Rome, Italy
February 16, 2007

FROM THE EDITOR

NEWS FROM THE PROVINCES
Bishop Dowling honored in book of essays.
Father José Vidigal, C.Ss.R. speaks about new Portuguese Bible.
Redemptorist Missionaries evangelizing in Peru.
Pastoral life in Cuba, by Father Sergio Campara, C.Ss.R.
San Salvadoran Youth participate in Central American Encuentro

ACTIVITIES OF THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT
Report on the quarterly extraordinary meeting of the General Council

REDEMPTORISTS IN THE NEWS
Archbishop Gerard Pettipas, C.Ss.R. speaks about being a ¨Redemptorist¨ bishop.

PHOTO GALLERY (on-line only)
Photos from around the Redemptorist World

FEATURED WEBSITE
New websites, blogs and videos

TRANSITIONS
Professions, Ordinations, Deaths.

From the Editor:

One of the books is about Bishop Kevin Dowling, C.Ss.R. It is more a witness to his pastoral zeal than simply a book review. And recently ordained and installed Archbishop Gerard Pettipas, C.Ss.R., of Grouard-McLennan, Alberta, Canada, talks about what it means for him as a Redemptorist to be a bishop. These Redemptorists bring the charism of St. Alphonsus, himself a bishop, to their pastoral service to the People of God. Redemptorists never seek the episcopacy, but we can be proud of the Redemptorists that the Church has recognized and called forth to serve in it.

The other book is a new Portuguese language Bible for Brazil. Father José Vidigal, the author, tells us about how the project evolved over thirty years.

We also have news from Central and South America, the General Government and some interesting websites and blogs for you to explore. One blog is written by a Redemptoristine Sister - who came to the contemplative life after a vocation as wife, mother and grandmother!

We extend our condolences and prayers to Father Ivel Mendahna, Vice Director of the Center for Redemptorist Spirtuality, whose Mother passed away on February 5th. Hundreds of confreres have benefited from Father Ivel’s summer course to Alphonsian sites, and from the workshops he has conducted on Redemptorist Spirituality around the world. If you wish to express your sympathies and prayers you can contact Father Ivel at IMendanha@cssr.com

Grace and Redemption for all!
Gary Ziuraitis, C.Ss.R.

Index

NEWS FROM THE PROVINCES

Your Servant For Jesus' Sake.
Essays in honour of Bishop Kevin Dowling.
Edited by Andrew Burns, C.Ss.R. and Sean Wales, C.Ss.R.
Available from Redemptorist Pastoral Publications. P.O. Box 341 Merrivale 3291.
162 pages

The inspiration for this collection of essays to honour Bishop Kevin's fifteen years as Bishop came from the priests and religious of his diocese. The collection consists of an introduction, a foreword, a prose poem and ten articles.

Three of the articles are concerned with the role of a bishop in today's church; the first is an interview with Bishop Kevin conducted by Paddy Kearney about Archbishop Hurley, the second a reflection on the personal spiritual life of a modern bishop and the third, by Bishop Lobinger, on the art of non-dominating leadership.

Sister Susan Rakoczy writes about the gift of being a prophet in the modern Church, illustrating her point with vivid examples in the lives of some modern prophets, like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Oscar Romero and Dorothy Day. In the South African context she reflects on the prophetic role of women in the struggle for justice and concludes with some remarks on Bishop Kevin as a prophet.

From the point of view of Redemptorist interest in moral theology, Raphael Gallagher, C.Ss.R, professor at the Alphonsianum, considers the idea of a Redemptorist school of theology, stemming from St. Alphonsus. He then examines such a tradition and its relevance to the moral complexities surrounding the HIV/AIDS pandemic. He is careful to distinguish between individual moral responses and generalized moral solutions. He argues that even if in individual cases the use of condoms may be morally justifiable, one cannot therefore conclude that condom use is a general and morally acceptable solution to a global and pervasive moral problem.

