We give thanks for the strong fraternal collaboration between our Province and the Holy Trinity Province of Karnataka, India. Over the last 30 years, many friars have come from Karnataka for a period of service in fraternity and ministry in New York and New England as well as in our mission fields in Okinawa, Japan. They are hospital chaplains, pastors, and more. Our brothers from India are faith-filled, Spirit-filled, joyful evangelizers who teach us a lot about how to be good Capuchins. 

One of these friars is Fr. Basil Valerian Joseph, who has served at the Parish of Holy Cross-St. John the Baptist in New York City as a parochial vicar. He has also served at San Lorenzo Friary in Jamaica Plain, Mass., as a co-director of the post-novitiate formation program.

After five years of mission in the Province, we sent our cheerful brother home to Bangalore on Sept. 7. Before his departure, we celebrated his life and contributions to our provincial fraternity with a Mass of thanksgiving and reception at the Church of St. John the Baptist on Aug. 26. God bless you, brother. Surely, we will miss you very much!