December 2023 - Chairman’s Corner Friends – I can’t believe that Advent is almost over, yet I am anxious for our Lord’s birthday. It is such a wonderful season to spend with family – sharing our faith and love. As the New Year approaches, we reflect on 2023 and, in the Guild, we have much to be thankful for. Principal among these gifts is the progress that the Historical Commission has made in assembling the additional information requested by the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints in Rome – this effort is drawing to a close and has been profound. I feel it will be well received at the Dicastery. Please offer thanks to God for our Commission. Of course, you, our faithful supporters are our most precious gift. You have stayed with us through this trying period, and as we emerge you deserve the credit – our Cause will falter without your consistent prayers and gifts. I expect many of you prayerfully remembered Father Vincent and all Veterans on Veteran’s Day but I wanted to highlight a quote from Archbishop Broglio on this occasion, “….In an age when the focus is always on the idol in the mirror, they raise their right hands to defend the Constitution, undergo training, keep watch and risk everything for us…..” Doesn’t that thought personify Father Vincent? He was not focused on the “idol in the mirror” instead, he was focused on the men he served. So focused that he humbly gave completely of himself. Here is a link: Archbishopsveterans-day-statement I know many of you or your loved ones are Veterans and that you know how much they mean to our country. Please keep them and our Cause in your prayers. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Supporter Stories: From a Guild member who has worked as an emergency room doctor for over 36 years (20 of those as a reservist working in Navy hospitals). "Emergency medicine is a very demanding vocation. One needs faith and courage to do this work. I pray the Father Capodanno prayer daily. I ask Father Vincent's intercession to God in my ‘field of battle,’ the emergency room. This prayer strengthens me and gives me courage." The son of a wounded Marine to whom Father Vincent provided care (see photo) recently reached out to let us know that his father had been transferred to a state Veteran’s Home with early Alzheimer’s. He has one of our Father Vincent lithographs in his room and, “He looks at it every day. He loved Father Capodanno and talks about him all the time.” It is inspirational to think about all the men that Father Vincent impacted and how their love for him has never faltered.
God bless, Steve Stanley www.capodannoguild.org Like us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/capodannoguild Follow us on Instagram! - Father Vincent Capodanno Guild (@fathercapodannoguild)
Quick News: Mark your calendars – The 2024 Father Vincent Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, 4 September (the 57th anniversary of his heroic death). It will be in the Crypt Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue, Northeast Washington, D.C. 20017. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, J.C.D., Archbishop for the Military Services, USA, will be the principal celebrant and homilist. Aisling Redican from the Xavier Society for the Blind informed us that they have completed transcribing Father Daniel Mode’s book, The Grunt Padre, into braille and it is now available. Please pass this on to the visually impaired. Here is a link: Xavier Society for the Blind Presentations may be arranged about Father Capodanno and his life of heroic virtue. We try to provide the presentation in person, however, sometimes we don’t have a presenter available in your area. To overcome this challenge, we have exercised the capability to provide the presentation, live, on-line via ZOOM and it was very favorably received. If you are interested, we would be happy to work with you to set up a Zoom presentation. Please send us a request through the website or reach out directly to Don Campbell, donald.b.campbell.jr@gmail.com. Spreading the word about Father Vincent The Diocese of Lafayette published an article in the November twelfth edition of their newsletter, “The Catholic Moment.” It is on page eight and titled, “A Worthy Vocation: Father Capodanno’s Spiritual Leadership.” It was written by one of our Honorary Board Members, Colin May, and is well worth your time. Here is a link: The Catholic Moment, November 12, 2023. Tom Draude made two presentations in the Tampa, FL area. On 4 November at the Tampa American Legion Hall and another on 19 November at the Epiphany of the Lord Parish, Knights of Columbus Council. Both were well received, and he was able to honor both Father Vincent and our Veterans. On 14 November, Steve Stanley presented in Baltimore, MD to Little Italy Lodge 2286. He
reported that the briefing was much appreciated and that it was a pleasure to experience the strong Italian culture from this audience – a culture of faith and family that Father Vincent grew up in and shared with the men he served. He also noted that fresh Italian bread sandwiches and a Peroni were much enjoyed.
So how else can you help? – Simple ways 1. Pray that our reenergized Cause will move forward quickly. 2. Forward or share this newsletter with your family and friends. It’s easy – Thank You. 3. Pray for Father Capodanno’s intercession. This is how miracles start. 4. “Like” and “follow” the Capodanno Guild on Facebook and Instagram. 5. Tell your pastor about the Cause and ask to host a group presentation at your church, women’s group, Knights of Columbus Council, veteran’s group, etc. We are happy to support – just connect us. 6. Make a tax-deductible donation. To make your donations, please go to www.capodannoguild.org and specify your requests for the 9x12 lithograph, or DVD, and please indicate the quantity you would like to receive. ***For assistance with any of these, please go to our website www.capodannoguild.org/ or email Mary Preece at mpreece@milarch.org
www.capodannoguild.org Like us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/capodannoguild Follow us on Instagram! - Father Vincent Capodanno Guild (@fathercapodannoguild)