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Rome, Italy
November 16, 2008
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FROM THE EDITOR
ROME AND THE REDEMPTORISTS
:
Father General addresses the Synod of Bishops
Collegio Maggiore begins another year
NEWS FROM THE PROVINCES:
Liguori Province is inaugurated
Meeting of European Superiors
Meeting of the Brothers of Europe
Madrid commissions new lay missionaries
Vietnam hold Spirituality workshop
Brazilian Redemptorist preach missions in USA
PROFILE:
Joe Maier, C.Ss.R. is the subject of a new book
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Redemptorist Spirituality Workshops scheduled by Center for Spirituality
FEATURED MEDIA:
St. Anne-de Beaupré, Quebec, Canada
TRANSITIONS
Professions, Ordinations, Anniversaries, Deaths
Dear Confreres,
Before we get to the news this month, I just want to remind Unit Superiors that their quota of ORBIS should have arrived at your address and you have received enough copies to distribute 2 or 3 to each community in your unit and a few extra. In addition to being informative to ourselves, I believe this issue is also a very good tool to give to a vocation prospect who is interested in our life. You may want to display one in the guest parlors of your communities so guests can page through it while waiting to see you. We do that here at the General House and many copies have been distributed that way as people wish to take it with them. There are many ways we can promote ourselves and our worldwide mission in the Church. This is just one, simple way.
Grace and Redemption for all!
Gary Ziuraitis, C.Ss.R.
Rome
Synod of Bishops
XII Ordinary General Assembly
Consecrated Life as Radical Obedience to the Word of God
Most Rev. Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R.
(Editor’s note: The following is the October 13, 2008 address given by Father General to the XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God held at the Vatican from October 5 to October 26, 2008. This was Father General’s 5th participation in a Synod of Bishops during his time in Rome .)
The Superiors General at the Synod: Kieran O´reilly, S.M.A. |
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Holy Father,
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
I speak as a member of the Union of Superiors General. My point of departure is n. 52 of the Instrumentum Laboris, which indicates some expectations the Church holds for members of the consecrated life. This way of discipleship might also serve the Synod by providing one example that could be proposed to the People of God to illustrate the sort of “obedience of faith” (Rom. 13:26) that “is to be given to God who reveals, an obedience by which a person commits his or her whole self freely to God” (1). This radical obedience, which is required of every believer, is lived in a public way by consecrated persons. I will touch on three aspects of this response: consecrated life as obedience to the Word made flesh in Jesus Christ, obedience to the Word which speaks through the signs of times and places and obedience which is learned through suffering.
Obedience to the Word made flesh
Consecrated life is, essentially, a response to the Word of God. For consecrated persons, Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word of God, is both the model for their obedience as well as the One to whom obedience is directed (2). One is a disciple if he “listens to the Lord and puts His words into practice (cf. Mt 7:24) and it is the observance of his commandments which concretizes love for Him and draws the love of the Father (cf. Jn. 14:21) (3).”
Obedience places life entirely in Christ's hands so that he may use it according to God’s design and make it a masterpiece (4). Consecrated persons realize that they are seeking the kingdom of God and are sharing intimately in the paschal mystery of Christ, which is the mystery of obedience.
Obedience to the Word in responding to the signs of the times
The Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel (5). As part of her mission, the Church expects that institutes of consecrated life will propose anew the “enterprising initiative, creativity and holiness of their founders and foundresses in response to the signs of the times emerging in today’s world by adapting … to new situations and different needs, in complete openness to God's inspiration and to the Church's discernment (6).
Reading the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel, consecrated persons seek to carry out the Lord’s commission to make disciples of every nation (Mt. 28, 19-20). They also welcome the “little ones” whom Jesus wishes to touch and bless (Mk. 10, 13) as well as those with whom He closely identifies, such as the hungry, the sick, the stranger and the prisoner. Members of the consecrated life accompany groups of people who, like Zacchaeus and others, “want to see Jesus” (Lk. 19, 1-10; Jn. 12, 21ss) but are impeded because of their marginal status in society or the Church or, simply because there is no one to help them understand the Word of Life (cf. Acts 8, 31).
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Obedience to the Word that is learned in suffering. Just as the Word made Flesh “learned obedience from what he suffered” (Heb 5, 8), all of the consecrated life are invited to persevere on the path of holiness in the midst of the material and spiritual difficulties of daily life (7). This Holy Synod will want to thank God for the whole-hearted surrender to the Word by so many consecrated men and women that live obediently in great suffering. We recall consecrated women who, in recent weeks, have been victims of violence, including sexual assault, in India. We think of evangelists and pastors who minister secretly to overseas contract workers, refugees and minorities in totalitarian or intolerant states. We remember that in many areas of the world, the first proclamation of the Gospel is carried out by consecrated persons, who undergo a painful personal kenosis to leave behind their language and history in order that the Word of God may be heard within the cultural context of their listeners. We bear in mind the elderly and sick members of the consecrated life, who are signs of hope amid so many invitations to despair. Finally, we call to mind those consecrated persons who accompany the unimportant or powerless as well as those who know the painful experience of marginalization within their local Church. |
1. Dei Verbum, 5.
2. Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Instruction, The Service of Authority and Obedience (11 May 2008),8.
