Religious Education Congress 2011

Thursday, March 17 to Sunday, March 20, the Vocation Office had a booth at the Religious Education Congress in Anaheim.  It is so affirming to be with 30,000 people who share the same faith.  Catholics have had a lot of punches, but we keep getting up and we make a statement. “We are here to stay!”  I always return home energized and grateful for my church. 

I want to express my deep gratitude and thanks to all the friars that helped in the success of the Vocation Office booth.  Those that helped with the set-up: Fr. Matt Elshoff, Fr. John De La Riva, and Br. Lance Love.  So many friars from St. Francis High School, St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish (Watts), Capuchin House of Studies (Berkeley), Br. Mark Mance and the postulants, and various sisters and religious stopped by to say hello. We anticipated and happily received request for additional information on the Caps from young men attending the congress.  

Special thanks to Fr. John De La Riva and Br. Lance Love who helped staff the booth.  They were relentless in their dedication to be present and promote the Order.  They are troopers!  We all returned home exhausted but felt blest.  God was with us the entire weekend.

We cannot forget Fr. Harold Snider whose presence and help in the office encourages Christina and myself.  He  works with Fr. Peter, contacting, mailing information and encouraging possible candidates.  Thank You!

God bless and give you His Peace, Love and Joy!

Joanne and Christina

Vocation Office Staff
Capuchin Franciscans-Western America Province

Booth display and handouts

Postulant Christopher Silva and Christopher Iwancio, student at Capuchin House of Studies, Berkeley	Fr. John De La Riva shows a visitor the prayer card of St. Francis of Assisi	Br. Lance Love and Postulant  Bryan from Berkeley
Postulants Ernesto Sanchez  and Nemesio Santana	Br. Lance Love, San Lorenzo Prayer Center speaking to a visitor and Br. Mark Mance, Berekely listening to Fr. John De La Riva	Br. Lance Love proud to stand with the statue of Our Lady of Angels, Mother of Vocations
Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap. St. Lawrence of Brindisi Parish Los Angeles	Fr. John De La Riva discussing vocations with a visitor	Fr. Hung Nguyen, OFM Cap. St. Francis High School La Canada-Flintridge
Br. Lance Love and postulant Nemesio Santana	Br. Lance Love and Fr. John De La Riva, OFM Cap sharing stories with Dominican Priests	Sr. Laura & Sr. Paula, S.D.S.H. Sr. Karen Elizabeth, O.P. Dominican
"Lord, tell me what to do!"	Christopher Silva and his dad, Chris, at the South Pacific Mass	Chris Silva, Bryan and Ryan
South Pacific Choir	Hold Firm ... Trust!	Carrying the Book of Gospel
Pizza Party back in the room	Relaxing after a long day tending to the booth	Fini! Time to go Home

  Last updated March 30,  2011