Inside General Assembly World Youth Day Divine Renovation New General Superior

Fall 2016

r. Allan MacDonald, CC was elected as the new General Superior of the Community on September 2, 2016. The vote marked the end of the General F Assembly, which convened in Ogdensburg, New York, on August 30 and wrapped up on the day of the vote.

This new General Superior follows in the impressive footsteps of now-Bishop Scott McCaig, CC who, before being appointed to the episcopate on April 8 of this year, was the General Superior of the Companions for 10 years. Now, Fr. Al- lan MacDonald will lead the Companions of the Cross Community for six years. Fr. Allan MacDonald has served in the following capacities: Vocations Director, University Chaplain, and has assisted with the first year Applicancy Program. He has also led many missions and parish retreats. All this makes him a great leadership choice for the Community that has pastors, professors, university and hospital chaplains, and road missionaries within its ranks.

Fr. Pierre Ingram, CC, Companion of the Cross Director of Formation and former Executive Council member said, “He has great spiritual wisdom and experience in ministry, and he exemplifies our charism. We are eager to move forward in our common mission and brotherhood under his leadership.”

Fr. Allan MacDonald’s appointment comes at a time of great growth for the Community. The past four years have seen two Community members become bishops (the other being Bishop Christian Riesbeck, CC in Ottawa). The Community is also showing much promise for great growth with 24 seminarians considering the priesthood.

Bishop Scott McCaig, CC former General Superior said, “Fr. Allan MacDonald embodies the charisms and spirituality of our late founder, Fr. Bob Bedard.”

The Companions of the Cross were founded by Fr. Bob Bedard, CC in Ottawa, Ontario, in 1984. What started out as a small group of men meeting weekly has grown to a Community with 2 Bishops, 38 priests, and 24 seminarians. They serve in Ottawa, Toronto, Halifax, Detroit, and Houston...... The Companions of the Cross is a quarterly WHAT’S INSIDE Credits publication designed to encourage spiritual growth and to share about God’s movement within a new Become Like Children...... 3 Publisher community of Catholic priests, and candidates for The Companions of the Cross the priesthood. The Companions’ ministries are Thirty Years!...... 5 made possible by the prayerful generosity of its supporters, to whom we are most grateful. A Sacrifice of Mercy ...... 7 Editors-in-Chief Fr. Allan MacDonald, General Superior The editorial team welcomes your comments and Mercy Becomes Joy ...... 9 Fr. Rick Jaworski inquiries. Mailing Address: General Assembly: We’re Not Worthy ...... 10 Managing Editor 199 Bayswater Avenue Christine Labrosse Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1Y 2G5 From Refugees to Newcomers ...... 12 Office: (613) 728-3175 Graphic Design Fax: (613) 725-1590 Proclaiming the Kerygma ...... 16 Dyann Bernard 1-866-885-8824 (toll free in Canada) Pigs Can Fly Design 1-866-724-6073 (toll free in USA) 2016/2017 CC Households ...... 18 [email protected] Web site: companionscross.org E-mail: [email protected] “Inside Man” ...... 20 Publications Mail Agreement #: 40016244 Padre’s Picks: Parish Renewal ...... 22 Community News & Notes ...... 23 F e a t u r e by Fr. Bob Bedard, CC j o an m eg i ll b y P h oto “The picture is a Christmas shot with Fr. Bob holding his ‘namesake’. Robert was named after Fr. Bob. When I first Become came to St. Mary’s Fr. Bob told me to pray the ‘dangerous prayer’—giving God permission to do whatever he wanted in my life. When I became pregnant I told him it was his fault like (for telling me to pray that way!) So I named Rob after him. Children Jennie & Tom are also in the picture.”—Joan Megill This article is transcribed from a homily given at St. Mary’s Parish Would you say that this world as a human society is in the control in Ottawa, July 16, 1986. It is presented in the style that Fr. Bob of the learned and the clever? I would say so. It’s the brains that spoke, and is not his typical written work. are running us, right? They’re telling us where to go, what’s important, setting priorities; it’s the learned and the clever that are he line that strikes me is when St. Matthew quotes Jesus. in charge. And yet the Lord is saying things are hidden from It’s where the master says, “I praise you, Father, because them and revealed to the merest children. Jesus is calling us to T you have hidden these things from the learned and the clev- be childlike. Not childish, childlike. And he will reveal things to er and you have revealed them to mere children” (Matt 11:25). We us. If we rely too much on our own intelligence, we won’t know know that he talked about children more than once. He said, “Let what Jesus calls these “things”. These things are very simply the them come to me. Don’t prevent the children from coming to me. greater truths. Let them come” (Matt 19:14). I suppose they piled all over him. How do I know for example, that God is real He loved children. And he said in other places and he’s quoted if I don’t see him? more than once saying, much in the same way, “Be like children. How do I know if Jesus is who he says he is? Master, Be like children all of you” (c.f. Matt 18:2-4). I think that’s what Lord, Saviour and King? How do I know? he’s talking about here today. That the Father has revealed things How do I know that the Holy Spirit is powerful to the merest children. Things that are hidden and kept from the if I don’t experience that? learned and the clever. How do I know that Jesus is present in the Blessed Sacrament, in this place? I’m not an expert on children but I am a keen observer. I have been How do I know that there is life after death? observing and relating to children for years, and I’m still doing it. How do I know that there is heaven with the Lord? In fact a lot of them are like grandchildren to me now. Not an ex- How do I know that there is such a place of pert at children, but I’m a keen observer. I think what Jesus means purification as purgatory? is that he wants us to be dependent like children. Children are not How do I know any of these things? independent. They depend on others, don’t they? Jesus is saying be like children, depend upon me. Don’t be as tough as the Jesus tells us how we know. It’s by revelation. Not just revelation world tells you to be. Don’t be so smart or independent. Don’t to the Church in the beginning, not just revelation of the Church be so together but rather be like children, dependent upon me. over the centuries, but revelation to me. It’s a word that is spo- ken by the Holy Spirit to my spirit. When I come to him like a I think he means too that he wants us to be like children in that child. “Come to me,” he says, “you that are overburdened.” Ever they ask a lot of questions. Children don’t assume, by my obser- feel that way? Do you ever feel burdened down? My burden is vance, that they know very much. And as a result of that they ask that I’m so busy. At least I think I am. I kid myself into thinking all kinds of questions. If you’ve ever spent a day, and I know some I’m so busy, it’s my burden. I feel burdened. I have to come to the of you have day after day, with an 8-year old or a 7-year old, you Lord as a child, because I can’t handle it. I really can’t. Do you know what it is. They ask their questions. “That’s good,” I think ever feel burdened? Jesus is saying come to me like a child. And that’s what the Lord is saying, “ask me questions.” And trust the I will reveal. way children are as well. Jesus is saying if we will come to him as children, then he will reveal to us the things that are hidden We’re really talking about the gift of faith, aren’t we? That’s what from the learned and the clever. it is. Faith is a gift from God. The truth about God and not only

