To honor Tau House's twenty five years of ministry and service, I have attempted to trace the story of Tau House. Over twenty-five years some memories are still fresh while others, with names, dates, and faces have sadly faded. Admittedly this account suffers because it is written from my individual perspective. That perspective is valid especially for the fist six years of Tau House's existence when I lived alone at 1029 Governor Nicholls Street and was about the work of founding this ministry in the French Quarter. After that, others became a part of Tau House's story. I do not presume to speak for others. Other stories must be added to mine in order to become a more complete account of this wonderful story.

Beginning in 1985 I saved my "appointment calendar" books. The notations contained in those records pertaining to persons and events were an invaluable source for this admittedly partial narrative. Because my primary sources are calendars, I confess that this narrative is somewhat episodic "and then, and then, and the next year such and such happened." I apologize for the tedium this may cause the reader.

I offer this effort in tribute to those who through their love, and generosity have made the Good News shine out of 1029 Governor Nicholls Street especially to those outside the Church's ordinary care. These persons who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith are especially dear to the writer's memory:

Robert Ayerst, MD, Dean Bell, Tom Boswell, Chuck Boudreaux, Paul Bourgeois, Steve Broussard, Br. Augustine Champagne, OSB, Mike Callais RN, Steve Carstensen, Brian Chavannes, Sr. Frances Clare, OSC, Keith Cobden, Danny Cooper, Joseph D'Antoni, SFO, Rev. Anthony De Mello, SJ, Henry Denoux, Mr. Charles Doublieux, Mrs. Kay Edwards, Norris Elliot, Ben Fontinel, Danny Frank, James Fontineau, Miss Sue Gorman, Robbie Haywood, Val Hebert, Robert Hetzke, Patrick Homburg, Paul Holthaus, RN, Richard Johnson, Kenneth Kuhn, Geno Latino, Robert LeBlanc, Rev. Steve McIntosh, Al McMahon, Mrs. Mary Ann McMahon, Doug Massey,, Sr. Maxine, OSF, Rev. Gratian Nosal, O.F.M, Kevin Nunez, Charles Olmstead, Joe Overpeck, Mr. Zygmunt and Mrs. Mae Pawell, Ismael Pena, Danny Picchio, Paul Plauch‚, Sue Plauch‚, John Lee Poch‚, Dan Poirier, Michael Potter, Earl Punch, Mrs. Jackie Robichaux, Leonard Salvato, Art Salway RN, Jimmy Simonette, Steven Smith, Lou Tesconi, Robert Theriot, Michael Van der Mark, Lou Villars, Dr. Ted Wisniewski, MD, Don Wilson, Travis Yaeger, Geo Young,

Fr. Bob Pawell, O.F.M.
June 3, 2001
The Solemnity of Pentecost

The Inspiration

Father Bob Pawell, O.F.M. arrived in New Orleans to found Tau House on August 26, 1976. His first night would be spent at the Poor Clare Monastery on Henry Clay and Magazine in the University district. The foundations of this effort began five years earlier as he was called again and again to the Crescent City to preach retreats for religious and members of the charismatic renewal in south eastern Louisiana. Each time he came to the city he would visit the French Quarter and stroll through its streets and, as he did, an image of a Franciscan presence in the Quarter gradually began to take shape.

The French Quarter seemed ideally suited for a new expression of Franciscan life and ministry a pattern new to the United States, but which had its origins in post-war Europe. This style of life and ministry embodied a more fraternal and open style of life and prayer. It embodied a "ministry of presence" and hospitality. Moreover, it was less clerical and monastic in style and expression. Fr. Bob had lived this pattern together with the Brothers of Taiz‚ as well as in an international community of Franciscan Friars living among the urban poor on Chicago's north side prior to his move to New Orleans.

The year 1975 was a Holy Year and the theme of that year was "reconciliation." A special aspect of that Holy Year was "outreach to those alienated from the Church." The grace of that Holy Year emboldened Fr. Bob to write a proposal to both his Provincial Minister, Fr. Vitus Duchinsky, OFM, and Archbishop of New Orleans, Philip Matthew Hannan, DD, asking permission to establish a Franciscan presence in the French Quarter which would have as its primary mission an outreach to those outside the Church's ordinary care those alienated from the church, viz, disaffected young people, gay and lesbian folk, those alienated from the church because of poor pastoral ministry, divorced and separated Catholics etc.

The ministry was to be self supporting through a Catholic Bookshop and Christian Art center which would market the greeting cards which Fr. Bob was designing and Sister Olivia, OSC, of the Poor Clare Monastery Print Shop was producing. The cards were already being sold in Catholic gift shops throughout the country. With the encouragement of Fathers Emile LaFranz, then establishing the Center of Jesus the Lord, and Msgr. Earl Woods, then residing at the Old Ursuline Convent on Chartres Street, a meeting with Archbishop Hannan and his council was sought. Msgr. Woods had offered an old warehouse adjacent to the Convent property as the site for the venture. The Friars would live "above the store" below would be a chapel open to the public and the gift shop. The place would be called "Tau House" since that was the name used on the cards which Fr. Bob and Sister Olivia were already producing.

In May of 1975 Fr. Bob traveled to New Orleans with permission of his provincial to meet with Archbishop Hannan and his council. The meeting had a big surprise that turned the direction and expression of the original plan. The old warehouse which was to house both Friary and gift shop-chapel was not available. The Council suggested the use of another archdiocesan property on Governor Nicholls in the ten hundred block. It was a double shot-gun house which had been purchased by the Archdiocese as an easement property to the Carmelite Convent which had been intended to be converted into a senior citizens home. When that plan was abandoned the property fell under the care of the Center of Jesus the Lord which had its hands full renovating the convent for their uses as a renewal center for the growing Catholic charismatic community of New Orleans. Archbishop Hannan explained that the house on Governor Nicholls Street could house the Friar community which would be involved in the ministry but could not be the location for the gift shop; that would have to be rented or leased.

The Move

While a bit surprised by the turn of events, Fr. Bob agreed to accept the house sight-unseen. He returned to Chicago and informed his Provincial of the outcome of the meeting and his desire to act on the permission given by Archbishop Hannan. He had asked neither the Archdiocese nor the Province of the Sacred Heart for funding only the blessing of holy obedience. The Provincial confirmed Fr. Bob's request and in the early hours of the morning of August 26th , 1976, Fr. Bob with the assistance of a permanent deacon of the archdiocese of Chicago, Mr. Tage Howes, headed south for New Orleans.

The archbishop suggested that the building might need some renovation to make it suitable for a friary. In fact, the building had to be completely gutted and redesigned the double shotgun had to be made to serve as one living unit with a chapel space and a separate section of the house for the Friars.

Several people need special mention here. Father Bob's early contacts with the New Orleans community took place through his contacts with persons and groups involved in the charismatic renewal. Mr. Frank Uddo became interested in this project and upon the death of his mother, committed himself to assist in underwriting the cost of the renovation of the building. Mr. Bill Dwyer, a self-trained carpenter, offered his services to gut, and redo the interior. Tony Campo, a master electrician, volunteered his services in electrically wiring the house. As people heard of the endeavor they donated to the realization of the effort. Some money came from the sale of Tau House Cards, most came from free will donations. After a prayer meeting, a woman removed an antique diamond ring from her finger and gave it to Father Bob. The ring was sold and the proceeds went toward the renovation. As Father Bob traveled to various prayer groups to preach he would bring along the alms basket which bore this legend: "Tau House lives mainly from the support of those it serves and the generosity of our friends." The basket accompanied him to retreats at the New Orleans Cenacle, the Christian Life Center in Covington, LA, Ave Maria Retreat House in Marrero, LA, the Dominican retreat House in Rosaryville, LA. The prayer group that met at Saint Anthony of Padua parish on Canal Street, led by Sue Gorman and Fr. Larry Niehoff, OP, was particularly supportive. The names of Buzz and Mary Lambremont, Simone Mc Carty [now Mallinson], a group of women of St. Pius X parish in Lake Vista, who had made the at-home retreat program sponsored by the Cenacle, dear friends and supporters come to mind. They invited Fr. Bob each month to celebrate Mass for them and give a talk on some spiritual topic. The basket traveled wherever Bob went. Among the alms was a car which was sold and used to finance the renovation. At this time Eddie Bohner, a retired LSU professor, moved into Tau House and assisted Bob in the many details of hospitality. Eddie was a man of quiet, self-effacing piety who generously gave of his time and welcomed those who came to our door.

