Christmas 2009 Volume 41, No. 3 GRAYMOORTODAY Newsletter of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement SOCIETY MARKS CENTENNIAL OF RECEPTION INTO CHURCH OF ROME ARCHBISHOPS SAMBI AND DOLAN JOIN FRIARS AND SISTERS IN SPECIAL MASS ctober 30,2009 marked a special centennial “The spirit of Jesus creates unity...Where there is love for the Society of the Atonement. One hun- and unity, there is God. Where there is unity, there is Odred years ago, the small religious group, a spirit of family.” founded by Fr. Paul Wattson and Mother Lurana White at Graymoor as an Episcopalian community In his homily, Fr. Puglisi said of the founders’ in the Franciscan tradition, became the first order decision to become Catholic that “they did not con- since the Reformation to be received corporately by continued on page3 the Holy See into full communion with the Church of Rome. INSIDE THIS ISSUE... V. Rev. James F. Puglisi, SA, Minister General of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement, was Glad Tidings........................................................................ page 2 Friars Celebrate Hope......................................................... page 2 joined by Archbishop Pietro Sambi, Apostolic Nun- Vocations............................................................................ page 3 cio to the United States, and Archbishop Timothy M. The Year of the Priest........................................................... page 4 Dolan of New York at the centennial Mass, which St. Christopher’s Inn............................................................ page 5 was attended by over 400 friars, sisters, and guests. Fr. Paul’s Parish Vision Confirmed........................................ page 6 Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute.................... page 8 Archbishop Sambi, referring to the Society’s Advent and Christmas at Graymoor...................................... page 9 Bell Tower Notes.................................................................. page 10 continued dedication to Christian unity, in his re- Events........................................................................................... page 11 marks said: “Your charism is a charism of the future.” St.Anthony’s Corner...................................................................... page 12 www.AtonementFriars.org GLAD TIDINGS FRIARS CELEBRATE SHARING HOPE by Fr. Bob Warren, SA When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. en they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. (Matthew 2: 10-11) very Christmas as I read the Gospel account of the Christmas story, I am always fascinated by the EMagi. Three strangers show up looking for the king From left: William P. Harrington, Esq., Archbishop Dolan, of the Jews. Three strangers whom we call kings or wise Fr. Puglisi, and Dr. Steven J. Sweeny. men. They bring exotic gifts—frankincense or incense for worship, myrrh a gift for one who is to die, and gold for a king. he friars held their 16th Annual Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner on October 2 at The Plaza in New York City. The Yet for all the mystery around these three Tbenefit honors those who have shown a commitment to strangers, their story is our story. To put it another way, helping others and inspiring hope. these men represent the human ache for God that we all share. The Magi took the risk of inquiring—who knew what they might learn, the risk of journey—who Timothy Michael Dolan, Archbishop of New York, re- knew what they might meet, and the risk of search— ceived the Graymoor Sharing Hope Award. Stephen J. Sweeny, who knew what they might find or whom. PhD, President, The College of New Rochelle, was presented the In many ways the Magi are our kind of people. Graymoor Award and William P. Harringon, Esq. , of Bleakley The bottom line is that they are searchers and so are Platt & Schmidt, LLP, White Plains, NY, was awarded the Gray- we. They are searchers who have taught us a lesson. moor Community Service Award. V. Rev. James F. Puglisi, SA, They searched together and we must do the same. We Minister General, presented the awards on behalf of the friars. can’t search, we can’t travel, we can’t find alone. We need one another. The proceeds benefit the friars’ worldwide ministries This is one of the reasons why we go to church. which include serving the homeless and those suffering from Alone we face the danger of becoming disoriented and alcoholism, drug addictions, and HIV/AIDS; pastoral care in lost. We need the collective wisdom of the community. We need the collective support and prayers of each parishes and hospitals around the world; offering respite and other. We are a church—one that listens together, hope to those in need of spiritual renewal; and Christian unity searches the ancient scriptures together, and