July 2011 - St. Paul of the Cross Monastery

July 2011
Passionist Associates of St Paul of the Cross Province
Volume 2 Number 1
Pittsburgh Associates Host Weekend Workshop
June 10 – 12, 2011
The Pittsburgh Hills were alive with the sounds of joy, faith, love and music. Forty
Passionist Associates came to Pittsburgh from New York, Scranton Pa and Florida for a
weekend workshop together with the Pittsburgh Associates.
Fr. Sebastian McDonald from the Holy Cross Province in Chicago was the main speaker and
gave us a glimpse into the history of the Passionists
from Italy to Europe and on to the United States.
Fr. Tim Fitzgerald, C.P. spoke to the Associates about
Servant of God, Fr. Theodore Foley, C.P.,
Fr.
Tim gave some personal insights into Fr. Foley and his
Fr. Sebastian McDonald
work here in Pittsburgh as Rector of St. Paul of the
Cross Monastery as well as working with him when Fr. Theodore was Superior General of the
Passionists worldwide. Fr. Tim spoke of his relationship with Fr. Theodore and his style of
ministry. Fr. Theodore Foley was known as a great confessor therefore his tomb is situated at
the back of the Monastery Church near the confessionals.
Frs. Tim Fitzgerald CP
We were also blessed to have with us Fr. Joeffrey Faoles CP from Austrailia. He is visiting us for a few weeks and shared a meal with us. Fr.
Joeffrey was sent to Viet Nam to establish the Passionists in that country.
He has been in Viet Nam for 5 ½ years and in that time he has 35 Students for the priesthood in various stages of training that goes on for 7
years. Fr. Joeffrey also has 3 other priests working with him which includes Italian and Spanish priests.
Fr. Joeffrey brought with him a banner of the Passionist Sign that was
made by the Vietnamese students. They said the Passionist Sign should
have a revision which includes a red portion on the sign. The Sign also
has the words of the Passionist Sign in Vietnamese. Under the Sign are
the words: May the Passion of Jesus Christ Be Always In Our Hearts.
On Saturday afternoon we had a Charism Panel. Three Associates,
Kathy Brezinski from Scranton Pa, Carolyn McCarthy from Riverdale,
NY and Sandy Ozanich from Pittsburgh Pa, each spoke for approximately 10 minutes on how the Passionist charism is lived in their
lives. The talks went very well and everyone found new encouragement to go forward in their lives.
On Saturday evening a small group of out-of-towners took a tour of Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington area overlooking the three rivers
of Pittsburgh and the beautiful skyline that they have. A short walk to the ice cream parlor topped the tour. Following the tour all
Associates met for a gala social.
The Passionist Associate Workshop Weekend was a great success and we thank God for the blessings received.
Moose Wetzel
Editor
Our Lady of Florida
Associate
dwetzel@cpprov.org
Page 2 Pittsburgh Associates
Preston County WV Associates
Calvary Associates
Page 3 St Ann Basilica Associates
Our Lady of Florida Associates
Jamaica Associates
Page 4 Riverdale Associates
Directors Meeting
Page 5 Workshop Pictures
PITTSBURGH ASSOCIATES
The Pittsburgh Associates celebrated their Covenanting Service on October 24, 2010. We were so
blessed to have Associates from West Virginia join
us to Covenant as well.
During the current season the Pittsburgh Associates
have discussed several subjects. Most recently we
watched and then discussed the “Lost Books of the
Bible”. These discussions have been interesting.
On a very sad note, the Passionists, Passionist Associates, employees, and the people of St. Paul
of the Cross Monastery said goodbye to Fr. Dan
Sullivan, C.P. on March 8, 2011.
His death came
peacefully after an illness over the course of the past
year. He was surrounded by his family and Fr.
Timothy Fitzgerald, C.P. What is most striking is
this; Fr. Dan died on the evening of March 3, 2011 which is the feast day of Saint Katharine Drexel. Saint Katharine Drexel founded
the Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament for Black and Native American peoples. As it turns out, two of Fr. Dan’s Sisters are
members of the Missionary Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament. It was also the Vigil of the Solemn Commeration of the Passion of Jesus. How amazing God is! He took Fr. Dan to himself at just the right time.
We would also like to extend our heartfelt sympathies to Fr. Chris Cleary, CP on the loss of his father. We will keep your father and
yourself in our prayers.
