Holy Cross Province News December 2017 December Birthdays 9 Laurence Finn Michael Hoolahan 30 Alan Phillip Professions 8 Michael Hoolahan 29 Joseph Mitchell Ordination 4 Bruno D Souza 20 Christopher Gibson Updates... The Provincial Council meets December 11-14 in Park Ridge. John Schork will travel to Whitesville, Kentucky, to attend the Profession Ceremony of Passionist Nun, Sr. Maria Faustina, on December 8. Be sure to visit our online Advent Calendar each day for prayer and quiet reflection as we prepare for Christmas, the holy day. Holy Cross Province Retreat Centers are holding a variety of Advent programs. Visit their websites to see what is being offered. Passionist preachers are busy traveling across the country to preach parish missions. Jack Conley, Blaise Czaja and Bob Weiss are each in different dioceses in Texas at this time. Cedric Pisegna is currently in Mandeville, Louisiana, and will be traveling to Scottsdale, Arizona, this weekend. LOOKING FORWARD... December 8 Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary December 9 Blessed Bernard Mary Silvestrelli December 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe December 25 Nativity of Our Lord Holy Cross Province 1420 Renaissance Dr. Suite 312 Park Ridge, IL 60068 Submit news to Claire Smith csmith@passionistmonastery.org Address changes to Loretta Ciesielski loretta@cppo.org Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a New Year filled with good health, happiness and peace.
Page 2 Visiting Chicago... On November 15, 2017, Denis Travers, General Consultor, arrived at St. Vincent Strambi Community in order to visit Robin Ryan, member of St. Paul of the Cross Province, as part of the General Visitation prior to their Provincial Chapter in 2018. (l-r): Denis Travers; SooHoon Hur; Nicholas Divine; Christopher Gibson; CTU students, Alexis Salazar, and Sr. Helen Owens from Australia. Old Becomes New Again... With the far left pillar being replaced in August, the next step was to get everything painted. Thankfully, all four pillars and the portico were painted in early November - just in time for winter. In the Center of it All... During his recent travels preaching parish missions, Cedric Pisegna had to opportunity to visit the Four Corners Monument, where the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet. Fall Clean-up... Jerry Milazzo took the tractor for a spin to cut the grass and clear the fallen leaves at Sacred Heart Monastery in Louisville.
Korean Martyrs Parish... Page 3 Tu-Jin Paul Kim hosted the Korean American Priests Association at his parish, Korean Martyrs Catholic Church. Right: the hard-working cooks who prepared a delicious meal for the evening. The meeting began with Mass. Giving Thanks... Arthur Carrillo accepted the invitation of the Passionist Nuns in Whitesville, Kentucky, to serve as their chaplain during the Thanksgiving holiday. Arthur also enjoyed a few days with Sacred Heart Community in Louisville. Mother John Mary (left) and Sister Catherine Marie (right) were welcoming hostesses.
Page 4 Passionist Earth and Spirit Center... New Hope International Farm Potluck Harvest Celebration This year, the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center partnered with Catholic Charities Common Earth Gardens Program and New Hope Refugee Services to host a community farm for refugees on the Sacred Heart Community property. Tended by over a dozen refugees, mainly from Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the first season was a great success and provided fresh produce (of native African crops) to over 140 members of the refugee community in Louisville. The season wrapped up with a lively potluck on October 29, attended by refugee growers and Earth & Spirit Center participants. It featured garden tours, skits from refugee community members, and plenty of great food. Friday Night Community Dinners Beginning in October, the Passionist Earth & Spirit Center began an intentional effort to build community and help people engage more deeply in pressing social and environmental issues of our day and have a great meal in the process. The Earth & Spirit Center now hosts monthly Friday Night Community Dinners, which feature great food, a speaker and a chance to converse with others. October s inaugural event had a packed house of over 60 people and featured noted environmental attorney and advocate Tom Fitzgerald of Kentucky Resource Council, who led a conversation about what committed citizens are doing to respond to the pressing environmental issues facing Kentucky. Participants at November s dinner explored issues faced by refugees. The upcoming December dinner will feature a leading Muslim scholar, Riffat Hassan, on the role of women in Islam.
Page 5 90 Years Young... On Saturday, November 18, family and friends gathered with Sacred Heart Community in Louisville to celebrate Denis McGowan s 90th birthday. Denis family traveled from Michigan to be with him. John Patrick Day was able to come from Tennessee. Many thanks to all who worked to make it a wonderful celebration, especially Eileen and Ted Kalbfleisch for preparing a delicious dinner (and dessert!). Denis with his family. John Patrick Day helps Denis read through his birthday cards, with Denis niece looking on. Simon Herbers, David Colhour and Alfonso San Juan. Eric Meyer and Simon Herbers share a laugh. Jim Aalen and Denis, who have developed a close relationship since Denis arrived in Louisville. John Patrick Day with Denis and his sister, Mary Wald.
Happenings at Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center... Prayer Breakfast Page 6 Holy Name Passionist Retreat Center hosted its Seventh Annual Prayer Breakfast on Wednesday, November 8, 2017, featuring the Most Reverend Michael J. Sis, Bishop of the Diocese of San Angelo, Texas. The theme for his talk was The Mystery of the Cross, structured in four parts: (1) The meaning of the CROSS, (2) the meaning of SUFFERING, (3) what we DO with our suffering, and (4) our RESPONSE to the Cross. Attendees listen during Bishop Sis talk. Bishop Michael J. Sis. Other Happenings... Community and staff gathered for a delicious lunch made by José Perez to celebrate the birthdays of Antonio Curto and James Anderson. Cesar Prada teaching a class for the Programa de Acompañamiento Espiritual. Ronan Newbold and James Anderson celebrate Mass for retreatants. Joe Barbieri with a retretant lighting the candle for the First Week of Advent.
Page 7 Harvest on the Hill... Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center On Saturday, October 21, 2017, Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center held its 14 th annual Harvest on the Hill dinner and auction. An Evening in Paradise was yet another fun-filled, successful Harvest on the Hill. A positive energy could be felt in the room as guests visited with each other, bid on auction items and made new friends. Special thanks to this year s Co-chairs, Kathryn Kenney and Angel Throop. Also, thanks to the Passionist Community and everyone for your remarkable generosity, hard work and tireless efforts. The Crew (l-r): Alan Phillip, John Rockenbach, Mike Higgins, Arthur Carrillo, Mike Hoolahan and Bruno D Souza. Co-chairs Kathryn Kenney and Angel Throop. Alan Phillip, accompanied by R-lene De Lang, provided some of the entertainment with several songs.