Book Review by Fr. Jack Keegan, M.M.

Fr. Jack Keegan sent the following book review via email. Of particularly timely import is his observation in the very first paragraph:

"We Roman Catholics worry more whether the candidate for this calling (to the priesthood) is male rather than female, celibate rather than married, but we worry not nearly enough whether that candidate has a firm grasp on Christian wisdom."

I found it particularly edifying as we approach Holy Week, when we commemorate Jesus' "dismissal" from his society for suggesting maybe their hearts, thoughts, traditions and religion weren't sufficiently open and big enough to contain God's revelation.

Enjoy!

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

Julia Gatta, THE NEARNESS OF GOD: PARISH MINISTRY AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE (New York, Morehouse Publishing, 2010) 141 pages.


Some books occasion happiness in their readers. Such a one is Julia Gatta’s THE NEARNESS OF GOD: PARISH MINISTRY AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE. For a priest, reading it is much like being on retreat. Julia, with her twenty five years of experience is the retreat master. That she is a woman and married vindicates a complaint I used to mutter to myself many years ago when I was a seminary professor.

We Roman Catholics worry more whether the candidate for this calling is male rather than female, celibate rather than married, but we worry not nearly enough whether that candidate has a firm grasp on Christian wisdom. She has it, and shows it throughout the five chapters that make up this slim volume. In them she reflects on ordination, the eucharist, preaching and prayer, pastoral care, and temptation in ministry.

The central theme pervading her reflections on the priesthood is borrowed from Karl Rahner. “This is the life of the priest: to dwell completely in the explicit nearness of God.” Her companion is Urban T. Holmes who “was one of the first to call the priesthood of the church back to its theological and spiritual roots” so that priests might “reclaim their vocation to mediate the transcendent mystery of God.”

Priests can get bogged down in thinking of themselves as counselors and managers, leaders of their congregations and communities, another ‘helping profession.’ Underneath her reflections, although she never says so, stands a theology of grace, the saving presence of God that gifts every human life. It is to that the priest is related. It awaits the mediation of the priest in the mundane where “we are more apt to discover these blessings in the wide spectrum of exchanges that reveal our common humanity."

“Profoundly religious assumptions,” she later says, “are lodged quietly in worldly concerns,… the kinds of things people talk about when they do not think they are talking religion.” The Trinitarian presence of God embraces every human life, and the priest is oriented toward it as mediator to its becoming explicit in consciousness and behavior. And “Grace often takes us by surprise.”

This might have led these reflections on the priesthood toward a wider field of concern. Reviewing this book in SEWANEE THEOLOGICAL REVIEW (Vol.54, No. 1, p.86), Elizabeth Orens wonders “what she might say about the role of the priest who is called to witness in a social and political context.” In so wondering, she, no doubt, is groping toward a vision of the priesthood that focuses on its essentially missionary nature. While priests are ordained by and within a Christian community, they are not ordained only for it. They are also SENT by the Christian community to the mystery of grace irrupting in the wider world.

The author of THE NEARNESS OF GOD might have had this in mind when she rightly draws our attention to the fact that it is “natural for us to mark the beginning of a new priest’s ministry with a first celebration of the eucharist.” She then goes on to recall “a wonderful scene at the conclusion of the movie PLACES IN THE HEART that captures how the eucharist makes present the ‘age to come’” It looks forward to a final reconciliation of all human beings “sharing in the eschatological power of Christ’s Body and Blood.”

The author comes closest to affirming the missionary nature of the priesthood when focusing on a certain uneasiness she has with the term Pastoral care. “Whatever else ‘pastoral’might mean, then, “ she says, “it is a calling that must keep the paschal mystery well in the foreground.” For, “each human being contains unfathomable depths.” People experience the paschal mystery (often a kind of entering into the death of Christ without any feeling for the resurrection) not quite knowing what is happening in their lives. And, we priests “are invited into these places of pain and weakness simply because we are the priest; were it not for our ordination, we would not be there.”

This little book focuses on the priesthood within the Christian community. It is concerned with parish ministry as spiritual practice. It is here that its author displays both her experience and her wisdom. Nowhere is this more evident than in her chapter THE SUPPER OF THE LAMB: CELEBRATING THE EUCHARIST. She observes: “In some quarters, however, emphasizing liturgy as the ‘work of the people’ has become a pretext for endless human invention, while correspondingly little attention is paid to liturgy as Christ’s gift and action among us.”

This perspective carries over into the way she introduces her chapter on SERVING THE WORD: PRAYER FOR PREACHING. Her opening paragraph situates the two. “Preaching prepares the congregation for prayer, for their participation in the sacred mysteries.” It is clear that she has homiletic preaching in mind. She is quick to explain. “It refreshes the cleansing, transformative grace of baptism. It cultivates our ongoing conversion to Christ. It forms in us the perspective of the gospel. It sharpens our vision of the kingdom of God.”

This most rewarding chapter, wherein she intertwines prayer and preaching, was doubly effective for me because I was also reading Lewis V. Baldwin’s
NEVER TO LEAVE US ALONE: THE PRAYER LIFE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. at the same time. She is helpful and suggestive as to how to go about preaching, but she is not adverse to doing a little scolding. “Those who feel themselves called to the priesthood but who shy away from preaching and teaching are captured more by a sacerdotal archetype than by a calling to the real work of priesthood.”

A final chapter, DEFYING AND DEFINING LIMITS: TEMPTATION IN MINISTRY, is quite intriguing. “Grace confronts on all sides in a world saturated with the presence of the Risen Christ,” she reminds us, but priests must also remember that there is a close connection between ministry and temptation. The synoptic gospels attest to it, and “we would be naïve to suppose that the Holy Spirit is the only spirit around, that all the influences that press upon us are benign.”

The demonic is real, however we want to explain it. We can be tempted by the good. Remember the temptations of Jesus. They now weave their way into priestly ministry seducing priests to misuse their power, or to ask to be saved from self inflicted disasters, and to fail to honor the limitations of their
human nature. All by way of proposing the good that can come from it.

There is one aspect of this demonic assault on the ministry of the priest that remains inarticulate in her reflections. It was anticipated in her preface when she wrote: “For too long…the Church has subscribed to an essentially ethical understanding of IMITATIO CHRISTI to define the goal of Christian life and ministry. Jesus was not first and foremost a teacher of ethics. Part of his ministry was devoted to teaching and part of his teaching was devoted to ethical concerns. But, the last thing a priest wants to do is to wean people away from the cruciform character of human existence. Moral integrity is laudable, but priests have an eye and a nose for how the paschal mystery is woven into the flesh and blood of human existence.

Our ministry is not fundamentally to the moral integrity of humans, as laudable as that may be. Priests have to resist the temptation to undermine the gospel not by way of something evil, but through something good. The satanic temptation comes through when the moral life is promoted as the epitome of Christian living, displacing the mystery of life-through-death. True morality needs the paschal mystery for its foundation.

THE NEARNESS OF GOD is a small book with much in it to be savored, particularly by priests. But, it will surely be welcomed by anyone who wants to spend some time with a true spiritual guide whose wisdom is surely Christian.

John E. Keegan, M.M.

Huffington Post: Pope Appeals To China Over Naming Of Bishops

Our own Fr. Larry Lewis is returning from Rome and a meeting with Pope Benedict even as we blog. Ten days ago he called me up in a panic (Larry, not the pope) having heard from my classmate in Rome (Fr. Clyde Phillips, not the pope) that in the new dispensation, a suit and clerical collar are not sartorially sufficient to come into the papal presence.

"Joe, do you have a cassock I can borrow?"

"Actually I have three. Take your pick!"

He chose the one custom made for me some years ago by the mother of our late Br. Mike Greyerbiehl with the faux buttons hiding a full-length zipper (the cassock, not Mike) and a Maryknoll cincture complete with Chi Rho.

The purpose of Larry's call to Rome was a high-level discussion of Maryknoll's China Formation Project which has helped bring Chinese priests, seminarians and Sisters from the mainland to the U.S. so they could receive solid education in religious matters.

Four (or five?) alums of the program went on to become bishops in China with Vatican and PRC official approval. Larry went to give his assessment of the program.

Now, I'm not saying there's a quid pro quo, but my cassock may have just been the tipping point to the following press release from the Vatican. Just sayin'.

		Pope Appeals To China Over Naming Of Bishops
	By Francis X. Rocca Religion News Service VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican on Thursday (April 14) lamented China's interference with the Roman Catholic Church, and...

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"Lord Have Mercy" Maryknoll

THIS is the corrected link to the latest music video meditation of the Missa ad Gentes.

Check it out on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az0LhIcAZ_A&feature=youtube_gdata_player

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Well-planned activities

Fr. Leo Shea wows the crowd with a PowerPoint presentation of up-coming Centennial events.

House Meeting

Will there be enough life preservers and lifeboats?

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?

Fr. Roy Bourgeois, M.M.

