Diaspora Digest # 35
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Editor: Gael Stahl Webmeister: Jack Brennan Submit articles,
comments, pictures and links to: Diaspora Digest Home page: http://www.diasporadigest.org |
In March of 2004 my computer crashed and although I had back ups of DD letters, I think I may have lost some. Apologies. Jack. Due to these kinds of things and others your editors have surely lost or misfiled some of your letters over the years. Don’t take it personally if a letter or two of yours doesn’t appear. We mean to be completists, but the bugs sometimes foil us. – Gael.
9 JAN 2004 JACK HARDESTY: Jack wrote to give us some information on the DD part of his web page. Thanks again to Bro. Jack’s work and inspiration, we have our own page. Jack’s pages are: http://www.TheFriars.org/ and/or http://www.quincy.edu/
25 JAN 2004 JOAN PORCHE WRITES: Hi Gael, It always brings a warm feeling to hear from you! Andrew Knoell is undergoing triple by-pass surgery tomorrow. Let's lift him up. Sorry, I don’t have Andy’s email. [She wrote back Feb. 2 that she’d heard Andy was making a good recovery. GS]
2 FEB 2004 Dan Mazar forwards this from my classmate Bob Pawell: Dear Brothers, The other day my urologist informed me that the biopsy of my prostate revealed cancer. I met with him last week to learn more of my condition. Most men having biopsies on their prostate and having signs of cancer show that, on the average, 5 % of their prostate has cancer cells, 60 -70% of my prostate indicates the presence of cancer cells. My cancer is aggressive. On the Gleeson scale it indicates 4.3 - 4.5 (a clinical Stage T-2a cancer).
While the Doctor feels the cancer is confined to the prostate there seems to be some signs of a perineural invasion of the cells into some of the tissue around the cancer. Therefore, I had a cat scan this morning and will have a bone scan this Friday to detect if the cancer has entered my bones or lymphatic system. The doctor feels that due to the aggressive nature of the cancer, surgery is the best choice to go with. It is not absolutely fail safe, but it is the best therapy the doctor advises for situations like mine. I also need to see my regular doctor to see if I am fit for surgery. If that visit indicates a "GO." The surgery, which will take place toward the end of February. I will also have to begin my donating blood for the replacement of the blood I shall loose in the surgery.
Needless to say this has put my life on "halt." My ministry at St. Peter's and other commitments have to be revised in the face of this new chapter in my life's journey. I am very grateful that Albert Haase has volunteered to stay with me during the first week after the surgery until I can get around. Thank you for your concern and keep me in your prayers.
Fraternally. [Needless to say, our prayers go out for Bob. He’s led such a healthful life, compassionate life, and if there is any fairness in this world, will have a full recovery. Ad multos annos per omnia saecula saeculorum. See Bob’s letters below, 19 & 28 Aug 2004 Gael.]
]
5 FEB 2004: JOHN MILLER: Sandy and I have two new e-mail addresses, but the AOL address will work for a while longer: Sandy: altarwine of jeffersonvalley.net, John: gartner44 of jeffersonvalley.net - Thanks. John
1 MAR 2004: Bill McGee, Counselor, former diocesan priest, suffers fatal head injuries in two-bike crash. Bill’s last letter to the DD was in March 2003. Long-time friend of Mike and Judy Mooney in Santa Rosa, Calif., he last visited Peckerwood by boat in 2003 and came with wife Alice and the Mooney’s the year before during which I joined them for the trip to Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga., in the annual effort to close the School of the Americas, now renamed Western Hemisphere Institute.
He was an exquisite human, poet, baker, biker, addiction counselor, husband and priest among other things. Gentle, totally without guile, saintly with vinegar in his sanctity, like Dorothy Day.
The newspaper said of our dear friend, “Bill McGee, 79, a former Santa Rosa Junior College instructor suffered fatal head injuries Sunday when he was thrown from his bicycle during a morning ride cycling with two friends. [He would go on several day trips of hundreds of miles.] McGee, a veteran cyclist, was riding northbound more than 30 mph down a grade when his road bike's front wheel became entangled with the rear wheel of another rider's bike.
[On the day I got the letter, Sky Chaney, who was with Bill and Mike Mooney when they came from Indiana to Peckerwood in Mike’s john boat, wrote: “Yep, we sure will miss Billy. I was to have breakfast with him this morning and go for a hike. He was a one-of-a-kind guy... the only person I know who I would nominate for sainthood. Bobbi and I are walking around in a daze. It feels like a bad dream. GS]
[The following letter of Bill McGee’s is in my file with the wrong date, but I can’t promise it was ever published. And in light of Bill’s death that week and his words here, I include it. You’ll see why. Gael]
BILL MCGEE: Greetings! We were in this element of nature for three weeks in February. Mt. Shasta. What a gift! We house-sat. Skiing on the mountain, hiking in the plains, hiking on the mountains - and relaxing at our convenience.
I find that we are living
through the "Newtonian" new laws of physics – what is down let be
down, what is up, let's make it uppity and more uppity which is a sign of God's
blessings. Reading over some of the
news of certain people in the Diaspora, tough times are among our certain few. It befalls us all. We await our turn before we jump off the planet. Hopefully, we will have someone, only one,
that will miss us. Hang in you
two. It was nice to be included in the
DD letter. We talked to Judy Mooney. Great!
3 Mar 2004.Carla Ortegel. Dear Mr. Pfeifer..[Erv Pfeiffer.] I have received several letters that you have sent to my husband's former office address. I want to inform you that Ken suffered a stroke in March 2001 and he now resides in a nursing home suffering from dementia. You said you would like to hear from him so I wanted to let you know what happened to him. I would appreciate it if you would remove his name from your mailing list. Thank you. [Sad! Such a bright guy. One of the few I called when I got exiled to Nashville. GS]
4 Mar 2004: Erv Pfeifer: (Letter from Erv to Carla Ortegal.) It was so good to hear from you again. I was wondering if it would be ok with you if we classmates sent emails rather than snail mail. Sometimes we humans get a little lazy when it comes to writing letters and have been spoiled with the ease of email. I do believe that Ken would probably get a lot more email than letters from his classmates. Just wanted to see what you thought of this idea. Your wish is our command.
A bit about myself. Born and raised on a farm in Nebraska. Married in 62...have four grandchildren...been in the insurance business for past 42 years and sold the family business 01-01-04. Moved to Albuquerque 01-01-60 and have been here ever since.
Will await your answer. Thanks.
4 Mar 2004. George Cuellar. ...it’s good to be alive. I joined Americorps in 2002, teaching ESL at our House of Anios Learning Center, received an educational award, accepted an invitation to go to Turkey on a study-tour with a group of students from the Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, MO. I hope this trip helps me obtain a masters in pastoral studies so I can remain marketable. Continue sending the Diaspora Digest. I wish its readers the best in everything wherever they are. Take care. [George included a detailed itinerary (March 5 to March 12, 2004) and a map of the region in Turkey he planned to visit.]
6 MAR 2004 MAZAR: Go to http://www.providencevisitor.com/ to read Pat Reid's thoughts on the Gibson movie. The accompanying article by the editor is also interesting. Pax.
18 MAR 2004 BRENNAN: writes that he will write our classmate Bob Pawell before his prostate procedure. He counts seven close friends who have that cancer.
6 Apr 2004. Charles Faso. Greetings from Rome! Classes are ended! After two months of classes from two to five hours a day since Feb. 2, we finished today with talks on Ecumenism. The teacher traced for us the last hundred years of Catholics reaching out in prayer, discussions, meetings, agreements, disagreements with other Christian ecclesial communities. After almost 500 years of Protestant and Catholic divisions, there has been much accomplished with many of the various church groups. Much still remains for us to make a reality the prayer of Jesus after the Last Supper: "That all might be one!" I have learned much these last two months. It will take another couple of months to review and make my own the information and inspiration that we have received from the many teachers who taught us. My preaching and ministry will be positively impacted by all that I have heard and learned.
Tomorrow is the last celebration of Mass at a Station Church. I have continued almost every morning to walk to and/or to take a bus or two to various ancient churches in Rome for the Lenten Mass of the Day. Several or you have asked about the Station Churches and Station Masses. Here is what I learned ‑ Early after the legitimization of Christianity (313 AD), it became customary for the Bishop of Rome (the pope) to visit his parishes on set days each year. Although the practice was discontinued after the return of the Pope from Avignon (1378), the people of Rome have revived the tradition of a pilgrimage to these churches since the 1890's, many of which are associated with the earliest Christian community. Now, if that is enough about Station Churches, then skip the next paragraph that goes into much more detail.
The word "station" seems to be derived from the Latin "statio" or "stare": a standing together, that is, a gathering around the bishop at the altar to celebrate the Eucharist. During the periods of calm in the first three centuries, official stations were early designated for celebrating the major liturgical feasts in various churches, so that as much of the community as possible might gather around the bishop regularly. In establishing a cycle of stational visits, the bishops of Rome saw in it an apt symbol of the unity of the shepherd with his flock. It is not known which were the original Roman station churches, but the popes may have started the practice as early as the third century.
After the Peace of Constantine in 313, the celebrations of Mass and their solemnity gradually increased. Significant additions were made to the list of stations by Leo I (440‑461), Gregory the Great (590‑604), Gregory II (715‑731) and Leo III (795‑816). The list encompasses 94 stations including the days of Lent and Easter Week. Until the papacy moved to Avignon, France (1305), the stations were considered pontifical functions, a status they conserved only in principle after the return of the pope to Rome in 1378. Interest in them revived under the influence of Leo XIII (1878‑1903).
Our English Mass each day during Lent was at 7:00 AM ‑ 25 priests concelebrating, often a bishop or cardinal, and 150‑200 people. A group of seminarians from North American College where I am living walked each day to the Station Church ‑ several miles some days. I joined them the first four days. My body and especially my feet went on strike. So a community of us formed as we would meet on the various buses we took together to the Station Church. Many of these churches honor the relics of apostles and martyrs from the early centuries. Very challenging experience to continue the prayer of the church that has continued to be offered to God in these churches for 1500 to 1800 years. Lent will never be quite the same. The siesta nap became a means of survival for afternoon classes.
Last Sunday, Palm Sunday, I joined 150 other priests as Communion Ministers at the mass. The procession with palms and olive branches marched through the throng of 35,000 people all with palms and olive branches while soloists and choirs led us in singing Hosanna! The Pope presided for the whole Mass and preached beautifully challenging us all to remain faithful to the cross of Christ.
In the homily, John Paul II said that "in a climate of joy, veiled in sadness, which characterizes Palm Sunday, we celebrate the 19th World Youth Day whose theme this year is 'We want to see Jesus'." The Pope indicated that "Jesus dies on the cross for each one of us. The cross, therefore, is the greatest and most eloquent sign of His merciful love, the unique sign of salvation for each generation and for all of humanity."
After recalling that twenty years ago, at the end of the Holy Year of the Redemption, he gave the cross of that Jubilee to young people, he affirmed that since then "it continues to travel to many countries in preparation for the World Youth Days. It has become a luminous sign of the faith that inspires the young generations of the third millennium."