3. Ibid.
4. Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Instruction Starting Afresh from Christ: A Renewed Commitment to Consecrated Life in the Third Millennium (19 May 2002), 22.
5. Gaudium et Spes, 4.
6. Vita Consecrata, 37.
7. Ibid.
Rome, Italy
Collegio Maggiore, 2008-2009
Jose Vidigal, C.Ss.R., Director
Nature of the Collegio Maggiore
The institution known as the “Collegio Maggiore”, which was created in 1909 at the House of St. Alphonsus in Rome, gathers and forms Redemptorists who are sent to Rome to continue their higher studies in different Roman academies. The Collegio, therefore, is made up of students from all parts of the Congregation who are looking to obtain a licentiate or doctorate in some discipline of ecclesiastical study. It should not be confused with the Alphonsian Academy, founded in 1949, which is our own School of Moral Theology, and has some 300 students, priests, religious and lay people.
The Collegio Maggiore has its own statutes, approved by the General Government. Its last up-dating was done in March of this year, when the entire community renewed its legislation.
The Students
In this six year period the number of Redemptorists admitted as members of the Collegio Maggiore increased steadily. As to their (V) Province of origin our students come mostly from the so-called Third World, with very few exceptions. Western Europe and North America are represented minimally.
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For this year of 2008-2009 we have 14 students from Latin America, 6 from Africa, 5 from Asia, 4 from Eastern Europe, and 1 from North America. This diversity of origin is also evident from this fact: there is a total of 30 students coming from 17 different countries and 22 different units of the Congregation. The universities they attend are the following: Alphonsian Academy (9 students), Gregorian University (6 students), Teresianum (4 students), Salesian academy, Angelicum, the Lateran, Biblicum (2 students each) and |
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Collegio Maggiore Retreat
For the priests studying at the Collegio Maggiore, the month of September marks a return from the long summer vacation. Each student returns with stories to tell and experiences to talk about, the type of ministry he did, the language he studied, the countries he visited. In the meantime, the Collegio itself has changed its looks, with the arrival of new students and the departure of those who have finished their studies.
September is also the time to think about the new academic year, and to make out the activities program for the group. As is customary, we make this preparation during the spiritual retreat. The extraordinary thing about this year was that the preacher for this year’s retreat was none other than our Father General. He spoke to us about our religious vows as means to channel our love for God and for the poor. By our vows we profess the poor Christ, the chaste Christ, the obedient Christ, for a happy testimony of full redemption.
We could not have been in a better place: the tranquility of Nazareth House, in the middle of the splendid greenery of the plains outside Rome. The courtesy of the members of the FAC movement who welcomed us was another high point of the retreat.
The liturgical celebrations were very timely and highly creative, prepared by our own people. We lived moments of intense prayer,with beautiful and adequate symbols as our inspiration. We remember best the very moving Via Sacra, performed within the garden of the house, in a climate of silence and piety.
The 27 participants gave the retreat a very high rating. Such retreats occur only rarely in a lifetime. Thank you, Father General.
In the footsteps of St Clement
At present our Congregation is celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the canonization of Clement Maria Hofbauer which occurs next year, since he was declared a saint by Pope Pius X on May 20, 1909. Some Provinces, e.g. Poland and Austria, have already scheduled a series of celebratory events. The 30 Redemptorist priests who are students at the Collegio Maggiore decided to enter into the commemorations through a pilgrimage called “The Footsteps of St. Clement.”
We rightly felt that we could expect a perfect and detailed preparation for this pilgrimage from the hands of Father Witold Hetnar, and that a sure and competent guide would be provided by the care and kindness of Father Adam Ocwarzski, Director of the Historical Institute.
At Tasswitz, in the Czech Republic, Clement’s native land, the Redemptorist community welcomed us and showed us the church constructed on the site where the Hofbauer house once stood. One of the altars now stands in the room and in the exact spot where our saintly confrere was born. The windows of this church tell the story of his life and activities. Nearby is another church where he was baptized, and the same baptismal font still standing there.
