

This same spirit also finds contemporary resonance in a quote by Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM, Cap (d.1957) who stated, “The only science that gives purpose to every other science is the science of religion – the science of our happy relationship with, and our providential dependence on God and our neighbour.”

One of the most important and faith filled acts of stewardship that you can do is to make certain that you have a current will. It is your loving remembrance for others and your love is returned a hundred-fold in your reaching out and assuring “ new life ” for others.

Blessed Solanus Casey, Capuchin Have YOU considered what your legacy will be?

Not only can you leave a gift of

financial remembrance but gifts of Bro. Alan R. Gaebel, ofm, cap. Life Insurance, Stocks, Bonds or Development Office Property may also be gifted 2100 Jane Street through your will. Toronto, ON M3M 1A1 For further information contact: 416.241.3101 ext.245 [email protected]

OUR CAPUCHIN BURSE PROGRAM 

The Capuchin Burse Program exists to fund our participation in the Capuchin Initial Formation Programs. These programs consist of three elements, Postulancy, Pre-Novitiate and Novitiate, in which our men receive their initial training and education in the Capuchin Franciscan way of life.

Our Postulancy Program is a collaborative effort between the Capuchin Provinces of St. Joseph (Detroit), St. Mary (New York) and ourselves, and is currently based in Milwaukee, WI. The Pre-Novitiate and Novitiate programs have an international reality in which the Capuchin provinces of the United States, Australia, Canada (English), and participate, by sending their members to our Intercontinental Novitiate based in Santa Ynez, California. During this time our men begin studying the life of St. Francis of Assisi as well as our Capuchin and Church history.

The goal of our programs is to provide solid religious foundations for our young men, which are world-class, informative, enlightening and which emphasize that their vocations are not only to the local, but also the worldwide Church.

The current costs from Postulancy through Novitiate are approximately $100,000.00 (CDN) per person. Your donations to our Capuchin Burse Program directly enable our men to participate in these Capuchin Initial Formation programs and thereby provide the with men who are well formed in Capuchin Franciscan spirituality and prepared for active ministry within the Church..

PLEASE, be generous and THANK YOU for your Financial Support and Prayers! -8-