JOSEPHITES CELEBRATE 125 YEARS

Our Heroes in History ..

St. Aug’s marches in DC Meet a Josephite pastor Fire and water in Houston Page 26 Page 14 Page 22 St. Joseph and a balanced work life...page 16 “Every life counts: from the beginning to the end, from conception to natural death.”

– Pope Francis, in a Jan. 19 tweet.

2 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST CONTENTS

News of the Society

4 From the Superior General 16 Work, rest and prayer St. Joseph shows us what a 5 Celebrating 125 years. ‘balanced life’ can be Josephites begin a year long celebration 7 A first for America Parish Life Father Charles Uncles, SSJ, was first African-American priest 20 A century in Baton Rouge 8 Action and achievement St. Francis Xavier parish begins Cardinal Herbert Vaughn 100-year anniversary founded the Josephites and 22 Test of fire and water much more Houston parish survives 10 An integrated seminary hurricane and fire IN THIS ISSUE St. Joseph opened doors to all 24-25 Requiescat In Pace ‘Astonishing life of priesthood candidates achievement’ - page 8 Father John L. M. Filippelli, SSJ 11 Answering a call from Father Joseph Francis Del Vatican II Vecchio, SSJ Josephites led the way in 28 Continuing the Mission reviving the diaconate 29 Josephite Perpetual Enrollments 12 They named the town after him Josephite pastor had a major impact 13 Bishop Reflections Bishop of Birmingham followed Josephites south 14 Meet a Josephite Pastor Anywhere in the world, it’s great to be a Josephite

VOLUME 130 • NUMBER 2 • SPRING 2018 • PRINTED IN USA • JOSEPHITES.ORG

The Josephites are pro-life, standing for safeguarding the right to life of every human being; pro-family, promoting the dignity and sanctity of marriage; pro-chastity, uphold- ing the virtue all are called to embody in their state of life.

The mission of The Josephite Harvest is to assist and promote the evangelizing ministry of the Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart. It is the voice of the Society to summon both men and means to our work and to establish endur- ing bonds with our benefactors. It shall encourage devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, to our Patron St. Joseph, and to the Patron Saints of our Society. It shall foster racial and cultural understanding and reconciliation. It shall make known the achievements of African Americans that reflect the influence of the Catholic faith. It shall recognize the labors of clergy and lay persons who work for the evangelization of African Americans.

The Josephite Harvest (ISSN 0021-7603, USPS 277-080) is the oldest Catholic mission magazine still publishing in the United States. Established in 1888, it is published quarterly by the Josephites (The Society of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart) to keep our readers abreast of the work in the Josephite apostolate. Periodicals postage paid at Baltimore, MD. Title and seal represent accepted trademark. Contents may be reprinted with permission of the St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart, Inc.)

SPRING 2018 | 3 FROM THE SUPERIOR GENERAL

Dear Friend of the Josephites:

As superior general, I participate in many anniversary celebrations at our parishes and schools. I enjoy learning the history of events and people that shaped the present. The celebrations include prayer, song, stories and fellowship. I especially like the old photos from years gone by. These anniversaries help me to reflect on the deep commitments and perseverance of those who came before us. I am so pleased that in 2018 the Josephites will be celebrating our 125th anniversary as an American religious community. This issue of The Harvest kicks off our celebration by telling the story of our founding Very Rev. Michael Thompson, SSJ, here in the United States. Superior General Of course, it begins with the “astonishing life of action and achieve- ment” of our founder Cardinal Herbert Vaughn. Biographer Father Bob O’Neil provides a short summary of Cardinal Vaughn’s amazing life and its impact on the church here in the United States. Leading Josephite fig- ures are also introduced in other articles. Please read about them articles and then reflect on the obstacles they faced in their time. The Josephite history gives us courage and confidence to meet the challenges and opportunities of today. I am pleased that The Harvest will continue to delve into Josephite his- tory throughout 2018. And, what is your view of work? In his reflective article, Josephite Father Joseph Doyle discussed how St. Joseph can help us to understand how to achieve a balanced life that doesn’t let work take over. We need time for rest and prayer, too. Father Doyle offers an antidote to an over- stressed world. Publisher Josephite parish life is always active, vital and meaningful. As St. Josephite Fathers & Brothers Father Michael L Thompson, SSJ Francis Xavier parish in Baton Rouge kicks off its centennial celebra- Superior General tion, we join in prayer of thanksgiving for the blessings this parish has bestowed on its members and its community. In Houston, Our Lady Star Editorial Team Donald M. Fest, SSJ of the Sea parish has literally undergone a “trial of fire and water” as it Francis M. Hull, SSJ prevailed against an historic hurricane and a church fire. Several other parishes and schools are also featured in the Faces and Places section. Design & Production Advertising Media Plus (AMPs) As we journey through Lent, I wish you many blessings during this www.ampsinc.net season of prayer and atonement. And may you celebrate a Glorious Mission/Harvest Easter. Yes, he is truly risen. Office 1-844-249-5730 [email protected]

Website www.josephites.org

Postmaster Send address changes to: The Josephite Harvest 911 W. Lake Avenue, Suite B Very Rev. Michael Thompson, SSJ Baltimore, MD 21210 (ISSN 0021-7603) Superior General and Publisher

4 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST 125 JOSEPHITES.ORG YEARS

Father Vaughan, (seated center) and four newly ordained Mill Hill priests (standing) came to Baltimore from London December 1871 From Mill Hill to American Josephites BY FATHER FRANK HULL, SSJ

On the front page of The Catholic Baltimore The leading priest in charge in America, Father Mirror of April 22, 1893, is a two-column article John Slattery, was interested in the American on the St. Joseph Society for Foreign Missions. It mission and the creation of a Black-American mentions its arrival from England to Baltimore clergy. He was able to get permission from Father in 1871; it’s growth to parishes in Baltimore and Vaughan to allow his men to choose among going surrounding areas and even to North Carolina. It back to Mill Hill, joining an American diocese, speaks of the erection of a major and minor semi- or joining a new community. Ultimately five, and nary and, finally, of the dissolution of the commu- later six, opted for the new community (The Soci- nity into two separate organizations. ety of St. Joseph for Colored Missions – SSJ’s or Why two communities? Mainly because there Josephites). were two different goals within the original orga- To make it official, on May 30th of 1893, nization. The English Mill Hill Fathers, with an Vaughan, now cardinal archbishop of Westminster, original purpose of being “foreign” missionaries released the five men from all allegiance to Mill Hill were assigned to work among newly emancipated and they became members of the new American American slaves. The founder, Father Vaughan, had community under the supervision of Cardinal James visions of his own of going also to India and Borneo Gibbons of Baltimore. as eventually happened. Father John Slattery was appointed Superior Continued on Page 6 SPRING 2018 | 5 Josephite seminarians in 1898 with Father Pastorelli and Slattery seated The transformation of a religious community Continued from Page 5 and Rector of St. Joseph Seminary. Father Domi- nic Manley was made Rector of Epiphany College with Father Charles Uncles, who also served at St. Peter Claver Church in Baltimore. Father John DeRuyter remained as pastor of St. Joseph’s Church and its orphanage in Wilmington, Delaware. Father Lambert Welbers remained pastor of St. Joseph Church in Richmond, Virginia. The new Society faced serious problems. The year 1893 is known as the year of financial panic. “A DOOR CLOSED ON MILL It was also a low point in race relations, the year in which occurred the largest number of lynching’s HILL IN THE AFRICAN- recorded in American history. In addition, much of the concern for helping freedmen had dissipated and AMERICAN MISSIONS, BUT had become hostile and legalized by segregation laws. A DOOR OPENED FOR ST. Within the Church, the flood of immigration from Eastern Europe had taxed the manpower and JOSEPH’S SOCIETY OF THE means of many dioceses and the evangelization of African Americans was of little concern. But in ten SACRED HEART, years, the new Society had grown from five to 33 men. Of that founding day, May 30, 1893, long-time Josephite Archivist, Father Peter Hogan, had writ- ten, “a door closed on Mill Hill in the African- American missions, but a door opened for St. Joseph’s Society of the Sacred Heart, or Josephites, to grow in strength in service to the Black-Catholic community of the United States.” For those 125 years, in this year of 2018, we celebrate.

6 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST the Cathedral on that memorable 19th of December – white and black kneeling side by side, with the tall figure of the colored priest leaning over the JOSEPHITES.ORG barrier, imposing hands and composing benedic- tions on the pair,” the Advocate reported. “It looked for all the world like a marriage of the races.” Other newspapers were no less intrigued by the historic ordination. The New York Times, describing Father Uncles as a “light mulatto with a bright face,” reported on page three a day after the ordination that the congregation witnessing the event was “unusually large and included many of the best colored people of the city.” The presence of Cardinal Gibbons, described by the Times as the “primate of the episcopacy of the country” was especially symbolic. A few years earlier, reporting on Father Uncles’ receipt of the tonsure – the clipping of hair that was a first step along the path to the priesthood – the Baltimore Sun noted that Father Uncles “address and enunciation denote that he has spent much of his time among educated men.” Father Uncles was indeed an erudite, watershed figure in the history of the Catholic Church in the United States. The son of a B&O Railroad machinist and a Father dressmaker, Father Uncles was born in 1859 and grew up in St. Francis Xavier Parish in Baltimore. A brilliant student in Baltimore’s public school system, he became a teacher in Baltimore County. Uncles was With the support of Father John Slattery, SSJ, he attended St. Hyacinthe College in Quebec, becom- ing his class valedictorian. When Father Uncles applied to study for the historic priesthood at St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, the Sulpicians who ran the institution asked the other seminarians – all white – to vote on whether to admit the African American. They unanimously pathfinder did so. Father Uncles studied at St. Mary’s and St. By George P. Matysek Jr. Joseph’s Seminary in Baltimore – the first semi- nary in the country established as an integrated institution. A biographical sketch of father Charles Uncles One of the founders of the Josephites, Father written by St. Joseph’s Advocate and reprinted in Uncles served as a professor of Greek, Latin and an 1895 issue of the Baltimore Afro-American, French at Epiphany College in Baltimore, a prepa- could not have more effusive or optimistic in its ratory school for those entering the priesthood. account of the Baltimore native’s 1891 ordination. When the school moved to Newburgh, New York, Baltimore Cardinal James Gibbons conferred Father Uncles went with it. He died at the college the sacrament of Holy Orders inside what is now in 1933 at age 74. the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assump- Father Uncles helped train numerous members tion of the Blessed Virgin Mary, making Father of his religious community, providing their Uncles the first African American ordained to the academic foundation as they went into mission priesthood in the United States. work among African Americans in the United “We must not forget the scene at the railings of States.