In the Polish capital our goal was St. Benno’s, the historic center where in 1787 Clement and Thaddeus Hubl began their ministry. Back then, St. Benno’s was already surrounded by various other churches and convents, but it became the site of a “perpetual mission” through the missionary dynamism of the sons of St. Alphonsus. The pitiful socio-economic situation of the people there could not but move the heart of Clement, causing him to open a school for the poor children, an orphanage for the abandoned little ones, along with a trades-school for unemployed youth. Once he was imprisoned in Krakow for taking children across the border without the proper documentation. This tremendous pastoral activity had to be terminated in 1808 when the Redemptorists were expelled from Warsaw. One of the persons behind their expulsion was a Prussian official named Zacharias Werner, a famous poet and well-known sinner, who later in Vienna became not only a great friend of Clement but also a Catholic priest.
In the Austrian capital we explored various churches where our saint exercised various types of ministry during his last 12 years: the Italian church, the Jesuits church, and especially the chapel of the Ursulines. The Ursuline convent became a meeting place for young people looking for a more intense spiritual life. As he had done already in Vienna, Clement prepared lay people to act as oblates in a fruitful spiritual ministry. The church (Maria am Gestade), which was given to the Redemptorists by the Emperor in 1820 when he approved their coming to Austria, is now the site of the tomb of St. Clement, as well as the Provincial house, where many of Clement’s memorabilia, vestments, some of his writings, and even his confessional are displayed.
Alongside his tomb there is a beautiful statue of the saint, and some sayings which offer a resume of his life message: 'My son, from today on God is your father; always try to do what pleases him. A perpetual mission …Preach the Gospel again…Lord, it is time! …Courage! It is God who is in charge!"
When you think that you have already seen everything, there is always a surprise. A section of Vienna named Hernals has a church built by the Redemptorists in 1880, and dedicated to Our Lady of Perpetual Help. At that time Clement was still only a Venerable – his beatification came in 1888 – and so the church does not bear his name, although the plaza in front of it does. The neighborhood is one of the poorest in the city, despite the fact that the people there contributed very generously to its construction. They say that it is the most beautiful neo-Gothic church in the world, and it may well be. It was restored last year and it looks new now. Our confreres have done a magnificent job of evangelization and human promotion by transforming it completely. The look of poverty is a thing of the past. The beautiful church now stands guard over a reliquary which contains the bones of the head of St. Clement. Our pilgrimage gave us unbelievable memories of superb experiences. Besides the thousands of photographs now stored in digital cameras, we have also the memories of the fraternal hospitality on the part of the Polish, Czech and Austrian confreres, the satisfaction of seeing on all sides the statues and plaques dedicated to St. Clement, and especially the great wish to better know this outstanding historical personality of our own congregation, whom we feel now has become as near and dear to us as our own hands and eyes. |
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India
Liguori Province is inaugurated at Mattoor, Kerala
The growing Redemptorist unit in ‘God’s own country’
“This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118: 23, 24). This was the prayer that resounded in the hearts of the confreres on June 27, 2008, when the Vice-Province of Alwaye was erected as Liguori Province at Mattoor, in Kerala, India, where the Provincial House is situated.
The inaugural function began with the Solemn Holy Qurabana (Eucharistic Celebration) at 10. 30 a.m., presided over by His Beatitude Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, C.Ss.R. At the inaugural function Rev. Fr. Clement Vadakkedath, C.Ss.R., the Provincial Superior, our talented leader and animator at the moment of transition of this sprouting unit of the Congregation, introduced the Redemptorist family, its global mission spread over 77 countries and beyond to a large gathering of bishops, priests and religious.
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Liguori Province, the first Oriental Rite Redemptorist Province in India, was inaugurated by His Beatitude Mar Varkey Cardinal Vithayathil, C.Ss.R. In his speech Cardinal Varkey, the senior most confrere and instrumental in many ways in realising the dream of becoming an independent unit within the context of Syro-Malabar Church, recalled the struggles and moments of growth down through the decades to the present moment.
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Rev. Fr. Joseph P. Dorcey, Secretary General, read the decree of erection of the Liguori Province and conveyed the sentiments of hope expressed by Fr. General, Joseph W. Tobin, on the occasion of the inauguration of the Liguori Province. Rev. Fr. Paul Pazhangattu, C.Ss.R., the Provincial Superior of Bangalore Province, highlighted the bond of fraternity that exists between the Bangalore Province and the newly erected Liguori Province. Fr. Clement Campos, C.Ss.R. from the Bangalore Province and Fr. Eugene D’Silva, C.Ss.R., from the Region of Mumbai expressed similar sentiments of joy and hope. All the units of the South Asian Sub-Region were represented at the inaugural function. A number of diocesan priests and sisters also spoke on the occasion felicitating the members of the Liguori Province. |
The glowing faces of the confreres gathered at the occasion were sure signs that each one of them could take pride in the fast growth of the unit. If one has to ask how we reached this far so fast, before counting our merits, we become humble before the numerous blessings of our Holy Redeemer and the intercession of our Mother of Perpetual Help. Indeed, it is the work of the Lord. Hard work, brotherly love, constant encouragement, the spirit of forgiveness and the strong bond of unity that are present among the confreres are the pillars that make our unit healthy.
