VOLUME 1, NUMBER 2, SUMMER 2009
A PUBLICATION OF THE
REDEMPTORIST OFFICE FOR
MISSION ADVANCEMENT
Men of Prayer (page 8)
Redemptorist Father Gerard Szymkowiak in the chapel of
the St. John Neumann Residence in Saratoga Springs, NY.
Photo taken by Rick Gargiulo.
The Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement promotes the apostolic work of the
Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province as they follow in the footsteps of the Redeemer so they
may more effectively preach the Gospel to the poor and abandoned.
The Office achieves this by presenting ways of partnering with people and inviting
mutual stewardship of God’s gifts for our formation, retirement and ministry needs.
IN THIS EDITION:
Provincial’s Preface
Page 2
Clement: Contemplative
in Spirit
Page 4
Living Legacies
Pages 6-7
Vocation Voice
Page 9
PROVINCIAL’S
PREFACE
Theologian John Shea has a very
playful talk he gives on the gospel of
the abundant catch of fish. An
enthusiastic Jesus wants to go fishing
and Peter refuses him because he is
a carpenter and knows nothing
about fishing. Jesus gets disappointed
and is left standing on the shore.
Finally, after all the failed fishing,
Peter becomes frustrated. At first
he scorns the advice of the
land-loving Jesus, but he
finally listens and casts his
nets as Jesus directs. The
part of the story I love is
that Shea says fish start
leaping into the boat
from all directions. The
fish form an arc for the
boat to pass throughthere are fish
standing and
applauding
the Lord.
Peter stands in mute amazement.
Certainly, this is a story of
abundance: a catch so great that the
boat is almost sinking. Abundance
appears elsewhere in the gospels:
the miracle of the loaves and fishes
with twelve baskets leftover; the
fatted (read: “abundant”) calf used
to celebrate the return of the Lost
Son; the purse of the Widow’s
Mite; the promise of the
Good Samaritan to
return to the inn; the
abundance of the
Crib, the Cross,
the Eucharist and
the Blessed Mother.
Our God is a God
of abundance.
With Him is plentiful redemption.
Redemptorists know that
abundance in the joy of our lives and
in the gift of our call to serve the
Lord and his people in:
· the school children in our
parishes
· the confessions on our
missions
· the celebration or recovery
from addictions at our
retreat houses
· the beauty of the ocean at
San Alfonso in West End
· the fields of Mt. St. Alphonsus
in Esopus
· the towers of Mission
Church
· the icon of Our Lady of
Perpetual Help
· the love of our families,
friends and benefactors
· the commitment to the care
of our sick and infirm
confreres
How abundant is God’s love!
We are surrounded by plentiful
redemption!
Very Rev. Patrick Woods, C.Ss.R.
photo taken by Marion Lunt
e are happy to announce that the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help was installed in the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and
Paul on June 13 by Cardinal Justin Rigali.The Cardinal, who has a great devotion to Our Lady of Perpetual Help, invited
us to place the icon from St. Boniface Church over one of the new altars in the cathedral. He has also commissioned a statue
of Redemptorist St. John Neumann for the cathedral.
W
When the Redemptorists, in agreement with the archdiocese closed St. Boniface in Philadelphia, we were aware that the
church possessed many beautiful liturgical items dating back to the 19th century. Father Alfred Bradley, vicar of the Baltimore
Province and a native of Philadelphia, worked tirelessly to ensure that these sacramentals would find suitable places of worship.
Cardinal Rigali offered to use two of the side altars from St. Boniface in the cathedral, and the Redemptorists and St. Boniface
parishioners agreed to donate them.
As noted, Cardinal Rigali has show great interest in St. John Neumann, and has visited the Shrine at St. Peter's Church numerous
times.The Cardinal was most supportive in redressing the body of St. John Neumann in 19th-century vestments.Additionally,
the Cardinal helped to install a window in honor of Blessed Francis Seelos and a marble statue of St.Alphonsus at the National
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.
The Redemptorists of the Baltimore Province are most grateful to Cardinal Rigali for his kindness to our community and his
deep love of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Sts.Alphonsus and Neumann, and Blessed Seelos.
2
Advancing the Mission
100 years ago…
· 14% of the homes in the U.S. had a bathtub and
8% owned a telephone.
