Bread Broken & Shared January/February 2014

�JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

Sanctuary of the Chapel at Regina Health Center

Regina Health Centerby Gerard Hickey SSS

Brother Gerard Hickey SSS is a native of Kingston, New York, just up the Hudson River from New York City. At our novitiate in Barre, Massachusetts he pronounced his first religious vows on September 8th of 1955. His ministry in his early years of religious life was to the religious community itself, functioning for forty years as the head cook (and a very good one at that!) in our seminaries and houses of formation. Once he retired from the kitchen, Brother Gerard ministered for seven years as hospital chaplain at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan in New York City as well as the superior and treasurer of Saint Jean Baptiste Community, and local treasurer of Saint Paschal Baylon Community in Cleveland, Ohio. He then spent several years in that same community in retirement.

Regina Health Center is celebrating 20 years since its beginnings back in 1993. Brother Gerard Hickey SSS who is a resident at RHC reflects on his life there today. We are most grateful to the administration and staff of Regina Health Center which has accompanied the members of the Congregation who have lived there over these last twenty years.

The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament has been a part of Regina Health Care Center in Richfield, Ohio since its inception in 1993. With deep foresight, our religious community became part of a collaborative venture spearheaded by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Augustine to offer care for aging religious communities who were facing challenges due to aging of their religious as well as fewer vocations. At the same time, the Congregation adapted a wing of our building for our retiring religious; however, some needed more assistance than could be provided at home. Thus, a facility like Regina Health Center was indeed a blessing for us! It

Brother Gerard T. Hickey SSS

A Newsletter for friends of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament of the Province of Saint Ann

Inside This Issue

3 An Exciting New Web-Presence

4 The “New” Emmanuel 6 Associates Corner 7 From Our Provincial 8 Saint Eulalia Parish 10 Eucharist is Healing 11 Father Thomas Fitzgerald 12 Father Julian Rousseau 13 Ecumenical Corner 15 Saint Ann’s Shrine 16 Vocation Views

ProvincE of St. Ann nEwSlEttEr

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Regina Health Center...Continued from previous page

provided assisted living, critical care, and enabled our religious to live in a community atmosphere with other religious, both female and male, who had served the Diocese of Cleveland or other parts of the USA, as well as diocesan priests, eventually welcoming lay men and women to reside here also.

After spending a few short stays at Regina Health Center (RHC) myself for recuperation and finally a debilitating illness, I became a permanent resident in 2010. Over the years, many of our religious have spent time here – at present we have six religious living here in various stages of illness.

Regina Health Center has received many accolades with one of the finest national ratings and five blue ribbons and a ranking of 32 out of more than 1000 nursing facilities in Ohio and was written up in U.S. News & World Report. Having benefitted first hand from all the loving care one receives at Regina, I can vouch for these high ratings.

It takes more than finances to administer a contemporary health care facility – not that finances aren’t important, but there is another important factor that makes Regina Health Center an outstanding facility and that is love. From the administrative staff right down the line to the nursing staff; activities staff; dietary department; maintenance staff; even to the latest volunteer, what we receive here at Regina is nothing but remarkable.

Special mention must be made of the pastoral care department. Since a majority of the residents are religious sisters, brothers or priests who have previously lived in community and were used to regular celebrations of Eucharist and prayer times, Regina’s pastoral care personnel provides everyone with daily Mass, a holy hour on Sunday with the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, and arrangements for anointing of the sick. We have penitential services and in this Year of Faith, talks and presentations on faith in our contemporary world today.

The grounds surrounding Regina Health Center are conducive to prayer and

t Regina Health Center in Richfield, Ohio

q Chapel of Regina Health Center

offer an atmosphere for reflection and meditation, as there are several gardens with flowering plants, blossoming trees and paved walkways where residents can walk or use their walkers or wheel chairs safely away from traffic.

Indeed, the religious of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament have found great camaraderie with other religious living here – we are truly one big happy family! The beautiful main chapel seats about 300 in cushioned chairs which are moveable to make space for wheel chairs.

Relatives and guests of residents continually remark about the cleanliness of the facility and the love, care, and kindness of all staff members. We are indeed blest to be a part of this community and the Sisters of Charity Health Care System. May God continue to bless the sisters, staff, residents and volunteers, for their loving care, compassion, and kindness to all who call Regina their home and to those who come to visit.

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JAnUArY/fEBrUArY �0�4

An Exciting New Web-Presenceby Sister Susan Wolf SND

Sister Susan Wolf is a Sister of Notre Dame from Chardon, Ohio, and is the founder and president of Catholic Web Solutions, a service that helps religious communities and parishes use websites and social media to advance their mission. She blogs at www.catholicwebsolutions.com.

In February 2013, I began work with the provincial leadership and ministry directors of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament to update their web-presence in order to better

• Support its mission and ministries• Promote vocations• Engage current and future collaborators and supporters• Advance education and Eucharistic evangelization

Our work has been methodical and strategic. We first developed a master plan that took into account the needs and desires of the many audiences of the Congregation and the charism of Saint Peter Julian Eymard. We understood that web presence is another way to make known the love of God revealed through the gift of the Eucharist.

