Due to the needs of establishing the new
Parish I have had to curtail my involvement in some other ministries for the
present. I am still keeping my fingers in at St. Elizabeth Hospital and
help out there when needed, usually about two days a month. I still serve
“on call” for emergencies from 11 PM to 7 AM a couple days of a week and lead
the prayer service for their Retreat Days for staff which are held about twice
a month. I have not been able to make many of the Interfaith meetings
lately but hope to do better as my schedule gets settled. I will be the
facilitator for a forum at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine next week discussing
the topic of “Who is Jesus Christ in
Your Faith Tradition?” The panelists will be from the Baha, the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Christian Scientist and the Roman
Catholic. It should be interesting.
My last remaining aunt, Helen Mizicko,
died recently she was almost 97. I was happy that I was able to make
it to Leonore, IL to celebrate the Funeral Mass. She was a great lady,
not highly educated, but extremely wise in terms of what is important in
life. I was also glad to be a support to Leon Killen, my grade
school classmate, and his wife Judy who looked after Aunt Helen for so many
years. May she rest in peace.
I made a quick trip to Chicago May 6th to
attend the wedding of my niece, Dawn Mizicko. Dawn is the daughter of my
brother Melory and his wife Anna. Dawn married a Japanese gentleman,
Hideki Oyama. The wedding included traditions from both cultures and was
held in the garden of a mansion in Oak Park. It was a wonderful
celebration and an opportunity to connect again with Melory and his family.
Fathers Ferd and Chris are doing well in
their ministries and are a real support to me in my new challenge. I do
miss living with them but I have prayer and a meal with them almost every
day. The rectory is not even a half block from the Friary. Should
you want to come and visit some time we have plenty of room between the two
places. We are looking forward to having a visit from the choir and
people from Little Flower Church in Monroe, LA in June. It is always good
to reconnect with my extended family.
I will be changing my E-mail address in
the next month. The new address is cmofm1968 of
yahoo.com. My old AOL address will also work for about
another month. Take care and keep me in your prayers.
22 May 2006 Joan Porche:
God rest Fr. Pierre's soul, and may God
hold his family close to His heart. I
am convinced that I shall not live long enough to learn to accept death. Think of you guys frequently, Gael, as Jeni
shares her scholarly pursuits at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary. She certainly
is our shining star and is loving her philosophy, history and theology
pursuits.
And, God grant Martin Wolter peace. My
prayers for him, his brothers and his family.
Sending a soulful hug! [Joan is a Chicago/Corpus Christi former nun.
She and her husband Jack Porche – who has died - were leaders and inspirers of
the diaspora and friars of Chicago. GS]
26 May 2006 Bob Pawell: (Invite to 40th
sacerdotal Jubilee)
On June 24, 1966 I was ordained to the
priesthood at St. Francis Church in Teutopolis, IL. This year I will have been ordained forty years! And I have chosen to celebrate this 40th
Anniversary on the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, June 23rd with a
Solemn Mass at 12:15 at St. Peter’s in the Loop. I hope you can join me for the
celebration and for a simple coffee and cake reception following the
liturgy. Should you be prevented from
attending please be with me in prayer as I say “Thanks be to God” for these
forty years of priestly service.
Why the 40th anniversary? Don’t folks usually celebrate their 25th and
50th anniversaries? Are we
rushing the season a bit? Well, some
might say that, but the real reason is that I want to be able to celebrate this
anniversary with gusto. I am
sixty-eight years of age. If I wait to
celebrate my 50th anniversary I’ll be 78 and I doubt I’d be in shape to do much
celebrating. And I want to celebrate
these forty years of Franciscan priesthood - especially this year.
“We need a little Christmas...” In the
musical version of the stage play, “Auntie Mame” there is a poignant scene wherein
Mame, recently fired from her job the week before Thanksgiving, cheers family
and friends singing, “...we need a little Christmas right this very minute,
candles in the window, carols at the spinet...”
That’s how I feel in this fortieth year of
my priesthood as I pray for both the victims and victimizers in clergy abuse
crisis; for the hierarchy which has handled this mess so poorly; for an end to
the ever widening cost and chaos of our nation’s misadventure in Iraq - lost
lives, irreparably wounded men and women, our national treasure
squandered; for so many in New Orleans
and the Gulf South still coping with
the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina; for fellow cancer
survivors and others dealing with
debilitating illness.
I want to celebrate every year of my
ordained ministry - remembering with gratitude the first year concluding my
theological studies while assisting on weekends in rural Illinois parishes; the
year at St. Anthony’s Parish in St. Louis, Missouri; the years from 1968-1971
with the Brothers of Taizé and fellow Friars on Locust Street; the years as a
worker-priest in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago at the Beacon Street
Fraternity working at St. Benet’s Bookstore, serving the emerging Charismatic
Movement; the years from 1976 to 1996 in New Orleans, LA founding Tau House - a Ministry to those Outside the Church’s
Ordinary care; co-founding Project Lazarus – Louisiana’s first residence for indigent persons living with
AIDS; the years on staff at Blessing
Place in Lacombe, LA a holistic
spirituality center for priests and
religious the return to Chicago in 1996 - co-founding Holy Evangelists Friary and planting a garden there; years
of itinerant Preaching retreats and
giving workshops; directing the Mt. Carmel House of Study and Prayer in
Lakeview and the past three years -
serving together with my Franciscan Brothers at Saint Peter’s in
Chicago’s Loop as Director of Programs; as Confessor; as Preacher and Presider at the Table of the
Lord.
These have been and are very happy years.
And there has been and is great pain and sorrow. I make my own the words of Leonard Cohen:
Ring the bells that still can ring.
Forget your perfect offering.
There’s a crack in everything.
That’s how the light gets in.
27 may 2006 maury smith:
I
like the new features you have introduced.
They make for easier reading.
Corrections:
Fr. Maury Smith, ofm
Southeast Deanery Resource Coordinator
701 East Pyron
San Antonio, Texas 78214-2798
210-854-2400, fax: 1-360-361-1386 (local
call)
maurysmithofm of satx.rr.com
Web page - http://in.geocities.com/sedsatx
Formation in the Franciscan Tradition:
http://in.geocities.com/maurysmith
30 May 2006 Dennis Griffin (Jude):
Wonderful job on the Diaspora Digest! Thank you!
A small item from me: I am on the reunion committee for my 50th
high school reunion. I graduated from Joliet Catholic High School (taught by
Carmelites) in 1957. We had a total of
123 graduates. The actual reunion is
tentatively planned for the September 21st weekend in 2007. I went to St. Joe's in Westmont after Joliet
Catholic.
3 Jun 2006 Chuck Faso:
Greetings on this beautiful sunny day in
Chicago!
The May 13th-26th river cruise from Moscow
to St. Petersburg was an up-lifting, mind-stretching experience of palaces,
churches, Red Square and Kremlin to historical villages where modern world has
barely arrived. An evening piano
concert on St. Petersburg's Nevsky Prospect St and another evening of ballet in
the Tsar's private concert hall at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg capped the
wonderful two weeks. Going through 18
locks on our hotel-ship, the Maxime Litvinov, from Moscow down to sea level to
St. Petersburg was a learning experience in itself. One hundred sixty-six of us
called the ship our home for two weeks.
If Russia is not on your list of places to visit, I would suggest that
you reconsider. (Russia has 11 time zones.)
Also, for those of you who have known of
the discernment process I have been part of during the last six months, the
decision of the General Council in Rome was waiting for me when I returned from
Russia. Of the four USA friars being
considered to be fund raisers for the Order for the next several years, a friar
from my Province was appointed to head up the office in Rome and a friar from
Boston was appointed to coordinate fund raising in the USA. This means that I can continue to preach
parish missions and retreats and to lead pilgrimages. Blessings on Br. Moises and Fr. Dave.
Hope this summer is a blessed time for you
and your families. And may we meet
along life's journey during these warm months.
May the Lord give you peace! [Chuck’s web page: www.frchuckofm.org]
20 jun 2006 benet Fonck to Dan Mazar:
Thanks for your email. I've heard nothing about Gil's plans. The change should be out in the next week or
so. As soon as I hear something, I'll
let you know.
On Saturday evening someone broke into my
house and stole the computer for the Office of Communications. Everything is gone! I have to rebuild
address lists, photo archives, document files, etc., from scratch. It will take me a while to get everything
recreated. The ATP will suffer a bit.
Do you remember the names of those from the Diaspora who wanted to
receive the ATP? Peace.
21 jun 2006 erv pfeifer:
[Erv
sent a new batch of photos from St. Joe’s, Westmont - 1958 - the year his class
graduated from 6th Class. To
view the photos in slide show format (takes about 10 minutes) click here and
make sure your sound is on: http://www.diasporadigest.org/erv2.wmv
]
23 jun 2006 larry druffel:
I've been exchanging e-mails with Mike
Kellett. I was a classmate of his at
St. Joe's and also a good friend of Dick Amen who died last month in
Brazil. I left after high school
(1958).
I learned that the remains of the friars
who went to Brazil and died there are in need of some care. Apparently the cemeteries in Santarem are
overcrowded and the friars' gravesites are poorly maintained and dispersed. Before his death last month, Fr. Pierre was
working on a plan for a Mausoleum.
I'm considering spearheading a campaign to
raise funds for the mausoleum and thought it might be appropriate to appeal to
fellow alumni of St. Joe's but have no idea how to reach them. I have heard that you write a newsletter
that goes to many of them. I wonder if you might help me get the word out. If you would, I'd be happy to write a
paragraph for your newsletter outlining the need.
By the way, I'm not on your mailing list.
Is it an e-mail newsletter? How do I
get on the list? [You are on it now and
it is an email newsletter. You might want to check our email roster and our
address book, both of which may be accessed from our main page: http://www.diasporadigest.org/ How about
a thumbnail sketch of what you have been up to? JB]
30 jun 2006 Gael Stahl:
I had a nice phone
conversation with Ed Dean Monday. He's very active at St. Vincent De Paul
Parish, like head of the school board and such. I'd heard this from the
pastor, Frank Coens I think. Ed Dean and Barbara, 16106
Ambiance Way, Franklin, TN 37067. home: 615-790-5096, dean5096 of
bellsouth.net, edwind of wcs.edu
10 jul 2006 carroll mitzicko:
Greetings on a warm, but not quite as warm
as it has been, Friday evening. It is
5:15 and my outdoor thermometer shows a temperature of 88.9 degrees. This one hundred year old rectory does not
have central air but it does have a few old small window air conditioning units
that are very noisy. The inside
temperature of my office is showing 84 degrees. I do have a ceiling fan which is moving the air making it
somewhat comfortable.
I am the only Franciscan in East St. Louis
this weekend. My com-padres, Frs. Ferd
and Chris, are both up in Chicago participating in the Archbishop James P. Lyke
Conference. They will return Sunday. We were able to send a bus load of people
from St. Augustine to the conference and I think Althoff High School had two
buses. Fr. Ferd was able to obtain some
grants to cover much of the cost of the conference. It is a great experience that exposes people to some of the top
speakers, music, liturgists and out standing liturgies in the African American
Catholic community.
The new parish of St. Augustine is
continuing to develop. We are still
adding new members to our roster as people decide that they want to be a part
of this new venture. With the summer many
of our meetings are on hold because of summer vacations and other
commitments. However, life does not
stop. Our plan is to be ready to hold
elections for the first Pastoral Council for the new parish in early fall. We already have our Stewardship-Finance
Council in place. We also have four
Parish Council Commissions established and at work: Worship and Spiritual Life,
Community Outreach, Parish Life, and Religious Education and Faith Formation. We do have a good number of people already
involved in these commissions. However,
we are never satisfied…we always want more.