These are the same reasons of our growth from the human perspective. We were also blessed with visionary leaders such as Fathers Michael Naikanparampil, George Areeckal and Clement Vadakkedath. The support and guidance given by the General government are to be mentioned with gratitude and love. We are so much indebted to the present General, Fr. Joseph W. Tobin, and his council for their generous support in materializing our dream of becoming a Province so fast.
We are at a grace-filled time of the history of our Congregation. We can look back and say that though the road we have travelled appeared to be rough and filled with obstacles, the time seemed very short because we have covered the distance between having been a region and now becoming a Province in sixteen years! We began our unit with 16 priests and 15 non professed students in 1992, and today we have grown to be 87 members of whom fifty are ordained priests. Confreres from this unit work from countries near the South Pole to countries near the North Pole. We are at the prime of our youth for most our confreres are below 40 years of age.
The Province has seven canonical houses in Kerala and a residence in the diocese of Thuckalay in Tamil Nadu. We also have parishes attached to our houses of Karavaloor and Kunnambatta. The house at Mattoor is both Provincial Residence and Pastoral Training Centre. These houses are spread over six Dioceses covering a length of about 800 kilometres. The Province is a bee-hive of activity as regards the apostolate. Our apostolic activity in India is generally confined to the geographical are of Kerala and the Malayalam language, though we have travelled to other states preaching in English and Hindi. We preach an average of 50 parish missions and conduct 40 youth programs a year apart from the retreats and seminars given to priests, religious and seminarians. A few confreres are actively involved in the apostolate of the pen and we are on the very verge of venturing into television ministry on a regular basis.
Portugal
Meeting of the Provincials of Southern Europe
Pedro López, C.Ss.R.
From October 7th to 9th the Assembly of Provincial Superiors of Southern Europe met in Vila Nova de Gaia (Portugal). For this occasion it was a fairly new group, thanks to appointments in the various units at the beginning of the Triennium.
The participants were: Fr.Antonio Gomez, Provincial Superior of Lisbon; Fr.Joseph Touraynne, Provincial of Lyons-Paris; Fr.Davide Perdonò, Provincial of Naples; Fr.Giovanni Congiu, Provincial of Rome; Fr.Pedro López, Provincial of Madrid; Fr.Winand Claessens of Southern Belgium; and Fr. Elias Sader of Lebanon.
Also Fr.Antonio de Lucca, out-going president, and Fr.José Luís Bartolomé, out-going econome, were present to give the triennial report on what has been accomplished over the last three years and the financial report.
After a briefing on the by-laws of the Region, the Assembly went on to elect as President of the Southern European Region Fr.Pedro López, Provincial Superior of Madrid. The permanent Council was completed with the election of Fr.Davide Perdonò as Secretary and Fr.Antonio Gomez as Econome.
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During the meeting various responsibilities were divided up in the following way: Fr.Davide is to take on Initial and On-going Formation; Fr.Giovanni will be in charge of Youth and Vocational Ministry; Fr.Pedro will work with the Lay Redemptorists. After a very positive evaluation of the experience of the common novitiate, they implemented the Ratios of the Postulancy and of the Studentate, already approved by the Superior General. Similarly, the evaluations were very positive regarding the regional meetings for Missionaries, Moralists, and Formators and the Formandi. The assembly gave encouragement for the continuance of this sort of thing. Fr.Antonio Gomez gave a report on the project for Ongoing Formation in the Region as well as for the course for Local Superiors. Fr.Pedro López presented the plans for Vocational Recruitment in the Region. After a favorable reception for all these projects, it was decided to give final approval at the next meeting after getting feed-back from each Unit. |
As concrete decisions, it was agreed that: the Formators and Formandi would celebrate Holy Week of 2009 in Rome; the Jubilarians of the Region would be offered a retreat in Ciorani; and the first meeting of the Regional Local Superiors would take place in Madrid in January of 2010.
The next meeting of the Assembly will be in March, 2009, in Cortona, to take advantage of the preparatory meeting for the General Chapter.
We are most grateful for the warm welcome of the Lisbon Province and we are grateful to the communities of Vila Nova de Gaia and Oporto for their kind hospitality. It was a pleasure to spend these days among them.
Munich, Germany
Assembly of Brothers: Europe North
Michael Duxbury, C.Ss.R.
