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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
This summer and right up through September the Province has had much to celebrate and to be thankful for. First, there was the benchmark anniversaries of religious Profession of Fr. Lionel Lavigne (70 years) and of Frs. Timothy Mangan (50 years) and Robert Pittman (50 years). These events are true moments for all of us to remember our own religious commitments and to be grateful to God for the gift that these religious are to the Province.
In the month of September we had three other anniversaries: the fifty year celebration of the anniversaries of Ordination of Frs. Donald Jette, Roger Pageot, and Roger Prefontaine, who were all ordained in 1953. Their fifty years of presbyteral service extended from America to Europe, Africa and Asia. Together the three of them have surpassed the 150 years of service that the Congregation itself will celebrate only in 2006.
These celebrations should be occasions for us to meditate, not so much on the nature of religious life and the priesthood, but rather on the way each of us has tried to live out our religious and/or presbyteral commitments. For most of us, these commitments were made a long time ago when the world seemed simpler and the Church surer (for some).
Fifty years and five popes later, the Church continues to invite us to respond faithfully to our evangelical calling and to attentively follow in the footsteps of our founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard. His eucharistic charism must continue to inspire us. Whether we count our years of eucharistic service and ministry as five, ten, twenty-five, forty or beyond, we truly remain brothers, constantly searching the heart of God in prayer and celebration.
As we recall these anniversaries we give thanks to God for the many years of service that these religious, and the many others who yearly recall their religious vows, have rendered to the Church and the Congregation. We pray that God keep each one of them safely in the palm of his hand.
Reprinted from the August 17, 2003, issue of the Church of Saint Andrew
weekly bulletin.
Everyone is talking about the weather. When I glanced at the calendar the other day, I realized that the summer is almost over. The city has been in a real crisis since the first weekends of summer have been rained out and the past two weeks of flash floods has everyone balking. It is amazing how the simplest thing can get most of us down. While everyone is making his or her preparations for the beginning of yet another school year, we here at the Church are preparing for the second anniversary of Ash Tuesday (September 11). We will honor all who have been affected by the tragedy.
It has been almost 23 months since that scary Tuesday morning in September. For most of us who live or work in the Lower Manhattan area, it seems as if it happened yesterday. We who were actually here on that day and witnessed the horror, the chaos and the panic have not vanished. Memories creep ever so slightly into our minds like a bad dream. The images remain like a personal video recording which still plays and replays in our psyches when we least expect it.
Within hours, evil men created a terror so close to our very soul. However, while there are vivid memories of that madness, we also witnessed the best of the human spirit. Ordinary people helped others, risking life and limb to make a stranger safe. Others [who] were spared by split-second decisions to turn right or left create more personal images we simply hold in our hearts. We saw courage that day and each day since the attack. We have heard stories of the heroes. We have seen and cried over the pictures. We heard the constant testimony of the lives that were taken. The small biographies in the papers, a face and a history, are recorded so that we may know who this city has lost. Many of those lost were heroes in their respective communities even before the attack on the Towers. The task of obtaining closure for those families continues and appears to be endless.
Individually and collectively, we have tried to obtain some closure by attending memorial and funeral services. We have stood side by side with grieving widows, children and family members. The nearly 3,000 missing souls "sons and daughters, mothers and fathers" are New York's families and, more intimately, a part of our very own. After the attack, some tried to heal in a more formal setting. Many residents sought refuge outside the city. They perhaps hoped that by leaving the city, the memory of the events would vanish. Since the attack, many from this community have filled houses of worship. Prayer services, processions and other formal liturgical expressions of healing have filled the past months. There were memorial services, benefit concerts, and fund-raisers on all diverse levels. Truly, we have tried to heal in every manner imaginable.
Our neighborhood has become a shrine for tourists and the faithful who mourn.
The memory rests in the shaded areas on revised maps of Lower Manhattan. Many
have come to take photos, place cards or flowers near the site and silently
pray. People seem to desperately want to catch a glimpse of "Ground Zero"
"to make the history part of their reality. Even in our casual conversations
we speak of the -before "and the after" of 9/11. Our new language
is so immediately understood that it speaks volumes. 8:46! Each day as we walk
around and look up to the skyline, we know a sense of absence those gigantic
Towers are really missing. We are instantly transported back to that terrible
Tuesday morning. There is still endless talk in the press about the monies collected
by various organizations and criticisms over how they are being allocated abound.
Alerts of new trouble afoot seem to haunt us. When will it end? Our lives have
been turned upside down and the process of getting back to a sense of normal
is very arduous. Part of our very soul has been snatched from within us. Not
a day goes by that we are not reminded.
Reports declare that the city is "coming back" and recovering. Plans
for rebuilding the Towers and constructing an appropriate memorial are almost
in place. New York is better. Yet, I am still not too sure about its people.
