Fr. Jim Menkhus, OFM, Cap

Fr. James Menkhus, a Capuchin-Franciscan Friar of the Province of St. Augustine, and most recently pastor of both St. Cecilia Parish in Rochester, PA and of St. Felix Parish in Freedom PA in western Pennsylvania  from September of 2010 until July of 2013.

Fr. Jim was born and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He is the second oldest of five children (4 boys and one girl) and has a B.A. in Philosophy as well as an M.A. in Theology. A graduate of The Washington Theological Union,  he also studied Patristics for a year at Oxford University in England.

He professed his vows in 1967 and was ordained in 1973. His assignments have included Campus Ministry in Charleston WV, Director of formation for postulants and post-novitiate graduate friars in both Philadelphia and Washington DC, and various parish assignments: Charleston WV, Cumberland, MD, Baltimore, Pastor in Cabot, PA, Pastor in Dover OH, and Pastor of St. John the Evangelist Church in Center City Philadelphia, and pastorates in western PA.

Fr. Jim, as he is known, has been involved with painting and writing music since 1969. He has played guitar and sung in groups over the years. His CD, Edge of a Dream, was released in 2003. He also wrote and narrated the meditations for Reflective Moments with Annette by Dr. Annette DiMedio in the same year. This CD won the UCMVA Unity Award for Instrumental Album of the Year 2004. His paintings, mostly pastels and color pencil, have been on display in various friaries. He has been active in sports all of his life, and still loves to play golf.

Currently serving as Senior Priest at St. Joseph Church in York PA, he enjoys the mix and challenge of the various types of work that come with serving in a large and active multi-ethnic parish. “I feel like a general practitioner, and at the same time there is always something new, something different, and something that requires the advice and support of the friars and the staff.”