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Friars and Staff

Capuchin Retreat is blessed with many talented and dedicated people working to serve the spiritual needs of all who visit. We have a full-time preaching staff of Capuchin friars, and an extended preaching staff to help you grow as a disciple of Jesus. Our faithful hospitality and kitchen staff serve as your dining room hosts. We are blessed with many volunteers who enhance our charism of Franciscan hospitality and spirituality.

Staff

Br. Vito Martínez, OFM Capuchin
Fr. Vito Martinez, Capuchin, Director

Fr. Vito joined the Capuchins in 2008 and was ordained a priest in 2018. Previously, he served as Associate Pastor in Chicago. Prior to religious life, Fr. Vito was a car salesman in Grand Rapids, MI. He plays guitar, is a chaplain to the Knights of Columbus, and assists the Archdiocese of Detroit with Spanish Masses.

Fr. Antony Julius Milton, Capuchin, Associate Director

Fr. Julius was born and raised in Tamil Nadu, a Southeast state in India. After his theological studies and priestly ordination, he assumed the responsibility as the Associate Director of Capuchin Retreat Center in June 2022. He loves the Capuchin charism of preaching and accompanying people in their faith journey.

Lesley Healy
Lesley Healy, Administrative Assistant

Lesley joined the staff in July 2017 as a part time administrative assistant.  Her desire to joyfully serve others leads her here to assist in the hospitality and office work at Capuchin Retreat.

Sally McCuen, OSF
Sally McCuen, OSF, Preaching Staff

Sally guides others into the mystery of God’s love through scripture studies, spiritual direction, and retreats. She works full-time at the Solanus Casey Center. Her background spans high school religion teacher, adjunct professor, campus minister, RCIA coordinator and spiritual director. Sally earned a Master’s in Theology from Notre Dame.

Mike Apigo
Michael Apigo, Maintenance Supervisor

Michael joined us in May 2019 as the Maintenance Supervisor for the entire facility and grounds. He coordinates the day to day upkeep of the center and helps with long-term preventative maintenance. He is ecstatic to be part of a wonderful facility and a very caring staff.

Steve Endres
Steve Endres, Maintenance Staff

Steve Endres has worked in our maintenance department for the past 12 years and coordinates with the Maintenance Supervisor for the smooth running of the facility and grounds on a daily basis.

Christine Pilzninski
Christine Pilzninski, Housekeeper

Christine Pilzninski came on board in March 2019 as the housekeeper. Christine loves how peaceful the Retreat Center is and enjoys the people, the atmosphere, and her job of service.

Extended Preaching Staff

Bridget Theorodoff

Bridget is a staff chaplain at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital.  She was a Pastoral Associate at SS. John and Paul Catholic Church for 11 years and while ministering there she was involved in leading sacramental preparation for Baptism and Marriage, R.C.I.A. programming, funeral ministry, retreats, scripture study, and many other adult formation programs.  Bridget studied at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and received a Master of Arts in Pastoral Studies.  She has also completed four units of Clinical Pastoral Education through Beaumont.  Bridget has been married to her husband Chris for 27 years and they have two grown children.  Bridget enjoys reading, dancing, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

Marcia DiMambro

Marcia is on staff at St. Kieran’s Catholic Church in Shelby Township.  At St. Kieran’s, she is the Coordinator of OCIA, facilitates Bible Studies and coordinated an Evangelization “Phone A Friend” ministry that has been active since 2019.  Marcia is a retreat and spiritual director and received her certification through a Jesuit Spirituality Internship Program in Michigan.  Marcia completed her majors in both Religious Studies and Psychology at Madonna University.  She worked at Duns Scotus for the Franciscan School of Evangelization in Southfield, primarily in the ministries of inner healing and retreat work.  Also, she taught her workbook on Evangelization in several parishes in Detroit through the Archdiocese of Detroit.  Marcia is married to Lou and they have three adult children, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  Marcia and her husband enjoy spending time in nature, reading, traveling and being with family and friends.

Patty Merlo

Patty is a spiritual director who leads retreats and workshops on prayer, spirituality, and forgiveness. She trained as a hospital chaplain and received a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry from Madonna University with a focus on hospice and bereavement. Additionally, she has taken many post-graduate classes in Sacred Scripture at Ss. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake. She and her husband, Tony, love to travel and spend a great deal of time with their four children and seven grandchildren.

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