In commemorating this anniversary, he said, "let the same gift of that moment renew you: 'I entrust the Cross of Christ to you!' Carry it throughout the world as a sign of Jesus Christ's love for humanity, and announce to all that only in Christ, Who died and rose from the dead, is there salvation and redemption."
"Certainly the message that the Cross communicates is not easy to understand in our age in which material well‑being and comforts are proposed and sought after as important values. But for you, dear young people, do not be afraid to proclaim the Gospel of the Cross in every circumstance! Do not be afraid to go against the current!"
I was lead to distribute Communion to hundreds of people standing in the middle of the Square. Peoples from all over the world came forward to express their faith in Christ, in his Presence, and to say Amen! I commit myself to becoming more fully the presence, the compassion, the love of Christ in the world.
Hot sun and clear sky made a brilliant setting for the morning mass. Saturday and Monday were cloudy and chilly. Not Sunday. What can I say!
And so Holy Week begins. I will help with Holy Communion at the Pope's Masses on Thursday, at the Good Friday Service and on Saturday ‑ these services are inside St. Peter's Basilica. I will also be part of the Easter Sunday Mass with the Pope outside in front of St. Peter's again. Ambassadors and beggars, religious men and women and laity, young and old ‑ all gathered in prayer and worship, praise and thanksgiving. This is what all that I learned in class
is really all about. I am so excited and happy and grateful to be here this Holy Week, my first time in Rome for this Week called Holy.
Blessings in abundance on you and your families during these days of prayer and remembering God's great love for each of us!
P.S. I mis‑numbered the last Greetings from Rome. The last Greetings was #15, not a second #14. So this one is #16. Math always was a challenge for me. That is why music came more easily: 1,2,3,4 ‑ then you start over 1.2,3, 4.......
8 Apr 2004. Charles Faso. Greetings from Rome during the Holy Week of 2004! I did something today that I have never done before: I walked 12 miles from church to church around Rome. About 75 of us seminarians and priests, religious and laity, married and single, met at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica for Mass with the former Cardinal of Detroit who is now in charge of the Vatican Government and properties. Several of us took the bus to Mass. But then the walk began ‑ from St. Mary Major to St. Lawrence outside the Walls, to Holy Cross of Jerusalem Basilica, to St. John Lateran, and then along the Old Apian Way out of Rome to the St. Sebastian Catacombs and Basilica. Pranzo (the main meal of the day at 1:15) was across the street from the Catacombs at the Cecilia Martello Restaurant. An hour and a half later we continued the Seven Church Walk to St. Paul outside the Wall. The last part of the journey was from St. Paul's to the Vatican to St. Peter's. This last walk was the longest, an hour and fifteen minutes. Four of us older priests got on the #21 bus that brought us to St. Peter's where we waited for an hour for the walkers to arrive. We thought we needed to be good to and thank our bodies with a little reward as we waited for the others ‑ yes, a gelato (Italian ice cream). We sat in front of the Cafe St. Pietro on the Via Conciliazione and enjoyed our Apricot gelato.
This Seven Church walk was begun several hundred years ago by St. Philip Neri, a priest in Rome noted for his laughter, good humor, deep love for God and people. He began the Oratorian community. St.Philip started the walk, an overnight walk at that time, for young people during the Carnivale, the Mardi Gras at the time. He wanted to give them an option for using their creative energy. The Seven Church Walk continues many times a year for various groups. In fact, a very long street we walked along from San Sebastiano Catacombs to St. Paul’s Basilica is named the Seven Churches Street. My body was/is aching. But my soul..... At each church we listened to one of the seven Scripture readings from Holy Saturday Vigil Service, then we heard stories about St. Philip Neri and the history about the Basilica. Then we spent 15 to 20 minutes on our own praying in the Basilica. The walk goes to the four Major Basilicas of Rome and three minor Basilicas. And, yes, I slowly climbed the stairs to my room tonight. Ah, Rome! Weather was not too hot, a few clouds, cool breeze. Perfect! One Seven Church Walk was good. To do the walk again ‑ in my memory. The prayer in each place, meeting new people and hearing their stories was a great blessing. Much like the journey of every day life, no matter where we are.
Blessings of healing peace to you as we begin the Holy Three Days, the Triduum, celebrating God's great love for us in Jesus! Be assured of my prayers for you during these days as I participate in the Liturgies at St. Peter's with the Pope presiding. Ciao! Pace e Bene! (Peace and Everything Good!)
9 Apr 2004. Dan Mazar. Sacred Heart Province update. Gilbert Ostdiek had a pacemaker implanted a few days ago at Rush‑Presbyterian‑St. Luke's Hospital in Chicago and came through the procedure with no complications.
Edwin Albers underwent a heart catheterization at St. John's Hospital in Springfield earlier this week. He had two stents implanted and needs to stay off his feet for a few days, but otherwise he is doing all right.
Medard Buvala has moved temporarily from St. John's in Joliet to Loretto Home in Springfield for an evaluation and treatment of some ongoing conditions that are slow in healing.
Barry Schneider continues to be hospitalized due to complications from his recent aneurysm and stroke. Although he is experiencing some paralysis on his left side and his speech is still unsteady, he does recognize people who come to visit him. It will probably be a few more days before the doctors are able to give a prognosis.
Ministry Possibilities to Ponder:
Franciscan Outreach in Chicago will soon have vacancies in two key staff offices to be filled. One that Larry Janezic would like for a friar to fill is that of Director of Full Time Volunteers. The job involves a lot of mission implementation and includes both the recruiting and the mentoring of the full‑time volunteers along with the supervision of the soup kitchen and shelter. Recruiting activities resume in the fall, but a starting date can be negotiated.
The other position opening up is that Director of Case Management ‑‑ the start date for this position is October 1st. This person administers and directs case management services for the Outreach's clientele, carries out case management responsibilities, and forms relationships with other agencies for purposes of networking, providing resources to clients, and professional training.
If any friar is interested in more information about either of these positions, contact Larry Janezic directly at Franciscan Outreach: (773) 278‑6724 or by e‑mail at mail of franoutreach.org.
The
entire Provincial Office staff wishes everyone a blessed and joyous Easter!
9 Apr 2004. Charles Faso. May the Lord who gave us the commandment to love one another fill your hearts with Love! What a glorious Day, this Mandatum (Command) Thursday, this Holy Thursday: Two Masses with the Pope in St. Peter's and Visitation of eleven Churches. The 9:30 AM Chrism Mass with the Pope truly celebrated the gift of ministry in the church ‑ 2500 priests vested in stoles and albs, 60 Bishops and 35 Cardinals vested in chasubles and miters, 50 deacons vested in dalmatics, thousands of lay people from all over the world. We were the church gathered together celebrating the call to serve others in imitation of Jesus who washed the feet of the apostle.
Something new at St. Peter's since 9/11 is the security check for everyone entering St. Peter's: four to six security machines for packages and purses and the usual airport walk‑through security machines. And added 15 to 20 minutes is necessary to be on time as slowly everyone walks through the security process.
When all is ready, the music begins to fill the largest church in the world, the procession begins with cross, candles, incense billowing heavenward. The church stands to offer praise and adoration to God. The thousands of us from everywhere on earth become one body, the singing and praising Body of Christ. At the sight of the Pope, the people closest to the entrance doors of St. Peter's who see him first, inform the rest of us by their bursts of applause and the flashing of cameras. The pope is seated and pushed down the aisle on a larger movable platform. The Pope's chair can raise him up at least 15 inches. A small lift raises his chair from the floor of the Basilica some 10 feet to the altar area. When he can be seen by all, the applause drowns out the organ and choir. The Vicar of Christ is ready to sit at the head of the Community Table of the Church and lead us in prayer.
Being one of 2500 priests vested in albs and stoles sitting in a semi‑circle around the altar, I began to fell deeply the joy and blessing of being a priest of Jesus the Christ, called to proclaim the Word of God and lead God's people in prayer. After the readings were proclaimed and the Holy Father preached, we priests stood as the Pope asked three questions of us ‑ Do we promise to be faithful in our ministry as priests in preaching the Word, in administering the Sacraments and ministering to God's people with love and faithfulness? With a great shout, we responded: Volo! ‑ Yes, I do promise. I barely could speak that word because of such emotion. Then three great silver containers of oil were carried up to the Pope. The Pope blessed the Oil for the Sick, Oil for Catechumens, and then consecrated the Oil of Chrism to be used in Baptisms, Confirmation and Ordination. This oil was blessed for use in the Diocese of Rome. Mass continued is all of its simplicity and splendor.
I joined two friars from our Province of the Sacred Heart (Midwest Province) for dinner with the community of 50 friars at our General Curia located up the hill behind the Vatican. Always good to celebrate with the Friars, the Lesser Brothers.
After a riposo, a nap, a siesta for an hour, it was time to return to St. Peter's ‑ 10 minute walk down the Gianicolo Hill from the North American College. The Church gathered by the thousands, moving through the security passages into St. Peter's for the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper and the Washing of the Feet. The Pope presided with strong voice again. He never wears glasses and sings strongly on pitch. The Scripture Readings were chanted in Latin and Greek by a Greek Catholic Deacon. After the Pope preached urging us on to greater love and service to others, two Cardinals washed the feet of 12 priests, the Canons of St. Peter's, who chant the Liturgy of the Hours in St. Peter's throughout the year. Cardinal Ratzinger washed and dried the feet of six of the priests. This ritual gesture is full of power and challenges us to fuller humble and loving service of others. After Communion, the ciborium with hosts consecrated at the Mass, is placed on the altar for adoration before the procession to the Reserve Altar for the night. At this time, two men brought to the Pope a kneeler. I gasped aloud when the two priests assisting the pope, raised him from his chair for him to kneel in adoration. I did not know the Pope could stand and kneel even with the help of others. All present were deeply moved by this. We too all fell to our knees in deep silence and loving adoration. The Pope intoned the 800 year old hymn used on Holy Thursday, Pange Lingua ‑ and the procession of hundreds of people and the Pope began with the Blessed Sacrament to the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. Evening prayer of "Staying one Hour with Me" began here and in all the churches of Rome and Italy and Europe.
Four of us priests continued the celebration of the day with a fine meal at our local favorite restaurant, Sor Eva, located along the Tiber, a few minutes walk from the Vatican. Then two of us began the Holy Thursday custom of Visiting Churches to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. From 9:00 PM to midnight, we visited 11 churches, often seeing some of the seminarians, and others whom we have met during these past two months. We were edified at the large number of young people in prayer. This was a Holy Thursday that I will never forget and always be challenged by ‑ to be the priest the Lord calls me daily to be. I prayed for all of you during this day of prayer.
Blessed Triduum filled with grace and peace be yours!
10 Apr 2004. Charles Faso. Greetings from Rome on this Good Friday! A quiet somber and rainy day here in Rome! A day to remember God's love for us poured out in the suffering and death of Christ on the cross. Several of us priests in the renewal program left for St. Peter's at 3:30. We needed to be through the security system and into the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament by 4:00. We were given matching surplices and matching red stoles. There were about 100 of us priests who were to help with distribution of Communion for the Good Friday Service. The basilica was filled again with people from around the world. We sat this time to the right behind the altar, next to the choir ‑ boys and men choir. That closeness to the choir was an added benefit for me ‑ to watch the choir director and his angelic soprano and alto voices with the tenors and basses singing the crowd parts of the Passion with three deacons chanting in Latin the entire Passion, just as we did in the Seminary in the 1950's and 1960's.
