As the above photo shows, publishing houses are vying for our business with the new edition of the Roman Missal that will replace the soon-to-be-suppressed Sacramentary starting this Advent. Maryknollers are invited to check out the nine samples on display in the Spellman Room and select which version they like best. Editions vary from the very elaborate and ornate tomes going for $500+ to the humbler, no frills versions for $89. And several in between. The liturgy committee will then buy several copies for the many chapels in our Center. Individual Maryknollers may also order a personal copy for retreats and private home Masses (assuming these will still be allowed).
You laugh? Have you checked out what the diocese of Phoenix is implementing in the not-yet-determined future? They are curtailing the number of times Communion under both species may be offered to the laity. You may read their official document here: http://www.diocesephoenix.org/uploads/docs/COMMUNION-NEWS-RELEASE-092111.pdf as well as read their reasoning, among which is that too frequent Communion under both species risks the Sacrament becoming "commonplace." Google it for yourself, and read the blogosphere which is all abuzz with not-so-positive reactions.
You may read one such blog here: http://www.patheos.com/community/diaryofawimpycatholic/2011/09/25/phoenix-goes-dry-i-weep/
One blogger speculated that by drastically decreasing the number of times the laity receive the Precious Blood, they effectively eliminate the need for so many Extraordinary Ministers cluttering up the aisles. First came the return of kneeling during the consecration; can altar rails be far behind?
To be fair, I don't know of many parishes that offered Communion under both kinds on a regular, let alone weekly basis. And special occasions (weddings, funerals, retreats) are exempt, as are religious houses.
Coincidentally (?), Eucharistic Adoration is enjoying a come-back. This succeeds in putting the pesky laity back in their place in the bleachers, as the Eucharist once again becomes a passive spectator sport. Surely somewhere in the Dead Sea Scrolls, (now available online!) Jesus must have actually said, "Take and stare at this; this is my Body. And don't even think of drinking my Blood except on rare occasions outlined in your diocesan directory." Of course, Jesus said all this in Aramaic and God only knows what Jesus really meant.
On a sadly tangential note: last week at a meeting of Directors of Religious Education in the diocese of Brooklyn, auxiliary Bishop Frank Caggiano mentioned how one of the oldest extant chalices in the Vatican museum is made of glass and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The bishop was visibly moved by the theology that maintained the vessel was secondary to its precious contents. As Mary let the divine presence shine through her flesh into that of her Son, so too did this transparent chalice focus attention on its most holy contents. Then he added, almost wistfully, "Of course, nowadays this wouldn't be allowed."
I suggested to Fr. Leo Shea, Coordinator for All Centenary Committees, that among the artifacts we are considering putting into the Centenary Time Capsule, we might include the Sacramentary which passes into oblivion this November. Wouldn't that be divine justice if, in 50+ years, the people open the capsule and see how Mass was done in the later half of the 20th Century? They might rise up and demand that their female bishops return to the Traditional Vatican II Mass in English and forgo praying the liturgy in Latin.
Showing posts with label Fr. Leo Shea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fr. Leo Shea. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Mass hi-jacked?
Word reached me from multiple sources even down in Queens that there was an incident during the closing liturgy for the Maryknoll Alumni weekend.
The first sign that something was up was when the prayers of the faithful went on longer than the homily. Among them was one asking Maryknoll to "do the right thing" in regards to Fr. Bourgeois and not dismiss him from the Society.
But things really got interesting post Communion, when, instead of the normal announcements one would hear at a parish Mass about upcoming rummage sales and pot-luck suppers, former Maryknoller and now Episcopalian priest, Father Frank Alagna stood up and announced a signature drive to petition the General Council on behalf of Roy. He invited people to sign after Mass during supper.
Fr. Leo Shea, the main celebrant, took this in stride and even used the opportunity to read a letter to the assembly he had received from Roy, expressing his regrets for not being able to attend. Roy also asked all not to forget the lessons they all learned at Maryknoll and that at times like these, it is necessary to break the silence and raise one's voice on behalf of justice.
The steering committee seemed as blind-sided by this as others were. So far, the reactions I heard went from shock to outrage, but like I said, I will have to wait till I get back to the salad bar on Monday to gauge the real reactions.
Thus, the elephant did not even have to be in the room to dominate the discussion and have the last word.
Who knows? Maybe more people will want to start attending Mass at Marykmoll. You never know what might happen.
