VOLUME 1, NUMBER 1, SPRING 2009

A PUBLICATION OF THE REDEMPTORIST OFFICE FOR MISSION ADVANCEMENT

Redemptorists Thomas McCluskey and James Szobonya at the celebrating their perpetual profession. Photo taken by Dan Beigel for The Wide View.

The Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement promotes the apostolic work of the of the Province as they follow in the footsteps of the Redeemer so they may more effectively preach the Gospel to the poor and abandoned. The Office achieves this by presenting ways of partnering with people and inviting mutual stewardship of God’s gifts for our formation, retirement and IN THIS EDITION: Provincial’s Preface Page 2 ministry needs. St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Page 4 Living Legacies Pages 6-7 Vocation Voice Page 9 PROVINCIAL’S PREFACE Father John McGowan, C.Ss.R. Redemptorist said a bit louder, This year is the hundredth and I have preached more than sixty “Everyone from this is going anniversary of the of parish missions together. He is a to die.” Well, our man in the back Redemptorist Clement Hofbauer. great preacher and humorist, always is now laughing. Our Irish missionary St. Clement was a man who had a beginning his first talk with a lively has never had such a reaction yearning to become a priest. Many version of what he calls a before. For a third time, but now obstacles and circumstances made Redemptorist Rap. The rap song with booming voice, he shouts, realizing the desire most difficult. Yet, that describes the work of a “Everyone from this other circumstances, Redemptorist was written by Father parish is going to Los misioneros redentoristas the persistence of Phil Dabney: “There are men who die!” Our fellow in Clement and the walk the mall, bounce the ball/but the back can hardly gozosamente proclaman grace of God led him that’s not me, I’m a man of God, restrain himself from abundante redención. to be ordained. All of full of mystery.” Father McGowan laughing out loud. The El escudo que San Alfonso us have dreams and always gets a great ovation after the missionary cannot take dejó a la Congregación hopes. By the grace of rap song and he announces that he it any longer and asks lleva un versículo del God and by our own is known as “Puff Johnny. “ him, “What are you Salmo 130: "En Él hay response to that I do not have his courage or his laughing at?” The man abundante redención." grace, we pray for the voice. I always begin with a story. replies, “I am not from Como redentoristas en pos grace to persevere. Years ago, the Redemptorists were this parish.” Clement had the del Redentor, predicamos su famous for beginning their missions Times have changed great mission of bringing with a sermon on hell. It was said for the Redemptorist mensaje gozoso del amor the Congregation to that the Redemptorists spoke so missionary. Although abundante de Dios que Northern Europe. well about hell that you might have the message of the nunca se agota. Although he did all in thought that we had been there. four last things is not his power to make And there were no more fierce forgotten, Redemptorist missionaries this happen, by human standards he preachers on hell than the Irish joyfully proclaim plentiful redemption. would be judged a failure. The Redemptorists. (I make Irish jokes The coat of arms that St. Alphonsus Congregation only flourished after since both my parents were from Liguori gave his Congregation is his death. Sometimes, in terms of his Ireland and I do not get into any taken from Psalm 130: “With Him own actions, we do not always get trouble that way.) One stern there is Plentiful redemption.” As to see the final results. What we Redemptorist always began his we follow our Redeemer, we preach have taught our children and missions by glaring at the his joyful message of God’s grandchildren may only come to congregation and very softly abundant and never fruition long after we are dead. saying, “Everyone from this ceasing love. Plentiful Some of the causes we have worked parish is going to die.” It Redemption means for and prayed for may not become always got the attention the incarnation of visible to us while we are living. We of the crowd. Once, Jesus, his death and do what we can do and leave the however, as he began resurrection, the rest in the hands of God. Certainly, his sermon with this Eucharist, and our St. Clement Mary Hofbauer is a dramatic opening, our Mother of Perpetual great model of being faithful to God missionary noticed a man Help. and not seeking the final results. in the back of the church I congratulate Father Dan smiling. Making eye Francis on this first issue of Plentiful contact with the Redemption. It is a title dear to all smiling man, Redemptorists. the Very Rev. Patrick Woods, C.Ss.R.