Will Roy's picture be taken down from the hall of Maryknollers once he is formally dismissed from the Society and laicized by Rome?

On Conscientious Objection

Back in my college days in the mid 1960s, I joined the War Resisters League, founded by Mahatma Gandhi, to combat the predominant mentality in society that violence and war can solve our problems. We took a pledge never to refer to another human being in anything less than human terms. No "pigs". No "gooks". No "monsters."

The strength of the movement lay in its followers being willing to participate in acts of civil disobedience against selective laws deemed unjust, and then willingly accepting the consequence of their action. Gandhi clearly stated such action must be selective. If laws are broken habitually then the focus of the injustice is lost. Similarly, Gandhi thought it essential to willingly accept the punishment for the infraction, thus underscoring just how injust, if not absurd, the particular law in question is.

I bring this up in this week before Holy Week as Maryknoll on the one hand prepares to celebrate the Passion, Death and Resurrection of the Lord (the cosmic example of a conscientious objector) while on the other hand preparing to expel (excuse me, DISMISS) Fr. Roy Bourgeois from our Society. [Our resident canon lawyer insists Roy is being dismissed, not expelled. I think the nuance depends on whether or not you open the door before booting someone out through it.]

Like many Maryknollers, I feel saddened, angry yet resigned to the inevitable and unavoidable consequences to Roy's actions these past several years. Let me be honest in the interest of full disclosure: I like Roy, I consider him my brother, and I totally agree with his opinion of women's ordination. I do not, however, agree with his strategy.

By dragging Maryknoll into his cause and putting us on a collision course with the hierarchy and official Church teaching, he forced Superior General Fr. Ed Dougherty's hand. One Maryknoller wanted to pose this question to Roy: would you force a busload of protesters at the annual SOA protest to cross the line and get arrested against their will? This Maryknoller says what Roy did was essentially to hijack Maryknoll and force us over the line.

When Roy was excommunicated in 2009 for participating in an attempted ordination of a woman to the Roman Catholic priesthood in 2008, he acted in the prophetic role of a conscientious objector by accepting the punishment for breaking what he feels in his heart of hearts is an unjust law. But by continually disregarding Fr. Dougherty's explicit instruction to make no further public statements and take no further action in support of women's ordination, Roy sealed his own fate and gave Doc an out to rid the Society of this "meddlesome priest" (cf. Thomas Becket and King Henry II, for those who are historically challenged.)

Perhaps Roy was acting in the style of Martin Luther ("Hier stehe ich, ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir." ["Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me."]) Unfortunately, Doc's letter to Roy clouds the issue by casting the dismissal once again in terms of women's ordination and not explicitly in breaking the vow of obedience we take to our superiors. Inadvertently, then, our superior actually did Roy a favor by making the dismissal from Maryknoll a direct consequence of his public stand against the official Church's barring women from Holy Orders.

Murky ecclesial waters indeed. But for the above reasons, Roy's imminent dismissal from Maryknoll and forced laicization does refocus attention on the Church's ban on women's ordination. This apparent injustice in the Church is highlighted all the more by the recent report by the Boston-based Gavin group that found 55 dioceses are not compliant with the 2002 Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Two dioceses, Lincoln, Neb. and Baker, Ore. refused to cooperate with the audit. Is it too much to ask the bishops to keep their own promises and be consistent in meting out ecclesial justice by slapping the recalcitrant dioceses with an interdict (a communal excommunication) until they reflect and repent the error of their ways? Or is it true that the official Church considers involvement in women's ordination as grave a sin as pedophilia? (I notice a strange silence about the gravity of the sin of those who permitted the abuses to continue by transferring offenders and hiding their crimes.)

Be that as it may, the Vatican has declared no women shall be called to Holy Orders, ostensibly because none was present at the Last Super when Jesus instituted the priesthood. But by that same logic, let us then be consistent and decree that henceforth no woman is qualified to receive communion.

So here we stand, we can do no other. In 100 years, I feel Maryknoll will be but an asterisk next to Roy Bourgeois name. Don't believe me? Can anyone name the superior general who dismissed Father Martin Luther? Didn't think so. God help us, indeed.

Letter from Roy Bourgeois

April 8, 2011

Rev. Edward Dougherty, M.M., Superior General
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
P.O. Box 303
Maryknoll, NY 10545


Dear Father Dougherty and General Council,

Maryknoll has been my community, my family, for 44 years, so it is with great sadness that I received your letter of March 18, 2011 stating I must recant my belief and public statements that support the ordination of women, or I will be dismissed from Maryknoll.

When I was a young man in the military, I felt God was calling me to be a priest. I later entered Maryknoll and was ordained. I am grateful for finding the happiness, meaning and hope I was seeking in my life.

For the past 20 years I have been speaking out and organizing against the injustice of the School of the Americas and U.S. foreign policy in Latin America. Over these years I discovered an injustice much closer to home - an injustice in my Church.

Devout women in our Church believe God is calling them to be priests, but they are rejected because the Church teaches that only baptized men can become priests. As a Catholic priest for 38 years, I believe our Church's teaching that excludes women from the priesthood defies both faith and reason and cannot stand up to scrutiny for the following reasons:

(1) As Catholics, we believe that we are created in the image and likeness of God and that men and women are equal before God. Excluding women from the priesthood implies that men are superior to women.

(2) Catholic priests say that the call to be a priest is a gift and comes from GOD. How can we, as men say: "Our call from God is authentic, but your call, as women, is not"? Who are we to reject God's call of women to the priesthood? I believe our Creator who is the Source of life and called forth the sun and stars is certainly capable of calling women to be priests.

(3) We are told that women cannot be priests because Jesus chose only men as apostles. As we know, Jesus did not ordain anyone. Jesus also chose a woman, Mary Magdalene, to be the first witness to His resurrection, which is at the core of our faith. Mary Magdalene became known as "the apostle to the apostles."

(4) A 1976 report by the Pontifical Biblical Commission, the Vatican's top Scripture scholars, concluded that there is no valid case to be made against the ordination of women from the Scriptures. In the Episcopal, Methodist, Lutheran, United Church of Christ, Presbyterian and other Christian churches, God's call of women to the priesthood is affirmed and women are ordained. Why not in the Catholic church?

(5) The Holy Scriptures remind us in Galatians 3:28, "There is neither male nor female. In Christ Jesus you are one." Furthermore, the Second Vatican Council's Pastoral Constitution on "The Church in the Modern World" states: "Every type of discrimination ... based on sex ... is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God's intent."

After much reflection and many conversations with fellow priests and women, I believe sexism is at the root of excluding women from the priesthood. Sexism, like racism, is a sin. And no matter how hard we may try to justify discrimination against women, in the end, it is not the way of God. Sexism is about power. In the culture of clericalism many Catholics priests see the ordination of women as a threat to their power.

Our Church is in a crisis today because of the sexual abuse scandal and the closing of hundreds of churches because of a shortage of priests. When I entered Maryknoll we had over 300 seminarians. Today we have ten. For years we have been praying for more vocations to the priesthood. Our prayers have been answered. God is sending us women priests. Half the population are women. If we are to have a vibrant and healthy Church, we need the wisdom, experience and voices of women in the priesthood.

As Catholics, we believe in the primacy and sacredness of conscience. Our conscience is sacred because it gives us a sense of right and wrong and urges us to do the right thing. Conscience is what compelled Franz Jagerstatter, a humble Austrian farmer, husband and father of four young children, to refuse to join Hitler's army, which led to his execution. Conscience is what compelled Rosa Parks to say she could no longer sit in the back of the bus. Conscience is what compels women in our Church to say they cannot be silent and deny their call from God to he priesthood. And it is my conscience that compels me to say publicly that the exclusion of women from the priesthood is a grave injustice against women, against our Church and against our God who calls both men and women to the priesthood.

In his 1968 commentary on the Second Vatican Council's document, "Gaudium et Spes," Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI, said: "Over the pope ... there still stands one's own conscience, which must be obeyed before all else, if necessary, even against the requirement of ecclesiastical authority."

What you are requiring of me is not possible without betraying my conscience. In essence, you are telling me to lie and say I do not believe that God calls both men and women to the priesthood. This I cannot do, therefore I will not recant.

Like the abolition of slavery, the civil rights movement and the right of women to vote, the ordination of women is inevitable because it is rooted in justice. Whenever there is an injustice, silence is the voice of consent. I respectfully ask my fellow priests, bishops, Church leaders in the Vatican and Catholics in the pews to speak out and affirm God's call of women to the priesthood.


Your Brother in Christ,

(Signed)

Roy Bourgeois, M.M.
P.O. Box 3330
Columbus, GA 31903
Tel/Fax 706-682-5369
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Kingdom of Radical Love

"Exempting no one; excluding no one."

Fr. Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann, M.M.

Breakfast at the 39th St. House turns into a mini retreat for this blogger.

