Samaritan Pastoral Ministry

CHESTER – Often we are asked: “What are you doing in Chester?”  We can answer with the same words written by Ven. Bishop Aurelio Bacciarini on  March 21, 1912 to Father Leonardo Mazzucchi: “Here, good has to be done outside the church rather than inside… Are we announcing a First Communion? The announcement made in church and published in the bulletin is just a dead word. We have to go family by family not once but even two or three times, because such is the Roman indifference. Is there a conference for men and youth? We have to go to their homes and pull them out of there. When we visit a sick or an elderly person we must climb the stairs of a house dozens of times. The same thing happens when it involves a marriage, a subsidy, youngsters who were not yet confirmed or have not received First Communion, the enrollment of children in catechism classes, the spreading of Catholic literature, and so on. If we do not do that, we would be here just to hear the confessions of a few women and let the majority of people sleep in a dreadful religious indifference.”   Archbishop Chaput asked us to formally apply for this new commitment in the City of Chester. His availability to allow us to canonically cooperate in the local Parish of St. Katherine Drexel will be a new way of evangelization as our Founder invited us, going in the streets in order to “prepare people to populate Paradise, to lead to God hearts created to love and bless Him forever.” (February 1896)

First Anniversary of the Canonization of the Founder

First Anniversary of the Canonization of the Founder

We hold in our hearts the indelible memory; our soul is still full of an immense gratitude to the Church and to our Father for his holiness, spring of life for all of us.

October 23, 2011 – October 23, 2012

The Guanellian Family Celebrates

 One year has gone by. Our joy is the same today and the abundant graces for the Guanellian Congregations have enriched us. A new fervor has also animated the great family of the Guanellian Lay Movement inspired by the Guanellian Charism.

 

Besides the Guanellian celebration, the month of October is loaded with many spiritual blessings of a long lasting nature.

Benedict XVI has proclaimed the “Year of Faith” beginning October 11, 2012 on the 50^th Anniversary of the Opening of Vatican II and the 20^th Anniversary of the Publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Year of Faith will end on the Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, on November 24, 2013.

Another occasion of spiritual renewal, celebrated this October, is the XIII General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. The theme of the Synod is “The new Evangelization for the Transmission of the Christian Faith.” Our historical context asks all Christians to make the task of announcing and transmitting our faith explicit and operative. Consecrated Persons, because of their baptismal identity and their religious consecration, are called to be committed announcers of the Gospel and authentic servants of charity in witnessing our faith.

St. Louis Center Aktion Club Hosts 3rd Annual Fun Run

Chelsea – On August 15, 2012, the Saint Louis Center and the Aktion Club held its 3rd Annual Fun Run/Walk to raise funds for Faith in Action, Chelsea. About 40 residents participated in the event; some parents were even present for the fun. Dan Roberts, father of Lisa, the Rotta family, the Dunbars, and Pat Valaer, made a special trip to help encourage their children. Mike Dunbar, a resident in the adult program, decided to run the event instead of walk. He even inspired one of the younger residents, Eddie Johnson, to run a lap. “That was truly an amazing accomplishment for Eddie. I am so proud of him,” said Fitness Specialist, Caitlin Deis.

The Servants of Charity priests were on hand to encourage the residents as well as other staff members. When everyone finished walking, they were served popsicles and water.

About $730 was raised for the Aktion Club to present to Faith in Action. Their goal was to raise $800, double of last year’s goal, and next year they hope to double the amount again.

It is not too late if you would like to contribute to the Fun Run. Contact Christine Stehlik at 734-475-8430 or visit stlouiscenter.org to donate online, be sure to put SLC Fun Run into the comments box to designate your gift.

To learn more about Faith in Action, please visit their website.

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Baptism: Birth into God’s Family

Manila – On August 15th the Servants of Charity community celebrated not only the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, but also the birth of five special children into God’s family through the sacrament of Baptism. The Holy Mass was celebrated by the Provincial Superior himself, Fr. Luigi De Giambattista. The five newly baptized special children are: Bernie, JP (after Blessed John Paul II, as per Fr. Luigi), Ronnie, Josephand Lito. Father Luigi focused his homily on the role of godfathers and godmothers in the absence or in place of the parents. He stressed the guiding principles; that the responsibility of the godparents is not merely the “pakimkim (gifts)” that they will give to their “inaanak (godchild)”.