In an essay on Redemption in South Africa, Sean Wales, provincial of South Africa, tries to apply certain biblical categories about redemption to the situation in South Africa. Six such categories are considered: redemption as Liberation, Reconciliation, Healing, Atonement, Justice and finally, Communio. Some of these reflections are exploratory as in the case of the growing interest in restorative justice and the need for economic liberation.

The Denis Hurley Peace Institute (Pretoria) in the persons of Sean O'Leary and John Ashworth gives a glimpse of the wider world in which Bishop Kevin also ministers. Something is gleaned of the situations in Sudan, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. It is obvious how critically important such a ministry is and yet both how dangerous it is and how wearing it is on those who take up this challenge.

Dr. Renier Koegelenberg is the executive director of the Ecumenical foundations of Southern Africa, based at the Institute for Theological and Interdisciplinary Research, Stellenbosch. In his article Dr Koegelenberg considers the different levels of Church-State cooperation and he takes up Bishop Kevin's advocacy of a more creative partnership between the church and the State.

Living in a world of HIV/AIDS sheds new light on many aspects of the Christian mystery. Stuart Bate, O.M.I. considers the traditional Catholic thinking about the last things in relation to the pandemic. He argues for an eschatological spirituality which can help all infected or affected by the virus to deal with the mystery of life and death. He gives many insights into contemporary religious understanding of death, judgement, hell and heaven while pointing to new ways of understanding ‘raising of the dead',‘healing the sick', 'striving for Heaven'and ‘resisting Hell'.

The final chapter offers a fascinating introduction to the history of the diocese of Rustenburg. Fr. Noel Gillispie, S.M.A. gives a feel of the place, the people and the significant moments in the life of the diocese of Rustenburg. He provides a helpful map of the area and he weaves into his narrative human stories which bring the life of this faith community alive.
Some insight into the world of the Rustenburg diocese is very helpful in understanding the kind of bishop the diocese has.

Index

A 'Redemptorist'Bible
José Raimundo Vidigal, C.Ss.R.
Rome.

 In September 2006, the Publishing House in Aparecida, Brazil issued a new translation of the Bible in Portuguese from the original sources. It was entirely the work of one of our confreres. The Editor of SCALA interviewed the author, Fr. José Raimundo Vidigal, who spoke of his work.  

Fr. Vidigal, what is the name of this new edition of the Bible?
It is called the Holy Bible of Aparecida, because the Publishing House that issued it is in the city of Aparecida-SP. Here also is the National Sanctuary of the Patron of Brazil that is in the care of the Redemptorists since 1894. The name Aparecida has its own mystical dimension and is a key center for Brazilian Catholics of whom seven millions visit the sanctuary every year.

Why a new Bible?
It is not because there is a lack of good translations in Brazil. I know of at least fifteen complete Bible translations without counting the many separate editions of the New Testament. In my opinion there is no justification for a new Bible unless it offers something better. Just as at an auto show, a new model displays its qualities and advantages, so if a new Bible makes its appearance it should have something new to offer.

What are the characteristics of this Bible?
For many years it has been the dream of the Sanctuary Publishing House to offer pilgrims an exact, up-to-date and accessible translation of the Word of God. This was its most important and eagerly awaited goal. I believe I have succeeded in producing a clear and simple text in a popular style that, in the opinion of reviewers, has not prevented it from being of good literary quality and remarkable beauty, especially in certain books such as the Psalms, Isaiah and Job.

Why is it called ‘Redemptorist'?
In addition to being translated and published by Redemptorists, its language, intelligible by all, obeys the precept of Alphonsus who ordered that preaching must be such as to be understood by the most humble. It was not our purpose to produce a scientific work full of exegetical novelty for an educated public. Rather we foresaw different possibilities for private reading, proclamation in the Assembly, reflection in small groups and for spiritual nourishment and pastoral work.