A reverent, prayer‑filled silence enveloped the thousands of us gathered for the beginning of the Good Friday Liturgy. Even as the procession marched through the people down the longest aisle of any church in the world, even when the Holy Father entered, the silence of love and death, of hope and forgiveness, embraced us all. The first sound heard was the voice of the Holy Father leading us in prayer. Today as for every service in St. Peter's every one received a booklet containing all the prayers, scriptures, explanations, and today colored photos of an 14th century Psalter from England that is in the Vatican Library.
The Three Scripture Readings were sung in Latin. The Passion was sung by three deacons, one taking Jesus' words (bass), another sang the words of other individuals in the Passion account, e.g., Peter, Pilate, the Maid Servant (tenor), and the narrator (baritone). The choir sang forth the crowd parts of the Passion. To break open the word in a homily, a Capuchin Franciscan preached on pardon and forgiveness of Christ towards us and through us for all others. Fr. Cantalamesse, ofm, cap., is the preacher for the Papal Household. I was proud of my Franciscan brother preaching to the pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, and laity. He stood there in front of the Papal Altar dressed in his brown Franciscan habit and white cord. He preached with passion and love, with conviction and compassion.
The nine Good Friday General Intercessions were introduced by nine seminarians from nine different countries, each inviting us to pray for another need of our church and world: French, English, Polish, Russian, German, Portuguese, Filipino, Swahili, Arabic and Spanish.
The cross in covered in red cloth was carried down the main aisle. The Pope intoned three times the words: Ecce lignum Crucis ‑ Behold the Wood of the Cross. Again he was on his knees at the kneeler brought to his chair. He remained kneeling for a half hour. During the adoration of the cross as many came forward to bow in reverence or genuflect and then kiss the cross, the 100 of us priests processed to the Blessed Sacrament Chapel to receive a ciborium of consecrate
hosts from yesterday's mass. As the Our Father began we processed down the middle aisle and formed a circle around the altar. Then we were led to a place to distribute the Sacrament of Christ's Body to all. A simple prayer and blessing over the people prayed by the Holy Father ended this most Solemn beautiful Liturgy. We departed in Silence. The Triduum, the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday Vigil Service are one Liturgy, one prayer, one entering into the one Passing Over of Christ from life, through death to life. So on Holy Thursday the Mass begins with the sign of the cross. There is no conclusion to Thursday's or Friday's liturgy. Only on Saturday after the Vigil Service are we told to Go in Peace! And so we continue three days celebrating one Action of Christ's Dying‑Rising.
After a quick supper, two of us, boarded a bus to take us to the Coliseum for the 9:15 PM to 11:00 PM Stations of the Cross. No one goes into the Coliseum. The Pope presides from a high hill across from the Coliseum. With chants, two people reading meditation and prayer for each Station, thousands of us stood listening and following along in the booklets printed by the Vatican. Truly an experience of deep prayer. Again, so many young people, families with little ones and us older folks too. In the midst of a world of terror and violence, of suffering and despair, we stood between the Coliseum and the Pope and prayed for all the world. Good Friday will never be the same ‑ ever.
Blessings on you and your families as you continue in this Holy Triduum ‑ The Three Days of death and life, of forgiveness and new hope.
13 Apr 2004 Tom Lenz. Please add my e‑mail address to your list. It is TWLenz41 of cs.com My tenth grade typing class is paying off tenfold.
So, after the St. Paschal reunion of 2000, I helped get a Catholic singles group started in Buffalo, N.Y. and ran bike trips, volleyball and ballroom dance committees and met some great people. My vocation as a landlord allows me to reap some benefits from my stubborn work habits. Investing in Buffalo property with just a credit card has allowed me to semi‑retire. I got an annulment from my first marriage and so did my wife Mary and thus we are regularly attending church‑‑which is still important in our lives.
Mary retired from her job this year, so we scouted Florida for a second home and settled in Spring Hill, Florida, about an hour north of Clearwater. She has 6 children and 8 grandchildren, so some are in the pool now.
So, now it’s off to fishing the Gulf in my Bayliner Trophy and finding another flea market. Greetings to all: hope to see DD34 soon.
Tom and Mary Lenz 10440 Norvell Rd. Spring Hill, Fla. 34608
13 Apr 2004 Dick Korn: Greetings at Easter. Madeleine and I are doing fine surrounded by family and friends. She continues to work hard as Executive Director of the Interfaith Center for Peace, currently planning a national conference on Conflict Management for here in Columbus, the first week in May. Besides interpreting more and more in Portuguese for the Community Refugee and Immigration Service, I've taken on a new position; the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio has hired this Roman Catholic to head its Episcopal Hispanic Ministry with offices on the Ohio State University campus at 30 W. Woodruff, Columbus, OH 43210 (614-291-8720; simbolico of aol.com).
I just returned from a week with my brothers and sisters-in-law to Madrid, Seville, Tangiers, and the Lisbon area. I wanted to take in as much Islamic influence in the southern parts of Spain and Portugal and had a real bonus with a day in North Africa. We were in those parts a few days after the terrorist bombing in the Madrid area and witnessed crowds praying around vigil lights, posters and pictures in public squares, twenty-four hours a day - a nation in mourning which had just elected anti-Bush Zapatero. I regret that I couldn't look up the Sacred Heart friar who I recall being in Morocco (?).
Readers
coming through central Ohio are obliged to call and/or stop by.
30 Apr 2004: Bob Hankey: Where did the Digest go??? Are you still working on it?? My honest
opinion is that it died a natural death. I hope you're doing well.
17 May 2004: Judy Mooney: [I had written or phoned about my wonderful experience of two weeks at an alcohol dependency rehab center starting April 22. Eighteen months later, everything she says is increasingly true. - Gael]
Hope
that you are having a peaceful day. I think of you so often. How
good it is to get into rehab. I hope that it continues to support you and
help you along the way. I find that getting help is the hardest thing to
do because it offends that self-reliance that can be full of fear and
pride. In Mike's and my life we continue to heal and discover that God is
truly a miracle worker when we let God be our God.
25 May 2004. Carroll Mizicko. Dear Family and Friends, Greetiings.
Spring has sprung and its almost gone. It is hard to believe that summer is upon us. We have had a pretty nice spring with no severe weather yet but quite a bit of rain. The shrubs and plants around the house all survived the winter and our roses and flowering plants are in bloom. The down side is that the grass is growing like crazy and it has to be cut every week. At least it gives us the chance for some exercise.
The Voices of St. Augustine, the choir from my former parish in Memphis, graced us with their presence and music the end of April. They were wonderful. They sang in concert on Saturday night and at the Mass on Sunday. People from the area really enjoyed and appreciated their talent and the sharing of their ministry of music. The Friars provided a New Orleans Style Gumbo meal for them on Saturday after the concert and St. Joseph Parish provided a delicious meal on Sunday after the Mass. We are very grateful for their visit.
The school year is winding down. There were graduations of Pre‑school, Kindergarten and Eighth Grade at Sr. Thea Bowman School last week. The Kindergarten didn’t actually have a graduation. They called it a A Bridging ceremony. There was an actual small bridge that the students walked across at the end to symbolize their moving to the first grade.
Althoff Catholic High School=s graduation was this past Sunday. Sr. Thea Bowman is looking at a major restructuring for next year. The school has run a large deficit for many years which the Diocese has had to cover.
Fr. Ferd and I have been part of a special committee looking at options. The school will be restructured to emphasize a much more individualized curriculum with a smaller enrollment. A new principal has been hired, Sr. Janet McCann, ASC. Some of you from Memphis may remember her as she taught at Fr.Bertrand Elementary School back in the 1980's. The down side of this move is that most of our current faculty and staff will have to be let go. It is a difficult and painful move but one that holds the best promise for the continuing ministry of the school to the East St. Louis community.
Fr. Ferd and I had the opportunity of participating in a Franciscan Spiritual Direction workshop at Mundelein, Illinois the beginning of May. There were only eight participants so we did have the opportunity of actually doing spiritual direction and receiving feed back from the directors and our peers. It was one of the best workshops I have attended. I highly recommend it to Friars if it is offered again.
Our work with the four parishes in ESL to merge into one is proceeding as planned. We have completed the training and input sessions. We now start the more difficult and challenging task of making those hard decisions about what recommendations we will make to the Bishop as to the location and structure of the new combined faith community.
On Saturday, June 5th, we are holding a Retreat Day for high school youth in East St. Louis at our Friary. We are bringing in Mr. Vince Guider from New Orleans who is a dynamic and gifted youth minister to conduct the day. Some of you from Monroe will remember him as he gave one of our Revivals and gave a workshop for the youth ministers while I was there. The day is especially intended for those being Confirmed in August but we are opening it up to others also. I had planned to take my vacation in July but I have had to change those plans. The other Catholic Priest Chaplain at the Hospital, who is originally from Germany, is going back to see his family in July. Therefore, I need to stay and cover the hospital while he is gone. I am looking now at the middle of August as my time away.
My companions, Chris and Ferd, are doing well. Chris has expanded his prison ministry to five or six institutions on a weekly or monthly basis. He always has lots of stories to share from his encounters with the inmates and guards. Ferd, in addition to his work at the high school, is constantly coming up with more programs to offer the East St. Louis community and the Diocese.
We have three Theological Symposiums scheduled efor the remainder of this calendar year. August 28: “Black Catholics: the Gifts, the Struggles, the Hope!” on racism with Fr. Bryan Massengale. October 16: “Fix Me Jesus” on health issues and HIV/AIDS with Fr. Joseph Brown, SJ. December 11: “Youth Ministry and Catechesis” with Sr. Eva Marie Lucas. There is also another “Songs of Soul” music workshop scheduled for November 12‑13. In between all of these there are also sprinkled Bible Classes, Black Catholic History Classes, Catholic Information sessions, and a “Come Back Home” program to encourage inactive and alienated Catholics to return to the Church. As Fr. Ferd often says: “It’s never dull working in the Kingdom!”
We continue to help out on weekends at various parishes around the Diocese. With the shortage of priests there is much need for assistance which sometimes involves a lot of travel. This coming weekend I will be going to Anna, Illinois, about a two and a half hour drive one way. We are happy to be able to offer this support to the Diocese and it does also bring added income enabling us to be self‑supporting as we receive no compensation for most of the work we do in East St. Louis.
Well that is a little bit about what is happening in this part of God’s kingdom. Hope things are going well in your part of the Kingdom! Please keep us and our ministry in your prayers and know that you are in mine.
Peace and everything that is good!
