A Special Day

October 28th, Memorial of Sts. Simon and Jude, is a very special occasion in Marist History. It is the day in 1816 when the young Father Marcellin Champagnat made his way up the mountains to the bedside of the dying 17 year old, Jean Baptiste Montagne, and discovered much to his dismay, that the young lad know nothing about God, Jesus, Mary, heaven, hell, forgivness of sins, etc.... Father Champagnat gave a quick course in the basics of the Catholic faith, thus preparing Jean-Baptiste for death, and fiming up his resolve to execute the idea he had had since the seminary: to begin an Order of teaching brothers, whose efforts would eliminate such ignorance of the faith. He recruited two young men and by January 2, 1817, moved them into a house he had purchased with borrowed money, and renovated himself, even to building the furniture. His refectory table still exists in what we call "the Cradle of the Institute, in LaValla, France.
Without this encounter with Jean Baptiste Montagne, and Father Champagnat's swift and determined response there would most likely be today no Congregation of the Marist Brothers of the Schools, no clear Mission: the Catholic Education of youth, particularly those in most need. What a loss that would have been to the Church in the 79 countries where we teach! In each of our schools, we still strive to do what Father Champagnat did at Jean Baptiste's bedside and sustain the same determination and love that motivated him. This Montagne Moment still inspires us and is the basis for the Montagne Program at Central Catholic, which provides substantial tuition assistance to a significant number of students, or the Champagnat Program at Marist High School in Chicago, whose aim is to give help to special needs students. Is it a coincidence that the Montagne Event occurred when the Church celebrates St. Jude, parton of hopeless cases? With St. Jude and St. Marcellin, as well as our Good Mother behind us, is it any wonder that the Marist Vision touches so many so deeply? Let us live this day with confidence, hope and assurance that God, who has begun such a noble work, will not let it perish, but will continue to invigorate it.
On a personal note, I will be joining the team for the Marist Youth Encounter Christ Retreat in Esopus today and through the weekend, where 40 something students from our Marist schools will be receiving a modern day version of St. Marcellin's catechesis in knowing and loving Christ.
Please pray for us. (Not sure if I will have daily access to a computer, but will try to provide daily bread).
Bro Rene

Service

One of the components of our Central Catholic spritual formation is service involvement with "the least favored," that is people whose financial, emotional, or learning needs put them "on the fringe". Four years ago, as many schools have done, we instituted a graduation requirement of "one day" (24 hours) of service to be completed by the spring of Junior Year. Every one of our graduates since then has accomplished this goal, and many have gone beyond it. They say that once involved with people, it ceases to be a requirement, but flows from a relationship.
This morning a senior was recognized as the Student Service Person of the Month. She has already given 400 hours of service and is still involved in teaching religion in her parish. She will continue to serve on other projects as well as on retreat teams for underclassmen because that is where her heart is. She received a certificate, two movie passes and a guarantee of two free pieces of pizza on our next pizza day, but her real reward is the joy that she finds in giving of her time and talent. As the list of accomplishments was being read before her name was announced, one girl in the homeroom where I was standing, turned to another and mouthed, "Sam". Then the name, Samantha Murray, came over the PA. Her light was shining to others, even before there was public acknowledgement of her generosity, as it should be. Let us pray for "Sam" and the many others who give of themselves and serve as inspiration to others.
Bro. Rene