Usually the different editions of the Bible are distinguished by explanatory notes and introductions to each book. What is special in your Bible in this regard?
The introductions are short and in the style of catechetics. The 1917 Code of Canon Law prescribed that the notes should refer mainly to the Fathers of the Church and other learned catholic writers. Though I did not recall this old canon #1391 it is precisely this that I tried to achieve. The notes also have quotations from the Catechism of the Catholic Church, from recent Popes and widely known Saints. Six color plates and a vocabulary of 403 biblical terms enrich the work.

 How long did it take to do this work?
It took about thirty years. I began to translate the Gospels in 1976. The Publishers issued it and asked me to translate the whole New Testament. That was produced in 1984 and again in 1989 together with the Psalms. In the meantime I cooperated in the translation of the Jerusalem Bible and the Bible of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference. Finally when I was asked to produce this Bible I dedicated three more years to it -- like building a cathedral!

 How has this new Bible been received by the public?
It has received the Imprimatur of the president of the Conference of Bishops and the Archbishop of Aparecida has written a very kind preface. Already it has begun to spread over the immense territory of Brazil in an extraordinary manner. In the first month alone the publishers issued 50 thousand copies. The simple, easy-to-read text and graphics has won over the public. Did we mention the price? $8.00 (U.S.A) for a book of 1,920 pages is a real gift! I am awaiting the reviews of biblical colleagues in the theological magazines.

Thank you Father Vidigal for your time. And may I add my own personal thank you for your many hours of work as the official General Curia Portuguese translator for SCALA and ORBIS.

Index

Peru
Iquitos
Rev. John Andersen

Editor's note: John Andersen is a priest of the Archdiocese of Sydney, Australia, working in the Apostolic Vicariate of Iquitos, Peru.

We have been much blessed with two Redemptorist Missions in our St Rose of Lima Parish, and nine priests are here at the moment for the third Mission: Frs. Julio Lescano Huapaya, Gerardo Ortega Mejía, Yuri Castillo Calixto, Waldir Pérez Salinas, Marcelino Yangali Enciso, Fermin Lozano Noa, Jorge Luis Ipanaqué Taboada, Hector Quispe and Rafael Carrillo. The photo (see the photo gallery) is of the arrival of the Mission team from Lima on Saturday, January 13, the night before the Mission began. We celebrated the final Mission Mass on Sunday, January 28, in the sports stadium of Iquitos, then six of the team returned to Lima, and Julio, Yuri and Jorge stayed on for three days more to give a Mission to the men and women of the Army in Iquitos, and by radio to those along the frontiers with Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador. We are extremely grateful to such great men of faith, especially for Gerardo, now 50 years a priest.It is his third Mission in our Parish. Both Julio and Marcelino have been here before also. Thank you and the men of your Congregation.

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Cuba
One day, Three Episodes
Sergio Campara, C.Ss.R.

 I have been a missionary in Cuba for eight months, on the Island of Youth, south of Havana. There are many dark shadows in the lives of the people that cause suffering but also some lights for those who can see them. These days I am alone. My young companion has left for his holidays in Paraguay and I am trying to divide my time and work between the city and the small country communities.

 Wednesday January 17. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon the Church is reopened. All is quiet. People pass along the adjoining street and the square, which is always crowded. Some enter, look around, visit Our Lady's Shrine but not always the Blessed Sacrament. At 5.30 the meeting of the Legion of Mary begins in the garage as they find this place more suitable and quiet. The Mass is at 6.45 with about 30 or 40 people present. We sing from a sheet with fresh and simple hymns for everybody. It is also the feast of St. Anthony, Abbot, with the white beard, the patron of the stables, cows, sheep, pigs, hens etc. We remember various sick people and the dead, among them Yenier (22 years) killed some months previously in a serious accident. After the Mass there is the usual Novena of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, the blessing and finally the imposition of hands on those who wish. All come forward one by one, their faces lit up with joy. Go in Peace! And then they come.

