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Summer 2013 Volume 45, No. 2 GRAYMOORTODAY Newsletter of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement Father Paul’s Charity to All ~ Serving Those in Need t. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “. .though I have all faith, so that I could remove moun- Stains, and have not charity, I am nothing.” (1 Cor. 13). Fr. Paul Wattson, SA, whose faith not only established the Franciscan Friars of the Atone- ment but also their home on the Holy Mountain at Graymoor, took this to heart, basing all of his ac- tivities on charity. Not only did Father Paul’s charity result in the Union That Nothing Be Lost, which continues to support projects in North America and around Father Paul of Graymoor, 1938 the world, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity under the auspices of the Holy Childhood Associa- (formerly known as the Church Unity Octave), and tion, “a worldwide Society of Catholic Children, St. Christopher’s Inn for homeless and wayfaring whose object was the education and support of men at Graymoor, it enabled him to help the poor children everywhere.” and oppressed no matter who they were. Some years he was able to help as many as From January 1918 until his death in Febru- six hundred infants. His appeals, as they were for ary 1940, every Lamp magazine that Father Paul all his missions, were very tender. Month after published devoted a section to helping babies in month he wrote articles headed: “Resolved; that we need. Father Paul’s ministry to these children was build a new church for Father Collins in Sour Lake, Texas;” “Food for the Starving;” “Uganda Missionary Needs Five Hundred Dollars to Build a School.” continued on page 8 INSIDE THIS ISSUE... Glad Tidings . page 2 Friars in Italy . page 2 Friar Jubilees. page 4 Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute . page 5 Graymoor Spiritual Life Center . page 9 Bell Tower Notes . page 11 Father Paul visiting a family in Francesco ~ The New Bishop of Rome Hereford, Texas, 1922 see page 6 . AtonementFriars.org GLAD TIDINGS FRIARS IN ITALY by Fr. Bob Warren, SA CENTRO PRO UNIONE eople often talk with me about very summer, the Centro Pro Unione, the Friars’ ecu- their difficulty with prayer. It menical research and action center in Rome, has of- seems to be a re-occurring P fered a three week introductory course for Catholics problem at any age. I can not re- E member all the details or the char- and non-Catholics on the ecumenical and interreligious acters but in Eugene O’Neill’s play, movements. Organized by Minister General V. Rev. James The Great God Brown, we see a man F. Puglisi, SA, it approaches the topic from a Catholic per- on his deathbed and he is frightened. At his side is his mother spective. This year’s course took place from June 24 to July 12. and she speaks to him as though he were still a child. The role of the Centro and the Franciscan Friars of She says, “go to sleep, Billy. It is all right.” He replies, the Atonement is to build bridges between Christians who “yes, mother.” Then he says, “it was dark and I could not see where I was going and they all picked on me. They know I am have been divided so that their common witness to the bad.” The mother says, “but you are tired now. Go to sleep.” He Gospel becomes one more step on the path to the full vis- asks, “but when I wake up what will it be like?” She replies, ible unity that Jesus prayed for on the eve of His passion: “the sun will be rising.” “That they all may be one. so that the world may believe” St. John tells us that God is love. Billy fears that God (John 17:21). may be justice. These are different viewpoints and your view- point is going to color the way you pray. If you see God as an all-seeing, critical eye or whether you see God as a pair of arms that embrace you, obviously, that is going to influence the way you pray. So ask yourself: “What is my image of God?” Is he a loving friend or a strict taskmaster? Some people tell me they feel embarrassed to pray. They are people who do not think of God in good times. But let tragedy or sickness strike and they are banging on the church door. I hear it all the time. “I never go to church and I Every year, Catholics and non-Catholics participate in Centro Pro never pray. “ “I never really think of God.” “Now the chips are Unione’s Summer Course. It is designed for those in preparation for min- down and the doctor told me the bad news. So now I am turn- istry or religious life, who are in the mission field, who are ecumenical ing to God, but I almost feel squeamish or embarrassed.” officers or members of ecumenical commissions, or who are looking for a sabbatical experience led by qualified professors and ecumenists. People like that forget that God has no pride. We are For more information visit: www.prounione.urbe.it. dealing with a God who is so humble that He runs to meet the prodigal. God leaves the ninety-nine to look for the one. God ASSISI NOVITIATE is probably the only one in our lives who stoops to conquer. So Fr. Brian Terry, SA never let the prayer of embarrassment stop you from ap- novice director, reports proaching God. It is music to His ears. that Friar Novice Then we have the prayer of hindsight. Everyone who Johnny Aloysius is is over twenty-five knows what that is. You go through life and continuing his liturgi- there are things that are terrible and painful— that leave scars. cal training as Master Sometimes in hindsight you can say to the Lord, “I never want of Ceremonies at the to go through that again, but it made me a better person. It Friar Novice Johnny Aloysius (above) made a difference in the way I look at life, the way I live life Cathedral of San with Fr. Puglisi at the meeting of the In- and the way I treat others.” Rufino. Johnny is con- ternational Franciscan Conference of the Brothers and Sisters of the Third cluding his studies at Order Regular, which was held in Assisi The Scriptures tell us to ask and we will receive, to the Basilica of St. Fran- this April. Fr. Puglisi, who is immediate seek and we will find, to knock and the door will be opened. cis. For the past year, past president of IFC-TOR, has been One thing that we have to realize is that in prayer God will not named to the official Vatican delegation always give us what we ask for. But God will always give us he has also been study- to be headed by Bishop Brian Farrell, LC, what we need. ing the Rule of the Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Third Order Regular of the Promotion of Christian Unity. And that is Glad Tidings. St. Francis and the Constitutions and General Statues of the Pray with Fr. Bob Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in anticipation of his pro- AtonementFriars.org/Pray fession in September. - 2- VOCATIONS ATONEMENTFRIARS.ORG/VOCATIONS by Fr. Dennis Polanco, SA, Jesus was a great observer of Vocation Minister people and saw in them what they had ecently while surfing the Web I not even imagined possible. He con- re-visited the US Conference of stantly invited them to see the King- RCatholic Bishops’ website: dom of God all around them and www.usccb.org to see what was new. witness to it in various ways. He never forced anyone...the choice was theirs. The Bishop’s website is a gold He does the same today... mine of information for anyone inter- ested in the New Evangelization. On He says: ICNU . one page there, the letters ICNU caught my eye. It stands for “I see in you,” As part of our ICNU plan, in July, which is a simple way to remember our Friars at the Chapel of Our Savior how to make a sincere comment to an foryourvocation.org / portuvocacion.org in Brockton, MA collaborated with the active young adult or teen considering Prayer Card for Vocations vocations team on an exhibit at a Uni- a life of service within in the Church. “Joe courtesy usccb.org. versity of Rhode Island youth confer- or Lisa, ICNU. the qualities that would make you a ence which attracted over 2,000 teens. good Friar, Sister, Brother. I want to encourage you Sponsoring events like this with our local ministries of- to pray about it.” It’s a great way to encourage OPEN- fers interested youth and young adults the opportunity NESS to the possibility of a religious vocation. to meet and visit with our Friars in their local area. Y OU C AN H ELP P ROMOTE V O C AT I O N S Pray for an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life. Jesus says in Matthew 9:38 “…beg the master of the harvest to send laborers into the vineyard.” If we want more priests, sis- ters and brothers, we all need to ask. Practice the faith. Lead by example and remember to live your life committed to growing in a deep, intimate and loving relationship with God. If the young people you know observe your dedication, they can begin to discern God’s importance in their own lives.