volume 2, numbeR 3, fAll 2010

A PublicAPublicAtion of the RedemPRedemPtoRistRist office foRfoR mission AdvAncementAncement

REDEMPTION P lentifulPage 9

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Provincial’s Preface page 2 missionmission schedule page 3 Faith in the future neumann Year page 5 This summer, we celebrated (clockwise from top left) glimpses of hope in Haiti, the profession of new Redemptorists, partnerships in Vietnam, and the bright In lieu of flowers page 8 promise of young adults in the Church. ROMA; Fr. Alfred Bradley & Fr. Vang Cong Tran/Courtesy PROVINCIAL’S PREFACE and neighbors who were fighting in the Now, we are seeking to educate some war, and I was swept up in the powerful Vietnamese Redemptorist seminarians feelings of the day. Vietnam was a far- in our formation program in Boston to away place where the enemy was. prepare them for the priesthood. Doing Today, more than 40 years later, the this will lighten the financial burden on Redemptorists are growing rapidly in the Vietnam Province. I am also sure this Vietnam, and have one of the largest initiative will bring many blessings to provinces in the Congregation. Despite our Province. some outside harassment, we have many Two of our confreres who will be young men in that country who want to responsible for the formation of these be Redemptorist priests and brothers. candidates, Fathers Denis Sweeney and The Vietnam Province is very strong Raymond Collins, recently spent some in faith and personnel, but very poor time in Vietnam and came back over- financially. Their provincial told me that whelmed with the welcome they received he has a hard time even feeding all of his and with the deep faith of the people. (Ed- students, and might have to turn away itor’s note: Read more about their visit on In 1966, I was a junior at St. Mary’s good vocations. page 7.) I am so very proud that the Balti- High School in North East, PA, and our Over the past 10 years or so, the Bal- more Province has begun this program of civics teacher, Father John McGowan timore Province has formed a special solidarity with our confreres in Vietnam. (now my mission preaching partner who bond with the Vietnam Province. One of has a way of surprising us in life. tells people that I taught him!) organized their men whom we sponsored to come The people of Vietnam were once an a class debate on the war in Vietnam. He to the U.S. to study, Father Paul, just enemy in a faraway land. Now, I see had a hard time finding volunteers who obtained a doctorate in from them as my confreres and brothers with would argue against the war. Catholic University. whom we share a love of Christ As I went on to college and graduate We are also assisting other Vietnam- and the Congregation of the Most Holy school, the war in Vietnam continued and ese Redemptorists in their education Redeemer. became one of the most divisive issues so that they can go back and teach in in American history. I would suspect the seminary. A young priest from Viet- that many of us in that class in 1966 may nam is in our parish in Brooklyn where have had different feelings as the years he says Masses in English, Chinese, and went on. Vietnamese. I tease him that he will soon Very Rev. Patrick Woods, C.Ss.R. In some ways, I came of age during the learn Spanish. He left his home and fam- Vietnam War. I had a high lottery number ily in Vietnam to become a in and a seminary deferment so the war did Brooklyn. not touch me directly. Yet, I had friends Congratulations to A day to celebrate On August 1, Plentiful Redemption © 2010 Fr. Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R. Father Joseph Tobin, whose term Redemptorists in Paraguay Redemptorist Office for as Redemptorist superior general celebrated the Mission Advancement ended in November 2009, was establishment 107 Duke of Gloucester St. named in of their own Annapolis, md 21401-2526 August as secretary independent province within [email protected] of the Congregation the worldwide Congregation. 410-288-8755 toll free: 877-876-7662 for Institutes of More than Consecrated 80 years ago,

