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THE PIARIST FATHERS Number 13 PROVINCE OF THE U.S.A. AND PUERTO RICO Fall 2017

PIARIST NEWSLETTER

Father Ruben Plata, Sch.P. Becomes a Piarist Priest Rev. Ruben Plata, Sch.P. was Nicolas Zunun, Sch.P., who is a USA-PR, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil ordained to the priesthood by Bishop member of our Province. Rev. Mr. and Bolivia. Emeritus Felix Lazaro, Sch.P. of Federico Avila, Sch.P., who is a On August 27, Father Ruben Ponce, PR. The ceremony took member of our Community in Ponce, presided over his first Mass in our place in the Church of Our Lady of served as the . Chapel of Christ the King in Celaya. Mercy in Celaya, Mexico on August At the end of the Mass, Fa- Father Pedro Aguado, Sch.P., 26, 2017. ther Ruben expressed gratitude to who is our General, has His parents, Antonio and God for the care, which He has asked our Province to loan the ser- Candida Plata, his sisters, other rela- shown in his life. He also expressed vices of Father Ruben to our new tives, friends and members of his thanks to his parents, relatives and Province of Brazil and Bolivia. For native village of Capulin in Mexico other people, who have been influen- the next three years, he will reside in had the opportunity to participate in tial in his journey. In addition, he Cochabamba, Bolivia and help with the Mass. Concelebrants included: expressed special appreciation to the care of our pre-novices in the Rev. Emanuel Suarez, Sch.P. Fathers Mario Vizcaino, Sch.P. and new Province. (Provincial of Mexico), Rev. Javier Alberto Moreno, Sch.P. from our The members of our Prov- Aguirregabiria, Sch.P. (Provincial of Province of the United States and ince thank almighty God for sending Brazil and Bolivia), Rev. Fernando Puerto Rico, who were significant Father Ruben in our direction. We Negro, Sch.P. (Provincial of the Unit- figures in his early formation. Final- ask all of our friends to pray for him ed States and Puerto Rico), Rev. ly, he thanked the many Piarists, as he begins his ministry as a Piarist Francisco Anaya, Sch.P. (Assistant who were instrumental in his voca- priest. General for the Americas) and Rev. tional journey from the Provinces of

(Left to Right) Bishop Felix Lazaro, Sch.P. ordains Father Ru- ben Plata, Sch.P. Father Fernando Negro, Sch.P., who is the of the United States and Puerto Rico, lays his hands upon the newly ordained Father Ruben. Piarists, relatives and friends of Father Ruben gather after his ordina- tion to the priesthood. Page 2 Number 13 FORMATION —OUR FUTURE The spring and summer Brothers Abner Gonzalez,  On June 17, Bishop Emeritus semesters have been a time of Juan Sebastian Manrique, Felix Lazaro, Sch.P. of the great joy for the young men, who Jorge Ramirez and Christian Diocese of Ponce ordained are in our formation program. Santiago. to the diaconate Rev. Mr. The 2017-2018 academic year  On April 29, Brother Ruben Vinod Angadathu George, began with twenty men in our Plata, Sch.P. professed his Sch.P. The ceremony took formation program. We would solemn vows in the Piarist place in Saint Helena Church like to congratulate all of them Community of Cochabamba, in the Bronx, NY. on their accomplishments. We R.I.P. We ask you to Bolivia. Father Javier Aguir-  On July 15, Brother Daniel would also like to thank their regabiria, Sch.P., who is our Cruz, Sch.P. completed his remember in your directors of formation. Finally, Provincial Superior in Brazil novitiate and professed his prayers our deceased we would like to thank our bene- and Bolivia, received the temporary vows in Celaya, factors, whose prayers and finan- relatives and friends: profession. Mexico. cial assistance have helped to  On April 30, Os- make their accomplishments  On August 11, Brothers Jose Frank Casey car Aparicio Cespedes of Guadalupe Garcia, Sch.P. possible. Max Conway Cochabamba ordained to and Melchor Ortega, Sch.P. Edward Ferrer  On April 22, Bishop Emeritus the diaconate Rev. Mr. Ru- graduated from Marist Uni- Serafin Garcia Felix Lazaro, Sch.P. of the ben Plata, Sch.P. The cere- versity in Mexico City. Both Enrique Gutierrez Diocese of Ponce, PR or- mony took place in our of them earned a Bachelor’s Roberto Landa dained to the diaconate Rev. Church of Saint Rafael in Degree in Intercultural High- Elaine May Mr. Federico Avila, Sch.P. Cochabamba. er Education (LEMSI). Rev. John McLaughlin The ceremony took place in  On June 14, Brothers Jorge  On August 25, Jose Alberto our Chapel of Christ the King Paul Nolan Ramirez, Sch.P. and Manuel Colon Medina began our in Celaya, Mexico. Sanchez, Sch.P. graduated Humberto Prieto formation program as a pre-  On April 27, four of our pro- with a Bachelor of Arts de- Colin Saunders novice. He is now studying fessed seminarians earned gree from the Pontifical at the Pontifical Lawrence Schwartz awards during the Honors Catholic University of Puerto University of Puerto Rico and Terry Stiles Assembly for the School of Rico. Brother Jorge studied resides in our House of For- Dale Sublette Education at the Pontifical Philosophy and History. mation in Ponce. Mitchell Thieme Catholic University of Puerto Brother Manuel studied Phi- Lorelei Williams Rico in Ponce. They are: losophy.

