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.
Showing posts with label Centenary celebration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Centenary celebration. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Monday, January 31, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
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
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
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Advent busyness
Sorry for my silence, folks. Things get crazy just before Christmas, as I'm sure you understand. Some interesting things are going on, however. This, from Fr. Richard Callahan:
The results of the Maryknoll Farm (a.k.a. the “Pachamama” Farm) for 2010 are in: 33,000 pounds (sixteen and a half TONS) of vegetables and fruit were distributed to six food banks in the area. Over the past nine years since the farm was started, it has produced and distributed 158,000 pounds of food to the food banks. Special thanks to Fathers John and Fern and to their many volunteers for taking seriously Jesus’ command to “feed the hungry” in our midst. ~Richard B. Callahan, M.M.
Following the gas leak (which is not totally repaired) Sodexo made the switch over to propane. Four huge tanks are now outside the kitchen.
Vocation ministers, Admissions, Initial and Lifelong Formation people have concluded a productive three-day meeting here.
Superior General Fr. Ed Dougherty has asked for a "Town Hall" meeting. But here's where the buzz at the salad bar gets tossed. Some say he will meet with only Society Members this Wednesday, others say it will be in January, and still others say that's for Maryknoll Employees as well. The term "Town Hall" evokes nervous laughter from the troops. Perhaps they're thinking about the raucous Town Hall meetings the Tea Partiers held two summers ago. In any event, no matter when it's held, it's sure to make a buzz.
In planning for our opening ceremony on January 25, the intention is to precede the liturgy with a procession of flags of all the (42) places we've worked in our 100 years. Maryknollers would carry in each flag in chronological order and the emcee would announce each flag, i.e. The United States of America, 1911 (accompanied by the papal flag), China, 1918 etc. One diplomatic kerfuffle might arise as the Palestinian flag (1990) enters and is announced as such. Would our expected Jewish guests be offended? Yet we could not in good conscience bring in the Israeli flag. One suggestion is to announce it as "Bethlehem" instead of "Palestine."
While attending a retreat up at Graymoor for our Korean junior high students from Queens, I spoke of our up-coming Centennary with some of the friars. They, in turn, told me of some of their up-coming events next year, including a Mass to be celebrated there by Archbishop Dolan on-----October 30. To those of you unfamiliar with all our planned celebrations, that is the same day His Emminence is scheduled to be the main celebrant at our official Centennary Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Now, I've heard from those who know him well and it's quite possible he'll be able to be in both places. Let's just hope he can and we don't go down to St. Pats just to say Mass by ourselves.
The results of the Maryknoll Farm (a.k.a. the “Pachamama” Farm) for 2010 are in: 33,000 pounds (sixteen and a half TONS) of vegetables and fruit were distributed to six food banks in the area. Over the past nine years since the farm was started, it has produced and distributed 158,000 pounds of food to the food banks. Special thanks to Fathers John and Fern and to their many volunteers for taking seriously Jesus’ command to “feed the hungry” in our midst. ~Richard B. Callahan, M.M.
Following the gas leak (which is not totally repaired) Sodexo made the switch over to propane. Four huge tanks are now outside the kitchen.
Vocation ministers, Admissions, Initial and Lifelong Formation people have concluded a productive three-day meeting here.
Superior General Fr. Ed Dougherty has asked for a "Town Hall" meeting. But here's where the buzz at the salad bar gets tossed. Some say he will meet with only Society Members this Wednesday, others say it will be in January, and still others say that's for Maryknoll Employees as well. The term "Town Hall" evokes nervous laughter from the troops. Perhaps they're thinking about the raucous Town Hall meetings the Tea Partiers held two summers ago. In any event, no matter when it's held, it's sure to make a buzz.
In planning for our opening ceremony on January 25, the intention is to precede the liturgy with a procession of flags of all the (42) places we've worked in our 100 years. Maryknollers would carry in each flag in chronological order and the emcee would announce each flag, i.e. The United States of America, 1911 (accompanied by the papal flag), China, 1918 etc. One diplomatic kerfuffle might arise as the Palestinian flag (1990) enters and is announced as such. Would our expected Jewish guests be offended? Yet we could not in good conscience bring in the Israeli flag. One suggestion is to announce it as "Bethlehem" instead of "Palestine."