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 3 ... the great truths that I’ve talked about, but what he is saying right church anymore. We want to be there. We want to be there to join here right now, those things are available to us by revelation. If with brothers and sisters and worship God, because if we don’t, we you look for logic, if we try and figure things out, we’re liable to forget who we are. We’ll think we’re in control. And if ever there miss it. was a mistake that anybody could make it’s to think that he or she is in control of things. I cannot control my world. And the sooner And you know, it’s very, very difficult for those who are very I give up control and try to handle it and design it, the better off clever to come to Jesus like children. Like one of my students I’ll be. who asked me “How come, Father, all the brightest people in the world are atheists?” I was caught a little off guard as I very often We need to come to Jesus as a child. Once that light of faith be- was, and I said, “Well, in the first place, they’re not all atheists, gins to burn, the presence from the power of God will energize and in the second place I think you have a point. The problem is, me, will transform me, and make me a new person. And then the they’re so smart.” It is difficult for an intelligent or clever person great thing is evidence starts to pile up about what God is doing. to believe there is something that he or she can’t figure out. That’s It’s like he gives you a new set of eyes so you can see what he’s just difficult. It is hidden from the learned and the clever. Until we doing. Believe me, take my word for it, there is absolutely nothing become humble, until we come in subjection, in surrender, until to compare with seeing God work. Because he knows how to do we get to that point of surrender we don’t really know. things. Once we come to that point of surrender, come like a child before him, all those things that are hidden from the learned and Faith is not something that can be handed from one person to an- the clever, he reveals to us. Jesus says come to me as children. other. I, as the preacher here, the pastor of the parish, I can’t give The response we need to make is Lord, we come. you faith. I presume you have faith. But, who knows? Maybe you ...... just wandered in off the streets, saw the crowd coming and came in. I don’t know. That’s possible, it has happened. It happens regu- Fr. Bob Bedard, CC was the founder of the Companions of the Cross. larly. Or maybe you’ve been dragged here today. That happens He passed on to his eternal reward on October 6, 2011. too. That happens to children sometimes. Who say to themselves, “Well, I’m going all right. But when the day comes when I can make up my own mind, I won’t be there.” Why? Well because the ...... faith is not stirred up, you see. Or, not only children get dragged to church, sometimes spouses get dragged to church in order to keep peace at home.

So I as a preacher can’t give you faith. I can’t do it. I cannot make that revelation to you. Neither can a teacher in a classroom, or the leader of a group. Nor can parents give faith to their children. They can’t. It comes directly from God. The only thing I can do, the only thing that we can do, is to encourage people to open their hearts to the Lord. To come to him like children, in submission, in surrender, so that he can deal with me, with you, with them. That’s the way it works. And that’s what Jesus means.

The answer is Jesus himself who will speak to us, send the Holy Spirit, when we come to him like children. Faith is a gift from God. Our faith, our religion is not supposed to be a pile of doubts. There’s nothing noble about uncertainty. Faith is not a search for the truth. When it comes to the basic truths that God wants his people to know, the search is over. These are revealed by God to the heart. God speaks to the heart and not to the head. The head SHARE cannot contain the Lord. The heart can deal with him. He speaks to the heart. God is too big for your head. Don’t try and stuff him in there. He doesn’t fit. Open your heart to him so that he can reveal JOY himself to you. Just as Jesus says, “Father, I praise you then that you have hidden these things from the learned and the clever and you have revealed them to the merest children.” FOR VOCATION INQUIRIES CONTACT SR. MELINDA 613.729.8710 Well once we come to that point of surrender in our lives, then the WWW.SERVANTSOFTHECROSS.CA light of faith begins to burn bright. We don’t have to get dragged to

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 4 ... Feature by Fr. Dennis Hayes, CC

Thirty Years! n October 18th the Feast of St. Luke I will celebrate my 30th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood. If only OI could give honourable mention to all the people and events through which I have been blessed beyond measure during these 30 years of priesthood. That of course would require a book with many chapters. Instead, let me tell you about three memo- rable episodes that are like bookmarks in this marvelous 30 year journey of faith.

The Big Move to Ottawa It was the middle of winter in 1985, my last semester of theological studies at St. Augustine’s major seminary in Toronto. Previously, ann e- mari e g r ude n in the fall semester, I had discerned that I should postpone ordination to the transitional diaconate, which would have preceded my ordination to the priesthood later that year for the Diocese of Ham- b y P h oto ilton. At that time, a strong feeling of unease and uncertainty had ordination while remaining a member of this new community. By settled upon me. I was fairly certain that I was called to the priest- the time I was ordained in October of 1986, the number of men hood yet something within me was saying wait, not yet! So what joining the Companions had doubled with many men knocking on now? As I prayed through the darkness, doubt and anxiety at the Fr. Bob’s rectory door to inquire about the community. time one name and one person only came to mind, Fr. Bob Bedard in Ottawa. Soon after, I placed the long distance call to Ottawa. We In my first two years of priesthood I was appointed to a bilingual spoke on the phone and then and there, Fr. Bob recommended that parish, St. Gabriel’s in the east end of Ottawa. Preaching every I come up at the end of my final semester for a visit where he had weekend in both English and French at six weekend masses pre- recently taken the helm as Pastor of St. Mary’s parish. sented a real challenge at times, but the excitement and thrill of ministering in a very vibrant parish community made up for all the This episode of my coming up to Ottawa in 1985 Fr. Bob memo- sweat and tears. rably used to call “the man who came to dinner but never left”! Yes, that certainly captured the moment! From my first week at St. Mary’s I felt right at home. The missing piece in my vocation jour- The Big Rescue ney had been found. The Lord, as I could best discern at the time, The second life episode that I want to share with you has now was asking me to join up with a group of men (the brothers as they given me a stronger desire to thank God for his abundant mercies. were called) who had started meeting in Fr. Bob’s rectory living What I am about to tell you took place on April 26, 2004 while I room the previous year. These events are familiar to most of you was serving as Associate Pastor at St. Maurice Parish in Nepean. as this small band of men formed the nascent group that went on to That evening I drove down to the local sports complex for my become the Companions of the Cross. Within a year of my arrival usual weekly swim. During this particular swim routine at about I was ordained to the transitional diaconate for the Archdiocese the 30 minute mark in the pool, I suffered a serious heart attack. A of Ottawa with an understanding that I would go on to priestly few moments later I was pulled from the water unconscious by the

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 5 ... one lifeguard on duty that evening. of a rare autoimmune disease called I was told later that at that moment I Miller Fisher Syndrome. The cause is had no discernable vital signs. From my first week unknown and it is considered a rare variant of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Thankfully this one lifeguard on at St. Mary’s I felt right The underlying mechanism of these duty had some extra helpmates to disorders involves the body’s im- call upon. And so, a few more able at home. The missing piece mune system, which mistakenly at- lifeguards were quickly summoned tacks the peripheral nerves and dam- from the adjacent Olympic size pool. in my vocation journey ages the myelin insulation within the Fortunately for me the other life- nerve tissues. guards were part of the swim facili- had been found. ties’ Competitive Life Saving Team! In June of 2008, I had been called It so happened that the lifesaving back to Ottawa from St. Timothy’s team were in session for a scheduled parish in Toronto to live with Fr. practice for their upcoming provincial championships. All hands Bob. Many of the CC brothers were concerned about what seemed were literally called on deck for yours truly. I was hanging some- to be a condition of deteriorating health in our beloved founder. where between heaven and earth when I was eventually resusci- Since I had overseen Fr. Bob’s care on behalf of the community tated thanks to the application of some very skillful life saving during a previous illness of his, I was asked to move in with Fr. techniques and the aid of a portable defibrillator. After a scheduled Bob at our 199 Bayswater household. debriefing by pool staff a few weeks later I was told by the facility director that they had dubbed my near death experience as “the Fr. Bob’s autoimmune disorder was successfully treated at the Perfect Rescue”! Oh yes, I should mention that the lifesaving team Civic Hospital but not without leaving some lasting effects on our did go on to win their Ontario provincial championships that same dear founder. Fr. Bob would now need round the clock full medi- year. When I think back now about the events that took place on cal care and supervision. After a long hospitalization that lasted that Monday evening in April of 2004, I will share with you an over six months Fr. Bob was transferred to Carlingview Manor in expression I once heard from my dear brother and friend Fr. Allan Ottawa’s west end. Once again, I was appointed by the community MacDonald, namely – “It’s all too odd not to be God!” to oversee Fr. Bob’s care for the last three remaining years of his life until his passing on October 6th, 2011 on the eve of the Feast Despite the amazing rescue, I did have to spend more than two of Our Lady of the Rosary. weeks at Ottawa’s finest “Happy Heart Hotel” - the Ottawa Heart Institute. A day after being admitted, one of the resident cardiolo- When I reflect on those last years with Fr. Bob, I can certainly say gists broke the news that my episode in the pool was most prob- that it was an incredible privilege for me to serve him in this way. ably brought on by several blocked coronary arteries as I would Thanks to the assistance of five wonderful friends and supporters soon have to undergo triple by-pass surgery. of our community Fr. Bob’s “Little Care Team” was formed. Our Little Care Team would assure good daily care and regular visits One humorous note that I will mention here was that I had previ- for Fr. Bob at Carlingview Manor. Many of you reading this article ously enjoyed within the Companions of the Cross a reputation of will remember visiting Fr. Bob in those final years. being a “health nut” or perhaps more precisely a “healthy health nut”! When I mention humour I did chuckle when I heard that It was also a great privilege for me to deliver the eulogy at Fr. several of the CC brothers after hearing of my “episode” promptly Bob’s prayer vigil on the eve of his funeral Mass. booked general check-ups with their individual doctors. The fun- niest remark I heard at the time came from Fr. Rob Arsenault. He Let me close here with a few lines from that eulogy: said that as one of the top reigning CC health nuts I had now ef- fectively completely lost my reputation! LOL “Fr. Bob never sweated the details. His unique brand of generous, warm hospitality will never be forgotten, particularly among Nowadays, people often ask if anything in my life has changed us, his brother priests and seminarians and the many visitors, ‘the since the near death experience. The answer is twofold. What has come and see-ers’! We were all welcomed with open arms. Some changed? Nothing and Everything! Nothing in the sense that the of us felt at times that we could drive a ‘Mack Truck’ into this world is very much the same as it was before. What has changed? man’s home and right through his open and welcoming heart.” Everything, because now every day I thank God for his goodness and kindness to me. As an aside, I never did hear angels singing or Thank you Fr. Bob for welcoming me into your heart and home remember seeing bright lights. some 30 years ago...... Last years with Fr. Bob Fr. Dennis Hayes, CC is the Associate Pastor at Annunciation of the This final episode will once again make honourable mention of Fr. Lord parish in Ottawa, Ontario. Bob Bedard. In January of 2009 Fr. Bob suffered the sudden onset