Miguel's mission

An overnight stay at our 39th St. House afforded me some time to chat with Fr. Miguel D'Escoto about his recent activities. He assured me he has no great desire to be Libya's representative at the United Nations, but rather wants to put together an A-List international team of high profile negotiators who can bring a peaceful and just solution to the Libya conflict.

To that end, Miguel had to quickly change his plans to come to the Knoll this weekend. A phone call convinced him to get back to Nicaragua tomorrow.

I have to say, listening to Miguel is like going on a mini-retreat. No matter what question I asked him, he always circled back around to the gospel. Miguel certainly lets his faith illuminate his actions. Quoting Tolstoy, he said "The kingdom of God requires a radical love that exempts no one and excludes no one." This has been his guiding principle throughout his missionary life as well as in recent years when he served as president of the U.N. General Assembly. He dismissed charges that he needed a diplomatic visa to work at the U.N. and flashed a special I.D. badge he has as a former president which gets him anywhere inside the U.N. compound.

"You have no right to criticize someone unless you love them," Miguel said. "Only love gives you the vision to criticize effectively. Without love, criticism may be motivated by jealousy, anger or hatred. Such criticism will never be heard by God nor will it help the person or institution you are criticizing."

Speaking of which, Miguel is about to publish a book proposing a total overhaul and reinvention of the United Nations. Clearly he loves the U.N.

He recalled meeting President George W. Bush for the first time. "What would I say to him? We had 153 items on the U.N. agenda. Finally I offered my hand and said, 'Mr. President, I want you to know that I love you. I love your wife and I love your family.' " Miguel recalls how Bush's face noticeably softened. Probably underestimating the man he was facing, Bush later described Miguel as a pleasant, old gentleman.

I tried to gauge his reaction to the imminent dismissal of Fr. Roy Bourgeois from Maryknoll and from the priesthood. "Roy is paying the price for standing up to the institutional church which has been distorting the Gospel of Jesus Christ for 1,600 years." He then went into detailed description of how Constantine manipulated the Council of Nicea.

At about this time I got a phone call from a former superior general of Maryknoll who shall remain anonymous so as not to jeopardize his teaching position at the University of Scranton. I assured John I had not been silenced again, for the simple reason that I had not been silenced the first time. I try to give an accurate reading of what guys discuss here at the Knoll, but truth be told, how many colonoscopies and seminars on gerontology can one report on in between baseball or basketball games?

That being said, Miguel's taking a long view of things and casting his actions as working out of love to build the kingdom of God, no matter what the personal cost or hardship, helps us understand if not always appreciate what he and Roy and so many lower profile Maryknollers are doing. "What else would you expect if you're following a Crucified Lord?" Miguel said.

Huffington Post: Excommunicated Priest Now Faces Expulsion

Here is how the Huffington Post treated the stories. The comments at the end are a good indication of how the average person views this.

		Excommunicated Priest Now Faces Expulsion
	By Bruce Nolan Religion News Service NEW ORLEANS -- The Rev. Roy Bourgeois, the Louisiana native and peace activist who was excommunicated three years ago...

 

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NYTimes: Libya Taps Nicaraguan as Its Envoy at the U.N.

From The New York Times:

Libya Taps Nicaraguan as Its Envoy at the U.N.

Miguel D'Escoto Brockmann, an outspoken critic of the United States and a Catholic priest, would replace a Libyan diplomat who had been unable to obtain a visa to enter the United States.

http://nyti.ms/i01ioE

Get The New York Times on your iPhone for free by visiting http://itunes.com/apps/nytimes

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D'Escoto & Bourgeois

According to the NYT, defected Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa has contacted Fr. Miguel D'Escoto, former president of the UN General Assembly and former foreign minister of Nicaragua, to help negotiate behind the scenes for a departure for Moamar Gaddafi from Libya.

Complicating this already murky issue, Miguel is in the US on a tourist visa. (He had renounced his US citizenship when he became foreign minister in the 1980s.) The US State Department says any such diplomatic activity would be in violation of his visa.

In the mean time, it is reported that Miguel and his staff are ensconced in our 39th Street House wondering what the next moves are.

Aren't we all?

The reaction to the impending dismissal (not expulsion, according to our canon law expert) of Father Roy Bourgeois continues to sink in among the membership. If you think the d'Escoto situation is murky, you should hear the conversations around the salad bar. Some are very angry at our Council, some are angry at Roy, some support Roy's positions but not his tactics, some support Roy but resent the way he dragged Maryknoll into his crusades making this a lose/lose situation for the Society. Most were willing to accept this as a clear consequence of Roy disobeying his superior to not participate in further actions, but then Superior General Father Ed Dougherty complicated the issue by focusing again on women's ordination. Of particular note is Doc's contention that Roy's actions are a "cause for scandal" among Catholics and Maryknollers as well.

Taking exception to this position, Father Tom Henahan posted an email to the General Council asking them to cease any further action against Roy. Fr. Gene Toland has added his signature to this letter, but most here agree there is no way either Doc or Roy can back down at this unfortunate point.

Everyone is happy they are not superior general, except for Doc.

What a way to celebrate our Centenary year!

Link to NCR online

Hi again. Here is the link to the article about Roy:

http://ncronline.org/news/women/maryknoll-gives-bourgeois-notice-removal-order

A link to a copy of Letter #1 is embedded in the article.

Bourgeois update

By the time Yours Truly made the rounds table-hopping in the dining room, members were all abuzz about the news that Fr. Roy's days as a Maryknoller are numbered.

Fr. Jim Gilligan, our expert in canon law, was quick to clarify that as of today Roy is still in the Society, "but the process (of expulsion) has begun." According to Jim, a letter was sent to Roy giving him 15 days to publicly recant his position and activities promoting the ordination of women to the priesthood of the R.C. Church. Fifteen days after he receives that, if there is no recanting, a second letter is sent. Fifteen days after that, a formal letter of expulsion is sent to Roy and Rome is notified.

Reaction around the dining room to this news, first broke by NCR online, ranged from sadness to resignation to relief. No one was really surprised, although one priest was very upset.

Superior General Ed Dougherty explained that he was trying to keep his end of the agreement of maintaining silence while this process unfolded, but Roy contacted NCR and gave them a copy of Letter #1. "So I guess the cat is out of the bag," is how Doc reacted.

Among other things, now that mysterious email last week from internal auditor, Fr. Ed Szendrey, reiterating Maryknoll policy about individual Maryknollers deflecting inquiries from the press to Mr. Mike Virgintino, our media relations rep, suddenly makes sense.

Meanwhile, back in the dining room, guys were in agreement on two points: that, no matter what they thought of Roy personally or about his actions, Maryknoll leadership had been more than patient over the years, but especially since 2008. Also, once again it is Maryknoll which will probably suffer as a result. Indeed, the NCR article quoted a representative of the women's ordination movement calling for a letter campaign on behalf of Roy to our General Council.

One thing is clear to this blogger as he argued with Jim Gilligan as he split canonical hairs, if you know Roy, there is no way he will recant in the remaining days. Thus the headline of the original post remains: Bourgeois is out.

Bourgeois out of Maryknoll?

If you have read the recent NCR, you learned faster than most Maryknollers that Fr. Roy Bourgeois's membership in Maryknoll will come to an official and inglorious end in the coming days.

Almost two years after Roy's excommunication, Fr. Ed Dougherty could no longer maintain the untenable situation of extending Roy the benefits of full membership in the Society while he not only remained excommunicated, but he did not curtail his public advocacy of women's ordination.

Thus ends a sad chapter. But my guess is not the final one.

I shall linger around the salad bar and forward whatever the buzz is anon.

Lunch on the river

Last Thursday, the assisted living office sponsored an outing to Harvest on the Hudson in Hastings. Ms. Kathy Brophy drove the van with Fr. Jerry Nagle, Fr. Dan Dolan and Fr. Leo Kennedy. Br. Tom Hickey drove his car with Fr. Bob LeFebre and me. (I was the designated eater and provided comic relief.)

We'd originally planned an annual visit to the CIA in Hyde Park, which offers a nice prix fixe lunch and dinner around this time of year. But when we learned the French Restaurant wasn't opened yet, we rightly decided if we can't get our escargot we might as well eat in an American restaurant.

While most opted for the eggplant minestrone and baked salmon, yours truly had the roasted red peppers and arugula, followed by orecchiettie in a green and black olive sauce.

Far better than the excellent meal was the camaraderie strengthened by this unique opportunity to dish about the Maryknollers who were back at the Knoll.

Afternoon session

Larry's afternoon talk seemed to underscore what Fr.Richard Rohr stated in his article the link to which I posted here a few days ago.

Namely, we are called to be spiritual seekers, not settlers. This underlies Jesus saying in Matthew's gospel, "Blessed are the poor in spirit."

We are never to feel spiritually full and content, as if we have attained all truth and all happiness. It is this longing, this hunger that urges us to "seek first the kingdom of heaven." Notice we don't necessarily find the kingdom. Jesus tells the young scholar, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." He gives no indication where to look or go next, for Jesus does not want to short-circuit the process, for the value is in the seeking more than the finding.

