Reflections - Friars in Postulancy
St. Michael Friary - Their Vocation Journey
MATTHEW JANECZKO, O.F.M., CAP.
I can remember the email that I sent to Brother Tim Jones, the Capuchin Franciscan coordinator of vocation ministries, when I knew that it was time to get serious about figuring out what God wanted for me in my life. I asked him about an upcoming discernment weekend that was only a week or two away and whether there might be room for me to sneak in. I was more than prepared – and perhaps hoping that he would tell me there was no room. Yet the email came back loud and clear...of course there is room! Making room in my life has always been the biggest problem in discovering my vocation. I’ve had a terrible habit of pushing God down the list of important things in my life. Probably one of the best things about my past year of discernment with the Capuchin Franciscans is being able to share our stories openly across the board, from candidates like myself, to the current Postulants, to those men who have been Capuchins longer than I’ve been alive.
Such transparency and authenticity has encouraged me in my journey. I spent the summer before entering Postulancy traveling, and found myself counting down the days until August. Though I’m not sure what the next months and years will bring, I do know that I will learn much about myself and my God. I also know that I will find fraternity among the Capuchin Franciscans that will help me discern God’s Will for me with brothers attempting to do the same.
NATHANIEL SANTOS, O.F.M., CAP.
Prior to living at St. Michael friary, I was living at St. Fidelis friary, in Agana Heights, Guam, experiencing the way of life of St. Francis as a Capuchin Franciscan. It was a wonderful experience to witness other men sharing in the same interest firsthand, engaging in a life of sacrifice and dedication for the salvation of souls all for the glory of God and it continues to motivate me as well as reinforce my vocation to the Capuchin Franciscans. It reaffirms how I envisioned Capuchin life, as well as things I did not expect. This life is full of surprises and everyday is truly a gift. Though it was just over one month that I was living with the friars at St. Fidelis friary I witnessed that living in poverty, chastity, and obedience is possible amidst a secular world. Through my experience thus far I encourage others of like mind to experience the opportunity of a lifetime, a gift from God. I do not regret answering the Call, and I wish I could have responded earlier. I could not have asked for a greater experience than this.
MATTHEW STILLMAN, O.F.M., CAP.
The seed to my vocation was planted in the sixth grade at St. Benedict School when Sister Stephen Marie, CSJ, asked me if I ever wanted to be a priest. My initial answer was no. Within a couple of weeks I was asking her all kinds of questions about priesthood. Throughout the rest of my time at St. Benedict and later at St. Clement High School, the thought of becoming a priest persisted and I even attended a Vocation Awareness Day at St. John Seminary in Brighton, MA. The Vocation Awareness Day didn't encourage me in anyway, and priesthood was put on the "back burner." My life went on in what would be a normal way for the area in which I grew up. I hung out with friends, went to work for the City of Boston, dated and drank beer. At a very early age, I developed a passion for politics and became involved in many campaigns. Somewhere along the way, I passed a line and became addicted to alcohol. At age 22, I entered a detoxification program and through the Grace of God I have been sober ever since.
Even during that dark period of my life, the thought of priesthood was still active...quietly, but still alive. At age 26, I resigned my position and entered St. John's Seminary College. This was a time of discernment and growth for me. I stayed for two years and then departed the seminary. God kept working on me...I returned to the seminary and completed the college courses, continuing on with Theology. I stayed for just over a semester and departed once again. I returned to work for the City of Boston where I worked hard and was eventually promoted to Operations Manager, responsible for all activities during the night and weekend shifts within the City of Boston. This was considered by many to be a lifetime job, but something kept tugging at my heart. I wanted to do more to serve God's people in some type of ordained ministry.
I found the Capuchin Franciscans on the internet and made contact with Brother Tim Jones. He met with me within two weeks and I told him my vocation journey. He invited me to a "Come and See” discernment weekend in New York. I drove to New York from Boston and as I sat outside Good Shepherd parish, I questioned myself as to whether I should go in. I did. And it has been a wonderful journey thus far. I have met some wonderful friars that have become an inspiration to me. I have also met some faith-filled people that entered the Capuchin Franciscans with me and I am enjoying this new phase of the journey with them.
Soon after I first met with Brother Tim, my father passed away and I put the process on hold. Eleven months later, my brother Mike passed away very unexpectedly. Everything stopped again. The Lord was close to me during these difficult days and I continued to stay in contact with the Capuchin Franciscans. I finally applied to the Order and received word on May 14, 2008 that I was accepted to the Postulancy program.
Much has changed in my life since then. I resigned my position, gave up my apartment and moved from the small square mile neighborhood that had been my home for 42 years and began a journey of faith, growth and fellowship. This is a challenging leap of faith for me but I know the friars and my classmates will continue to encourage me to encounter the Lord and accept His invitation to "Come, follow me."