Calling Out to God

When the Canaanite woman approached Jesus about the cure of her daughter, she kept calling out to him (Mt 15:23), as perhaps we've heard many times from the lips of street people begging for "a cup of coffee." We often pray like that, repeating, pleading, desparate for an answer, "our answer", the one we want. How often, however, does something occur "out of the blue", something good we have not even asked for, as a reminder that God knows our needs, and what he sends comes from that greater knowledge of what is best for us. It sends chills up our spine for it is a reminder that indeed, God is at our side, full of love and compassion. We need to be reminded again and again, in God's repetitive way (imitating, if you will, our repetitive urgent requests) that God's ways are not our ways, they are better.
Bro. Rene

Two Pillars

Saints Peter and Paul stand as two of the greatest evangelizers in the history of the Church. Both me underwent enormous change and growth to become thus remembered. From fisherman to the first among the Twelve, our first Pope, Peter reminds us that our weaknesses, even our denials of Jesus, cannot deter us from turning completely around and contributing significantly to the growth of God's Kingdom. Paul, a persecutor, becomes a great missionary, traveling around the Mediterranean Basin three times before his Roman imprisonment, and then making a fourth journey that took him to Spain before his second arrest and martyrdom. These men were on fire...the fire kindled by the Holy Spirit...and serve as models for not only our present Pope and clergy, but for all of us. We are the Church as much as the ordained clergy; holiness, leadership, evangelization are ours as well as theirs. As we pray for the Pope and the Church today, let us remember that we are praying for ourselves. Whatever our daily "missionary journey", let us do it with the courage and conviction of these two men who gave themselves totally to the mission entrusted to them by Jesus.
Bro. Rene

Walking In Integrity

The Psalmist in Psalm 26 speaks with confidence of his walking on "level ground", in God's truth and in integrity. (cf Psalm 26: 1-12). And still he reaches out to God to redeem him and have mercy on him. In so doing, he remains humble rather than arrogant, admitting that he can only walk in integrity if he himself remembers his sinfulness and need for mercy. He sees that there is evil around him, but does not claim to be better than the evil doers, but simply states a fact: in relying on God's mercy, he himself a sinner, finds a means, God's help and grace, to keep his head high and walk wih confidence. The Prophet, Micah, reminds us that this is what the Lord requires of us: "to do right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with God." (Micah 6: 8). Our Marist virtues of humility and simplicity direct us on this path but we can walk it only if in prayer we reach deep within and ask for healing of our sinfullness and place ourselves in the hands of God/s mercy.
Bro. Rene

Part of the Solution

In these days when anything Catholic is fodder for a cynical and denegrading media story, it is refreshing to read that men entering the seminary these days are excited about the call and despite all the bad press, and yes, the admittedly unpriestly behavior of SOME priests, want "to be part of the solution" and want to change the image of the priesthood by living lives according to the Gospel and the seminary training in prayer, celibacy, and the mission of the priest they are receiving. From time to time a "purge" is necessary for future growth. Plants and trees need pruning, illness often causes a spiritual conversion, the loss of a job forces a person to develop other hidden talents, marriages that inevitably hit potholes or bumps, when worked at become stronger, and institutions shaken to the foundations, be they banks, schools, or the Church itself, bounce back with greater vigor. Witness the Church after the Council of Trent. The guarantee of the Holy Spirit is not a mere convenient phrase, but a reality.
In our Marist History, when religious orders were expelled from France in 1903, Marist Brothers left their native land and the roots of the order and spread around the globe, increasing the number of students being exposed to Fr. Champagnat's vision and, indeed, increasing the number of brothers in the congregation. The deadwood of the past abuses in the priesthood are being rectified by a better seminary preparation and by the new blood which will bring new growth and vigor to the Church. New orders of sisters are emerging, and we pray that new vitality will be injected into the Marist Brothers. Please pray for a young man, Chris, who will be seriously discerning a vocation this week in Esous with prayer and dialog with his spiritual director. Pray that he may be one among many to give such serious consideration to a possible call.
Bro. Rene

