Rome, Italy FROM THE EDITOR:
CONFERENCE NEWS: FROM THE PROVINCES:
REDEMPTORISTS IN THE NEWS:
ANNOUNCEMENTS: TRANSITIONS:
New Wine We hope you will enjoy some upgrades in our website coverage of Redemptorist news. Besides the cosmetic changes and photos you see with this issue of SCALA news, we have further photo galleries of some of these same events (and others) on www.redemptorist.info – a new, experimental page under testing to bring you news quickly and to reach out to the general public by engaging in the social networking sites of Facebook and Twitter. Join us on both for daily updates. We also will be uploading videos and podcasts we think will be of interest to you on the page. If you have a video or podcast you think is worthwhile to share, send it to us on CD or tell us where we can find the link to it on the net. Because we expect Facebook and Twitter to bring more people to our site, we have the hope that it will lead to inquiries about a vocation. So we have constructed a page on www.redemptorist.info listing vocation directors in the 5 conferences. If you are a vocation director and are not yet included, please send me your name and e-mail and we will add you to the list. We have also linked to as many unit websites as we are aware of so that people who live near you may visit and learn about your unit. Because of our publishing deadlines I am writing this well before the episcopal ordination of our Superior General Emeritus, Archbishop Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R. By the time you read this, we may already have some video and photos up on the www.redemptorist.info site and, if we are fortunate, maybe there would have been a “live video stream,” which we notified you about in a special e-mail. As I write this we are still awaiting word from the Vatican whether that is possible or not. Elections for unit Superiors are well underway in many units. We will bring you the results on the news feature on www.redemptorist.info as they are confirmed by the General Council. Can you tell we are trying to have you use www.redemptorist.info ?
Synod of Bishops on the Middle East The day after Archbishop Tobin’s episcopal ordination, the opening liturgy for the Synod of Bishops on the Middle East will take place at St. Peter’s Basilica and turn the spotlight on the Christian communities of that region. The problems of the minority Christian churches in the Middle East are well-known. A short list would include the massive emigration of Christians, political and military conflict, economic hardship, travel restrictions, discrimination and interreligious tensions, especially in predominantly Muslim countries. Participating in the Synod will be Redemptorist archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, Chaldean Archbishop of Arbil, whose eparchy is located about 300 kilometers north of Baghdad. He will be staying with us along with another guest, Archbishop Emil Shimoun Nona, Archbishop of Chaldean Mossul. We hope to visit with Bishop Warda and obtain his reflections on his homeland and the Synod for an upcoming issue of SCALA.
European Colloquia 90 Redemptorists and co-workers of the Conference of Europe gathered in Trois-Epis, France, 13-17 September 2010 for a colloquia to reflect and share on the experience of Parish missions in the various units of Europe. Go to http://www.cssrmission.com/ to view the acta of their proceedings.  European Colloquia participants Inauguration of the Academic Year at the Alphonsianum
Editor’s note: More photos of this event on the photo page of www.redemptorist.info Grace and Redemption for all! Conference of Asia-Oceania Thirty-five confreres gathered in Bangalore for the first Assembly of the Conference of Asia-Oceania from September 19 to 29. We came from New Zealand, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka. The Conference took place at Nava Spoorthi Kendra, the Redemptorist Renewal Centre, which is part of the complex of Redemptorist buildings which include, the community residence, the parish church of the Holy Ghost, the theologate (41 seminarians) and the Provincial Office and residence. Father Paul Pazhangattu, the Provincial of Bangalore and Father Xavier Sanjivi, Director of the Centre, and their staff made us very welcome.  Asia-Oceania Conference Assembly
The moderators, Peter Brown (Aotearoa/New Zealand), Clement Vadakkedath (Liguori) and Brendan Kelly (Cebu) kept us on track and we were able to recommend to the General Council Statutes for the Conference and also nominations for the role of Conference Coordinator. The nominations were as follows: Joseph Apisit Kritsaralam (Thailand) Ivel Mendanha (Mumbai), Jovencio Ma (Cebu) and two supplentes in case the original nominations were appointed as a major superior in the forthcoming Chapters. The supplentes are Paul Bird (Canberra) and Patrick Massang (Ipoh). We also came to agreement on Conference apostolic priorities and financial contributions from the units to fund the position of Conference Coordinator and ancillary roles. The Conference tasks were challenging, but the region has had several previous meetings and the accords produced at these meetings in Perth, Pattaya, Cebu and now Bangalore have wrought an accord in many areas and evidenced a number of cooperative projects. FROM THE PROVINCES:
Paraguay
Especially to be noted was the participation of Father Michael Brehl, Superior General of the Congregation, who had the homily. Also taking part were Father Patrick Woods (Superior of the Baltimore Province), Giovanni Congiu (Superior of the Province of Rome) and Enrique Lopez (Vicar General). Redemptorists from other countries also concelebrated as well as other Redemptorists from URSAL (Union of Redemptorists of Southern Latin America) and from URB (Union of Redemptorists of Brazil), and other priest guests. It was a celebration of great importance for the Church in Paraguay and for the whole Congregation.