SPRING 2018 | 7 An astonishing life of action Josephite founder recalled for reaching out to African Americans BY FATHER BOB O’NEIL

The Josephites trace their origins to a small band of men who arrived in Baltimore in 1871. It was led by Herbert Vaughan, a young priest of the Diocese of Westminster in England. More than a hundred years later, in Septem- ber 1993, Vaughan’s successor as leader of the missionary society he founded in a London suburb called Mill Hill, was one of the principal guests at a ceremony at the National Shrine in Washington. The occasion was the centenary celebration of the Josephites. The shrine was filled to capacity with Catholic African-Americans and their friends who had come from all parts of the United States to honor the 483 members of the Josephites who had Cardinal Herbert Vaughan had served their communities for 100 years. Herbert Vaughan went on to become Cardinal missions remained throughout his life. He came to Archbishop of Westminster. The current cardinal, be respected internationally as a promoter of the Vincent Nichols, wrote of Vaughan in 2016: “Found- missionary work of the Church. ing a missionary society would be the achievement Among his many accomplishments, the most of a lifetime for most people” but the Cardinal has romantic and one of the greatest achievements “a wide-ranging legacy. He shepherded the people of Herbert Vaughan’s life, was the founding of a of Salford for 20 years and fought strenuously for missionary college in the northwest London suburb Catholic education. He established the Catholic of Mill Hill. Vaughan’s foundation, the first of its Missionary Society and the Crusade of Rescue. He kind the Catholic Church in England, was to inspire started the Catholic Truth Society and the Catholic “generations of Catholic young men with noble Social Union. He built Westminster Cathedral, a vocations to wider service.” powerful symbol of the Catholic Church’s presence With funds and experience from his travels to at the heart of the nation.” North and South America, Vaughan was about to He added, “It is important to remember that make his years of planning and hard work a reality. this astonishing life of action and achievement was From 1866, Vaughan was rector of St Joseph’s based on a rock-like faith. After his death, Father missionary college at Mill Hill. A great meeting was Bernard Vaughan spoke of how his brother’s life held at St. James Hall, Piccadilly on April 24, 1868. was ‘a beautiful fusion of prayer and labor’. He Vaughan presented a plan to build a permanent spoke of how the cardinal brought all his decisions missionary college for 6,000 pounds. The name to the Lord and then ‘from prayer he would arise chosen was to be St Joseph’s College of the Sacred like a giant refreshed from sleep, saying ‘I must be Heart for Foreign Missions. The meeting passed about my Father’s business!’ ” resolutions in support of the College. Herbert Alfred Vaughan was the first child of There was such a good response that Vaughan John and Louisa Elizabeth Vaughan. He was born prepared to lay the foundation stone of St. Joseph on April 15, 1832 in Gloucester to a life of privi- College in June 1869. A partially finished St lege on the Vaughan family estate at Courtfield on Joseph’s College was opened, free from debt, on Welsh-Biknor peninsula along the River Wye. March 1,1871. There were 34 students. The corner- The Vaughans of Courtfield were one of the stone for a memorial chapel in honor of St. Joseph families of the Welsh border who maintained the old was laid on March 19, 1871. faith and loyalty to Rome. During this time Vaughan worked on the legal From his youth, Vaughan wanted to become status of the College in the Church and the place- a missionary. His enthusiasm for the foreign ment of his ordained missionaries. He was in Rome

8 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST in 1870 waiting for approval of the “Fundamental Vaughan returned to England after a seven- Rules and Oath” that would bind his missionaries month absence in 1872. By September, there were together and a mission assignment. 90 students and staff at St Joseph’s College. On He returned to London empty-handed but Sept. 29, he learned that Rome had chosen him to be

unknown to him a search was underway for the bishop of Salford near Manchester in England. JOSEPHITES.ORG missionaries to work in the United States among His practical genius lay in his personal involve- African-Americans. An appeal reached him from ment and hands-on approach to his projects, but his Archbishop Spalding in Baltimore. In the autumn of energy and active mind constantly pulled him away, 1871, the Pope assigned Vaughan’s first four priests so that it was humanly impossible to always apply to America to “evangelize Negroes” and granting his strengths effectively. The Salford appointment the small band the title of “apostolic missionar- had the same result; he was drawn away from his ies’ with Herbert Vaughan as the superior of the St missionary college while remaining its head and Joseph’s Society for Foreign Missions. administrator from his new diocese in Lancashire. Herbert Vaughan and his four missionaries were The mission in the United States had floundered welcomed by Archbishop Spalding in Baltimore on with the departure of its leader James Noonan Dec. 5, 1871. They made their home at St Francis in1878 to become a Jesuit. In an attempt to instill Xavier Church in Baltimore. Vaughan’s vision was new life into the American mission, the newly not only to work among African Americans but ordained American, John Slattery, a native New to found a missionary college in the United States Yorker, and recently appointed rector of St Fran- which might train African cis Xavier in Baltimore, was Americans to return as mission- appointed leader. Slattery aries to Africa. ‘Vaughan’s vision served as provincial from Dec. After settling his small band, was not only to 13, 1878 to Feb. 28, 1883. He Vaughan began a tour of the provided strong leadership Post-Civil War United States, work among African and won the confidence of the especially to areas where his Americans but to found archbishop of Baltimore, James missionaries might be called Gibbons. upon to work. What he saw a missionary college in While in Baltimore, Slattery of the treatment of African the United States which began to lay the groundwork for Americans by white Catho- might train African what became his most contro- lics shocked him. He had not versial plan; the development realized the “intensity’ of the Americans to return as of an African-American clergy. dislike by white Americans. missionaries to Africa.’ It was Slattery who alone took Wherever he went he asked steps that eventually resulted about the experience of Prot- in the ordination of Charles estant-sponsored missions. For example, he wrote Randolph Uncles. in his diary “Why cannot we have catechists of In 1888 he opened St Joseph’s Seminary whose brothers like the Methodist preachers.” In New York students attended classes at St Mary’s Seminary in he stayed at St Paul’s Church on 9th Ave with his Baltimore. This was followed by the opening of a friend Isaac Hecker, the founder of the Paulists. minor seminary, Epiphany Apostolic College. By Wherever he could he collected money for the 1892 Mill Hill Missionaries were caring for three new mission. By May 1, he had collected $12,000. churches in Baltimore and missions in other Ameri- One result of his visit was the recruitment of John can cities. There were 16 of Vaughan’s missionaries Slattery who was a New Yorker and as a Mill Hill in the United States. Missionary later became a supporter of African- The first African-American to be ordained in the Americans. One wrote that at the end of the 19th United States was a Mill Hill Missionary. Charles century, the cause of Black priests in the Catholic Uncles was ordained by James Gibbons in the Balti- Church had no greater champion than Father John more Cathedral on Dec 19,1891. R Slattery. However, there was to be a change in the relation- There were other recruits at Mill Hill when he ship with the American Province. Those who wanted arrived there. Slattery wrote that when he studied at to devote their missionary life to the service of the Mill Hill there were seven American students. African-Americans formed a separate society. Four, There was a serious setback to the mission when including John Slattery, chose to form a new society, Cornelius Dowling died a victim of typhoid fever in the Josephites. August. Over the next six years, administrative and philosophical difficulties, combined with a lack of Robert O’Neil is a Mill Hill Missionary and biogra- manpower and money, nearly destroyed the Ameri- pher of Vaughan. Now based in the USA, he spent his can mission. first years on mission in Africa.

SPRING 2018 | 9 At left is the old Western Maryland Hotel which served as the first St. Joseph Seminary (1888). To the right, the third seminary dedicated in 1893, the year of the split. Josephites’ first seminary was in Baltimore BY GEORGE P. MATYSEK JR. St. Joseph’s Seminary in Baltimore, the first warehouse type of structure located on property Catholic seminary in the country established as an abutting the grounds of St. Mary’s Seminary,” integrated institution, was largely the product of the Father Slattery’s dream became a reality. strong will of a man who would become the first Despite the Blizzard of 1888, construction superior general of the Josephites. commenced on the building, with workers trans- Father John Slattery, SSJ, had advocated for forming it into St. Joseph’s Seminary. Baltimore years in favor of a seminary in the United States Cardinal James Gibbons dedicated the seminary, to train future priests to minister in the African- which opened Sept. 9, 1888, with four students – American community. In submitting a prospectus including Charles Uncles, an African-American to American bishops proposing St. Joseph’s Semi- man who grew up in St. Francis Xavier Parish in nary, Father Slattery insisted that the seminary be Baltimore and who would become the first African- open to men of all races. American priest ordained in the United States. “It was also decided that no distinction of color Ochs noted that the Negro and Indian Commis- should prevent an otherwise worthy subject from sion awarded an annual grant of $5,000 to the semi- entering the ranks of the priesthood,” Father Slat- nary, “which helped lessen the burden of debt.” tery wrote the bishops, according to research by A brick building next to the former hotel church historian Stephen Ochs. “St. Joseph’s Semi- building was dedicated in 1893, becoming the nary would receive the black as well as the white seminary’s home until 1930, when it relocated to man.” Washington, D.C. The brick building in Baltimore With the 1887 purchase of the former Western still stands today in the 600 block of Pennsylvania Maryland Hotel, described by Ochs in his semi- Avenue as a city-owned complex for seniors named nal book “Desegregating the Altar” as a “dreary, in honor of Father Uncles.

