Marge and Thoughts

MS. MARGE GAUGHAN, managing editor of Maryknoll Magazine, presented her work with the Classroom Program that helps bring bulk orders of the Maryknoll and Revista magazine into classrooms around the country. This was part of the monthly Food for Thought program for employees and missioners here at the Center.

Sample lesson plans and posters for grades K~5 and 6~12 are given out at the conventions and meetings Marge or other editors attend.

She showed a video of how a third grade teacher of St. Catherine's elementary school in Seattle, Wash., incorporated the program into her class. Also students gave their impressions of the magazine. They focused on an article about Br. Mark Gruenke's work in Namibia.

Spirituality, sacrifice and service come across to the young people and inspire them to do something for those less fortunate. They appreciate the cross cultural mission stories that open up new people and lands to students in this country.

The story of Fr. Bob McCahill comes across in another video of a high school class in Yonkers. N.Y.

Many times the teacher will email and otherwise contact the missioner or the author of the article directly to further personalize the class and make mission come alive.

Fr. Joe Fedora's story about Peru's indigenous people's struggle for clean water in the May~June issue, now coming out, was very well received and inspired students here to write to the United Nations on behalf of the world's poor who are in need of clean water.

A teacher-consultant helps provide the lesson plan which the editors supervise with the art department doing the layout.

Ann Newbuger, a childrens' book author, volunteered her services so Maryknolll's message could get out to the younger students.

In 2010 2,4440 schools are reached out of the 7,094 Catholic schools.

Thats 143,441 magazines that go out to 336 schools in California, 214 in New York, 165 in Pennsylvania,165 in Texas and 137 in Illinois.

Since 2008 the program is free and the financially strapped schools have snapped it yp, thanks in no small part to our mission educators who are very active in those states mentioned above.

Talbot's pearls of wisdom

Saturday's lecture/performance by John Michael Talbot, attended by about 250 people in our main chapel, was like a mini retreat. He and I, and I presume most Maryknollers, are on the same spiritual wavelength although he's light years ahead in musical ability, creativity and fame!

Among some of the insights he shared was to reverence sacred space as much as sacred sounds. That is, the space between notes and words are often as important as the music and lyrics themselves. Talbot maintains the Spirit moves in such spaces. As the incarnate Logos, Jesus communicated God's truth even when he wasn't saying or doing anything, he said.

His community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, founded by him and his wife Viola, is part of the so-called "new monasticism" that is spreading around the globe. While mostly Christian, these intentional communities are marked by their openness and inclusivity. Their spirituality, based on the rule of St. Benedict, allows for different expressions at different phases of life. Thus, single people participate more fully in the community's life, married people continue their outside work while providing for their families, "empty nesters" have yet another level of involvement, and widows and widowers a more contemplative approach.

They are also inclusive in their prayer forms, chanting the divine office twice a day but also having time for spontaneous prayer and meditation. And they are very respective of other prayer forms from other faith traditions.

They allow men and women to join for a time, fully aware a lifelong commitment to religious life is not for everyone. One interesting comment he made was about a community of monks in Europe who would not allow lay people to join their ranks. It eventually died off; the lay people formed a separate group which is thriving. (File this under "If the Shoe Fits" category.)

Talbot shies away from theological disputes and controversy, preferring to emphasize the common spiritual quest most people are on and with which most of his listeners can resonate.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if JMT also composed a song for our 100th much like the Mass Michael Joncas has nearly completed for us?

John Michael Talbot

The concert begins!

John Michael Talbot

Renowned Catholic singer, composer and author John Michael Talbot will give a presentation at Maryknoll's Queen of Apostles Chapel Saturday, April 24, 2010 starting at 2:30 p.m.

As part of Maryknoll's Speaker Series, Talbot will introduce us to his new Orbis book: The World is My Cloister. He shows that one need not live in a monastery to experience the peace of God. Solitude and sacred stillness may be cultivated wherever we are.

Talbot is Catholic music's number one recording artist, having sold four million records worldwide. He is also the founder of a monastic community: the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. Among his most popular songs are "Be Not Afraid" and "Here I Am, Lord."

The lecture is free and open to the public. RSVP to Ms. Betsey Guest: bguest@maryknoll.org or call (914) 941-7636, ext 2219.

**************************************************

Segue to Betsey Guest announcing her plans to retire at the end of June. Betsey has served as our media relations contact since 2006 and assistant to Howard Schwartz before that. She has done a yeowoman's job getting positive press for Maryknoll. She will be sorely missed and difficult to replace. All the best after June! (Until then, keep up the great work!)

With sorrow

Maryknollers here are keeping vigil at the bedside of Br. John Mullen,
whose death, I am sorry to report, is imminent.

John returned from Africa several months ago with complicated health
problems. He went to St. Teresa's last week when his condition
deteriorated rapidly.

Please keep John in your prayers as he undergoes his personal Calvary.

Sent from my most excellent iPhone

Bananas Foster

In honor of Father Founder's 73rd anniversary of entering into eternal life, Maryknoll's head chef, Michael McLoughlin, sets fire to a heavenly confection for dessert.

Sent from my most excellent iPhone

Three new sems!

CONGRATULATIONS to Chace Olinger, Tony Lopez (yes, there is now a second Tony Lopez in Maryknoll!) and Glen D'Angelo on being accepted for the fall semester in our vocation program!