The Redemptorists in Paraguay The first Redemptorists arrived in Paraguay in 1930. They were North Americans from the Province of Baltimore who had been working in the mission of Bela Vista (Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil). They only had to cross the Apo River to begin celebrating Masses and preaching in the zone of Bella Vista Norte -- Paraguayan territory. But the demands were multiple and diverse. In Brazil, they spoke Portuguese; now they had to learn Spanish and Guarani. The first Redemptorist to celebrate the Eucharist in Paraguay was Father Frank Mohr, on April 29, 1930. In August of that year the Redemptorists began to do missionary work in Paraguayan territory. Nevertheless, it was not until September 28, 1934, that they received permission for the first Redemptorist foundation. In 1935 they established the first Redemptorist mission house in Bella Vista Norte. In 1936, the Redemptorists had reached as far as Pedro Juan Caballero; and in 1940 they established a second mission house there. They did not arrive in Asunción, the capital of the country, until 1944. In 1945 they made their missionary presence known in Pilar. A few years later, then Father General, Fr. Leonardo Buys, decided to send to Paraguay Redemptorist missionaries from the Roman Province as well. On February 17, 1951, the first Italian Redemptorists arrived in Pilar to take the place of the North American Redemptorists in that zone of the country. On October 21, 1981, the Vice-Province of Asunción was created, and on September 5, 1994, the Vice-Province of Pilar was established. After an open and frank process of dialog, and after having shared together various projects in formation and the pastoral mission, both Vice-Provinces have now united juridically to form the new “Province of Paraguay”. Proclamation of the Word of God and the Social Apostolate In his homily at the inaugural Mass, Fr.Michael Brehl (Superior General) stated that “Evangelization, the proclamation of the Word of God, and the social apostolate remain the essential elements and unifying principles of the mission of the Redemptorists in Paraguay.” He said as well that "the first Redemptorists to arrive in Paraguay as preachers and missionaries, were inflamed with zeal for the Gospel; their nearness to the people and their compassion, which reflected the compassion of God, the compassion of Jesus, and the compassion of Alphonsus, led them also into the social apostolate.” "Moved by this same compassion of God, Alphonsus gave his life to Jesus in the abandoned poor of Italy. Saint Alphonsus dreamed of the day when his followers, his dear Redemptorists, would give their lives also for abundant redemption in all the corners of the world. Imagine the joy of Alphonsus today when we celebrate the beginning of this new Province of Paraguay! His dream is coming to fruition even as we celebrate this Eucharist.” Finally, he emphasized the hope to be seen in the number of young Redemptorists present and in the enthusiasm of “many lay people, men and women, who have put at your disposal their gifts, their hearts, and their hands in order to work together with you in this missionary apostolate.” Extraordinary missionary spirit and great generosity
He remembered Father Francisco Balbuena (1922-2004), first Paraguayan Redemptorist, very well known and loved by all. His predilection was missionary work in the rural area, among the campesinos. This Father was a dedicated missionary, simple, close to the people, committed to his vocation, always ready to take on the challenges of the mission and to bring hope to all. He remembered also Father Federico Schiavon (1923-2002), an Italian. This priest worked mostly in Pilar; he was close to the people, walked the streets, visited the families, and spoke with everyone. He founded FROSEP (Redemptorist Foundation for Social and Educational Work in Pilar). Finally, he remembered the recently deceased Father Robert Hopwood (1925-2010), a North American. “Padre Robertito”, as he was called, worked for more than fifty years in Paraguay. He was a country missionary, especially in the northern part of the Region Oriental and during the times when the only means of transportation