Spring 2020 All ways and means ministry HOPE ulling together in prayer during COVID 19 Salvatorian is published by the Society Ppriests and brothers continue to minister during Salvatorian Newsletter of the Divine Savior unprecedented times. for those benefactors and friends who have HOPE demonstrated a sincere Starting Point interest in the organization. ent is over, now what? Thank you for being part LThe Resurrection should of our Salvatorian family. have changed everything — Father Gregory SDS about our lives. St. Paul said rose from the dead; therefore, “death Our Mission a b In the spirit of our founder, no longer has dominion Father Francis Jordan, the over Him.” Spiritually we Society of the Divine Savior have had an awakening: Lent was founded more than 130 provided us an opportunity to years ago and is a reflect and transform. religious community Now, we are in the midst of Easter Season until . working to share the love Changing seasons and transitions in our own lives present each of us and mercy of our Savior, with unique opportunities. Should we discard our almsgiving and penance from Lent since this “season” is over, or are we called to nurture the virtues Jesus Christ, through all c possible means. planted? Now is an opportunity to take concrete steps. a) Fr. Dennis took his high d school classes on line, We seem to get motivated each spring when we physically teaching from home. clean the clutter from the drawers, freshen up the yard and That all may b) Fr. Sal is keeping his Holy perhaps even slap a new color of paint on the walls. But we know the Savior Names University students are also given a reminder to consider fresh perspectives connected in Oakland, CA. and new opportunities. It requires us to be present. It c) Fr. Tom celebrating virtual requires us to engage with the world around us with Masses in Tucson, AZ. compassion, patience, and understanding. d) Fr. Bill prepares to live- When we concluded our Easter stream Mass in Huntsville, AL Sunday celebration, we weren’t “done.” e) Fr. Mike has the Florida We were beginning. Institute of Technology Campus e God Bless, Fr. Gregory Ministry live-streamed events all planned. Hope comes in a container n 2019 our Salvatorian Mission God reminds us to "be not afraid" IWarehouse based in New Holstein, Wisconsin was able to ship more than 1.5 n distressed times, we are encouraged to look for the million pounds of relief goods. Medical helpers. There are always people who will live out the I equipment, supplies, and products were and help in any way possible. Your support is helping packed into 47 containers, which departed us bring much needed hope to a fractured world and helping from a little town in Wisconsin for 24 us reach out and bring transformation to people and places missions in 14 countries around the world, you cannot imagine. including Ghana, Panama, Haiti, Guatemala, Your gift today is a gift of faith in and for the future. To and the Philippines, to mention a few. learn more about a planned gift, make a pledge or to donate Goods from one of these containers arrived today, please call us at 800-254-4902. at the Association for Families with Disabled Boys and Girls in Honduras. This group helps Society of the Divine Savior | SALVATORIANS | 1735 N. Hi Mount Blvd. | Milwaukee, WI 53208 For more information on these and other stories, you may go to www.salvatorians.com Firefighting supplies were delivered via one of our to provide support in a country with limited 1-414-258-1735 • [email protected] Mission Warehouse containers. ...continued inside continued - container Passionate about social justice ministry of gun violence, sheds light on the impacts on the Church of the Resurrection in Burtonsville, the victim. Although it is very emotional, I feel Maryland and is teaching and celebrating the social services. These items were able to make issioned to the Maryland/Washington DC like God is using the darkest moment of my an impact on more than 100 families there, Marea shortly after his priestly ordination life to bring light into a politically polarizing including one young last summer, Fr. Virginus Osuagwu SDS has area," he said. "I believe that my ministry is girl who received a new engaged in every aspect of life. He has growing out of my misery." wheelchair, feeding followed his call and passion by immersing He is a member of Voice of Africans tube, and formula himself in several social justice ministries. in Diaspora, an archdiocesan committee of through the medical In conjunction with the , a about ten Africans comprised of clergy and goods provided via a Catholic peace movement worldwide that lay who have taken on the responsibility