VOLUME 5, NUMBER 4, WINTER 2013
PUBLISHED BY THE REDEMPTORISTS
REDEMPTION
Jubilarians ‘thank God for His call’
PROVINCIAL’S PREFACE
Greetings and blessings in the Lord! Father Michael Brehl, Superior General of the Redemptorists, and his general council have declared the year 2013–14 as the Year of Missionary Vocation Promotion for all Redemptorists in the 78 countries where we live and serve. On October 6, 2013, I shared with three wonderful Redemptorists and priests their jubilee celebrations at the Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia. Father John Hamrogue, a wonderful priest of 50 years, has served in the English-speaking Caribbean of St. Lucia and Dominica, in the formation of students, and in many different parishes in our province. He is now serving at the
Plentiful Redemption © 2013 Plentiful Redemption is distributed quarterly to friends and collaborators of the Redemptorists. We aim to tell the story of God’s bountiful love and inspire our readers to partner with us to continue spreading the Good News to all people, especially the poor and most spiritually abandoned. Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement 107 Duke of Gloucester St. Annapolis, MD 21401-2526 Toll free: 877-876-7662 redemptorists.net Editor: Mary C. Weaver editor@redemptorists.net
2
Executive Director: James C. Link jlink@redemptorists.net
Shrine of St. John Neumann. Father Gordon Cannoles, my classmate, celebrated 50 years as a Redemptorist, 40 of those years as a priest in Asunción, Paraguay. He was made an honorary citizen of Asunción, and he’s now serving at the Shrine of St. John Neumann. Father Al Bradley celebrated 25 years of priesthood, serving in St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, on the Redemptorist council of our province for many years, and now as pastor and superior of the Shrine of St. John Neumann. I also am celebrating 50 years as a Redemptorist, having spent the first 26 years of my priesthood in Puerto Rico and now serving as Provincial Superior. On February 15, 2014, four of our confreres will be ordained priests in Boston. On May 31, 2014, another Redemptorist will be ordained a priest in Annapolis, Md. In 2014 three more Redemptorists will be ordained deacons of the Church and in 2015 will be ordained priests. We as Catholics want to see more vocations to the priesthood and religious life. We beg the Lord to send laborers into his vineyard—especially to us as Redemptorists. I thank God for my vocation as a priest and Redemptorist. It has been a won-
derful call and vocation to serve God and his people and also a time to understand the mercy, forgiveness, and love of God. It has been a time to love and to be loved by so many people, to give my life for the people of God, and to be part of their family. I thank God every day for my vocation. I thank you, dear friends of the Redemptorists, for all your support, prayers, and financial help in the formation of our students and future Redemptorists: men who will touch the lives of thousands and thousands of people because of your support, prayers, and financial help. You are a special gift to all of us. I and all the Redemptorists thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May Jesus Christ be praised! May we all be instruments of giving honor and glory to God by the way we live and by the way we serve and help one another! We are most grateful for the blessing that each one of you is to us. Love and prayers,
Father Kevin Moley, C.Ss.R. Provincial Superior
We wish you a happy, holy Advent and Christmas! “From starry skies descending, Thou comest, glorious King. A manger low Thy bed, In winter’s icy sting; O my dearest Child most holy, Shuddering, trembling in the cold!” —From St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Christmas carol, “Tu Scendi Dalle Stelle”
ADVANCING THE MISSION Recently I had the opportunity to attend the jubilee celebration of four priests at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann, the only American man to be canonized and first to join the Redemptorists in the United States. To say the event was inspiring would be an understatement. Among the jubilarians was Father Kevin Moley, our Provincial Superior, who celebrated 50 years as a Redemptorist. I’ve known Father Moley as a talented administrator and visionary leader, but I saw him in a new light that day. Although it’s been years since he served as pastor of St. Peter the Apostle, the parish that sponsors the Neumann Shrine, Father Moley received a hero’s welcome. It was the kind of response I imagine Eisenhower received when he returned home after liberating Europe. I had never seen such an outpouring of affection and admiration. An hour before Mass I was chatting with Father Moley in the vestibule. With tears of joy welling up in his eyes, a man came up to thank Father for saving his son. Several years ago, the boy had been in a horrific car accident