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 6 ... Feature by Fr. Jim Lowe, CC

A Sacrifice of Mercy World Youth Day participants

“ lessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” (Matt We had been preparing ourselves for this experience for several days 5:7). This was the theme of World Youth Day Poland with while staying in the monastery where St. Maximillian Kolbe lived BPope Francis. I had the privilege of leading a group of 45 until he was arrested by the Nazis and sent to Auschwitz. While young people on this pilgrimage of mercy. Some were from Ottawa, staying there, we learned about his life and purpose. His whole mis- Toronto, and Houston, but most were from Detroit. It was filled with sion in life was to promote consecration to Jesus through Mary. He so many opportunities to both be merciful and receive mercy. formed the militia of the Immaculata that spread throughout the entire world. His vision was to get every person in the entire world to Our group of young pilgrims began each day with a holy hour in be consecrated to Jesus through Mary. As one might imagine, the the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. It was during this rapid growth of the militia Immaculata got the attention of the Na- time that we encountered the mercy of God the Father in the face zis. St. Maximillian Kolbe had become a threat to the Nazi regime of Jesus truly present in the Eucharist! It was also during this time and as a result he was arrested. We were told that he was calm and that each one of us, within the context of the larger group, individ- cooperated with the Nazi soldiers. He was brought to Auschwitz ually consecrated ourselves to Jesus through Mary for his purpose and shared in the sufferings of the multitudes of other prisoners. He during the day ahead of us. We expressed our desire from the heart freely chose to suffer with them as one of them; as a prisoner like to be vessels of his mercy in whatever way he determined. them. He humbly united his sufferings to the sufferings of Jesus on the cross. He truly believed in the power of redemptive suffering and Each day Jesus surprised us with so many opportunities to be mer- prayed for mercy on souls most in need of mercy, including the Nazi ciful. The one experience that all of us felt was very powerful was soldiers who were torturing the prisoners. a time of prayer at Auschwitz death camp. For our group, we approached this visit as an opportunity to be prayer warriors of divine The one act that truly revealed his heroic virtue was his choice to mercy. We entered the camp with the specific intention of praying die in the place of another prisoner who was going to be executed the divine mercy chaplet throughout our time there for all the souls with nine other prisoners. This prisoner was a husband and father. most in need of God’s mercy. We did not know what to expect but St. Maximillian Kolbe freely chose to sacrifice his life so that this simply journeyed in faith in God’s divine mercy. husband and father could live. He volunteered to be killed in the

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 7 ... of intercession. Tears flowed freely from the depths of our hearts. We, like Maximillian Kolbe, were given the grace to share in the suffering of the souls of those who were affected by Auschwitz. It was personally the most powerful experience of our World Youth Day pilgrimage of mercy. When we finished singing, we noticed that other groups had stopped and knelt down and joined us in offering the divine mercy chaplet.

Why did this experience have such a deep impact on everyone in our group? To answer this question, I need to share a conversation I had with the two other students who helped lead the chaplet. I shared with them that I could literally feel the pain and suffering of individual victims of Auschwitz. I felt the suffering that these people are still experiencing as tormented souls in purgatory. I felt that there were some of them who were still holding on to anger, resentment, and unforgiveness after all these years. I also felt them World Youth Day in Poland. being released from that suffering. I felt some of these souls releas- ing the anger; letting go of the resentment; forgiving the unforgiv- able! I didn’t realize why I was crying at the time, but looking back on my experience, I was crying both with these souls in their suffering and for them when they were released from their suffering through the unconditional power of the divine mercy of God!

One of the other two students shared the same exact experience, except hers was not the suffering of the souls of the victims, but the suffering of the souls of the Nazi soldiers. She shared with me that she was crying because she could feel the suffering of some of the souls of the soldiers. They had been carrying the guilt, shame, and unforgiveness toward themselves for doing such terrible acts of torture. She also shared that she too was crying as well because she could feel some of the souls of these soldiers being released from bondage as they were able to forgive themselves for such crimes against humanity. The gates of Auschwitz. This opportunity allowed us to share in the experience of St. Maxi- place of the other prisoner. He was locked in a cell and deprived of millian Kolbe who offered everything as a sacrifice of prayer for food and water for two weeks. After two weeks in the cell, he was souls most in need of mercy. We were granted the grace through put to death by a lethal injection. our experience to have confidence in the power of intercessory prayer for souls most in need of mercy. With this new understand- It was with this knowledge of St. Maximillian Kolbe’s heroic vir- ing of the power of intercession so early in our pilgrimage, we tue that our group, as pilgrims of mercy, approached Auschwitz. were able to daily consecrate our experiences throughout each day, We wanted to imitate him by offering up our prayers as interces- joys and sufferings, as an offering to the Father through Jesus for sion for those most in need of mercy. What we actually experi- mercy upon souls. It is our hope that we will be able to continue to enced, however, none of us expected. As pilgrims walking through do this in our daily life as missionaries of mercy. Auschwitz, we arrived at the cell where St. Maximillian Kolbe died. We felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to sing the divine mercy Thank you Jesus for revealing to us the importance of uniting chaplet. Many of us knelt down outside the cell as we all united ourselves to you and offering ourselves through you to the Fa- our prayers with the blood and water of Jesus offered to God the ther for those most in need of your mercy. It is my prayer to you, Father on the altar of the Cross for mercy on the souls most in need O merciful and loving Lord that those who read this article will of mercy. We prayed fervently for any souls who had been affected share in our experience as pilgrims of mercy and desire to offer by the violence and horror of Auschwitz. Three of us, myself and themselves, like St. Maximillian Kolbe, through you to the Father two other students, carried the group in singing the chaplet of di- for conversion of souls. “Blessed are the merciful, for they will vine mercy. As we prayed, one of the three of us began to cry while receive mercy.” the other two carried on leading the group. Then another one of us began to cry while the other two carried on in leading the group...... Then another one of us began to cry while the other two carried Fr. Jim Lowe, CC is the chaplain at Wayne State University in on in leading the group. This continued throughout the entire time Detroit, Michigan.

