Bishop Ricken made immediate connection with the Mid-America friars.  He was a graduate of St. Francis Seminary and was speaking to some of his former teachers:  Frs. Blaine, Gilmary, Harvey, Cyrus, Gene, and others.  He was immersed in the Franciscan spirit, as he often acknowledged.  His presentations, as well as his homily at Mass, explained the “New Evangelization” and its history; and he challenged us to seize this Franciscan moment.

The current status and report of the 2010-2013 Triennium was presented in the form of a PowerPoint presentation by its Provincial Minister, Fr. Charles Polifka, who served as provincial from 1989-1995 and again from 2007-2013, in addition to 1988-1989 as vicar provincial when Archbishop Charles Chaput was taken from the province to be the Bishop of Rapid City.  Charles reported on the ministries, fraternities, administration, finances, and direction of the province, noting in his closing remarks that the current “right sizing” of the province is in place and we are ready to move forward in evangelizing on all fronts of the province.

A straw ballot prior to the Chapter and one at the beginning of the Chapter indicated that the friars were seriously considering Fr. Christopher Popravak, vicar provincial from 2010-2013, to be the new Provincial Minister.  On Wednesday afternoon of Chapter week, the official vote was taken and the friars united around Christopher and elected him as the new provincial.  After Christopher humbly accepted the election, Charles embraced the new provincial and joyfully handed over the keys to the administration building and provincial office.

In the following days, interspersed with the presentations on the New Evangelization, a new council was elected to assist Christopher.  Frs. John Cousins, David Songy, John Lager, and Jeff Ernst were elected to the Council.  John Cousins was elected from the Council to be theProvincial Vicar.

Jubilees were celebrated on Thursday evening with a special Mass and a “toasting” of

Fr. Michael Suchnicki, celebrating 25 years of priesthood and Fr. Gene Emrisek, who celebrates this year 50 years of religious life.

The Chapter closed with a Mass on Friday morning in which the proclamation of the elections was proclaimed by Chapter secretary, Fr. Joseph Mary Elder.  The newly elected provincial minister and council were then installed by Br. Mark Schenk.

While no official proposals were passed by the Chapter, the friars left with a new understanding of the New Evangelization.  The newly elected administration went to work immediately on setting the province in order for a new and exciting triennium.

Congratulations to Sr. Teresa Angeles, OSC Cap. (second from left), who was elected the new Abbess of the Capuchin Poor Clares at Our Lady of Light Monastery February 18, 2013.

Sr. Maria de Cristo Palafox was elected Vicar and First Councilor (third from left) and Sr. Margarita Maria Barrientos (left) was elected the Second Councilor.  Sister Adriana is in Rome studying at the Antonianum and so was unable to be present at this Chapter of Elections.

Fr. Charles Polifka, OFM Cap. (far right) presided over the election.  Mother Teresa Angeles will serve a three year term.

The friars joined the sisters in celebrating the election.

Fr. John Schmeidler, Pastor of St. John’s in Lawrence (KS), collects items for St. Clare Food Pantry

Attached is the Capuchins
We are pleased to share the stories of Papua New Guinea missionary Fr. Peter
Meis, a pictorial glimpse of our Capuchin ministry to the poor, the success of
last fall’s Brown Robe Benefit, a review of the Capuchin Order’s General
Chapter in Rome, among other great articles.

Fr. Blaine Burkey (right) vesting for Mass with Fr. Jim Moster

Fr. Blaine Burkey, Capuchin Province of Mid-America Archivist and acknowledged historia, was interviewed by Channel 9 in Denver as part of Black History Month. Check out the video of his interview: http://www.9news.com/news/article/315740/339/Former-slave-could-become-a-saint

DENVER – Julia Greeley always walked the streets of Denver with one thing: a red wagon. Inside that wagon was a seemingly endless supply of items for people in need. But Greeley was no rich woman.

“She was a slave,” said Father Blaine Burkey, archivist for the Capuchin Province of Mid-America, who has spent years studying Greeley.

The former slave, who lost one of her eyes when her slave master hit her with a whip, came to Denver from St. Louis. She lived in several homes in the areas of Curtis Park and Five Points. And she never went a day without going to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, which still stands at 2760 Larimer Street.

“She prayed to the Sacred Heart every day,” said Mary Leisring, president of the Julia Greeley Guild.

Greeley’s faith inspired her to give back to others, even when she didn’t have much.

“She brought food and clothing and all sorts of things,” Burkey said of Greeley. “But she did it at night and through the back alleys so that the people wouldn’t see her.”

The cover of Burkey’s book In Secret Service of the Sacred Heart, illustrates that legend, with a painting of Greeley peeking over a fence, red wagon behind her, after leaving a bag of food at a person’s door.

Burkey researched state archives and previously-conducted interviews with people who knew Greeley in order to compile information for his book. He also conducted much of his own research, though Greeley left very little behind after her death in 1918.

“The photo of her is the only relic we have,” Burkey says of a photo showing Greeley holding a child for whom she served as a caregiver.

Burkey and Leisring hope that the renewed interest in Greeley, brought on by the book, could begin the process of Greeley being canonized as a saint.

