theCapuchin JourneyCAPUCHIN MISSION AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

WINTER 2013

The Capuchin Hurricane Sandy Relief EffortFriars work to meet family needs in affected communities

Province Mission

Living the Gospel according to the Rule of St. Francis of Assisi, the friars of the Province of St. Mary proclaim God’s reign through: • Service to others and mutual service to our

brother friars.

• Embracing and supporting the needs of the diverse communities among whom we live and minister.

• Responding to the needs of our time through our service to the underserved of our church and society, the economically challenged, and the shunned and forgotten.

Capuchin Journeythe

IN THIS ISSUE:

FEATURES

6 The Capuchin Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort 10 Students in Service: College Capuchin Outreach Progam

12 Capuchin Annual Dinner 2012

14 Friar Spotlight: John Clermont 16 Boston Youth Ministry

17 Theofunny: the Manifestation of God’s Sense of Humor

18 Partner Profile: Patrick Moore

DEPARTMENTS

4 News Briefs

19 Province Directory

On the cover: Friars and postulants from St. Michael Friary and volunteers from the Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries serving the New York City communities of Brooklyn and Queens affected by Hurricane Sandy. Photos courtesy of Andrew Skonieczny and St. Michael Friary, Brooklyn, NY.

Provincial Minister’s Letter

Service to others

The Province of St. Mary has always carried out its mission of serving others and supporting the needs of the community. After Hurricane Sandy struck the Northeast, our brothers at St. Michael Friary began assisting families in the waterfront com-munities of Brooklyn and Queens.

Initially, they provided relief supplies and hot food to those in need, but as the needs of the communities began to change, so did the Capuchin Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort. Friars and postu-lants are now helping families rebuild their homes by providing manual labor and construction supplies, as well as performing home repairs. Along the way, they have been assisted by the wider Province of St. Mary family.

Members of the Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries (CYFM) have been instrumental in the relief effort. Since early Decem-ber, CYFM volunteers have been spending their weekends re-moving debris and storm water from flooded homes and doing home repairs in the New York City neighborhoods of Canarsie, Breezy Point, and the Far Rockaways. Their tremendous gener-osity and devotion shows us that the Capuchin spirit is well and alive in our Province.

We hope to continue our mission of service for years to come and have faith that it will be carried out by our youth who are learning the value of service in their communities through CYFM’s Capuchin Outreach Program, an initiative that pairs col-lege students with community service projects ranging from soup kitchen assistance to spending time with the elderly. You can read more about this wonderful program in this issue of The Capuchin Journey.

Thanks to your generous support, the Capuchin Franciscan friars and lay members of the Province of St. Mary are fulfilling St. Francis’s vision of service, ministry, and dedication to the Gospel through their good works.

May God bless you and your loved ones with peace and every good thing.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Francis J. Gasparik, OFM Cap.Provincial Minister

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VOLUME 11, ISSUE 1© 2013 Capuchin Mission & Development Office

Editor in ChiefDina V. Montes

PublisherFr. Francis J. Gasparik, OFM Cap.

Design/Art DirectionDina V. Montes

Photography and contributions:Br. Erik LenhartBr. Matt JaneczkoRobert GadomskiAriel PimentelAndrew SkoniecznyDonna Smith Kresel

Contact us:Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin OrderMission and Development Office210 W. 31st StreetNew York, NY 10001news@capuchin.org

The Capuchin Journey is our way of letting you know how the Province of St. Mary fulfills its mission. You, as part of our community, share this vision of service to those in need. Through this magazine, we want you to know how we use the resources you so generously provide. We hope this magazine shows you the work we do and how valuable your contributions are to us and our ministries. Please feel free to contact us with your comments and suggestions.

Magazine of the Capuchin Franciscansof the Province of St. Mary

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Friars Take Part in Holiday FestivitiesCapuchins across the Province of St. Mary participated

in the tradition of Thanksgiving by serving those in need. The Bread of Life Food Pantry, a Capuchin Franciscan outreach program at St. John the Baptist Church, contin-ued its annual holiday program of distributing turkeys and food to families in need. About 400 uncooked turkeys and chickens, and 200 rotisserie chickens were given to fami-lies before Thanksgiving. A Christmas party was also held for approximately 150 children, who received gifts during the event.

The Church of Good Shepherd also continued its tradi-tion of holding a Thanksgiving dinner, during which an estimated 100 people were served at the church’s parish

hall. In addition, the Church of Good Shepherd parish took part in the Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort by collect-ing donations for affected communities in Staten Island, New York. With the help of the Knights of Columbus, parishioners donated food, clothing, blankets, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. The items were distributed the day after Thanksgiving in Staten Island.