Someone remarked that she doesn't think Aanyone who was involved in any way
will ever get over what has happened. It will be just a sadness that will blend
into our lives. I do hope that those who witnessed the horror and were part
of the rescue/recovery effort simply don=t relegate themselves to a permanent
sense of sadness. We are healing and sadness is a companion on that journey.
The Tribute in Light haunting twin blue beams that were once indelible markers
of loss and resurrection at Ground Zero will shine again on this September 11
and on every anniversary of the terror attacks. There will also be moments of
silence, the ringing of Church bells, and the lying of wreaths at the footprints
of the Towers. This year's service will end at noon, when trumpeters from the
police and fire department bands will play Taps to honor the fallen.
I think that by our prayers, by sharing our story with another, and by placing words to our personal darkness . . . Greater Wisdom will guide our halting steps. As we pray and remember, please don't forget to say an extra prayer for me.
SEPTEMBER
09 1974 Rev. Leopold St.-Hilaire
11 1959 Rev. Alphonse Ouimet
19 1937 Rev. Louis Tardif
19 1983 Rev. Antonin Dumont
22 1982 Rev. Leo Bourque
23 1964 Rev. John Graham
24 1978 Rev. Adrien Maheu
25 1971 Br. George Lemoyne
25 1975 Rev. Adrian Hébert
26 1971 Br. Anthony Carucci
27 1980 Br. Noël Canuel
28 1991 Rev. Normand MacPhersonOCTOBER
05 1988 Rev. Arthur Maheu
05 1999 Br. Mark Proulx
14 1989 Rev. Thomas Kennette
15 1991 Br. Narcisse Barette
17 1956 Rev. Wenceslaus Giasson
17 1999 Rev. Thomas Waldie
18 1945 Rev. Auguste Pelletier
18 2002 Br. Martin Stebens
20 1953 Rev. Emile Poirier
24 1996 Br. Raymond Lussier
26 1946 Br. Charles Caron
31 1974 Rev. Francis BrennanNOVEMBER
03 1955 Rev. William Fox
05 1991 Rev. Emile Hebert
07 1924 Br. Alphonse Charest
11 1979 Rev. Dositnee Bérard
22 1963 Rev. Albert Décelles
23 1903 Rev. Josephus Landry
25 1980 Rev. Lionel Tourigny
25 1993 Rev. Hérve Thibault
26 1962 Br. William Vallaster
29 1969 Rev. Edgar Bédard
30 1951 Rev. Joseph Legacé
SEPTEMBER
02 1972 Bishop Donald Pelotte
03 1977 Rev. Robert Stark
04 1999 Rev. Dana Pelotte
12 1962 Rev. Nicholas Zolnerowicz
18 1976 Rev. Robert Rousseau
19 1953 Rev. Donald Jette
19 1953 Rev. Roger Pageot
19 1953 Rev. Roger Prefontaine
19 1959 Rev. Dennis Ruane
20 1958 Rev. Jack Dowling
21 1957 Rev. Roger Bourgeois
21 1957 Rev. George Evans
22 1956 Rev. Ernest Falardeau
22 1956 Rev. Robert Lussier
23 1950 Rev. Walter A. Riendeau
23 1950 Rev. Julian Rousseau
23 1995 Rev. Thomas O'Mahony
26 1954 Rev. Andrew Beaudoin
29 1952 Rev. Normand FalardeauOCTOBER
22 1977 Rev. Anthony SchuellerNOVEMBER
None
SEPTEMBER
06 1970 Rev. Robert Stark
081933 Rev. Lionel Lavigne
1942 Rev. Raymond Dubois
1944 Rev. René Belanger
1944 Rev. Thomas McKeon
1944 Rev. Edmund Slattery
1945 Rev. Walter A. Riendeau
1945 Rev. Julian Rousseau
1948 Rev. Donald Jette
1948 Rev. Roger Pageot
1948 Rev. Roger Prefontaine
1949 Rev. Andrew Beaudoin
1951 Rev. George Evans
1951 Rev. Ernest Falardeau
1951 Rev. Robert Lussier
1951 Rev. Joseph Roy
1952 Rev. Roger Bourgeois
1952 Rev. Jack Dowling
1953 Rev. Timothy Mangan
1954 Rev. Dennis Ruane
1955 Br. Gerard Hickey
1955 Rev. Edward Roberts
1955 Rev. Edward Stapleton
1956 Br. Austin Coleman
1958 Rev. Paul Bernier
1958 Rev. Eugene LaVerdiere
1958 Rev. Mario Marzocchi
1958 Br. David Phelan
1958 Rev. William Young
1959 Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald
1960 Rev. Bernard Camiré
1960 Rev. Robert Chabot
1964 Rev. John Keenan
1970 Br. Peter Mahady
1996 Rev. Thomas Smithson
2002 Br. Joseph Patrick14 1946 Rev. Peter Cops
15 1951 Br. Ignatius Montgomery
29 1968 Rev. Joachim Viet-ChauOCTOBER
05 1947 Rev. Normand Falardeau
05 1947 Br. Michael Galligan
27 1976 Rev. Dana Pelotte
29 1957 Br. Maurice Hayes
30 1966 Br. Allen Boeckman
NOVEMBER
08 1929 Rev. Frederick Roberge
Touch my life with tenderness
And fill my cup with love.
