Bread Broken & Shared: September/October 2014

�SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2014

Province Assembly 2014Taking Time to Pray, Discern and Dialogue

by John Christman SSS

While the rest of the country was still in the icy grasp of one of the worst winters in recent memory, the members of the Province of Saint Ann traveled to sunny Lutz, Florida for its Province Assembly. There in the idyllic setting of Saint Petersburg Diocese’s Bethany Retreat Center the province set itself to the task of preparing for its upcoming Provincial Chapter. Every four years, we as a religious community discern what are the immediate issues facing us as a province. For example, “What are our ministerial goals in the upcoming years?” “How are we planning for the future care of our aging religious?” “Is the Eucharist at the center of our life and mission?” These and numerous questions like these occupy our time as we together discern a path forward for our province and prepare to elect future leadership. The Province Assembly gives us an opportunity to gather together as a community and discuss these issues. The issues that are of greatest priority to the assembly then become the centerpiece of the Provincial Chapter.

For my part, I was very pleased with our Provincial Assembly. Friendly dialogue permeated the meetings and the members willingly took up challenging topics in a spirit of fraternal charity. We heard presentations by experts on the topics of religious vocations and retirement planning. Each of these gave rise to meaningful conversations as to how we might better address these important realities. Ad Hoc committees were then formed to explore these issues in greater detail and bring their findings to the Provincial Chapter in November.

In fact, the most intense event of the whole assembly happened not at the meetings themselves but on a leisurely stroll in the late afternoon. This was when

Roger Bourgeois SSS (Cleveland) and Bernard Camiré SSS (New York) relaxing

between sessions of the Province Assembly

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

Inside This Issue

3 The Associates’ Corner 4 In Memoriam-Father Dana

G. Pelotte SSS 8 In Memoriam-Brother J.

Anthony Ornelas SSS 9 From Our Provincial 10 LITE in Maryland 11 Ecumenical Corner 14 Saint Ann’s Shrine 16 Vocation Views

Province of St. Ann newSletter

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Province Assembly 2014...Continued from previous page

“Following in the footsteps of St. Peter Julian Eymard, our mission is to respond to the hungers of the human family with the riches of God’s love manifested in the Eucharist.” Rule of Life 3

Conscious of our call to bear prophetic witness to the Eucharist, we commit ourselves to the renewal of Church and society through this sacrament, especially by:

♦gathering communities characterized by hospitality, reconciliation, and service;

♦celebrating the Eucharist as the source and summit of the life of the Church;

♦associating others with our prayer;

♦giving personal witness to the presence of Christ in the Eucharist;

♦sharing our Eucharistic mission with others in full collaboration.

Who We AreFather Mark Del Rosario happened upon a rather large sunbathing alligator that flashed its teeth at Father Mark in a decidedly uncharitable gesture. As for the rest of us, we took the time after the meetings to enjoy each other’s company and get caught up on all the news from the local communities. Bethany Retreat Center’s lovely porches and comfortable rocking chairs certainly helped facilitate our camaraderie.

Perhaps final mention should be made of Brother Anthony Ornelas because this was the last time many of us saw him before his sudden and untimely death a week later. Brother Anthony had an enjoyable time in Lutz with his community. He enjoyed making jokes during the meetings and screaming, “get out of the way!” as he chauffeured many of our religious to the chapel and dining hall in a fast moving golf cart. He was also pleasant company in the evenings as we talked and shared stories. Although we miss him dearly it is nice to remember him in the happy mood he had in those days.

Our time on this earth is precious as Brother Anthony’s death reminds us. Taking the time to pray, discern and dialogue together is important. Our Province Assembly gave us that time. May God give us more good moments like these as we seek to further Saint Peter Julian Eymard’s unique Eucharistic vision for the world.

tRobert Chabot SSS of our community

in Houston, Texas, during one of the many Assembly prayer times

qBethany Retreat Center in Lutz, Florida

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Rudsend Paragas SSS [CTR] with some of the Congregation’s Chicago area Associates [L-R] Jane Lashinski, Rose Mattax,

Paul and Martha Mastropolo

by Jim Brown and Rudsend Paragas SSS

In the prayer in honor of Saint Peter Julian Eymard, we begin with the line: “Gracious God of our ancestors, you led Peter Julian Eymard, like Jacob in times past, on a journey of faith.”

Recently, I met four pilgrims on a journey of faith, members of Saint Eulalia Church in Maywood, Illinois. A few months after the Blessed Sacrament community took over the administration of the parish in July 2013, Father Rudsend Paragas SSS was approached by Martha Mastropolo about becoming a Lay Associate of the Congregation. Her husband Paul and two other fellow parishioners, Rose Mattax and Jane Lashinski were also interested. As of my recent meeting with them, the group was midway through the year-long initial formation program for aspiring associates, enthusiastically led by Father Rudsend.

Saint Eulalia Church is a multi-cultural (Hispanic, African-American, Asian and Anglos) community located in West Suburban Chicago. It had been a diocesan parish since its founding in 1927. Father Rudsend shared that, “introducing ourselves as religious of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation was a big project. Of course, together with the new concept and structure of a religious community is also introducing to the parish our founder, Saint Peter Julian Eymard. The thought of a slow and long adjustment of connecting who we are as religious of the Blessed Sacrament, turned out to be faster and shorter because the parish community was so welcoming and excited to know us.”