Upcoming CYFM EventsThe Capuchin Youth and Family Ministries will hold

its annual weekend retreat for college students and young adults from February 15 to 17. Titled “Re-Ignite Your Faith,” the event will help young adults focus on develop-ing their spiritual lives and faith.

CYFM will be holding the “Saints for Youth” retreat for high school students of all ages from March 1 to 3. Through study, discussion, activities and action, the retreat will bring the heroes of the Church, the Saints, into our present lives to motivate and inspire! Icebreakers, games, music, and meals help develop community with each other and make the reflections on the lives of the Saints engaging and compelling for all.

Youth interested in attending must submit an applica-tion, which can be found on the CYFM website, www.cyfm.org.

March Discernment WeekendThe Province of St. Mary Vocation Office will be hold-

ing a discernment weekend at Miramar Retreat House in Duxbury, Massachusetts, from March 1 to 3, for men interested in learning more about becoming a Capuchin

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News Briefs

Fr. Ernest Bedard (third from left) of Churh of Good Shepherd with volunteers. The Church of Good Shepherd collected supplies during the Thanksgiving holiday for families affected by Hurri-cane Sandy in Staten Island, New York.

The 2012-2013 Novitiate Class from the Province of St. Mary. Linneker Marin, Anthony Zuba, William Tarraza, Johnny Al-varado and Gavin Diego from the Our Lady Star of the Sea Vice Province.

Franciscan friar. The theme of the event will be “The Capuchin Mission” and will be presented by Fr. Michael Marigliano, OFM Cap. In addition to presentations on the Capuchin life and on discernment, these weekends offer times for communal and private prayer, social events, and plenty of time to reflect on what God is calling you to do. There is also the opportunity to meet Capuchin friars as well as other men who are discerning a call to religious

life. For more information about participating, please contact Br. Tim Jones, OFM Cap. at 845-642-1025 or 802-775-1994, or brotimjonesofmcap@gmail.com. Additional information on these discernment weekends and on voca-tions to the Capuchins can be found at www.capuchin.org/vocations.

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CYFM youth participants.

Elizabeth Seton Nativity SceneOn December 3rd, Fr. Francis Gasparik, Provincial Minister for the Province of St. Mary, and Cardinal Renato Martino blessed a special nativity scene at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center in Yonkers, New York. The nativity scene was created using dolls depicting children with disabilities, and was created especially for the children of Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center, a hospital and rehabilitation center that cares for medical-ly fragile children with complex clinical conditions and disabilities. The blessing was attended by the children of Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center and its supporters.

From top, clockwise: A shepherd doll from the Nativity Set. Cardinal Renato Martino, Fr. Francis Gasparik with Alice Sim (left in first row) with other attendees during the blessing at Elizabeth Seton Pediatric Center. The Three Kings.

Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort

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Friars, postulants, and CYFM volunteers continue to help New York families by helping them rebuild and building relationships with families to meet individual needs, both material and spiritual

It’s been months since Hurricane Sandy hit coastal com-munities in the Northeast, but the storm’s destruction can still be seen in many New York communities. Many homes are still without electricity or in need of major repairs, and empty lots, where houses once stood, are a constant reminder of the im-mense grievance victims have suffered.

Like many individuals, groups and organizations that extend-ed a helping hand to their neighbors, the Capuchins friars from Brooklyn’s St. Michael Friary have been part of the relief effort in the nearby affected communities of Queens and Brooklyn.

A week after the storm, friars helped supply basic necessities like hot food, bottled water, and clothing to families affected by the storm. With so many charitable organizations now provid-

ing these supplies, the Capuchin response has taken a different turn.

Since early December, friars, postulants (men in the first year of the Capuchin formation process), and lay volunteers from the Province of St. Mary have been helping families by repairing homes, supplying building materials, and removing debris and storm water from houses in affected neighborhoods like Breezy Point, Far Rockaways, and Canarsie in Queens and Brooklyn. They are also building relationships with families to meet individual needs, both material and spiritual.

“Everything we do is relational,” says Br. Michael Loerch, a Capuchin friar who has spearheaded the Province’s relief effort. “People first needed hot soup, so that is what we offered the

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The Capuchin

Top: Postulant Andrew Harrington, Br. Michael Loerch, and postulant Augusto de Moura serving hot food to individuals in Brooklyn. Bottom left: CYFM volunteer Kathy Steinman (left), Br. Michael Loerch (right) with Joanne and Tony Bar-celona, a couple they helped with home repairs in Canarsie, Brooklyn. Bottom right, CYFM volunteer Den-nis McCormack (left) and Patrick Moore (kneeled, right) rebuild the entrance ramp for Joe Stevens’ (center, standing) elderly parents-in-law.

“We firmly believe that whomever we help is whom God wants us to help. We try our best and hopefully make an impact not only materi-ally…. but let them know that God is with them during these difficult times.”