10 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST Permanent Diaconate in U.S.

Fifty Years Josephites Led the Way JOSEPHITES.ORG BY FATHER FRANK HULL, SSJ

Pope Paul VI approved restoring the order The bishop’s committee on the diaconate also of the Permanent Diaconate in June of 1967, approved the Josephite training program along for those nations petitioning it. The American with three others to begin in 1969. The first Bishops had not yet done so, but the topic was deacons were ordained in 1971. discussed in several committee meetings of the The Josephite connection with the Permanent USCCB in the fall of that year prior to its Novem- Diaconate included Josephite Bishop Eugene ber meeting. Marino, then auxiliary of Washington, who was The Josephites had seen the great asset the one-time Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee Permanent Diaconate would be to work in the on the Permanent Diaconate and Josephite Father Black community, to have worthy ordained Black Robert Kearns, leader of the Directors of the men in responsible positions of the Church. Permanent Diaconate Programs. Ordained deacons would offer the people a One of the first permanent deacons to be greater sense of identity, particularly due to the National Director of the Washington Office of small number of Black priests. NCCB was Deacon Sam Taub, who was ordained Josephite Superior General Father George for the Richmond Diocese from the Josephite O’Dea wrote a letter to Archbishop Patrick training site in 1973. O’Boyle of Washington and Bishop Ernest Unter- In its first year of ordination, 50 men were koefler of Charleston, who headed the committee ordained permanent deacons in the U.S. Seven of studying the adoption of a permanent deaconate those numbers were African American from the in America. Josephite class of 16. Father O’Dea’s letter was referred to in the In its fiftieth year, according to CARA statis- debate at the bishops meeting in November of tics, there are approximately 17,000 deacons in 1967 and ultimately the bishops approved the the United States. Of these, about 350 are African request for the Permanent Diaconate in this coun- American (about 2 percent). It is hoped that this try which was granted on August 30, 1968. year will see an increase of that number

Permanent Deacon Ira Chase, of the Josephite parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Washington, D.C., is shown greeting Pope Benedict XVI before ceremonies at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on April 16, 2008

SPRING 2018 | 11 Why Petite Prairie changed its name The legacy of Father Lebeau

BY STEPHANIE MARTIN

A Josephite priest touched lives so profoundly in a small town in rural Loui- siana more than a century ago that the townspeople renamed their community in his honor. What once was known as “Petite Prairie” is today called “Lebeau,” named after a Josephite priest. Father Pierre Oscar Lebeau, SSJ, was the first Josephite priest assigned to the area in the 1890s. According to a mission report and there was no rectory. He resided with the family prepared by Archbishop Francis Janssens of New of Alphonse Goudeau, who also provided him Orleans in September 1894, Petite Prairie was transportation. then “an exclusively colored settlement.” Most of Within three years, Father Lebeau oversaw the the residents were freemen from the time before construction of a brand-new church building, as the Civil War. The archbishop described them as well as a rectory, both of which were built with “industrious, intelligent – very much devoted to the donated materials and volunteer labor provided by Church and religion.” the people of the community. Yet, although there were about 500 “colored In the fall of 1901, Father Lebeau briefly returned Catholics” in the community, there was only one to Baltimore as ordered by his superior, Father Slat- Mass a month on a weekday – largely because of tery, so he could recover from the lingering effects the distance from the nearest parish and the “many of yellow fever. By 1905 Father Lebeau returned occupations of the pastor,” Archbishop Janssens to Petite Prairie and began construction of a school reported. on the church property, subsequently recruiting two The archbishop appealed to the Baltimore-based Holy Family sisters from New Orleans to staff it. Josephites to send a priest to minister to people who In addition to nurturing the spiritual develop- were “anxious to have a resident priest, a school and ment of the people at Petite Prairie, Father Lebeau a new church.” visited other areas such as Opelousas, Grand Coteau The Josephite Superior General, Father John and New Roads. He reported back to Father Slattery Slattery, assured the archbishop he would indeed through constant letters that urged his superior to send a priest as soon as possible. send more priests to serve down south, which Father In early 1897, Father Slattery was able not only Slattery did. to fulfill his promise but to return a native son to Although Father Lebeau was later assigned else- Louisiana when he sent Father Lebeau. where, he returned to the area in 1912 for the dedi- A native of Pointe Coupee Parish, Father Lebeau cation of the church and school built by the parish’s was ordained for the Josephites May 1, 1895, Rideau mission. He was greeted by 100 men on making him the first newly ordained member of the horseback who, remembering his faithful service, society. Born to a family whose legacy included a escorted him to Rideau for the occasion. Soon there- plantation that was operated by a large number of after, the people petitioned their current pastor to slaves prior to the Civil War, Pierre and his twin apply to the U.S. Post Office to officially have the brother Joseph traveled to Baltimore in January name of their community changed from Petite Prai- 1891 to study for the priesthood in the hopes that rie to Lebeau, in everlasting honor of the first priest “it may be the holy will of God that we may both to serve them. become slaves of the Negroes.” When Father Lebeau arrived at Petite Prairie, he A version of this article appeared in the found that the church building was a former store September 2016 issue of the Acadiana Catholic

12 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST Meet Bishop Robert Baker: Diocese of Birmingham

Focused on missionary discipleship and healing JOSEPHITES.ORG BY GEORGE P. MATYSEK JR. In each issue, The Harvest and how far we need to go. interviews a bishop in a diocese We also determined that there where Josephites serve. Follow- were certain things needed in our ing is an interview with Bishop efforts in the South and through- Robert J. Baker of the Diocese out the country as church. One of Birmingham, Ala. Bishop was that the Black and Caucasian Baker, originally a seminarian communities listen to each other. for the Diocese of Toledo, Ohio, It’s one of the things we are still working on through listening transferred to the Diocese of sessions in our predominantly St. Augustine, Fla., because he Black parishes and our predomi- wanted to serve in missionary nately Caucasian parishes. territory. “I was impressed with the How do you evangelize? missionary efforts of both the We are emphasizing very Josephites,” he said. “I followed much the New Evangeliza- and asked that the parish take that tion, and we’ve taken to heart their lead in coming south.” name. Ordained in 1970, Bishop Pope Francis’ call for mission- Because of the expansion ary discipleship. We are gearing Baker served the Diocese of of University of Alabama in St. Augustine until he was up for our 50th anniversary as a Birmingham, the parish relocated diocese in 2019. We will have a appointed bishop of the Diocese to its present campus in the late of Charleston, S.C., in 1999. eucharistic congress and we will 1960s. Today, Father Godwin Ani, also commission evangelists – He was installed as bishop of SSJ, is pastor. He is a major player missionary disciples – at that time. Birmingham in 2007. in our efforts to relate to the Black We have a New Evangelization community from the diocesan office, and we will be training What impact do the standpoint. missionary disciples. Josephites have in your I’m grateful to the Josephites You have a personal devotion diocese? and other religious communities to St. Joseph that is connected to There have been many, many in our diocese for setting the tone the Josephites. Could you tell us Josephite priests who have served for missionary outreach all these about that? here over the years. Father Francis years. They do such a good job. I The Josephites have a novena Tobin, SSJ, was the first pastor of only wish we had more vocations to St. Joseph that I pray every day Immaculate Conception Church to help them. for all the needs of our diocese. in Birmingham, what is today Our What are some of the ways It’s a nine-day novena, but I pray Lady of Fatima (the first African- your diocese has worked to it every day. American parish in the diocese). bring an end to racism? In working with addicted He celebrated the first Mass in Birmingham is ground zero in people, which I’ve done for 1905 in a wood frame building, the Civil Rights movement. Two almost 25 years, I also use Cardi- using a wooden crate for the altar. years ago, we co-hosted a confer- nal Herbert Alfred Vaughan’s little The two big figures, besides ence on “Black and White in prayer book. (Cardinal Vaughan the Josephite priests in the history America: How Deep the Divide?” laid the foundations for the estab- of Our Lady of Fatima, were at the Beeson Divinity School at lishment of what would become Mother Katharine Drexel, who Samford University in Birming- the Josephites in the United donated the money in 1905 to ham. It examined how and where States). purchase the property and finance people are working for reconcilia- With the permission of the the construction of a church and tion, harmony and peace. Josephites, we put together a little school, and Bishop Fulton Sheen, We successfully introduced prayer book that lifted heavily who donated money to rebuild a a very important conference that from Cardinal Vaughan’s prayer church destroyed by fire (at Our brought in Archbishop Anthony book from the 1880s. He had all Lady of Sorrows) for Immacu- Obinna of Owerri, Nigeria, and the relevant prayers to St. Joseph late Conception. He had a great others. We raised some delicate in that book and the Josephites devotion to Our Lady of Fatima issues about how far we’ve come kept that alive.

