In general we are able to cover the majority of our day-to-day needs through our
salaries. For this, thanks be to God! In fact, through our ordinary income and unsolicited
gifts we are able to assist many projects aimed at helping the poor and marginalized
of society. But there are some areas of our lives for which we need help:
Seminary Education
Most men entering our Order commit five to ten years to formation for living our
life and preparing for ministry. This may include obtaining a college degree and
a graduate degree in theology or in other related fields. While these men are in
our formation program, they are not assigned to any ministry; so they have no ordinary
income. Education costs currently amount to about $50,000 per man. We need help covering
this expense.
Retirement
Our men dedicate their lives to service of the Church, but historically there has
been little provision for our retirement needs. In recent years, the Province established
a retirement endowment fund to respond to the Province's imminent retirement concerns.
However, this endowment is severely under-funded and far from adequate to meet our
impending needs.
Missions Abroad
Our Capuchin brothers serving as foreign missionaries in Papua New Guinea, Puerto
Rico and Mexico do not receive salaries for their evangelization efforts. Funds are
needed to cover the cost of their health insurance, travel to and from the United
States for home leave every three to five years, and other related expenses.
The Catholic Center at the Citadel Mall
In the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, our Capuchin Franciscan friars at the Citadel
strive to provide a spiritual resource center that offers peace, reconciliation,
and guidance to those who may feel a spiritual emptiness in their lives. We offer
two daily Masses and are available Monday through Saturday during mall hours for
confessions and other counseling and referrals to local parishes and programs of
Catholic Charities. Three of the four friars are fluent in Spanish, allowing them
to respond to the growing Hispanic population in Colorado Springs.
The Catholic Center at the Citadel Mall opened in November 2001, funded by a partnership
between the Diocese of Colorado Springs and the Capuchin Province of Mid-America.
A pledge of financial support from the Colorado Knights of Columbus will help with
the first year's expenses. However, additional sources of funding will be needed
to sustain the mall ministry for lease expenses, friar salaries, printed resource
materials, supplies, marketing, etc.
Ministry to the Poor
Some of the friars in the U.S. are engaged in ministry to the very poor who are unable
to offer salaries or stipends for the friars who help them. The Province depends
upon friends and benefactors to compensate this ministry through donations.
Building Renovation Projects
We friars of Mid-America own five of the eight friaries where we live. These buildings
are in a constant rotation for code updates and other physical upgrades. Capital
campaigns are conducted from time to time for major projects, but annual funds are
always needed for routine maintenance and repairs.
