What a joy it is for me to write to you during this time of Thanksgiving and Advent, acknowledging with gratitude God’s many blessings to us, and anticipating the joys of the entire Christmas season. Let me take a moment to thank you, our beloved family, friends, and benefactors, for your many acts of kindness, friendship, and generosity to the Province of St. Mary. We simply could not minister to God’s people without the love, support, and faith that you have in God and in us!
The friars in the Province of St. Mary are blessed indeed with a long line of heroes who have donned the brown habit. Our men have ministered as counselors, pastors, receptionists, nurses, parish priests, youth workers, social workers, educators, administrators, hospital, military, and prison chaplains, carpenters, lawyers, psychologists and missionaries. They have worked selflessly among the poor and homeless, in soup kitchens, in shelters, out on the streets, offering words of encouragement and hope, sharing God’s Word and praying with those who feel lonely and abandoned. It is no wonder that Pope Pius XI called the Capuchins the “marines of the church.” It is because of our willingness to go to places and do things that others might not do, such as ministering in poor neighborhoods, serving in difficult assignments, facing adversities, and embracing dangerous situations.
As provincial minister, I am blessed to see and hear how our friars are making a difference in the world. I have received letters, e-mails, and phone calls from those whose lives have been positively affected by our friars. I have received words of gratitude from bishops and cardinals where our friars serve. Their appreciation always comes with the request to send more friars to them to assist in their dioceses! This only highlights our need for increased prayers for Capuchin vocations, and prayers for our men in initial formation. Can I count on your prayers?
This past summer, the Province sponsored a very successful walk-a-thon to help raise funds for Capuchin Family Ministries’ summer outreach programs. A number of the students from Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers, N.Y., founded by the Capuchins in 1923 (and still going!) participated in the walk-a-thon. They enjoyed the camaraderie they shared with the friars and other participants at that event. The assistant principal told me of a conversation she overheard on the bus ride back home to the school. Reflecting on the day, one of the young men said to another student: “I love the Capuchins!” The other student replied, “I know, right?!” Out of the mouths of young people!
What we do for the Church and for the Capuchin Order, we do with love! As already mentioned above, we could not do what we do without you. Please be assured of our prayers for you and your family. May the new year be filled with every grace and blessing.
Br. Robert Abbatiello