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Te Present Moment USA Distict of te Voluntas Dei Insttut

Summer 2021 HEART SPEAKS TO HEART Fr. Tony’s letter translated by Héctor and Ernestina Piña

Dear Voluntas Community, Querida Comunidad Voluntas,

Two years ago, I had the opportunity, Hace dos años, en mi viaje a España, tuve la together with some of our members and friends, to oportunidad de recorrer El Camino de Santiago, walk the Camino in Spain. The journey was a acompañado de algunos de nuestros miembros y beautiful experience for me that was filled with amigos. El viaje fue una hermosa experiencia, llena de many graces and surprises. bendiciones y sorpresas.

We have begun a Camino in the USA En el Distrito de USA, hemos comenzado un District as we journey to our District Assembly in Camino mientras nos acercamos a nuestra Asamblea en January 2022. The delegates had our first enero de 2022. Los delegados tuvimos nuestra primera meeting on April 15 to start the immediate reunión el 15 de abril para comenzar la preparación de preparation for the Assembly. The dates and la Asamblea lo más pronto posible. Las fechas y la agenda for our journey are presented in this issue agenda de nuestro viaje se presentan en esta edición de of our newsletter and will be discussed at our nuestro boletín y se discutirán en nuestro Congreso de August 2021 Congress. agosto de 2021.

The Assembly will be a time of deep La Asamblea será una oportunidad para listening as we read the sign of the times asking escuchar profundamente lo que el signo de los tiempos how God is calling us to serve the Church as we nos está diciendo, preguntándonos cómo Dios quiere live out our Voluntas vocation in the midst of the que le sirvamos a la Iglesia, mientras vivimos nuestra world. vocación como Voluntas Dei en medio del mundo. Dedicamos este número a los delegados electos que se We dedicate this issue to the elected unen a los delegados “ex oficio” (el director actual, el delegates who join together with the “Ex Officio” consejo y el ex director) según lo establece nuestra delegates (the current director, council and the constitución. former director) as guided by our Constitutions. En El Camino, la experiencia que más me The most powerful part of my Camino impactó fue cuando llegué a la tumba de Santiago, en experience was arriving at the end of the journey Santiago de Compostela. Los extraños que conocimos at the tomb of St. James in Santiago de en el camino estuvieron presentes en la última misa en Compostela. Strangers that we met along the way la Catedral. Ya no éramos extraños; ahora éramos una were present at the final Mass in the Cathedral. familia. Invitamos a los miembros del Distrito de USA, a We were no longer strangers; we were now one embarcarse en el viaje hacia nuestra Asamblea, donde family. We invite the entire USA District to make abriremos nuestros corazones al plan que Dios tiene the journey to our Assembly where we will open para nosotros en un futuro. our hearts to the future God has planned for us. Fraternalmente, Fraternally, Tony Tony SAVE THE DATES!

Annual Retreat and Congress August 2-6, 2021

Holy Family Retreat House Hartford, Connecticut Remembrances

The Retreat begins on Monday, August 2 at 12 noon and concludes on Wednesday, Robert Boris August 4 at 10:30 AM Roy Brown Fr. Albert Haase, OFM will be our retreat director. Claudia Bruno He was ordained a priest in 1983 and has had Arthur Candreva varied ministries over the years, including several years in China as a missionary. He is Joseph Deitz currently a popular retreat director and itinerant Julie Devine preacher. He is a great story-teller and has a Thomas Furlong marvelous sense of humor. Malachy Higgiston The Congress begins on Wednesday, Augustine Katady August 4 at 12 noon and concludes with lunch on Friday, August 6 Raymond Lefebvre Frank Masiello Sr. Sharon Holland, IHM will be the presenter at our annual Congress. Sister is an expert on Ruth and Bill McClellen secular institutes and spent many years in Rome William McKeone serving on the Congregation of the Institutes of George Perreira and Societies of Apostolic Life. Our members met her at our Zoom mini John Schotka congress in January. Eleanor & Bob Suroweic We look forward to her being with us to enhance our understanding of the spirituality of secular institutes.

Mark your calendars now!