The first sign that something was up was when the prayers of the faithful went on longer than the homily. Among them was one asking Maryknoll to "do the right thing" in regards to Fr. Bourgeois and not dismiss him from the Society.
But things really got interesting post Communion, when, instead of the normal announcements one would hear at a parish Mass about upcoming rummage sales and pot-luck suppers, former Maryknoller and now Episcopalian priest, Father Frank Alagna stood up and announced a signature drive to petition the General Council on behalf of Roy. He invited people to sign after Mass during supper.
Fr. Leo Shea, the main celebrant, took this in stride and even used the opportunity to read a letter to the assembly he had received from Roy, expressing his regrets for not being able to attend. Roy also asked all not to forget the lessons they all learned at Maryknoll and that at times like these, it is necessary to break the silence and raise one's voice on behalf of justice.
The steering committee seemed as blind-sided by this as others were. So far, the reactions I heard went from shock to outrage, but like I said, I will have to wait till I get back to the salad bar on Monday to gauge the real reactions.
Thus, the elephant did not even have to be in the room to dominate the discussion and have the last word.
Who knows? Maybe more people will want to start attending Mass at Marykmoll. You never know what might happen.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
BREAKING NEWS! This just in... [Updated 11:05 a.m. EDT]
Fr. Leo Shea, Chief Coordinator for All Centenary Celebrations Here at the Center or St. Patrick's Cathedral, has announced that the 30' Centenary banner, so rudely blown off our tower by Hurricane Irene, will, in fact, be rehung. Mother Nature can't rain on our parade.
Now, if we can just get the choir to sing "Nearer, My God, To Thee," the Titanic symbolism would be complete. Of course, with the impending departure of Ms. Lucille Naughton as our most excellent choir director after many years of very fine service (she actually was director when I was ordained in 1978!) and having as yet to hire a replacement, the choir might be at a loss to sing anything.
On a totally unrelated note (Get it? Note = music), I have heard third-hand that I may be able to view a video of last Tuesday's gathering, which I am wont to do although it may put me in the awkward and unfamiliar position of having to actually know what I'm talking about.
Overheard at the outdoor breakfast table where a Maryknoller was about to kill one of the annoying hornets that buzz our al fresco dining this time of year:
"Don't kill it! You must show compassion to all sentient beings!"
"Yeah? Well that eliminates most guys living here."
Speaking of which (my segues are not intended to make sense) Mr. Bob Short, former MLM currently working in MEPD on all things Centenary related, reports that after careful inquiry among the People of God, he found there is indeed a Time Capsule in our cornerstone and he has located a list of its contents. I will post these once I get a list from him. No word yet on whether we are actually planning on cracking open our cornerstone to retrieve those items, add more from this year, and rebury for another 50 years, at which time the owners of the Chinese Casino and Buffet who will occupy this place can decide what to do with it.
******
This was emailed to me by Bob Short:
Time Capsule (Corner Stone)
Ellen Pierce sent me the MARYKNOLL CENTER DIARY AND NEWS NOTES from October of 1953. Two paragraphs by Father Edward A. McGurkin within those Notes (I have not altered the text) say:
A Chi Rho is cut on one side of the stone. On front is inscribed “A.D. 1953.” All this went into the stone before it was sealed: the certificate of identification, a picture of Pope Pius XII, a photo of Bishop James Anthony Walsh and a photo of Father Price, various souvenirs submitted by Mother Mary Joseph, a copy of our Constitutions, a copy of “The Early Days of Maryknoll,” address list of the Priests and Brothers, our basic seniority list, the Maryknoll Sisters’ address list, the Cloister pamphlet “God So Loved the World,” copies of The Field Afar, plaque and medal of Our Lady of Maryknoll, copy of the Maryknoll Fathers Prayer Book, memorial cards of Fathers and Brothers, and that’s not all; just wait while we start a new paragraph here.
Did you hear about Father Joe Donovan’s wealthy friend who made a pile of dough while working in a Pittsburgh bakery? To let future generations know what we have endured, it was suggested that we toss into the cornerstone some of Father Donny’s cornballs. Another idea was to toss in Father Donny. Period. Now here’s the rest of the pile that went into the stone: Acts and Motions of the three General Chapters, a selection of Council Decrees, U.S.A. coins of 1953, a copy of the New York Times of Oct. 3, 1953, cancelled stamps, promotional folders, the Personnel and Statistical Report of 1946, scholastic catalogues of the Seminary, Glen Ellyn, Lakewood and the Venard, this year’s roster of all our training houses, the September Council Bulletin, the October Diary Digest and the Center News Notes for August 1953. It looks as if Father Dietz just about cleaned out the bottom drawer of his desk.