Editorial Board: Redemptorists/CourtesyDenver life and Redemptorists Fr. Patrick Woods/Courtesy Fr. Rev. Matthew Allman, C.Ss.R. Patrick Woods/Courtesy Fr. from the Rev. Andrew Costello, C.Ss.R. Apostolic Life. He will be ordained Province founded missions Rev. Daniel Francis, C.Ss.R. a bishop, and hold the rank of in Paraguay to preach to the poor. It Elizabeth Góral-Makowski archbishop. Father Tobin is a member was a blessing to celebrate with our Stephanie Tracy of the Denver Province of the brothers as they begin this new chapter in Kathy Wagner Redemptorists. Please join us in praying for him as he begins this new Redemptorist history. redemptorists.net ministry. 2 Redemptorist preaching near you! For updated mission Advancing the Mission and retreat information, visit redemptorists.net Among others, three major events have marked my summer: preaching the Solemn Novena in honor of Our September to November 2010 Mother of Perpetual Help in , in June; Sept 12-16 attending my high school seminary reunion for gradu- St. John the Evangelist ates from St. Mary’s in North East, PA in July; and ex- New York, NY Fr. Kevin MacDonald periencing Dialogue 2010, a gathering of Redemptor- ists and young adults at Notre Dame Retreat House in Sept. 17-26 St. John the Evangelist/ Canandaigua, NY in August. Bl. Kateri As some of you may have read on my blog, “Irish Rockview Prison (bilingual) Impressions,” (go to redemptorists.net and search for Bellefonte, PA “Irish Impressions”) I was quite heartened by how Frs. Gerard Brinkmann many young people are still attending church in Ire- & Sean McGillicuddy land — at least for the nine days I preached in St. Al- Sept. 18-30 phonsus Church in Limerick. I’m told the same no- St. Joseph vena Redemptorists preach in attracts even Cockeysville, MD Fr. Alex Ortiz younger crowds. During my time there, I interviewed en Español one young couple who shared that their faith is strong Sept. 26-30 despite the true but troubling reports about the sexual abuse crises in Ireland. This is good Sacred Heart news in difficult times. Altoona, PA At my high school reunion, I met a graduate from the class of 1940 who had never been Fr. Kevin MacDonald back until this year — 70 years later! Tom was going on about the place that has meant so much to so many of us. I was happy to see my old classmate, Hugh, after 28 years. Two Sacred Heart Masses, Marian devotions in the grotto, a softball game, and a walk to Lake Erie brought it Yankton, SD Fr. John Murray all back. Though we are older and grayer, the crowd (and some wives) that attended were full of gratitude and nostalgia. Oct. 3-6 St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Finally, the trinity of summer events culminated in a gathering of 65 Redemptorists and Whiting, NJ young adults from , the United States, and beyond (specifically from our units called Fr. Bill Gaffney the Provinces of Baltimore, Denver, Edmonton-, Ste.-Anne-de-Beaupré; the Vice Oct. 3-7 Province of Richmond and the English-speaking Region of the ). It was a week St. Thomas More spent discovering the gifts God has given all of us, and listening to how he’s calling us to use (University of New Hampshire) them — whether that meant helping our team win the “Amazing Grace Race,” singing for Durham, NH Mass, or weeding gardens for low-income families. By now, you should have seen pictures Fr. Kevin MacDonald from this event on our Web site. (If not, go to our archives at redemptorists.net.) Sacred Heart These three experiences highlight my pride in the Redemptorists. We are strong, interna- Bloomfield, NJ tional, innovative, energetic and obviously relevant enough to still attract young people to Fr. Paul Bryan & minister with us. Sr. Mary Sninsky, OSF I hope you enjoy this edition of Plentiful Redemption that spotlights some of the things my fellow Redemptorists and I have done this summer. Support from people like you helps St. Jude Erie, PA us reach everyone with the good news of Frs. Patrick Woods & John McGowan God’s love. If you’d like to join us in these adventures, I invite you to use the enclosed Oct. 10-14 You’re invited… St. Francis of Assisi If you’re in the Baltimore/Annapo- envelope. Binghamton, NY lis/Washington, D.C. area Nov. 7, May St. , a young Redempto- Fr. Kevin MacDonald I’d like to invite you to visit us in our rist who is one of our best-loved saints new home. The Redemptorist Office and whose feast is October 16, assist us to al- for Mission Advancement (ROMA) Oct. 16-20 ways stay youthful at heart, and pray that more has moved from our Baltimore loca- St. Aloysius young people will join us in our mission. tion to the historic Charles Carroll Littlestown, PA House in Annapolis, MD. Fr. Sean McGillicuddy In the love of Our Redeemer, Meet members of our staff that day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call us toll- free at 877-876-7662 or write to us at [email protected]. I hope to Continued on page 11 see you there. Rev. Daniel Francis, C.Ss.R. 3 Alphonsus and the Eucharist: Communion By Rev. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. (Third in a four-part series) Alphonsus also wrote a great deal about one of the major effects of receiv- ing the Blessed Sacrament: communion with Christ. He referred to the Eucha- rist as the great “sacrament of love” and highlighted the great privilege it is to receive the Body and Blood of the Lord in Holy Communion. God’s love manifests itself to us by God’s benevolence, our heartfelt, recip- rocal response aided by the influence of divine grace, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. When we receive the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ enters into us and mingles with our own. This close contact of our body and blood with the Body and Blood of the Lord deepens our incorporation into his Mystical Body, the Church, and serves as a funnel through which divine grace transforms our hearts and prepares us for an even deeper experience of God,

