By Br. Jose Maria Vera OFM Cap. 

In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle compares the Christian life to a race that requires purpose, self-discipline, and perseverance. His emphasis is not on competing with others, but on living in such a way that the  goal is reached: eternal life with God. It’s certainly an analogy fitting of an athlete; even though, of course, the apostle Paul was not one. The truth is that his letter strongly emphasizes self-discipline and perseverance. It’s been a few years now since I started running, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that running a marathon requires a lot of self-discipline and perseverance; training again and again, even when there’s no motivation. At first, I started running because I discovered many physical and mental benefits. Over time, I realized that simply competing, and knowing that my body was capable of running for several hours, was already a victory for me.

Although I had heard that many runners often run to process work or school-related stress, for me, running was simply an activity I enjoyed because it gave me energy, and I loved experiencing the well-known “runner’s high.” Beyond that, I had never connected running with my vocation as a Capuchin friar. It wasn’t until 2021, when I ran my first marathon, the Chicago Marathon, that something shifted. During that race, I saw two people in front of me holding hands. I didn’t understand why until I passed beside them and turned to say, “Good job!” When I looked at them, I realized that the younger man was visually impaired. Then it became clear that the older man was guiding him. That moment stayed with me

I finished the race with a deep sense of fulfillment, not only because I completed 26.2 miles, but because the journey had been infused with meaning. It wasn’t until a few days later, while I was in prayer, that the image of those two men holding hands returned to my mind. I hadn’t given it much thought during the race, but in that quiet moment, it came alive with significance. As I reflected, I saw how clearly it symbolized the life of faith: we all need guidance, and we all need to guide others. Just as that young man relied on his companion, so we rely on the Triune God, and in turn, we are called to walk alongside those who are struggling, like the homeless we serve in Milwaukee. That is the heart of our vocation as Capuchin Franciscans, to walk alongside the marginalized and those on the periphery, as St. Francis once did with the leper.

Last Sunday, I had the blessing of running alongside three other Capuchin brothers and a friend from Italy. Together we wore shirts that carried a message close to our hearts, quotes that raised awareness about homelessness in Milwaukee and highlighted the urgent need for continued support of the Capuchin ministries that serve our brothers and sisters in the Milwaukee area. This time, it wasn’t just about finishing a race; it was about making each step count for something greater. Running with a purpose gave the experience a new kind of weight. We weren’t just logging miles, we were bearing witness. Our presence, our shirts, and our effort became a small but meaningful act of solidarity with those who live every day without shelter, security, or support. It was a way of saying: you are seen and you are not forgotten. That moment in 2021 taught me something no training plan ever could: we are not meant to run this race alone. Just as that young man needed a guide to navigate the course, we too need Someone to lead us; especially when the road gets long and the path unclear. And the beauty is, we don’t run this race alone; Christ runs it with us. He is beside us, behind us, and sometimes carrying us. But more than that, He calls us to be companions to others along the way.

We are invited to reach out our hand to those struggling to keep going; to those who are burdened financially, spiritually, or emotionally; and to help them move forward. Whether it’s through prayer, encouragement, direct assistance, or simply showing up in love, we become part of Christ’s guiding presence in their lives. The Christian life is not about how fast we get to the finish line, but about who we bring with us. And when we place our trust in Christ, when we let Him take our hand and also offer ours to others, we discover that every mile, every hardship, every moment of doubt becomes part of a journey, one that leads not just to a medal, but to eternal life. That is the race worth running.

~Br. Jose

By Fr. Mike Bertram, OFM Cap., Capuchin Community Services Ministry Director

Capuchin Community Services has received a great deal of attention for its expanded services to the poor during the Republican National Convention, even situated as it is on the very border of the security zone at 9^th Street. The services at St. Ben’s continue even with disruptions throughout the city due to the Convention. Guests at St. Ben’s have greatly appreciated the evening shelter program running throughout Convention week, and volunteers who normally offer their help for the winter shelter program responded quickly to an invite to help with the shelter running this week. Pictured are some of those who spent the night with our guests: Mike, Sharri, and Br. Henryk.

Interviews have been numerous as both Fr. Mike and Kenny Howard have been asked to offer a few words on Capuchin Community Services. Radio, television and newpaper outlets from around the country have been to Capuchin Community Services for an “angle” on the Convention from the standpoint of social services to the poor. In so many instances in other cities, the poor are rounded up and physically removed from event venues so as to “clean up the city” and not have the presence of homeless people during major events. Not so with Capuchin Community Services, which has drawn great media interest and praise from local Milwaukeans.