Larry related a time when Fr. Gustavo Gutierrez visited the Knoll in the 1980s and spoke of his poverty: getting his teeth fixed for free so he could respect the gift God gave him to speak on behalf of his people. Gustavo knew he could not truly be poor, nor could Maryknollers be poor. "Do not use the poor to make yourselves feel good," he said to Maryknollers with his hand out, not in accusation but in solidarity.

Our mission vocation is built on a lack. We lack family and stability and "roots" so we can feel the lack most people experience. Yet over the years we tended to fill our lack with achievements, how many churches we built or have many baptisms we performed.

The radical call of the missioner is to rediscover his total dependence on God.

The message of our current American society is one of instant gratification, which is anethema and detrimental to authentic spirituality.

The Sisters at Monrovia, Larry said, are in that in-between space being too old to remain overseas, yet not sick enough to go to their nursing facility. Larry found among them an appreciation for the situation they are in, although if they had their preferences, they'd be elsewhere. It is this acceptance of the limitations that gives them freedom.

Talk by Fr. Larry Lewis

Our Lenten day of recollection included two talks, Mass & homily and reconciliation service.

Premature Resurrection?

Fr. Larry Lewis gave our community a Lenten day of reflection based on the "Empty Tomb." This theme took on particular meaning for Larry back in the 1990s when a priest preached on his experience of peering into his growing anxieties and saw nothing. The emptiness of our hearts and lives may be frightening and present us the temptation to fill them with something, anything.

On this feast of the Annunciation we contemplate God emptying himself to become human.

We are not comfortable with peering into our own emptiness. Many people turn to various addictions to take away the pain of our emptiness.

When personal tragedies strike, us or our loved ones, we often can find no appropriate words yet the silence taunts us.

Lent invites us to gaze into the empty tomb, representing all we once held as meaningful, good and holy. We must sit with our uneasiness.

Larry once asked the Chinese whom he was teaching what they thought of when they saw an image of the crucified Christ. One man replied, "A loss of face." Face is a very important concept among Asian peoples. What does it mean that the Son ofGod willingly suffered this terrible loss of face for us?

Larry recounted meeting women who were trying to get away from situations of abuse and prostitution. One woman had a terrible history of abuse. She andLarry became friends. They lost contact but after 20 years she contacted with him again. On his 25th anniversary she was among the guests. Larry's mother asked him, "After 25 years of being a priest, are you happy?" Maria, the woman, indicated the circle of friends who remained after the meal and said, "This, this talking together with friends, this is happiness."

The stark emptiness and darkness of the church on Good Friday and Holy Saturday symbolizes our existential emptiness.

There is a certain freedom in accepting our emptiness. It may not feel as good as the dopamine squirt we get from alcohol or various addictions, but it is longer lasting.

Moments of failure, disappointments, confusion, fear and sorrow are all part of the human experience and we do ourselves an injustice by avoiding or disguising our darker moments. These can be very fruitful moments precisely because they are painful.

Catholic songs - "Lamb of God" Maryknoll

Guys! Click on the link below to view first of six musical video reflections I've been working on with Ms. Emily Ruiz based on the Missa ad Gentes by Michael Joncas for Maryknoll's Centenary.

Many thanks to Ms. Jennifer O'Halloran from Archives and Ms. Myrna Rodrigues from New Media for help putting this together for YouTube.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDmO_kRb6ow&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Sent from my most excellent iPhone

Huffington Post: FR. RICHARD ROHR: Life On The Edge: Understanding The Prophetic Position

As fine a description of what a Missioner SHOULD be as I've ever read. This raises a more disturbing question for Maryknoll: is it too late for us?

		FR. RICHARD ROHR: Life On The Edge: Understanding The Prophetic Position
	A doorkeeper must love both the inside and the outside of his or her group, and know how to move between these two loves.

 

Sent from my most excellent iPhone

Employees gather

About 250 employees gather to here Centennial plans. They were rewarded with cake and coffe.

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.

High School Workshop

Seniors from St. Paul's church in Queens planned and organized this year's student workshop at the Knoll. They chose the theme of coping with stress. We gave them practice.

Asian invasion?

Well, it seems that the residents once again survived 45+ Korean-American high school students and teachers from St. Paul's in Queens last weekend attending a workshop here without too many glitches. Oh sure, their praise band drumming and strumming after 11:30 p.m. did awaken some guys, but he politely asked them to be quiet and they were, for the most part. And a few other students forgot the rule about closing their doors quietly and not running down the halls, especially at 2 a.m.

Perhaps the biggest snafu was we forget about the quantities of food teenagers can pack away. Luckily, we adhered to the policy of not descending on the food line until 30 minutes after it opens. This allows Members to get their desired portion of spaghetti and ice cream. To be fair, the kids were very good about not wasting food, but, yes, they can eat!

Many thanks to Fr. Stephen Taluja who gave them a talk and helped with confessions, as did Fr. Kevin Hanlon. And thanks too to Br. Kevin Dargan for helping prepare hot water for the late snack of Ramen noodles after the students were shriven.

While the students and teachers enjoy coming to the Knoll, I'm wondering whether it's worth the ágita for all concerned. We had to hold back on the number of participants because of a rule somewhere that says we have to cut back on the number of participants. That is, we have rooms to accommodate as many as 60 but I was told no more than 45 could attend. Luckily, some agreed to day-hop. Also, due to insurance liabilities, the students were told not to use our gym again, even though they bring a certificate of insurance covering an aggregate of $2 million. For the record, Graymoor requires no such certificate; neither does Marian Shrine that also has a gym. A tired student is a quiet student! Also, St. Josaphat's in Oyster Bay is a stand-alone building where noise or numbers are not an issue.

My thinking for bringing them to the Knoll was that it was an opportunity for the students to visit and learn more about Maryknoll, but I'm afraid what they may be learning might not help matters. (For the other record, Fr. Alfonso Kim came from this parish as did Seminarian Dae Wook KIm, currently on OTP in Bolivia. In addition, five young men from the parish who were at this weekend's workshop have expressed interest in attending the Holy Week retreat here for vocations.)

It seems that, with the growing number of retirees moving to the Center, it may no longer be feasible for the foreseeable future to have large groups stay over. This underscores the need once again to consider what to do with Bethany. Between the Koreans, the Haitians, the Vietnamese and the Hispanic communities, we should have little trouble keeping the place occupied. Provided of course we spring for the big bucks to bring the building up to code.

Or perhaps we should revisit the whole idea of limiting the number of retirees who live at the Center, and those that do, living in places other than the R-Wing. This had been the suggestion when we remodeled, but some R-Wing residents didn't want to relocate. As a result, retreatants are scattered among the residents on all the floors and wings and the potential for noise and disruptions increases. Why not close off the R-wing to residents via attrition? That is, once a permanent resident vacates a room in the R-Wing, it remains available only to outside guests?

Or we can take the opposite approach and simply become a retirement home with only a few rooms for guests.

Just like last year when there was a similar noise disruption, the Korean student workshop ended yesterday with the disturbors of the peace making the rounds during lunch time to apologize to Maryknollers. Of course, by that time, only three tables of missioners remained and those who were there weren't the ones whose sleep had been disturbed. Luckily, the Maryknoll Grapevine is such that I trust word will spread around the Knoll fast enough.

A leprechaun

Glory be! It's one of the little people
...and a leprechaun in front of him.

St. Patrick's Day festivities

Sure and a grand time was had by all.

House Meeting 2011.3

Forty men attended the monthly house meeting this afternoon, focusing on "manners" or the lack thereof, especially in public areas like the dining room. Margaret Sheehan, Sodexo manager, invited comments as the regular surveys do not render specifics. "Too spicy" can mean different things (I presume depending on whether the man is of Irish or Italian-American heritage.)

The first comments surrounded ground pepper, the absence of fresh garlic, and some dissatisfaction with the coffee (not from the same person, btw.) A regular rotation of fresh fruit in the kitchenettes was suggested, and perhaps root beer like that offered in the 39th St.House.

[Blogger's note: given the on-going catastrophe in Japan, life must be pretty good here.]

The next topic was the all-encompassing heading of "manners." Some common-sense behaviors seem to have been lost during years of lonely living out in the African bush or the desolate altiplano. Fr'rinstance: Guys who handle food (fruit, sandwiches) then put it back, guys who use half a portion of jam and return the unused portion, sneezing or coughing without using your handkerchief or sleeve, putting up chairs to reserve seats (causing a tripping hazard).

Monopolizing the public computers (especially by guests), non-enforcement of the non-smoking policy in the house, watching TV with one's door open, using the 2nd & 3rd Floor washing machines and dryers (with buzzard) after 10:00 p.m. at night, and the perennial disappearance of Magnificat and America magazines from reading rooms. These were among some of the grievances.