A word of special thanks, too, to the promoters, vocation ministers and Maryknollers who accompanied these three men in their discernment over the years. Kudos, too, to the Admissions Board (Br. Brendan Corkery, Br. Wayne Fitzpatrick, Fr. Ray Nobiletti and Fr. Ed McGovern) on their decision.

But wait, there's more! There are still three more applications in the proverbial pipeline which will be decided upon in coming months.

Fr. Dennis Moorman has returned from the vocation retreat during Holy week in Jamaica and gives the five retreatants who attended high marks.

So, it is safe to say that the vocation ministers and promoters and sundry Maryknollers did their job. Now it is our turn to show Maryknoll's best side and encourage these men throughout their formation process.

[On a personal note: since Easter Sunday I have been running on reserve power. Literally. At first I thought my wooziness during Mass at the Korean church was the fault of the incense or the summer-like temps we've been having. Go to find out, my pacemaker is nearing its expiration date and, unless I want to near mine as well, must needs go into the hospital on Friday for a "routine" replacement. N'Sha'Allah I will be running on all cylinders come Saturday.]

Easter homily

Fr. Ed Dougherty proclaims the good news of Jesus' resurrection to
about 50 people gathered for the Vigil Mass.

The Pachal candle

Father Ed Dogherty presides as Fr. Ed Szendrey assists with the
Paschal candle.

Lighting the New Fire

Visitors from Maryknoll HS Hongkong

Maryknoll Sister Mercy Mtaita shepherded 30 students from Maryknoll
High School in Hong Kong to visit New York and the Knoll. Br. John
Blazo and Father Jose Aramburu extended hospitality.

Vigil

A New Commandment (Holy Thursday, Year C)

FAR AND AWAY the best homily I ever heard on Holy Thursday was given by my good friend, Maryknoll Father John McAuley, currently serving in China. With unabashed pride (and very rare humility), I will attempt to recapture the essence of his talk for us to reflect upon this Holy Thursday.

It was during Holy Week in 2002 in the midst of the clergy abuse scandal that John delivered this homily at our retirement home in Los Atos, California, where we were holding a Vocations Retreat. (This in itself was no easy task, with the scandals coming out almost on a daily basis. I mean, really, how do you diplomatically say, "Welcome aboard the Titanic!"?)

As we gathered for this most ancient of Catholic rituals, John pointed out that Holy Thursday was more than a solemn celebration of the institution of the Eucharist and the priesthood, which it is. On the night before he died, Jesus and the apostles celebrated the Last Supper at a time of gut-wrenching disintegration. Everything they held dear was falling apart around them. Their future looked bleak. And their situation was about to get nightmarishly worse.

Yet in the midst of this time of uncertainty, fear and confusion, Jesus took bread and gave God thanks and praise. He blessed and broke the bread and asked us to share it in his name. And whenever we did this, he would be present to us: especially in the midst of our darkest moments of doubt, disillusionment and danger.

Eight years have passed since John gave this homily. Alas, the clouds of scandal have not dispersed nor the anger and confusion dissipated. Oh, the Vatican can react with righteous indignation at the secular press and media, no doubt stoked by enemies of the Church, intentionally dragging up and distorting old cases which may or may not have had the complicity of then Cardinal Ratzinger. IMHO this misses the point entirely.

In the public mind (both of Catholics and the wider society), the Church has not done adequate penance for its sins. Penance is more than just public apologies; penance is a good faith effort to make amends for the harm that our sins have caused, and this cannot be satisfied with mere dollar signs.

At a retreat later that same year, 2002, Father Richard Rohr said, "A problem cannot be solved by the same mentality that caused it." There it is in a nutshell.

Unless we (and I'm including all the clergy and hierarchy in this) rend our hearts and not just our garments, unless we convert our way of thinking, unless we put on the very mind of Christ, this situation may never go away, much less be resolved.

How do we celebrate Maundy Thursday? By the Washing of Feet. Jesus takes the position of a servant and commands us to do the same. This is not fulfilled by ceremoniously re-enacting some ritual once a year, and especially not by the pope washing the feet of priests and seminarians (certainly not of women, God forbid!) This makes the exact opposite point Jesus was trying to make, and serves only to re-enforce the public perception of the Church as an "old boys club."

Jesus gives us a new commandment ("Mandatum" in Latin, hence "Maundy" Thursday via Old English). "Love one another, as I have loved you." But if we clerical types limit this just to taking care of fellow priests in the ordained priesthood, our Church is doomed.

Oh would that the Holy Father felt for the victims as deeply as he does for the institutional Church! Would that he and every bishop and every priest in every parish around the world wash the feet of all the people whom we have offended by our arrogance, insensitivity, callousness and pride. Granted it would take more than a few minutes during a once-a-year ritual, so this should be our attitude throughout the year.

This would go a long way of not simply healing the Church of our self-inflicted wounds, but would, as much as the Eucharist itself, reveal the abiding presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and that woud be Good News indeed.

SEE WHAT I MEAN?

On the bright side: Maryknoll may soon be waterfront property!

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...]

Lenten Day of Reflection

FR. JIM GAVIN, ofm Cap., gives house residents a talk on the love of God encountered through the gift that is Christ.

Sure and it's a leprachaun, don't ya know.

Fr. Ernie Brunelle appears at the St. Patty's Day

pre-parandial wearin' o' the green.

All-important House Meeting

LAST WEDNESDAY the monthly house meeting took up, among other things, a suggestion from the all-important Safety Committee that hand railings be added in the main chapel to assist those who need assisting to mount the one step to the main altar and, if also necessary, the three steps to the tabernacle.

