Father
Anthony Capozzelli, known to all his friends as Father Tony, was born and
raised in Olean, New York. He graduated fron Olean High School in 1961.
He spent four years in the United States Navy and during those years he
was an enlisted person. His duties were Postal Clerk, and at sea, he was
a Radar Man and Quartermaster in all official matters of the ship's schedule.
He was discharged in 1965 with an Honorable Discharge and received the
Medal of Good Conduct.
Fr. Capozzelli attended Saint Bonaventure University in 1965 as a night student. He worked days as an apprentice to an Olean accounting firm. He began his studies in Business Administration with a major in accounting. In 1966, he changed his major to Social Science. He graduated in 1969 with a Bachelor Degree of Arts, major in Social Science with a minor in Education.
Fr. Capozzelli then went on to Christ the King Seminary to study for the Priesthood for the Diocese of Erie, PA. He was ordained to the presbyterate on May 18, 1973. He received his Masters of Divinity degree from Christ the King Seminary in 1975.
Fr. Capozzelli became a member of the Third Order of Saint Francis while attending Saint Bonaventure University. He entered the novitiate on April 13, 1967 and became a professed member on February 17, 1970, before his ordination, taking the name of Francis for his profession to the Order.
Fr. Capozzelli has served in many parishes throughout the Erie Diocese, and was formerly Pastor at Saint Michael's Parish in Emlenton, PA. The main work of his priesthood has been with youth. He has served as Youth Group Director and has been involved in religious education programs in all his parish work.
Having been involved in prayer communities since 1969 and having lead
prayer groups in every parish where he was assigned, Fr. Capozzelli officially
founded the Theophilus Prayer Community in 1983 to encompass all the others.
In 1988 it became listed in the National Catholic Directory in the United
States and is a federally and state recognized non-profit organization.
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