Corpus Christi

The once familiar Corpus Christi, now The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, is a feast that evokes not only memories of solemn processions of the Blessed Sacrament under a magnificent four posted canopy, but also of the great gift of the Eucharist, the Bread of Life, the on-going presence of Jesus among us, the food for the journey and the pledge of eternal life. "whoever eats this bread will live forever." (Jn 6: 58). What a blessing to have this food so readily available to nourish our souls and enable us to become more and more like Jesus! Indeed, we are what we eat. Eat lots of sugar and carbs, and our waistline tells us what we have become. We feed our plants Miracle Grow from time to time and definitely see a change in them: they are more healthy, and certainly larger than if not fed this special food. The Eucharist is our Miracle Grow on the spiritual plane. Frequent Communion tightens our intimacy to Jesus and draws us to absorb his words, his attitudes, his goodness and make them our own. And, the com-union is not only with him, but with all the members of his Body. We are united with all Catholics around the world. It is so consoling to know that we are able to do this...better than e-mail or Facebook! We are ONE in the Body of Christ. May our Communion today lift our hearts and gladden our souls in gratitude for this magnificent gift.
Bro. Rene

Marist Work in Haiti

With so many world agencies pouring time, energy and funds into Haiti since th earthquake, it is encouraging to note that the Marist Brothers, who have had communities in Haiti under the auspices of the Canadian province for many years, are actively involved in helping to rebuild the country, but, of course, with the emphasis on the education of youth. The Province of "Mexico Occidental' in particular has been raising funds and working with the International Marist Fund, FMSI, to bring solar power to one of the schools run by the brothers, as well as helping to develop and enhance some of the basics, such as drinkable water and electric power. We Americans tend to forget that what we take so much for granted, such as clean running water and electricity, do not exist in many areas of the world, such as Africa, and Haiti.
In a village called Dame-Marie, the brothers operate a secondary school, "Notre Dame de la Nativite" which has 368 students but which is in process of expanding, and new buildings are needed at a primary school, Notre Dame de Fatima, already schooling 340 pupils. In another town, Jeremie, the Marist community is working on a project to increase farm production in conjunction with the Marist University of Merida in Mexico.
It is amazing to see how the vision of St. Marcellin of making Jesus known and loved finds its way to such practical expressions of meeting the needs of the "least favored" and in so doing in the name of Jesus, leads them to him. May this slice of good news Marist Bread nourish our hearts and fire our imaginations as to ways we can concretely live out our Marist Mission.
Bro. Rene

Herald of the Good News

Had trouble getting into the blog, and just succeeded at 8:55, so this will have to be very short.
In the footsteps of John the Baptist, the Marist is the voice of one crying in the wilderness of ignorance and poverty, announcing that Jesus is the Savior, and the source of all our strength as we day in and day out proclaim the "Good News". John put Jesus first, staying in the background yet with a sense of purpose and great moral courage, did his best to guide people and challenge them (as with King Herod). Our mission is the same today.
Bro. Rene

Vocations Programs

In 1815, three men were ordained deacons: Jean-Marie Vianney (the saintly Cure of Ars), Jean-Claude Colin, founder of the Marist Fathers, and Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers and canonized in 1999. Little did the ordaining bishop know what power he was instrumental in unleashing on these three humble men. Little did they themselves suspect how the Holy Spirit would use them to restore the weakened Church in post-revolutionary France, and in the whole world, for that matter. Thousands flocked to Ars to confess their sins to the Cure who spent 16-18 hours a day in the confessional. The Marist Fathers brought the faith to Oceania, where it flourishes to this day. The Marist Brothers educate youth, particularly those most neglected, in 79 countries. The ripple effect from these ordinations continues to spread and invigorate the Church. In our day when it seems that the Church is "losing ground" due to it's own internal flaws, and as the target of rampant secularism and materialism, the example of these three men inspires hope and challenges us to deepen our faith and trust that somewhere people are being called, prepared, and strengthened to help overcome the erosion and reinvigorate the mission and purpose of the Church, i.e. to bring Christ and his message to all peoples.
The Marist Brothers have revitalized their efforts worldwide to invite young men to join the ranks of the sons of Champagnat, with much success in the Third World. Inspired by these efforts, increased activity to invite young Americans is taking place in our schools and on the web. The website, www.maristbr.com/vocationresources.php contains a wealth of exciting materials and programs for promoting a "culture of vocations". In addition to these resources, the very successful "personal approach", of simply chatting with young men, telling them what qualities they possess (most don't see these themselves), and inviting them to consider the exciting and adventuresome, as well as soul-satisfying life as a Brother, is being pursued more aggressively. It's a seed planting moment, but one that bears fruit in God's time. As with the three men we remember today, God works wonders in the most "unlikely" of candidates. We hope, we trust, we believe.
Bro. Rene