First episode. I move towards the sacristy. A young woman, very black, tall and strong featured with very dark loose hair stands on my right watching me. Her name is Margherita. She was baptised last Sunday with others in the presence of her father, mother, godfather, godmother and other relatives big and small, all beautifully dark and strong. Tomorrow morning at 5 she has to leave for Havana and then travel alone to Valencia in Spain. "I do not want to go', she says, ‘I'm afraid." She repeats this trembling with tears. " But why? Courage! You have just been to communion. You have Jesus with you! Don't be afraid. Go in peace!" I look towards the first bench. Her father, also tall with a venerable head of grey hair, is smiling ecstatically as he sees me encouraging his daughter. ‘Why have you to go,''I ask. "Necessity," she tells me quickly and sincerely. "One step at a time and all will turn out for the best. We will meet again! I will remember you in my prayers". I reassure her and embrace her, a second blessing and another embrace.

 Second episode. The secretary introduces me to another lady. I have never seen her before! She has a small candle in her hand. She cannot light it, as they are closing the Church. The secretary encourages her. "Tell all to the Father." I sit down. She sits down in the corner of the first bench. A little girl of about 9, wide-eyed, sits there too, looking at me. "Is she your niece?" I ask. "She is not mine, I have another," she responds. "So wait for me over there a moment," I tell the little one, "I will see you next." So she moves away and waits watching me with those large eyes.

The lady continues, "My eldest son has gone away, unexpectedly, on a boat with other people. He wants to get out of Cuba, secretly, to seek his fortune. I have had no news from him." She begins to cry. I understand immediately. Even I shed tears. "Anything can happen to him!" she cries. Her name is Marianella. He has left the child here with the mother. "He is taking a great risk." "Don't be afraid! Don't cry." I try to console her: "Let us pray to Our Lady that all goes well and that he will soon get in touch with you. Give me the candle. Early tomorrow I myself will light it with pleasure and offer it to Our Lady in your name. Go in peace and may God bless you. We will talk again." "Yes, Father." she answers.

This morning at 5 a.m. I never before had such great conviction as I lit this little candle in the name of the mother for her son at the mercy of the waves. It is not only her problem, it is also mine and…of so many mothers.

   Third episode. "What is your name?" I ask the boy. "Osvalito." Who is this with you?" "My school pal, Eddy!" "At this hour? It is late! Are you not afraid? Where is your house?'' I ask. "In Sierra Caballos....but it's beautiful here!" They have come on their own from the other side of the river. They are courageous. I think of Jesus at 12 years of age in Jerusalem. ‘Wait a moment. I am going to get a little (catechism) book for you. Are you baptised? Have you a godfather and godmother?" "I don't know," Osvalito answers. I respond, "Show this booklet to your Mom and ask her. Let us pray together and I will bless you." While I am praying they listen intently to find out what I am saying and to whom I am speaking so softly: "Our Father ….Hail Mary…" a blessing, and then they are off. Outside it is already dark. I wave goodbye to them once again and they both happily wave back from the other side of the street. I go to warm my meager supper but, the thought occurs to me " …not by bread alone".
Before I go to sleep I relive these episodes. These three incidents remain in my memory. I get rid of them by writing. They are typical scenes that occur repeatedly: Anxiety, fear, suffering, hope …Cuban problems.

 This morning I awake at 5 o'clock sharp. Once again the three events of yesterday come to mind with the sun: Margherita, Marianella, and the two adventurers Osvaldo and Eddy. I don't forget them. My heart is heavy for them all. Then I remember: "Blessed are those who weep for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the pure of heart for they shall see God …Who does not become like a little child shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."

St. Alphonsus, praying to Jesus, called him crazy with love. Cuba and the world are waiting for a new dawn of light, joy, hope and peace. With best wishes to you and all for the New Year.

Index

Vice-Province of San Salvador.
IV Congress of Redemptorist Youth.
Rodolfo Garcia, C.Ss.R.