We organized the content and clarified the purpose and message of each of the four main websites:1. Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament which shares the life and ministry

of the Blessed Sacrament priests, deacons, and brothers and the history and spirituality of the Congregation. It also includes the Ecumenical Corner Blog and Vocation micro-sites. Visit our Congregation’s website at www.blessedsacrament.com.

2. Saint Ann Shrine which invites people to partner with the Congregation through prayer, contributions and devotion to Saint Ann. Visit Saint Ann’s Shrine website at www.st-ann-shrine.org.

3. Center for Eucharistic Evangelization which supports the various educational programs of the Congregation and the Blessed Sacrament Associates. Visit the Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing (CEE) website at www.eucharisticevangelizing.com.

4. Emmanuel Magazine which has a new design and will be available online as well as in print. Visit the Emmanuel Magazine website at www.emmanuelpublishing.org.

We hired John Sexton, co-founding partner at Polymyth Productions, to help us design a network of sites with a branded look and feel. We worked with John

Prayer for VocationsLoving God and Father, your servant Saint Peter Julian Eymard was captivated by your Son’s love revealed to us in the Eucharist and he greatly desired to manifest this love to his contemporaries.

He established a new form of religious life which is nourished by the Eucharist: celebrated, contemplated and enriched with ministries of all kinds.

Through his intercession, call forth many young people who will labor in your Church as priests, deacons, brothers or sisters.

Give us the grace to become like the bread of the Eucharist which is broken for the life of the world.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

through the various stages of website development, agreeing on the structure of the sites, the look and feel and finally the overall design. While that was taking place, the various ministry directors were busy writing content and selecting photos and images.

As we come to the finishing stages of the websites, we are getting more and more excited about their launch in early 2014. We hope and pray that every person who finds the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament and its ministries online will discover how the Eucharist can transform their lives and join us in witnessing to that grace wherever they live and work.


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The “New” Emmanuel Arrivesby Anthony Schueller SSS – Editor

These are exciting times at Emmanuel Magazine.

Readers o f the M a g a z i n e o f E u c h a r i s t i c Spirituality, now in its 120th year o f pub l i ca t ion , will notice some dramatic changes starting with the January/February 2014 issue. Some are immediately evident; others only after you pick it up and begin reading.

The obvious changes include a larger format, a redesigned masthead, a contemporary layout, and the addition of a new section. “The Eucharist & Culture”― focusing on art, films, music, books, and poetry ― provides, in the words of art director Father John Christman SSS, “an opportunity to explore the many and varied ways that our world can be seen ‘in the light of the Eucharist.’”

The changes are intended to build on the magazine’s strengths and to reach out to even more readers. Emmanuel will continue offering articles of practical eucharistic theology and spirituality for all who love the Eucharist and seek to find in it inspiration for their daily life and ministry. The Breaking the Word column, always popular with priests and deacons, has been divided into three sections: an overview of the scriptural texts for each Sunday and major feast, a meditation on the word of God, and a reflective prayer for personal or liturgical use.

In addition to the revised print edition, Emmanuel will also be available in a digital edition for the first time in its history, for just $20.00 a year. Print subscribers can access the digital edition without charge.

Emmanuel is unique among Catholic periodicals in the United States in that it examines the eucharistic mystery in all of its dimensions: celebrated,

contemplated, and lived in witness and in service to others. It also brings a sacramental perspective t o i t s w r i t i n g , a n important consideration in Christianity which understands that all of reality is touched with grace and the divine presence.

We i n v i t e t h e readers of Bread Broken & Shared

to subscribe to Emmanuel by calling (440) 449-2103 or via e-mail to [email protected].

Father Anthony Schueller SSS, editor and Father John Christman SSS, art director

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In our 120th year of publication, Emmanuel, the Magazine of Eucharistic Spirituality, is expanding its presence online with a new website and a digital edition. These additions, along with a newly designed print edition, will further promote Emmanuel’s mission to “see all of reality in the light of the Eucharist.” Those interested in church ministry, eucharistic theology, and eucharistic spirituality will find Emmanuel to be an excellent resource for prayer, reflection, and ministry. Subscribe today.

2 Year Print Subscription* ..................... $65.00 1 Year Print Subscription* ..................... $35.00 1 Year Digital Subscription ................... $20.00

* Print subscription includes access to the digital edition.

Emmanuel Publishing5384 Wilson Mills RoadCleveland, OH 44143

Phone: (440) 449-2103Email: [email protected]: emmanuelpublishing.org

Emmanuel


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p Associate Kathy Krenicki

t Kathy and Dan Krenicki

The Associates Corner:An Associate’s Life-Done Too Soon

by Jim Brown and Anthony Schueller SSS

On December 5, 2011, we received an email from a Kathleen Krenicki. In it she wrote: “I am interested in the Aggregation of the Blessed Sacrament. I live in Norwalk, Connecticut. My parish does not have Associates. Can you tell me where the closest community is and a little more about the work of the Associates.”

