Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in New York City has seen many friars come and go over the 156 years since its founding. But in a parish of constant change, in a city of constant change, one of those friars has been a steady presence.

For 45 years, Br. Robert Gerdin has been a pastoral associate of the parish. (That’s more than a quarter of the history of the parish!) He has worked behind the scenes, supervising the maintenance of the facilities of the church and friary. Brother Bob’s skills in building maintenance have been of immeasurable benefit to all the friars who have served as pastor over the decades he has been in residence.

This year marks Brother Bob’s golden jubilee of religious life as a Capuchin. On June 17, the entire Our Lady of Sorrows community gathered in celebration of our quiet, unassuming, talented, and devoted friar. They offered a special Mass for him, followed by a gathering with a meal in the church hall.

It is with little exaggeration that we can say Brother Bob is a pillar of the Our Lady of Sorrows community. Congratulations on 50 years as a Capuchin friar and 45 years at Our Lady of Sorrows, and may God bless you always.