there was riding a horse. He assisted many people with the Sacrament of Reconciliation, worked among the poor, especially with those who had neither food nor work, and worked among the artisans. He brought the Society of St.Vincent de Paul to Paraguay and, ultimately committed himself to working for our clinic “Capellanes de Chaco” where the poor can have access to dignified medical and health care. “With this,” the Provincial concluded, “I wish to present the image of the Redemptorist dedicated to his people.” Editor’s note: More photos of this event on the photo page of www.redemptorist.info Colombia The Redemptorists of Colombia have dedicated this year to the fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the Province of Bogota. An ample program has been devised beginning in 2009 with the grateful remembrance of the 1859 arrival of Fathers Tirino, D’Elia and Loyodice on Latin American soil from the Province of Naples. The mission did not succeed due to the death of two of the confreres, but the Redemptorist seed would have its germination with the foundation of the first stable community in Buga, founded in 1884 by the French-Swiss Province. There would follow other communities founded by the Province of Madrid beginning in 1927. The Province of Bogotá was created by a Decree of Superior General William Gaudreau on April 2, 1960. From then on it has looked for and found its way forward through the midst of many difficulties and in line with the changes within the Church and in the world. The main events of this celebration are the following: Throughout the whole year there has been a program of celebrations in the various communities of the Province with special religious, cultural and academic events. The main events took place in the month of August. July 30the the Church and the Congregation were excited over the episcopal ordination of Msgr.Francisco Antonio Ceballos Escobar, C.Ss.R., new Apostolic Vicar for the immense territory of Puerto Carreño, on the border with Venezuela. This event saw some 40 bishops, 100 diocesan priests, many religious order priests and many Redemptorists gather for the celebration in Buga. August 1 began with the first Mass presided over by the new bishop in the parish of San Alfonso and the Provincial house in Bogota. There followed the grand celebration of fourteen Redemptorists Jubilarians and their specially invited guests for the Mass and for the banquet. A very well attended celebration also took place on the 2nd of August in the Parish of St. Gerard Majella in Bogotá. There were more fraternal celebrations held in the houses of formation in Suba and El Quiroga. For these events we were graced with the presence of Provincials and Redemptorists from Paris-Lyon, Madrid, Quito, and Caracas, as well as receiving many greetings from all the Redemptorist units.
Father General with concelebrants On August 3 and 4 a panel discussion took place, which included, among others, Fathers Ignacio Gonzalez, Noel Londono, Luis Antonio Rojas, Mesias Toscano and Samuel Torres. The Provincials and their delegates attended these festivities as did also Father General Michael Brehl, along with Consultor João Pedro Fernandes, having just arrived from the establishing of the new Province of Paraguay. The theme for these two days of dialog was The History of the Congregation and of the Province of Bogotá. All the young men in Formation were present, including the Novices from Piedecuesta, more than fifty Redemptorists and around a hundred lay people and friends. For the first time we had a gathering which brought together all the sectors of the Province along with the laity and we talked amply about our history, our identity and our activities. During the discussion the history of the Province and a commemorative photo album were officially unveiled and a recent edition of the letters of Casanare was mentioned.
During the celebration a Hymn of the Province was published. The words of the chorus say: Thank you, Lord, for so many years of dedication and love! Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord! To be a missionary is the highest honor. Editor’s note: More photos are available in the photo gallery of www.redemptorist.info.
