Serving the community of southeastern Wisconsin CatholiC herald June 5, 2014 www.chnonline.org Vol 146/Edition 21, 16 Pages ‘New ’ catalyst for archdiocesan renewal SalvatoriansTwo years in the planning, synod in set forformation this weekend What delegates BRIAN T. OLSZEWSKI Pentecost is the theme that is running through will consider CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF it all, and appropriately so, as this is a moment [email protected] in our church when we are saying the Spirit is During this weekend’s Archdiocesan travel cross-countrymoving, we’re listening, we’re discerning, and Synod, delegates will consider eight mis- t began in 2012. E. coming out of that will be a number of key - sion areas and a challenge that accom- Listecki called together a group of people ities in the eight mission areas.” panies each. In addition, delegates will Former convent’s door open to Ifrom throughout the archdiocese to serve as Each of the mission areas falls under one of consider seven “key initiatives” related women in transition an ArchdiocesanSeminarians Synod Preparatory Commis share- the stories, pastoral priorities: serve liturgy and cultural others diver- to each mission area. They will discuss, PAGE 4 sion.” Their mission was to determine whether sity are linked to Catholic identity; evangeliza- discern and then vote in order to deter- the time was right for an archdiocesan synod. tion, formation, and mine the top two initiatives in each area. Their advice to the archbishop: It was. marriage and family are within the realm of The initiatives can be found at tinyurl. On Jan. 8, 2013, Archbishop Listecki evangelization; and stewardship and lead- com/synodinitiatives. issued a pastoral letter, “Who Do You ership are addressed under stewardship. The archbishop’s pastoral priorities Say I Am?”, which he concluded by are in bold type, followed by mission reiterating the pastoral priorities Challenges and initiatives areas and challenges: he established for the archdio- cese when he became archbish- Each mission area is accompanied Catholic identity (Who we are) op: Catholic identity (“Who we by a challenge (see accompanying are”), evangelization (“What we list). While the Archdiocesan Synod n Liturgy. Challenge: Building a cul- do”) and stewardship (“How we Preparatory Commission developed ture of invitation. do it”). the mission areas, the challenges n Cultural Diversity. Challenge: Cath- In an interview with the surfaced in the sessions, ac- olic Church image. Seminarians cross country to share Catholic Herald following cording to Randy Nohl, chairman of vocation story promulgation of the pastoral, the Archdiocesan Synod Preparatory Evangelization (What we do) PAGE 8 he noted, “I wrote this pastoral Commission. letter for the Archdiocese of “If we’re going to be a missionary n Formation. Challenge: Adult for- Milwaukee; this is where we church, if we’re going to be growing mation for intentional discipleship. are; this is what we need to address. I did so in discipleship, what are the areas we have to n Catholic Social Teaching. Chal- with an eye toward the possibility of an archdi- focus on? There were eight areas that we named; lenge: Media and culture. ocesan synod.” background papers written and focused on at n Evangelization. Challenge: So- That possibility, called for by the archbish- district gatherings,” he said. “The challenges and cial media, technology and traditional op on May 19, 2013, becomes reality June 7-8 the mission areas went hand in hand.” media. – Pentecost weekend – when more than 500 Harter added that the development of the n Marriage and Family. Challenge: delegates and observers will participate in the mission areas was not random. Busyness of family life. Archdiocesan Synod at the Cousins Center. It is “One of the things we’ve worked really hard the first archdiocesan synod since 1987. on through the process – and the synod will Stewardship (How we do it) By design, the synod is being held on Pente- reinforce that again – all of these eight areas, all cost weekend, according to Rich Harter, director of the outcomes, are interconnected under the n Leadership. Challenge: Develop- Artist views arthritis as nudge from of evangelization for the Archdiocese of Milwau- banner of the church, as missionary disciples ment of parish leadership. God kee. who are living out their Catholic identity, evan- n Stewardship. Challenge: Building a PAGE 16 “Archbishop Listecki has said that for us this culture of invitation. will be a New Pentecost,” Harter said. “For us, See SYNOD, Page 5

May Crowning celebration

Right: Celina Farin, wearing crown, and Leslie Morales, dressed as an angel, lead a May Crowning at the Interna- tional Schoenstatt Center, Waukesha, on Sunday, May 25. (Catholic Herald photo by John Kimpel)

