170TH ANNIVERSARY

Last Friday Father Gordon Combs joined the Youth and Young Adults group of the Honolulu Cathedral parish at a cookout at the Franciscan Sisters' "Blessings House" in Ewa Beach to celebrate the 170th anniversary of the dedication of the cathedral. Later they prayed the scriptural rosary together in the Cathedral.

BROTHER GAVIN MAKES FIRST PROFESSION

After completing one year of novitiate in California, Brother Gavin Diego returned to Guam to make his first profession last night at his parish church of Saint Joseph in Inarajan.

He vowed to live poverty, chastity and obedience for one year.  His profession was received by Father Joseph English, Vice Provincial.

Profession is first made in stages, for a temporary period until the friar and the fraternity are more sure of his vocation.  Then he makes profession for the rest of his life.

Religious profession is not connected with priesthood.  Although Brother Gavin plans to study in the future for the priesthood, religious profession is a commitment to a religious way of life, in his case, to the Franciscan lifestyle in the footsteps of Saint Francis of Assisi.

The church was filled to capacity!

Hundreds of well-wishers enjoyed the sumptuous feast after Mass.

The Mass was truly a family affair.  His mother Lynn (to his right) was lead singer in the choir.  His brother Terence (far right) read one of the readings in Mass.  Another brother, Bo, was also a reader.  His father Frank read the Universal Prayer.  And the youngest brother Cody was the book bearer for the presider at Mass.

CONGRATULATIONS BROTHER GAVIN!

 

THANKS TO HIS FAMILY, THE PARISH OF SAINT JOSEPH, ALL OUR CAPUCHIN FRIENDS AND BENEFACTORS FOR YOUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT!

 

Pray for Vocations!

FOUR POSTULANTS WELCOMED INTO PROGRAM

 

Sean Rodriguez, Cody Lizama, Fr Andre, Nicholas Martinez, Lawrence Borja

Yesterday, four young men started their program as postulants of the Vice Province.  Postulancy is the first formal introduction of the Capuchin way of life to those seriously discerning a vocation.

As postulants, these young men are not friars yet.  But they live in the fraternity, take classes, pray with the friars and participate in most of the activities of the friars so that they can truly get to know our way of life through experience, and the friars can also get to know them.  This way they can better discern God's will.

Their director is Father Andre Eduvala, OFM Cap.

The postulants were given the Tau cross, a symbol of conversion adopted by Saint Francis.

 

The friars welcome the postulants with an embrace.

 

 

PLEASE PRAY FOR OUR POSTULANTS

 

and

 

PRAY FOR VOCATIONS!

BR RYAN RENEWS HIS TEMPORARY VOWS

On July 25, Brother Ryan Charfauros renewed his temporary vows for one more year.  The ceremony was held at Saint Fidelis Friary before Fr Joseph English, Vice Provincial.  Br Brian Champoux and Fr George Maddock served as witnesses.

Br Ryan hails from the parish of Santa Teresita in Mangilao.  He is studying at the University of Guam and ministers at Santa Teresita parish, mainly with the youth ministry.  Every other week, he helps serve meals to the homeless at a Catholic center for those in need of those services.

A fraternal embrace from Fr Gus Gumataotao....

...and from Fr Felix Leon Guerrero

NOVICES INVESTED

The Vice Province is blessed to have two young men from Guam invested in the habit of the Capuchin Order this past weekend.

Brother William Paulino is from Saint Joseph parish in Inarajan.  Brother Jason Chargualaf is from Saint Jude parish in Sinajana.

The novitiate is one full year of initiation into the Capuchin way of life.  Novices live in community - praying, studying, working and sharing life as brothers.

Some years ago, it was decided to have all the novices from the U.S., including the Vice Province of Guam/Hawaii, English-speaking Canada and Australia do their novitiate year together.  After some time in Pennsylvania, the novitiate program moved to Southern California.  The novitiate is in a quiet, ranch area of Santa Ynez, a town near Solvang, which is about half an hour from Santa Barbara.

Father Patrick Castro from Guam flew to the investiture ceremony to represent the friars of Guam and Hawaii.

WELCOME FATHER BERT!

Capuchin Father Roberto (Bert) San Diego from the Philippine Province is here on Guam to visit the friars for a month and a half.  Welcome Fr Bert and enjoy your stay!

HONOLULU CATHEDRAL

For some time now, the Cathedral parish in Honolulu has been planning the renovation of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace.

Recently, Capuchin Father Gordon Combs, in residence at the Cathedral parish, spoke to the Youth Group of that parish, encouraging them to support the renovation efforts.

As Father Gordon took the group on a tour of the Cathedral, he pointed out that "Saint Francis was called by God to 'repair the Church.'"  This repair, he continued, is both spiritual and physical.

 

Father Gordon with the Youth Group who attended the tour