Br. Erik Lenhart celebrated and preached at the monthly young adult Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral on May 6. He reflected on the image of the vine and the branches Jesus uses in the farewell discourses of the Gospel of John. He noted that the verb “remain” appears numerous times in Chapter 15 of John. “It’s a good word for us. ‘I am the vine and you are the branches. Remain in me as I remain in you.’ Sometimes we can put ourselves into things that don’t remain, that don’t last… things that are not of eternal consequence. Many people thought Caesar had power that would remain,” said Brother Erik, who is the Province’s vocation director and also the director of Capuchin Family Ministries. An hour of Eucharistic adoration preceded the liturgy, and a social gathering followed at a nearby pub. About 200 people attended the Mass, including members of the general public, according to The Good News Room.

Br. David Couturier has published a book that synthesizes a moral vision from Judeo-Christian history and the lived experience of the early Franciscans. A New Moral Imagination investigates the ethical highlights of the way of Francis and Clare of Assisi. Beginning with the ancient philosophical question of Plato and Aristotle on what is the good life, he charts the basic moral foundations of the Jewish imagination and the early Jesus movement before laying out the distinctive moral imagination of the early Franciscan movement. You can purchase Brother David’s book at Franciscan Institute Publications; click HERE to place your order.

Br. Samuel Fuller participated in the Archdiocese of Boston’s 17th annual social justice convocation on March 14 at Boston College High School. The gathering, whose theme was “Catholic Social Teaching: The Wisdom That Calls Us to Action,” brought together clergy, ministry leaders, and laity to stir faith-filled action for the justice and peace of Christ. He concelebrated the Mass with Archbishop Richard Henning. 

Br. Maxim D’Souza represented the Delegation of Japan at an assembly of the Pacific-Asian Capuchin Conference for the promotion of justice, peace, and integrity of creation (JPIC). The gathering was held on April 9-13 in Medan, Indonesia. At that meeting, Brother Maxim was appointed vicar co-ordinator of JPIC for the conference. Participants noted that working for the justice and peace of Christ in the world is more than a mission; it is a way of life. “When we are really grounded in our Capuchin charisms as taught by our Seraphic Father Francis, then we can be very effective and energetic in our JPIC activities,” Brother Maxim said. “It was indeed enlightening and inspiring to know how much good is being done in each province, and it was also motivating to do more than what we have been doing. There were many concrete decisions taken to start and strengthen the Capuchin JPIC mission. We hope and pray that this will grow as a powerful witness to all other jurisdictions and circumscriptions.”

Br. Martin Curtin, pastor of St. Michael-St. Malachy Parish in Brooklyn, N.Y., has been conducting a Bible study in Spanish on Saturdays for the people of God. He wanted also to share those studies and reflections with an English-speaking audience. So he began a video instructional series on the parish’s YouTube channel. He is currently finishing a series on the Book of Genesis. In addition, two of his parishioners, Jose Pinedo Whatts and Vanessa Garcia Pinedo, have debuted “Conversations in Good Faith,” their new podcast where honest dialogue meets faith, hope, and real-life experiences. They said that their podcast “is a space where we talk about life, challenges, growth, and how faith guides us through it all. No judgment—just real conversations, real people, and real purpose. Whether you’re strong in your faith, searching for answers, or just looking for encouragement, you’re in the right place. Let’s grow, learn, and walk this journey together… in good faith.” Click HERE for the St. Michael-St. Malachy YouTube channel; join our Bible study! Click HERE for the Pinedos’ podcast!◼︎