Friday, August 20, 2010

To Renew All Things in Christ

St. Pius X, whose Memorial we celebrate today, chose as his motto, TO RENEW ALL THINGS IN CHRIST when he was elected Pope in 1903. His dream reached another level with the opening of the Second Vatican Council in 1962. Renewal has been like a roller coaster, highs, lows, fun for some, not for others. Growth is never easy as a teething child's crying testifies. Yet, after the pain, new ability to chew and allow more substantial nourishment to further growth.
Education is not always fun, in fact, it can be painful, "Knowledge maketh a bloody entrance," said Shakespeare. A recent letter from a graduate indicated that it was only AFTER graduation that he appreaciated the struggle he had experienced during his four years at Central, and could look back in gratitude for the solid preparation it gave him for college.
Mary, the Queen of Peace is also Our Lady of Sorrows. She is no stranger to the blueprint of "no pain, no gain." August 22nd, is ordinarily the Memorial of the Queenship of Mary, but because it falls on a Sunday, it is not being observed this year. May we use this Saturday to pray with her for one of her dearest intentions: the renewal of the Church and of Christian life.
Bro. Rene
NB. I will be on retreat for the next week, and don't think I'll be able to post a daily message. But we'll see. My prayers will be with and for you all.

Fervent in Spirit

St. Paul has a helpful formula for us as we come to the end of August and shift into post-vacation gear: "Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord." (Rom 12:11). "Vacation mode" is good for the soul and body, we take some time to consciously "slack off" from our usual routines and schedules, and allow ourselves to relax, spend time with family, or do things we don't ordinarily have time for. The heat and humidity in some cases were blessings as they prevented a lot of us from "overdoing it" while on vacation. The result of taking time off is to recharge ourselves so that when we gradually evolve from this mode, we approach life and work with renewed vigor, energy and enthusiasm. In our spiritual lives we can again be zealous, that is, focused and intent; we can be fervent, that is, at peace within, firm and faithful to prayer, no matter how we are feeling, and thus, we can serve the Lord...directly and indirectly by helping people who come to us in need, or whose need we perceive. Yes, we can be alive, energetic znc joyful and thus spread hope and joy to others. May zeal for the kingdom of God consume us. (cf. Ps 69:10)
Bro. Rene

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Campus Ministry

While the new faculty were receiving their intiation into the Central Catholic Community yesterday, more than 30 students spent the day with the Campus Ministry Team, Sr. Terry and Ms. Betty Desjardins, assisted by Mr. Ron Russo, Ms. Kristin Campbell, and me, along with cameo appearances from Mrs. Keller, Principal, and Bro. Tom Long, President, to train in the prayerful context of a retreat to become spritual leaders leaders in the Central Catholic Community. At the end of the day, the large group divided into four committees, Liturgy, Prayer, Service, and Missions which brainstormed goals and objectives for the year.
That Campus Ministry is at the heart of Central's mission "to make Jesus known and loved", was stressed by the team and embraced by the students. How refreshing it was to see them take on this mission and translate it into ways that peer to peer will spread thoughout the community and enhance our Catholic and Marist identity!
And today, the Campus Ministers will address the new faculty, leading them in prayer, and explaining to them how the campus ministry program is integral to our mission, as well as engaging their support and participation. In this day and age when the encroachment of materialism, relativism and secularsim is the modern day equivalent of the invasion of the Visigoths of the Roman Empire, the strenghtening of our purpose and mission as a Catholic Marist school is not an option but a necessity. Again, I ask your prayers for fidelity to this mission and success in its accomplishment.
Br. Rene

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

New Faculty Orientation

As the 2010-2011 academic year draws closer, the orientation for new faculty and staff being held today indicates that there is no turning back, as time marches on to September 7 and the first faculty meetings. It honestly seems as if we were just finishing the 2009-2010 school year, but here we are.
Today, a bright and eager group of ten new Central famliy members will receive an introduction into the history, mission and distinct characteristics of a Marist school, with its family spirit, simplicity, hard work, presence and marial imprint being what distinguishes it from other Catholic schools. This pattern, which enables us "to make Jesus known and loved," was designed by St. Marcellin himself and is the hallmark of Marist schools around the world. The personalities and vision of both St. Marcellin and Brother Florentius have left a blueprint and legacy that has made Central Catholic an outstanding example of Marist Education. As we seek to pass on that legacy as well as delve deeper into it, I ask your prayers that we may be faithful to the mission and values established by our founders.
Bro. Rene