Fr. Woods photo taken by Marion Lunt 2 Advancing the Mission

It is with great excitement that we present the inaugural edition of Plentiful Redemption. My sincere hope is that you will come to learn more and more about us with every edition. Each season of the year you’ll receive a note from the Provincial, news from around our “Gaze at the Baltimore Province, obituaries, notes from the younger confreres and much more. This passion... year, the 100th anniversary of the canonization of Redemptorist You will find Clement Mary Hofbauer, we are focusing on our legacy. Guest writer, Rev. Ray there all the reasons Corriveau, a Canadian confrere, will be with us the whole year and help us get to to love God.” know St. Clement. As Director for our Mission Advancement, people ask me what I do. -St. Alphonsus de Liguori My response is always the same: I help make the Redemptorists known and invite people to support us in our ministries. “Oh,” they respond. “You beg for money!” Well, not like St. Clement. The true story is told that he would go door-to-door trying to feed and clothe the boys at an orphanage he established. Entering a tavern one day, he approached a drunken man who was playing cards. “Could you contribute something?” “Sure thing!” the drunk responded, and spat beer in the saint’s face. Looking the man directly in the eyes, Clement said calmly, “That was a gift to me personally; now please let me have something for my poor children.” In this edition you’ll see pictures and read an article about older Redemptorists. In the Spirit of St. Clement, would you contribute something to care for our elderly confreres? We are in the process of building new rooms for them and need your help. I have included an envelope (in the e center) for your use. You can also donate securely on-line at inc ov www.redemptorists.net/provisions. pr I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome: e St. Mary’s Seminary Alumni h Mt. St. Alphonsus t (Esopus, NY) Associate Redemptorists who have been so d generous throughout the years n Days of Prayer: Perpetual Help Center benefactors u March 18, April 15, May 20 & June 17 o 9:30am-3:00pm …and many other groups around our Province r The fee to attend each is $20, which includes a hot lunch. We would not be as robust without you! Please a Presentations, discussion, prayer, Reconciliation and Eucharist continue to give. are part of this day. Reservation and $10 deposit are required. May Our Mother of Perpetual Help bless you always Women’s Retreat: May 1-3 in this spring time of year. Happy Easter! Presented by Pauline Fournier, D. Min and a member of the Rev. Daniel Francis, C.Ss.R. Retreat Team. Cost $160, includes accommodations and meals. Reservation and $25 deposit required. Strengthening our Faith: Praying with St. Alphonsus June 26-28 Cost $160, includes accommodations and meals. Reservation and $25 deposit required.

3 St. Clement Mary Hofbauer Rev. Ray Corriveau, C.Ss.R. First in a four-part series St. Alphonsus had a saying that that the first Redemptorists were house in view). Clement’s heart beat “the lives of the are the Gospel missioned by Fr. Passerat to come to with the rhythm of the Congregation lived out.” That is how we understand the United States and Canada. Over founded by Alphonsus. He lived for St. Clement Mary Hofbauer as we the next half century, it was from the Congregation and struggled for celebrate the centenary of his Northern Europe and the units her. He was convinced that his canonization, which took place on formed from them, that the vocation was to arouse many May 20, 1909. Incidentally, of the four Redemptorists became missionaries missionaries who would proclaim saints that Pius X canonized, two to the Carribean and various “plentiful redemption,” in the intuition were Redemptorists, St. Gerard countries of South America and of Alphonsus. Our identity as Majella (1904) and St. Clement subsequently to Australia and New followers of St. Alphonsus and (1909). Zealand, the Philippines, India, Sri Redemptorists owes a great deal to Along with “the Year of St. Paul,” Lanka and other parts of Asia and the contribution of St. Clement, the we Redemptorists celebrate this various countries of Africa. ardent lover of God, who knew year as the year of St. Clement. His Clement was born in 1751 in how to integrate prayer and life becomes an invitation to recall Tasswitz, (just within the contemplation with a tireless our history, to meditate on it and to , less then 100 miles missionary zeal. see God at work in the lives of our from ). He was introduced In this year of Clement, we ask forbears. We remember Clement as by Josef von Diessbach to the Clement, the insignis propagator of the one who introduced the writings of and the Congregation, to instill in us his Redemptorist Congregation to all of presumably his newly founded same love for Alphonsus and the Northern Europe. And it was from Congregation (19 years young), Congregation, his passion for God there, within twelve years of his while at the in and for plentiful redemption and a death, building on the foundations the early 1780s. Von Diessbach deep trust in God’s provident action he laid both in Warsaw and Vienna, knew Alphonsus personally and in our own lives as we are called to instilled in Clement a deep “give our lives for plentiful appreciation for him and his writings. redemption.” It is not surprising, then, when Rev. Raymond Corriveau, C.Ss.R. is Clement and Thaddeus Hübl presently Associate Novice Director at the happened upon the Redemptorists Redemptorists’ North American , of San Giuliano in Rome that they Villa Redeemer, Glenview, IL. He is a so spontaneously joined the former Provincial Superior of the Edmonton-Toronto Province (Canada). Congregation (1784-1785). For Rev. Corriveau edited the book Saint Clement, at this half-point in his life, Clement Hofbauer: His Writings and it was the realization of his long-held Spirituality and will preach the retreat desire to become a priest. on St. Clement: “The Holy Longing and Within the year, sent back Clement: The Mystic in Action,” to north across the Alps, Clement Redemptorists later this spring. worked tirelessly to establish the Congregation north of the Alps. By 1795, having established the community in Warsaw, Clement spent some ten or more years, travelling back and forth across Europe, no less than five times, mainly by foot, in the effort to establish the Congregation on solid ground (especially with a formation

