Br. Job Arakkamparambil was sworn in as a Reserve Army Chaplain on June 19 following a celebration of the Mass at Fort Carson, Colo. The friars of Fraternidad San Antonio were in attendance.

Chad Allen, Derek Ressel, Jay Armstrong, Tyler Goerl, and Antonio Villafranca received the Tau Cross and began their postulancy program on July 17 at a celebration held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Colorado Springs. A sixth man was accepted, but was delayed due to personal reasons.

Br. Jose Barroso and 12 other men were invested with the Capuchin habit and began their novitiate year on July 21 at San Lorenzo Friary in Santa Ynez, Calif.

Fr. Earl Befort celebrated his 50th anniversary of priesthood on July 28 at St. Fidelis Catholic Church in Victoria, Kan. Many friars traveled to be present for the Mass which was celebrated by Bishop Vincke.

Br. Jessie Quintanilla professed temporary vows on Aug. 3 during a Mass at St. Joseph Oratory. Many friars, Capuchin sisters and friends were present. Br. Jessie will reside at St. Anthony Friary in Denver.

Br. Alex Díaz professed solemn vows at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas on Sept. 28.

Seven men attended the Rebuild My Church vocation retreat from Sept. 27-29 at Jesus Our Hope Retreat Center in Colorado. Fr. Joseph Mary Elder and Deacon Hal Goldwire led the retreat.

Friars, Capuchin sisters, members of the Secular Franciscan Order and others gathered for the celebration of the Transitus of St. Francis at St. Patrick Oratory on Oct. 3 in Denver.

The Brown Robe Benefit was held on Oct. 12 at the Hyatt Regency: Colorado Convention Center. The event emcee was Kim Christiansen and the keynote speaker was John Allen Jr.

Archbishop Fridolin Ambongo Besungu of Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, was among the 13 bishops that Pope Francis elevated to cardinals on Sept. 1 at the Vatican. He is currently the second living Capuchin cardinal.