Hospitality is not uniquely Franciscan, but it is particularly Franciscan. To guests of the Center, ignored by or invisible to much of society, it means validation. Br. David and Sr. Ann Marie are not psychologists or social workers or case managers. But they know that in the right place, at the right time, a kind word could save a life.
Fr. Cyprian Berens, OFM, touched many lives in his 95 years of life, 76 of those years as a Franciscan friar serving as far away as Rome.
On Memorial Day, 17 friars will be honored in Cincinnati at a celebration of their anniversaries in religious life. We asked our Jubilarians if they have a personal goal they would like to attain – or something they’d like to accomplish, big or small. Here’s how they responded.
There are a lot of all-stars in the room tonight. Some of them play basketball. But most are supporters, coaches or staff of Friars Club. Four are honorees, people so selfless they give us pause about our own attempts at altruism. All are here for a common cause, to raise funds that will ensure kids a safe and nurturing place to call their own.
It was a classic wake, with relatives speaking fondly and openly about a friar prized for his gifts, his quirks and his faithfulness. Asked to share memories of Br. Steve Richter at his March 27 funeral, many family members weighed in, eager to talk about a man they agreed was “a character”.