Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 Official Newsletter of the Franciscans of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe Albuquerque,, NM Ground Breaking and Blessing of Construction for Archive and Renovation of Lakeview Retreat Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe 12 March 2015 - 2:00 p.m. 1350 Lakeview Road, SW Albuquerque, NM F ollowing an opening prayer, Bro. Gerald Grantner, former Archivist of the Province read 1 Corinthians 3:9-11, which reminds us that we must build upon Jesus Christ as our foundation. Then Fr. Joseph Gonsalves, who is helping as an “owner’s representative” with the project, read the following from the Letter to the Entire Order by St. Francis of Assisi: “I admonish all my brothers and encourage them in Christ that wherever they come upon the written words of God they venerate them so far as they are able. And if they are not well kept or if they lie about carelessly in some place, let them inasmuch as it concerns them, collect them and preserve them, thus honoring the Lord in the words which He spoke.” In remarks that followed, Jack Clark Robinson, reminded everyone of how our Franciscan community began with a building project as Francis went about rebuilding three little churches just outside Assisi: San Damiano, St. Peter and St. Mary of the Angels of the Portiuncula. In the building projects and in his joy in those projects as a proclamation of God’s Love, of the Gospel, Francis attracted his first followers, and the community began. They were truly building on the foundation of Christ’s love. Then Jack went on to say that though Francis was speaking particularly of the written Words of the Gospel in the letter to the Order, we could look beyond that to see that the lives of the friars in the Southwest have been a proclamation of the Gospel, too. Preserving their written words and pictures and artifacts is truly a preservation of something holy, of the Good News here in the Southwest, and so an archive is a fitting Franciscan thing for us to build. Jack invited Joseph Gallegos, a one-time altar boy at Holy Family Parish, to share something of what this project means to him as it’s architect. Mr. Gallegos spoke movingly of the fulfillment of his dream to build something that will last long after he is gone. Michael Rich, the project contractor, mentioned that he has longed to be a builder since he was a little boy peeping through the fence at construction sites. He continued that his company builds Walmart stores to pay the bills, but a project like this one feeds a deeper, spiritual longing. The assembled group then prayed for the safety and success of all involved in the construction, asking the intercession of Our Lady of Guadalupe for the project by concluding with a “Hail, Mary.” Together all assembled invoked the blessing of God on the work and Father Berard Doerger led the assem- bled friars in the “Ultima” while the ground was sprinkled with Holy Water to loosen it up for the obligatory golden shovel groundbreaking! Afterwards, everyone adjourned to San Juan Diego Friary where Bro. Michael Burns and the community had prepared refreshments. John Stowe, OFM Conv. is Bishop-elect of Lexington KY. I (Joe Nelson) was surprised and very excited when I read in the SJB Newsletter that John had been appointed bishop elect of the Lexington, Kentucky diocese. I know John well from my time in El Paso. My first year there he was pastor of the neighboring mission, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Then he was vicar of the diocese and moderator of the Curia at the same time being pastor of Our Lady of the Valley. He left El Paso before I did when John sis an excellent teacher he was elected as vicar Provincial of his province, Our Lady of Consolation. I was privileged to attend of his lectures. He is an excellent teacher and speaker. A big congratulations to Fr. John Stowe! For more information go to: http://franciscansusa.org/bishop-elect-john-stoweofm-conv Fr. John celebrates Mass for migrant farm workers in Ohio. From the program: Architect: Joseph M. Gallegos and Huitt-Zollars, Inc. Contractor: Mick Rich Contractors, Inc - Michael S. Rich, President, Robert Jaramillo, Project Manager, Bob Clark, Project Superintendent Acknowledgments and Thanks: Ms Cathy Pierce, OFS – Archivist, Gino Correa, OFM, Ron Walters, OFM, Gerald Grantner, OFM, Don Billiard, OFM, Joseph Gonsalves, OFM, Manuel Rodriguez Dedication: To all of the Friars and Others who will be remembered in this Archive and Guests at