Stephen writes:

I'm just but thrilled by the stories and alot of information contained in the entire website, how I wish in KENYA we can embrace online services to help young men like me know more about religious life.Thanks all of you.

Many thank to Brother James McDonald for the picture at the left. I had forgotten to grab my camera as I left Transfiguration Friary that Friday morning when I went to Brother Rice High School, So Brother Jim was kind enough to snap a couple of shots of me talking with the students. (My last posting concerning my experience at Brother Rice.)

Last Tuesday I flew to San Francisco to attend a workshop offered by CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.). I arrived purposefully a day early so that I could take in some of the sights and sounds of the city. Unfortunately I have no pictures taken from historic Fishermen's Wharf because of heavy fog the day I visited. But I do have a picture of a famous trolley car that I rode as well as a shot of 7th Street taken from market Street where I traveled by BART from the airport. (My motel is the Best Western down the street on the left.)

There is no need to use a car in San Francisco. The MUNI (bus and light rail system) can get you within easy walking distance of wherever you are going. The CLINIC workshop was offered at the archdiocesan offices just across the street from the cathedral (pictured on the left). About fifty people--vocation directors and staff, diocesan chancellors, social workers, etc.--gathered to study the new immigration norms that went into effect last November. The two days were intense, but extremely enlightening. CLINIC is a very helpful and good resource for the Church in the USA. I will be using what I learned to help any man from another country who may be accepted into our community.

Last Thursday, February 12, I drove to Michigan to visit two prospectives and to participate in a Vocation Day at Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, MI. The visits Thursday and Saturday were very pleasant. Friday at the high school was also wonderful.

I've know of Brother Rice High School since I was a college student at Duns Scotus College (our college and formation house for many years) in Southfield MI. As a student I remember the priest-faculty going there every morning for Mass with the Irish Christian Brothers. Since then, I became reacquainted with the school through Friar Joshua van Cleef, one of our Novices, who is a 2003 alumnus of the school. Josh played soccer there and is lovingly remembered by his faculty. The students, too young to have met him, know of him by way of his reputation.

I have done a good number of high school vocation days, but I cannot remember a group of young men more courteous and interested than the men of Brother Rice. It is clear that the faculty take Catholic education seriously and the young men attending school there are very well trained in the faith and in the social graces.

While I returned to the friary where I was staying very tired--I had stood from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.--I experienced a real sense of gratitude and satisfaction. I have no idea how many, if any, of the young men will look seriously into joining our community, but I do know that they took a serious look that day and for that I am thankful.

By the way, I left my camera at the friary. One of the Christian Brothers took a few pictures and, if he emails them to me, I will post them.

The latest newsletter from the Vocation Office is available in pdf format by clicking below.

Download February 2009 Newsletter

Fr. Jeff Scheeler, O.F.M., our Provincial Minister, welcomes the newest applicants to our community. He writes:

Welcome Colin and Andrew!  On behalf of the whole province, I welcome you to the journey!  It is a great life, full of opportunity and adventure.  I look forward to meeting you in person, and I wish you many blessings and God's peace!  Thanks for responding so generously to God's call and invitation to discern Franciscan life.

Fr. Jeff

Yesterday morning I left Parkersburg, WV to drive back to Cincinnati knowing that "snow showers" were in the forecast. I arrived in the city around noon and it was snowing a bit--nothing serious. Shortly afternoon it began to snow harder, but it was not sticking to the cars or the pavement. This is good! A little later it began sticking to everything. By the time I went home at 4:45 the city was paralyzed by another winter storm. A good four inches had fallen and then we got a couple more overnight.

This morning Fr. Al and I dug out. The snow was light and fluffy. No problem. I drove to work and conditions were much, much better than last night. Then I came to the hill at Mt. Airy which I had to climb in order to get to work. I got stuck. with the help of a couple of friars and the postulants I was able to back down the hill and leave the car at the driveway entrance. I then trudged up the hill on foot and Kevin Janke, one of our Postulants, took these pictures.

As the morning wore on and the crew treated the driveway, Fr. Carl was able to get the car up the hill, but it took three tries. By 4:30 when I went home the pavements were clear. In spite of sub-freezing temperatures, the sun had melted most pavements in the city--including the Mt. Airy driveway.

Enough of winter. Enough of ice and snow. PLEASE.

Brian Farwick, Andrew's brother, comments on Andrew's acceptance into the Postulancy Program of our province:

Congrats Andrew!!!  Lisa and I are very proud of you!!

Friar Richard Goodin, O.F.M. comments on the fact that two men were approved for the Postulancy:

AMEN, AMEN! Welcome to the program fellas!  God once again has given us brothers!