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 8 ... Testimony by Kelly Aalbers

Mercy Becomes Joy his past summer I had the opportunity to be one of 45 pilgrims who travelled with the Wayne State Chaplaincy to many amaz- T ing, beautiful, and holy places. We stayed in St. Pope John Paul II’s hometown for 11 days. Everywhere we went we encountered incredible sacred space, rich history, and the saints surrounding us.

When we were praying at the tomb of these saints, I found myself The group visiting Auschwitz. entrusting my whole future to the intercession of that saint, and I was begging their prayers for my seminary studies and, God will- “I visited hell today ing, my priesthood. The first real blessing of the pilgrimage was a It looks somewhat normal deeper understanding of the saints’ closeness. There in Poland the Yet rot permeates the very essence of its existence saints came alive in my heart. I have a new relationship with them, The stench of death robs one of all emotion especially St. John Paul II, St. Faustina, St. Maximilian Kolbe, and As we are left in a sorrowful contemplation” Bl. Fr. Jerzy Popieluszko. They are now friends in a way that I’ve –Photograph of Hell, by Kelly Aalbers never been friends with a saint before. The pain and the thoughts of what Auschwitz would have been like One crucial thing that I think helped my relationship with these almost choked the very life out of me. The amount of suffering and saints was the opportunity I had to meet their Mother, the Queen pain asked questions and demanded answers. “Will you let this of Poland, Our Lady of Czestochowa. I’ve grown up with Marian happen again? Will you do everything necessary to stop this kind devotion, but during my visit at Czestochowa my devotion blos- of evil? Will you give your life so that others will not have to suffer somed to the point of filling a field with flowers. It’s not an under- like this?” These were and are the questions in my heart. These are statement to say every Pole loves Our Lady, well I now understand the questions we are all asked. I couldn’t respond in any other way why. Our Lady of Czestochowa has played a significant role in than, “Yes!” This yes is a yes to mercy, a yes to a life surrendered the protection, and history of the Polish nation. Mary is for them, to God, a yes to Mary’s intercession, a yes to an unknown future a queen when Poland was divided, she is a mother to all orphans, with its own unique sufferings and situations, more overly it is a and she is the heart of Poland’s Catholicism. While praying at her yes to being a seminarian so that as a priest I can do everything that shrine, I understood, Mary was there. She was on the other side of is necessary to work to change the world. the window into heaven, she was looking down at me staring into my soul and I was completely known and loved in that moment. Our trip concluded with the five World Youth Days. During that Mary is my mother, in a completely new way. time, I was strengthened by Pope Francis’ words and speeches as he encouraged all of us to be mercy in the world. At the WYD Our pilgrimage took a real turn as we visited Auschwitz. This was vigil Pope Francis said, “Following Jesus demands a good dose of a painful experience. I had to surrender to God all the emotion I courage, a readiness to trade in the sofa for a pair of walking shoes was feeling. I wrote four poems over the three hours that we were and to set out on new and uncharted paths. To blaze trails that open there. My heart was overwhelmed by the horror of the massacre up new horizons capable of spreading joy, the joy that is born of that happened, and is happening throughout the world. In a way God’s love and wells up in your hearts with every act of mercy.” no other place that I know of, embodies a picture of hell as well This is the mercy that has filled my heart. This is the mercy that as Auschwitz does. I want to share with you some of my poetry, permeates every fibre of my being. This mercy has become my joy. which captures my emotion best. This joy allows me to bring mercy to the whole world.

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 9 ... Feature by Fr. Rick Jaworski, CC

Fr. Allan MacDonald (centre), new General Superior, with Executive Council members from left: Fr. Rob Arsenault, Fr. Mark Goring, Fr. Galen Bank, and Fr. Michael Scherrey.”

of the Companions of the Cross. (Incredible and embarrassing to General Assembly me.) Our cook was off at the time, and Fr. Mark went out and bought food, prepared the meals, set the table, brought Scotch to We’re Not drink afterwards, did the laun- Worthy dry for his bedsheets etc., … and even left a donation to cover his stay!!! “We’re not worthy!” As anadian comedian Mike Myers starred in the 1992 mov- regards the assembly, he had been scheduled to attend what was ie Wayne’s World wherein at one point, the young aspir- going to be our August retreat (but then became our General C ing guitarist and his friend meet Alice Cooper who in- Assembly). Instead of changing his plans, he kept his flight and vites them to hang out with him. They bow down and proclaim stayed in the area to pray for us while we had our Assembly. “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” We are truly humbled by the incredible prayer and sacrifices that surrounded our Associate Deacon Bob Birch organized a prayer-intercession sched- General Assembly. ule for the associate deacons. The Servants of the Cross sisters in- terceded. Our office staff had organized times of intercession. Over As an example, Fr. Mark Schwab, a priest of the Archdiocese 200 people signed up online at our website for the General Assem- of Vancouver, stayed overnight for a wedding at St. Mary’s bly Prayer Team campaign. Countless Facebook posts and Tweets rectory in Ottawa during the summer. He related that the best mentioned people praying for the General Assembly. “We’re not day of his life was the day when he became an associate priest worthy!” Seriously, thank you, thank you, and thank you.

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 10 ... Every day our session started with prayer. The first gathering was a time to take stock of where we are. Fr. Mark Goring, the act- ing General Superior gave a presentation, followed by myself on the financial state of affairs, and Fr. Allan on vocations.

Fr. Mark has a good prophetic sense and forward look. One of the things to which he pointed—and you might want to check out—were a series of recently approved ap- paritions of Mary in Argentina: Our Lady of the Rosary of San Nicolas. The messages are words of hope and encouragement, but also dire warning. In Father Mark’s account of it, humanity has lost its sacred aura. We’ve desecrated ourselves; become contaminated; Congratulating Fr. Michael Scherrey for his nomination to the Executive Council. broken our covenant with God.

In addition, Fr. Mark told the story of Franciscan priests at Na- gasaki who lived close to ground zero but didn’t experience the effects of the radiation. While doctors were sure they would die… nothing. They were studied over and over. When they were asked why they thought they were not affected whatsoever, they said it was because they were living the message of Fatima. Are we living the original Companions of the Cross vision?

Fr. Mark recalled the Canadian missionary priest from Quebec, Fr. Emiliano Tardif, whose cause for sainthood has begun. Fr. Tardif knew that Jesus is alive. His prayers led to hundreds of thousands of people being healed. Have expectant faith. And Fr. Mark spoke of other things as well.

The Companions discussed a wide range of items: household size, care of elderly priests, ongoing formation, leadership, finances, pontifical status, Father Bob, and so on. We could have gone on, Fr. Allan MacDonald, new General Superior, with Archbishop Terrence more and more. Time was limited, but it was a good use of the time Prendergast, SJ at General Assembly. we had. We are grateful for it.

James Shaw reported on the social media impact as follows: Our As stated in the News & Notes column, the elections at the end Facebook and Twitter reached over 85,000 people, with over 1,000 of the week resulted in Fr. Allan being the new General Superior, reactions, comments, shares, retweets, etc. Over the weekend of and Frs. Rob Arsenault, Galen Bank, Mark Goring, and Michael September 2, over 2,000 people visited our website. Shortly there- Scherrey on Council. Frs. Allan and Galen are in Ottawa, Rob in after, Salt & Light and the Catholic Register had articles which Halifax, Michael in Detroit, Mark in Houston. We are blessed with reached a much larger audience. a mix of backgrounds, ages, gifts … thank you Lord. Continue to lead and guide all of us through these men. Sixty-four of us were at the Assembly. We too prayed: Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours (the Church’s official prayer sanctifying the ...... hours of the day), Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, the Rosary, Fr. Rick Jaworski, CC has a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the praising God in song and words … Some brothers said the times Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. He was ordained in 1990 and is of prayer together were the best part of the Assembly. currently the Pastor of Holy Rosary parish in Ottawa, Ontario.