27 May 2004 John Miller: I really
thought this letter captured the essence of Francis Jerome. I just
received it, even though it was written back in February. John [The marvelous
letter is in graphic scanned format and too long for here. John or I would be
glad to send it to anyone who requests it. Write him at gartner44 of aol.com or me at gaelbstahl of juno.com
31 MAY 2004 BOB HANKEY called: It was memorial day and a day that many of us note as infamous – the 35th anniversary of the death of Germain Schwab, then provincial, and the end of an era that in my opinion was too short for our province, too stymied by a rapid exodus into the diaspora, and just bad luck. Perhaps, our history would have turned out the same. Bob will certainly not forget that day. It was he who was called on to make a positive identification of Germain’s body. We had a nice conversation, ruminated about his visit to Nashville some years ago, the old days in the province, and fresh gossip about favorite friars now dead but not forgotten. Thanks again for the call, Bob. Great Memorial Day custom. I’ll never forget the day either – for an entirely different reason. I think it was the day that Mario, the only Andretti to ever win the Indy 500, won it.
3 JUN 2004 CARLA ORTEGAL via Erv Pfeifer: Hi Erv. Thanks for the e-mail. Ken has been back at the nursing home for about three weeks. His psychiatrist has changed his medications again. His dementia causes extreme agitation and aggression and his anger can occur without warning. His memory is getting worse and, of course, he is very depressed. I think part of his depression is the result of the anti-psychotic medication. It's a vicious circle. Thank you for your good thoughts and prayers. Carla Ortegal
25 Jun 2004. Charles Faso. Greetings from Chicago! My last email to you all was from Rome at the end of April. Here is an update.
I departed Rome on April 25 for Assisi, Italy ‑ beautiful, peace‑filled Assisi, the Ancient Roman and Medieval city of St. Francis and St. Clare. My four weeks there were spent in taking classes in Italian, walking the streets and quiet, narrow walkways, praying with the Italian, French, and German Poor Clare Sisters, meeting pilgrims from all over the world including 30 Benedictine men and women from 20 different countries, participating in the 750th Anniversary of the Death of St. Clare and the 750th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. Francis. Friends from Chicago and Paris were pilgrims in Assisi while I was there. Three of us friars from my Province were together in Assisi the same week. The quiet and prayer, the visiting of Spello and Foligno, meeting a young Italian man on the train from Rome and dining with his family in Perugia, sharing the Italian class with Japanese, Brazilian, French and American students. All in all, the four month sabbatical in Italy was and continues to be a blessing for me.
I returned to Chicago on May 27 in time to Baptize the son of a man whom I baptized 30 years ago. My sabbatical continues until January 1, 2005. Two weeks ago I attended a gathering in St. Louis MO of 180 of Friars from my Province ‑ we prayed and played together, we dreamed of future possibilities and listened to each others' stories of what the Holy Spirit has been doing to and through us. The Province administration has urged the three of us who have lived together for six years to move to a house that the Province will buy so that we will not have to rent. Hopefully we will be moving during the first week in August to a home about two miles west and north from where we have been living. On July 11, I will be driving to St. Bonaventure University in Olean NY for three weeks of classes ‑ Franciscan Spirituality and St. Clare & Other Franciscan Women. I have never studied at the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure's. I am overdue.
I hope you are enjoying these summer days. Hopefully, as my sabbatical for study and prayer, for renewal and reflection, continues we will have the opportunity to spend time together. Much peace to your hearts as we pray and do all we can for justice and peace in our world. Ciao! Arrivederci!
25 Jun 2004. Dan Mazar to Gael Stahl: The province has posted a notice that Tobias [Nick] Baxter has been reactivated into the priesthood after a 35 year intermission. Maybe there is hope for you!!!!
25 JUN 2004. STAHL to BRENNAN. News flash: We just built a house. I enjoy almost everything about my work at the league/newspaper and don’t intend to retire at 65 this year. New house to pay for, too. We will move into it on our 31st anniversary at Peckerwoods – July 3. We finally got electricity yesterday.
26 JUN 2004 MAZAR: The province just finished a week's assembly to prepare for next year's chapter. I believe the total number of friars in the province is about 300. Maybe lower – and very much older. Medard is recuperating in Springfield, Ill. I understand he is doing OK.
I’m on the visitation trail. Was in Providence, RI inflicting myself on Pat Reid. Will be in DC and SF next month to celebrate my birthday with classmates who left Westmont. You wouldn't know them, Zeke. Still retired. My pension has been taken over by the Fed. Need to fire Bush. The GOP might take my pension away if he gets another term. However, so far, so good. [When Gael asked for details about his steelworkers pension. Mazar replied: “I was offered an early retirement package a few years ago. Took me about 3 minutes to take it. Then my outfit went into bankruptcy. This past spring my pension was taken over by the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation, which is a federal department. It pays the pensions of retirees whose firms have gone belly up. But with the GOP in charge, there is always the chance that they will change the laws.”]
2 Jul 2004. Carroll Mizicko. Greetings from 14th and King Drive.
Our neighborhood is growing. Habitat for Humanity built three new houses visible from our garage. That makes a total of nine houses they have built along the street near St. Joseph Church. It is nice to see new construction in this city that has so many dilapidated buildings and vacant lots. There are plans to add another whole development of housing for low and middle income folks in our general area. There are signs of hope.
Next week I start full time at St. Elizabeth hospital for the month of July. Fr. Elmar Mauer, OMI, the other priest‑chaplain, is going on vacation for three weeks. He is originally from Germany and is going back to see his family. I will be on duty Monday to Friday plus be on call for emergencies another 40‑50 hours a week. It will make for a busy July, which should make my vacation in August even more enjoyable.
July 15‑18 all three of us are going to New Orleans for the Archbishop James Lyke Conference. It will feature various presentations on liturgy and ministry. We have been asked to make a presentation on our ministry here in East St. Louis. Fr. Chris will also be giving a workshop on prison ministry, which is certainly a specialized and much needed ministry. They are expecting about a thousand people for the conference.
We continue to work with the four Catholic Churches in East St. Louis in facilitating the process of merging the four into one. Our goal is to reach a decision as to which site will be the location for the new unified church by October. We are entering the more difficult part of the process now. The Bishop wrote and excellent letter that was shared with all the parishes congratulating them on their bold, courageous and prophetic move. Most people don’t like the thought of leaving their old church but are resigned to the fact and most see the wisdom of the move in light of the small numbers at each Church, the priest shortage, and just the financial cost of maintaining four facilities. Please continue to pray for us as we walk with the people in this difficult and painful journey.
June 13‑18 was a wonderful week. Our Franciscan Province held its Assembly in St. Louis. The Assembly was in preparation for our Province Chapter next June. There were about 170 Friars in attendance. That is a very good percentage of our membership. It was great seeing so many that I had not seen or talked to for some time. The speakers were excellent and the discussions productive. Each evening was free which allowed for having some fun together. We also had the opportunity of bringing some of our Franciscan Brothers over to East St. Louis to show them our Friary and some of the things we are doing. One of the highlights of the Assembly was a performance by the Gospel Choir from Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville under the direction of Fr. Ferd. This integrated Gospel choir is outstanding and was greatly appreciated by the Friars. Other musical entertainment during the Assembly included a Mariachi Band and a male German Chorus from St. Louis. During the meetings I also had a chance to talk with Br. Joe Rogenski who is head of the FMU (Franciscan Missionary Union). He mentioned that he had heard that my brother, Fr. Bob Mizicko, was planning to come home from Brazil for a visit in August. He did not know any specific dates. I have not heard anything from my brother directly yet but I will pass on the information. Last time he came back to the States, about three and a half years ago, he ended up spending much of his time in the dentist’s chair. Apparently he had some major dental problems. Hopefully things will be different this time.
On Sunday, August 1st Bishop Gregory will be at St. Joseph Church for Confirmation at the 10:30 AM Mass. We will have fifteen young people Confirmed. I have been working with them since the end of March. On June 5th we brought in Mr. Vince Guider, a dynamic and gifted youth minister from New Orleans, to give them a retreat day. It was excellent and the young people really seemed to enjoy the day and found it worthwhile. Yours truly was chef for the day grilling hamburgers and hot dogs to perfection.
We continue our travels around the Diocese helping to cover parishes where there is no priest or the priest is away on vacation or for some other reason.
In June we had another priest die from cancer who was taking care of two parishes down near Waterloo, Illinois. In addition to our regular coverage of Ellis Grove we have also been able to cover four weekends at Murphysboro while the pastor is on vacation, a couple of weekends at Anna, Illinois where the pastor died of cancer last December and various places in the more local area.
Fr. Chris continues to put many miles on his car as he travels to various prisons in the Diocese. He always comes back with some new stories and experiences to share. Fr. Ferd, while his schedule is a little less full now that school is out, continues to be busy planning various programs and workshops.
We have developed a brochure listing some of the programs and classes we have planned for 2004‑2005 which is quite impressive. The next events are a “ Lead Me Guide Me Retreat” for planning worship for young people on August 17 & 18, and “Black Catholics: the Gifts, the Struggles and the Hope” addressing Social Justice and Racism from a Black Catholic perspective by Rev. Brian Massingale on August 28.
Well that is the news from the East Side at this time. Take care and keep in touch!
5 Jul 2004. Dennis Griffin. From the Arlington Heights Daily Herald.
Restoring Peabody mansion=s grandeur.
By Marni Pyke
[Abridged. For full article, click here or copy this address into your search engine: http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc0.asp?DOCID=1G1:119241334&num=1&ctrlInfo=Round5%3AProd%3ASR%3AResult&ao=]
Experts are restoring part of the historical Tudor-style house built by coal baron Francis Stuyvesant Peabody. In its heyday, the Peabody mansion was a retreat for rich Chicago socialites and industrialists who were treated to elaborate banquets and horse shows. Weather and time have taken a toll on the house, which was built between 1919 and 1921.
The Dupage County Forest Preserve District has already spent about $5.5 million on renovations. Ultimately, officials hope to use the building for cultural events such as readings, seminars and lectures. Officials hope that as more people visit the mansion and see the restoration, the project will sell itself.
8 Jul 2004. Paul Stubenbort. Hi Guys, been reading all the contributions to the Digest and thought I’d put in my two cents worth.
Most of the contributors to DD are out of my age group, either older or younger.
I am in touch with many Franks who are still in (Mike Clarahan, Ricardo Duffy and Tom Shaughnessy). Also many who got married about the time I did (Tom Wichert, Larry Johnson, Jose Knoll and Don Becker.)
All of us are living through one of the most striking times in the history of the Church and Order. I am a member of CTA (Call to Action), which of course is still hopeful of reform. But more importantly I’m a member of FCM (Federation of Christian Ministry), which was originally begun by married priests. FCM, along with CITI has sort of given up on reform and just spends all their energies on ministry.
There are literally tens of millions of Catholics who are denied the reception of the sacraments. We officiate at their weddings, baptize their children and even bury their parents and loved ones. I am only recently into this ministry, so I only do about two weddings a month (sometimes with Eucharist). Friends of mine (married diocesan priests) are doing over 100 weddings a year and many, many baptisms. Some regularly say mass for a Dignity group. I am now convinced there are no fallen away Catholics, only driven away. There is such a huge apostolate out there for married priests; an apostolate that canonical priests cannot or dare not address. And for me, all this is very simple: Christ would never deny anyone any sacrament. A divorced person is no better or no worse than anyone else. A gay person is no better or no worse than anyone else. A married priest or nun is no better or no worse than anyone else. And so on. Once you open that window Pope John talked about and take a deep breath of fresh air, life can really be fun. You stop worrying about what’s wrong and just do what’s right.