Seeds

As summer flowers fade away and seed pods drop their seeds into the earth where they will be protected under winter snows and miraculously "seed themselves in" to provide more plants in the spring often in more abundance that the previous year, so the seeds of faith have the tendency to lie dormant only to be awakened and brought to life by God working through the circumstances in which we find ourselves. When we come to realize that it is not we who provide the growth, but the mercy and goodness of God, we find new life and new growth in our relationship with God and one another. Often the darkness of a "spiritual winter" is necessary to bring about the realization that "all is grace," and that God is the give of life, not ourselves. With our gifts and powers we might be fooled into seeing ourselves as "messiahs", but indeed that is false: there is one Messiah, Jesus Christ. When out of recognition of our helplessness we turn to him, and turn ourselves over to him, then the seeds that have been buried in our hearts break open, burst with new life and spread all over our garden. Like the mustard plant that springs up from the smallest of seeds so that the "birds of the sky can dwell in its branches" (Lk 13: 19). we find that without or knowing it we are having a positive effect on the lives of others, helping them through difficulties, affirming their gifts, and helping their faith to grow. It's when we think that we have nothing to contribute and turn to the Lord, that he will enable us to allow him to work through us and accomplish more than we ever thought possible. If a tiny seed can bring forth such beauty in its flowers or such nourishment in the fruits of its branches, how much more we, when the seeds of faith bear fruit. O Lord, I am yours, water me, fill me, help me to bring forth the fruit of the vine you have planted within me. Amen.
Bro. Rene

Autumnal Glory

Driving to and from Morristown, New Jersey Friday and Sunday, I was enthralled by the brilliant colors on each side of the highway. It must be the peak season for fall foliage in this area: dazzling oranges, reds ranging from deep cranberry to pink, with blazing red burning bushes winning the prize for the most eye-catching reds, at least in my estimation. The gentle subtle changes of this prolonged autumn are helping me appreciate this season more than ever.
Yes, it's a slow, gradual farewell to summer, a transformation that will eventually produce new life. It is not a time to mourn. It is a time to be relished and used for praise and gratitude. It is also a time to help us realize what must go on each season in our hearts. We too must undergo transformation annually (even daily) as we relinquish what has made us comfortable, attempt to grasp the transitory nature of this life, and in the process of purification, give off a blazing light that signals a future and a hope in God's plan for us that not only strengthens us, but also becomes a beacon of light for others. No gloomy faces or depressed spirits for those on the road to Paradise. Rather, we glow with trust and confidence that all that we are experiencing can be as glorious as the colors of autumn.
Bro. Rene

Faithfully Present

Borrowing this poweful phrase, "Faithfully Present", from the Pregnancy Care Center's 25th fundraising banquet last night, I'm looking at it as another way of expressing St. Marcellin's foundational belief in the necessity and power of "being present". First of all, God is "faithfully present" to all of us and through the Holy Spirit is building up in us an unshakable faith. We are challenged each new day to see what transpires not as accident or coincience, but evidence of God's plan to help us empty ourselves and be filled with him. The vivacious and humorous keynote speaker at the banquet, Gail McWilliams, made the distinction between "stuck" and "positioned". A world of a difference in outlook, and reality. We may feel "stuck" in a situation, particularly one that is uncomfortable, painful or challenging, and ask, "Why me?"
But if we see ourselves "positioned" in this situation as an opportunity to grow, to learn, to be purified of selfishness, for example, then we welcome our "position" and can be joyful in it. Gail is blind, as a result of her pregnancies, and hit rock bottom as she saw herself "stuck", almost punished, for choosing life over blindness. The desperate prayer from the depths of her heart enabled to see her blindness as an opportunity to "see beyond" her plight and she found new purpose and energy to help others "see".
As Marists, we talk about living in the presence of God. In so doing, we are able to see that we are not randomly "stuck" but strategically "positioned" to use that moment, or that situation for a greater good. We can become "faithfully present to God" as God is to us, and "faithfully present" to those around us who may be blind to the good they can derive from a painful, unwanted situation. It's another case of a curse becoming a blessing. When the blind Bartimeus cried out to Jesus, "Lord, that I may see!" he was answered by the "faithfully present" Jesus and received more than his sight. His vision of life and of who Jesus was changed and left us with a model for our own prayer and outlook. Lord, help me to be faithfully present to you, to myself, and those around me. Amen.
Bro. Rene