· There were 8,000 cars in the entire country and
only 144 miles of paved roads.
· Alabama, Mississippi, Iowa, and Tennessee each
were more populous than California, and the
town of LasVegas boasted 30 citizens.
· The tallest structure in the entire world was the
Eiffel Tower.
· The average wage in the U.S. was 22 cents per
hour and sugar cost four cents a pound while
coffee set you back fifteen cents a pound.
· Crossword puzzles, canned beer, and ice tea
hadn't been invented yet.
· Only 6% of all Americans had graduated from high school.
And more than 95% of all births took place at home, including the late
Redemptorist Fr. Jack Doherty, who would have turned 100 this year. See page 6 for
more information.
Redemptorists first came to the United States in 1832 (exactly 100 years after
our founding in Naples) and since then we have preached tens of thousands of missions
and retreats,built and staffed hundreds of parishes,worked as military chaplains,served
the deaf community, ministered to wave after wave of immigrants, been on radio and
TV and published many books and articles.
Listen to Fr. Daniel
every Sunday on the
radio from
7:30- 8 a.m. on
1370 AM in the
Baltimore/Annapolis
listening area.
Listen online at the
same time by going to:
www.fox1370.com
and then click on
“Listen Live.”
Features: Weekly Reflection,
News and Comments,
Meditation Music and
OLPH Novena
100 years from now….
Our dream is that we will be even more numerous as we continue our
missionary work throughout the United States. We hope to be robust and
responsive to the needs of the Church and her people. We pray for the
resources to spread the Good News, especially to people who are
economically poor and those who are spiritually abandoned. With
your help, this will happen.
Thank you to the many people who have sent in
donations. Please use the envelope provided or go online
to www.redemptorists.net and consider automatic monthly
payments. Our future depends on you!
Rev. Daniel Francis, C.Ss.R.
At the Easter Vigil in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in
Brooklyn, NY, 12 adult Chinese catechumens were baptized.
This is a community of some 250 Catholic Christian
people. This is the day the Lord has made! Helping to
make it possible were Redemptorist Fathers
Joseph Tizio (pastor), Norman Bennett and
Peter Cao, and Sister Theresa Wong.
3
Clement: Contemplative in Spirit Rev. Ray Corriveau, C.Ss.R.
Second in four-part series
Clement is known to us as
Redemptorists especially for his
intense missionary activity and
untiring efforts to establish the
Congregation on a solid footing in
Northern Europe. He is the
missionary par excellence. But lest
we think of him in terms of
“activism,” and thus perhaps as a
patron for our own tendency to
“busy-ness” and “activism,” it is good
to remember the description of him
as a “mystic in action.”
In fact, Clement becomes for us
the model of that balance and
integration, which is called for in us as
apostles: “to be contemplative in spirit
and apostolic in action.” This was the
secret of his holiness. He exemplifies
for us the description of those called
by Jesus in Mark’s Gospel: “Jesus
called those he wanted ... they were
to be with him and to be sent out
to
proclaim
the
message”
(Mk 3:13-14). Certainly St. Clement
was missionary and an apostle in
every bone of his body. But his was an
evangelizing zeal, which sprang out of
a holiness of life nurtured by prayer
and by a deep love for the Eucharist.
One of Clement’s close associates,
Bartholemew Pajalich, writes of him:
“Fr. Hofbauer led a very active life in
Vienna. ... Since he did not have less
need for solitude than the disciples (in
the Gospel) ... he prepared a solitude,
a quiet cell, a small oratory in his own
heart. Into this solitude he withdrew
at pleasure at all times and wherever
he chanced to be; there he found a
safe refuge in every difficulty and in
every trial that he encountered either
in the exercise of his duties or in the
distractions which he met in society. ...
He did this precisely out of the
solitude of his heart, into which
through continued practice, he could
almost continually so easily enter.”
Clement has his own homey way
of speaking of the practice of the
presence of God: “In a Christian, who
does not live in the presence of God,
only confusion and a multitude of sins
can reign. It is like a house that is left
by its owner to its tenants, while she
wanders about the city, unconcerned
about her family.” Clement shared
with Alphonsus the conviction that
prayer is necessary to obtain every
other grace we need as Christians.