Also referenced in an early paragraph was the following:
The testimonial of blessing, which was sealed later in the cornerstone, concluded with these lines from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. “You are citizens with the Saints and members of God’s household, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone in Whom the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord: in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the spirit.”
Bob
[Blogger's note: It's nice to see Bishop McGurkin also displayed a droll sense of humor. The tradition lives on!]
Now, if we can just get the choir to sing "Nearer, My God, To Thee," the Titanic symbolism would be complete. Of course, with the impending departure of Ms. Lucille Naughton as our most excellent choir director after many years of very fine service (she actually was director when I was ordained in 1978!) and having as yet to hire a replacement, the choir might be at a loss to sing anything.
On a totally unrelated note (Get it? Note = music), I have heard third-hand that I may be able to view a video of last Tuesday's gathering, which I am wont to do although it may put me in the awkward and unfamiliar position of having to actually know what I'm talking about.
Overheard at the outdoor breakfast table where a Maryknoller was about to kill one of the annoying hornets that buzz our al fresco dining this time of year:
"Don't kill it! You must show compassion to all sentient beings!"
"Yeah? Well that eliminates most guys living here."
Speaking of which (my segues are not intended to make sense) Mr. Bob Short, former MLM currently working in MEPD on all things Centenary related, reports that after careful inquiry among the People of God, he found there is indeed a Time Capsule in our cornerstone and he has located a list of its contents. I will post these once I get a list from him. No word yet on whether we are actually planning on cracking open our cornerstone to retrieve those items, add more from this year, and rebury for another 50 years, at which time the owners of the Chinese Casino and Buffet who will occupy this place can decide what to do with it.
******
This was emailed to me by Bob Short:
Time Capsule (Corner Stone)
Ellen Pierce sent me the MARYKNOLL CENTER DIARY AND NEWS NOTES from October of 1953. Two paragraphs by Father Edward A. McGurkin within those Notes (I have not altered the text) say:
A Chi Rho is cut on one side of the stone. On front is inscribed “A.D. 1953.” All this went into the stone before it was sealed: the certificate of identification, a picture of Pope Pius XII, a photo of Bishop James Anthony Walsh and a photo of Father Price, various souvenirs submitted by Mother Mary Joseph, a copy of our Constitutions, a copy of “The Early Days of Maryknoll,” address list of the Priests and Brothers, our basic seniority list, the Maryknoll Sisters’ address list, the Cloister pamphlet “God So Loved the World,” copies of The Field Afar, plaque and medal of Our Lady of Maryknoll, copy of the Maryknoll Fathers Prayer Book, memorial cards of Fathers and Brothers, and that’s not all; just wait while we start a new paragraph here.
Did you hear about Father Joe Donovan’s wealthy friend who made a pile of dough while working in a Pittsburgh bakery? To let future generations know what we have endured, it was suggested that we toss into the cornerstone some of Father Donny’s cornballs. Another idea was to toss in Father Donny. Period. Now here’s the rest of the pile that went into the stone: Acts and Motions of the three General Chapters, a selection of Council Decrees, U.S.A. coins of 1953, a copy of the New York Times of Oct. 3, 1953, cancelled stamps, promotional folders, the Personnel and Statistical Report of 1946, scholastic catalogues of the Seminary, Glen Ellyn, Lakewood and the Venard, this year’s roster of all our training houses, the September Council Bulletin, the October Diary Digest and the Center News Notes for August 1953. It looks as if Father Dietz just about cleaned out the bottom drawer of his desk.
Also referenced in an early paragraph was the following:
The testimonial of blessing, which was sealed later in the cornerstone, concluded with these lines from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. “You are citizens with the Saints and members of God’s household, built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief Cornerstone in Whom the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord: in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the spirit.”
Bob
[Blogger's note: It's nice to see Bishop McGurkin also displayed a droll sense of humor. The tradition lives on!]