4 “Make Her Known” – Our Mother of Perpetual Help and the Redemptorists Elizabeth Góral-Makowski The Redemptorists have a special devotion to Our Lady. This reaches back to our founder, St. Alphonsus, who wrote many beautiful songs and litanies to Mary, Our Mother. It was with particular joy then, that the Redemptorists were given the original icon by Pope Pius IX in 1865, and given the directive, “Make her known.” The Redemptorists have faithfully promoted devotion to Mary, under her title of Our Mother of Perpetual Help, since that time. Through their preaching and the encouragement of such prayer practices as novenas and the rosary, promotion of her image in icons, on prayer cards and through devotional materials, the Redemptorists truly make her known. In 1945, from a humble room in a rectory in , Fr. Enos initiated spreading the devotion to Our Mother of Perpetual Help further through what became the Perpetual Help Center. For over 60 years, this legacy has continued to grow so that hundreds of thousands of people have grown to know and love Our Mother and to assist Redemptorists in their work through offerings for Mass cards and other devotional objects. The Center has stood as a beacon of hope and the promise of Mary’s perpetual love and prayer for each of us. We are grateful for its presence and for all the staff and Redemptorists who have served there over the years. As with all things, the passage of time necessitates evaluating our past efforts and challenging congregations like the Redemptorists to think about the future. This means providing for their ministries as well as for their aging priests and Brothers. Their goal is to be more efficient with our services and fundraising activities, while continuing to promote Our Lady of Perpetual Help through Mass Cards and devotional items. The newly established Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement (ROMA) will foster devotion to Mary through a Perpetual Help Society, as well as focus on the financial support of the Redemptorists and their mission of bringing the good news of God’s plentiful redemption to the world. We will be asking for input from those individuals who have supported the Perpetual Help Center in the past through a random survey. Should you receive this survey, please promptly complete and return it. The survey will be available electronically on our website after Easter and we invite you to access it there http://www.redemptorists.net/provisions. Your response is important and we look forward to hearing from you. Together, we can build on this legacy and make her known. If you are interested in information about the Perpetual Help Society, as well as the Mass cards and devotional items available for purchase, please e-mail [email protected] or call 410-288-8755.