From January 8 to 12 the fourth Congress of Redemptorist Youth took place in Nicaragua with representatives from all the countries of Central America. The main theme was: Young People Confronting a Threatening Future. The purpose of the Congress was to listen to concerns, evaluate the on-going process of education in the faith and to visualise new fields of work in the area of youth ministry. It is a challenge to work with young people anywhere and Central America is no exception. However, without doubt, young people are seeking a way to follow Jesus, in the manner of a young Christ, in the Redemptorist style. These faith-filled and dynamic young men and women made the whole Congress a festive occasion and an encounter with the Lord.

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Rome, Italy
Extraordinary Meeting of the General Government
General Council
December, 2006

At least four times a year the General Government holds “extraordinary” meetings, lasting one to two weeks These special gatherings differ from the so-called “ordinary” consulta, which happen every Tuesday when there is sufficient business and a quorum of the General Council is at home. Certain matters are treated only when all seven members are present, such as visitation reports, financial questions and certain issues regarding confreres. When the matter regards finances, the Econome General also participates. Because they are often traveling on official visitations throughout the rest of the year, these extraordinary meetings are important times for the members of the General Government to discuss the situation of confreres and units around the world and to reflect on the work of the various General Secretariats.

The most recent extraordinary meeting of the General Council took place December 11 to 21, 2006. While the agenda for this meeting covered a number of topics, our intent here is to give you only a broad overview of the deliberations. The work of the General Government, including the Secretariats, can also be found in Officialia, SCALA as well as on the webpages of the respective Secretariat webpages on our website  http://www.cssr.com. We encourage you to visit these other sources for complete coverage of General Government affairs.

Father General asked the General Council to keep in mind three special areas of emphasis during the December meeting:

1) A review of the recently completed Visitations to the units of the English speaking Caribbean, Baltimore, Extra Patriam, Denver, and Richmond as well as the results of a meeting of the major superiors of those provinces with Father General and members of the visiting teams. The reports were discussed and recommendations were made for inclusion in the letter of the General and the final reports to be sent to the units.

2) An analysis of the results of the Regional Meetings held throughout 2006 (the midpoint of the sexennium) with the major superiors of the units of North America, North and South Europe, Asia and Oceania, and Africa. The African Regional meeting, which met in Ibadan, Nigeria, November 26 - December 5, 2006, marked the beginning of a network to unite all the Redemptorists of that continent in closer collaboration in first formation and greater economic solidarity.

3) The first consideration of preparations for the XXIV General Chapter in 2009.

The general consultors, who serve as liaisons for the various General Secretariats, presented reports on the activities of these consultative bodies:

Father Serafino Fiore spoke about the desire of the Secretariat for Redemptorist Youth and Vocation Ministry to hold a worldwide Symposium on how the Congregation can better engage youth. During the discussions, some members of the Council suggested that regional meetings might be a better strategy. The Secretariat will continue to research the idea and offer a more precise proposal to the General Government.

Father Athanase Nsiamina reported on the work of the Secretariat for Evangelization. The Secretariat has inaugurated a webpage on the www.cssr.com website. Its members are considering two proposals: one regards the idea of international communities, for which the Secretariat plans further consultations with the Commission for Restructuring;. the other proposal regards the implementation of an Institute on Evangelization, which had been suggested by the last General Chapter, Once again, there is the question of whether such an Institute should be permanently fixed at one location, or be a mobile program held in the regions for maximum benefit of the confreres. Both proposals will receive further study and further discussion is planned for the September extraordinary meeting.

Father Jacek Dembek reported on the work of the Secretariat for Formation. He pointed out that Father Luis Alberto Roberto Roballo, former provincial superior of Bogotá and most recently, president of the FUSA (Fundación Universitaria San Alfonso) will take up his role as Executive Secretary of the Formation Secretariat with residence in Rome, beginning in January 2007. He updated the Council on the development of a course for formators, which will include segments conducted through the Internet. He also talked about further collaboration with the Alphonsian Academy and the Redemptorist Historical Institute in these courses for formators.