12 JUL 2004 ANTHONY LUTZ: Pax et bonum. I got a letter from Ken Capalbo OFM, provincial vicar. I sent the province a small donation to honor the province’s 150th anniversary.
Will we ever hear from Diaspora Digest again? It would be nice to have one final issue that would have given us closure. It is important to have intellectual challenges. Truth is a befitting object of the mind. God bless you and your wife. In Christ, Tony
17 Jul 2004. Fr. Medard embraces Sister Death.
19 JUL 2004 GAEL: Mike Mooney called that Medard Buvala died Saturday July 17. Jim Schmitt had heard from Chris Lambert at the provincial office. I called the friars in Joliet and learned that earlier this year Medard was diagnosed with breast cancer, a rarity for males. He had undergone mastectomy, but had been failing.
He died 5 a.m. in the infirmary
in Springfield and had been in and out of a coma for several days. He did not
wish for any further medical treatments and let it be known that he was more
than ready to welcome Sister Death at 88 years of age.
Visitation was at St. John the Baptist Church in Joliet on Tuesday, July 20th with Service at 7 and Mass of Christian Burial at 10 Wednesday followed by burial in St. John's Cemetery in Joliet. His brother Andy Buvala spoke, but not his sister, Mary Gustafson, nor nephew Dennis Gustafson, (novitiate class of 1957) both of whom many of us knew, made it.
Medard did so well on one lung for most of his 88 years, I thought he'd always be there for a visit 'one of these days.' Never have I seen anyone that looked like what I imagine Francis looked like, than Medard on the catafalque at his wake. The Ultima in mortis after the burial put a period on the perfect Transitus.
During the wake ceremony many friars told Medard stories including our classmate Bob Pawell. Afterwards, Chris Reuter, Jim Schmitt, Mike Mooney and I found a pizza/beer pub where we ate, drank, and chatted until 11 o’clock then moved out to the parking lot to carry it on.
For the funeral, our classmate Vince Zimmerman and wife Barb made it to the funeral. We had a good visit at the school cafeteria for the hearty lunch prepared by parishioners. Our former assistant novice master Phil Pavich sat with us.
Chris Reuter and Phil quoted Latin verses antiphonally from the Psalms and the Divine Office and Phil said that if Jack Brennan and Anton Braun were there, they’d have made a chorus of it.
Ultima
in mortis.
19 Jul 2004. Bill Bergman. Thank you for your kindness in passing this on to me.
He was a man ahead of his times and certainly a mentor to many. I always trusted his advice and guidance. He cared, taught and followed the Word of God. His passion and joy now is everlasting as he transitions through Sister Death. I wish I could attend, but will not be able to.
I will be teaching my fifth year at California State University, Chico (CSUC) in the Department of Management in the College of Business. Raising my second family has its joys and discomforts, but my life with Marie is a true blessing. I hope you and yours are well and that your health is good.
With Healing Gratitude,
19 Jul 2004. Erv Pfeiffer.
Thanks for your note...it was good hearing from you. You had included an email address for another Pfeifer...it was pfeifer of in‑tch.com but I could not make out the letters before the name Pfeifer....this could be a long lost relative of mine....would you mind sharing with me the full email address thanks a lot...what is your status in life?
19 Jul 2004. Gael Stahl. Mazar writes and forwards this:
“Received this from Roy Hoffman (Hugger). Tis a summer of discontent. Pax, Cowboy.
“I got the following notice from my brother, Jim, yesterday: Medard Buvala died this morning at 5 AM. The wake will be Tuesday July 20 in Joliet and the funeral will be Wednesday at St. John's in Joliet ‑ 404 Hickory.
“Don't have the exact times yet. They will probably be out on Sunday. Will let you know. Also, while you were gone Lou Davino died. He was buried last Wednesday. Lou had lung and throat cancer and died last Sat. on the operating table. They were trying to remove a blood clot on his lung.
“I checked the papers this morning and Medard's info didn't get in the paper yet. It should be in Monday's paper.”
Peace.
19 JUL 2004 MAZAR heard from Bob Hoffman: Roy, Hugger that Lou Davino (his near contemporary in the 1960 era novitiate class) has died. Lou was buried last Wednesday. He had lung and throat cancer and died last Saturday on the operating table. They were trying to remove a blood clot on his lung.
19 Jul 2004. Gael Stahl.
As for Medard, I'm without words, just huge regrets not to have gotten up there sooner. It was in the works, but like the group of Cullan Uhlinger’s and Jim Schmitt’s classmates, a day or two short.
Had
our first big gathering at new house on second weekend anniversary there,
Saturday. Love it. Keeps me busy and out of trouble. Also, off the keyboard,
but am getting back into the groove.
19 Jul 2004. Frank Flinn. Thanks for the notice. Is there somewhere we can send a short statement that will get noticed? [The Diaspora Digest is always at your service! ddeditors@diasporadigest.org JB]
Blessings,
19 Jul 2004. Keith Eckrich.
Thanks, Jack, for letting me know about Medard. Not surprising at his age, but shocking nevertheless; he somehow seemed non‑ending with his soft sense of humor and chuckle. I think he would last forever because he was always there for someone who needed him. He was very good to me and spent much time in ministering to my needs. He was a very special gift of God to so many.
19 Jul 2004. James Sexton.
Thanks Jack for telling me about Medard. He was a rare person. One I respected and loved.
19 Jul 2004. Rich Kirschling.
Thanks, Jack, for the info on Medard. He was like a Brother to me as he was to all of us. I never had a problem talking with him and in my first year in theology in T town he and I rode to Cleveland and back together in a car. Just the two of us. I found a true friend, mentor, and brother.
His wisdom of leadership and gentle presence among us then helped us all grow up to be the Franciscans that we are.
20 Jul 2004. Luis Runde. Hi Jack:
Yes, this brief note is only the first announcement. Usually the full bio and eulogy will come after some weeks/months. I do not know who is preaching, but most like the Provincial or Vice; both excellent tellers of our stories.
I see your good brother [my older, smarter brother, Dan] whenever I do the 8:15 at St Peters. He is so faithful & good... shows your fine breeding.
At the moment I'm in Berkeley..going to Fresno for 2nd weekend of preaching next Saturday. ... Hopefully I can come again to WA, and will pester you
again. Peace & ALL GOOD. Luis. [Welcome, any time! JB]
22 JUL 2004 BOB HOFFMAN (Roy), sent me his e-ddress as promised. I was glad to see everyone and especially you. We never got a chance to talk about Bill W. but you have Medard's spirit. It's a treasure he handed you by his trust and love. Before the Mass started, I felt sad I didn't get a chance to attend the wake. I wanted to touch Medard because I knew he was a holy man. There is power in that. Peace, Roy rhoff6 of comcast.net
[Roy, This is an amazing thing you say. I too see Medard's spirit living on, even here. I'd never have thought of it in terms of me but in others we know. You might try looking into a mirror. You didn’t need to touch him. Like others who couldn’t be there, who have his tone. True pitch. Medard rode me pretty hard. He knew I wasn’t ready. But he was my major defender when the chips were down -- after I was ‘flunked’ in the orals for spouting dubious theology. GS]
22 Jul 2004. Janice Flach.
Thank you for sending the note about Fr. Medard. Nothing was said over the weekend at church. I had seen him a couple of years ago, possibly longer, when he brought several young men down to this area. I had been working in the office and when I came out they were just getting in their cars. I begged him to let me open church so he could see it as we have done so much to the church since he was there, but he said no they had to go. I will put this in the bulletin when I do it today.
PS: Denis had knee replacement on June 7th, slowly but surely he is recovering. Lots of pain.
23 Jul 2004 Gael Stahl A Note to Lovers of Franciscan art.
The morning of Medard’s funeral, Judy’s classmate and dearest friend, Sr. Mary
Lou Marchetti, who put me up for the night, helped me visit the studios of the
artist who did the Canticle of Francis set Mary Lou had on her wall. I bought a
few things and got some information about the artist, for those interested. Sr.
Kay Francis Berger OSF, The Canticle Studio, 1550 Plainfield Rd, Joliet IL
60435, Phone 815-730-0969. Write to: canticleart+520
of aol.com/ -- her colleague is Sr. Joan Clare <sjc-72 of hotmail.com> -- catalogs are
available. I treasure the items I got. They were among the first things Susan
hung in the new house.
25 Jul 2004. Cullan Uhlinger.
I called Pat Evard and told him, since he doesn't have email. I talked to Muskie who went to Joliet for the funeral ‑ Mooney was there too.
Ralph Ruiz and I keep in touch by emails and phone calls. Lannie and I went to Tom Senn's wedding yesterday at OLA. At the reception we sat with Bob Hoereth (Indianapolis) and his wife Della as well as Rick Prayson and his wife Karen. It was starting to get "deep" enough to roll up our pants talking about the St. Joe's days.
Muskie and I are going to St. L on 8/16 for a three day visit. We're having lunch with Dick Mayer, Frank Flynn, Jack Christensen, Chris Reuter, Mooney and anyone else who wants to join us. We plan on driving to T‑Town, Springfield and Quincy to visit friars on Tuesday and Wednesday. I'm really enjoying retirement (as of the first of this year) ‑ I have the time to do the things I want. Is there a DD coming out soon? [Very soon. JB]
PEACE
Paul Langan and I have been discussing Fr. Medard's passing and reminiscing on the many happenstances associated therewith vis a vis those final days in T‑Town. After hearing from you and Gael, I phoned Marcia Ditter to let her and Arlene Niehaus know of his passing. Sharon and I spent a couple of hours with Marcia and a troupe of T‑Town tourists the week President Reagan was buried. They were passing through DC at that time and holed up in a hotel at Tyson's Corner. Connected with a lot of folks from Medard's St. Rose parish in Montrose, IL. There were several asking about Chris Reuter, whom I haven't see in 38 years.
How is Fr. Gildard? [Fr. Medard’s younger brother.] He was our algebra and geometry prof. He wouldn't remember me but would remember Jerry Krull undoubtedly. Jerry made all that stuff look soooooo easy. But I remember him telling us to start reading scripture and then re‑read it after finishing and then re‑read it again. I think he was telling us high school sophomores to "get into to the Word." At that time I could only cringe (being just a so‑so reader) at how long it would take to get through it all. Now for Tommy Shannon or Danny Dolesh ‑ a piece of cake.
Jack, thanks again to you and Gael for giving us the Diaspora!
Pax et Bonum
26 Jul 2004. Fr. Phil "Euge" Pavich : Peace.
Hi Jack, I got one correction for you. Hogan, John: sacerdo of msn.com new email sacerdo of sbcglobal.net. John moved back to Michigan City from Tucson, but I haven't gotten over to see him yet.
Sorry you couldn't have been at Fr. Medard's funeral. It was great seeing Mike Mooney and Gael. RIP dear Medard.
Fraternally.
27 Jul 2004 Gael Stahl: Speaking of Medard’s passing: I got word last Monday morning and left early Tuesday morning, joined Mike and Judy Mooney in Indianapolis, and drove to Joliet for the wake with them. Bob Pawell and Mazar were there and didn't make it back for the funeral Wednesday. Reuter, Jim Schmitt, Mooney and I had a nice chat until 11 pm. Vince Zimmerman joined us at the funeral.