5 LIVING LEGACIES Men of faith and prayer Mary Conway Many of the Redemptorist 66th anniversary of ordination this would have to take measures to Fathers and Brothers who form the coming year, has spent most of his control the disease when he community at St. priesthood in Florida, especially returned to the States in 1990. He Residence in Saratoga Springs, NY, running a retreat house he helped was assigned that year to Mount St. have moved beyond the physical or build in Venice, Florida. Alphonsus in Esopus, NY, and, the mental strengths of their youth. No Father George Bridge marked following year, to parish work at longer can they drive out on snowy his 60th anniversary of priesthood St. Martin of Tours Church in or icy roads to preach missions at last June. For more than 50 of those Bethpage, NY to help out at St. far-flung , or ride horses in years he was in active ministry. The Mary’s Seminary in North East, PA. the Amazon to reach the poor living Pittsburgh native was assigned first He went in 1966 to Kent Island, in campos, or proclaim the glories of to Mission Church in Boston, then originally a mission outpost from St. Mary at multiple novenas each to St. James Church in Baltimore and Mary’s in Annapolis, MD. By the time Wednesday, or write afterwards to the he was named to Ephrata, he already books or teach in a Redemptorist novitiate was following an insulin regimen. classroom. Yet, they are “Now is then located in Ilchester, When Redemptorists from St. Redemptorists still: our time MD. He was sent to Clement Church next door asked they gather in the Frederiksted, St. Croix; for help with an Advent Penance chapel for Morning and to give San Lorenzo, Guayama, Service, he immediately volunteered. Evening Prayer, for daily to them” Mayaguez II, Mayaguez I, He still misses the people he served Mass, for weekly Holy and Caguas, all in Puerto in Brazil -- “I loved the people there; Hours, for retreat days. – Father Gerard Rico; and Las Matas de they were very patient with young They gather, too, in a Farfan in the Dominican priests who spoke what must have community room for Republic. He was also seemed to them like barbaric the daily rosary and in the refectory assigned to the Redemptorist parish Portuguese.” He looks forward to for their meals and conversation. in Wachula, FL. Now, at St. John returning to Ephrata when the place Most retire to their rooms after Neumann Residence, he gets around is equipped to provide assisted dinner and some, while keeping their in a wheelchair and, with the help of living. doors open to visitors, neither hear patient speech therapy, he is Father Clement Cahill also was a knock nor notice a figure standing beginning to regain his ability to surprised to find himself in in the doorway- so immersed are speak. Even without words, his calm, residence at St. John Neumann. they in their books of prayers and smiling presence communicates devotions. peace and kindness. Father Charles Mallen, who Father Brendan Greany, 71, served in parishes throughout the came to Saratoga Springs quite Vice-Province of Richmond and unexpectedly. After celebrating an established and directed a retreat early morning Mass in Ephrata, PA, house in Venice, FL, said that since he went out to buy a newspaper. his stroke he has time to Getting back in his car, he put it in concentrate more on becoming like drive instead of reverse and crashed St. Alphonsus. With a broad grin, he into a building. “I still don’t know explained his progress: “Alphonsus what happened,” he said. A was in a wheelchair at the end of his bystander called 911 and an life; I’m in a wheelchair now. ambulance brought the priest to the Alphonsus was crippled by arthritis; local hospital. A doctor later I’ve got arthritis. The rest, I’m still explained to him, “When your sugar working on!” In the meantime, he’s gets too low you get dizzy.” reading The Gift of Years: Growing A missionary to Brazil for 25 Older Gracefully by Benedictine Sister years, Father Greany had suffered a Joan Chittister. Father Mallen, who bout of hepatitis and already knew looks forward to celebrating his he had developed diabetes and Rev. Lawrence Buckley 6 Having come up from his assignment Angelica’s programming on EWTN nursing care will go with the other in Puerto Rico, en route to a and highly recommends the men to Ephrata. vacation in Ireland, he stopped at theological talks presented by Father Szymkowiak previously Our Lady of Perpetual Help Rectory Redemptorist Father Pablo Straub. served as rector at St. Michael in . The plan was to fly to He also found a recent retreat day Church, Baltimore; Mission Church, Shannon from New York -- but not presented at the residence by a Boston; St. Gerard Church, Lima, before making an overnight visit to confrere, Father Francis Browne, to OH; and Sacred Heart of Jesus the confreres in Saratoga Springs. “I be “a true grace of God,” he said. Church in Baltimore. As for got sick in the night, had a 102- “Every day becomes a new Saratoga Springs, he said: “This is a degree fever and was dehydrated. I experience.” great place. I’m very happy here and ended up in the hospital for 12 or A native of Erie, PA, Brother get along well with the men. I was 13 days,” Father Cahill said. “I was Thomas Kuhn said he enjoys being rector of many of them before we lucky I was here when it happened. with the confreres, even as he came here.” He is attentive not only Of course, my medical records were himself grows weaker. “I started at to the practical needs of the all in Puerto Rico, so the doctors New Smyrna Beach with the confreres, but to the little touches here had to run all sorts of tests.” apostolate to the sick,” he said. “I that give them pleasure. For When he was released from the have a sense of its being a privilege, example, at each confrere’s birthday hospital and returned to the especially to be with the dying. They dinner there is a gift to be opened residence, all he had with him were know that someone’s praying and his favorite food is prepared. the few things he had put in his around them.” The last days of a “Now is our time to give to them,” overnight bag- confrere’s life are “like sacred time,” he said. “I’m happy because they’re everything he explained. happy.” else was The Redemptorists are leasing a “Their prayer life is still with back in wing at Stella Maris in Timonium, them,” Father Szymkowiak said, “and MD to ensure that the confreres that’s good for me. To see them at continue to have what they need for prayer reminds me that I have more their own community life, including a time to pray with them.... Around meditation room, common room one o’clock, a lot of the older guys and refectory. The transfer of the come to pray before the Blessed Saratoga Springs community -- some Sacrament and the Blessed Mother.” to Stella Maris and others to an The communal Holy Hour is assisted care unit being fashioned at devoted to praying for vocations and St. Clement House in Ephrata, PA -- some of the nurses noted that most is planned for the summer of 2009. of the confreres keep their own Father Gerard Szymkowiak, prayer lists of intentions people have rector at St. John Neumann, will be asked them to remember. The going with the confreres to Stella Redemptorist tradition Rev. Theodore Heyburn Maris; Benedictine of prayer life, and Sr. Serafina, OSB Sisters who (continued on page 10) Puerto Rico, where he had served have been for 57 years. Thanks to the care and providing generosity of the confreres, he added, he now has “a whole roomful of clothes; they’ve been very good to me.” The Baltimore Province’s eldest confrere, Father John Doherty, is looking forward to his 100th birthday this year. He continued in active ministry at Mission Church in Boston well into his 90s. Despite failing eyesight and hearing, Father Doherty keeps up with Mother Revs. Al Sieradski and John Salamon

