PROVIDING HOMES THAT ARE "INNS" OF FAITH, HOPE & PRAYER
A Franciscan Ministry
Father Christopher Popravak, O.F.M. Cap.
Father Christopher Popravak, O.F.M.Cap. Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Province of St. Conrad (Mid America). He received a doctoral degree in Historical Theology from St. Louis University and has taught in the United States, England and Italy. He has served on the International Constitution Commission of the Capuchin order, and has worked in postulant, novitiate and post-novitiate formation programs. In addition to his work in provincial administration, Father Christopher assists in various parish and prison ministries in the Denver metro area.
A New Jersey-native, Father Christopher Popravak served for many of his 40 years in the priesthood as a director and instructor for men in formation for the Capuchin-Franciscan life. He spent much time at St. Crispin Friary in St. Louis and St. Conrad Friary in Kansas City, Mo
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Father Popravak, born in Hackensack, N.J., in 1947, studied psychology at Marist College in New York. He earned his master’s at St. Bernard Seminary in Rochester and his doctorate at St. Louis University in Missouri. He was ordained a Capuchin in Hays, Kan., in 1974.
His first assignment was working as a theology teacher at a high school in Hays before coming to Denver to minister as an associate pastor at Annunciation Church and Holy Cross Church in Thornton. He also ministered at St. Joseph Church in Hays.
After receiving his doctoral degree in historical theology, he taught at The International Franciscan Study Centre in Canterbury, England, a Capuchin seminary in Modena, Italy, and at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Mo.
“I’ve been constantly surprised by the Lord in many ways in the different ministries I’ve been asked to be involved in,” he said. “Each ministry has been a blessing. My teaching experience and opportunities to preach have been the particular ways I’ve been enriched myself and, I believe, have been able to help other people to grow.”
Father Popravak ministered in various states before coming to Denver in 2007 to lead the post-novitiate formation at St. Francis of Assisi Fraternity. He is the provincial minister of the Province of St. Conrad and is assisting with prison ministry part time at the Denver County Jail.
(https://denvercatholic.org/priests-form-new-ministries-find-blessings-40-years/ - July 2014.)