PRESTON COUNTY WV ASSOCIATES
CALVARY ASSOCIATES
.At their October 5th gathering Father Lucian Clark spoke to the
Calvary Associates about Passionist Volunteers International
(PVI). The typical volunteer in PVI is at a crossroad in their life
between university education and launching a career. They want
to give something back as well as grow in professional and personal development. A major factor is the interest in a first-hand
experience with those surviving on the margins of life. There is
also a desire to learn about another culture, as well as a hunger
for meaning and a deeper faith experience. Fr. Lucian’s visit was
both inspiring and hopeful in that the Passionist mission continues through the generous service of these volunteers as they compassionately accompany those who struggle in our world.
November 2nd Associates gathered for a special prayer service
in the Chapel of St. Mary Pastoral Center in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. At that time the Associates signed Covenants for one .
Massachusetts. At that time the Associates signed Covenants
for one year with the Passionist Community of Priests and
Brothers of the St. Paul of the Cross Province. Each member
promised to enter into that relationship in the spirit of the Passionist Congregation and the charism of its founder.
An afternoon of Advent Reflection was conducted by Sister
Joanne Fahey, CP, the Spiritual Advisor for the Massachusetts
Passionist Associates at the December gathering. The theme
for the day was: HOPE. Sister Joanne presented a beautiful
talk on the theme, distinguishing hope from optimism.
Participants enjoyed a time for prayer, poetry, sacred music,
listening, reflection, and sharing. The program concluded with
a candle-lighting ritual as Sister read an inspirational reading
entitled, "A Wish of Light".
Page 2
ST ANN BASILICA SHRINE ASSOCIATES
Saint Ann Basilica Passionists Associates are Thriving!! Our newest Candidate Group is a reflection of our director, Fr Cassian, the
Associates that sponsored them and assist in their discernment / formation phase. They love the Lord & are hungry to grow closer to him
in His Passion! Our beloved Fr Cassian has been doing his best to be there for all of us, even through carrying his own cross of suffering & illness.
We sponsored a Lenten Presentation of "The Shroud of Jesus " by Donald Nohs, Asst Director
of Confraternity of The Passion Int., which was one of the most powerful events yet. Well over
700 people attended this Devotion and then joined the Associates & Candidates for a reception.
Our media dept was so moved that they, with Mr. Nohs, have decided to film the presentation
and make it available on DVD!
Fr Rick Frechette CP joined us for Mass, Novena and Reception, the faithful were moved to
tears at hearing the plight of the Haitians and were grateful for this opportunity to help.
We are looking forward with anticipation to our summer Pilgrimage to St Paul of the Cross in
Pitt to Venerate Fr Theodore Foley CP at his shrine, and share fellowship with all other Associates from the Province. Till next time, we will continue as always to keep all Passionists in our
Prayers.
An Invitation to all vowed and associate members of
St Paul of the Cross Province.
Please join us on the world wide Passionist Global Network
http://passionists.ning.com/
You will also find a group link to the
Passionist Associates of St Paul of the Cross Province.
OUR LADY OF FLORIDA ASSOCIATES
JAMAICA ASSOCIATES
Our Lady of Florida Associates Gathered at 11AM Mass on October 16, 2011 to Recovenant with St . Paul of the Cross Province. Fr.
Paul Wierichs presided at the mass and welcomed the Associates
for another year of service.
We agreed to continue to meet on the 1st Monday of each month,
joining the Vowed community for evening pray, Social time, Dinner and an evening of discussion on many items.
The associates also contribute to each retreat weekend by presenting a 30 minute workshop for the retreatants on Saturday afternoon.
From the left they are: Fr. Chris Cleary, C.P.; John Gonzalez,
CPP; Charlie Barr; Jane Barr; Dotty Brandreth; Carol Rothstein; Steve Day; John M. Lee, C.P.; Eric Rothstein; missing:
Deacon John Reinhart.
L to R; Front Laurel O’Donovan, Jeanette Land, Marie Barbagallo, Martha Castellanos. Back John Kosak, Deacon Marty
Serraes, Moose Wetzel, Joe Ackerman, Bud Zielinski. Missing John Clarke.
Page 3
The Jamaica Associate Candidates have been meeting regularly since September and having very interesting, probing
discussions of the thinking of Paul of the Cross as described
in his biography by Garbiele Cingolani, C.P. and in Spiritual
Direction According to Paul of the Cross by Fr. Bennett
Kelly, C.P.
Chris Cleary is their Director and John Lee is their Sponsor.
RIVERDALE ASSOCIATES
Celebrations in Riverdale
A Christmas Party
New Year’s Eve
A Farewell Dinner
On December 21, 2010 Fr. Paul hosted a
Christmas party for the staff and the associates of the Passionist Spiritual Center. Fr. Paul celebrated mass in the
chapel and then everyone headed out to
the festivities. Br. James Johnson gave
us all a smile as he wore his green
Christmas elf shirt and elf hat to the
party!