7 NEEDS: Loving hands help make a home Furniture – Total: $250,000 They have given their lives for As our senior men age, we are This includes: God and helped countless souls committed to surrounding them • Hospital mattresses $400 each come to know God’s plentiful with a community of their Brothers • Nightstands redemption found through the love in a safe and comfortable environ- $340 each of Christ. They have used their hands ment where their advanced medical • Community room TV/DVD stand to bless, forgive, distribute needs can be addressed. “St. $920 • Adjustable tables for the dining room communion, anoint, and comfort. Alphonsus was a firm believer that a $885 each They worked with the poor and community could accomplish more • Dining Room and guest chairs most abandoned in the U.S. and than a single individual. You just can’t $485 each abroad. They faced dangers found in separate a Redemptorist from • Specialized lift recliners the rainforests of South America and community. Everything we do is $1500 each • Nurse’s station desk the Caribbean, as well as the turmoil connected to that core,” says Very $1200 of the inner cities and always, always, Rev. Alfred Bradley, C.Ss.R., Vicar Prayer Space and Chapel: $300,000 with God’s grace, gave more than Provincial. This includes: they ever received. With this commitment to life in •Altars Today, these men, whose lives community as our touchstone and •Hydraulic Pulpits with wheelchair shelf have been poured out, whose hands an analysis of our current facilities •Tabernacles have touched so many with the throughout the Province, the •Refinishing an icon of Our Mother of abundance of their gifts, are in need decision is to bring our retired Perpetual Help of your helping hands. As with Brothers to one of two houses, •Religious statues •Removing from the current many religious congregations, the Stella Maris in Timonium, MD and St. residence, transporting, and installing it Redemptorists have a growing Clement Mission House in Ephrata, •Woodwork number of men who are retired and PA. We have moved forward with •Chairs in need of assisted living and skilled functional renovations at both sites. If you would like to help support this nursing care. Stella Maris will provide 24-hour effort, please use the enclosed envelope, or to donate online, go to Life in community is an nursing care as well as immediate [email protected]. important component for us access to emergency services. The Redemptorists as we live the legacy Redemptorist house in Ephrata will left to us by St. Alphonsus Liguori. serve as an assisted living facility. home. Your prayers and financial The Missionary Sisters of St. support will allow us to give back to Benedict, who have played such a our elderly priests and Brothers central role in the lives of these men who contributed so much to our in Saratoga Springs, will be part of communities throughout their lives, the community in Ephrata and never asking for anything in return. continue their loving care. This plan Fr. Bradley states, “These men are serves our Brothers, our legends in the province. They have commitment to community and is given so much of themselves, and cost effective. now, their lives are in our hands.” “We are doing all we can to Won’t you help us help them? help ease the transition to new We are asking you to consider a environments for our men,” notes gift that will help us furnish Fr. Bradley. Information about bedrooms, a community room and particular dietary likes and dislikes, dining room, the nursing station and and making sure that beloved meditation space. We have provided pictures and objects are transferred a listing of some of the identified and placed in a similar way in their needs above. We thank you for your new surroundings will help ease the continued prayers and thoughtful transition. reflection on how you may help the We are asking for your hand to Redemptorists. help make these new facilities a