The Regional Secretariat for the Brothers of Europe North and the Province of Munich welcomed confreres from various (v)provinces in the Region for the10th International Assembly of Brothers held at Altötting, Germany from September 8th to 12th. Also present were brothers from South Africa and Ipoh/Singapore. There were 51 Brothers present for the Assembly.
Fr. Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R., from the Center for Redemptorist Spirituality in Rome, animated the confreres through conferences and group reflections on the themes of “Giving Our Lives for Plentiful Redemption’ of “Giving Our Lives for Plentiful Redemption’ “The Challenges facing Religious Life Today” and “Restructuring.” Fr. Gé Janssen presented a reflection using Power Point on the life of Blessed Peter Donders. The group paid a guided visit to The Shrine of Our Lady in Altötting, the Capuchin community and the Church of St. Magdalene which once belonged to the Redemptorists. The group also visited our community and Church in Gars and enjoyed the hospitality and warmth of the Rector and community there. The different language groups organized liturgies and moments of prayer together. Sharing our stories and past experiences helped foster a positive spirit among all the confreres |
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Spain
Province of Madrid
Lay Missionaries of the Most Holy Redeemer
Pedro López, C.Ss.R.
The Redemptorist Province of Madrid is celebrating. In a time of crisis, of cut-backs, of significant reductions in personnel, we Redemptorists are seeing our family grow. This time, however, it is not so much in religious vocations as in the way of life of the lay vocation. On August 1st, the Solemnity of St.Alphonsus, the first 12 Lay Missionaries of the Most Holy Redeemer were welcomed into the Province.
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In recent years groups of lay people have come forth in some of our communities who have felt themselves attracted to the Redemptorist charism. Through proximity to the religious community, they have intensified their interest in the spiritual life, in our experience of the evangelical life and in our pastoral work. So groups have arisen in Perpetual Help (Madrid), St.Gerard (Madrid), Granada, Mérida and Vigo. Some have felt the call to associate themselves with our Province of Madrid as Lay Missionaries of the Most Holy Redeemer. Daniel, Monica, Maria José, Rafa, Pili, Arturo, Inma, Antonio, Maria Angeles, Jorge, Pilar and Juanjo made their commitment in August. Another group will do so in the next few months. |
They make a commitment of a year, which may be renewed annually and which presupposes a lifestyle marked with Alphonsian character, and a readiness for the Redemptorist mission, especially in the fields of the popular mission, the association for solidarity, Redemptorist volunteer ministries, PJVR, ISCM, Perpetual Help Publications, the Gamo Diana School or the pastoral activity of a local community.
With the assurance that we will find occasions to share together space and time in spirituality, life and mission, we give a most hearty welcome to these our new brothers and sisters.
Province of Vietnam
Workshop on Leadership
Mark Duc, C.Ss.R.
The Province of Vietnam, as part of its yearly ongoing formation program, had a workshop on “Leadership” from August 25th to August 29th. 2008 in Ho Chi Minh City. The workshop was conducted by Fr. Joseph Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R, Assisstant Director of the Center for Redemptorist Spirituality in Rome. Around 180 Vietnamese Redemptorist confreres from different communities of the province participated in the workshop.
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Fr. Ivel with his interesting and thought-provoking presentations offered the confreres a new awareness of the various leadership skills as well as a way to apply them in the changing situation of the world and of religious life, especially in Vietnamese society today. This workshop took place at a critical time in our province when we the Vietnamese Redemptorists have been intensely struggling to ask for the return of our properties that have illegally been seized by the government for many years. Hence, these principles of leadership were discussed and applied in the context of a real and challenging situation of conflict in Vietnam. This workshop has also helped our confreres understand the role that leaders should play especially in difficult and challenging situations of our ministry. |
With the grace of God, the workshop ended successfully and opened a new vision for Vietnamese Redemptorists as religious leaders in the context of the Church in Vietnam. We are grateful to the Center for Spirituality, and the General Government for supporting us in the ongoing formation programs of our province. We would like to express our special thanks to Fr. Ivel for his precious time, his fraternal sharing and his expertise to be our resource person for this workshop.
Brazil/USA
Brazilian Redemptorist Missions in New Jersey, USA
Wilson Marques, C.Ss.R.