Province of Rio de Janeiro On September 1, 1906, Redemptorist missionaries arrived in Curvelo, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to begin a new foundation. They chose St. Gerard Majella, canonized just two years earlier by Pope Pius X on December 11, 1904, as its patron. In order to carry out their ministry, they were given the old “Little Church of the Rosary.” The construction of today’s Basilica began on March 22, 1912 and was completed in March of 1918. Just as in Materdomini, where the little chapel dedicated to the Mother of God received the pilgrim Gerard, so it was likewise in Curvelo, where the ancient chapel dedicated to the Mother of God was transformed under the patronage of St. Gerard into a Sanctuary and majestic Basilica, a shining center of Christian faith and spirituality. “The architecture of the Basilica, in its totality, is of countless artistic worth. It is a monument of faith and piety that invites and inspires prayer from all who visit. No person leaves the Basilica without feeling they’ve had an encounter with God, or been given a message of faith and inspiration after spending a few moments in personal reflection. Daylight penetrates the stain-glassed windows, which produce a mystical and uplifting atmosphere. It is a true “symphony of colors”, as if it were a rainbow that, gazing upon them, immediately takes one heavenward with their beauty. It gives one a breath-taking sense of admiration for the balance and harmony that the interior artwork inspires. There is nothing heavy or complicated. The arrangements unfold before one in a pleasing and discrete manner. The basilica’s beauty achieves a sort of miracle: it pleases all who look upon it.” ( cf. the illustrated commemorative book “Saint Gerard Majella in the Basilica of Curvelo” [São Geraldo Majela na Basílica de Curvelo”], published by the Province of Rio de Janeiro on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the Redemptorist Congregation.) St. Gerard in Curvelo is the only Basilica in the world, outside of (Materdomini) Italy, dedicated to the saint. In Curvelo, it has become a place of pilgrimage for people from all parts of Brazil and the world. The crowds are especially large during the octave of Saint Gerard (celebrated here at the end of August and beginning of September) and during the triduum in honor of Saint Gerard (which ends with a celebration of the anniversary of his death, October 16, or on the following Sunday.) Ninety-four years later, some signs of structural and architectural wear were becoming evident. The Institute of Historic and Artistic Patrimony of Minas Gerais ((IEPHA/MG) was called in. In May of 2006 after a thorough examination by the agency responsible for the protection of historical patrimony, a full report was made under the direction of Elizabeth Sales de Carvalho. It was only in 2010, with the collaboration and recommendation of IEPHA, did we request a more detailed architectural analysis of the Basilica, made by architect André Pinto. The analysis was made, and Mr. Pinto made architectural plans to renovate the Basilica. The work would be complex and delicate, demanding experienced professionals and specialists in the renovation of buildings of great artistic, historic, cultural and religious worth. So it was that the same agency referred us to a company called IMPACTO ENGENHARIA e EMPREENDIMENTOS LTDA, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, to accomplish the Basilica’s renovation. After many long meetings regarding the work’s cost, a contract was signed and a time-line was put together for the work’s completion within four months. This is how a dream has turned into reality! At the end of June, the renovation of the basilica was begun. The estimated cost is R$ 600.000,00 ( reais). This covers the costs of the new tiles and supports, a metal structure to replace the wooden supports weakened by termites, new gutters and drainpipes, repair of the stained glass windows and doors, new electric installations, and external painting. It is our desire that the renovated Basilica of Saint Gerard will continue to reflect the strong Christian faith in the well known “Princess of the Wilderness”, as the city of Curvelo is known. It is where Saint Gerard, a humble Redemptorist Brother, came to make his home among us, and through his intercession, to bring health, peace, happiness and prosperity to so many devotees from all parts of Brazil and the entire world. Anyone wishing to read about the Basilica can look us up on the internet: (www.basilicasaogeraldo.org.br) , and if you wish to make a donation, you can make it through direct bank deposit (Banco do Brasil, Agency 0103-1; account number 4.028-2, in the name of Congregação Redentorista/ Convento São Geraldo).
Province of Porto Alegre
Northern Europe, Bratislava  On the 19th to the 23rd of September 2010, the traditional conference of Redemptorist brothers from Northern Europe was held in Bratislava, the capital city of Slovakia. The topic was “Renewed hope, renewed hearts, renewed structures for mission”. About 41 brothers from all over the former region of Northern Europe attended this conference. The mornings were given over to work. However, the main topics, which reflected the contemporary situation of our Congregation and the decisions of the last General Chapter, were presented later in the day by the Vicar General, P. Enrique López, and by the Munich Provincial, Edmund Hipp, on the topic of “Seven guiding principles”. For the two Vice Provinces of Slovakia, P. Martin Macko presented the report for the Roman-Catholic Rite and P. Atanáz Mandzák for the Michalskú Rite (Greek-Catholic). The first report analyzed the history of the Vice-Province of Bratislava and the second report dealt with the history of the Redemptorists in Slovakia at the time of communism and of Blessed Methodius Dominic Trčka, C.Ss.R. There were also sessions for sharing in the different language groups: English, German and Slovak. Although we stayed in hotels, we were able to visit some of our houses, in particular the Provincial house in Bratislava, where there are dormitories for students, and the monastery in Kostolná-Záriečie near Trenčín, approximately 120 km north of Bratislava. In our church in Bratislava, SS Cyril and Methodius, the Vicar Provincial of Bratislava, P. Václav Hypius, welcomed the participants on behalf of the Vice- Provincial. He also celebrated Mass. Near Trencin, P. Enrique López and the delegates celebrated Mass in the monastery chapel, consecrated to the Mother of Perpetual Help. This day in particular was very joy filled. After sightseeing in the city of Trenčín and the celebration of Mass, a very good buffet and grill took place in the big monastery garden. There are almost 180 castles in Slovakia, and on the penultimate day of the conference, the brothers visited one of these, Devín castle, beside the Danube on the Austrian-Slovak border. In the evening, Mass was celebrated in the Eastern rite at a pilgrimage place called Marianka, near Bratislava On another evening there was an opportunity to see the film about our Redemptorist brother from Vietnam, Marcel Van. Fr. Peter Slobodník deserves a special word of gratitude for organizing all this. We are also very grateful for the great support and motivation we received from Br. Michael Duxbury and Fr. Edmund Hipp, Provincial of Munich Province. It was they who came up with the idea of holding this last meeting of the Northern European brothers here in Bratislava.