One of the highlights of the past month
has been a visit from my family at Little Flower in Monroe, LA. The choir and about twenty other folk from
the parish came to St. Augustine on June 3 and 4. The choir sang in concert on Saturday night and then at the 10:30
Mass on Sunday. They were outstanding
and much appreciated by the people. I
did video the concert so I can relive the experience and the memories of Little
Flower again and again. I deeply
appreciate the generosity of the choir and parishioners from Little Flower to
make the trip to share their gift of music and their presence with St.
Augustine IN EAST ST. LOUIS. (I felt I
had to say it that way because of my family at St. Augustine in Memphis and at
St. Vincent in Nashville. By the way,
I will be in contact with Memphis in the near future to see about arranging
another visit to East St. Louis in the coming months, but this time to ST.
AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO, not St. Joseph.)
Another high light of the past weeks was a
trip made by our youth to the Wisconsin Dells.
The parents raise money by working in a concession stand at the sports
stadiums in St. Louis that generates enough money for them to take our youth on
a fun and educational trip every other year.
Our youth also participate every year in the Kujenga Weekend held at the
Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. One
of my goals is to develop our youth ministry further by providing more
educational, faith formation and community service elements. Social activities and fun is great but there
is a need for the other elements as well.
This past month also saw the celebration
of Fr. Chris’ 40th Jubilee of Priesthood Ordination on June 17th, 18th and
20th. Chris was never one to simply let
one day suffice. On the 17th he
celebrated Mass at his home parish of St. George in St. Louis followed by a
meal at Bevo Mill in the same city. On
Sunday the 18th he celebrated Mass at 10:30 at St. Augustine in East St. Louis
followed by a brunch at the Franciscan Friary.
On Tuesday the 20th he celebrated with Bishop Braxton and other
Priesthood Jubilarians from the Diocese followed by a meal. Interestingly we did have three of Chris’
former classmates attend the celebration: Anton Braun, Keith Eckrich and Vince
Zimmerman. It was a great celebration
but you need to talk to Fr. Chris to get the “full” flavor.
Looking to the future, there are several
events on the horizon. We will be
holding our second Vacation Bible School in July. This year we will be running it on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
for two weeks in a row. The day will
start with a simple meal at 5:30 and the sessions from 6:00-8:30 PM. The theme is “World Tour: Jesus Makes a
World of Difference!” We will be visiting
five different countries and cultures.
On August 26 we will be holding our
Inaugural St. Augustine Feast Day Banquet and fund raiser. The event will include a catered meal, a
silent auction of baskets prepared by parishioners and friends of the parish,
and a souvenir ad booklet. Our goal is
to raise fifteen thousand dollars which will be divided between our Tuition
Scholarship Fund for children attending Catholic School, a building fund for a
new parish center which is badly needed, and general operation funds. Some of you may be receiving a letter in the
near future asking for your support.
Finally, I did not get away for a vacation
last year due to the changes going on in East St. Louis at the time. However, I do plan to take two weeks this
year so some of you may be hearing from me in my travels. I will be on vacation from July 28 to August
11. If you don’t hear from me know that
is only a “limitation of the clock, not of the heart.”
Please note the change in my E-mail
address. The AOL address will only work
for one more month. The new address is
cmofm1968 of yahoo.com.
17 jul 2006 gael stahl:
[Gael highly
recommends a look at this review done in the New York Review of Books in 1982.
It is “The Dream of Karl Rahner” by
Thomas Sheehan on Foundations of Christian Faith: An Introduction to the
Idea of Christianity by Karl Rahner.
Click here to go directly to the article: http://www.nybooks.com/articles/6743]
21 jul 2006 Jack Brennan to Tom Shannon:
Just read your article in Catholic Update
on stem cell research. Very Good and
timely! http://www.americancatholic.org/Newsletters/CU/ac0102.asp
I know you are trying to retire but I also
know you never backed away from a good discussion. I was wondering if you read Garry Wills’ article a few years ago
in the New
York Times . I read several pro and
con articles on it. I was wondering
what you thought. You are my benchmark for solid Franciscan ethics. Thanks. Pax
et bonum.
24 jul 2006 Tom Shannon to jack Brennan:
I had not seen the article by Wills but
essentially agree with it.
I am attaching an article that Allan
Wolter and I did several years ago that set a context for current RC
discussionshttp://www.diasporadigest.org/articles/moralstatus.html I did a draft and then went out to Santa
Barbara where Allan was living and we did a three day writing marathon (during
which time he exhausted me) and then Theological Studies published it. I have further refined this material with
some of Scotus' material on individuality, which I can send also if you are
interested. This one may be sufficient for the day however.
Just returned from a two week trip to
Italy, the occasion of which was an international meeting of RC moral
theologians in Padua. I gave a paper
but was rather lax about other events.
As a bonus though I did get to the basilica of St. Anthony and saw his
larynx, tongue and bottom 5 teeth. We
also got to Milan, Trieste, and Venice.
A plus of retirement.
So we are back here in the wilderness of
PA where the rain has paused and the sky and air are absolutely clear and the
lake a delightful temperature. Cathy and I are very blessed and we cherish each
day here.
Hope all is well and thanks for the DD and
all the work that that entails. Peace.
27 jul 2006 chuck faso:
Peace and Everything Good! I will be in
Italy from July 28 to August 9, as chaplain and tour director for the
DeFrancesca Family whom I have known for thirty years. We will visit Rome, Assisi and several
cities in Sicily - Cefalu, Caccamo, Corleone, Taormina.
We will be taking a train from Rome south
through Naples to the "toe" of Italy. Then the train rolls onto a
ferry that takes us to Sicily. We will be in Cefalu for the Feast Day of the
city, the same day that Caccamo, where my grandparents were born, celebrate a
great feast.
Blessings in abundance on you and your
families. I will remember you in prayer and Mass at the holy shrines. Pax et
Bonum! Pace e Bene! Shalom! Salaam! Peace and Everything Good!
8 aug 2006 Gael Stahl to jerry Etzkorn:
Hey, time for an update. Are you able to
exercise yet?
Did you report on your friar reunion this
summer yet? My browser is down and I haven't visited the DD site lately. Best wishes to Linda. Salud.
9 Aug 2006 Jerry & Linda Etzkorn to Gael stahl:
So far the hip has stayed in place and I'm
back to walking normally. Haven't walked the golf course yet, because it's been
too hot.
Didn't know about the friar reunion...
when & where? Hope all is well with
you in the hacienda!
9 aug 2006 frank hellstern:
You may have recently received a letter
from Rafael along with the DVD and CD which was appreciated, however, Rafael's
change of where to send money for Dale Brune is not correct. If you or another person wishes to have a
tax advantage from their contribution, the contribution must be sent to an
organization which is doing charitable work;
e.g. the Franciscan Peace Center, a 502 (c) (3) religious organization. That
organization can then send money to persons like Dale B. and Larry I. whom they
deem worthy of a contribution.
Therefore you have alternative
choices: (A) If you want a tax
advantage from a donation to Dale, please send it directly to AL Merz's
Franciscan Peace Center, P.O. Box 280388, Nashville, TN 37228. Al will forward
the money to Dale and you will receive a letter from Al regarding the donation
which serves as a document for you to show for your tax deduction. In the memo
section of your check, indicate 'Brazilian Mission". I gained this advice
from an accountant. (B) If you don't
care about a tax advantage, you may send it anyway to the Franciscan Peace
Center or to Dale's sister Ruth Ann Gleeson, 414 High Street, Washington, MO
63090; she will forward the money to Dale in Brazil.
Some of us felt that it would be better to
send your donation to Damien through the Franciscan Missionary Union,
indicating on the check that it was for Damien Isabell. Some have had success
with this process and others have not had success, probably due to the lack of
noting that it was for Damien.
Dale is getting closer to the time that he
needs the money for his operation. Donations have started to come in from
individuals and organizations like the Knights of Columbus. We are about at the
20% level of our goal of $15,000 +
needed for Dale's operation. For those you can, please consider a donation.
Please ask your family, friends, and possible organizations such as the Knights
of Columbus if they can make a donation. This is really CRITICAL for Dale. Dale thanks you, all the parents and
children who count on Dale to have him say Mass thank you, and I thank you for
your consideration.
10 aug 2006 Gael Stahl to jerry Etzkorn:
I thought it was you and your class.
Maybe I forgot that it was last year? But I thought it was around the time the
novitiate class ahead of us (vows in 1959) had one around St. Louis somewhere.
Did you meet there or near there recently?
We're in pretty good shape, better than
when you were here. My health is also improving well. The diabetes isn't so
dramatic anymore, more old hat, but you have to stay vigilant from now on.
I like your term for this place,
"the hacienda." I'll run it by La Donna Mobile. Hope to see you on golf
course soon. I just got back with the dogs from a walk around the park. Even
these hot days are sweet and succulent in the mornings. Oh, the hacienda has
two new decks since you were here. I think the carport was finished already,
but if not, it is. The three are connected and give the place a more level
feel.
10 Aug 2006 Jerry Etzkorn to Gael stahl:
You're right, our class (minus me) had a
reunion in San Diego with Lefty (John) McMahon as host: Gael White, Lambert
Leykam and Bob Pahler made the trip. I was recovering from the hip revision
surgery and couldn't manage the trip.
The dern hip went out of its socket
yesterday so I'll be six weeks a’ healing. Come for a visit sometime!
30 aug 2006 chuck faso:
The fighting is ended. Pilgrims are returning to the Holy Land – to
Israel and Palestine. Let’s join them with our own pilgrimage from November
27th to December 6th.
I am planning to return to
the Holy Land with a group of pilgrims on November 27, after Thanksgiving. This
will be my 25th time to visit the places – where Abraham and Sarah nurtured a
nation to believe in one God, where Joseph and Mary gave birth to and raised
Jesus, where the God-Man Jesus walked, preached, announced the Kingdom of God,
where Jesus died for us and rose from the dead.
We will visit the shrines and
churches, the towns and villages that recall the events of the Bible stories
that we love and give us hope.
Come with your hearts open to
God’s Word. Come ready to meet Jesus
where he lived, died and rose for us. Come to have your faith touched with
grace and joy. Come to experience the
Bible in the places where the saving events happened. Come to renew your
marriage vows in Cana of Galilee. Come
to say yes again to your Baptism in the waters of the Jordan River. Come to
carry a cross while praying the Stations of the Cross through the streets of
Jerusalem.
I would not be going nor
inviting you to go on pilgrimage if it were not safe to do so. I am in
communication with Israelis and Palestinians who live there and whom I know and
trust. They will let me know if there
might be any trouble.
Be assured of my prayers for
you and your family. Shalom! Salaam!
Peace!
August 2006 Scott Kuhle to Luis Runde and Bert
Miller:
Dear Luis,
I enjoyed using the computer at St. Pete's, knowing
that you had been a part of getting them working. I knew that you had to be a part of putting them together because
they were so Gerry rigged; I don't think that there was one that was all one
unit, i.e., H-P, Gateway, or Dell. They
looked very Franciskaner. They exemplified the phrase: Seraphic
Confusion.