SPRING 2018 | 13 Pastor profile – Father Davis Unafraid to get his hands dirty Father Henry Davis marks 25 years as a priest

BY GEORGE P. MATYSEK JR. When an usher frantically warned Father Henry Davis, SSJ, about an overflowing toilet at St. Luke Parish in Washington, D.C., the young priest didn’t call a plumber. He grabbed a plunger. Successfully unclogging the offending commode, the newly ordained priest – who was assisting at St. Luke while serving as the Josephites’ vocations director – promptly sloshed a mop across the floor to clean up the mess. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘Four years of college, a spiritual year of novitiate, four years of graduate study, and I’m back doing work I did as a teenager in my home parish, mopping the bathroom Father Henry Davis, SSJ floor,’ ” Father Davis remembered with a laugh. “Lord have mercy!” by the example of the Josephites who staffed the Father Davis shares the story often because it parish and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament reminds him of what he believes is most important who taught him in the parish school. The former about the ministry of a Josephite. altar server, who graduated from St. Augustine, had “Don’t be afraid to get your hands wet,” the initially considered becoming an archdiocesan priest 51-year-old New Orleans native said. “Don’t be before turning to the Josephites. The society’s minis- afraid to get your hands dirty. The people need to see try to African Americans and its missionary focus you’re willing to work. If I’m asking you to do it, attracted him. I’m willing to do it.” “I wanted to get out there and see how other Twenty-five years into his priesthood, Father people live and be Catholic in other parts of the Davis has “gotten his hands dirty” wherever he’s country,” Father Davis said. been assigned. In his first year in Nigeria, Father Davis worked After three years as vocations director, he taught with eight young men discerning the call to the at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans from priesthood. The next year, he had 13 students. The 1997 to 2005. During the first three years of that priest helped orient the men to the Josephite mission assignment, he assisted at St. Raymond Church as they began a 10-year journey to possible ordina- before becoming pastor of Epiphany Church in New tion as priests. Orleans for three years. “I learned that the call to serve God is relevant He was then pastor of St. Joan of Arc in New no matter what part of the world you live in,” Father Orleans before going to Mother of Mercy and Davis said. Blessed Sacrament Churches in Beaumont, Tex., as In a priesthood filled with many special moments, pastor. While in Texas, Father Davis also served as Father Davis highlighted the Great Jubilee Year the Josephites’ area director for Texas and California. of 2000 as among his most memorable. He took a Father Davis journeyed to Nigeria to reopen the group of St. Augustine High School students to St. Joseph the Worker House of Formation in Iperu- Rome, where he led them on tours of great cathe- Remo. After two years there, he became pastor of drals including the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Our Mother of Mercy Church in Church Point, La., “Walking into those ancient shrines – which for nine months before taking up his current role I talked about with the students in our classes – in 2015 as chief religious officer of St. Augustine reminded me that the church is alive and I’m one High School and pastor of Corpus Christi-Epiphany of its priests,” he said. “To be there with a group of Church in New Orleans. people I dedicated my life to serve was amazing. Growing up in St. Peter Claver Church in New None of this would have happened had I not said yes Orleans, Father Davis was inspired to religious life to God and yes to being a Josephite priest.”

14 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST legacy ofslaves plaques honoringmemory, Cardinal blessescemetery homily, “is astepthatthenext generation--your healed.” church andsocietywherethe wounds ofracismare and, inaspiritofreconciliation, move toward a “Today weneedtoacknowledge pastsins of racism letter, “TheChallenge ofRacism Today,” saying: a very great wrong.” loudly that this is one small effort to right what was them,” thecardinalsaid. temple oftheHolySpirit,wemarkandremember that, ingroundmadeholybytheirremainsasa five surroundingMaryland counties. diocese, whichcovers theDistrictofColumbia and to beplaced inthefive majorcemeteriesofthearch- of thenationalshrine.Inspring,plaques are plaques weretemporarilyputinthelower sanctuary shall touchthem.” of thejustareinhandGod,andnotorment includes aquotationfrom Wisdom 3:1:“Thesouls of Christcrucified onthecross,andbottom Washington.” The topofeachplaque hasanimage enslaved andburied throughoutthe Archdiocese of cated tothememoryofthoseunknown whowere properly remembered.” here todotodayisseethatandnow allare received nopublic marker ...whatwehave come treated withthesameinequityattheirburial. Many enslaved, wholived inhumanbondage,were ries, ourbrothersand sisters inthefaith whowere that over decadesanddecades,nottosaycentu- failure,” thecardinalsaidinhis homily. “Itseems wrong andcorrectafailure –aseriousandunjust Conception. Basilica oftheNationalShrineImmaculate water ontheplaques duringaFeb. 3Massatthe out the Archdiocese of Washington. enslaved men,women andchildrenburied through- commemorative bronzeplaques honoringunknown Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl blessedanddedicated BY MARK ZIMMERMANN “Each stepforward wetake,” hesaidin his He quotedfromhisNovember 2017pastoral Cardinal Wuerl said,“Mayourpresencesay “We make a visible andpermanentdeclaration During Mass,attendedbyabout600people,the The inscriptionontheplaques reads:“Dedi- “We have gathered todaytobegin torighta Washington’s archbishopsprinkledholy Saying thetimehadcometo“rightawrong,”

District of Columbia and five surrounding Maryland counties. District ofColumbiaandfivesurrounding Marylandcounties. throughout Archdiocese the ofWashington, whichincludesthe plaques honorenslavedmen,womenandchildren buried inWashington. ImmaculateConception Shrine ofthe The National ofthe Basilica plaques duringaFeb.3Massatthe Washington Cardinal DonaldW. Wuerl blessesmemorial newspaper ofthe Archdiocese of Washington. Zimmermann is editor of the Catholic Standard, respect, equality anddignity.” in baptismandthecalltolive itoutinasolidarity of the cardinalsaid.“We affirmourcommon heritage our effortsto live thatcommunion of faith andlove,” future. honoring thosefromthepast,but alsolookingtothe African ancestry. colorful sashesmadeofkente clothtoreflecttheir olics seatedina frontsectionofthebasilica wore ethnic backgrounds.Some African-American Cath- tion, whichincludedpeopleofdiverse racial and fastly faithful” to the Lord, hischurchand his creed. tion andsocietalracism,” andwhoremained“stead- kept thefaith througherasof enslavement, segrega- generations of “African-American Catholics who again.” children andtheir--willnothave totake “We renew, onceagain, ourpledgetostrengthen Blessing themarkers, hesaid,notonlyinvolved That remarkdrew applause fromthecongrega- Cardinal Wuerl praised the witness of faith of CNS PHOTO/DAPHNE STUBBOLO SPRING 2018|15

JOSEPHITES.ORG St. Joseph the Worker, Observer of the Sabbath What the head of the Holy Family can teach us about work today BY FATHER JOSEPH DOYLE, SSJ

In 1955, Pope Pius XII insti- and women, in the course of gain- tuted the Feast of St. Joseph the ing a livelihood for themselves and Worker, to be celebrated through- their families, offer appropriate out the universal Catholic Church service to society, they can be on May 1. He deliberately chose confident that their personal efforts this date to oppose the celebration promote the work of the Creator, of Communist “May Day” which confer benefits on their fellowmen, honored the workers of the world. and help to realize God’s plan in It was almost as if the Holy Father history.” exclaimed, “Workers of the world, One of the first to develop a unite ...... around St. Joseph!” theology of work was the Polish While this liturgical innovation hero, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, was warmly received by the Cath- who stressed the role of people as olic faithful, it certainly did not a “co-worker” of God. His theol- have the impact of several encyc- ogy had a great impact on the licals which preceded it or Nobel Peace Prize winner and followed after it. There were two co-founder of Solidarity, Lech prominent social encyclicals writ- Walesa. ten before 1955 which dealt with More importantly, however, the issue of human labor. was his influence on his fellow Rerum Novarum (May 15, Pole, St. Pope John Paul II and his 1891) was Pope Leo XIII’s powerful encyclical on work, “groundbreaking social encyclical “Laborem exercens” (Through which addresses the dehumanizing work), promulgated on September conditions in which many workers 14, 1981, the 90th anniversary of labor and affirms workers’ rights to Rerum Novarum. This masterpiece just wages, rest, and fair treatment, continues to defend the rights of to form unions and strike if the worker but emphasizes the necessary”. dignity of both work and the In Quadragesimo Anno (May worker. 15, 1931), Pope Pius XI’s encycli- The section on the spirituality cal “reaffirms the Church’s of work has many overtones of a concern for workers and defends Jewish approach to work and rest. workers’ rights, including just He writes, “Man ought to imitate wages, and condemns the increas- God both in working and also in ing disparities between the elite resting, since God himself wished and suffering workers.” to present his own creative activity While not focusing specifically under the form of work and rest.” on human labor, the Second Vati- St. John Paul II sees man as can Council’s Pastoral Constitu- destined for “rest,” which does not tion on the Church in the Modern mean relaxation after a hard day’s World (“Gaudium et spes”), work, but rather an invitation to promulgated by Pope Paul VI on union with Jesus in his “Father’s December 7, 1965, stated that house.” He proposes that life and Joseph. ForSt. St. JosephJoseph and his the Worker work must be intimately connected work are a preparation for the family, the Sabbath (the 7th day, to the person, so that work can “rest,” reserved for the Lord’s from sundown FridayPatron to sundown of work and workers and never be fully understood without servants and friends. Saturday) was the most important the insights of the Gospel. In para- Let us look at this idea of “rest” day of theall week. those seeking employment, pray for us. graph 34, we read, “Where men through the Jewish eyes of St. From his classes in the