the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. ROMA For Alphonsus, receiving Christ at there were times when, for whatever rea- cial and easy to carry out. We can make Mass was the highlight of a person’s life. son, we could not receive sacramental a spiritual communion without being There was nothing more noble or digni- communion. For this reason, he encour- observed and without the necessity of fied than worthily receiving the Body and aged the devotional practice of making a fasting. We can do it, moreover, at any Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. spiritual communion, a simple prayer tell- time we wish: a simple act of love is all In his brief devotional work Acts for ing God of our burning desire to receive that is required. Holy Communion (1745), he encouraged the Blessed Sacrament. Fr. Billy, a Redemptorist of the Bal- his readers to make heartfelt acts of faith, He believed that a sincere act of spiri- timore Province, taught the history of contrition, humility, desire, and love be- tual communion could bear just as much moral theology and Christian spirituality fore receiving Holy Communion, and to fruit in the life of a believer as the actual for more than 20 years at the Alphon- respond afterwards with similar acts of reception of Communion itself. This sianum Academy of ’s Pontifical welcome, thanksgiving, spiritual offer- prayer could be made at any time and Lateran University. Currently scholar- ing, and petition. Alphonsus believed at any place. Its purpose was to intensify in-residence and John Cardinal Krol Chair of Moral Theology at St. Charles that receiving Holy Communion was the our love for Jesus and to increase our Borromeo Seminary, as well as the Karl highlight of our day and that we should desire to receive the sacrament. He Rahner Professor of Catholic Theology at fill the time before, during, and after- exhorted everyone desiring to advance the Graduate Theological Foundation, Fr. wards with intimate, heart-to-heart shar- in holiness to make a spiritual commu- Billy has authored or edited more than ing with the Lord. nion at least once a day. This devotion, 25 books and has written extensively in the area of Alphonsian spirituality. Alphonsus was also well aware that he believed, was both spiritually benefi-

Reflection Questions

• What happens when you receive Jesus in • Do you take time for giving thanks after • Do you share your problems with him? holy communion? receiving holy communion? Your deepest yearnings? • Do you consider it the highlight of your • Do you consider it the occasion for an • Do you rest quietly in his presence? day or just like any other moment? intimate conversation with Jesus? If so, what • Do you prepare yourself before receiving kinds of things do you share with him? holy communion? 4 NEWS & NOTES St. : Redemptorist, Bishop, Saint