Though the Congregation was new to the parish, these four parishioners kept coming to Father Rudsend expressing their desire to become Lay Associates. Every Sunday they would come and ask him, “When are we going to start?” He thought at the time: “The experience with these four enthusiastic people reminds me of Peter Julian Eymard’s words ‘tomorrow will be too late.’” So in November, without any further reflection and with great joy Father Rudsend formally started “journeying with Jane, Martha, Paul and Rose in discovering their respective call in loving Jesus and following Him in serving their sisters and brothers as witnesses of the charity they receive in the Holy Eucharist.”

All four aspiring Lay Associates were born Catholic, then found their individual journeys taking them in a variety of directions to explore other spiritual paths;

and, for some even away from their Catholic roots. Eventually, all four found their way to Saint Eulalia Church and were very attracted to the integrated community, the spirit of hospitality and friendliness. They also very much appreciated and embraced the social mission of the parish. (Public Action to Deliver Shelter [PADS] has had since 1992 been combating homelessness in the Chicago area. In 2007, West Suburban PADS moved their administrative and program offices, and the Support Center, to Saint Eulalia’s.)

One common experience though for all four was a love for the Eucharist and adoration. So when the Blessed Sacrament community arrived at Saint Eulalia’s, these four journeyers quickly realized where next they wanted to go in their faith journey. And so they are now on a path to become partners with

The Associates Corner:Four Parishioners on a Journey of Faith at Saint Eulalia Church

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a religious community that places the Eucharist at the center of parish life and their spirituality; and, whose chief method of prayer is adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament.

Father Rudsend recalled a special moment in the formation program. A member of the group left for a three month trip to Hawaii. She took along enough formation booklets for three sessions and when the group met they included her via Skype. He remembers, “It worked out just great. She did her preparation beforehand and it was almost like having her in the room with us.”

The Province of Saint Ann’s newest parish foundation has already launched a program to welcome four new associates. Their hope is to be formally installed as Lay Associates of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament on September 14th at the Sunday morning Mass.

In MemoriamFather Dana G. Pelotte SSS

by John Christman SSS

A couple of weeks ago Dana and I were talking about funerals. We have a lot of funerals here at Saint Paschal Baylon Parish where I minister. Dana and I were talking about how we prepare for funerals. We both like to meet with the families and get them to start sharing about their loved one so that we can make the funeral homily as personal and meaningful as we can. However, I was saying that sometimes it’s difficult to get people to talk … and try as we may, we may not get that much information about the deceased person. So it’s difficult to prepare the homily. And then Dana said, “Right, and there’s only so much you can say about, ‘In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places (John 14: 2).’” So, you can imagine my surprise when I saw the gospel reading that Dana chose for me to speak about this evening … “in my Father’s house there are many dwelling places (John 14: 2).” Dana had a unique sense of humor.

I first met Father Dana Pelotte in my home parish, Saint Mary’s in Menasha, Wisconsin. It was his first assignment after being ordained a priest. He was gentle, kind, approachable and he had a quiet dignity … all traits that I very much admired. He was the first priest from the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament to ask me if I would consider becoming a priest. He called me up one day out of the blue and asked me if I’d like to go to lunch. I was amazed he even knew who I was at that time, let alone he thought I might be a good priest. But that was the kind of person that he was. He took a personal interest in the people he served … and it was a truly authentic interest.

Over the years I saw him show this care and concern in so many ways. He would often speak of all of the parishioners he knew and he would remark with heartfelt compassion about all of them. How often I would hear him say of his

The Associates Corner...Continued from previous page

A Word of Thanks to ourPartners in Ministry

Many of you returned the enclosed response card in with a generous donation to the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament. We are most grateful to you for making it possible for our priests and brothers to continue their ministry. Your gift, whether large or small, helps you to actually share in the ministry of the Congregation in the USA. You are remembered daily in the prayer intentions of the priests and brothers of the Congregation.

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parishioners in his soft Maine accent, “she has really suffered,” or “he has had his share of burdens,” or “they have had a really difficult time.” Even as he himself was suffering with this horrible lung disease he would still share his sorrows about the sufferings that other people were enduring. He truly cared about people … and when you were with him … you knew that.

Now I’m not trying to make him into a saint. He had his flaws and limitations like the rest of us. In fact, in so many ways he was a regular guy… and I liked that about him. He enjoyed his Miller Lite. He liked to travel and to see new places. Perhaps more than these he loved the latest technology. He always had the latest iPhone, iPad, or iPod. In fact, he usually had two of each of these. As he explained “it’s a twin thing.” He had an app for absolutely everything. When he got me my iPhone he spent an afternoon excitedly showing me all the different apps I should get. And of course, whether in Houston or here in Cleveland, when you went into his room, every single outlet was plugged-in beyond capacity with all of these

technological gizmos. His power strips were the size of soccer balls with all manner of plugs haphazardly squeezed into them. He’d have three clocks plugged into one outlet and insist that they were all necessary. It’s a quirk we all enjoyed about him. I think we all enjoyed these little things because they gave us a glimpse of who he was when he was not working. So much of his time was spent working: working for his parish, working for his religious order, working for his family. working for all of us. He gave so much of his time for others that it was nice to see him enjoy life outside of his ministry … to see what he enjoyed.