Saying Thank You

Was it just once instance, or is teaching children to say "thank you" disappearing from our culture? Last evening at a thriving ice cream estblishment, while standing near the serving windows enjoying my "Kiddie" almond joy cone, I witnessed a constant stream of families, coaches and youngsters in the 9-12 range come for a post-game treat, it appeared. What became glaringly obvious to me was that not one of these children said "thank you" when the parent or coach handed them their cup or cone and not one parent insisted on a "thank you." Only one parent told his son to say "thank you" to the teen who served the cup directly to him. There was definitely something missing. It may be a generational or family custom, but insistance on saying "thank you" even to (should be especially to) a parent was the order of the day. "Take nothing for granted...always express your gratitude" was a family value, and certainly ranks high among our Marist values. Perhaps in addition to "making Jesus known and loved", our mission must include some of these basic values and "civilities" that are being lost in the "me culture" of today.
Along these lines, it is an honor to offer a word of gratitude to three Board members who have completed their nine year terms and were appropriately thanked at last night's meeting: Jack Shaw, former president for at least four years, Heather Annaloro, and Arthur Richter, all of whom having served with fidelity and zeal; Tom Burkardt, who will remain on the Board, completed his two year term as chairman. To them, a hearty "thank you" for their dedication and selfless sharing of their skills and talents.
Bro. Rene

Purity of Heart

St. Aloysius Gonzaga, the youthful Jesuit who died while caring for victims of the Plague, and whose memory we commemorate today, was noted for his innocence and purity of heart. He has long been proposed as a model for youth and his intercession is sought by parents (and teens themselves) for the virtue of purity both of body and of heart. St. Marcellin was a strong proponent of the Presence of God and direct prayer for the preservation of "the angelic virtue", but the virtue of simplicity, being straightfoward and genuine, was also high on his list, and has indeed become a Marist characteristic and hallmark. Paul advised the young Timothy: "...turn from youthful desires (also translated "lusts") and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with purity of heart." (2 Tim 2:22). When we find a person who is pure of heart, it is as though we can see God living in that person's heart; God is reflected in his/her eyes and behavior. "Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God." (Matt 5:1), yes, and blessed are we who can see God because of that pure heart.
Bro. Rene

Praying Constantly

We are already into the third week of June. The summer solstice is tomorrow, summer officially begins, and (ugh) the days will now start to get shorter. The cycle that has gone on for eons continues and there's no stopping it. It is up to us to adjust and adapt to the rhythm of life, the rhythm of the universe, the rhythm established by our ever constant, ever loving God. It boggles the mind to consider the intricacies of God's plan, the marvels of creation, the personal love of God for each one of us. It humbles us and at times leads to feelings of inadequacy or futility, as time after time, we find ourselves failing to live up to OUR expectations, especially with regard to prayer.
Fr. Ben Goeschel, C.F. R., has a book that might serve to put us back on track: Praying Constantly: Bringing Your Faith to Life. At one point he states, "We don't have to pray perfectly because Jesus constantly waits for us at the well. Jesus understands our prayers--those we utter and those we cannot give words to--infinitely better than we ever will." We are reminded that "The word of God is living and effective, able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart." Psalm 33 assures us that "the eyes of the Lord are upon those who fear him,/ upon those who hope for his kindness,/ to deliver them from death/ and perserve them in spirte of famine." (Ps 33: 18-19). There's no right or wrong; if we keep attempting to pray, if we are as constant as we in our human condition can be, then we will come to learn that God is the one who yearns for us, more than we for God, and we will find our love and our confidence, our peace and abiding joy cultivated, tilled and brought to a fruitful harvest. Let summer begin; God is there for the length of our days, "always and forever."
Bro. Rene

A Father's Reflection

Yesterday's post contained an error: there were only six brothers celebrating their 60th anniversary, hence the total number of years is 1,020, not 1,140. I based my calculations on an inaccurate list.
Today Michael Randall shares an inspiring reflection on Fatherhood. May all Fathers be as blessed as Michael. Let us also remember that this day is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, the Source of all Fatherhood and Love.
Bro. Rene

By Michael Randall, Associate Director for Development and proud dad!