That Reuter can quote those old Latin phrases along with Phil just like you can. I guess they were psalms or something. It was a superb experience and you'd have loved it right through the Ultima and luncheon after the burial. More on that, too, later.
Jim Sexton's wife is coming in from South Carolina Thursday to help organize my library in the new house. I built book shelves last weekend and nights this week. Helping her (she got her master's in library science recently) will keep me real busy the next few days.
Pax et bonum.
Click here for Fr.
Benet Fonck’s lovely obiturary of Fr. Medard.
27 JUL 2004 GAEL STAHL : Jim Sexton’s wife, Catherine Sexton, drove to Nashville from Columbia, South Carolina later that week to help organize the library in Susan and Gael’s new house. Gael hurriedly built bookshelves that week so they could cart 20 boxes of books from the cabin. Catherine’s brand new master's degree in library science from the University of South Carolina was given a bit of a work out.
30 Jul 2004: Thomas Fox: Next month I'm off to Rome for the Franciscan Challenge program by the Irish friars of San Isodoro; then 3 weeks in Spain to learn how to pronounce the "th". Finally, a month in Mexico which so far is not planned. I'll check email in the bars there, from time to time.
8 Aug 2004: Charles Faso: I am sorry to have to inform you that my younger brother, Joseph R. Faso, died and entered eternal life on Saturday, August 7, 2004, at 12:44 PM. Joe suffered a heart attack on Wednesday, August 4, at home. Thursday he was sedated at the hospital and unconscious all day. Friday he awoke, felt much better, doctors were amazed and talked about heart surgery in a week. We all enjoyed this final day with Joe at the hospital, St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields. Present were his dear wife and dearest friend Patty; his three beloved daughters, Laura, Carla, and Joanna; my two sisters Mary and Polly and me.
Saturday he awoke with much discomfort. The family assembled to be with Joe during his last hours of his earthly life. He suffered another heart attack it seems.
Please pray for Joe and for his family. I forgot to indicate the time of the funeral Mass for my brother Joe. The Mass will be at 11:00 AM; Thursday August 12, 2004, St. Kieran Catholic Church.
10 Aug 2004: Fr. Carroll Mizicko, O.F.M.: (From Carroll’s “The View from the East Side” newsletter.) It is hard to believe that school is almost ready to start again. I am sure that is good news at least to some parents after struggling with the kids all summer. Now they will have some place else to send them for at least part of the day. Education is a real challenge these days and even more so, I suspect, in a community like East St. Louis with its poverty and many dysfunctional families. Sister Thea Bowman School, our Catholic elementary school where I am chaplain, has made a radical restructuring of its program over the summer. The Diocese has made a commitment to not just offer a “good” education to the students enrolled, but to aggressively help each student realize their full potential by offering a much more focused and individually directed education. This will require smaller class sizes and more skilled teachers able to deal with students at a variety of levels and with many different needs.
The challenge is to find the funds to make this quality of education possible for so many families with very limited income. Tuition this year is $2,640.00 per student per year. That, naturally, is out of the reach of many of our parents. So we offer financial help to the most needy families, which is made possible by contributions from both religious communities and individuals. So if you are inclined to help a worthy cause, I can assure you that your contribution will go to a worthy child who needs a little “jumpstart” to have a better chance of breaking out of the cycle of poverty and being a productive member of society.
July was a busy month. I worked at the hospital Monday thru Friday covering for the other Priest Chaplain while he was on vacation. I also had added hours of being on call for emergencies due to the absence of a couple of our “on call” priests during the month. I did manage to get away for a few days to attend the Archbishop Lyke Liturgical Conference in New Orleans in the middle of the month. My two fellow Friars and I were the presenters at workshops for the conference. It was an excellent conference and a nice change of pace from my usual routine. The liturgies and prayer services were outstanding and very “Spirit Filled”. We were able to raise enough funds to take two bus loads of people from the Diocese to the event.
Fr. Don Gross, my first cousin who serves the Catholic Churches in Fowler and Dunnington, IN celebrated his 45th Priesthood Anniversary on July 25th. I was able, with some “finagling”, to get free to attend the celebration which was held at Dunnington. After the Mass there was a wonderful meal served and, happily, not a lot of speeches. I had the chance to meet some cousins I had not seen in many years and some I have never met. Some people from my home-town area of Streator, IL were also there and it was great to renew those acquaintances. It was a quick trip for me as I was “on call” at the hospital until Sunday morning at 7 AM and again I went “on call” on Sunday night at 11 AM but I am glad that I went. It was very much worth it. On August first we were privileged to have our Bishop, Wilton Gregory, at St. Joseph Church to celebrate the sacrament of Confirmation. We had fifteen young people confirmed. They were an outstanding group of impressive young men and women with much leadership potential for the church as well as the community in general. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity of working with them in preparing to receive the Sacrament.
Our work with the four Catholic churches in East St. Louis to form a single church by the summer of 2005 is making progress. We have a come a long way in the process but we still have a long way to go with some difficult days ahead. As we move closer to deciding which site will be selected, not surprisingly, some people are becoming a little more anxious and concerned. We know not everyone is going to be pleased or happy, and some will probably go elsewhere, but we have to try and do what is best for future health and growth of the Catholic Church in this community. Our hope is to have a recommendation as to the site ready to present to the Catholic community and the Bishop by October.
This coming Friday is a big day for me. After a routine checkup appointment with my eye doctor in the morning, I plan to take off on vacation. My plans are to travel first to Monroe, LA to visit the Friars in the area, the people at my former parish and other friends. From there I head back to East St. Louis to attend the faculty in service for Sister Thea Bowman School on Thursday, August 19 and the meeting of the Finance/Stewardship Council for East St. Louis in the evening.
On Friday I will head to Joliet and spend about a week visiting family and friends in the area and just kicking back, doing some reading, going to a movie or two and doing a little hiking and bird watching if I get a chance. I plan to get back to East St. Louis around the 26th or 27th of August.
Coming in the fall I will be having a pretty busy schedule. I have committed to offering several Bible Study classes, Catholic Information sessions, and Black Catholic History classes. In addition we will also be continuing our work with the Pastoral Council Commissions for the new East St. Louis Catholic Church as well as the Finance/Stewardship Council.
I have still not heard anything from my brother, Fr. Bob Mizicko, in Brazil as to his plans to return to the states for a vacation. All I can tell you is that I will let you know when I hear something definite. I wish you all the very best. Keep me and our ministry here in East St. Louis in your prayers.
Peace and everything that is good!
19 AUG 2004 BOB PAWEL: Dear Friends, Here is the latest on my situation. I am due for surgery on Thursday, August 26. The procedure will go as follows: 1. A biopsy to determine the nature of the nodule on the lower lobe of my right lung. 2. If the nodule is benign then I am home the next day or so and will be able to functioning in short order (whatever that means). 3. Should the biopsy reveal a cancer related to the previous prostate cancer then I am also home in a few days and will begin a course of radiation. 4. Should the biopsy reveal a lung cancer then I would undergo a lobectomy. I would probably be in the hospital for five days and have a month long period of recovery. Nothing is for certain only the biopsy will reveal what comes next. I rely on your prayers as I have been doing ever since this adventure began last January with the prostate biopsy. Bob my cell phone is 773- 715-9728, home phone 773-878-3768, work phone 312-853-2355
28 AUG BOB PAWELL: Dear Friends, Give thanks to the Lord for he is Good is great love is everlasting! Thursday morning I went into the thorastic surgical unit of Northwest Memorial Hospital. I was out of surgery by 2:30 PM. Much to my relief the biopsy did not reveal a cancer but a granuloma– a granuloma occurs when a virus or infection enter the lung by some path and the lung defends itself by enclosing the infection. I was released from the Hospital Friday afternoon around 4 p.m. I am not in great pain but do have to deal with some discomfort–after all they did cut on a major organ. The wound is still leaking a bit that that will soon stop.
3 SEP 2004 JACK BARTZ: (Jack sent a series of letters about his wife Cheryl’s experience when she donated a kidney to her sister.) Cheryl was dismissed from Good Samaritan Hospital this afternoon. She feels very weak and has lost her color, until she builds up more strength. She has a slight fever that may be the result of a minor infection in the area of her incision. Her surgeon took out some of the myriad of staples in the hospital two days ago to allow draining of blood from the incision. Perhaps there is a minor infection causing a slight elevation in her temperature. The area or the incision requires a daily cleaning with saline solution, a long Q-tip, and a gauze plug plus gauze over the area held in place by paper tape. Yours truly--some substitute for a real nurse--is minding the wound after some brief training from the surgeon.
Cheryl’s recovery is expected to be a long one. Her sister, recipient of the August 3rd kidney transplant continues to recover well. Cheryl’s second surgery on August 25th caused her to lose a lot of ground from her first three weeks of recovery from the initial surgery. This will take a long time, but knowing about your concern for her well being makes the effort much easier. Thank you so much!!! Jack [Note: Serious complications did arise and are ongoing for both sisters and Cheryl has literally made a heroic gift of love.]
6 Sep 2004: Charles Faso: New Home Address: a few weeks ago, three of us Friars moved to a 92 year old home about 2 miles from where I was living. Clarence Klingkert OFM who works at St. Peter's and Bill Burton OFM who begins teaching Scripture this week at DePaul University
and I have moved to : 2054 N. Humboldt Blvd., Chicago IL 60647, Phone: 773-276-3386, Cell: 773-844-1267, FAX: 773-292-9251.
Hope to see you at our new friary, our new home.
9 SEP 2004: ERV PFEIFER reports from Carla Ortegal, Ken’s wife: "No, Ken condition has not improved and the doctors don't expect that it will. From the response I get from him, I wonder if he knows me the way he used to. When I see him, he usually cannot stay awake. Thanks for asking. Hope you and your family are well" Carla
9 SEP 2004 JERRY KLEIN: Did you know that my mom died recently? She was 96. Gael, she always got a kick out of you [Sophie and Theo visited us and we her several times over the years – Gael]. We had the funeral in Winter Park, Fl. the Monday after Hurricane Charlie hit. Most of the town of Orlando was without electricity. Fortunately, the funeral home had a generator. As a result of the get-together, I've been told the family wants to see each other more often. The plan I'm told is to meet halfway between Chicago and Florida. Tennessee was mentioned. If it ever comes to pass I'll let you know. Hope you all are doing well.
23 Sep 2004: Carroll Mizicko, OFM: (From Carroll’s “The View from the East Side” newsletter.) Summer has sunk and fall has fallen. We are well into the new school year much, I am sure, to the happiness of not a few parents. Sister Thea Bowman School has reopened with its new structure of smaller classes with more individualized education and almost an entirely new faculty, most of whom are Catholic. Sister Janet McCann who is the new principal seems to run a “tight but fair ship”. We have gone back to the weekly school Mass and, while sensitive and respectful of other faiths, we make no apologies for being Catholic.
Our enrollment as we began the year was 112 students. We have combined some classes but still, with creative use of our smaller staff, do teach each child on the key subjects at their grade level. In addition to the usual subjects and athletics we have added art, music and violin. Things look very promising for a real turn around for the school that will insure its continued ministry in this poverty stricken area.