Share my dreams as I share yours
Beyond the stars above.
Take my hand as I grow old
And lead me when I'm blind.
Show me that you really care . . .
Good Friends are hard to find.
Touch my heart and I'll touch yours
A little more each day
And then we'll both find happiness
Somewhere along the way.
Author Unknown
SEPTEMBER
04 1942 Rev. John Keenan
06 1948 Rev. Thomas Wiese
21 1923 Rev. Julian Rousseau
22 1949 Rev. James Hayes
25 1969 Br. Joseph Patrick
27 1942 Br. Arthur MellaOCTOBER
11 1908 Rev. Frederick Roberge
27 1932 Rev. Edward Roberts
28 1933 Br. Gerard Hickey
29 1935 Rev. Mario Marzocchi
29 1942 Br. Allen BoeckmanNOVEMBER
05 1935 Rev. Ralph Roberts
06 1938 Rev. Bernard Camiré
14 1923 Rev. Normand Falardeau
14 1928 Rev. Ernest Falardeau
23 1937 Rev. Paul Bernier
29 1926 Rev. Roger Pageot
I'm not sure who wrote this verse, however, I believe it was written with Sunday, June 22, 2003 and my installation as pastor in mind! What a remarkable day as the Catholic Community of Corpus Christi gathered for the installation of their new pastor, and expressed their deep appreciation for another. JT and I have been friends for many years. It was only fitting that our lives should blend again as the parish wished him farewell, and welcomed me as his successor.
The entire weekend was a blend of prayer and celebration as the parish community
provided several opportunities for me to meet my new family. The climax of the
day was the celebration of Eucharist and the installation ceremony on this hot
and humid Sunday morning. It was an honor to be installed by Bishop Joe Vasquez
of the Diocese of Galveston Houston. His warmth and welcoming spirit set the
tone as hundreds of Corpus Christi parishioners gathered for the 11:00 a.m.
Eucharistic celebration.
The Rite of Installation of a Pastor by a Bishop, a long-practiced ritual in
the Catholic Church, provided opportunities for the Pastoral Council, and other
leadership groups of the parish, to formally embrace me as their shepherd. It
is a humbling experience, one that I accept in a spirit of mutual trust, prayer
andconcern.
The faithful of Corpus Christi are a multi-ethnic, culturally diverse group. Each person represents a part of the Body of Christ. How evident this was throughout the Mass as our prayer, music and special practices incorporated multiple languages and traditions. Because this day is also the parish's feast day, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, a solemn procession of children in their First Communion attire, followed the Mass. This special day included a blessing written in English and Spanish by Fr. Dominic, for JT and myself as we embarked upon our new ministry assignments.
Evidenced in the beautiful reception held later in the afternoon, it could be clearly said that every moment is full of wonder, and God is always present!
A sincere word of thanks for all who helped make this year's mission appeals a success. We thank the five foreign SSS missionaries who spent the summer with us: Fernand Beuret (Uganda), Cyriaque Onuoha (Congo), Justin Chawkan Mary Joseph (Sri Lanka), Dante Funelas and Mike Garcia (Philippines). In addition, we thank our local SSS religious who helped with appeals this year: Michael Noreika, Dominic Thuan, Michael Perez and Anthony Ornelas. We are grateful to the SSS communities which graciously welcomed the missionaries during their summer sojourn and all of the kindnesses of the local religious who made the missionaries feel at home. Finally, we thank God for the opportunity that is provided to us by Archdioceses and Dioceses throughout the country to preach for our SSS missions. We preached in a total of 47 parishes in 16 (Arch)dioceses. Many thanks to all who helped to make this a successful mission appeal season!
Celebrations are plentiful as Corpus Christi parishioners gathered on August
24 to bid farewell to Fr. Dominic Thuan, SSS, as he prepares to return to his
native homeland, Vietnam, as well as to the Philippines, where he will also
be spending a portion of his time. The regular 1:30 Sunday Mass was dedicated
to honoring Padre Domingo for his 16 years of priestly ministry to the parish.
Padre Domingo arrived in 1987 when the SSS arrived!
To celebrate this special occasion, the parish welcomed former pastors, Fr.
Jack Jones and Fr. Roger Prefontaine, SSS, as well as Fr. Norman Pelletier,
SSS, Provincial, along with special guests of Fr. Dominic's. The liturgy was
a multi-cultural celebration incorporating readings, prayers, music, and dance
in Vietnamese, Spanish and English.