He often repeated words he ascribed
to Christ: “Without me you can do
nothing,” and the words of Paul: “I can
do all things through him who
strengthens me” (Phil 4:13).
Clement leaves us as Redemptorists
a kind of summary of his own
missionary spirituality: “We unite
contemplative and active life. We
strive to breath Fire and Spirit into
our active life. Without the anointing
of the Holy Spirit the wagon wheels
of the apostolic worker grind to a
halt.”
Rev. Raymond Corriveau, C.Ss.R. is
presently Associate Novice Director at the
Redemptorists’ North American Novitiate,
Villa Redeemer, Glenview, IL. He is a
former Provincial Superior of the
Edmonton-Toronto Province (Canada).
Stained glass window of St. Clement in the
chapel at Saratoga Springs
4
Final Mass in celebration of 69 years of Redemptorist ministry
at St. Cecilia Parish in East Harlem, NY.
On June 21, Redemptorists will celebrate the last Mass as we
return the parish of St. Cecilia back to the Archdiocese of New York.
Redemptorist Pastors of St. Cecilia
Very Rev. John Hosey, C.Ss.R. … 1940 – 1945
Very Rev. Jeremiah Scannell, C.Ss.R. … 1945 – 1950
Very Rev. Philip Bardeck, C.Ss.R. … 1950 – 1956
Very Rev. John Driscoll, C.Ss.R. … 1956 – 1959
Very Rev. Raymond Whelan, C.Ss.R. … 1959 – 1964
Very Rev. Joseph Berton, C.Ss.R. … 1964 – 1969
Very Rev. James Ferris, C.Ss.R. … 1969 – 1972
Very Rev. Edward Whelan, C.Ss.R. … 1972 – 1975
Very Rev. John A. Murphy, C.Ss.R … 1975 – 1978
Very Rev. James Freeman, C.Ss.R. … 1978 – 1981
Very Rev. John Lavin, C.Ss.R. … 1981 – 1987
Very Rev. Norman Simmons, C.Ss.R. … 1987 – 1993
Very Rev. James Brennan, C.Ss.R. … 1993 – 1999
Very Rev. Francis Skelly, C.Ss.R. … 1999 – 2005
Very Rev. James Gilmour, C.Ss.R…. 2005 – 2009
Very Rev. James Gilmour,
last Redemptorist pastor of
St. Cecilia’s, 2005-2009
Living Redemptorist Priests and Brothers who have served in St. Cecilia
Thomas Hickey, C.Ss.R. – Chaplain in Mt. Sinai Hospital
Charles Brinkmann, C.Ss.R. – Chaplain in Mt. Sinai Hospital
John Gauci, C.Ss.R.
Ruskin Piedra, C.Ss.R.
John Hamrogue, C.Ss.R.
Thomas Maceda, C.Ss.R.
James Brennan, C.Ss.R.
John Lavin, C.Ss.R.
Francis Browne, C.Ss.R.
Christopher Colarossi, C.Ss.R.
Thomas Rochacewicz, C.Ss.R.
James Gilmour, C.Ss.R.
Francis Skelly, C.Ss.R.
Joseph Tizio, C.Ss.R.
Patrick Woods, C.Ss.R.
Alexander Ortiz, C.Ss.R.
Henry Sattler, C.Ss.R.
Leonard Samuel, C.Ss.R.
Philip Dabney, C.Ss.R.
Richard Welch, C.Ss.R.
Blas Cáceres, C.Ss.R.
James McDonald, C.Ss.R.
Daniel Francis, C.Ss.R.
Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.
5
REDEMPTORIST
LEGACIES
Fr. John Doherty: 1909-2009
As we celebrate the
100th anniversary
of the canonization of
St. Clement Hofbauer,
the Redemptorists
of Baltimore mourn
the passing of
Fr. John Doherty, C.Ss.R.
who died May 28,
months short of 100!