This brief email was the start of a most interesting, amazing – and in the end – bittersweet story for Kathy and Daniel Krenicki and the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. They are from Saint Philip’s Church in Norwalk, Connecticut, about an hour north of New York City. Kathy’s background was in education, Dan works in New York City and commutes daily.

Nearly two years ago, Kathy, who has been battling cancer off and on for several years, told their pastor, Father Michael Boccaccio, that she was looking for something to enrich and deepen her spiritual life. Just about that time, Father Mike spent a few days at Saint Jean Baptiste Church in New York City and saw the brochure “Become an Associate of the Blessed Sacrament.” Kathy was immediately drawn to it and sent the above email to the Provincialate in Cleveland. The note was passed on to us in the Center for Eucharistic Evangelizing. We wrote Kathy and encouraged her to contact Father Bernard Camiré, SSS, about joining the Associate group that was forming at Saint Jean’s.

Anthony Schueller SSS, was then the pastor at Saint Jean’s and partnering with Father Bernard in leading their aspiring Associates group. He remembers: “When they arrived for the first session, Dan announced that he was there as Kathy’s chauffeur. By the end of the evening, he was hooked!”

As time went on, Father Tony recalls: “There was such a desire on their part and seriousness about their participation in the formation process that all of us in our group developed a deep bond with Dan and Kathy and were inspired by them.”

This past summer, Kathy’s cancer returned and she grew increasingly weaker and sicker. Her greatest desire was to make her Covenant Promise and become an Associate of the Blessed Sacrament. It was arranged to have the Covenant Mass at Saint Philip’s on Sunday, October 6, at a parish Eucharist.

Kathy’s time here on earth was quickly coming to a close. Susan Work of the Provincialate over-nighted Kathy’s Associate medal and Covenant certificate to Father Mike at Saint Philip’s, and on the following day, Wednesday,

October 2, he officiated at her Covenant ceremony bedside and placed her Associate medal around

her neck. Kathy was too weak to sign the document, so her daughters put bright red lipstick on her lips and she signed it with a kiss! Kathy died at 2:00 Saturday morning.

The following day at noon, Dan made his Covenant at Saint Philip’s and Father Mike announced that he wanted to start a Blessed Sacrament Associates group in the parish, with Dan coordinating it. Kathy’s Mass of Christian Burial was held on Thursday, October 10, a celebration of her life, of Dan and Kathy’s love, and of her desire for a deeper eucharistic life and union with Christ. Father Bernard and Brother Thomas Mella of the Saint Jean’s community participated in this memorial.

Kathy and Dan have been, as are all our Associates, a great gift to us religious of the Congregation and to each of us Associates. That legacy will continue through Dan’s commitment and the seed of a new Associates group in Connecticut.

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by Norman Pelletier SSS

You will probably be reading this article sometime in late 2013 or early 2014. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be over. However, it is still 2013 as I write it and I am across the globe somewhere in Vietnam. I am here to celebrate 40 years of the official establishment of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament in this country. What better way to celebrate this event than to have four young men ordained priests. Four of our young Vietnamese seminarians were ordained in our parish church of Kiet Tam on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. The bishop spoke to a packed church about Pope Francis’ invitation to be priests who are witnesses of joy and open to everyone in compassion and not judgement.

In the past 40 years, our religious congregation in Vietnam has been blessed with many good and generous vocations. Today there are 20 young men in our novitiate program and 60 studying philosophy and theology. There are an additional 47 aspirants waiting to be accepted to the next level of formation should they qualify. Plans are being circulated for the construction of a novitiate to accommodate these candidates. The property, consisting of a very large area of coffee trees, has already been purchased. The coffee beans are being cultivated for revenue to feed and house the novices and to provide them with a solid spiritual formation. It looks like a very promising venture.

To help with this project, and others like the free drinking water being provided to the poor immigrants living near our Kiet Tam parish, two Vietnamese priests will join our very successful program of raising funds through the annual Mission Appeal in the various dioceses of the country. One of them will also benefit from our scholarship program for young priests to study at Catholic Theological

Union in Chicago.

The other day as I watched the novices collect the coffee beans off the trees, I was reminded of the old saying, “money does not grow on trees,” unless you have an abundant crop of coffee beans. Then money really grows on trees but only if you can properly cultivate them. I couldn’t help thinking that the abundance of the coffee crop mirrored the abundance of vocations this country has been blessed with. Hopefully we, in the Province of Saint Ann (USA), can help them cultivate what God has generously given them and the Church – an abundant crop. Pray that we may faithfully do our part to assure the proper growth and development of the Congregation in Vietnam.

From Our Provincial Superior...

Gracious God of our ancestors, you led Peter Jul ian Eymard, l ike Jacob in times past, on a journey of faith. Under the guidance of your gentle Spirit, Peter Julian discovered the gift of love in the Eucharist which your son Jesus offered for the hungers of humanity. Grant that we may celebrate this mystery worthily, adore it profoundly, and proclaim it prophetically for your greater glory. Amen.