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process,” explains Pat Moore, one of the CYFM volunteers. While friars and volunteers do a lot of heavy lifting and

work, Br. Michael explains that the Capuchin Sandy Relief Effort is more than just providing labor service. Volunteers and friars always begin the day with a prayer at St. Mi-chael’s friary before starting their volunteer work at peoples’ homes and end their volunteer work with evening prayer and dinner, fulfilling two essential aspects of Capuchin life – prayer and community.

“It’s not just about the work,” Br. Michael said. “There are larger organizations doing a lot more. We carry debris and trash out and do construction work. It’s informal and off the cuff, but we feel that we are being open to what God wants us to do.”

Most recently, friars and volunteers helped Patti Stevens’ family remove water, debris, and damaged sheetrock and floorboards from their flooded home in Breezy Point. They also rebuilt her elderly parents’ damaged entry door ramp in Breezy Point.

Prior to the friars’ help, the Stevens’ family found them-selves in a tough situation. Their home had flood insurance, which disqualified them from receiving home repair as-sistance from FEMA, yet their insurance company’s process of distributing insurance payments to fix their home would take a few months. With two teenage children still at home, Stevens wanted to do the required home repairs quickly so she and her family could return to their home. Up to then, the family had been living in the basement of her cousin’s house.

“It’s difficult to get help because there are so many people who need help,” explains Stevens.

Stevens, a worker at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, had heard that Capuchin Franciscan friars were helping people in the neighborhood. She communicated with Br. Michael about her flooded house and her elderly parents’ damaged entrance ramp and received the help they so desperately needed.

“These people are absolutely amazing,” said Stevens about the friars and volunteers. “A whole crew of them showed up and it took them 45 minutes to rip out the floor boards in our first floor. They’re so kind, taking the time to travel and work all day.”

As projects like this continue to be requested, the friars have asked parishioners with carpentry and construction skills to be part of the relief effort.

“We hope to continue having skilled volunteers and do this frequently,” said Br. Michael. “A lot of families need help with their homes.”

The needs of families in these communities are beginning to shift from emergency relief to long-term and rebuilding assistance. The friars are aware of these changing needs and are ready to be flexible and tailor service to families’ requests for help. Friars are also helping families in other ways, such as providing financial help to those who lost jobs because of the storm and are now having difficulty paying rent and meeting other financial obligations.

“As we walk with them and the situation on the ground changes, we also have to adapt,” said Br. Michael. “We firmly believe that whomever we help is whom God wants us to help. We try our best and hopefully make an impact not only materially…. but let them know that God is with them during these difficult times.”

first two weeks. Once people got to know us, they started asking for different things – help cleaning their basements and home repairs.”

Br. Michael was one of the first Capuchins to visit af-fected neighborhoods a week after the disaster. Because of his Capuchin habit, people immediately identified him as a friar and walked up to him to vent their frustrations, concerns, and fears.

“People are comforted when they see us because they know Jesus is in the midst of this mess,” Br. Michael said. “Providing supplies and rebuilding homes are physical, but the healing is a lot deeper than that – and that is the part that gets overlooked. People wanted to talk to a friar, confide in someone. One person told me ‘My house is flooded and a week ago my mom died.’ There was a need for us to be in relationship with people whose lives were torn.”

As Br. Michael began meeting more individuals and fami-lies, he realized that many of them could not hire contrac-tors for major home repairs until their flooded or severely damaged homes were cleared of the debris and storm water – a task that would require money for labor or days for families or individuals to complete if possible.

Friars and postulants offered their services and time, but they needed additional help to perform this type of work, so they turned to a branch of the Province with years of experience doing volunteer construction work -- the Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries (CYFM). Br. Lake Herman of St. Michael’s Friary, served seven years as chaplain of CYFM and knew the capabilities that CYFM’s members have. For the past 20 years, CYFM volunteers have travelled to the Appalachian region of Kentucky for the Capuchin Appalachian Mission, a nine-day program in which volunteers perform acts of service, including helping low-income families with home repairs and building room extensions for homes.

“These are highly-skilled men who have been going to Kentucky for years and have always wanted to do some-

thing more local,” Br. Lake said. “This opportunity present-ed itself and they are now leading the charge.”

In early December, seven CYFM volunteers from Gar-rison, New York travelled to Brooklyn for their first day of service. After a short prayer service with friars, the volun-teers split up and went to two individual homes, where they spent the entire day clearing debris, putting up drywall, and painting. In addition to saving families money they would have spent for manual labor, the work also helped families live in more comfortable conditions.