Redemptorists seek closure in Fr. Romano’s 1985 abduction
However, the church's advocacy of good governance, championing the rights of the poor and the fight for justice for the desaparecidos like Fr. Romano continues, said Redemptorist parish priest Ricky Acero. A desaparecido is a Spanish term referring to a victim of a forced disappearance which occurs when a person is secretly imprisoned or killed by agents of a state or any other organization, but the organization does not admit that they carried out the act thereby placing the victim outside the protection of the law. With another Aquino administration taking over the affairs of the country, Fr. Acero said they have been given a new hope that they would finally put closure to the disappearance of Fr. Romano. “While we have accepted that he (Fr. Romano) will no longer be able to come back to us, the quest for justice for him and other desaparecidos is still ongoing especially in the light of other abductions which has continued,” he said. According to Fr. Acero, they have put up a Social Concerns Office dedicated to Fr. Romano to continue his advocacies. Acero said all Masses today at the Redemptorist would be dedicated to Fr. Romano in commemoration of his disappearance. He said this year was extra special because it is the 25th anniversary of his abduction so they set-up an exhibit at the entrance of the Redemptorist Church to display pictures documenting Fr. Romano’s activities while working for his advocacies. Also on display are pictures and documents of other desaparecidos. After the 4:45 p.m. Mass, a short liturgy to be followed by candlelighting will be held at the rotunda fronting the Redemptorist Church. Fr. Romano was abducted by armed men believed to be military intelligence agents on the afternoon of July 11, 1985. Since then, nothing has been heard about him. A scion of an affluent family in Villareal town, Western Samar, Fr. Romano abandoned his comfortable life for the poor. He joined the Redemptorists and was assigned to its missions from 1965 to 1976. He was named regional director of vocations from 1976 to 1980 and spent full time in social action and human rights advocacy from 1980 to 1985.
Singapore This year the Redemptorists celebrate 75 years of their presence in Singapore and Malaysia. They arrived in British Malaysia in 1935, one of the darkest periods of its history, which saw the Second World War and mass killing, the Japanese occupation which led to poverty and hunger. In a shattered world, they began to spread the love of God through their works. Over the years their presence has grown, and now they run parishes, care for prison inmates, follow the young and the elderly, and hold the famous Novena. Saturday Novena is a real institution in Singapore and attracts thousands of people of different faiths, seeking the intercession of the Virgin Mary. Each week students, officials, affluent, Filipino domestic workers and even Hindus flock to the church on Thomson Road. It first began in 1949 and since then little has changed. Father Peter Wee, a 30 year old Redemptorist tells AsiaNews that their goals are the same as they were in the beginning: to spread the Good News and pray for full redemption in Christ. "The methods may change." he says, "and today we use modern technology such as Internet and texting to spread the Good News. But we always want the people of God to experience the fullness of God's redemption, without distinction of social status, rich or poor, young or old, male or female, educated or not." The Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer or the Redemptorists, now wants to involve people through a musical production on the life of its founder, St. Alphonsus de Liguori. It was staged in Kuala Lumpur and Singapoer to raise funds for earthquake victims in Haiti. To mark their 75th anniversary, the Redemptorists also launched a special book entitled ‘Tree of Redemption: People, Places, Pilgrims’. It details their journey of faith and service and includes vivid interviews with priests and devotees. The book features inspirational stories of people whose lives were changed by the Redemptorists. In one tale, a suicidal girl drops by the church to say goodbye. Unaware of her plans, a priest invites her to have tea with him. His generosity of time makes her change her mind, and the girl goes home and tears up her suicide note. The book also recalls the story of St. Alfonso and the founding of the Order, as well as the arrival of the Redemptorists in Singapore. Vice-Provincial Fr Patrick Massang tells AsiaNews that "They came with nothing except a zeal and passion to make God known to the most abandoned. After 75 years, the passion and zeal still continue to live on"." This celebration," he concludes, " is not just for Redemptorists but a celebration for the Church of Singapore and Malaysia”.