Prayer in Honor of Saint Peter

Julian EymardBirthdate - February 4, 1811

Baptismal Date - February 5, 1811Feast Day - August 2

Religious Communities in Illinois, Florida,

New York, Ohio, Texas

CoNGrEGAtioN of tHE BlESSED SACrAmENt5384 Wilson Mills RoadCleveland, Ohio 44143

Bread Broken & Shared Newsletter is published five times a year by the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, Province of Saint Ann, for family, friends and benefactors.

Contact information:Phone: (440) 442-6311Fax: (440) 442-4752Editor: Thomas A. Wiese, SSSDesign: Kay VincentEmail: [email protected]: www.blessedsacrament.com

Photographs in this issue courtesy of:Regina Health Center, St. Eulalia Parish, Saint Ann Shrine, Daniel Krenicki, John Christman SSS, Antony Angodage SSS, File Photos


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p Installation Mass of Father Michael Arkins SSS at Saint Eulalia

Parish

t Father Michael Arkins SSS and Father Rudsend Paragas SSS

Exterior of Saint Eulalia Church

by michael J. Arkins SSS

The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament’s Province of Saint Ann (USA) was confided with responsibility for Saint Eulalia Parish in Maywood, Illinois (suburban Chicago) on July 1, 2013. Father Rudsend Paragas SSS, from our Philippine Province, moved into Saint Eulalia’s on July 2nd and I arrived on site on July 17th.

The Saint Eulalia parish community has a reputation of being very warm and welcoming, and Father Rudsend and I cannot dispute that accolade. The first weekend we were both here, the parish had a welcoming reception for us in the back of church after a Sunday Mass. That afternoon, our parish secretary, Molly Duarte, organized a “cook-out” for the parish staff and their families in the rectory’s backyard. It was a great way to meet the staff and their families and begin to remember names. We also learned that “food” is an important part of the “Saint Eulalia Parish experience” and, needless to say, it was excellent.

August 2nd being the feast day of Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Father Rudsend and I quickly set about introducing the parish community to the Founder of our religious congregation. We met with the parish’s liturgy team to plan our

celebration of this feast. We had the Eucharistic Celebration of his feast in the main church (our weekday Masses are usually in Saint Thomas More Chapel, a converted classroom next to the parish kitchen), and scheduled an hour of Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament for that feast day evening. We were pleasantly surprised by the parish’s response – we

had about sixty parishioners for Mass and about thirty-five for our time of prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

This past year, the parish celebrated its 85th anniversary. The parish complex covers a small city-block. The Church is the newest building of the complex; it faces the Eisenhower/Congress expressway. We have a small parking lot, a house for our maintenance man and his family, the parish hall and kitchen, which is attached to the old school building. The kitchen is used every Tuesday for our “soup kitchen,” and Friday afternoons for our “food pantry.” The school closed in 2004, due to low enrollment. Three years ago, the parish re-opened the building as the “Quinn Center” (named after one of the former pastors). It is becoming a “social center” for our neighborhood.

Saint Eulalia Parish Welcomes the Congregation

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[TOP] Sanctuary of Saint Eulalia Church

[BOTTOM] Eucharistic Stained Glass Window in Saint Eulalia Church

The parish hall is r e n t e d o u t f o r various receptions, and is used during t h e w e e k f o r various programs for neighborhood youth. The former classrooms in the school are used for parish religious education, parish group meetings, and a number of n e i g h b o r h o o d

organizations. One classroom has been converted into a music/dance studio; another is in the process of becoming a computer lab for children and adults. The parish house has the parish offices on the 1st floor, but the upper floors and part of the basement is rented to “West Suburban PADS,” a non-profit organization that assists the homeless with various services. Between the parish house and the church is an older house, where the two of us priests live. Having verbally taken you around “our block,” I invite you to check us out on the web. Our website contains much information on the various

activities happening at Saint Eulalia’s, and under the “resources” tab, there are a lot more pictures of our parish and various activities: http://www.steulalia.org.

If you are ever in the area, stop by and I’ll give you a tour. We are very excited about this new parish that has been entrusted to us by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Saint Eulalia...Continued from previous page

In Loving MemoryJanuary04 1990 Rev. James Feeley06 1975 Rev. Raymond Tartre07 2010 Bishop Donald E. Pelotte08 1988 Rev. Clarence Loch08 2003 Rev. William Dahms10 1917 Bro. Télèsphore Roy10 2000 Bro. Fernand Duquette11 1991 Rev. Joseph Ouellette13 1961 Rev. Hervé Huot13 1990 Rev. Gerald Dorais16 1991 Rev. Hector Lemieux18 1970 Bro. Marie-Louis Girard23 1955 Rev. Alphonse Pelletier24 2008 Rev. Roger Prefontaine

February01 1954 Bro. Ely Gingras01 1987 Bro. Paschal Frazer02 2008 Bro. Martin Hayes04 2005 Bro. Michael Galligan04 2011 Rev. Edward Stapleton07 1933 Bro. Pacific Roy12 1969 Bro. Alphonse Caron17 1991 Rev. William LaVerdière18 1985 Bro. Philip DuFour21 1914 Rev. Louis Pilon23 1925 Rev. Josaphat Beaudry24 1984 Bro. Paschal Dwyer27 1942 Rev. Leo Shaienks27 1984 Rev. Robert Baldoni27 1999 Rev. William O’Halloran