this Retreat SUBMITTED BY JACK CLARK ROBINSON PHOTOS BY LARRY BERNARD Padres Trail Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 Seated from left, John Stowe, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz and bishops Roger Foys and William Medley all of Kentucky PHOTOS FROM OUR LADY OF CONSOLATION PROVINCE, USED WITH PERMISSION. Page 2 St. Michael Indian School Celebrates St. Katharine Drexel Text and photos by Julie A. Ferraro Submitted by Dale Jamison M arch 3, 2015, proved to be no ordinary school day at St. Michael Indian School in Arizona. Pope Pius XII three years later – visited the United States, Bishop Wall noted how St. Katharine “had a lot of pull.” She urged the future Pope not to forget those under her care, and he extended his visit to what he would designate the Diocese of Gallup during his See. At the conclusion of the Mass, Bishop Wall blessed medals of St. Katharine for the students. Then, those in attendance enjoyed lunch in the school, and presentations by the students on their projects for the “Miracle Fair”. Investigating miracles performed by Catholic saints, the youngsters highlighted St. Dominic, St. Silvan, St. Kateri Tekakwitha and St. Katharine Drexel, among others. Provincial Jack Clark, Bishop Wall, Dale Bishop James Wall of the Gallup Diocese concelebrated Mass in the school’s chapel with Fr. Jack Robinson, OFM, provincial minister of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, and many other priests, honoring the feast day of St. Katharine Drexel. Bishop Wall urged the students in attendance, along with Franciscan friars, Sisters of various congregations, and alumni, to “respond in love” in the same manner St. Katharine did when she came to the Southwest. “She had a special love for Native American peoples,” proclaimed Bishop Wall, adding, “She listened to the voice of God. She saw a need, and she met that need.” Born in Philadelphia, PA, on November 26, 1858, Catherine Mary Drexel defied society’s expectations by joining the Sisters of Mercy in 1889. As Mother Katharine, dedicated to working with Native American and African Americans in the western United States, she founded the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament in 1891, with 13 other women. St. Katharine donated the land on which St. Michael’s has stood for over 100 years. Her avid passion for missionary work, bolstered by wealth inherited from her father, made the dream of a school for Native American children possible. She encouraged Franciscan friars from St. John the Baptist Province to help establish the school, providing the Sacraments for the Sisters, the students and their families. Bishop Wall Greeted the Students Recounting how, in 1936, Eugenio Pacelli – who was elected Padres Trail Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 Page 3 Bishop Wall linked the chain from St. Katharine to the Franciscan friars to his own family’s conversion to Catholicism in the nearby community of Chinle. Sr. Zoe Brenner, SBS, a former high school teacher at St. Michael, explained how honoring St. Katharine is “all about letting kids know what’s important. It’s what keeps the Church going.” The Recessional Time Line of the Franciscans in New Mexico 1539 — Fray Marcos de Niza, a Franciscan friar_ is the first person of European to see New Mexico 1540-41 — Franciscan friars accompany the Coronado Expedition to present-day New Mexico and Arizona 1598 —Twelve Franciscan friars come to New Mexico with the first Spanish immigrants, serving them and beginning evangelization of the Pueblo Indians. From 1598 until 1798, all of the priests in New Mexico will be Franciscans. 1680 — Twenty-one Franciscan friars die in the Pueblo Indian revolt which forced the Spanish settlers and to leave New Mexico. At the time, there were over 4000 Franciscans work-ing as missionaries from South America to Canada. 1692 — Franciscan friars accompany the Spanish who return to New Mexico and resume their missionary work among the Pueblo Indians. 1828 —With only five Franciscan friars left in New Mexico (Since the 1821 Mexican Revolution, the government of Mexico had forced many Franciscans to leave.) and eight diocesan priests, for the first time diocesan priests outnumber Franciscan friars in New Mexico. 1848 —The last Franciscan friar ministering in New Mexico dies, ending a presence going back 250 years. 