The New Year’s Eve service brought a
close to the ministry at Riverdale.
On the Passionist Spiritual Center website, Fr. Paul writes beautifully about
bringing the ministry to a close. If you
haven’t yet seen it, it’s well worth the
effort to go to the site and read his blog.
It’s a beautiful example of how to bring a
ministry to a close with gratitude and with
grace.
On Jan. 18th, the Riverdale associates surprised Fr. Michael Greene with a farewell
dinner. Fr. Michael has been the director
of the associates in Riverdale for many
years and is now moving on to a sabbatical
in New Mexico. The associates wanted to
thank Fr. Michael for his many years of
leadership, guidance and friendship.
Fr. Paul expressed his appreciation for
the employees of the house and thanked
them for their many years of faithful
service. He gave a special thank you to
Bill Gilberg who served as the administrator of the retreat house for many
years. In turn, Bill gave Fr. Paul a heartfelt thank you for everything he’d done
for the center and for his friendship over
the years.
Although the celebration was bittersweet
in view of Riverdale’s closing, it was a
very moving evening and it was an appropriate time to express gratitude for all
the good times we’d had and the friend-
Directors Meeting
In December 2010, Fr. Don Ware, C.P.
and Sandy Ozanich travelled to Scranton
to pick up Fr. Cassian Yuhaus, C.P.
Their trip continued on to Riverdale NY
for the Associate Director’s Meeting.
Those in attendance were: Fr. Cassian
Yuhaus CP ~ Scranton, Fr. Don Ware
CP, Associate Director, Eastern Province
~ Pittsburgh PA, Sandy Ozanich, Passionist Associate ~ Pittsburgh PA, Carlos Cruz, Lay Director ~ Riverdale,
NY, Carolyn McCarthy, Passionist Associate ~ Riverdale, NY, Leo Piecz, Lay
Director ~ Shrewsbury, MA, Fr. John
M. Lee CP, Sponsor ~ Jamaica NY,
Fr. Chris Cleary CP, Director ~ Jamaica NY, Moose Wetzel, Lay Director
~ North Palm FL.
The evening began with a three hour adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Adoration was followed by an hour of prayer
and reflection by the Passionists. Fr. Paul
and Fr. Michael were joined by Fr. Paul
Zilonka, Br. Andre Mathieu, Fr. Rob Carbonneau and Fr. Robin Ryan. The celebration of the Eucharist began at 11:30
PM and so we ended 2010 and began
2011 at Mass.
Following Mass, there was a social downstairs as we greeted the new year. We
knew it was our last official event at the
house, but there were no visible tears. Fr.
Paul and Fr. Michael had brought us to
this point by stressing gratitude for the
years we’d been together and pointing out
the importance of living in and celebrating the moment.
Many people exchanged email and address information at the social and promised to keep in touch with one another.
Some of the group went home after the
party and some stayed the night. Those of
us who stayed the night shared a continental breakfast in the morning…and
when we left to go forth into the first day
of the new year, the doors officially
closed at the Passionist Spiritual Center of
Riverdale.
Each Associate Director spoke of their
individual groups; their numbers, activities and ongoing projects. As a group
we went over the revised Associate
Handbook line by line to make sure what
was written is correct. It is still a work in
process and we will keep you updated as
to the progress.
Page 4
In order to keep the dinner a surprise, the
lay associate director, Carlos Cruz, sent out
a “faux” meeting agenda that stated that
after prayer service, we would have pizza
and soda delivered for our meeting. On the
evening of the dinner, we had a prayer
service led by Rocco and Linda Vitulli and
then Carlos made his announcement. He
said, “I have good news and bad news.
The bad news is that the pizza shop is unable to deliver our pizzas. The good news
is that I was able to make dinner reservations for everyone at Greentree’s (a local
favorite restaurant.)” Everyone laughed as
Fr. Michael caught on that something was
up!
Fr. Paul Fagan, who will be taking over the
direction of the associates, joined the associates and Fr. Michael in the celebration.
Happily, Fr. Malcolm Cornwell was visiting New York that week and was also able
to come to the party. Fr. Malcolm had
been the director of the associates at Riverdale several years ago and it was a lovely
surprise that he was able to be with us. In
spite of the fact that Fr. Michael will be
very much missed, the evening was very
festive. Tears and laughter mingled as
many toasts were made and we shared
memories of the past and hopes for the
future.
We are very much looking forward to
working with Fr. Paul at least through
June. Fr. Paul has been very much a part
of the associates since he came to Riverdale and we are grateful for his gracious
willingness to stay with us for as long as he
can.