ONE HEART, ONE SPIRIT CONGREGATION of the HOLY SPIRIT Winter PROVINCE of the UNITED STATES 2020

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ONE HEART, ONE SPIRIT CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Winter PROVINCE OF THE UNITED STATES 2020

INSIDE THIS ISSUE Building Futures in the Dominican Republic 2 | Welcome from the Fr. Don McEachin, C.S.Sp., is a member of an tration and requested permission to return to Provincial international team of Spiritan missionaries the mission field, this time in a new mission working in the Dominican Republic for the in San Juan de la Maguana. last 15 years. 3 | Letter from SOMA San Juan de la Maguana is a barrio of reset- Alongside Fr. Jose Alamo, C.S.Sp., from Puerto tled refugees from Hurricane George in 2000. 3 | Day of Giving Results Rico; Fr. Fresnel Alcina, Refugees who lost C.S.Sp., from Haiti; and everything had formed 4 | CarEasy and CARES Seminarian Juan Pablo, a resettlement com- C.S.Sp., from Brazil; Fr. Don munity, and there was 4 | Feeding Children in works in the western part no resident priest until of the Dominican Republic Fr. Don arrived and Kenya near the border of Haiti, in assumed responsibility one of the poorest areas of for the new parish. 5 | Supplies for a Spiritan the beautiful country. Hospital in Nigeria There was no church Fr. Don’s Spiritan story at first; there were 5 | Partnership with Saint began with seminary at only 12-15 people who Basil Coffee Duquesne University, a Fr. Jose Alamo, C.S.Sp.; Seminarian Juan Pablo, C.S.Sp.; assembled in a one- Spiritan university in Pitts- Fr. Fresnel Alcina, C.S.Sp.; and Fr. Don McEachin, C.S.Sp. room chapel for Sunday burgh, followed by theo- services. So began the 6 | Feasts of Libermann and logical studies at Catholic Theological Union team’s project of evangelization. You don’t Brottier in Chicago. just wait for the people to come to you; you go out to the people. 6 | Spiritan Spotlight He spent eight years in Tanzania on his first missionary assignment and then returned Fr. Don and fellow Spiritans began visiting 7 | In Memoriam: Fr. Thomas to Pittsburgh to work in the university, the families, listening to their stories and the P. Tunney, C.S.Sp. Spiritan formation program, and as university problems they faced living in poverty—lack chaplain, and later on in administration for of access to quality education and decent the Spiritans’ U.S. Province. jobs, violence and drug gangs, and at-risk 8 | Spiritan Archives youth. In 2004, Fr. Don finished his term in adminis- Continued on page 2

Training in skills like sewing, baking, and computer literacy helps address unemployment issues in San Juan de la Maguana, Dominican Republic. Welcome In my previous welcome letter, Working against efforts to unite is a creeping sense of I spoke of the need for unity to division in the United States, emotional wounds made overcome two dangerous plagues worse by the high stakes of the recent election. we are facing as fellow humans on this planet: COVID-19 and system- Now is the time to put aside our differences, to allow ic racism. the Holy Spirit to restore our capacity for loving re- lationships with those whose beliefs may differ from We are still deeply engaged in our own. Let us all care for one another as neighbors those battles, but I am encouraged and pray for our leaders, so that we may heal and to see progress on both fronts. work together to address the great challenges we face We are hopeful that a vaccine may soon help fight during this moment in history. God bless you. the pandemic, and as Spiritans, we have engaged in listening sessions and town hall discussions to help enhance our capacity for dialogue and combat racial injustices among those we serve.