But the thing he enjoyed most I learned from him over these last few months; what he really enjoyed was the priesthood. Looking back on his life, he shared with me that he loved

that he had the opportunity to serve God’s people. For him life was about doing good for others. This is what he thought God cared about the most. And this was what was most meaningful to him. He was happy for the good that he brought into peoples’ lives. That’s what life was about for him … showing God’s love to others.

And surprisingly, he wasn’t afraid of death. He was completely open to whatever happened. For him, whatever happened to him was God’s will. It was a tremendous act of faith, one that I was truly impressed with. Even in death he continued to teach me what it means to be a priest and a religious … and for that I am truly grateful.

So if today we begin to say goodbye to him, we must trust in that same faith that he had. That this is not the end … that we will all be reunited with him one day. That we will all be with him, and his beloved brother, Bishop Donald, and his mother whom he loved so dearly, and all of his family and friends … in that glorious “dwelling place” that Jesus has “prepared” for each and every one of us. And in that beautiful “dwelling place” that Jesus has “prepared” for us there will be no more suffering and no more tears. There will only be the peace and joy of God’s heavenly kingdom. This is our faith. This was Father Dana’s faith.

But, when I think of that “dwelling place” that Jesus has “prepared” for Dana … I can’t help but wonder …. Now I don’t know what “dwelling places” are like in heaven, but if they are anything like they are here, I hope his “dwelling place” has a lot of power outlets … because he has a lot of things he’s going to want to plug in.

Father Dana G. Pelotte SSS...Continued from previous page

John Christman SSS with Father Dana Pelotte’s family looking on blesses the coffin containing Father Dana’s remains

“...in so many ways he was a regular guy...and I liked that

about him.”


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by John Thomas Lane SSS

We share with our readers excerpts from the homily that was given by Father John Thomas Lane SSS at the Funeral Mass for Father Dana Pelotte SSS.

One of the most popular songs ever recorded by Victor Young and Edward Heyman was the last song that Father Dana was listening to when he died, and when coincidentally his iPod also stopped working. Father Dana was listening to the Nat King Cole’s version of “When I Fall in Love”– “When I fall in love it will be forever; Or I’ll never fall in love; When I give my heart it will be completely; Or I’ll never give my heart.”

This was one of Father Dana’s favorite songs – it’s also God’s favorite song for Dana and for each one of us. We, as children of God, know that God falls in love with each one of us and calls us into birth. He calls us into a relationship of love and loving from the moment we are conceived, until the day God calls us back. Dana took seriously his relationship with God – his dear mother had him baptized into a relationship with the Trinity in which he would be invited to “give his heart completely” and show that each day, as a child of God and a disciple of Christ, that he would show that love forever.

God called Father Dana back to that ultimate relationship of love. As in the Emmaus Gospel we just proclaimed, our Lord Jesus Christ walks with us behind the scenes of life, reminds us of this call to love and to be the lovers, witnessing to others that each of us can be foolish or have “slow hearts to believe all that the prophets spoke.” But our dear brother, Father Dana, knew in his heart that he was loved and that at this table, he would return often enough to have his heart burn with the love of the Lord. Like Jesus, Dana was behind the scenes of many things, with his quiet, but quick wit and charm, gently, or when he needed to be – forcefully – reminding people, “Is this what Jesus would do? Is this what Christ would want?”

And not only that, but Father Dana regularly lived his life letting others know that he was giving his heart completely to them – and in the process, also helping them come to know the life-giving, loving Lord. For Father Dana, the Eucharist was not fully lived until it was lived in the liturgy of the world by feeding and caring for others.

As Paul said to the Romans, and Father Dana wanted us to know through these readings he chose: “Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been

poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us.” As Christ’s followers, we are to show everyone that we are to boast in this God of hope and show it through our actions of love. We are to shepherd others as Christ shepherds us, feeds us, and strengthens us – to have hope for this journey of faith and journey of life. Father Dana would often say, “Life is too hard to be heartless.” These scripture texts strengthen us as we hear them again with the eyes, ears and heart of our dear friend, Father Dana.

I was blessed to first meet Father Dana when he was “Brother Dana,” on September 8, 1987 and serving on our religious Congregation’s Finance Commission. We met at our SSS novitiate in Menasha, Wisconsin. When we met, he remembered me from my childhood when I used to be an altar server for his twin brother Donald at Saint Paschal’s Parish – and was way too tall to be his twin brother’s altar server. That was Dana – he would remember things to a tee. But, this was the day and time I first met him and became instant friends. People, especially Father Dana, always wondered why I remember these things

Funeral Homily for Father Dana G. Pelotte SSS

Funeral Mass of Father Dana Pelotte SSS

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Father Dana G. Pelotte SSS...Continued from previous page

– as he would say, “Why do you clutter your mind with such things?” He who first remembered me! However, it was because, as he first quickly discovered, the way to friendship with me was through my stomach! What would become a regular feature in our friendship was that he would take a bite of whatever he ordered and give the rest of it to me. Who wouldn’t want to hang out with that type of a guy especially since he would eat very little.

That action symbolized for me his life of love and care. Through his constant acts of charity and giving for others, especially the poor, he would selflessly, take a bite for himself and give the rest to others – would humbly serve others saying, “What’s the big deal?”