On Lenten themes: the Stations of the Cross are prayed every Friday in the main chapel at 4:00 p.m. Fr. Larry Lewis will offer a day of reflection on "The Empty Tomb" on March 24, followed by Stations and Sacrament of Reconciliation.

An outside liturgist will come in to explain the new Roman Missal. One man wanted to express frustration that the whole process was foisted upon the US church. Our house liturgist shared the frustration but said Cardinal George had closed off any further discussion so we are stuck with it.

Tuesday of Holy Week there will be an anointing service.

New Roman Missal (Missile?)

Many thanks to Fr. John Sivalon and Fr. Don Allen for bringing this article in America magazine to our attention. (I use the royal "we" because I received it as part of a mass emailing). Maybe this will be the R.C. Church's opportunity for a Facebook, email, or Twitter revolution.)

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

An Open Letter to the U.S. Catholic
Bishops on the Forthcoming Missal
ANTHONY RUFF | FEBRUARY 14, 2011

Your Eminences, Your Excellencies,

With a heavy heart, I have recently made a difficult decision concerning the new English missal. I have decided to withdraw from all my upcoming speaking engagements on the Roman Missal in dioceses across the United States. After talking with my confessor and much prayer, I have concluded that I cannot promote the new missal translation with integrity. I’m sure bishops want a speaker who can put the new missal in a positive light, and that would require me to say things I do not believe.

I love the Church, I love the sacred liturgy, I love chant in Latin and English, and I treasure being involved with all these as a monk and priest. It has been an honor to serve until recently as chairman of the music committee of the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) that prepared all the chants for the new missal. But my involvement in that process, as well as my observation of the Holy See’s handling of scandal, has gradually opened my eyes to the deep problems in the structures of authority of our church.

The forthcoming missal is but a part of a larger pattern of top-down impositions by a central authority that does not consider itself accountable to the larger church. When I think of how secretive the translation process was, how little consultation was done with priests or laity, how the Holy See allowed a small group to hijack the translation at the final stage, how unsatisfactory the final text is, how this text was imposed on national conferences of bishops in violation of their legitimate episcopal authority, how much deception and mischief have marked this process—and then when I think of Our Lord’s teachings on service and love and unity…I weep.

I see a good deal of disillusionment with the Catholic Church among my friends and acquaintances. Some leave the Catholic Church out of conviction, some gradually drift away, some join other denominations, some remain Catholic with difficulty. My response is to stay in this church for life and do my best to serve her. This I hope to do by stating the truth as I see it, with charity and respect. I would be ready to participate in future liturgical projects under more favorable conditions.

I am sorry for the difficulties I am causing others by withdrawing, but I know this is the right thing to do. I will be praying for you and all leaders in our church.

Pax in Christo,

Fr. Anthony Ruff, O.S.B.

Anthony Ruff, O.S.B., is a Benedictine monk of Saint John’s Abbey and a professor of liturgy and Gregorian chant. He was on the committee which drafted the 2007 document “Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship” for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is founder of the National Catholic Youth Choir and blogs at Pray Tell. His letter above to the U.S. bishops is printed in its entirety.

From Fr. Roberto in Japan

I am sure you all are following the news of the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan two days ago. Although Maryknollers received the following email from Fr. Roberto Rodriguez, I post it here precisely because many who read this blog are not Society members but are nonetheless concerned about Maryknoll. Let us continue to pray for the Japanese and all who suffer from this disaster.

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


Dear friends:
 
Thank you for all your messages of Solidarity and Prayers for the people here in Japan. 
It is very comforting to receive them and to count on your prayers during such terrible situation here in Japan.
 
The earthquake, which measured 8.9, and the tsunami had been devastating for many people and communities here in Japan. Some places close to the Sendai Prefecture, where the epicenter of the earthquake was, had been covered up with water and destroyed due to its impact. At the moment there are many fires burning in several places throughout the country, trains are no running and other public services are down too. There is fear that one of the nuclear plants is not shutdown totally and radiation may be leaking. There had been more than 30 after shocks and they are continuing. Some of them are very strong measuring more than 5.0 in the scale and last for a long time.  People are afraid and trying to cope as well as they can.
 
Personally I am doing fine and everyone here in the house is good too. Thank you for your messages of concern regarding myself, the Maryknollers in Japan and the people of this country.
 
Let us continue to pray for all the victims of this terrible earthquake and that calm/peace may return soon to this beautiful land of the Rising Sun.  
 
Ever grateful your friend Roberto

Rev. Roberto Rodriguez, MM
Maryknoll Missioners
6-2 Kioicho
Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0094 JAPAN

Tel.: 03-3261-7283
Fax.: 03-3222-0726
RRodriguez@maryknoll.org

Waterfront property?

No, this has not been photoshopped. This is our quadrangle after a second bout of torrential rains in four days drenched the Northeast and closed highways with a "Brook" or "Steam" in their names (Bronx River. Saw Mill River and Sprain Brook) by changing them into rivers and brooks.

Fat Tuesday & Bethany

Maryknoll welcomed 35 members of the U.N. Faith Decade for Peace committee, giving us a truly international flavor matched only by the 43 national flags currently in the Spellman room. Add to this the colorful national costumes warn by our visitors: Korean hanbok, African kanzu, Seikh turban and , of course, Jewish yarmulka, and for a few days the Knoll really does look like a place of prayer for all peoples.

Tonight, of course, was Mardi Gras and once again the Sodexo staff outdid itself with food, refreshments and decorations. There were plenty of beads and balloons to go around, New Orleans jazz music and even a King Cake. Tomorrow's Ash Wednesday Mass will be in the main chapel, since many employees also attend.

Now for the good stuff! (You really didn't expect me to confine my comments to banalities, did you?)

Work in refurbishing the Walsh building for its next incarnation as the lay mission offices continues apace, with their trainees to be housed here and at the Sisters'. This, of course, begs the question: what's to become of Bethany, now that ownership has reverted to the Society?

To bring Bethany up to code with much-needed repairs and remodeling would cost a cool $4 million, says someone in a position to know.

Another knowledgeable person opines it would be easier and more economical to level the place and build from scratch.

At this point I chimed in and suggested a retreat house might be nice, given that more and more retirees are moving into our Center, which might soon render our place impractical for groups larger than ten.

This is where it gets intriguing. Nowhere in our Constitutions does it say a Maryknoller has a right to live here at the Knoll, but only that the Society owes its members a place to stay. Above mentioned knowledgeable person suggested we might put a limit on the number of retired members living here at the Center. And lest that sound extreme, if not Draconian, he pointed out that the Paris Foreign Mission Society FORBIDS its retired members from living at their headquarters in Paris. If you live at their Center, you must have a job. They do have two houses in the south of France for their retirees.

Now, given that they are our spiritual forebears, might we consider emulating them? Let me be the first to propose a compromise: a limited number of retirees can live here as long as we also buy a house for our retirees in the south of France. Or Italy. Or Hawaii. (Hey, if we can rebuy a house in Washington, why not check out the real estate in Honolulu?)

Civility 101

Several Maryknollers at breakfast expressed disgust at having witnessed rather unsavory behavior by fellow missioners in the food line. To wit: guys who drop silverware on the floor and then just put in back (the three-second rule notwithstanding); guys who use half a package of jam and then return the uneaten portion to the condiments bar; guys who spill food on the counter or floor and simply walk away without informing the kitchen staff; guys who cut bananas into three parts and take the middle; guys who left their various used bandages and bandaids on the counter... You get the picture.

Granted, hygienic standards out in the bush, outback or alti plano may not equal those of Boston or even Westchester high society, but good grief. Add to this the penchant some have for viewing Society property as their own personal stash, guys who stake out the TV room every evening never let anyone chose a program and guys who (how to put this delicately?) need to reacquainted themselves with the benefits of frequent bathing and doing laundry and I'm beginning to appreciate why there are some guys who NEVER come to the Knoll, except for medical purposes and....

[Disclaimer: the above post shall not be construed in any way as indicative of life here at Maryknoll, where everyone is happy, mentally stable, well-balanced and filled with love and good cheer for all they encounter.]

Fr. Price's spirituality

Father Kevin Hanlon gave a presentation on Fr. Thomas Price, Maryknoll co-founder at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon.

Thirteen Society members risked life and limb to make the hazardous trek from the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors to the Asia room to hear about Father Price and his spirituality. Who knows how many more might have attended were the weather less freezing, or if this talk did not pose a conflict with some series nap time, or had the library staff, who is sponsoring this series of talks for our Centenary, had sprung for some coffee and doughnuts. To be fair, many men might watch this from the comfort of their rooms on the in-house Channell 15.

Be that as it may, Kevin divides Fr. Price's spirituality into Pre- and Post-Lourdes.

Prior to going to Lourdes, Fr. Price's prayer life was almost Ignatian. Something happened in Lourdes that both greatly disturbed him but then transformed him. Thereafter his spirituality can be described as Bernadettian.

Kevin quoted extensively from a previous work on this topic by our own Fr. James Najmowski, formerly of Korea now of China. (Hi, Naj!)