and was not expected to survive. As soon as Father Moley heard the news, he rushed to the hospital to anoint the young man and bless him with a relic of St. John Neumann. Almost immediately the boy began to recover, startling health-care professionals who had told the family he wouldn’t live through the night. With characteristic humility, Father Moley was quick to mention that he had little to do with the healing. It was the Lord’s doing, through the intercession of St. John Neumann. The parade of grateful parishioners continued. Some recounted similar healings. Others recalled how Father Moley had helped them become U.S. citizens or prayed with them when they lost their jobs. He counselled others through problems in their marriage, comforted aging parents, and inspired adult children to return to the faith. Father Moley was the tangible expression of Christ’s unconditional love for His people—and their gratitude was palpable. The jubilee illustrated why Redemptorists are revered the world over. They’re loved by those they serve because they consistently put the needs of others first. Having experienced plentiful redemption in their own lives, Redemptorists are eager to share God’s love and mercy with all whom they encounter—especially the poor and abandoned. A more joyful community of priests and brothers would be hard to find. As we give thanks for the Lord’s abundant blessings, I invite our readers to join me in making a generous year-end contribution to the Redemptorists. By supporting them with our prayers and sacrificial gifts, we fuel their ministry to the poor and most abandoned. Those who are age 70½ or older may have an added incentive to give through their individual retirement account before December 31, 2013. People aged 70½ or older who have an IRA are required to take an annual minimum distribution—whether they need the money or not. This distribution is taxed as ordinary income. However, if they don’t need the income and want to avoid paying tax on it, they can direct their required IRA distribution to qualified charities such as the Redemptorists. Those who wish to do so are encouraged to call their IRA administrator or contact us at 877-876-7662 or development@redemptorists.net. There’s nothing more important than spreading the Gospel and building the Kingdom. Our generous support of the Redemptorists does both. Gratefully, James Link Executive Director
Would you like to receive Plentiful Redemption by e-mail also? Subscribers get immediate access when each new issue is published—as well as news updates and goodies such as our annual Lenten Reflections guide.
Just point your web browser to redemptoristmedia.com/ or send a blank e-mail to redemptorist_news@getresponse.com.
Sign up now!
Winter 2013 3
Courtesy of Patrick Hayes
Father Ciriaco Olarte Pérez de Mendiguren
Father Miguel Goñi Áriz
Father Javier Gorosterratzu Jaunarena
Sharing the sufferings of Christ Six Redemptorist martyrs were beatified in Spain on October 13. The heavenly choir now has six more Redemptorists whom we can call by name. They were beatified on October 13 during a Mass in Tarragona, Spain. The Martyrs of Cuenca, as the six are known, gave their lives during the bloody Spanish Civil War of 1936–39. The conflict claimed the lives of approximately 270,000 people, including soldiers and civilians. About 6,850 died as a direct result of religious persecution, wrote Father Michael Brehl, the Redemptorist Superior General, in an October 5 statement. Among those, 13 were bishops, and more than 6,000 were priests and religious. “As the Year of Faith draws to a close, the beatification . . . celebrates the witness of martyrdom as an act of trust in our faithful Creator, as well as sharing the sufferings of Christ,” said Father Brehl.
Father Julián Pozo Ruiz de Samaniego
4 Plentiful Redemption
He noted that for the first 200 years of the Redemptorists’ history, not one of the Congregation’s missionaries was recognized as a martyr. “I doubt that [St.] Alphonsus ever thought that the first members of his Congregation to experience martyrdom would do so in Spain,” he said. “It is remarkable that since 2001 the Church has recognized 11 Redemptorist martyrs who gave their lives for Christ and his people, all in the 20th century, and all in Europe—in Spain, Ukraine, and Slovakia.” He said that the six Spanish confreres who died were in most ways ordinary Redemptorist missionaries. Father Javier Gorosterratzu was a historian who was supposed to be in Rome, conducting research in the Vatican archives. Father Ciriaco Olarte had been a missionary in
Brother Victoriano Calvo Lozano
Father Pedro Romero Espejo
Catholic News Agency
Cardinal Angelo Amato presided during the October 13 beatification Mass of martyrs of the Spanish Civil War, including six Redemptorist missionaries. Present during the Mass, held in the Catalonian region of Spain, were some 4,000 relatives of those being beatified.