At that time one special person entered the life of this emerging ministry, the recently widowed, Rosalie Grass. Rosalie gave of her time and energy to support this project and was really a "mid-wife" to it through every stage of its development from the beginning to the present day. The Franciscan Friars of Tau House would come to dub Rosalie their "Brother Jacoba." (Brother Jacoba was a Roman noble lady who befriended St. Francis and supported him in his ministry). Rosalie's support of the Franciscan presence at Tau House was recognized by the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart on June 21, 1987 when she was made an Affiliate of the Province.

Finally, after a year and a half of work, the chapel was ready for use and Christmas midnight mass was celebrated in the partially completed house. The Saint Anthony Prayer group had paid for the altar which Fr. Bob designed and a local artist fabricated. The altar arrived from the wood worker's studio just a few hours before the celebration as Fr. Bob was scrubbing the chapel's floors. The Mass was simple and joyful. Afterwards a Reveillion took place the first of many after liturgy buffets that have become a Tau House tradition.

In a number of months Fr. Bob was able to move into the house on Governor Nicholls from the Center of Jesus the Lord, where he was temporarily housed. The move was accomplished in a very Franciscan way with Rosalie and Bob pushing shopping carts loaded with housewares and Bob's personal effects along Rampart Street and around the corner. What a sight icons on wheels etc. Both Bob and Rosalie made several trips up the attic steps carrying the things to be stored there. The Saint Anthony Prayer Group threw a "shower" to supply Tau House with necessary housewares and linens.

First Years

The first years Bob lived on Governor Nicholls Street were spent renovating and furnishing the house, establishing friendships and a pattern of presence and prayer to the people of the Quarter. A regular rhythm of prayer consisted in morning Prayer with Eucharist, and evening prayer with a communion service for those who were unable to attend an earlier celebration

Rosalie came every Monday, Wednesday and Friday to help Bob in the basement of the Poor Clare Monastery as they packed and sent out orders of Tau House Cards to gift shops throughout the country. Gradually folks in the French Quarter heard about Tau House and began to come for prayer. The late Fr. Rogers, OMI, of Saint Jude Shrine sent over a young man from California who was a waiter at the Coffee Pot restaurant, Joseph Jeffers. Joseph prides himself as Tau House's "first born son." Joseph's magnetic personality drew friends to share in our prayer. A circle of friends formed based on the sharing of life and prayer. Lee Mongrue, a public school teacher, and Art Salway, a nurse, both moon- lighting as waiters at the Apple Barrel Restaurant in the Marigny, came. Neighbors, Kenneth Kuhn, who worked for the City Council in the research department and Jutta Latterman, an art restorer who lived across the street, came. The evening prayer was always sung.

In Tau House's first year a misunderstanding placed the future in jeopardy. Just before the First Sunday in Advent we received word that the Archdiocese wanted to reclaim the use of the property. The little faith community turned to Our Lady of Guadalupe for nine days of prayer. At the end of the novena the crisis was averted. After that, for the next twenty years, we concluded Vespers singing this anthem to Our Lady: "We place ourselves in your keeping, Holy Mother of God, do not refuse the prayer of your children in their distress, but deliver us from all danger, Ever Virgin, glorious and blessed."

Joseph introduced Fr. Bob to David Wojiechowski and a men's prayer group that met in various homes uptown of the French Quarter. Another group of faithful friends and supporters entered the story. Through David and Joseph a monthly "Gathering" of friends began which would meet every other Saturday night at Tau House for Mass and Faith Sharing. Coincidentally, it was at this time Fr. Bob's presence and ministry to the gay community began to take shape.

Tau House lived a rich liturgical life centered on the feasts of the liturgical year. Our daily, Sunday, and feast day liturgies drew not only people outside the church's ordinary care but also devout Catholics and others searching for community and deeper meaning. A Saturday morning mass was added to the schedule of services. Long lasting friendships formed with some of the Religious of the Sacred Heart, Sisters of Christian Charity. Sisters of Saint Joseph, Ursuline Nuns, and Sisters of Mount Carmel and other friends who would come to join us for those Saturday morning Eucharists.

Often times a Saturday celebration would end with a walk through the Quarter to a favorite breakfast spot. In 1978, as Art Salway and Fr. Bob were heading back to Tau House they noticed some watercolor paintings mounted on the Cathedral's back fence by one of the local artists selling her wares. One painting in particular caught their attention. It was an abstract design and bore a text from the Acts of the Apostles [22: 11]: "Since I could see nothing because of the brightness of that light, I was led by hand by my companions...." Upon closer examination of the artist's other paintings we discovered the artist was a religious, Sister Ann Roddy, SSND. Sister Ann was living with her School Sisters of Notre Dame community in the Irish Channel at Saint Alphonsus Parish convent. Ann would bundle up her art supplies and head for the French Quarter several times a week to paint and sell her work. Art and Father Bob introduced themselves and invited Ann to drop by after work for Vespers and meet the emerging community. Eventually Sister Ann would move from St. Alphonsus convent to an apartment on Royal Street in the French Quarter together with Sisters Judy Bourg and Rachel Patareau. In time, Ann and Rachel, along with Sr. Addie Lorraine Walker, SSND would move next door to Tau House to be an integral expression of its ministry of presence and prayer. In the year 2000, the Franciscan Province of the Sacred Heart recognized Sister Ann's invaluable contribution to Tau House mission and ministry by affiliating her to the fraternity of the Province.

On Sunday mornings, Bob would drive to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Violet, Louisiana to celebrate Mass at the request of Fr. Kenneth Ryan, the pastor. On Sunday afternoons at 4:15 PM, Bob would celebrate eucharist for the Tau House faith community. Since our ministry sought to serve those outside the church's ordinary care, and since many of our folks were engaged on Saturday evenings to a late hour the four fifteen hour was chosen as most suitable. Our goal was to make our time of prayer most inviting for those who may have been away from the practice of the faith for some time.

The Feasts of Christmas, the Transfiguration of the Lord, and Saint Francis were celebrated with great solemnity. The Easter Triduum was concluded with the Solemn Easter Vigil starting at 3:45 AM and concluding near sunrise. The liturgy was followed by a champaign breakfast. Despite the early hour, the chapel was packed to standing room only. A small schola had formed under the directorship of Tim Mooney who both directed the singing and accompanied on the organ. The music ranged from the commons of the Mass, to traditional hymnody and polyphony from both the Western and Byzantine traditions. After breakfast folks went home for a siesta, left overs were gathered up. Some of us would drive across Lake Pontchartrain to St. Joseph's Abbey for Easter Vespers with the monks and a picnic of breakfast's left-overs.

An organ was purchased from funds donated by Josie Riccobono after her husband's death. Much to the chagrin of many, Bob purchased the organ for the chapel while the house was still without a kitchen! In fact, for the first six years of its existence, Tau House functioned without a real kitchen. A hot plate and a table-top oven was all we had. Dishes were washed in a bathroom sink, and on big feast days after the buffet, David Wojicechowiski could be seen scrubbing large pots and pans in the bathtub. The enhancement of the liturgy took priority over the pantry. The kitchen would come in a surprising way.

