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Congregation of the
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Publisher: Very Reverend Norman B. Pelletier, SSS: (440) 442-6311
Editor: Mrs. Jill Mayock (440) 442-6311
I want to share with you the wonderful experience I had in San Antonio. I happily
responded to Fr. Tom Fitzgerald's invitation to spend a few days with the community
as they celebrated the birthday/baptism of our founder. Tom annually invites
a number of the local clergy at this time of the year because the August feast
day is not convenient for many of the priests of the archdiocese. As a consequence,
this year there were about thirty priests present for the occasion. Among them
were the four bishops of the archdiocese, including, of course Archbishop Flores
who tells me he is planning to retire next year at the designated age of seventy-five.
The evening was a great witness of S.S.S. hospitality. Fr. Roger Prefontaine,
in spite of his unsteady legs, managed to keep everyone's glasses filled. Fr.
Dominique Luong is equally doing well and continuing his very important ministry
to the Vietnamese community.
When I left Chicago, the temperature was down around zero degrees—I was
hoping to find warmer weather in Texas. It was somewhat warmer, of course, but
they were expecting snow which they have not experienced in a very, very long
time. The warm hospitality of the community made up for the cool climate outside.
My flight out of Chicago was at eight in the evening and I fully expected a
half-empty plane. On the contrary, and to my surprise, the aircraft was completely
full. I asked the flight attendant upon seeing so many young people on board,
if it wasn't a bit early for Spring break. She told me that this entire plane
was filled with young men and women who were headed for San Antonio in order
to enlist in the U.S. Air Force. I instantly felt very proud of all of them
for having the courage and the conviction to serve their country. Yet there
was something troubling me about this enthusiasm that could be snuffed out in
an instant if war were to be declared.
It was only during the following Sunday liturgy, during the reading from the
book of Job, that I was able to get in touch with that earlier feeling. It was
the need to lament, in the biblical sense, that I was experiencing. As Job was
lamenting his own personal loss, I strongly felt that the liturgy was also inviting
us to lament the prospect of imminent war and the expected loss of life and
all the horrors that follow.
The feast of fellowship in our community of San Antonio disclosed a profound
sense of Eucharistic spirituality. A spirituality that declares everyone is
welcome at the table. I found some comfort in the thought that at the table
of the Lord those young men and women had a place and would be remembered in
the great prayer of remembrance. In prayer, I thanked our religious at St. Joseph's
in San Antonio for their invitation and hospitality. I also prayed for peace
for our world so that the only thing that gets broken is the bread for our salvation:
broken and shared so that all may be
one.
FEBRUARY
01 1954 Br. Ely Gingras
01 1987 Br. Paschal Frazer
07 1933 Br. Pacific Roy
12 1969 Br. Alphonse Caron
17 1991 Rev. William LaVerdiere
18 1985 Br. Philip DuFour
21 1914 Rev. Louis Pilon
23 1925 Rev. Josaphat Beaudry
24 1984 Br. Paschal Dwyer
27 1942 Rev. Leo Shaienks
27 1984 Rev. Robert Baldoni
27 1999 Rev. William O’Halloran
MARCH
06 1913 Br. Patricius Welsh
09 1979 Rev. Ernest Lussier
10 1978 Rev. Aimé Legendre
11 1929 Rev. Alfred Pauzé
12 1942 Br. Leander Brodeur
14 1982 Rev. Clement Hébert
20 1963 Rev. Georges Ladouceur
30 1952 Rev. Beat Gmür
FEBRUARY
11 1978 Deacon Joseph Bourgeois
MARCH
19 1975 Rev. Thomas Wiese
23 1972 Rev. Joachim Viet-Chau
25 1950 Rev. René Belanger
25 1950 Rev. Thomas McKeon
25 1950 Rev. Edmund Slattery
29 1952 Rev. Peter Cops
FEBRUARY
08 1959 Rev. Ralph Roberts
11 1964 Br. Gary LaVerdiere
11 1966 Rev. William Fickel
27 1954 Br. Edward Kowalski
MARCH
19 1965 Br. Arthur Mella
19 1965 Br. Michael O’Leary
19 1966 Br. Michael Perez
by Gloria J. Walker
submitted by Christine Detzel, R.N.
When I say. . . “I am a Christian,” I’m not shouting “I am saved”
I’m whispering, “I was lost, that’s why I chose this way.”