A prayer bench and engraved plaque were presented to Fr. Dominic as gifts from the parish. (See picture above!) A sending blessing delivered in Spanish and English by Frs. Scott Haig, SSS and Dana Pelotte, SSS, provided a few sentimental moments as special memories were recalled.
Imagine if you would, that you are celebrating your high school graduation and Fr. Dominic is invited to your party. Not only does he appear with a personalized memory album for all the guests to sign for you, he also brings a hand-crafted flute and sheet music along to play a song in your honor!
Fr. Dominic loved his parishioners, and they loved him! With his camera often
by his side, he recorded the events of 16 years of sacred moments, sacramental
celebrations, and festive occasions. Each is filed into albums so that he can
share these memories with family and friends back home. In fact, his only request
for a farewell gift was family photos! Each member of the parish was asked to
bring a photo from home, with name and address written on the back, so that
he could remember each one in a special way.
There are special memories.of a favorite evening meal - Vietnamese soup - prepared
by Fr. Dominic; of children laughing and dancing in the vestibule as he playfully
joked with them; of the poignant funeral Mass for one of the beloved parishioners
in the Hispanic community, with Fr. Dominic as presider; and with Fr. Scott,
as con-celebrants of the 13 baptisms at his final Eucharistic celebration with
our Hispanic community. This is the Fr. Dominic that will continued to be loved
and remembered.
Fr. Dana Pelotte, writes, "Seen as a quiet, gentle, intelligent man, who
would have guessed that Fr. Dominic had so many hidden talents? Though the days
that Fr. Dominic and I had together in Houston were few, I was just arriving
from Salt Lake City and he was soon departing for Vietnam and the Philippines.
I have a new appreciation for him."
He will be dearly missed by many. In Spanish, one says Despedida Farewell! Bendiga
le Dios!
The installation of Fr. John Thomas Lane, S.S.S., as pastor took place on Sunday, July 6, 2003. In a crowded Church with the beautiful music of all three choirs, Fr. Lane assumed his ministry in Albuquerque. Sharing in the celebration were many parishioners, friends from Fr. Lane's former home of Houston, Chancellor of the Diocese of Santa Fe, Fr. Bennett J. Voorhies, members of the SSS community, and Fr. Lane's parents. Deeply moved by the support, love and welcome shown to him, Fr. Lane shares some of his thoughts with us:
Since being named your pastor, I have been overwhelmed with many emotions, but I'll share four today: love, support, humility, and awe. Awe that I would be chosen to serve you. Love that God would give me this opportunity to share my gifts. The love and tremendous support from the parish staff and the entire community since I arrived. And I feel a sense of humility, having been entrusted with the honor of serving as your pastor.Thank you for the extremely warm welcome that I have received and for your presence here today. And I am very honored to have our diocesan chancellor, Father Jay, here to install me. I'm deeply grateful to Fr. Bob Chabot for his mentorship to me as he "showed me the ropes," and has met with me on many things. We are all grateful for your leadership of the parish these last 10 years and forever thankful. I am also grateful and so delighted to be with Fr. Thai here to serve with me. This is a dream come true for us, since we are classmates in the seminary and never thought we would serve together. Also the local Blessed Sacrament community, especially Br. Peter who welcomed me into the community back in 1986 in Ohio. I've been following him ever since! I also wish to thank the many who served on the Installation Committee, mostly the Pastoral Council. Many are here present, some are in the gym. Please be sure to also thank those in the gym. I would like to thank the musicians.
The preparation of the gifts song, "The Summons" is one that we did today and I hope we will all take to heart as our theme of our pastorate. I am blessed to have a gifted parish staff to serve with and look forward to joining with them in their ongoing commitment to build the Body of Christ in this parish. We are happy to serve you. We pray and want to work together to make a united parish.
I come to Saint Charles at an exciting time in the life of the parish. We are a growing community and we have exciting hopes s for the future. How lucky I feel to be here with so many talented people.Rather than give you a detailed speech, or a getting- to- know you address, I would encourage you to read the bulletin, which will be my regular means of communicating important matters with you. I love to writeCand as my last parish knows, I'll be letting you know the important things each week in the bulletin. I'm quite blessed to have my mom and dad here to share in this special moment of my life. There are three gifts that I acquired from them. First, the drive for education, formation and catechesis. I hope to be as your pastor a good teacher. And all good teacher's consider themselves first and foremost as learners. We all have a lot to learn together. And we will continue to be great students of our Master Teacher: Our Lord Jesus Christ. When I was nine years old, my parents and a few other families started the liturgy committee in my home parish in Ohio. From those early meetings and home Masses, my desire for worship, liturgy, praise and thanksgiving of God began. Together we will seek to make our worship embody the ideals of Vatican II, leading to full, conscious, and active participation.
