Following several years of multiple ordinations, five more young Capuchin friars were ordained to the priesthood in 2017. In June, Diocese of Pittsburgh’s Bishop David Zubik laid hands on Fr. James Watson, Fr. Jonathan Ulrick, and Fr. Al Carver. Six months later, the same bishop anointed Fr. Roshan Anthonypillai and Fr. Reynaldo Frias-Santana for priestly ministry.
More than 100 Capuchin friars attended each Mass of Ordination at St. Augustine Church in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, rejoicing that the Lord has provided more laborers for the Church and the Capuchin Order.
After his Ordination and First Mass, Fr. James, a native of Philadelphia, is assigned to Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Parish in Cumberland, MD. He served as deacon in the same parish the year leading to priestly ordination.
Fr. Jonathan is a proud Texan. After serving as a deacon at Our Lady of the Angels, his first priestly assignment is as a parochial vicar at St. Joseph Parish in York, PA.
Fr. Al is also a Philadelphian. He has multiple assignments in his first year of priestly ministry. He is parochial vicar at Pittsburgh’s St. Benedict the Moor Parish and chaplain at two secular universities. He is also completing his Master’s degree in philosophy. Upon completion of his academic studies, he will be assigned to the seminary in the missions in Papua New Guinea.
A librarian and native of the Dominican Republic, Fr. Reynaldo served as deacon at St. Francis Parish in Harrisburg, PA. Since ordination to the priesthood, he is assigned to work with Fr. Manuel Aviles in Puerto Rico in the preaching and retreat center.
Fr. Roshan, born in Sri Lanka and long-time resident of northern Virginia, has begun his missionary assignment in Papua New Guinea. He was deacon at St. John Church in Center City Philadelphia prior to his priesthood ordination.
The five newly ordained friars are enthusiastic about Capuchin life and priestly work, whether in the United States or in foreign missions. They bring a wealth of experience and an abundance of zeal to the Church. May God grant them many years of happy priestly service and Capuchin life!