Father Enrique López brought to the table a proposal by the Brothers'Secretariat for a year specially dedicated to reflection on the Consecrated Life.

Father Raymond Douziech brought up for discussion a proposal to establish a permanent commission for Moral Theology; this proposal came from the latest meeting of the moralists of the Congregation, which took place in last July in Bogotá. Father Douziech was asked to refine the proposal and present it at the March 2007 meeting of the General Council. Father Joseph Dorcey reported on his participation at the new region of Saint Gerard, comprising Redemptorist communities in Russia and Kazachstan. Father José Vidigal, the director of the Collegio Maggiore, brought the Council up to date on the group of Redemptorists from around the world who are currently pursuing a license or doctorate in theology, philosophy, canon law, church history, etc. at one of the Roman universities.

Father Patrick O'Keeffe, the Econome General, led a review of the 2006 budget as well as the consideration of the different budgets that have been proposed for the new fiscal year; these budgets include those of the General Government, the Comunità Sant’Alfonso, the Alphonsian Academy, the General Archives and the Redemptorist Historical Institute. Consideration was also given to requests for subsidy from the Solidarity Fund.

Father Félix Catalá informed the Council on the work of the Center for Redemptorist Spirituality.

The Council also prepared for the next round of visitations and reviewed its Calendar of Events for the year 2007. The visitations have already begun and progress can be found on the website scrollers at  http://www.cssr.com. The Calendar of Events for 2007can also be found on the website under the menu item News (click on the button for General Government Activities).

Index

REDEMPTORISTS IN THE NEWS

Canada
A New Archbishop for Alberta, Canada
From the Western Canadian Reporter

True to his Order and heritage, Archbishop Gerard Pettipas has selected a motto and coat of arms honouring both.

"I wanted something for the Redemptorists and my Acadian roots," said Pettipas, who was to be ordained a bishop and installed as archbishop of Grouard-McLennan Archdiocese in a large ceremony Jan. 25 in Grande Prairie.

Pettipas had little idea he would ever become a bishop let alone having to select a coat of arms and his pastoral motto.

He chose "Voluntas Dei Sanctificatio Vestra," which translates into English as "The will of God is for you to be holy" or "The will of God is your sanctification," he said.

"It's from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians. When I was told I should get (the motto and coat of arms), I contacted a man in Rome. I really wanted something about holiness because that is what life is all about," Pettipas said.

Spiritual leader
"If I think about the direction I want to take in my own life, and if as a leader in the Church I want other people to go, to me it is the direction of holiness."

Pettipas has followed the words of St. Alphonsus - the Order's founder - who said that if you want to become a Redemptorist, you must want to become a saint.

"That is what I want. When I think about ministry and the activity of the Church, of the people of Grande Prairie and the Aboriginals, I want them to be holy. It's what I want for the divorced and separated. I tell them that to be married is to be holy.

"Those who are in their workplace who question what they should be doing as a Christian, should be holy. And we should be helping others to be holy as well."

Father Mike Brehl, provincial superior of the Order's Edmonton-Toronto province, said the biblical passage suits his old friend.

"Gerry has always been a man of prayer and has seen holiness as a very important aspect of his ministry as a priest. It is to help other people to grow in holiness through prayer, the sacraments and the sacrament of Reconciliation. He is known and appreciated as a wonderful confessor."

Formative influence
Brehl has known Pettipas for more than 30 years. They met in 1974 before either man was ordained. Pettipas was a Redemptorist student in Toronto and vocation director. They met through a mutual friend. Brehl was interested in the priesthood but had not decided to join the Redemptorists. He found Pettipas to be a formative influence.