He knew how it was to grow up hungry and poor and was selfless in sharing his blessings with others because he had been cared for by his dear “mum” (as he called her) and by his family and friends in Waterville, Maine. Whenever we would shop or go do something for him, Dana would think about what he would give to others in return to make them feel better, feel loved, feel served by God’s care. I’ll never forget how at Christmas one time a parishioner dropped off a sweater at one door of the rectory for Father Dana, and at the other door he removed the sweater and gave it to the poor. It also helped that it was the wrong size – twice the size of his short stature. But he had that humor and way of sharing joy with so many people! Not wanting to be the life, and humor or love, of the party, but everyone who ever met or was touched by him, “felt their hearts burn with the love of God.”

Father Dana always encountered

the love of God in the beauty of creation, art, and music. He had to take a picture of every flower or bird or creature or have every single song, especially Mantovani, as he would say, “Just to make sure.” He had to stop at every fruit and vegetable stand – and always have at least two saltshakers, in case one ran out or someone might need to borrow one. With his music and pictures Father Dana would have a back up on his computer, his iPad, iPod and the iCloud. “Boys and their toys” – as he used to say, “I guess I’m making up now for what we didn’t have in our childhood.” And about always having two of things, he would say, “I’m a twin!”

Father Dana, like our God, quietly and behind the scenes was a care giver – for his mom, family and for his dear friends across the country and world, and for our Blessed Sacrament Community as treasurer. He would always try to make others feel better and enjoy life, for, as he would say, “Life’s too short. Let’s enjoy it now, before it’s too late. When you’re gone, you’re gone. Life is too serious to be serious.” That attitude helped him through life and people immediately saw that humble, caring side, helping make bonds of friendship around the world.

We have so many stories and memories of our dear friend and brother – stories to last a lifetime. In this short time, we can only scratch the surface – and he wouldn’t want me to be sharing much more. Every day was a special adventure and joy for him, even in the adventures of his illness. He tried to see God’s lesson for him each day and what he could learn from God. As the prophet Isaiah cried out: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the Lord for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad God has saved us!”

Father Dana knew he was saved – that God had sung him into being with a special twin at his side to enjoy life. Now he got his ultimate prayer answered – the one that he has had for the last four years especially: to be back with his twin brother, Bishop Donald and his “mum,” Marguerite – enjoying a Miller Lite with them, having some raw kibbeh, with his clams and lobsters, all eaten with some wonderful background music, probably Roger Whitaker, Nat King Cole or Mantovani – all on at the same time!

Let us be so very glad, that this servant of God looked for the Lord, brought others to the Lord, encouraged us to look to the Lord and see the mystery of the Lord in the beauty of creation and each person. Our hearts burn with joy because God sings to us each day. Let us serve the Lord and fulfill our baptismal call, letting the world know that God is in love with us. God is quietly there walking with us to support us on this journey. By our service, we show we know we are loved. By our service we remind others of the song that God sings to each one of us: God falls in love with us forever – let us rejoice and be glad.

Father Dana, like our God, quietly and behind the scenes was a care giver.


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In MemoriamBrother J. Anthony Ornelas

by Anthony Schueller SSS Four hundred people attended the wake for Brother Anthony Ornelas at Saint Ann’s Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday evening, March 26, and heard the pastor, Father Michael Sciumbato, a dear friend, deliver a moving tribute to Brother Anthony, whom he had known since boyhood. The following day, at noon, the Funeral Mass took place at Saint Ann’s. Father Anthony Schueller, Vicar Provincial, and Father Thomas Smithson, superior of the Blessed Sacrament community at Corpus Christi Church in Houston, Texas, where Anthony was assigned at the time of his death, represented the Province of Saint Ann. Some priests of the Diocese of Salt Lake City also concelebrated the Mass. Father Anthony Schueller SSS gave the homily which we share in part with you here.

Brother Anthony was a gift to us, and for almost 25 years he journeyed with us in the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament, including more than 21 years as a professed brother. I had the privilege of being Anthony’s candidacy director when he began the process of discerning a vocation with us, and I watched his vocation unfold.

Anthony touched many lives over the years in different places – Chicago, Cleveland, Menasha, Wisconsin, here in Salt Lake City during his years of ministry at Saint Patrick’s Church, and finally in Houston as a port chaplain in the nation’s largest port. He did so, I think, because as Father Mike said so powerfully last night, Anthony accepted people as they were and ministered to them with an open heart and an unconditional love, like that of Jesus himself.

Some years ago, I read a reflection about how grief changes with the passing of time. In the immediate aftermath of a loved one’s death, especially if the suffering surrounding it has been prolonged, or as in the case of Brother Anthony, the death has been sudden and unexpected, we tend to focus on the circumstances of the death and the aching pain of loss and separation. Later, after some time, our thoughts turn to the memory of happy times shared, and these sustain us as we move forward with the task of living.

Our hearts are heavy with sadness, but our faith and our love for each other can help us understand that what is of true significance today is not how Anthony died, but rather how he lived.

When I think of Anthony, I am grateful that by God’s grace, he was called to journey with us for almost a quarter-century. We were blessed by his presence. Anthony was funny, engaged, generous in ministry, a little devilish at times, a true brother in the Lord.

Three months ago when I was visiting Houston, Anthony and I had lunch together and talked about new ministry possibilities for him. He was looking to the future and to still more ways of serving Christ and others when the Lord called him last week to journey home to the Father.

Anthony now sees the glory of Christ as never before. He is loved by the Father and is in his everlasting embrace. He is one with God in a way he could not be while his feet still touched this earth.