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Eucharist i s Healingby Antony Angodage SSS

I became the Catholic Chaplain at Lenox Hill Hospital in 2012 when I arrived in New York. My previous assignments as an associate pastor in a number of parishes, gave me my first glimpses of this distinctive ministry. I often exercised pastoral duties in local hospitals in Sri Lanka. Yet, they were small and dealt primarily with emergencies. Therefore, entering into this new ministry within the community of a general hospital was exciting for me as a priest with a mere four years of ordination. It seems to me there isn’t a typical working day for a hospital chaplain. That, I think, is what makes it both exciting and demanding. My role is to be involved in the life of a hospital; the response is definitely proactive, because I have had to find pathways into the three areas, which makes Lenox Hill Hospital a changing community; the patients, the hospital staff and the family members of the patients. People come-and-go, but the hospital remains.

The Pastoral Care Department in the hospital is a team. We have people of various faith groups working together, and I, or one of my team, will go to all the acute areas of the hospital each day to visit the staff, say hello, support them and find out what’s going on, and see if there are any key areas of concern we may be able to assist

with. In such things it is fundamentally a ministry of “presence”followed by “response.” I am contacted in any emergency situation by paging. I am on call 6 days a week, 24 hours a day, but the parish staff here at Saint Jean Baptiste takes care of the sick calls on my day off.

No one enjoys being ill

and no one plans to get sick either. Instead, every step is taken to avoid it. This is true of every individual I visit. In an age where we have become a much more secular society, people are far less involved in what I would call institutional religion, yet many are still trying to make sense of why they are suffering, why their loved ones are suffering, why they are dying, why their loved ones are dying, or why their loved one has died? Suffering and death bring us face-to-face with ultimate questions. I have not avoided them either. I have found myself asking these questions in response to this ministry. I also read what others have written in light of these questions, and listen to those who are in the actual concrete situation to help me expand my listening skills.

As you might expect, I seem to find more meaning in my ministry with Catholic patients. Traditional Catholic teaching speaks of the four last things; death, judgement, heaven and hell. A good number of my patients are of the old school. In fact, the “old school” (I mean the pre-Vatican II era) had been strong in shaping the attitudes of the faithful. Receiving sacraments is very important for them. To this

Father Antony Priyantha Angodage SSS pictured with staff members from Lenox Hill Hospital

Father Antony offering a blessing during the course of his hospital visits

Therefore, entering into this new ministry ... was exciting for me as a priest with a mere four years of ordination.

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Eucharist is Healing...Continued from previous page

generation, “extreme unction” as they keep calling it, (though today we prefer “the sacrament of the sick”), is to be received at the deathbed. It is the sign that death is near. This is frightening and all too real. Often the mere sight of a priest scares such people, and even family members. There have been times when I have actually been chased from their presence. “Go away” they would say, “My Mom is not yet dying!”

Yet, these are precisely the occasions where I find my service is most needed. The emotional burden is way too much for some to carry. They need to be assured of how God cares, and how others care. Pain can make one feel neglected, yet, a friendly smile assures them of a happiness that can be achieved. This ministry brings me into direct contact with patients, families and staff members in the most vulnerable of life’s situations. Human life is fragile. Yet faith responds to suffering and death with a bold message. It is in the middle of the fragility and the message of Christian hope that I receive the feedback, – messages of appreciation that give me confidence and purpose in what I am doing in a land far away from my own homeland. But the life I live as a priest of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament remains as vibrant and meaningful within the hospital as it does in a shrine or parish. The Rule of Life of our Congregation says, “Convinced that a life cannot be fully Eucharistic unless it is consecrated to both God and our fellow human beings, he left us an example of contemplation and apostolic activity.” (Rule of Life #2) These words, reflecting the response of Saint Peter Julian Eymard to the love that he found in the Eucharist, continue to echo in my ears every time I respond to the pager, and walk into a new, and often, unknown situation.

Rest In Peace!Father Thomas Fitzgerald SSSby Bernard Camiré SSS

We all have moments when the full truth of our mortality comes crashing in on our minds. I experienced such a moment as I approached the coffin in which lay my fellow priest-religious and childhood friend, Father Thomas Fitzgerald. Frequently, during the wake service on the afternoon of this past October 13th at Saint Vincent De Paul Church (in Holiday, Florida) and at the Funeral Mass the following morning my thoughts traveled back to the days when the two of us were altar boys at Saint Jean Baptiste in New York City. There was one day in particular that I remember exceptionally well. We were in the boys’ sacristy putting on our cassocks for afternoon Benediction when he suddenly remarked, “You know, I want to be a priest,” and I quickly responded, “Me too!”

Though Father Tom was a full year ahead of me academically, we traveled together the long road to the priesthood: seminary high school and junior college, novitiate and scholasticate. We struggled through the philosophy courses, taught from an all-Latin textbook, and then delighted in the more accessible and engaging theology, Scripture and spirituality of the Church. The years of our theological studies were made the more interesting for the exciting new perspectives, insights and developments coming from the in-session Second Vatican Council.