Mexico who went back to Spain precisely because of the revolution and religious persecution taking place there. Fathers Miguel Goñi and Julián Pozo were in poor health and were limited in their missionary activity. Brother Victoriano Calvo was a quiet man of prayer and service. Father Pedro Romero, judged by his superiors as “unqualified for extraordinary ministry,” showed extraordinary courage as he continued to minister in Cuenca, often living on the streets during the persecution. He died in prison two years after he was forced to leave the Redemptorist residence. The Martyrs of Cuenca “testify to the truth that the call to martyrdom can come to any disciple at the most unexpected time and in the least expected place,” Father Brehl said. In a pastoral letter issued in midOctober, Bishop Demetrio Fernandez of Cordoba, Spain, said that the Church honors her martyrs “because they were capable of showing the world the definitive victory of love over hatred.” The martyrs “learned to love to the extreme because when they were attacked and killed, they knew how to forgive as Christ did,” he said. These martyrs did not die on the battlefield but were sought after in their
‘As the Year of Faith draws to a close, the beatification of these martyrs celebrates the witness of martyrdom as an act of trust in our faithful Creator, as well as sharing the sufferings of Christ.’ —Father Michael Brehl
homes and taken to the firing line because they were priests and religious. “They were killed out of hatred for the faith.” Bishop Fernandez described the martyrs’ beatification as a celebration of their great love. This “historical memory” of the martyrs is not a political statement, he said, but rather aims to “sing the praises of God and encourage us to love and to forgive.” “It is therefore a festival of glory and mercy,” he said. “Once again we see that
the last word does not belong to hatred and sin but instead to the merciful love of God.” Few Redemptorist missionaries will be asked to die violently for the faith. But all of us, Father Brehl said, “are called to give our lives for plentiful redemption through the proclamation of the Gospel and service of our brothers and sisters.” v You can learn much more about the Martyrs of Cuenca on the Spanishlanguage website www.redentoristas. org/. If you visit the site using the Google Chrome browser, you can simply click to view the site in translation. Winter 2013 5
Mary C. Weaver
The October 6 jubilee Mass was a blessing to both the community and the honorees, said Provincial Superior Father Kevin Moley (second from left). Also pictured above are (from left) Deacon Juan Ramos and Fathers Gordon Cannoles, Matthew Allman, John Hamrogue, and Arthur Gildea.
Celebrating 175 years serving God’s people Four Redemptorist priests recently marked their golden and silver anniversaries at the Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia. By Mary C. Weaver
Any jubilee is a cause of joy, whether we’re celebrating 50 years of marriage or of religious life. And although we acknowledge the human effort involved in reaching such a milestone, it’s “really about what God is doing,” said Father Kevin Moley, Redemptorist Provincial Superior, the week after a special Mass honoring four men with a collective 175 years of service to God and his people. “It’s also a celebration of parents and everyone who influenced our life and blessed us in our formation and our education,” he said. “And it’s a blessing to the people we serve—the people who constantly inspire us, challenge us, correct us, bless us, and help us and who become part of our family.” A jubilee, he said, is “a celebration of the men themselves, who heard the call of God, responded to that call, and decided to serve the Lord and his people.” The October 6 jubilee Mass was held at the Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia, part of St. Peter the Apostle Church. 6 Plentiful Redemption
Celebrating 50 years since profession are Fathers Gordon Cannoles and Moley (August 2, 1963). Father John Hamrogue celebrates 50 years since his priestly ordination (June 23, 1963), and Father Alfred Bradley—director of the shrine and pastor of the parish—celebrates 25 years since ordination (May 14, 1988). Fathers Cannoles and Hamrogue are also on staff at the parish, both serving as associate vicars. In his homily, given in Spanish, Father Moley reminisced that he and Father Cannoles were classmates who studied together at the minor seminary in North East, Pa., from the time they were 14 years old. He quipped that “Gordon looks younger than me and more handsome, but he paid me to say that.” After ordination, Father Moley said, “He went to Paraguay, in the same way that St. John Neumann came to the United States, and Father Gordon spent his life serving the people there. His father died while he was in Paraguay, just as the
Mary C. Weaver
Father Alfred Bradley, director of the St. John Neumann Shrine and pastor of St. Peter the Apostle Parish, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his priestly ordination.
