Three Capuchin friars from Bavaria arrived in Pittsburgh in 1873: Father Hyacinth Epp, Brother Eleutherius Guggenbichler, and Father Matthew Hau. Two years later a group of Westphalian (Germany) friars, headed by Father Anthony Schuermann, set up another foundation of Capuchin friars in Cumberland, MD. Both groups of Capuchins came to the United States to escape Catholic persecution during the intense German nationalistic unification movement called the Kulturkampf. The friars also sought a foreign mission and that that time there was a desperate need in the USA for German speaking priests and religious.
In 1882 the two groups were united in one Province, to be known as the Pennsylvania Province or the Province of St. Augustine, so named for the first parish served by the friars in Pittsburgh. Even before becoming an independent jurisdiction, the friars had established friaries from Maryland to Kansas.
Because of their German roots, friars were often called upon to serve in communities of newly arrived immigrants from Germany. In 1977 the Province was divided, thus establishing the Province of Mid America, including Missouri, Kansas and Colorado.
In 1991, the friars began a new ministry and friary in Philadelphia at Saint John the Evangelist Church and the Chinese mission, Holy Redeemer. The friars later established a second friary, Padre Pio Friary, for the training of men seeking to enter the Order and to work among the poor.
Today friars of the Province of St. Augustine are serving in the District of Columbia, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico and Papua New Guinea.
Capuchin Province of Saint Augustine 150th anniversary
The Capuchin friars plan to celebrate our 150th Province anniversary at Saint John’s on Sunday August 6 at the 12:30 Mass. Those served by Capuchins at Holy Redeemer and in Frankford will also be invited. A lunch featuring food from around the world will follow in the parish center. Our provincial Minister, Father Robert Marva, will preach and preside.
Light the City
Our young adults and our entire parish are invited to participate in a night time street evangelization event on Saturday, August 26. Mark your calendars and plan to spend the evening evangelizing those who pass by Saint John’s on that Saturday evening.
Father Benjamin Madden
Father Ben is remembered gratefully at Saint John’s for his seven years of exemplary priestly ministry. We will hold a memorial Mass for Father Ben on Wednesday, August 2 at 12:05 in the lower church.
Feast of Saint Dominic, August 8
August 8 is the feast of Saint Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order. The Dominicans staff our neighboring parish, Saint Patrick. I am honored that the Dominicans have asked me to preach at their feast day Mass at 7 PM. It would be great if Saint John parishioners would join with our Dominican neighbors and friends on August 8.
Historical Preservation Fund
A few years ago, Saint John the Evangelist Church established this Fund so that there would be money to preserve our beautiful church and ministry for years to come. Each week, we have published the amount given so far. However, this is inaccurate because the money given is invested in the Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia. Due to reversals in the stock market in the past few years, the amount in the Fund is actually a bit less than the total amount given. Donors contributed $559,884 but the Fund total is now $529,803. We have made no withdrawals from the Fund. Since we don’t anticipate any withdrawals in the near future and since the stock market is doing well, we expect the Fund balance to grow. We continue to welcome donations to this Fund.