While attending a retreat up at Graymoor for our Korean junior high students from Queens, I spoke of our up-coming Centennary with some of the friars. They, in turn, told me of some of their up-coming events next year, including a Mass to be celebrated there by Archbishop Dolan on-----October 30. To those of you unfamiliar with all our planned celebrations, that is the same day His Emminence is scheduled to be the main celebrant at our official Centennary Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral. Now, I've heard from those who know him well and it's quite possible he'll be able to be in both places. Let's just hope he can and we don't go down to St. Pats just to say Mass by ourselves.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
An idea from Fr. Brian Barrons
This is from Fr. Brian Barron's Blog
LAST APRIL when Fr. Ed Dougherty was visiting Jilin, we had a chance to talk about Maryknoll's Centennial in 2011. Based on my experiences over the years of having US seminarians visit and help me with my ministries in both Tanzania and China, I suggested we try and get 100 U.S. Diocesan Seminarians to the Missions in 2011. I big challenge, but a good challenge!
Not too long ago I talked with Fr. Ed on the phone and he asked me to sort of help get things going with this idea of getting 100 US seminarians to the missions in 2011. (Prior to posting this on the bulletin board I have emailed a copy of it to Frs. Dougherty, Aramburu and Jalbert)
To pull something like this off next summer, I think we need to start looking at a few things asap!!
1. Which Maryknoll missions would be interested in welcoming one, two or more seminarians next summer? Actually anytime in 2011, but the summer seems the best time for the seminarians to do something like this. With some local group and Regional meetings coming up it would a great if some guys reading this post could put it on the agenda of their meetings.
2. The program hopefully won't involve buying 100 air tickets, but the expenses of the men while they are on the missions should be budgeted for. The seminarians who have spent time with me over the years pay their own way, which makes this idea financially feasible for Maryknoll.
3. If you have good relations with your hometown/ home diocese bishop or vocation director that might be of help when we get to the point of recruiting seminarians. I know from experience a program like this fits in well with the formation program at the North American College in Rome. (When the seminarians finish their first year of studies they are asked to find a summer pastoral placement in Europe or a mission country.) At this early stage Maryknollers can mention this idea in emails or letters to sort of let those important people know that we are thinking of doing this.
4. Hopefully our own seminarians can also take part in this program and share experiences with the diocesan seminarians. Last summer we had the Maryknoll seminarians (Mark and Lam) together with the North American College seminarians over here in China and it was great.
5. Post ideas on this bulletin board or send ideas to me at this email address: wangshenfu@gmail.com ,or to Fr. Jalbert in New York. If things take off and start looking good, others will be involved!
We need all sorts of ideas. Don't be afraid to add your two-cents.
I am hoping that as guys read this they will share the news with other Maryknollers (cut and paste if necessary) and we can turn this idea into something great for the US Church and the seminarians involved.
Fr. Brian Barrons M.M. (王神父)
Jilin Medical College Experimental Medicine Center
D-208 No. 5 Jilin Street
Jilin City, Jilin Province 132013
PRC
Office Phone: 86-432-4560011
Home phone: 86-432-4561011
mobile phone: 86-13844640372
Brian's blog (The Great Wall)
LAST APRIL when Fr. Ed Dougherty was visiting Jilin, we had a chance to talk about Maryknoll's Centennial in 2011. Based on my experiences over the years of having US seminarians visit and help me with my ministries in both Tanzania and China, I suggested we try and get 100 U.S. Diocesan Seminarians to the Missions in 2011. I big challenge, but a good challenge!
Not too long ago I talked with Fr. Ed on the phone and he asked me to sort of help get things going with this idea of getting 100 US seminarians to the missions in 2011. (Prior to posting this on the bulletin board I have emailed a copy of it to Frs. Dougherty, Aramburu and Jalbert)
To pull something like this off next summer, I think we need to start looking at a few things asap!!
1. Which Maryknoll missions would be interested in welcoming one, two or more seminarians next summer? Actually anytime in 2011, but the summer seems the best time for the seminarians to do something like this. With some local group and Regional meetings coming up it would a great if some guys reading this post could put it on the agenda of their meetings.