8 VOCATION VOICE Ashford St. Romain, the oldest of six children, is one of our Redemptorist seminarians presently in his second year of philosophy study at St. John’s University in Queens, NY. He was born on the island of St. Lucia, where he first met the Redemptorists. Recently, Ashford was asked to share his vocation story with some visitors to our seminary program who participated in a vocation discernment weekend. When he shared his personal journey he spoke of how he was inspired by the Redemptorist missionaries who served his local parish of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Vieux Fort, West Indies. Ashford spoke of how these vowed religious seemed to have a real love for the people and would reach out to them with a most zealous pastoral concern. Men like Fr. Bruce Lewandowski, C.Ss.R., Fr. Rodney Olive, C.Ss.R., Fr. Ed Faliskie, C.Ss.R., and Br. Jeffrey Rolle, C.Ss.R. are just a few who had a profound influence on his life and his faith formation as a young man. He said, “I always wanted to be like them… I wanted to be one of Do you know someone them!” He saw the Redemptorists as true shepherds of Christ’s “little who might be called to be ones.” a Redemptorist Brother or Ashford was impressed with their willingness to try new things, their priest? Let them know about the efforts to reach out to embrace those who were poor, and recalls how they following opportunities to explore vocations: were delighted to visit with people in their homes. He enjoyed being with April them and looked up to them as his childhood heroes. He marveled at their dedication to serving the needs of the parish and admired how they 3-5 Crossroads Vocation Retreat, preached and would kid around in relating to one another as Redemptorists Hampton, VA living in a religious community. Their faith, their happiness, and their way of 23–26 Come and See Vocation Weekend, life seemed to draw him to spend more time in their company and Whitestone, NY eventually to seek entrance as a postulant. He spoke to his parish priests May and they encouraged him to apply to enter Blessed Peter Donders House, 6 Vocation Day, Long Branch, NJ the first point of contact for men wishing to join the Congregation from the For more information, go to: Caribbean region. Once there, he enrolled at the University of the U.S. www.redemptorists.net/walk/vocations.html, Virgin Islands and is now part of the seminary community at the St. call 1-718-321-1394, or e-mail Alphonsus Formation Residence in Whitestone, NY. [email protected] During the week Ashford is fully engaged in his course work, community e prayer and meals, and his house responsibilities. On weekends, he travels vinc to the South Bronx with two other Redemptorist students to attend ro Mass at Immaculate Conception church and teach young people in p the parish’s religious education program. Ashford says that he he loves being a seminary student with the Redemptorists. He t St. Cecilia d (East Harlem, NY) believes he has experienced tremendous growth in his n knowledge of the faith and he is grateful to all the professors, u March 21 the Redemptorist formators, and to family and friends who o A Lenten Retreat from 9 a.m. till 4 p.m. r The team will have the assistance of Sister Eileen Burns have mentored him and supported him along the way. a Ashford quotes Philippians 1:6: “May the Lord who has begun for the talks. The parish Lenten Reconciliation will be celebrated in the afternoon. this good work in you, see it through to its fulfillment!” April 3: Taize Holy Hour, from 7 - 8 p.m. Rev. Richard Bennett, C.Ss.R., Province Vocation Director by Rev. Arthur Wendel, C.Ss.R Seminary/Formation May 18 - May 27 Alphonsian Spirituality Workshop by Fr. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. This is open only for our seminarians from NYC, Canada, Chicago and Washington 9 THE BEAUTIFUL CROWN

"Let us not lose the beautiful crown which I see prepared for everyone who lives in observance and dies in the Congregation. I am certain that Jesus has prepared a beautiful place in Paradise for those who die in the Congregation." -St. Alphonsus Liguori

