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ANCHOR “… to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul, sure and firm,…” (Heb 6:18,19)

NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS 1)1)1) Only for today, I will seek to live the live- 7)7)7) Only for today, I will do at least one thing I long day positively without wishing to do not like doing, and if my feelings are solve the problems of my life all at once. hurt, I will make sure that no one notices.

2)2)2) Only for today, I will take the greatest care 8)8)8) Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I I may not follow it to the letter, but I will will not raise my voice; I will be courteous make it. and I will be on guard against two in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I evils: hastiness and indecision. will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself. 9)9)9) Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of 3)3)3) Only for today, I will be happy in the cer- God cares for me as no one else who exists tainty that I was created to be happy, not in this world. only in the other world but also in this one.

10) Only for today, I will have no fears. In par- 4)4)4) Only for today, I will adapt to circum- ticular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is stances, without requiring all circum- beautiful and to believe in goodness. In- stances to be adapted to my own wishes. deed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I 5)5)5) Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of to believe I had to do it all my life. my time to some good reading, remem- bering that just as food is necessary to BLESSED JOHN XXIII the life of the body, so good reading is Beatified on Sept. 3, 2000 necessary to the life of the soul.

6)6)6) Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.

WWW.SODC.ORG/ENG Write to us at: MARY FARM 1915 WARE STREET . PALMER MA. 01069 or email us at [email protected] Page 2 The ANCHOR

f 60 Years o orsement Papal End

1947-1957: You are not alone—you are not useless. To the eyes of the world you may appear to be alone and useless. But you are not alone! Within you is the living presence of God who dwells in those who observe His Word. Do God’s Will children! Accepting your role is following God’s Will. Jesus is with you. Learn to listen to His voice when in silence. Learn to speak with Him. You are not useless! Through your pain, offered supernaturally, you can help many lost souls to find the right path. You can illumine those in doubt. You can give serenity to those in anguish. ( His Holiness, Pius XII) 1957-1967: Touched by Pain— Yet Giving Love. Apostolate of the Suffering! Your name tells all. It shows the positive aspect of Christian pain. We encourage you to persevere with patience and commitment and to make your painful hearts physically and morally the silent sanctuaries of goodness. You can do what the powerful cannot. Don’t reject your precious gift of prayer and sacrifice. (His holiness, Pope Paul VI) 1977-1987: The vocation to love even more. I am particularly happy about this meeting at the 40th anniversary of the foundation of the Apostolate of the Suffering. We can remember May 17, 1947 when Msgr. Novarese began thinking about the Marian messages at Lourdes and Fatima and began the Apostolate. For all of you, suffering is a vocation to love even more and a mys- terious calling to participate in the infinite love of God for humanity. (His Holiness, John Paul II) 1987-1997 Active participation in Salvation You come from a Marian tradition. You have a precious role in the Christian community and work for the evangelization in an area such as suffering which is not easy and full of questions. Your role can be seen in the Apostolic paper “Christifideles Laici” (The Faithful Laity in the Church): “The suffering should not be considered per- sons to aid, but active individuals responsible for the evangelization and salvation of the world.” I am grateful to you because you have brought this message throughout the world not only through words, but also through your being silent role models. (His Holiness, Pope John Paul II) 1997-2007 Looking toward the horizon. We must follow our Founder’s lead-that which the Blessed asked at Lourdes and Fatima: to become a treasure for all men of good will. (Father Giovan Giuseppe Torre) “I HOPE THAT YOU CAN BE MODELS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD SHOWING THAT CHRISTIAN FAITH IS A RESPONSE TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF MAN AND SOCIETY.” (His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI)