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

A Succesful Life

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded." With the inclusion of ALL people, (not just the "intelligent"), especially the least favored, and the focus on making Jesus known and loved, this statement closely parallels the Mission of Central Catholic, "to make Jesus known and loved, to educate the whole person and to serve others, especially the least favored". It adds a few specifics on how to make the world a better place, simple things...all within the reach of each one of us. Let us look at them and ask ourselves what can we do today to live this mission and make the circle of our world "a better place" and this day a success.
Bro. Rene

Monday, August 16, 2010

Brother Rick Carey and his Work

Many of you know Brother Rick Carey and were concerned when he became the victim of a cerebral aneurysm several months ago. Br. Rick is home in Chicago now for a family visit, slowly regaining strength and the weight he lost. He will return to Rome to pick up the reins of the job he left behind. Here is an introduction of Br. Rick and his partner, Br. James Jolley that I thought would serve as food for reflection and prayer this morning.
Bro. Rene

In his letter announcing the two appointments, Br. Sean
Sammon wrote the following:
“Rick brings considerable skill and experience to his
new responsibilities. First of all, he has been involved in
administration and supervision for almost two decades now,
serving as Chief Administrator of one school and later as
President of another. Both institutions were large in size and
diverse in their needs.
“In his role as President he oversaw with skill and creativity
a capital fund raising campaign. As a result, the nature
and quality of the services offered by this school were
expanded greatly and its ability to accommodate more
students from families with limited means increased. Rick’s
personal commitments to gospel principles of solidarity have
helped him to present clearly and convincingly the mission
and purpose of the institutions for which he had primary
responsibility. He has carried out this task well not only
among perspective students and their families but also with
the wider public.
“Rick’s firm belief in our mission of evangelization and
education, particularly among poor children and young
people, has made him a convincing spokesman for
our Marist efforts in the United States. He also worked
personally to involve students in experiences of solidarity
and challenged them to stretch their understanding in this
area by taking more responsibility for the welfare of the
human community.”
“Jim’s life of ministry includes teaching and administration
in a variety of settings. Prior to his current work in Catholic
education on the regional level, he served as headmaster at
the Marist School in Alice Springs, Australia, an institution
that counts among its students the children of a number
of aboriginal families. He is a skilled administrator whose
capacity to foster a vision and set priorities, coupled with his
ability to attend to the necessary details of any task, give
rise to a creativity that is practical in nature and an effective
response to the situation at hand.
“In addition to his work in education, Jim served for two
terms as Provincial of the Province of Melbourne. During that
time he was active on the Board of the Marist Asia Pacific
Center, especially during those years when the work of
integrating post-novitiate formation in the Asia and Pacific
regions was getting underway. His many contributions on the
Board helped foster a spirit of cooperation. He has a knack
for being plain spoken and helping others to get to the heart
of the matter.
“Most especially, however, Jim’s love of our way of life and
his dedication to our Marist mission are two important gifts
that he will bring to his new work in Geneva Having lived our
life for more than a few years now, he is a man of prayer and
faith whose life is guided by the values of the gospel.”

Sunday, August 15, 2010

A Sign of Hope and Comfort

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is not only a very special solemnity in the Marist World, when many of us took the habit or pronounced our vows on this day, myself being one of them 5o years ago, but it is also a major celebration throughout the Catholic Church. The Entrance Antiphon for this day is taken from the Book of Revelation, "A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars." (Rev 12:1). Not only is this a startling image of Mary and the delight of artists, but it is a sign of hope and comfort, for as the passage continues, the woman is threatened by a beast who seeks to devour the child she brings forth. The woman is the Church, the child, Jesus, the beast, Satan. As we know, Jesus conquers evil once and for all through his passion, death and resurrection.
We need this feast today as we read headlines about the amazing decline in Church weddings for Catholics and other Christians. Not a welcome bit of news on a beautiful August Sunday morning. Yet the Prophet, Isaiah can write eight centuries before Christ,
"I rejoice heartily in the Lord,
in my God is the joy of my soul;
for he has clothed me with a robe of salvation....
As the earth brings forth its plants,
and a garden makes its growth spring up,
so will the Lord God make justice and praise
spring up before all the nations." (Is 61: 10,11)