I stay so busy that I can't believe it. I thoroughly enjoy my work, but generally I
only have work because people are having problems. My colleagues truly work with some horrendously sad cases. In my area of work, I usually interface with
the clients in crisis situations involving suicide or harm to others, so don't
have to deal with the awfulness of a particular child or family day in and day
out.
Please give my regards to the Friars at St.
Petes. I cannot tell you how much I
enjoyed being a part of the community for those ten days. Please tell Herb how much I appreciated his
generous hospitality and our visits together. Peace, Joy, and Love.
****************
Bert,
I received a wonderful gift this summer; I had the
opportunity of staying at St. Peter's for nearly two weeks when I returned to
Chicago for the Class Reunion of the ordination class of January, 1966. It was a grand occasion to see many friars
whom I hadn't seen in years, and it felt good to be in the friary setting. I was certainly reminded of the wonderful
years that I got to spend at Il Ritiro - thank you, Bert, for making that special
time in my life possible.
The class reunion was enjoyable with 22 of us making
it back there. Since we convened on the west side of Chicago, some of us drove
out to Mayslake - no remnant of the old seminary except for the street sign:
St. Joseph's Street. I knew that the buildings (St. Joe's and the gym) had been
razed, but I was still shocked by the fact that there were no reminders of such
a great institution. It was apparent, from conversation among ourselves, that
all of us had wonderful memories of St. Joe's, and had received a magnificent
foundation for life from the dedicated friars who were our early life
mentors. Sic transit gloria mundi. Peace, Joy, and Love.
4 sep 2006 Helene eckrich:
Please pray for Keith again.
He had an episode over the weekend. Atrial fib. And they are going to do
another heart cath on him this afternoon. His ejection fraction (The ejection
fraction is a measurement of the heart's efficiency and can be used to estimate
the function of the left ventricle, which pumps blood to the rest of the body)
is down. So that is a concern. He did
NOT have another MI (heart attack) which is good. I'll let you know what the results are. Thanks.
6 sep 2006 Helene eckrich:
Keith came home
yesterday. The heart cath went
well. It did show a decrease in his ejection
fraction but the doctor is adjusting his medication to see if that helps. He has a monitor to wear for 30 day, and if
he has any more weakness (possible A fib) he will record it and send it in to
the monitor company via the phone lines.
They will then send it to his cardiologist (space age stuff!!). He only has a 10 pound lifting restriction
but he can return to all his other activities including the gym and walking on
the treadmill. Thank you all for your
prayers and good vibes and caring.
6 sep 2006 gael stahl:
I'm so proud of the Keith
dude. But not surprised. He's from a class of misfits. Our classmates either
died young, missed the middle, and will probably average 82 to 86 years each
per man. The wives might as well get used to us. We'll scare you, but hang in
there. Keith has a lot more classical
music to hear, mostly encores, but he'll always find something new, too.
Thanks for the good news.
Keep such reprises coming. Fortissimo.
7 sep 2006 phil pavich:
[I had written to our erstwhile assistant novice master asking his take
on the alleged miracles in Medjugorje.
I was interested because I have a very ill young relative who was
considering going there. JB]
I apologize for not getting
back to you sooner. We have been on retreat this week and a lot has been going
on that has kept me away from my computer.
I am sorry to hear that your great niece is so sick. I will certainly
commend her in prayer.
Re: Medjugorje. Yes, of
course, I was there for 13 years from 1987-2000. Without going into detail, I
was ready to leave by 1991, by which time I was already convinced that the
apparitions were not authentic. But due to the civil war breaking out and
having so many relatives in Croatia, I did not want to leave under the shadow
of war. Finally in 1994 I asked and received permission to leave, but the
provincial asked me to stay for the sake of confessions since I had acquired
some kind of reputation for being a sought after confessor. I did stay for 6
more years and in some ways I'd have to say that was a big mistake.
Finally in 2000 Bishop Peric
asked me to leave after my personal computer diary files were sold and put on
the internet with deliberately offensive falsifications. The bishop wanted to
avoid any kind of adverse yellow journalism. I was glad to leave.
Both Bishop Pavao [Paul]
Zanic, [1980-1992] and Bishop Ratko Peric [1992----] of Mostar in which diocese
Medjugorje is located, have been unambiguous in rejecting the authenticity of
the apparitions. I wholeheartedly agree with them and have a long list of solid
reasons for that. There is a ton of material both pro and con on the internet,
as you might expect. June 15, 2006 Bishop Peric at a mass of
confirmation once again made it clear that he rejects the authenticity of the
alleged apparitions. He went further this time and asked the visionaries to
cease making their claims as you can read in the brief note from America
magazine that appeared recently. The full sermon can be read on the web in the
search on Ratko Peric:
While it is true that the ex
Yugoslav Bishop's Conference allowed people to visit Medjugorje in their
Declaration of April 10, 1991, their subsequent intention of completely
silencing the messages was not implemented as planned due to the outbreak of
civil war. I was personally at that meeting on Mon June 17, 1991. The Vatican
later confused things by saying that people could visit privately, but no
official pilgrimages were permitted under the assumption that the apparitions
were supernatural. All these documents can be read in Michael Davies e-book on
the web.
For what my opinion is worth,
I personally do not encourage people to visit Medjugorje. Cardinal Puljic of
Sarajevo has recently announced a new commission under the auspices of the Bishops
Conference of Bosnia-Hercegovina. The Vatican is going to suggest a few names
for the commission also. My personal feeling is that the bishops want to settle
it and declare it not supernatural.
Will stop here, Jack.
23 sep 2006 Carroll Mizicko:
It is Friday evening and I am
waiting for a phone call. We had a
parishioner die yesterday and the daughter just got in from Hawaii and is to
call this evening to make arrangements for the funeral. This will be the first funeral for the new
parish. Unlike many parishes we do not
have many funerals, baptisms or marriages so when we do it is an important
event.
Life has been busy since my
last newsletter. In July we held our Vacation
Bible School and had over sixty children participate but what was even more
wonderful we had 59 adult volunteers to help one or more nights of the six
night program. The kids really enjoyed
it and it was a real sign of our coming together as a new faith community.
The last night of our Bible
School, July 19th, severe storms hit the St. Louis Metro area about 7 PM. East St. Louis was not spared. The storm knocked out the power in the entire
city. Our staff did a wonderful job
keeping the kids and parents occupied in the dark until the storm blew
over. Upon arriving back at the
church I discovered that the wind had torn the roof off of the garage and had
blown a cement block chimney off of the rectory. With power out of course there was no electricity and no air
conditioning and it was very hot and muggy.
We ended up without any power from Wednesday night until Monday morning
about 9:30 AM. I stayed at the
rectory and managed to survive the heat but I spent a lot of time, like in the
“old days,” sitting on the porch trying to catch a little breeze. As if Wednesday night was not bad enough we
had another storm go through the area on Friday mid-day which knocked out more
power including some of the places that had just gotten their power back
on. There were over half a million
homes without power in the Metro St. Louis area so it took considerable time to
get power restored. On Sunday, July 23
we had Mass in the dark without lights, air conditioning or sound system. It was a special children’s Mass as a
follow-up to Vacation Bible School. In
spite of the lack of power it was a great celebration and the kids were
wonderful.
I got away for a few days
vacation the end of July and first part of August. I spent the time just visiting family and friends with a stop
back here in East St. Louis to celebrate the 60 Religious Anniversary of Sr.
Ann, ASC who works with the Catholic Urban Programs in the city. It was great seeing family and friends. I wish I could have seen more but my time
was very limited.
On August 26 we held our
first major event as a new Parish. It
was a banquet with a “Silent Auction” and souvenir ad book. The response was overwhelming. We had over sixty baskets donated by
parishioners for the auction and some 235 people attended the banquet. The ad book had over sixty pages of
ads. I was very proud and grateful for
the support of the Franciscans from the Province. It really made me proud to be a Franciscan and so appreciative of
all of my Brothers. We netted $
9,000.00 and at the same time were able to build the sense of one community
from the four parishes that were merged.
We are now well into the
school year. Sister Thea Bowman is
doing well and making a real difference in the lives of our students from this
economically stressed community. The
school offers a quality alternative to parents for the education of their
children. The problem is that many of
our parents have very limited income so paying the tuition becomes
problematic. We seek grants and private
donations to offer financial assistance to families. So if you are of a mind and a financial position to make a
donation, it will be deeply appreciated and personally acknowledged. There are so many exciting things at Sr.
Thea Bowman such as: each day begins
with the entire student body gathering for prayer and a “Peacemaker” pledge;
grades K to 6 receive violin lessons; grades 6-8 receive Ballroom Dance
lessons, and classical music is played in the halls throughout the day. If you would like more information about
these special programs let me know.
I continue to help out at St.
Elizabeth Hospital as Chaplain but on a much reduced basis. Just two days a month with two days On Call
each week. I also continue to help with
the “Spirit Anew” retreat days for the staff.
The Administration asked if I would continue on a limited basis as they
appreciated the Franciscan presence.
Lest all of this newsletter
be just about me, let me say a word about my compadres, the ‘Three Wise Men
(more or less) from the East.” Fr. Ferd
has more responsibilities at Althoff
with the election of the former principal to the head of her congregation (ASC)
in this country. He continues to work
with the Gospel Choir and is currently also working on plans for the “Go Down
Moses” retreat for single African American men (16-35) between Christmas and
New Years. This year the retreat will
be held in Memphis. If you know of someone who may be interested in attending
the retreat contact me. Ferd is also
organizing a Diocesan ‘Day of Reflection’ in preparation for the National Black
Catholic Congress to be held in Buffalo, N.Y. in July 2007. If you would like information on the
Congress get in touch with me.
Fr. Chris continues his
prison ministry. The Diocese, under our new Bishop, is going through some
reorganization and it is unclear at this point just where Prison Ministry will
be placed. However, Chris has found a
strong ally in Bishop Schlarman, a retired Bishop originally from the Diocese
who has moved back here. Bishop
Schlarman is the Vicar for Priests and has a love and passion for prison
ministry. It has got to be a plus for
Chris and his efforts.
Please keep me and us in your
prayers and know that you all are in mine and ours. May God give you His peace!
4 0ct 2006 cullan uhlinger:
Happy FEAST DAY again. Lannie
and I just checked into the Hotel St. Francis in Santa Fe this afternoon, then
went to the St. Francis Cathedral for a quick prayer.
As most of you may know, a
few of us (Tom Senn, Erv, Rafael, Frank Hellstern Jim Crone and myself) went to
Mayslake on June 29 in the morning before the Reunion began for us who are not
priests. In front of the Portiuncula which was moved from its original location
to the retreat house grounds where you can buy a brick and have your name
engraved on it. I bought a brick and had them engrave the following: St. Joe's
Sem Class of '58 - had to abbreviate to fit it in. Anyway, be sure to look for
it if you get back to Mayslake. The brick was to be laid in time for today.
4 oct 2006 Dick Mayer:
Thanks, Cullan. Linda and I
and two friends of ours visited Mayslake and the Portiuncula the day after our
reunion. I read the brochure provided
for visitors - about the estate, the retreat house, the brothers' school,
etc. There was absolutely no mention of
the seminary. That gave me a strange
Twilight Zone feeling - like our existence was being denied - an era lost in a
time warp.
We did find the statue of St.
Joseph by the former entrance off Cass Avenue.
That is the only trace left. And
now, hopefully, the brick is there; we've staked our claim! We existed! Happy feast of St. Francis.
5 oct 2006 scott kuhle:
Hi, Dick et alii, Sic Transit
gloria mundi.