Winter 2006-07 Page 3

Brother Robert J. Letasz SOLEMN PROFESSION IN THE SILENT WORKERS OF THE CROSS Robert (Bob) Letasz, President of the local Apostolate of the Suffering Association made his solemn profession, as a Brother of the Silent Workers of the Cross, December 8, 2007 at St. Mary Church in Ware MA. in the presence of Fr. Jeffrey Ballou, pastor, and Fr. John L. Sullivan Chaplain of the Apostolate. Following the tradition of the Community, the vows were pronounced during the celebration of the Mass of the . Brother Letasz was surrounded by his family, and by a large number of members of the Apostolate of the Suffering as well as local parishioners. A special meal was served afterwards in the church hall . Br. Bob has been a member of the Apostolate of the Suffering since 1984 and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Confederation. Father Jeffrey Ballou hearing The Silent Workers of the Cross are , brothers & sisters who have conse- Brother Letasz’s solemn vows. crated themselves to Christ through the hands of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by living a total personal commitment through the practice of the Evangelical Counsels which are poverty, chastity & obedience.

In a spirit of gratitude , we lift up Brother Letasz in prayer: “May the Holy Spirit continue to bless him with good health, and use him as an effective instrument as a Silent Worker of the Cross Brother Letasz, Director of the Apostolate, in the Apostolate of the Suffering, Amen.” Lois Smus ass. Director and Richard Smus, Mary Farm dir.

To our cost, we sometimes think that obedience to God’s will is an iron cage. On the contrary, God wills that everyone be saved, set free, made whole, brought to the joy of the kingdom. Mary pondered and did the will of God not reluctantly, out of a sense of martyred duty, but with her whole heart in delight. Magnificat June 2006 Page 4 The ANCHOR

THE ILL LEADING THE ILL This famous slogan in the Volunteers of Suffering Center has been fundamen- tal in the lives of many who have lived this ideal of Msgr. Luigi Novarese, giving meaning to their pain. This slogan came from his own personal experience as a sick person. Our founding father found a way to defeat that feeling of uselessness through his search for God. In 1979 he wrote: “ Materialism and sensuousness obscure the traditional values of man’s life. Let us leave our isolation, let us look around and let us feel Fatima Portugal responsible for the lives of our brothers and sisters. Isn’t it obvious that New magnificent Church if we edify the Mystical Body of Christ we also complete ourselves? dedicated to the Holy Trinity The world must be saved and this salvation can be achieved through On October 12, 2007 those who suffer. A fundamental principle of our Apostolate is the im- portant role of those who suffer. We are not so isolated that we cannot

SUPPORT but follow the Blessed Virgin’s request at Lourdes and Fatima.” NEEDED ______Let us pray for an “Here we are, thousands of suffering persons of every age and nation who under- increase in vocations to the religious life stand the Christian value of pain and who are committed to live in the State of and for the spiritual Grace by being spiritually active. ( Sister Myriam Psorulla, co foundress) growth of our Apos- tolate. We especially seek the prayers of our sick members since they are so On Living the Message of Fatima. powerful before God. One should not focus on what the Apostolate of the Suffering has done, Your financial sup- port for all our en- but how much each one of us has succeeded in following deavors is also ap- the Blessed Virgin’s message. preciated. Donations are tax deductible. Have I understood it? Have I done any personal sacrifices to achieve it?

JOIN THE APOSTOLATE OF THE SUFFERING The Apostolate of the Suffering (A.O.S.), founded in in 1947 is officially approved by the Church as a co-association of the Silent Workers of the Cross. Today it consists of ecclesiastical Private Diocesan Associations in many Countries of the world, united in an International Confederation, approved by Decree of the Pontifical Council for the Laity. Our main purpose is to inspire a genuine vocation in all who suffer and to help live a fruit- “Don't let your ful apostolic life. worries get the Anyone can become a member of the Apostolate of the Suffering. We have all been best of you; called to assist Jesus in the salvation of souls and in the building up of his Church. You remember, also become the beneficiary of a plenary indulgence. started To become a member, or renew your membership for the year 2008, print your name out as a basket and address on the form enclosed and mail it to the following address with the sug- case. “ gested $5 annual dues. Your membership card will be promptly returned to you. APOSTOLATE OF THE SUFFERING P.O.Box 535 CHICOPEE MA. 0102101021----05350535