An unfortunate incident occurred last night when a man known to CCS and its guests was shot and killed by out-of-state law enforcement a few blocks from St. Ben’s.  “Samuel” was known by guests and staff at CCS who were familiar with him through the Shower Program and the winter shelter. Samuel was remembered in prayer at the Meal last evening, and some of the guests were shaken to hear of his death, some decrying the excessive response of police officers. Two eye witnesses who came to the Meal described the event as an “execution,” and an inquiry is now underway into the actions of the officers. CCS continues to offer its services, including intervention and de-escalation of events involving homeless people, as many poor and homeless people are known to Capuchin Community Services through its ministries.

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By Fr. Mike Bertram, OFM Cap., Capuchin Community Services Ministry Director

Many businesses and residents have avoided the city for this week, given that some 50,000 people are here for the Republican National Convention. People have talked about working from home or taking vacation and going “up north” for the week. But the sponsor groups who provide food for the evening meal at St. Ben’s are terrific! Last night’s group from St. Monica Parish in Whitefish Bay turned out in great numbers to make sure that our guests got a great meal once again.

After one full day of the Convention, life goes surprisingly smooth at St. Ben’s. Staff, employees and volunteers have reported no problem getting to 9th and State, despite the presence of the security border at 9th Street. Services have continued without interruption, and the numbers of guests coming to St. Ben’s has increased. The number of men especially who turned out for the evening shelter program rose last night over Sunday night, bringing the room to near-capacity. Again, the guests are very grateful for this service.

Security is in evidence not only around St. Ben’s, but all around the city. Police officers on bicycles can be seen in neighborhoods remote to the Convention site, as was noted in the neighborhood of the House of Peace (17th and Walnut). Though not close to the Convention site, surrounding areas are being patrolled for general safety. It has left many city streets nearly deserted as traffic routes have disrupted normal patterns of traffic.

In addition to our sponsor groups that have kept the evening Meal going at St. Ben’s, kudos go out to the great family of donors and benefactors throughout metro Milwaukee who have expressed great gratitude and pride that Capuchin Community Services has gone out of its way to serve the homeless and poor during the Convention. Food and drink and monetary donations have come in to help with the extra expenses incurred by the expansion of services at St. Ben’s. Volunteers who helped with the winter shelter program jumped at the chance to come back to St. Ben’s for this week of sheltering the poor and homeless. Thanks and blessings to all who have joined CCS in its efforts to respond to the needs of the poor at this time.

St. Ben’s Ministries and the Republican National Convention

By Fr. Mike Bertram, OFM Cap., Capuchin Community Services Ministry Director

The St. Ben’s Ministries are situated on State Street between 9th and 10th Streets. One of the security borders for the Republican National Convention runs along 9th Street, literally alongside the St. Ben’s property. Barricades have gone up, preventing people from moving further into the city from 9th Street.

The St. Ben’s Ministries have not only continued its operations, but have expanded services for the week of the Convention. The Meal will run as usual from Sunday night through Thursday night. Additionally, the overnight shelter program will be reopened for the week. Last night, provisions were made for as many as 40 men and 20 women; 31 men and 5 women were housed for the evening. The guests were not only grateful for the added service, but offered their help in the care of the program. In the Meal Hall that offered overnight shelter for men, the guests got up in the morning, took care of their linens and stacked the cots so that the room was ready for the Meal tonight. Similarly, the women stored the cots to one side of the room and set out chairs for those who would be coming to the evening Meal. The guests are truly impressive and appreciative for all that they receive through Capuchin Community Services.

Guests to the Meal will normally line up outside of the Capuchin Community Services building until all is readied inside. Last night, a Secret Service agent approached CCS security personnel to inquire about the waiting line being so close to the security zone. The agent’s questions were satisfactorily answered without incident or disruption.

Capuchin Community Services has great relations with Milwaukee County. When CCS services were announced last month, the County asked to help. The temperature for today will reach mid-90’s, and throughout this week, the County will operate a 24-hour Cooling Center close to St. Ben’s so that people can be safe outside of downtown Milwaukee.

An interesting aside: one of the St. Ben’s parishioners asked about being a volunteer greeter who would welcome delegates and visitors to the city of Milwaukee. She was told that in order to do so, she would need to sign a document stating that she believed the 2020 election to be fraudulent. She declined to do so.