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Around the Province

News and updates from around the Province of St. Joseph.
Around the Province

Capuchin Souper Summer Celebration Returns

Detroit Tigers mascot Paws, Br. Gary Wegner and the Ahee family on the field at Comerica Park

The Capuchin Souper Summer Celebration, sponsored by Ahee Jewelers, has raised millions to help provide food, clothing and more for those in need. Join us for the 42nd Annual Capuchin Souper Summer Celebration on Saturday, June 17 at Comerica Park in Detroit! Enjoy food, drinks and live entertainment!

Get Ready for Another Gouda Evening

 A strolling accordionist performs as Br. Julius looks on at the 2022 A Gouda Evening.

Last summer the Capuchin Retreat Center hosted its very first summer fundraiser in an effort to replace its usual fall golf outing. "A Gouda Evening" featured live strolling music from the Michigan Accordion Society, guided tours of the retreat grounds, a live raffle drawing, and of course, plenty of wine and cheese. Join us for the return of A Gouda Evening on Saturday, June 11 and enjoy an unforgettable summer evening on the retreat grounds.

Provincial Chapter 2023

The friars listen intently during a session at the 2021 Chapter of Affairs

The friars of the Province of St. Joseph will convene for their first full triennial chapter since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. This year's chapter will take place from June 5 - 9 at St. Xavier University in Chicago. Please pray for our friars as they elect leadership and make plans for the road ahead. All friars of the province will be in attendance for this chapter as their ability allows.

COVID Era Food Aid Expires

A volunteer stocks shelves at the House of Peace food pantry, part of Capuchin Community Services in Milwaukee

Supplemental food aid benefits instituted at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic expired at the end of February 2023. As households adjust to the reduction in benefits, our food pantries at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit and at Capuchin Community Services in Milwaukee are getting ready for an expected increase in need.

New Pastor in Appleton

Br. Ray Stadmeyer, OFM Cap.

Br. Ray Stadmeyer was recently appointed as the Pastor of St. Joseph Church in Appleton, Wisconsin. The decision to appoint a friar continues a long tradition of Capuchin presence at the parish that dates back many years.

Anointing of the Sick

The holy oils, stored near the narthex at St. Bonaventure Chapel in Detroit.

The Solanus Casey Center offered its first public Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick to a crowd of over fifty on March 18, 2023 as the friars seek new ways to minister to their community and alieviate the suffering of those with grave illness.

New Website for Blessed Solanus Casey

A mockup showing the home page of the new Solanus Casey website on a computer screen, smartphone and tablet.

The Province of St. Joseph unveiled a new website for the Cause for Canonization of Blessed Solanus Casey, the Solanus Casey Center and the Father Solanus Guild at www.solanuscasey.org. The new website combines what had been two separate websites for the Solanus Casey Center and a separate site for the Father Solanus Guild. The new website features a mobile-friendly design for smartphone and tablet users and includes:

  • Never-before-seen home movies of Blessed Solanus Casey
  • Virtual tour of the Solanus Casey Center
  • Online gift shop
  • Access to live-streams at St. Bonaventure Chapel
  • Online form to report a favor due to the intercession of Blessed Solanus
  • Stories of favors received as a result of his intercession