1900 —Franciscan friars return to New Mexico when missionaries from Cincinnati take up ministry at Feria Blanca with its three Pueblo missions of Cochiti, Santo Domingo and San Felipe. They will serve there for over 110 years. Fr. Don Billiard, OFM, currently serves as chaplain at St. Michael. He likes to see the children – some who travel many miles each day to attend classes – excited about their faith. He enjoys being around the young people and facing the challenge of evangelization, especially since not all the students at St. Michael are Catholic. Reminding the students that St. Katharine herself walked the grounds of St. Michael Indian School many times before her death in 1955, the alumni shared stories of her influence, and what a blessing the school has been to generations of Native Americans – and will continue to be, because of her “very Christlike” dedication and love, as Bishop Wall so aptly expressed it. The article to the right was part of a two page spread in the Santa Fe Archdiocesan Newspaper, “The People of God.” The rest of the article is on the next 2 pages, 5 and 6. Padres Trail Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 1902 — Franciscan friars begin ministry at Jemez Pueblo, with missions at San Ysidro, Callon, Ponderosa, Zia and Santa Ana. They still serve Jemez Pueblo and its missions_ 1919 — Albert Thomas Daeger, a Franciscan friar, becomes the sixth Archbishop of Santa Fe and serves as Archbishop until 1932. He is the only member of a religious community so far to serve as Archbishop of Santa Fe. 1920 — Archbishop Daeger invites Franciscan friars to minister at the Cathedral of St. Francis in Santa Fe, where they will remain until 2000. 1941 —The western part of New Mexico, until then part of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, and the northeastern part of Arizona are formed into the Diocese of Gallup, with Franciscan friar Bernard Espclagc named the first Bishop of the new Diocese. 1953 — Franciscan friars found the Native American Chapel at Indian School and 12th Street and remain there for almost sixty years. The same year they found Holy Family Parish, where they still serve. 1985 —The Franciscan friars in New Mexico and on the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona are formed into the new Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe with headquarters in Albuquerque Information courtesy of Very Rev. Jack Clark Robinson, OFM, Minister Provincial, Provincial Curia, Our Lady of Guadalupe Province. For more information. visit www.olgofin.org Page 4 2015 YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE O n Saturday, February 14th, a 54 year-old man stretched out on an Indian blanket on the sanc-tuary floor of Holy Family Church in Albuquerque as people from the parish, from Laguna and Acoma Pueblos, and from as far away as California and San Antonio, Texas prayed for him. Then a few minutes later, Archbishop Michael. J. Sheehan imposed hands on him, invoking the Holy Spirit to ordain him a priest. That friar, Fr. Christopher Kerstiens, OFM is only the latest of hundreds of Franciscan friars to proclaim the Gospel here in New Mexico. Unlike most new-ly-ordained diocesan priests, Father Chris is not looking forward to immediately going to work full time in a parish. Instead, he is going to con-tinue work that he began as a transitional deacon, working with prisoners in Bernalillo County and at prisons in Grants. As with all religious, it is the charism of the Franciscans to do things that diocesan priests cannot do because they are hard at work in parishes. The Franciscans, officially known as the Order of Friars Minor, were founded by St. Francis of Assisi in 1209, when Pope Innocent III approved their Rule of Life, which was the first religious rule in the history of the Church which included specific mention of going out as mis-sionaries. Franciscan friars have been mission-aries ever since. Their number includes the first missionaries to come to this part of the world. In 1539, Franciscan friar Marcos de Niza became the first person of European descent to come to the Southwest. Franciscans came with the first Spanish settlers in 1598 and remained part of the story of New Mexico until the 1850s and the an-nexation of New Mexico by the United States. Saint Katharine Drexel inspired Franciscans to return to the Southwest in 1898. These modem Franciscans were all mis-sionaries sent from the Province headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio from 1898 until 1985. In 1985, they became the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, headquartered here in Albuquerque. Currently, the Franciscans of Guadalupe Prov-ince serve at Holy Family