Although the seminary has
"vanished," and not a part of those individuals who now live on the
property, it, with its many wonderful memories, is etched deeply in our
psyches, and unlikely to ever be razed from our being. Pax et Bonum.
16 oct 2006 damien isabell to dick mayer:
Dear Dick, peace. Greetings from Turkey. I still don t know how to make a mailing
list so if you find anything I say interesting, feel free to send it to the
others. [I did and so I am. Dick Mayer]
Pre-election jitters may be hitting the Congo now that the second round of elections
is only three weeks away.. I can
imagine an exodus of whites before the big day.
I just read on the internet
an article about international interests in the Congo, all-Africa news,
Congo-Kinshasa, nothing new but always frightening for it says that the Congo
will never be free for it is too important strategically etc.
Leaving that aside, I want to
greet you from what must be the cleanest country in the world, at least the
cleanest city, Istanbul. I could not
even imagine this city before arriving here, a compact city of old Ottoman
structures and of new dull apartment buildings to house the 9 to 15 million
people who live here.
I am staying in a 16th
century Franciscan house with dangerous stairs, innumerable doors and light
switches, mysterious corridors, ancient church; and welcoming fraternity. We eat mostly Italian but the other nite
were invited to a small family restaurant where we had contact with real
Turkish food. You would love it. Sure beats hamburgers.
At present the Turks are
justly angry at the French who are trying to keep them from entering the
European union. From what I understand
the problem is not that the country is Muslim - it is secular; no signs of
religious belonging are allowed in public - but Muslim fundamentalism. You
never know when these fundamentalists are going to bomb something. I will keep you posted.
Before arriving in Turkey I
spent a month in Assisi where I had the peace to do research, to write, to
consult with a writer and to take part in a conference on St Francis. I met up with my old friends and I am
getting a lot of rest. Our boss in Rome
proposed to me the direction of a mission program in Belgium which I could not
refuse because of obedience but I expressed my desire to return to the Congo at
the end of my sabbatical year. So this
is where I am at present and I will keep you posted about what is
happening. Blessings on you and your
family. Blessings on you all.
24 Oct 2006 Gael von Lackum:
[An example of the wonders of the internet. JB]
Hi Gael, Gildard is my uncle
(my mother Cristine's brother). I have been trying to reach him (through other
family and the internet). Thought maybe since I see him in your publication
about my other uncle Medard's death - May He Rest in Peace - perhaps you have
an email address for him?
In addition to just wanting
to give my love to my dear uncle, I'm also trying to find my cousin Dennis
"Burt" Gustafson and his kids over here in Sweden.
I'm in Ireland, hope this
reaches you. Thanks so much. <vnlckm of
yahoo.com>
10 nov 2006 dan mazar to stahl and
brennan:
Just a brief note concerning
last night's Spielabend. Dan Tanna, his
wife, Sharon, and Ray Konrath and I met
a neighborhood place not far from Ray's home.
We had a great time telling
war stories, which were all true, of course. Dan Tanna decided to call Brennan
and report in immediately. Between
slices of pizza, Konrath and I put in our 2 cents. I think Brennan was jealous of our munching good Italian food.
Dan and Sharon are on the way
to Quincy to look at some real estate.
They are thinking of retiring there in a few years.
Thanks to Dan for starting
the ball rolling and to Ray for arranging the conveniat. We did toast the
Diaspora several times. The beer tasted good every time. [Click here to see Sharon & Dan Tanna, Ray Konrath and Dan Mazar http://www.diasporadigest.org/tannaetal.wmv]
10 nov 2006 Jack
brennan to dan mazar:
Thanks again for the
call. You got it right, I was jealous -
not so much about the pizza, but not being able to add my apocryphal but
interesting/funny stories to the Spielabend.
I thought you were taking pix
on your cell phone, so I had my daughter teach me how to get them off my cell
phone. But, alas...
Did you get Ray set up on a
computer and email?
Here's to a new lease on
peace.
10 nov 2006 dan mazar to stahl and brennan:
I told one story about you
getting me half-loaded on fresh wine while you were in theology and we came
down to visit the novices before we went in across the street. [I bet
that was Bro. Miguel LeMier’s dandelion wine. I am not making that up! JB] We might have been toasting the White Sox
for all I remember. Save your stories
for the next Spielabend.
The pizza joint was 2 blocks
away from Ray's home. Maybe a mile from
Midway, in the Bungalow Belt. You will
have to talk to Tanna about the cell phone pictures. As far as I could tell, he was using a digital camera and has to
transfer the pix. I am a cyber
ignoramus, so don't quote me!! I wore my Sox varsity jacket with all the World
Series patches. Made Konrath sick! Then
I found out he is a south side Cubs fan!
Cannot help about Ray and the
computer stuff. Tanna will have to
answer to that one.
Yes, the dems made a sweep of
it. Now, they better not fritter it all
away. They have not much time and they
better get to it. If they can do away
with the Patriot Act and not make us all criminals, I will give them a pass on
Impeachment. Otherwise, put them all in
jail. I would not bend over to
accommodate the GOP. If they start now,
maybe it will only take a generation to fix.
Otherwise, third world, here we come.
And we will be owned by the Chinese and the Indians. Maybe I should get
used to eating rice!
Glad you enjoyed our
disturbing your evening. Hard to have a
Spielabend without a making a phone call. Pax.
21 nov 2006 Dan tanna:
What a great
evening it was there at Danny's on Archer Avenue just a stone's throw from
Midway. Best Spielabend in many years - mit no smokes. Dan, Sharon loves
hearing the stories and has heard many before especially when Jerry and Pat
Krull visit. Jerry and I are a little more controlled but enough slips through
to make it very interesting. Sharon's
Pentecostal spirit is really very Franciscan.
I ordered the chicken
cacciatore at Danny's on purpose. [This
order was in honor of Pizano Chuck Faso. JB] Not bad! But you know I was
thinking of your Mom's visiting-Sunday spreads at St. Joe's. Could not beat
Isabel's cacciatore ever. What a treat for a little Quincy kid raised on
catfish and braunswager sandwiches coming to the big city and getting exquisite
Italian cook'n. Wish you could have joined us but things were put together
quickly and on the fly. Next time? (Also, Chuck, Sharon and I spent a fabulous
Saturday afternoon last month with Ted Middendorf and his wife, Joyce. Ted,
Joyce and I were all in the same grade at St. Francis. Hadn't seen Ted in 48
years, or Joyce in 58. They were in DC for a Knights of Malta event.) Gael, you
should remember Ted. He did two years at Joe's.
Hey, Guys! WE are moving to
Quincy. Found a house while we were out there that has a great porch just
waiting for a couple of rocking chairs to furnish it. I am figuring 3 to 5
years; Sharon is pushing for 3 to 5 weeks. She loves the town. It reminds her
of her own hometown of Frederick, Maryland. Gael, you owe us a visit!
And we had a chance to see
Ray again on the return trip. Dan, this time we visited the Three Sons Pancake
House - may have been further down on Archer.
What a neat place. Jack, you would have been right at home. They take
care of Ray there and don't let him overindulge in artery clogging cuisine. We
gave Danny Dolesh a call from the booth. He and Richard, his little brother -
if you remember, were in Florida constructing a dock at Dan's property there.
Okay, back to Red Cross work
before I close for the day. Have a great Thanksgiving! Pax!
22 nov 2006 justin belitz:
Greetings from the
Hermitage. Link to the latest issue of
the Messenger http://frjustin-hermitage.org/pages/
God bless and Enjoy!
6 dec 2006 joan porche:
I am sending
this poem, written in the 1950's by a priest in the Dubuque Diocese. It
was shared with us when we were postulants at Mt. St. Francis. I have always loved
it. Be warned...it's long! [Click here to read the poem: http://www.diasporadigest.org/immcon.html
] Let’s continue our prayers in
hope!
11 dec 2006 Carroll Mizicko:
May the Christ Child whose birth we are preparing to
celebrate bless you with peace and happiness this Christmas and throughout the
New Year!
It is hard to believe that Advent is here and
Christmas is not far behind. 2006 has
been a year that has seen some major changes in my life. When I was appointed pastor of the new St.
Augustine parish in East St. Louis I had to move back into the mode of pastoral
ministry with all of the meetings and working with people to help create the new
faith community from the four previous parishes. I have found this energizing and challenging. Significant strides have been made in
creating a vibrant church family. We have
had three major parish functions which have all gone well: The St. Augustine
Banquet and Silent Auction, the Draw Down fund raiser and a Family and Friends
Day with a parish pot-luck meal. These
have all worked to not only raise needed funds but to also build a sense of
community which is so vital for the church.
We just completed a difficult week in the St. Louis
Metro area. As you have probably heard,
a major winter storm went through our area starting on November 30th with sleet
and freezing rain followed later by a couple of inches of snow. Major power outages occurred with over a
half of million customers without service in Missouri and Illinois. Unfortunately that included the Church and
rectory. We lost power on Thursday
night and did not get it back until over a week later on December 8. We did hold Mass on Sunday, Dec. 3rd even
though we did not have lights or heat and the temperature in church was in the
40’s. Needless to say, my homily was
not too long. This was the second major
outage this year. Last July storms
knocked out our power for five days.
This time was worse, however, as it was also bitter cold. The temperature in the rectory had dropped
to about 34 degrees by the time the power came back on. Fortunately the Friary - which is less than
a half-a-block away - never lost power so I was able to move in there until the
power came back on. It is the kind of
experience that quickly reminds you of how blest we are to have a warm place to
sleep and food to eat. We so often take so much for granted and forget about so
many people in our cities, country and world that struggle without even some of
the basics of life.
Sister Thea Bowman School continues to do amazing
things with our children. Our dedicated
faculty and staff are making a difference in the lives of the students and
their families. They are working now on
their annual “Advent Prayer” program.
For the past two years instead of the traditional “Christmas Program”
put on at many schools, our students, keeping in the spirit of Advent, put on a
“prayer service” that focus on getting ready for the coming of Christ featuring
prayer, music, our budding violinist (Grades K-7), dance, poetry and personal
testimony. It is really a wonderful
event that draws a standing room only crowd.
I still work a couple of days a month at St. Elizabeth
Hospital. I am also On Call for
emergencies overnight usually two days a week.
I find this ministry, while challenging at times, very rewarding and
fulfilling. Sometimes I don’t
appreciate being paged at two or three in the morning and have to get up and
drive the twenty minutes to the hospital, but once there I find the opportunity
to offer support and encouragement to a patient and/or the family very
meaningful. Another aspect of my
ministry at St. Elizabeth has been leading the prayer service for our “Spirit
Anew” days. About 30-35 employees at a
time have been invited to a day that focuses on Franciscan Spirituality, the
history of the Hospital, the contributions of the staff and the future plans
for the hospital. The days are held at
Kings House Retreat Center in Belleville.
We completed our last day in November which was, I believe, the 37th
that I participated in over the past two years. Over 1000 of the employees have attended one of these days.
As I shared with you before, Fr. Ferd Cheri has had
his health problems this year. I am happy
to report that he is doing fine and is back full time at Althoff. His Gospel Choir from the school had their
concert on December 3. It was, as
always, outstanding. Ferd truly has a gift for music and working with young
people bringing the best out of them.
The program was like being in Church.
In fact it was called “The Church House.” The youth sang both familiar and new “church” songs and “We had a
good time!”
Fr. Chris Reuter continues his prison ministry visiting
seven different correctional institutions.
