Home / News & Publications / Michigan Catholic News / 2007 / New brother attracted by simplicity, 'joyful spirit'
New brother attracted by simplicity, 'joyful spirit'
Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Published December 7, 2007
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Robert Delaney | The Michigan
Capuchin Fr. Dan Anholzer (left) accepts the temporary vows of Bro. Todd Wieschowski, OFM Cap., last Sunday in the St. Bonaventure Monastery Chapel. |
Detroit – Capuchin Bro. Todd Wieschowski says he was drawn to the Capuchin Franciscans because of their simple lifestyle and "joyful spirit."
"They were just such a great bunch of guys to hang around with," says Bro. Wieschowski, 34, who professed temporary vows last Sunday in the chapel of St. Bonaventure Monastery.
If he decides to remain in the Capuchins, he will take temporary vows again in 2008 and 2009, then final vows in 2010.
Bro. Wieschowski says he found the friars to be "such caring, kind loving and gentle people, and so eager to give of themselves."
Having completed his postulancy in Chicago and his novitiate outside Pittsburgh, he now returns to the Chicago friary, where he will live while working on a bachelor's degree in pastoral care at St. Xavier University.
"I would like to work with elderly people. As a kid my grandparents brought so much joy into my life," he says.
Born in Alpena, he grew up in St. John Parish. He is the son of James Wieschowski, now of Presque Isle, and Dixie Winters, now of Cheboygan.
After high school he became a welder, and was married for three years, during which time he lived in Pontiac and attended St. Vincent de Paul Church (the marriage, which ended in divorce, was not conducted in a Catholic church and he was able to obtain a tribunal decree of defect of form).
"After that, I moved back to Alpena, and tried to understand where God was moving my heart," he says. He began reading about religious orders, and wrote for information.
Having lived independently, he acknowledges that getting used to living in community was "a struggle."
"There are times when I'd rather sleep in, but I desire with all my heart to be a Capuchin, and the best Capuchin I can be. It's a constant saying 'yes' to God every day," he adds.
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