“In some affected areas, you can’t occupy a house until all storm water and debris are removed. Home insurance doesn’t cover some of these costs and if you’re a family, you have to take the initiative to move the home rebuilding

From left to right: Br. Michael Loerch and CYFM volunteers working on home repairs in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn Neighborhood of Breezy Point after Hurricane Sandy. The friars, postulants, and volunteers helping the relief effort, from left to right: Ed Peterson, Fr. Michael Greco, Pat Moore, Michael Delia, Chris Nadareski, Dennis McCormack, Zbynek Gold, Tom Brinkmann, Br. Lake Herman, and postulant Augusto de Moura.

How You Can HelpYou can support the Capuchin Franciscans

friars’ work in helping families affected by Hurricane Sandy by making an online dona-tion to the relief effort through our website: www.capuchin.org.

The Province is also inviting groups and individuals from our Capuchin parishes and ministries who have carpentry experi-ence to join volunteers in conducting home repairs. For more information on participat-ing, contact Fr. Michael Greco at michael-greco5@gmail.com.

Every January, Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries (CYFM) facilitates the College Capuchin Outreach Pro-gram (College COP), a five-day retreat for college students in which they participate in some form of community ser-vice, and focus on strengthening their spirituality and faith.

This winter, College COP had 43 participants perform-ing community service in eight different work sites across the mid-Hudson Valley region in New York state, includ-ing a center for children with special needs, an adult nurs-ing home, and a soup kitchen. Students’ service respon-sibilities ranged from manual labor to spending time with the elderly.

Each afternoon during the retreat, participants returned to CYFM and took part in a theological reflection about

the service they had performed during the day. The stu-dents also took the opportunity during the week to partici-pate in mass and other forms of prayer, as well as relax and unwind during their college Christmas break. Finally, each participant had a prayer partner within the community, an anonymous person who prays specifically for them over the course of the week.

Towards the end of the retreat, students were asked to submit an anonymous evaluation of the retreat, which also included a questionnaire of their experiences.

“I have grown in love. The love I was able to share with the Wingate [a nursing home] residents on day four was infinitely greater than I could’ve ever imagined,” a female participant wrote. “I embraced the opportunity of being

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placed outside of my comfort-zone and grew more versatile in experiences. I grew in my tal-ents and abilities, as I was thrown into sharing them with others. I grew in faith through CCOP. God’s love is amazing, and my trust is in Him.”

The program is funded mainly through reg-istration fees and through the Companions in Service program, which allows supporters to “go by giving.” College students, who “give by go-ing,” send thank you notes, letters, and pictures to Companions in Service after the retreat ends. Throughout the retreat week, students take many opportunities to pray for their Companions in Service, as they are well aware that this wonder-ful program would not be possible without them.

CYFM is extremely grateful to all of its benefactors who support its mission of bringing everyone closer to Jesus Christ. CYFM would also like to thank its College COP work site part-ners that accepted student volunteers: the Hud-son House, a recovery center for individuals with mental illness and emotional illness in New-burgh; INSPIRE, a center for children with spe-cial needs in Goshen; Cortlandt Healthcare Nurs-ing Home in Cortlandt Manor; Wingate Nursing Home in Fishkill; St. Patrick’s Soup Kitchen and Newburgh Ministries community center in New-burgh; Cornwall Food Bank in Cornwall; Rosary Hill Home, a hospice center in Hawthorne; and Habitat for Humanity in Newburgh.

Students in ServiceCYFM’s College Capuchin Outreach Program helps students develop their faith while doing community service By Robert Gadomski

Opposite page: 2013 College COP par-ticipants. Top photo: Participants with their prayer partners. Bottom: College COP volunteers with work-ers of the Cornwall Food Bank in Cornwall, New York.

HOW YOU CAN HELPThe College Capuchin Outreach Program (College COP) is a five-day spiritual retreat in which college students perform community service, ranging from working with Habitat for Humanity to spending time with the elderly. There are a number of ways you can support students’ community projects:

• Become a Companion in Service: This program allows donors to “go by giving.” Companions in Service receive updates and letters from College COP participants about their respective service projects.

• Donate Online: Every contribution makes a difference. Visit www.cyfm.org to make an online donation.

•Offer Prayers: CYFM believes in the power of prayer. Help participants as they prepare for service and engage those in need by keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.

Visit www.cyfm.org to learn more about CYFM’s programs.

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Opposite page: Rev. John McGuire, O.P., pastor of St. Joseph and New York University Chaplain, and Alice Sim, the 2012 Capuchin Spirit Award honoree. This page, left: James Corbett and John Marigliano.

Br. Erik Lenhardt with parishioners of St. John the Baptist Church in Manhattan.

Frank and Joan Gas-parik, parents of Fr. Francis Gasparik, Pro-vincial Minister of the Province of St. Mary. Visit www.capuchin.org

to see the Province of St. Mary’s 60th Anniversary video that caputres the Province’s history and good works in the New York and New England region.