Finally, my parents taught me to be a strong organizer and communicator. I am an organizer who wants to include everyone so that all may share their gifts. Being a musician, too, I see myself as an orchestra music director: each of you having an instrument and important musical line to share in living the gospel score that God has blessed us to live out and serve from our baptism. So from this special day, my prayer and most heartfelt hope is that we "have been summoned" to make beautiful music together, led by the Spirit to build God's reign in our parish and throughout the world. As the opening rite remind us today: we each have some bread to share, and in our sharing God will bless us and multiply this goodness. Yes, one family, one faith, one community.
We are happy to present this reprint of an article that was published in a Slovenian Catholic monthly newspaper and sent to us by Fr. Ralph Roberts, S.S.S., who is currently sharing his love of Christ in the Eucharist in Trieste, Italy.
Perhaps among the Slovenian people of Trieste, Italy, little is known of the suburban parish of St. Mark, administered by the religious of the Blessed Sacrament. This year of 2003 marks the 25th anniversary of the parish founding. Formerly, it was part of the Silesian parish of St. John Basko and prior to that it was under the jurisdiction of the downtown central parish of St. James.
The parish had its beginning on November 3, 1977, when the Blessed Sacrament religious first arrived in Trieste. The official beginning of the parish took place on February 12, 1978. The present church and complex were blessed on April 25, 1992, on the feast of St. Mark. The Blessed Sacrament religious who administer the parish are dedicated to the promotion of Eucharistic ministries. Though the parish is predominately Italian, there are a number of Slovenian people living in the parish confines.
In the year 2000, a fifth priest was added to the community who is Fr. Rafko
Ropert, an American of Slovenian parentage. He was assigned by the bishop of
Trieste to be the assistant to the priest in charge of the pastoral care of
Slovenians in the city. Later, he was given an added assignment by the bishop
and this was to be the Slovenian priest in the parish of Barkolje. He has also
become well known among Slovenians in other parishes because of his availability
to assist them in the Slovenian language.
Since the parish of St. Mark is celebrating its Silver Jubilee with various
celebrations, it was thought that, because of the Slovenian residence in the
parish, it would be fitting to have a special Mass in Slovenian for them also.
So on Sunday, May 4 at 4:00 p.m., Fr. Rafko celebrated a Mass in the Slovenian
language which was enhanced by the accompaniment of the Union of Slovenian Parish
Choirs of Trieste. Assisting Fr. Rafko at the Mass was Fr. Renzo De Piccoli,
the parish pastor and community superior. This was the very first time ever
that a Slovenian Mass was celebrated in this parish church and thus it could
be said >history was made=! The visiting choir gave such a powerful rendition
of songs during the celebration in the very well built acoustical church that
the people in attendance spontaneously gave a round of applause.
At the end of Mass, Fr. Renzo gave a brief history of the parish and explained the particular elements in the church such as the altar, the tabernacle, and the statute of the Blessed Mother. He also mentioned other parts of the parish complex. He then thanked the choir and all who came for this special occasion. To this, Fr. Rafko expressed his gratitude to all and gave a brief travelogue of his religious and priestly life with the Blessed Sacrament Congregation and mentioned the many locations where he was assigned and how he finally ended up in the community of Trieste.
This kind of ceremony especially during the month of May could not end without the traditionally singing of the litany of the Blessed Mother in the customary Slovenian way and so the liturgical part of the occasion came to an end.
All were then invited to the parish hall for refreshments. Whenever Slovenians gather in camaraderie, inevitably they burst into songCmelodious strains were again heard in the parish hall. Before people departed, Fr. Renzo said that even though this was the first Slovenian occasion in the parish, he hoped that there would be other such occasions in the future. Remarks were heard from among the people that it was also their hope that Fr. Rafko would be with them for a good long time so that other such beautiful celebrations could again be experienced.
On August 29, 2003, at the Four Hundred Seventy-fourth Convocation at the University of Chicago, Doctor Jack Dowling, SSS, became Dr. "Dr." Dowling, SSS. The ceremony took place in the Rockefeller Memorial Chapel on the campus of the university. The Provincial, Fr. Norman Pelletier, SSS, and members of the Chicago Community attended.
His other accomplishments include receiving his Licentiate in Philosophy in1958 from The Angelicum in Rome, Italy; a Masters Degree in 1973 and Doctorate in 1979, both in Clinical Psychology from Kent State University; and a Masters Degree in Theology from the University of Chicago in 1995. All reports have it that Jack has made a unique contribution to sacrament theology.
Jack's doctoral dissertation, accomplished under the guidance of the acclaimed
theologian, David Tracy, is entitled The Eucharist and Temporality. He shares
with us a summary of his dissertation:
I have been asked to contribute a brief summary of my dissertation, The Eucharist and Temporality, to our Province newsletter. I would like to begin by thanking the Province for this opportunity to focus my recent efforts on this aspect of the Eucharist.
