Around the Provinces: Confrere News and Updates

Fr. Frank Agnew , CM		Fr. Jack Mellito , CM		Fr. Dan Kearns , CM		Fr. Tom Hinni , CM		Fr. J. Patrick Murphy , CM

Midwest Province

Perryville — St. Mary’s of the Barrens

Father Oscar Lukefahr, CM, has been busy this spring giving parish missions around the country. In a three month period, he preached missions in Poplar Bluff, Missouri; Rome, Georgia; Roswell, New Mexico; St. Louis, Missouri; and Stockton, Missouri – just to name a few.

Perryville — Association of the Miraculous Medal

Father Henry Grodecki, CM, will be stepping down as the president of the Association of the Miraculous Medal this summer in order to return to parish ministry. Father James G. Ward, CM, will take over as president of the Association on July 1.

Members and staff of the Association gathered on the first Sunday of May for the annual May Procession, to honor the Blessed Mother with flowers and song, and to ask for her gracious intercession. This annual procession is usually held on the grounds of St. Mary’s of the Barrens, and goes from the Shrine Church to the Grotto. However, heavy rains this year made that impossible, so hundreds of participants moved down the road to St. Vincent de Paul Church and the procession, though shortened (just down the middle aisle), was comfortable and just as prayerful.

St. Louis: St. Catherine Labouré Parish

After nearly eight months serving the people of God at St. Catherine Labouré Parish in suburban St. Louis, Deacon Chrisandus Ambale, CM, returned to Kenya to prepare for his ordination to the priesthood in May, and his assignment to St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Kamulu. He won the hearts and minds of the parish with his wise and caring words, his engaging smile, gentle personality, and his willingness to serve. He will be missed.

In May, the parish honored Father Jack Melito, CM, for his eleven years of service to the parish. Father Melito is retiring from his assignment to parish ministry.

St. Louis — St. Vincent de Paul Parish

Upon learning that the parish Poor Fund was more than $50,000 in debt, anonymous donors established a $20,000 challenge grant to help put the fund in the black. Parishioners and volunteers where challenged to meet the match by April 30, 2009. At the last weekend Masses of the month, Father Otto Schneebeck, CM, was able to report to the parishioners that they had raised over $39,000 – more than enough to meet the challenge. It seems a proof, if one is needed, that “The Lord hears the cry of the poor.”

East St. Louis — Vincent Gray Academy

Vincent Gray Academy in East St. Louis is moving again – this time for good. Last summer the Academy moved into temporary quarters, but the lease was too high to sustain over the coming years. In March, the Academy negotiated to buy a 7300-sq.-ft. property, with the assistance of a foundation that issues low interest loans to not-for-profit organizations.  Monthly mortgage payments are now one third of the monthly lease the alternative school was paying before. The interior of the building is currently being converted to classrooms.  Executive Director and Principal, Father Dan Kearns, CM, says they feel very blessed by God that so many things came together to make this move possible.

St. Louis — Lazarist Residence

Father Frank Agnew, CM, traveled around the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau during early May presenting talks to the local clergy on the Gospel of St. Mark. He was accompanied by Father John Gagnepain, CM, who serves as the Director for Continuing Formation in the Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau.

During March and April, Father Tom Hinni, CM, made two presentations on the life of St. Paul to a group of senior citizens gathered at the Pauline Books and Media Center in Crestwood, Missouri. Fr. Hinni also led a day of prayer for a Stephen’s Ministry Group at Mercy Center this May.

Fathers Ron Ramson and John Francis Clark, CMs, attended the mid-year meeting of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, held in St. Louis in April.

Denver — DePaul House

Brother Joe Hess, CM, along with other volunteers, was recently honored at a luncheon hosted by the administration of Rose Medical Center in Denver.  Kenneth H. Feiler, CEO of the hospital, thanked Bro. Hess for the outstanding amount of time he volunteers, as well as his careful listening, calm demeanor, and knowledge of the hospital and staff.

Father Paul Golden, CM, and Dr. Mary Martin, gave a seminar on “Marriage and Annulments in the Catholic Church” at Most Precious Blood Parish in Denver in May.  

Chicago — DePaul University

In April, 36 participants from the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia received certificates in Values-Centered Leadership for their work at the Villa Santa Luisa in Tagaytay City, Philippines. The intent of the program was to train-the-trainers who would then be able to offer similar Vincen­tian leadership training through the Vincentian Center for Asia and the Pacific, and Adamson University.

The program was presented by Father J. Patrick Murphy, CM; Sister Patricia Bombard, BVM, of Vincent on Leadership: the Hay Project, at DePaul University; Pamela Mantuhac, Director of the Office of the Vincentian Center for Asia and the Pacific; Father Rock Enriquez, CM, (a certificate recipient last fall); Father Gregg Banaga, CM, President of Adamson University and Father Ned Disu, CM, Provincial of the Philippines.

The purpose of The Values-Centered Leadership Certificate Program is to train Vincentians, Daughters of Charity, and laity in leadership. It is available at All Hallows College, in Dublin, Ireland, in July; at DePaul University in the fall; and online in the spring through the Hay Project (http://leadership.depaul.edu). The program was supported by the Vincentian Endowment at DePaul University, Vincent on Leadership: the Hay Project, and Adamson University.

Southern Province

Father Lou Arceneaux, CM, our Provincial Liaison for Justice and Peace, spent several weeks in February and March in Washington D.C. Along with 500 other representatives of Catholic social ministry agencies (such as Catholic Relief, CHD, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and CMSM Peace),
Fr. Arceneaux participated in workshops, liturgies, and briefings for their lobbying visit to Congress. The domestic issues discussed were promoting health care for all and dealing with climate change. The international issues recognized were reorganizing our foreign aid approach and promoting legal travel to Cuba. He reports, “Our focus on all of these issues is to speak for the poor who do not have a voice themselves.”

Father Jack Cawley, CM, now calls St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California, home. He recently
attended the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress at Disneyland, which drew 30,000 participants. Among other activities, he and Father Dave Nations, CM, helped staff the Vincentian Family Booth. As a new member of the Vocation-Formation Committee, Fr. Cawley also is assisting Fr. Nations and others in future discernment weekends.