One of the stops on their cross-country journey in January took the novices to an old Salvatorian in colfax, iowa. now home to teen challenge of the midlands for addicted men, it features a mural painted by a Salvatorian . pictured at the site are octavio trejo-Flores, left to right, Salvatorian Fr. reed mungovan, marcel emeh, Johnson and patric nikolas. (Submitted photo courtesy the Salvatorians) Karen Mahoney With vocations up 17 percent in the would otherwise be discarded to people Special to the Catholic Herald Society of the Divine Savior, and 20 men who need them the most.” [email protected] studying to become priests, the Salvatori- Nikolas said he was moved as he ans created a campaign called, “Adopt an walked across the border into Mexico atric Nikolas has lived a full life. He Apostle” to support those in the Milwau- and witnessed the plight of migrants earned a bachelor’s degree in mu- kee formation house. Annual tuition and firsthand. He also learned about corrup- Psic from California State University cost of living increases total approxi- tion in the area, and said his eyes were — Chico and worked as a professional mately $55,000 for each man. opened in a new way after visiting a safe musician and arts executive. In order to foster support of the house for escaped victims of human Nikolas remembers feeling drawn to campaign, as well as a better under- trafficking. in 1993 when the Bene- standing of the Salvatorian order, four “During the trip we were asked to dictine of Santo Domingo de Silos men studying to become priests traveled speak on several occasions, and for the released their CDs. cross-country from Milwaukee to Califor- most part questions revolved around our Though he was living a successful life, nia at the beginning of the year, speaking vocation stories, such as why we want to he longed for more. In his early 40s, he and experiencing several ministries. be priests,” he said. “For myself, I believe lived as a Trappist for three years Nikolas, Octavio Trejo-Flores of Zi- that I’ve always been called, though I did at the New Clairvaux Abbey in Vina, huantenejo, Mexico, Michael Johnson of not directly respond until middle age. I California. Woodbury, Minnesota, and Marcel Emeh had a good life in which I satisfactorily “After experiencing what I would of Nigeria all in their second year of accomplished my goals, and after the come to see as an indispensible founda- formation, spent most of January expe- initial struggles of getting professionally tion in contemplative life, my discern- riencing Southwest Medical Aid, Jordan established, life amazed me by suddenly ment was that the will of God would be Ministry, a soup patrol, the Nogales, becoming easy. In gratitude, therefore, most magnified in me, and my capacities Mexico border, a safe house for anti-traf- I responded to God at last, resigned my would best lend themselves to apostolic ficking ministry and other ministries. positions, and embarked upon an ex- life,” he said. “I discerned to leave in “We engaged in a plethora of activ- tended sabbatical until entering religious order to continue accordingly, and sub- ities,” explained Nikolas. “Some high- life.” sequently applied to the Society (of the lights included a stay at our former Marcel Emeh, 39, felt called to reli- Divine Savior).” novitiate building, which currently serves gious life as a child. He was an altar serv- In his second year with the Salvato- as a faith-based rehab for troubled youth. er and looked up to the priests during rians, the 46-year-old San Jose native We visited our various parish communi- eucharistic celebrations. joked about being one of the older novic- ties and saw some of their ministries that He told his vocation story during a es in the order. include excellent adult faith formation, Mass at Divine Savior Parish in Orangev- “Perhaps in this weather there is went out to places where homeless peo- ale, California, noting that he became an something fitting about novices that are ple congregate, feeding them out of vans, altar server at age 5. left over from the Pleistocene age,” he and acquiring, inventorying, and sending “My high school was in the minor laughed. out perfectly good medical supplies that seminary run by Missionaries of St. Paul

