Father Vincent Capodanno Cause Update Letter - July 2019

June 2019 Dear Friends, Mark Your Calendars – September 4, 2019 Annual Memorial Mass: The Father Capodanno Guild Board and the Archdiocese for the Military Service have begun preparations for the annual Memorial Mass. The Memorial Mass for Father Vincent R. Capodanno, MM, will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, in the Crypt Church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue NE, Washington, D.C. His Excellency, the Most Reverend Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop for the United States Military Services, will be the main celebrant.

All are invited to attend the Memorial Mass; there will be open seating, so please plan to arrive early.

If special parking is necessary, contact Mary Preece by calling (202) 719-3642 or emailing mpreece@milarch.org. Military members are encouraged to wear uniform of the day, and business attire is appropriate for civilians. The Guild has decided to fund the live broadcast of the Mass this year. In addition, to help keep word of his virtuous life alive, EWTN plans to air Called and Chosen on July 4th at 4:00 p.m. This documentary on Father Vincent Capodanno’s life was truly well done. If you are not able to see it on the 4th, you can request a copy through the Guild website for a donation of $20. We continue to ship out 5-10 copies a week and, to date, have sent out over 2,500 copies.

Testimony Received: Although 52 years have passed since the death of Father Capodanno, tributes and testimonies honoring him continue. In January, Mary Preece, Vice Postulator received an email from a supporter: “Vincent will be the middle name of our unborn baby, named after Father Capodanno.

Our baby needs prayers for a rare condition that was just discovered, so we are asking for Father Capodanno’s intercession.”

In early June, Mary received the joyous announcement that the little boy had arrived safely.

Father Capodanno continues to intercede for those who ask his help.

USS MOUNT WHITNEY (LCC-20):

People continue to find ways to honor him and recognize his sacrifice around the world. From the Mediterranean, the Executive Officer for the USS MOUNT WHITNEY has notified the Guild that the ship's chapel is dedicated to and named after LT Capodanno. The officers and chief petty officers have made the donation for one of the signed, numbered lithographs of the recently created Father Capodanno portrait to hang in their chapel. A limited number of these signed and numbered lithographs remain available through the Guild for a donation of $150. What a perfect way to honor this great man, and the organization working on his cause for sainthood.

Numbers Growing: The number of supporters of the Cause continues to grow. They now exceed 2,800 worldwide. If you have not become a member of the Guild please consider it. Check our website for more details (https://www.capodannoguild.org/).

Thank You: As we approach the Memorial of Father Vincent’s death we would like to thank you all again for your generous support of the Cause. God Bless you and your families and have a safe summer. We hope to see you at the Memorial Mass in September.

The Father Vincent Capodanno Guild Board

Spreading the Word: Steve Stanley’s Report to the Board

Considering Memorial Day, Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Church in Greenwood, IN decided to work to increase attendance at their Mass by sponsoring a presentation about Father Vincent – who better to memorialize than our Medal of Honor Catholic Chaplain? The brainchild behind this was an old Army guy and retired Navy civilian lawyer, Jim Recasner. Jim reached out to Steve Stanley and worked to develop a plan that included Catholic Radio interviews and advertising. Jim even worked George Phillips into the Catholic Radio interview for his personal perspective from the battlefield in Vietnam. In the end, all of Jim’s up-front work paid off and we had increased attendance at Memorial Day Mass, about 170 people for Steve’s presentation and a significant financial contribution.

One of the special attendees was a soon-to-beordained Catholic Priest who is going into the Air Force as a new Chaplain – hard to believe but he is a Vincent also – and our new Father Vincent was ordained in early June, 2019, with Archbishop Broglio in attendance. It is comforting to know that this new priest chaplain will go forward with the example of Father Capodanno to emulate. Of course, that is what our Cause is all about – recognizing Father Capodanno as worthy of universal veneration in our Church – God willing and with your prayerful and financial help, we will keep his Cause moving forward.

Other Presentations: Presenters for the Guild have been active throughout the spring sharing Father Capodanno's story across the U.S. and into Canada. Fr. Michael Booth and Al DiNicola shared Father Capodanno's

story with 500 Marines at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Enthusiastic parishioners at St. Joan of Arc church in Orleans, MA heard a special presentation by Jim Schermerhorn in April. Marine Corps Junior ROTC students and instructors from Portage High School, Indiana listened attentively as Mark Helms shared with them the life of Father Capodanno. One student shared his desire to enter the priesthood, just like Father Capodanno. Mark later spoke with students at Queen of the Miraculous Medal School in Jackson, MI. He was later assisted with a showing of the film Called and Chosen, sponsored by the Campus Ministry at Divine Child High School in Dearborn, MI. The audience was very moved by the film and had many insightful takeaways from Father's heroic life and death.

Kevin McCabe brought Father's story to the Knights of Columbus Council 4196 in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. The example of Father Capodanno's heroic and virtuous life resonated immensely as recommendations have followed for additional presentations to other Knights of Columbus

chapters throughout the province. The photo above is from Kevin McCabe's presentation with KoC Council 4196. In addition, Guild Board members have actively participated in “spreading the good word far and wide.” One made a presentation to St. Mary’s School in Schwenksville, PA to over 250 people. On Memorial Day weekend Holy Spirit Radio in Philadelphia aired a program about military priests that had been awarded the Medal of Honor, and Father Capodanno was one chosen for the program.