2. The program hopefully won't involve buying 100 air tickets, but the expenses of the men while they are on the missions should be budgeted for. The seminarians who have spent time with me over the years pay their own way, which makes this idea financially feasible for Maryknoll.
3. If you have good relations with your hometown/ home diocese bishop or vocation director that might be of help when we get to the point of recruiting seminarians. I know from experience a program like this fits in well with the formation program at the North American College in Rome. (When the seminarians finish their first year of studies they are asked to find a summer pastoral placement in Europe or a mission country.) At this early stage Maryknollers can mention this idea in emails or letters to sort of let those important people know that we are thinking of doing this.
4. Hopefully our own seminarians can also take part in this program and share experiences with the diocesan seminarians. Last summer we had the Maryknoll seminarians (Mark and Lam) together with the North American College seminarians over here in China and it was great.
5. Post ideas on this bulletin board or send ideas to me at this email address: wangshenfu@gmail.com ,or to Fr. Jalbert in New York. If things take off and start looking good, others will be involved!
We need all sorts of ideas. Don't be afraid to add your two-cents.
I am hoping that as guys read this they will share the news with other Maryknollers (cut and paste if necessary) and we can turn this idea into something great for the US Church and the seminarians involved.
Fr. Brian Barrons M.M. (王神父)
Jilin Medical College Experimental Medicine Center
D-208 No. 5 Jilin Street
Jilin City, Jilin Province 132013
PRC
Office Phone: 86-432-4560011
Home phone: 86-432-4561011
mobile phone: 86-13844640372
Brian's blog (The Great Wall)
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Renewal, reform or rehash?
OUR 100th ANNIVERSARY is just a year away and the interest and range of emotions and excitement around the Knoll these days goes all the way from A to B. We know for sure that the special Mass commissioned by "On Eagle's Wings" composer Michael Joncas is complete, even using the as-yet-to-be-approved revisions in the English liturgy. Has the date of its debut performance been set?
Actually, regarding anything articles, prayers or pictures to appear in MARYKNOLL or Revista Maryknoll magazines, there are only nine months left, since the January 2011 issue must be finished by September 2010.
But I'm sure everything will be wonderful and memorable.
The question bounced about at many a meal in the dining room for many months now is: will this be an opportunity for more than just an elaborate and extended party? Will it be a rebirth or a swan song?
Fr. Mike Zunno, a delegate at the last Chapter, looks for ideas or suggestions as to what, if anything, we can do to bring about the renewal of Maryknoll.
"The Chapter and this Council made the mistake of treating Maryknollers like adults," he has said on more than one occasion.
He elaborates: "They want us to take the initiative and not wait for leadership to tell us what to do."
This is part of the Maryknoll paradox: some guys won't do anything that isn't sanctioned from on high, yet at the same time, for many good ideas, being officially pushed by leadership is the kiss of death. Those in leadership know the best ideas (at least those with the best chance for succeeding) come from below.
Some of the renewal (PTR) groups have continued to meet faithfully since before the last Chapter, but without networking with other groups how do these impact the Society as a whole?
At the Knoll we do get between two and ten men at Morning and Evening Prayer using the Christian Prayer breviary every weekday, but that's not a tenth of the guys in residence at the Knoll. Weekly Rosary for vocations each Monday draws a dozen guys. Community Masses are hit and miss. Many guys are retired or semi-retired and the operative and repeated syllables are TIRED.
Many have expressed hope that the Centennial celebrations don't emphasize the past at the expense of the future.
Granted the breviary, the rosary and yes, even the cassock, are part of Maryknoll's glorious past, where and what are the fresh ideas for the future?
Mike Zunno cuts to the chase by raising the provocative question: "What exactly is Maryknoll's mission going forward?"
Answer that and the rest should fall into place. Alas, raising this question only around the salad bar won't get us much beyond the feta cheese. We need to involve all the men (at least all who still have a pulse).
It would seem that as inspirational as Maryknoll's history and present membership may be, it's the guys currently in formation who must cultivate and share their vision with us if we are to have a future involving the Church in the U.S. in sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with people in other lands. Any ideas, guys?
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