May he intercede with God for us, especially his parents, his siblings, his friends, and his brothers in religion, as we continue our journey. God bless you, Anthony. Rest in peace.

“Father, these disciples of mine are your gift to me. I wish that where I am they may also be with me, that they may

see my glory that you gave me, because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”

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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 Norman B. Pelletier SSS

In this issue of Bread Broken & Shared you will read about our sad losses in the last couple of months. I am referring to the sudden and shocking passing of Brother Anthony Ornelas SSS from our religious community at Corpus Christi Parish in Houston, Texas. Brother Anthony was 54 years old with no apparent serious illness. As we were all struggling to absorb this unexpected loss, in less than two weeks, we were hit with a second blow with the passing of Father Dana Pelotte SSS after a long and arduous battle with a rare debilitating pulmonary disease. We had hardly mourned our dear Brother Anthony when we were overwhelmed with Father Dana’s passing. For many years Brother Anthony was a very welcoming port chaplain ministering to the seafarers at the Port of Houston. He loved to share his port experiences with his fellow religious and parishioners. He enjoyed sports and was an unabashedly avid hockey fan. Whenever he had an opportunity he would travel which helped him connect with the seafarers who found themselves far away from home in Texas. Above all he never missed a chance to go to Salt Lake City to visit with his beloved family to whom we extend our deepest sympathies as we share their loss for our religious community.

Father Dana, a true Mainer, was seldom happier than at table eating lobster and little neck clams. Whenever this fare was not available which was often

the case since his last assignments were in Utah and Texas, he would settle for his favorite Vietnamese soup, Pho, or angel hair pasta. The only other food that surpassed any of these was the nourishment he received from the Eucharist. Father Dana truly loved his Eucharistic vocation as he himself became spiritual food for his parishioners who genuinely appreciated his compassion and dedication to their religious welfare. Father Dana served his religious community with no less dedication and concern as the provincial treasurer for many years. He was a hard worker with a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. With his family we, his religious community, share their sorrow and give thanks for his life.

You will also read in this issue about our Province Assembly in Florida where we took time to pray and reflect and plan for our future. There is also the promising venture of Life In The Eucharist programs in Maryland through the efforts of our lay Associates, Frank and Marjorie Zalar. Father Ernest Falardeau offers us his standard insights into the Church’s ecumenical efforts and Father John Christman shares his inspirational vocation story. Lastly, Linda Hensley reminds us of the wonderful blessings that are part of our lives and how her ministry at Saint Ann’s Shrine provides her an opportunity to share many of them. To our faithful readers we wish many blessings!

From Our Provincial Superior...

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:Jim Brown, Frank Zalar, Linda Hensley, File Photos


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William Fickel SSS with Marge and Frank Zalar

tFather Bill gives a blessing with the Eucharist

qSaint John the Evangelist Church in Frederick, Maryland

LITE Mission in Marylandby frank and Marjorie Zalar

The winter of 2014 will be remembered for many reasons: the arctic vortex, the relentless snowstorms, power outages, icy roads and school closings. Amidst these weather challenges and many prayers, a week-end of milder weather conditions occurred to allow the smooth unfolding of a Life in the Eucharist Mission.

The Community of Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Frederick, Maryland ‘warmly’ welcomed Father William Fickel SSS on February 24-26 for a Life in the Eucharist Mission. Frank and Marjorie Zalar, LITE team members and SSS Associates are members of the Saint John Community and assisted Father Bill. Frank and Marjorie began working with Father Kevin Farmer, pastor and Mr. Joe Swiss, Director of Liturgy beginning in August of 2013.

Father Fickel preached at all liturgies on the week-end and the mission was presented twice daily on each of the following three days. On Monday, Father Bill led the participants through Encountering God’s Love in the Celebration of the Liturgy by first encountering God in each other. Mr. Matt Anselmi, Youth Director at St. John, witnessed to his encounter with God through working with severely disabled men. The evening ended with communal prayer of thanksgiving and the receiving of two gifts; a simple wooden cross and an all occasion card made of banana bark created by the people of Haiti and made available by Food for the Poor. The participants were encouraged to use the card to contact someone in their lives and let them know that they recognize the presence of God in them.

On Tuesday, we discerned how as a Eucharistic People, we are Enlivened by Christ’s Love. Volunteers from Saint John spoke on behalf of various people in need and had their foot washed by Father Bill. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament allowed for some time to Contemplate God’s love in our lives. All participants were invited to walk to the Blessed Sacrament and adore, express thanksgiving, ask for forgiveness and request intercession as taught by the Eymardian way of prayer.

On the final day, participants were encouraged to become Enflamed to Give Witness. In Communion with the Church and our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are encouraged to become ‘contemplatives in action’ as Saint Peter Julian Eymard taught and lived. Stories about Pope Francis were shared and Frank Zalar gave witness concerning the action of the Eucharist in Frank and Marjorie’s life. Eucharist was celebrated and all participants were encouraged to join a group being started at Saint John by Frank and Marjorie to continue learning more about Saint Peter Julian and the Life in the Eucharist ministry. 25 people signed-up and we will begin meeting right after Easter.

God blessed us in many ways during these days by granting good weather, inspiring many volunteers to help with organization and hospitality and liturgy, and by speaking to us through the many people who witnessed about God in their lives. Msgr. Richard Murphy, the former Pastor of St. John attended one of the sessions and is very interested in bringing LITE to his current parish.

