Mark Rey was born in Sigmaringen, Germany, in 1577 to a devout Catholic family. From an early age, Mark showed signs of a deep faith life, spending time in daily prayer and attending daily Mass. At university, Mark studied both canon law and civil law, opting ultimately for a secular career as an attorney.

In 2001, the Capuchin friars of St. Conrad Province took the Church to the people by opening The Catholic Center in the Citadel Mall. Now in its 19th year, it is going strong.

When it was announced in 2012 that the Capuchin Franciscan friars would be leaving St. Joseph Parish in Hays, Kan., which they had staffed since 1878, church organist Kevin Rupp sent an email to then-provincial Fr. Charles Polifka that said, "Say it isn't so." Sadly, it was so, and within a year, a 135-year tenure came to an end.

While many of our younger friars are well versed in the likes of Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, people from an older generation often balk at the use of social media. Most of our older friars do not check-in with their current location on Facebook, do not spend hours....

Those who admire or seek to imitate St. Francis of Assisi often speak of a “Franciscan spirituality,” but an authentic spirituality must be rooted in a sound theology, a way of understanding God and God's relationship to his creation.

Ever since he was a child, Fr. John Toepfer, O.F.M. Cap., longed to be a Capuchin priest. Born and reared in Hays, Kan., as one of seven children of Anthony and Mary Alice Toepfer, friars staffed his local parish and others throughout northwest Kansas, as well as a high school and seminary.