Vietnam: On July 20, 2010 there were 50 young Catholics who participated
in a one-month (36 hours) course of “Basic Skills for Catholic
Mass Media”. The course was held by the Commission for Redemptorist
Mass Media at the Redemptorist Pastoral Center.
Before 1975, mass media was one of the pastoral priorities of the Redemptorists in Vietnam. Father Roch Nguyễn Tự Do undertook ATAS Radio. We had Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) magazine, Tuổi Hoa books and newspaper, Đứng Dậy magazine, OLPH publisher and press, Cứu Thế Tùng Thư library. After 1975, the communist government closed down all those works. From 1988, the internet has begun to develop in Vietnam and some new projects for mass media have begun by the Redemptorists. Last year, Monsignor Peter Nguyễn Văn Tài, Director of Radio Caritas Asia in the Philippines, expressed his dream to unite all the groups of people who work for Catholic mass media in Vietnam. For the Redemptorists, this was the first course to gather and train the youth who work for Catholic mass media in Viet Nam but have not belonged to any official organization yet. The content of the course covered the following subjects:
1. Vision of Catholic mass media in Viet Nam One of the participators, Mr. John Lê Quang Vinh said: “I hope that after this course we will be more aware of our Christian mission in a mass media age, in order to recognize what is a "true communication" in what Jesus has proclaimed and what is deceitful propaganda. Jesus is the Truth and the Communication Word of the Father. The participants determination to work in Catholic mass media in Vietnam is a good result of the course.”
In the beautiful city of Trent, nestled in the Italian Alps, 55 confreres from more than 30 countries participated in the 7th Redemptorist Moral Theology Congress July 21-24. It was a fitting place because the Council of Trent (1545-63) granted Moral Theology status as a separate branch of theology. A few centuries later, St. Alphonsus would be declared the Patron Saint of Moralists. The main theme of this Congress was to examine the classical and contemporary sources of Moral Theology. Fr. Tony Kelly from Australia began with a reflection on the Resurrection, the fundamental event of our faith and Church’s existence. Yet St. Alphonsus rarely spoke about it, and our own Constitutions and Statues only mention it once.What possibilities could this offer to present and future moral reasoning? Fr. Alberto de Mino from Spain spoke about the Bible and Moral Theology. Far too often in the past there was little dialogue between the two. After Vatican II, how can Moral Theology now be nourished by the Scriptures? Fr. Terry Kennedy, from Australia, professor at the Alphonsian Academia in Rome, showed all the problems of using the Natural Law theory today. Many reject it outright. The Eastern part of the Church has rarely used it. Can there be a modernized version? Part of the problem comes from the fact that Culture and History, two items so prevalent in all moral thinking today, are not present. The word NATURE needs to be explained once again. Fr. Marciano Vidal from Spain asked if there could be a Global Ethics which all peoples would accept? Twenty years ago Fr. Hans Kung’s attempt was considered too western in its formulation. Society worldwide has awakened to problems like torture, sexual abuse, issues of war and peace, ecology, etc. which cry out for answers and responses. Canadian Fr. Mark Miller, current provincial of the Edmonton-Toronto Province, talked about his experiences in Bioethics. He walked the members of the Congress through many cases. One key point for him was to listen to the stories of suffering people before applying general principles.Fr. Aristide Gnada from the Congo, newest professor at the Alphonsianum, has created a new insight into moral reasoning through the paradigm of GIFT. There is the gift giver, the gift in itself, and he who receives the gift. Veteran professors are looking to see how this new teaching will play out. Fr. Brian Dolan, a Scotsman who works in South Africa and pursuing a Doctorate at the Alphonsianum, led the participants through a reflection questioning the future of “natural law,” a subject which he confesses that he passionately follows. In spite of all its limitations and short-comings, he thinks the concept of “natural law” can survive in a pluralistic society and grow in importance once again. Because of the good results here, many expressed hope for an 8th Congress, and that it be held in a Redemptorist center. Perhaps at Aparecida Brazil in 2014. Fr. Enrique López, Vicar General, mentioned that the new General Government plans to set up theological “departments” in the new Conferences to be created. One will be for promoting Moral Theology among the confreres and those with whom we work. Maybe something can be done on the parish level, like what Fr. Bill Bueche, former professor at the Alphonsianum and now a parish priest, has done in Minneapolis (Denver Province, USA) last Lent: holding a series of reflections and talks with Fr. Donnell Kirchner on moral issues for parishioners. On the afternoon of the July 24, about 30 confreres left for home while 25 stayed on in Trent for the second Catholic Theological Ethics Congress, which was attended by more than 600 theologians from over 70 countries.  Pictured left to right: Benjamin Menegola (Brazil); Henry Beauchamp (Puerto Rico); Mark Miller (Canada); Kevin O’Neil (Balt.USA); and Alberto De Mingo (Spain).
