Capuchin Connection: Updates and News from around the Irish Province - Capuchin Franciscans

A Warm Fraternal Welcome:

A word of welcome to Brother Thomas and Brother Suneesh who arrived in Ireland on the 25th of April as part of our International Fraternal Collaboration with the Capuchin Provinces in Kerala, India. This important programme allows overseas Friars come to Ireland to live and work to help build and sustain fraternity in the Province. They were met at Dublin Airport by Br Angelo (Raheny Fraternity) and Br Martin (Provincial Vicar) on behalf of our Provincial Minister, Br Richard. They will stay in Raheny for a week and then travel to Ards Friary, Donegal where they will live and work for the next three years. We wish them every blessing.

Pictured are (L-R): Br. Thomas, Br. Suneesh and Br. Martin. Br Angelo is behind the camera!

Staying with Ards Friary – Centre for the Care of Creation (www.ardsfriary.ie), who recently hosted a series of Padre Pio Healing Masses lead by the members of the Padre Pio Apostolate Team in Church Street, Dublin. Large crowds attended each day for Mass, confessions and blessing with the glove of St Pio. St Pio was a Capuchin Friar known for his powerful intercessory abilities that lead to countless miraculous healings. He died on the 23rd of September 1968. The Irish National Shrine to St Pio is in the Capuchin Friary Church Street. More information on the life of St Pio and the work of the Padre Pio Apostolate and Office can be found on www.padrepio.ie.

Br. Antony blesses with the relic of St Pio

Ards Friary (Centre for the Care of Creation) have also recently launched a new magazine which is available to read and / or download from the website. Follow the link here to access the newsletter: https://ardsfriary.ie/newsletter/

Our Provincial Minister, Br Richard Hendrick OFM Cap., recently attended a week long meeting of Provincial Ministers in Warsaw. These meetings foster opportunities for greater collaboration between the Capuchin Provinces in Northern Europe and beyond. As Europe continues to face many challenges, is very important for us to find ways to bring a message of hope to those in need. At the meeting Br Richard was elected Vice Chair of the Conference of Capuchin Provinces in Northern Europe (CENEC) and Br Pawel from Poland, was elected as Chair. We wish them well in their work.

Pictured are Br Pawel (left) and Br Richard (right)

On Sunday 26th of April 2026, we celebrate Vocation Sunday (Good Shepherd Sunday). This is an opportunity for us to give thanks for our Capuchin Franciscan vocation and to pray that the Lord will inspire others to follow St Francis of Assisi as Capuchin Friars. Each vocation springs from a seedbed of faith and prayer and every vocation is sustained by faith and prayer. We invite you today, and everyday, to join us in prayer for vocations to the Capuchin way of life. For more information on life as a Capuchin Friar, you can email our Vocations Team at vocations@capuchins.ie . You can visit the vocations section of our website: www.capuchinfranciscans.ie/vocations. We also have an active presence on Instagram (www.instgram.com/irishcapuchinfriars) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/capfrans)

A display of our vocation banners in Halston Street Parish. This parish in the Market’s Area of North Inner City Dublin is run by the Capuchin Friars: www.halstonstreetparish.ie

Recently Br Angelo Joy assumed pastoral responsibility for Priorswood Parish in Coolock Dublin when he was appointed Parish Priest by Archbishop Dermot Farrell. Br Angelo takes over from Br Martin Bennett who served there for the last three years. A Mass of Welcome and Thanksgiving took place in St Francis of Assisi Church, Priorswood on Sunday 19th of April. The Mass was led by Fr Paul Thornton, Episcopal Vicar for the Area and was attended by many parishioners and former Parish Priests. Br Angleo will be assisted by Br Patrick Flynn as Parish Chaplain and Br Bill Ryan. We wish the new team every blessing. You can find out more about Priorswood Parish here: www.priorswoodparish.ie

Pictured (L-R): Br Jude Mc Kenna (Former Missionary to Zambia for over 50 years); Br. Terence Harrington (Former PP in Priorswood); Br Patrick Flynn (Former PP in Priorrswood); Br Angelo Joy (Newly appointed PP in Priorswood); Br Martin Bennett (outgoing PP in Priorswoord); Fr Paul Thornton (Episcopal Vicar); Br Bryan Shortall (Form er PP in Priorswood) and Br Des McNaboe (Former PP in Priorswood)

Recent Jubilees and Celebrations

On St Patrick’s Day, Br Patrick Mulligan OFM Cap., celebrated 60 years as a Capuchin Friar. For many years Br Patrick lived and work in Great Britain. He returned to Ireland four years ago to take up residence in our Raheny Friary.

We also send our prayerful good wished to Br Angelo Joy who celebrates 25 years a Capuchin Friar on the 25th of April and 16 years of Priestly ordination on the 27th of April. A double cause for celebration.