16 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST St. Joseph the Worker, Observer of the Sabbath

What the head of the Holy Family can teach us about work today JOSEPHITES.ORG BY FATHER JOSEPH DOYLE, SSJ

positive rather than taking a nega- saw it as something reserved for tive approach regarding what he slaves. But that was not true in the could not do. Hebrew culture where even the When Joseph and his family priests and rabbis worked, but went to Jerusalem for Passover and never on the Sabbath. All Jewish other feasts, they were reminded boys were taught a trade by their about the story of Israel’s exodus fathers in order to support them- from Egypt and the Ten Command- selves and their future families. ments that were given to Moses in If St. Joseph can teach us the desert. The Third Command- anything about work, rest and ment is, “Remember to keep holy prayer, it would be that it is abso- the Sabbath.” No work was to be lutely necessary to integrate all done by the Israelites or by their three. This he did when he worked slaves or even by their animals. and lived with the Holy Family in Having ceased and desisted from Nazareth until it became for him a work, they had time to remember holy rhythm in his life. God, their Creator, and honor him Mary and Jesus, in his sacred with prayers, thanksgiving and humanity, learned from his exam- reflection on his works. ple. St. Joseph’s observance of the After the Babylonian captivity, Sabbath was more important than synagogues emerged in various any work he did on the other days places for Jews to pray and study of the week. For him, it was not the Torah (the Law). Since there just a day off to which he was was a synagogue in Nazareth in entitled, but a great opportunity to Joseph’s day, we can be certain join his “rest” with the “rest” of his that he went there on the Sabbath Creator. with Mary and Jesus. After the Jesus, his son, would later teach service, they returned to their that, “the Sabbath was made for home for a joyful meal, prepared man” – for man to celebrate, not by Mary on the day before the ignore and replace with superficial Sabbath, since it was not allowed activities. Now that we as Chris- to light a fire or bake bread on the tians celebrate Sabbath on Sunday, Sabbath. the first day of the week, we have Joseph was not allowed to build even more reason to celebrate than anything on the Sabbath and he those who lived in the days of the might have gone so far as to have Holy Family. a door or curtain in front of his Creation, the Resurrection and workshop, so as not to be tempted the coming of the Holy Spirit at to work at his profession. This was Pentecost all happened on the first called, “making a fence around the day of the week. And it all happens Torah.” again spiritually, mystically and Hospitality was extended to mysteriously at the Eucharistic friends and relatives and special celebration in our Catholic synagogue, Joseph learned that Sabbath songs were sung to cele- churches on Sunday. May St. St. Joseph theGod Worker blessed this day of rest. All brate the holy day. Joseph help us to keep our Sabbath Patron of work and workerscreation that andpreceded it was good, These activities were in contrast holy. but rest on the 7th day was blessed to the Greco-Roman culture which Father Joseph Doyle, SSJ, is all those seeking employment,and made pray holy! for Thus, us. Joseph saw existed in Galilee at the time of director of novices for The the 7th day as something very Jesus. Their negative view of work Josephites.

SPRING 2018 | 17 Archbishop calls for renewed focus on Rev. King’s call to nonviolence BY CHRISTOPHER GUNTY The upcoming 50th anniversary in politics and the media, a coarse- you get out to the peripheries and of the assassination of the Rev. ness that often spills over into find (the people) are not periph- Martin Luther King Jr. prompted private conversation,” the arch- eral,” he said. “We just thought Baltimore Archbishop William E. bishop said. “Instead of trying they were a periphery. Once they Lori to write a pastoral letter on peacefully to reach the common become real people with a real the civil rights leader’s principles ground of understanding, people story and God-given gifts, you of nonviolence. far too often and far too quickly know that’s not the case.” “The Enduring Power of Dr. resort to abusive language. They Archbishop Lori said the church Martin Luther King Jr.’s Principles must raise its profile in the larger of Nonviolence: A Pastoral community, speaking out more Reflection” was formally issued on ‘If we truly allow Dr. forcefully on issues that beset Ash Wednesday, Feb. 14. In it, the communities. King’s principles of archbishop says, “Now is the time “We have to advocate for justice for all of us to reconnect with Dr. nonviolence to guide and we have to meet the social King and his teaching.” us to conversion, needs as best we can,” he said. A pastoral letter is an open letter we will be moved to “We have to intensify our efforts to about Catholic teaching or practice resist injustice in our provide a good education for kids. from a bishop to his people. The community.’ We have to be involved in hous- archbishop’s first pastoral, “A Light ing issues and all kinds of things Brightly Visible,” laid out his goals Archbishop William Lori that get at the root causes of these for missionary discipleship and things.” evangelization in the Archdiocese In the letter, Archbishop Lori of Baltimore. said: “If we truly allow Dr. King’s Archbishop Lori noted in this may not kill their neighbors with principles of nonviolence to guide pastoral letter that the archdiocese bullets, but they do ‘kill’ them with us to conversion, we will not be will mark the anniversary of Rev. words and gestures of disrespect.” content to camouflage our prob- King’s April 4, 1968, assassination In an interview, Archbishop lems but rather be spurred into with an interfaith prayer service at Lori reflected that when he was a action; we will be moved to address the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen seminarian, he realized he did not and resist injustice in our commu- in Baltimore The Rev. Raphael G. have any experience in either the nity. Ultimately, however, it is only Warnock, senior pastor of Ebenezer inner city or a rural area, experi- a change of mind and heart on the Baptist Church in Atlanta, spiritual ence that would allow him to serve part of many that will lead to a new home of Rev. King, is scheduled to wherever he was assigned. beginning for us.” preach at the evening event April He asked then-Archbishop The pastoral letter includes 12. William Baum of Washington to discussion questions intended for In the pastoral, Archbishop assign him, while he was a semi- all – families, parish groups and Lori said Rev. King’s principles do narian, to an inner-city parish. He pastoral councils, as well as clergy not apply “only to troubled urban was assigned to St. Vincent de Paul and religious – to pray, reflect and neighborhoods or solely to our Parish in the District of Columbia’s discuss. “I wrote this so that it could African-American brothers and Anacostia neighborhood. “I find its way into the consciousness sisters.” learned, and that was a great experi- of the church – the whole church,” “Violence, racism and a host of ence for me,” he said about an area the archbishop said. social problems exist in different that historically has been a majority “This should also lead us as forms and degrees throughout our black neighborhood. an archdiocese to an examination suburban and rural areas as well,” More times than he could of conscience, and to ask if there he wrote, noting that every commu- count, the archbishop said, he has aren’t things we ought to be doing nity experiences domestic violence, gone to visit parishioners where differently,” Archbishop Lori said. drug abuse and other social ills, and he has encountered people in a “It’s not just a letter; it’s the begin- that immigrants face discrimina- very poor situation. “I carry back ning of a process.” tion, hatred, denied opportunities so much more than I brought. … and unjust deportation. It’s humbling, it’s beautiful, it’s Gunty is associate publisher/editor “Think of how vitriolic and ennobling. of Catholic Review Media, the media coarse public rhetoric has become “And that’s why I say that when arm of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

18 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST Bishop gives stark appraisal of relations with blacks JOSEPHITES.ORG The bishop who chairs the Harking back to the 1960s, when “It painted a disheartening U.S. bishops’ Ad Hoc Commit- riots in the inner cities of some picture,” Bishop Murry said, as tee Against Racism gave a sober- of the United States’ largest “only 18 percent of the American ing assessment of U.S. Catholics’ cities broke out, the committee bishops have issued a statement treatment of blacks, from the noted: “In spite of all that has condemning racism, and very laity to the hierarchy. few have addressed systemic “The American Catholic racism,” opting to focus instead Church has continued to be virtu- ‘Only 18 percent of on personal attitudes. ally silent,” said Bishop George “Seminary and ministry V. Murry of Youngstown, Ohio, the American bishops formation programs are inad- “which leads us to the question: equate,” the study found, adding: have issued a statement Why?” “White Catholics over the last 25 Bishop Murry spoke at a condemning racism, years have expressed diminished plenary session, “Church and interest and support for govern- Communities Address the Sin of and very few have ment policies aimed and dimin- Racism in Our Society,” Feb. 4 ishing racial inequality.” during the Catholic Social Minis- addressed systemic The study’s conclusion try Gathering in Washington. faulted the bishops’ conference, Bishop Murry was ordained racism.’ Bishop Murry said, for “lack a Jesuit priest in 1979, the same of compliance with its own year as the issuance of “Broth- recommendations.” ers and Sisters to Us,” a pastoral -Bishop George Murry “The church in America has letter written by the nation’s been incapable of taking decisive black bishops. been said about racism in the last action,” he declared. “American He said the bishops’ Commit- 20 years, little has been done. As Catholics have shown a lack tee on Black Catholics examined it was yesterday, so it is today.” of moral consciousness on the matters on the 10th anniversary The bishops commissioned a matter of race.” of the pastoral. “Sadly, this 25th anniversary study in 2004, committee found little worth he added, which found much the This article first appeared on celebrating,” Bishop Murry said. same to be true. Catholic News Service.