The all-important Liturgy Committee had already considered this recommendation by the all-important Safety Committee and, like Solomon of old, decided it best to split the thing in half. Walking through the chapel with Mr. Al Vitiello (Physical Plant) and Ms. Nancy Kleppel, Fr. John Kaserow suggested a single rail on both sides of the altar, one near the credence table, the other near the presider's chair. This will help those who need help and maintain the aesthetic symmetry of the chapel.

Railings up the three steps to the tabernacle seemed like P.C. attentiveness run amok. Upon reflection, no one who needs a cane or walker to get around would be approaching the tabernacle to get or replace the ciborium. That's why God created M.C.s and acolytes. Besides, if a man required TWO railings to go up, then how would he negotiate coming down the steps with the ciborium? Thus that recommendation was wisely scrapped.

In other news, the all-important Food Committee announced that that evening's traditional and de rigeur St. Patrick's Day offering of boiled corned beef and boiled cabbage and boiled potatoes and boiled carrots, would be offset and, one hopes, ameliorated by a savory lamb curry stew. Irish Coffee and "spontaneous" singing of Irish ditties, thanks to the labors of Br. Kevin Dargan who passed out song sheets, took people's minds off the corned beef.

Two says later, St. Joseph's Day (just like St. Patrick's Day, minus a parade but with better food) would further shatter our Lenten promises with seafood ravioli and sundry cannoli and sfogliatelli.

Looking ahead, a prime rib dinner would celebrate Holy Thursday's celebration of the Lord's Supper and the institutions of the Eucharist and the priesthood. A collation would follow the Mass on Holy Saturday. And on Easter Sunday, something new: a special brunch would follow the morning 9:00 Mass.

Fr. Ernie Lukaschek introduced Fr. Ed Szendrey as one of the two (along with Fr. Bob Jalbert, who wasn't present that day) newly elected members of the U.S. regional council. For his part, Ed, representing the all-important Crisis Committee, reminded the men that, except for those who live in the Assisted Living area (Second Floor M & C wings) all are expected to vacate the building when they hear the fire alarm no matter the hour. Men who remain in their rooms in the Assisted Living wings must notify the main reception desk of their whereabouts so EMS can, if necessary, evacuate them.

The question of some guys being unable to hear the loud, shrill and ear-splitting alarm will be addressed by the Crisis Committee.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UPDATE: Fr. Romane St. Vil has returned to Haiti for another relief mission.

Gathering of Elders

The men agree to continue discussing the future of Maryknoll, or
"Denial isn't just a river in Egypt."

Maryknoll future to be continued...

THE THIRD and ostensibly last conversation on the future of Maryknoll was held last Tuesday, March 17 at 4 p.m. in the Africa Room. Twenty eight men attended---the largest number to date.


Father Bill Frazier and John Kaserow once again facilitated. It must be noted that, while no new ground was broken, it was an animated discussion with varying opinions and points of view expressed.


Fr. Larry Murphy pointed out that he had attended the USCCB meetings for ten years and individual bishops have visited our missions in Latin America for decades, but little came of this.


Fr. Mike Zunno questioned whether a false dichotomy (my words) existed between pastoral and missionary activities.


Fr. George Ratterman said something in Latin to which Bill Frazier vehemently objected, but whether it was to the content or to the language itself is unclear.

Fr. Dennis Morrman, the youngest man present, shared that five men are attending our vocation retreat this Holy Week at Fr. Leo Shea's mission in Jamaica.


But the most excitement was generated by the proposal from Chapter by Fr. Jerry Kelly and Fr. Dave LaBuda for some sort of mission center. Should this be here at the Knoll? Should it be part of MEP? Should it be under the bishops? This latter suggestion was viewed by some as a certain basium mortis (Rattermann ain't the only one who can fling it around in Latin).

The concensus was that the men wanted to continue this discussion (sure beats the hell out of talking about coloscopies, PSA numbers, BMs and March Madness) and that Kelly and LaBuda would be invited to come and talk to us and explain their vision for a mission center.

Meanwhile, out on the Lido deck, the band struck up with "Nearer My God, to Thee."

**********************************************************

UPDATE ON GLEN ELLYN GHOST: Fr. Dan Jensen informs me that former Maryknoller Joe Bastien ('63) takes responsibility for starting that whole haunted seminary business and, now thanks to the internet, just like a ghost this story will neither die nor go away.

Maybe for our Centenary we could arrange for an apparition or two by, oh, I don't know, how about St. Ichabod Crane?

Slow news day?

THANKS to Mr. Gregory Darr, head of our Chicago MEP house, for forwarding this curious entry he found on a paranormal website called www.StrangeUSA.com. Was our seminary in Glen Ellen haunted? You decide:

*******************************************

Maryknoll Seminary

Glen Ellyn, Il 60137

County: Du Page


Location Description:


Has been knocked down. It was said that this Maryknoll Seminary is haunted by the ghost of a dead monk who hung himself in the bell tower. The monastery is huge, with hundreds of rooms and no electricity turned on as the place is boarded up and the bell tower sealed off. Reports of fresh blood "bleeding" from the exterior of the bell tower and strange noises are not uncommon, and the place is still used as a secret gathering place for various cults and possibly Satanists, as there are satanic markings and words from ancient languages on some walls. Unfortunately, this seminary has been torn down so it can no longer be seen. There are subdivisions and houses going up in that area now.

