Stranded in San Francisco

We have had great fraternal and pastoral celebrations for the centenary here in San Francisco, the most recent one in Burlingame on Thursday last. Because of missed information, I should not have been present in Burlingame, as I was booked back to Europe on Thursday afternoon. But Mother Nature intervened, and after three hours at San Fran Int airport my flight was cancelled - along with many others - because of the hazards created by the volcano in Iceland.  Terence also was cancelled and we have both been working hard at trying to make the most of the ill-wind.It has not been too difficult for us as the friars are experts in hospitality.And the friary is only ten minutes from the airport
But my heart goes out to all those stranded at airports, especially those caught without money or with children. Please God things will straighten themselves out soon.
In the meantime thanks to all who are showing humanitarian and christian concern by feeding the hungry and looking after the needy.

100 Years of Mission

The main celebration for the friars of the Western America Province of Our Lady of the Angels took place yesterday (13th April).  It began with a liturgy of thanksgiving in the friary of San Lorenzo, during which the General Minister outlined the history and growth of the Capuchin presence in those parts, as well as throwing out the challenge to the present-day friars to continue the mission animated by the values of prayer, poverty and preaching.  Br. Terence Harrington, the Provincial Minister of Ireland responded with words of congratulations and good wishes on behalf of the Province of Saint Patrick and was presented with a specially written icon of Our Lady of the Angels.
After a festive meal, the friars went to the Old Mission at Santa Ynez to celebrate the Eucharist with a large congregation of local people.  The singing and the music were a joyful celebration of thanksgiving, with the participation of people from many different linguistic groups, including a prayer as Gaeilge. The mission continues, we were reminded in the homily, as does the promise of Christ's presence.

Happy Easter 2010

Why do you look for the living among the dead. He is not here. He is risen!".

May Easter be for each of you readers a time of new hope and peace.


I am in California as I write, out to celebrate with the friars of the Western American Province one hundred years since the first Irish Capuchins came over. The re-constituted Irish Province was only in existence for some 26 years when the bishop of Baker Diocese invited the Irish friars to come to help with the evangelization of the area. And they came. First came two friars, and stories abound of the missionary treks of one of them, Br. Luke Sheehan, on horseback, sharing food and a blanket with a lonesome but hospitable cowboy, meeting Ku Klux Klan opposition on the way, but persevering despite the odds.  Two friaries were founded in 1910 in Hermiston and Bend in Oregon.
The area became a full-fledged Province of the Order in 1979 when Brendan O'Mahony was Provincial Minister in Ireland.  Our General Minister will be arriving for the occasion, with celebrations in 5 venues: Watts (South Los Angeles), St Francis High School in Pasadena, the Old Mission in Santa Ynez and San Lorenzo, and finally in the parish in Burlingame. A good fraternal celebration is assured!