Our Marist Legacy

Lunching with several members of the class of '48 yesterday, I was not only impressed but uplifted by the enthusiasm with which the now octogenarians spoke of their Marist experience at Central Catholic from the years of 1944-1948. You'd think that they were still students here, the word-pictures of the Brothers and what they gave their students were so vivid, humorous, and even astounding, as well as inspiring. Two of the men became chemical engineers and spent their whole lives with chemical firms thanks to the forceful impact of Brother Terrence, to some a "terror" at the time, but in hindsight, a "treasure". In those days the "chem lab" was just another classroom with a few test tubes and beakers (dirty at that!). Yet on went these two to higher education and life with a solid foundation in their major fields and their spiritual formation. I recently came across an old photo of the entire school reciting the rosary in front of the statue of Mary, which graced the circle in front of the Auburn Street school and now stands in the courtyard to the left of the main entrance. Prayer in community was a large part of a Central education, and still is, in many ways.
We are now in process of insuring that this spiritual formation continues to build on the legacy so firmly entrenched in the life of Central Catholic from the beginning. We are discussing and studying ways to insure that when our students graduate, they are "faith-filled disciples with a strong sense of God and a personal relationsihp with Jesus, Mary and Saint Marcellin, fostered through religious formation, a sacramental life and prayer". We want this not only for our students, but also for our faculty, parents, alumni, and friends. It is my hope that during this academic year, we will have taken some clear and concrete steps in this direction. More to come on this soon.
Bro. Rene

The Eternal Purpose

In writing to the Ephesians, St. Paul uses this phrase, "the eternal purpose", (Eph 3: 11) which is like a STOP sign. Whoa, what's MY purpose in life? God does have an eternal purpose for each of us. Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life, sold millions of copies, verifying that not only are people searching for purpose in their lives, but also confirming that knowing our purpose and working from it as a foundation, satisfies the hunger for meaning and the drive for happiness that are in all of us.
Tonight, several Central Catholic students will attend a St. Andrew's Dinner, an event featuring Cardinal Sean, priests and seminarians who will share the stories of how they found meaning and purpose in the priesthood. The hope is that the listeners will be stirred to ask themselves what will give purpose and meaning to their lives. For some it will be the priesthood, for others, it might become clear that the answer lies elsewhere, but the search should never stop.
St. Paul goes on to say that the eternal purpose is accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, "in whom we have boldness of speech and confidence of access through faith in him." (Eph. 3:12). Boldness of speech and confidence through faith. Don't we wish! May our reflections on Jesus lead to imitation, and thus will come the longed-for purpose, boldness and confidence.
Bro. Rene

Patron Saints

Today being the memorial of the North American Martyrs, among whom is my patron saint, Rene Goupil, I am moved to reflect on the place these patrons can play in our lives. Named after my father, I was not aware until grammar school when the sisters talked about St. Isaac Jogues and his heroic companions who were martyred for their efforts at bringing the Gospel to the Mohawk, Huron and Iroquois tribes of what is now northern New York state and Canada, that among the "companions" was a layman, intending to become a Jesuit (and admitted to vows before he died), named Rene. How proud I was to know that I was, after all, named after a saint. Little did I know how I would actually follow in his footsteps when I lived for 14 years on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, and did what he did: taught children their prayers and catechism. No tomahawk for me, however, thanks be to God.
"Rene" means "reborn" in French. Many are the times I have felt re-born when through grace I have risen to new levels of experience and undrstanding of what it means to follow Jesus.
My middle name, David, was given to me after my grandfather, but I have come to love David the King, Psalmist, sinner and penitent. Sometimes I feel like a king with the great favors God has given me, and from the influence I have on people. Our family name, Roy, means "king" in French so these feelings are, in a sense, justified.
I chose Paul as my confirmation name, after my oldest brother, Paul, and St. Paul. Again, little did I know that I would be a traveling missionary and the author of many an epistle somewhat in the fashion of this great saint.
For me, my patrons are very real models and templates of who I am and am yet called to be. I have learned a lot from them and pray with them daily. I would suggest that you take time today to reflect on your name, your patrons, even Google them to learn more about them, and thank them for their lives and the example they have set for you. Let me wish you a happy feast day!"
Bro. Rene