More than 200 friends and supporters of the Province of St. Mary celebrated the province’s 60th anniversary during the third Annual Capuchin Dinner, which was held November 15 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City’s Times Square. The annual benefit raised $115,000, which will help support the Capuchin friars’ apostolic work in the New York and New England region, and abroad.

In addition to celebrating the province’s 60 years of serving communities, the event also honored nine jubilarians, friars celebrating anniversaries of religious life. Fr. Michael Marigliano opened the dinner with a poignant and heartfelt prayer, in which he expressed gratitude to those in the audience.

“Here at the turn of the 21st century, the friars of the Province of St. Mary endeavor to continue this legacy of St. Fran-cis of Assisi in helping to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ alive for the people of our own troubled days,” Fr. Michael said. “In peace and joy, we wager that the Spirit of Jesus Christ calms our every fear.”

The 2012 Capuchin Spirit Award was presented to Alice Sim, an affiliate of the Province and a strong supporter of its ministries. “I accept this honor in memory of the many dear friars who have taught me the humble way of St. Francis,” Sim said. “I pray the Lord continue to bless the Province of St. Mary, especially the jubilarians and all who partner in their mission of the Gospel.” Many in attendance said it was gratifyingly clear that in her, the province has an unwavering and inestimable champion.

Jennifer Demers, the development associate for the Province of St. Mary, was pleased to note that attendance for the

event has increased signifi-cantly over the last couple of years, from 75 attendees in 2010 to 215 in 2012. Proceeds have also risen. The 2012 An-nual Capuchin Dinner raised nearly $50,000 more than the previous year.

Besides helping raise funds for the friars’ ministerial work, the event was successful in bringing together the devoted friars and supporters of the Province. Everyone was so no-ticeably enjoying themselves that it easily reminded one of the spirit of Thanksgiving; this family gathering together to celebrate and pay homage to those who make the mission of the Province possible.

The 2012 CapuChin annual Dinner Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Province and JubilariansBy Ariel Pimentel

CYFM CapCorps Volun-teer Lauren Numrich with postulants Michael Lettko, Angel Luna, and Augusto De Moura.

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versity of America in Washington D.C., where he focused on Economics, a subject that had always interested in him. He first earned his master’s degree and later a doctorate degree. His doctoral dissertation told the story of insurance workers organizing into labor unions.

After completing his studies, Fr. John taught at St. An-thony Seminary in Hudson, New Hampshire, from 1957 to 1959, and again from 1965 to 1972. He then returned to New York City to become part of the parish staff of Our Lady of Sorrows in the Lower East Side section of Manhat-tan.

“I loved it so much that I wanted to stay there forever,” Fr. John said about Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. “But then Honduras presented itself in 1972. So I went there.”

In Honduras, Fr. John served the parish of San Marcos de Ocotepeque, a town in the western part of the country. He quickly fell in love with the Central American country and enjoyed his work there tremendously, he said. “I fit in very well. I struggled with the language, but people were very understanding.”

From 1976 to 1982, he was pastor of Our Lady of Sor-rows. In the years that followed, Fr. John’s ministry would alternate between Honduras and New York, serving in St. Joseph the Worker Parish in East Patchogue, New York and in St. John the Baptist Church in Manhattan. In 1982, he received the opportunity to be part of the parish staff at the historic St. Patrick Cathedral, one of New York City’s most recognized churches. At the time, half of the priests at the Cathedral were from religious orders and they worked together with the Cathedral’s diocesan priests.

“It is difficult to describe the kind of work a priest does at St. Patrick’s Cathedral,” said Fr. John. “It is a sacramen-tal church. People from all over the world go there to marry and to baptize their children. I really enjoyed meeting so

many different people.”After serving nine years at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fr.

John became a vice-chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York. Completing that task, he returned to Honduras and joined other Capuchins in helping the elderly and the children at Casa de Maria (Spanish for House of Mary), a center that serves as a home for the elderly poor and a reha-

bilitation clinic for malnourished children. “Casa de Maria saved so many babies,” Fr. John remem-

bers. “It also saved many elderly people who had no place to go.”

This summer, Fr. John will celebrate 60 years in the priesthood, a very special milestone for a friar who has served in ministries and churches in New York and abroad.

“I think I have had a wonderful life,” said Fr. John. “I have always considered myself nothing more than a ser-vant, a man of some talent and imagination, a man of open mind, a man whose years in the priesthood have been a wit-ness to God’s love.”

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The Province of St. Mary is fortunate to have many friars with decorated careers and long histo-ries of serving different communities around the world. Fr. John Clermont of St. John the Baptist Church in New York is a shining example of the different talents a friar can bring to his ministry.