When I say. . . “I am a Christian,” I don’t speak of this with pride;
I’m confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide.
When I say. . . “I am a Christian,” I’m not trying to be strong.
I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on.
When I say. . . “I am a Christian,” I’m not bragging of success.
I’m admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt.
When I say. . . “I am a Christian,” I’m not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are too visible, but God believes I am worth it.
When I say. . . “I am a Christian,” I still feel the sting of pain,
I have my share of heartaches, which is why I speak His name.
When I say. . . “I am a Christian,” I do not wish to judge.
I have no authority.
I only know I’m loved.
FEBRUARY
05 1925 Rev. Peter Cops
11 1950 Rev. Robert Stark
14 1928 Rev. Andrew Beaudoin
27 1928 Rev. George Evans
MARCH
07 1962 Rev. Scott Haig
07 1965 Rev. John Thomas Lane
28 1917 Br. Ignatius Montgomery
28 1936 Rev. William Young
by Fr. Ernest Falardeau, S.S.S.
New York, NY
Paul describes his ministry in glowing terms of faith and hope. At the heart
of the fourth chapter of his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul exclaims:
“We hold this treasure in earthen vessels that the surpassing power may
be of God and not from us,” (2 Cor 4:7). A few verses later he tells his
readers not be discouraged, rather to realize that they are renewed daily in
their innermost selves and they carry the weight of eternal glory. Indeed, what
is seen is transitory, but what is unseen is eternal (2 Cor 4: 16-18). This
passage from St. Paul is the theme for this year’s (2003) Week of Prayer
for Christian Unity. The encouraging theme is: “We hold this treasure—this
gift—in earthen vessels... therefore let us not lose heart” (2Cor
4:3-18).
For those who have been bearing the heat of the day and the long years of work
for Christian unity, this theme is a breath of fresh air and cool, refreshing
rain. The work of Christian unity is God’s work above all. And we carry
the power of God and his glory in fragile earthen vessels. The weight of his
glory and the power of God will not be outdone or undone. The goal is certain,
only the time is unknown.
God is moving us all forward by his grace and the power of his Spirit. Each
year there is more progress in Christian unity to report. In 2002 it was the
gathering in Memphis, TN, of the nine churches of COCU (Consultation on Church
Union) who became CUIC (Churches Uniting in Christ). These nine denominations,
three of whom are African-American churches, agreed to condemn racism and to
move forward toward “full communion” by 2007 AD. They promised to
recover the unity that was theirs five centuries ago, before the Reformation
divided Western Christendom, and more recently, before the evil of racism divided
Protestant communions in the United States. During the next five years, these
churches agree to act like churches in full communion and evaluate their performance
before taking the final step.
One year earlier (2001), the Episcopal Church USA and the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America (again in January) declared their were in “full communion”
and could therefore share full altar and pulpit fellowship. In their Call to
Common Mission, Episcopalians and Lutherans affirm the unity they have achieved
through years of dialogue.
The Holy Year (2000) saw many significant steps toward Christian unity. In October
of the previous year (1999) the Vatican and the World Lutheran Federation signed
a joint declaration about justification by grace in faith and not by good works.
This agreement removed one of the major obstacles to Lutheran/Roman-Catholic
unity.
And so the unity of God’s kingdom is becoming more visible in our midst.
It isn’t all rosy and clear, but in retrospect we can see the road traveled
as we move ahead.
In New Mexico
Here at home, the Presbyterian Church USA has awarded its 2002 national award
for ecumenical collaboration to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and the Presbytery
of Santa Fe. The presentation of this award will be made by the Stated Clerk
of the national church at the annual assembly of the Presbytery of Santa Fe,
February 7-9, 2003. The reason for this award is the continuing progress made
in recent years between our two bodies. This was particularly exemplified by
the celebration of reconciliation at Dixon, NM, in 2000 and the celebration
of Thanksgiving at Chimayo, NM, in 2001. This collaboration continues in a more
formal dialogue initiated over a year ago and which continues to discuss vital
issues for our unity.
These are only some of the highlights that prevent our “being discouraged”
and that make the power of God visible in our midst. Most importantly, we are
being renewed in our inner selves by the power of God’s grace. This is
the wonderful thing about the movement for Christian unity. The Holy Spirit
fills our hearts and helps us to understand that unity among Christians is at
the heart of the gospel message.
“Father, I pray that they may be one...as we are one...so that the world
may believe that you sent me...and that you love them as you have loved me.