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 11 ... Feature by Fr. Jamie Utronkie, CC

From Refugees to Newcomers Newcomer family at Peggy’s Cove with members of the sponsorship team at Holy Trinity parish.

he date of April 18th has been significant for me for a long immigrant Arabic-speaking friends whom they had met during the time. One reason is that it was the day that my paternal settlement process. T grandmother died back in 1985. My grandmother had tre- mendous faith and this was evident by how she lived her life. So What’s interesting is that typically noisy and crowded environ- since her death, every time April 18th comes around, this anniver- ments make me anxious. This is probably the result of my shyness sary date has served as a reminder of faith and how it is meant to and introversion, along with the hearing impairment I have had be shared. since birth. Couple that with a hint of claustrophobia and you get someone who usually likes to avoid social gatherings (as I have a On April 18, 2002 I received a phone call from Fr. Bob Bedard in- reputation of doing)! forming me that I had been fully accepted into the applicancy program of the Companions of the Cross. That day was pivotal as I But this event was different! It wasn’t the fact that I was being also received a full-time job offer to work at a bank since I had just doted on like a king; there was just an awareness in my heart about completed my undergraduate Commerce degree. I had a decision to how pleased God was in that moment! Here I was in a room with make but I think it is quite obvious which path I decided to choose. 10 Christians and 10 Muslims who were all speaking different lev- els of English and Arabic! In that moment however, there were This year on April 18th, another significant event happened, at no barriers pertaining to religion, language or culture as we were least in my mind. A group of us from Holy Trinity Parish in Lower speaking to one another a non-verbal language: Sackville gathered together in the home of our newcomer family from Syria to celebrate the birthday of little Maria who was turn- “Love is patient, love is kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud. ing four years old. She was the first one in her family to celebrate It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily an- a birthday in Canada. gered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, By this point, the newcomer family had been in Canada less than always perseveres. Love never fails ... Now these three remain: faith, three months. We campaigned in our parish last October and raised hope and love, and the greatest is love” (1 Cor 13:4-10, 13). enough money in three weeks to sponsor a family of six. It took only another three months for the family to arrive in Canada (since As Maria opened her birthday presents and we sang ‘Happy Birth- the Canadian government was dedicated to their promise to bring day’, there was certainly something bittersweet about it for her a number of Syrians here as a result of the crisis). The preparation family. Although we were gathered to celebrate this significant day and start-up was time consuming but so rewarding when our spon- as a reminder of the anniversary of Maria’s birth, I am sure her sorship team from the parish gathered at the airport to greet them family was feeling gratitude for finally arriving to safety but, at this past January. the same time, reminded of what they had to leave behind in Syria (including other loved ones). I was remembering this as I drove up to their residence on Ma- ria’s birthday. As usual, I was greeted by one of the family mem- Maria was only a few months old when her family fled Syria and bers with a smile who said “Welcome!” This word was quickly arrived in Lebanon. She spent her first three birthdays inside a ref- superceded by their acts of kindness. Almost immediately I was ugee camp. Now she was able to celebrate as a result of the free- given a seat among members of our sponsorship group from the dom and safety that Canada was able to offer her and her family. parish (that had arrived before me) along with a number of their As I write this update, the date is now August 18th. Our newcomer

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 12 ... From left: Maria at her 4th birthday with Fr. Jamie and Brenda Spears (sponsorship team member at Holy Trinity parish); Maria with new Canadian friend Lily.

such as continued English language training, hopefully employment (if possible) as well as continued integration into life in Canada so that they might enjoy even more the self- sufficiency and freedom that come with being a resident of Canada.

As of September 2015, globally, we are experiencing the highest number of refugees since family has now been here for close to seven months. As they con- World War II. There are more than 17 million tinue to settle, we celebrate every milestone with them. For ex- refugees worldwide. This number is staggering. While we could ample, when one of them advances a level of English, we extend only sponsor one family this year, we recently submitted an ap- congratulations. The mother in the family (Abir) as well as the plication to sponsor a second one. One family at a time we can three oldest children (Nour, Duaa & Naser) have all celebrated make a difference. their birthdays this summer! In response to the refugee crisis and this initiative for sponsorship, As Ramadan came to an end also, we were invited to join them Karen Smith (the parish secretary) and I recorded a song in hopes as they broke their month of fasting. Members of the sponsorship of generating awareness to this cause. The video and options for team at the parish have been blessed to celebrate these special days download can be found here: https://youtu.be/zq5U62-2ms0 or go with them. to Youtube and search: father jamie karen smith let me go home.

Recently, the family enjoyed a trip to Peggy’s Cove (a familiar ...... tourist attraction here) with our team. In the meantime we continue Fr. Jamie Utronkie, CC was ordained in 2009 and is originally from to support and encourage them in their on-going settlement. There Killaloe, Ontario. He is the Associate Pastor at the Holy Trinity Pastoral are a number of things that need to happen over these next months; Unit in Nova Scotia...... 100th Anniversary of Fatima Pilgrimage to Spain & Portugal May 12-24, 2017 with Fr. Kenneth Lao, Spiritual Director In the Footsteps of: St. Teresa of Avila—St. John of the Cross

Tour Cost: $3279 per person (Double Occ.) Price based on minimum of 25. Includes all fares, entrance fees, taxes, tips, and meals, except lunches. Information Meetings: TORONTO (N. York) OTTAWA St. Timothy’s, 21 Leith Hill Rd. St. Mary’s, 100 Young St. Sun., Dec. 4, 1:00–2:00 pm Sun., Nov. 27, 2:30–3:30 pm Highlights include: Madrid, Avila, Toledo, Segovia, Garabandal, Oviedo, The Way, Santiago de Compostela, Fatima, Coimbra For Information & Registration Contact: Laurie Courchesne-Dooley, email: [email protected] (613) 732-5739 Cell (613) 602-3535 Space is limited. First come first served registration.

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 13 ... 1 Companions of the Cross,the of Companions Bayswater Ave.,ON Ottawa, form,this completePlease 501 (C)(3) of the Internal RevenueInternal Code).the of (C)(3)501

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& F e a t u r e by Ken Gorman Coffee with the New Gang!

New Applicants pictured here at Fr. Bob’s tomb with Fr. Allan MacDonald and Fr. Terry Donahue.

hen a young man first joins the Companions of the We hope that our little gathering helped put them at ease, and of- Cross, he receives a brief introduction to Ottawa, the fered them a relaxed and informal way to see where our beloved W foundational home-base for the Community. Founder once lived and see the chapel where he prayed. Historically, the new men spend only a few days in Ottawa before Join me now in praying for these men as they begin their jour- they are whisked away due west to Combermere Ontario, a small ney. I can’t help but wonder what lies ahead for them. Will our town in the hills of the Ottawa Valley, where they will spend their Community be the right fit for their vocation in life? Will all these first year. At Assumption Farm, they will listen for God’s word in men continue in the footsteps of the 40 men who currently wear their hearts as they discern their vocational call, while learning the the cross of the Companions of the Cross? What are the odds of history and ways of life of a Companion of the Cross. one of these men rising to the level of bishop as two of our men have done over the past few years? Will they become pastors…or A few times over the first eight months, this group will return teachers…or priests who perform some other ministry? Will they to Ottawa for Community celebrations, retreats and visits, but become leaders of our Community someday, carrying on a legacy for the most part, they will spend the year living with each other pushed forward by so many of our men before them? and CC priests. We are entering an era of young men who may have never had the As a way of welcoming them and showing them the adminis- opportunity to meet Fr. Bob, the father figure who helped shape trative side of the Community, the office on Bayswater decided this Community during its infancy. I hope I have a hand in sharing to invite them to join us for morning coffee the very first week his legacy by telling them of my experiences with Fr. Bob. they arrived. So, join me in a prayer for these men. Grant them the opportunity We recognize that these men have moved to a new city, are going to feel God’s love in their hearts, and provide them with an oppor- to be living with strangers, in a brand new environment, while at- tunity to have the clarity to discern God’s call. Remove any fear, tempting to block out outside distractions and listen to what God anxiety or stress that might try to be the motivating factor in their is saying in their lives. lives. Give them the hope and passion of this glorious opportunity that God has given them to pursue this life. Feature by Anita Houghton

Proclaiming the Kerygma

hen I look back on the last five years, I am amazed at the profound impact the W Companions of the Cross have had on my personal and professional life. I currently work in the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Detroit and first encountered the Companions when Fr. Sean Wenger and Fr. Simon Lobo joined our department in 2011. Their pastoral presence and infectious spirituality quickly drew me into the community. I made my Lay Associates promise on July 28, 2013.