Chris is never at a loss for stories to share from his travels. He is also again doing some volunteer
tutoring at Vincent Gray Alternative School here in East St. Louis. Another project Chris has taken us is the
cataloging of the 2,000 plus books in our library. We have a good collection of books and other resources relating
to African American ministry and we want to be of service to others. So if you are looking for a particular book
or just information on some person or topic, please feel free to contact us and
we will try to help. Also if you would
like one of us to come and talk at your church or with your community or other
group, do not hesitate to ask.
The family is all doing well. My sister, Joan Piehl in Philadelphia, is
having some eye problems but is hopeful that all will work out well. We talk by phone periodically. Melory and his wife Anna are still in Oak
Park and Fr. Bob is in Brazil.
Once again, have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New
Year. If you are ever in the area
please be sure to at least give us a call.
Peace and everything that is good.
23 dec 2006 Chuck faso:
[Edited form
letter.] …my computer was very hungry this morning -- it ate all my many
emails. …if there is something you sent me in the last several months and want
me to see what you sent, please email me again.
Peace to you all during these days of light outshining
darkness, hope pushing back despair, the longing for justice and peace pushing
back all injustice. Blessings in abundance to you all.
28 dec 2006 Paul stubenbort:
I sent this letter to National Catholic Reporter:
Dear Editor!
When Bishop Bruskewitz excommunicated the CTA (Call To
Action) members in his diocese, he had not only the right to do so, but also
the obligation. He has the right from canon law and the obligation as a member
of the hierarchy to protect the rest of the hierarchy, the Curia, and the Pope
from attacks on their authority.
And the same holds true when Rome crushes any
opposition to its well-being. We saw this in Schillebecks, Curran, Kung, gays,
the ordination of women, the liberation theology movement and untold others.
The international hierarchy under the aegis of the Curia and the Pope have too
much at stake to permit all this. Any company, be it Ford Motors, Toyota or the
Boy Scouts of America, has as its first duty to protect the institution and
expel anyone whom they think poses a threat or challenges its decisions.
The People of God, on the other hand, are not an
institution. They are the heirs of the message of Jesus who welcomed all to his
table and showed anger only to hypocrites. We do not silence Kung and Curran,
because they speak the truth. We can't censure Liberation Theology because it
is a movement for the poor, and a movement Jesus Himself would have begun and
indeed did begin. We chastise Bishop Bruskewitz, the Curia and the Pope for
being unchristian but we would not excommunicate them even if we could. Because
all exclusion is evil. We simply invite the hierarchy, the Curia and the Pope
to join the people of God and renew the face of the earth.
Paul J. Stubenbort, CTA
6528 Hessian Turn
Bensalem, Pa 19020
215 752 7493
[Thanks for
sending this out, Paul. You hit the Francis
nail on the head. That's what he saw in Jesus and we see in both. GS]
30 dec 2006 Francis roetheli:
The other day we heard on the radio a Christmas
message in which they were saying that the most important part of Christmas was
“Being Together”. God, the Father, sent
his son to be together with us here on earth.
Jesus came and spent 33 years together with us. Today, the most important of this Christmas
season is for us being together. We are
physically a long way from everyone but in the spirit of being together we are
sending you a little news to be closer to each and every one of you.
The high point of this year was that on July 14th
Joel, after four an a half years of hard study, going back and forth by bus for
an hour and a half each way and each day, graduated from college and is now a
registered Psychologist. It was a very
important celebration for the whole family, as Joel is our first son who
graduated from college.
Joel, 24 years old, is now Doctor Joel, a registered
Psychologist. Since his graduation he
has been lining all the documentation so that he can begin his practice of
Psychology. Together with some of his
colleagues they are opening an office where they will attend. Also there is a very good possibility that
in January he will start working in the Mental Heath Program of the local
mayor’s office. He is also signed up
for another specialized course, as he would like to continue his studies. So far the course has not begun as they are
trying to get more participants.
Eddie, 26 years old, is completing his third year of
Administration in college and is doing very well. In his battle with depression he has made much progress during
this year, is off medication and is no longer receiving any treatment. His main concern now is trying to find a
job. Several opportunities turned up
during the year but he did not manage to land the jobs. He is still trying to find some kind of a
job, but this is turning out to be very difficult.
Ronnie, 19 years old, is finishing up his first year
in Administration in college and is doing very well. He is also anxious to find a part time job but so far nothing has
shown up. In March he will turn 20 and
then we will no longer have teenagers in the family.
Elisia was reelected as president in her Legion of
Mary group for another year. They
actually joined together two groups, one very small and her group, which was
larger, and after several months they divided this bigger group into two smaller
groups, when she was elected as president of one of the groups for another
year. They continue their home visits
and other activities in the parish. On
December 5th she turned 65 and is now an official senior citizen.
Francis continues to work for the workboat company,
which now has 39 vessels working here in Brazil. The workload just increases with every vessel that comes to
Brazil and he has to spend a lot of overtime in the office to handle the
workload. In March he too will turn 65
and a Senior Citizen. He would like to
retire but due to the laws he still has several more years of work before he
can retire.
Now, since the boys are older and have their own lives
and programs, Elisia and Francis are able to do things and go places by
themselves. They are now in a new phase
in life and enjoying life together.
But it is still enjoyable to have the boys at home with them.
In January, Elisia, Eddie and Ronnie will go to
Santarem in the North to visit with Elisia’s family. We were up there in January this year. Joel could not go as he was working. Elisia’s mother, who is now 95 is doing very well except for an
occasional small heath problem. If all
works out some of us plan to go to the USA for a visit in July. Who will go depends on classes, jobs, etc.
We are going into summertime here and all the plants
are green and the flowers are blooming.
Our weather is now beach weather.
In the spirit of Christmas we wanted to be a little
closer to each and every one of you with this little news about all of us. We also hope that we hear from all of you,
as it is always a pleasure to receive news from all of you. Our e-mail address is still froetheli of
uol.com.br , our phone number is 55 22 2772 1408 and our mailing
address is: Francis & Elisia Roetheli; Rua Aime Borges Chaloub, 157;
Miramar; 27943-540 Macae, RJ, Brazil.
We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy
New Year. We will remember everyone is
a special way this Christmas season.
Our weather is ranging from the upper 90º to lower
100º for the past week. It is not much like Christmas that most of you
are used to and we do not have to worry about having a White Christmas.
Our weather is excellent beach weather. If it is too cold for any of you,
come down and we can go to the beach and warm up. [Check out this picture of Francis’ family: http://www.diasporadigest.org/Roetheli_fam.jpg
]
30 dec 2006 Jerry and Linda Etzkorn:
First and foremost, we wish you a blessed Christmas
and a great ’07!
Now a catch up on the news! We spent our usual January
week with friends in Hilton Head trying to capture a bit of sun. Shopping was
great (and the girls left the guys home)! The golf keeps going downhill.
Thanks to a grant from the Swiss govt. obtained by
Prof. Tiziana Suarez-Nani, Jerry was invited to head up a group to edit a work
of Francis of Marchia, a professor of theology in Paris around 1318-1319. The
month of March (including weekends) was spent in Fribourg, Switzerland
collating manuscripts, searching for sources and scrutinizing the results of
each question. I got the red-carpet treatment, lodging in a B&B about a
mile from campus and with a per diem, something to which I am not accustomed.
My hosts also treated me to a visit to the Chateau Chillon and an evening in
Gruyere, where both the fondue and the music were great. Linda joined me for
the first week of April, and since the group had worked weekends, Linda and I
were free to see some of the beauties of Switzerland via the quiet, efficient
and timely Swiss RR system: Lucerne was beautiful, but we did abort our journey
to the top of the Matterhorn as it is quite expensive to go all the way up (The
Japanese hold the rights!) and, since it was a very foggy day, we would have
seen very little anyway. We also saw Mt. Blanc and Chamonix in France. We had
planned to go to Greece during the second week of April, but Jerry’s artificial
left hip dislocated again (3rd time) so we headed straight home
instead.
I had hip-revision surgery during the last week of
April, so that I could be ambulatory (without fear of further dislocations) for
our son Kevin’s wedding on June 3rd in Rochester, NY. It was a gala gathering
of the clans, Sandra’s family and the Etzkorns: Alan & Mandy & sons
Kurt (9) and Evan (2) plus 2 cousins, Kierin and daughters Melia (now 3) &
Joy (now 10 months), and Linda’s Mom Rita. We had a ball and Linda got a
‘grandma’ fix big time!
During the first 2 weeks of July, I journeyed to
Valencia, Spain with Gordon Wilson in order to examine and collate an important
manuscript of Henry of Ghent (†1293). This was an unparalleled adventure. In
Spain, for cathedral libraries, a Canon of the Cathedral is the librarian. This
particular Canon did not answer our correspondence, would not provide us with a
microfilm and so we had to use the intermediation of a professor at the
University of Valencia so that we could be properly introduced to the Canon
(after a solemn high mass & lots of smoke [incense]). It was Monday and the
Canon allowed that we could work from 10:30-1:30. Not knowing that there would
be a Tuesday, we went frantically to work. Okay, said he, we could come back
Tuesday from 10:30-1:30. I presented him with a 3-volume edition I had recently
published and Gordon gave him a bottle of Jack Daniels which got us in for
Wednesday. About mid-morning on Wednesday the Canon announced a ‘modern
miracle’ (in Latin ‘miraculum modernum’) and presented us with a CD containing
photo images of the entire manuscript. In opening the CD I noticed that it had
been done in 2004! And so instead of a $10 expense for mailing a CD, there were
2 transatlantic roundtrip plane fares plus 2 weeks in a hotel in Valencia. However,
when all was said and done, we did the job and got in some sightseeing to
boot. [Jerry, don’t leave us hanging; what is the punch line from Henry of
Ghent? You are slipping, you used to
hit us with a “hitherto unknown fact.” JB]
Back at the ranch and onto the golf
course. Just getting my game back, I managed to make the ‘no-no’ move of
leaning over to pick up a ball without raising my left leg and out went the hip
again; once more at home in September and now I am under constant surveillance
by Linda which includes being ‘socked and shod’ with her kind assistance.
Consequently, the golf is on ‘hold’ until our annual safari to Hilton Head in
January of 2007. Luckily, the golfing itself does not dislocate the hip!
On the Sunday before Thanksgiving we had our annual
‘cousins reunion’ in St. Louis, after which we journeyed to Quincy where we had
a great Thanksgiving with Linda’s mom, brothers, sister, in-laws, and their
offspring (4 generations altogether). From there back to St. Louis for Jerry’s
brother Larry & Rose’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration,
Mass and party for about 100.
We’re getting a lot of work done these days. Linda is
now taking Latin dictation at the computer while I read the manuscripts from
the microfilm or CD photo images. This is another work of Francis of Marchia
which may see print within the next 5 years.
Jerry has also written a book containing philosophical
and theological reflections from over the years, interspersed with bits of
autobiography. It should be available for purchase via Amazon sometime in the
first quarter of 2007: “Reflections of a Christian Pilgrim.” [I checked but could not find that piece on
Amazon. However, I did find a ton of
writings by our esteemed professor on everything from Aristotle to Wolter. JB]
We enjoy regular telephone calls (not as
good as visits from far away kids but a great blessing) from Kevin, Alan and
Kierin including occasional ‘conversations’ with the grandchildren. Even with
my hearing aids, I need a ‘translation’ of the grandchildren’s offerings. But
all are growing up, healthy and happy. We thank God for our many blessings.