*******************************************

Can any of you Glen Ellen alums confirm or corroborate these accounts? Was there a suicide in the bell tower? Are Latin, Greek and Cantonese occult languages? [Spoiler alert! The following question is called a "softball pitch". Feel free to hit it out of the park in the comments section.] Can you explain the strange noises emanating from our old seminary?

Bonus question: How can you tell a Satanist from a Maryknoll seminarian? (Oh, I have an answer, available on request via personal email. Prudence prevents my posting it here.)

BTW: Br. John Mullan explicitly requested he not be included in this blog.

Maryknoll's future

FATHER BILL FRAZIER and FATHER JOHN KASEROW held the second "conversation" in the Africa room with 26 Society members concerning the future of Maryknoll. They started by summarizing the first two sessions: four weeks and two weeks ago.

The Society was seen by some members as having lost its purpose and sense of urgency. A developer said too much influence is placed on raising money as opposed to sharing the mission spirit. Do we need to return to the mindset of the founders? One man said an Orbis editor told him he systematically removes references to mission from mss. (?) [blogger's note: sounds apocryphal to me.] Do we need to clarify our spirituality or do we need a formal outward sign or dress?

In the Church at large mission is not emphasized; various crises and scandals plague it; little interest in Ad Gentes mission; bishops see themselves as pastors and not missionaries. Ireland, among other countries, has few vocations; Asia has more ordinations but can these take up the slack?

Fr. Larry Murphy asked a pivotal question: what do we mean by "Church"?

Fr. Dan Dolan was surprised some men look down on "change", as in laity now doing many jobs once done by only Maryknollers. He sees this as a positive adaptation to our reality.

Fr. Charley Cappel said in the old days we believed "outside the Church is no salvation." Vatican II changed this but with it we lost our sense of purpose for mission.

Fr. Ernie Brunelle sees the Evangelicals and Nondenominationals as doing the mission work Maryknoll used to do and going to dangerous places such as Pakistan, risking imprisonment and death.

Fr. Kevin Hanlon says one problem is we are conditioned not to emphasize our particular charisms or uniqueness for fear of offending the laity. He feels we lack focus.

Bill Frazier said one thing these conversations wanted to accomplish is to see whether we need to change Maryknoll, or change the Church. How are our vocations being prepared?

Fr. Ray Sullivan responded to Kevin's observation by saying he doesn't feel close to the Affiliates although at yesterday's presentation on Haiti it was an Affiliate who volunteered on the spot.

Yours Truly opined that when I was a seminarian at Hingham in 1973, we were visted by two missioners: Fr. Joe Trainor and a young priest who shall reman nameless since he has left the Society. In any event, all of us younger guys felt more inspired by Trainor. The young priest was cynical and sarcastic; Joe was happy in his vocation as priest and enthusuastic to be a missioner. I said we can't really change the church or the Society, but we can change ourselves. We can become what we want the Society to be. When prospects visit us, subcontiously they are thinking, "Is this the kind of group I want to spend the rest of my life with? And is this what I will turn into if I join?'

Kaserow said the men in Chicago like to visit us because we offer our insights and experiences.

Bill Frazier observed that most of us were trained to be pastors, not missionaries. Out of 220 pastoral references to Vatican II in the official manual for priestly formation, not a single one is to mission, he said.

We ended with a quote from Ad Gentes, "The Church on earth is by it's very nature missionary..."

Bill passed out several papers he prepared responding to the "takeover of the missionary Church" by pastoral concerns.

This blogger is left to wonder which is easiest to change: the Church, the Society or ourselves? Only one is even possible. Perhaps it's easier (and certainly safer) to focus our energies and attention elsewhere rather than to be about the self critical work required by legitimate renewal and reform.

Sent from my most excellent iPhone

Regional election!

This just in: Fr. Ed Szendrey and Fr. Bob Jalbert have been elected to
the U.S. Regional Council with 43 and 34 votes respectively.

Thus concludes one of the more arduous electoral undertakings in
Society history, having begun with straw ballots last April.

Congratulations and best wishes to Ed and Bob who join Br. Wayne in
assisting Regional Superior Fr. Mike Duggan in governing the largest
region in Maryknoll.

Sent from my most excellent iPhone

Haiti report

Maryknollers hear Fr. Romane and Fr. Dennis speak on their trip.

Haiti cheri

ABOUT 50 Maryknoll Fathers & Brothers (some from St. T's), Sisters, Affiliates and employees gathered in the Asia room this afternoon to hear Fr. Romane St. Vil and Fr. Dennis Moorman speak about their recent humanitarian trip to Haiti.

Romane began the presentation by leading the gathering in singing "Come, Holy Ghost" and the recitation of the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary and Glory Be.

Romane said that following the earthquake many people, especially from the Connecticut area where he works, were looking to make donations for the relief effort and they trusted Maryknoll to make sure the money got to where it was most needed. Maryknoll sent him to Haiti to access needs.

In Haiti he discovered three major needs: shelter, food and medical are still urgent and will remain for the foreseeable future.

Romane thanks the Sisters and Lay Missioners for volunteering their services.

Last month he put together a team of three doctors (including Dr. David Kim, former parishioner at St. Paul's in Queens where I help out), three nurses which originally intended to work with refugees in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, but they ran into bureaucratic obstacles so they moved their operations to Port-au-Prince. He consulted with UN, Red Cross and other agencies to see where best to offer service to the people.

He found Haiti lacked an overriding structure to coordinate distribution of tents, water and food so much aid remains at the airport.