Meanwhile, back at Lourdes Price experienced a profound mystical experience, the full nature of which Naj et al. can only speculate about from reading his letters.

The missionary connection, Kevin contends Fr. Price sees the mission given to Bernadette was to be an instrument of both Jesus and Our Lady for nothing less than the destruction of sin in the world. Conversion so that the grace of God might enter and transform a person was his goal and he wanted the United States included in this grand missionary endeavor.

"Poor, humble and pure" became the characteristics for Price to model his mission life after the BVM, Bernadette and ultimately Jesus.

A quick look around the room showed that several men were still able to catch some quality nap time during the talk, but at least they get good karma for attending.

A graphic description of Fr. Price's final agony was read from a work by Bishop Patrick Byrne, quoting a letter from a certain Fr. John Tour who attended Price's death in 1919 in Hong Kong.

This blog is submitted with the fervent hope it does not violate the sensitivities of certain members who expressed their concerns that previous posts might have exposed Maryknoll to the critical eyes of non-members, leading them to conclude we are normal like everyone else. If it does, such was not my intention. Get over it and get a life.

Around the Knoll this weekend

Any word on the whereabouts of Fr. Doug May who worked for so many years with the Copts in Egypt? Since no notice was on our bulletin board,I assume he is not in Cairo. It would be interesting to get his take on the amazing events we've witnessed these past days,

A remnant of the old Walsh Building staff will take Ms. Angle Chalk out for lunch today, one of may tokens of appreciation for her many years of faithful and loyal service in helping administrate the MEPD as she enters retirement.

The Westchester Photography Society is holding an exhibit in our Spellman Room until Feb. 25 of about 25 photos taken around the world. Our Centenary flags line each wall, so the internationality of the pictures is emphasized. The framed photographs are for sale.

The Salesion will have a day of recollection here this Monday, February 14.

And finally, on a Zen note: it strikes me as ironic and funny to daintily pick up Hopi's daily contribution to the environment amid literally HUNDREDS of souvenirs the flock of Canada geese deposits daily on our quadrangle lawn and walkway. I allow Hopi to chase them away once a day, but the poor things have no other place to eat. The only grass exposed is in the fire access lanes. Now if they'd just fly south like they're supposed to, they might spare themselves and us these daily indignities. I'm not sure if there is a homily in all this, but this should finally put to rest the observation that "Veneroso doesn't know shishkabob."

Huffington Post: Archbishop Dolan Has 'No Comment' on NYC Visit of Excommunicated Priest

Well, folks, Maryknoll finally made it to the pages of the Huffington Post. Whether this is good publicity or bad no doubt depends on what you think, publically and privately, of Father Roy Bourgeois and his continued vocal advocacy for the XXXXXXXXXX of XXmen.

		Archbishop Dolan Has 'No Comment' on NYC Visit of Excommunicated Priest
	Since Father Roy will be in Archbishop Timothy Dolan's own backyard, I thought a comment was in order.

 

Sent from my iPad

Maryknoll & SOA Watch

Thanks to Fr. John Sivalon for bringing to my attention the following NCR article about Maryknoll reinstating funding for the SOA Watch. Let's hope the supporters and benefactors who left because of the previous position might reconsider, as our Council obviously did. (You can read this while awaiting tonight's Super Bowl.)

**********************
U.S. missionary order Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers has reinstated grant funding to School of Americas Watch, the antimilitary organization founded by Maryknoll Fr. Roy Bourgeois.

Maryknoll suspended their support of the group in May because Bourgeois publicly supports women’s ordination. The reinstatement of funding came after talks with Maryknoll Fr. Michael Duggan, SOA Watch organizers told NCR yesterday.

“This is a real expression of solidarity and it means a lot to us,” Bourgeois told NCR “Like all grass-roots organizations, we’re struggling. So we are very happy.”

A spokesperson for Maryknoll confirmed the news today. "SOA Watch has given us assurances that the funds will be used strictly for their work and that's why we restored those funds," Maryknoll's Mike Virgintino told NCR.

A check for the grant, which totals $10,000, was sent to SOA Watch in December, SOA Watch organizers said. The news became public when Call to Action sent an e-mail to supporters yesterday.

The grant will be used to pay for part of the production of Presente, the newspaper of the movement, which aims to close the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation located at Fort Benning, Ga, said Hendrik Voss, SOA Watch national organizer.

In a May 24 statement regarding its original decision to pull its support of SOA Watch, Maryknoll wrote it could not “continue its financial support of that organization without giving the impression that it also supports the actions of its leader concerning the issue of women’s ordination.”

Since the decision to pull funding, 19 separate church and social justice organizations signed onto a letter to Maryknoll encouraging its reinstatement, Call to Action said in their e-mail.

Among the groups signing on to the letter were Voices for Creative Nonviolence, the Women's Ordination Conference, and the Mexico Solidarity Network, Call to Action told NCR yesterday in an e-mail exchange.

While Bourgeois said he didn’t know why Maryknoll reconsidered its support now, he said the news “brought joy to my heart.”

Said Bourgeois: “I’ve been with the community for 42 years, a priest for 38 years with them, and Maryknoll is my family, my community. To be very honest, I really don’t understand why Maryknoll, who is so well known for its work for justice, will not address this injustice of the exclusion of women as equal members in our church. And so we were very happy. This is a real expression of solidarity and it means a lot to us.”

Voss said the funding would allow Maryknoll to further its own mission.

“The newspaper is used to educate people on the reality of U.S. foreign policy in Latin America,” said Voss. “Maryknoll...has people across the Americas who work along the same lines and work for the same goals.”

[Joshua J. McElwee is an NCR staff writer. His e-mail address is jmcelwee@ncronline.org.]

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Heart of Jesus & the Super Bowl

At the Knoll this weekend, about 35 Haitians are making a Heart of Jesus Retreat directed by Fr. Romane St. Vil. Between the Haitians and the Koreans, we are making good use of our facilities. If Maryknollers can't get to the mission peoples, let the mission peoples come to Maryknoll.

Meanwhile, all eyes are on the all-important Super Bowl tomorrow. Br. Kevin Dargan is once again organizing a food fest up in the Third Floor TV Room and rec room. In addition to your usually munches, he will prepare ham, beans and various cheeses. I hope there are no serious Steeler fans in the group, because Green Bay is going to kick some Pittsburg butt before the day is out. Well, at least they can take solace in Br. Kevin's comfort food.

Other snippets of news that have fallen between the cyber cracks in recent weeks:

Archbishop Timothy Dolan will no longer be the main celebrant at our official Centennial Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral on October 30 at 2 p.m. It seems that there is a conflict with an important bishops meeting in Rome. So the Maryknoll Centennial Committee for the St. Patrick's celebration is scurrying around for a replacement of equal stature.

Speaking of presiding bishops, I heard from someone who knows that we have yet to settle on the ordaining bishop for the priesthood ordination of Rev. Mr. Rodrigo Ulloa-Chavarry on June 4.

In the Incredibly Vanishing Stuff Around the Knoll category, someone "borrowed" the connecting cables for the TV in the Fourth Floor TV room where Br. David McKenna shows a film every Thursday evening. What's up with that? Methinks a House Meeting is in order to refresh guys' memories about life in our noncommunity community. For example, communal property (breviaries, vestments, stole, purificators etc) is not an open invitation to stock one's own private sacristy. Another issue, public sloppiness. Guys have an almost daily habit of spilling food or beverages in the food line—and then just walking away without bothering to tell the more-than-patient kitchen staff.

Workshop

Michelle Phillips addresses the residents.

Respect in the Workplace

Either a sign of the times or a sad commentary on our fast deterioration social mores, this workshop is mandated every three years.

Dr. Claudia Koblenz-Sulkov, OSP, introduced Michelle Phillips, Esq., a partner in the law firm of Jackson & Lewis and has been to Maryknoll many times. She began by emphasizing that in the eyes of the employees, when they see us, they see Maryknoll. Even if we are not their supervisor or co-worker, what we do and say impacts them and how their view their work. We started the session be each man introducing himself, what he does or did, and how he thinks Maryknollers view him (a potentially funny, embarrassing or explosive dynamic which, alas, would not be appropriate for blogging. A future book, maybe, but not blogging.)

For whatever reason, this process didn't get past the second Maryknoller (of 26 attending. I'd tell you who it was but I don't want to be brought up on harassment charges) when a discussion followed concerning the society policy that Maryknollers not give gratuities or financial gifts to employees, an issue of hot debate in recent months as many men like to give small tokens of appreciation to housekeeping staff. This policy arose so as not to discriminate against those employees whose jobs do not have regular contact with members and who therefore do not get gifts at Christmas from Maryknollers. This also being Chinese New Year, it was pointed out that giving monetary gifts in red envelopes is an expected part of the holiday.

Anyway, in brief, the following areas may not be probed during interviews with prospective employees or are considered protected categories: gender, national origin, religion, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, genetic history, or medical conditions beyond those which might impact job performance.

