Meet The Friars
Joseph Schwab
Executive Director
Joseph Henry Schwab was born in Cincinnati OH, and grew up there and in Phoenix. Joe's family includes his mother, Beatrice Carle Schwab. Joe has one brother, William and one sister, Bonnie, four nephews and two nieces, two grandnieces, and dozens of cousins.
Joe graduated from Arcadia High School, Phoenix. He attended college at Phoenix College and Arizona State University, graduating with a BA (Magna Cum Laude) in Religious Studies. Joe is a lifetime member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key National Honor Society.
In 1978, Joe entered the Novitiate of the Order. He has a Master of Theology Studies, and certification in the Contemporary Spirituality Program, Kino Institute. Theology Update Certification from Canterbury, England, 2003.
Professional Background:
California Mission Studies Association Board, part time teacher at St. Mary's Elementary and High School. He was Administrator at Mission Santa Barbara. Guardian at St. Elizabeth's in Oakland and Secretary to the Provincial. Brother Joe is the Executive Director of the FRC and a Pilgrimage Director, Italy.
Hobbies:
Gardening, hiking, bicycling, books on tape, missions, Colonial art and cooking.
Current Ministries:
Director, Franciscan Renewal Center
Treasurer, Franciscan Missionary Union
On-going Education Council
Retreat Ministries Council
Fraternal Life Council
Larry Dolan
Director of Pastoral Ministry
Fr. Larry Dolan, OFM, entered the Franciscan Order in 1987 after serving as a priest of the Diocese of San Diego for 22 years. He is a graduate of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He taught at the University of San Diego and has served in parishes in San Diego, Guaymas, Portland, the Tohono O’odham Indian Reservation and Huntington Beach. Presently he is Rector of the Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Angels and Director of Pastoral Ministry at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, AZ.
Mario Vasquez
Mario Vasquez was born in East Los Angeles, his family moved to Montebello, CA to do farming. In 1952, he decided to become a friar and entered at San Luis Rey in 1954. He has two sisters and three brothers in Upland, Ontario and San Bernardino. Before his mother Eleanor died, she remembered The Casa with her generosity. Work took Mario to San Luis Rey, Old Mission Santa Barbara, Holy Cross Retreat, Las Cruces New Mexico, and eventually to the Franciscan Renewal Center (1965-73 and 1980-present).
Hobbies:
Handball, golf, racquetball, running (3-time marathoner).
Current Ministries
Retreat Ministry - Groundskeeper & Farmer, FRC
Micah Muhlen
Micah Muhlen was born in Bangor, a small town in northeastern Pennsylvania. He has 2 older brothers, Ronald and Richard and has 4 nephews, 3 nieces, and a total of 10 grandnephews and grandnieces.
Education:
Northampton County Community College, Allentown College of St. Francis DeSales Duquesne University. His seminary training was at Blessed Pope John XXIII Seminary and Washington Theological Union. Ordained May 11, 1991
Professional Background:
Since ordination, his assignments have been Retreat Ministry at St. Francis Retreat House in Easton, PA, Pastoral work in Pittsburgh, Associate Pastor and Administrator of Sts. Cyril and Methodius Parish, Joliet, Illinois. The parish church was returned to the Diocese and Micah then became the Associate Pastor at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Hopewell Township, PA. In 2000, Micah came to FRC becoming active in pastoral ministry before going to Sacramento, California as Pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish. He returned to FRC in 2003 to be the Acting Executive Director for the Director to take leave on a much-deserved sabbatical. Currently Fr. Micah is at FRC doing pastoral ministry.
Current Ministries:
Vicar - Franciscan Renewal Center
Pastoral Ministry - Annulments, Marriage Counseling
Hobbies:
Hiking and collecting stuffed bears, quiet reading, being with friends, long walks, good movies, attending operas and musicals.