Bearing Good News

St. Luke, author of the Third Gospel and Acts of the Apostles, physician and artist, is honored by the Church today. From his pen come a detailed account of the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist and of Jesus, and the intimate circumstances surrounding the birth of each. The beautiful hymns now chanted or recited daily in the Church's Morning and Evening Prayer, the Benedictus and Magnficat, come from this Gospel, as well as the pciture Jesus' healing ministry to the widow of Nain, and sinners, such as Zacchaeus and "the penitent woman who washed Jesus feet and wiped them with her tears. A compassionate, sensitive, yet determined and forceful Jesus emerges from his artistic strokes of literary genius. And the story of the young, vibrant early Church, which grew through the Holy Spirit and the preaching of Paul (accompanied at some points by Luke himself), serves as both history and inspiration.
Last Thursday I had the privilege to facilitate a retreat for 75 dedicated and prayerful teachers and staff at Catholic Central, a school ranging from pre-school to high school. They were eager to deepen their own prayer lives in order to be better "bearers of the Good News". Yesterday, Central Catholic hosted a massive but welcome "invasion" of interested parents and potential students at our open house, all eager to participate in the spiritual, academic, social and athletic opportunities we offer. The same Spirit that motivated Luke to write and Paul to preach, is very much alive in these two school communities, and further motivates and strengthens us to imitate all aspects of Jesus life and ministry given to us by Luke. Today, let us offer a prayer of gratitude for his contributions and our call to be bearers of Good News.... And yes, let us take a few moments to pick out a favorite passage for his Gospel or Acts, and use it as our "fuel" for the day. "The Lord sent disciples to proclaim to all the towns: the kingdom of God is very near to you." (cf . Lk 10:1, 9). So true.
Bro. Rene

Persistence

St. Paul admonishes Timothy, his young disciple and friend, to "remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." (2 Tim 3:14). He further emphasizes, "be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching." (2 Tim 4:2). As teachers and parents at this time in history, these words ring ever so true. As we look at ourselves, we see the need for persistence in our own prayer, in sticking to our own values, as time and convenience chip away at what we hold dear and "have learned from our infancy." How much more for the young in our care, whose roots are not as deep as ours, and whose lives are filled with more distraction and temptation than ours, it seems. The image of Moses praying with arms outstretched in prayer, so much so that in fatigue, they had to be held up by others so that he might continue and thus help Joshua win the battle below, is most apt. We need one another, we need community, a band of believers who will help us perservere in our prayer, and in our teaching. How good it is and how blessed we are to know that others hold the same values and have the same desire to teach the same truth as we! A church filled with believers and strivers, a school faculty bonded together by the common goal of making Jesus known and loved, no matter which way the wind is blowing, give strength and power to our individual efforts to be consistent and persistent. What a contrast to a world of broken promises and fickle alliances, and shifting values! "Trust in the Lord and he will help you." (Prov 20: 22b) AMEN!!!
Bro. Rene

Though the Mountains Leave Their Place

Isaiah writes, "Though he mountains leave their place/and the hills be shaken, My love shall never leave you; nor my convenant of peace be shaken,/says he Lord, who has mercy on you."
(Is 54:10). This verse was made popular by the St. Louis Jesuits twenty-five years ago, and is still sung at Mass as "Though the Mountains May Fall." When stress and pressure build to the breaking point, it is a good thing to remember those shaking mountains contrasted to the solid pledge of the Almighty, that God's love will always be there for us, even when we are at our worst. Most of the time, "our worst" is built up to frightening heights in our minds, and we project a situation that is worse than actual reality. We need "a sign", a reassurance from God, that indeed, his love will never end. It might come in a good night's sleep, or in the comforting word or embrace of a friend, but we need to hear and believe that we are loveable, and that God has pledged to remain with us forever. Despite what we think, imagine or do, the Holy One is faithful (cf. Hos 12:1) Let us turn our lives and plans over to him who refreshes, whose burden is light and whose yoke is easy. (cf Mt 11: 28-29).