The dissertation is composed of four chapters. The first chapter consists of a summary of several relatively recent works on the Eucharist, e.g., Chauvet's Symbol and Sacrament; Power's Sacrament and Eucharistic Mystery; Lafont's God: Time and Being; Ross's Extravagant Affections (a feminist sacramental theology); and Schmemann's For the Life of the World.
The second chapter is an attempt to extract from the summaries developed in the first chapter the themes which the above authors consider as essential in the development of a proper approach to this mystery of the Eucharist.
The third chapter focuses on the understanding of time as developed in that contemporary philosophy known as phenomenology. The works of Paul Ricoeur, Martin Heidegger and Emmanuel Levinas are reviewed for this purpose.
The fourth and last chapter applies the understanding of each of the above three philosophers to the scriptural incident known as the meal at Emmaus, Luke 24:13-35. The goal is to determine which of these three theories of temporality is most helpful in our effort to understand and appreciate the mystery of the Eucharist.
September is in full swing as our school year is off to a terrific start, and Children's Christian Formation classes in Spanish and English are well underway. It is always a pleasure to have our students return for class, energized from their summer vacation, high-spirited, and eager to learn. We enthusiastically welcome them along with their teachers!
A number of new catechists for our Sunday religious education programs participated in twice weekly training sessions, offered by our Directors of Religious Education, Leonor Castillo and Cary Nunn. Additionally, Interim Principal, Mary Ramirez, and her administrative team, provided opportunities for a beginning-of-the-year retreat, faculty meetings and grade-level team meetings to usher in the new year. Each of us were also trained in the diocesan-mandated program, VIRTUS Protecting All God's Children.
Rest assured that returning to school is not always about work and meetings! Early in September, the teachers and catechists enjoyed a wine and cheese party to get acquainted and work out some ground rules for sharing classroom space. No small challenge considering that a minimum of three groups of students and teachers use each of the classrooms on a regular basis!The month of September will end with yet another Eucharistic celebration and reception; this one honoring Fr. Roger Prefontaine, SSS, as he celebrates the 50th anniversary of his ordination. We look forward to sharing in this special remembrance of his vocation to the Church. The parish is appreciative of this opportunity to thank Fr. Roger since he served as our pastor for 9 years before moving to San Antonio.
Another very special, but quiet celebration, was the honoring of long-time parishioner and volunteer, Florence Berry. Having recently celebrated her 90th birthday, Florence thought it might be time to retire from her twice a week volunteer job of coordinating the money counters. She provided this gift of stewardship for over 20 years! A beautiful bouquet of flowers and a plaque symbolized the immense love and gratitude of the parish and pastoral staff. Florence will be impossible to replace; she has etched her way into our hearts!
In closing, our prayer for all of our SSS family and friends, is that faith, hope and love be yours!
The Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing was happy to sponsor three participants to the first North American Institute for Catholic Evangelization held in Portland, Oregon, July 9-12, 2003. Frs. Bill Fickel, SSS and Robert Rousseau, SSS, and Nancy MacRoberts represented the Blessed Sacrament Congregation and the Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing at this important meeting. At the institute were bishops, pastors, heads of religious communities, chiefs of diocesan and national church offices, and parish ministers from the United States, Canada, Latin America and Great Britain.
The conference was developed over a three year period by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Secretariat for Evangelization, the Archdiocese of Portland, and the University of Portland. The purpose of the institute was to provide a forum for Catholic leadership to come together and reflect on the essential mission of the Church and explore ways to foster their respective ministries through the lens of evangelization.
Cardinal Theodore McCarrick of the Archdiocese of Washington, DC opened the
conference with an address, A Call to a New Evangelization, inviting everyone
to embrace a renewed sense of mission. As evangelization is intimately related
to charity, kindness is therefore the Agreat key "to making Christian disciples.
If we are unkind, arrogant or proud, we will never find people open to our message.
The ministry of Evangelization requires an awareness that one=s own individual
and cultural differences have a direct impact upon one's strengths and weaknesses
in relating to others. What you say is never as important as what you do. A
person gives witness by their actions! The Gospel message invites the powerful
to sit and listen and encourages the powerless to stand up and speak. In our
ministry of evangelizing, we are at the same timebeing evangelized. Creative
use of all forms of media is essential in our evangelization efforts. In order
to be an open and welcoming Church, dialog and communication are basic to the
life of being Church. Effective evangelizing efforts require making use of imagination
in making the Gospel known in all aspects of the mission of the Church.
The Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing hopes to spread its message to youth
and young adults and we were most interested in the outstanding speakers who
addressed this aspect of Church. Particularly in dealing with youth and young
adults, it is important to keep the bread fresh. No one likes old bread, so
keep it fresh and they'll keep coming back. How important it is to get to know
our younger Catholics and to be open to growing in faith along with this younger
audience! Are they greeted by name when they arrive at the entrance of our churches?