2 THE USA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY UPDATES All members are asked to start praying APRIL 15, 2021 this prayer for our upcoming District Assembly in January 2022. Cards with Meeting of Delegates the prayer will be distributed at the August Overview of what an Assembly is and the Congress. Assembly process Role of the delegates and council Role of the facilitator and Assembly Coordinator Assembly Prayer MAY 20, 2021 Meeting of Delegates Loving God, you give us the present Assembly theme moment to create marvels. Every four Assembly prayer years you offer us a new day like a blank Surfacing proposals page. We are your artists committed to Assembly schedule painting a new picture to bring about your kingdom of peace, love and justice. You AUGUST 2-6, 2021 are already waiting to fill us with special August Retreat and annual Congress graces at our Assembly. Help us to Break out session to surface proposals (Delegates cooperate with your graces and be will facilitate groups on August 4) courageous in going to new places where After the Assembly proposals can be submitted by your Spirit wants to lead us. We place our individuals or teams (Deadline: Sept. 15) trust in you and in Our Lady for we know you are with us as we strive to do SEPTEMBER 28 your will above all things. Amen Meeting of Delegates Presentation of proposals Voluntas Dei Formation of working groups Per Mariam Immaculatam

OCTOBER 21 (Adapted from the writings of Meeting of Delegates Fr. Louis-Marie Parent) Final presentation of proposals Finalize Assembly schedule

NOVEMBER 1 Global communication to the USA District Director and Council Report Proposals/Assembly Theme and format

JANUARY 3-7, 2022 Celebration of the USA District Assembly, Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, Arizona Delegates arrive on Sunday afternoon or evening, January 2 Assembly begins on January 3, 2022 at 9:00 AM Assembly concludes on January 7, 2022 at 12 noon

3 Meet the Delegates

Daniel LaBlanc, OMI Central Park Team Assembly Facilitator

I came to know Fr. Parent a great many years ago. Later, when I worked as a missionary in Peru I was in frequent contact with the OMMI’s. And, after being asked to serve as the OMI representative at the United Nations in New York in 2004 and, by chance coming to live at Ascension in Manhattan, I had the opportunity of meeting some of the VDI members. I was invited to visit the team in New York and have been with VDI ever since, in different capacities, all the while remaining a Missionary of Mary Immaculate. Our spiritualities have many of the same roots, most notably Mary Immaculate.

Hector and Ernestina Piña Hispanic Team

God has always been present in our daily life. However, it was at the end of a Mass celebrated by Father Andrew Sioleti, over four years ago, at the St. Augustine Church, in Brooklyn, when we received an invitation to join a Friday evening meeting of the Voluntas Dei Institute. That was our call.

Ever since our lives have changed from being “semi-active catholics”, following the practices but without a deeper involvement, to becoming seekers of a more profound spirituality within the midst of the world.

The principles derived from the Institute have helped us to be more in contact with our love and faith in God which has grown steadily, deeper, and stronger; our devotion to the Mary has taken a extensive significance through praying the in group and trusting in her divine intercession.

Our journey within Voluntas has opened an opportunity to find God in any aspect of our daily life, and increase our opportunity to serve, starting within our own family and extending to others. We have been more conscious to change understanding instead of criticism and living more in the present moment as an opportunity to be better rather than spinning wheels in a past which will never return.

The Church is currently facing enormous challenges within and outside its walls. Somehow, it seems as if we are at a breaking point where some elements, rules and traditions need to change and adapt to the new realities but without losing its essence and fundamental principles. The spirituality of the IVD precisely offers a simple but profound way which can allow us to strengthen our catholic beliefs within these changing realities.

We thank God for this opportunity to be part of the Voluntas Dei Institute. 4 Greg McGivern Paul Tolve San Francisco Bay Team Reservoir of Grace Team

