Who are we?  The Capuchin Franciscan Friars are members of a regional division of a worldwide religious order of the Roman Catholic Church.  Friars serve the needs of people in the states of Colorado and Kansas.  The Province sponsors missionary friars who work in Papua New Guinea. The brothers and priests who are part of the Capuchin Province of Mid-America take their inspiration from their founder, St. Francis of Assisi.  They live lives of simplicity, prayer and ministry.  Through their life together and concern for the poor, they give witness to a spirit of brotherhood.

The Capuchins seek to participate in those ministries that can best serve the Church, both local and universal.  In Mid-America, the bishops and Capuchin tradition have called the friars to evangelization efforts and ministries to the poor and marginalized.  In response, the Capuchins have led people to parish renewal, restoration of Christian family life and the promotion of social justice.  

How we help?  The friars’ ministries serve the poor, needy, oppressed and marginalized.  They share in a variety of roles including:

• chaplaincy, social work and health support roles at Samaritan House(a homeless shelter in Denver)

• ministry to the imprisoned

• caring for those in veteran’s hospitals

• pastoral work in local parishes

• spiritual guidance to the sick, aged and dying

• promoting religious life to men considering a Capuchin vocation and a lifetime of service to the Church

• evangelizing the Good News to the people of Papua New Guinea

What we do?  Funds raised through the 2008 Brown Robe Benefit were used to support the friars’ presence and ministries including:

• Annunciation Church and Annunciation School

• Sacred Heart Church programs

• Formation and training costs of the Capuchin Province’s student friars and seminarians

• Spiritual guidance to the incarcerated in Northern Colorado’s prison and juvenile detention facilities

Why us?  Pope Pius XI wrote: “Where in all the world have the Capuchins not penetrated? Where have they not shown up?  When times were at their worst and help was sorely needed, in places that were abandoned and where no one else would go, there you will find the Capuchins.” The friars joyfully commit to lives of humble service.  They want to serve, especially those most in need.  They ask little for their efforts.  Special events like the Brown Robe Benefit help sustain the lives and ministries of the Capuchin Friars living and ministering along Colorado’s Front Range.