Icon of Our Lady of Maryknoll

Commissioned for Maryknoll's Centenary, this icon was "written" by Fr. William Hart McNichols and depicts the Blessed Mother teaching the Child Jesus to bless the world, which he holds in his hand. His foot is extended outward as if Our Lord is eager to be about his "Father's business." As per instructions, McNichols depicted Jesus less European and more like the children Maryknollers encounter everyday in mission overseas.

Providentially, the icon arrived at Maryknoll today, on the feast of St. Michael and the other archangels. The Mass today celebrated the Maryknoll Brothers and was the unofficial kick-off for Centenary celebrations here at the Center. The icon is scheduled to be consecrated on October 7, the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.

This icon is a gift to Maryknoll from Fr. Gerry Hammond, Fr. Ed Szendrey and me, in honor of our deceased family members.

No lift

We are now into the fourth week with the F-Wing elevator (the oldest and the newest) out-of-order. Go to find out, during renovations 15 years ago the car and shaft were replaced but the original motor, built ca. 1930, was kept. At first this seemed a wise move since the newest elevator on M-Wing seemed to have all kinds of problems, adding credence to the argument that things were just made better back in the old days. Well, now the motor of the F-Wing elevator has finally given up the ghost and there are no spare parts to be had. The replacement motor is supposed to be in place and running by week's end.

The beautiful statue of Our Lady of Maryknoll, gift of the Huber and Huvane families, that graces the Spellman Room and is visible from the Rotunda, has finally gotten the proper lighting (thanks to Mr. Tom Dunstan of physical plant) to focus on the statue without those unsightly eye-shadows that made Mary & Jesus look like Zorro's family, if not Rocky Raccoon's.

Speaking of OLOM, I have received the contract from iconographer Father William Hart McNichol's for a hand "written" 18" x 24" 23-karat gold leaf and acrylic traditional icon of Our Lady of Maryknoll in time for our opening liturgy on January 25, 2011. I am prepared to pay the entire cost myself, in which case it will be given in memory of the deceased members of the Veneroso family. However, I am more than willing to share the honor and the expense with fellow Maryknollers if anyone cares to donate. I do not want to be so crass as to reveal the entire cost, but if five other Maryknoller's each contributed $1,000 we could all share equally in this project. You do the math. Personally I figure the singular event of Maryknoll's 100th anniversary deserves nothing less.

Fr. John McAuley is in town, ostensibly to get his new visa that will allow him to teach in China. Tomorrow evening he will gather for dinner with whatever former Walsh Building cohorts remain. Unlike with previous meals, he no longer requires a food taster. I'll let you know if this was a wise move.

Cruising Manhattan Island

Eleven guys set out on a cruise around Manhattan Island this morning. Ms. Kathy Brophy from our Assisted Living office, is driving the van. Safe trip to all. We can only pray there is never a recurrence of the infamous Boat Ride Up The Hudson some years back when 30+ Maryknollers got stranded in Croton when the ship pulled into the dock listing at a 45 degree angle. We picnicked in the park that day. Of course that was a blessing. Can you imagine the chaos if the boat started taking on water with us on board and half way to West Point?

Thank you, Fr. Joy Tajonera, for getting back to me so soon about having some local people design and make stoles and vestments for our Centenary.

Speaking of which, I have contacted noted iconographer Fr. William Hart McNichols, to "write" an icon of Our Lady of Maryknoll in time for our opening Mass in January 2011. Bill wrote the famous icon "Mother of God--Light in All Darkness." commissioned by the U.S. Catholic AIDS Network. Google him. His work is inspired and inspiring.

I am also happy to report that three weeks into our 100th year, the Angelus has become a daily habit before Mass here at the Center. The reader leads the community in it's recitation just prior to beginning the liturgy, which makes for a nice reminder of the Incarnation flowing into the Eucharist.

Several young men are participating in a mission-exposure-discernment trip to Honduras even as we speak. Some 35+ young people are scheduled to descend on Maryknoll at the end of the month for two days of prayers, discussion and discernment about serving in the different Maryknoll entities. Please keep all of them in your prayers.