A Capuchin Franciscan friar since 1945, Fr. John has earned a PhD in Economics, taught col-lege courses has been part of the parish staff at the historic St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, penned a memoir, and devoted 15 years of mis-sion work in Honduras, serving rural communities in the Central American country. Although he has had a long life in ministry that spans 60 years, the 85-year-old friar continues to serve and is cur-rently part of the parish staff at St. John the Baptist Church in Manhattan.

“I’ve had a wonderful life,” Fr. John said. “It’s

been a joyful journey. I have been called to serve God and I think I have done this well.”

Fr. John’s happiness in life and ministry can be read in his memoir My Joyful Journey, which he wrote in 2010. Born in Yonkers, New York, Fr. John’s family attended Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers, which is staffed by Capuchin Franciscans. He and his family were greatly influenced by the good works of the Capuchins. By the time he was 14, Fr. John felt a calling to become a Capuchin.

“My vocation to the priesthood and to the Capu-chin Order was nurtured by my parents and by my family,” Fr. John said. “They did this in an easy go-ing, matter of fact way. They loved the Church and they loved the world.”

Fr. John was ordained in 1953, and while many newly ordained priests went on to serve in parishes, Fr. John continued his studies at the Catholic Uni-

Opposite page: Fr. John Clermont at St. John the Baptist Church in Manhat-tan. This page, left: My Joyful Journey, a memoir written by Fr. John. Right: Fr. John, shortly after his 1953 ordination.

Friar Spotlight: Fr. John ClermontFr. John has served the Province of St. Mary for 60 years, ministering in the Northeast and abroad

“ I have had a wonderful life. I have always considered myself nothing more than a servant...a man whose years in the priesthood have been witness to God’s love.

Class does not begin for another half an hour, yet shortly after I unlock the door at 4:00 p.m., a trickle of students begins, one or two at a time, until immediately before class (and of course, after we’re supposed to begin), they arrive in groups of five or six. I have an attendance sheet in my hand, trying to desperately to put the names and faces of my sixty-five seventh grade students together. I can usually get about half on the first try; the others I name only after they answer my stock question, “First letter of your name?”

And so it goes: attendance and the normal banter. “How was your week? How was school? Yes, I got your mother’s

email. We can definitely pray for your grandmother.” We open with prayer and then it’s off to the races: an hour and a half class followed by the 6:00 p.m. mass. There are about seventy-five of us in the church basements: students and teachers and me. Today we’re covering the Eucharist in class. I mention that it’s a Mystery and explain what I mean. “That’s why after the Consecration, the priest says, ‘The Mystery of Faith.’” A seventh grader from across the room explodes. “Oh! I thought he was saying ‘The Misery of Faith!” Laughter from some (including me).

The students break into small groups. I move from table to table, attempting to find the happy medium between listening into what is happening and letting the small group leaders facilitate discussion without me getting involved. At the conclusion of class, we end as we began, in prayer. The students normally write down their intentions on small pieces of paper and put them into a “Prayer Can.” (Get it? Because with prayer, we can).

These are my Sunday afternoons: Confirmation class at

Saint Brigid and Gate of Heaven Parishes in South Bos-ton. By the time I arrive home on Sunday evenings, I’m exhausted – and the thought of Morning Prayer at 6:30 am the next morning does not help. But, I wouldn’t trade my ministry is South Boston for anything: with all of the talk of young people being disinterested in their Catholic faith, I find myself actively engaged in their catechesis and evan-gelization. At the same time, I’m also constantly in contact with their parents, trying to help them with the million and one problems that come with raising a young person in today’s day and age.

There seems to be me to be something authentically and undeniably Franciscan – and specifically Capuchin – about my ministry in South Boston. Francis possessed a deep respect for the Sacraments, believing that in them we came face to face with the Living God. His own experiences taught him that only a distinct encounter with Christ could change someone’s life. The earliest Capuchins traveled down from their hermitages when the people were in need: they realized that nothing could replace interaction with another Christian. There was no better way, the Capu-chins learned, to communicate Christ than through human contact.

In all of this, however, whatever I give, I cannot count what I have received back. There’s a common adage which suggests that teachers learn as much as their student do, if not more. For me, it’s even more than that: if I’m attempt-ing to bring my students to Christ, they’re just as effectively (and likely more successfully) doing the same for me.

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People are usually surprised to learn that I am both a Capuchin Friar and a stand-up comedian. For me, it’s not too complicated. I like being a Capuchin friar because I like Franciscan Spirituality and the Gospels. I like stand-up comedy because I like jokes. I also think that God likes jokes. In the Bible, there are many examples to prove this. Jesus was very funny, but often times when we read a joke out of the Gospel, we may miss it (as many of the disciples did). If a joke is hundreds of years old and in a different language, it is especially easy to miss. I know the language part is true because last summer when I was in Bolivia, I performed in Spanish. The audience there laughed during my performance, but I’m not sure they were laughing because they got my jokes.