If there are two “callings” in my life of which I am certain, it is the call to be a faithful husband and the call to be a loving father. With my wife by my side, being good parents to our children is central to our relationship. I love being a dad. It is truly one of God’s greatest blessings.

I love my kids unconditionally, but children are challenging. There are times when being a good dad is not easy. For the most part, my strength as an individual (as well as the support of a wonderful wife in Karen) gets me through the every day bumps. Trials like convincing Sam that broccoli is delicious and will make him jump as high as Spiderman or encouraging Cassie that she does not need to apply maple syrup as hair gel. My own constitution gets me through most days… most.

Other times, more challenging times, I realize I cannot do it alone. I find myself asking for the guidance of Saint Joseph, the patron saint of Catholic Fathers. I think about his challenges as a Father to Jesus and how his sincere faith in God and his calling as the “head of household” to the Holy Family got him through even the darkest days.

We all have those dark days. For me, my darkest, most challenging days came as a young father, with a very sick child. Our Matthew Joseph was born with a rare disease that would push his little being to the limits and ultimately deliver him to paradise above. During his short eight months on earth, I reached out to Saint Joseph through daily prayer to get me through. Still to this day (most days), when the memories revisit, bringing with them the pain of loss, I find a bit of comfort in Saint Joseph and his strength as a father.

While we all have different definitions of our darkest days (my next “darkest day” could be taking a splinter out of Sam’s foot), I encourage you to have faith in your abilities as a father. Trust that God and his Saints, particularly Saint Joseph, want us all to succeed as good dads, to raise good Christian children, and to live out our days with a genuine commitment to our families, as Joseph did. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. We, as fathers, cannot, and should not, be expected to face the darkest days alone. Ask Saint Joseph for his loving guidance.

On this father’s day we pray:
Saint Joseph, patron saint of Catholic Fathers,
Role model parent and source of strength,
Pray for us,
That we may continue to be good fathers to our children,
Raising them to be good people and faithful servants of your son.
Be with us in our darkest hours when we call out to you,
and in our daily routines as we face life’s little challenges.
Help us to answer the “call of fatherhood” with confidence and reverence.
Amen.

Happy Fathers Day to all the dads out there! Remember to give your kid an extra squeeze today, they truly are a blessing; so are you!

Marist Jubilee Celebration

First an apology for not indicating that there would be no Daily Bread on Friday. I was at Camp Marist with close to 100 students and faculty for part of our Leadership Training Program, Camp Champagnat. It was going very well when I left Friday evening and will conclude at noon today.
Also today, seventeen Marist Brothers will celebrating their Jubilees at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston, Long Island, representing 1,140 years of Marist Consecrated Life. Brother Valerian T. Doiron, at age 97, close to 98, will be celebrating 80 years as a Marist Brother. Needless to say, this is a rare, almost unique milestone in American Marist history, or even in the global Marist World. Br. Bernard Curtin, reaches 75 years, another rarity, and four brothers have reached their 70th anniversary. Eight, their 60th, and four, their 5oth. One brother, his 25th, a mere "child" among these record-breaking veterans. Marists from all corners of the province will join the Jubilarians for a Mass of Thanksgiving, at which we will all renew our vows, and continue the feast over a fine meal. St. Marcellin left us an injunction in his Spiritual Testament, to "love our vocations, to be faithful and steadfast to them to the end with manly courage." He reminds us that "there are difficulties in leading the life of a good religious, but grace sweetens all their bitterness, Jesus and Mary will come to your aid, and besides life is soon over and eternity never ends." (The Spiritual Testament of Joseph Benedict Marcellin Champagnat). These brother jubilarians have taken these words to heart and serve as models for all Marists, vowed and lay. Ad Multos Annos!
Bro. Rene