Father Doherty was born Aug. 14, 1909, in Boston, the son of Patrick and
Catherine Quigley Doherty. He belonged to Immaculate Conception Parish
and was educated locally, graduating from Everett High School. He then
studied at St. Mary’s Seminary in North East, PA; made his novitiate in Ilchester,
MD; and completed his studies for the priesthood at Mount St. Alphonsus in
Esopus, NY. He made his first profession of vows as a Redemptorist in 1933
and his final profession in 1936. He was ordained to the priesthood on June
19, 1938. Father Doherty’s first three assignments were to Puerto Rico, serving
in Caguas (1940-41), Miramar (1941-45), and Fajardo (1945-46). He returned
to the mainland to take up a new assignment in Bradford, VT (1946-68), and
then was assigned to Our Lady of Fatima Church in Baltimore. In 1970, Father
Doherty served briefly as rector in Bradford, and later that year was sent to
the Mission Church community in Boston. Responding to a need in the ViceProvince of Richmond in 1977, he served in Orangeburg, SC, ministering to the
out missions of Barnwell and Allendale. During the year he was there, he also
researched and wrote a book about the Catholic Church in the area. In 1978,
Father Doherty returned to Mission Church, where he was active in ministry
throughout the first half of his nineties, continuing to serve as a hospital
chaplain even after he gave up driving. At the age of 99, he was transferred to
St. John Neumann Residence in Saratoga Springs, NY.
“Let us not lose the beautiful crown which I see prepared for everyone who lives
in observance and dies in the Congregation. I am certain that Jesus has prepared
a beautiful place in Paradise for those who die in the Congregation.”
-St. Alphonsus Liguori
Jubilarians 2009
CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY
OF THEIR FIRST PROFESSION OF
VOWS
75th Anniversary
Rev. Albert J. Lamote, C.Ss.R.
70th Anniversary
Rev. J.Virgil Caskey, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Leo F. Dunn, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Charles R. Mallen, C.Ss.R.
Rev. James E. McGonagle, C.Ss.R.
65th Anniversary
Rev. John J. Creaven, C.Ss.R.
Rev.Vincent P. Crotty, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Lawrence J. Murphy, C.Ss.R.
60th Anniversary
Rev. Herman J. Brinkmann, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Thomas A. Forrest, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Thomas F. Hickey, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Joseph T. Hurley, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Gerard H. Schreiber, C.Ss.R.
Rev. James T. Small, C.Ss.R.
50th Anniversary
Rev. James P. Brennan, C.Ss.R.
Bishop Eustaqio Cuquejo Verga, C.Ss.R.
Bishop Edward Joseph Gilbert, C.SS.R,
Very Rev. Joseph F. Krastel, C.Ss.R.
Bro. Manuel Martinez, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Francis P. Nelson, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Louis A. Olive, C.Ss.R.
Bro. Martin De Porres Smith, C.Ss.R.
Very Rev. John L. Smyth, C.Ss.R.
40th Anniversary
Rev. Ramon Candia, C.Ss.R.
Very Rev. Enrique A. Lopez, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Alexander F. Ortiz, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Pedro Sanabria Galeano, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Henry E. Sattler, C.Ss.R.
Bro. David Skarda, C.Ss.R.
30th Anniversary
Rev. James R. Cascione, C.Ss.R.
Rev. John Collins, C.Ss.R.
Very Rev. Glenn D. Parker, C.Ss.R.
Very Rev. John G. Tizio, C.Ss.R.
6
25th Anniversary
Very Rev. Callistus V. Auguiste, C.Ss.R.
Very Rev. James R. McDonald, C.Ss.R.
CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY
OF THEIR ORDINATION
Do you know someone who might be called to
be a Redemptorist Brother or priest?
For more information, go to:
www.redemptorists.net/walk/vocations.html, call 1-718-321-1394, or
e-mail [email protected]
65th Anniversary
Rev. J.Virgil Caskey, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Leo F. Dunn, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Charles R. Mallen, C.Ss.R.
Rev. James E. McGonagle, C.Ss.R.
60th Anniversary
Rev. John J. Creaven, C.Ss.R.
Rev.Vincent P. Crotty, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Lawrence J. Murphy, C.Ss.R.
50th Anniversary
Rev. Paul V. Bryan, C.Ss.R.
Rev. John J. Gauci, C.Ss.R.
Rev. George F. Kelly, C.Ss.R.
Rev. John P. Kennington, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Francis E. Sullivan, C.Ss.R.
Rev. John J. Travers, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Arthur G. Wendel, C.Ss.R.
40th Anniversary
Rev. Gordon Cannoles, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Patrick M. Flynn, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Pierce J. Kenny, C.Ss.R.