VOCATIONS Youth Is Our Concern. If you think the Lord may be calling you, contact Father Francisco Aisa in Devon, PA. 610-688-7337, ext. 178 or [email protected] PIARIST NEWSLETTER Page 3

Opposite Page: Diaconate Ordination of Federico Avila, Sch.P.; Honors Assembly at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico; Solemn Profession and Diaconate Ordination of Ruben Plata, Sch.P. This Page: Graduation Ceremonies at St. Helena School, Devon Preparatory School, Cardinal Gibbons High School, Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Colegio Calasanz and Colegio Ponceno; Graduation at Marist University; Jose Colon (our new pre-novice); Graduation at the Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico; Simple Profession of Daniel Cruz, Sch.P. (second from left). Page 4 Number 13

Left: Diaconate Ordination of Rev. Mr. Vinod Angadathu George, Sch.P.

Below: Piarist Fathers Latin Mission in Summer of 2017

Piarist Fathers Latin Mission Time of Grace

There was a time when going their poverty, they give with joy. In vision and determination. They have to do mission work in the rural com- their suffering, their capacity for driven it from misery, suffering and munities of Tabasco, Mexico was a compassion is overwhelming and poverty into prosperity, peace and way of responding to the great com- contagious. They are free. Free to joyful optimism. Now that their com- mission: “Go therefore and make share with joy. Free to ask without munity has been built up, they have disciples of all nations, baptizing embarrassment. Out of that inner placed themselves in the shadows them in the name of the Father and freedom, their expression of love and let younger people pick up the of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, flows torrentially and yet peacefully. baton and shine. In this way, they teaching them to observe all that I They evangelize the evangelizer. It are making sure that new leadership have commanded you” (Mt 28:19- happens every year, time after time. does not become complacent, lazy 20). This perspective has changed. One thing is to bring the “Good or cocky. People like Don Gavino in Such a change is now very real and News”. It is another, to be the “Good Divina Misericordia, who felt the very personal. It did not happen in a News”. They are the “Good News”. I pain of twenty families scattered moment of deep, personal and spir- am the recipient. over a very large area in total isola- itual insight. Instead, I believe that it During the past four sum- tion. He has put into their hearts a has been the gradual process of an mers, the “mission” syndrome has sense of unity and belonging. He increasing awareness of the good- flourished and bloomed in three tiny donated part of his land so that the ness and beauty of the heart and communities in the middle of no- families could have a church and a soul of the very people, whom I in- where: Porvenir, Arroyo Hondo and social center, a place where they tended to evangelize. Divina Misericordia. Community could gather together as a communi- For some thirty-seven years leaders have risen to the surface. ty. He has also managed to make now, I have been sharing in the ad- People like Doña Georgina in Por- everyone feel that they are a vital venture of the Piarist Fathers Latin venir, who is an old lady with integri- and an important part of the project. Mission. The beauty and goodness ty and credibility. She loves her peo- He motivates everyone slowly of the people’s hearts and souls has ple, points out the needs of the com- enough so that they can feel a part been drawing me toward them with munity, finds people capable of of the project but fast enough so a powerful fascination from the very meeting the challenge and inspires that they can get things done. He is first year and every year thereafter. them to be generous with their time a man with a clear mind and a gi- Once my academic responsibilities and energy. Because of a person gantic heart. are finished for the school year, the like her, the community is on the Yes, mission time is a time anticipation of participating in the way up. People like Don Trino and of grace. mission makes me restless. There is his wife, Doña Inés, in Arroyo Hondo, Rev. Oscar G. Alonso, Sch.P. something very special waiting. In have organized the community with PIARIST NEWSLETTER Page 5

The Piarist Angle 400 Years of the Piarists: A History To Be Remembered and To Be Recreated While addressing members thers is a beautiful story involving their impeccable example. Further, of religious congregations, St. the dissemination of the scientific we should strive to continue follow- John Paul II recognized, on behalf of fruits of human knowledge through ing in their footsteps by providing an the whole Church, the valuable con- education according to the sound education regarding the dignity of tribution of religious life to holiness principles of the human person and each person and of society. In par- and evangelization and the work of according to Christian tradition. ticular, we must start with the poor- humanization on the many fronts of There is plenty of testimony from est, according to a Calasanzian and society. He said: “Your story is countless students, who have Christian perspective. something wonderful to remember, passed through our classrooms, re- Therefore, as Piarists today, and I invite you to recreate it today garding their proper formation in we can apply the words of Pope St. with renewed passion.” "piety and letters". They have digni- John Paul II: “You have a beautiful The Piarist Fathers are now fied their lives and have found au- history to remember and a history to celebrating 400 years of history as a thentic happiness. From the begin- be built.” In his Jubilee message to religious order. The first Piarist ning, St. proposed: the Piarists, writes: "I school opened in 1597 at the initia- "If from childhood, a child is diligent- invite you to live this Jubilee Year as tive of St. Joseph Calasanz (1557- ly imbued in piety and in letters, he a new Pentecost of the Piarists. I 1648). He wanted to provide a hu- will undoubtedly achieve a happy pray that the Pious Schools may be man and Christian education to the life" (Constitutions of the Order, writ- filled with the Holy Spirit, so that in poor children in the city of Rome at ten by Calasanz in 1622, No. 2). their effort to fulfill the mission, the time. Other schools quickly As we recall our history of which is proper to them in the world, spread throughout Europe during the education for over four centuries, we the Piarists will be able to overcome lifetime of the Founder. Today, Pia- should thank God and those, who every kind of fear and barrier." rist schools are present in 38 coun- have contributed with their lives and Rev. Jesus Maria Lecea, Sch.P. tries. work. We should admire what they The history of the Piarist Fa- achieved and carried out through