The power of a personal invitation can never be I came to Voluntas really by a “fluke” or was it the underestimated. I was introduced to Voluntas Dei by Rory quiet work of the Spirit? In 2001 my Director of Pastoral Murphy. It was my first time hearing about Secular Institutes. Services at the Westchester County Department of Corrections Rory’s enthusiasm about Voluntas Dei and his generous was intimating to me that he wanted to prepare me for his invitation for me to attend one of the March gatherings in position, as he was getting New Jersey many years ago had a profound and lasting impact ready to retire in the following year. As a my on me. The friendly welcome and the faith of all gathered Capuchin brothers were inspired me to set out on a journey of discernment which has planning to assign me as a led me to fully embrace and immerse myself into the Voluntas pastor of a parish which I Dei Institute as a vowed member. discerned was not my vocation as a friar. I always The spirituality wanted to work with people of the ‘Three Fives” of on the “fringe.” So my the Institute are ones challenge was how could I that I desire to stay “in jail” with everyone embrace and integrate on the fringe and still serve into my life. They are as a priest chaplain/director. simple and clear yet Then the “fluke of the Holy challenging and Spirit” took place. Tony Ciorra and I decided to have compelling in striving dinner together one evening after many years of not having to live in the present spent quality time together since our Capuchin days moment in the midst in 1978. But that evening (circa 2001/02) he had a Team of the world. I have meeting in Station, New Jersey. He nonchalantly also found what Fr. invited me to go with him to the meeting after dinner. I said Parent describes as the “surely” but had no idea what this group was all about. So I three qualities of the presence of God – the quality of being, went, enjoyed it and did not give it any further thought. I of presence, and of love to be inspirational in helping me remember meeting great people like Angelus and Damien, deepen my spiritual life and stay grounded. The monthly team Carol and Joel, Eileen and Marty, Andrew, Jim, and Jamie. A meetings and our twice-yearly gatherings are a critical month later we decided to have dinner together again, but it component in staying spiritually and socially connected with was again the Team meeting night for Tony. So I said I’ll go the Voluntas Dei Community . again… and so now here I am years later, a Voluntas member, who never ever thought that I would ever leave the “Caps.” (after 25 years). Make plans and God laughs. Presently, I exercise my priestly ministry in Sonoma, Needless to say, by the will of God I was able to transfer to California as chaplain at a high school and residential Voluntas and keep my priestly faculties and remain in prison treatment center for young people who have been impacted by ministry for over 22 years. adverse childhood experiences, and who desire for a hopeful and meaningful life. In July, I am moving on to a new The spirituality of the Institute has kept me grounded ministry assignment as chaplain at the University of San in what at times could be a very challenging ministry. Diego. Working with incarcerated persons and the pain they suffer can take its toll on one’s health. The practice of the Three When I think of the needs of the church today, I think Fives, especially practicing the presence of God in the Present of reform, renewal, inclusion of all people and a new Moment is what was most helpful to me. I thank God for the evangelization. Francis reminds us in The wisdom and deep spirituality of our founder, Fr. Parent. He “Fratelli Tutti” that we are brothers and sisters and that we are understood what it meant to be grounded in every day life and all interconnected. It is imperative that the church continues to how to translate that into ordinary circumstances. be a prophetic voice affirming the dignity of all. The Institute Voluntas Dei offers the Church at large a model of practical spirituality that grounds us all in the service of the Gospel!

5 Michael Seis St. Isidore Team

I was introduced to Voluntas Dei through Tim Corbley. Tim told me about this amazing Secular Institute where priests, couples, and single lay people would come together to share a common spiritual life. At first, I was a bit skeptical, it sounded too good to be true. I also knew of Voluntas Dei in the Dominican Republic, but didn't have any contact at the time with the Institute here. I remember going to my first meeting one cold March in Newark and was hooked!

The spirituality of the Institute has been a very important part of my life. Being part of the Institute has helped me to try to become a better priest - trying to live the spirituality of the 3 5's has not been easy, but helps motivate me and guide me on my journey.

My ministry for the past twenty five years has been pretty exciting. I am the pastor of three parishes along the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, and of the of San Juan de la Maguana. The three parishes have a population of over 50,000. We have a good size staff and hundreds of volunteers who make things run pretty smoothly. Our ministry is divided in two aspects: spiritual care and human development.

Since I am the only priest in the area things can get rather busy. Every weekend I preside at between six and eight Masses. Besides the three main parishes I have another 100 communities that make up the parish. Through the years I have baptized over 20,000 people, at one Mass I had 100 alone. Another time I had 27 couples get married at one Mass. We also started two schools: a elementary school with 620 students and a vocational high school with 525 students. I must say there has never been a dull moment here.

The other aspect of our ministry here has been human development. Being located on the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti we deal with a lot of poverty. Through the years we have built over 150 homes, 1200 latrines, 9 aqueducts, and lots of other projects to help alleviate the poverty and help improve the lives of our people. No one person can accomplish anything, it is only when we work together, can things be accomplished. I have been very blessed to have always worked with hundreds of lay people and women religious in my ministry here.