I will be in Springfield, Ohio for the next few days, giving a retreat to 80 teachers in the Catholic Schools. Not sure if I will have access to a computer, or the time to write. Please pray for us on October 14. Thank you.
Bro. Rene

Courage

Sean J. Harrigan chose this quote to accompany his senior portrait in the 2008 Florentian: "Courage is fear holding on a minute longer." (Gen. George S. Patton). The night I handed Sean his diploma, it was announced that he would be entering the Marines, which he did in July. Little did any of us know what would then follow. In today's Eagle Tribune there is a marvelous tale about Lance Corporal Harrigan that is worth reading. Go on line and find it. It's the story of how he saved a fellow Marine who lost both arms and both legs after stepping on a land mine in Afghanistan. It will move you to tears. Harrigan responded with courage, daring, and the calmness that Marine training, and his home and Central education prepared him for, and lived up to the courage so aptly described by General Patton. In all humility, he did not look for headlines, nor fanfare, and in his typical "low key" manner shows the world what doing good, laying down our life for another, are all about. Let us pray for the courage to address our daily challeneges with the same boldness and courage, and let us pray for Sean, his family and for the young man to whom he gave a second chance at life, Marine Corporal Todd Nicely. A dear young friend of mine, also a Marine and platoon leader, landed in Afghanistan yesterday, Anthony Vercollone., to begin an 8 month tour or duty. Please pray for him and all those serving in the face of daily danger. Thank you.
Bro. Rene

Lead Us, O Lord

Columbus Day, despite the Super Sales, was instituted to commemorate the discovery of America by the brave leader, Christopher Columbus, and rightly so. I think we would find it quite formidable sailing in small ships westward literally into the sea of the unknown. Lingering beliefs that the earth was flat and that these ships might fall of the edge were no doubt intimidating, plus the incalculable distance, time ahead of them must have made them wonder if there would be sufficient food and water for the voyage. Columbus' ship was named the Santa Maria, indicating that he put this enterprise in her hands. Sickness, weariness and rebellion plagued the trip, but onward pushed the captain. What a relief it must have been when land was sighted and eventually underfoot.
Our own journey through life to the Promised Land of heaven in many ways parallels this voyage: From day to day we sail into an unknown as we are greeted with suprises and demands we never anticipated as we put our feet to the floor. Our own weariness, doubt, and rebelliousness impair our smooth sailing. We realize that we cannot do it alone. Under the protection of Mary, however, we find direction, for she too sailed, even more than we, into a vast unknown demanding total trust in the promise made to her. With her, we pray, "Lead us, O Lord", and find consolation, joy, assurance, strength and readiness to discover, land and build.
"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him, and were lightened and their faces were not ashamed." (Ps 34: 4,5)
Bro. Rene

A Priest's Priest

Yesterday morning All Saints Church in Haverhill was filled with people of all ages who came to honor and bid farewell to Fr. Dennis T. Nason. It was also the Memorial of St. Denis, as Bishop Irwin, who presided, reminded us. Quite fitting for a man whose life brought the Gospel to life and gave people a sense that "God is here" (Emmanuel), as did St. Denis to the people of what is now Paris in the third century.
The beauty of Fr. Nason's life was reflected in the beauty of the Mass of Christian Burial, enhanced by well chose readings, gifted lectors, the pointed clarity of the homilist and eulogist, and musicians who helped our souls soar to the heavens. Mrs. Susan Navien sang a beautiful responsorial psalm, "I Am the Good Shepherd" by Sister Theophane Hytrek, which underscored Fr. Nason's role as the Good Shepherd and helped us reflect on how blessed all who knew Fr. Nason were as he brought communion to shut-ins, and brought union and community to the new All Saints Parish, which was formed when several Haverhill parishes were combined into this new one. His simple trust in God, his humanity, his faith, his ability to love everyone and thus mirror the love that God has for each of us, all that a priest is supposed to be, won and strengthened hearts to form a cohesive and loving community. As sad as it was to see the front page Headline in the Lawrence Tribune, "A Fond Farewell", it was a joy to see something so positive when most headlines about priests these days center on their failings. Of all the qualities described by those who knew him, "a priest's priest" sums him up best. As our Gospel today emphasizes the necessity of gratitude, let us express ours for Fr. Nason by imitating his simple and inspiring way.
Bro. Rene