Very Rev. E. Patrick Lynch, C.Ss.R.
30th Anniversary
Rev. Gerard H. Chylko, C.Ss.R.
Very Rev. Michael D. Sergi, C.Ss.R.
25th Anniversary
Very Rev. Jerome L. Chavarria, C.Ss.R.
Very Rev. Franklyn A. Cuffy, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Glanville I. Joseph, C.Ss.R.
7
Men of Prayer
“If we pray, we are rich in all things.”
St. Alphonsus Liguori
Prayer, the way we communicate
with and listen to God, is an
important element in the life of
anyone who wants to deepen a
relationship with the Lord. For a
Redemptorist, prayer is part of his life
blood. From the time a man enters
formation, he experiences the
charism of St. Alphonsus, who was a
man of prayer. The chapel becomes
an integral focal point. It is a place
where they come together to pray as
a community, as well as a place where
they spend time alone in reflection
and meditation.
“I am so impressed by the prayer
life of these men,” states Fr. Gerard
Szymkowiak, rector for the Saratoga
Springs, NY, community of retired
Redemptorists. “There is rarely a
time I do not pass by the chapel and
see at least one or more of the men
spending time with the Lord before
the Blessed Sacrament or praying the
rosary.” The balance between prayer
alone and in community continues
throughout a Redemptorist’s life.
Here is a sample of the weekday
community prayer schedule:
9 a.m. – morning prayer
10:45 a.m. Rosary
11:30 a.m. Mass
5 p.m. – evening prayer
This schedule is
punctuated with a
weekly Wednesday
Novena to Our
Mother
of
Perpetual
Help, a Friday
Holy Hour for
vocations, and
seasonal devotions,
like Stations of the
Cross. In addition,
each month a
speaker presents
a retreat. The
retreat consists of
three talks given
over the course of
the day. It provides
the men with a
variety of
perspectives that
reinvigorates their
prayer life and
intellectual life.
As the men
prepare to move
to Stella Maris in
Timonium, MD, or
the retirement
Stained glass of St. Alphonsus in Saratoga Springs
community at
Ephrata, PA,
we reconnect with the Lord and
elements from the magnificent
with each other. As Jesus says in the
chapel in Saratoga, featured on the
Gospel of Matthew, ‘Where two or
cover page, will come with them.
three are gathered in my name,
The stained glass of St. Alphonsus
there I am in their midst,’ you really
shown on this page is one of the
feel that living presence there.”
pieces that will be installed at Stella
Maris in Timonium, MD. These
familiar images will be a welcome
SELECTED NEEDS FOR THE
addition to their new residences.
CHAPELS:
“Prayer is so much a part of
Removal, refinishing, repair,
our life,” declares
installation of six large stained glass
Fr. Szymkowiak.
murals -- $65,000
“The chapel is a
Hydraulic altars for both chapels -place where
$7,000 each
Hydraulic pulpits -- $5,000 each
Statues -- $4,000
Sacristy furnishings -- $10,000
If you would like to support this effort,
please use the enclosed envelope, or to
donate online, go to www.redemptorists.net.
8
VOCATION
VOICE
“What are you doing this summer?” This question is asked
countless times in schools and workplaces, and among family and friends.
For men in formation, the summer presents opportunities to grow in
pastoral and ministerial skills. Summer gives them the chance to
experience life in a community setting, and to learn from their own work
and the examples and support of the Redemptorists in that community.
Plentiful Redemption posed this question to our men in formation and in
seminary, and some of their answers are highlighted below.
Calvin Auguiste is 20 years old and is a second year undergraduate Calvin Auguiste
philosophy student from Dominica. He will apply for novitiate when he turns 21. Calvin’s summer assignment will take
place at Our Lady of Fatima in Dominica where he will visit parishioners in their homes, bringing communion and the Word
of God to life. He will also work with youth and young adults, including training altar servers. Calvin says, “Redemptorists
always have a closeness with the people. The priests and brothers are part of the extended family of the people they
serve.” The Redemptorists in Dominica motivated his vocation as he would see them, in T-shirts and shorts, working sideby-side with the people, doing things like painting and repairing the church. He notes that something like this is a whole
community effort. “The women make food for the workers to eat, and locals would donate their time, provisions and
materials,” Calvin smiles. “This pastoral closeness to the people is what inspires me in my vocation to be a Redemptorist.”
Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY, will be the summer assignment for Jim McCabe, C.Ss.R. Jim is 52 and
in his third year of theology studies at Washington Theological Union. He will be ordained in 2011. This summer, Jim will
work with the youth group, teach religious education to adults, visit the sick, and have opportunities to hone his preaching
skills at Marian devotions, and other opportunities for preaching outside of Mass. Jim is most looking forward to working
in a multi-ethnic parish population. “Our Lady of Perpetual Help is a mix of Hispanic, Chinese, Vietnamese and European
populations,” he says. “There are challenges in encountering other cultures, and that’s something that is part of every
Redemptorists’ life. I want to be open to the Spirit leading me and guiding me to how best to respond to their pastoral
needs, while at the same time, being open to let them minister to me.”
At 52, Jim is one of the more “seasoned” men in formation. He’s found a welcoming home with the
men in formation and the other Redemptorists and has found his studies challenging and helpful as he
continues to grow in his faith and prayer life.
Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jacky Merilan, 27, is in his third year of undergraduate
study in philosophy. Like Calvin, he will be assigned to Our Lady of Fatima in Dominica. He will be
working on retreat programs and working with youth and young adults. “I hope I can encourage
young adults to enthusiastically embrace their faith and to explore where God is calling them to
service in the local parish community.” Like Jim, he is looking forward to the opportunity to minister
in a culture that is different from his own and to learn from the people how to be a true servant
leader. “I am looking forward to being challenged to grow in my pastoral identity and skills, as I live
with my brothers in community.” Jacky begins his novitiate in August and plans to profess his
Jacky Merilan
temporary vows at the end of this year.
Anthony Michalik, a third year philosophy student at St. John’s, is 55 years old and will be assigned to Our Lady of
Perpetual Help in Boston. He is looking forward to the experience of working with parishioners who come from multiple
lands and languages. “The parish includes people who come from cultures like Haiti,
Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Dominica, Columbia, Ethiopia and European countries,” notes
Anthony. He previously studied with the Redemptorists from 1968-1972. He is
delighted that he was so warmly welcomed by the student community, where some of
the men are in their 20s. “I felt right at home and have experienced a profound sense
of peace in my life since arriving at this community.” Anthony looks forward to
developing his pastoral skills within the context of the Redemptorist charism and way
of life in a full-time ministry setting.
All of the men in formation are grateful for the prayers and support of family, friends,
and benefactors.
Rev. Richard Bennett, C.Ss.R., Province Vocation Director
Anthony Michalik
9
THE BEAUTIFUL
CROWN
"Let us not lose the beautiful crown which I see prepared for everyone who lives in observance and
dies in the Congregation. I am certain that Jesus has prepared a beautiful place in Paradise
for those who die in the Congregation." -St. Alphonsus Liguori
Rev. Gabriel Fernando Montoya
Tamayo, C.Ss.R.
Born: Aug. 29, 1967
Professed C.Ss.R.: Jan. 5, 1999
Ordained: Feb. 1, 2003
RIP: March 16, 2009
Rev. Jesús Ariel Jiménez Soto, C.Ss.R.
Born: Feb. 23, 1963
Professed C.Ss.R.: Jan. 5, 1986
Ordained: Nov. 9, 1991
RIP: March 16, 2009
Colombian Redemptorists Murdered
On Monday, March 16 two Redemptorist priests were murdered in Colombia, South America. Fathers Gabriel Fernando Montoya
Tamayo, 40, and Jesús Ariel Jiménez, 45, were killed by an unknown individual in the municipality of La Primavera, in the region of
Vichada. The attacker took money which would have gone to sustaining an indigenous boarding school of more than 200 children
in the deep savannas and forests of Vichada.
The Redemptorist community worldwide was shocked and saddened by this crime of violence and in this province, Fr. Provincial
wrote:
“As you know, our two provinces, Colombia and Baltimore, have been moving toward a strong sense of solidarity. Two
outstanding confreres from Colombia are ministering in our Province: Father Fabio Marin in St. Mary's Annapolis and
Father Gustavo Arias in St. Michael, Baltimore. Fathers John Hamrogue and Tom McCluskey have recently ministered in
Colombia. I would ask each community to say a Mass for these two men who have died, and the consolation of their
families and confreres of Bogata.”
