Teamwork Makes the Dream Work in Milwaukee

By Br. Mark Joseph Costello, OFM Cap.

It’s been a change of seasons at Capuchin Community Services in Milwaukee. Its two locations, St. Ben’s Community Meal and the House of Peace, continue to attend to the basic human and spiritual needs of people at the margins. However, recently a change in leadership brought Br. Mike Bertram, longtime pastor of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Benedict the Moor Parishes, into leadership as the new Ministry Director. This follows the departure of Br. Robert Wotypka, who served as Ministry Director since 2019. Br. Robert is now ministering as Director of Spiritual Care at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit following the retirement of Br. Bob Malloy, who held that role for 20 years.

Holiday Food Box Drive

Every year, the outpouring of support for the ministry and the guests we serve is truly humbling. Annaully, more than 1,300 holiday food boxes are sent out to parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and neighboring dioceses. In addition, parishes, businesses, civic groups and families also fill boxes and send them back to the House of Peace, where they are distributed at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Sponsors from throughout Wisconsin, including foundations, corporations and the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, help make this program possible.

Our November 2022 Thanksgiving distribution included representatives from the Milwaukee Bucks and Gruber Law. Bango, the Bucks mascot, was on-hand to help distribute food to guests.