When St. John Neumann arrived in America in 1836, his dream was to spend his life preaching the Gospel on the fron- tiers. His first assignment as a priest of the of New York was to the out- lying settlements in Buffalo, NY. But the work was lonely — living miles from his nearest parishioners, traveling for hours on horseback or, more likely, on foot. To continue living his missionary dream, in 1842, Neumann joined the Redemptorists, who had first come to the U.S. 10 years earlier. After discov- ering that ministry among the Native Americans was hurting their com- munity life, the Redemptorists settled in the cities to care for the neglected German Catholics who were flooding into places like and Phila- delphia. Neumann relished his work with the ROMA people, but quickly found himself pro- moted to leadership positions within the 1860, Neumann was already known as Congregation, including superior of all the “saintly bishop.” the Redemptorists in America. In 1852, Beginning on January 5, 2011, the Re- at the age of 41, he was named the fourth demptorists will celebrate a jubilee year bishop of Philadelphia. in honor of Neumann’s 200th birth- He reluctantly accepted, but his hesi- day. Several celebrations will take place tation didn’t affect his throughout the year enthusiasm for provid- in Philadelphia, and in ing for his flock. During Join us as we Redemptorist parishes his time as bishop of one celebrate the 200th and retreat houses in of the nation’s largest di- the Baltimore Prov- oceses, Neumann built birthday of a saint ince. We will also offer Join us in celebrating the almost 90 churches, for our times. Neumann-themed par- started the nation’s pa- ish missions, a nation- life of St. John Neumann! rochial school system, wide essay contest for Visit redemptorists.net/neumann for founded several orders of women reli- school students, and a tour of a signifi- information about: gious, and promoted the Forty Hours Eu- cant relic of the nation’s first male Amer- • Special Masses charistic devotion. ican saint. During the Neumann Year, we • Retreats He defended the rights of immigrants, also encourage you to visit the Shrine of • Parish missions • Student essay contest and managed to expand his diocese despite St. John Neumann in Philadelphia. • And more! a shortage of funds and priests. Through Look for more information about For a complete listing of events it all, he never lost his connection with his the Neumann Year in the winter during the Neumann Year, visit people. edition of Plentiful Redemption. redemptorists.net/neumann. When he died of a heart attack on a You can also find more details at street corner in Philadelphia in January redemptorists.net/neumann.

5 Glimpses of hope in Haiti On a recent trip to Haiti, Very Rev. Alfred Bradley, vice provincial of the Baltimore Province, found striking contrasts. Rubble still fills the streets, people still sleep in tents, and yet life goes on. In late June, two Haitian Redemptorists traveled to the Basilicas of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, NY, and Boston for the feast of Our Mother of Per- petual Help, the patroness of Haiti. The priests carried with them the gratitude and prayers of the people of Haiti for all those who have reached out to help after the January earthquake. “I sat under a makeshift shelter at twilight, sharing a common pot of spaghetti and hot dogs with a group of Redemptorist students,” Father Bradley wrote after his visit. “They continue to live and study in the rubble of what was

once their house of formation. They sleep Alfred Fr. Bradley/Courtesy now in tents and study under the light of a Baltimore Vice Pro- few dim bulbs, but somehow they find the vincial Alfred bradley visits with children at strength to sing Mary’s Magnificat in a har- a Redemptorist-run mony that would melt the hardest heart.” orphanage in Haiti. He also visited an orphanage run by a Redemptorist brother; the visitors brought candy with them and were treated by the children like “the Magi bearing gifts.” Father Bradley traveled to Haiti with Redemptorists from the Ste.-Anne-de- Beaupré Province, which includes the re- gion of Haiti, to survey the damage and help plan for rebuilding.

On the Web Visit redemptorists.net/newsletter.cfm to view video footage from feast day celebrations in Brooklyn. Look for “Web Extras.”

How You Can Help If you would like to contribute to the ongoing rebuilding and relief efforts in Haiti, visit redemptorists.net. Click on “Donate Now.” Please enter “Haiti” in the memorial box. The ruins of St. Gerard Church in Port-au-Prince.