When speaking of the Eucharist, Pope Francis recently said that there is much more work to be done. In our small way, we will work toward keeping the Eucharistic flame alive and growing.

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Ulrich Zwingli, who influenced the Baptists

Father Ernest’s Ecumenical CornerThe Word of God in the Life of the Church:Baptists and Catholics in Dialogueby ernest falardeau SSS

Ernest Falardeau SSS lives Ecumenism! For many years he has dedicated his life and efforts to promoting the unity of Christians. His articles are frequently featured in Bread Broken & Shared. He is committed to promoting this unity in line with the Rule of Life of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament which states: “The celebration (of the Eucharist) leads us to promote unity in all our activities: within our Christian communities, among all confessions that share the same baptism and among all those who are working to unify the world” (Rule of Life, 38).

Baptists and Catholics have much in common, not only culturally, but also religiously. They share a great love for scripture and spirituality. They have a strong moral compass and a desire to help those in need of food, shelter, work and other necessities for personal and family living. In the Baptist/Catholic “conversations” delegates from the World Baptist Alliance (WBA) and

Catholic delegates from the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPUC) have learned much about each other. There have been two series of conversations; the first extending from 1984 through 1988, focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ and the second from 2006 to 2010 focused on the Word of God in the life of the Church which we are considering in this article. The topic of the Word of God in the life of the Church was recommended by the earlier group and was pursued by the second. While a summary of the results of this latest study is difficult in a limited space, it does show a common ground of understanding and a fruitful sharing and emphasizing the solid foundations of Christian belief which Baptists and Catholics have in common about the role of scripture in the life of the Church.

overviewThe preface to our document, The Word of God in the Life of the Church

(WGLIC), is a splendid overview of the work done by the dialogue team. They stress the Christological agreement reached in the first series of conversations and its influence on the work of the later series. They summarize the contribution of their work in these words:

“We therefore warmly commend this report to Baptist and Catholic readers, and all others interested in relations between them. As we suggest in our conclusion, we do not think that such a sustained attempt has ever been made before to identify as accurately as possible the convergence and divergence between Catholic and Baptist Christians. Sympathetic readers will, we believe, find a great deal of light cast here not only on the beliefs of another Christian communion, but on the convictions of their own. It has been in setting our beliefs side by side in a thorough way that we have come to understand both them and each other more deeply, so that we have been able to move further towards the goal set by


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

our Teacher and Master Jesus Christ, ‘that they all may be one’. While we do not expect our readers to be surprised by differences that remain, we think they will be surprised by the extent of the common mind that has been revealed.

…We came to discover, as we met year by year, that the choice of the overall theme of ‘The Word of God in the Life of the Church’ had been a wise one, not only prompting us to reflect continually on the relation between scripture and tradition, but also directing our attention to the one who is the living Word of God and the Lord of the Church. So we have tried to fulfill the aim which was formed at the planning of these conversations, to foster a life of shared discipleship.”

introduction: Aims, history and Context of the Conversations[In the paragraph preceding the Introduction, the document states the status of the work of the conversations. The statements of the delegated group are not an official statement of the World Baptist Alliance or of the Catholic Church. The authorities who appointed the participants have allowed the Report to be published so that it may be widely discussed. The Catholic Church and the Baptist World Alliance will both also evaluate the document.]

“The goal of the conversations is to respond to the prayer of our Lord Jesus Christ to his Father for his disciples ‘that they may all be one…that the world may believe (Jn 17:21). Facing the challenges of our world today, we believe this means that we should continue to explore our common ground in biblical teaching, apostolic faith and practical Christian living, as well as areas that still divide us, in order to:

1. Increase our mutual understanding, appreciation of each other and Christian charity towards each other;

2. Foster a shared life of discipleship within the communion of the triune God:

3. Develop and extend a common witness to Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world and the Lord of all life;

4. Encourage further action together on ethical issues, including justice, peace and the sanctity of life, in accord with God’s purpose and to the praise of God’s glory.

We envisage that we can move towards the fulfillment of these aims by focusing on the theme: ‘The Word of God in the Life of the Church: Scripture, Tradition and Koinonia.”

evaluationThe central theme of the WGLIC is the relationship between the word of God in scripture and the Word of God in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. The second central theme is the relationship of the local church to the universal church founded by Jesus Christ to carry on his mission of salvation to the world. These two themes suggest a moral or ethical way of life which Jesus taught and exemplified, and which must guide the church in every age and place to incorporate the kingdom of God in Christ through appropriate moral living.

In Loving MemorySeptember08 2008 Rev. Walter A. Riendeau09 1974 Rev. Leopold St.-Hilaire11 1959 Rev. Alphonse Ouimet19 1937 Rev. Louis Tardif19 1983 Rev. Antonin Dumont22 1982 Rev. Leo Bourque23 1964 Rev. John Graham24 1978 Rev. Adrien Maheu24 1911 Joseph Falls (Seminarian)25 1971 Bro. George Lemoyne25 1975 Rev. Adrian Hébert26 1971 Bro. Anthony Carucci27 1980 Bro. Noël Canuel28 1991 Rev. Norman MacPherson

October05 1988 Rev. Arthur Maheu05 1999 Bro. Mark Proulx10 2013 Rev. Thomas Fitzgerald14 1989 Rev. Thomas Kennette15 1991 Bro. Narcisse Barette17 1956 Rev. Wenceslaus Giasson17 1999 Rev. Thomas Waldie18 1945 Rev. Auguste Pelletier18 2002 Bro. Martin Stebens20 1953 Rev. Emile Poirier22 2009 Bro.Stanislaus (Edward) Kowalski24 1996 Bro. Raymond Lussier26 1946 Bro. Charles Caron27 2003 Rev. Frederick Roberge31 1974 Rev. Francis Brennan31 2003 Rev. Lionel Lavigne

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Included in these various themes are the authority of scripture, the nature

and mission of the church, the place of sacraments/ordinances in the life of the church and Christians.