The Grace of Gratian

Before there were other Friars living at Tau House, before it really became a friary, it was already a fraternity of Franciscans, for in January of 1981 a Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) under the title of San Damiano Fraternity was initiated with the permission of Archbishop Hannan. Rosalie Grass and Barbara Smith were its first members. A few years later the group had grown large enough to be canonically erected. This took place on August 13, 1983. Fr. Jovian, O.F.M, Spiritual Assistant to the secular fraternities joined to the Franciscan Province of Saint John the Baptist officiated.

In 1982, six years to the day that Fr. Bob arrived in New Orleans to found Tau House, Fr. Dismas Bonner, O.F.M., then Minister Provincial, sent Fr. Gratian Nosal, O.F.M. to minister with Fr. Bob at Tau House. Tau House had finally become what it was intended to become a Franciscan Friary. Fr. Gratian had served as a missionary in the Prelacy of Santarem in Brazil's Amazon for over twenty years. As the church in the Prelacy was becoming more stable, he returned to the States to make room for the growing number of indigenous clergy and Brazilian Franciscan vocations. After his return to the States he served in parochial ministries in Minnesota and northern Louisiana. His missionary heart felt drawn to Tau House's ministry to those outside the church's ordinary care. While pursuing sabbatical studies at Catholic Theological Union he met Fr. DePaul Genska, O.F.M. who had initiated a ministry to prostitutes in the Chicago area. Gratian felt the same call and sought to live this ministry out at Tau House.

Gratian's presence was as his name signifies a great "Grace" of God. His presence transformed Tau House from an individual dream to a shared vision of Franciscan life. During Gratian's ten years at Tau House he would broaden his ministry to include the divorced and separated, women in prison, a special concern for peace and justice issues and spiritual direction. Sr. Mary Reedy, OSU, campus minister at Dillard University asked Gratian and Bob to celebrate Sunday Eucharist for the small campus community of Catholic students. This continued throughout Gratian's time at Tau. Gratian would leave Tau House in 1992 to move to Saint Louis, MO to found the "Franciscan Connection" a ministry to the poor of that city.

Shortly after Gratian's move to Tau House, Joal Betz Kuebel of the Saint Pius X women's prayer group asked if Fr. Bob could celebrate a Mass for the repose of the soul of a friend's husband. Fr. Bob agreed and on the Feast of St. Peter and Paul, June 29th, Joal came to Tau House with her friend, Frances Stahl Robinson and her children, Peter, Martin and Rebecca. The mass was celebrated and afterward refreshments were shared. When Frances noticed that there was no kitchen other than a table, hot plate and table top oven, and some shelving holding groceries, she remarked: "Father, you need a kitchen!" To this Fr. Bob replied,"I agree, but there were other priorities." "Very well, but let me look into this for you," she replied. A few days later Frances came to Tau with Mr. Henry Lambert and his partner, Carey Bond. They began measuring for cupboards and cabinets, sought out the plumbing for sink and dishwasher and showed Frs. Bob and Gratian various cabinet styles, floor tiles and electric ranges. A few days later Henry and Carey dropped by again to re-measure and announced that the kitchen would be installed within a week. Frances, Paul Plauch‚, Henry and Carey and Joseph and Sue Ellen Canizaro were the kitchen angels! The next week, while Fr. Bob was in a spiritual direction session, the cabinets arrived and began to be put in place. Within a matter of days Rosalie was arranging drawers and cabinets. It is hard to describe the joy of those who had labored on hands and knees washing pots and pans in the bath tub as they now slipped cups and plates into our newly installed dishwasher. The coming of the kitchen, like so much of Tau House's story, bears witness to the fact that God does provide for those who trust in him.

At that time a small street level apartment across the street which had been rented for the card business was transformed into a "guest room." The late Dorothy Day taught that every home should have a "Christ Room" wherein Christ was made welcome in the person of the homeless or needy. "Build it and they will come." Shortly after the guest room was prepared, God sent us a young Bolivian student who had run out of his resources and was pursuing studies at Delgado College in the city. Eddy Maldonado became our first guest. After Eddy became able to support himself, Marie Raines, one of Gratian's group of divorced and separated women, moved in for a number of months while establishing herself. When Marie moved out the apartment was vacant for a while and functioned as our "guest house" for visiting friars, families and friends.

HIV/AIDS and Project Lazarus

In 1983 Fr. Bob noticed black wreaths on some doors in the Quarter. In a very hush-hush way he learned that someone had died of a mysterious new disease that was making its appearance among gay men throughout the country. It was called GRID, Gay Related Immune Deficiency, to be renamed at a later date AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. In the days before AZT and other medical "cocktails," the disease rapidly devastated one's immune system and resulted in death within a matter of a year or two. The most recognized opportunistic infections then associated with the disease were Pneumocystis Pneumonia and Kaposi's Sarcoma. Many in the medical field were as poorly informed of this new and fatal disease as was the general public. Gay men, then, hemophiliacs, and finally people from Haiti were identified at highest risk. In some cases the infected were shunned; police, members of the fire department and some funeral homes refused to touch the sick or the dying. They would only approach them gloved , masked and gowned as if they were dealing with radioactive materials. In the Fall of 1984, Fr. Bob was asked by Dr. Conrad Gumbart, M.D, a local oncologist on staff at Hotel Dieu Hospital to speak to a group of doctors, nurses and others on the ethical, religious, and spiritual aspects of this disease. Without knowing it Tau House began to be identified with AIDS.

Early in 1985, Harvis Weekly, a communicant at Tau House, told Fr. Bob of a man in Charity Hospital's Infectious Disease Ward. Robert H. was diagnosed with AIDS and had been living at the YMCA, and then in various shelters. He had depleted his resources and had no alternatives but the streets and shelters. After consulting with Gratian and Rosalie, and some members of the Sunday eucharistic community, Fr. Bob visited Robert H. at Charity Hospital and invited him to consider moving in to our "guest house." With the help of Simone Mallinson's son, Pat Mc Carty and his partner, Tom Kelley, the little apartment was made ready. Members of Tau House's faith community pledged to supply Robert's refrigerator with nourishing meals and provide necessary transportation to and from Charity Hospital's Clinic. Early in March, Robert moved into Tau House's guest house. That evening as Fr. Bob sat in Tau House's patio looking at the statue of Saint Francis he recalled the words of St. Francis' Testament: "This is how the Lord gave me, brother Francis, the power to do penance. When I was in sin the sight of lepers was too bitter for me. And the Lord himself led me among them, and I pitied and helped them. And when I left them I discovered that what had seemed bitter to me was changed into sweetness in my soul and body." Bob's eyes filled with tears as he heard these words resounding within him: "You think you just opened the door to one sick man with AIDS? No, this small gesture of yours will become something much larger and will provide care for many." At that moment Bob glimpsed what would become Project Lazarus. A few days passed and an administrator at Veteran's Hospital called: "I understand that you have just established a residence for indigent people with AIDS. We have a man here who needs housing......" In May, Robert H. would be back in Charity Hospital where he would remain until his death the following month. During Robert H's hospitalization, the unit's social worker introduced Fr. Bob to Victoria and Cynthia, two women with AIDS who were in need of housing. Victoria was released from the hospital to an independent living situation on Espalanade Avenue near Bayou Saint John. Some women of the Tau House faith community attempted to care for her, but it was evident that her situation was grave and manifested the need for supervised care. Each day Tau House received more calls from hospital social workers seeking the support for persons with AIDS and, especially, housing.