Building Futures in the Dominican Republic Continued from page 1

They began first by preaching the with music, inviting the people to evangelization comes another as- Good News of Jesus who came to come and celebrate Jesus as our pect of Spiritan mission: integrated set us free. Savior and Redeemer. human development. That means it’s not a “hand out,” but a hand UP. The parish is now many hundreds Now there are between 150 and of people, a thriving community 300 children at any here at the center of this barrio. one time enrolled in It’s not a “hand out,” but a hand UP. the Christian formation Over the past 15 years, there have program in preparation for the To address the rampant unem- been many changes for the better. sacraments of Baptism, First Holy ployment, Fr. Don and his team There’s still a long way to go, and Communion, and Confirmation. established a job training school, they still face some of the same offering courses in computer problems, but there are many nota- Confidence in oneself and confi- data processing, word processing, ble differences. dence in the future is something sewing, beauty salon training, and that’s often lacking when you expe- baking. Fr. Don and his confreres also rience a life of poverty and a sense began tent missions in the commu- of being marginalized from all that When Fr. Don arrived, the nearest nity, a series of evenings preaching society has to offer. So along with high school was six miles away, so there wasn’t an option for kids after finishing grade school.

Because there were no jobs avail- able, and because they had no possibility of further education, many of them fell into the situation of drug gangs.

To help these youth at risk, Fr. Don and his team formed a professional technical high school in the parish of San Miguel, Saint Michael the Archangel Technical Professional High School in 2010.

Continued on page 7 2 Restaurant management graduates at San Miguel Technical Professional High School Dear Friends, News from First and foremost, THANK YOU! This year has been full of both challenges and opportunities, and your selfless giving of your time, prayers, and finan- cial support is truly inspiring. SOMA The global pandemic has affected us all in some way. Whether you or a loved one has battled this terrible disease, or experienced economic hard- ship, school closures, loneliness or bereavement as a result of it, you are in our prayers.

While we are grateful that our team remains in good health, we have faced challenges of our own this year. We had been well into planning Cor Unum: Spiritans in Mission, our only fundraising event in 2020, when COVID-19 struck. We wondered how we could continue to provide support for commu- nities where Spiritans minister during this challenging time.

But God provides! When He closes one door, He opens another one! Your unwavering generosity and dedication to our mission has allowed us to Spiritan Office for Mission continue to fund projects all over the world in 2020; most notably, emer- Advancement gency food and medical supplies to people in desperate need. Mr. John Gillespie, Director Thanks to your generosity, Spiritans continue to go wherever we are needed Fr. Mike Grey, C.S.Sp., Development Officer — in parishes, schools, and missions, at home and abroad — immersing Ms. Susan Martin, Bookkeeper ourselves in the community and culture, and tackling the greatest needs Mr. Ray Sylvester, Mission Projects head on, pandemic or no! Our ministries may look a little different these days, but together we press on! 1700 West Alabama St. Houston, TX 77098 While so much has been done, there is always more work to do. As (713) 522-2882 Christmas approaches, please consider blessing the Spiritans with a gift to help us help others in the New Year. Follow us on Facebook May the peace and blessings of Christmas be yours, and may the coming year be filled with happiness. Visit Spiritans.org/Donate

Keeping you in our prayers,

Mr. John Gillespie Fr. Mike Grey, C.S.Sp.

Thank You for Making the Spiritan Day of Giving a Success! When we planned our first Spiritan But your generosity and giving spirit Day of Giving on October 2, we wer- has once again blown us away. We are en’t sure what to humbled by you, our expect. friends and champi- ons, who turned out We know it’s been in droves, raising a a difficult year for total of $35,253.38! so many reasons, and we were cautious about asking for On behalf of those in need who will help when we know many people are benefit from Spiritan missions world- facing their own challenges right now. wide, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your gifts will change lives! 3 Ways to Contribute There are many creative ways to contribute financially toward the work of the Spiritans! Here are a few ways you can donate:

• DONATE ONLINE at Spiritans.org.

• MAIL A CHECK (or money order) made payable to: Congregation of the Holy Spirit 1700 West Alabama Street Houston, TX 77098 An envelope is enclosed for your convenience!