Father I pray that they may be one in us, you in me and I in them,” (John
17:21ff).
The following is a synopsis of an article written by Brian D. Albrecht, “Greatest gift on this night is a hot meal, a warm heart” appearing in the December 24, 2002, issue of the Plain Dealer. All quotes are from this article.
It is rare for a major city to have a story of this kind on the front page of
its only daily newspaper, but the Cleveland Plain Dealer ran a touching
story, along with photos, on a local ministry to the homeless called From Thy
Bounty and our very own Deacon Joseph Bourgeois, S.S.S., and his Clown Rascals.
From Thy Bounty is a ministry founded just four years ago by Bill Hahn to care
for those living on the streets of Cleveland. They make twice-weekly rounds,
reaching approximately 300 people at their three dozen stops. Several members
of the Clown Rascals have been frequent participants on the Friday night runs
through the dark streets of Cleveland, giving food and clothing to those in
need. This article vividly describes the visits of these ministers of love.
Brian D. Albrecht writes, “On this night, Hahn has a few extra helpers,
courtesy of 16 members of the Clown Rascals of St. Paschal Baylon Church in
Highland Heights, whose painted-face and big-shoe ministry is dedicated to ‘bringing
God’s love to those who are unloved.’ ”
The evening begins with soup and coffee preparation by members of the Rascals,
and the From Thy Bounty truck gets loaded with articles of clothing, shoes,
edibles, rosaries, and other items donated by local charities. Hahn describes
himself as “just the coordinator of human kindness.” The Clown Rascals
have also gathered and wrapped items for those they know by first name, whether
it be a hat, gloves, or a sweater. All loaded up, the full truck and the clowns
begin their rounds.
Albrecht describes the scene for us:
“Hahn’s guests come by foot, often carrying their life’s possessions
in plastic garbage bags, the preferred luggage of the street.
Icy winds mist the gathering in cold waves, prompting one clown to note in exasperation,
‘My fingers aren’t working!’ as she tries twisting together
a festive holiday balloon wreath for one homeless man’s ragged hat.
But the rain scarcely dampens the enthusiasm of the few dozen homeless men and
women who gulp soup, wash down pizza with steaming coffee, nosh on mini cream
puffs and tuck away candy canes for a late-night snack.”
The group carries on through the night, bringing love and holiday cheer to now-familiar
faces at now-familiar stops, sometimes singing a Christmas chorus or two as
a 13-year-old member of the Clown Rascals plays along on her violin, as “the
rest of the world roars by on bridges soaring over this industrial boneyard
of abandoned factories and vacant lots.
But it’s familiar turf to the driver of the truck, who quips, ‘Some
people say Hahn goes where angels fear to tread. Bull! Hahn goes where angels
are meant to be.’ ”
The article describes stop after stop, sometimes heart-breaking, sometimes uplifting
in the love and kindness extended to those on the street, leaving the reader
touched emotionally and with a clearer understanding of the generosity of From
Thy Bounty and the Clown Rascals, and the true meaning of Christmas.
Deacons are ordained ministers, as priests and bishops are, occupying
a special place role-modeled on that of Christ himself, and Biblically recognized
in Paul’s letter to the Philippians, “to all the holy ones at Philippi,
with their bishops and deacons in Christ Jesus”; and in Acts, “.
. . select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom
. . .”
“Deacon” comes from the Greek word diakonos which means helper,
and deacons were originally helpers of the bishop. In the third century, deacons
came to be assistants of priests, as they were of bishops, and primarily at
the altar. Theologian Karl Rahner says that central to all that deacons did
was the fact that they were “to help those who direct the church.”
The Church’s current practice and policy regarding the Permanent Diaconate
became established in 1967 when Pope Paul VI gave specific directives for implementing
the [restoration of] the diaconate in an apostolic letter, and followed this
up with further ‘norms’ in 1972.
Shortly after, on February 11, 1978, the late Cardinal Cooke ordained Deacon
Joe at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, making him the first
religious brother to be ordained a permanent deacon in the United States.
Deacon Joe has been fulfilling his mission in a variety of ways since that day
in 1978. He has been a hospital chaplain for many years at Lenox Hill Hospital
in New York City caring for AIDS victims in the early stages of awareness of
the disease, and at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston; a champion supporter
of the American Cancer Society; and served as Chaplain at the Republic National
Convention in 1992. He learned the art of ‘clowning’ and has taught
numerous groups and arranged performances for clowns at different events. He
is also a tireless advocate for the homeless, working with From Thy Bounty,
a charitable group who brings food and clothing to the homeless in Cleveland.