At this time Fr. Bob met Jonathan Clemmer, RN, a nurse working at Tulane medical center who was getting involved in the emerging AIDS crisis. Jonathan and Bob both joined the newly formed NO/AIDS Task Force and began a long collaboration in AIDS related services. Tau House's small apartment was woefully inadequate to the ever growing need in the community. In conversations with Fr. Paul Desrosiers, pastoral director of Associated Catholic Charities of New Orleans, and pastor of Holy Trinity Church and the Archdiocesan Deaf Center, an appointment was made with Archbishop Hannan to discuss the need for housing and the possibility of using the upper floors of the Deaf Center. Social Workers from Charity Hospital, Dr. Louise Mac Farland, State Epidemiologist, and others were ready to testify to this need. At 12:30 PM on June 5, Fathers Bob and Paul met with Archbishop Hannan no testimony was necessary. Bob had come prepared with data predicting the diseases spread and course it was not necessary. The Archbishop readily embraced the plan and placed it under the umbrella of Catholic Charities. There would be a residence for indigent persons with AIDS/HIV located on the property of Holy Trinity. Initially, we planned to call the residence "The Dwelling Place," but that name was withdrawn after it was discovered that the name was already being used for a housing program for senior citizens. A friend of Fr. Paul's suggested the name "Lazarus" and Fr. Bob added "Project' after San Francisco's housing program for persons with AIDS, the Shanti Project. By the name "Project" we sought to identify the housing effort from the actual location of the housing. The name "Lazarus" carried rich scriptural connotations referring to Jesus' beloved friend, the brother of Mary and Martha. It also called to mind Lazarus' return to life through Jesus' prayer and presence. And, thirdly, it recalled the poor man described by Jesus in Luke's Gospel who sat at the door, covered with sores, challenging the more fortunate to live the brotherhood-sisterhood they profess.

The summer months were spent painting, cleaning and furnishing the larger space of the newly acquired setting. Lazarus was now able to house three men! The first residents were: Bob T, Leon G, and Ray G. Ray G would be a "problem child." The gift he brought Project Lazarus was the realization that more was needed than good will. Lazarus would need an on-site staff, sound advice, and support. And support came. Jonathan introduced us to Dr. Ted Wisniewski who would become our first medical advisor, and fellow nurses Carol Pindaro, Jeanne Dumestre , Mike Callais and Paul Holthaus, to name but a few. Maurice Geisel of the Mardi Gras Krewe of Armenius was our first bookkeeper. The NO/AIDS Task Force was vitally interested in Lazarus' future and supported it in many ways. In fact,some of NO/AIDS's early Buddy training sessions took place in Tau House's community room. In those days the residents lived at Holy Trinity while the public face of Project Lazarus happened through Tau House. The residence's actual location was kept secret for fear of violence and vandalism which had occurred at other housing sites in the country for persons with AIDS.

The summer of 1985 saw the emergence of three elements in New Orleans' response to HIV/AIDS. First of all, Jonathan Clemmer began the Buddy Program. Secondly, Jonathan and Fr. Bob began hosting a gathering of persons concerned with the AIDS crisis, the group was dubbed the Louisiana AIDS Community Network and met monthly on a Saturday morning in a meeting room within the Tulane Medical School. The purpose of the network was to have people involved at every level of the crisis share what they were doing and what they were learning. Thirdly, on September 22, 1985 Fr. Bob was elected co-chair of the NO/AIDS Task Force along with Leonard Doty, RN. Tau House, Project Lazarus and the NO/AIDS Task Force united in addressing the epidemic which was being likened to a plague. Without being asked, and with no previous training, men and women of good will throughout the country were banding together to deal with the pandemic. The effort had the spontaneity and surprise of an early Judy Garland-Mickey Rooney movie wherein they say to one another, "Let's put on a show!" Many untrained but generous men and women said to one another, "Let's respond to this!" And gay men led the way. The next month Fr. Bob traveled to San Francisco to learn from the Shanti Project's experience. The most valuable information he discovered was that New Orleans is not San Francisco; and what works in San Francisco might not work in New Orleans.

In that eventful year many rallied to the support of this new venture. Some of the first were The Krewe of Armenius under the leadership of its Captain, Jon Lee Poche. Arthur Roger, who would later operate a prestigious art gallery in the warehouse district, scrubbed floors to prepare for Lazarus' first residents. The renowned artist, Robert Gordy, donated some of his art work to beautify the place. Madeleine Kohl and Al Mc Mahon were ever ready to help with food and groceries for any PWA. Robbie Haywood, Don Ezel and the "Demented Women" sponsored benefits as did Ginger Snap, an outrageous French Quarter "drag-queen." The seeds of the annual Halloween Bal Masque which richly benefits Project Lazarus are found in the generosity and loving dedication of these folks.

Throughout this "year of fire" Tau House became identified with the Catholic Church's response to the AIDS crisis. The first of many memorial services began to take place in our small chapel. Throughout this time Gratian and Bob welcomed the ashes of the dead, grieving families and friends to our community. Tau House ministered not only to the infected but to the affected as well. Many of those affected came to know and participate in the life and prayer of the Tau House faith community. Each week involved hospital visits, NO/AIDS planning meetings, memorial services, Sunday Mornings at Dillard and afternoons at Tau, working with the Secular Franciscans, and welcoming all and every one who came to us. Gratian described our life as consisting mainly of "our interruptions."

One such interruption came on the vigil of the Assumption while Fr. Bob was weeding Tau House's patio . A nurse from the Tulane Medical Center called about Paul, diagnosed with AIDS and nearing death. Sadly, a chaplain had effectively terrorized the dying man with threats of eternal punishment for his homosexual orientation. The nurse urged Bob to come as soon as possible to the hospital. Bob hurried into the house freshened up, changed clothes and put his "San Damiano" cross around his neck as a sign of his clerical status and his Franciscan vocation. At Paul's bedside he discovered Paul to be a neighbor from Governor Nicholls Street. The conversation moved to Paul's fears. Bob spoke of God's unconditional, reconciling love. Paul interrupted Bob with a question about the cross around his neck. Bob brushed off the question, "Oh, Paul, this is a cross that Franciscans love - it spoke to Saint Francis at the beginning of his conversion." Paul persisted with another question, "What's all the stuff on the cross?" "Oh my God," Bob thought, "we're now going to talk religious jewelry!! Well, whatever....." Bob began a brief description of the figures depicted, "In the upper section you see Christ ascending to heaven, being greeted by the saints and angels, and God's hand outstretched in welcome. On either side of the crucified you see Jesus' mother, the Beloved Disciple who rested near Christ's heart at the Last Supper, and then there is Mary Magdalene, and Longinus." "Longinus?" Paul interjected. "You know," Bob replied, "the centurion who stood beneath the cross and pierced Christ's side." With that the mood in the room changed. A silence ensued as Paul's eyes filled with tears. "You mean," he asked, "the one who pierced his side, and the one everyone called a slut, have such a place so close to Jesus' heart?" "Why, yes, Paul," Fr. Bob replied, "it's in the Bible." Now, tears flowing and voice cracking with emotion, Paul questioned, "How come I was not told about that until now? How come? I want to die holding that cross. May I?" A few weeks later Paul did so. His large Cajun family was gathered about the bedside praying and Paul held the cross that transformed Francis of Assisi's life and his as well.

By the Spring of 1986, Fr. Bob was feeling the need for a sabbatical. He hadn't "burned out" but he was getting "crispy." He had spent ten years building up Tau House and had spent two stressful years as the most publically identified cleric in New Orleans responding to those infected and affected by AIDS/HIV. In view of a hoped for sabbatical Gratian and Bob petitioned the Provincial for another Friar to be assigned to Tau House. Tau House was a Friary, the community and the demands made upon it had grown over the years and it could never be adequately served by one Friar alone.