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Deck chairs at Maryknoll
Fr. Leo Shea addressed a monthly house meeting which was moved up a week because of Holy Week. Eighty events are scheduled around the world. On June 29th, the actual Day, will see all entities of the Maryknoll Movement in attendance. September 15-18 is Alumni Weekend, is being prepared by Mr.Dave Brown. More than 1,000 people are expected. Fr.Eugene Kennedy will be among the speakers.
Mr. Bob Short (MEPD) put together a PowerPoint display shown by Leo of the Maryknoll journey nigh these past 100 years. Portraits of Maryknollers, past and present, reminded us how young and thin we once were. A montage of our Opening Liturgy last January 25 helped those of us with short-term memory loss.
Excerpts from Superior General Ed Doughtery's opening homily celebrated the past and pointed toward the future of mission in Maryknoll.
A new site went up today on our Maryknoll.net page with a banner announcing upcoming events. Check it out.
Fr. Bob Jalbert described the CTU Mission Symposium in Chicago on October 6-8. Mr. Greg Darr and his staff have been working hard to put together this theme of Mission Ad Gentes. Cardinal Francis George will be the keynote speaker on the U.S. Church in Mission Ad Gentes.
Br. Wayne Fitzpatrick described the daunting tasks faced by the Committee for the October 30 celebration in St. Patricks, which may be streamed live over the Internet as well as Channel 15. Maryknoll will bring flags, flag bearers, ushers, choir and concelebrants. Buses will take people back and forth between Maryknoll and Manhattan. Fr. Peter LeJacq heads this committee of 20. Two archbishops and two cardinals and ten bishops will be in attendance. A reception sponsored by the brother of Fr. Joe Healey will be held for the hierarchy following the Mass.
Ms. Colleen Brathwaite (marketing) explained the Youth Gathering in Indianapolis in November 17-19, expected to draw 20,000 young people. Maryknoll will have four booths there.
Fr. Ed Dougherty described his recent trip to China with Vicar General Father José Arámburu a few months ago. He also talked about the speech he made earlier this month to the Pontifical Mission Societies in Seattle that included an apology for any insensitivites or misunderstandings Maryknoll may have caused in the past. No mention of any elephants in the room.
Meanwhile, back at the barricades, Call To Action announced a phone-in for this coming Monday, April 18, asking its 24,000+ members to call our main switchboard to advocate reconsideration of the decision to dismiss Fr. Roy Bourgeois from the Society in the coming weeks.
Iceberg? What iceberg?
Mr. Bob Short (MEPD) put together a PowerPoint display shown by Leo of the Maryknoll journey nigh these past 100 years. Portraits of Maryknollers, past and present, reminded us how young and thin we once were. A montage of our Opening Liturgy last January 25 helped those of us with short-term memory loss.
Excerpts from Superior General Ed Doughtery's opening homily celebrated the past and pointed toward the future of mission in Maryknoll.
A new site went up today on our Maryknoll.net page with a banner announcing upcoming events. Check it out.
Fr. Bob Jalbert described the CTU Mission Symposium in Chicago on October 6-8. Mr. Greg Darr and his staff have been working hard to put together this theme of Mission Ad Gentes. Cardinal Francis George will be the keynote speaker on the U.S. Church in Mission Ad Gentes.
Br. Wayne Fitzpatrick described the daunting tasks faced by the Committee for the October 30 celebration in St. Patricks, which may be streamed live over the Internet as well as Channel 15. Maryknoll will bring flags, flag bearers, ushers, choir and concelebrants. Buses will take people back and forth between Maryknoll and Manhattan. Fr. Peter LeJacq heads this committee of 20. Two archbishops and two cardinals and ten bishops will be in attendance. A reception sponsored by the brother of Fr. Joe Healey will be held for the hierarchy following the Mass.
Ms. Colleen Brathwaite (marketing) explained the Youth Gathering in Indianapolis in November 17-19, expected to draw 20,000 young people. Maryknoll will have four booths there.
Fr. Ed Dougherty described his recent trip to China with Vicar General Father José Arámburu a few months ago. He also talked about the speech he made earlier this month to the Pontifical Mission Societies in Seattle that included an apology for any insensitivites or misunderstandings Maryknoll may have caused in the past. No mention of any elephants in the room.
Meanwhile, back at the barricades, Call To Action announced a phone-in for this coming Monday, April 18, asking its 24,000+ members to call our main switchboard to advocate reconsideration of the decision to dismiss Fr. Roy Bourgeois from the Society in the coming weeks.
Iceberg? What iceberg?