In the 8th century after Christ, St. Gemanus of Constantinople sings the praise of Mary who does not abandon us but "delights to remain in our midst manifesting herself in various ways" because her spirit is a companion spirit of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies and guides the Church.
Surely Fatima and Lourdes and in out time, the tremendous outpouring of faith in Medjugorje, attest to this on-going care and presence among us. So, we have every cause to "rejoice heartily in the Lord with Mary, the Church and the Marist World, for we have seen the fulfillment of "the promise of mercy made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children forever" (Lk 1: 54-55).
Bro. Rene

Saturday, August 14, 2010

No Greater Love

As the Church universal celebrates the life and self-sacrifice of St. Maximilian Kolbe, who offered his life in exchange for a young father who was about to be executed, the Marists of the Province of the United States of America are celebrating the first profession of vows of our newest member, Brother Brian Poulin. Brother Brian "discovered" the Marist Brothers on the web while he was teaching English in China and, continuing through the wonders of technology, made it to the point of personal contact, application and admission to the Novitiate. Today at Marist College, in the chapel of Our Lady, Seat of Wisdom, built by the Brothers in 1954, he will pronounce the three vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. He then will come to Central Catholic as a teacher of religion and psychology while his "formation" as a Brother continues. In a real sense, he is laying down his life for others, following the path of the many Brothers before him who have answered the call and accepted the way of self-less dedication "to make Jesus known and loved" laid out by St. Marcellin. His profession is a cause for great joy and hope for the future as well as a reminder to all that "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." (Jn 15:13).
Bro. Rene

Friday, August 13, 2010

St. Benildus

St. Benildus was a de Lasalle Christian Brother noted for his sanctity, effictive teaching and spirit of generostiy towards his pupils, confreres and townspeople. He stands as a model for parents and teachers as we begin this new academic year. Like St. Marcellin, he made it a priority to receive and guide young people through his loving example. May we alwlays teach by lives of love, compassion and understanding.
Bro. Rene

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Centered On Jesus

The motto of the Marist Brothers and of Central Catholic is: "All to Jesus through Mary." We often omit the second part, which is an echo and reinforcement of the first: "All to Mary for Jesus." Both focus on Jesus; Mary is the vehicle to Jesus as she was for Jesus to come to us. She is the mother of the Son of God, the means though which God showed his infinite love for us, but it is the Son who is the center of this relationship and hence, of this motto. It is through the Son, through Jesus, that "we live and move and have our being"(cf. Col 1: 15-20), and it is to him that our words and actions should be directed. Mary's loving and nourishing nature as mother helps us to do this. And I've found recently, that in imitation of her, if we do ALL with love, with love for her Son, as she did, the most distasteful and burdensome tasks, or difficult relationships take on a new light and bring joy to all involved. Love has been called the most powerful force in the universe...truly, since God is Love, so when ALL our actions are done and our words are spoken with love, they carry a power that can overcome all resistance, frustration, difficulty and evil. "Love conquers all", the old adage reminds us, and is proven true over and over again. When we add "for Jesus", that is, "love for Jesus conquers all", our steps spring more lightly, joy fills us and spreads to others and nothing can stop us. ALL to JESUS!
Bro. Rene

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Joyful Love for Poverty

Today's Memorial of St. Clare of Assisi brings the thought of poverty to mind. The poor present a challenge to us. Should we help them? How much should we help? How? They are always in need and it becomes tiresome, irksome, when they keep asking for help. No one likes to be poor, and if there's a way to get out of poverty, be it education, which will provide the tools for self-suficiency, or welfare, which will provide immediate relief, but kill the spirit. Yet, the poor, and I'm thinking of Rwanda or Pine Ridge, SD, are happy, able to laugh, joke, tease, able to get along with so little. How do they do it?
St. Francis and St. Clare provide a clue: They deliberately chose to be unemcumbered by THINGS so that they could enter cleanly into deep communion with the crucified Jesus. St. Paul puts it this way: "You know the gracious act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that for your sake he became poor although he was rich, so that by his poverty you might become rich." (2 Cor 8:6). And, "...I consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him,..."(Phil 3:7-8). It is the freedom from non-essentials which allows Jesus to fill in the gap with his presence and love, providing a joy that money cannot buy. The motto of the Poor Clares is "God will provide", and certainly he does, and more than just material needs. It is a motto for all Christians and especially for us Marists whose preference for simplicity is a hallmark of our spirituality.
Bro. Rene