Gladdening The Heart

A glad heart is the order of the day for most New Englanders this morning as the sun shines brightly over our land and our "golden" Bruins. A victory, a much coveted cup, months of hard play, and extensive, over-the-top effort in the seven game series are the source of joy, pride and celebration. Rightly so.
But there are also more lasting things that gladden the heart: "The precepts of the Lord are right,/they gladden the heart." (Ps 19:8). We hardly think of laws as the something to provoke a joy to match that being displayed by Bruin's fans, but the gladdening here spoken of is a deeper abiding joy that comes as a result of truth and order based on that truth. To know where one stands, what is right and what is wrong, what is being asked, denied, where the the boundaries are, give a security that brings joy to the heart. Witness the chaos that results without truth and order. These laws are indicators of God's affection, God's love for us. I was at first astounded by the strictness of "law enforcement" in the school in Rwanda where I taught, but when it was brought to my attention that to maintain order with 850 borders, the lines had to be clearly drawn. The rules then made sense, and the result was an atmosphere of discipline where learning could take place without major distraction or lack of focus. These tender words from the Book of Sirach put laws and obedience in their proper context: "Come to me, all you that yearn for me/ and be filled with my fruits./ You will remember me as sweeter than honey,/ better than the honeycomb./ He who eats of me will hunger still,/ he who drinks of me will thirst for more;/ He who obeys me will not be put to shame,/ he who serves me will never fail. (Sir 24: 18-21) May our observence of the precepts of the Lord gladden our hearts and free us to serve the Lord joyfully.
Bro. Rene

Working With Youth, A Global Peek

Two interesting articles appeared in our Noticias Maristas, a weekly publication from our Generalate in Rome which gives us a glimpse of the greater Marist World. Our brothers in Cuba, allowed to be a presence, but not to conduct schools, are reaching and teaching basic fundamentals of human interaction, sportsmanship, kindness and consideration through baseball, the national passion for all ages of Cubans. Known simply as "the ball", it has become the training ground for what we would be teaching in a school: family spirit, acceptance of all levels of ability and all personalities, and even fair and friendly treatment of opponents, especially when the Marist team has been victorious. It is an amazing example of what can be done when meeting students "where they are" and in the simplest of ways, capitalizing on the opportunity to go a bit deeper to make Jesus known and loved, through basic good sportsmanship!
In Rawalpindi, Pakistan, the boys in Pope John Paul II school recently celebrated the beatification of Blessed John Paul, and what would have been his 91st birthday with a contest including original essays, poems, sketches and songs written and composed by these eager students who love Pope John Paul II as their model and inspiration. The school was founded by the local bishop to encourage boys to pursue education so that they might keep up with girls, who in separate schools far exceed the educational level of boys, so much so, that frustrated in not being able to find an equally educated Catholic young man, they are marrying well educated men of other religions. Who would guess that this ever would be the case? The Marists saw and need and have taken up the challenge.
Bro. Rene

Flag Day

Dull and gray as it may be here in New England, it's still the day we display the Flag of these United States of America to show our solidarity with each other, our allegiance to the vision of our founding fathers as embodied in our constitution, and to remind those serving in the military at home and abroad that their sacrifices are being made to preserve these ideals and to help others find freedom from oppression. These are all ideals, but we know in reality that, as with all things, secular and spiritual, we often fall short of them due to our human condition. At lunch yesterday with a dynamic entrepreneur whose optimism is part of his DNA, we spoke about maintaining that optimism despite the rash of scandals and controversies that exist in high places, in federal and local governments, and despite the povery many experience as the consequence of the greediness of others. It is a gray world indeed, but one created by God the Father, redeemed by his Son, and continually being renewed and made holy by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the root of all optimism. We look for fellow optimists, for those who we'd put on the "good guy" list, and we find many. May our optimism be more "catchy" than the gloom that so easily envelopes the media as the clouds today cover the sky. I always think back to St. Marcellin in post-revolutionary France...a situation as bad, if not worse than the world we live in today. His faith and optimism overcame the darkness and confusion of those times. ours can do the same for ours.
Bro. Rene

