by Br. James Peterson

The newly elected provincial council of the Province of St. Mary, May 19. From left: Br. William Tarraza, Br. Maurice Moreau, Br. Henry Vas, Br. James Peterson, and Br. James Donegan.

Pax et bonum! My name is Br. James Peterson, and I was recently elected to serve as provincial minister of the Province of St. Mary.  As you may know from prior issues of The Capuchin Journey, every three years the brothers of the Province gather for five days for our provincial chapter (Pages 10-13). It is a time of discussion, prayer, brotherhood, and discernment. We discuss our life with each other and
about those with whom we minister. We also converse about our collaboration with the diocesan bishops and the Christian faithful in the particular churches in which we reside and work. 

While I have had the honor of serving past provincial ministers in the capacity as an advisor in canon law and as a provincial councilor, this is the first time that I have been called upon to serve in the capacity of provincial minister. Fortunately, I have the assistance, advice, and fraternal support of four other brothers who were elected to serve for the next triennium: Br. Maurice Moreau, vicar provincial minister and first councilor; Br. William Tarraza, second councilor; Br. James Donegan, third councilor; and Br. Henry Vas, fourth councilor. Collectively, this provincial council heard the proposals, thoughts, and concerns of the brothers at our chapter, and we will continue to do this over the course of the next several weeks as we assign friars to ministries and local fraternities. 

We have two new members who have been accepted into postulancy, the first stage of our life. Matthew Mancino and Jonathon Lawrence will be living at Our Lady of Sorrows Friary in the Lower East Side of New York City for a few weeks before they begin their initial formation in Milwaukee at our joint postulancy program with the Province of St. Joseph and the Province of the Sacred Stigmata. Please keep them in your prayers as they begin ministry and fraternal life in the hopes of discerning whether the Capuchin Franciscans is where God is calling them. 

In this issue and in the coming issues of The Capuchin Journey, you will read about the life of the brothers and their various ministries. Your prayers and your financial assistance make our way of life possible. On behalf of all the friars, we wish you every sincere best wish and offer our prayers for you and your loved ones.◼︎