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

God's Treasure

The story goes that the Deacon, Lawrence, when captured by the Roman soldiers was asked to turn over the Church's treasure, which had been entrusted to him by Pope Sixtus, before he was martyred and was to be used for Rome's poor. Lawrence agreed and marched these poor folks before the authorities, calling them "the church's treasure." This action infuriated the Roman leader, and brought Lawrence to the gridiron, where roasted with his continuing good sense of humor, asked to be rolled to the other side when he sensed one side was cooked well enough. Is it any wonder that he's the patron of commedians and cooks? Think of him the next time your burgers are burning on the grill!
But he's right, the poor have always had a special place in the heart of God, the Church, and our Marist tradition. Even today in this volatile economy, all our Marist schools give as much aid as they can...never enough, it seems to cover everyone, unfortunately, because that was the wish of St. Marcellin in the early schools, and certainly in the mind of Brother Florentius when he founded Central Catholic. He put his project under the patronage of St. Theresa, so popular at that time, and still to this day. He knew he needed help from above, and it came. Witness 75 years of growth from 50 students to nearly 1350 today. God does take care of his treasure.
Bro. Rene

Monday, August 9, 2010

Turning It All Over

Some call it "letting go", others "abandonment". St. Marcellin took his cue from Mary's "Fiat"...
Be it done to me according to your word...and passed that legacy on to his followers, who today are you and me. As a test of my living this attitude...an important conversation...intervened as I was writing this, so in order to be ready for publication, I need to be very brief. We all run into chages of plans due to the unforseen...it's how we respond...do we balk, complain, whine or get angry, or do we lovingly accept what happens as a means of learning how to abandon ourselves totally to God? Pope John Paul II loved and used the motto: Totus Tuus...Totally Yours. Let it be ours as well.
Bro. Rene

Sunday, August 8, 2010

Everything Is Possible

"Everything is possible to one who has faith." (Mk 9:23). Having spent the past week with up to 70,000 believers who attended the Medjugorje Youth Festival either in person or on the internet, having attended Holy Mass with 515 con-celebrants, having heard the testimonies of people whose lives had come from darkness to light, having knelt before the Blessed Sacrament with men and women from Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and Russia, where Communism evidently did not snuff out the faith, having climbed Cross Mountain with thousands of barefoot pilgrims, having seen peace come into the hearts of our own group, and mine as well, it is clear to me that "everything is possible to one who has faith." St. Marcellin, whose love for Jesus and Mary was the vital and driving force behind his faith would have felt right at home as Mary's call and example so forcefully led people of all ages and levels of faith to her Son.
Our vocation as Marists calls us to this same mission no matter where we are or if we are consecrated religious or lay Marists. We are given signs along, the way, experiences to reinforce our faith, people whose faith becomes a model for ours, or to put it in the words that recently appeared in our Emblem, "shoulders of giants" on which to build the kingdom of God. Daily prayer, especially the rosary, frequent attendance at Mass, monthly confession, and even fasting (from food or by forgoing something we cherish), reaching out to help others at the risk or our own inconvenience, all help to strengthen our faith. Truly "everthing is possible to the one who believes."
Bro. Rene

Friday, August 6, 2010

Transfiguration

I am writing this on our last day in Medjugorje on a European keyboard and with most computer instructions in Croatian. Getting this to you in readable English is another level of transfiguration! However, this great solemnity has other levels of greater importance to us as Marists. Jesus gives Peter, James and John such a glimpse of his glory that they do not want to leave the mountain. Coming to the end of six days of celebrating our faith with 40,000 youth and adults from 70 countries in peace, love and harmony where 15 or so years ago, war raged, finds us echoing Peter´s observation that it is good for us to be here...let`s stay! How pleased St. Marcellin would be to see the youth he loved and longed to catechize, going to confession and communion, praying the rosary and making the stations of the cross with eagerness and reverence. We are strongly reassured that all things are possible with God. Yes, there are all levels of fervor, but seeds planted have the opportunity to grow. This week has been a foretaste, as was the Tabor event, of marvlous things to come, including the cross. The acceptance of the cross and the transformation of our doubts to faith, our lukewarmness to passionate commitment are guided by Mary, our Good Mother, who with all her strength and love, leads us to Jesus. It is this gift, this conviction that we take back to our homes and communities.
Bro. Rene