Ordination to the priesthood for both of us took place in the church of Saint Jean Baptiste, in the very sanctuary where we had served as altar boys. Father Tom was ordained in December, 1964; the following day, at his First Mass, I served as sub-deacon (There were still such creatures in those days!). I was ordained in June, 1966; and the following day, at my First Mass, he, though a priest, served as sub-deacon (Such things were done in those days!). After ordination our assignments took us in very different directions and we never again lived together in community, except for a few months in 1972 when I was assigned to Saint Jean’s and before Father Tom took up an assignment in Chicago.

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Father Fitzgerald...Continued from previous page

The numerous places to which Father Tom was assigned, Manila (Philippines), Chicago, Albuquerque, San Antonio, Holiday (Florida) among them, and the variety of offices he held, Regional and Local Superior, Pastor and Provincial Consultor, are an indication of his great generosity of spirit, talents and capabilities. Wherever he went and whatever responsibilities he assumed he displayed a selfless dedication as priest and religious; and, as many to whom he ministered over the years would testify, he brought to his ministry the sparkle of a warm Irish sense of humor.

A few days ago I received for my birthday a card specially produced for a priest. On the front of the card was printed the following: “What makes a special priest? An open heart, a listening ear, a love that comforts and brings cheer. A caring way, a thoughtful deed, a faith that prays when there’s a need. A walk that’s true, a life that’s blessed, a will that always seeks God’s best.” As I read these words, I said to myself, “That’s Father Tom Fitzgerald!” May the Lord grant him the reward of his labors!

Father Thomas Fitzgerald SSS [C] with his two brothers, Patrick Fitzgerald [L]

and John Fitzgerald [R]

In MemoriamFather Julian Rousseau SSS

Father Julian Rousseau, a Blessed Sacrament priest for 63 years, went to his eternal reward on November 4, 2013. He was 90 years old. Lucid to the end, he asked for the sacraments of the church on Sunday, the day before he died. He passed away the next afternoon, surrounded by hospice care as well as our own religious.

Father Julian was one of our well traveled religious. Assigned to England shortly after ordination, he labored in our parish in Leicester for ten years. He returned as superior of our Albuquerque community, but five years later returned to Leicester for another five years as parish priest of our church there.

Perhaps seeking a warmer climate, he spent to next ten years in our parish in Davao City, in the Philippines, from 1972-1982. He enjoyed speaking of his ministry abroad, and had many interesting stories to tell. He also built lasting friendships that endured till he died.

The rest of his priestly ministry was spent in the United States, in New York as head of St. Anne’s Shrine for five years, then as VA chaplain in Albuquerque and Chicago for the next 16 years. His final years of ministry were spent in our parish of Saint Vincent de Paul in Holiday, Florida.

In 2007 he transferred to our assisted living facility in Cleveland, then to Regina Nursing Center, where he spent the last two years of his life, along with five of our other religious.

What struck me especially about Julian in the years that he spent in Cleveland was his desire to keep on learning. One of his many hobbies was coin collecting, but each day he would read commentaries on the Scriptures, or on theology. He would take notes and ask questions about areas of special interest to him.

He was also a man of prayer. Mass daily, surely, but also his hour of prayer, as we promise at our religious profession. The sisters at Regina said that he would be found every afternoon in the chapel for his prayer, maneuvering his


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Father Rousseau...Continued from previous page

motorized wheel chair behind a wall near the sanctuary where he could be free from distraction.

Julian was the youngest of 11 children. He followed one of his older brothers, Leo, into the priesthood in our congregation. Unlike Julian, Leo died young, in 1965, having lived only 58 years.

Julian was survived by a niece, Pauline, and a nephew, Robert, both of whom were at the funeral. Julian was waked at the nursing home where he died, and buried from Saint Ann’s Chapel at our Cleveland community on Saturday, November 9. Many memories—mostly humorous—were shared at the Mass, presided over by Father Norman Pelletier, Provincial Superior. Interment followed at All Souls Cemetery, Chardon, where most of our Midwestern religious are buried.

He will be remembered as a zealous priest, somewhat shy, but with a ready smile and a concern for people. We are grateful for his having given so many years of service.

Father Ernest’s Ecumenical CornerCelebrating the Reformation Together:Lutheran and Catholic Perspectivesby Ernest falardeau SSS

From January 18 to 25, 2014, Christian churches celebrate the annual observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme chosen for 2014 is “Has Christ Been Divided?” (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:13). Throughout 2014, join Christians everywhere in praying “that they may all be one” joining our prayer with that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Father Ernest Falardeau SSS, a regular contributor to Bread Broken & Shared, has been championing the cause of unity among Christian churches for many years in his ministry and in this column. We thank him for keeping this important cause before our eyes as again we celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Thank you, Father Ernest!

introductionOn June 17, 2013 the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church through the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Ecumenical Relations approved plans for a joint celebration of the Reformation. From Conflict to Communion is the agreed statement that explains the goal and means to achieve the ecumenical celebration of the Reformation on its 500th anniversary on October 31, 2017. The document was awaited with high expectations and gratitude. It is another milestone along the road to full communion of Lutherans and Catholics which made a major leap forward with the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification on October 31, 1999.