"He has a master's degree in spirituality that came out of his own desire to be the kind of catalyst who could help people grow in their relationship with God. That's what holiness is. It has always been a dimension of his ministry as a priest and as a Redemptorist," he said.

"In a sense, all of us are called to holiness whether it is a man, woman or child; educated or not; rich or poor. It's not something that is reserved to priests and nuns. Father Gerry was always very inclined to promote that call among people."

Brehl says Pettipas is one of the most generous people he has ever met - someone who expresses his love for people in real and practical ways.

He is the type of person who is always at the doors of the church. He is as available as he can possibly be, which is an aspect by which people know you are approachable and that you care about them, he said. "When you meet someone you can talk to about what is going on in your life, you can become really good friends," Brehl said.

"I was wondering where I should respond to live out my life in the priesthood and I saw in Gerry and the other Redemptorists I met through him, a very real possibility of living a good, holy, Christian life," he said.

"Grace is an experience of God's presence and power in our lives. When someone has badly hurt you, real human forgiveness is impossible without God's power and presence in our lives to do for us, and with us, what we can't do alone. Gerry is a very forgiving man."

Pettipas says the Church's doors are always open to those who may feel alienated because of past or present lifestyle choices.

"Talk to us about your desire to be holy. But the world doesn't talk about it a lot. I have to take what I believe about the Gospel and the way it applies to my life. Somewhere in there, is the word 'grace.' I must be graceful," he said.

"Holiness is forgiving someone who has hurt you, like the pope (John Paul II) forgiving his assassin. If I can do that and encounter (them) in a civilized, respectful manner, that might be holiness."

Index

PHOTO GALLERY (on-line only)

1. Here is a recent picture of the professed students of the Vice Province of Manaus, with the vice-provincial. They presently study in Fortaleza, in the northwest of Brazil.

 Left to right: Fr.Cleverton Márcio - Manaus; Fr.André Andrade - Coari; Bro. Bosco Rodrigues - Santa Izabel do Rio Negro; Fr.Seni Santos - Manaus; Pe.Manuel Soares (Vice-Provincial); Fr.Marino - Manacapuru; Fr.Raimundo Elson - Codajás; Fr.Amarildo - Porto Valte(Acre); Bro. Marcos Antônio - Santa Izabel do Rio Negro. (not pictured: Bro. Igson -  of Coari and stationed in Manaus.)

2. Bratislava was the site for a seminar on being a Redemptorist Brother. The Confreres take a moment to pose for a group photo.

3. The Redemptorist Peruvian mission team arrives in Iquitos, Peru from Lima to continue a series of Missions in the area.

4. The IV Congress of Central American Youth recently held in Nicarauga in January was attended by youth from our Redemptorist parishes in the Vice Province of San Salvador, led by Father Rodolfo Garcia, C.Ss.R.

5. Sr. Hildegard Magdalen Pleva, OSsR, of the Esopus, New York, USA Redemptoristine Community, was a wife and mother before entering religious life. Here she is shown holding her new grandchild, Benjamin.

6.All the adopted "aunts" of grandchild Benjamin pose with Sr. Hildegard at the Redemptoristine Community of Esopus, New York, USA.

7.Archbishop Gerard Pettipas relaxes for a moment on his ordination/installation day.

8.The official Papal document of Archbishop Pettipas's appointment, which is read at the ordination/installation ceremony.

9.Father José Vidigal's recently released Portuguese language Bible "Bíblia Sagrada de Aparecida" and  the book of essays on the episcopal ministry of Bishop Kevin Dowling, "Your Servant for Jesus'sake."

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FEATURED WEBSITE

The Province of Rio de Janeiro has an updated website:

http://www.provinciadorio.org.br/

Last month we introduced you to Father Felix Catala's blog on Redemptorist Spirituality. But he is not the only Redemptorist blogging! Here are three more this month:

http://scalando.zoomblog.com spanish

http://MonasticMusingsOSsR.blogspot.com english

http://amadopicardal.blogspot.com/ english

Send us information about your blog!
Don't forget that cssr.com also has a "blog spot" in the seven different language areas where you can post your thoughts and musings about things Redemptorist: Go to the www.cssr.com menu. Click on News and then on Blog C.Ss.R.