The team stayed with Romane's brother at his house in the mountains where it was cooler, no mosquitoes and great food. They only ate the one meal each morning and worked in the city throughout the day with their mobile medical team. They treated 50~60 people each day.

Dennis then showed a slide presentation of the team, the devastation, tent communities and the Haitian people.

One million people remain homeless, although water and latrine facilities are available to most people, Dennis said.

Dennis, in addition to offering Romane moral support, was also able to use some of his training in ministering to people with emotional trauma.

On Monday, March 15th, Romane will accompany another larger group of medical volunteers into Haiti.

Fr. Dan Dolan observed it may be 20~40 years to bring Haiti back. Although we have fewer numbers, he said, Maryknoll can offer our experience in working with refugees, the most forgotten and most neglected.

Ms. Jo Albright, a Maryknoll Affiliate from New York City, said the Affiliates are looking for this kind of opportunity to help and she herself has volunteered and will be going to Romane's hometown next week.

Ms. Terri Misrwa asked if reports were true that the Haitian government was charging for relief supplies to get out of the airport. He said the government's reputation is well known but believes this is their attempt to exercise some systemic control over how supplies het out.

Fr. Joe La Mar asked what reports where given to the General Council and what was the plan going forward. Romane said he did meet with a few Council members and Fr. Ed Szendrey (internal auditor) but nothing definite has been proposed.

Fr. Kevin Hanlon wondered what would happen should patience and hope give way to unrest and chaos.

Fr. Dick McGee (Planned Giving) said he has many donors who have contributed to Haiti relief and would appreciate getting some report.

Br. Alex Walsh asked if any contact was made with Sisters of Charity or other groups. Romane said sinece many religious communities lost houses ands personnel so contact is hard. Forty Sisters of Perpetual Help died in their colapsed convent.

Fr. Joe McGahren asked if the international military could help with distribution. Romane said at this point it is enough for them to supply security, because it is still dangerous.

Dennis said Catholic Relief organizes "surprise" food drops to prevent unrest. All distribution is to women as men are prone to fight.

Fr. Mo Zerr asked if any heavy equipment is clearing areas. Again, Romane says the lack of leadership from government is frustrating.

Fr. Jerry Nagle asked who is coordinating Maryknoll's funds for Haiti. Romane said Fr. Szendrey and the Council are managing the expenses.

Fr. Bill Frazier wondered if there was a history of bad blood between Haiti and the D.R. Romane said much does get through the D.R. but it is political and they are taking advantage of the situation, such as charging NGOs $150,000 for a five-year contract on rental cars. On the other hand, the first doctors on the scene following the quake were Dominicans.

Redundant?

MR. BILL VENDLEY, executive director for the U.N. Conference for Religions and Peace, is here for a two-day meeting with nine members of his team. Many of you may remember Bill from WAY back when he was a lay missioner. Fr. John McAuley also worked with the UNCRP before serving as publisher of our mags and books.

I was curious as to why the UNCRP was listed on our bulletin board as "Religions for Peace" and Bill said that is their popular title as each geographical group carries that name: "Religions for Peace in Africa" etc.

Ever the curious logophile, I mused if there were any religions for war? Fr. Mike Walsh opined that Odin might still have a following.

Today is also the quiet between the storms as 150 students and parents visited yesterday and another 150 are due tomorrow. (Personally I am a little miffed that, among various and sundry Maryknoll publications, our visitors will also be offered the Maryknoll lapel pin. I am all for generosity and hospitality, but gosh darn it I'd like something that exclusively designated Society members. Maybe I should resurrect that tattoo suggestion...)

It's a good weekend to be away from the Knoll, although I may have jumped from the proverbial frying pan into the metaphorical fire. This weekend I am with 70 Korean high school students and teachers at a weekend workshop at St. Josaphat's (Ukrainian) Catholic retreat house in Glen Cove, Long Island.

Luckily Father Dennis Moorman and Fr. Ed Szendrey graciously agreed to help with confessions this evening. Between us and Fr. Gabriel Lee, the pastor, we should finish sometime before midnight.

Hmmm...for a penance could we ask them all to apply to Maryknoll???

Last night's fire alarm

At 1:30 this morning the fire alarm went off. About 20 residents with workable knees and hips walked down the stairs and out of the building. As per policy, guys on the Second Floor Assisted Living (C & M wings) waited in their rooms for the all-clear or subsequent EMS evacuation. We went back in about 20 minutes later.

I was willing to blame late-night toast burning or pagan incense offerings, but the cause turned out to be more banal. Dust in the attic had accumulated enough to trigger the sensors. (Why they couldn't have been triggered at a more decent hour, I do not know. I have come close to triggering the censors myself, but that's grist for another mill.)

Sent from my most excellent iPhone

Homecomings

WE WELCOME BACK Fr. Ernie Lukaschek, pastoral coordinator, who returned from convalescing at St. T's following surgery. Ernie is easing back into his duties and met briefly with the newly constituted House Council (Blazo, Dargan and moi. Ahearn was on the road) today over lunch. We discussed upcoming celebrations (St. Pat's Day, Holy Thursday and Easter) as well as solutions to the on-going problem of the disappearing periodicals.

At the behest of Ms. Margaret Sheehan (Sodexo) and other employees, we are considering putting up a world map, perhaps in the back of the dining room, with markers or pins indicating where all our missioners are. This interest arose following the earthquake in Chile when some employees wondered if we still had men there or not. (Taiwan quaked late last night, our time, and all seem to be safe, thanks be to God.)