His celebration will take place at St. Paschal Baylon Church on May 4 at the
10:00 a.m. Mass.
Deacon Joe, thank you for all that you do! Happy Anniversary!
This article reprinted with permission. It first appeared in the Monday, November 25, 2002, issue of The Morning Sentinel, and was written by Colin Hickey. Mr. LaVerdiere is the father of Fr. Eugene LaVerdiere, S.S.S., and Br. Gary LaVerdiere, S.S.S.
Laurier LaVerdiere keeps wood of all types, shapes and sizes in the basement
of the tidy Poulin Street home that he designed and built more than 60 years
ago.
LaVerdiere, 94, makes the most of his stash of wood. The proof can be seen throughout
his house: a lamp on the TV set, a pencil holder on a desk, a bowl on the kitchen
table, each of them a colorful blend of different woods—walnut, nut, birch,
mahogany, cherry and oak—that he crafted.
For the last 29 years, his retirement years, LaVerdiere has assembled these
creations, piece by piece—every one a jigsaw puzzle of sorts. When he
finishes a project, he either keeps the work or gives it away—and then
it’s on to the next project.
“I didn’t sit down to watch TV,” LaVerdiere said in explaining
his lifestyle after he retired from Scott Paper Co. “I just started to
do something. If you don’t have a hobby, how long can you live?”
Less than six years from his 100th birthday, LaVerdiere shows no signs of slowing
down. He and his wife, Gladys, celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary this
year.
LaVerdiere’s face has hardly a wrinkly to be seen. He walks with no assistance,
although in one concession to his age, he has rails on either side of his basement
stairs.
He remains on the go in every way.
“I was hoping to get a driver’s license this year, and I did,”
he said. “When it ends, I’ll be 98.”
His woodworking—he has lathe, table saw, drill press and tools by the
dozen in his basement workshop—is a centerpiece of his life. Almost every
day he can be found hunched over his machines or his workbench, sometimes for
a half-hour, other times for half a day.
His motivation comes down to one word: “satisfaction,” he said.
LaVerdiere has a talent he likes to put to use. And every time he competes a
lamp or a bowl, he sees a tangible result of that talent, and LaVerdiere often
donates these creations to a local organization to be used as a raffle item
at a craft fair or auction.
A machinist during his 32 years at Scott Paper, LaVerdiere worked with metal
in his years at the paper mill. Wood, he said, is a bit more forgiving than
metal, more pliable.
And yet even with this margin of error, LaVerdiere stays true to the maxims
he held in the machine shop at Scott Paper, including the adage “measure
twice, cut once.”
To do otherwise would be to risk wasting valuable material, and waste is not
part of LaVerdiere’s vocabulary. When, decades ago, he inherited his parents’
organ, LaVerdiere took the instrument apart to get its walnut framework.
He still has the walnut boards from the organ, which he estimates to be about
150 years old, in his workshop. He also has all the tools he used at Scott Paper,
as well as an entire metal cabinet filled with odds and ends that he has acquired
over his long life.
LaVerdiere may not have learned the secret to eternal life, but it is clear
that the principles he follows in taking care of his tools are principles that
he applies to himself as well.
“You have to keep your tools sharp,” he said. “Sometimes you
spend almost as much time sharpening as you do working. A lot of those details,
people don’t bother with.”
But LaVerdiere does bother, always has and always will. He makes the most of
each day and seems never to waste a moment.
Reverend William J. Dahms, S.S.S., of the Congregation of the
Blessed Sacrament passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2003, at Saint Luke’s
Hospital in Newburgh, New York, after a short illness.
Father Dahms resided for most of his religious life at the Church of Saint Jean
Baptiste on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Born in New York City on April
3, 1914 and baptized at Holy Name Parish in New York, he was the son of Emil
and Agnes (Finn) Dahms and was a graduate of Saint Anne’s Academy, completing
his philosophical and theological studies in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1943, he was
ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Edward F. Hoban in Saint John’s
Cathedral in Cleveland. Shortly after ordination, Father Dahms was sent to teach
at the Congregation’s Preparatory Seminary in Suffern, New York, and then
to Hyde Park, New York. For a few years, he taught English at Terrebonne, Quebec,
at the Congregation’s Canadian Preparatory Seminary. In the early 1970s,
Father Dahms was director of the St. Jean Baptiste grade and high school programs
in Manhattan. Later, he served as parochial vicar at Sacred Heart Church in
Hartsdale, New York, and at St. Mary’s Church in Fishkill, New York. From
1974 to 1986, he was business manager of Eucharist Magazine and manager of Manna,
a religious articles store on 76th Street in Manhattan.
