Capuchin Family Ministries' summer youth events continue to glow. We have been blessed with growth in quality of service and impact over the last five years.
Summer Outreach Week, headquartered at Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center, Wappingers Falls, N.Y., June 22-27, invited teens and adults to serve at nursing homes, vacation Bible School, outreach, and bunk-bed construction. Five friars-Fr. Michael Greco, Br. Carlos Hernandez, Fr. Erik Lenhart, Fr. Fred Nickle, and Br. Yovani Salas of the Stigmata Province— were blessed to serve alongside three Franciscan Sisters of the Infant Jesus and 36 teens and 16 adults from New York and New Jersey. Each day began and ended with prayer. We celebrated Mass, reconciliation, and adoration to power our service spiritually.
The volunteers also participated in theological reflection groups. Teen volunteer Grace Gavigan said she "enjoyed that we had time to sit silently in a world where everything was in a rush. I was able to think about things that I never thought about before. Hearing about the graces that different people received was exemplary." And teen volunteer Odin Adler said, "I have grown to see the joys of service." Amen! First-time volunteer Giovanna Clemente of Albertus Magnus High School in Bardonia, N.Y., helped build 10 bunk beds. (To date, CFM has built and donated 200 beds to needy children throughout the Hudson Valley.) She reflected: "I had never been away from home, so I felt homesick and just wanted to see my family. Over the course of the week, it got easier as God guided me through this venture. The community here also played a big part in making me feel comfortable and adjust to being away from home."
The Capuchin Appalachian Mission made its 31st trip to Harlan, Ky., July 6-14. A team of 42 teens and adults from four states gathered with Father Erik, Father Fred, Brother Carlos, Br. Leo Rojas, Postulant Patrick Honan, and Fr. Michael Moon of the Archdiocese of New York.
In Harlan, Most Holy Trinity Parish once again became our host and home base. Our vacation Bible school group experienced great growth in the past two years. Our outreach group has developed to connect with more people. And our senior ministry remains a highlight for the residents who always look forward to "Father Fred's group." There were enough missionaries this year to field two manual labor teams, which labored in the hot sun to repair homes and make friendships in Harlan.
Deacon Tom Bennett of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in West Nyack, N.Y., said he will remember the local woman who made clothespin crosses: "She is a reminder that sometimes we are ministered to while ministering." He will also remember a pregnant woman who was excited to receive baby shoes: "It is a reminder to find joy in the little things."
Each evening, we celebrated Mass followed by dinner, quiet time for journaling about the day, and small theological reflection groups. On one night we had the opportunity to have adoration and benediction. Longtime volunteer Jonathan Goldwasser praised the "amazing liturgies" said, "Attending a CAM Mass feels like spending time joyfully praising the Lord as a community of believers with the same purpose and mission." All the groups in their ministry sites had the opportunity to relieve the material needs of their neighbors, but most of all, they served them simply by being present in the moment and letting them know that God loves them and that there are people that care about them.
"The Lord has blessed us with incredible friendships; we have seen families grow and flourish, and we have witnessed the Lord's healing presence in our own lives and the lives of those we serve," said Father Erik.
The Catholic Literature & Arts Summer Program is the only Catholic theater camp in the country that creates new productions of musical theater based on Scripture and the saints each year.
For its seventh season, CLASP staged a revival of Father Erik's original musical on the Book of Ruth, retooled this year as Ruth: From Moab With Love.
With over 30 grade schoolers, 26 high schoolers, 18 adults, and 4 Capuchins, CLASP had its largest company yet. In less than a week, from auditions on July 27 to the Aug. 2 performances, we became the cast and crew of Ruth.
"CLASP is a uniquely Capuchin ministry that gathers all the gifts of the Church to present something beautiful to the Lord," said Father Erik. "CLASP invites participants and audiences to enter into the world of the Word of God and find our place in the story of salvation."
Our teenagers gave rave reviews. "The music was super pretty, and the liturgy was very moving. Everything about it was amazing," said Cassidy Sullivan. "In CLASP I learned that God really exists. You can see it in the people being so open and nice. And how everyone can become a family in a week. I'm definitely coming next year!" said Sara Mojica. "I've learned that family doesn't have to be blood-related. It's the people who make you feel comfortable, who you can trust, who you can find joy in. People who will be there for you during hard times. And I found that at CLASP," said Grace Gavigan.
Many thanks to St. Martin de Porres School in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where the production took place, and to Mt. Alvernia Retreat Center for lodging our theater company.
Community Steps It Up for Summer Service Programs
Capuchin Family Ministries received a boost from friars and benefactors when the Province held its first-ever walk-a-thon fundraiser on June 15. Our community sponsors and teams of walkers grossed $52,000, and all the proceeds went to support our service projects in Appalachia and the Hudson Valley.
The teams had just finished their final laps around the track at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, N.Y., when Fr. Michael Greco, director of the development office, announced that the Province would do another walk-a-thon next spring. This met with resounding cheers from the adults, teenagers, and children who had spent the last hour circling the track or playing cornhole, Kan Jam, and other fun family-friendly activities off-track.
With such enthusiasm from the community for the friars and their good work; with so many donors pitching in to support Capuchin Family Ministries; and with a gorgeous late spring morning, who could disagree that God wanted us to succeed?
We thank our provincial staff who pulled this fundraiser together, especially Melissa Ronan, Heather Stanghellini, Mary Ellen Yannitelli, and Bruce Crilly. Many blessings to all our benefactors and community sponsors. To make a donation Capuchin Family Ministries, go to https://www. capuchin.org/cfm-donate/.