During his homily, Father Moley said that a jubilee is “a blessing also to the people we serve . . . who constantly inspire us, challenge us, bless us, and help us and who become part of our family.”
The anniversary celebration took place during the shrine’s 11 a.m. Sunday Mass in Spanish.
mother of St. John Neumann died while he was serving in the United States.” Having spent 40 years in Paraguay, Father Cannoles was made an honorary citizen of Asunción before his return to the States. Referring to the day’s Gospel reading from Luke 17, Father Moley said, “I’m sure Father Gordon would say, ‘I am only a servant. I have only done what I was obliged to do.’” During his 50 years as a priest Father Hamrogue played a special role in helping to form young men, said Father Moley. “He has been a professor and a director of students at the seminary and has had great responsibilities in the formation of young people studying for the priesthood and religious life.” Father Hamrogue served in Dominica, St. Lucia, and Colombia as well as stateside, preached missions, and worked in Hispanic ministry. “Knowing the needs of the Church, Father John learned to speak Spanish,” said Father Moley, “and now he is with you, in an apostolate he loves so much.” “I’m sure Father John would say, ‘I am only a servant. I have only done what I had to do.’” Father Bradley has served in the Virgin Islands and in 1994 was appointed vicar general for the Diocese of St. Thomas. “That’s a position usually given to a diocesan priest,” said Father Moley, “but Bishop [Elliot See Jubilee on page 10
Winter 2013 7
Richard Curran
Deacon David Verghese receives the Book of the Gospels from Cardinal Seán O’Malley, the archbishop of Boston, during an October 12 Mass at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Chestnut Hill.
The fulfillment of a dream David Verghese makes his final profession and is ordained a deacon. He is scheduled for priestly ordination in May 2014. By Mary C. Weaver
On October 11, when David Verghese made his final profession as a Redemptorist, he couldn’t help but recall a pivotal moment from a retreat he had once attended at Mount St. Alphonsus in Esopus, N.Y., long the location of the Redemptorists’ major seminary. “We visited the graves of all the men who were buried there and lit candles for them,” he said. “I remember thinking how wonderful to give your whole life as a Redemptorist—what a great gift that would be.” That life is now a reality for David Verghese, 33, ordained a deacon in Boston on October 12. Cardinal Seán O’Malley, the archbishop of Boston, presided, ordaining Deacon Verghese as well as eight Jesuit deacons. The Mass was held at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Chestnut Hill. Deacon Verghese had taken his final vows as a Redemptorist the previous day during a Mass at The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Mission Church) in Boston. Provincial Superior Father Kevin Moley received his promises of poverty, 8 Plentiful Redemption
chastity, obedience, and perseverance. In the days before his ordination, he said, “I was nervous, but on the day itself I felt a wonderful sense of peace. It was the fulfillment of all that I’d dreamed of. “Looking out on the people’s faces, we could see that they were so happy for us and genuinely in deep prayer. I felt a sense of joy, thinking about giving my life for these people.” Attending the ordination Mass were the new deacon’s parents; brother and family; three uncles; a number of cousins, including one who is studying for the priesthood for the Diocese of Lubbock, Texas; and some family members on his mother’s side who had traveled from India. Deacon Verghese is scheduled for ordination as a priest on May 31 in Annapolis, Md. A native of Leonardtown, Md., he grew up in St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parish and graduated from St. Mary’s Ryken High School in 1998. He spent a year working with the Missionaries of Charity in Washington, D.C., before entering the Redemptorist formation program in Whitestone, N.Y., in 2004.