A Gratian Story

On the Feast of the Ascension, May 8, 1986, Gratian flew off to Chicago to participate in a "Street Ministry Conference" hosted by Fr. DePaul Genska and others at the Catholic Theological Union. Gratian was mugged while in Chicago and the event shook him to his foundations. It happened like this. While paying for his ticket at a CTA El station in a particularly dangerous neighborhood Gratian was mugged and his attacker grabbed for his wallet. Though there were people at the station and on the platform, no one came to his help. When the young assailant was unable to pry Gratian's hands from the wallet he bit him. Gratian was much larger and stronger than this young street kid, but to his own wonderment he cold not lift a violent hand against the attacker. Had he struck the boy he could have finished it. I cannot recall what the economic outcome of the event was whether the young man got away with the wallet or not. What was significant for Gratian was the fact that none of the on-lookers responded in any helpful way while he was being mugged. Furthermore, Gratian wondered why he could not lift a violent hand against his attacker who was so much his junior. Gratian's non-violence would be proved on another occasion.

Bob and Gratian's night time ministry complimented one another. Bob would go out earlier in the evenings to walk the streets of the Quarter and visit with folks in some of the night spots in the French Quarter. Much of Project Lazarus' support derived from the gay community of the city and dropping in on the various night spots was a way to keep abreast of what was happening. Bob would be coming home just as Gratian was heading out to that section of the Quarter where a lot of poor young women were employed as bar-top entertainers. He was only able to engage the dancers in conversation in the later hours when business was not as brisk and the women were allowed a break. He'd sit outside a bar on the fender of a car and chat with the women. He'd rarely go into the bars since the smokey atmosphere would trigger his allergies. Gratian would return to Tau House about 1:30 AM. But, despite the late hour of retirement, he'd usually be up with the dawn to pray morning prayer with Bob.

One morning Bob found this note on the kitchen table: "Bob, I'm sleeping in this morning I got home late after a 'death ride.' I'll tell you all about it later." It seems that as Gratian was driving home from his night ministry in French Quarter and parking the car in the funeral parlor parking lot across Rampart Street about a half a block from Tau House two men approached him with revolvers drawn, "Get in the car," they ordered, "and drive as we tell you!" One sat in the front seat next to Gratian with the revolver pointed toward him, the other was directly in back of Gratian with the revolver at Gratian's head. "Turn right here. Go down St. Bernard.... turn left" and so the directions tersely followed. Throughout the ordeal Gratian kept remembering the story of Saint Francis and the robbers. And as he recalled that bit of Franciscana he saw his captors as poor men with limited resources. He began to engage them in conversation asking about their families and how difficult it was to find work now-a-days. When one man pulled out a cigarette and was about to light it Gratian asked him please not to do so. "You see," he explained while a gun was pointed to his head, "cigarette smoke gives me migraine headaches." The man put away his cigarettes, but noticing Gratian's wrist watch demanded that he hand it over. Gratian pleaded to keep it because it had been given him by his parents for the twenty-fifth Anniversary of his Ordination. The man may have been impressed but demanded the watch anyway. When they arrived at their destination near the Florida Housing Project the gunmen got out of the car. Threatening to "blow him away" if he followed them further, they told him to get out of there. That evening he lost some cash and a wrist watch, but witnessed to Franciscan non-violence and love of the "enemy" as few other Friars have done.

Gratian's spirit blessed Tau House and his presence to those most in need of Christ's tender love and humor. One evening, shortly before Mardi Gras, when hundreds of Christian fundamentalists descended on the French Quarter to "evangelize" the revelers, Gratian was accosted by a particularly zealous witness. With solemnity and serious sobriety Gratian was questioned, "Have you found the Lord?" "Why, yes," Gratian replied with a smile, "have you?" "Sure have! January 12, 1966!" came the reply. To which Gratian returned, "That's wonderful!!! Why don't you tell your face?" Gratian moved on through the crowd, while the witness stood there wondering what just took place.

At the end of August, within a few days of Bob and Gratian's anniversary of arrival in New Orleans, Brother Gregory Bumm, O.F.M. moved from Indianapolis to begin sharing the life and ministry of Tau House. Gregory brought many gifts to Tau House. He became master of the friary kitchen, organizing nourishing meals for the friars. He took the NO/AIDS intensive two weekend training program to equip him to deal with various aspects of AIDS related services. He personally accompanied as a Buddy a number of persons with AIDS. Over and above his cooking and AIDS ministry he found time to teach crafts to the senior citizens of Saint Francis De Sales parish.

Gregory served the parish's seniors, Bob assisted the pastor, Fr. Ferd Cheri, by celebrating and preaching on Sundays from time to time. Fr. Ferd Cheri was acquainted with the late, Archbishop James Lyke, O.F.M. and other Afro-American Friars of our Province. In time these friendships and contacts became a voice that called Ferd to become a Friar. He entered the Franciscan novitiate, in Franklin, IN, on June 29, 1992. Lazzaro Center & the National Catholic Aids Network

On January 3, 1987 Bob flew to Tampa, Florida for the first meeting of the Lazzaro Center, an association of Franciscan men and women who were involved in AIDS ministries. The group convened by Sister Marie Puleo and Friar Jay Pinkerton, O.F.M. invited Bob to be their first key-note speaker. The April 1987 edition of "The Mustard Seed," a monthly publication highlighting what members of the different branches of the Franciscan family were doing for peace and justice, featured an account of the Tampa gathering , as well as an article highlighting Gratian and Bob's ministry. The article concluded with these words from Umberto Ecco's novel, The Name of the Rose: "The people of God cannot be changed until the outcasts are restored to His [Christ's] Body." It then continued with a deep conviction which has been a part of Tau House from its inception: "Those who have been excluded [from the Church] have gifts the others need. Here in this Church we cannot afford to toss anyone away." Bob would again serve the Lazarro Center as a presenter at their St. Louis, MO, meeting at Our Lady's Retreat House, September 7-9 in that same calendar year. Now other Catholic religious men and women were asking to share in the center's activities and networking. Within the heart of the Lazzaro Center was the seed that would give birth in the following years to the National Catholic AIDS Network [NCAN].

At this time Gratian was elected to the provincial Advisory Board for Minority and special Area Ministries known by its acronym ABMSAM. In March of that year he went to St. Louis for the ABMSAM spring meeting. Summer found Bob and Gratian traveling to Saint Louis, MO, to attend a Saddahana work shop conducted by the Indian Jesuit, Father Anthony De Mello, SJ. This was Bob's second experience with De Mello and Gratian's first. The workshop was a transformative and joyful time together. In the months that followed, the Faith community learned much from the videos of Father De Mello's lecture series, "A Way to God for Today."

A Sabbatical Journey and new Friars

In June of 1987, Fr. Gratian Nosal was elected to the Definitorium of the Province of the Sacred Heart. He would now add a wider concern and vision to his ministry at Tau House. On September 12th, 1987 Bob departed Tau House for that much awaited sabbatical at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership in Chicago. This program founded by Fr. Paul Robb, S.J. involved training in spiritual direction, enneagram studies, focusing and contemplative attitude; as well as process groups.

The program ran from September 13 to June 10, 1988 and afforded college credits toward a Masters in Pastoral Studies through Loyola University of Chicago's Institute for Ministry. The learnings of this period were translated into retreat materials, workshops for priests, religious and the laity regarding the integration of spirituality and sexuality. Bob would stay on in Chicago for summer school and the Fall semester at Loyola's Institute of Ministry to complete his Master's degree in Pastoral Studies.