“There’s been talk of that ever since she died,” said Burkey. “Her life is just like a canonized saint.”

But the process of canonization is a long one.

“That won’t happen until the Archdiocese is convinced that there is a good sized groundswell of people who would like this to happen,” said Burkey.

In the meantime, He and Leisring continue to gather stories of charity linked to Julia Greeley, who often supported the church by doing everything from helping with fundraisers to cleaning the floors.

“She would collect dresses from the wealthy to give them to other people that couldn’t afford them. Who would do that,” asked Leisring, “Except an angel.”

Burkey’s Book, In Secret Service of the Sacred Heart ($19.95), is now being sold at The Tattered Cover Bookstore, Gerken’s Religious Supplies (1175 Santa Fe Dr.) and The Capuchin Provincial Offices (3613 Wyandot St). Information on other locations where the book is sold and details on the Julia Greeley Guild are available at www.JuliaGreeley.org or by calling the Julia Greeley Guild at 303-558-6685 or emailing juliagreeleyguild@gmail.com

Fr. John Celebrates Mass with Fr. Ben Madden, O.F.M.Cap. in Port Moresby.

Fr. John Lager continues his sabbatical year with an extended visit to the Capuchin Franciscan missionaries in Papua New Guinea.

Fr.Blaine Burkey poses with Gene and Lorinda Corley who donate the wine to the Brown Robe Benefit each year.

The gathering at the Governor’s Mansion was a huge success this evening. Most of the Denver friars were there.  The Colorado Springs friars who had planned to attend got stopped by snow. Jennifer Cramer from North Pole, Alaska, won the Cabo trip.  And then Jennifer Cramer won the trip to Rome! Of the 1,050 plus tickets purchased, Jennifer purchased ten.  It figures out that it was a one in 10,000 odds that this would happen.  Rachel Pedersen (youngest at the Governor’s Mansion gathering) picked the Cabo winner.  Blaine Burkey (second oldest of the friars at the gathering) picked the Rome winner.  Jennifer Cramer is the mother of five.  Her husband just came home from the Army.  It was forty below zero in North Pole, Alaska, when we called.  Cabo sounded great.  Then when we called the second time, Jennifer was as surprised as we were.

The friars sang traditional German and English Christmas songs as part of the evening’s entertainment.

Fr. Bill Kraus visiting with Jim Little and Tom and Linda Sarmo.

Brothers Brandon and Donald visiting with guests.

Fr. Simeon Gallagher, just back from Parish Mission talks, visits with guests.

Fr. John Toepfer, Pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Colorado Springs leads a procession through the streets surrounding the Church

Capuchin Poor Clares – 1988

Twenty Five Years ago today (1988) the Capuchin Poor Clares arrived here in Denver.

They have dedicated their lives to service of the Church.

They came on the Franciscan Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary whose is registered in the  Church’s calendar on November 17^th.  St. Elizabeth is patroness of bakers and beggars….the Capuchin Poor Clares bake their wonderful “Clarisa’s Cookies” and rely on the generosity of donors.

This holiday season consider buying some delicious cookies or supporting the sisters’ ministry with your prayers and donations.

In her short life Elizabeth of Hungary manifested such great love for the poor and suffering that she has become the patroness of Catholic charities and of the Secular Franciscan Order. The daughter of the King of Hungary, Elizabeth chose a life of penance and asceticism when a life of leisure and luxury could easily have been hers. This choice endeared her in the hearts of the common people throughout Europe.

At the age of 14 Elizabeth was married to Louis of Thuringia (a German principality), whom she deeply loved; she bore three children. Under the spiritual direction of a Franciscan friar, she led a life of prayer, sacrifice and service to the poor and sick. Seeking to become one with the poor, she wore simple clothing. Daily she would take bread to hundreds of the poorest in the land, who came to her gate.

After six years of marriage, her husband died in the Crusades, and she was grief-stricken. Her husband’s family looked upon her as squandering the royal purse, and mistreated her, finally throwing her out of the palace. The return of her husband’s allies from the Crusades resulted in her being reinstated, since her son was legal heir to the throne.

In 1228 Elizabeth joined the Secular Franciscan Order, spending the remaining few years of her life caring for the poor in a hospital which she founded in honor of St. Francis. Elizabeth’s health declined, and she died before her 24th birthday in 1231. Her great popularity resulted in her canonization four years later.

Elizabeth understood well the lesson Jesus taught when he washed his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper: The Christian must be one who serves the humblest needs of others, even if one serves from an exalted position. Of royal blood, Elizabeth could have lorded it over her subjects. Yet she served them with such a loving heart that her brief life won for her a special place in the hearts of many. Elizabeth is also an example to us in her following the guidance of a spiritual director. Growth in the spiritual life is a difficult process. We can play games very easily if we don’t have someone to challenge us or to share experiences so as to help us avoid pitfalls.

SEND YOUR DONATION OR ORDER COOKIES:

Capuchin Poor Clares

Our Lady of Light Monastery

3325 Pecos St.

Denver, CO 80211-3520

Denver.capclares@gmail.com