Minor Characters

Br. Jimmy Kernan, OFM is a professor at Siena College despite still being in formation and still in his 20s. He has a love for science and a desire to bring his Franciscan charism to the world.

Art doesn't just please the eye, it is meant to tell a story and help the viewer see the world around them differently. No one understands this better than Fr. Jerry Bleem, OFM, a Franciscan priest and artist who uses reclaimed trash and refuse to create thoughtful pieces of art.

When you think of friars, you probably think of priests working in parishes. This is not for everyone. Friars like John Gutierrez have lived out their friar lives caring for patients in hospitals and fighting for justice on behalf of fellow employees.

Tyler Harris, OFM is not worried about the Church. He sees places where faith is alive and thriving, centered around the Eucharist.

Jimmy Beh is in the process of making a major life change: he's just months away from taking vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Some would see this as scary or restrictive, but Jimmy loves the freedom that they provide.

Fr. Jim Bok lived an "ordinary" friar life. He worked at a school, then raised money for the friars in the development office, things that many friars set out to do. Then, at 61, when many are starting to look forward to retirement, he decided to become a missionary to Jamaica. He never regreted any of his 16 years there.

Roger Lopez loved to teach high school students. Then one day he received a phone call from "Italy." As a Catholic, this generally means big news. In his case, he had been selected to be a provincial councilor, a leader in the government of the Order.

Fr. Greg Plata works in vocations ministry for the Franciscans, which means he travels a lot. This has taught him some tremendous lessons along the way.

Robert Lentz has often found himself with the oppressed and the marginalized. It has shaped his theology and inspired his world-renowned paintings.

Some friars serve at the altar, others build the altar. Br. John Boissy, OFM is a professional woodworker who uses his skill to make works that will last centuries.

Edgardo "Lalo" Jara entered the friars when he was young and in his 20s. It didn't work out. He tried again a few years later, joining the diocese. It didn't work now. Then, 10 years later, he moved to the United States and tried a third time. Now he's a priest of a major parish doing amazing work.

As a lawyer, Fr. Mike Johnson, OFM was used to working with the law. He never expected to have his life changed by a prison, let alone one in Bolivia. Now he leads mission groups all around the world.

Fr. Bill Burton, OFM found the friars early in live. And then he ran away to make money. Little did he know that he'd be back, and that he would one day become an accomplished scripture scholar.

Fr. Michael Duffy is a simple man who just wants to serve the poor with dignity. And he's been able to do that for 36 years. But he's also been tasked with incredible opportunities outside of his comfort zone, like healing the nation after 9/11 and staring in a major television show.

Br. Jim McIntosh knows what it's like to live an intentional life. From living with the homeless, to forming a Catholic house, to missionary work in South America, to working with migrants at the border, there's something authentically Franciscan about the way he lives.

Colin King grew up in suburban Ohio. Today, he's the pastor of multiple churches in Jamaica. The change couldn't be more drastic, and he couldn't be happier.

It's not every day you meet someone who turns down a six-figure job to live simply and take care of old guys. Then again, it's not every day you meet someone as kind as Fr. Michael Reyes, OFM.

Jay Woods was living his dream: working on broadway and giving glory to God. When his faith began to slip, so too, did his mental health. It wasn't until he left it all behind that he found his calling in serving others.

There's nothing like a ministry of presence, simply being with people and open to listening. Fr. Dennis Tamburello, OFM has spent his entire life with this mindset, listening to students, visiting prisoners, and conferencing with Protestants. Also, he plays the guitar and drums!

Few people get to live their childhood dreams. Even fewer people have childhood dreams of being a secret priest in China.

Ever hear of the "the brown pope"? Probably not, because I'm pretty sure we just made it up. But if there was one, it would be Michael Perry, OFM, the former minister general of the Order of Friars Minor. As the leader of all the Franciscans in the world, he saw some wild things and has some crazy stories. He's also not taking to retirement well, starting international initiatives at Siena College.

It's not every day you get to speak with a guy ordained a priest under a day. What was ordination like? How did he feel during his first mass? How does he deal with being the youngest Franciscan priest in the country?

Br. Andy Brophy has not lived a conventional life. He trained to be a teacher but dreamed of being a missionary. When he was finally asked to be a missionary, he was too old for the job. So he started raising money for missions, now traveling the world to support the friars in nearly every country.

Franciscan life isn't about ideas or concepts, it's about relationships. Fr. Ed Shea, OFM knows a lot about that.

Br. John Barker, OFM is a man of many talents: accomplished chef, biblical scholar, and now excellent preacher. It's not everyday that you meet someone who completely changes their life plan... multitple times... but John shows that you should always be discerning God's call.

Few brothers live with more energy for the present moment than Fr. Juan de la Cruz Turcios. He's creative, joyful, and always ready to bring people together.

Fr. Jim Sabak, OFM has an interesting life. On the one hand, he is the chaplain to an elementary school and spends his days entertaining children with his gregarious personality and jubilant energy. On the other hand, he is the director of worship for a diocese, concerned with the most holy and solemn occasions of Christian life.

Dominic Monti has seen a lot. Both in his life as a vicar provincial and in his study of Franciscan history. He knows the power of a story, and he knows that history isn't even a little boring when you know how to tell it.

Whem most people think of friars, the image of a short portly man comes to mind. This is not always the case. Some, like Fr. Steve Kuehn, OFM, are former D1 athletes that reached peak physical condition through many years of service in the Navy. What keeps him going years later? The same thing that always has: the brotherhood.

Fr. Mike Surufka, OFM began his life as a friar working for the U.N. This took him to war-torn countries but allowed him to meet inspiring people. Violence seems to follow him wherever he goes, but through a harrowing experience of a beloved friend's murder he grew in his need for forgiveness and now works in one of the most forgotten, dangerous place in the country. And he loves it.

Each week, we'll interview a different friar about their life and adventures as a "minor" character. You can check out video versions of the podcast on YouTube.com/@MinorCharactersPodcast.