Any speech or action that uses the above in a demeaning manner can be construed as harassment.

Sometimes an employee may approach a Maryknoller to intercede with a supervisor about a problem in the workplace, making us perfect pawns. At the same time, depending on the information divulged, we may be "mandated reporters" (for example, with cases of child or elder abuse.)

If we overhear discriminatory words and do nothing, we are "aiders and abetters" and can be sued if we fail to act. At the very least we should bring it to the attention of a superior and HR who are in a position to do something about it.

Employers (and by extention, all Maryknollers) must make all reasonable accommodation to the sensibilities of both employees, guests and visitors. The question arises that Maryknollers are expected to be responsible for implementing Society policies over which we had no say and many times about which we may know nothing.

Note to all Maryknollers overseas who are returning to the States after many year's absence: it ain't the same country you left!

Back to blogging

OK, where was I before reality interrupted? Oh yes. So, 35 Korean Sunday teachers were on retreat here last weekend. The theme was "Discipleship" and the keynote speaker was none other than our very our Father John Sivalon, professor of religion at the University of Scranton. John wowed 'em! He was at first somewhat taken aback by their youthful appearance, ignoring two facts: Koreans look younger than their age and John ain't no spring chicken anymore. Little did he realize that amongst the bright, youthful faces were a dentist, two nurses, a social worker, several pharmacists, an investment broker and, God willing, some future Maryknoll vocations! It was from this very group that Maryknoll seminarian Dae Wook Kim, currently winding up his OTP in Bolivia, came.

Providentially, Father Stephen Taluja, presently in limbo (let the reader take note), happened by the main chapel just as the group was to begin Eucharistic adoration and confessions. Father Gabriel Lee, the Queens pastor, thought himself and I would suffice to handle a mere 35 confessions. Well, were it not for Stephen's assistance, the two and a half hours of confessions would have gone on at least another hour, well past midnight. In case you haven't heard, Koreans LOVE to go to confession.

So let me summarize this past week here at the Knoll.

On Sunday, January 23, the Centennial Choir held a formal rehearsal, open to the public. About 150 guests attended and Ms. Aurette DeCuffa in our Gift Shop reports the new Missa ad Gentes CD sold very well.

On Monday morning, Jan. 24, we had a rehearsal of the opening parade of flags of places Maryknoll worked over the years. Cecil B. deMille's got nothing on us. (We had hoped to choreograph the opening games of the 2012 Olympics, but they said they wanted to keep it simple.)

At noon we held a Centennial Food for Thought with our living history in the persons of Father Charlie Cappell (the last Maryknoll Father to have personally met co-founder Bishop James A. Walsh) and Father Charlie Huegelmeier, whose economy of words gave Father Cappell more than sufficient time to finish his lunch. It was good to see so many employees attend, as they have fewer opportunities to hear these personal tales of our earlier days than we do.

On Tuesday, of course, was the Big Day, officially kicking off our yearlong celebrations of our Centennial Year. The earlier-than-expected snowstorm (the eighth so far) kept many people away. Still, our main chapel was filled and the sanctuary was packed with concelebrants wearing our new Centennial stoles, personally delivered from the Philippines by Fr. Joy Tajonera. Rev. Mr. Rodrigo Ulloa-Chavarry debuted his deacon role by holding aloft the new Book of the Gospels, gift to the Society of Fr. Joe La Mar and this blogger. (P.S., if anyone would like to go in on this gift before the official commemorative plate is engraved, contact me.) Deacon Rodrigo proclaimed the word and Doc gave a great (40-minute-long, but who's counting?) panegyrical encomium. Alas, he left for Asia before I could get a hard copy, but I will ask Ms. Nina Planamenta, his boss, if she has one.

Doc did drop the quiet bombshell that he had hoped to announce the opening of the cause for canonization of Bishop James A. which was to have taken place at the archbishop's office a day earlier. For reasons not explained to us, this was postponed. He said he hoped to have an announcement before the END of our Centennial year. My journalistic instincts tell me THIS is the hot story of the week; my survival instincts tell me I'd better not blog about it.

A DVD of the opening Mass will soon be available. Not surprising, while roughly 380 people attended the liturgy, Sodexo fed 425+.

Dampening the festive mood was word that dear Helen Tandy had passed away suddenly. She was the very definition of loyal service to Maryknoll over many years and continued filling in at the reception desk during her retirement. Her funeral took place in Buchanan on Friday at the same time as the funeral at Maryknoll for Father Pat Donavan. Still, two Maryknollers concelebrated Helen's Mass and other Maryknollers and many employees were in the congregation.

On Wednesday we had the daylong reflection day with Franciscan Sister Angelyn Dries, Maryknoll Father Kevin Hanlon and Maryknoll Sister Claudette Laverdiere all giving insightful and inspiring talks on our founders. Again, official transcripts will be forthcoming.

Sadly, the week ended with yet another death, Maryknoll Sister Virginia Flagg. At 99 years of age, she had not only met Bishop James A., she actually knew him! Her father had been instrumental in helping Walsh with the fledgling Society.

Perhaps the loss of such links to our past will help focus attention on the future of our Maryknoll movement.

Cross in the snow

An anonymous angel drew a cross in the snow behind Maryknoll, where 35 Sunday school teachers from the Korean church in Queens were on retreat.

More white stuff

Yet another snowstorm--the eighth so far this year--blankets the Knoll and the rest of the Northeast, canceling flights and suspending Metronorth service.

An anecdote about Fr. Price

Fr.Kevin Hanlon related the following story about the time Fr. Price was traveling out West by stagecoach. Two women were his co-passengers and, after some curiosity and whispering, asked this strange man all dressed in black and saying his Latin breviary, "Be ye a papist priest?"

He responded calmly, "Madam, I am priest of the Roman Catholic Church."

"Are you from these parts?"

"Yes, I am a born and bred Tar Heel," he assured them.

After more whispering, one ventured, "Is it true all you popish priests have horns?"

He calmly removed his hat to reveal his hornless head. Then, pointing to a pimple on his forehead, said, "But I am still a young priest. My horns are just coming in."

[All these talks today will be available on DVD from Channel 15]

An overflow crowd

People who could not fit in our main chapel gathered in the Spellman Room to see and hear Fr. Hanlon's talk on the Founders. The men in St. T's watched the live-feed on Channel 15.

Fr. Kevin Hanlon on Bishop James A. Walsh

Fr. Kevin Hanlon gave the second talk on our co-Founder. Decades after leaving the Boston clergy, James A. Was all but forgotten by the priests then living. Thus, gatherings like today's are all the more important to keep the memory of the Founders alive as we rekindle the spirit of mission.

Daniel Sargeant wrote the definitive biography of James A. Walsh. He noted that early on his very Catholic and very Irish patents say him early on as marked for priesthood. He lost his mother when he was 11. His father's business ventures soured and the family resettled in Cambridge. In a debating class he argued against women's suffrage, his debating skills compensating for his lack of conviction for the position.

He did doubt his vocation for awhile and wondered if he should abandon his path to help alleviate his father's financial burden. Walsh was raised by a second family, the Shea's, which brings to mind Christ's words in the gospel of John: "I will not leave you orphans."

In 1892 Walsh fulfilled his dream and was ordained a priest. As pastor he was given charge ior organized many sodalities and mission groups. He especially cherished bringing the Eucharist to the sick. It was on one such call he had a mystical experience. Visiting a dying woman he realized she was growing blind but was at the brink of seeing Christ face to face. This formed the base of his poem and later song "Only a veil." This poetic side reveals the passionate heart and romance behind the otherwise outwardly stern appearing facade Walsh usually presented to the world.

Walsh reveled in his appointment as SPF director. After a day's deliberation this became his assignment, setting the stage for fund-raising on behalf of overseas missions. He wanted to educate Catholics about the missions, telling them about realities there and doubling the income for the SPF. He maintained a practice of visiting a different parish every weekend. He started the Field Afar in 1907 that became MARYKNOLL magazine. Among his assistants was the young Molly Rogers who was to become the foundered of the Maryknoll Sisters.

At a conference in Washington he first encountered Father Price. The link between Eucharist and mission strengthened.

The vision that multitudes in every land be fed with the Body of Christ directed his steps.

Walsh and Price nourished their new friendship with correspondence in the following years.

The thought that other European groups might come to the States to open a missionary seminary gave impetus to their idea that America should have its own mission seminary.

The stage was set for their historic encounter at the Eucharistic Conference in Montreal at which the idea for Maryknoll would first express itself. "The flame intensifies as it spreads."

Sr. Angelyn Davies

Maryknollers and employees listen to our tales of our earliest pre-history.

Reflection Day Part One)

Maryknoll Sisters, employees, Brothers and Fathers regathered in the main one day after our opening liturgy for the centennial. I write them in that order since that was the order in which they arrived, with the Sisters starting to come in around 7:30 a.m. (for an 8:30 start) then the employees, followed by the still-trickling in Society members.

