In 1969, Brother Kevin Crowley founded the Capuchin Day Center that served the homeless and vulnerable in Dublin. And over 50 years later, he is finally retiring and returning to West Cork, where he will live close to his family.
Now the great age of 87, Brother Crowley spent his life devoted to the poor. Through his day center he's been able to provide meals, care packages, and facilities to Dublin's homeless and vulnerable.
When the day center opened, it provided 50 meals a day to the city's needy. Now, as Brother Crowley retires, the day center offers over 800 meals. But as the Capuchin friar pointed out, the center aims to offer more than a plate of food -- it wants to provide each individual with dignity and respect.
The friar's work has not gone unnoticed. In 2018, Pope Francis visited the center during his papal visit to Ireland, according to RTE. The Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell, also made a statement that was posted on social media recently to acknowledge Brogther Crowley's retirement, pointing out:
With Brother Crowley set to retire on August 19, the archbishop stressed the importance of maintaining the Capuchin's efforts:
Hopefully, we can all be inspired by Brother Crowley to care for those in need in our communities. We pray that the octogenarian will now be able to sit back and enjoy his retirement, allowing loved ones to care for him as he cared for others.