Seventy-nine years ago, pioneer North American Redemptorists left the United States to preach missions in Brazil, in this instance, in the state of Mato Grosso, where they took up residence in the city of Aquidauana. This year, in an unprecedented move, Brazilian Redemptorists set out from Brazil to preach missions in the United States, once again an extraordinary and historic happening in the Campo Grande province, one that opens new horizons and lifts old barriers. The missionary team from the Campo Grande, which coincidentally works out of Mato Grosso and resides in Aquidauana, went to the cities of Newark and Hillside, New Jersey, to preach in two parishes, St. James in Newark and St. Catherine in Hillside. Drinking from the fountain of the Aparecida Document and the CNBB 2008-2009 Directory, both of which treat of the Missionary Dimension, the Redemptorist Parish Missions intensify ever more fully the work of parish compartmentalization (“sectorization”) thus forming missionary groups and leaders who assume their rightful place in the Church, and give an extraordinary impulse in the Church that is both evangelical and dynamic in its nature. Thus the seed of a Missionary Parish is planted, one whose orientation will continue to expand its missionary spirit. This missionary spirit which has come alive in the Church in Brazil during the last few years has been the result of parish and diocesan missions. It has become so strong that in this year (2008) a new Redemptorist mission team has been created in the Province of Campo Grande which has been invited to preach parish missions in two parishes in the state of New Jersey, arriving there last September 12th. It is a good sign that the reflections of Brazil’s bishops and the missionary insights of the Church of Brazil are beginning to be effective in other countries |
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“The mission gives life to the hope that another world is possible, even in difficult situations”. That is the final declaration of the third American Missionary Congress and the eighth Latin-American Congress (CAM3/COMLAB8), which took place from August 12th to 17th, in Quito, Ecuador. With the theme “The Church by misssionary discipline” and the motto “America with Christ listens, learns and teaches” this Congress invites us to go beyond previous limits and to conquer old frontiers. Thus welcoming this challenge and in union with the Bishops of Brazil and Latin America, the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorist Missionaries) opens the horizons for a continental mission in our Church, sending a Missionary Team from the province of Campo Grande to preach Missions in two parishes: St. James Church in Newark and St. Catherine of Siena in Hillside, New Jersey.
In light of this event, we have only to ask God to bless us and our missionary work, so that we and it may always be enlightened by our Blessed Lady and by Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and the seed sown there may take root and bear good fruit.
Thailand
The Gospel according to Father Joe (Joe Maier, C.Ss.R.)
Book Chronicles Pastor’s work
Asheville Citizens-Times, N.C.
Greg Barrett went to Thailand as a Gannett News Service reporter in 2000 to investigate human trafficking, believing he would confront and condemn parents and others who sold women into sexual slavery.
What he found was a small patch of beauty blooming amid the raw sewage and utter squalor of Bangkok’s worst slums, thanks largely to a dedicated Catholic priest.
Barrett also learned how desperate people can become when starvation is a very real possibility.
“You can’t judge these people from the perch of affluence,” Barrett said. “You have to work in it, smell it, taste it to understand.”
Before Barrett left for Thailand, he made some calls, and everyone he spoke to had the same advice: Find Father Joe.
The Rev. Joe Maier is a Catholic priest who has worked outside the system and inside the slums for 30 years. He has built more than 30 preschools, an AIDS hospice, an orphanage and more, much of it without official permission from the Thai government or from the church.
Barrett was so intrigued that he went back five more times and finally wrote a book, “The Gospel of Father Joe.” Barrett will be at Malaprop’s on Haywood Street at 7 p.m. today to read from his book and talk about Father Joe’s mission.
“He did not set out to build 32 preschools,” Barrett said. “He set out to build one. You don’t have to set out to change the world; you may not even see the results. You just have to concentrate on the rightness of the action.”
It would be easy to work in the slum and live in a comfortable house in a better neighborhood, but Father Joe lives in the same place as the people he serves, among the corrugated shacks and foul smells.
The children who attend the preschools, and even those in the AIDS hospice, are happy, Barrett said.
“There was laughter and play,” he said. “I expected to see the sad faces of a Sally Struthers commercial, but these children were happier than my kids.”
Barrett believes people in affluent societies have a skewed perspective on what’s right.
“We’re issuing tax rebates when there’s a world food crisis,” he said. “And (the rebates are) really corporate subsidies because the intention is for all of us to go out to Best Buy or Radio Shack or the mall and spend it.”
Evil, Barrett says, is not just in the terrorism of flying jets into buildings, but in the everyday things all people fail to do, such as volunteer to feed the hungry, mentor a child, even smile at strangers.
“Evil comes in small doses when we don’t pay attention to the daily stuff,” he said. “I could be on the Internet or I could go out and toss the ball with my son. I tell him to wait a few minutes and the opportunity passes. … We’re not all equipped to be a Father Joe, but we can all do something.”
During all the hours of interviews and phone calls, Barrett took away some important lessons.
He learned not to insulate himself from people in need, because he shouldn’t forget he could be the unfortunate one.
“I believe now that we have prophets all over the world, but you don’t hear about them because they don’t advertise themselves,” he said. “They’re too busy doing God’s work. … God is in the action. He’s not out there, but in the laughter and the comfort we give to each other.”
Centre for Redemptorist Spirituality
The Centre for Redemptorist Spirituality announces two workshops for the coming year 2009.