One of my favorite things about stand-up comedy is that it’s fun. It’s a tremendous thrill to engage a crowd and communicate part of your world view. This does not always happen, of course. There are times when people in the audience don’t share my world view and won’t laugh. In the Gospels, there were times when Jesus’ audience didn’t get his message either. Jesus had a tough time trying to communicate his vision of the Kingdom of God. Rejection is the risk you take when you attempt to share your world view.

One joke I tell is about the study of theology: I study theology. People often ask what that means. I

tell them that “theos” means “God” and “ology” means “the study of,” so when you put them together, theology

means, I’m not going to make very much money.This is a simple type of joke, which I call a “left turn.”

The premise sets up the pattern, and then makes a sudden “left turn” at the end. There are many examples of “left turns” in the New Testament. Ideas like “you must be holier than the Pharisees,” “turn the other cheek, or “love your enemies” are all unexpected pattern-breaking ideas. I think of Christianity as a “Left Turn” theology, which attempts to break the typical patterns of society. Comedy and the Gospels have a great deal in common. Both are often subversive to authority and social norms. Stand-up, like the Gospel, can expose the parts of our world that are unjust or absurd.

My aim is to try to imitate the humor of Jesus. Jesus’ humor proposes a truth in a memorable way that subverts typical thinking about God and the world. Jesus uses some of my favorite types of jokes: Left-turns (love your enemies), double meaning (you must be born again), and hyperbolic outcomes (If your right hand causes you to sin cut it off).

Stand-up comedy is an art form, and like all types of art, stand-up comedy is a just a vehicle to deliver material. The material is the ideas, and the art is the just the wrap-ping. Literature, paintings, and music are other art forms that have traditionally been used to transmit the Gospel. Comedy is like preaching. You use the tools you have to catch the audience attention and give them a glimpse of your world view.

the·o·fu·nny: (n) [thee-o-fuhn-ee] the manifestation of God’s sense of humor

By Br. Erik Lenhart

Br. Matt Janeczko with female con-firmation students from the parishes of Gate of Heaven, St. Brigid, and St. Mon-ica-St. Augustine, all located in the South Boston area. Stu-dents participated in a Thanksgiving food drive for families in need. Photo by Rev. Robert Casey.

Youth Ministry in South BostonBr. Matt Janeczko reflects on his ministry of building faith among youth in South BostonBy Br. Matt Janeczko

Br. Erik Lenhart with Fr. Fred Nickle.

For more than a decade, Patrick Moore has been a strong supporter of the Province of St. Mary in one form or an-other. He has not only financially supported the Province, Moore also lends his talents and services as a member of the Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries (CYFM) and as chair of the Province’s Capuchin Franciscan Leadership Council (CFLC), a committee of friars and lay members who provide strategic guidance in helping the Province reach its goals of serving the New York and New England region.

Moore, a partner at Antalek & Moore Insurance in Bea-con, New York, was introduced to the Province of St. Mary in 1996 when his oldest daughter began attending CYFM’s Day by Day Agape, a four-day spiritual retreat for high school teens.

“She went to the retreat reluctantly,” Moore remembers. “And by the end of it, she didn’t want to leave.”

With a newfound love for CYFM, his daughter urged Moore to become involved in the youth and family organi-zation. Moore, a father of three, began volunteering during CYFM’s youth retreats, and soon after, began taking part in the Capuchin Appalachian Mission, a nine-day service program in which volunteers travel to Harlan, Kentucky to provide service for low-income families. His first volun-teer trip was in 2001, and since then, Moore has been to Harlan County with CYFM youth every summer.

“I think we as adults have an obligation to mentor the millennial generation,” Moore said in explaining his CYFM involvement. “It’s important that youth see adults do good works and be spiritually strong.”

Seeing first hand the impact CYFM’s programs and retreats have in shaping Catholic youth’s faith, Moore be-lieved it was important to secure CYFM’s programs in the future. But to do so, it would be necessary for lay members

in the Province to start contributing more financially. A business man and partner of an insurance firm, Moore

worked with friars in developing a strategic business plan that would help fund CYFM’s programs. The Province of St. Mary’s leadership, the Provincial Council, soon invited him to join the Capuchin Franciscan Leadership Council (CFLC), which is compromised of friars and lay members who have expertise in finance, investment, real estate de-velopment, and media. CFLC lay members offer business acumen to the Province that helps friars fund community outreach programs and ministry work. In 2010, Moore became the chair of the CFLC, a position he still holds.

