Capuchins - Pioneers on the West Coast

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Capuchins - Pioneers on the West Coast The Capuchins of the West are proud of the 64 years of service they have offered to the people of God in Oregon and California. From the pioneer beginnings of Irish Capuchins in Oregon in 1910, where the way of life in western America and the ministry for priests still bore the character, if not the statue, of missionary countries, our work has flourished until today. Hermiston, in the north-east corner of the state, was the starting point of the Irish Capuchins' missionary work in Oregon. Fathers Luke Sheehan and Thomas Dowling arrived on Feb. 10, 1910, and found that there was no church in existence. They set to work immediately and on November 13, the first church of Our Lady of Angels was dedicated by Bishop O'Reilly. Within the next few years, building continued until three mission churches were completed. From 1910 to the present time, the Capuchin Fathers have worked for the people of Hermiston and the surrounding area and their work is deeply appreciated by a grateful people. Father Luke moved from Hermiston to Bend in December 1910 to become the first resident priest for this vast area. "I shall not forget," he wrote, "the warm welcome I received when it became known that I was to be the resident pastor of Crook county. I arrived a few days before Christmas. With the joy and fervor of the poor shepherds, twenty fervent souls gathered around the little Christmas altar at Bend, to thank the Infant Savior for, at last, He had heard their prayers. Often they had feared that accident or sickness would come upon them, and that they would have to pass the dread threshold without the comforts of their religion—200 miles or more from a priest." Under the driving energy of Father Luke, mission churches were built in Madras in 1911, in Redmond in 1912 and in Prinville in 1915. His spirit has been the guiding force behind the Capuchins through the years as they continue his work for the good people of Bend. The Capuchins came to Roseburg, Oregon in 1912. Along with the parish of Roseburg all the 12 mission churches scattered far and wide over Douglas county were entrusted to their care. In succeeding years, many of these missions have become independent sturdy parishes. What the Capuchin Fathers have done for God and His Church in Roseburg over the past 62 years will never be forgotten by the people. "The Capuchin Fathers have served in the Portland Archdiocese since early in the century," writes Archbishop O'Dwyer, "and have given invaluable aid to the Archbishops in promoting the cause of Christ in the Church. St. Joseph's parish, Roseburg, has always been, and happy remains, very much a model because of the devotion of the Capuchins to their work." Archbishop John J. Cantwell invited the Capuchins into Los Angeles in 1922 and assigned to them the parish of St. Lawrence in Watts. Today, this parish is predominantly Black; here, in a genuine Franciscan way, they have worked for the people and are loved and res…