Father Dahms had recently been a resident at Saint Lawrence Friary Infirmary
in Beacon, New York, prior to his illness. He was predeceased by his parents,
Emil and Agnes; his brother, Francis T. Dahms; and two sisters, Eileen Vogt
and Vera Dahms. He is survived by his brother, Vincent of Rochelle Park, New
Jersey; sister, Marion Rigilano of Runnemede, New Jersey; and brother-in-law,
William Vogt, of Westbury, New York.
Visitation and the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Dahms was held at St.
Jean Baptiste Church on Monday, January 13, at 11 a.m. dThe following are excerpts
taken from Fr. Donald Jette’s homily at the celebration of the Mass of
Christian bural for Fr. William Dahms, S.S.S.
Every time we gather for Eucharist, our thoughts should go back to two meals
celebrated a long time ago . . . people gathered around a table to feast on
a lamb—nervous, anxious, filled with dreams of freedom; not quite able
to believe what they had heard, that God had heard their cry and had come to
save them.
The second meal was a dinner with Jesus and his friends, when he took bread
and said, “Take and eat, this is my body. Take and drink this cup of wine
which is my blood.” And from the earliest days, whenever believers remember
the second meal, they gather around the table to eat and drink, and proclaim
his death until he returns. We remember that meal and this memory is a reflection
of who we are as a people of the Table.
We come in joy and sorrow, in fear, confused, hurting, sometimes ready to give
it all up or take it all on; enraged, excited, exhausted, or expectant. We come.
We are people of the Table of the Lord. Here we know the presence of the Lord
and learn that we are part of something bigger that ME or US or THEM. We are
saved sinners because of the presence of the Lord who was crucified for us and
is present for us as food and drink.
We’re also people of the Towel. Peter knew that something important was
going on when Jesus reached for the towel. He expected Jesus to give it to him,
and was appalled when Jesus wrapped it around his own waist, taking on the task
of a slave. Peter was commanded to go and build a kingdom of love with a basin
of water and a never-ending supply of towels.
Bill Dahms was a religious of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation for over 65
years, 60 years as a fruitful and hard-working priest. He was a man of the Table
and a man of the Towel. In being faithful to both, he was truly a priest according
to the heart of Christ. Mass was the center of his life; he loved to celebrate
the mystery of our redemption and he loved preaching about it.
At his friend Pat Markey’s funeral, he talked about what a quiet man Pat
was and how he influenced others by his example. That’s what Bill Dahms
was—a friend to all, selfless and generous—a man of the Towel. In
minor seminary, he was selfless, a wonderful teacher who worked hard to have
our students accredited by the state, and succeeded. He quietly visited the
sick and never complained about performing his priestly duties. He was brilliant,
comical, and a good listener.
He was a man of the Table and a man of the Towel.
From the Waterville Morning Sentinel . . .
Dr. Lucian Joseph Pellerin, 82, of Waterville, died Monday, January
20, 2003, at his home. He was born in Fairfield Center, May 19, 1920, the son
of Alexander and Alice Pellerin. He attended Eymard Seminary in Suffern, NY,
where he studied with the Fathers of the Blessed Sacrament. He then attended
Colby College of Waterville as a member of the class of 1942. He received his
DMD Degree from Tufts University in 1945. After spending three years in the
U.S. Navy Dental Corps, he returned to Waterville, where he opened his dental
practice at 68 Silver St. and happily practiced dentistry for 45 years, retiring
in 1993.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Carmeline (Duquette); son, Thomas and
wife, Natalie, of Benton; daughter Jeanne Shinay and husband, Michael, of Reston,
VA; daughter Celeste Shinay and husband, Richard, of Scarborough; son, Mark,
of Portland; granddaughter, Katrina Shinay of Boston; grandson, Jonathan Shinay
of Boston; granddaughter, Nicole Pellerin of Johnson City, TN; and two granddaughters,
Emily and Julia Shinay of Scarborough; as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a son, Raymond, in 1996 who was music director at St.