• SHOP AT AMAZON! Visit Amazonsmile.com and support the Spiritans by select- Feeding Children in Kenya ing “Sharelink-Spiritans World- Kibera neighborhood in Nairobi, Kenya, Thanks to your support, SOMA, along wide Aid Foundation Inc.” as is Africa’s largest slum with 250,000 with local contributors, raised $1,600 your charity of choice. inhabitants. Deep within this bustling to distribute food supplies to St. Fran- slum is an oasis known as cis schoolchildren like Alvin • DONATE AN UNWANTED St. Francis Nursey School, and their families. VEHICLE through CarEasy.org, operated by the Little Sisters and the Spiritans will receive of St. Francis, under the On July 21, packages includ- 70% of the selling price donated direction of Sister Lucy Anne ing sugar, rice, maize, flour, in its name. Visit CarEasy.org/ Igandu, L.S.O.S.F. cooking oil, antibacterial nonprofit/congregation-of-the- soap, and facial tissues were holy-spirit. Alvin (pictured above) is a provided to approximately student at St. Francis Nurs- 100 families. ery School. He lost his par- Sr. Lucy Anne Igandu, ents to HIV/AIDS and lives L.S.O.S.F. The original intent of the with his grandmother who is SOMA grant was to provide a casual worker. Alvin and his grand- a morning meal for the schoochil- mother move from place searching for dren, but as schools closed due to the people who will hire her to wash their pandemic, the food distribution was clothes. She finds little work due to the made through their parents and family COVID-19 pandemic, so she has little members. to provide Alvin. Most of the days they • TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE go to sleep hungry. 2020 CARES ACT! Donors, regardless of their income, when itemizing their 2020 federal tax return, may claim a deduction for each dollar contributed to a qualified charity up to 100% of their adjusted gross income. Learn more at Spiritans.org/ Donate.

Questions? Please call 713-522- 2882.

THANK YOU!

4 St. Francis Nursery School families receive their food Kibera neighborhood, Nairobi, Kenya distributions. Supplies for Spiritan Hospital in Nigeria This past spring, SOMA collaborated funding for door-to-door shipping of with the Hospital Sisters Mission Out- the medical supplies from Springfield, reach (HSMO) to provide much needed Illinois to Mgbidi, Nigeria. The supplies equipment and medical supplies for a were shipped in June and arrived in hospital facility in Mgbidi, Nigeria. early October.

HSMO collects surplus hospital equip- Under the direction of Fr. Greg Olikenyi, ment and supplies from network C.S.Sp. (pictured at right with shipping partners in the United States and has containers), this one-story Spiritan provided support to hospitals serving hospital will dedicate a much-needed the poor in 95 countries around the addition in December of this year. world. The neighboring population exceeds Thanks to the generosity of supporters 170,000, and many thousands will ben- like you, SOMA was able to provide efit from the hospital addition.

Decade-long Partnership with Saint Basil Coffee Bears Mission Fruit For ten years, the Congregation of the food at the school and for sale to ceeds is donated to the Congregation of Holy Spirit has proudly partnered with provide income for the school. the Holy Spirit to support our mission Saint Basil Coffee, a non-profit seeking work globally. to educate children and lift people out • Provided funds to build a clean of poverty. sanitation and drink- Just visit SaintBasilCoffee.com and ing water system for a select Group Code “Spiritans” from the Established in 2005 by Congregation of the Holy drop down menu, and your coffee habit John and Mary Boyles, Spirit rural boys facility in will help change lives! Saint Basil Coffee sells Uganda. fair trade coffee, with proceeds benefitting • Purchased a commer- missions serving those cial-size refrigerator for most in need. an orphanage in Mexico. Without proper refrig- Currently led by Linda eration, food had been and John Howard, this spoiling. volunteer-run, Hou- ston-based organization has supported • Provided $15,000 for Spiritan efforts a number of Spiritan projects over the in Haiti and housing of the survi- past decade. An example of these pro- vors of a devastating hurricane that jects include: caused widespread destruction, and more recently donated $500 in sup- • Installed a mill in a school for girls port of Spiritan education efforts. in Arusha, Tanzania, operated by the Sisters of our Lady of Kilimanjaro. When you purchase a bag of coffee The mill hulls and grinds maize for from Saint Basil, a portion of the pro- 5 Spiritan Spotlight | Fr. Augustine Ibeh, C.S.Sp. Fr. Augustine Ibeh, C.S.Sp., arrived in from the Spiritan School of Theology, the United States from the Spiritan Attakwu-Enugu. Province of Nigeria Southeast in Au- gust 2020 to begin a graduate program While serving as Assistant Provincial at Duquesne University. Secretary and communications director for the Nigeria One of eight children, Southeast Province from Fr. Augustine was born 2012-2016, Fr. Augustine in Asaba, Delta State, founded Spiritan Press Nigeria. He knew at Nigeria in 2014. He has the early age of seven also served as Parochial that he wanted to be Vicar at a number of a priest. He made his parishes, including St. First Holy Communion Theresa’s in Ubima and and Confirmation and St. Martin of Tours in was an altar server. He Ihiala. Feast of Blessed Daniel wanted to be like late Monsignor Christopher He currently resides in Brottier, C.S.Sp. Chukwumah, and desir- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ing a missionary life of simplicity and while he earns his Master’s degree February 28 marks the Feast Day of sharing, knew the Congregation of the in Media Arts and Technology from Blessed Daniel Brottier, C.S.Sp. Holy Spirit was where he belonged. Duquesne University. While here, Fr. Au- gustine has also volunteered to serve Fr. Brottier was born in 1876 in He made his first profession of vows on the Spiritan Communications Com- France, and early in his childhood with the Congregation on February 16, mittee, where he will use his talents to expressed his desire to enter the 2002 and was ordained as a priest on help share the news of the U.S. Prov- priesthood. August 4, 2012. ince with our friends and supporters.

