WELCOME FATHER KIKO!

Father Francisco "KIKO" Armario is a Capuchin from the Philippine Province.  He has been to Guam several times over the last 20 years or more, helping when he can.

He arrived Sunday morning and will be visiting us for three months.  While residing at the Friary, Father Kiko will celebrate Mass at Saint jude's, which you can see in the background.

Welcome Father Kiko!

GAVIN DIEGO IN KANSAS

Gavin Diego joined the Capuchin postulant program last year and is preparing to become a Capuchin novice in a few months.  Novices from all over the US, English-speaking Canada, Australia, England and Ireland, and Guam, prepare for this in Victoria, Kansas during the summer before they move to the novitiate in Santa Ynez, California.

Gavin's class. He is 1st on the left in the 2nd row from the top.

In the church of the friary where he resides.

ADIOS PALE' FELIX

After nine years as pastor, Father Felixberto Leon Guerrero leaves Santa Teresita parish in Mangilao, Guam.

Video scenes from the Mass, the dinner and several personal tributes from parishioners of their departing Capuchin pastor, Father Felix.

Parents Felix and Lillian Leon Guerrero

ADIOS GAVIN!

Postulant Gavin Diego (standing) is leaving this Sunday to begin a new phase of his Capuchin formation.  He will be one of around two dozen men from the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia who will form the new novitiate class 2012-2013.  The first few months are spent in a friary in Kansas continuing the postulancy program; then off to Santa Ynez, California for the full-year of novitiate.

Before long, Gavin will be wearing the brown habit of a Capuchin novice!  Safe trip Gavin!  God go with you!

RECORDING OUR HYMNS

Recording equipment filled the chapel last night when Cathy Calvo Cruz, a well-known choir director and music teacher, recorded the accompaniment to a long list of Chamorro church hymns, both old and new.  The recordings will be part of a Chamorro music project spearheaded by Pa'a Taotao Tano'.

This is not the first time sacred music was recorded in our chapel.  The Saint Francis School Children's Choir did a recording back in the 90s, and the Island Chorale recorded their album of church hymns in our chapel in the early 2000s.

FRIARY MURAL UNVEILED

The mural beautifying the retaining wall outside the Friary was unveiled today, after more than a month of hard work in the hot sun by Tina Chargualaf, the artist, and her dozen or more volunteers.  The wall is property of the Government of Guam, and paint and supplies were donated by Benson Guam.

Father George Maddock from the Friary gave the blessing.

The artist, Tina Chargualaf, is in the middle, wearing a black blouse; to the right is Mayor Paul McDonald.  Father George is to the right.

The Friary in the mural against the backdrop of the actual Friary.

The mural, perhaps the longest village mural on Guam at the moment, depicts scenes of both traditional and modern life in the village.

SECULAR FRANCISCANS' MAY CROWNING