 Fr. Brendan Buckley hailed the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, in an interview with the Catholic Courier of the Diocese of Rochester. “He walked with the people of Peru, and in that journey became a citizen and, in a very real sense, was a migrant. Who better could understand the struggles of immigrants as they attempt to navigate their way in a foreign land? He stands shoulder to shoulder with all the immigrants we serve here in the Diocese of Rochester and throughout our country,” said Father Brendan, who ministers to migrants in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. |
 Fr. Will Tarraza was appointed to the international formation council of the Capuchin Order on May 5. Father Will is the guardian of the North American Pacific and Capuchin Conference novitiate community at San Lorenzo Seminary in Santa Ynez, Calif., where he is the assistant director of novices. |
 Fr. Scott Leet was honored by Cabrini Immigrant Services NYC on June 14 for providing legal aid to asylum seekers and undocumented youth. Father Scott, who was formerly a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s office before becoming a Capuchin friar, volunteered weekly at Cabrini for a couple of years. (Read more about it here.) We thank Father Scott for his work on behalf of the immigrant families he served. |
 Fr. Patrick Sullivan, who donated one of his kidneys in 2002, ran a 5K race for organ and tissue donation awareness in Ocean Grove, N.J., on May 17. He was joined by about 400 other runners who were organized by the NJ Sharing Network. A much larger number took part in a 5K walk on the same ocean-front route. Father Patrick participates regularly in athletic events to promote organ and tissue donation as a pro-life cause. |
 Br. Richard Therrien led a day of recollection for a group of Secular Franciscans at St. Lawrence Friary, Beacon, N.Y., on March 29. The theme was “Faith and Discipleship.” He gave two lectures followed by question-and-answer period. Mark’s Gospel was used as a source of the call to discipleship. Brother Richard said there were five key points for being a disciple of Jesus: putting Jesus first in all things; following His teachings; bearing fruit; loving other disciples; and making disciples of others. |
 Fr. Michael Greco preached the Lenten mission at St. Pius X Parish in Middletown, Conn., March 24-26. The theme was “Taking a Leap in Faith.” Almost 200 people attended on the first evening, when Father Michael spoke about the gift of faith. On the second evening, he spoke about fear as an obstacle to faith, and the friars of St. Pius—Fr. Marvin Bearis, pastor; Fr. Ernie Bedard, parochial vicar; and Fr. Matthias Wesnofske—offered the sacrament of reconciliation after the mission talk. On the third and final evening, Father Michael spoke about fasting and food, and following the talk there was a reception with light refreshments. |
 Fr. Stephen Claud Mascarenhas, a friar of Holy Trinity Province, Karnataka, India, is serving with the friars of our Delegation of Guam. He celebrated his 25th anniversary of religious life as a Capuchin with the friars of St. Fidelis Friary, Agaña Heights, Guam, on May 15. He presided and preached at the liturgy, which was followed by a dinner featuring some Indian entrees and desserts. |