He was ordained a priest on October Fr. Augustine earned a B.A. in Philoso- Fr. Augustine considers his motto to be, 22, 1899, but felt a calling to the mis- phy from the Spiritan School of Philos- “While we have the chance, we must sionary life, and joined the Congrega- ophy, Isienu-Nsukka in 2006, and his do good to all.” (Gal. 6:10). tion of the Holy Spirit in 1902. B.A. in Religion and Cultural Studies from the Spiritan School of Theology, Welcome, Fr. Augustine, and good luck Although poor health made his mis- Attakwu-Enugu in 2011, as well as in your studies here in the United sionary work in Senegal short-lived, earning a certificate in web design. In States! Fr. Brottier raised funds to build a 2012, he received his M.A. in Theology cathedral in Dakar.

Fr. Brottier served four years as a volunteer chaplain during WWI, and is Feast of Francis Libermann, C.S.Sp. sometimes referred to as “Teflon Dan,” because nothing seemed to harm him On February 2, we celebrate the Feast while on the front lines of war. of Spiritan “second founder” Fr. Francis Libermann, C.S.Sp. In 1923, he took charge of the Orphans Apprentices of Auteuil and Born into a Jewish family in France in ministered to homeless children in 1802, Francis Libermann was preparing Paris for 13 years. to become a rabbi when his studies led him to the New Testament and to Fr. Brottier died on February 28, 1936, Christianity. and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1984. He was ordained a Catholic priest in 1841, and founded the Congregation of the Holy Heart of Mary, encouraged by the Pope to serve as missionaries to the slaves and former slaves in the French colonies of the Caribbean, Indi- 6 an Ocean, and Africa. In Memoriam | Fr. Thomas P. Tunney, C.S.Sp. Fr. Thomas P. Tunney, C.S.Sp. of Bethel the United States, he worked as the Park, a member of the Congregation of Director of Mission Affairs at the the Holy Spirit, died peacefully October Provincialate. In 1990, he was asked 14, 2020 at Manor Care in Whitehall, to be rector of the Theology House in PA. He was 85 years old. Nairobi, Kenya.

