by Roxanne King

It was a bit like flying by the seat of one’s pants.

So said Br. Mark Schenk, OFM Cap., about being the first lay brother to serve as provincial minister in the Capuchin order as his tenure comes to an end at the May 19-23 chapter meeting of St. Conrad Province.

“I’m just hoping that something doesn't come up in the future that they say, ‘Oh, you weren't allowed to do that and so that was an invalid act,’” he jokingly told The Porter.

The provincial minister guides the province and fosters the religious life of the brothers. Br. Mark’s historic election in 2019 was the second time he made history in the order. In 2006 he was the first lay brother to serve on the order’s Rome-based General Council. Previously he served in a variety of positions, including as provincial vicar and provincial treasurer for the province, which covers Colorado, Kansas, Texas and foreign missions.

A friar for 45 years, the Kansas native has served two terms as provincial, the maximum allowed. He will have turned 68 when the chapter meeting takes place in Victoria, Kan., to elect new leadership.

“It's been a real privilege and a joy to serve the brothers in this capacity. So, I'm grateful for this opportunity,” Br. Mark said. “If you have to be provincial, this is the best province to be provincial for. There are really great men in this province—they're inspiring, hard workers.”

A challenge related to being the first lay brother provincial was a lack of clear guidelines about some official acts—outside of celebrating Masses—that are not patently reserved to priests only.

“It still kind of boggles my mind that it took this long to do this because, honestly, it's really hard to see why it makes any difference whether one is ordained or not,” he said. “The job is pretty much the same.”

Among his goals when taking office were a continued emphasis on vocations and on child protection, as well as implementing economic statues approved in 2019. He recently reflected on those objectives.

Vocations: Br. Mark noted ongoing challenges in attracting new vocations and expressed hopes for growth through changes in how the vocations office is run and through increased visibility by branching out into new territories.

“We have gotten a few men each year, and good vocations each year, so, for that I'm grateful,” he said.

Child protection: Strides were made in addressing sexual abuse allegations announced before he took office in 2019, including a mediation program for victims. The emotional toll of handling both false allegations against friars and the inability to fully support survivors of abuse, were his most difficult experiences.

“Those were the things that sometimes kept me up at night and put a cloud over my life for a while,” he said.

Economic statues: The new statutes were implemented. He believes they helped clarify existing practices and promote the friars’ value of poverty within the province.

New facilities and expansions: Br. Mark highlighted the acquisition of a new residence for student friars in San Antonio just prior to his taking office, which is undergoing renovation, and the purchase of a house in Wichita, Kan., with plans for establishing a fraternity there as positive developments.

“This has to be approved by the chapter in May so they may burst my bubble,” he said, “but I really believe that we're being called to sort of branch out and I think Wichita is going to be a really great place for us.”

Challenges

Challenges included the 2020 Covid pandemic.

“We turned the scourge of Covid into a blessing,” Br. Mark said, noting the friars addressed quarantine issues by streaming Masses online and began sending out inspiring Good Morning Good People videos to encourage people. The popular videos continue.

The 2020 Brown Robe Benefit, vital to supporting the friar’s ministries and which could have been disastrous, became a hybrid online and in-person event that ended up being one of the most successful up to that point. (The Brown Robe has continued as a hybrid event and last year’s was the first to gross a million dollars.)

“We were born in the time of the plagues in Italy and that really shaped who we are, so maybe we're made for times like that,” Br. Mark said. Expressing gratitude to the provincial office staff he added: “They're part of the mission. They really feel that, and it shows in their work.”

Highlights

Asked to share a highlight, he noted the province ordained three friars to priesthood and received solemn vows of five others last year—both were the most in the province since it’s 1977 inception.

“I just felt really happy for the province,” Br. Mark said. “It gives you hope.”

Referring to both the quality vocations the province has drawn as well as the international friars who are helping in the province, he added, “The thing that I'm happiest about is the new life that we have in our province.”