[BTW: this would be an improvement over the method used by MK Magazine and MEP, where just one man in a country is enough to color that entire area as a Maryknoll misssion. Thus, Fr. Joe McCabe single-handedly kept all of Russia in the Maryknoll column for many years, as currently does Fr. Vince Cole in Indonesia. This brings up a story of some years back when I and then Maryknoll photographer Eric Wheater were on our way through Central America. I commented that the smaller Maryknoll got, the more countries we were getting into. He replied, "Yes, it's Maryknoll goal to have nobody everywhere." Vey Zen. But I digress.... ]

We also welcome back Mr. Miguel Ramos (Rose's husband), center housekeeping, also after his convalescence.

It was also good to see Fr. Mike Snyder and his two sisters, Mary and Monica, who visited briefly today. (Their brother John did not accompany them.) Mike is back in the States for the funeral of his Mom, Rose, who passed away last week.

We look forward to welcoming Fr. John Walsh into our midst who is contemplating closing up his mission in the Bronx and moving to Mother Knoll.

This weekend, no less than TWO parishes (St. Christopher's in Buchanen and St. Patrick's in Verplank) will send children and their parents here for a one day retreat on Friday and Sunday respectvely. Each group will have about 150 participants. The theme: "One Body; One Mission". Fr. Dennis Moorman will have an opportunity to do some very remote vocations preparation!

Lenten Visitors

Fr. Ray Nobiletti and several parishioners participate in day of
reflection.

Good, good, good, good vibrations?

The Office of Adult Faith Formation of the New York Archdiocese held their annual Lenten reflection day here on Wednesday. About 45 DREs, staff, secretaries, teachers and office people attended, as did our own Fr. Ray Nobiletti and several of his staffers from Transfiguration in Chinatown.

The theme was on the vibrations, good or bad, that we and other people give off that often subconsciously effect the thoughts and feelings of those around us.

I had the opportunity to schmooze with a few of them over lunch. Those who were visiting Maryknoll for the first were particularly impressed with our building. For good or ill they weren't around long enough to report what vibrations they picked up from our men. But given the way visitors tend to bring out the best in us, I'm confident they had a positive experience here.

Aborage @ the Knoll

More than 50 trees around campus were damaged, and some destroyed, by
last Wednesday's snowstorm. Even the majestic linden (in front of the Walsh Building) lost some large branches but luckily did not suffer irreparable damage such as this tree on our front lawn to the left of the chapel.

Broken limbs

More victims of last week's blizzard

More woodage

Today the sound of electric saws fill the air as the grounds crew
cleans up Mother Nature's carnage...er...arborage(?)

Three tidbits

RESULTS ARE INCONCLUSIVE (so, what else is new?) in the never-ending balloting to elect a U.S. Regional Council. Both Father Bob Jalbert and Father Ed Szendrey led the list of four, but neither garnered a majority of votes.

So their names as well as those of the other two also-rans, Br. Tom Hickey and Fr. John Moran will appear on the (mercifully) final ballot to go out. We will chose ONE name and the top two vote-getters will be pronounced the Second and Third Assistant. Recall: the first straw ballot for U.S. Regional went out last April. Oy vey!

Oddly enough, the newly constituted House Council (Lukaschek, Blazo, Dargan, Ahearn and moi) is actually larger than either the Regional or General Council. I guess the smaller the unit, the more men needed to take the bla..er...I mean to govern.

*********************************************

BR. WAYNE FITZPATRICK announced today that Fr. Jim Gavin, ofm Cap., of Brooklyn, will lead us in a Lenten day of prayer on Tuesday, March 23. The theme has yet to be chosen but chances are it will have something to do with repentance, conversion and maybe death. Just a guess.

*********************************************

FR. RAY FINCH made a cameo appearance yesterday, and today returned to the 39th St. House in preparation for his return to Bolivia. (Or is it Peru? Chile? Someplace down there.)

House meeting 2/17

TWENTY-FOUR of the 85 residents attended.

The Ill-named E.A.T. (Emergency Assistance Team) has been renamed the M.E.T. (Medical Emergency Team) and volunteers are still needed for this important ministry to accompany men to the hospital when they have a medical emergency.

Center Coordinator Nancy Kleppel asks that Maryknollers give the 941-7636 number plus their extension to family and friends so they can call rooms directly instead of going through our switchboard operators, who have been getting inundated with literally tens of thousands of calls in recent months.

A Lenten day of reflection and penance service may be scheduled for the second week in March.

Br. McKenna asks that people not be so helpful and not remove the fliers for his Thursday night movies from the bulletin boards.

Br. Kevin Dargan recited a long list of periodicals that have disappeared and pleaded with the men to return whatever they "borrowed." He suggested moving the security camera to focus on the periodical room door instead of the library entrance.

Fr. Joe Veneroso's suggestion that the room be locked whenever the library is closed went over like the proverbial lead balloon.

Leading in the race for the all-important House Committee to replace Fr. Tom Keefe and Fr. Dan Jensen who have moved to St. T's are:

Fr. Mike Zunno, Br. Tom Hickey and Fr. Joe Veneroso, each with 4 votes.

Br. Kevin Dargan and Fr. Tom Ahearn got 3 votes each.

Mike and Tom asked their names be removed. A motion was made to appoint the remaining three to the House Committe and a resounding yawn of apathy carried the motion.

An attempt to resurrect the monthly Quality of Life meeting died a'borning.

The meeting mercifully ended at 4:30.

