Sandal Prints: Making All Things New

See, I am doing something new! Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19)

Greetings and blessings to you. It’s fitting that as I write this, the signs of spring and new life are all around us. To paraphrase Shakespeare, April has a way of putting a “spirit of youth into everything.” Let us pray that our Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph remains forever youthful. Let us pray that we continually seek new ways, in openness to the Holy Spirit, to build sister-brotherhood and preach the Gospel of Jesus in the world.

As we hold fast to that spirit of youthfulness, it’s a period of new beginnings for several of our Capuchin ministries throughout the province. Friars are transitioning into new ministry roles. Among them, we welcome Br. Robert Wotypka as ministry director of Capuchin Community Services in Milwaukee as well as Br. Jerry Kessel as ministry director of Capuchin Retreat in Washington Township, Michigan. Br. Ed Foley is stepping into the role of Vice-postulator for the Cause of Canonization of Blessed Solanus Casey. Blessings to these friars, and all friars, as they go about their work in ministry.

At the same time, we are gearing up for our next Provincial Chapter in 2020. The Provincial Chapter, held every three years, affords an opportunity for the Province to discern the promptings of the Holy Spirit and prayerfully consider how we live out our Franciscan charism. At Chapter, a new Provincial Council and a new Provincial Minister will be elected to guide our province into the future. My time as Provincial Minister will be drawing to a close, as I am “term-limited.” I ask you to please remember in your prayers those friars who are now in the process of planning our 2020 Provincial Chapter. May the Spirit lead them and guide them in their work.

May God abundantly bless you, and those that you love.

Read more in the Spring edition of the Sandal Prints Newsletter...