6 Brothers in mission Baltimore Redemptorists to welcome four students from Vietnam this fall By Stephanie K. Tracy sionaries that there is a shortage of funds In the central highlands of Vietnam and resources to educate them. near Pleiku, the Jarai people live an iso- “The students from Vietnam study in lated and meager existence. As an ethnic Canada, , and ,” Father minority, they are shunned by most Viet- Sweeney said. “There are lots of voca- namese. But they are certain of the care tions, but not enough professors.” and love of at least one group — the Re- The Vietnamese students will study demptorist Fathers and Brothers. English in the U.S. for at least one year For decades the Redemptorists have before beginning their theology studies. ministered to the Jarai and other margin- In recent years, the Vietnamese gov- alized groups in Vietnam, providing edu- ernment has made headlines for actions cation, food, shelter, and spiritual food. that have threatened religious freedom. During a visit there this summer, Fa- The Redemptorists found themselves in thers Denis Sweeney and Raymond Col- the center of the dispute earlier this year lins from the Balti- when a brother was more Province got a severely beaten and firsthand look at the On the Web left for dead. work their fellow mis- View video from Vietnam online at The Communist sionaries are doing in redemptorists.net/newsletter.cfm. government decides Pleiku as well as in the Look for “Web Extras.” how many priests cities. can be ordained Vang Cong Tran/Courtesy Fr. Father Sweeney, the each year; any more Fr. Denis Sweeney with two Jarai children. director of theology students, and Father than that number are not recognized. Collins, pastor of Mission Church in Bos- Political leaders also routinely order in- slated to be ordained to the priesthood, ton where the students are housed, went spections of identity papers and regu- and 15 students were scheduled to take first to Vietnam to meet with four seminar- larly deny visas for religious to leave the vows. ians who will travel to the U.S. this fall to country. Stephanie K. Tracy is the communica- study. Despite the difficult environment, Re- tions manager for the Redemptorists of There are so many young men seeking demptorist vocations are flourishing in the Baltimore Province. to follow God’s call as Redemptorist mis- Vietnam. In July, nine Redemptorists were

Frs. Sweeney and Collins with Redemptorist novices in Vietnam. 7 A lasting remembrance, in lieu of flowers By Elizabeth Góral-Makowski When my father died sud- denly 16 years ago, my fam- ily and I were deeply moved by the outpouring of support and love from countless peo- ple. There were so many trib- utes, and so many flowers we needed a second room just to hold them. The flowers we gave to the parish rivaled those of Easter. The mound of flowers at my father’s gravesite was over- whelming. In the weeks following his funeral, I found myself won- dering if we should have asked, “in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to….” Wouldn’t my dad, who was a vigorous man and loved life, be delighted that someone remembered him in a way that would touch the lives of others? Flowers are a wonderful way of showing love for the deceased person. They are a beautiful symbol of comfort

and hope. Yet today, it’s more ROMA common to see, “in lieu of come forward during a time of grief and gift to the Redemptorists is a remem- flowers, please make a donation request, “In lieu of flowers, please make brance that lives long after flowers fade. to….” These donations are an opportunity a donation to the Redemptorists.” If you or a loved one would like to to honor the person and the continuing Like the beauty of flowers, these spe- honor someone’s memory upon his or her blessing of that life in the world. cial donations offer hope to those the death, please include in the notice: “In The Redemptorist Office for Mission Redemptorists serve, especially our poor lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Advancement (ROMA) is deeply grate- and abandoned brothers and sisters. A ROMA (Redemptorist Office for Mission ful for our donors and their families who Advancement) 107 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis, MD 21401.” Liguori Legacy Society We will send a thank you to the donor, and send a notice to the family listing the This spring, we will launch a promote devotion to Our Mother program recognizing and thanking of Perpetual Help. names and addresses of those remem- bering their loved one. those who have indicated they are If you have or would like to include As we come to the end of the sum- remembering the Redemptorists in the Redemptorists in your will or mer, and move toward the month of All their estate plans or will. estate plans, please let us know by The members of the Liguori Legacy calling 877-876-7662 or e-mailing Souls in November, our staff joins the Society have a lasting impact on [email protected]. Redemptorist family in giving thanks for the benefactors who have gone before us the work of the Redemptorists as Our legal title is: to our heavenly home. they proclaim the Good News to Redemptorist Office the poor and most abandoned and for Mission Advancement, Inc. Elizabeth Góral-Makowski is the associate director of ROMA.