Since then, my work at the Archdiocese has been in- fused with the spirituality of the community. In addition, I have been inspired to pursue a personal project: to develop an evangelization tool for children.

It all began, when one day, I received an email from Fr. Simon asking me if I’d be willing to facili- tate a CCO faith study at Wayne State University, where he served as Chaplain at that time. Fr. Simon had double-booked himself and needed someone to take a group of students through the DISCOV- ERY, Level I study. The university is not far from our archdiocesan offices and I was able to fit the six sessions into my schedule, so I said “yes!” In the 15 years that I taught catechism to children (aged kindergar- As I studied the leader guide in preparation for our sessions, I ten through eighth grade), I had never encountered a clear procla- was intrigued by the method and content of the study. Most of mation of the kerygma nor did I recall inviting children to make a my ministry had been in the area of catechetics. I found this study choice to follow Christ. Catechetical resources tend to talk about to be decidedly different. Its method was not catechetical - it was God’s love as a general thing for the whole of humanity. In addi- evangelistic. It helped the students not just learn about Jesus but tion, these resources discuss sin in one chapter and the cross in encounter him personally. The content was different too. It helped another. What’s more, catechetical texts usually talk about Jesus participants understand the effect of sin and the reasons why we in the past tense and refer to his friends as people who were his need a Savior. It proclaimed the kerygma in a clear and straight- contemporaries 2000 years ago. In my theological studies, I had forward way, and invited the participant to respond to this Good studied the Church documents on evangelization, but I didn’t “get News by making a commitment to Christ. it” until I facilitated this faith study.

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 16 ... Even more exciting was the impact that this study had on the stu- into a parish/school catechetical program, or be used at a retreat dents. Conversion was happening before my very eyes. The stud- or camp. Kerygma 4 Kids contains one evangelization lesson for ies along with the dynamic Companions of the Cross chaplaincy each grade. Each grade-level lesson has three segments which un- environment created by Fr. Simon yielded an explosion of faith to fold the Gospel message: what was previously a dead campus ministry. I witnessed dynamic evangelization, “Companions’ style,” and the fruit that it bears. I • DISCOVER God’s Love was inspired. • UNDERSTAND Sin and the Good News of Jesus Christ • RESPOND and INVITE Jesus into your Life. Back at the office, Fr. Sean helped me to unpack my experience with the faith study and channel my newfound zeal for evangeliza- Components include a leader’s guide, video clips and student tion in a productive way. With his guidance I was now able to ar- workbooks for each grade. ticulate the difference between evangelization and catechesis, and clearly see the need to incorporate evangelization into our faith Grade-level workbooks for children and youth contain relevant formation programs. discussion and engaging hands-on activities that accompany the lesson. Through the workbooks, students delve more deeply into What also became clear to me was that while the Church had be- the Gospel message as it applies to their lives and learn how to gun to mobilize to answer the call to the New Evangelization, most share the Good News with others. of the efforts have been aimed at adults. Although the General Directory of Catechesis and the National Directory of Cateche- Pope Francis writes, “On the lips of the catechist the first procla- sis insist that catechesis must be viewed within the framework of mation must ring out over and over: ‘Jesus Christ loves you; he evangelization, I realized that there were no resources or tools on gave his life to save you; and now he is living at your side every the market to evangelize children. I was convinced that what was day to enlighten, strengthen and free you’” (Evangelii Gaudium being done for Wayne State students in a campus ministry setting, #164). It is my prayer that Kerygma 4 Kids will do just that for needed to be done for children in a faith formation program. It was children in the U.S. and Canada. this conviction and the prompting of the Holy Spirit that inspired me to embark on a personal project to develop an evangelization If you are interested in checking out this program, please visit resource that would help grade-school children know the personal www.catholicword.com/k4k.html. This site provides more de- love of God, proclaim the kerygma in an age-appropriate way, and tailed information about the program and includes previews of the invite them to make a choice to follow Christ. videos, workbooks and leader guides. The lessons for K-5 are now available for purchase; the middle school lessons will be published I shared my vision for this project with Angele Regnier, the au- in 2017. thor of the CCO Faith Studies. She was gracious enough to give me permission to piggy back on the idea that she developed for Five years ago, when I first met Fr. Sean and Fr. Simon, I would the faith studies and adapt them developmentally for children. I have never dreamed that all of this would transpire. I am continu- had the pleasure of meeting Angele and her husband Andre at last ally amazed at the way God puts people into our paths and how year’s 30th anniversary gala in Ottawa. he can use us when we make ourselves available to him. I am so grateful to Fr. Sean, Fr. Simon and all the Companions of the Cross It took me about a year to complete the lesson material, which I priests and seminarians that I have come to know in the last five named Kerygma 4 Kids. Next, I set out to find a publisher for my years, for their influence on my personal faith life and my ministry work. After about a year, I found a publisher who was interested in in the Church. Although Fr. Sean and Fr. Simon have moved on the project: ministry23, LLC/Catholic Word Publishing. As divine to new assignments, their influence on me continues to bear fruit providence would have it, I later found out that ministry 23 and and have a multiplication effect in proclaiming the Good News of Catholic Word Publishing had loose ties to the Companions of the Jesus Christ. Cross. They published Relit, a DVD-based evangelization training program written by Michael Dopp, a former CC seminarian. In ad- ...... dition, I learned that Catholic Word publishing was also a distribu- Anita Houghton is a Lay Associate of the Companions of the Cross tor for the CCO faith studies. in Detroit. She is married to her husband Deacon Mike and has three college-aged children. Anita works as a Regional Coordinator of Cat- Here’s a little background on Kerygma 4 Kids. I developed les- echetical Formation and Programming in the Archdiocese of Detroit and sons as a supplemental resource so that they could be incorporated serves as a part-time faculty member of Sacred Heart Major Seminary.

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 17 ......

2016/2017 CC Households Annunciation of the Lord Ottawa, ON

Assumption Farm Blessed Sacrament Combermere, ON Ottawa, ON

Convent Household Holy Trinity Detroit, MI Halifax, NS

......

St. Kateri St. Maria Goretti Houston, TX Toronto, ON

St. Mary’s St. Maurice Fr. Jim McGillvray Ottawa, ON Ottawa, ON not pictured here.