The priests who were murdered were ministering at an indigenous boarding school. We pray for these deceased Redemptorists,
their families and those who perpetrate such daily violence throughout the world.
St. Mary’s The Coin Exhibit
photo on left
On Maryland Day over 300 people came by to see
the exhibit. It will be available again for viewing this
summer during the normal weekend Carroll House hours.
(June-October; Sat/Sun; 12 noon - 4 p.m.)
It will also be open by request for interested groups.
The local archdiocesan newspaper conducted an interview on
the opening day of the exhibit and the link to this follows.
www.catholicreview.org/staffvideo/video.aspx
San Alfonso | Long Branch, NJ
Redemptorist Associates' Retreat
August 28-30
call 732-222-2731 for details
Biblical Coin Collection Exhibit in Annapolis, Maryland
10
“IN THE FOOTSTEPS”
OF ALPHONSUS
We invite you to
experience God’s love
and Redemptorist
preaching firsthand!
Rev. John Olenick, C.Ss.R.
I was standing atop the hill of the Wright Brothers Memorial in Kitty
Hawk, NC, last June when I received the call telling me that I was being
transferred to a new assignment. It seems wholly appropriate that, on top
of that wind-swept dune where two brothers from Ohio changed forever
the course of human history, I was about to begin a new mission as a
Redemptorist priest. My life took a new turn in the bright sunlight of that
morning surrounded by bronzed tourists from all over the United States.
What was familiar to me would soon become a happy memory.
Changes are not easy for any of us. It doesn’t matter if it’s a new
neighborhood, a new school or a new job. The sense of loss can be
debilitating and frightening. The anxiety about whether one will “fit in” or
even like their new place, not to mention the packing up, the throwing out
and the difficult goodbyes. Leaving home, wherever that is, is never simple
but our Lord tells us, “if anyone comes to me without turning his back on
his father and mother, his wife and his children, his brothers and sisters,
indeed his very self, he cannot be my follower.” (Lk 14:26) To be a Christian
is to be open to new experiences and to surrender one’s will to God.
However, that doesn’t make the uprooting any less stressful or difficult.
I was ordained in May 2003 and my first assignment was Immaculate
Conception Church in the Bronx, NY. It was a wonderful place where I
learned to be a priest, with many trials and errors. I lived in a community
of caring, supportive men and was nourished spiritually by the many faithfilled parishioners with and to whom I ministered. They say that a priest
holds a special place in his heart for his first assignment, the place where he
learned the ropes so to speak, and I know that is true for me.
Today, I am in Visitation B.V.M. Parish located in Philadelphia, PA. It is a
new assignment not just for me but for the Redemptorists as well as we
took over the church from the archdiocese only three years ago. The parish
community is trilingual; English, Spanish and Vietnamese, with the vast
majority of the people being Spanish speakers. Most of our people are
immigrants who are struggling to make a better life for themselves and their
families. The neighborhood I live in could be considered challenging. There
is much drug dealing/using, prostitution and other criminal activity happening
within sight of the steps of our rectory. Our part of north Philly is
commonly referred to by the locals as “the Badlands” but I have been
blessed to have met so many wonderful people - loving, caring, committed
parishioners who sacrifice much to send their children to our magnificent
school full of 500 students and attend one of our 33 weekly family
assemblies to share God’s word and to draw strength and inspiration from
one another.
The transition was not easy for me, but thankfully I live with
wonderful men who welcomed me as a brother and sustain
my spirit in prayer and fraternal support. The parishioners
at Visitation are generous and willing to do anything for
their church. I am glad that the Redemptorists are here
serving the poor and preaching words of peace, joy and
hope in the Lord in what can seem to be only a place of
violence, sadness and despair. The change in address last
summer was initially challenging but this is where I belong now.
I am home.