Significant developments in Tau House's ministry had occurred over the year and a half of Bob's absence. During Holy Week, in the March of 1988, Fr. Henry Willenborg was transferred to Tau House to join the community's ministry. Fr. Henry would bring new life and vision and persons to Tau House's ministry. He initiated contacts with the lay volunteers working at Covenant House and living in the Quarter to share in our faith community. He took on a more involved role both in the faith community as well as at Project Lazarus, now under the able directorship of Katy Quigley. Henry organized volunteers to paint the exterior of Tau House. He thought the job would be completed prior to Bob's return from his sabbatical in late December. He discovered otherwise. Around Thanksgiving of that year Lou Tesconi, a PWA [a Person Living with AIDS/HIV], and founder of Damian Ministries, a spiritual enrichment program involving retreats for PWAs in Washington, DC came to New Orleans at the invitation of Katy and others at Project Lazarus. At the meeting Henry, Tom Boswell, Mike Callais and Katy Quigley invited Lou and his team to return to New Orleans to offer and model what would become Samaritan Ministries' Heartsong Retreats. This was offered at St. Joseph Abbey's Christian Life Center in Covington, LA early in January of 1989.

Tau House was now into its sixth year of response to AIDS/HIV and the Faith community was coalescing around this ministry. Hospital visits and memorial services continued. Samaritan ministries developed an active retreat program not only for persons infected with AIDS/HIV but also for those affected by AIDS. Retreats for caregivers took place annually at various retreat centers. Retreats for persons with AIDS/HIV took place twice annually, in the Spring and in the Fall, at the Christian Life Center. Our retreatants came not only from the metropolitan area but from Lafayette, LA, Mobile and Birmingham, AL, Little Rock, AR, Beaumont, Houston, and El Paso, TX, and St. Louis, MO. The retreatants' faith background was varied: Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, New Age and no religion.

After returning to Tau House after his sabbatical, Bob sought ways to share what he had learned both through Tau House as well as on a broader scale. He was already serving the Franciscan province on ABMSAM. Now the Director of Ministries recruited Bob to work on the Ministry Research and Development Committee of the Province [MRDC]. He was invited to give a workshops on Male Sexuality and Masculine Spirituality to Franciscan Novices and taught seminars at Loyola University of New Orleans. He was invited to preach retreats for Chicago Archdiocesan clergy at Cardinal Stritch Retreat House in Mundelein, IL and resumed preaching retreats for religious and parish missions. On January 24th, Sister Barbara Braud, O.Carm, Director of Blessing Place in Lacombe, LA a holistic spirituality program for priests and religious visited with Bob at Tau House and invited him to join Blessing Place's staff.

And there were painful losses. Tom B, Keith B, Art S, Danny P, Dan F, Geo Y, and many others' immune systems succumbed to the opportunistic infections associated with AIDS/HIV. Amid these many losses, the hospitality of Tau House now extended beyond merely welcoming those infected and affected by AIDS/HIV. Our chapel reverently received the cremains of those who had died and welcomed the friends and relatives of the deceased. Bob and Henry worked with friends and relatives preparing memorial services to honor their dead. The friars learned desktop publishing skills on newly acquired computers and began to assemble a repertoire of resources for their ministry to the bereaved, the sick and the dying.

In March of 1990 Gratian celebrated Lent by making the Franciscan Desert experience at the Nuclear Test Site not far from Las Vegas, Nevada. This journey of peace and justice, like one he would later take to Guatemala to visit Sr. Judy Bourg, SSND, both expressed his solidarity with suffering people and deepened the community's commitment to peace and justice. The faith community would become more and more involved with Pax Christi through Pete and Judy Yuslim as well as Rachel Patareau who were active in the New Orleans chapter.

That year the newly installed archbishop Francis Bible Schulte, DD was getting to know the archdiocese. He therefore wished to meet with Fr. Bob and Fr. Bob Karris, OFM, Provincial Minister, to discuss Tau House's presence and ministry in the archdiocese. The meeting which took place at 11:00 am on May 8, 1989 informed the archbishop of Tau House's Mission and ministry. In preparation for this meeting the community sat together and drafted a statement of its life and ministry. It was aided in this effort by Fr. Dismas Bonner, OFM, former Provincial and Professor of Canon Law, who was now residing in New Orleans and working at the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center. The meeting was cordial, formal and informative. Archbishop Schulte was especially concerned that the lines of authority and accountability were clearly understood.

Heartsong Retreats

While the Heartsong Retreats began in 1989 they really took off in 1990 and the years thereafter, and Tau House was at the heart of this collaborative ministry involving persons with AIDS, health care professionals and religious. Fr. Henry was an able guide. His gift for organization kept the retreat teams on task as well as empowered new comers to offer their gifts. Bob and Sr. Ann Roddy were involved with the effort, as well as some regular communicants from the Tau House faith community. Henry, Bob and Ann frequently were traveling to mentor AIDS service-communities in Beaumont, TX, Birmingham and Mobile , AL; as well as St. Louis, MO, Little Rock, AR, and Indianapolis, IN, in starting up their own Heartsong Retreat programs. The retreat structure was similar to that of the Cursillo retreats. Each four day program involved presentations given by team members, break-out sessions, ecumenically sensitive prayer services, healing services and moving memorial services for those who have died. To lighten the atmosphere the retreatants were invited to a festive "theme" dinner served by the team appropriately costumed according to the theme. Later that same night team and retreatants staged a talent show. The retreatants sang their songs, recited their own poetry, and entertained us all with great humor and touching sensitivity. One retreatant who went by the stage name, "Christine," traveled all the way from El Paso, TX, enduring great discomfort over the long ride, in a van crowded with other retreatants. He was quite frail. Fr. Bob wondered why he would endure all the pain that coming to a retreat in which he could not fully participate. Then came the realization that at these retreats all that he attended. "Christine" felt that "all of him,", was held before God in reverential and unconditional love. He was accepted with respect and love. The name of the retreat came from a simple chant we received from the people of Damian Ministries: "Listen, listen, listen to my Heartsong. Listen, listen, listen to my Heartsong. I will never forget you, I will always remember, I will never forget you I will always remember!"

While working with the Heartsong retreats Bob was inspired to create a chaplet, The Chaplet of the Beloved. The chaplet was designed to respond to some of the spiritual issues facing our retreatants and others infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. The losses they were sustaining were manifold. Friends had been lost, careers ended, physical appearance changed, and energy diminished. All those identifying cues that most of us take for granted were challenged. The question would arise, "Who are you now ?" The Chaplet of the Beloved gave this faith-founded response, "I am not a victim, nor am I an object to be pitied, nor a sinner suffering the 'wrath of god.'" Rather, 'I am Beloved of God!'" This was central to Jesus' consciousness at his Baptism in the Jordan [Luke 3:22], on Mount Tabor at the Transfiguration [Lk 9:35], and as he breathed his last on Calvary's height [Lk 23:46]. And it is the gift of Jesus' Spirit in the consciousness of those who have put on the mind of Christ [Rom 12:2, 1Cor 2:16].

The chaplet consists of the cross San Damiano, followed by seven clusters of three beads whereon one prays the affirmation: "I am the beloved of God." The seven mysteries of the chaplet recall the seven ways in which Jesus is our Savior in the Gospel according to John. These "ways of the Beloved" are rooted in the seven "I am" statements found in the gospel. Thus, we pray: "Jesus, bread of life [Jhn 6:35], satisfy the hungers of my heart!" "Jesus, true Vine [Jhn 15:1]; abide in me and I in Thee!" "Jesus, Light of the World, [Jhn 8:12] shine in my dark times and places!" "Jesus, Doorway to Life [Jhn 10:7]; Open to me!" "Jesus, Good Shepherd [Jhn 10:14] Carry me home!" "Jesus, Way, Truth and Life [Jhn 14:6] May I see thee more clearly!" "Jesus, Resurrection and the Life [Jhn 11:25] Awaken me to Life!" The prayer concludes simply with the Lord's Prayer and this aspiration: "In union with Christ, the Beloved of God, and all my beloved brothers and sisters through Christ, especially those most in need of God's Love I pray: "Our Father...." The chaplet was well received by many. Volunteers salvaged beads from broken rosaries to make the chaplets. Our first chaplet maker was himself a person with AIDS, Joe D. Another chaplet maker was Sr. Maxine, OSF, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Help, who was herself bed-bound and suffering from terminal cancer.

