Around the Provinces: Confrere News and Updates

		Fr. Oscar Lukefahr, CM		Fr. John F. Clark, CM		Fr. Dan Harris, CM

Midwest Province:

Saint Mary’s of the Barrens:

Father John Rybolt, CM, gave the house retreat, which was greatly appreciated. Father Oscar Lukefahr, CM, has been doing missions in Missouri: Apple Creek, Shell Knob, Springfield, and Scott City.

Father Tom Grace, CM, is now living at the Barrens. He seems to be adjusting to life
in the country.

The House Council submitted a slate of possible names for the new chapel and residence building. From this list, the Provincial and his advisors decided the new residence will be called the Apostle of Charity, which will include the Mary, Mother of God Chapel. Earlier this year, the new visitor’s center was named The Ruth Shelby Memorial Heritage and Visitor’s Center. The campus will continue to be called St. Mary’s of the Barrens, which includes Rosati Hall (the building with the porches), the Association of the Miraculous Medal office, the Church of the Assumption, and the Shrine of our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. At last report, the new machine shed and wood shop have not been named!

The new residence building is slowly shaping up, having been blessed with fine construction weather for the past few weeks. The task of
finishing the inside walls continues. It is going to be a fine place to live. Thanks to all who helped make this possible.

Groundbreaking at the new Visitors Center, Perryville:

The groundbreaking for the Ruth Shelby Memorial Heritage and Visitor Center was held January 6, 2006. Father Jim Swift, CM, presided over a brief ceremony blessing the site and breaking first ground. The ceremony was attended by members of the Barrens house, civic leaders, confreres from the area and employees of the Association of the Miraculous Medal. Refreshments of homemade soup and rolls were shared afterward. The projected date of completion is July 2006.

Lazarist Residence, St. Louis:

A Mass was celebrated in honor of the religious of the archdiocese, a St. Louis celebration of the Consecrated Life. Archbishop Raymond Burke was the celebrant. Fathers Marty Culligan, Jack Melito and Tom Hinni, CM, concelebrated at the Mass and attended the reception.

Father Marty Culligan, CM, attended a lecture by Avery Cardinal Dulles on the contrasts and similarities of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.

Father John F. Clark, CM, Provincial Director for the Daughters of Charity of the West Central Province, attended the “Encounter for New Provincial Directors” held at the Mother­house of the Daughters of Charity in Paris, France, April 19-26, 2006. Father Bill Hartenbach, CM, Provincial Director for the Daughters of the East Central Province also attended.

Father Dan Harris, CM, just submitted the feature article for the July 2006 issue of Celebration, whose theme will be “Ordinary Preaching: the importance of the homily in the liturgical off-season”.

Some members of Lazarist Residence have been active in the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. Father Dan Thiess, CM, has just formed a conference at St. Catherine Laboure Parish, whose members were inducted on April 2. Father John Clark, CM, Regional Spiritual Advisor, addressed the members attending the Midyear Meeting in St. Louis on April 7. On March 4, Father Jack Melito, CM, the St. Louis Archdiocesan Spiritual Advisor, celebrated Mass to open a regional prayer day and gave an address on “Emulating St. Vincent de Paul.”

St. Louis Parishes:

Continuing the cooperation between the Vincen­tian parishes in St. Louis, parishioners (young and old) from St. Catherine Laboure Parish served up dinner at the Senior Dinner Dance, held
quarterly at St. Vincent’s Parish. Senior guests from St. Vincent’s and the surrounding area come to dance, eat and socialize. St. Catherine’s has helped finance and serve the delicious meal twice each year. Not only do the seniors enjoy themselves, but the parishioners and Vincentians from both parishes benefit from this cooperative event.

St. Catherine Laboure Parish, St. Louis:

The Vincentian Kenyan Tuition Project

During Lent 2006, the parishioners of St. Cather­ine Laboure Parish accomplished a mission project that reflected their grasp of the Vincentian charism and expressed their solidarity with a segment of the Vincentian Family in Nairobi, Kenya.

Fathers Jim Cormack and Dan Thiess, CM, and the parish staff communicated the request that came from three segments of the Family in Kenya — the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, the Vincentian priests and brothers, and the Daughters of Charity. The request entailed financially sponsoring a special group of 24 students through four years of high school. What makes these children distinctive was that some have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS and others would soon be orphans because of the same disease. Others in need are children living with single parents, many of whom are affected by alcoholism.

The project reached its goal within a surprising amount of time–beginning in early Lent and concluding on Palm Sunday. The approximate costs averaged between $350 and $400 for each student’s tuition. The request went out to the parishioners for whatever contribution they wished to make. So great was the response over the four or five weeks that by Palm Sunday, the amount collected was over $34,000 – enough to finance the total group for four years.

At the end, Fr. Cormack complimented the parishioners: “You have been inspired by St. Vincent for he calls us not only to serve the poor, but to love the poor and to show that love by our actions. You donated your money knowing that these children would now be educated, thus giving them tools to break out of the cycle of poverty. That is truly seeing the face of Christ in others and loving the poor. St. Vincent would be so proud.”