How should we study black history? Two months of the year it would be better to integrate there is not enough black history are dedicated to Black history. African-American history into the being taught these days. November is Catholic Black curriculum all year long. One in five – nearly all of them History Month and February is Of those surveyed, 68 percent white – think there is too much Black History Month. of whites and 73 percent of blacks black history taught in schools. But, according to a recent think that African-American Notably, responses vary by poll, Americans, white and black, history should be integrated into age. More than half of whites aren’t sure that a month of focus the year-long curriculum. under the age of 30 think there on African-American history While whites are generally is not enough black history in is really the right approach. In satisfied with the amount of schools; those 45 and older are the latest Economist/YouGov black history taught in American just as likely to think there is too Poll, more than two-thirds of the schools, African-Americans are much as too little black history in public – black and white – say not – 85 percent of blacks say the schools.

SPRING 2018 | 19 Father Ed Chiffreller celebrates Mass at St. Francis Xavier Surviving and thriving – St. Francis Xavier in Baton Rouge looks at 100 BY ERIK ZYGMONT

Those who would measure surrounding neighborhood, St. forced to move from their home an institution by the caliber of Francis Xavier has forged a path in the mid-1960s to make way its enemies may note that St. forward. for Interstate 10. Francis Xavier Parish in Baton “If I close my eyes and think Though the church itself Rouge, La., has repeatedly back, I can still hear them driv- was spared demolition during battled a formidable foe. ing those pilings for the interstate the road construction (later, Through racial divisions near the church,” remembered structural damage caused by the fought since the establishment Bridgett Brister, 64. pile-driving would demand a of the parish, which is celebrat- She was baptized at the rebuild), the parish high school, ing its centennial this year, as Josephite-run parish and dedicated in 1956, was not. well as the literal, physical divi- attended the parish school “They knocked down the sion created in the 1960s when through the eighth grade, but only black high school in Baton an interstate highway split the her family, like many others, was Rouge,” said Gloria Kennedy,

20 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST known to parishioners and friends as “Miss Glo.” The 90-year-old grew up catty-corner to St. Francis

Xavier, in one of the houses that JOSEPHITES.ORG made way for the highway. “My sister Grace and I were the only two brides that didn’t have to drive to the church,” she remembered. “Daddy just walked us across the street.” Ms. Kennedy referred to the turmoil wrought by the highway construction – and other factors of the era – as a “schism.” While the grades 1-8 parish school remained open, some parishioners began worshiping elsewhere. Sophia White, 84, remem- bered that, faced with the possi- Photo by Christopher J. Rogers, Sr./RMWORKS, LLC. bility of closure, St. Francis Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards joined Father Edward Chiffriller, pastor, for the Jan. Xavier parishioners from her 21 kickoff celebration of the 100th anniversary of St. Francis Xavier in Baton Rouge. mother’s generation, who had helped establish the church in the first place, sprang into action. “I drove my mother and her friends to the bishop’s to protest,” Ms. White recalled, noting that the activists harbored unpleas- ant memories from nearly a half century prior of segregation within the pews at other parishes. According to a parish history released in 1993, “Bishop Robert E. Tracy assured parishioners that as long as they stayed, the doors of St. Francis Xavier would remain open.” They soon found an ally and captain in Father Bartholomew Hines, SSJ, who became pastor in the late 1960s. Courtesy East Baton Rouge Parish Library “He said he would do anything and everything (to St. Francis Xavier Church in Baton Rouge, La., celebrates first Holy Communion May 5, 1949. help),” Ms. White remembered. “That started an endless stream of fundraisers, bazaars, fashion He noted that more than 300 and want to be a part of it,” Mr. shows and little bingo parties.” attended a centennial luncheon Williams added. “That’s how the For those who have returned Jan. 21, following a Mass at church was built in 1918 – by and those who stayed, as well which Bishop John H. Ricard, parishioners.” as newcomers, the welcome has Bishop Emeritus of Pensacola- Father Edward Chiffriller, always been warm. Tallahassee, Fla., himself a SSJ, in his seventh year as “There’s a sense of together- product of the parish and school, pastor, does not expect that spirit ness and family,” said Walter as well as the short-lived high to change. “Kenny” Williams, 59, a lifelong school, was the main celebrant. “They are cooperative and parishioner and chairman of the “That says to me that loyal, and all of that makes it parish council. people are paying attention easy to be their pastor,” he said.

SPRING 2018 | 21 Houston parish holds onto faith after Hurricane Harvey and fire BY GEORGE P. MATYSEK JR.

Our Lady Star of the Sea in As punishing rains assailed was up to my knees in the park- Houston has undergone a trial of the parish campus during the late ing lot. It was becoming a lake.” water and fire over the last year. hours of Aug. 27, Father Rodney By the time the rains subsided, First came Hurricane Harvey Armstrong, SSJ, stood nervously the parish was cut off from the in August, which severely in the door of his rectory and surrounding area for several days damaged several parish build- watched the storm rage. as highways were closed and ings. Then, as the parish was Water levels rose steadily, floodwaters made the campus beginning to get back on its creeping into the rectory, church inaccessible. The church, rectory feet, a Jan. 28 fire destroyed the and parish hall. and hall suffered severe damage, church’s sacristy, cry room and a “The water was up past my with the rectory becoming unin- portion of the sanctuary. ankles in the church,” remem- habitable and the church shut “It’s been tough, but we are bered Father Armstrong, then down for weeks as cleanup was holding on to God,” said Father pastor of Our Lady Star of the underway. Parish leaders took Stephen Sohe, SSJ, pastor. “Our Sea and now pastor of Our steps to prevent mold from grow- people have been resilient.” Mother of Mercy in Houston. “It ing in the affected buildings, and the Josephites relocated to another rectory approximately 25 miles away. Despite the parish being hobbled by the disaster, Father Armstrong and the parish coun- cil decided to do everything they could to help families devastated by the hurricane. With the approval of the pastor, the council donated $9,000 to hurting families within the small faith community. Each received several hundred dollars to use “as best they saw fit,” Father Armstrong said. “It wasn’t going to solve the problem,” he explained, “but at least it helped with the essentials.” Two parishes in Louisiana also made donations of supplies to help affected families. Melba Ozenne, an 87-year- old parishioner who lost every- thing in the hurricane, was among those supported by Our Courtesy Andre Hence Lady Star of the Sea. Since the Melba Ozenne, a longtime parishioner of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Houston, was flooding, Ms. Ozenne has lived among several parish families whose homes were devastated in a 2017 hurricane. Our with relatives in Texas. She used Lady Star of the Sea, which also suffered severe water damage, provided financial support to help get affected parishioners on their feet. Ms. Ozenne is pictured with her the parish’s financial donation to pastor, Father Stephen Sohe, SSJ. help pay for car rentals and other

22 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST JOSEPHITES.ORG

Courtesy Andre Hence Supplies collected for victims of Hurricane Harvey are ready for distribution at Our Lady Star of the Sea in Houston last year. The Josephite parish was severely affected by the disaster. needs as she relocated and began her life anew. the time the Harvest went to press, no cause of “You never dream you will need help like the fire had been determined and the estimate of that,” Ms. Ozenne said. “Not only was the church damages had not been completed. supportive, but individual church members did Andre Hence, a member of Our Lady Star of things to help. Our church is a family and we really the Sea’s parish council, noted that all the parish’s support each other. I’m very grateful.” vestments and sacred vessels were lost in the blaze. Echoing the sentiments of Although the tabernacle other victims, Ms. Ozenne said was also damaged, parish- the situation could have been ioners were able to rescue far worse. the Blessed Sacrament. “You have to be patient,” ‘You never dream you “We were forced to create she said. “You just roll with the a temporary space in our punches and be grateful that no will need help like that. damaged hall to have one got hurt.” Mass,” Mr. Hence said. Father Sohe arrived as Our church is a family “We want our parishio- pastor of the parish less than ners to not have to travel two months after the hurricane. and we really support elsewhere to worship.” The church was able to be used Getting the church and for daily and Sunday Masses, each other. I’m very hall fully restored are the he said, but the damage to the top priorities, followed by hall has prevented its use for a grateful.’ restoration of the rectory. whole host of activities includ- The parish is working ing the parish’s annual bazaar, with diocesan contractors the largest fundraiser of the to complete the much- year. needed repairs. In total, Father Sohe esti- “Our faith will continue mated that his parish suffered approximately to carry us forward, and we know that God never $300,000 in hurricane damage, not counting the gives us more than we can handle,” Mr. Hence said. loss of furnishings. The January fire caused a “Out of these trials will surely come the joy of significant setback, adding to the damages. As of fulfillment as we return to normal operation.

SPRING 2018 | 23 REQUIESCAT IN PACE

FATHER JOHN LUCIO FILIPPELLI, SSJ

Death came suddenly and peacefully to Josephite Father John Filippelli on the morning of Nov. 24, 2017. He had been living at St. Joseph Manor, Baltimore, having retired from St. Joseph Seminary four years ago. He had just celebrated the 60th year of his ordina- tion to the priesthood and was 87 last August. Father Filippelli was born in Manhattan, the last of seven children born to Salva- tore and Antoinette Zazza- rino Filippelli. He attended Power Memorial Catholic High School in Manhattan and after graduation he felt called to the Josephite minor seminary in Newburgh, N.Y. in 1948. When he had completed his novitiate and theologi- cal studies at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Washington he was ordained at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception there in 1957. St. Francis Xavier parish. He spent a year at Catholic University before Father Filippelli became rector of St. Joseph being assigned to the staff of the Josephite minor Seminary in Washington, D.C. in 1996. Seven seminary (Epiphany College) in Newburgh for the years later, he became spiritual director to the next 14 years. While there, Father Filippelli was students and also novice director for two years. also active in ministry in the Hispanic and African- Health reasons saw him retired to St. Joseph Manor American communities. in 2014. His first pastoral assignment was to St. Pius Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. V parish in Baltimore where he was also elected Francis Xavier Church Nov. 29. Burial was at the Area Director of the Josephites. In 1979 he was Josephite plot in New Cathedral Cemetery, Balti- elected Superior General, a post that extended to more. May he be at rest after a long and fruitful 1987 when he was appointed pastor of Baltimore’s journey.