Fr. Tunney was born Upon returning to the December 12, 1934 States in 1996, after in Ambridge, PA. He a brief sabbatical, he professed his vows as a became director of the member of the Congre- Spiritan Foundation in gation of the Holy Spir- Wheaton, Maryland. Building Futures in the it on August 22, 1955 Dominican Republic at Holy Ghost Novitiate In 1999, he was ap- Continued from page 2 in Ridgefield, CT and pointed pastor of St. was ordained to the Mark the Evangelist in Over the past 10 years, it’s become one Priesthood September Harlem, NY where he of the top three professional training 21, 1960 at St. Mary’s served for 10 years. He schools in the entire Dominican Repub- Seminary, Ferndale in was then assigned as lic, and the only school of those three Norwalk, CT. parochial vicar to Our Lady Queen of that does not charge tuition. Peace in Arlington, VA. Fr. Tunney was first appointed to East How is this possible? With a collabo- Africa in the District of Kilimanjaro in He was much loved by his parishion- ration of many people. The Dominican 1961 and ministered there and in suc- ers at both parishes. He obtained Republic’s Ministry of Education has ceeding years in the Catholic Missions retirement status in 2015 and was in helped with teachers’ salaries. Lead- of Liliondo, Simanjiro and Monduli Juu residence at OLQP until 2018 when he ers from business and industry have and the Diocesan Junior Seminary in joined the retirement community at stepped up to offer assistance at the Arusha. Libermann Hall in Bethel Park. technical high school, recognizing that they can recruit the top students. Many During his time in Africa he also served The Funeral Mass was held at the students also go on to university, where as Superior of the East African Foun- Spiritan Center in Bethel Park, PA, on they become some of the top students dation (which later became the East Thursday, October 22 at 10:30 a.m. as well. African Province) and Rector of the Usa Burial took place in the family plot at River Seminary. Sewickley Cemetery in Sewickley, PA. All of this is also made possible with the help and support, financially and In the early 1980s while back in spiritually, of all of you, our Spiritan collaborators throughout the world, especially in the United States. In 1848, because of their similar pur- He urged the Spiritans to “become one pose, charism, and works, the Church with the people” so that each group Your generosity and participation in merged the original Spiritan commu- received and understood the Gospel in our mission has made this success story nity and the Congregation of the Holy the context of their own traditions. possible. Heart of Mary, forming the Congrega- tion of the Holy Spirit. He died on February 2, 1852 before his It is the work of the Holy Spirit, and Fr. 50th birthday. Surprisingly, Fr. Liber- Don and his team recognize that the Fr. Libermann brought personnel and mann himself never went overseas. Yet “only way to make anything happen in a renewed Spiritual energy to the he inspired and empowered literally a mission is to pray that the Holy Spirit Spiritans that transformed the Congre- thousands of missionaries around the may pour out his divine presence among gation. globe us, as individuals and as a community, to lead us and guide us and then basically His approach of “practical union with Fr. Libermann was a visionary, a mis- just get out of the way and watch the God” helped him, and others, find the sionary, a profoundly spiritual man miracles happen. divine in the everyday and to face life who faced incredible obstacles. May with confidence and faith. his spiritual teaching of practical union Because it’s God’s work that we are with God through the Holy Spirit bring doing and we are just humble servants. Francis Libermann was a pioneer of us closer to the path of holiness in our Again, thank you for your generosity and strategies now recognized as a blue- daily lives. support over the years that has made all print for modern missionary activity. this possible.” 7 Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Pittsburgh, PA Permit #5673 SPIRITANS ONE HEART, ONE SPIRIT Congregation of the Holy Spirit Province of the United States 6230 Brush Run Rd. Bethel Park, PA 15102

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” - 2 Corinthians 9:15

From the Spiritan ONE HEART, Archives Fr. Albert McKnight, C.S.Sp., pictured at left, was the last ONE SPIRIT Spiritan pastor at Holy Ghost Winter 2020 Church in Opelousas, Louisi- ana, which celebrates its 100th Anniversary this year. Founded in 1920 with the arrival of Contact Us Fr. James Hyland, C.S.Sp., this parish became the largest CONGREGATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT African-American parish in PROVINCE OF THE UNITED STATES the United States. Fr. Hyland Fr. Jeffrey T. Duaime, C.S.Sp., Provincial and the Holy Family Sisters 6230 Brush Run Rd. established a training school Bethel Park, PA 15102 for teachers in the surrounding 412.831.0302 area.

SPIRITAN OFFICE FOR MISSION Inside this Issue: Read about ADVANCEMENT how Fr. Don McEachin, C.S.Sp., Mr. John Gillespie, Director and an international team of 1700 West Alabama St. Spiritan missionaries, have Houston, TX 77098 established training schools 713.522.2882 to combat joblessness in the Dominican Republic.