of Salvatorian container promotes peace, respect of human rights, justice, responding to the problem of climate change that arrived before and reconciliation throughout the world, Fr. and migration as it impacts Africa. Their goal . Virginus is working with three refugee families, is to provide the Archdiocese of Washington, In addition, 259 from Syria, Congo DR, and Cameroon, as their D.C. with a working document that will prisoners received candy, designated spiritual support. The movement is represent the African perspective during the crackers, and beans grounded in the belief that peace is possible, Happy to receive her Sharing the Eucharist. from the container, and new wheelchair from and that vicious cycles of violence and injustice volunteer firefighters in a recent shipment. can be broken. Eucharist and sacraments as well as making the community received Fr. Virginus, a survivor of gun violence pastoral visits and celebrations of life. He is also much-needed safety gear. himself, has been invited to speak on the topic sharing Masses at St. Derwood, numerous times. "To share my story, as a victim Gaithersburg, MD, and ministering to seniors. He acknowledges that the work is off-season rental to groups in the fall and spring A little piece of heaven enormous, and the needs of those he ministers accessible. Staff is planning for another new to can be overwhelming. One of his most rom the shores of the Charleston Creek escape room theme. In years campers have significant challenges has been being able Fand Wicomico River in Maryland, the figured out who started a food fight and engaged Salvatorian sponsored Camp St. Charles to discern and distinguish between what is in a wild-west theme. Fr. Virginus leads confirmation classes. continues to thrive. Faced with challenges this immediately necessary and what can wait a bit. spring to plan amid the Covid 19 crisis, the fifth-anniversary celebration of Laudato Si. He recalls the inexplicably profound moment As noted by the United States Conference of he experienced during the Laying on of Hands Camp is at near capacity for the 2020 summer Catholic Bishops, Laudato Si is an “appeal season and has some exciting updates to share. from Francis addressed to ‘every person The new pool, dedicated to Fr. Glen Willis SDS last summer, will be a highlight for the living on this planet’ for an inclusive dialogue children who no longer have to wear pool about how we are shaping the future of our shoes to swim. A new dock, raised higher up, planet.” is now slip-resistant and easy to clean. After Fr. Virginus was recently nominated as a last summers’ concern for the safety of our member of the Steering Committee for Pastoral campers and staff due to heat index topping 115 Leaders for the Archdiocese of Washington degrees, with little relief even in the evenings, DC. This group has the responsibility of The pier is always a favorite spot for campers. making recommendations to the / air conditioners have been installed in all Archdiocese on the best ways to participate cabins for use when necessary. Also, heating Recognition programs return at the in and respond to the different aspects of Pope units have been installed to keep access for suggestion of camp alumni who recalled Fr. Virginus (front right) praying with others in front of the Francis' social justice emphasis. He spoke on Nicaraguan embassy in Silver Spring,MD. fond memories of canoeing challenges as St. gun violence and led the prayer during the Charles campers. These challenges will give Solemnity of the in portion of his ordination to the priesthood. kids, especially older campers who return year- front of the Nicaraguan embassy to protest the "Personally, to be ordained a Salvatorian priest after-year, an opportunity to earn patches for corruption of the government. He has spoken means to be part of something greater and swimming, canoeing, archery, and more. at the Sisters Fellowship International (an deeper than myself. I am privileged to bring In 2021, Camp St. Charles will be celebrating ecumenical organization of women of faith the goodness and kindness of Jesus the Savior its 70th anniversary, and they need help locating headquartered in Nigeria) events to promote to all," he said. "My greatest joy is realizing my as many alumni as possible. If you are an alumnus gender equality and respect for women. commitment to serve God, and the Church is or know of anyone who is please reach out to us Currently Fr. Virginus is ministering to a a source of hope and joy to many, beyond my at [email protected]. New pool dedicated to Fr. Glen reopened last summer diverse congregation as the Associate of wildest dreams." 2 3