The Limerick Youth Conference has posted a promotional video on YouTube about their upcoming summer gathering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2H0dp4ew_lQ&eurl=

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TRANSITIONS

Recent noteworthy events in the Redemptorist Family. For a complete record of transitions visit the Officialia site

First Profession of Temporary Vows:
Joseph Nashin Burtin, Region of the Caribbean, August 15, 2006
Augustine Kreingkrai Multree, Vice Province of Bangkok, December 22, 2006
Ender Wilmer Jaimes Carrillo, Vice Province of Caracas, January 5, 2007
Tonis José Jiménez Villanueva, Vice Province of Caracas, January 5, 2007
José Miguel Alza Camacho, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Juan Jainover Beltrán Ariaz, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Daniel Lizararo Durán, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
José Joaquín Carreño Remolina, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Jairo Moisés Chingal Palacios, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Alexander Guerrero Camacho, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Edilson Maximiliano Martínez Ávila, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Darío de Jesús Mejía Meza, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Rigoberto Ramírez Narváez, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Adrián Ernesto Rojas Chiquillo, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Luis Daniel Ruiz Rojas, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Fredy Alexander Tapias Barrera, Province of Bogotá, January 5, 2007
Ricardo Alexandre Ferreira, Province of Rio de Janeiro, January 6, 2007
Edson Alves da Costa, Province of Rio de Janeiro, January 6, 2007
Raoni Urban Neto, Province of Rio de Janeiro, January 6, 2007
Elizardo Família D'oleo, Province of San Juan, January 14, 2007
Welington Galván Castillo, Province of San Juan, January 14, 2007
Iracildo Braga Barros, Vice Province of Fortaleza, January 15, 2007
Oleandro De Oliveira Pessoa, Vice Province of Fortaleza, January 15, 2007
Edilei Rosa Silva, Province of Campo Grande, January 21, 2007

Profession of Perpetual Vows:
Fábio Evaristo Resende Silva, Province of São Paulo, November 10, 2006
Cláudio Aparecido Teixeira, Province of São Paulo, November 18, 2006
Konradus Doni Kelen, Province of Indonesia, December 1, 2006
Laurensius Lino Maran, Province of Indonesia, December 1, 2006
Tyrone Anthony Sam, Province of South Africa, December 17, 2006

Ordination to the Priesthood:
Aldo Williams Escobar Sejas, Province of Buenos Aires, December 10, 2006
Radamés Antônio Centenaro, Province of Porto Alegre, December 17, 2006
Vincenzo La Mendola, Province of Rome, December 28, 2006

Erection of a House:
St. Peter Claver in the city of Otukpo, Benue State, Nigeria was canonically erected on January 23, 2007.

Deaths:
Br. Gérard Neu, 76, Province of Strasbourg, December 15, 2006
Rev. Cyrille Martel, 88, Province of Saint-Anne de Beaupré, December 26, 2006
Rev. John Joseph Kiwus, 70, Province of Baltimore, December 27, 2006
Rev. Richard Paré, 69, Vice Province of Tôkyô, December 29, 2006
Rev. John Anthony Cavanaugh, 89, Vice Province of Richmond, January 1, 2007
Br. Giuseppe (Stanislao) Fava, 89, Province of Naples, January 18, 2007
Rev. John Francis Corkery, 88, Province of Edmonton-Toronto, January 23, 2007
Rev. Calixte Bérubé, 92, Province of Saint-Anne de Beaupré, January 24, 2007
Rev. Martin Benzerath, 89, Province of Strasbourg, January 25, 2007
Rev. Joachim Nguyen Dinh, 88, Province of Vietnam, January 28, 2007
Index