Holy Cross
Passionist Family
Newsletter.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
Volume 17,
Issue 10
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Dear Friends of the Passionists, As I write this letter, I am about to leave Australia with Fr. Brian Gleeson CP, for the Philippines. We will be joining, Fr. Joachim Rego CP (Provincial), Fr. Brian Traynor CP, Fr. Kevin Hennessy CP for meetings of the PASPAC CONFIGERATION (Passionists from the Asia Pacific region). There will be a meeting entitled Solidarity for Mission and Life and a Leaders’ Formation Workshop for Major Superiors and Provincial Council members. While meetings of Passionists in the Asia Pacific have been occurring for many years and have done much to strengthen the bonds between us, this will be the first time that a workshop for Major Superiors and Provincial Councils has been organised. It will be wonderful to experience life in the Philippines, to meet fellow Passionists from across the region and learn from their collective experiences as well as a valuable learning for us in our ministry of leadership. Our Province has been blessed with Passionists from Indonesia, Korea, Philippines, India, Papua New Guinea, and Japan living and ministering with us and more recently we have students from China and Vietnam attending their novitiate in Adelaide. So we have much to rejoice in and ask for your prayers during this time sharing and on collaboration. At our ‘Come Away Retreat Day’ yesterday (Thursday), the last for the year, we led the retreatants to reflect on the last twelve months through the lens of the ‘The Seasons Our Year’. We reflected on the season of summer and what it offered us, what were the fruits we reaped from the previous year. What could we be thankful for and rejoice in? The summer rains after the 10 year drought brought a very different summer for us. As we looked at autumn and noted the losing of the leaves by the trees, we asked ‘what has been our experience of letting go this year? Has there been something in particular that we’ve been asked to let go?’ Winter which was particularly bitter this year left us questioning ‘dormancy’. In so many ways the trees and a lot of nature appears dormant and yet it is slowly re-gaining its energy for the seasons ahead. We paused to consider our ‘winter moments’. We also looked at our lives and the need for ‘down time’ to regain our energy strength and focus. Finally, we reflected on the season of spring. The budding forth of new growth and especially this year after such bountiful rains, led us to ask ‘what has come to life in and for us during my spring? Has there been a sense of new life emerging?’ I cannot but reflect on the ‘Seasons of Holy Cross’ without feeling a deep sense of gratitude for all that this year has been for the Passionist Community and the Holy Cross Centre. There have been many blessings and also our share of sadness. Fr. Mark Nugent CP died a little over 3 months ago and many of you have lost ones near and dear to you. One of our greatest joys as Passionists is the continued outreach of our Retreat Centre as source of God’s healing and presence to so many. We Passionists know that this would not be possible without your continued love and support reflected in the many ways in which you contribute to our life and mission. On behalf of the Passionist Community, I would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation. As we begin our Advent journey may we come to know more deeply our Emmanuel ‘God -who-is- with- us’. God’s peace and blessing, Fr. John Curtis cp.
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Tales from America – 3:
In the July & October Newsletters, Fr Denis CP reported briefly on his official visitation to the USA, and in addition, he provided a most interesting and personal insight into the story of Oskar Schindler - a story we know well from the Movie, ‘Schindler’s List’. Fr Denis now concludes his ‘report’ on his USA visit with another very interesting story: :Tales from America III One of the finest violinists in the world today is Joshua Bell. A story is told of a recent time when he was playing in Boston to a full Concert Hall (perhaps a thousand people) all paying significant prices for their tickets (with $100 being a minimum price).
Around the same time he was asked to take part in an experiment. He was asked to stand in a subway entrance area – that is, at the tunnel into the underground train system, much like a ‘busker’ - and to play for the general public. He agreed to do so and thus there he was playing for 45 minutes in the passageway. Since he was also using his $3 million dollar violin he also had the case on the ground (and left it open). Perhaps 2000 people walked past him in that 45 minute session and all in all he collected $32 in his violin case. It was estimated that around 20 people only stood and bothered to listen to him and his music. Some children did so, but parents in a hurry soon pulled them further along the subway entrance and they moved on.
There must be so many lessons for us in this experiment. You may well be able to fill them in yourself. I am sure that our 'perception' of a situation can often trick us into interpreting it inaccurately - i.e. perception tends to become reality! Thus a man playing the violin in a subway can only be a busker and so he can’t be very talented! Another lesson might be to reflect on the pace of life we all lead and to remind ourselves that we can truly miss much of life’s beauty in our rush to get things done.
I hope I am slow enough at times to stop and appreciate the beauty of life, of friends and all that they have to offer.
