DEC 2013
Passionist Associates of St Paul of the Cross Province
VOLUME 8
The annual meeting of the Passionist Associate Commission of
the Province was held on Tuesday, November 19th at Bishop
Molloy Retreat House in Jamaica, NY.
The Commission received and approved the Passionist Associate Vision Statement which has been
prepared with the active involvement of many Associates throughout the past year. This statement
was presented to the members of the Passionist Chapter at their Pre-Chapter meeting on December 3,
2013 at Bishop Molloy Retreat House.
Counterclockwise from the right are: Fr. Robin Ryan, C.P., Vicar Provincial; Ernie Rivard from Massachusetts; Fr. Don Ware, C.P., Coordinator of Passionist Associates; Fr. John M. Lee, C.P., Jamaica, NY;
Sr. Priscilla CSJ, West Virginia; Sandy Ozanich, Pittsburgh, PA; Judy Mapes, West Virginia; Bill Hyde,
West Virginia; Carolyn McCarthy, Riverdale, NY; “Moose” Wetzel, Florida; and Steve Day, Jamaica,
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Moose Wetzel
Editor
Our Lady of Florida
Associate
[email protected]
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Pittsburgh Associates
Preston County WV Associates
St Ann Basilica Associates
Our Lady of Florida Associates
Calvary Associates
Jamaica Associates
Riverdale Associates
Greenville Associates
Around the Province Pictures
Passionist Associates
Vision Statement
Pittsburgh Associates
The Pittsburgh Associates made their covenants on Sunday, October 20, 2013, Feast of St. Paul
of the Cross. We also hosted the Associates from West Virginia, who re-covenanted with the
Pittsburgh Associates. We then had dinner together.
Pittsburgh now has 5 candidates currently in the formation program. They have been joining us
for our spiritual programs at our meetings and meet with Fr. Mike Salvagna CP for formation
during our business meetings. We have 25 covenanted Associates and 5 Candidates.
Preston County WV Associates
Preston Co WV Passionist Associates once again went to Pittsburgh for our covenanting service. Here we are in November
for our meeting. In the picture are
Mel Snyder, Judy Ann Mapes,
Tony Pellegrino, and Bill Hyde,
Mary & Paul Somerruk. Not pictured are Mary Ellen Snyder &
Carol Wilson
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St Ann Basilica Shrine Associates
The Scranton Covenant Renewal ceremony celebrated on October 15, 2013 at St. Ann's Basilica. Father Joseph Jones, C.P., rector, presided. Our director, Father Richard Burke, C.P. was attending a community conference in California. 27 Associates renewed their covenants surrounded by the peace, prayer and beauty of
the Basilica.Several individuals who are interested in Associate membership were also in attendance.A social,
hosted by the Passionist Community followed.
Our Lady of Florida Associates
Our Lady of Florida Associates held their covenant ceremony at the 11AM Retreat Mass on Sunday October
13, 2013. Fr. Paul Wierichs C.P. presided over ceremony. We had 11 renewals and 5 first time associates. We
now have 16 Associates and 2 in formation.
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Calvary Associates
Our associates gathered at St.
Rose of Lima Church on the
afternoon of October 20th for
a beautiful service during
which covenants were
signed. Associate, Deacon
Lee Packard and local Associate Director, Ernie Rivard, led
the service during which exposition and a period of quite
reflection were held. Five
new Associates have signed
covenants joining our recovenanted ten Associates. Celebrating on the feast
day of our founder brought
special meaning for all as the
charism beamed within
us! Pictured are F: Jim Laurence, Sr. Joanne Eneguess,
MPV, Judy Stevens, Judy &
Mike Reed, Annette Packard;
R: Leo & Bernadine Piecz, Deacon Wes Stevens, Natalie Rivard, Deacon Lee Packard. (not
pictured: photographer Ernie Rivard, Ann O'Connor, and senior
associates: Mary Belluardo and
Tom Biggins)
This year for spiritual enrichment, our group will be reflecting on In the Heart of God: The
Spiritual Teaching of St. Paul of
the Cross from Ovada
Books. It was recommended by
our spiritual guide, Sr. Joanne
Fahey, C.P. This little booklet is
concise but densely packed with
wisdom from our founder. Our
members will take turns facilitating six workshops on it during
the year ahead. Discussion has
already begun on how the new
"Gospel Vision" of St. Paul of
the Cross can help us reveal the
depth of God's love in our ministry and daily lives.
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Jamaica Associates
From left to right, the Associates are Eric & Carol Rothstein, Dottie Brandreth, Jane & Charles Barr and
Steven Day along with Fr. Michael Green and Fr. John Lee.