Sent from my most excellent iPhone

Ashes to ashes

ASH WEDNESDAY certainly put me in a repentant mood, for the same reason yesterday's Mass did (read next post!) It's not that attending liturgies here will make your life longer. It will just seem that way. Many souls got sprung from Purgatory, in the Key of B flat.

Hey, but stay tuned! In less than an hour we will be holding our monthly house meeting, absent our pastoral director, Fr. Ernie Lukaschek. who is still recouperating nicely at St. T's. Br. John Blazo will attempt to herd cats, er, I mean conduct this meeting of Maryknollers.

I don't know yet what the agenda is, but I know Br. Kevin Dargan, one of our librarians, is getting pretty tired of periodicals, notably CELEBRATION, Magnificat and Homiletics, sprouting legs and walking off, usually with America, U.S. Catholic and the NCR.

I only hope if things do come to blows--or at least a shouting match--it does so before 5 when I have to go to Evening Prayer.

One musical trainwreck, one homiletic meltdown

IT'S NOT LIKE WE DON'T GET ENOUGH PRACTICE. Yesterday's funeral for Fr. Bill Marley was an improvement over our last fiasco, but that's not saying much. Even with Yours Truly leading the singing, I was no match for the organist who had a mind, tempo, volume and key all her own. Knowing when to stop playing is an important skill to cultivate. Knowing when to let go of the final chord already and let the celebrant get on with the liturgy remains an elusive goal.

Simply volunteering to preach during the time alotted for the homily should not automaticaly qualify someone to speak, ex temporaneously, unprepared and to absentmindedly rehash the entire biography from the prior evening. I do not fault the man who generously stepped up and volunteered. I fault those who selected him (for the second time in a row no less) and especially those in our "community" who couldn't be bothered to preach at a brother's funeral.

Hey, give me a break, it's Ash Wednesday. I'm sure I'll be in a better frame of mind after I eat something!

On a more upbeat note, Chace Olinger (Indiana), one of five vocation prospects applying this year, arrived this week to go through his battery of tests and interviews and physicals in preperation for the Admissions Board. Chace spent some time in Japan last year, getting to know Maryknollers and our work there.

Similarly we welcome Glen Di Angelo (Georgia) who will arrive this Friday and who spent time last summer in Bolivia.

Psychological tests? Hey, if they can endure our liturgies I say, "Sign 'em up!"

This 'n' that

KUDOS to our grounds crew who did yeomen's work throughout the night on Tuesday and all day Wednesday clearing the 5+ inches of snow from our parking lot, walkways and even from the tops of cars.

The snowday on Wednesday and delayed opening on Thursday, coupled with Presidents' Day on Monday (so people could take a HUGE six-day vacation if they took today off as well) might account for the meager attendance at Thursday's Food For Thought. Fr. John Brinkman presented the faith approach to global climate change as articulated in Copenhagen to a diminished group of eight Maryknollers and six employees.

Perhaps I am partly to blame for not blogging about the Food For Thought in a more timely manner. I know Fr. John McAuley had actually planned on leading a delegation from Taiwan to attend the talk which I had incorrectly advertised for last week. The good news is that Ms. Maureen Touhey videoed the presentation and may be willing to send you a copy just in time for your Lenten penances.

Speaking of which, Maryknoll will hold its semi-annual blood drive this coming Tuesday, February 16, just in time for Mardi Gras. A special supper will again pick up the theme of "Laissez les bon temps rouller!"

Snowday!

Our Snow Lady of Marykno

Heart of Jesus retreat

FR. Romane St. VIL will conduct a previously scheduled Heart of Jesus Retreat for the Haitian community all day Saturday (today!) at Maryknoll.

He leaves for Haiti after that. I think.

Haiti Update

ONLINE contributions to Maryknoll's Haiti relief effort total $18, 913 so far.

This sum does not include the $670+ that was donated at our special Mass for Haiti, nor does it include the private journal transactions from individual Maryknollers.

Father Romane St. Vil leaves for Haiti tomorrow. Father Dennis Moorman, his classmate, will join him on February 15, to offer whatever moral support he can to Romane as he undertakes this difficult journey.

Among the team of volunteer physicians Romane has assembled is Dr. David Kim, a former parishioner at St. Paul Chong-Ha-Sang parish in Queens, now working in L.A. He contacted me on Facebook after the earthquake because he wanted to volunteer through Marynoll. Luckily we were able to place him through Fr. Romane.

Pray for the success of this mission and for continued relief efforts.

Venerrata

SORRY! Father John Brinkman's Food For Thought talk about a faith perspective on climate change will be NEXT THURSDAY, February 11.

I will report on Father Frazier's discussion group that was held today as soon as I find someone who attended it.

Two gatherings & one escape

TODAY at noon Fr. John Brinkman will speak at the Food for Thought gathering in the Founders Room on the challenges of Copenhagen, a look at climate change from a faith perspective.

AT 4 p.m., in the Africa Room Fr. Bill Frazier will lead a discussion of his paper on reconciliation as a follow-up to the conversation about God & the earthquake in Haiti.

As for my part, I may miss both of these to seize an opportunity to see Avatar again in IMAX 3D at the Pallisades Mall in West Nyack.

Update on Ernie

I AM HAPPY to report that Fr. Ernie Lukaschek came through his surgery with flying colors—and with both kidneys! The surgeons removed what they needed to remove and all went well. Thank you all for your prayers!