Till next time, Denis CP. Good News from Fr Tom CP Earlier this week, Fr Tom McDonough CP advised that he continues to recover from his operation. After leaving hospital, Fr Tom was cared for by his sister, Sr Carmel but he has now returned to St Brigid’s, Marrickville. Last Friday, he received the results of pathology and was advised that his cancer, while large and aggressive, had been completely removed. He said he was incredibly grateful to everyone for their thoughtfulness, concern and prayers. He said ‘I know the outcome is due to your prayers’ and ‘be assured, you will continue to be in my heart and prayers’. Tom CP. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- And some interesting ‘trivia’: - from Fr Denis Travers CP.
Dear Holy Cross Newsletter Readers,
Perhaps a little known fact – and one that might be a ‘winner’ at the next trivia night or dinner party that you attend – is that the well known song from the movie Sound of Music namely the song: "Do-Re-Mi" actually witnesses to the work of an 8th century Italian composer and that of a 10th century Italian monk!
The words or ‘names’ we use to identify notes on a scale have their origin in a hymn to St John the Baptist written by Paolo Diacono (720-799). He wrote in Latin of course and if you look closely at his text "Ut queant laxis, Resonare fibris, Mira gestorum, Famuli tuorum, Solve polluti, Labii reatum,"* you might actually see a clue already!
Some 200 hundred years later and using the first letters of the first word in each phrase – Ut/Re/Mi/Fa/So/La/ - an Italian monk named Guido d’Arezzo (990-1050) created the system we still use today to identify the notes of a scale. Originally the first name for a note was the word/sound “Ut” as you can see above, but later it was changed to the more ‘sing-able’ sound of ‘do’ and the even later an extra ‘ti’ was added to complete the set.
So what we identify easily as the scale of seven syllables called do-re-mi-fa-so-la-ti really has both an old and a religious history!
I came across these facts while studying Italian, so I’d best get back to that task!
Every good wish to all from your foreign correspondent.
- Denis CP.
PS: The Latin script above translates to mean: "So that Your servants may sing at the top of one's voices the wonders of Your Acts, absolve the fault from their stained lips."
Since sending the above,
Fr Denis CP
has advised that he has returned to his headquarters in
Rome
after three weeks in Africa.
His role as Vicar on the Passionist General Council involves official
visitation to many Passionist Communities in several countries but he says
that he is now looking forward to spending some holiday time in Australia
in the Christmas/New Year period.
STOP
PRESS?
At Mass
this past Sunday, Fr Chris Mithen CP, reminded us of the time when
our Prime Minister (Fr Chris declined to name him!) visited a Nursing Home,
looking for votes, he entered a room and said to the lady there, ‘do you
know who I am?’ (As you do, as a PM!) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ‘God is a most pure spirit and he cannot be understood by us because he is beyond our understanding. We must worship him in spirit and in truth and immerse ourselves in Him with simplicity, humility and love, in a loving faith, without figures or images.’ St Paul of the Cross.
Community Mass at
Holy Cross: FINAL COMMUNITY MASS FOR 2011: DECEMBER 6TH.
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Celebrating the Feast of The Feast Day of St Paul of the Cross – Founder of our beloved Passionists – (October 19) was celebrated in many countries around the world, in several Passionist communities and also in gatherings of Passionist Companions and supporters.
At Holy Cross Templestowe, a near record number attended the bi-monthly Passionist Companions’ Gathering to celebrate the Feast of St Paul of the Cross with a Mass and supper on October 20th.
To mark the Feast Day, about 40 Companions from St Paul’s Parish and members of the Endeavour Hills Community, Fr Brian Gleeson, Fr Tim O’Toole and Fr James Fernandez, also Passionist Sisters, Sr Brigid CP and Sr Ann CP, travelled by bus to join the Holy Cross Companions & others who came for the occasion.
The Mass was celebrated by Fr John Curtis CP who also presented the Homily. (Fr John actually ‘came off the bench’ at late notice to fulfil this role!) A poignant moment in the celebration occurred when Liz Spear presented a tribute to Bev Creswell – one of the original Passionist Companions at St Paul’s and a long standing and valued member of the Parish office (‘the engine room’) - who passed into eternal life 12 months ago. May she rest in peace.
Fr John presented a brief outline of our Founder, Paul Danei, his family background, his struggle to establish a Congregation (even when his access to the Vatican was declined!), and in particular, his ‘directive’ to his followers, his companions, to preach in a lowly manner, that everyone would understand. Thankfully, Passionists today continue to follow this directive.
The liturgy for the Mass was prepared by Fr John CP using the Passionist Feasts Lectionary and the music chosen, along with the Power Point images were symbolic of the Feast Day occasion, eg: ‘Companions on the Journey’ and ‘May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts’.
After the Mass, everyone adjourned to the Holy Cross dining room to complete the celebrations with a fine supper of food and wine provided by the Companions and the Holy Cross Community. Judging by the ‘buzz’ in the room, it was a happy conclusion to a wonderful celebration of the Feast of St Paul of the Cross.