A Long Weekend

Those of us involved in a school community are breathing a sigh of relief as we enter the "long" Columbus Day Weekend. If not bogged down by a log-jam of needed catch-ups, shopping, yard work, and odds and ends so long left unattended, (which provide release of pressure and help us relax), it could be a time to read a few more pages in that book we've been reading for weeks (months?), or a chance to s-l-o-w down and look at the brilliant Fall foliage, really appreciating the glory that this season avails us. From where I write, green still dominates, but flashes of red and orange appear here and there along our highways. The cooler air is a reminder that our extra hot summer is over and that gratitude and well as preparation for what is to come would be timely.
The change in routine provided by this long weekend can allow for some extra reflection time, extra prayer time; yes, to say that October Rosary with attention, to prepare for Sunday's readings by meditating on them before they are over in a flash (and lost to our own distractions) during the Sunday Liturgy. Just to sit in silence, and say to God, "Here I am, all yours... Take...Fill me with yourself...." How refreshing, how nourishing! A hidden gift in a "long weekend." Let's not miss it.
Bro. Rene

Homecoming

Excitement fills the halls of our shortened "dress-down day",which will end with a Pep Rally to kick off Homecoming Weekend. The football game will be preceeded by student council tailgating at the stadium where alumni are expected to fill its seats. Following the anticipated victory, the Central Family will gather at Jocelyn's in Salem to celebrate, catch up on news and basque in Raider Pride. Anniversary classes will meet tomorrow and our students will dance away their Haunted Homecoming. Yes, it's a gala coming home, welcome home, returning to roots, reliving memories, and pumping up for the rest of the year. All good. Our history has shaped us and we must not let it fade away with time. We need to renew our connections to our past.
God has that same sense of continuity with us. "Everything that the Father give me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away, for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day." (Jn 6: 37-40). God does not want to lose us, but has given us in Jesus the means to take part in the Final Homecoming, not just a weekend but for eternity.
Bro. Rene

Our Lady of the Rosary

The Church pays official attention to Mary's constant plea to make the rosary part of our daily prayer. Stemming from a victorious sea battle over the Turks in 1571, attributed to the recitation of the rosary, this commemoration was first known as Our Lady of Victory, then moved to the universal Church as Our Lady of the Rosary. Because the recitation of the rosary allows for a peaceful lifting of heart and mind to God, and constantly reviews events in the lives of Jesus and Mary, it enables us, by thus spending time with them each day, to become like them. Pope John Paul II wrote, "To pray the rosary is to hand over our burdens to the merciful hearts of Christ and his Mother. The rosary does indeed mark 'the rhythm of human life,' bringing it into harmony with the 'rhythm of God's own life', in the joyful communion of the Holy Trinity, our life's destiny and deepest longing. Through the rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer."
One of our students told me he has grown to love the rosary more and more as his spiritual life develops and recites it as he drives home or to work after school, praying for his fellow students that they may receive the light of Christ. Another student came in asking for instruction on how to say the rosary. We will be praying it with facutly and students after school today and ask you to join us wherever you are or whenever you can. If this prayer can overturn the Ottoman fleet, and move the hearts of today's teens, what can it do for us? Let's pray it and see.
Bro. Rene

