© 2010 Capuchin Province of Mid-America | 3613 Wyandot St. Denver, CO 80211 | 303.477.5436

Home  |  Site Map  |  Contact Us  |  Blog  |  Admin

Br. Barnabas Eichor, O.F.M.Cap., Fourth Theology

Br. Barnabas joined the Capuchins in 2001 after an adventerous life serving his country in the first Gulf War, driving a semi across country and earning two Master's Degrees at University. He is a convert to the Catholic faith who followed the call to religious life after listening to Catholic religious speakers. Brother is currently in theological studies at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver, CO. He teaches and assists Fr. Gene at Sacred Heart Parish.

Br. Joseph Mary Elder, O.F.M.Cap., Third Theology

Br. Joseph joined the Capuchins in 2002 after experiencing a life-changing conversion through the events at Medjugorje. Originally from St. Louis, he currently resides in Denver where he is engaged in theology studies at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. Br. Joseph teaches youth Confirmation Classes on the weekends, helps with the youth group at Annunciation parish and maintains the Province Website. He professed solemn vows in March 2008.

Br. Christopher Gama, O.F.M.Cap., Second Theology

While participating in the holy Mass, Br. Christopher experienced God's personal love in a deep way. Understanding the reality of Christ present upon the altar in his total, self-giving love, Christopher asked himself what he could do to respond to this love. He decided to give all of himself to the Lord in religious life. Br. Christopher joined the Capuchins in 2003 because he believed it to be the best way for him to respond to God's love through the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He is in theology studies and works with a youth group part time. He professed solemn vows in November 2009.

Br. Larry Bowers, O.F.M.Cap., Second Theology

Br. Larry was the sole postulant in his class when he joined the Capuchins in September 2004. Previously, Larry had graduated from Kansas University where he studied computer engineering and worked as a campus minister. Brother currently resides at San Damiano Friary in Denver. He is also engaged in theology studies at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary. In addition to this, he helps with information technology at the development office and prepares youth for the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Br. Ryan Tidball, O.F.M.Cap., Second Theology

Br. Ryan has had a long association with the Capuchin Franciscans. Before entering postulancy in 2003, he earned his philosophy degree at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio as part of the Capuchin College Formation Program. Ryan also had the opportunity to spend time studying at Oxford during his college career. Currently Br. Ryan resides in Denver, where he studied theology at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary and helps run the RCIA program at both Queen of Peace Catholic Church and St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Br. Anthony Monahan, O.F.M.Cap., Post Novitiate

Br. Tony, a farm boy from Lewiston, Minnesota, spent 12 years in the hotel and restaurant business before beginning studies for the priesthood. He earned a BA in philosophy from Immaculate  Heart of Mary Seminary in Winona, Minnesota, in 2007. Then after a year working for a sports memorabilia firm, he began postulancy with the Capuchins. He currently is 2/3 of the way through the novitiate at Allison Park, Pennsylvania. During his postulancy in Denver, Tony ministered at the Father Woody Haven of Hope.

Br. Joseph Quinlan, O.F.M.Cap., Initial Formation

A 1973 Camden native, Joe calls Philadelphia his home. He grad- uated from St. Joseph Prep High School in 1991 and earned a BA in psychology and philosophy from LaSalle University in 1995. Joe then spent a year at St. Charles Seminary in Philadelphia. In 2003 he began five years of formation with the Capuchins’ Pennsylvania province and studied two years of theology at Catholic University. Since then he has ministered as a resident coordinator at Samaritan House in Denver. In January, 2010, Joe resumed Capuchin formation with the Mid-America province.

Donald Rank, Postulancy

“Postulancy has been a tremendous blessing,” say Digger Rank from Monument, CO. “Every day I wake up with a sense of surrender, placing my life in God’s hands. With few material things and without the ‘busy-ness’ of the modern world, I’m able to quiet my interior, be more reflective, and allow God to transform me by growing in love and forgiveness with the other postulants and friars. Serving the poor at St. Francis Center, a homeless shelter, I have the opportunity to put my prayer into action. It is a great privilege to give God’s love to the poor, and in return, find Jesus in them.”

Brandon Berg, Postulancy

Searching for his place in religious life, Brandon from Atchison, Kansas,  visited several communities. Two charisms stood out and drew him to the Capuchins: fraternity and contemplative prayer. His time in postulancy has taught him about these charisms. “I’ve begun to learn about myself in relation to others during this time of having brothers and living in fraternity. My experiences with contemplative prayer are highpoints of the day as I begin to communicate personally with Jesus and desire to unite my soul with the Trinity.”

Cesar Arras, Postulancy

Text coming soon...

Mark Martin, College Program

In the midst of studying at Boise State University in Idaho, Mark Martin came to a great love for the Gospel life of Francis. As a result, he began to search out various religious communities through VISION Magazine's online vocation match where he found the Capuchin Franciscans. He attended a Come and See weekend and visited the Capuchin College Formation Program at Borromeo Seminary in Cleveland, Ohio. He decided to apply to the program, and has been attending there since Fall 2009.