As the document clearly admits there are many common lights of faith that are shared by Baptists and Catholics. There are also many divergences, notably the nature of the church, ordained ministry and the ministry of all believers (and their complementarity), the role of primacy and oversight (episcope) in a reintegrated Christianity. The question of baptism of believers and infant baptism, as well as the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist/Lord’s Supper need special and careful study as well as the guiding principles of sacraments in general.

The place of the Blessed Virgin Mary in scriptural accounts of the Annunciation and birth of Jesus need to be studied again in the ecumenical context.

The journey to unity is a long one, but it must be made together. There are gifts to be shared to make the way smooth and straight. There are stereotypes and caricatures that need to be acknowledged, and wrongs need to be forgiven. However, these conversations go a long way toward the goal of unity and the response of the prayer of Jesus for the unity of the church and all Christians.

Prayer in preparation of Provincial Chapter XXIV

(Join with the priests, brothers and associates of the Congregation in praying for the success of the

upcoming chapter in November 2014)

ALMIGHTY GOD we give you thanks for the gift of Eucharistic life which you gave us through Saint Peter Julian Eymard. Like him, You have called us to religious life to proclaim a Eucharistic gospel.

As we prepare for our provincial chapter, we ask you the grace to discover anew in your son, Jesus Christ, the center of our life and mission. Help us acknowledge our need for a profound conversion of our personal and community life.

Send your Spirit to help us read the signs of the times, and to discern what we need to change in our personal, community and apostolic life in order to be infused with a new missionary impulse. May this same Spirit draw us into an ever deeper life of prayer.

We ask you this through the intercession of Our Lady of the Cenacle and also of Saint Peter Julian Eymard, Apostle of the Eucharist. Amen.

There are many common lights of faith that are shared

by Baptists and Catholics.

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

Father Ernie’s Blogfather ernest falardeau SSS and father Anthony Marshall SSS have collaborated in establishing a blog called fr. ernie’s Blog, an extension of fr. ernie’s ministry for Christian unity and interreligious collaboration. focused on the eucharist, the blog contains articles, bibliographies, videos and a biography. Updated regularly, the blog discusses current issues and developments. fr. ernie’s Blog can be reached easily through the link at blessedsacrament.com. Questions and comments are welcome.


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by Linda hensley

When I was a young adult, an elderly lady named Elsie lived across the street from me. One time Elsie picked her most perfect peaches off her tree, wrapped each peach in white tissue paper, and then arranged them in straight rows in an old bakery box with a clear plastic window in the top. She fluffed the white tissue paper so it looked like flowers around each peach, and tied a pretty bow on it. Elsie didn’t have a lot of money, but this gift didn’t cost much to give. The gift was her thoughtfulness and she didn’t want anything in return. She was happy that I waved at her when I came home from work when she was sitting on her porch, and glad that I stopped to talk when walking the dog. Her gift touched me so deeply that I still remember it after twenty five years.

The couple that lived a couple of doors up from me were Elsie’s son and daughter-in-law, Elmer and Alice. They were lovely people too, and they took good care of Elsie. She didn’t need anything. She was just drifting slowly to her end in as pleasant a way as anyone could ask to coast towards God. She had a strong faith, was kind and warm and grateful for small things. She had a very large statue of Mary in her yard surrounded by elaborate landscaping. She was too feeble to kneel in front of that statue, but she paid a man to tend that area because it mattered a lot to her. She sat inside and looked at that statue from her window and prayed.

Elsie has been gone for a long time, and Elmer and Alice are gone too, but all of them taught me about the things that really matter. Sometimes I think about them when I talk with the people at Saint Ann’s Shrine because many of them share a love of God, gratitude, and peace like Elsie.

Saint Ann’s Shrine celebrates Saint Ann’s Feast Day every year in Cleveland, Ohio

with a Triduum (three-day Novena). I was happy to have the opportunity to talk with many people who came to celebrate and pray. Father Anthony Marshall SSS, the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament’s Vocation Director, officiated this year in Cleveland. A nine-day Novena was also held at Saint Jean Baptiste Church in New York City.

As far as we know, the first Novena to Saint Ann in the United States began July 17, 1892. The Fathers and Brothers of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament have continued this tradition every year in the United States ever since they received a portion of the relic of Saint Ann from Saint Anne de Beaupré in Montréal, Canada.

Veneration of the relic of Saint Ann was available at each Mass of the Triduum. In addition, blessings were given to babies and children on the first night, the sick and elderly were anointed on the second night, and the Triduum closed with a candle light procession with the Blessed Sacrament.

Thanks to all of you who were able to join us in Cleveland or New York City, and thanks also to the many more who may not have been able to join us in person, but who joined us in prayer. Celebrating Saint Ann’s Feast Day every year is a way that we can thank Saint Ann for hearing our prayer intentions throughout the year, and thank her for bringing our concerns to her Grandson, Jesus.