8 VOCATION From the service VOICE to the seminary By Rev. Richard Bennett, C.Ss.R. Nos. 11 and 54 about the Redemptorists — along with Many of our fathers have served as whole purpose of our mis- an unquenchable desire to enlisted men in the U.S. armed services. sionary work and the focus of serve God’s people. My dad joined the Navy at about 18. These our communal religious life: Thoughts of “God and fathers, like so many others of their gen- “Redemptorists are thus country” continued to pluck eration, often referred to their early careers ‘Apostles of Conversion’ in so the heartstrings of Erik’s soul as “being in the service.” That common far as the chief object of their as he began to see yet another expression used for service to one’s coun- preaching is to lead people Erik Johnson, way of being “in the service.” our new seminarian try has stayed with me throughout my life. to a radical choice regarding Erik may not be promoted This past year I had the opportunity to their life — a decision for Christ — and or have great honor bestowed upon him come to know a fine 22-year-old man by draw them firmly and gently to a continu- on his new religious path. Rather, it is best the name of Erik Johnson. Erik was born ing and total conversion” (No. 11). understood as a path that re-directs where in Irondequoit, NY and raised in Pittsford, “In this way, pastoral charity gives true honor and glory belong ... with God. NY (in the greater Rochester area). soul and unity to the life of its members. As Erik joins our formation program in Until recently, Erik lived at home with Community life is really at the service of the Bronx, NY, studies in and his parents and older sister while attending the apostolate. Continual conversion, the theology await him at St. John’s Univer- St. John Fischer College and serving in the result of their total surrender to God, in- sity. This will be his new assignment with New York Air National Guard. But he is now creases their availability for the service of the Redemptorists and the people of the the newest member of our Redemptorist others” (No. 54). South Bronx of New York City. He will formation program. To have the honor to Erik told me he used to “play priest” stand side-by-side with his brother reli- serve God and country are core values for when he was a young child. His father gious as he takes the leap of faith into the Erik. Shortly after his high school gradua- served as a in his local Catholic uncharted waters of the future. tion in July 2006, he “joined the service.” parish, which probably inspired him and Erik said he wanted to become a President Woodrow Wilson stated in also gave him all of the insights he would Redemptorist because they are “a com- a speech he gave in May 1919, “there is need to “play priest” in the private sanc- munity where I could help my fellow something better, if possible, that a man tuary of his suburban home. men along in their spiritual journey, can give than his life. That is, his living I told Erik that his childhood play was where they are your brother, your fam- spirit to a service that is not easy, to resist actually an experience he and I, and ily.” As members of the Church, we are counsels that are hard to resist, to stand many other priests and religious, shared all one family in faith. Let us join our against purposes that are difficult to in common when recalling those memo- prayers for Erik and all our men who are stand against.” rable boyhood days. God later touched in training for that day when they will It is this spirit of service that must en- his heart through a long series of events together pledge their lives to being “in flame the minds and hearts of those who — conversations with friends, colleagues the service” of Christ and his gospel! wish to follow in the footsteps of St. Al- and military ; an inspirational Fr. Bennett is vocations director for the phonsus, the founder of the Redemptor- EWTN program; his deployment to Bagh- Baltimore Province. ists. Our rule reminds us in Constitutions dad; vocation retreats made with the