Looking forward to hearing from all of you.
3 jan 2007 Cullan Uhlinger:
I visited Fr. Emmanuel two weeks ago. He was
a Brother when I knew him, then he was ordained ca. '74. He's now in a
retirement community here in Cleveland - on oxygen because of bad lungs - not
sure if he really remembered me, but I hadn't seen him for about 35 years when
he was stationed here at St. Jude's, which of course is now closed down.
10 Jan 2007 Jim and Sharon fischer:
We have some news. Once again these are
changing and exciting times for us. We left Washington DC December 18th
and moved our DC Condo personal items to a condo we have secured in Columbia,
Mo.
James R. & Sharon D. Fischer
2100 Cherry Hill Dr. Suite 105
Columbia, MO 65203
Phone # 573-447-4705
Intermediate contact information is:
Jim's personal email: drjr of earthlink.net
Sharon's personal email: fschr of earthlink.net Jim's personal Cell 864-903-9606
Sharon's personal cell 864-903-4899(These
cell phone numbers will change - we will update them at the appropriate time)
In Columbia we are forming a business
focused on agriculture and energy technical and management issues. This
business is partnering with USDA and the University of Missouri, to develop and
direct the National Office of Agricultural Energy Science and Education. The
purpose of this Office is to define and promote agriculture's role in renewable
energy and energy efficiency as related to energy science, technology and
education. Also, Jim will continue making keynote presentations at major
meetings such as he as been doing a significant part of his career.
Business address is:
James R. Fischer and Associates LLC
PO Box 1463
Columbia, MO 65205-1463
Our plan for the next six months is: Jim
will invest his time in Columbia, and as usual traveling, developing the
office. Sharon will invest her time in Columbia developing our business and in
Clemson getting our house ready to sell. Our goal is have a permanent
residence in Columbia, MO by July 1. We are excited not only about these
professional challenges and opportunities but also having another opportunity
to reinvent ourselves once again.
25 Jan 2007 Jogues Epple to Gael Stahl:
The Republicans have chosen
Minneapolis/St. Paul for their up-tight convention. Otherwise, the Twin Cities
are just splendid. Bob (Angus) Hankey's
funeral had four of us former friars to see him off to the arms of Sister
Death. Jack Knorr, Charlie Bloss, Phil Eiden, and your correspondent attended.
Jack gave a short tribute to Bob. I am blessed to have one of Bob's paintings
on my wall.
The Episcopal branch of the church asked
me to be a priest among them. There is much in common between the Anglican and
the Franciscan spirits. The Episcopal church has been very good to me and make
my retirement smooth. Being with the Lutherans in Minnesota, with whom else
would a Christian worship? The Lutherans sure know how to do theology.
Thanks for your work on the Diaspora.
Please put me on the list. Is there any charge? Please bill me, if so.
25 jan 2007 Gael stahl:
Gosh, this is the first I'd heard that
Bob died. He has visited, written, and most recently, called. But I had no idea
he was sick unto death. Where can I learn more?
Jogues, I remember I used to have you on
my mailing list but I think maybe I'd lost contact during one of your moves.
Actually, Jack Brennan has taken on the Digest duties and doing it well. We're
now online with web site and all. Jack will clue you in. I'm still trying to
figure out how to do it. It's not a list group, like the one we Sherlockians
have. That's more like the old DD only instantaneous contact, with up to 25
letters a day from around the country and the world. In this one you write to Jack
and he, I think, edits the output every so many months. It just started a year
ago and our first efforts were to catch up three years of my procrastinating.
And do stay in touch. I can't believe Charlie and Phil didn't
contact me, but then I've only been up there once to see them, about six to
eight years ago.
Our web site is: http://www.diasporadigest.org/ Sacred Heart province: www.thefriars.org
I'm copying this to Jack, as it's good
information about Bob (more needed), your Episcopal and Lutheran ecumenical
involvements, and yes, I have many Episcopal friends who are very much my
speed.
3 feb 2007 Dennis Griffin:
Last Monday, January 29, about noon my
appendix ruptured. By about 4:00 pm I decided to go to the emergency room. By 8:40 pm I was in surgery. I spent the week in the hospital. I got home on Friday afternoon around 6:00
pm. I am sore now, and take an
occasional pain pill, but it could be worse.
Even though it isn't true, I have always considered appendicitis to be a
problem of childhood or adolescence.
Guess I am younger than youse guys.
7 feb 2007 gael stahl
ome things never change, especially Dan Tanna.
I've seen him sporadically over the years, often on visits to Washington DC for
company conferences, and had dinners with him and the Zangs when they were
still that way, etc. No change. Still a wonderful guy.
Hardly ever see Herr Konrath, but he
looks amazingly like himself.
Mazar I see constantly, in fact, Susan
and I have stayed with him at least once and I have on my own more often when
up that way.
But these photos are precious. They will
be on my screen saver slide show by tonight.
[Click here to see photos: http://www.diasporadigest.org/tannaetal.wmv
]
9 feb 2007 Dan Dolesh to Mike Kellett:
Mike, I don't know if you will receive
this, but I will send it anyhow. I
heard you are very sick. You have
preached so often about Resurrection and now you will go through that in Jesus
and rejoice with your parents and brother and my brother, Rayner, and others
whom you have loved and worked with.
My faith is weak and I feel sorrow; so many memories of being with you,
through Yellowstone, playing tennis, in class, sneaking a double date, walking
around the loop in front of the seminary with you. I do love you.
I have recently built a house on Fort
Myers Beach, Florida, and I would like you to come and share it, but if you
can't I will share it with you in spirit.
If possible and if it would not be a burden to you I would like to come
and pray with you in Chicago. If any of
this possible please let me know, either through e-mail, or through Konrath or
Faso or Hoffman. Pax et Bonum, my
brother.
9 feb 2007 Carroll Mizicko:
Happy New Year! God has blessed me with seeing another year and I am
grateful. This is a “bench-mark” for me
as I turned 65 in October and so am in the process of filling out all of the
forms necessary for getting on Social Security and Medicare Part D. I have to
say that the government doesn’t make it easy to get old. But I am grateful when I think of how many
people in our world and even in our country who do not have the opportunity to
be aggravated by the paper work. I am truly blessed and am deeply grateful.
Our Christmas and New Year’s celebrations
went well. People seemed to be pleased
with our efforts as the new faith community in East St. Louis. While we are certainly not where we want to
be in terms for forming a new faith community from the previous four, we have
come a long way and are very hopeful for the future. People have a hard time of letting go of the past and embracing a
new future which is still a bit nebulous.
We did a Parish Survey on our liturgies in January in which we invited
people to evaluate our Sunday services in various categories and to comment on
what they saw as the strengths and the weaknesses of the parish community. While most people noted the continuing
struggle to bring four parishes together, they also noted that there seems to
be a real effort on the part of most to make it work. The most common weakness cited was the absence of members from
the four churches. We plan to address
that issue during Lent with what we are calling a “Come Back Home”
project. We will identify former
members from the Churches and other inactive Catholics, and then train
parishioners to contact them and invite them to become a part of St. Augustine.
I am still very active with interfaith
projects. We will be starting another
of our book discussion series the end of this month. Our selection this time is
“The Glass Castle” by Jeanette Walls.
On February 12 we will be sponsoring a forum at the Shrine of Our Lady
of the Snows on prayer focusing on the Buddhist understanding of prayer and the
Taize Christian approach. I am also
involved in a local Muslim-Catholic dialogue to promote better understanding
between our faiths. All of these
experiences are so enriching and I encourage you to consider becoming involved
in some interfaith project in your community.
It can be a very rewarding experience which helps you reflect on and
appreciate your own faith.
Sister Thea Bowman School continues its
outstanding work. The challenge
continues to be finding the funding to continue this important ministry to the
financially struggling community of East St. Louis. We have gotten some very good publicity lately featuring our
innovative program involving folding of the Catholic Faith into all phases of
education and exposing the students to the fine arts as an integral part of
their education. The school will be
holding its 4th Annual Banquet and Silent Auction on March 10. This has become both an enjoyable event and
also a very successful fund raiser for the school. An additional feature this year will be a “vocal auction” of art
works produced by the students themselves some of which are quite good. It should be a lot of fun. If you are ever in the East St. Louis area I
would encourage you to stop in and visit Sister Thea Bowman School. You will like what you see!
I will be starting a new ministry
soon. I have been asked to be part of
the rotation of Priests who celebrate Mass weekly at Southwestern Correctional
Institution which is located in East St. Louis. Fr. Chris is already in this rotation and I believe I should be
also as a local pastor. Our
incarcerated brothers and sisters who are Catholic not only have a right to our
ministry in charity but also in justice because they are baptized members of
our Church.
It is hard to believe that Lent is upon
us. We will be doing something
different for Lent this year. Many
people have commented that parishioners need to get to know one another
better. With the two Masses people
don’t have the opportunity to socialize very often. We have decided to just have one Mass from Lent through Easter and
to arrange for regular opportunities for socializing and fellowship. Since we can easily, at this time,
accommodate everyone at one Mass this seems worth the effort. There will be some who will be upset that
‘their Mass’ is dropped or the time changed but sometimes you have to do what
seems best for all. The first anniversary of the new parish will be March
5. Last year that was the First Sunday
of Lent. Therefore, this year we will
make the First Sunday of Lent, February 25, our Anniversary Celebration. Since it is the end of February which is
Black History Month, we are inviting those who wish to wear African Attire and
to enjoy a Soul Food Luncheon after the Mass.
Another major event coming up on March 10
is the Diocesan Reflection Day for Black Catholics. All Black Catholics from around the Diocese and those who minister
in the Black community are invited to come together to reflect on the status of
the Catholic Church in the Black community.
This is in preparation for the National Black Catholic Congress that
will be held in Buffalo, New York in July.
We are hoping for a good response from across the Diocese for the
day.
I have had a couple of short E-mails from
my brother Fr. Robert in Brazil so we know he is okay. Melory sent some pictures of the family and
I talk to Joan fairly often on the phone.
They all seem to be doing okay.
Frs. Ferd and Chris continue their ministry as we continue our life
together. Fortunately we have avoided
any serious medical conditions lately and certainly hope that continues.
If you get a chance drop me a line and
let me know what is going on in your life.
In the meantime… Peace and everything that is good!
10 feb 2007 dan dolesh to chuck faso:
I keep in touch with an ex-seminarian
(Carlos) Rayner taught in Brazil. He is
now a federal judge if I am not mistaken, but he networks with all the former
seminarians in Brazil like Stahl and Brennan do for us. He sent his e-mail to all of his contacts in
Brazil about Mike. Mike is loved and
respected by many, many people. What a
wonderful tribute to him.
10 feb 2007 dan dolesh To Carlos:
I have some bad news. Frei Mike Kellett, OFM, who worked with my
brother, Rainerio in Brazil and who was one of my best friends through the
seminary in the United States has been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas,
liver and intestine. He is in the
hospital in Chicago and has only one to four months to live. He is very close to death. Pray for him. He has labored hard to make
Jesus known. I hope all is well with
you. I wish I could greet you with
better news.