In 2006 the Methodist World Federation after some years of dialogue accepted the formulations of the JDDJ and expressed their agreement and understanding of a shared faith in the doctrine of justification as had been spelled out by the LWF-Catholic Dialogue. This declaration was pivotal in the movement from churches in a true but perfectible communion to full unity status. While there is still much to be


Father Ernie’s Blogfr. Ernie’s Blog is an extension of the ministry for Christian unity and interreligious collaboration. Updated regularly, the blog discusses current issues and developments. fr. Ernie’s Blog can be reached easily through the link at www.blessedsacrament .com. Questions and comments are welcome.


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‘After centuries of mistrust and prejudging between Lutheran and Catholics, we see this [publication]as a great opportunity to reflect together on the burdens of history, and to open more possibilities for witnessing together, not just as individual Christians but as Christian churches.’ Hintikka emphasized that writing together From Conflict to Communion has been possible because of the process of deepened mutual understanding between Lutherans and Catholics that led to the JDDJ.

The publication offers LWF member churches an opportunity to ‘learn not only about their own historical and theological roots but also about our relations with the Catholic church – why they have been on the one hand so challenging and on the other hand so important for us to reflect on.’”

ConclusionUnitatis Redintegratio, the document on Christian unity of Vatican II, has indicated that the unity of the Church should be the concern of every Christian. It was the object of the priestly prayer of Jesus at the Last Supper, on the night before he died. The primary responsibility for the reintegration of the church rests with the hierarchy and theologians in dialogue. Nevertheless, the Holy Spirit is at the heart of the ecumenical movement and guides our progress to the goal of being one in Christ and in God. The pace toward our goal gets more difficult as we climb higher toward it. It is difficult to keep a fast pace all the time. However we need to recognize that God is with us in our efforts, and he answers our prayers. Dialogue continues at a slow but steady pace. Milestones on the trail are reminders of our progress. We walk by faith and with joy and hope in our hearts.

Father Ernest’s Ecumenical Corner...Continued from previous page

done to remove remaining obstacles to that goal, the steady pace of prayer, shared charitable works for peace and humanitarian causes, together with theological dialogue, the way and the goal of unity in diversity is clearer and viewed as more achievable thanks to fifty years of effort in a favorable ecumenical climate.

i. the Joint Declaration on JustificationThe dialogue between the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the Catholic Church took place in 1965-1966 at the close of Vatican II, through a Working Group that discussed how the ecumenical work of implementation would proceed. The LWF was founded in 1947 and had almost twenty years of experience assisting the many Lutheran communions in preparing decisions and projects on a global scale. These included ecumenical relations with other churches and humanitarian assistance through Church World Service and other agencies of the LWF. In 1972 the LWF and the Secretariat for Christian Unity of the Vatican issued its first report, after five sessions, on The Gospel and the Church.

Subsequent studies suggested by the Malta Report of the Working Group included: The Eucharist (1978), Ways to Community (1980), The Ministry in the Church (1981), Facing Unity (1984), Church and Justification (1984). Between 1986 and 1999 extensive work was done on The Condemnations of the Reformation Era (1998) especially in Germany, and “The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification (1997-1998) especially in the United States.”

The fifth anniversary of the JDDJ was marked in regional celebrations around the world. More importantly the impact of the document, its methodology, the acceptance of “reconciled diversity” at least as a concept, and justification by faith rather than works “as a given” formed the groundwork of future work by the bi-lateral Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue. It also was a landmark for other dialogues as well. The concept of justification “by faith alone/sola gratia” was a key theological framework for the protestant reformation. Finding a common ground, a common understanding, and the articulation of a common faith, was a tremendous breakthrough.

ii. the Joint Celebration 2017How can Catholics and Lutherans celebrate the Protestant Reformation? For Catholics the Reformation represents a breakdown of Christendom as it had existed in Western Christianity almost from the beginning. Church and State were united in established churches. Monarchy reigned and one church was recognized as the established church. Spain and England continue to have established churches. In democratic societies, such established churches are disappearing.

The Reformation has survived in Protestant churches which have become world-wide communions. There is obviously a sense of pride and jubilation for Protestants; there is also an awareness of the cost of this survival. An online press release quotes LWF Assistant General Secretary for Ecumenical Relations, Rev. Dr. Kaisarman Hintikka, saying the publication From Conflict to Communion: “contributes to strengthening the commitment to work for the visible unity of the Church.

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Faithful Volunteers at Saint Ann Shrine

by linda Hensley

We love our volunteers at Saint Ann’s Shrine. They come in every week, year after year, and do so many things to keep the shrine running. They sort and open mail and write heart-felt letters to people who are sick or grieving. We couldn’t keep the shrine office running without them.