Celebrating Saint Ann’s Feast Day every year is a way that we can thank Saint Ann for hearing our prayer intentions through

the year, and thank her for bringing our concerns to her Grandson, Jesus.

Saint Ann’s ShrineBringing Our Concerns to Jesus!

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[TOP] Concelebrated Mass during the Saint Ann Triduum in Cleveland, Ohio at

Saint Paschal Baylon Church [Above LEFT] Blessing of children during

the Saint Ann Triduum[Above RIGHT] Father Anthony Marshall SSS

preaching during theSaint Ann Triduum

t[LEFT] Candlelight procession – Let your light shine!

qReception after the Saint Ann

Triduum

Candlelight procession during the Saint Ann Triduum

Did you ever wonder what gift you might give to a friend or relative that was hard to buy for? Why not consider our Mass Association. Your loved one will share in Masses for a whole year.

For a donation of your choice, you will receive a beautiful card that you can send to your friend or relative and they will be remembered in a weekly Mass celebrated here in Cleveland at the Shrine of Saint Ann.

All you have to do is request Mass Association cards in advance. When you decide to use one of the cards, simply fill out the name of the person you want to enroll in the Association, and send it back to us. It’s so simple – you just send your donation when you use a card. When you need more cards, just let us know and we’ll be happy to send them to you.

For more information about the Blessed Sacrament Mass Association, write to:

Saint Ann’s Shrine5384 Wilson Mills Road

Cleveland, oh 44143

Blessed Sacrament Mass Association

Telephone: 440-449-2700Email:

[email protected]:

www.st-ann-shrine.org

Saint Ann’s Shrine...Continued from previous page


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In this issue of Bread Broken & Shared, Father John Christman SSS, presently the associate pastor at Saint Paschal Baylon Parish in Cleveland, Ohio and the art director of Emmanuel Magazine, shares his vocation journey.

As I sit down to write this short reflection on my vocation story, I am very much aware of the date. Today is June 4th, 2014—the third anniversary of my ordination. So it is in a spirit of reflection and appreciation that I recall the day that I decided to set everything aside and pursue a vocation to the priesthood as a religious of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament.

As I remember, I was finishing my undergraduate degree in Fine Art at the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh when a number of people started suggesting that I consider becoming a priest. There was, however, only one problem. I had absolutely no interest in being a priest. I had other things I was considering, like graduate studies in Fine Art or Art History. Why would I want to become a priest? But parishioners, friends and family continued encouraging me otherwise, like my good friend Father Dana Pelotte SSS and my loving grandfather. So, somewhat begrudgingly, I started to consider what everyone was encouraging me to do. But the answer didn’t come easily. I looked at the pros and cons, over and over again, but the answer eluded me. In the meantime I began attending daily mass at Saint Mary’s Parish in Menasha, Wisconsin before going to school. At that time my grandmother and grandfather attended mass everyday, so it was nice to join them in the morning for Mass.

Then, on one seemingly unremarkable weekday morning, I remember kneeling in the pew during Mass. Father Bob Lussier, SSS was the celebrant. The liturgy had begun as normal. We probably sang a hymn. The word of God was proclaimed. Father Bob likely gave a typically short, succinct and thoughtful homily. Then something out of the ordinary happened. It was during the Eucharistic prayer. Father Bob was at the altar and in the middle of the prayer when he started to cough. At first it was just a slight cough, making it a little difficult for him to speak. But then it developed into a much stronger cough. So strong in fact that he had to stop the prayer. And for some reason this really took me aback. You see, Father Bob was the type of man you could set your watch by. He was always punctual, reliable and respectful. I very much admired him. So many of us at Saint Mary’s did. And sitting there watching him cough, trying to regain his voice, it all of a sudden occurred to me that Father Bob was not going to be able celebrate Mass forever. One day he would no longer be capable. He was such a mainstay at Saint Mary’s that this had never occurred to me before. He was just so constant in our lives.

At that realization time seemed to slow down for me. I slowly turned my head and looked at all of the people gathered there at 8am on a weekday morning, maybe 40 to 50 people or more. I was so impressed by their faith. They came to Mass

everyday. They exhibited such love and faith in God. They relied so much upon God’s grace in their lives and the gift of the Eucharist. And as I looked out on all of those people in prayer a question came to me. “Who will celebrate mass for these people?” A heavy feeling came over me in that moment. A tremendous silence filled my heart. The question sounded again. “Who will celebrate mass for these people?” I found myself leaning back on the kneeler, pondering the tremendous implications of this question and then with a deep breath I responded, “I will.”

Now it has been more than ten years since I responded “yes” to that calling. And I have come to realize that this initial “yes” has entailed so many more things than I could have possibly realized at the time. Some of them have been great opportunities and some of them have been real challenges. However, I am happy that I responded, “yes” in that moment. I am happy God gave me the grace to say, “yes” in that moment. I am happy to now be part of the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament whose priests and religious like Father Bob Lussier and Father Dana Pelotte were such an inspiration to me. I consider it a tremendous honor to serve the people of God as a priest in the Catholic Church … and I hope to do so for many more years to come.

Vocation Views:Father John Christman SSS Shares His Story

Bread Broken & Shared: September/October 2014

Documents

Transcript of Bread Broken & Shared: September/October 2014