Father Bertrand: A gentle man Father Regensburger, noted Father O’Connor, former with time for all catechist, dies at 89 missionary, dies at 79 Father Joseph Bertrand, the first Virgin Father Edmund Regensburger, widely John F. X. O’Connor died unexpectedly Islander to be ordained as a Redemptorist known in Puerto Rico both for the of an apparent heart priest, died of cancer Wednesday, Jan. 14, catechism classes he taught and the attack on Friday, at St. John Neumann Residence in doctrine program he televised, February 13, at Saratoga Springs, NY. He was 83 years died Jan. 23 in New Smyrna Beach, FL Our Lady of old. Perpetual Help A native of Rectory in Father Bertrand was born June 27, Philadelphia, Father Manhattan. He was 1925, the son of Ernest and Josephine Regensburger was 79 years old. Florant Bertrand. born October 21, Ordained in 1955 1919, to Charles Father O’Connor, a native of Newark, after serving time and Florence Fox NJ, was one of two sons born to in the Navy, his Regensburger of St. Dr. Michael and Lillian Young O’Connor. assignments were Boniface Parish. He was ordained to the priesthood on Puerto Rico, June 19, 1955. For twenty years of his St. Croix, St. Thomas Ordained in 1946, his assignments were: young priesthood he served in different and St. Lucia. Puerto Rico, Tampa, FL, Opa Locka, FL, parts of Brazil: Bela Vista, Tibagi, Monte and Wachula, FL. Alegre, Miranda, Paranagua, Rocio and He was a soft-spoken, down-to-earth Ponta Grossa. Redemptorist who had a knack for He was a long-time minister to Spanish- remembering names and was dedicated speaking people in Florida who came Parish mission preacher and then to visiting his hospital patients. from Puerto Rico, Cuba and Central beloved rector of St. John Neumann and South America. At 85, he was still Residence in Saratoga Springs, Fr. driving himself to celebrate Mass each O’Connor was assigned to Our Lady of Sunday at a chapel 50 miles away. Perpetual Help Rectory in Manhattan.

For more information on the lives and ministries of these deceased Redemptorists go to: http://www.redemptorists.net/ setting/passages/ e vinc ro p Redemptorists of faith and prayer he (continued from page 7) t d the emphasis St. Alphonsus placed on devotion to the Blessed n St. Clement Sacrament and to the Mother of God, continues no matter what u (Saratoga, NY) o the state of a confrere’s health. r First Wednesday of the Month: The commitment to living in community also abides, as does a Holy Hour for vocations. a bit of the spirit of competition many first discovered as young Last Wednesday of the Month we now have a teenagers in first formation. Immediately following the 11:30 a.m. Solemn Evening Prayer for Peace in the World. Mass and the recitation of the Angelus, confreres who are ambulatory reach for the handles of the wheelchairs of those who are not. Everyone races down the hallway and no one is late St. Gerard (Lima, OH) to lunch. June 5-7: The 31st Annual Parish Festival