The church today needs to continue to follow the lead of . A church that does not operate from an ivory tower, but a church that has the smell of the sheep. A church that does not condemn, but a church that recognizes that we are all broken in need of God's loving presence. I am hopeful for our church and I believe that Voluntas Dei has something very important to offer to the church.

6 Rory Murphy Julian Gonzalez North-Rhine Westphalia Team San Francisco Bay Team

I came to VDI in 2003 during a period of life where I found myself in transition. I had been a Capuchin Franciscan friar for 30 years and found that my family was in need of my presence in Florida. In talking with Paul Tolve one day I explained to him my situation and the fact that I was at crossroads. He told me about Voluntas Dei and told me to go look it up on Internet and to call him back. I was moving to Florida in the summer and starting a new educational ministry there; this allowed me some free time to attend my first congress with VDI and I was hooked immediately. Fr. George Hazler also had a lot to It was early in 2007 that I first became acquainted do with my transition. with Institute Voluntas Dei (IVDei) through Fr. George who We found that we were worked at the hospital system where I was a chaplain in Daly working for the same City, CA. George said to me: ‘come and see’. At IVDei I group of Sisters, the encountered a wonderful new spiritual fellowship. What Daughters of Charity, and particularly struck me was the vibrancy of the group – so were living and working down the freeway from very different from my years of clerical experience. IVDei each other. Even more, Jim Halley and Rory Murphy were also gatherings consisted of lay and clerical; single attendees and working for the same Sisters in the medical division. It was married couples – all so refreshing. Also, no one used titles - encouraging to see the flexibility of the growing future USA a truly inclusive picture of church as community. I am District. always deeply grateful for this ‘new life’, lived out in our spirituality of the ‘Three Fives’. A parallel influence in my The spirituality of VDI was very much to my liking as it spiritual life over recent years, has been that of the Jesuit was very similar to what I was used to and had grown to love--the who said: ‘My name is Francis’. His fresh approach made me evangelical and free spirituality of the Franciscan Order. There wonder if he might even belong to a Secular Institute? - were many similar elements that spoke to me such as simplicity, Christ in the midst of the world. Pope Francis challenges me practicality, living in the present moment, trust in God and it was a to be the sign and presence of God’s love and mercy Marian spirituality. Even more, VDI allowed me to be a priest, minister to young people and take care of my elderly mother. wherever I am, and always. To welcome all; to serve; to share; to be grateful; to be a JOY-filled Christian. Over the Currently I am retired from educational ministry and have years, my appreciation of IVDei has been broadened, no permanent assignments in any ministry. I do continue to deepened and enriched, particularly as I encountered minister internally to the District by maintaining records and a members from other parts of the world - from Africa to the large database. My ministry in the past prepared me well for what Americas and South East Asia. I learn so much from their I currently do, as for years I worked in internal ministries as a diverse experiences of life, of the church and of our Institute. Capuchin friar. I worked on publications of newsletters for my Their stories continually enrich my spirit – and many times Province as well as at the General level in Rome in the Statistical over. Department as well as maintaining the computer network at the General . As part of my internal ministry I also worked on And all this, as they say, while holding down a ‘day numerous Provincial Chapters as well as on General level chapters. job’. For me, as a hospital chaplain in central London, it is During my time in Rome I also did simultaneous translations often being called to minister at the bedside of: the young during international IT congresses with others working at the General level in their respective Institutes. couple grappling with ‘bad news’; or the large family surrounding their dying parent/loved one. And also I find that we as a District and as an Institute are in a very celebrating so many joyous moments: a newborn; the big privileged place with regards to the current needs of the Church. ‘C’ in remission, or that: ‘I am being discharged at last’. Our spirituality and style of life is flexible and adaptive to the needs of the local Church. I find that not owning real estate as an Thinking ahead to our Assembly in January, I am Institute also frees us to minister in diverse ministries as needs filled with deep gratitude and joy thanking God for our arise and according to our talents and inclinations. In a nutshell, I vibrant community and praying for new leaders who carry find the Institute to be like a nursery hothouse that prepares its within their hearts a deep awareness of God’s mercy for all. members to go out and minister with joy and fruitfulness.