St. Scholastica St. Timothy’s Detroit, MI Toronto, ON Queen of Peace, Houston TX not pictured here...... Feature by Fr. Simon Lobo, CC

“Inside Man” j o hn ra e b y P h oto Fr. Simon at Divine Renovation Conference in Halifax. f you have seen the movie Inside Man, you might recall Clive get a taste of what I had been living for the previous 12 months. Owen’s masterful plan. Without giving too much away (and You can watch the plenary sessions from Monday and Tuesday I without endorsing the movie – viewer discretion is advised), at http://livestream.com/SaintBenedictParish (if you scroll down, it is a story about an “insider” who is involved in a major bank they can be found between the June 12th and 19th Sunday homi- heist. Naturally, the goal was to get away with millions. In my lies). These large group gatherings were designed to cast vision, own situation, I have felt like the Companions of the Cross “inside offer times for worship and prayer ministry, and included amazing man” who was strategically placed on staff at Saint Benedict Par- personal testimonies. Some of our key leaders witnessed to being ish. There is no question that I am much richer for it. lukewarm – or totally away from God and the Church – less than five years ago! One of my favourite segments took place on the Our Community entered into a partnership with the parish and Tuesday morning when Fr. James Mallon and Ron Huntley (one with Fr. James Mallon (the pastor), which began with my being of the senior staff members) shared vulnerably about the struggles assigned there as of July 1, 2015. I have served as associate pastor involved with “divinely renovating.” For example, as recently as and intern priest. Ever since my arrival, I have enjoyed being part two years ago, there was considerable toxicity among the staff. of an innovative model for Catholic parishes in the 21st century. Their honesty reassured the delegates, as Fr. Bob would say, that the work of renewal is messy. Yet, with God’s grace, changing There have been many highlights over the last year or so, but the church culture is possible and attainable. “Mount Tabor” experience was definitely the Divine Renovation conference (DR16), which took place this past June. We hosted 600 One of the things that was unique about DR16, as compared to other delegates from around the world. Inspired by Fr. James’ book by conferences, is that it was “incarnational.” Some conferences are the same title, people came from as far as Australia to learn more hosted at hotels with guest speakers who have expertise in a par- about how they can bring renewal in their own parish contexts. I ticular realm but have never produced fruit in a parish. However, was delighted that over 30 of my CC brother priests were able to in our case, DR16 was hosted by a pastor, it took place in a church,

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 20 ... and all the volunteers were parishioners ter solutions than he would reach if he (of all ages). I remember celebrating were leading solo. This SLT model is the Sunday 6 p.m. Mass on the eve be- not unlike our CC Executive Council. fore the conference began. Hundreds of Our General Superior (congrats Fr. Al- delegates had already arrived and were lan!) is supported by four other priests taking it in. You can imagine my embar- who assist him in leadership. rassment when I noticed that one of the young altar servers decided to wear her Secondly, Saint Benedict has focused hot pink running shoes to complement and streamlined around the core mis- her white alb. It is helpful to be remind- sion of the Church – to make disciples. ed that Saint Benedict is a regular parish Why do we have churches and why do with regular people and regular prob- we go to church? The ultimate purpose lems, but there is an intentional focus on is to bring people into an encounter with fulfilling Jesus’ mission. Jesus, help them to grow as his follow- ers, and equip them to reach out to other The official conference took place on people who have not yet experienced Monday and Tuesday, and on Wednes- his love. We should be in the business day there was a day for Alpha training, of changing peoples’ lives, and, yet, we while the clergy simultaneously had spend so much time in church-world do- their own day together. On Thursday ing things that have little or nothing to the CC priests had a few internal ses- j o hn ra e b y P h oto do with Jesus’ mission! One of the ex- sions to unpack some of what we had The inside man at St. Benedict’s in Halifax. ercises we did as a staff was to come up learned and to take the pulse of the with one-line job descriptions to bring Community. I should add that we concluded the week on a fun clarity and focus. Mine was just 10 words: Learning to lead parishes note with an East Coast Kitchen Party, hosted by our local Lay so they become disciple-making communities. Associates, and complete with lobster and live music. Needless to say, I was glad that my brothers got to experience some warm Thirdly, the lynch pin of the Divine Renovation model is Alpha. Maritime hospitality. Some people do not appreciate the comparison, but Alpha is kind of like the old multi-week Life in the Spirit Seminars – but with Going back to the Thursday morning, I preached that weekday food! Make no mistake the food is essential, because humans love Mass and shared a few reflections. Having been steeped in Divine to gather and share around a meal. In essence, Alpha is a tool that, Renovation for a few days, it was my sincere hope that the broth- if done properly, can warmly welcome a non-believer or hardened ers felt the same way that I did: everything that Fr. James and the Catholic. Over the course of a few weeks, as trust develops, a per- team have been trying to accomplish is totally in-line with our CC son is invited to say yes to Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit. A vision for parish renewal. That being said, one of the fundamental parish needs to embrace an evangelizing tool and be unrelenting tasks of a leader – including a priest-leader – is to capture a vision in promoting it, resourcing it, and using it to reach beyond the and then communicate it to others. However, we are not all born church walls. Nicky Gumbel, of Alpha fame, says that a church with the “vision” gene. Sometimes we need to see and experience has not even begun to do Alpha for the first four years. We must something amazing first, before we can start to dream about what persevere! Interestingly, Alpha also creates beautiful opportunities God could do in our own ministries. As a seminarian and a young for ecumenism and unity, which might be part of how God plans priest, Fr. James visited a couple of dynamic parishes, including to use the Companions of the Cross in the future. St. Mary’s in Ottawa, while Fr. Bob was pastor. This broadened his imagination for the future Church. Similarly, I know that many of Looking back, I am so grateful for the friendship between, now, the CCs were powerfully moved by DR16 and were given a new Bishop Scott McCaig and Fr. James Mallon which led to this part- sense of hope with regards to parish ministry and evangelization. nership between the Companions of the Cross and Saint Benedict Parish. I feel very privileged that I was chosen to be the first man To be very practical, I would like to offer three take-away points to work on the inside. There is no question that CC pastors are that I have learned during my time on the inside. Firstly, pastors already well-loved by their parishioners. I dream of a day when need to build a Senior Leadership Team (SLT) around them. This we will also be known for our expertise when it comes to leading could include staff or committed volunteers, but these three or four entire parishes to live out Jesus’ mission. people would need to balance off the strengths and weakness of ...... the pastor, and they would have to have the courage to lovingly challenge him. The pastor would never have to be alone in the de- Fr. Simon Lobo, CC was ordained in 2009 and is originally from cision-making process and, as a result, would arrive at much bet- Ottawa, Ontario.

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 21 ... Padre’s Picks by Fr. Simon Lobo, CC Parish Renewal

Divine Renovation: From a Maintenance The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: to a Missional Parish A Leadership Fable (by Fr. James Mallon) (by Patrick Lencioni) I know I am biased, because I know the author well, but this is Patrick Lencioni gave a video presentation of this material at the a must read. Fr. James brings together his own experiences as DR16 conference. The book is an easy read and very insightful a pastor, some pertinent theological reflections, and practical when it comes to team dynamics. Lencioni is a Catholic and a leadership wisdom. His second book Divine Renovation bestselling author of several other leadership books. Guidebook: A Step-by-Step Manual for Transforming Your Parish is true to its name. Pastors and their leadership teams can use Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking the diagrams, discussion questions, and charts in this interactive When Stakes Are High workbook to implement this mission-driven model. (by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillian, Al Switzler) Rebuilt: The Story of a Catholic Parish I believe that every single person would benefit from reading this (by Fr. Michael White & Tom Corcoran) book. Priests, parishioners, families, married couples, and co- Though many contrast the different approaches, Fr. James and workers will learn how to get the best possible outcome when they Fr. Michael are good friends and their two parishes are sources of are face-to-face with difficult conversations. mutual encouragement. Their staff graciously received me when I visited Nativity last February 2016. The sub-sub title of this book Leadership and Church Size Dynamics: sums it up: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, and Making How Strategy Changes with Growth Church Matter. They have written a few books, and so I would (by Timothy Keller) also recommend: Tools for Rebuilding: 75 Really, Really Practical Search for this 15-page article online. I believe that Catholics Ways to Make Your Parish Better. approach most parishes with a “small church mindset.” Yet, a pastor can only have significant relationships with about 200 Alpha people. How should you lead if your parish is bigger? This is not the end of the story or an A-Z program of discipleship for committed Catholic Christians. Alpha is an easy first step. Keeping Score: How to Know if Your Rather than trying to drag your non-believing friend to Mass, Church is Winning why not invite them to dinner, a relevant talk, and a discussion (where they are free to share and disagree with the topic). This (by Dave Ferguson) is an evangelizing approach that can be used to build trust in a Download this free e-book from exponential.org/resource-ebooks/ post-modern world. Search for Alpha videos on YouTube check keeping-score. out some of these links: alpha.org, alphacanada.org, alphausa.org, If you are measuring anything in your parish, there is a good alphayouthfilmseries.com, alphafilmseries.alpha.org. chance that you could be measuring the wrong things. We count the Be sure to watch the latest Alpha videos released in 2016. They are people in the pews and the collections, but do these numbers tell us state of the art! if we are fulfilling the mission of Jesus?