Truly, God shows His love and grace through the sacraments. Thank you Lord for constantly inviting us into Your family, for calling us to be Your sons and daughters. Amen.

DSMPs Celebrate 25th Anniversary

Bangalore – The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence are currently celebrating 25 years of service to the poor and needy in the Diocese of Bangalore. Watch this video for some highlights of their ministry.

A Word of Gratitude and a Plead for Prayer

As I am about to leave the Philippines for Rome to start the new assignment that I received at the end of the Chapter, I take this opportunity to once again thank all the confreres, seminarians, sisters, Collaborators and staff who have expressed to me their fraternal support, wishes and prayers. Reserving another moment for expressing more specifically my feelings and gratitude, I kindly ask everyone for more prayers so that I may be able to continue to offer my humble contribution in the service of the Lord, of the Congregation and of our beautiful mission among the poor.  May we all continue to support and encourage one another in growing in the genuine spirit of St. Louis Guanella, our father, founder and model. May our Mother of Divine Providence protect and guide us along the journey, sustaining our joyful perseverance until the end.

Looking into the Immediate Future

Following the General Chapter and the election of the Superior General and his new Council, the provinces and the delegation of the Congregation will soon face the need to renew their leadership and animating teams. In view of forming new Provincial Councils, at the beginning of September our Superior General will send a letter of consultation that will indicate possible candidates for such an important responsibility. Until the new leadership teams have been appointed, the present Provincial Council will continue to carry-on its duties and responsibilities. We must pray that the Spirit of the Lord may inspire everyone to seek and discern what is the best decision for the Glory of God and the growth of the genuine Guanellian Spirit in our province and the whole congregation.

Priest to Celebrate 25 Years of Service to Parish

EAST PROVIDENCE – Fr. Peter Di Tullio, SdC, will celebrate his 25^th anniversary as a Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in East Providence, RI. The celebration will take place on September 29, 2012 beginning with a Mass of Thanksgiving at 5:00 pm, followed by a dinner in the church hall. All parishioners would like to thank Father Peter for the immense work he has done for the parish, both souls and buildings. We cannot thank him enough for his constant presence, especially among the sick and the needy. The parochial school is still open because of his belief that a Catholic education is fundamental for the future of Catholic families and children. The name of Saint Louis Guanella, carried by Father in words and deeds, is a blessing for the parish.

On October 1, 2012, Father Silvio De Nard, SdC, will become the new Pastor, while Father Peter will assist him. We welcome the new Pastor with all our heart, grateful to the Servants of Charity for having given us the gift of two of their members. May the Lord bless them both.

The installation of Father Silvio will be celebrated by Bishop Thomas Tobin at the end of October 2012.

From Fr. Luigi:

On this Centennial Anniversary year of Don Guanella’s missionary trip to the USA, we warmly congratulate Fr. Peter De Tuilio, who will celebrate his SILVER JUBILEE as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in East Providence, Rhode Island on September 29th. We join the people of God, the confreres, the sisters and lay cooperators in thanking the Lord for the abundant blessings poured upon this dynamic and hardworking confrere who is now turning over the responsibility of the Parish to Fr. Silvio De Nard. To both of them, our sincere appreciation and warm wishes for the further growth of the Gospel in the community entrusted to their pastoral care. Our special thanks go also to our Guanellian Sisters who are sharing the precious ministry of Catholic Education in the Local Parochial School.

New Workers in the Vineyard of the Lord

India – On September 15th, our three newly ordained confreres will start their priestly ministry within their assigned communities. Fr. John Peter in Vatluru, Fr. Kanikkai Raj at GPN Bangalore and Fr. Domenic Baskar at DGRC, Poonamallee. To each of them our warm wishes for a fruitful and joyful service to Jesus, the Church, the Congregation and to the poor. We accompany them with our love and prayers. ( A more detailed report and photos will soon follow.)