7 Alexis Ibarra Lake Balboa Team

I have been a member of Voluntas Dei since 2008. I was introduced to Voluntas Dei by Fr. Julián González in the Fall of 2007 with a simple question. We both were working together at Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, and he had known of my desire to be a priest and simply asked one day, ‘Do I still want to be a priest?’ I answered yes, but then quickly told him that I was so immersed in the life of the school at that time that it may be too late for me. He then shared with me about Voluntas Dei and extended an invitation to come and see, see for myself what it was all about, and if I felt comfortable, I could stay. I have said this before, if it wouldn’t have been for Fr. Julián and that simple interaction I would not be where I am today.

The Spirit works in very mysterious ways. Voluntas Dei became a family to me and continues to this very day. After journeying through the formation process to become a full member of Voluntas Dei, I took Final Vows and was received into Stability in August of 2016 and was ordained to the Diaconate on August 6th in the presence of the entire community at Daylesford in Paoli, PA. I returned to Miami and continued to teach and served in my home parish as a . I continued to prepare myself for my ordination the priesthood, and my lifelong dream of becoming a priest was realized on June 17th, 2017. I was ordained a priest of Jesus Christ and the Cathedral of the Madeline in Salt Lake City, Utah, by Bishop Oscar Solis. As I mentioned earlier, the Spirit works in mysterious ways. As it turns out, thinking that I would serve the community in Miami, the Spirit had other plans for me and 4 days after my ordination, I, along with Fr. Julián began a new chapter in both of our lives, we drove cross country and relocated to California. After much prayer and discernment, I left Miami and began my priesthood in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. For my first assignment, I was assigned to St. Alphonsus Liguori Parish in East LA. This past September 2020, after completing my three-year assignment, I was assigned as administrator of one of the largest parishes in the entire Archdiocese, the parish of St. John Chrysostom in Inglewood, CA. I am loving life. I am living my Voluntas Dei charisms day to day as a parish priest, which is to say the least extremely busy. Even though we are still limited because of the pandemic, our parish is very active and, never a dull moment. Along with the parish I have an elementary school as well, with 254 students from TK through 8th Grade. These past 8 months have been very challenging as we continue to maneuver the pandemic, just three weeks ago we began to celebrate our daily masses inside the church. Our Sunday liturgies, due their sizes, continue to be celebrated outside under tents. We hope to return with all our liturgies inside the church in the coming weeks. Every day I find myself learning something new, and every day I am given another opportunity to live my Voluntas Dei spirituality, trusting God completely, humbly accepting my limitations and weaknesses and putting them at the service of His people and His Church, under the loving care of Mary our Good Mother.

After this most challenging year and as we return to a ‘new normal’, I believe that the Church today, once again, is simply called to accompany the faithful and share with them the Risen Christ. As we celebrate Pentecost, we entrust ourselves and all the members of Voluntas Dei to the Lord and pray … “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

8 Steve Orth Team Wabash

I was born, raised and continue to live in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am 58 years old. I am a lifetime Catholic. I am the father of three beautiful children and grandfather to a precious grandson. I attended parochial school until sixth grade at which time I transferred to the public school from which I graduated. I attended Eastern Kentucky University and obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Special and Elementary Education in 1985. I obtained a Master’s of Education from the University of Cincinnati in 1992. I taught as an Intervention Specialist (Special Education Teacher) for thirty years and retired from teaching in 2015. I am currently employed with Easter Seals of Greater Cincinnati and serve as a “job coach” for Project SEARCH based at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. This is a program designed to assist young adults with developmental needs and challenges to transition into the world of employment by performing a variety of “internships” throughout the hospital facility during the period of one school year. I have been an active member of my church parishes for many years serving in ministries such as Interfaith Hospitality Network and sitting on Parish Council. I currently attend St. Columban Parish in Loveland, Ohio and serve as Eucharistic Minister.

I found Voluntas Dei online during a time of great searching in my life. This was a long journey and in 2013 I attended my first retreat at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli, PA. It was because of this retreat and most importantly, meeting the members of our institute, that I elected to commit my life to this vocation and radical manner of living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I entered Aspirancy in 2016 and entered Vows in 2019. Voluntas Dei has been the great blessing and joy in this, my second half of life.

Every day I attempt, through the help of our dear Lord and Blessed Mother, to live this most wonderful form of Christian life as a Voluntas Dei. Our institute’s simple (but challenging) spirituality manifest in our Three Fives, keeps me focused and grounded. The writings of our founder, Fr. Louie-Marie Parent, O.M.I, offer clarity and guidance. Keeping in frequent contact with our membership through monthly Team Meetings and weekly online gatherings is the true blessing of community life in a secular institute.