Mission Preaching
June
14 St.Francis de Sales
Abingdon, MD
Rev. Alex Ortiz
18 Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Geradel, Dominica
Rev. Kevin MacDonald
Retreats
San Alfonso Retreat House
Long Branch, NJ
www.sanalfonsoretreats.org
Mon-Fri 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
732-222-2731 Ext. 140
Men’s Retreats
September 11 - 13
September 18 - 20
September 25 - 27
Women’s Retreats
June 26 - 28
August 25 - 27 (Mid-Week)
Married Couples
August 21 - 23
Day of Prayer
September 14
Mount St. Alphonsus, Esopus, NY
www.visitthemount.com
845-384-8000
Day of Prayer
June 17
Religious Sisters’ Retreat
June 21-26
Strengthening our Faith:
Praying with St. Alphonsus
June 26-28
Church Music Lovers’ Retreat
August 28-30
Notre Dame Retreat House
Canandaigua, NY
585-394-5700
www.ndretreat.org
Day of Prayer
September 15
Guided Retreat
Finding Hope in God’s Word
August 2-9
Marriage Encounter
August 21-23
Holy Name Retreat House
Hampton, VA
757-722-3997
www.holyfamilyretreat.com
To schedule a Redemptorist
mission in your parish, please
have your pastor contact:
Rev. John Murray, C.Ss.R., at
[email protected], 917-364-9244.
11
Plentiful
REDEMPTION
Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement
7401 German Hill Road #2
Baltimore, Maryland 21222-1347
www.redemptorists.net
Plentiful Redemption © 2009
Volume 1, Number 2
Redemptorist Office for
Mission Advancement
7401 German Hill Road #2
Baltimore, MD 21222-1347
[email protected]
410-288-8755
fax: 410-288-8757
Editorial Board:
Rev. Matthew Allman, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Andrew Costello, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Daniel Francis, C.Ss.R.
Elizabeth Góral-Makowski
Rev. Robert Pagliari, C.Ss.R.
Stephanie Tracy
Kathy Wagner
Contributing Writers:
Rev. Richard Bennett, C.Ss.R.
Mary Conway
Rev. Raymond Corriveau,
C.Ss.R.
Rev. Andrew Costello, C.Ss.R.
Rev. Daniel Francis, C.Ss.R.
Elizabeth Góral-Makowski
Rev. John Olenick, C.Ss.R.
Very Rev. Patrick Woods,
C.Ss.R.
Photo Credits:
Cover: Rick Gargiuolo
Pages 2,5: Marion Cochran Lunt
Page 6: Rose Cotrone
Pages 4, 5, 7, 8: Dan Beigel for
"The Wide View."
MINI
MEDITATION
Epsom Salts
Every evening – Monday to Friday – after supper – like clockwork – at 7 o’clock – his dad
would sit down in the cellar in a beach chair – read the papers – with his feet in a metal turkey
basting oval pan – filled with hot water and Epsom Salts.
“That feels good!”
Those were the only 3 words he would say. He never would make a comment about
something in the sports pages or comics – which he looked at in that order.
Off to the side his only son would be playing with his toys: building blocks, cars and toy
soldiers – whichever was the joy of the moment.
His son’s only sounds would be, “Urrr” or “Ooom zoom” or “Bang bang!” with his toy
soldiers.
Time moves forward. It’s now 50 years later. Mom is long gone. Dad agreed reluctantly to
move in with his only son and his daughter-in-law. Their 3 kids are now on their own.
His only son was on his feet all day. This day he came home with a big plastic rectangular
bucket – nice dark blue – and a box of Epsom Salts.
After supper, exactly at 7 o’clock he said, “Dad, let’s go down to the basement. I have a
surprise for you.”
He had his dad sit in the old beach chair – he had saved it. The blue bucket was filled with
hot water mixed with Epsom Salts. “Okay dad, take off your shoes and socks and roll up your
pants’ legs and put your feet in the water.”
That he did.
“That feels good.”
Then, with a rich smile on his face, dad asked his son, “What made you think of this now?”
“Dad, memories. I was at Mass this past Holy Thursday and the priest picked 12 people out
of the congregation at random saying, ‘No one has been preselected. Who wants their feet
washed?’ I reluctantly raised my hand. Then as he washed my feet, I started to cry with memories
of you.”
And as the priest washed our feet and dried them in memory of Jesus I said,“That feels good.”
Rev. Andy Costello, C.Ss.R. To read more of Fr. Andy’s work and some homilies,
go to his blog: http://reflectbay.blogspot.com/