Parish in Albuquerque and San Diego Mission in Jemez Pueblo, as well as Zia and Santa Ana Padres Trail Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 Pueblo, with Spanish mis-sions at San Ysidro, Cation and Ponderosa. The Center for Action and Contemplation, founded by Franciscan friar Richard Rohr, is physically located in the South Valley of Albuquerque, but through the Internet extends its reach to literally hundreds of thousands of people all around the world. Franciscans work as well in the Diocese of Gallup, where they serve most of the Nava-jo Reservation, and the Diocese of Las Cruces where they serve two parishes in Roswell. In almost all of the places where they work, Franciscans do not work alone. They live in communities from the time that come to become Franciscans Franciscans as young men all the way through the end of their lives, sometimes 50, 60 or 70 years later. At the moment, one group of nine retired Franciscans live in the South Val-ley, where their younger brothers care for them. Another group of three retired friars, with great-er need for care, live in their own wing of the infirmary of the Felician Sisters in Rio Rancho, though they also have a younger friar who lives next door and watches out for them. In the United States today there are ap-proximately 1200 Franciscans of the Order of Friars Minor divided into seven Provinces, or regional groups. Plans are in the works for the reconfiguration of these seven Provinces into one, two or three Provinces. The purpose of this reconfiguration is to revitalize Franciscan life. Very Rev. Jack Clark Robinson, OFM, Minister Provincial, or head, of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province, is one of the leaders of this effort. The 800 year old Franciscan tradition has been a part of New Mexican life for four hundred years and reaches right on into the fu-ture through technology such as the Internet. But whether it was 800 or 400 years ago, or into to-morrow through the Internet, the Franciscan tradition reaches out to those on the margins; such as, prisoners, immigrants, Native Americans and the poor. Page 5 The San Damiano Crucifix Without doubt the single most important image of Christ for Franciscans is the San Damiano Crucifix. This icon of Christ was probably written about a hundred years before Francis Bernardone was born. (It is proper to refer to the “writing” of an icon, rather than to one being painted.) This icon hung in the little Church of San Damiano, just outside the city walls of Assisi. By the early 1200s, this Church was literally crumbling to the ground, nearly forgotten. As Francis Bernardone began to undergo his conversion from 13th century party animal to dedicated Christian, he would often visit this deserted Church of San Damiano, along with others like it, to find places of solitude and prayer. One day, as he prayed before this Crucifix, he heard a voice say to him, “Francis, go rebuild my Church which is falling into ruin.” The young man took the command quite literally and began the physical reconstruction of San Damiano and then two other local churches in great need of repair. His joy at doing this work (and proclaiming the Gospel of God’s love for all people and all of creation as he worked) was infectious. Soon he was joined by other young men who came to do what Francis was doing. By 1209 this first community of twelve had attracted a lot of attention and no little criticism, so they went to Rome to ask the Pope if what they were doing was what they should be doing. Pope Innocent III approved their Rule of Life. They officially became the Ordinus Fratrum Minorum, usually translated into English as the Order of Friars Minor, though some say it would be better to call them “the Barely-Organized Little Brothers.” Francis Bernardone died in 1226 and was declared St. Francis of Assisi in 1228. His followers then became better known as “the Franciscans.” In 1212, Clare Offreduccio, a young noble woman of Assisi was inspired by the preaching and example of Francis to found a community of nuns, today known as the Poor Clares. They were dedicated to proclaiming the Gospel of God’s love by their own total dependence upon God through lives of prayer, enclosed in a monastery. Their first monastery was at that same little Church of San Damiano which Francis had repaired. When Clare and her sisters were settled in at San Damiano, Francis asked them to always keep a candle burning before this Crucifix. When the community moved to the Basilica and Monastery of Saint Clare of