You might also be interested in the Alpha-style Marriage Course, Getting Them Through The Wilderness Marriage Preparation Course, and the two Parenting Courses. All (by William Bridges) are designed to create gentle entry points for the unchurched. Learn Search for this 20-page article online. It is a classic from 1987 and more at: relationshipcentral.ca. is one of the most-read leadership articles to date. The analogy of the Exodus is used to describe these three phases of transition: Growing an Engaged Church leading God’s people out of Egypt and across the Red Sea, (by Albert L. Winseman) journeying through the desert, and arriving in the Promised Land. The polling organization Gallup has created church-specific measurement tools, which are used at Saint Benedict. Engagement Forming Intentional Disciples refers to how emotionally connected a person is with their church. (by Sherry Weddell) You might also be interested in the Gallup book Living your Most people are not evangelized in an instant. This well researched Strengths (Catholic Edition). Be sure to search for the Clifton book suggests that many people pass through five thresholds of Strengths Finder, which will measure your top 5 of 34 strengths conversion. You can read some helpful parish testimonies in the (there is a nominal fee for this online survey). All the staff and sequel: Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples. many of the volunteers have used this self-knowledge tool. Community news & notes by Fr. Rick Jaworski, CC

St. Maurice La Pieta Prayer Group at Notre Dame Basilica on Sunday July 24, 2016.

ou never know. Over the past year, Fr. Yong Li Chen from On August 11, Fr. John Vandenakker fell and broke his leg. He had China needed a place to stay, and lived in one of our Com- been having left knee problems all year and it had been occasion- Y panions of the Cross households. After leaving, he emailed ally “locking up” on him. He broke his fibula and fractured his tibia. us that the year had also benefitted him spiritually. “I have received Thankfully it happened at a place and time when the brothers were the gift of tongues for which I had been praying for years. It was right there to assist him. Fr. John reported that “The brothers here through the period of time praying together with you that the gift at St. Scholastica have been truly wonderful.” “How good, how de- was granted to me. I will be eternally grateful. I experienced the lightful it is to live as brothers all together!” (Ps 133:1). In fact, so power of the Spirit working through each of you, and my priestly close is their sense of unity, that at our General Assembly, Kelly Aal- vocation has also been heightened in such a way that I never ex- bers had a mishap so he could get on crutches just like Fr. John. ;) perienced before.” Fr. Chen has been, and continues to be, very generous with his time in helping with Masses at the Companions Father Bob’s autobiography was entitled Give God Permission af- of the Cross office and parishes, as well as in other ways. Thank ter one of his favourite exhortations. The seminarians do various you for sharing this with us! things over the summer. Todd Thibeau, our property manager and former seminarian himself, led the seminarians in some tasks. Ap- The St. Maurice La Pieta Prayer Group celebrated their 20th an- parently these beloved serfs coined the phrase “Give Todd permis- niversary. Congratulations! The group was founded by George and sion.” Love it! Shirley Nedaborski when Fr. John Vandenakker was pastor. With Fr. John and also Emma de Guzman, foundress of the La Pieta Hostile trees!High winds propelled a large branch, severing our Association (dedicated to Marian devotion under the title Mother power line and tearing the service mast from the side of our CC of Love, Peace, and Joy), they gathered at Notre Dame Basilica office building at Ottawa’s not-so-secret headquarters. Along with Cathedral in Ottawa to gain the special Year of Mercy Holy Door electrical arching, fire was coming out of the top of the mast. The Indulgence. The day continued at Tudor Hall with talks, meals, fire department was here and Hydro Ontario cordoned off the park- and other ministry. ing lot. If you phoned in mid-August and there was no answer

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 23 ...... or answering machine, that’s why. Thankfully we had super-Todd John the Baptist. However, Bishop Christian quipped that that feast come to the rescue. was moved to Friday, the day of the election of the next General Superior. Fr. Ben reflected on the privilege and blessing of being a Please pray for Fr. Jim Lowe’s mother and her family and friends. priest and sharing in the important events in people’s lives, as well She was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Thanks be to God, as on the cross. Fr. Pierre Ingram gave brief tributes to the honou- she is at peace. For the past two years, she has been saying “Why rees: highlighting their gifts and virtues as well as some goodhearted am I still here? When is God going to take me home to heaven?” humorous lines. For example, besides his merciful heart and care, (P.S. Fr. Jim Lowe’s mother passed away at the end of September.) Fr. Jerry Gauvreau was noted for being the quintessential Canadian with his love of hockey, Tim Horton’s, and saying “eh”. Thank you I have been terribly remiss in not mentioning news regarding our and God bless our priests who celebrated special anniversaries. office staff!! Ack! Belated congratulations and best wishes (and prayers!) to our graphic designer Shannon Kalyniak on her mar- Of course, all of this preceded our General Assembly with its elec- riage to Alain Minkoulou. Also, congratulations to our web and tions. There is a separate article on that. Fr. Allan MacDonald was social media employee James Shaw and his wife Ruth on the birth elected General Superior; and Frs. Rob Arsenault, Galen Bank, of their son Micah. Condolences to Claire Johnson (seminarian Mark Goring, and Michael Scherrey to his Council. A holy hour fundraising) on the death of her father-in-law. of thanksgiving with a reception followed on Friday evening at Blessed Sacrament Parish. Fr. Allan was Vocations Director, so New Moons and Sabbaths. On Sunday August 28, the new ap- there will be some more shuffling of chairs in the near and distant plicants were presented at St. Mary’s 11:00 am Mass. They re- future. Fr. Allan is commencing his term by visiting all the vari- ceived their crosses at Mass by Father Bob’s mausoleum Tuesday ous cities (“foundations”) in which we live and serve, and meeting morning. Monday evening was the celebration of various priests’ with each one of the brothers. anniversaries at St. Maurice Parish. Fr. Dennis Hayes was the se- ...... nior honouree. Bishop Christian Riesbeck presided and Fr. Ben St. Croix preached the homily—both fellow honourees. Fr. Rick Jaworski, CC has a licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. He was ordained in 1990 and is Normally the Mass would have commemorated the beheading of currently the Pastor of Holy Rosary parish in Ottawa, Ontario...... Called to the Priesthood?

The world needs holy priests!

Visit us online: vocations.companionscross.orgWWW.COMPANIONSCROSS.ORG ...... News Flashes

Adoration at Blessed Sacrament church after the General Assembly concluded.

New General Superior Fr. Allan MacDonald during Adoration at Blessed Sacrament parish on the Friday of the completion of the General Assembly.

Fr. Allan MacDonald presents the New Applicants at Mass at St. Mary’s parish in August.

Praise and worship at General Assembly. Bishops Scott McCaig and Christian Riesbeck at General Assembly. News Flashes y ma llo n y mar b y P h oto Enjoying some recreational time during the Assembly days. The Servants of the Cross with CC priests at Divine Renovation Conference in Halifax. ann e- mari e g r ude n y b y P h oto Seminarians renewing their promises at Anniversaries’ Mass at St. Maurice parish in August. y j o hn ra e b y P h oto Bishop Scott McCaig celebrating Mass at Divine Renovation Bishop Christian celebrating Anniversaries’ Mass at St. Maurice parish Conference with Fr. James Mallon. prior to the beginning of the General Assembly. Welcome New Applicants

Dale Aalbers Karl Hartman Mark Hartman Bruno, SK Stratford, ON Zurich, ON

Sebastian Muggeridge Jose Orozco Ottawa, ON Houston, TX

C o m p a n i o n s o f t h e C r o s s F a l l 2 0 1 6 ...... 27 ... Companions of the Cross 199 Bayswater Avenue Ottawa, ON K1Y 2G5 Canada

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“Praised be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has bestowed on us in Christ every spiritual blessing in the heavens” ann e- mari e g r ude n (Eph 1:3). y b y P h oto