Ordo Praedicatorum

Some of the Dominican Friars of the Western Province serve at the Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage, Alaska. Below is a recent interview by Joel Davidson.

10/30/2007 ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Catholic Anchor) - Three new Dominican friars recently arrived at Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage (see separate Catholic Online story for background). Last month, the Catholic Anchor sent an e-mail to Holy Family Cathedral’s pastor, Dominican Father Donald Bramble, and asked him to help introduce the new trio.

Catholic Anchor: How has the face of the Cathedral Dominicans changed with the recent departure of Dominican Fathers Paul Scanlon and Garry Cappleman and the arrivals of new Dominican Fathers Vincent Kelber and John Thomas Mellein, along with Brother Mark Francis Manzano?

Father Donald Bramble: The most obvious change is the difference in ages, personalities and years of ordination. Father Vincent and Father John Thomas (both 30 years old) were ordained in June 2007, and Brother Mark Francis is a seminarian (25 years old). Father Paul Scanlon (73 years old) with almost 55 years of religious life, former provincial, missionary and writer, had tremendous lived-wisdom. Father Garry Cappleman (57 years old) was newly ordained but had 30 years experience as a social worker.

The new friars bring new energy, youth, enthusiasm and are quite smart. So, they represent the next generation of ministry.

Anchor: What’s it like working with a bunch of young guys?

Father Bramble: Sometimes I’m reminded of Fred McMurray in “My Three Sons”. I’m old enough to be their dad! Sometimes my references are “out of date” and some jokes fall on them without much understanding. The enthusiasm for ministry and their genuine goodness impresses me very much.

Anchor: Do you guys all live together? How has community life changed?

Father Bramble: Dominican friars and sisters usually live in community. Having our sisters, the Adrian Dominicans is a pleasure. The family is more fully expressed by Dominican men and women. The four friars live at the Cathedral. We share meals, prayers, ministry, study and recreation together on a daily basis.

Anchor: What special talents do the new Dominicans bring to the Archdiocese?

Father Bramble: Brother Mark Francis is a first generation Filipino American with a background in mathematics and music from Cal Poly University in Pomona, CA. Father Vincent has lived in China, Mexico, and the U.S. and has specialized background in Asian Pacific cultures and history. He also speaks Spanish. Father John Thomas is here for one year. Three years ago he was here for his seminary residency year and he has a special gift for Alaska Native ministry.

Anchor: What different ministries will the new friars be involved with?

Father Bramble: Father Vincent will work with the RCIA and Hispanic ministry. Father John Thomas will work in Alaska Native ministry and hospital work and Brother Mark Francis will be doing ministry to shut-ins, inmates, and possibly clinical pastoral education through hospital ministry later in his term.

Anchor: What is your role in coordinating all their assignments?

Father Bramble: As superior and pastor, I convene the community, and take each of them through pastoral supervision on a weekly basis.

Anchor: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Father Bramble: It’s a joy to have them here in the parish, and the Dominicans feel the support of the people and priests of the Archdiocese!
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Republished by Catholic Online with permission of the Catholic Anchor (www.catholicanchor.org), official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Anchorage, Alaska. Interview: Pastor says working with young Dominicans is like ‘My Three Sons’

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