Lord, Teach Us To Pray

"Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." (Lk 11:1). Yesterday a senior boy asked me a similar question: "How can I pray and get closer to Jesus?" I was thrilled, for that's exactly what we are about at Central Catholic: "making Jesus known and loved". It is a profound question, one that comes from the depths of a hungry heart, one that all of us should be asking. Jesus answered with the "Our Father", a prayer which, when prayed from the heart, touches all the bases: our relationship to God as our father, yet at the same time, a recognition of his sovereignty and the need for us to surrender our will to his. We acknowledge a healthy dependency on him for all we need, including our daily bread, and we pray for the strength to forgive as well as avoid temptation and be delivered from all evil. Taking each one of these elements and expressing them in our own words, as we would to our best friend, might make this familiar prayer, so often recited by rote, a means of real communication with God. Our faith teaches us that our prayers are heard, and often enough we receive confirmation of this when our prayers are answered. Let us never grow weary of praying. Even the petition, Lord, teach me to pray, is an excellent prayer. May we repeat it often today so that it becomes part of our daily prayers: a good way to START our prayer!
Bro. Rene

Publicizing the Good

Last night I attended a farewill gathering for a young Marine who leaves for Afghanistan next Monday for a 7-8 month tour of duty. He is a combat engineer and will no doubt be involved in activities that could be dangerous. He has total trust in God and his playful spirit has set the goal for playing soccer with Afghanistani children, which might be the key to unraveling this formidable Gordian Knot.
Two of his friends were there to bid him farewell. These young men are in their early twenties...22,23...One had already served in a refugee camp in Rwanda when he was nineteen, and had an experience there that is shaping the course of his life, more than his Harvard education. The other is a philosophy major at the University of Beijing, and is looking at the effects materialism on faith.
All three are solid young men whose honesty, integrity, generous hearts, and willingness to insert themselves into the dark side of human experience in order to bring light give HOPE for the future. These are the people we don't read about or hear about in the media, but whose stories should be told. I offer them to you as a refreshing slice of daily bread as models for todays youth, and the type of person we hope to send forth from Central Catholic in order to fulfill our vision of making this world a better place.
Let us pray and trust that we will, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, be able to accomplish this goal.
Bro. Rene

Emptying One's Pockets

Little did the Bernadone family know in 1181 when their son, Francesco, came into the world, that he would set a pattern and lifestyle that would not only reform the Church in the 13th century, but would still be a major influence 800 years later. Repudiating the classical hedonistic values of "wine, women and song," after a period of captivity and illness, Francesco learned that by emptying his pockets of material goods and his heart of wordly ambitions, he would be filled with a joy, fullness and experience of Christ that were as contagious as effective. His life, more than his words, was the message that touched hearts that were full of misdirected energy and turned them to "the things that really matter." The voice he heard in the crumbling church of San Damiano, "Rebuild my house that is falling down," was really a command to rebuild the Church, which had grown crusty with wealth and corruption to the point that the values of dependence on God, and true heart to heart love on one's neighbor were lost. By emptying his pockets, Francis found the path to Jesus, so that with St. Paul he could say with great confidence and joy, "To live is Christ and to die is gain." No wonder he could see the wonder in all of creation and sing of it and its Creator with the joy and innocence of a young child. He found freedom and release from worry and anxiety by living as the lilies of the field and the birds of the air, in total trust of the God who provides strength for every step of the way. St. Francis touches the hearts of Catholics and peoples of all faiths because he appeals to a core longing in all of us. Today we are blessed by Sister Rain. Let us rejoice and give thanks to God as Francis would, and let us give thanks to God for this Poverello, "poor little man" whose empty pockets open the door to the infinite richness of God.
Bro. Rene

