April 21, 2010

Local Capuchins among new provincial superiors

The friars of the Capuchin Franciscan order’s Mid-America Province reelected Father Charles Polifka of St. Francis Friary, Denver, as their provincial minister during an Easter week chapter meeting held at St. Fidelis Friary in Victoria, Kan. He was elected to the office for a fourth three-year term.

Chosen to assist him as councilors were Father Christopher Popravak of San Damiano Friary, Denver, who will also serve as provincial vicar; Father James Moster of St. Conrad Friary, Lawrence, Kan.; Father John Cousins of Solanus Casey Friary, Colorado Springs; and Father Jeff Ernst of Our Lady of Angels Friary, Black Forest.

Father Mauro Joehri, Swiss-born general minister of the order headquartered in Rome, presided at the chapter. He was assisted by Father Charles Serignat from the Great Britain province, who served as his interpreter.

Participating in the elections were 43 solemnly-professed friars from Colorado, Kansas, Missouri and Rome. The Province’s two simply-professed friars, one novice, and five postulants also participated in discussions held at the chapter concerning the spirit and life of the order.

The Capuchins, whose origins date from 1525, began as a reform Order of the Franciscan Observants. The Province of Mid-America was established in 1977, serving Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, and most of Illinois, and missions in Puerto Rico and Papua, New Guinea, and more recently, Mexico. Its nine stateside friaries are located in Denver, Black Forest and Colorado Springs, Colo.; and Hays, Victoria, and Lawrence, Kan.