Assisi, built inside the city walls after Clare Offreduccio died and was canonized, they took the Crucifix with them. So for more than 800 years now, candles have been burning before this icon. Once this Crucifix spoke, and St. Francis of Assisi heard it with his ears. It still speaks to Franciscans who hear with their hearts the call to “Go, rebuild the Church” in the world today. TAKEN FROM THE SANTA FE DIOCESAN NEWSPAPER, “THE PEOPLE OF GOD” ARTICLES WERE REFORMATED TO FIT THIS NEWSLETTER. Padres Trail Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 Page 6 News and A Happy Holy Easter from the San Antonio Friars By Ron Walters C hris Kerstiens arrived in San Antonio on February 21st. He came here to complete his paper for his M.Div. degree. Chris and Ron waved at each other somewhere along Interstate 10 as they journeyed in opposite directions to and from Albuquerque. Ron was on his way to Albuquerque to have the funeral for the mother of one of his high school seminary classmates from Santa Fe. Classes at Oblate School of Theology resumed in mid -January. José Luis, Jorge, Edgardo and Andrés Hernandez are busy with class work. They had a couple days off for Spring Break March 12th and 13th. Andrés and José Luis will spend their Holy Week/ Easter break in Roswell and Gallup respectively helping out a St. John and St. Francis parishes. Edgardo is a member of St. Mark’s R.C.I.A. team here in San Antonio and so will remain here for the celebrations of Easter. Jorge’s ministry has been at the Divine Providence Sisters’ nursing home where Ron regularly celebrates Mass near Our Lady of the Lake University. Miguel is active in the San Antonio choral society along with his work at University of the Incarnate Word. Recently he received news that some of his classes from his degree work in Mexico will be accepted by UIW toward his degree, but since much of his studies was in philosophy and theology and since he is working toward a degree in music therapy, they will not count toward his major. Andrés Gallegos is a frequent visitor to San Antonio Friary. He is in several courses with the other students at OST and has lunch with us a couple days a week. Ron has just completed the final assessment process for the year. All of the temporary professed will be renewing their vows on April 21st. José Luis and Jorge will be requesting permission to profess solemn vows this year and tentative plans are being made for Padres Trail Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 profession in mid-August. Jorge is also ready for ordination to the deaconate, which is being tentatively scheduled for the same time. More about these plans will be forthcoming from the provincial definitorium in the A.S.A.P. in early May. Ron has also been working for the Appellate Court for the Dioceses of Texas one day a week. When he arrived in August, there was about a 2000 case backlog on the appellate level. Since he joined the court in October and along with several other judges from the area, that backlog has just about disappeared. Many cases were just waiting for ratification. The rest, about 500 cases, will need more examination. Ron has also resumed his work with Boy Scout leaders, and Catholic Boy Scout leaders in particular, in the San Antonio area. Recently Chris and Ron drove to Houston to visit with Nils Thompson. Nils is still limited in mobility, but mentally as sharp and quick-witted as ever. The two were not able to spend a lot of time with Nils due to Ron’s supply ministry in the San Antonio area, but both enjoyed a lunch with Nils at John XXIII retirement center. Spring has returned to San Antonio after a relatively cold and windy winter. Jorge has mowed the lawn at least twice a week recently after frequent long and gentle rains here. On March 27th we joined the Conventual community in San Antonio for a presentation by Fr. Wayne Hellman, O.F.M., Conv., on Bonaventure’s theology of sacraments. Wayne is one of the three editors of the new “Omnibus” on St. Francis. There was a lively discussion afterward. Recent news arrived this week that the Capuchins from Denver, CO, will be sending three students along with a formation director to San Antonio next fall to make use of Oblate’s theology program. In addition, the Conventuals in the U.S. have recently made the decision to have two friaries in the U.S. for temporary professed and those preparing for ordination: Washington, D.C., and San Antonio, TX. All three first Orders will be present in San Antonio next fall! All the friars in San Antonio