I consider it a great honor and blessing to have been chosen as a delegate in the upcoming General Assembly for our USA District. I will continue to seek the strength and guidance from the Holy Spirit and our Blessed Mother to serve our district to the best of my ability and hopefully contribute to its’ continued growth in membership and ministry throughout our district and the world. I ask that you continue to keep me in your prayers and please know that you are always in mine. I pray for each of you in this upcoming year as we cautiously remove our masks and begin to breath again the air of peace and gratitude, free from fear and anxiety. I will continue to keep in my prayers those that serve on the front lines during this health crisis and particularly those whom we have lost due to COVID-19. I look forward to seeing many of you again in August and share an embrace, laughter and prayer.

“We are aware of having been called by Jesus himself to live a special lifestyle: to be consecrated persons immersed in the midst of the world, revealing Christ with the means of the world. As Christ allows himself to be guided by the wills of his Father, so do we let ourselves be directed by the wills of the Son.” (Fr. Louie-Marie Parent, O.M.I., pg. xv; Constitutions: Voluntas Dei Institute)

9 James Burns City of Lakes Team

I came to know about Voluntas from my ordination classmate, Fr. Tim Corbley. He has been involved for some time and had always recommended to me that Voluntas would be a community that could really be a good fit for me and my ministry especially because of the spirituality of the Institute. He was right. As I got to know about the Insititute first through Fr. George Hazler and then, when I was doing a pre-doctoral fellowship in Connecticut, through Fr. Tony Ciorra, I became seriously intrigued. He was right and it was true the Insititute was a great place for me in terms of my ministry but especially the spirituality of the 3 Fives. As I got to know more about the people and the life of the Institute, I became more deeply connected.

Since joining the Institute, Voluntas Dei has really shaped my life. I am continuing to orient my call and my spiritual life according to the 3 Fives and the writings of Fr. Parent, which are at once both simple and straightforward but also profound and deep in terms of seeking to live them out. I especially see how seeking to put on the attitudes of Christ through absence of negative criticism and complaint, seeking to be a peace maker while being available for service and living in the present moment make a significant difference in how I approach people and work, especially in a complex university system. I believe this transformed way of thinking and being is for the better.

This is all the more the case in my ministry as a priest who is also a university president. I believe seeing and approaching individuals and their situations through the eyes of Christ within the life of a university has significantly changed how I apply the formation offered me through the work of Fr. Parent. On any given day I move between student and challenges and opportunities, relating to donors and supporters, addressing the concerns and hopes of parents and families, navigating the complexities of local, state and federal agencies, managing enrollment and budget strategies while building for the future and so much more that it is rewarding to be able to re-position all of this through the lens of the 3 Fives and the spirituality of the present moment. It keeps me clear minded and focused on what is truly important, Jesus Christ, and my relationship with Him and His Church, the body of Christ.

John Anderson Central Park Team

I’ve grown to appreciate the adage that “God writes straight with crooked lines” over the past 18 years since being introduced to the Institute by Andrew Sioleti. Tony Ciorra would occasionally speak about “God’s crooked lines” during our Team meetings, and they have become a meaningful descriptor as I reflect upon my life’s path and its non-linear trajectory. Gratefully, my years with the Institute and living our spirituality have helped to enable a “long view” from where I am today.

Stepping back to see a longer view and a bigger picture has enabled some discernment and the gift of recognizing the Lord’s presence during the many surprises, roller coaster rides, and even some painful erratic periods that make up the movement of my life. This month I celebrate my silver jubilee of ordination in Atlanta and could never have imagined that I would spend the majority of these years living in New York, serving as a priest in Catholic health care, or a ministry of accompaniment in palliative and end-of-life care. I had no clue that my priesthood would continue to be formed and nurtured by my former and now , Tim Dolan; nor of the felix culpa for skipping the day Fr. Ghirlanda covered Secular Institutes in law class.

I wish I could give God all the credit to include the harder bumps and the pain caused by the harshest turns and twists my life has taken the past twenty-five years; and for the stress and worry they brought me, my family and loved ones. But I learned hard lessons along the way that helped me to own my mistakes, to carry the burden of accountability and overcome the fear of being vulnerable. I credit members of my Team and the insights I slowly gained from living the Three Fives for reminding me of God’s abiding love and forgiveness and the blank page God gives me each day to apply what I learned and to grow in trust that love alone unmasks the truth of who we are.