We showed our volunteers our thanks recently. Saint Ann’s Shrine staff brought all of our volunteers together for a day and took them out for lunch. It may have been the first time we were all together at one time, and the companionship and laughter was contagious.

We are so blessed to have such committed and wonderful volunteers! Our thanks to Barb Canzone, Helen Delguyd, Carol Fleck, Ellie Gerbacz, Cheryl Iorello, and Sue McGowan!

Saint Ann’s Shrine was also honored to host a presentation recently, “Building a Culture of Stewardship and Philanthropy” by Sister Georgette Lehmuth, OSF. Sister Georgette has been the president and CEO of National Catholic Development Conference (NCDC) since 2001, and in 2013 was named by Non-Profit Times as one of the “Power and Influence Top 50” in the non-profit sector for fund raising for the eighth year in a row.

Sister Georgette has served in many positions with her own religious community, the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and currently serves on a number of boards. She is actively involved in postal reform issues and is a noted speaker on the ministry of fund raising.

Helping to guide the connections between fund raising and supporting the missions of these organizations, Sister Georgette brought her wisdom and experience to leaders of various Catholic causes.

The staff at Saint Ann’s Sh r ine v i ew your financial support as a sacred trust. We work hard to make sure that

your gifts are recorded accurately and support devotion to Good Saint Ann and the mission of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. You are truly a partner in our ministry.

Part of that ministry is providing a peaceful place for people to come and pray at the Shrine. Masses and Novenas are shared by those who are able to come to Cleveland, but also shared by people around the world through their prayers and intentions.

With the restoration of our beloved statue of Saint Ann, Mary, and Jesus, it was decided to give Saint Ann’s home a facelift as well. The lights and ceiling were replaced, and new carpeting brings a clean and beautiful foundation to this serene and sacred space.

Keeping Saint Ann’s home up to date is a way we can show our respect and gratitude for everything she does for us and provides a fitting welcome to those who come to pray. Thank you to everyone who helped make these improvements possible!

Finishing touches on Saint Ann Chapel

Saint Ann’s Shrine


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For more on vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, please contact Father Anthony Marshall, SSS – Vocation Director:

(440) 442-7243 www.blessedsacrament.com/vocation

Like us on Facebook! facebook.com/sssvocations@sssvocations

by Anthony marshall SSS

The best arrow of vocation promotion available in any Vocation Director’s quiver is not a flashy advertisement, new poster, or discernment event. Rather, it is the guys themselves faithfully and joyfully living out their vocation. With this in

mind, I would like to use this column in the next few issues to introduce you to a few of our religious. Brother Michael Angelus Perez SSS really needs no introduction to the many who have benefitted from his ministry and presence. He bears witness to the Eucharistic love of Christ through his gift of self. Brother Michael has preached novenas, spoken lovingly about our Blessed Sacrament missions in foreign lands, and been involved in formation ministry for much of his religious life. He did all of this along with serving the local communities as receptionist, infirmarian, person-in-charge, and other house duties.

“As I understand my vocation story, after 50 years of entering (1963-2013), when l was a boy between the ages of 6 and 8, every night my Mother would read me a page from the life of St. Martin de Porres, a lay-brother who belonged to the Order of Friars Preachers [i.e., the Dominicans] in Lima, Peru, in period of time of 1500-1600. God graced him with the gifts of miracles. His love of peoples and animals, healing the sick, bi-locating (i.e., being in two places at the same time) fascinated me. Without ever having seen a religious Brother I wanted to be one from that moment on.”

In his own words, Brother Michael defines for us what a religious brother is: “A religious brother is a layman, called by Christ into deeper relationship with Him, by living more intently his own baptismal consecration in community with his brothers as expressed by the profession of the vows of chastity, poverty and obedience.” The Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament is blessed to have both priests and “lay-brothers,” or more simply put “brothers.” Both vocations (priesthood or brotherhood) are equally called to a life of Eucharistic service in the Congregation.

In recalling his vocation story, Brother Michael notes that he first encountered religious brothers while he was in high school. “I was taught by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Irish Christian

Brothers, the Marist Brothers of the Schools (they invited me to join them when I was fifteen!) and the Xaverian Brothers.”

So, how did Brother Michael get to know and join the Blessed Sacrament Fathers and Brothers? “When I was about 17 years old, I helped an Assumptionist lay-brother give Catechism classes to street children on Saturday afternoons. He also invited me to join their community. The true invitation came on June 30, 1963, when I entered the Church of Saint Jean Baptiste in New York City and saw the Blessed Sacrament exposed and the two Religious kneeling on the prie-dieux.”

“At that moment I said: ‘I want to live a contemplative life, in a congregation of priests, working side by side as a Catechist with them, adoring the Blessed Sacrament.’”

Indeed, Brother Michael has gone to make history himself just by faithfully and lovingly serving the Church as a Blessed Sacrament Brother, for which we are grateful.

If you or someone you know would make a great priest or brother following the example of Brother Michael, please pray for him and encourage him to consider the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.

Vocation Views: Getting to Know Brother Michael A. Perez SSS

Bread Broken & Shared January/February 2014

Documents

Transcript of Bread Broken & Shared January/February 2014