The current Associates at Bishop Molloy re-covenanted at a Mass, celebrated on Friday Oct. 11th in the
Chapel at the Retreat House. Fr. John presided at the Eucharist. After the Associates re-covenanted, both
Fr. John and Fr. Michael renewed their vows to the Passionist Community. After the service a feast was
prepared by Berta and Orlando for all to enjoy. As an added special surprise we celebrated Fr. John's birthday with a cake and a gift and much fellowship.
Our two Associates in formation, Berta and Orlando Hernandez, with those responsible for
their formation: Dottie Brandreth, Fr. Michael Greene and Fr. John Lee.
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Riverdale NY Associates
On Saturday, Oct. 19th, 18 associates recovenanted at a Mass celebrated by Fr. Robin Ryan. We were very
thankful that we were all able to come together to celebrate our bond with the Passionist community. After
Mass, we had a party with wonderful home-made food – as many of our associates are blessed to be excellent
cooks!
Fr. Paul Zilonka graciously accepted an invitation to speak to our group in November. He talked about St.
Paul’s Letter to the Philippians and how it related to our Passionist mission and charism. Fr. Paul’s talk inspired some members of our group to consider forming a bible study group. Fr. Paul encouraged us to make
use of such online resources as the Passionist Daily Reflections to help us in our daily prayer and meditation.
We also collected weather appropriate clothing for the needy and made a donation to a group called Part of the
Solution (POTS) in the Bronx. Among other things, POTS provides daily meals for those in need.
We’re looking forward to our Christmas party in December – hosted by our associate – George Alessi. George
very kindly offered to host our party at a local restaurant!!
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Greenville NC Associates
On the feast of the Presentation of Mary five Associates renewed their covenant with our Passionist
Province of St. Paul of the Cross. The ceremony took place at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Raleigh and was
attended by 15 parishioners who were interested in learning about the Associate Program. The Blessed Sacrament was exposed by Fr. Justin Kerber, C.P., Rectory of the Cathedral. One of the Associates, Nancy
Spalding, read 1st Cor. 1: 18 – 25 after which Fr. Edward Wolanski, C.P. Associate Director gave a brief sermon. One by one the Associates stood before our Provincial, Fr. Robert Joerger, C.P. and publicly renewed
their covenant, signed the covenant with Fr. Provincial and exchanged a sign of peace with Fr. Robert, C.P.
Fr. Justin, C.P. and Fr. Edward, C.P. Fr. Robert , C.P. then shared his reflections on the importance of the
Passion in his life and on the importance of the Associate Program in our Province congratulating the Associates for their witness to the importance of the Passion in their lives. One Associate, Mary O’Hare, who is
now living in an Assisted Living Community in Richmond , Virginia near her family, renewed her covenant
holding a crucifix in the presence of her family and returning the signed covenant to me in Raleigh . Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was celebrated and the group enjoyed a small reception in the Cathedral
Rectory during which we called Mary O’Hare and congratulated her on renewing her covenant in Virginia
with her family. Mary was deeply touched that she was remembered.
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Around the Province Pictures
On April 21st 2013, Steve Day,
an Associate with Jamaica NY
group, was installed as a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus at Immaculate Conception Parish in
Astoria N.Y. Pictured is Steve
with his wife Valerie, an Associate of the Daughters of Wisdom
for twenty five years.
Riverdale Associates
Carlos and Maureen
Associates enjoying party
after mass
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VISION STATEMENT
OF PASSIONIST ASSOCIATES
(approved by the Provincial Commission on Associates – November 19, 2013)
"As Passionist Associates in union with St. Paul of the Cross Province, we seek to create
and maintain a network of communities who keep alive the memory of the Passion of
Jesus Christ as embraced by the life of St. Paul of the Cross. We will be rooted in the
Passionist charism and Passionist spirituality while bearing witness to it in our lives. We
rejoice in being members of the Passionist family!"
To facilitate this vision, we propose the following actions:
Seek ways with our professed brothers and sisters to promote the memory of the
Passion of Our Lord in all we meet, especially the “crucified” of today.
On-going formation for our mutual (professed & associates) strengthening and enrichment. It is recommended this include resource people from scholarly and
pastoral arenas.
Seek to affirm and encourage the life and ministry of professed Passionists.
Continue to explore new ways of being Passionists together.
Commit to complement and enhance the six vision points of the 46th General Chapter where appropriate.
Seek ways to bring the blessings of Passionist presence to our locales.
Enhance province effort to integrate lay association into the life of the province.
Foster public, communal prayer (attractive to our times) that increases appreciation
for and devotion to Christ Crucified. (e.g. – a contemporary Taize-type service
that includes prayer around the cross.)
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