24 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST REQUIESCAT IN PACE JOSEPHITES.ORG FATHER JOSEPH F. DEL VECCHIO, SSJ

Josephite Father Joseph Fran- cis Xavier Del Vecchio died at St. Joseph Manor, the Society’s Retirement Facility in Baltimore, on Jan. 13, after a long illness. He was 72 years old and was a priest for 45 years. Father Del Vecchio was born in Flushing, N.Y., on Feb. 17, 1945, the only child of Frank and Martha Moleffeto Del Vecchio. He attended St. Patrick Elementary School in Bay Shore, Long Island, and LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, N.Y. After graduation, he entered the Josephite college seminary in Newburgh, N.Y. to begin studies for the priesthood. After two years of philosophy and a year’s novitiate, he moved on to St. Joseph’s Seminary in Wash- ington to complete six years of further studies. He was ordained a priest in his home parish of St. Patrick, Bay Shore, by Bishop John McCann on June 3, 1972. Except for a one-year assign- ment to Most Pure Heart of Mary parish in Mobile, to St. Vincent de Paul parish in Washington for an Alabama, Father Del Vecchio spent the rest of his eight-year pastorate and back to St. Peter Claver/ ministry in parishes in Baltimore and Washington. St.Pius V church for a nine-year term as adminis- His first position was as the assistant at St. Pius V trator and pastor. Another pastorate was at St. Luke parish in Baltimore for four years where he was church, Washington, for five years including a year known especially for his youth ministry. He moved as Archdiocesan Director of Youth Ministry. His on to St. Luke, Washington, as a four-year associate final assignment was in 2014 as parochial vicar and also as assistant director of the CYO of the at St. Peter Claver/St. Pius V Church until health archdiocese. reasons moved him to retirement in February 2017 Father Del Vecchio moved back to Baltimore to St. Joseph Manor. as associate at St. Peter Claver church for three The Mass of Christian Burial for Father Del years and at Incarnation church, Washington, for Vecchio was held at St. Peter Claver/St. Pius V a seven-year role as associate and also as archdi- Church, Baltimore, on Jan. 19. He was buried in ocesan director of youth ministry. He moved over New Cathedral Cemetery, Baltimore.

SPRING 2018 | 25 FACES LACES PMarch for Life in Washington, D.C. Jan. 19. “This is the experience of a lifetime for our students,” said Father Henry Davis, SSJ, chief religious officer for St. Augustine. “For many of them, this wasn’t just the first time they were out of the state or out of the country. It was the first time they’ve been out of the city!” The school commissioned special scarves and beanies with the name of the school on one side and the quote ”Marching Up to Freedom Land!” They both featured the school logo, the Marching 100 logo and the Canadian flag. Also, in the news at St. Augustine is a brand-new bus. The James P. Raymond Jr. Foundation gave a substantial gift to the school that underwrote the Members of St. Augustine High School’s Marching 100 purchase of the 28-passenger bus and included the perform at the March for Life in Washington, D.C. Jan 19. design and installation of branding and graphics to (Courtesy Father Henry Davis, SSJ) the vehicle’s exterior.

New Orleans band in the spotlight St. Augustine High School’s marching band high-stepped onto the national and international stages in January. As part of an educational trip focused on African-American history that also included the school’s campus ministry group, the New Orleans band made stops along the Underground Railroad in Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan. For the first time in its history, the Marching 100 performed outside the country at one of the final stops of the Underground Railroad in Canada. The band also performed in Baltimore for retired Josephites, and was an enthusiastic presence at the

26 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST the Oblates were purchased by the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary and the gifts for the retired Josephites were purchased by parishioners. Deacon Albert Anderson joined the elves as they delivered

gifts to the Oblates and the Josephites. JOSEPHITES.ORG St. Francis Xavier in Baltimore was out in full force, holding a “Breakfast with Santa” for children in the community and hosting an “angel tree” that provided 33 families with toys and clothing for chil- dren and young adults. Fifty gift cards were given to families to buy food over the holidays. The young people in the parish continue collecting non-perish- able food and items for a clothing drive as part of ongoing outreach. Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Washington, D.C., hosted the 48th annual 7th District Metropoli- tan Police Department Christmas Party for elemen- tary school children of the 7th District Dec. 20. The parish served as one of the sponsors of the Josephite parishes reach event, with the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Men’s Club providing a meal that included the parish’s out for Christmas famous fried chicken. Several Josephite parishes celebrated the true spirit of Christmas by reaching out to others. At St. Joseph in Alexandria, Va., Anthony and Phyllis Johnson dressed as elves and invited neigh- borhood children to a “Lunch with Santa” Dec. 9. The children made crafts and had their pictures taken with Santa. They were also presented gifts to give to their families. The Johnsons donned their elf gear again a few days later, helping deliver gifts to the Oblate Sisters of Providence and retired Josephites. The gifts for

Children from 11 schools participated, with more than 300 people served. Members of the police department led games, provided entertain- ment, dancing and a visit from Santa Claus. The U.S. Marine Corp donated most of the toys. Because the event has been held for so many years, some of the police officers, school staff and bus drivers remember participating in years past, said Father Thomas Frank, SSJ, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. “This is one of several Christmas programs Doris Savoy and Louis Lloyd, parish cooks at Our Lady of OLPH sponsored or co-sponsored for Catholic and Perpetual Help in Washington, D.C., helped prepare the meal community organizations,” Father Frank said. at the 48th annual 7th District Metropolitan Police Department The priest noted that the parish also hosted a Christmas Party for elementary school children of the 7th Dis- trict, hosted at the parish Dec. 20. city-wide children’s Kwanzaa celebration.

SPRING 2018 | 27 CONTINUING THE MISSION

‘Protect us from every other evil!’

FATHER DONALD M. FEST

Each year on February 2, the Church cele- Is this any way to use a tremendous blessing the brates the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Lord has given us? in the Temple, blesses candles for use during the There is also – telling lies. Simply put, not tell- year and celebrates the Day for Consecrated Life. ing the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the By the way, Josephites are in consecrated life. truth. We use lies to get ourselves out of trouble What interests me is what happened the very or to hold off the inevitable, we use lies to make next day, February 3rd – do you remember? ourselves look good and others look bad. We use Here’s a hint – it is the Feast of Saint Blaise. Got lies to hide things from people. it? There is no such thing as “white” lies or On this day the Church blesses throats by “alternative facts.” Lying is lying. Facts are facts. using two of the candles blessed the day before, Sadly, in our society today, we must make it formed them in a cross and places them on the our constant effort to emphasize that the truth is throats of those who seek a blessing and this important – to tell the truth, to abide by the truth. prayer was said: “Through the intercession of Our throats were made for nothing less. Saint Blaise, bishop and martyr, may the Lord And, above all, this is most important for our protect you from all ailments of the throat and young people to know that you tell the truth, every other evil, in the name of the Father and of when convenient and when it is not. “The truth the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Often a parish will set you free,” Jesus said in John 8:32. It says might give out a piece of candy after the blessing in the Book of Proverbs 19:9 “A false witness so that the person knows how important the throat shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies is! shall perish” and in Proverbs 12:20 “Deceit is in We use it to praise God, worship God, and the heart of those who devise evil, but counselors glorify our heavenly Father. We use it to swallow, of peace have joy.” to talk, to cheer people up, to sing and to make So, let us remember the gift we have of our all kinds of noises! We also use it to breathe, to throats – perhaps blessed just a couple months cough and to clear our voice. It’s very important. ago. When God gives us a gift we should use it What interest me in the blessing prayer are for good and not for evil. We should use it for the words: “and every other evil.” Lord protect spreading the Gospel and not for promoting the us from every other evil in which we might use kingdom of darkness. That is why at our own our throat! Think of it. What evil comes out of baptism our lips were blessed so that we would our mouths? Well, there is calling people names, speak God’s Word and spread His message to all. cursing them, embarrassing them, putting them Father Donald Fest, SSJ, is pastor of St. down, simply put – hurting them with our words. Joseph Church in Alexandria, Virginia.

28 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST JOSEPHITE

PERPETUAL ENROLLMENTS JOSEPHITES.ORG FOR THE LIVING AND THE DECEASED OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER 2017

Many thanks to all of our Sustaining Partners, who together with loved ones, have been enrolled as Perpetual Members of the Josephites, benefiting them with prayerful daily remembrances by all Josephites.