Denver Province On Sunday, August 1, the Redemptorist order across America offered the first-ever, national 'Blessing for Arthritics' after each and every Mass at their parishes and retreat centers across the country. The blessings was held on this particular Sunday because August 1 is the feast day of their founder, St Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787), a doctor of the Church and also the patron saint of those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. St Alphonsus himself suffered from severe arthritis for the last forty years of his life. The disease left him permanently bent forward and confined to a wheelchair. "This is the first blessing of its kind, as far as we know, on a national scale, for people who suffer the chronic and debilitating agonies of arthritis, fibromyalgia and other serious physical conditions," said the Very Reverend Thomas D Picton, CSsR, provincial superior of the Denver Province. "We hope this is the beginning of an annual tradition that brings people to our churches to ask for the blessing and intercession of our great saint on his feast day and to beseech Our Father in Heaven to grant these suffering souls deliverance from their pains." Prayer cards to St Alphonsus Liguori were also be distributed as part of the blessing ceremony. Announcement from the Secretary General Copies of Acta Integra Capituli Generalis XXIV, the comprehensive edition of the documentation of the XXIV General Chapter, were sent to all Units of the Congregation this past July. They should have arrived by now. If you did not receive copies, or would like more copies, please let me know and I will send them. Storia della Congregazione del Santissimo Redentore, Vol. II/I, Prima Espansione (1793-1855, [The Story of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Vol. II/I, First Expansion (1793-1855)] has now been published, in soft and hard cover. It is in the Italian language. We will soon send one soft cover copy to every Unit of the Congregation. If you would like more soft cover copies or hard cover copies, please let me know and I will send them as soon as possible.
North America announces special St. John Neumann Retreats USA Four retreats will be conducted by Father Richard Boever in the United States to commemorate the 150th anniversary of St. John Neumann in 2010 and the 200th anniversary of his birth in 2011. The dates, locations and contact e-mails are: January 4-7, 2011 – Redemptorist Renewal Center, Tucson, Arizona All retreats begin at noon on the fdirst day and end at noon on the last day. Conference and Homily Topics will be: Overview of the life of St. John Neumann Retreat Director: Father Richard Boever, C.Ss.R. began his acquaintance with St. John Neumann 30 years ago while writing his doctoral dissertation entitled, “The Spirituality of St. John Neumann.” Over the years, he has made presentations on the saint to various groups. The year 2010 marks the 150th anniversary of Neumann’s death, and 2011 celebrates his 200th birthday. During a recent sabbatical, Fr. Boever wrote a book, to be published by Liguori Publications, which includes a new biography (written in the first person as though Neumann was telling his own story) based on major personal documents of the saint. Father Boever is presently stationed with the Liguori Mission Team and is on-loan to the Baltimore Province as a research expert at the Neumann Shrine at St. Peter’s in Philadephia, PA, USA.
First Profession of Temporary Vows: Profession of Perpetual Vows: Ordination to the Priesthood: Deaths: Jubiless for October/November 60th Jubilee of Profession: 60th Jubilee of Ordination: 50th Jubilee of Profession: 50th Jubilee of Ordination: 25th Jubilee of Ordination: Electoral News: Rev. Vicente Soria Fleitas elected Provincial Superior of the Province of Paraguay. Confirmed July 26, 2010. Rev. Osvaldo Román Duartge Ramírez elected Vicar Provincial of the Province of Paraguay. Confirmed July 26, 2010. Appointments:
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