12 feb 2007 dan dolesh:
The whole thing with Kellett broke about
4 or 5 days ago. I called Mike
today. He said they were going to give
him "some pills" in lieu of chemotherapy, otherwise he will live for
only 4 or 5 months. I hope to visit him
soon. I offered him Ibis Haven whenever
he wants it but he says he can't go. He
also said they were going to release him from the hospital in "a couple of
days." Ray Konrath is stopping in
daily. I was pretty upset for a couple
of days. Now I just feel a dull
ache. My buddy Larry is going through
a tumultuous divorce and I have a meeting with our new Bishop (Lennon) on
Thursday to plead the cases of a couple of Priests (clients) who should be back
in active ministry but are not. The
weather hovers just about zero and my car got stuck in the driveway three times
on the way to work the last couple of days and my main drain to the septic tank
clogged up and I can't get it unclogged.
Also some other stuff going on.
Who said life was boring?
Ennui. Isn't that how Sartre described
life? Oh yeah.
14 feb 2007 jack brennan:
Just found out about Mike Kellett. Damn! What a great man. Like a rock. Thinking about him strengthens my faith.
14 feb 2007 gael stahl:
It was like one day he went in for an
appendix and the next is told, well, prepare for eternity. Mike has lived for
eternity a long time but what an abrupt exit they forecast.
I never got to know Mike as well you did,
but I was always an ardent admirer. I think now that despite living with or
near him for what, 10 years, we seldom had a conversation inter nos like I long
had with each of you. So, please, take
good care of yourselves. This hurts enough, already. All praise to Brother
Michael, Sun, Water, Fire, and the Being of beings.
16 feb 2007 Dick Korn:
Alex Dowey emailed me from Belem three
days ago after he had just received news that Mike Kellett's cancer had spread
through his body, that he had one to three months to live and that he was in
Chicago's Little Company of Mary Hospital.
Louie Runde said yesterday that a ruptured appendix perhaps added to
this spread of the cancer.
I hope to see Mike on Feb. 24 or 25th,
when he will probably still be in the hospital. The parish of St. Anthony's here in Columbus where Mike has preached
for the missions several times, and as recently as last summer, is solidly in
prayer for Mike, as are 2000 inmates at the Marion Correctional Institution.
22 feb 2007 chuck faso:
I will be leading a group of pilgrims to
Lourdes and shrines of France September 1-13, 2007. We need 20 people by March 1, if possible. I am using Viking Travel of Westmont IL. For
more information and an email copy of the brochure: Call: Marge Santo at Viking
at 1-800-233-3963.
8 mar 2007: Fr. Eugene (bede) middendorf, ofm dies.
For an excellent obit on Gene, please
see: http://thefriars.org/atp/ATP-070322.pdf
8 mar 2007 Gael Stahl:
I often think of some of his whimsical
sayings about biological matters and growing up, being aware (bewaring of) of
the attractions of girls during Christmas vacation when we were 17 or so.
8 mar 2007 Bob Pawell:
We had "Bede-io" after having
had magical Reinhold Link in Biology-- Bede aka Eugene taught college biology
as I recall. I recall how boring his classes were in comparison to
Reinhold's nature walks and talk. Bede did his thesis on Gladiolus
cormlets-- the little baby bulbs that form at the base of a gladiolus
bulb. I also recall his regaling us on Drosophila milanogaster
- the fruit fly. How I longed to be wading in a swamp with Whapoo on
those days in Bede's class.
8 mar 2007 Jim Martorana:
I was a terrible biology student and
Father told my parents about me falling asleep during class in that stuffy lab
in the basement. But he was a kind and
gentle man. I often pray by name for
all the priests I can remember in my life.
Just yesterday morning, Father Bede's name came to my mind for the 1st
time in a long time. May he rest in peace.
Thanks for letting us all know.
8 mar 2007 john townshend:
t the final reward after so gently and
warmly touching and influencing so many minds and lives! A friar minor with a
major impact. God's speed and rest.
8 mar 2007 david struckhoff:
Although I usually don't get into the big
chats, forwarding, etc., now it's appropriate to think gratefully of all the
effort our teachers put out for us. More power to them!
9 mar 2007 dave skripsky:
Thanks for the obit. I was fortunate to
have "Bede" at Westmont and "Eugene" at OLA in Quincy. He
was a great example to us all. In the late '60s I went to the TV station in
Quincy with Fr. Middendorf to serve at his first live TV Mass.
The director told him, "The
important thing, Father, is to keep your sermon to 5 minutes or less."
Needless to say, our 30 minutes was up and we were off the air right after the
consecration. After we finally finished Mass, we went into the control room to
watch a playback.
I looked over and saw the saddest look on
Gene's face. When I asked him what was wrong he said, "No body ever told
me that I had a twang!" He and I laughed about that all the way back to
OLA.
11 mar 2007 paul stubenbort:
I spent some great years with Gene at St.
Joe's. His was quirky but had a nice sense of humor. I thought of him often
over the years and wished we had kept in contact. Now I can pray to him.
13 mar 2007 bill bergman:
Thanks for always keeping us informed
about our past legacies, colleagues and current news. My email address is
billbergman of msn.com and
NOT billbergman
of email.msn.com. Also remove wbergman of csuchico.edu
as my other email address. I still lecture at California State
University, Chico, but just prefer my personal email address at billbergman
of msn.com only. I hope you both and your families are
well. I serve on the board of directors for the Chico Peace and Justice
Center and we are very concerned about the continuing war in Iraq and other
conflicts we get ourselves into.
Peace and Everything Good,
18 MAR 20007 jerry Etzkorn:
Thanks for the update on Mike Kellett.
[Jerry
sent us 2 great articles he has written: (1) On Benedict XVI (2) On Iraq. JB] Also I've put together a book 'Reflections
of a Christian Pilgrim' which should be available next month at Amazon.com
25 mar 2007 scott kuhle:
Mary Ann and I are having a lazy, lazy
day; she just got up (12:30), and is out in the kitchen making us our /wake-up/
coffee.
I have been working my derrière off the
past couple of weeks at the office, so it feels good to do little or nothing.
We are having our bathroom remodeled from
torn out floor joists to ceiling, so we've been roughing it. Thankfully, we have a stool in the basement,
but I need to go to one of our son's for a shower in the morning.
Just heard word a couple of days ago from
Teddy that he has made rank of Chief Petty Officer in the Coast Guard; he is
stationed in Washington and now has the opportunity to be traveling to many
parts of the world. He already has 16
years in, so is having a great career.
28 mar 2007 dan tanna:
Dan/Jack, thanks! Wow, it is just one thing
after the other for Mike, isn’t it? I am seriously thinking about getting back
there for another visit. Southwest has some tempting fares from DC ‘s Dulles to
Chicago’s Midway! I try to get a call in to Mike once a week.
2 apr 2007 Chuck Faso:
As Pesach/Passover and Holy Week begin, I
wish all of you Shalom, and Peace of the Risen Lord!
Tomorrow, Tuesday of Holy Week, I fly to
Washington DC where I will preach at the
Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land from Holy Thursday through Easter
Sunday. I will return
to Chicago on Easter Monday. May this week called Holy be days of peace
and joy for you and your families.
May our rituals and remembrances stir up
in us the courage to bring about greater equality in our world.
May the Lord deliver and free us from all that holds us in fear and empower us to speak words of justice and
love, and bravely to do acts
of forgiveness and reconciliation. May
the Lord Easter in us and be a Dayspring for any dimness in us! Blessed
Pesach! Happy Easter!
7 apr 2007 chuck faso:
Much Shalom – Salaam – Peace to you on
this Easter Day. Forty Days of Lent are complete. The Triduum is
celebrated. Fifty Days of Easter has begun. Let’s rejoice in the
Risen Lord! Alleluia! May the
Lord Easter in you and be a Dayspring for any dimness! (I am preaching these
days of Holy Week and Easter in Washington DC at the Franciscan Monastery of
the Holy Land – www.myfranciscan.org)
9 apr 2007 Dick Korn:
I have pictures of a Mass celebrated a
month ago with John Schwieters and Mike Kellett at Mike's bedside. Would you want them scanned and sent for DD
Publication? [Click here to see these photos: http://www.diasporadigest.org/mass.wmv
]
By the way, who can come forward to help
promote fundraising for the Amazon friars, which was one of Mike's main
endeavors in recent years? The emphasis
of the friars there is changing from parochial responsibilities to unique
specialty ministries, such as supporting the Indians, the landless, and
environmental leaders. We can honor
Mike and the less than a dozen American friars still on the scene, to say
nothing of their Brazilian confreres and those from other provinces, by
stepping up to the bat with fundraising efforts. Are any of you revamping your wills these days?! My wife and I are planning on taking a few
relatives and friends to the Amazon in October, and hopefully persons like
Larry in San Antonio can join us to visit his classmates, Maury and Duffy, for
a type of 50th there.
In August, there will be a celebration of
100 years of continuous modern presence of the friars in the Amazon and in
September they will have visitation in preparation for upcoming chapter.
14 apr 2007: Fr. Michael Kellett, OFM dies:
[Please click
on this link to read about Mike’s life according to his classmates and
friends: http://thefriars.org/atp/ATP-070426.pdf]
15 apr 2007 tony lutz:
I don't remember Fr. Michael Kellett,
O.F.M. but he is in my prayers right now. "Er lebe hoch."
15 apr 2007 Benet Fonck:
Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister Bodily
Death, from whom no one living can escape. (CtC 12).Our fellow friar and
faithful priest of Sacred Heart Province and the Custody of St. Benedict of the
Amazon in Brazil, Michael K. Kellett OFM, died on Saturday, April 14, 2007, at 7:45am at the age of 67 at
Palos Community Hospital in Palos
Heights, Illinois, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Michael Kevin
Kellett OFM, a member of the Franciscan Custody of St. Benedict of the Amazon,
Santarem, Para, Brazil, and previously a member of Sacred Heart Province, was
born on March 4, 1940, of the late Meryl (nee Roe) Kellett and James Kellett.
His younger brother, Jim, died before him. He is the nephew of the late Kevin
Roe OFM.
Mike is survived by many cousins and many friends. He
grew up on the south side of Chicago and went to St. Joseph Franciscan Seminary
in Westmont, Illinois, in September 1954. He entered the Franciscan novitiate
in June 1960.
In 1964 Michael made his solemn vows as a Franciscan
and shortly afterwards he began his theological studies in Petropolis, Rio de
Janiero, Brazil. Mike was ordained in Chicago in December of 1967 and then
returned to Brazil where he ministered to the communities along the Amazon and
Tapajos rivers and in the cities of Santarem, Manaus, and Belem, Brazil.
Michael also helped form many Brazilian Franciscan friars. Michael served as
provincial minister of St. Benedict of the Amazon Custody (then called
Vice-Province) for nine years. Michael held in his heart a special place for
the Brazilian indigenous Munduruku among whom he ministered for several years.
The schedule of Funeral Services for Mike Kellett OFM
is as follows: Tuesday, April 17, 2007 Visitation from 6:30pm to 8:00pm Wake
Service at 7:00pm at St. Francis of Assisi Chapel of Mother Theresa Home in
Franciscan Village * (1270 Franciscan Drive, Lemont IL 60439) Wednesday, April
18, 2007 Visitation at 10:00am Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am at St.
Francis of Assisi Chapel in Mother Theresa Home. Burial in the Friars' Plot of
Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois.
May Michael rest in peace! The sympathy of the friars
and their solidarity in prayer and fraternity are conveyed to our brothers in St. Benedict of the Amazon
Custody.
Michael Kellett OFM Obedience to Brazil
1965-2007: (Ordained December 16,
1967.)
· 1965-68 Petropolis After one year of theology in
Teutopolis, Mike was sent to Brazil where he completed theology at the
Franciscan Theologate in Petropolis, RJ.