Jean Baptiste Church in New York City.
Once again this year, St. Martin de Porres Church hosted the annual
Mass commemorating the birthday of the civil rights leader and peace activist
Martin Luther King, Jr., on Saturday, January 11. (Dr. King was born on January
15, 1929.) The event, cosponsored by the Black Catholics of Utah and the Diocese
of Salt Lake City as a “celebration of heritage, faith, and unity,”
filled the church to capacity.
This year’s presider and homilist was Fr. Joseph A. Brown, S.J., the Director
of the Black American Studies program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale,
IL. He spoke of Dr. King’s enduring legacy as an advocate of peaceful
change and nonviolence, and added: “As an American society, we really
haven’t understood Martin Luther King. For here we are, armed, our borders
defended, swords sharpened and brandished to cut down our enemies. Dr. King
knew that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. We reap what we
sow. I think, at times, that the aftermath of September 11 is worse than the
event itself.”
Fr. Brown noted that King drew his strength for a nonviolent lifestyle from
his Christian faith. “He was hated by many and threatened with death,
monitored by the FBI and his own government, and arrested dozens of times. He
lived in constant fear . . . but he walked by faith in Jesus! As a child, his
faith was nurtured by his Mama King, who sang songs of hope and struggle and
freedom, like those of Israel of old.” Then, quoting from the second reading
for the Baptism of the Lord, Fr. Brown concluded, “And the victory that
conquers the world is our faith” (1 Jn 5:4).
The Mass began with a procession of liturgical dancers who performed to the
words of Dr. King. Music was provided by the Young Adult Choir of Unity Baptist
Church on Salt Lake City’s northwest side.
Following the closing prayer of the Mass, Fr. Brown read a quote from Dr. King
about idols – false gods – and the need to acknowledge the one true
God who is the font of living water. The idol of science has given us the atom
bomb and the uncertainty that comes from the prospect of instant annihilation.
The idol of pleasure has shown us how fleeting such sensations are. The vagaries
of the stock market and a shaky world economy have exposed the idol of money
as unreliable. Only God can fulfill our deepest longings.
Fr. Dana Pelotte, the Pastor of St. Martin’s, thanked the organizers of
the Mass, Fr. Brown, and the Young Adult Choir for their presence. This annual
observance is, he said, “a wonderful opportunity for us to renew our commitment
to the gospel ideals of Jesus and Martin Luther King, Jr.”
Fr. Fr. Robert Pittman, S.S.S., from the Body of Christ Messenger,
the publication of the Body of Christ Community, dated January 2003, writes
. . .
January 5 was the 146th anniversary of the First Solemn Exposition in the Congregation
of the Blessed Sacrament and we had our second Sunday of recollection. We now
have 53 members in our Eucharistic Association, 18 of whom participated in the
day of recollection at the Chapel of St. Peter Julian Eymard on the Body of
Christ Farm.
We thank all of our friends who made contributions during December and November!
The St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Peter’s in Waldorf distributed
72 Christmas food baskets with turkeys purchased by the American Legion Post
293. Other donations made for this project were generously supplied by the Knights
of St. John, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, Wonder Bread and items from Food
Lion.
On Sunday, December 15, in a special ceremony held at the National Shrine of
the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., Cardinal Theodore McCarrick honored
250 lay persons and sisters from all parts of the diocese for their service
to the Church by awarding them the Order of Merit. J. Michael McCauley, a member
of the Board of Directors of our Black Leadership and Christ’s Kingdom
Society; Joyce Breagy, the president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St.
Peter’s in Waldorf and an active participant in the holiday food baskets
projects; and Audrey Lemucchi, a friend of the residents at Body of Christ House
and Corpus Christi House, as well as a long-time Eucharistic Minister are all
to be congratulated on this appropriate recognition. Thank you for your many
years of service!
We are blessed by the visit of Marcelo Carlos de Silva and Francisco Junior
De Oliveira Marques, our Brazilian brothers of the Congregation. We are showing
them all things American and enjoying their visit very much. Unfortunately,
Marcelo took a fall and broke his elbow while teaching the children a Brazilian
game involving two teams and a ball. It seems that he will have to return to
Brazil for surgery—our prayers go with him.. He will be missed!
