Return of the Super G

Father Ed Dougherty returned from his trip to Korea, but unfortunately he was not able to accompany Fr. Jerry (with a J) Hammond on a visit to the North. It seems while visiting the South, Doc picked up a bug (the viral/bacterial kind, not the electronic kind) which got him to experience first-hand the state-of-the-art medical facilities in Seoul. Jerry stayed with Doc through his recovery.

Now before you go all HIPA on me, I already asked Doc if I could share this with you and he said sure, "Just don't spin it." (Moi?) This did bring up a memory from my Peace Corps days when I visited Fr. Jerry (with a J) Hammond and he taught me about his "top theory" of leadership: "keep them spinning or they'll start spinning you."

Doc had high praise for Seoul's modernity and development and especially the hospitals. We agreed that Korea was a good place to get sick in. That being said, Doc looks visibly thinner because of his ordeal, but he doesn't recommend this as a weight loss program.

The Super G spoke highly of our men in Korea, mentioning Fr. Russ Feldmeier and Fr. Phil Mares by name as being involved in ministries with a direct impact on the Church in Korea by offering new ways of ministry and relating to others.

Future of Walsh building?

The Walsh building, oldest building on the property and home to MARYKNOLL and Revista magazines as well as Orbis books, Voices of Our World radio and New Media offices for decades, has been vacant for more than two years since the staffs of those operations moved over to the highly utilitarian but less interesting Price Building.

"Rumor has it" that a plan for the future use of the Walsh building has already been decided, but it is easier to get the minutes to the staff meeting of Dear Leader Kim Jong Il's inner circle than to pry information from those here in a position to know (let the reader take note.)

Speculation abounds (which it is wont to do when information is scarce and communication rare). One man thought a Center for Spirituality would be nice, or perhaps a counseling center. Another suggested an expanded parking lot would be useful. Another said a formal garden right at the entrance of the property would be pretty.

I, for my part and for what it's worth, bandied the future of the Walsh building about with the former Super G, Fr. Ray Finch. He and I agreed it would make a great initial formation house for men when they first enter the Society. Since that is supposed to be a non academic year, it would be a wonderful opportunity for the men to imbibe the spirit and history of Maryknoll and meet the veteran missioners while still having some measure of independence and privacy.

It would take a considerable investment to gut the insides of the Walsh building and bring it up to code as a residence. But I heard it could comfortably hold 20 bedrooms, a kitchen and dining area (which it already has) a living area and rec room as well as a small chapel. And wouldn't it be a great sign of hope for the future of Maryknoll? Your suggestions?

And while on the topic of North Korea, isn't it ironic that North Korea now also has a Facebook Page that no one living in North Korea can access? I mean, really. Talk about insecure, despotic control freaks!

Capodanno's Cause

TOMORROW marks the anniversary of the death of Maryknoll Father Vince Capodanno in Vietnam, where he was killed while administering last rites to troops on the battlefield on Sept. 4, 1967.

Father Joe McGehren and Father Dan Dolan went to Washington, D.C., this morning to attend the annual commemorative Mass for Father Capodanno by the U.S. military which will be held this year in the lower church of Washington's Basilica of the Immaculate Conception.

The U.S. military chaplains office has vigorously pursued Capodanno's cause for canonization as a martyr for the faith. He might actually be the first Maryknoller to receive the Church's highest honor, beating out Bishop Francis X. Ford, whose canonization efforts have unfortunately been put on hold out of sensitivity for delicate Vatican/China relations.

The same thing holds for the cause of Bishop Patrick Byrne who died in North Korea during the infamous Death March during the Korean War, although there are no Vatican/North Korean relations to jeopardize nor Church in North Korea to compromise.

Even canonization is political.