A Story of Faith and Community
The Capuchins have nestled in the foothills of the Green Mountains in southern Vermont for over 18 years. Here, in one of the most challenging mission fields of the Catholic Church in the United States, they have been quietly answering the call to serve the faithful.
Vermont, like many Northeastern states, has witnessed a decrease in its Catholic population because of migration and secularization. In 1978, it was home to over 161,000 Catholics, representing more than a third of the state’s population. By 2023, that number had fallen to 110,000. While the drop in the number of baptized is notable, the decline in the number of priests available to serve them poses an even greater challenge. In 2023, the Diocese of Burlington, which covers all of Vermont, reported 36 active diocesan priests, 44 permanent deacons, and 15 religious priests. They are tasked with ministering to 68 parishes across the state.
Into a region of the Diocese of Burlington where these demographic changes and shifts in church attendance have been acute, the friars stepped in. Their service has had an impact on the lives of the faithful and the parishes they call home.
Two Parishes
The first Capuchins came to southern Vermont in 2006 at the invitation of Bishop Salvatore Matano. He sought to avoid parish closures wherever possible and instituted plans to combine parishes and create alternate Mass schedules. He looked beyond the pool of available diocesan priests by reaching out to religious congregations like the Capuchins for help. (Bishop John McDermott, who was installed in July, has followed the lead of his predecessors.)
Initially, the friars took charge of two parishes: St. Peter in Rutland and St. Dominic in Proctor. St. Peter, one of the oldest parishes in the region, was founded over 150 years ago and remains the mother parish of the area. St. Dominic was founded in 1925 to serve a largely Italian immigrant community. Several of our priest friars took up residence in Vermont, including Fr. Theodosius Corley, Fr. Thomas Houle, Fr. Michael Ramos, and Fr. Raynold Thibodeau, as well as lay brothers Br. Timothy Jones and Br. Joseph Yakimovich. All of them brought their unique ministerial gifts to the people of God.
Recently, three friars took on the yeoman’s work to sustain the region’s parochial communities: Fr. Richard Crawley, Fr. Maurice Moreau, and Fr. John Tokaz. Arriving in 2015, Father Moe took on the parishes of Our Lady of Good Help-St. Mary in Brandon and St. Alphonsus in Pittsford. Father John succeeded Father Tom as pastor at St. Peter in 2020 and became guardian of the friary. He and Father Moe also provided pastoral and spiritual care at two other parishes.
In 2023, the diocese and the Province decided that the friars would assume the pastoral and administrative responsibilities for St. Bridget and St. Stanislaus parishes in West Rutland and return to St. Dominic in Proctor. Father Richard, who ministered in Vermont a decade earlier, was named the administrator of these parishes.
Father Moe became guardian of the fraternity in Rutland while he continued his service as pastor of St. Alphonsus, Pittsford, and Our Lady of Good Help, Brandon. Father John continued ministering as pastor of St. Peter until 2024, when he retired from active ministry. Father Moe then became the pastor at St. Peter as well.
The obstacles facing the six parishes under Father Moe and Father Richard’s care are logistical, emotional, and spiritual. Many of these parishes have seen their numbers dwindle, with several undergoing mergers in recent years. The process of combining parishes can create anxiety and uncertainty, but the Capuchins have worked tirelessly to help their communities make the transition smoothly.
Two Shepherds, Six Flocks
Managing six parishes with only two priests might seem like an insurmountable challenge, but for Father Moe and Father Richard, it is a calling they approach with joy, humility, and an unwavering commitment to the Gospel.
The friars preside at Mass at each of the churches and supervise the religious education programs. They celebrate all the funerals and weddings and any other special events that fall outside the normal schedule of liturgical life. Barb Kahler, the sacristan and a 15-year parishioner at St. Alphonsus, marvels at the ease with which Father Moe approaches his work. “Father Moe is so approachable, always in a good mood and always moving. He does every little thing in the church, even installing the carpeting,” she says. “But the greatest gift of these Capuchins is how they interact with us. They’re just special.
Another parishioner agreed. “Even on his down time, Father Moe is working for the parish,” said 20-year parishioner Elaine Ryan. “He paints rooms in the parish, he cooks for the parish council, and because he worked as a florist, he even manages all the flower beds. When we arrange flowers for the altar, he comes in, rearranges things, and always makes it better. These guys are always making it better!”
“School was never my thing. I just can’t sit still that long!” said Father Moe with a laugh. “I feel suited to this. I became a Capuchin to live in fraternity, and a priest to do parish work.
“This assignment is the best of both worlds for me. I feel I have been placed where I belong.”
Father Richard feels the same way. From a young age, he was drawn in by the life of St. Francis of Assisi and by Franciscan spirituality. He feels that as Capuchins, he and his brother friars are uniquely suited to take on the rigors of this assignment. “We’ve received a kind of formation and training as Capuchins that uniquely prepare us for this role,” he said.
Franciscans are found all over the world, and they embrace all peoples and cultures. Father Richard honors the history of the Irish, Italian, and Polish communities that were the bedrock of his churches. For example, he wore vestments bearing the image of Our Lady of Czestochowa, patroness of Poland, for the funeral of a long-time parishioner of St. Stanislaus. “I believe it is important to do little things well,” he says.
Community Ministry; Fun and Games
Beyond the parishes, the friars have taken on ministries that serve the southern Vermont region. Joseph Meyers, a 25-year parishioner at Our Lady of Good Help who works at a nursing facility, reports: “They have brought the Mass to the Genesis Health Care Center, where I work, for the first time in years.” They can also often be seen ministering at the hospital.
The friars encourage parishioners to engage in outreach ministries that benefit the community. The faithful at St. Alphonsus gather groceries that are distributed to the needy through a regional food pantry called The Food Shelf. In addition to her work as sacristan for the parish, Barb Kahler gives her time and talent to another lay ministry that knits shawls, lap robes, and blankets for the church and for those in need. “The Capuchins encouraged us in these ministries,” she said. “Wherever we find a need, we fill it.”
The community also comes into the parishes. Every Saturday night, Father Moe runs bingo at the St. Alphonsus parish center. “The proceeds benefit both parishes,” says Father Moe. “Plus it’s a great activity for the community.” Jeff Carrara and his father John help run the evening. “The attendees are a mix of people from within and outside the parishes,” Jeff said. “They come together for a fun night with friends, and it’s for the good of the parish.” Trish Bertino, secretary at Our Lady of Good Help for 8 years, also helps run the weekly bingo game. “The Capuchins have been just wonderful to work with.”
In the midst of so much ministerial activity, both Father Moe and Father Richard find time to pursue their own interests. Father Moe happens to love gardening, cooking, and, as he says, ”puttering around” the place fixing things. Father Richard enjoys skating at the ice rink. Sometimes he can be found playing hockey for a local league. His love of the game is such that his parishioners affectionately refer to him as “the holy goalie.
Reaching the Faithful
It doesn’t take much to get parishioners talking about their affection and gratitude for the friars. Joe Barbagallo, a lifelong parishioner at St. Peter, quipped, “These guys are like the circuit judges in the Old West, only now we have circuit priests. But I thank God we have them.” Outside St. Bridget, a group gathered to chat about the Capuchins. “I love them and the way they serve. They are so down to earth,” said Brian McDermott, a parishioner for 49 years. Marge Munger, a 40-year parishioner at Our Lady of Good Help, expresses a feeling shared by many of the faithful in the region. “I am grateful that the Capuchins have been so generous with these wonderful friars; otherwise, we would probably close our doors. Not to mention that they are the best shepherds a parish could ask for!”