Our work with merging the four churches in East St. Louis into one continues to move forward. People are anxious and fearful about the decision as to which one of the four locations will be selected. The planning committee is waiting for some key information from the Diocese to help make a solid recommendation to the Catholic community of ESL and the Bishop as to the location. The Bishop, of course, has the final say on all such matters. Please continue to pray for us as we continue this difficult and painful journey with the ESL Catholic community.
I did manage to get away for some vacation in August. I spent several days in Monroe, LA at Little Flower Church where I served from 1994 to 2002. Since I was there on a weekend, Fr. Adrian, the current pastor, allowed me the privilege of celebrating the Sunday Mass. It was great being with my Monroe family again. The choir was a treat and the people were very responsive. As we like to say in the African American community, “We had some good church that morning!”
After a stop back in ESL for two meetings, I headed to Joliet, IL where I spent about a week visiting family and friends including my last two remaining aunts, both of whom are in their 90's. It was a very relaxing week and I managed to read three books from my large stack of books to be read.
When I got back to East St. Louis on the 27th I hit the “ground running” as they say. We had the second of our Sanctuary Symposiums for the Diocese on the 28th. Fr. Bryan Massingale, a Black Moral Theologian from Milwaukee, spoke on the topic: “Black Catholics: the Gifts, the Struggles and the Hope!” It was an excellent presentation dealing with Black Catholic History, racism and the hope for the future.
Our next Symposium is set for October 16th on “Healing Ministry and Parish Outreach in the Black Catholic Community” with Fr. Joseph Brown, SJ, Dean of Black Studies at University of Illinois at Carbondale as the speaker.
September saw me attend my first meeting of the Diocesan Presbyteral (Priests) Council. Bishop Gregory has appointed me to serve on the Council as a representative of the Religious Priests in the Diocese. The Council only meets about five times a year so it should not be too much of a burden. September also saw me start my first series of Catholic Information Nights at Sister Thea Bowman School. These sessions are designed to present a brief overview of Catholic Belief and Practice for those who may want to know a little more about the Church. The hope is that some may want to explore the Church further and they would then be invited to participate in the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). For these sessions I have developed a very basic “Power Point”computer program.
I hope to add some more “bells and whistles” to the program in the future. It was in September that I also had the opportunity of visiting my family at St. Augustine in Memphis. I was stationed there from 1970-1974 and again from 1981-1993. The son of one of the families of the parish and his fiancé were living in St. Louis and I met with them to prepare them for Marriage.
They invited me to officiate at the wedding at St. Augustine’s. In addition to the wedding, one of the BVM Sisters at the parish whom I know, Sister Nick, celebrated her 50th Jubilee on the Sunday after the wedding. That gave me two opportunities to see and renew acquaintances with my Memphis family. It was a wonderful weekend filled with inspiring music from the St. Augustine Choir and many hugs as people brought me up to date about what was happening in their lives.
My work at St. Elizabeth Hospital continues to be both rewarding and challenging. On Saturdays I am now the only Chaplain on site from 8:00 AM to 2:30PM which means I handle all emergencies in the hospital, not just those involving a Catholic. This can span the emotions of offering congratulations to a “New Mom” to helping a family deal with a death of a loved one, and everything in between.
My companions, Fathers Ferd and Chris, continue to do well. Ferd is very involved with the students at Althoff High School and with working on the many Symposiums and workshops we are organizing for the Diocese. Chris continues his ministry to our brothers and sisters in prison and continues to come home with new stories weekly. We are certainly three people of very different personalities and gifts and involved in very different ministries, but somehow we have created a community that is very mutually supportive. Hope fully our living and working together is a witness to the collaborative, hope-filled, and creative love of Christ.
That’s the news from the Metro East for now. Keep in touch!
2 OCT 2004 MAZAR: Brethren: Time for annual best wishes on the commemoration of the Transitus. O, Sanctissima anima, in cujus transitu, coeli cives occurrunt. Keep the day in your own best fashion – martinis for me! Pax, Dan
10 OCT 2004 ISAAC BRAUN writes from Olinda, Brazil: Peace. Several times I thought of writing again, and now is actually the time to write my annual letter. The reason that I thought of writing sooner is that I wrote last year, but I did not hear a peep from the Diaspora. I doubt that the DD closed down. This publication does a lot of good in transmitting the experiences of many persons. If we’ve missed a copy, please keep us up to date. Thanks a lot.
Since July, we have a new pastor (he was here 15 years ago), and with him we continue our work of accompanying a few communities that need some help. He is organizing things like catechetics, liturgy, and tithing. Socorro and I were asked to participate in this.
Last March, we had an afternoon of evangelization visits in a small community at the end of the urban area. The idea is to call back the lapsed Catholics to participate in the community. We visited 107 families, 72 non-Catholic and only 35 Catholic. The Legion of Mary and the Eucharistic ministers participated in these visits.
Through the help of another married priest, an alderman, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help eleven couples were able to have their weddings performed. One of the couples was living together for 27 years. The lady was especially happy because now she can receive the Eucharist and also be a Eucharistic minister.
By means of a donation of the Sisters of the Divine Providence we were able to get three small courses for the women of the poor community (slum), such as cake decorating, artistic work on towels, and braided belts and handbags. The idea is to help them earn a little money for their families.
As part of the government’s Zero Hunger Program, 100 families of the poor community are receiving a liter of milk daily. For one of the communities that we are helping, we received from the German bishops and laity 10,000 euros or about $12,000 to build a chapel and meeting room.
On the last Sunday in August we had a morning of recollection (retreat) preached by our bishop about the Brazilian bishops’ national plan for evangelization. The theme is “We want to see Jesus” taken from John 12:21. The idea is that we have to be instruments to help others “see Jesus,” that is, have a personal experience of Jesus, which is the best experience that we can have in this life – and, which brings a new life.
In July, Kaline began assisting classes in a pre-military school with the idea of entering the Merchant Marines in the future. However, this month , she will have some stiff entrance exams beginning with math. That is one of her weak points. She has a lot of study because she continues with her other regular school classes. She had to let her extra English classes go, and also her catechetical work. We hope all this helps her to sit down and study more. That is something she doesn’t like to do, although she is very intelligent.
The goat ‘herd’ on our plot is increasing. One goat had twins and two days later she died, due probably to a third kid that she could not expel. We were not there at the time. Also, the fellow who takes care of them was lacking in experience. So far, we have sold three male goats, which make that fellow happy because half of the money is his. The two orphan kids were raised in our back yard here in town. They were as playful as puppies during the 10 weeks they spent here.
A week ago, Brazil held elections of mayors and aldermen. Our lady mayor and the alderman who helped us with the weddings were re-elected. The alderman helps with other things in the poor community and 25 years ago, he and Socorro worked with Dom Helder. Electronic voting booths were used for the elections all over Brazil, even in the remote areas where you can go only by canoe [Florida and Ohio should be so lucky!!]. Persons from various countries including the U.S. were here to see how the electronic voting system functions in Brazil.
We wish you and your family the best in the new year. Keep up the good work, Fraternally. PS: Socorro asks if you know of any source that could help build chapels in poor communities because the communities that we are helping are on the outskirts and don’t have enough earning power to build a chapel. If you know, send us the address, please, and we’ll be very grateful.
13 Oct 2004: Father Bob Pahler: (Westmont class of 1949). I have two emails. Since you had a problem, try rpahler of ihmcfo.org
Did anyone get word to you that Richard Clancey - Westmont class of 1950 - died in the Spring? He taught at John Carroll University almost to end of his life. He was head of the English dept & got a great tribute from students & professors.
Other news for the DD: Fr Barry Schneider - Westmont class of 1949 - ordained 1956 - had a stroke at age 75 & is at St. Gertrude Care Center at 11850 Sarazin St., Shakopee, MN 55379.
Fr Doug Makowski (ordained T_Town l966) had two strokes & is at St. Edward Nursing Home, 3131Smith Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333-2697
Hope to have better news next time.
Please continue the Diaspora Digest
9 Nov 2004: Fr. Carroll Mizicko, OFM: (From Carroll’s “The View from the East Side” newsletter.) We are fast approaching the end of another Church Year. It is hard to believe that Advent is only three weeks away and there are only 48 shopping days until Christmas. (You better rush out now! You don’t have much time to get my present? Just joking!)
Life has certainly been busy here in East St. Louis with all the meetings concerning the merger of four parishes into one. We hope to make our recommendation to the Bishop as to the location of the new united Catholic community for East St. Louis this month. The process has been long but I think productive. Of course our work is not done with the recommendation. We still need to work on getting the Councils and the Commissions up and running by next August even as we continue to run the programs already in place. I am sure that there will be difficult and painful days ahead and I ask for your prayers.
We should, in the next couple of months, begin to get some idea of just how many of the people presently at the four parishes will choose to join the new united parish. Our expectation is that some will choose to go elsewhere for various reasons.
The new program at Sister Thea Bowman Catholic Elementary School is going very well. There was some difficulty with changes in procedures, responsibilities and expectations in the beginning but those seem to be mostly resolved.
Having the School Mass is one of the highlights of my week. When you give a homily to children, especially if you invite their participation, you have to be ready for just about anything. The kids are really good and they are a joy and a real sign of hope for the future. Fathers Ferd, Chris and I journeyed to New York the end of October to attend a Franciscan Inter Provincial meeting on African American Ministry. The meeting was held at All Saints Friary in Harlem in New York. It was my first time staying in Harlem and it was a very positive experience. We had a walking tour of Harlem on Saturday morning. A lot of the buildings in the neighborhood where we stayed have been or are being rehabilitated. The streets were clean and I felt comfortable walking in the community. The Friary is just a couple of blocks from where former President Bill Clinton has his office.
One of the striking things to me was that in the time I spent in Harlem I was not approached once by any one seeking money or a handout. I am not sure if that is typical or that I just looked “mean and intimidating” and people were afraid to approach me.
All Saints Friary is a narrow but long five floor “walk_up” (no elevator). We stayed on the fourth floor which meant we got our exercise each day as we always had to move between floors for the various activities. Part of our meeting involved a workshop in observance of the 25th Anniversary of the American Bishops Pastoral Letter on racism, “Brothers and Sisters to Us!” and the 20th Anniversary of the Black Catholic Bishops Pastoral Letter “What We Have Seen and Heard!”. It was held at Holy Family Church near the UN building. The workshop was excellent and very challenging. We are hoping to obtain copies of some of the major talks. A side benefit of the trip was that we were able to add several items to our collection of African artifacts and cloths. There was an “African Market” not far from the friary that had a large selection of items. We have a respectable collection of African art, wood carvings, cloths etc. If you are ever in the area we invite you to stop and visit.
Father Ferd led his Gospel Crusader Choir from Althoff High School in their first concert for the year on October 17th. They were outstanding. About 500 people attended the concert. It was taped and CDs and DVDs are available. Contact us if interested. The Choir also sang at St. Elizabeth Hospital for the Feast of St. Francis and is still the talk of the Hospital. Last week the choir sang at the Annual Catholic Charity’s Breakfast and was greatly appreciated. The choir performs throughout the Diocese and continues to be a sign and reminder to all that people from various races and backgrounds can come together in mutual respect and harmony. The sixty plus voice choir sings a variety of music and is almost equally black and white.