10 We invite you to experience God’s love and Redemptorist preaching firsthand! “In the footsteps” of Alphonsus Mission Preaching Rev. Thomas McCluskey, C.Ss.R. March – June 2009 Almost six months ago, I found myself joining millions in one of many March marches scattered throughout Bogotá and all of Colombia. The occasion: 1-5 St. Pius X Bowie, MD to celebrate the liberation of fifteen hostages held by the FARC, one of Rev. Matt Allman and Holy Colombia’s most power guerrilla groups who are in a conflict that has been Redeemer College Community dragging on since 1964. The march celebrated the successful rescue 8 St. Kilian operation, and it called for an end to the fighting and the release of all of the Farmingdale, NY several hundred hostages, some of whom have been held in captivity for Rev. Paul Bryan and Sister Mary more than ten years. 8 St Edmond Lafayette LA For the Colombian confreres and lay people who I had the pleasure to Rev. John Murray get to know, this march represented a time for a cautious hope. 15 St. Theresa Colombia is a land of great contrasts: both striking in its beauty and cultural Briarcliff Manor, NY achievements and, at the same time, shocking in the violence and suffering Rev. Paul Bryan and Sister Mary that its lands have seen in modern history. The Redemptorists have thrived 15 St. in their ministry in between these contrasts. Metairie, LA Rev. John Murray I came to Bogotá with the goal of helping their students study 22 Our Lady of LaSoie English, while improving my Spanish in preparation for my first assignment Wesley, Dominica at Immaculate Conception in the Bronx. I quickly found that the Bogotá Rev. Kevin MacDonald province’s reputation for outstanding hospitality is well deserved, and I was 22 Sacred Heart quickly given tours of our six communities in the capitol and our beautiful Havertown, PA retreat house a short drive to the south. Rev. John Murray Upon arriving, I had some time to explore the city a bit, as the students 22 Good Shepherd Riverside, NJ were still away on their apostolate work. The province has high expectations Rev. Carlisle Blake for its students, and their summer assignments are quite challenging. Some 22 St. Elizabeth students were sent to the border with Venezuela, which is demanding both New York, NY in the climate and in the apostolic work. Other students were sent on Rev. Alex Ortiz missions in areas directly affected by guerrilla groups, active drug cultivation, 22 St. Gregory the Great Hamilton Square, NJ and deforestation programs by the US military. Rev. Paul Bryan and Sister Mary The students returned en masse. The theologate, where I lived, has April around thirty students from the Bogotá, Quito, Caracas, and San Juan units. 3 Bordelais Correctional Facility All together, there are six houses of formation and more than one hundred Dennery, St. Lucia thirty seminarians. A very striking initial observation for me was that the Rev. Kevin MacDonald students have developed the custom of referring to each other as a 5 Holy Spirit common form of address as "misionero" or missionary, a perspective Buffalo, New York supported and shaped in a variety of ways through all stages of formation. Rev. John Murray In addition to a strong and successful formation program, the Bogotá 5 St. Ojai, California province has found great opportunities for evangelization in spreading Rev. Paul Bryan and Sister Mary devotion to the Milagroso Cristo de Buga. The Redemptorists have been May entrusted with the revered crucifix and its basilica since 1875. With time, 23 St. Clement the devotion has grown to nearly three million pilgrims visiting the Lansdowne, MD basilica every year and, on the fourteenth of every month, one Rev. Alex Ortiz hundred thousand people attending Mass at the Church of June Saint Alphonsus in Bogota. My short visit to Buga found me 14 St. quickly put to ministry hearing some of the fourteen hours Abingdon, MD Rev. Alex Ortiz of scheduled daily confessions! 18 Our Lady of Perpetual Help The spirit of the province reflects some of what so Geradel, Dominica many felt on that July 20th march for peace and liberty. Our Rev. Kevin MacDonald confreres recognize the cross that Colombia has carried for To schedule a Redemptorist so many years and looks forward with Gospel hope to a mission in your parish, please bright future for both their country and their province. have your pastor contact: Rev. John Murray, C.Ss.R., at [email protected], 917-364-9244.

11 Plentiful Redemption © 2009 MINI Volume 1, Number 1 MEDITATION Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement 7401 German Hill Road Baltimore, MD 21222 Holding Hands www.redemptorists.net/ provisions As he knelt there at her casket, he thought he would be the one first to go. He [email protected] reached out and held her cold rosaried hands. Two daughters and two sons and their 410-288-8755 families stood behind him – along with the undertaker – whose task it was to close the fax: 410-288-8757 casket just before they would leave for the church and then the cemetery. A trickle, a stream, then a flood of images came flowing. He could see the first time Editorial Board: they held hands, coming out of a restaurant – on their second date. Coming down the Rev. Matthew Allman, C.Ss.R. Rev. Daniel M. Francis, C.Ss.R. aisle on their wedding day. After the fight – and she met him alone at the airport - he Elizabeth Góral-Makowski being away on a business trip for a week – and the awkward phone calls that week. The Marion Cochran Lunt welcome home hug. Then he reached down and held her hand as they walked towards Rev. Robert Pagliari, C.Ss.R. baggage. Seeing their first granddaughter. Going together to the microphone at their 50th Anniversary. Thousands Contributing Writers: Rev. Richard Bennett, C.Ss.R. and thousands of reaching of hand to hand. Marriage. Mary Conway Then rubbing her hands at the hospital – just Rev. Ray Corriveau, C.Ss.R. before she died. In a coma. But the doctor said to Rev. Daniel M. Francis, C.Ss.R. the family, “She can hear you.” He rubbing her Elizabeth Góral-Makowski hands, saying, “I love you. Thanks for a wonderful Marion Cochran Lunt Rev. Thomas McCluskey, C.Ss.R. life together.” Very Rev. Patrick Woods, C.Ss.R. He let go of her hands – stood up – turned around and his four kids, their spouses and 18 Photo Credits: grandkids all reached out their hands to him. Cover, 8: Dan Beigel for “The Wide View” pp 2, 5: Marion Cochran Lunt Rev. Andy Costello, C.Ss.R. pp 6-7: Courtesy of the Mission To read more of Fr. Andy’s work and some homilies, Sisters of St. Benedict go to his blog: http://reflectbay.blogspot.com/

Plentiful REDEMPTION Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement 7401 German Hill Road Baltimore, Maryland 21222