On the Web Congratulations… For photos of this summer’s We hope you’ll join us in congratulating our students who professed vows this summer: professions and Deacon McCabe’s • Kevin Bellott, C.Ss.R. who professed final vows in the English-speaking ordination, visit redemptorists.net. Region of the Caribbean Click on “News & Events.” • Jacky Merilan, C.Ss.R. who professed first vows, also for the Region of the Caribbean (pictured at left with Kevin Bellott) …and please pray… for Deacon James McCabe, C.Ss.R. who professed final vows in July and was ordained a transitional deacon Sept. 4, 2010, at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Deacon McCabe is assigned to St. Martin of Tours Parish in Bethpage, NY, while he prepares for priestly ordination in May 2011.

Fr. Richard Bennett/Courtesy Fr. 9 THE BEAUTIFUL CROWN

Father Robert Hopwood, who energeti- to sail north on the cally ministered to the people of Paraguay Paraná River to Asun- for a half century, died June 24 at the St. ción, Paraguay. From John Neumann Residence at Stella Maris there you will leave for in Timonium, MD. He was 84. Ponta Porá, of the Mato Father Hopwood was born in Oil City, PA, Grosso State of Brasil, and and was one of 11 children born to Arthur from there west to Bella Vista, and Eldene Schoonover Hopwood. Paraguay, your first mission.” The journey, On his golden jubilee of ordination, he recalled, took five weeks. Rev. Robert Hopwood, C.Ss.R. Father Hopwood recalled the notice he Father Hopwood spent more than 50 Born: August 25, 1925 received for his first missionary assign- years serving the poor in the remote Professed: August 2, 1947 ment: “You will leave New York City on areas of Paraguay. In his later years he was Ordained: June 22, 1952 the Rio Jachal Ship of the Argentine State assigned to parishes in the city where he Died: June 24, 2010 Line on March 8, arriving in Buenos Aires helped establish a medical clinic for the where you will transfer to a tramp steamer poor.

Father Arthur Mahoney, a missionary, phonsus Church in New York City in 1971 military , rector, and mission and then to San Alfonso Retreat House in preacher, died July 17 at the St. John Neu- Long Branch, NJ, the following year. He mann Residence at Stella Maris in Timo- went to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in nium, MD. He was 86 and suffering the Baltimore, serving as rector from 1972-78. advance of Alzheimer’s disease. Other assignments included St. Christo- Father Mahoney’s first three assign- pher Church on Kent Island, MD, and St. ments were to the U.S. Virgin Islands at Gerard Church in Lima, OH. Holy Cross Church in Christiansted, St. In 1987, he began his ministry with Croix, in 1953; Sts. Peter and Paul Church the Missionary Band, that group of Rev. Arthur Mahoney, C.Ss.R. (now a cathedral) in Charlotte Amalie, Redemptorists who travel no matter what Born: August 6, 1923 St. Thomas, in 1954; and Holy Cross in the weather and live out of suitcases to Professed: August 2, 1946 1960. After 13 years in the tropics, Father preach at far-flung parishes to regener- Ordained: June 17, 1951 Mahoney was assigned to St. Michael ate and renew the faith of the people. The Died: July 17, 2010 Church in Baltimore. He was there for only group preached from Maine to Florida. a year when he volunteered as a military He was assigned to St. Clement Mission chaplain in Vietnam. House in Ephrata, PA, in 1993 and to St. After completing his military service, Mary’s Church in Annapolis in 2001. Father Mahoney was assigned to St. Al-

“Let us not lose the beautiful crown which I see prepared for everyone who lives in observance and dies in the Congregation.” — St.