Father Chris continues his regular visits to six different prisons. He is presently working on getting some more people involved in the ministry that may reduce his travel time on the road. All three of us continue our supply ministry to parishes throughout the Diocese in addition to our work in ESL.
We held our third of four Sanctuary Symposiums on Oct. 16th. These symposiums are our response to the issues identified by the National Black Catholic Congress held in Chicago in 2002. The Symposium on the 16th dealt with “Healing Ministry and Parish Outreach.” Fr. Joseph Brown, SJ, head of the Black Studies Department at SIU at Carbondale was the speaker. The presentation was excellent. Our next Symposium is Sat., Dec. 11. The topic is “Steal Away to Jesus, Catholic Education and Catechesis for Black Catholics”. The speaker will be Sister Eva Marie Lucas, SSS from the Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley, CA.
On a personal note, my brother, Father Bob Mizicko, is in the States from Brazil, SA. I have met with him a couple of times. He is still working on getting all of his medical tests and examinations completed. Fr. Bob plans to return to Brazil on December 10th. He is hoping to be able to visit some family and friends before he returns to Brazil. Well that is the news from the “East Side” for now. I hope life is going well for all of you. Drop me a line when you get a chance. I am always glad to hear from you.
16 NOV 2004 RICHARD MAYER responds after Gael found one of his long lost letters and finally replied to it: Wow, are you ever behind on your e-mail. I forgot all about that letter.
About the Passion (movie): I saw it with Frank Flinn, so I had his occasional commentary. He was not at all disposed to see anything good in it. I had mixed feelings. I thought it was good overall. I thought many scenes, especially early in the film were very well done - better than in other "Life of Christ" films. I thought it could have been a great film except for a few things:
1) the realism was a good thing, but the violence reached the point of being unrealistic a time or two
2) I would have liked more historical realism on a few fine points
3) The ending was weak. With little thought, I think I could have done better.
Still, it was good enough that I found it very moving. Our former pastor, who tends to be of the liberal persuasion, thought it was a masterpiece. It could have been, and that's what disappoints me.
Otherwise - haven't heard from you in a while. I would enjoy remedying that. Had lunch this summer with Jim Schmitt, Cullan U, Jack Christensen, John Behl, and Chris Reuter here in St. Louis. I've been doing too much traveling. 24 business trips this year already. And two vacations: Montana for a week, and Ireland for 11 days. My younger son is working in Dublin for a year, so we went to see him in September. My first trip abroad. It was a very enjoyable trip.
We've had some tough things to deal with over the last couple years too. My job situation is at something of a crisis - in the sense of turning point - and I'm waiting to see how where the Lord will lead as I deal with it. We've landed at a renegade Episcopal church which joined something called the Anglican mission in America. I really like the rector and the feeling seems to be mutual. He's tentatively trying to draw me back into ministry! Very early stages yet - haven't sorted out all my feeling about THAT!
Anyway, Happy Thanksgiving. Maybe I should call and talk for an hour?
Peace.
22 NOV 2004 ERV PFEIFER received final news from Carla: “Ken Ortegal passed away on November 15. I thank God that He took away his pain. Please keep praying for him.” Carla
22 Nov 2004 Gael Stahl: Sad! Ken was such a bright guy. One of the few I called when I got exiled to Nashville.
24 NOV 2004 Jack Brennan: Requiescat in pace. Ken Ortegal was a very good man. He seemed always to be in good spirits. He used to call me "Terry Tremuit." I think he lived in the crow's nest in Cleveland. When I was fixing watches and clocks in my little closet up there, he'd come by and visit a lot. We are very fortunate to know so many good men.
6 DEC 2004 MAZAR: Zeke: Big Cal Giesen just turned a very young 83. He and my dad share the same birthday. Easy to remember. Was great fun to visit with you all at Joliet. Shame that it takes a wake/funeral to get it done. Gerry Etzkorn had hand surgery. Seems to be doing fine. Send my Christmas greetings to the Mooneys and the Diaspora.
11 DEC 2004 ANTON BRAUN changed his e-ddress to arb1 of mw.net to avoid the spam jam at the old one. Add 1 to the old one: arb1 of mw.net - His wife Jan quit her job to begin studies toward a degree at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis. Anton has fired up his old counseling profession to make up the revenue difference. Both are happy with that, and doing well.
14 DEC 2004 ERV PFEIFER: had received Gael’s complete listing of fringe friars and was asked to report back to update DD files he had info we didn’t. He writes:
Gael, your list of the temporary vows class of '59 seems to be pretty complete. I have contacted most of the guys in my class. A couple of changes. You can delete my biz ph and biz fax#. I retired 01-01-04. Ron Pfeifer's new address is 4388 Montebello Dr. Apt # 602, Colorado 80918. Ph # is 719-659-8930. Email is RJPFEI of Hotmaill.com Brother Roch Pfeifer, OFM would like to get on your list. His address is Little Flower Friary, Monroe, Louisiana 71201. His email is Rochofm of aol.com - Father Damien Isabell last email was damienisabell of yahoo.fr - I'm assuming that you have no current info on, George Bracco, Ramiro Dominquez, Richard Philips, Edward Vela, Donald Krutek. [I told him Jack Brennan could give him Don Krutek and any OFM classmate could locate Bracco and Phillips who are active. I’d like that info also. Gael]
17 DEC 2004 CARROLL MIZICKO: A very significant recent development for us is the appointment of our Bishop, Wilton Gregory, as the new Archbishop for Atlanta, Georgia. He will be leaving for Atlanta in mid-January. We are indeed saddened by the news as Bishop Gregory has been very supportive of our presence and ministry in the Diocese and will be greatly missed by all the people of the Diocese. We have no idea who our new Bishop will be. It will probably be six months to a year before one is appointed. Chris Reuter continues his prison ministry with growing involvement in the ministry, locally and statewide. He is in the process of adding a seventh prison to his monthly visits. Menard Correctional Center, which is near Chester, IL, a little over an hour’s drive from ESL, has a significant Catholic population and is presently without any Catholic service. Ferd Cheri continues his ministry at Althoff Catholic High School as guidance counselor and director of the Gospel Choir. He also continues to arrange for various workshops and symposiums for the Belleville-St. Louis area. I continue my ministry at St. Elizabeth Hospital and Sister Thea Bowman School. Recently I appeared on the 10:00 PM news out of St. Louis when they did a special report on the ministry to parents who suffer a miscarriage or the loss of a child. This is a joint ministry between St. Elizabeth Hospital and Lake View Gardens Cemetery. I was one of the Chaplains at the service.
18 DEC 2004 DAN TANNA: Bill's Hrudica’s email address is: bwrudy63 of yahoo.com . He will be looking out for the next Diaspora! Paul Langan and I were talking the other day about a lot of things, one of which was the next issue of the Diaspora. Glad to know one is on its way. Thanks again to you and Jack for making it happen. It has been a great gift.
18 Dec 2004: Gael wrote Bill: Want to bring Diaspora Digest up to date on you and your move to Quincy from St. Louis? What's your new address and telephone number?
21 Dec 2004: Bill Hrudicka:
bwrudy63 of yahoo.com wrote: Hi. Bill Hrudicka. 611 Country Club
Hgts #204, Quincy, IL 62301 . Have a Blessed Christmas
24 DEC 2004 JACK BARTZ sends this newspaper account:
PARISH RENAMES CONVENT IN MEMORY OF “SUPER PRIEST,”
by Jacqueline Pinn, Catholic Explorer (Diocese of Joliet, IL), December 24, 2004, p. 6
Joliet—The loyal parishioners of St. John the Baptist Parish in Joliet braved a cold winter day to honor a man who did so much for them. The former convent turned life center was officially renamed Dec; 19 the Father Medard Buvala Life Center in a special prayer service.
Franciscan Father Thomas Shaughnessy shared fond memories of his friend who died last July at the age of 88. "Father Buvala was a very insightful man who enjoyed a good joke," he said. According to the priest, Father Buvala always lived by the rules of the Franciscan order no matter where he was or what he was doing. His friends referred to him as a "super priest," added Father Shaughnessy.
Even in his golden years, Father Buvala managed to visit the homebound and elderly parishioners in local nursing homes to spread the word of God. "It was always his favorite part of his ministry," said Father Shaughnessy. The dedicated super priest also enjoyed being available whenever anyone at St. John the Baptist Parish needed a friendly ear. “Father Buvala was there to listen any time, day or night," he added.
Because of his busy schedule, Father Buvala grabbed every chance he could for a little relaxation. In fact, according to Father Shaughnessy, Father Buvala loved to share his off-hours with his brothers in the priesthood. "Father Buvala loved this local restaurant, called Silver Spoons, and people were always giving him gift certificates to this place. One night he took me out to dinner and used one of those certificates on me. That's just the kind of man he was," he said.
The associate pastor of St. John the Baptist parish, Father Shaughnessy said that Father Buvala would have loved the fact that the former convent was being turned into a life center. "Father Buvala was a great man of prayer, and he considered deep prayer a very soothing experience," he said. Although Father Buvala would have been thrilled with the newly designated center, he might have been a little shocked that it carried his name. "He was a very humble man," said Father Shaughnessy.
Friends and co-workers squeezed into the tiny hallway at the center to share memories of Father Buvala and his years of faithful service. Chris Tamez, an employee at the Joliet parish for 15 years, remembered her boss as a hardworking man with a heart of gold. "He always had time to listen to you, even if he was running off to another appointment," she said. Sometimes, Tamez added, Father Buvala had to be reminded to act his age. "We used to tell him that he worked like a dog," she said.
Other longtime parishioners remembered Father Buvala as a man who enjoyed sharing his ministry with others. Pat Walsh, who has been a member of the parish for 60 years, loved the cleric for his kind heart and gentle manner. “He stayed with my parents and took care of them in their old age and he helped me through the process of laying them to rest," she said.
Worshipers reminisced about experiences with the spirited priest, who was known for his quick wit. In addition to blessing the new sign outside the former convent, Father Shaughnessy also blessed a set of plaques inscribed both in English and Spanish that will hang inside the foyer of the life center.” The plaques carry one of Father Buvala's favorite sayings, something he tried to live by each day,” remarked Father Shaughnessy. The inscription reads: "To look for the best and emphasize it, to keep away from the negative, to uplift more than depress, to put into light rather than darkness."
Franciscan Father Thomas Shaughnessy (left) blesses the newly named Father Medard Buvala Life Center Dec. 19 at St. John the Baptist Parish in Joliet.
The dedication grew more significant when attendees realized that Dec. 19 would have been Father Buvala’s 89th birthday. With a rousing cheer, parishioners launched into a hearty chorus of “Happy Birthday.” At the end of the song, a number of parishioners could be seen wiping away a tear or two from their eyes. “He was most likely singing right along with us from heaven,” said Walsh.
Parishioners and those who knew Father Buvala best agreed with Father Shaughnessy about the priest's modesty concerning his good works. "I think he would have been secretly pleased with having the new center named after him, but he would also have been wondering what all the fuss was about," added Walsh.