Above: During their cross-country journey earlier this year, Salvatorian novices pose with people working with the Salvatorian Southwest Medical Aid ministry in Tucson, Arizona, founded by lay Salvatorian, Jan Izlar. Left: Salvatorian seminarians answer questions about their vocations during a presentation at Divine Savior Parish in Orangevale, California in January. (Submitted photos courtesy the Salvatorians) and I studied philosophy at Claretian many organizations to put a stop to Institute of Philosophy in Nigeria,” he trafficking of human beings. Some of the About the added. stories we heard were very sad.” While on sabbatical in , a friend The final stop was in Orangevale, Salvatorians - encouraged him to join the Salvatorians, California where each of the novices gave and after a lengthy application process, another talk during the Masses on their Society of the he was accepted, and moved to Milwau- vocations and the Adopt an Apostle cam- Divine Savior kee. paign. Following Mass, during a panel “This I considered as a leap of faith, discussion, the parishioners had many alvatorian priests and just like Abraham in the Bible. I trusted questions. brothers are members of the and believed strongly that God would not “The community in Orangevale are SSociety of the Divine Savior, mislead me. I am very doing great things,” a Catholic religious community happy as a Salvatorian Adopt an Apostle needs include: Johnson said. “They founded in 1881 by Fr. Francis Jor- novice,” he said, noting $250 in retreat expenses are very involved with dan. The U.S. Province, headquar- parishioners responded for one candidate numerous ministries, tered in Milwaukee is led by Fr. positively about Adopt $550 for books for one from homeless to jail, Joseph Rodrigues, U.S. Provincial. an Apostle. man in formation to prayer, to yoga, to As men of prayer and action, Because he always $1,057 for one week’s tuition just about anything Salvatorians use their unique and felt spoiled in his com- you can think of. It was diverse talents through “all ways fortable life, Michael To learn more about the nice to meet so many and means” to spread the word of Johnson, 31, wanted Salvatorians, or the Adopt an passionate people that God. They work as equals within Apostle Campaign, to give back to those are working hard to the family of Salvatorian sisters contact them at: living in a Third World make the world a bet- and lay, priests and brothers. country. Through the 1735 N. Hi-Mount Blvd. ter place. It was a very The Salvatorian priests and assistance of Salvatori- Milwaukee, WI 53208 inspirational trip.” brothers partner as equals with the an Fr. Joe Rodriguez, (414) 258-1735 Though Octavio other members of the Salvatorian U.S Provincial and [email protected] Trejo-Flores knew that family – the Congregation of the vocations director, he the cross-country trip Sisters of the Divine Savior and spent three months serving a clinic at the was a requirement in the program as a Lay Salvatorians. Jordan University College in Tanzania Salvatorian novice, the journey affected taking blood pressures, starting IV’s, and him more than he imagined. ended, Flores searched for a seminary distributing medication. “To be honest, this trip marked my or religious community. He recalled the “I also learned Kiswahili when I was life significantly because I became aware frustration of knocking on many doors, there in Morogoro and then I spent the of the apostolate that Salvatorians make but not getting any answers. second half doing the same thing down in in various parts of the country,” he said. During that time, he met Salvatorian Namiungo, which is more in the bush. It “Fr. (Francis) Jordan, founder of the Sal- Fr. Raul Gomez. was a very poor area,” he said. “The main vatorians, urged all members to spread “It seemed like finally my quest was focus on Morogoro is the college and the the message of of Christ, which over,” he explained. “Fr. Raul was a Salvatorians have a few clinics in differ- is for everyone and they are accomplish- real person, that is, he was not proud ent areas. They also have a water project ing Fr. Jordan’s exhortation.” or an arrogant priest. On the contrary, for digging wells, and educate children The 41-year-old served as a lay mis- he seemed to be close, down to earth, a and run a seminary. They also have a sionary for more than five years. In his real person. At that time, I thought that large farm in the south for growing and final year, he realized God was tugging at if I ever were ordained a priest, I would raising food. I think God worked on me his heart. like to be like him. He invited me to join for those years and there were little signs “At that time, it was hard to under- the Salvatorian community. After a few that led me toward the priesthood.” stand and discern my religious vocation weeks, I decided to move to Madrid, While he understood and expected the because I was supposed to spend just Spain, to get to know the Salvatorians.” poverty in Tanzania, he was unprepared a couple of years as a lay missionary,” After living in Madrid for a while, for poverty in the United States, espe- he explained. “After that experience, Flores applied to the U.S. Province and cially serving soup on a mobile patrol I wanted to go back home and contin- moved to Milwaukee in summer 2012 to to the homeless, before they ran out of ue with my life. However, there was begin his formation as a Salvatorian. soup, in Tucson, Arizona. something in my mind and within me “I do believe that this place is where “We headed to Oceanside, California calling me to do more, to stay in order to God wants me to stay,” he said. “I feel at where the Salvatorian Sisters run a safe continue spreading the of . home. It feels like home. I am very hap- house for battered women,” Johnson The love of God.” py, but above everything, I feel blessed said. “They are in collaboration with After his service as a lay missionary to belong to the Salvatorian family.”

This article originally appeared in the June 5, 2014 issue of the Catholic Herald. It is reprinted with permission. To subscribe, please call (877) 769-7699.