Another prayer form composed by Fr. Bob in response to the pandemic was a novena of prayer to be said in honor of the Mother of God, Light in All Darkness, This was the title of a Marian icon painted by the Jesuit artist with a Franciscan heart, William Hart Mc Nicholls, SJ at the request of the National Catholic AIDS Network. After Bob developed the Novena Fr. Kurt Hartrich gave his "Imprimi potest" and Franciscan Charities printed thousands of the novena booklets for distribution throughout the country completely free of charge. Each day of the novena was dedicated to a specific AIDS concern. 1. Those living with AIDS/HIV 2. Those affected by AIDS/HIV 3. All who have died from HIV/AIDS 4. All women and children with AIDS. 5. For all caregivers of people with HIV/AIDS 6. For all who seek a cure of this disease, scientists researchers etc. 7 For those who carry the HIV virus but are asymptomatic 8. For all who grieve 9. For national, civic and religious leaders.

Each day of the Novena concluded with this prayer: "God of the Living, Lover of All, we praise You for calling light from darkness on the First Day of creation. We thank You for Your Word of Life, Life for the light of all men and women, born of the Virgin Mary, Mother of God Light in All Darkness. Blessed are You, God of Israel for in Your tender mercy You have visited and redeemed Your people! The Morning Star from on high has dawned upon us giving light to those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death guiding our feet into the Way of Peace. You chose the Virgin Mary to be the God Bearer, bringing the Sun of Justice into the world. In her flesh, she was his Mother, In her person, his Disciple, In her love, his Servant. God of Mercy, we come to You in this Novena of Prayer Through the intercession of the Mother of God Light in All Darkness, Praying for all who are Infected and Affected by AIDS/HIV. May we, and all for whom we have prayed, know Mary's tender protection. May she guard the Light of Faith, Shelter the Flame of Hope, and kindle in our hearts the Fire of Love. May she guide our journey through life toward your Kingdom. And, on the Day of Christ, which knows no sunrise or sunset, may we, and all for whom we have prayed, come to Your Heavenly City, the New Jerusalem, where she intercedes as Mother and reigns as Queen. We ask this through Christ Our Lord. AMEN

At the June 27 - 30, 1990 Gathering of the Lazzaro Center on the Campus of Notre Dame University, South bend, IN. Fr. Bob received the Lazzaro Award in recognition of his contributions to the Catholic and Franciscan ministry to person with AIDS and those affected. This would be the last meeting of the Lazzaro Center which would in the next years become the National Catholic AIDS Network [NCAN].

Hospitality

Over the years Tau House became a place noted for its hospitality. Henry's "friar support group" traveled to town and stayed with us. Mardi Gras drew many Friars over the years who were amazed at the "greatest free show on earth." One year as the Province was preparing for a Provincial Chapter, visiting Friars along with the Visitor General were suited in tuxedos to attend the Krewe of Armenius Bal Masque at the Saint Bernard Civic Auditorium. One year, I do not remember exactly what year, Henri Nouwen spent the night at Tau House and visited Bourbon Street in the French Quarter with Fr. Bob as they discussed the activities on the streets and in the bars. Mary Ann McMahon brought her friend Rosemary Houghton to attend the Sunday Liturgy.

Sunday Liturgy at Tau House has always had the distinctive feature of the communal sharing on the Scriptures of the day. Barbara Fleisher of Loyola University's Institute of Ministry [LIM] would bring her students to a Sunday liturgy to expose them to an alternative way of proclaiming the word. She also video-taped Bob addressing the theme of a "ministry of presence" which would be part of her curriculum for her students at LIM. Over the years Tau House has welcomed young Friars in formation to live and work with the community during their summer recess. Some of those who simmered in summer service at Tau House were: Rory Lopez, Albert Haase, Dan Senger, John Girard, Dionisio Flores, and Frank Folino. More recently Franciscan Lay Volunteers serving in various agencies have become a part of Tau House's faith family.

A Michael Story

When the transfers came out the summer of 1991Brother Gregory was moving on to another assignment and Fr. Michael Jennrich, O.F.M. was driving from St. Francis Retreat House in Oakbrook, IL to Tau House. And he informed us that he planned to continue living with this female named Clare. Clare, it turned out, was a feisty Chihuahua.

Like the Friars before him, Michael took his time finding his own way at Tau House and in the French Quarter while we took our time getting used to living with a feisty Chihuahua. He was not required to "take anyone's place." After a while he responded to the request of Mr. John Royes to work as a chaplain in his hospice program.

As summer slipped into September, Bob knocked on Michael's door and asked if he could have a few words with Michael. Michael was a bit apprehensive. In times past, if the superior came to your room "for a talk" it was something serious and not always pleasant. So Michael was a bit surprised when Bob told Michael, "I'm glad you're finding your way both in the community and in ministry but I have noticed something you ought to consider. It's almost the second week of September and you have not given a second thought to your Halloween costume. Michael, it's a part of being here. Please look into it." Later that day Michael encountered Rosalie, our "Sister Jacoba," and told her of the incident. He thought it funny. He was quite surprised when Rosalie told him to sit down and listen for a moment. In the tones every mother has used to guide their beloved but ignorant children she continued, "Honey, you're not in Chicago anymore. You are in New Orleans and we do things right here! You better think about that costume" And so he did. He didn't need another lecture on the subject.

Some time earlier that year we had taken responsibility for the celebration of the Sunday eucharist in our parish church of Saint Louis Cathedral. We were asked to take the early 6:30 AM mass and the 11:30 AM Masses each Sunday Bob, Henry and Michael would take turns at the Cathedral and presiding at Tau's Sunday Eucharist. Michael brought many gifts to Tau House's community especially his gift of music and song and his insightful homilies and appreciation for the liturgy. Michael would accompany himself on his guitar and lead us in song. By this time the choir of the earlier times was no more. Michael brought us a more popular style of liturgical song and style. Fr. Michael composed a haunting melody which would be sung in the context of the novena to The Mother of God Light in All Darkness. In all of this Bob and Michael were doing what Franciscans have always done, and that is, making the gospel accessible to God's people through simple forms of prayer, proclamation and popular devotion.

From time to time Bob supplied for Fr. Michael Scheneller at Resurrection parish in New Orleans, East. That same summer on June 9th, Fr. Bob celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his priestly ordination with a festive Gospel liturgy at St. Francis DeSales parish. A joyful reception followed in the parish hall and continued at Tau House that afternoon. Later in June he would join his classmates Fr. Chris Reuter and Archbishop James Lyke, OFM, archbishop of Atlanta, GA, in a festive celebration at Corpus Christi parish in Chicago. In a only a number of months Archbishop Lyke would die of cancer. His death coincided with Fr. Ferd Cheri's entrance into the Order of Friars Minor.

At this time another man began associating with the life and ministry of the Tau House Faith community, Joe Middelton came to know Tau House while caring for his friends infected and affected by AIDS/HIV. Joseph would enter the Franciscan Novitiate at Cedar Lake, IN, on June 21, 1994.

The summer of 1993 brought changes to Tau House. Gratian would move to St. Louis the following year as he stepped aside form his role as Provincial Counselor. Bob would be elected to serve on the Provincial Council at the Provincial Chapter of that year. After the Chapter, Fr. Henry Willenborg would leave New Orleans to serve the province in vocation ministry. As Henry was preparing to leave town, Sr. Marcy Romine, OSF, a Franciscan Sister of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was packing up her things in Monroe, LA, and leaving life in a classroom for that of volunteer coordinator at Project Lazarus. Marcy had served with the Friars of the province in northern Louisiana and had visited Tau House over the years prior to her decision to move into AIDS ministry.

