On this great and glorious feast of St. Therese of Lisieux (the Little Flower) and one of Maryknoll's patron saints, I have some news to report.
First, the case of the mysterious motion-activated camera down in our lower woods seems to have been solved. Apparently one of the six outsiders who have special permission to hunt here with bow and arrow each fall set up that camera without the permission or knowledge of either Fr. Dick Callahan or Fr. John Hudert, who attend to our property. The camera is now gone.
But I heard from another Maryknoller that PETA has been known to raid our woods and destroy the aluminum ladders the hunters affix to the trees to better view their prey. Seems like everywhere's a battleground around here.
"Knollstock", the 60s-themed picnic for MK employees and members, (postponed twice already) has been postponed again till this coming Tuesday. We have been asked to dress in our best Hippie outfits, find long hair and sing protest songs. An e-mail also invited us to bring "themed desserts." The mind reels at the possibilities, but I guess that's the point.
Finally I am happy to announce we have finally hired a new music director. Mr. Chris Reilly will direct our Christmas concert, as well as lead music here on Sundays, for funerals, ordinations, jubilees etc. even as Ms. Lucille Naughton wraps up her remarkable career with us spanning four decades. Her last official duties are directing the music for our Centenary Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral on October 30, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. and our Centennial Closing liturgy at Maryknoll, NY, on December 12, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Best of luck to both Chris and Lucille!
Showing posts with label Ms. Lucille Naughton. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ms. Lucille Naughton. Show all posts
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Tears for Br. Jude
The wake for Br. Jude tonight was exceptional only in that it is so rare we Maryknollers shed tears for our brothers. Besides coming so quickly and unexpectedly, Jude's death left a void in our community. There are few who can match his gentleness, optimism, hospitality, humor, and love for Maryknoll. When Fr. Frank McGourn got up to share some personal reflections, the several times he choked up and held back tears spoke as eloquently of the effect Jude had on his life than any wonderful words of tribute. The funeral is tomorrow at 11:00 a.m.
Yesterday was the communal memorial for 9/11. Although I wasn't there and heard it was great, it's heard to imagine it more moving than the one last Friday. About 60 people attended on Friday (roughly half Maryknollers and half employees) but everything (miraculously) came all together at literally the last moment.
We tolled the bells at 11:10 a.m. for four minutes and the Mass began at 11:15. Fr. Mike Duggan's homily struck just the right note of hope and remembrance. "This is my Song" (to the tune of Finlandia) is a favorite, as it blends authentic love of country with a prayer for God to bless all nations, whose people love them as much as we love ours.
After communion, as Ms.Lucille Naughton played "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" softly in the background, I read my reflection from the September 2011 MARYKNOLL magazine: The legacy of 9/11. At the end we all joined in the chorus: "Glory, glory, halleluia. His truth is marching on."
The long silence afterwards was both unintentional and totally appropriate. Given we had to throw this together in less than 24 hours, maybe this is a sign we need FEWER meetings and less planning.
Yesterday was the communal memorial for 9/11. Although I wasn't there and heard it was great, it's heard to imagine it more moving than the one last Friday. About 60 people attended on Friday (roughly half Maryknollers and half employees) but everything (miraculously) came all together at literally the last moment.
We tolled the bells at 11:10 a.m. for four minutes and the Mass began at 11:15. Fr. Mike Duggan's homily struck just the right note of hope and remembrance. "This is my Song" (to the tune of Finlandia) is a favorite, as it blends authentic love of country with a prayer for God to bless all nations, whose people love them as much as we love ours.
After communion, as Ms.Lucille Naughton played "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" softly in the background, I read my reflection from the September 2011 MARYKNOLL magazine: The legacy of 9/11. At the end we all joined in the chorus: "Glory, glory, halleluia. His truth is marching on."
The long silence afterwards was both unintentional and totally appropriate. Given we had to throw this together in less than 24 hours, maybe this is a sign we need FEWER meetings and less planning.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Pre-emptive 9-11 Memorial Service
"Who's responsible for this?"
"Where did this come from?"
"What's going to happen next?"
No, these are not recollected utterances from 10 years ago as the Twin Towers fell. These questions flew fast and furious yesterday and today in the chapel and sacristy since it was announced that, in addition to a community 9-11 memorial on the actual date this Sunday, there would be a rather impromptu service at the Mass today.
Gotta say, this breakdown in communication, confusion and panic certainly recaptured what we did in 2001 as Fr. Ray Finch, the superior general, agreed to my suggestion to toll our bells and gather Maryknollers and employees for prayer. We had about 20 minutes to throw something together.