Do they feel not just invited but welcomed? Are we (the insiders - the one=s
with the power) willing to sit and listen to our younger members so they are
encouraged to stand up and speak what they have experienced of Jesus. Do we
listen to them telling the Jesus story, then tell it again, and tell it again,
and tell it again!
There is an aging, empty pew syndrome in churches today while there is also
a new renaissance in spirituality. A new missionary component in parishes must
address ways to get people inside, especially the young. The ability to pass
on our faith to our children is crucial. It is important to read the signs of
the times to discover what God is saying to us, to our young people. At times
the young can be belligerent and critical but they are never our enemy. Old
ways of relating to people may have worked in the past, but it is time to find
new ways.
Catholics are being called to enter the upper room and be willing to wait for
a new Pentecost, to wait for an important moment in time. This new Pentecost
may even happen at a church meeting where people are searching for new ways
together. The Church is being urged to sit pro-actively in the upper room and
wait for a new Spirit. If the old road doesn't go to a preferred destination,
one must find a new road. The past offers direction for the future. The mission
of Christ, like the act of breathing in and breathing out, is the drawing in
of life and then extending it out to others. Reaching out and drawing in is
like an embrace, welcoming all into God's love.
This year at St. Paschal's will be a landmark year the parish will be celebrating its 50 year anniversary as a parish. The celebration will begin on September 21 as Fr. Jette celebrates his 50 year anniversary of ordination. The Anniversary Committee felt that it was only fitting that the celebration should begin with Fr. Jette's anniversaryCanyone who knows Fr. Jette knows how very much he has done for the parish and how very much he is loved! Many additional activities are planned and we will keep you posted.
As you will undoubtedly
recall, August 14th was a dark day for the northeastern states. Could it be
that our own Deacon Joe was the cause?! In his usual and customary way of overseeing
things in the Church, Deacon Joe was attempting to turn on the air conditioner
in preparation for Mass when he inadvertently pushed the wrong button and the
lights went outCnot only in the Church, but the entire area! Can you imagine
his dismay? Especially when he discovered that the power outage affected such
a large area!? Poor Deacon Joe was >left in the dark= for only a short time,
however, as his fears were eventually put to rest. We=re so glad that he has
a good sense of humor since he has had to deal with many jokes about what happened!
And as a result, I think I've seen a few more gray hairs on his head since that
memorable day!
August 25 marked the birth of a new ministry at St. Paschal's. It will be known
as St. Paschal’s Travelers, and its purpose will be to have the elders
of the parish go on day or weekend trips. Much enthusiasm for this new ministry
was shared as members came together for their first meeting.
This summer, our youth group had the opportunity to attend a Catholic Youth Conference held on the campus of San Diego State University. Along with over 3,000 other Catholic youth, we heard many excellent speakers, enjoyed Christian music performed by Tom Booth, and participated in reconciliation, lively liturgies, and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament.
While there, we played an integral part in preparing the living quarters for incoming teachers from Nativity Prep School, a preparatory high school for the most disadvantaged youth of San Diego. Our group cleaned, prepped and painted one of the apartments. The director was very grateful for all that we did and he complimented our youth on how well they worked together, showing initiative and persistence in their tasks.
Prior to our trip, a petition box had been in the Narthex of St. Paschal's, available for all parishioners to request prayers we prayed over each and every petition during our trip.
Our trip was not all work and prayer, as we had time to sightsee in the city, and play in the sun and surf. We all grew in our faith and expanded our horizons, and although the Youth Group worked hard to earn their trip by selling Krispy Kreme doughnuts and chocolates, the trip would not have been possible without the support of our parishioners. Thank you very much, and as they say in San Diego . . . Vayas Con Dios!
At the end of the school year, two high school choirs from the Hinterlands
visited New York and St. Jean's. They hailed from Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Bellevue,
Nebraska. It was a wonderful noon day concert in the upper Church.. The choirs
impressed us with their musical talents and St. Jean's impressed them even more.
They stared in awe at the magnificence of St. Jean's upper Church.
The Youth Group (ages 8-18) entertained the parishioners with their winning
rendition of Guys and Dolls - A New York Thing. It was off-Broadway,
but clearly some of the young thespians are not far off from a Broadway career.
The DiCapo Opera group staged a wonderful evening of entertainment that they called The Young Artistx' Champagne Gala. It was thoroughly professional with selections from Don Giovanni, the Barber of Seville, La Boehme, La Traviata, etc. . .
Catechetical planning is under way for the Fall of 2003. This will include the following programs: Catechesis of the Good Shepherd which is a Montessori-based pre-school program for ages 3 to 5; First Communion preparations for all ages; Confirmation preparation and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults for everyone interested in the faith.