Holiday activities included the Snow Ball, a chance for all attendees to get
dressed up! A Gospel Sing was held at the Publik Playhouse; we had our 5th annual
program of lessons and Carols for Children on Saturday, December 14, during
which the Annunciation story was read; and the children enjoyed a Christmas
party complete with decorations and presents. Junior and Marcelo worked hard
to prepare the teaching program for the evening.
We greet the New Year with a multitude of celebrations and special
guests at Corpus Christi! Our year began with a dinner honoring the catechists
who faithfully teach our young people each Sunday in the Religious Education
program. We are grateful for their dedication and service to the parish.
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 11 and 12, was celebrated with
a dinner for the families of children who were baptized in the parish during
the past year. A newly-formed baptism team is being organized to help implement
the newly adopted baptism guidelines from the Diocese of Galveston-Houston.
What better way to welcome the newly-initiated into our community than by serving
them dinner and asking them to serve on a committee?!
On this same weekend, we eagerly welcomed our diocesan neighbors and friends
who participate in Access Parish. Designed as a faith formation, social, and
resource program for persons with disabilities and their families, Corpus Christi
is the first parish in the diocese to open its campus for training classes,
support groups, prayer experiences, and social opportunities. A number of families
gathered for the 11:00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist while enjoying refreshments afterwards.
It was on this same day that the parish hosted an appreciation reception for
Fr. Tom Wiese as he prepares for his move to Cleveland.
We also welcomed Fr. Scott Haig during our celebration of National Vocations
Awareness Week, January 12 - 18. The Parish Vocation Committee planned a number
of activities for parents and children in the religious education and day school
programs. An exciting culminating event, held on Friday, January 17, was designed
to provide dialogue opportunities with vocation representatives for students
5th grade through high school. Ninety-five children responded to the invitation
to participate! The evening included food (of course!), fellowship, a candlelight
prayer service, art activities, and plenty of fun. We appreciate the special
efforts of Br. Joe Patrick and his involvement with vocation awareness in his
first year of formation at Corpus Christi.
During the last week of January, we celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a
round of festivities designed with our students in mind! From parish-wide Eucharistic
celebrations to volunteer recognition awards, to environmental field trips,
to a picnic in the gym, our students can proudly proclaim how great it is to
be a student at Corpus Christi Catholic School!
May each of you experience the blessings of faith, hope, and love!
After a very busy, beautiful, and giving Christmas season in the
parish, we start to think of the new year and all that it will bring. The parish
will be celebrating its 50 year anniversary; Fr. Donald Jette, S.S.S., will
be celebrating his 50th anniversary of ordination (September 19); and Deacon
Joe will be celebrating 25 years of ordination to the diaconate (February 11).
Celebrations of these blessings are being planned.
All of the parish ministries are in full swing, busy with new activities and
meetings. The PSR students and teachers can be seen both on Monday evenings
and Saturday mornings, all very busy in learning, but also in reaching out to
others and sharing God’s love.
The day school children celebrated the publication of the book Did not! Did
Too! penned in part by the 2001 third grade class of teacher Jessica Rini. The
book tells the story of a mock trial held by a class to determine who had left
the cage door of their pet rabbit open. The students made trips to the Justice
Center in Cleveland, where they sat in on a couple of cases in common pleas
court. They offered drawings as well as other submissions which were taken by
Rini to the state’s capitol where the project was in full swing. The Ohio
Bar Association is having trouble keeping up with all of the requests for the
book, and seven copies of the book will be given to third-grade classes in each
school in Ohio. Gov. Bob Taft proclaimed a “Did not! Did too!” day
in celebration of the unveiling of the book.
On Sunday evening, February 2, a local television crew photographed part of
Fr. Tom Smithson’s remembrance of the astronauts of the Space Shuttle
Challenger, which was held during the evening Mass. It was a wonderful tribute,
and much-needed as our country mourns this recent tragedy and the loss of American
heroes.
ALL RELIGIOUS, especially those who are ill and suffering that
God would bring healing and strength to them.
FR. WILLIAM DAHMS, a long-time resident of New York and member of the St. Jean
Baptiste community, who passed awy on January 8. May his sould rest in peace.
JOANNE STENGER, who had a fall on the ide at the end of December and broke her
kneecap. She is currently recovering and participating in physical therapy.
DR. LUCIAN J. PELLERIN, whose wife Carmeline was a cousin of Br. Fernand Duquette,
S.S.S., (deceased) who passed away on January 20 at the age of 82. May his soul
rest in peace.
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