Kenya:

Father Lennoxie Lusabe, CM, completed his master’s degree in theology from Chicago Theological Union. Congratula­tions, Fr. Lusabe!

Colorado Mountain Region:

Father Mark Pranaitis, CM, finished the course requirements for a doctorate in organization development in early April. The working title of his dissertation is “Stewardship as a Foundation for Devel­oping Organizational Generosity.” This mixed-methods dissertation will advance the work of Kim Cameron and Jane Dutton, from the University of Michigan, who have been developing theory about the importance of organizational virtues. Don’t expect to see much of Fr. Pranaitis over the next year as he is determined to graduate with his class in May 2007.

Perboyre Mission House, Chicago:

For the second year in a row, Perboyre Mission House and the Office for Religious in the Archdiocese of Chicago co-sponsored a celebration marking the World Day for Consecrated Life. The event took place at DePaul University on February 4, 2006. The theme was “Radical Witness to Life in Christ”. Javier Orozco, Assistant Director of University Ministry at DePaul University, was the principle presenter. Some 200 religious men and women, along with those in vocation
discernment, came from all over the Archdiocese of Chicago to participate in the Celebration of Consecrated Life. The Vincentian Family provided the hospitality by greeting, checking coats, and working the registration table. The Daughters of Divine Love from Nigeria offered entertainment by sharing several of their native songs and dances. The Vincentian Marian Youth showed a music video of their beautiful and scenic experiences at World Youth Day. The day concluded with the celebration of the Eucharist with His Eminence Francis Cardinal George at St. Vincent
de Paul Parish in Chicago.

DePaul University, Chicago:

In January, the DePaul Leadership Project, directed by Father Patrick Murphy, CM, provided a presentation of the Vincentian Leadership model and leadership development activities to members of the Vincen­tian Family at their annual meeting in Paris, France.

		Fr. Dan Theiss, CM		Fr. Jim Cormack, CM		Fr. Mark Pranaitis, CM

Southern Province:

Comments from Provincial Father Dan Borlik, CM:

The Provincial Council Visits New Orleans:

As we proceed to some major changes in apostolate and living in New Orleans, let me summarize my reflections at our canonical visitation with members of the New Orleans regional house. First, our men (Fathers Bob Lamy, George Weber, Lou Arceneaux, Perry Henry, Joseph Thottamkara, CM, and Brother Jim Steinbach, CM) are physically well and in very good spirits – which is saying a lot given their extremely difficult circumstances since last August’s storm and flood. For some months they (with the exception of Fr. Arceneaux, who lives at Grand Coteau, Loui­sana) have shared Com­mun­ity life in an admirable way, praying with and caring for and even cooking for one another. I met with each man for at least half a day, attended a parish council meeting at St. Stephen’s and offered my summary reflection to the group on April 7. Here are the major points:

• The Vincentians (currently Fr. Weber as pastor and Br. Steinbach) will conclude our pastoral leadership of St. Stephen’s Parish on the evening of June 30, 2006. On the following day, July 1, Father John Arnone of the Archdiocese of New Orleans officially takes over as pastor. We have welcomed Fr. Arnone to join our confreres living at the rectory and he may do so.
• We have every reason to be proud and grateful for our over 157 years of ministry at this important and historical parish! So, on Friday evening, June 30, beginning at 5:00 p.m., the Vincentians will have a Eucharistic Liturgy of Thanksgiving and a banquet at St. Stephens.
• Beginning July 1, the Vincentians will re-occupy DePaul Residence located at 812 Constantinople. As you know we have offered that building for the temporary use of the Presentation Sisters. They are hoping to move back into rented lodgings soon. Two senior confreres will move there: Fr. Lamy, after a nine-month absence; and Fr. Weber, who will begin his official retirement. In addition, I am assigning Br. Steinbach to DePaul Residence as resident, with a review every six months.
• Frs. Henry and Thottamkara, CM, will move as well, but when is still uncertain. For the time being they continue to live at St. Stephen’s residence until quarters have been found by the Archdiocesan transition team. We are currently looking to reside closer to the work in the inner city deanery, near St. Joseph’s Parish.

Collaboration with other CM Provinces:

Province of the West Meets the Southern Province

A joint task force was organized as a practical follow up to the very successful “under-60s” gathering, in order to find ways in which our leaders can more closely work and pray together. Consisting of the two province’s respective provincial consultors, they have met in Los Angeles and in Dallas. They are working closely not only with Father Andy Bellisario, CM, and I, but also with our respective Assembly preparation committees.

In addition, Fr. Bellisario and I will attend both the Midwest Provincial Council’s “Tempo Forte” and regularly scheduled meetings (August 18-21), as well as the Midwest Assembly. Finally, our three provincial councils have agreed to meet in Los Angeles this coming November. I am grateful and delighted at this!