Prayer for Vocations – by Fr Tom McDonough CP Loving Father, around the foot of His Cross, Jesus gathered together a new family. Gather today men and women, moved by the Passion of Jesus and the charism of St Paul of the Cross. Form them in prayer and in fellowship to live as companions, and by their lives, to preach the overwhelming love of God we find in Christ Crucified. To those you call to live the Passion in our Congregations, give discerning hearts and a generous spirit. In responding to your call, may each of us grow in the image of your Son, Crucified and Risen. AMEN
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An experience of a life time – Fr Kevin Hennessy CP Saturday, November 12.
I am sitting here in Saigon waiting for the torrential rain to stop and for us to begin the journey to the airport to take the 1am flight to Manila. I have been blessed to experience Passionist Life in Vietnam in these past few days, living with Jeff Foale CP and his three companions from Korea, India and Argentina, the beginnings of a new era in being Passionists.
As Vocation Director for Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, it has not been easy to find people who may be willing to take up the calling of Religious Life as it may have been in the past. (PNG of course being the exception). We have men in PNG constantly writing, asking to be Passionists, even doing research on the internet to present their letter of inquiry! In a country where the basics of life that we take for granted, health education and utilities are still an issue, Our men in PNG suffered for weeks recently without electricity from the government supply.
The visit to Vietnam came about because of a curiosity to see why up to 50 young men are interested in following St. Paul of the Cross. All of course need education in some form or another. A visit to the war memorial here in Saigon brought a deep and painful message to me; that the ordinary person, the farmer, people with small businesses, those harvesting crops to make a living to support their families, faced the tragedy of war. The images of so many suffering was unbelievable. I was nearly sick with the photography of what went on in the pain on peoples' faces; soldiers, the old and the young suffering from the effects of chemical warfare. These people have suffered and the meaning of suffering, the hope of the Cross out of a human mess is now wanting hope to be alive.
The energy, the enthusiasm, the joy in the lives of young men celebrating and hoping that being Passionist may bring encouragement and courage to a nation that has suffered. The people just stared at me with my big frame and white hair as I walked down the streets of the city of Saigon admiring the French influence on the architecture. A beautiful contrast of old imperialism meeting an ancient colourful Asian culture, with the impact of capitalism making its foot print on an emerging economy.
We have a Passionist future here and I am so proud that an Australian, Jeff Foale CP for the past 6 years, now at the youthful age of 78, has laid a foundation that will last for many decades to come I am sure. I just hope and pray as a ‘teenager’ of 61 years that I can be as creative and risk taking for the gospel and the message of the Cross as Jeff.
A little aside, we met young people in Vietnam who had benefited from visits from our Passionist men and women. Fr Peter Gardiner CP and students from two schools in Adelaide have had an influence on and have been involved in an emersion program supporting the poor of this nation, seeing the face of Christ in action in the Catholic Church. We visited an orphanage for abandoned children who all have AIDS, from a 2 month old baby to an 11 year old girl. Just to play, love and give them kindness meant so much. The two Adelaide schools raised money to help this and many other projects for the needy in this city. It was nice to see the influence of the message of the Cross bringing hope all the way from Australia to these children. Fr Kevin CP.
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Passionists’ Birthdays: 19th November: Fr Chris Mithen CP (Templestowe) 25th November: Br Ed Braden CP (Hobart) 27th November: Fr David King CP (Oxley).
3rd December: Fr Graham Orwin CP (Hobart) 25th December: Br Mark Wells CP (Glen Osmond)
Ladies’ Retreat Day -
November 26th
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End-of-the-Month November 27th, 10.30am
Celebrant: Fr John Curtis CP
ì Followed by Morning Tea and then an Invitation to Lunch (see below) ì
ì INVITATION
You are cordially invited to join our Passionist Family for
the final end-of-the-month Mass and celebration on November 27th
AND to stay for lunch.
At $20, this is unbelievable value. (Obviously the St Gabriele’s Committee don’t believe in adjusting prices for inflation!)
Please come and celebrate the day with our friends and yours – bring your friends and make up your own table, make some new friends – and above all, have a great day!
Greetings to all our Readers:
The Mass on November 27th is the final 'monthly' Mass for the year and so this is our last Newsletter for the year. We therefore say many thanks to those who have helped us in various ways, our contributors who wrote articles, helped with editing etc., and those who helped with the cost of postage:
Le Pine
Funeral Services.
Anne & Joe Toscano.
Kew
(217 High Street)
Margaret & Tony Aldridge.
Two ladies, both of whom requested anonymity.
Pat Day and Shirley Barnes.
The Cougle Family.
Kevin & Lynette Lee
On behalf of the Holy Cross
Community, I wish you all the peace, joy and hope of the Infant Jesus this
Christmas
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