Interprovincial Novitiate

ORDER OF FRIARS MINOR

SAN DAMIANO FRIARY

Friars

 

“Every friar is a gift of God to the fraternity. Therefore, even though they

possess different characters, cultures, customs, talents, abilities and qualities, the friars are to accept one another just as they are and as equals, so that the whole fraternity may become a privileged place of meeting with God.” GGCC 40

 

 

Meet the friars of San Damiano Friary

Fr. Ralph Parthe, OFM    

Director of Novices, Member of Novitiate Team

 

Fr. Ralph is a member of the Sacred Heart Province and is currently

serving on the Interprovincial Novitiate Formation Team.

 

 

 

Br. Norbert Bertrum, OFM

Assistant Novice Director

 

Br. Norbert is a member of the St. John The Baptist Province and is currently serving on the Interprovincial Novitiate Formation Team. Norbert was born in 1942 in Kentucky. He joined the Friars after high school. He was trained as a tailor & enjoyed that for 3 years. Then he became a master plumber, carpenter & electrician. He spent years repairing friaries & spent 16 years doing parish ministry in Indiana, Michigan & Illinois. He was on the formation team for 5 years. He enjoys his life with the Friars and would encourage anyone* thinking of this way of life to trust God & give it a try.

(*males between the ages of 18-40)