Abella, Eidita Creamer, Helen Finneran, Gabriella Adamcewicz, Helen Creamer, Lillian Finneran, Sean Allegro, Sr., James T. Croke, Maria M. Firestone, Carlotta Altamia, Concepcion Crosby, III, Vincent Thomas Flowers, Josie H. Altamia, Manuel Cull, Eleanor Flowers, Walter R. Altamia, Socorro Curtis, Rex Foley, Dagmar Amelia Dardis, Eliska Forchione, Lorraine (Family) Anderson, Nettie Davis, Patrick Fortune, Gwendolyn Arnold Family Day, James Fortune, Gwendolyn Spriggs W. Baltz, Horace Decena, Darrel Ramos Franklin, Helene Begay, Joseph Del Mont, Laura Franks-Bell, Rita Bell, Sr., Harold E. Del Mont, Richard Gabriel, Bruce Benenges, Aide Del Sol, Charito Rayos George, Anthony Berrios Family Delagardelle, Randy George, Joseph F. Biase, OFM, Conv., Justin A. Dellacroce, Barbara George, Joseph M. Blake, Nuala Deters, Veronica Giagnorio, John Bohan Family Deters, William Glover, Michelle Bohan, Bridget Devereaux, Carol Gomez, Alexander Gabriel Bohan, Peter Devillier, Johnny “Coach” Gore, Doris W. Bombino Family Di Giovanna, Giovanna Graduates/St.EmmaMil.Acad. Bombino, Calel Gabriel Dickhaut, Carol A. Grazianna, Lida Bozant, Bernice M. Dietz, Frank J. Greigg, Jr., William N. Brady, Francis Dietz, Violet Grenier, Chris Penn Brady, Kevin Doll, Brian Gross, Edith T. Brady, Robert (Family) Domingo, Jr., Urbano G. Gross, Jr., Robert Briggs, Mary Lavina Long Donovan, Alice A. Gulio, Veronica Briggs, Sr., Raymond Stockdale Donovan, James E. Gustafson, James R. Brown, Carmella Dudek, Julia & Frank Hamby, Ellen V. Brown, Ellis Martin Duggan, Francis Harnett, Ruth N. Buchman, Jr., Bro. John Dukiewski, Mary Harrington, Joan A. Burell, Kathleen Dunn, Ann (Anna Martha) Harrington, Jr., John P. Burke, Reggie DuVinage, Frank Harrington, Sr., John P. Butler, Dorothy J. DuVinage, Raquel Harrison, John S. Cabatan, Edgardo O. Dyars, Elizabeth Hayes, Thomas Caravanas, Leroy Dzielak, Michael P. Hilgard, Dr., Patricia Carter, Alfred Earhart, William M. Hilton, Ruth Carter, Alfred Edwards, Connie Hilton, Sr., Dan Castleberry, Gladys England, Joseph Hilton-Thomas Family Celano, Jean M. England, Marion Himelinski, Stanley F. Claro, Gemma Decena Enriquez, Adora J. Ho, Christopher Cline, Thomas A. Eskridge, Sr., Ronald Lee Hofmann, Jr., Fr. Charles Cocanig, Raymond J. Ewald, Frederick (Family) House, Connie Colopy, Mary Ellen Farley, Martin Hurley, Margaret Connelly, Carol Loraine Fest, Rev., Donald Isom, Eunice G. Corvo, James (Family) Fink, Sandra Jackson, Evelyn Creamer, Francis Finneran, Elisa Mae Johnson, Lizzie

SPRING 2018 | 29 PERPETUAL ENROLLMENTS Continued Johnson, Patricia Messineo, Anthony John Sanchez, Jose A. Frades Joson, Mario Pascual Messineo, Michael Saulny, Dorothy J. Joson, Marisa Pascual Michna, Anthony Sawtelle, Kenneth (Family) Joson, Marites Michna, Betty Scamardo, Carl Joson, Milagros Miller, Annie E. Schartzer, James Joson, Pedro Miller, Richard (Family) Schiavi, J.B., Robert Joson, Reynerio Pascual Miller-Zocche, Marie Helene Schuller, Robert H. Kaepernick, Colin Minvella, Jennie Seabrook Family Kaiser, Chad E. Mitchell, Leroy Seabrook, Harold L. Kaiser, Dwight Morgan, Barbara Sebastian, Merin Kaiser, Todd Morris, Elise L. Settle, Jr., Steven R. Keeley, Martha J. Morrisette, John Carl Simpson, Jean A. Keene, Jean Morrisette, Michael Miles Sinclair, Shari Kenealy, Jr., Fr. John Mouton, Jesse Smith, Elizabeth Kerkove, Leo Mr. Payer Smith, Lizabeth V. Knight, Syreeta Mr. Shea Smith, Timothy Lee Konrad, Gordon Muller, Robert Sr. Christiana Maria, P.C.C. Kreischer, George Neye, Lucille Stop Abortion in Africa Kreischer, Stephen Nlend, Rodrigue Ndje (Family) Strahotsky, Stephen Andrew Kreiss, Andrew Joseph Nye, Shirley Streicher, SJ, Bernard Kreiss, Barbara Nye, William (Bill) Strum, Theresa Kreiss, John Paul Okagbue, Michelle Struzzi, Michael Q. Krochmalny, Michael Okagbue, Sasha Sweet, Jessi Lynn Krochmalny, Ronald O’Leary, Gerald Thomas, Joseph W. Kuruvilla, Mary Ottaviano, Mario Those in HeavenPurgatoryEarth Lambert, Ronald Ford Ottinger, Eric Tillman, Marie Lamotte, Carol&Lance Owens, Grace J. Tolmie, Adeline V. Lampariello, Emma Palarca, Esmeralda Joson Traham, Lou Anna Lampariello, Vincent Palarca, Jessica F. Tran-Chung, Adam Leary, Nancy Parvani, Vahid Tran-Chung, Andrew Lee, Thomas A.G.J. Patchan, Barbara Tucker, Milana Legeza, Shirley A. Patchan, George Tyndall, Edison C. Lemon, Marilyn E. Patchan, Mary Ulaszek, Josephine Lenick, Arlene Pecoraro, Marie Usac Family Lerow, Bishop, Donald Pedicone, Angela P. Vaccaro, Mario Cerafino Levis, Charles Matthew Perez, Eduardo Castro Verrey-Dinnewet Family Levis, Neil Andrew Pinao, Cushman K. Vlmer, Dobe Lipois, M.E. Pinao, Dolores M. (Demello) Walsh, Geraldine Loehr, James Merle Plummer, Fred Washington, Debbie Messineo Longrie, Mark Plummer, Shiela Washington, Sheila (Family) Magat, Corazon Podwojski, Elaine Wedel, Francis Carroll Malec, Patricia Podwojski, Joseph Wells, Jr., Warren Mancuso, Domenic Savio Porter, Emmett Whitlock Family Maniscalco, Tony Price, Linda A. Wieckowski, Joseph Marcelle, Ceola H. Pritchett Family Wieczorek Family Martin, Theresa Quarles, James H. Wiersgalla Family Matthews, Julia O. Rabon Family Williams, Sr., Clarence Maynor, Joseph A. Rachal, Francis Wizda, Elaine McCord, Doyle Randall, Wayne Wizda, Thomas S. McDougal, Alex Reaves, Janet Woolley, Rev., Arthur McDougal, Anthony Reed, Monica Works, Roslyn M. McDougal, Gerald Rew, David B. Young, Bertha McDougal, Joyce Rice, Patricia A. (Family) Young, Calvin McDougal, Ruby Riguard, Myra Zettler, Edward F. McGhie, Julie Rock, Elmer Zocche, Giovanni McLaughlin, William (Bill) Roddy, Rev., John Zocche, Isabelle McManus, Walter & Mary (Fam) Romolini, Dennis & Gloria Zocche, Luca McSwiggan, Anastasia Rush, Christopher (Family) Melancon, Donald A. Russo, Norma Melancon, Donald Anthony Ruvolo, Josephine

30 | THE JOSEPHITE HARVEST SPECIAL REMEMBRANCES The perpetual enrollment of a living or deceased loved one in the Josephite Society is a lasting commemoration. The person enrolled enjoys special remembrances in Masses for benefactors, said by all Josephites. Special Masses are said on every First Friday. Novenas of Masses are said JOSEPHITES.ORG in honor of St. Joseph and the Little Flower, for the Poor Souls and at Christmas. The offering ($10 for each person enrolled) is used for the education of future Josephite priests, for the opera- tion of parishes and schools, and for corporal and spiritual works of mercy undertaken by the Josephite Society.

To enroll someone you love, use the form below or contact: The Josephite Mission Office 911 W. Lake Avenue, Suite B • Baltimore, MD • 21210 1-844-249-5730 • www.josephites.org

Perpetual Enrollment Form (Please print all information) For your convenience, use the pre-addressed envelope located in the center of this magazine.

Name: (1)______

Requested by:______

❏ Individual Living.....$10 ❏ Individual Deceased...... $10 ❏ Family....$50

Name: (1)______

Requested by:______

❏ Individual Living.....$10 ❏ Individual Deceased...... $10 ❏ Family....$50

Name: (1)______

Requested by:______

❏ Individual Living.....$10 ❏ Individual Deceased...... $10 ❏ Family....$50

Your Name: ______

Address:______

City/State/Zip:______

*Certificates are sent only upon request. Please add $1.50 for each certificate and $2.50 for the Family certificates you request, to help cover handling and postage expenses. Additional requests may be submitted on a separate sheet of paper. Also you can: ❏ Renew your subscription to The Harvest ($10 per year) ❏ Add a new subscription to The Harvest ($10 per subscription) (If entering more than one new subscription, use a separate sheet of paper.)

❏ Enclosed is $______(Your gift supports the Josephite ministries.)

SPRING 2018 | 31 The Josephite Harvest 911 W. Lake Avenue, Suite B Baltimore, MD 21210 www.josephites.org

Moving? Please send your OLD & NEW address to the Josephites at 911 W. Lake Avenue, Suite B, Baltimore, MD 21210

HOUSE BLESSINGS Protect your home with a House Blessing from the Josephites The most important protection comes from the Lord. Our House Blessings strengthen not only your home, but your entire well-being. Order your House Blessing today! $10 Each CaCallll 4 1844-249-57300-727-3386 oorr eemailmail [email protected]@josephite.com