Throughout the changes of personnel the Friars and the Tau House faith community continued to assist the local church, to collaborate with the diocesan clergy, serve the province on many levels, minister at Project Lazarus, participate actively in Samaritan Ministries Heartsong retreat programs for caregivers and persons with AIDS. Fr. Bob continued on staff at Blessing Place, preaching parish missions, retreats for religious and mentoring communities in the Heartsong retreat program.

Fr. Michael assumed the role of chaplain at Project Lazarus, and began to be invited by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Sacred Heart Academy to celebrate liturgy for the school community. He also began a rich and rewarding relationship as retreat Master at the Cenacle Retreat House located in Metairie. Michael developed his own personal style of ministry of presence to many in the French Quarter. Following the tradition of Fr. Gratian, Michael took a spiritual interest in the street life of the French Quarter. He was Tau House's connection with the "lost souls of the night." Like Gratian, he spent many nights ministering to people on the streets. Michael developed a relationship with many employees of popular bars. He was known as "Fr. Michael the bar priest." It wasn't long before Michael's ministry focused around funeral services for these employees as the AIDS epidemic spread through the Quarter. In his seven year stay at Tau House, Michael buried some 300 victims of AIDS. Many of these were good friends.

Brother Ed Arrives

On August 21, 1995, in the very height of summer's heat Brother Ed Arambasich, OFM, arrived from the cool north to begin his service in the sunny south. Shortly after his arrival, Bob, wanting to show Ed "the territory," took him on a walk through the central business district and up Saint Charles Avenue. From Bob's point of view it was a sunny summer stroll; from Ed's perspective it was more like the Bataan Death March. When they stopped at a McDonald's along the way Ed drank down several super sized glasses of iced tea. Only as Ed was re-hydrating in the air conditioned comfort of Mc Donalds clutching his super sized ice tea did it dawn on Bob that Ed might not be used to sub-tropical weather. Needless to say, the junket was terminated and they boarded the St. Charles Avenue street car back toward the Quarter and home. After this, Ed quickly adjusted to the Crescent City. Among the many gifts Ed brought to the house was his sewing machine and boundless energy to beautify his surroundings. Yards of fabric became altar cloths, lectern covers, runners for tables, curtains for rooms and costumes. It must be remembered that Mardi Gras and Halloween are part and parcel of life in the "Big Easy." These two festivals gave Ed ample opportunity to turn his creative talents with needles and thread to enhancements of our ministry and presence. One of the major fund-raisers for Project Lazarus was, and continues to be, the Halloween Bal Masque. Ed was able to afford the unimaginative with colorful costumes for the celebrations.

Ed took a Tau House Christmas tradition and carried it further. Some years earlier Bob had begun the practice of masking as St. Nicholas after the 4:15 Mass on the Sunday before Christmas. On that day he would go, accompanied by a "subordinate Claus" toting a large basket of candy, to Jackson Square just as thousands of people gathered for caroling by candlelight. He'd move among the crowds giving the candies to children who stood entranced by "Papa Noel." As the years passed different members of the faith community took turns as Saint Nicholas or the Subordinate-Claus. When Ed unpacked his things we discovered that he came with his own Saint Nicholas attire including a miter to rival anything Rome could offer. After that Ed became the resident Saint Nicholas.

In his first year at Tau House Ed's manifest gifts became evident. Part and parcel of Tau House's mission is to be an out-reach to those outside the church's ordinary care. Ed gladly extended hands in friendship to neighbors on Governor Nicholls Street, people of the neighborhood through the French Quarter Postal Emporium where he was employed for a time, and even the members of the New Orleans Fire Department at our firehouse. Those extended hands frequently were offering a newly baked cake or a tin of cookies just out of the oven. His extraverted nature and friendly smile have made him one of Project Lazarus's most successful "Questors." His sewing machine hummed as he made Christmas stockings. Those stockings were filled with candies provided by the generous donations he solicited from high schools and grade schools far and near. Ed made it a practice to make almost every holiday a special event for both patients and staff folks at Project Lazarus and Charity Hospital. Francis of Assisi told his brothers in the Rule not to hesitate to make their needs known to one another and never be ashamed to go begging. Ed brought these Franciscan counsels to life in his presence and ministry at Tau House.

While Bob was serving on the Provincial Council in 1995, it was decided that the provincial Administration would issue pastoral letters on current themes important for the province's life. The topics to be addressed were : Radical Gospel Living, Poverty and Simplicity of Life, Racism, and Homophobia. Various Provincial Councilors were charged with the responsibility of chairing a writing committee to draft one of the pastoral letters. Bob chaired the writing committee drafting "The Truth will Set You Free, a Pastoral letter to the Friars of the Sacred Heart Province on Homophobia." The writing committee consisted of Friars Thomas Aldworth, Medard Buvala, Christopher Lambert, Michael Jennrich, Ralph Parthie and Fr. Bob. This document stood in the tradition of honesty and openness begun many years previous when the Provincial, Fr. Dismas Bonner, OFM, first addressed the topic of sexual orientation in a pastoral letter to the province in 1984 on that theme. Both pastoral letters were sought out by other religious congregations as they sought to deal with their confreres in honesty and openness.

And there were more losses as well, there were always losses to AIDS. In the mid eighties Bob was wading through pools of grief as friends died. Now, in the mid nineties , those Michael had befriended were in the "holocaust." On December 14, 1995 Kevin N died of complications due to AIDS. Kevin had been living in our guest house for some months prior to his death. He was a dear friend of Michael's and his death affected Michael profoundly and the entire Tau House community. Michael was not only Kevin's soul friend but his brother as well. Kevin's mother and father and entire family embraced Michael in love and friendship, for he had embraced their son with that same love. The family became an integral part of the Tau House Faith Community and are still actively involved in supporting the community.

Bob moves on to Chicago and Ralph arrives

The provincial administration annually invites Friars to re-evaluate their ministries. The Friars are invited to listen with discernment for God's Will for them. Was God calling them to move on from where they were ministering, to be open to another place or field of evangelical endeavor? Over the years Bob had fielded that question on his sabbatical at the Institute for Spiritual Leadership after ten years at Tau he asked the question. Later the Province asked him to discern with others the possible role as Master of Novices in the new interprovincial novitiate. Bob was not discerned and continued his ministry in New Orleans. As the interprovincial post-novitiate house of formation was being established he was asked again to enter into discernment again. And again he returned to Tau House and its ministries. As he was entering his twentieth year at Tau House the annual discernment letter arrived with the question, would you be willing to be transferred? And Bob replied, YES. With that, Fr. Kurt Hartrich, the provincial, informed him that he was interested in establishing another Friary in the Province centered on the Ministry of the Word. The Friary would probably be located in the Chicago area and some friars were already identified as interested in this project. In a number of months Bob was in conversation with Friars Lawrence Jagdfeld and Eoli Roselada, OFM about this new venture. A house would be purchased for this venture and a date was set for the transfers to this new friary. Accordingly, on July 13, 1996 a farewell mass was celebrated at Saint Jude's Church on Rampart Street, Bob's friend Sister Barbara Braud, O.Carm gave the gospel reflection. On July 19, movers arrived to pick up materials Bob was taking for the new friary in Chicago. The next day Bob left Tau House after twenty years he was accompanied by his pet kitty Tinker Bell and assisted in the drive by his nephew Christopher Pawell.

Later that summer Father Ralph Parthie arrived to join Tau House's ministry of presence and outreach to those outside the church's ordinary care in the French Quarter.