As chair of the CFLC, Moore is working with members to get more laity involved in securing the future of the Province and the Catholic Church.

“There is a realization that men in religious life need to seek assistance from the laity where they can contribute and complement the leadership. The laity at the same time needs to step up and offer their talents and contributions for the betterment of the religious order,” Moore said.

In addition to his CFLC duties, Moore contributed his time to organizing the 2012 Annual Capuchin Dinner in which he provided project management guidance and his network skills to make the event the most attended to date. He is also contributing his time to the Capuchin Sandy Relief Effort and is part of the CYFM volunteer group that has been helping families clean, repair, and rebuild their damaged homes.

Moore’s dedication and the generosity of his contribu-tions, time, and talent is helping fund the Province of St. Mary’s ministries of helping the poor and disadvantaged.

“The work of the CFLC and its associate members is to be highly praised under the leadership of Pat Moore,” said Fr. Francis Gasparik, Provincial Minister of the Province of St. Mary. “Their wisdom and guidance is helping friars do the good works that Capuchins are known for.”

Province DirectoryNew YorkSt. Joachim Friary

61 Leonard Street

Beacon, NY 12508

Phone: 845-838-0000

St. Michael Friary

225 Jerome Street

Brooklyn, NY 11207

Phone: 718-827-6090

St. Joseph The Worker Friary & Parish

510 Narragansett Avenue

East Patchogue, NY 11772-5132

Phone: 631-286-7921

Capuchin Youth & Family Ministry

781 Route 9D; PO Box 192

Garrison, NY 10524

Phone: 845-424-3609

St. Fidelis Friary

7790 County Road 153

Interlaken, NY 14847-9648

Phone: 607-532-4423

St. Joseph Friary & Parish

34 South Chestnut Street

New Paltz, NY 12561-1914

Phone: 845-255-5635

Capuchin Vocation Office

110 Shonnard Place

Yonkers, NY 10703-2228

Phone: 914-375-8230

Capuchin Mission & Development Office

210 West 31st Street

New York, NY 10001-2876

Phone: 212-564-0759

Blessed James Haddad Friary

93 Park Terrace West

New York, NY 10034-1382

Phone: 212-304-0169

Good Shepherd Friary & Parish

608 Isham Street

New York, NY 10034

Phone: 212-567-1300

Our Lady of Sorrows Friary & Parish

213 Stanton Street

New York, NY 10002

Phone: 212-475-2321

St. John the Baptist Friary & Parish

210 West 31st Street

New York, NY 10001-2876

Phone: 212-564-9070

St. Conrad Friary

30 Gedney Park Drive

White Plains, NY 10605-3599

Phone: 914-761-3008

Sacred Heart Friary & Parish

110 Shonnard Place

Yonkers, NY 10703-2228

Phone: 914-963-4205

St. Clare Friary

110 Shonnard Place

Yonkers, NY 10703

Phone: 914-423-2392

MassachusettsSan Lorenzo Friary

15 Montebello Road

Jamaica Plain, MA 02130-2352

Phone: 617-983-1919

St. Francis of Assisi Friary

46 Brookside Avenue

Jamaica Plain, MA 02130-2370

Phone: 617-522-6469

ConnecticutSt. Pius X Friary & Parish

310 Westfield Street

Middletown, CT 06457-2047

Phone: 860-347-4441

New Hampshire

St. Anne–St. Augustin

Friary & Parish

383 Beech Street

Manchester, NH 03103-7290

Phone: 603-623-8809

MaineFriar Residence

24 North Raymond Road

Gray, ME 04039-7724

Phone: 207-657-7075

VermontSt. Peter Friary & Parish

134 Convent Avenue

Rutland, VT 05701

Phone: 802-775-1994

CaliforniaSan Lorenzo Friary

1802 Sky Drive-Post Office Box 247

Santa Ynez, CA 93460

Phone: 805-688-5630

FloridaBlessed John XXIII Friary

7171 128th Street North

Seminole, FL 33776-4306

Phone: 727-397-0011

Star of the SeaVice ProvinceSt. Fidelis Friary

135 Chalan Kapuchino

Agana Heights, Guam 96910

Phone: 671-472-6339

Custody of JapanSt. Francis Friary & Parish

1 Aza Oroku

Naha City, Okinawa

Japan 901-0152

Phone: 011-81-48-521-1098

1918

PARTNER PROFILE

As Chair of the Capuchin Franciscan Leadership Council, Patrick Moore is assisting the Province of St. Mary achieve its goals of serving the New York and New England region

Above: Patrick Moore. Bottom: Patrick Moore (center) with other CYFM volunteers during the Capuchin Huricane Sandy Re-lief Effort in which they helped families with home repairs.

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