wish the rest of their brothers in the province a Happy and Holy Easter! Page 7 ESC-SME WORKSHOP FOR NOVICES For those of you who (like me) have a hard time with names. The novices in the top row are left top right: Dale Brewerr-IC, Abel Garcia-HN, Javier Del Angel-HN, Michael Perras-Christ the King, Canada, Josh Davis-IC, Josh Critchley-IC, Mathieu Bélunger Leduc-St. Joseph Canada, Jay Woods-IC, Denis Aherne-Ireland, Christian Seno-HN. Front row: Larry Dunham, Mission directors Joe Roganski-SH, Martin Ibarra-SB, Carlos Ona-Canada, Joe Nelson-OLG, Paul O’Keefe-HN, Joe Rozanski-JPIC Rome, Tim Sucher-SJB PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN SENO AND JOE NELSON F rom Tuesday March 24 through Thursday March 26 the Directors of the offices of Mission and Evangelization presented a workshop on the Missions to the 10 Novices in Martin Ibarra, (right) who is a defin-itor for SB Province and is stationed in Guaymas, Mexico, talked at length about the poverty and prob- Joe Rozanski presented ideas on JPIC and how it relates to Mission and talked about the many missions which are under the general curia. Joe Rogenski (left) talked about his mission experience in their Domestic Missioins in Alaska. Larry Dunham, in his usual forceful way, talked about how the “Province” of the Holy Land belongs to all friars. He also gave a picture of the Custody of the Holy Land and it’s works, vast area and problems. Padres Trail Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 Paul O’Keefe (right), chairman of the Mission Directors, talked about his work of taking groups to mission sites and Joe Nelson spoke of his experience in Hispanic Missions. Jay (left) with clothing from Alaska. Page 8 Commemoration of 35th Anniversary of Oscar Romero’s Death leadership and offer an alternative to gang membership Text and photos submitted by Gerry Steinmetz O n Sunday evening March 22 a gathering of about 150 people held a commemoration of the 35th Anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero at Holy Family Church . Lively music was provided along with readings on the history and conversion of the Archbishop. Romero had become close friends with a Jesuit priest, Fr. Rutilio Grande in the early 70', and when Grande was killed by a death squad along with a campesino and young man, Romero began to seek to consult with the people who were involved with the struggle of the villages. He himself spoke on radio, celebrated a Sunday Mass with instructive messages for the people. Finally when he called upon the military soldiers to not kill their brothers, he was put on the top of the death list and was shot while celebrating the Eucharist in the Hospital chapel where he lived. The Sunday celebration had various people reading of his life and later a gathering was held in the Parish Hall. Our Seniors Get New Scooters TEXT AND PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY MARTA ORTIZ Emeric top and bottom at Casa Juan Diego. He looks like he is enjoying himself. Above, “Gerry went for a spin literally” (Marta) Below, Diego with his new vehicle. Many of those who participated have gone to El Salvador and support students there as a way to foster Padres Trail Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 Page 9 To All PRAYER FOR GENERAL CHAPTER Most High and Glorious God, you have called us to follow the footprints of Your Beloved Son as Lesser Brothers of Your servant Francis. Send Your Spirit to enlighten our hearts as we prepare for the General Chapter of Pentecost at St Mary of the Porziuncola. Renew in us the joy of the Gospel, that we may proclaim in our time Your mercy and goodness towards all. May the Lady of the Angels, the Virgin made Church, accompany us as we follow her Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, as we make our way to You, who live and rule in perfect Trinity and simple Unity, and are glorified, God almighty, forever and ever. Amen. APRIL BIRTHDAYS 10 Efrén Quintero 1977 12 Emeric Nordmeyer 1927 Michael Burns 1963 19 Duane Torisky 1946 23 Jorge Hernandez 1978 25 José Rodriquez 1962 30 Gonzalo Moreno 1962 The Padres Trail is the newsletter for the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Albuquerque, New Mexico The editor is Fr. Joseph Nelson, OFM Contact at P.O. Box 98; Oldenburg, IN 47036-0098 Cell phone 505-977-4110 or office 505-831-9199 Send articles, photos, letters or ideas for articles to [email protected] Padres Trail Volume 29 Number 3 Easter April 2015 Page 10
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