At left, Redemptorist Fathers Denis Sweeney of Mission Church in Boston and Provincial Superior Kevin Moley share a laugh with the newly ordained deacons.
With the laying on of hands, Cardinal O’Malley invokes the Holy Spirit to come down upon the new deacon, giving him a sacred character and setting him apart for his ministry.
The Redemptorists weren’t the only congregation he considered. He also thought about the Franciscans of the Immaculate and the Missionaries of Charity Fathers. In 2007 he took a detour, becoming a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Washington. But two years later he rejoined the Redemptorist formation program in Boston. He completed his theological studies at Boston College in May 2012 and this past summer finished a pastoral year at St. Gerard Church in Lima, Ohio. There he visited the sick in local hospitals, taught in the parish school, and ministered to prisoners in two correctional facilities. Prison ministry, he said, “was very gratifying for us because the men were so hungry for the Word of God and for the Church. It was eye-opening because I didn’t expect to meet such faithful Catholics in prison.” Working with children in the parish school posed challenges of its own. “It was a little difficult because I was one of two guys who were walking around in religious garb, and the kids wanted to know what it was all about,” Deacon Verghese said.
Fathers Moley and Sweeney pose with Deacon David Verghese after his ordination Mass. He is scheduled for priestly ordination on May 31.
“They had lots of questions—why do you wear this habit, and why does it look like a dress? But it was good because it allowed us to explain the philosophy and teach them more about the Church.” Deacon Verghese is now in residence at St. Mary Church in Annapolis. As a deacon, he will be able to perform baptisms, witness marriage vows, proclaim the Gospel and preach at Mass, and officiate at wakes and funerals. Deacons are servants of the people of God, as Cardinal O’Malley said during his homily October 12. That’s a point he kept returning to, said Deacon Verghese. “He talked about shepherds, and how they smell like the sheep. And he said that when we get to heaven, there might be a sniff test—meaning that the Lord would find out whether we smell like the sheep.” Over the next several months the new deacon will have plenty of opportunities to mingle with the flock and serve them. And perhaps get a head start on that sniff test as he prepares for his priestly ordination May 31. v See more photos on page 10
Winter 2013 9
Richard Curran
Deacon continued from page 9
The nine men soon to be ordained as deacons—eight Jesuits and Redemptorist David Verghese—prostrate themselves while the Litany of the Saints is sung.
In the Gospel reading for October 6, Jesus says to his apostles, “When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do’” (Luke 17:10).
Saying yes to God’s call Jubilee continued from page 7
Thomas] wanted Father Al as his vicar general— the most important post in the diocese, after the bishop himself.” He has also been vicar for the Baltimore Province. After the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Father Moley said, Father Bradley was sent there to help the Redemptorists in the reconstruction of churches and the seminary destroyed by the disaster. “I’m sure Father Al would say of himself, ‘I am only a servant. I haven’t done any more than I should.’” Father Moley didn’t discuss his own years with the Redemptorists, beginning with 26 years of ministry in Puerto Rico, including service as provincial vicar and provincial for the San Juan Province. In 1996 he was transferred to the Baltimore Province so he could care for his mother, and from 2000–03 he served as provincial—a role he took up again in early 2011. “We thank God for these three brothers and priests,” Father Moley said in concluding his homily. “We celebrate this Mass with great joy for all that God has done in their lives and will continue to do. We thank you very much for all of your sacrifices, your example, and your service to the Lord and to each other.” No doubt Father Moley would also say of himself, “I am just a servant. I have only done what I had to do.” v 10 Plentiful Redemption
THE BEAUTIFUL CROWN
Rev. Daniel John Carboy Born: November 6, 1939 Professed: August 2, 1961 Ordained: June 19, 1966 Died: August 22, 2013 The Rev. Daniel John Carboy, C.Ss.R., 73, died on August 22, 2013, while receiving hospice care at St. John Neumann Residence at Stella Maris in Timonium, Md. Father Carboy was born on November 6, 1939. His parents were members of Our Lady of Angels Parish and then Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, N.Y.