cries out and interfaith dialogue among Christians, Jews, Muslims, and together “Lord, have mercy on us.” Buddhists. The Magi did not have all the answers to life. Neither do we. They had a wicked king after them— just as we do when we are hounded by certain vices and sins. But on their life travels they had fellowship and the light of Christ to guide them—and so do we. But the best part of the wondrous Magi story comes at the end when at last they found what they were looking for. Notice that they entered the stable in silence. Words were inadequate to describe all that they found. Falling down, they adored the child and opening their treasures they offered Him their gifts. Their long dangerous journey was at an end and they looked upon the face of the Messiah—and so will we. Mary Higgins Clark Conheeney was the Master of Ceremonies. With her from left are Fr. James Gardiner, SA, Paul Dillon, who painted the Archbishop’s portrait, and John Conheeney. And that is Glad Tidings. To view more photos of the event please visit www.AtonementFriars.org/SharingHope - 2 - SOCIETY MARKS CENTENNIAL OF RECEPTION INTO CHURCH OF ROME continued from page 1 sider what they were about to do a conversion but rather a coming home. They never felt or believed for one moment they had been outside of the Catholic faith.” Father Puglisi also noted that this event ... “is linked with the anniversary of the beginning of what is now called the Week of Prayer for Chris- tian Unity (see page 5). The Founders burned with passion for the “Your charism is a gift of unity because charism of the future.” they burned with a ~ Archbishop Sambi love for the cruci- fied one,” he said. “They, like Francis of Assisi, wished to know the depth of that suffering love that the Redeemer ex- perienced so that we may have abundant life.” Archbishop Dolan said, “The purpose of the Church is to welcome people in. For over 100 years, the friars and sisters of the Society of the Atonement have been welcoming people... Theirs is a beautiful ministry of hospitality.” PAGE 1: V. Rev. James F. Puglisi, SA, concelebrates Mass with Archbishop Pietro Sambi and Archbishop Timothy Dolan. TOP: Friars during the Mass. ABOVE: Sr. Nancy Con- To view more photos, read the text of Fr. Puglisi’s boy, SA, Minister General, Franciscan Sisters of the Atonement, Archbishop Dolan, homily, or learn more about the event visit Archbishop Sambi, and V. Rev. Puglisi. Photos by Br. John O’Hara, SA www.AtonementFriars.org/ReceptionDay FRIAR VOCATIONS by Br. John O’Hara, SA, Vocation Director he Vocation Ministry holds twice yearly Come and See retreats, when men, discerning their interest in the re- For information about next year’s retreats, call our vocation department at 800-338-2620, ext. 2126 or visit ligious life spend a weekend at Graymoor. This past T www.AtonementFriars.org/Vocations March and October men traveled from around the country to visit the friars and learn about their ministries. The retreats are designed to reveal to both the man and the friars whether continuing the application process is appropriate. Men considering the call with the friars as either priests or brothers, should be between the ages of 18 and 40 years old, in good health, psychologically mature, and with- out major debt. God’s call to everyone is first to live fulfilling and joy–filled lives. If God is calling you to religious life, it is be- V. Rev. James F. Puglisi, SA, Minister General, met with cause He recognizes that joy and fulfillment for you. October Come & See visitors. - 3 - THE YEAROF THE PRIEST WWW.STCHRISTOPHERSINN-GRAYMOOR.ORG arlier this year, Pope Benedict XVI announced a ity, which have always been at the heart of the Church’s Year of the Priest. The pope called for the event mission.” His Holiness will close the year on June 19, 2010, Eto mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St. at a “World Meeting of Priests” in St. Peter's Square. John Vianney, Curé of Ars. In highlighting the Year of the Priest, Pope Benedict called upon the example of St. John THE PATRON OF PRIESTS Vianney for the “spiritual per- fection” of the Church’s priests. During the year’s celebrations, Pope Benedict will proclaim The theme for the year is St. John Vianney, Curé of Ars, “Faithfulness of Christ, faithful- as patron saint of all the ness of priests.” The pope inau- priests of the world. St. Jean gurated the year on June 19, the Marie Vianney was a humble feast of the Sacred Heart of French diocesan priest as- Jesus, presiding at Vespers in St. signed to the rural and spiritu- Peter's Basilica where the relics of the saintly ‘Curé of ally dying town of Ars in central France. Through his Ars’ were brought for the occasion. In his comments, example of personal holiness and attention to the sacra- he said that priests must be “present, identifiable and ments, St.