10 Redemptorist Preaching “IN THE FOOTSTEPS” (from page 3) OF ALPHONSUS Oct. 17-20 St. Rita Harahan, LA Fr. Bill Gaffney Opening the gift Oct. 17-21 Holy Family More than 60 Redemptorists and young annual retreat for young adults, participants Endwell, NY adults from across North America gathered explored the gifts God has given them and Fr. Kevin MacDonald at Notre Dame Retreat House in Canan- how they can best use them. There was time daigua, NY, for Dialogue 2010. During this for prayer, service projects, and fellowship. Sts. Francis and Clare Roebling, NJ Fr. John Murray Oct. 17-28 Our Lady of Victory Bronx, NY Fr. Alex Ortiz Bilingual Oct. 23-28 St. Mary Queen of Peace Kingsford, MI Fr. Ed Faliskie Oct. 24-28 Immaculate Conception Fayetteville, NY Fr. Kevin MacDonald Oct. 30-Nov. 4 St. Joseph Baltimore, MD Fr. Sean McGillicuddy Oct. 31-Nov. 4 Holy Family Seymour, TN Fr. Bill Gaffney Nov. 4-17 StephanieTracy/ROMA K. Regional Mission to First Nations People Alberta, Canada On the Web 20 Redemptorists For more photos from from the U.S. and Canada Dialogue 2010, visit Nov. 6-10 redemptorists.net. Immaculate Conception Click on News & Events. York, PA Frs. Gerard Brinkmann & Sean McGillicuddy Bilingual Nov. 7-10 St. Stephen Warwick, NY Fr. Paul Bryan & Sr. Mary Sninsky, OSF Nov. 13-16 St. Francis Xavier Gettysburg, PA Fr. Sean McGillicuddy

To schedule a Redemptorist mission in your parish, please have your pastor contact Fr. John Murray, C.Ss.R., at [email protected] or 917-364-9244.

11 nonPRofit The Redemptorists US POSTAGE OF THE BALTIMORE PROVINCE PAID Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement lutheRville, md 107 Duke of Gloucester St. PeRmit # 171 Annapolis, MD 21401-2526 redemptorists.net

MINI MEDITATION Holy Communion By Rev. Andrew Costello, C.Ss.R. First Communion yet. This made them out for communion — and with the other Two sisters got married and each had unhappy campers. hand took their little sister’s hand and two kids so far. Both had a boy first and Their younger sisters both aged 4 were both said “Amen” to the priest or Eucha- then a girl — cousins. They also ended beginning to get that unhappy feeling as ristic minister’s words, “Body of Christ.” up living within two streets of each other. well. The parents liked the idea that the That’s all. Ooops. I forgot to add, hus- The two little guys became the best of priest gave the little ones a blessing. The bands and wives did the same hand pals — most of the time; the two little kids didn’t like it when they didn’t get holding as well. It was a bit awkward at girls — both younger than their brothers the round bread that the older folks were first, but … Wonderful. Holy Commu- got along well with each other most of the receiving. Unfair. nion can be wonderful. Amen. time. They always reached out for the bread. To read more of Fr. Andy’s work In fact, both sisters, brothers-in-law, When this happened, the priest smiled and some , visit his blog at cousins — all got along with each other because it was showing a kid’s hope to http://reflectbay.blogspot.com. most of the time. Wonderful. Holy com- receive Jesus in communion. Moreover, munion can be wonderful. at the actual moment of communion And they were churchgoers. In fact, each and blessing — there was usually some Sunday both families went to the same bumping and almost tripping. 10 a.m. Mass at their gray-stone Catholic Good news — the two oldest, the boys, Church. After Mass they usually went out finally received their First Holy Commu- for breakfast together at Pancake Heaven. nion. Bad news — now the two younger Wonderful. Holy communion can be won- girls really felt the injustice. Not only derful. were the big people getting the round Just one minor glitch — not big — in bread — but now their older broth- fact, a rather cute glitch. ers were also getting the bread as well. It would happen up front when both Unfair. A very whiny unfair. families walked up the long line for com- Good news. It all changed one Sunday munion at Sunday Mass. The two boys, — when the two boys took matters into cousins, 6-years-old, had not made their their own hands. They just put one hand ROMA