He professed his first vows as a Redemptorist on August 2, 1961, was ordained on June 19, 1966, and died on August 22, 2013— the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He attended high school at St. Mary’s College, the Redemptorist Preparatory Seminary, in North East, Pa. When he finished his novitiate year in Ilchester, Md., he went on to complete his theological studies at Mount St. Alphonsus, the Major Seminary in Esopus, N.Y., where he was ordained. From 1968 to 1972 he served in parochial ministry at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Baltimore, in extraordinary preaching ministry at Notre Dame Retreat House in Canandaigua, N.Y., and then as assistant to the Novice Master in Ilchester, Md. For the next 20 years he served as an Air Force chaplain in the Archdiocese for the
Military Services. In 1992 Father Carboy retired from the Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He returned to parochial ministry in the Vice-Province of Richmond as pastor for six years in Concord, N.C., pastor for six years in Sumter, S.C., and superior for four years at St. Alphonsus Villa in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. In 2008 he worked for one year in Virginia, but ill health forced his retirement from active ministry and his return to the Villa. He lived in New Smyrna from 2009 until he moved to the St. John Neumann Residence in July 2013. “I will miss his joyful spirit most of all,” said close friend Father Karl Aschmann. “He was always positive, never down in the dumps. And that is a real blessing and welcomed addition to those who live a community life.” v
“Let us not lose the beautiful crown which I see prepared for everyone who lives in observance and dies in the Congregation.” —St. Alphonsus Liguori
The children of St. Clement Parish in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and those of Our Lady of Assumption in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia, have a special bond. Yes, all the youngsters are members of Redemptorist parishes—but they’re also connected in a special way through St. Clement’s Kids Helping Kids 5K Walk. The 2013 event, held at St. Clement on April 13, raised $8,000 for the children of Our Lady of Assumption, but it also raised awareness, said Maureen Rivers, coordinator of St. Clement’s office of faith formation. Father Kevin Murray, C.Ss.R., the pastor of the St. Lucia parish, “does not have the means to provide the necessary materials and books for faith formation for its children,” Ms. Rivers said. But that $8,000 in U.S. currency will go a long way toward meeting the youngsters’ needs. Father Murray was present for the
Courtesy of Maureen Rivers
Kids from Saratoga Springs and St. Lucia parishes share a special bond
Children and adults from St. Clement Parish in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., helped raise $8,000 for Redemptorist Father Kevin Murray’s parish in St. Lucia during the April 2013 Kids Helping Kids 5K Walk. The 2014 event will take place on April 12.
2013 walk, meeting, speaking with, and thanking the children and families of St. Clement. The first communicants in the Saratoga Springs parish also formed spiritual bonds with their counterparts in the
Caribbean, praying for them and sending them cards, said Ms. Rivers. The 2014 event is set for April 12, and the proceeds will once again benefit the people of Father Murray’s St. Lucia parish. v Winter 2013 11
The Redemptorists
NON-PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID MERRIFIELD VA PERMIT 6203
Redemptorist Office for Mission Advancement 107 Duke of Gloucester St. Annapolis, MD 21401-2526 redemptorists.net
Archivist and historian receives lifetime achievement award Redemptorist Father Carl Hoegerl was recognized for a lifetime of achievement in the field of Redemptorist historical studies during a recent conference held in Canandaigua, N.Y. More than 30 people from the Baltimore, Denver, and Edmonton–Toronto provinces attended the meeting—the sixth triennial Redemptorist history conference. It took place at the Notre Dame Retreat House from September 30 through October 4. Father Hoegerl, Redemptorist historian and archivist, received the Seelos Historical Award during a banquet October 3. The award is named in honor of Blessed Francis Xavier Seelos, whose memorial is celebrated October 5. As the Seelos Center newsletter recently noted, Father Hoegerl spent 13 years compiling the 2,220-plus page Positio that played a significant role in Father Seelos’ beatification process. v Father Carl Hoegerl (center) shows the Seelos Historical Award he received October 3 during the 2013 Redemptorist history conference in Canandaigua, N.Y. With him are (left) Father Jack Kingsbury, coordinator for the Redemptorists’ North American conference, and Father Kevin Moley, Provincial Superior for the Baltimore Province.