Moved by the Spirit, Urged into Action

In February 1896, Don Guanella wrote an article for the magazine “La Divina Provvidenza”, entitled “The Catholic Vision”. I quote some of his lines:

“In the past, the world was coming toward us; now it turns its back on us. In the past it was enough for us to stay inside our Churches and offices; now we must move outward, getting out of our sacristies if we don’t want to run the risk of finding ourselves guilty of being locked in dishonorable isolation. To us indeed now these words of the Gospel are addressed: “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the towns and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” (Luke 14:21).

Some may object: “We have our pulpits, our confessionals; let people come to us where we live and where we carry out our assignments”.

If they don’t come, if the voice of the bell instead of attracting them seems to chase them away, should we remain indifferent in front of such deplorable desertion, simply shaking the dust from our feet and throwing them the harsh words of Jeremiah: “Those who want to get lost, Let them get lost”.

Did it perhaps happen that the world moved first towards Jesus or is it true the other way around? Were Rome and Athens asking the apostles Peter and Paul for the Gospel? Let us imagine that in our place there are Saint Francis de Sales or St. Francis Xavier; after spending an hour of adoration, after practicing severe self-discipline and celebrating the holy mass with angelic devotion, how would they spend the rest of their day? Would they remain comfortably seated, observing the dangerous storms that afflict humankind, noticing only from which direction the wind blows, simply being content at counting how many boats are sinking, without providing any rescue to those in danger, without throwing the ropes to them and extending their helping hands?

Someone may say; “How could a few isolated individuals, cope with such a huge task? How? Bring together your human resources, join forces and orient them all toward the common goal.

We promote collaboration to develop sciences, to manage business, to dig channels, to populate newly discovered areas. Shouldn’t we join efforts likewise to populate heaven, to bring God to human hearts which are made to love and bless Him eternally? May the Lord help us!”

In these lines written more than a century ago, Don Guanella shared something of the passion for the Church’s evangelizing mission that burned within his heart and that urged him into action without hesitation or fear, neither counting the cost, nor being intimidated by the risks. What our founder felt, experienced and boldly proposed sounds so much in tune with the call of the Spirit to the Church of our time, an appeal that has been continually re-echoed and broadcasted by the pastoral ministry of Pope Benedict XVI.

The wind of the New Evangelization that has blown throughout the duration of our 19^th General Chapter, is now urging us to welcome the inspirations felt and the decisions made during that assembly allowing ourselves to be continually set on fire for the beautiful mission entrusted to us, Servants of God’s Love among his poor.

Let us simply cherish in our hearts and translate into attitudes and pastoral decisions the prophetic reminders of our Saint.

• Ours is a time of difficulties and challenges, as well as of graces and unique opportunities.
• It’s time again for us to be evangelized and converted anew to the Lord, fascinated by the everlasting beauty of the Gospel. It’s a time to overcome fears, to put aside timidity and mere human calculations, to fight laziness, to reject temptations of mediocrity and selfishness.
• It’s a time to go out not only of our sacristies and offices, but most of all, our “comfort zone,” individualistic habits, and self-centeredness.
• It’s a time to take new fresh, bolder steps to be more visible and present to the poor and the marginalized with the heart, mind and hands of Jesus, to become their closest friends, companions, joyful and humble servants.
• It’s a time to deepen our love for the Church, our mother, our home and our family. Time to insert more and more clearly our life and ministry in the living body of the Local Church which we are called to beautify and enrich with our specific vocation and charism.
• It’s time to feel the urgency to reach out and touch the lives of many brethren who are not yet in the sheepfold, who got lost, who have never been home with the God whom we call our Father.
• It’s time to evangelize together, making our fraternal communion the first and most credible sign of our mission.
• It’s time to let our consecrated lifestyle speak louder than our words.
• It’s time to help and challenge one another to throw away what is futile, worldly, un-Christian and focus instead on the essential of our public commitment.
• And the essential is; “In Omnibus Charitas”; “To make Charity the heart of the world!”

 

Fr. Luigi