St. Jean's may soon merit the name Hospitality House. There has been no shortage of visitors here, among whom have been Frs. George Dunne, Tom Wiese, Fernand Beuret and Justin Chawkan (from Sri Lanka).
On a personal note, we are all in good health and have had a busy summer. Most notably, Fr. Paul Bernier spent some time preaching a priests' retreat to the Josephite Fathers in New Orleans; Fr. Eugene LaVerdiere shared in the 91st birthday celebration of his mother in Maine; Fr. Ernest visited the sites in Rome - what a beautiful city; and Fr. Anthony Schueller is full swing into his role as Pastor.
While the parish of St. Vincent de Paul was entrusted to the Congregation as of July 1, now that we are all here, we had a grand celebration on the weekend of August 2-3, the feast of Saint Peter Julian Eymard. Fr. Norman Pelletier, Provincial, had come for our first weekend at St. Vincent's Parish. Fr. Bob Chabot was the main celebrant at the four parish Masses, one on Saturday and three on Sunday.
Father Provincial preached at all the Masses and all four members of the community greeted the parishioners after each Mass. In the homily, Father Provincial introduced the parish to our Founder and explained that we are a worldwide Congregation dedicated to proclaiming the Eucharist in all of its dimensions, and assisting Christian communities in becoming truly EucharisticCthat is, with Christ in the Eucharist as the source and center of their personal and communal lives. Fr. Norman mentioned that the four priests assigned to the community at St. Vincent's had many years of experience and he was sure they would be a great asset to the parish community of Holiday, Florida. Each family present, numbering about 800, received a copy of the pamphlet St. Peter Julian Eymard -The Man, and His Congregation, and the current issue of The Vocation News was also included in the weekly bulletin.
Father Provincial met with the new community on Monday morning and briefly explained the history of the new foundation and assisted in planning and drawing up our community project. The community agreed to a weekly meeting at least until we are better established. We plan to focus on the Province Mission Statement and adopt it to our Holiday setting.
The parishioners of St. Vincent de Paul Church are giving us a very warm and cordial welcome. They are thrilled both at having extra priests and also at having members of a religious congregation. The greatest proportion of our parish community are retired and so are advanced in years. As one person put it, "The old people are moving to New Port Richey because their parents live in Holiday!"
They share their leisurely time with the Lord in daily Eucharist and their attendance is encouraging. The ministers of the Eucharist, the lectors, the acolytes, and the members of the choir are well-trained and eager to serve. Our sacristan reminds us of Br. Pascal Frazier.
Canadian wag dubbed Normand Falardeau the chief frog, Bob Chabot, the head frog and Julian Rousseau the >little= frog. Such affection already!
The Chicago SSS Community used to be called the "Church on Nine" by our neighbors in the Hampton House, Well, that is just what it is turning out to be. We now have a Dominican Sister in one of our apartments and a newly installed Catholic Eastern Rite Bishop preparing to move in soon.
This past summer we had over thirty visitors staying with us over an eight weeks period, It felt like the "Church on Nine" also became a pilgrimage destination.
We are looking forward to welcoming back Dr. Dr. Dowling, SSS, as he returns to the University of Chicago to pick up his new doctorate on August 29th.
ALL RELIGIOUS, especially those who are ill and suffering that God would bring healing and strength to them.
SR. PATRICIA ANN KEANE, SSS, who passed away on Tuesday, August 5, 2003 after a lingering illness. In May 1954, she entered the Servants of the Blessed Sacrament at Waterville, Maine, and for over 49 years held many positions of authority and administration in the community. She was a provincial and a local superior, treasurer and councillor. She held those positions in Waterville, in Pueblo, Colorado, and in Gary, Indiana. May her soul rest in peace!
MSGR. PHILLIP MURNION, who passed away on August 29, 2003. Msgr. Murnion, aged 65 years old, passed away after a year and a half struggle with colon cancer, and had just celebrated his 40th anniversary of ordination. He is known as the founder and director of the National Pastoral Life Center in 1983 which serves the pastoral leadership of the church, and also conducted two landmark studies which researched the utilization of lay persons as parish ministers. Msgr. Murnion was a noted lecturer and author, predominantly concerning the topics of parish and social ministry, the future staffing of parishes and the life and role of parish priests. He was also a high school teacher, the founding officer of the [New York] archdiocesan Office of Pastoral Research and a member of the [New York] archdiocesan Senate/Council of Priests. May he find eternal rest in the peace of Christ!
MRS. BERNADETTE (BERDIE) GIROUX, sister of Frs. Adrien Maheu, S.S.S. (dec. 9/24/78) and Arthur Maheu, S.S.S. (dec. 5/10/88), died peacefully in her sleep on April 20, 2003. She was 91 years old and a resident of Oak Grove Nursing Home in Waterville, Maine. May her soul rest in peace!
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