As the provincial director of development, I get to spend time with generous people of faith like you who contribute financially to the Province of St. Mary. Certainly, my plan in the future is to get out of our office in Yonkers, N.Y., more frequently to travel around the country and visit you, our friends, and thank you for the many ways you support our Capuchin life and ministries. 

Among our many cherished associates, there exists a special group of people who are so committed to the Capuchin charisms that they have included the Province of St. Mary in their estate plans. These dedicated partners are members of our Capuchin Legacy Society. One becomes a member by committing to what is called a planned gift. There are many ways to pledge such a gift. We would love for you to become a member of our legacy society.

To help you understand more about this special relationship, I interviewed two current members: One is a woman who has been connected to the Capuchins from early childhood; and the other is a gentleman who has gotten to know us later in his life.

‘This Is God’s Work’

Theresa Brokowski’s earliest contact with the Capuchins was unintentional. From a window of the grade school at St. Casimir Church in Yonkers, N.Y., young Theresa had a view of the majestic, graceful spires of Sacred Heart Church uphill. Then, one day, she got a closer look.

“Thanks to my mother, I once attended, reluctantly, services at this magnificent edifice and witnessed the solemnity of the Transitus, commemorating the death and passing of St. Francis,” she recalled. “Watching and listening to the friars at prayer was a moving experience. A sense of unusual peace and holy atmosphere prevailed, an unforgettable moment. It was the first of many visits I made to the church.”

Years later, after college and subsequent employment in northern New York State, Brokowski returned to Yonkers, a stone’s throw from Sacred Heart. Her casual greetings after Mass with the always-visible Capuchins led to lengthier conversations and invitations to become more active in the parish. Eventually, after turns as a lector, Eucharistic minister, and member of parish committees, she became a trustee.

Now, after many years of giving her time and talent and treasure, Brokowski is leaving a legacy gift to the Province.

“I’m convinced that the scope and the breadth of the Capuchin charisms and mission must continue, and to do so, ongoing funds are needed,” Brokowski said. “This is the reason that necessitates and demands my support through a legacy gift, confident that I have had a small part in the great Capuchin endeavor.”

Brokowski believes that the Capuchins of the Province of St. Mary are fulfilling the vision of St. Francis of Assisi through lives of fraternity, prayer, simplicity, and a dedication to serve the needy.

“This is God’s work,” she said. “My ongoing mission is to spread this message to others, to encourage them to do the same.”

Faithful to Works of Mercy

Dan Sullivan, 92, first met the Franciscan friars as a freshman at Siena College in 1950 and later attended parishes and a retreat center that they staffed in Arizona. He met Margie, the love of his life, while they worked together at Motorola. Years later, Dan and Margie became acquainted with the Capuchins of our Province through our mailings. They have been making monthly gifts to the Province of St. Mary since June 2013. “We wanted to financially support your good works to help the poor and needy, so we began our first monthly donations to the Capuchins,” Sullivan said.

Now the Sullivans have remembered the Province of St. Mary in their will.

“We recognized your commitment to helping those in need and providing important spiritual guidance to them,” Sullivan said. “We decided that we would financially support such a dedicated organization whose mission was to faithfully provide the corporal works of mercy to those in need and want. We hope that our donations to the Capuchins will help them to continue their great work, perhaps even to expand it.”

Offering a legacy gift has given Dan and Margie joy.

“God has blessed us in so many ways. It does bring great joy to us both, when we can share some of His blessings He has given us with others. Especially to those so much in need of physical and spiritual help and healing,” Sullivan said.