Respect Life Sunday

Yesterday about 75 of us, including a deacon, several Knights of Columbus, married couples, brothers, and priests Marched from a nine AM Mass to an abortion clinic on a street just behind the church. We took a long route, however, so that more people could see us and read the signs we were carrying. We settled on a neutral piece of sidewalk away from the entrance of the clinic, and a nearby hot dog business. Police were on hand for traffic control and to maintain order, if necessary. It was not necessary, although some negative and vulgar comments were shouted at us as we reverently prayed the Rosary and chanted the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. A motorcycler shouted, "Get a life!" Ironic; we were praying out of respect for life and for the preservation of life! Somewhere the value of life had been lost in this man's value system: his, and so many others, including the doctor who services several such abortion clinics.
The need for education in the family about the dignity of life from conception to natural death, as well as in our schools and churches is becoming more and more apparent. During this month of the Holy Rosary, it might be a prime intention to include as we pray to the Mother of God, the Creator of Life, that the gift of sharing in the creation of life might be restored to its proper place in our hearts and in the thinking and laws of our country. Also, that respect for life include help remove prejudices of all kinds; against greed, which so often destroys people in its path, and that ultimately love bring about the peace so apparently absent in the hearts of so many around the world. A huge task, but we might take courage from the words of St. Paul to Timothy:
"I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have.... For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord.,.but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.
"Take as your norm the sound words that you heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwell within us." (2Tim 1; 6-8, 13-14).
Bro. Rene

Guardian Angels

We are reminded of a very special gift God has given each one of us as the Church today honors all Guardian Angels. Perhaps the familiar prayer, "Angel of God, my Guardian dear,/ to whom God's love commits me here,/ be ever at my side/ to light and guard to rule and guide. Amen", comes to mind. We might equate the thought of a Guardian Angel as something that was "made up" to comfort us as children, but the Catechism of the Catholic Church (336) and great saints, such as St. Basil the Great and St. Bernard of Clairvaux, affirm the many biblical references to angels: "Each and every member of the Faithful has a Guardian Angel to protect, guard, and guide them through life." (St. Basil). "These celestial spirits have been placed at our sides to protect us, instruct us, and to guide us." (St. Bernard). "Thus says the Lord, 'See, I am sending an angel beore you, to guard you on the way and bring you to the place I have prepared.'" (Ex. 23: 20). "For to his angels he has given command about you,/that they guard you in all your ways." (Ps 91: 11). The countless times that a near accident on the road has been avoided by seconds have assured me personally that my Angel, Leo, has been "at my side" to make sure I get to the place God has prepared for me. I thank him all the time, feel his presence, and look forward to meeting him in heaven. We have become close friends.
Bro. Rene

St. Theresa of the Child Jesus

While in the process of founding Central Catholic High School, Bro. Florentius put his project under the patronage of St. Theresa of Lisieux, who had just been canonized in 1925, ten years before Central opened its doors, and who was extremely popular because of the many miracles and favors attributed to her. She remains the patron of Central Catholic to this day and by her similarity to Mary, our Good Mother, serves as another contributor to Marist Spirituality. October is the Month of Mary, particularly under the title of Our Lady of the Rosary, so it is fitting that both be mentioned on this first day of October.
Marie Francoise Therese Martin was the youngest of five sisters, and as such was her father's princess, especially after her mother died. Looking back, Theresa considered herself "spoiled" but a grace received one Christmas Eve helped her mature spiritually so quickly that at age 15 she sought admission into the Carmelite Convent in Lisieux where three of her sisters were already under vows. Her short life was "hidden and unknown", and she did not consider herself anything but a ordinary Carmelite. Yet her sanctity advanced quickly in those nine years in the convent, and her canonization followed extremely fast after her death in 1897. Her motto was the dictum of St. John of the Cross, "Love is repaid by love alone." She came to realize how much love God had for her, how pleased he was with the "little way" and she returned God's love by a total gift of herself...to the Church...as patron of missionaries...and to the suffering she underwent, both from her tuburculosis and from the criticism of the other nuns in the convent. Her spirituality consists in sanctifiying the present moment, or as we would say in simple terms. asking God to make holy even the most simple tasks, like doing laundry. The "Little Way" is similar to Mary''s, and a way for all of us. May the reading and reflection on these slice of bread be made holy, and may St. Theresa serve as a model for us busy people today.
Bro. Rene