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Morning meetings @ Maryknoll
An early spring snowfall did not dampen spirits as the Committee for the June 29th REAL Centennial Celebration met to solidify plans for our 100th. Three entrees (representing our three mission areas) will be offered in the tents set up in our quadrangle. Figuring out whom to invite and who will attend combines the chaos of wedding planning with the frantic urgency of the Iditarod. (I'm not sure what that means, but it strangely captures the atmosphere.)
Br. Kevin Dargan suggested setting up a large-screen TV in the corner with some vintage Maryknoll films showing throughout the day. Photographs from "way back when" could grace both the tents and the dining room. Channel 15 will broadcast (is that the right word? Live streaming?) to guys in St. T's and those in their rooms here.
But all this was a run-up to the REAL meeting from 10:00 ~ 11:30 for the employees to learn about all the festivities planned this year. It is hoped that they will, in turn, inform us Maryknollers.
Fr.Leo Shea, as the new head of all Centennial events, ran both gatherings. Ms. Bernadette Price, Orbis, and on the Executive Cenntennial Committee, led in the singing of Happy Birthday.
Ms. Nina Planamenta blew out the candles on one of many birthday cakes.
A slide presentation of some of our many dedicated employees followed, along with a montage of images and music from our Opening Liturgy last January 25.
The long-term goal of all these events is also to focus on the future. It was noted that unless all Maryknoll entities work together in the future, each will be hard-pressed to survive independently.
Some bishops availed themselves of a mission exposure trip to Africa last month.
June 29th will, of course, be the big event here for Society members, Congregation, Lay Missioners, Affiliates, employees and some guests.
September 15-18 will host a "welcome home" gathering of Maryknoll alums and formers. Possibly 800 will attend, with three speakers, Fr. Gene Kennedy (a former Maryknoller), Philip Jenkins (professor of religious history at Penn State) and Miguel Diaz, U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.
October 6~8 will see a mission symposium at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The audience will be both academicians and missionaries, as well as students, diocesan directors and certain Maryknollers. The theme is "Mission ad Gentes", mission tp people's everywhere, including here in the U.S. Father Steve Judd will offer the keynote address, with Sr.Janice McLaughlin, Br. Wayne Fitzpatrick and Mr. Merwyn DeMeol will offer a response to Steve's talk.
On October 30 at 3:00 p.m., St. Patrick's Cathedral will be the venue for our big liturgy open to some 2,000 guests. Br. Wayne Fitzpatrick explained how a procession of flags will take place as it did on our opening liturgy. We will supply our own choir, guest master, altar servers and ushers. Our seminarians may be altar servers. A booklet will be prepared. VIP seating will be provided and buses will transport MKers from the Knoll to the cathedral. The Mass may be streamed live to those at the Knoll. Guests will receive a gift bag.
Maryknoll will be represented at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, where 20,000+ young people are expected.
There are 14 committees working on all these events. A Centennial website, scheduled to be up by April 15, should keep everyone abreast.
Br. Kevin Dargan suggested setting up a large-screen TV in the corner with some vintage Maryknoll films showing throughout the day. Photographs from "way back when" could grace both the tents and the dining room. Channel 15 will broadcast (is that the right word? Live streaming?) to guys in St. T's and those in their rooms here.
But all this was a run-up to the REAL meeting from 10:00 ~ 11:30 for the employees to learn about all the festivities planned this year. It is hoped that they will, in turn, inform us Maryknollers.
Fr.Leo Shea, as the new head of all Centennial events, ran both gatherings. Ms. Bernadette Price, Orbis, and on the Executive Cenntennial Committee, led in the singing of Happy Birthday.
Ms. Nina Planamenta blew out the candles on one of many birthday cakes.
A slide presentation of some of our many dedicated employees followed, along with a montage of images and music from our Opening Liturgy last January 25.
The long-term goal of all these events is also to focus on the future. It was noted that unless all Maryknoll entities work together in the future, each will be hard-pressed to survive independently.
Some bishops availed themselves of a mission exposure trip to Africa last month.
June 29th will, of course, be the big event here for Society members, Congregation, Lay Missioners, Affiliates, employees and some guests.
September 15-18 will host a "welcome home" gathering of Maryknoll alums and formers. Possibly 800 will attend, with three speakers, Fr. Gene Kennedy (a former Maryknoller), Philip Jenkins (professor of religious history at Penn State) and Miguel Diaz, U.S. ambassador to the Vatican.
