December 9th, 2011 9:04 am
A church acting group at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Stillwater, Wisconsin are bringing the Franciscans history to life as they perform the play "Solanus" this month. The production was written and directed by Molly Deaney Druffner, and Dr. Don Wessel plays the part of Solanus Casey.
This play has been performed nationwide since 2000, and profiles the life of the Rev. Solanus Casey who was a Capuchin Franciscan with historical ties to Stillwater. He entered the St. Francis High School Seminary in Milwaukee to study for the diocesan priesthood at the age of 21, and for 20 years he served in the New York City neighborhoods of Harlem and Yonkers. He had a simple job during the Great Depression as a door greeter at the local church in Detroit, and he also served people with food. This gained him fame and appreciation among the people of the city, and with Pope John Paul II as well.