English May 31-June 19, 2009 at Materdomini
Spanish July 5-July 19, 2009 at Ciorani
The program includes, as usual, a pilgrimage to the Alphonsian sites. The year 2009 is quite particular since it is the year of the General Chapter. Besides the fundamental themes of Redemptorist Spirituality the workshops will also be discussing the themes that are being considered in preparation for the General Chapter.
(V) Provincial Superiors are requested to contact the Centre for Redemptorist Spirituality with regard to registration for the workshops and further details
Fr. Felix Català, C.Ss.R. fcatala@cssr.com
Fr. Ivel Mendanha, C.Ss.R. imendanha@cssr.com
Featured Media:
Slide tour of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupre, Canada (in French).
The shrine celebrated its 350th anniversary last August.
Slide tour of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupre In Powerpoint
Slide tour of the Basilica of Sainte-Anne de Beaupre In html
Recent noteworthy events in the Redemptorist Family. For a complete record of Transitions visit the Officialia site
First Profession of Temporary Vows:
Abraham Ariyamannil, Vice Province of Alwaye, *now the Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
*N.B.: The Vice Province of Alwaye became the Province of Liguori on June 27, 2008
Joseph Kalathara, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
John Kallammakkel, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Joseph Kattunilathil, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Philip Kulangara, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Paul Kumminiyil, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Chandy Muthukattil, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Sebastian Thakidippurathu, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Mathew Thakidiyelkunnel, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Philip Vadakkummury, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
George Velladathu, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Fransiskus Awe, Province of Indonesia, July 10, 2008
Domisianus Erbing Wahyu, Province of Indonesia, July 10, 2008
Lambertus Gamuopun Lewar, Province of Indonesia, July 10, 2008
Yohanes Kristianus Urikame, Province of Indonesia, July 10, 2008
Victor Mariano Parera, Province of Indonesia, July 10, 2008
Marianus Mike, Province of Indonesia, July 10, 2008
Fernandes Nangkang, Province of Indonesia, July 10, 2008
Oktavianus Todo Muda, Province of Indonesia, July 10, 2008
Donatus Terhile Abul, Mission of Ghana, July 16, 2008
Divine Paul Korsi Dargbey, Mission of Ghana, July 16, 2008
Ernest Kofi Mable, Mission of Ghana, July 16, 2008
Cajetan Sixtus Oleka, Mission of Ghana, July 16, 2008
Victor Fofovi Dosu, Vice Province of Nigeria, July 16, 2008
Emmanuel Aniekan Ekanem, Vice Province of Nigeria, July 16, 2008
Paschal Ikenna Nwankwo, Vice Province of Nigerial, July 16, 2008
Francis Chukwuma Alex Okafor, Vice Province of Nigeria, July 16, 2008
Vitus Obinna Orji, Vice Province of Nigerial, July 16, 2008
Kingsley Christopher Tenebe, Vice Province of Nigeria, July 16, 2008
Johathan Ishifundi Udie, Vice Province of Nigeria, July 16, 2008
Brendan Nnaemeka Ugwu, Vice Province of Nigeria, July 16, 2008
Oghenekevwe Ambrose Unuajohwofia, Vice Province of Nigeria, July 16, 2008
Gesson Agenis, Region of Port-au-Prince, August 15, 2008
Pierre Antoine Desruisseaux, Region of Port-au-Prince, August 15, 2008
Pierrot Lazarre, Region of Port-au-Prince, August 15, 2008
Jean Jacques Nicolas, Region of Port-au-Prince, August 15, 2008
Thierry Raphael, Region of Port-au-Prince, August 15, 2008
Jean Bernard Romain, Region of Port-au-Prince, August 15, 2008
Yvon Trémont, Region of Port-au-Prince, August 15, 2008-11-03
Mychajlo, Hasiak, Province of Lviv, August 19, 2008
Vasyl Hladuniak, Province of Lviv, August 19, 2008
Andriy Kachmar, Province of Lviv, August 19, 2008
Taras Kshyk, Province of Lviv, August 19, 2008
Alfredo Artates Delos Santos, Jr. Province of Yorkton, August 31, 2008
William Rakotomanana, Region of Madagascar, September 8, 2008
Germain Rakotovao, Region of Madagascar, September 8, 2008
Jean Emile Ramarolahy, Region of Madagascar, September 8, 2008
Kurt Fréjus Kouakou, Mission of the Ivory Coast, September 8, 2008
Léré Naricsse Awokou, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8, 2008
Eric Bayi, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8, 2008
Dimanchi Gabriel Bourgou, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8, 2008