Some of our religious at- tended an education con- gress in Chile, a workshop for young Piarists in Spain and Italy and a choir tour in France.

Development Office

Our Development Office re- GuideStar gathers and dis- cently received the Platinum Seal of seminates information about every Transparency from GuideStar. In the single IRS-registered nonprofit or- spirit of transparency and the goal of ganization. It provides each nonprof- providing our benefactors with the it’s mission, legitimacy, impact, rep- most accurate and up to date infor- utation, finances, programs, trans- mation, we are pleased to partner parency and governance. with GuideStar to share our infor- Thank you GuideStar for a mation to current and potential ben- vote of confidence! efactors. Page 6 Number 13

The Piarist Newsletter is PROVINCIAL’S CORNER ( FR. FERNANDO NEGRO ) the official bulletin of the Dear Friends, Their presence provides us with and evangelizing the new gener- Piarist Fathers - Province We are about to end good reason for a hope, which is ations of children and young of the U.S.A. and Puerto the special Calasanzian Jubilee strong and persistent. people. Our goal is that they may become active and diligent Rico. If you or anyone else Year, which Pope Francis grant- Once again, I would ed to Piarists throughout the like to express my sincere grati- in building a better world and a wishes to receive a copy, world on the occasion of the tude to everyone, who collabo- Church, which is renewed by let us know. 400th anniversary of the founda- rates with our life and mission Gospel values. tion of our Order by St. Joseph in many ways: prayer, concern, We can only do this if Calasanz. cooperation, financial support, we remain passionately united Editorial Staff: Since November etc. In these ways, you have to the Lord, who will help us to become a part of the fabric of become the best that we can The Development Office 2016, we have celebrated this golden opportunity in various our life and mission. From the be. In order to reach this goal in P.O. Box 11822 ways in the different schools, bottom of my heart I say, life, I firmly believe that we THANK YOU! need to gather all of the scat- Fort Lauderdale, FL 33339 parishes and other ministries, which have been entrusted to The “New Pentecost”, tered pieces of our existence, us. Until November 27 of this to which I referred above, is not even what we might call “junk” or “sinful”, and present them to E-mail: year, we will continue to cele- only for Piarist religious but also brate by focusing on the “new for you. Pentecost is the gra- the great “Artist”. In turn, God [email protected] Pentecost” that Pope Francis cious event during which the will use them to create some- thing, which is new and beauti- speaks about in a letter, which Holy Spirit descended upon the he addressed to all members of apostles, who were gathered in ful. This is the meaning of this Telephone: our Order, including our lay col- prayer with the Virgin Mary. The biblical text: “See, I am doing something new! Now it springs 954-771-6525 laborators and friends. purpose was to give birth to the Church, the . You forth, do you not perceive it? In When I consider the the desert I make a way, in the Fax: many positive aspects of our and I have a specific place and wasteland, rivers.” (Is 43: 19). 954-776-8060 Province in the United States mission in the Church. We are and Puerto Rico, I thank God for bound to develop a deep rela- With your collabora- the many young men tionship of love with the Lord tion and support, we will surely (seminarians), whom the Lord and to make Him known, loved help the Lord to make this has sent in our direction over and served in the world. world a better place to live in the years, and for those who are We, Piarists, accom- and a Church renewed. to come. They are our future. plish this mission by educating

Annual Retreat Members of our Province met for our annual retreat at the Seminary We are on the Web! of the in Hun- piarist.info tington, NY during the week of June scolopi.org 11, 2017. Our retreat master was Father Thomas Rosica, CSB. He is the www.churchofsthelena.com CEO of Salt and Light Media (Canada) www.devonprep.com and an English language media repre- www.cghsfl.org sentative for the . piaristschool.org www.theannunciation.net “It is no secret that A Thought from Our copin.net the ministry of the Piarist Development Office Web Site: www.colcarmen.net Fathers greatly depends Your gift can be quick and calasanz.cc safe by using Pay Pal: upon the generosity of www.piarist.info www.piaristchallenge.com our benefactors. Please consider us in your annu- al donations, will, trust or insurance plan.” Piarist Fathers—Padres Escolapios—Compassion Challenge