Bro. David is a Franciscan Capuchin Priest, who has been formally trained in Franciscan Spiritual Direction and actively involved in this ministry since 1985. Other ministries in which Bro. David has served include: outreach to the poor through St. Francis Table, pastoral and medical service to the sick, and pastor in parish ministry. Bro. David resides in a hermitage at Mount Alverno bringing a welcomed prayerful and sacramental presence to the retreat centre environment.
Charles Fernandes has been in Youth Retreat Ministry at Mount Alverno for over 5 years, a wonderful way to connect with and learn from youth and their spiritual experiences. He is also a Permanent Deacon at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Dundalk, with outreach ministries to the poor, and to seniors and sick. Charles holds an M.A. in Religion and Culture from Wilfrid Laurier University with a focus on Catholic social ethics, and has past work experience in social justice, including refugee resettlement. Charles is married with three children.
Bro. Alan R. Gaebel, OFM Cap. is a friar with the Capuchins of Central Canada for 18 years and a graduate of the Toronto School of Theology, St. Michael's College (U of T). And completed a Sabbatical Study Program (2009) with the Francican Intitute at St. Bonaventure University. He ministered directly with the poor for eight years as Animator of St. Francis Table, a Capuchin restaurant for the poor in the Parkdale neighbourhood of Toronto. He is also a current member of NAPCC-JPE (North American Pacific Capuchin Conference - Justice, Peace and Ecology), a current member of the Mount Alverno Retreat Centre Advisory Board and Spiritual Animator to the local Secular Franciscan Fraternities.