Those crooked lines and the space they provide for recognizing both the triumphs and the failures along the way, can also be reassuring, especially during times of grace and consolation. They have taught me something of the wisdom Merton writes about in his beautiful prayer about following God’s will and not seeing the road ahead nor knowing for sure at times that I am actually following it. I have learned to join my prayer with his that my desire to please God does in fact please and hope for that desire in all that I am doing. With a great deal of gratitude, I trust that Jesus is ever with me to never face my journey alone.

10 Happy Birthday!

May July 01 - Frank Berna 10 - Hector Pína 02 - John Anderson 15 - Michael Denk 08 - Benjamin Madanu 16 - Ernie Chaplin, Leo 10 - Anne Fleischl Patalinghug 14 - Olga Pirela 23 - Skip Buckman 18 - Virgie Nolan 24 - Maryjane Trexler 19 - Jan Dugan 26 - Ron Galt 22 - Bill Konicki Happy Anniversary! 27 - James Burns 23 - Eileen Lang 28 - Greg Kremer, Rory Murphy 28 - Frances Brown Jim Musumeci - May 1, 1976 31 - Benjamin Chinnappan Lenin Delgado - May 11, 1991 Mariann & Steve Rossi - May 15, 1971 George Hazler - May 20, 1967 June Joel Livingston - May 21, 1994 August Daniel Whelan - May 22, 2004 03 - Bill Reuter Frank Berna - May 24, 1980 04 - Gerard Jacobitz 02 - Julian Gonzalez Jamie Bono - May 24, 2003 06 - Betty Reuter, Terry Ingham 06 - Catherine Creen Julian Gonzalez - May 25, 1984 07 - Joseph Kabali 09 - Christopher Lauber Benjamin Chinnappan - May 26, 1988 08 - Selma Flood 15 - Michaeleen Smith Anthony Ciorra - May 26, 1973 09 - Anthony DiPalma 17 - John O’Neill Anthony DiPalma - May 26, 1973 13 - David Buckles 26 - Ellen Napier James Burns - May 29, 2003 15 - Gregory McGivern Timothy Corbley - May 29, 1993 20 - Pam Chaplin Michael Seis - May 29, 1993 27 - Patricia Buckley James Bromwich - May 31, 2003 29 - Elaine Basile Antonia & Jorge Bueno - June 2, 1985 Paul Tolve - June 2, 1984 Bill Konicki - June 3, 1978 Ed Stewart - June 3, 1989 Gerard Steffener - June 4, 1960 Jim Halley - June 5, 2004 Leo Patalinghug - June 5, 1999 John Szamreta - June 6, 1981 Carol & Joel Livingston - June 7, 1958 Michael Cronin - June 13, 1985 Greg McGivern - June 16, 1985 John O’Neill- June 17, 2000 Ronald Galt - June 27, 1992 John Anderson - June 29, 1996

David Buckles - July 16, 1988 Olga & Ed Pirela - July 17, 1971 Madeline & Jaime Graells - July 21, 1974

Eileen & Paul Lang - August 4, 1984 Peter Francis - August 18, 1980 Nell & Christopher Lauber - August 20, 1988

11 FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF VOWED/COMMITTED MEMBERS Our statutes require that by virtue of our vow of poverty that all vowed members contribute 7-10% and committed members 2% of their net income. Aspirants and Probationers participate in A weekly homily by John O’Neill the financial support of the Institute reflecting on the Sunday readings according to their means. and applying them to our Voluntas Dei spirituality can be If any member is unable to contribute according found on the international to our statutes, they should communicate this website at directly to Tony Ciorra. He is the only one that will receive this information and it will be www.voluntasdei.org received with compassion and kept strictly confidential.

All contributions should be sent directly to the Chair of the District Finance Committee:

Deacon Paul Lang 26 Settler Court Tinton Falls, NJ 07753

Visit our website at voluntasdeiusa.org

Voluntas Dei USA District Council

Fr. Anthony Ciorra District Director

In order to keep our address list Fr. Francis Berna up-to-date, please send any Assistant Director changes to Julian Gonzalez at: [email protected] Fr. Michael Cronin Councilor

Fr. Leo Patalinghug Councilor

Eileen and Paul Lang Councilors

12