First Vows, Jubilees, and Final Vows
The Capuchins went for gold when in a single service it celebrated the perpetual profession of Br. Jerry Cornish, the first profession of Br. Anthony Kote-Witah, Br. Brenton Ertel, and Br. Merwyn D'Silva, and celebrated 50th, 60th, and 65th jubilees of many friars.
It was quite a spectacle to watch the new commitments of younger members while others celebrated their jubilees of doing the same thing half a century earlier!
Congratulations to all on the accomplishments. God is smiling upon us all!
First Vows
Capuchin Friars Anthony Kote-Witah, Merwyn D'Silva, and Brenton Ertel join Capuchin Provincial Minister, Fr. Michael Sullivan (2nd from R) as they profess first vows as Capuchin friars. The three friars will be joining 15 other friars at the Chicago formation house for continued ministry formation and formal undergraduate academic studies. This is in preparation for graduate studies at Catholic Theological Union. Typically, a friar will make final vows 3-5 years after first vows.
Jubilees
The Capuchin Province of St. Joseph honored twelve Capuchin friars marking their jubilee years. Combined, the twelve friars have performed 710 years of service to others.
Front row L-R: Capuchin Friars Joachim Strupp, Elroy Pesch, Nicholas Widhammer, Jim Zelinski, Robert Kose, Richard Merling, Jerry Campbell, and Capuchin Provincial Minister Michael Sullivan
Back row: Andre Weller, Lester Bach, Franklin Eichhorst, Anthony Scannell, August Seubert
Final Vows
Jerry Cornish, OFM Cap., has made his solemn perpetual profession of vows as a Capuchin friar.
The Provincial Minister of the Detroit-based Capuchin Province of St. Joseph, Michael Sullivan, OFM Cap., explains, “Our Holy Father Pope Francis has urged all of us Catholics to radiate the joy of Christ in all we do. He has reminded us that we all are infinitely loved and cherished by God. He also encourages us to especially reach out to the poor, those most in need, those who are forgotten. Br. Jerry exudes this joy constantly. He deeply appreciates every person he is with and communicates this lovingly. We friars rejoice with him as he makes his perpetual vows and are delighted to have him as a member of our province."
“I'm happy to be part of the Capuchins of the Province of St. Joseph and am I'm looking forward to the future,” Br. Jerry shares.
Br. Jerry recently graduated from St. Xavier University with a degree in Sociology and will be ministering at Pretty Eagle Elementary School, Crow Agency, Montana, serving the Northern Crow reservation. He is pictured with Capuchin Provincial Minister Father Michael Sullivan (L).
The three celebrations took place July 17 at Holy Cross Church, near St. Lawrence Seminary, the founding site of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph, Mount Calvary, WI.