Today we had a wonderful Mass for St. Blaise, with the Blessing of Throats, that drew a larger than normal crowd so we relocated to the main chapel. Many employees also came at the end of the Mass for the Blessing. I extended this rite to the Sodexo staff in the kitchen and Fr. Mike Zunno was kind enough to bring his candles up to health services.

So popular is this particularly arcane practice, even among nonCatholics, that I am investigating how better to make it available next year, during our 100th.

Incredibly disappearing stuff

CORRECTION: In my previous blog I posted that Fr. Ernie Lukaschek's operation was Thursday. It's today: Wednesday, Feb. 3. The request for prayers stands.

Fr. John Kaserow, our liturgy coordinator, noticed our new aspergillum (sprinkler, for you post Vatican II types) that bore an uncanny resemblance to a whisk brush, had apparently grown a pair of wings and flown away. Either that or someone had a sudden urge to sweep their floor. In any event, in looking for it in time for Fr. Jim O'Neill's wake, John happened upon the old aspergillam which had gone into hiding when the new one arrived.

But this did bring up the subject of theft...er...I mean, unauthorized permanent borrowing from the sacristy. Many albs, gone! Matching stoles, vanished! An almost complete set of custom-made Chinese vestments with the character "Tao" (or Way) on the back, missing! (Our guess is our men in Africa and Latin America are not suspect.) The bishop's stool for ordinations, disappeared. (Feel free to nominate your favorite episcopal wanna-be).

And this is just from the sacristy! Br. Kevin Dargan, librarian, reports that some magazines don't last a day in the periodicals room. America and U.S. Catholic both have a habit of sprouting legs. And the surveillance camera outside the library entrance shows nothing unusual, leaving us to imagine very unsavory ways to spirit away a publication.

But wait! There's more! Kevin also reports that while going through the late Fr. Dan Schneider's things, someone or ones felt free to go into the room and help themselves.

The laundry room is another point of departure for one's personal belongings. I once had a brand new shirt (only worn once) disappear when I sent out four shirts for laundering and, get this, I got back three shirts and an empty hanger! Talk about hutzpah! I even posted a "Missing Shirt" bulletin, all to no avail. It reappeared almost one year later, in the laundry room, cleaned and ironed and on a hanger. I guess the culprit thought the rabbinical curse at the end of my bulletin was only a joke.

*************************************

In other news, once again the right liturgical hand didn't know what the left pastoral hand was doing, so yesterday the funeral pre-empted the Mass of the Presentation. Being temporary, mobile and flexible missioners, we made do.

At second solemn vespers yesterday, we blessed the candles and gussied up the ceremony with lighted tapers and chanting. A recond 15 (count'em--15!) guys attended.

I propbably should have stopped to count the breviaries and candles after the ceremony.

Tidbits

• WE BID FAREWELL and buried Fr. Jim O'Neill (Japan) today in what can only be called, in all Christian charity, a liturgical train-wreck. The proposed fixed-position closed-circuit camera can be installed in the back of the chapel none-too-soon, where at very least our men in formation can review the DVD and learn many ways how not to say Mass. Not to be totally negative, for once the incensing was actually done correctly, i.e., no incensing the body during the offertory as if adapting an Aztec rite of human sacrifice. (Un)fortunatately we'll have another opportunity to get it right e'er long.

• The first ballot for the second Regional Assistant surfaced the following names: Fr. Bob Jalbert, Fr. Ed Szendrey, Fr. John Moran and Br. Tom Hickey. Since no one received a majority of votes, another ballot will go out in which men will be asked to chose two of the four names.

• Fr. Ernie Lukaschek, pastoral coordinator, asks prayers as he undergoes exploratory surgery tomorrow (Wednesday, Feb 3) on his kidney. Please send Ernie your palanca, blessings, prayers and good vibes.

Pilgrims' Progress

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL PRILGRIMAGE to Central America ended last week with 20 participants (2 deacons and 18 priests, including three canon lawyers) according to Rev. Mr. Steve DeMartino, vocations ministry coordinator, who organized the tour.

As the group made their way around the various spots in Guatemala and El Salvador made holy by the blood of many martyrs, including Bishop Oscar Romero, the four churchwomen and the Jesuits, not to mention hundreds of thousands of ordinary people, the group was particularly moved by the eye-witness accounts of survivors, DeMartino said.

Last of all they heard the stories of Maryknollers who lived there during those dark days: Br. Marty Shea, Fr. Bill Donnelly, Fr. Bill Mullan and Fr. Dave LaBuda. Maryknoll Fathers John Spain and Tom Goekler also hosted the group at their apostolates.

DeMartino proudly points to these pilgrimages as an excellent opportunity for Maryknoll to foster closer relationships with clergy of the Church in the U.S. as well as expose them to the Maryknoll mission reality.

Three of this year's participants expressed a desire to entire into deeper discussion and discernment in possibly joining our Associate Program.

**********************************************************
On an unrelated yet too humorous to ignore note, after the pilgrimage, Deacon Steve and Father Dave LaBuda were parambulating in the Petén (no mean fete in itself), when Steve heard the distinct noise of cracking branches and rustling leaves in the jungle canopy to either side of the path. They were being stalked by howler monkeys, to which Dave replied, "Whatever.

Finally Steve could take it no more and turned to address their still hidden adversaries, "Show your faces already!" (although truth be told, I don't know if he spoke in English, Spanish, Maya or Huachuatl). After two fruitless attempts to flush the monkeys out of hiding, one howler appeared and proceeded to live up to his name.

"Is that the best you got?" Steve howled back, at which point the howler proceeded to rain down his answer. Flushed out indeed.