That being said, Ms. Lucille Naughton as music director, Fr. Mike Duggan as celebrant and Fr. Ed Szendrey as cantor certainly rose to the occasion and today's service, scheduled to begin at 11:15 in the main chapel, promises indeed to be memorable.
"Where did this come from?"
"What's going to happen next?"
No, these are not recollected utterances from 10 years ago as the Twin Towers fell. These questions flew fast and furious yesterday and today in the chapel and sacristy since it was announced that, in addition to a community 9-11 memorial on the actual date this Sunday, there would be a rather impromptu service at the Mass today.
Gotta say, this breakdown in communication, confusion and panic certainly recaptured what we did in 2001 as Fr. Ray Finch, the superior general, agreed to my suggestion to toll our bells and gather Maryknollers and employees for prayer. We had about 20 minutes to throw something together.
That being said, Ms. Lucille Naughton as music director, Fr. Mike Duggan as celebrant and Fr. Ed Szendrey as cantor certainly rose to the occasion and today's service, scheduled to begin at 11:15 in the main chapel, promises indeed to be memorable.
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!]
Friday, December 10, 2010
Christmas Concert Blockbuster!
Maryknoll's annual Christmas concert tonight drew a record, overflow crowd of 600+ people. The chapel starting filling fully one hour before the 8:00 "curtain". With Standing Room Only crowds in the back of the chapel, Mario Cerdas and Theresa Rodrigueez, from housekeeping, sprang into action and set up extra chairs in the back, in the center aisle and even in the sanctuary.
The Christmas Concert was the official musical opening of Maryknoll's Centennary celebrations. The return of long-time Maryknoll music director Ms. Lucille Naughton (she directed the choir when I was ordained in 1978) was surely the reason behind this record-breaking crowd. Kudos to Security and Physical Plant that dealt with parking and traffic issues. Br. Tony Lopez also assembled a hospitality crew to hand out programs and carol booklets.
Songs included "Non nobis, Domine" (from the movie Henry V), "Veni, Veni Emmanuel" "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "Gesu Bambino."
Maryknollers were acknowledged and then all joined in singing the Maryknoll hymn. A children's Choir supplied the "Aw!" factor with "Little Drummer Boy", "Silent Night" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". There was time for audience participation with traditional favorites such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" "Joy to the World" and "Angels We Have Heard On High".
Lucille also previewed three songs from the Maryknoll Centenary Missa ad Gentes, by Michael Joncas: "Lord, Have Mercy" ,"Gospel Acclamation" and "Lamb of God". She also invited those present to attend the special rehearsal of the entire Mass, with timpani, trumpet, flute, piano and organ, on Sunday, January 23 at 3:00 p.m. (We might have to set up the Spellman Room and Lady Chapel if the crowd is anything like tonight's!)
One departure from tradition. The choir and assembly sang "Happy Birthday" to Maryknoll to end the concert and adjourned to the Spellman Room for birthday cake, coffee and tea. Santa's helper (Fr. Joe La Mar) passed out candy to children of all ages.
Our Centennary is off to a great start!
The Christmas Concert was the official musical opening of Maryknoll's Centennary celebrations. The return of long-time Maryknoll music director Ms. Lucille Naughton (she directed the choir when I was ordained in 1978) was surely the reason behind this record-breaking crowd. Kudos to Security and Physical Plant that dealt with parking and traffic issues. Br. Tony Lopez also assembled a hospitality crew to hand out programs and carol booklets.
Songs included "Non nobis, Domine" (from the movie Henry V), "Veni, Veni Emmanuel" "Do You Hear What I Hear?" and "Gesu Bambino."
Maryknollers were acknowledged and then all joined in singing the Maryknoll hymn. A children's Choir supplied the "Aw!" factor with "Little Drummer Boy", "Silent Night" and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas". There was time for audience participation with traditional favorites such as "O Come All Ye Faithful" "Joy to the World" and "Angels We Have Heard On High".
Lucille also previewed three songs from the Maryknoll Centenary Missa ad Gentes, by Michael Joncas: "Lord, Have Mercy" ,"Gospel Acclamation" and "Lamb of God". She also invited those present to attend the special rehearsal of the entire Mass, with timpani, trumpet, flute, piano and organ, on Sunday, January 23 at 3:00 p.m. (We might have to set up the Spellman Room and Lady Chapel if the crowd is anything like tonight's!)
One departure from tradition. The choir and assembly sang "Happy Birthday" to Maryknoll to end the concert and adjourned to the Spellman Room for birthday cake, coffee and tea. Santa's helper (Fr. Joe La Mar) passed out candy to children of all ages.
Our Centennary is off to a great start!
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