October 6~8 will see a mission symposium at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. The audience will be both academicians and missionaries, as well as students, diocesan directors and certain Maryknollers. The theme is "Mission ad Gentes", mission tp people's everywhere, including here in the U.S. Father Steve Judd will offer the keynote address, with Sr.Janice McLaughlin, Br. Wayne Fitzpatrick and Mr. Merwyn DeMeol will offer a response to Steve's talk.
On October 30 at 3:00 p.m., St. Patrick's Cathedral will be the venue for our big liturgy open to some 2,000 guests. Br. Wayne Fitzpatrick explained how a procession of flags will take place as it did on our opening liturgy. We will supply our own choir, guest master, altar servers and ushers. Our seminarians may be altar servers. A booklet will be prepared. VIP seating will be provided and buses will transport MKers from the Knoll to the cathedral. The Mass may be streamed live to those at the Knoll. Guests will receive a gift bag.
Maryknoll will be represented at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Indianapolis, where 20,000+ young people are expected.
There are 14 committees working on all these events. A Centennial website, scheduled to be up by April 15, should keep everyone abreast.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Holy Week Bits of Tid
AN THEN THE RAINS CAME. Sweet Mother of Pearl, the quadrangle out back reminds me of the rice paddies that used to surround every mission in Asia up until 1975. Guys now gaze out from the upper cloister and wistfully say, "I remember when this was all dry land."
Luckily the rains held off so that we could have not one but two Palm Sunday services, one for our community and the other for the 150 Haitians here for retreat lead by Fr. Romane St. Vil, back from his second relief trip to Haiti.
Fr. Dennis Moorman and Deacon Steve DeMartino, along with Fr. Dave LaBuda, are in Jamaica (the one in the Caribbean, not the one in Queens) conducting a Vocations Retreat at the parish of Father Leo Shea. Five young men are attending. Please hold them in prayer for guidance and discernment during this holiest of weeks.
The Holy Week Vocations Retreat alternates between here at the Center and at a mission site overseas. Absent any young'uns here this week, we are scaling back on our own services. For example, this Good Friday we will not have the outdoor Stations of the Cross as has been our custom nigh these many years. If our guys had to schlepp that huge wooden cross themselves around the property, more than our Lord would be falling three times.
There may be as many as six men applying for admissions to the Society this year. Pray for them, the admission board, our men in formation, their formators and for an increase of vocations to Maryknoll.
The rains are to continue till Wednesday, after which the spring sun and temperatures in the 70s are forecast for the Triduum.
[Personal musing: one of the reasons Pope Benedict excommunicated Fr. Roy Bourgeois was because Roy's outspoken and public advocacy for women's ordinations was causing "scandal and confusion" among the faithful. Now that His Holiness himself is the source of scandal, confusion and not a little anger, outrage and disappointment, how will he discipline himself? Just wondering...]
Luckily the rains held off so that we could have not one but two Palm Sunday services, one for our community and the other for the 150 Haitians here for retreat lead by Fr. Romane St. Vil, back from his second relief trip to Haiti.
Fr. Dennis Moorman and Deacon Steve DeMartino, along with Fr. Dave LaBuda, are in Jamaica (the one in the Caribbean, not the one in Queens) conducting a Vocations Retreat at the parish of Father Leo Shea. Five young men are attending. Please hold them in prayer for guidance and discernment during this holiest of weeks.
The Holy Week Vocations Retreat alternates between here at the Center and at a mission site overseas. Absent any young'uns here this week, we are scaling back on our own services. For example, this Good Friday we will not have the outdoor Stations of the Cross as has been our custom nigh these many years. If our guys had to schlepp that huge wooden cross themselves around the property, more than our Lord would be falling three times.
There may be as many as six men applying for admissions to the Society this year. Pray for them, the admission board, our men in formation, their formators and for an increase of vocations to Maryknoll.
The rains are to continue till Wednesday, after which the spring sun and temperatures in the 70s are forecast for the Triduum.
[Personal musing: one of the reasons Pope Benedict excommunicated Fr. Roy Bourgeois was because Roy's outspoken and public advocacy for women's ordinations was causing "scandal and confusion" among the faithful. Now that His Holiness himself is the source of scandal, confusion and not a little anger, outrage and disappointment, how will he discipline himself? Just wondering...]
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