Fingerprints: Making a Far-From-Retired Difference
When there are fingerprints on something, it usually means there was someone involved in creating, changing or developing that thing. That's true, too, with our brother, priest-friar Richard Zelik, OFM Cap. Though a self-described “senior friar” now and “almost semi-retired,” he continues to leave his fingerprints on several different ministries that make for an interesting and challenging week.
On weekday mornings, he celebrates Mass for the School Sisters of Saint Francis at Mount Assisi. Over the past few months, fr. Rich shared the commitment of that daily celebration of Mass with confrere Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., who was also a welcome guest presider for the Sisters. Jonathan recently passed to the Lord, and he is genuinely missed by the Sisters. They expressed their gratitude for the Capuchin Franciscan presence and often take time to chat with us after Mass.
Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., 1944-2023
View the video of our Prayer Vigil & Funeral Mass for our brother
Our brother Jonathan Williams, OFM Cap., died from complications related to Parkinsons Disease at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh, on Thursday, January 12, 2023. He was 78.
Born to Glen and Bertha (Micek) Williams on March 18, 1944 in Atwood. KS, he was given the name Patrick at his baptism at Sacred Heart Church and attended Sacred Heart Grade School in Atwood before entering St. Francis Seminary High School in Victoria, KS, administrated and staffed by our Capuchin friars. In 1962, he entered St. Fidelis College Seminary in Herman, PA.
Francis Yacobi, OFM Cap., 1949-2022
Our brother Francis Yacobi, OFM Cap., died at AGH West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh, on Saturday evening, December 31, 2022, following several months of declining health. He was 73.
Francis was born to Xavier Francis and Anne (Petty) Yacobi on May 11, 1949, in South Bend, IN, and was baptized at St. Joseph Church, the family’s parish.
He attended Catholic elementary schools in Indiana and Illinois, graduating from Marian Catholic High School, Chicago Heights, IL, in 1967. Frank earned Business Administration degrees in marketing and management at Northern Illinois University.
Discerning a vocation to Capuchin life and the priesthood, Frank was accepted into the Capuchin formation program and took pre-theology courses at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, OH, from 1983 to 1984.
In 1984 he was invested as a Capuchin novice at St. Conrad Friary, Allison Park, PA. Frank professed temporary vows as a Capuchin friar on July 13, 1985, and perpetual vows on August 2, 1988 with our brothers Michael Greb, OFM Cap., and David Nester, OFM Cap.
Merry Christmas!
We pray that your Christmas be filled with the light and goodness of our God who comes to take on our human nature. Truly, Emmanuel, God-with-us, is the source and goal of our celebrations.
Our Capuchin novices of a few years back prepared this Christmas Video of the "Carol of the Bells," led by their Assistant Novice Director and guitarist, our brother Kip Ledger, OFM Cap. We thought it well-worth a "re-run." May all peace and good be yours throughout this holy season . . .
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel!
Celebrating the Season as we cry out, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
Featuring Musicians from our fraternity
at Capuchin College, Washington, DC:
Cello: Cap Corps volunteer Tessie Schonder
Violin: Br. Luke Kim, OFM Cap.
Piano. Br. Bob Herrick, OFM Cap.
Video courtesy of Br. Pablo Lopez, OFM Cap.
What a Year 2022 Has Been!
Brothers in Formation
Move In, Move Over and Move On . . .
Our formation programs have see our friars on the move in 2022
as they continued their journeys of Capuchin life.
We'll take these important events for our life in chronological order!
The Ordination to Priesthood of our brothers David Domanski and Andrew Corriente took place on Saturday, June 11th.
See as postulants, novices and other friars have moved on . . .
Gary Stakem, OFM Cap., 1926-2022
Our brother Gary Stakem, OFM Cap., died peacefully in his bed at St. Augustine Friary, Pittsburgh, at 5:30 A.M. on Tuesday, October 5th, 2022. He was in residence at our Motherhouse Care community since January 2020. At 96, he was the oldest living member of our Province at the time of his passing, a Capuchin friar for 76 years and a priest for 71 years. Although for most of his two years as a resident of St. Augustine Friary Gary’s body weakened, and signs of an increasing dementia would plague him, our confrere’s smile and flashes of memories (always his strong point!) would continue to reveal his kind, gentle and indomitable spirit that never weakened.
Jerome Dunn, OFM Cap., 1934-2022
Our brother Jerome Dunn, OFM Cap., died peacefully just before sunrise on Saturday, September 17, the feast of the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi, at St. Augustine Friary, Pittsburgh. He was 88 years of age when he answered the final call of God who was his strength and his peace.
Jerome was born on August 3, 1934, in Turton, South Dakota, the third of ten children born to his father, John, and mother Julia (Klapperich). Raised to share the hard work of running the family farm, the young man was educated in the public schools of Turton, and after his high school graduation in 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, proudly serving four years on active duty and another four in the Naval Reserve before receiving his honorable discharge. He was employed as a metalworker in Vernon, CA, from 1956 until his admission to St. Fidelis College Seminary in 1960, without a doubt, the oldest of among his classmates.
Chapter 2022 Elects Our New Council
Every three years, we Capuchin Franciscan friars gather to discuss our lives in fraternity and service. During that meeting, called a Chapter, we also elect those who will serve in leadership as Provincial Minister. Four other brothers are elected to serve as his Council.
The Chapter of friars, held from May 23-27, 2022, elected our brother, Robert Marva, OFM Cap., to serve as Minister for this term. Currently serving as Pastor of St. Agnes/Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Cleveland, OH, Br. Bob takes the helm of the Province previously served by our Br. Tom Betz, OFM Cap., who served for the past two terms (2016-2022).
Br. Bob was born on September 26, 1966, in Solon, OH, a member of St. Rita Parish there. An early interest in high school seminary led him to apply to our Capuchin St. Fidelis Seminary in 1980, but the seminary was to close its doors that very year. So, instead, he attended St. Mark Seminary High School in Erie, PA (1980-1984) before studying for the Cleveland Diocese at Borromeo College Seminary of Ohio (1984-1988). After graduating, sensing the call to our Capuchin brotherhood, and after living as a postulant of the community and then receiving the habit of the Order in 1989, Bob professed vows as a Capuchin in 1990.
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