Inside this issue:
Midwest Province Ordains Rev. Derek Swanson
Perboyre Mission House Opens Its Doors in Chicago
The Partnership Against Poverty
Gateway Vincentian Volunteers 2003-2004
Also visit:
Obituaries
by Ray Van Dorpe, CM
Rev. Charles "Rock" Welter, CM 1914-2003
Fr. Welter was born in La Salle, Illinois, on March 1, 1914, and entered the Congregation of the Mission (at the ripe old age of 23) in 1937. Bishop George Donnelly ordained him to the priesthood in 1945, just as the Second World War was coming to a conclusion.
The origin of the moniker "Rock" depends on whom you ask. Rock himself would tell you that as a child, anytime his head hit the ground it was so hard it would bounce right back up. Clarence Bogetto says it came from his student days — Rock was a strong fellow and one tough opponent on the wrestling mats. But his sisters, many confreres, and some former parishioners would quickly tell you the name refers to his famous strength of opinion (read: stubbornness) that was often evident in his character. Whatever the reason, the name fit and people far and wide knew him only as "Father Rock."
Except for a brief two-year assignment as Dean of Discipline at DePaul Academy in Chicago, Rock was a parish man. In his 44 years of active ministry, he was a parish priest in almost all the states of the Western Region: Texas, Louisiana, Missouri, Illinois, California, and finally Colorado. This last parish assignment, at Most Precious Blood Parish in Denver, was also his longest assignment — eleven years. Here he became something of an institution, perhaps even a legend.
Rock retired to the Faculty Residence of DePaul University in 1989, then later, when his health declined, to Perryville. He died on May 21, 2003.
Requiesat in Pacem!
Rev. John Farris, CM 1921-2003
John "Jack" Farris was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1921 and entered the community in 1942, after having started seminary studies for the Diocese of Kansas City. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Charles Helmsing in 1949. His first assignments brought him to the preparatory seminaries in Los Angeles and St. Louis, where he taught sciences. He would later take great pride in the fact that he taught a young man named Justin Rigali (the newly named archbishop of Philadelphia). After that stint in seminary work, Jack went into pastoral work, serving in parishes throughout the province. He also spent some time working in the Religious Information Bureau and the Vincentian Foreign Mission Society.
Throughout most of his life, Jack struggled to stay healthy. He probably would have been the first to admit that he finally came to terms with his disease only in the later part of his life. Although Jack often had stormy relations with the confreres, he mellowed considerably in his final years while convalescing at St. Joseph Hill Infirmary. He always appreciated visits from the confreres and news of the community.
In an effort to help him find something interesting to occupy his days, someone introduced him to computers. This was a godsend for Jack, as it helped him keep his mind sharp and connected him to the world outside the nursing home. He had many computer games, at which he became quite proficient, and he also enjoyed "surfing the Internet" and connecting with friends by e-mail.
Jack fell and broke his hip this past spring, and his health never fully recovered. He died on July 6, 2003.
Requiesat in Pacem!
Rev. Francis Shine, CM 1928-2003
Frank Shine was born into a large Catholic family from Kansas City, Missouri, in the year 1928. He entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Mission in 1946, and was ordained a priest by Bishop Leo Byrne in May of 1955.
Frank’s first assignment was to St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston, where he taught Math/Science, as well as was Dean of Students. Unfortunately for the province, and probably for Frank, he left us for 12 years. But yet, in another instance of the Lord’s mysterious ways, he eventually contacted the then Provincial, Fr. Cecil Parres, and returned to the Congregation in 1972. Since Frank had missed most of the changes in the Church since the Second Vatican Council, he was assigned to live at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver to do some "catch-up work" in theology, liturgy, and pastoral practice. Eventually, Frank decided that he wanted to serve the poor, and so was assigned to work as a chaplain at City Hospital in St. Louis, where he quietly and diligently served the poorest of God’s people with great love and devotion. When City Hospital closed, Frank transferred his ministry to St. Louis Regional Hospital and other healthcare facilities.
In 2002, Frank discovered he had cancer and moved to Lazarist Residence on Tesson Ferry Road while he took treatment. Toward the end of his life, with his family frequently at his side, Frank gently prepared to reach the end of his earthly journey. His kindness and peacefulness touched the hearts of his hospice caregivers, his confreres, and his family. Frank died in the early morning hours of July 23, 2003.
Requiesat in Pacem!
Vincentian is published bimonthly by the Midwest and Southern Provinces of the Congregation of the Mission, the Vincentian Priests and Brothers, to promote the apostolic works of its members and those of the larger Vincentian Family.
Congregation of the Mission, Vincentian
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