This morning's speaker was historian Sr. Angelyn Dries, Franciscan Sister from Milwaukee, who spoke on the historical context that formed the vision of Bishop James A. Walsh, Fr. Thomas Frederick Price and Sr. Mary Joseph Rogers.

Sr. Janice McLaughlin, president of the Maryknoll Sisters, shared a story from the earliest years when then Molly Rogers, along with her "chauffeur" (Fr. James A. Walsh) passed herself as a woman of means (read: WASP) to negotiate the purchase of farmland in Ossining. Despite the seller commenting on the "lawsuit against John J.Rockefeller by that curious priest" trying to buy land for his religious community, her ruse worked and the rest is history.

Sr. Angelyn spoke of the "gifts of time and place" 1866-1911

The ecclesiastical environment in the 50 years before Maryknoll's founding. Right after the U.S. Civil War the bishops met in Council in Baltimore. Could American Catholics be Catholics? Who will hold property deeds? The bishop? The pastors? The laity?
Marriage with non Catholics were discouraged as a dangerous watering down of the faith. Catholic education was emphasized. Parish missions were encouraged. Catholic newspapers were started. There was an exhortation to evangelize the newly freed slaves.

Twenty years later when the bishops met again. The Baltimore Catechism and parochial schools shaped subsequent generations of Catholics. (A show of hands in our chapel should the vast majority of Maryknollers had studied the Baltimore Cathechism.) Catholic Sisters who had nursed Civil War wounded helped eleviate some suspicion of Catholics. Although hundreds of new congregations arose in the later 19th century, Sisters and Brothers were still considered "auxiliaries" to priests.

Price's birth in 1860 sets his formative years in the rural south (North Carolina) through the Civil War and Reconstruction eras when antiCatholicism was rampant. The appointment of the "northerner" (Maryland) Bishop Gibbons gave means to explain Catholicism, especially our veneration of the Blessed Virgin.

In 1896 the Paulists formed the Catholic Missionary Union and Thomas Price joined. The conversion of Americans to Catholicisms was their goal.

The experience of Catholics in the North was quite different. Riots broke out after the Emancipation Proclamation because immigrant workers feared Blacks would take away their jobs. Bishops encouraged priests to actively suppress any "fractious" gatherings.

James A. Walsh's birth in 1867 has him growing up in a majority Irish community with growing, German, Canadian, Italian, Polish and Portuguese populations---with subsequent tensions. (James E. Walsh considered James A. a "Boston Brahmen".) Bostonian Protestants held an exposition to encourage mission outreach to all the nations represented in these foreign communities. World evangelization was in the air that James A. breathed.

Protestant missionary efforts became a prod to ignite Catholic mission zeal.

Some sad news

I apologize for having to break my erstwhile cyber-silence with some sad news.

Fr. Larry Lewis informed us at supper tonight that Mrs. Helen Tandy passed away suddenly this afternoon of an apparent heart attack following hip surgery from which she was in recovery and taking physical therapy.

Many of you know Helen who worked at Maryknoll for many, many years and even in retirement, often filled in at our reception desk. She was truly part of our Maryknoll family. I remember Helen from my seminary days, and her home was a refuge for us beleaguered seminarians.

We offer her husband Bob our deepest sympathy and prayers.

I'm BAAAck! (A quick update!)

Contrary to nothing, no, I haven't been silenced. Rather, I have been
A) Away on a ten-day cruise to the southern Caribbean and therefore incommunicado from the goings on here at the Knoll
B) Crazy busy with last minute details for today's official Centennial Opening Liturgy
C) Exhausted

D) All the above!

Now that we have successfully completed the liturgy and I have napped all afternoon, I can once again take up my blogging duties!

Let's start with today and work backwards. About 400 attended the opening Mass (with at least 65 concelebrant priests in the sanctuary, wearing the new stoles Fr. Joy Tajonera was kind enough to physically deliver from the Philippines!)

The service was preceded by the enhance of all 42 flags of the places Maryknollers have served over the last century. Fr. Bob Jalbert announced the country and year as each flag was carried up the main aisle, then set in special stands at the outside end of each pew. The timpani dramatically accentuated the tempo. More than one person expressed surprise at how emotional the scene was.

Then the liturgical procession entered from the back with Fr. Joe LaMar in the role of thurifer, Br. Kevin Dargan carrying the Maryknoll cross (containing the relics of Frs.Walsh & Price, Br. Tom McCann and Maryknoll Lay Missioner Joe Honerkamp.) Deacon Rodrigo Ulloa-Chavarry bore the Book of the Gospels to the altar.

The entrance hymn was the Glory to God from the Missa ad Gentes. The Choir (of about some 40 Sisters, Fathers, employees and neighbors) was superbly directed once again by Ms. Lucille Naughton. In addition to timpani, other orchestration included violin, electric cello, trumpets, coronets, flute and kanga, which are like bongos on steroids.

Fr. Ed Doughtery was main celebrant and gave a real barn-burner of a homily. Yes, it may have been 30+ minutes long, but it was well written, well delivered and well received. I shall post it in the near future.

BTW, the entire celebration was broadcast to the men in St.T's by our own Channel 15, thanks to the able camera work of Ms. Kathy Brophy and Ms. Maureen Touhey in the control room. Overflow crowd in the Spellman Room was able to watch on a huge screen. Since they got to see close-ups, they in fact got a better view of things. Former Maryknoll lay missioner Mr. Mike Lavery who works for the archdiocesan communications department has been hired to video all three Centennial Masses.

After the Mass, everyone was invited to a wonderful luncheon of chicken cordon blue and roast vegetable ravioli. The Maryknollers and outside guests went to the dining room and Founders Room; Maryknoll employees dined in the Asia/Africa Rooms. Our people from Sodexo really outdid themselves both with food preparation and presentation.

Among the guests was a delegation from St. Paul's Korean parish in Queens, including the mother of Fr. Alphonso Kim. They presented Maryknoll with a lovely Korean statue of Our Lady. The Ossining Fire Chief also presented Maryknoll with a beautiful plaque honoring our 100 years in mission. Fr. Dougherty has suggested getting a special display case for these and other tributes.

As my fatigue once again creeps up on me, I shall end today's post with acknowledging those Maryknollers who came from afar to be with us today: Fr. Jerry O'Connor, from Korea; Fr. Jim Najmowski, from China; Fr. John Sivalon, from University of Scranton; Fr. Joe McCabe, from Rockville Centre; and the aforementioned Fr. Joy Tajonera, from Taiwan and Rev. Mr. Rodeo Ulloa-Chavarry, from Chicago.

TTYS

Happy Centennial!

Kicking off our official unofficial beginning of our 100th Year, Fr. Jim Madden and Mr. Fred Goddard presented a Food for Thought presentation on the history of the Maryknoll Affiliates, Then and Now.

Jim helped design the Affiliates program back in 1991. Fred is the current head of the Affiliates. 2011 is the Afflilates 20th anniversary.

In the 1970s and 1980s, many former Maryknoll P, B, S & LMs communicated with one another and wanted to maintain contact with and support for Maryknoll. Sr. Ellen McDonald expressed interest and the Maryknoll Sisters gave her permission to help. Early on, global vision, spirituality, community and action became the four pillars of the program. The chapters are called Basic Mission Communities. They follow the Pax Christi motto of Think Globally, Act Locally. Twenty two affiliate chapters started in the first year. Twenty of the 22 original groups lasted more than three years.

A chapter needs a minimum of four members and three meetings a year. They pay all their expenses. The Society and Congregation help pay fir the director's salary and expenses. Other priests, Brothers, Sisters and lay Missioners joined the governing board. In 1995 the Affiliates accepted overseas chapters. Jim and Ellen stepped aside to let the Affiliates direct the program while they remained as support staff.They have an international gathering every two years. Jack Moynahan took Jim's place and Fr. Jack Sullivan took his place. Fred Goddard was later hired as Director. Regional Coordinators now visit their local chapters.

Their publication is called "Not So Far Afield" (Get it?)

Schools and Youth Groups have formed following the high school in Red Bank, New Jersey, so now there are student groups supporting mission.

More and more Affiliates (almost 30%) have also gone to mission overseas in Namibia and Cambodia, among other places, and work through Maretta McKenna and the Short-Term Volunteer programs.

There are now Affiliate Chapters in Tanzania, Peru, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala and the Philippines. Prior to his death, Fr. Tom Goekler helped establish the chapter in Guatemala. Members of that group helped revitalize the almost defunct chapter in Connecticut. Reverse Mission at it's best!

From the beginning, the Affiliates were ecumenical and inter-religious. A minister was inspired by the witness of the four churchwomen in El Salvador. A Jewish doctor has volunteered his services to help the Sisters overseas.

A 12-session (one year) formation program has been created to help introduce new Affiliates to the Maryknoll charism and history.

There are approximately 62 chapters around the world.