FRIARS MARK THE PASSING OF SAINT FRANCIS

October 4th is the feast of Saint Francis. Our Franciscan custom is to observe his "passing" (in Latin, transitus) from earthly life to heavenly life the night before or, if more convenient, some night before the 4th.

The Guam friars gathered to celebrate this Transitus in the Friary chapel. Besides hearing the story of Saint Francis' death and Scripture readings, the friars light one candle for every deceased friar in the community.

PADRE PIO FIESTA 2015

The island's devotees of Padre Pio crowded the friary once again this past September 23 for the annual Padre Pio fiesta.

Nine nights of novena preceded the feast.

Father Jose Villagomez, OFM Cap was this year's preacher for the festal Mass.

The procession after Mass around the Friary

Venerating the relic of Padre Pio after the procession

NEW CAPUCHIN PASTOR

On September 1, the parish of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament in Agana Heights welcomed a new pastor, Father Marvin Bearis, OFM Cap.

Father Marvin hails from Ewa Beach, Hawaii -  a parish formerly under the Capuchins and where he first got to know the friars.

Since he was ordained a priest in 2009, Father Marvin has taught high school in Hawaii and worked in youth ministry in New York. This is now his first ministry as pastor of a parish and his first priestly assignment on Guam.

Welcome, Father Marvin, and God bless all your endeavors!

GUAM'S FAITHFUL COME OUT TO SUPPORT FOUNDERS' DAY DINNER

The auditorium at Saint Francis School in Yona was filled to capacity on August 26, 2015 for the Third Annual Founders' Day Dinner.

The Founders' Day Dinner is held every year to help raise funds to pay for the Friary's construction back in 2007. Donors buy tickets to the dinner as well as bid in a silent auction. Generous sponsors help with the dinner costs and provide silent auction items ranging from a brand new car to religious art.

The event is held every August and is called Founders' Day to commemorate the first three Capuchin friars who arrived on Guam in August of 1901.

The theme for the 2015 Dinner was the parish of Saint Francis in Yona, which dedicated its first known chapel built in 1914-1915, our a hundred years ago.

We thank all our benefactors for their constant support and we pray for God's blessings upon them.

The formation friars entertain the crowd

Father Jose singing his medley of Chamorro songs

THE FRIARS WELCOME TWO POSTULANTS

Austin, Fr Andre and Dereck

Postulancy in the Capuchin Order is the beginning of a young man's experience of Capuchin life. It is a period of discernment, lasting around nine months.

During that time, the postulant lives in community so that he can experience first-hand the life of a Capuchin friar. Both he and the friars look for signs that the Lord is calling them to the Capuchin way of life.

A postulant does not profess vows or wears the habit (the Capuchin brown robe), but otherwise experiences Capuchin life by attending all community prayers, working around the Friary and taking different classes in religious and Capuchin life.

This past August, Austin Usar and Dereck Delgado entered the postulancy program to start discerning their vocation. Father Andre Eduvala, OFM Cap is their director.

God bless them and enlighten them!

THREE FRIARS MAKE FIRST PROFESSION

Bros. Sean, Nicholas and Cody

The Capuchin fraternity in Guam and Hawaii rejoiced when three young friars, their novitiate year concluded, made first profession as Capuchin friars, making temporary vows of poverty, chastity and obedience on August 6, 2015 on the feast of the Transfiuration.

Brothers Sean Rodriguez, Nicholas Martinez and Cody Lizama professed these vows before Father Patrick Castro, Custos of Guam and Hawaii, in the presence of the Guam fraternity at Saint Fidelis Friary.

FATHER JOSEPH ENGLISH CELEBRATES 25 YEARS

Twenty-five years ago, Capuchin friar Joseph English was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Anthony Apuron, OFM Cap at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna, Guam.

Since then, Father Joe has been a pastor in many Guam parishes and also served as Vice Provincial (superior) from 2009-2015. He is the son of the late Kenneth and Lourdes Crisostomo English of Saint Jude parish, Sinajana.

Father Joe is very appreciated by parishioners for his homilies. Thousands of people came to celebrate his priestly jubilee at Mass held at the University of Guam Field House, followed by dinner.

Congratulations, Father Joseph and many more years to come!