The Friars
From formation through their senior years, friars live the Gospel in prayer, fraternity, and faithful service.
June 2026
After many years of faithful and fruitful ministry as Capuchin friars, Fr. Roger White and Fr. Scott Seethaler look back with grateful hearts — and still look forward with hope to the blessings God continues to unfold in their lives. Their paths were different, but their mission was the same: to bring the Gospel to life in the hearts of God’s people. Fr. Roger White - Missionary of Heart and Soul Although his Capuchin superiors initially discouraged his desire to serve in Papua New Guinea, Fr. Roger was convinced that God was calling him there. Trusting that call, he crossed oceans and cultures to serve the people of that land for 38 years. Certainly, Fr. Roger went eager to share the Catholic faith and proclaim the Gospel. Yet, as he reflects today, he recognizes that he received as much as he gave. The rich spiritual life of the people—sometimes mysterious, often deeply mystical—shaped his own faith in powerful ways. He often says that he “fed off the faith of the people.” Their reverence for God and their sense of the sacred drew him deeper into prayer and trust in the Lord. Over the years, Fr. Roger lived among many different tribes, learning their customs, earning their trust, and forming friendships that endure to this day. He walked with them through every stage of life—celebrating births, preparing people for Baptism, guiding families in marriage, and standing with them at the time of death, commending their loved ones to God’s mercy. Even now they remain in his heart. Every morning, Fr. Roger begins his day by praying for the people of Papua New Guinea, thanking God for them and asking the Lord to continue watching over them. In retirement, his ministry may look quieter, but it continues in simple acts of care, like tending the birds in the friary garden so they never lack food. After so many years of self-giving service, we need to make sure Fr. Roger receives the care he deserves. Fr. Scott Seethaler — A Voice of the Gospel While Fr. Scott was never sent to a foreign mission, his ministry of evangelization touched hundreds of thousands of lives here in the United States. Soon after his ordination, it became clear that God had gifted him as a powerful preacher. For more than 50 years, he was sought after for parish missions, retreats, conferences, and spiritual talks—ministering to Catholics and non-Catholics alike. His voice reached far beyond church walls. Fr. Scott also spoke weekly on a Protestant radio station and later had a daily program on a secular station. During breaks from his preaching travels, he recorded five-minute “Joyful Reflections”—always ending with a touch of humor that made people smile and remember his message. But Fr. Scott’s ministry did not stop there. He felt a deep call to serve the poor in Oaxaca, Mexico, where he helped launch a hospital named in honor of his mother, Anna. For years, he made annual visits to guide and encourage that ministry. His concern for the vulnerable led him to support outreach to street children, expand a chapel near a city dump where impoverished families searched for survival, and help rebuild a school damaged by an earthquake. Even today, though he no longer has the stamina for travel, Fr. Scott continues to serve in local parishes, ministers to married couples, and acts as a spiritual director to many. Now, Fr. Scott needs a little care from us. After decades of giving themselves so generously to the Gospel—whether in remote villages of Papua New Guinea, American parishes, on the radio waves, or among the poor of Oaxaca—Fr. Roger and Fr. Scott have blessed countless lives in ways most of us will never fully know. Now, in this season of retirement, they depend on us. The care they need—medical attention, daily assistance, safe housing, and the support of their friar community—comes only through the generosity of friends like you. Your gift is more than financial help. It is a concrete expression of gratitude for two friars who spent their lives bringing hope, faith, and joy to others. Through your kindness, you help ensure that their later years are lived with dignity, comfort, and peace. With deep gratitude and prayer, Fr. John Pfannenstiel, OFM Cap. P.S. Will you please help us care for Fr. Roger, Fr. Scott, and all our elderly Capuchin friars? Whatever you are able to give will make a real difference in their lives and will be received with prayerful appreciation.
March 2026
They are one step closer! In early May, three Capuchin friars were ordained deacons in the crypt church of the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. It was a beautiful and joyous morning. Bishop Evilio Menjivar-Ayala, auxiliary bishop of Washington, ordained our three friars and two others, another Capuchin friar and a Redemptorist seminarian. Virtually every living Capuchin priest was ordained a deacon in that crypt church. I vividly recall my own ordination there 45 years ago! That was on a cold January morning … and I was just a youngster of 26! As newly ordained deacons, Brothers Luke Kim, Stephen Cantwell and Ryan Schmeltzer are beginning the last step to being ordained to the priesthood, hopefully next summer. Yes, it’s been a long haul for them. They graduated from the Catholic University of America a week later with a master’s degree in theology. Now they will be sent to parishes to assist at Mass, preach homilies, baptize, and officiate at weddings and funerals. Of course, it all takes money, doesn’t it? For these three - their formation and education costs since they were postulants almost ten years ago - will exceed a quarter of a million dollars! Br. Luke Kim is assigned to serve as a deacon at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Philadelphia. This Center City parish will challenge Br. Luke to serve a wide variety of people – young and old, office workers and the unemployed, business owners and beggars. Yes, many people come to the door of the friary for help. The Catholic community of Indiana, PA, will have a deacon who was born and raised in Philadelphia. Br. Stephen Cantwell will assist Fr. Richard Owens, pastor, and Fr. Jonathan Ulrick, parochial vicar, at St. Bernard of Clairvaux Parish and the University of Indiana parish of St. Thomas More. Br. Stephen will have a lot of experience with young folks, both at the parish school and the university. Br. Ryan Schmeltzer is headed to Our Lady of the Mountains Parish in Cumberland, MD. While there are many retired and senior parishioners, there are many families and young folks in the parish. Br. Ryan will, no doubt, get a lot of experience baptizing babies and marrying young couples. All of the Capuchin friars are thankful for our young men. They bring energy and vitality to our way of life. We could not possibly prepare all of these young men without you! Your prayers for them, your love for the friars, and your generous support are a blessing for us and for them. Will you help us train and educate the next generation of Capuchin friars? If the three new deacons pass muster in their service as deacons, next summer we will rejoice as they are ordained to the priesthood. May God grant it! As I write to you, the news of the election of a new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, is still fresh, and I sense excitement and energy among young Catholics. Our newly ordained deacons will be needed to do the great work of Jesus Christ. I know you want to share in those blessings. Please help us train a new generation of Capuchin priests and brothers.