· 1969-70 Santarem First assignment was to the
Seminario Menor Sao Pio X, while also responsible for the Community Nossa Senhora
das Gratas in the city.
· 1971-74 Santarem He became Pastor of the Community of
Santissimo Sacramento and Coordinator of Urban Pastorals.
· 1975-78 Monte Alegre In Monte Alegre, Mike became the
Pastor of the Sao Francisco Parish and Guardian of the Friar-Fraternity.
· 1979-1982 Missio A transfer to the Missio Sao
Francisco among the Munduruku Indians, visiting the 80-some villages along
innumerous inlets off the Tapajos River.
· 1982-90 Santarem Mike assumed leadership as Custos, Vicar
General of the Prelacy, and Associate Pastor of Cristo Libertador Community.
· 1990-93 Santarem When the Custodia do Sagrado Coradio
became the Vice-provincia Sao Benedito da Amazonia, Mike was nominated the
first Provincial by the Minister General, John Vaughn.
· 1993-94 Estados Unidos After leaving office, Mike
took a year's sabbatical in the States, taking courses to update himself in
Theology.
· 1994 Mi nas Gerais When he returned to Brazil, he was
named General Visitator to the Provincia da Santa Cruz in Minas Gerais.
· 1995-96 Belterra During this year, he was Pastor of
Belterra, the former FORD Rubber Plantation, and the community where the
original four American friars served after arrival in 1943.
· 1996 Estados Unidos Mike spent the first months of
'96 with his mother, following the death of his father.
· 1996-97 Belem Returning to Brazil, he assumed the
role of formator for the Temporary
Professed and Students of philosophy in Belem, while also Associate-Pastor of
the Santo Antonio Parish.
· 1998 Manaus Mike transferred with the Temporary
Professed Students to the Casa Sao Boaventura in Manaus where he continued in
Formation.
· 1999 Estados Unidos Once again, it was necessary for
Mike to spend time with his aging mother, who needed special care.
· 1999-2005 Manaus Once back in Brazil, he continued on
as formator.
· 2005-06 Estados Unidos Mike was assigned the job to
set up an Office in the States for the reason of acquiring resources for the
Custodia Sao Benedito da Amazonia.
· 2007 Belem During a time of transition in the Belem
parish, Mike spent three months, until he realized he needed medical attention.
It was in the beginning of February that he was diagnosed with pancreatic
cancer, which gradually spread to other parts of the body.
19 apr 2007 dan dolesh:
Mike's funeral was a moment of great grace and joy for
everyone involved. There were at least
a half a dozen present and former American priests who worked in Brazil. Greg Joright
presided at the funeral and there were songs in Portuguese as well as
English. It was a wonderful and
beautiful experience. Sad, but also
full of joy and brotherhood. [Click here to see the photos Dan took at the
funeral; the slide show takes about 3 minutes; make sure your sound is on: http://www.diasporadigest.org/kellett2.wmv]
20 Apr 2007 gael stahl:
Many thanks, Dan. Glad you could represent the
diaspora. I think I spotted my classmate Vince Zimmerman in one photo?
21 Apr 2007 Dan dolesh:
Gael, yes, Vince was there.
27 Apr 2007 Gael Stahl:
Hey, who is that talking to Faso in the
last photo? Gael What a treat to see the folks again. I so miss my trips to the
Chicago reunions. And who is rebelojr
p of jfse.gov.br? (Don’t tell me Konrath has email now and
that’s his handle???!!!!)
27 apr 2007 Dan dolesh:
Gael, Rebalo is Carlos Rebalo who was in the Seminary in
Brazil. He does for the ex-seminarians in Brazil what you do for the
ex-seminarians and Friars here with communications. He was a friend of Rayner's and Mike's and the rest of the
Brazilian missionaries. He is a federal
judge and either teaches law now or is planning to do so shortly. He and I have corresponded over the years
and we have become e-mail buddies. Carlos, as we, is very committed to the
ideal of our Brother Francis. Gael, meet Carlos.
Carlos, meet Gael Stahl, a good friend who keeps us
all connected through the Diaspora Digest http://www.diasporadigest.org/ check it
out. It is very well done.
29 apr 2007 chuck faso:
I will be in the Holy Land of Israel and Palestine
from April 30 to May 9. Thirty of us pilgrims from Chicago, Paris-France, and
Clearwater Beach FL will be traveling from the Nazareth and the Sea of Galilee
in the north to Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho and Dead Sea in the south - c. 90
miles from north to south. We will drive the 15 miles from Jerusalem at 2400
feet above sea level to the Dead Sea, Jericho and Masada at 1400 feet below sea
level.
Be assured of a remembrance in our prayers and daily
masses at Nazareth, Cana, Mt. Tabor, Capernaum, Bethlehem, Holy Sepulcher, etc. Shalom! Salaam! Peace to you!
30 apr 2007 Gael Stahl:
You forgot the word 'formerly' in your effusive
descriptions, Dan. But since we both go
so far back in our energetic exaggerations with enthusiasm (no andante or poco
a poco for us two, but always allegro con robusto), we'll put it in context.
Glad to meet you, Carlos. For a couple of years (and
even further back) Jack Brennan is the web editor of our co-editor team and to
him go all praise and appreciation and gratitude.Glad to hear you're doing the
same for the Brazilian fringe friars also. It is a work of love and as you
know, it's mostly a lot of fun and life nourishing to have so many contacting
each other through a medium.
By the way, Carlos, I've been wanting to revive my
long-lost postal contact with Waldemar Boff, brother of the famous theologian,
Leonardo Boff, but haven't been able to locate Waldemar since the late 1960s or
70s. I heard a flooding landslide had destroyed his parents house. Do you know
of him? He left our school of theology in 1966 and returned to Brazil. I've
tried many avenues over the years. Don't fret if this is another dead end. But
knowing what you do, you might be the best route. My name was Ernest when
Waldemar left our seminary.
PS: Your Honor, from your email address, I thought you
might be some kind of "rebel o junior!" (It only works in
American/English)
2 may 2007 Dan Tanna:
These photos capture the magic moment when we called
you, Jack, on that November evening in Chicago. ! Hope all is well. Cold air
finally hit DC. [Click here to see the
photos: http://www.diasporadigest.org/tannaetal.wmv]
11 may 2007 chuck faso:
Greetings
from Chicago Heights where I am spending two days between
trips with my two sisters, Mary and Polly.
The pilgrimage to the Holy Land April 30 to May 9 was
a very moving experience for all 25 of us. We began in the Galilee visiting
Nazareth, Cana, CaesareaPhilippi, Mt Tabor and Mount Carmel. Then to
Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Bethany, Jericho, Masada.
Married couples renewed their marriage vows in Cana.
We renewed our Baptismal Vows in the Jordan River and
enjoyed a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee while reading the stories of Jesus on
the same Lake (10 miles by 8 miles).
We prayed the Stations of the Cross on the Via
Dolorosa in the Old City Jerusalem, celebrated Mass each day in Nazareth, Mt. Tabor, Bethlehem, on Calvary in the
Holy Sepulcher, in the Cenacle/Upper Room.
We were welcomed into the Holy Sepulcher by the
Franciscan Friars –the ceremony of the
Solemn Entry – we were blessed by the Guardian, led in procession to the Tomb
where the Friars sang the Te Deum hymn of
thanks and praise, then we entered into the Tomb. Most moving.
We began as a group of tourists and became pilgrims of
faith with much prayer and meditation, with laughter and good
food, with singing and sharing our stories, while becoming aware of the past and present difficulties that face the land
today. The Bible stories became ever so much more real and present.
Never will we hear or read the Gospels the same way.
Next year in Jerusalem! Hopefully, you too will
have an opportunity to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. (Check my website (www.frchuckofm.org) for future pilgrimages with Fr. Bill
Burton OFM and Fr. David Wathen, OFM.)
On Monday May 14, I will be departing Chicago with 17
pilgrims for a 10 day trip to Venice, Florence, Assisi, Rome and Palermo
(and Caccamo, Sicily, where my grandparents were born.) We will return on May 24. Have to keep that dust off of my
suitcases. So much of the world to see
and share with others. Building memories for future days in
the rocking chair. Hopefully, I will be able to
remember. Be assured of my prayers for
you and yours.
23 may 2007 jogues epple:
Tomorrow, Phil Eiden, Charlie Bloss, and I are getting
together for dinner and chat. I'll tell them you re putting my updated
information on the DD mailing list. Do, please include the information on
Lauren Hallisy and Bob (Ansgar) Hankey joining Sister Death into what Rabelais,
another ex-friar, called "The Great Perhaps."
We anticipate the next DD. Is there a way to make it
interactive? Are you ready for chat capability? [Check it out: http://www.diasporadigest.org/apps
]
We just had a raid a few blocks from
here. The appointee of Bush/Rove as U.S. Attorney pulled off with our cops,
despite a vote by the City Council NOT to allow our police to support raids by
Immigration stormtroopers.
After this, I have to get on the phone to our U.S.
Senators and our city councilman to roar against The Empire.
God's speed in your vital work with DD. Cor ad cor
loquitur, (an old Anglican and Cardinal Newman's salutation).
23 may 2007 Scott Kuhle:
A week ago this past Friday, I went off a curb and
catapulted like a frisbee from my bike.
Unfortunately, as cherubic though I be, I still don't have my angel wings,
so landed like a flipped pancake on the asphalt. I came down so vertical that I didn't have a scratch on me;
however, I did break three ribs. I
spent the night in the hospital for observation, and left the next
morning.
I led an active life until my checkup at 1:30 on
Wednesday afternoon, when I saw the surgeon who had seen me prior to my
discharge from the hospital. He did not need to say anything; I knew from
the look on his face as he entered the examining room that my lung was in
trouble. When I went into his office, I was truly feeling physically fit enough
to have gone on a bike ride, but my x-ray told a different message: I had
developed a pleural disruption, a hemo-pneumo-thorax, and needed intubation;
he'd already reserved a bed for me at Pullman Regional Hospital. By 3:00 I was
checked in, and by 4:30 I had a chest tube inserted in my pleurum. I spent Thursday and Friday in the hospital
and was discharged
Saturday morning when the x-rays showed no excessive
fluids in the > pleural cavity and my lung had fully expanded. Although a punctured lung is serious, life
threatening if unattended, I had no complications and seem to be healing
rapidly. I have another x-ray and
checkup this coming Thursday.
This was my first time as a patient in a hospital
since my birth, so it was interesting, to say the least, to be the patient
rather than the treatment provider. I
think that it has given me an important hospital work. Letters from Scott Kuhle
to Luis (Runde) and Bert Miller
19 jun 2007 Cullan Uhlinger:
I received the following from Damien Isabell on
Sunday:
Cullan, peace.
It has been a long time since we are in touch. Ever since last September when I was named coordinator of the
program of mission formation in Bruxelles, I have been very busy. I had to go to the Congo twice in order to
get a visa for Belgium, and then I had to organize a three month training
program for seven guys from six different countries. Our permanent community is
composed of a Vietnamese (guardian and bursar), a Togolese, a Congolese,
another Vietnamese who is pastor. For
the moment each one is going his own way because there is so much work to
do. At present I am in Assisi where we
finished off our three month program and I have to be back in Bruxelles on the
25th for a wedding and then to the USA for three weeks starting from July
1. I need a breather before beginning
our next session in September. I think
you can understand why I have not kept in touch. You might want to let others know; you are a man of
communications. Blessings on your
family and on all our brothers and friends.