Dieyabidi Jean-Pierre Lompo, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8, 2008
Etienne Ouedraogo, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8 2008
Sibiri Paulin Sawadogo, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, September 8, 2008
Profession of Perpetual Vows:
Nanlé Sosthène Bambara, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, March 24, 2008
Pascal Wendpuire Tiendrebeogo, Vice Province of Burkina-Niger, March 24, 2008
Alex Theruvamkunnel, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Binoy Antony Uppumackal, Province of Liguori, May 29, 2008
Eddy Fervil, Region of Port-au-Prince, August 15, 2008
Andrij Dobrovetsky, Province of Lviv, August 17, 2008
Bohdan Heleta, Province of Lviv, August 17, 2008
Vasyl Melnychenko, Province of Lviv, August 17, 2008
Apolinariy Nikalayev, Province of Lviv, August 17, 2008
Andrij Yurkevych, Province of Lviv, August 17, 2008
Raymundus Silvensius Nagu Segu, Province of Indonesia, September 1, 2008
Paulo Pellizzari, Province of Naples, September 11, 2008
Paul Adedeji Adegoriola, Vice Province of Nigeria, September 27, 2008
Jude Onyi Dibia, Vice Province of Nigeria, September 27, 2008
Henry Ogbonna, Vice Province of Nigeria, September 27, 2008
Andrew Onazi Ogbu, Vice Province of Nigeria, September 27, 2008
John Osagie Ogiehor, Vice Province of Nigeria, September 27, 2008
Vincent Obogo Oko, Vice Province of Nigeria, September 27, 2008
Alphonsus Abiodun Olawale, Vice Province of Nigeria, September 27, 2008
Denny Enrique Jiménez Villanueva, Vice Province of Caracas, October 5, 2008
Ordination to the Priesthood:
Wilson Marques Dias, Province of Campo Grande, September 12, 2008
Deaths:
Rev. Carmine Coppola, 80, Province of Naples, August 30, 2008
Rev. Mário Antônio Bonotti, 95, Province of São Paulo, September 1, 2008
Rev. Joseph Ross, 80, Province of Edmonton-Toronto, September 4, 2008
Rev. Kazimierz Smoleń, 73. Province of Warsaw, September 8, 2008
Rev. Anthony Edward Hodgetts, 70, Province of London, September 14, 2008
Rev. John Smith, 79, Province of South Africa, September 22, 2008
Br. Klemens (Gregor) Platzköster, 78, Province of St. Clement/Region of Cologne, September 22, 2008
Br. Jerome Jadczak, 87, Province of Denver, September 23, 2008
Rev. Thomas Harnett Cosgrove, 89, Province of Denver, September 23, 2008
Rev. Vincent James Kelly, 94, Province of Baltimore, September 26, 2008
Rev. Raymond Dobbs, 81, Region of Aotearoa, October 3, 2008
Rev. José Cruz Sánchez Echeverría, 91, Province of Madrid, October 5, 2008
Rev. Santino Raponi, 88, Province of Rome, October 8, 2008
Rev. Francis Toner, 86, Province of Dublin, October 14, 2008
Rev. Ryszard Marcinek, 70, Province of Warsaw, October 17, 2008
Br. Wladyslaw (Sebastian) Lachowicz, 80, Province of Warsaw, October 18, 2008
Rev. Thomas Redmond Duggan, Province of Denver, 87, October 23, 2008
60th Jubilee of Profession:
Alphonsus Walsh, Province of Cebu, November 21, 2008
Luigi Marazzo, Province of Naples, November 22, 2008
50th Jubilee of Profession:
Pierre Queloz, Province of Boliva, November 9, 2008
50th Jubilee of Ordination:
Alvino Noronha, Province of Bangalore, November 14, 2008
25th Jubilee of Profession:
John Michael Conner, Province of Baltimore, November 3, 2008
Electoral News:
Father Maruo José Matiazzi elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of São Paulo. Confirmed September 2, 2008.
Appointments:
Father Luciano Panella appointed Superior of the Community of Saint Alphonsus, Rome on September 13, 2008 for the triennium with an effective date of December 8, 2008.
Resignations:
Father Patrick O Keeffe from the office of Econome General. Accepted September 8, 2008.
Father Jeong Ho Raphael Lee from the office of Regional Superior, Region of Korea, accepted September 8, 2008.
Erection and Transfer of Novitiate Houses:
Novitiate house “Mater Domini” of the Vice Province of Nigeria erected in the city of Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria on September 12, 2008
Novitiate house of the Vice Province of Nigeria, “Liguori House,” in the city of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, transferred to “Mater Domini” in the City of Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria on September 12, 2008.
Suppression of Houses:
Domus “Villa Saint-Gérard” in the city of Haubourdin, France, suppressed on August 26, 2008.
Domus in the city of Leoben, Austria suppressed on September 19, 2008.
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