Finding Saint Anthony

One of the most beloved and most prodigious miracle workers ever, Saint Anthony of Padua matches the popularity of St. Francis of Assisi among Catholics and Christians of all denominations, because of his amazing gift of helping us find lost items. We all have astounding stories of "praying to St. Anthony", and finding whatever was lost. Recently I lost a very important set of keys, prayed to St. Anthony, and on the fourth day, in desparation, bargained with him that if he found them, I'd give a donation to the poor. That very day, the inspiration came to look in a place I had not thought of, and lo, there were the keys. One of the brothers thought it was so obviously St. Anthony's intercession, that he urged me to double my offering, and I did.
Yesterday, my friend, Anthony, a Marine and a saint, not yet canonized, told me that a major security instrument fell out of a helicopter over the desert in Afghanistan, and was not noticed being lost until the next day. Anthony prayed to his patron saint, and the officer who lost the piece of equipment went back to the desert to search for it, a seemingly impossible and futile task, but on the fourth day, found it. Talk about locating a needle in a haystack!
What is little known about St. Anthony is his desire to remain hidden, and to serve his Franciscan community humbly by simply cooking for the brothers. However, when asked to preach extemporaneously on the occasion of an ordination, when no one was prepared to give the homily, his gift for preaching became evident and prompted St. Francis himself to commission him to this task. In his lifetime, it was his powerful preaching, not his finding lost articles, that made him so popular and beloved that he was canonized less than a year after his death. His many miracles reinforced his preaching and helped bring listeners by the thousands back to the faith. In our day, not so much as finding lost things, we need to find and listen to a Saint Anthony, to help restore fervor to a Church so torn with dissent and scandal. There are St. Anthonys out there; may the Holy Spirit help us find them.
Bro. Rene

Pentecost

Fifty Days have passed since the glorious celebration of Easter. It has been hard to maintain that high level of Alleluia, and "Christ is risen, truly risen." The lilies have long faded away and except for the lighted Pascal Candle, all seemed to have returned to normal, Then another BLAST, Pentecost. The descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles (and us), the birth of the Church, the power to thrust the message of Jesus from generation to generation until the end of time. A child once asked, "How do we know there is a Holy Spirit, what does he look like?" Evidently, the "dove" did not do it for him. A good question for us to ponder.
The Sequence of today's Mass has a score of images, each one evoking limitless boundaries upon which to meditate. As a matter of fact, this is a day that demands more time for meditation on the Spirit...it's a definitely "gotta-get-back-to-this" kinda day. Is the Spirit Light? Father of the poor? Source of all our store? The soul's most welcome guest? Comforter? Rest most sweet? Solace? Wind? Water? Fire? Commonly we associate wind with the Spirit, knowing how invigorating it can be, but on the other hand, as recent weather patterns have demonstrated, violent and destructive. Fire, also, bringing needed warmth against the frigid cold, yet at the same time, having the potential for enormous devastation. The Holy Spirit is all of these, for it takes such power and force to "bend the stubborn heart and will". Who can change us, who can change me? In the Veni Creator Spiritus, there is a wonderful line, "Flecte quod est rigidum" bend what is rigid. If, as we so often pray, "fill the hearts of the faithul and enkindle in them the fire of thy love", the first requirement, it seems to me, is to bend, break open the doors of our own rigidity and stubborness, and melt down those iron portals so that they become flexible and allow the Spirit to work freely and effectively in us. In the car, in the bathroom, wherever, let us take time to repeat and mean it, "Come Holy Spirit, Come". Show the earnestness of a determined flexibility to pray over the Sequence, or to create your own prayer to the Holy Spirit. Make this Pentecost a day that stands out from others.
Bro. Rene

Getting Into the Boat

On the eve of Pentecost, our thoughts turn to the need of the Holy Spirit in our lives to fully live the way Jesus taught us. He lived among the disciples, teaching by word and action. So many times he told or asked them to do things which led them down paths they never imagined they would trod. He sent them out two by two to preach and heal and them come back and report to him what had happened. For fishermen and career men of other sorts this must have demanded courage and trust. One time he simply told them to "get into the boat and precede him to the other side" of the Lake. (Mt 14: 22). A strong wind came up putting the boat in peril, but Jesus came to them walking on water, asked Peter to join him, and when Peter faltered, used, this occasion to show them what faith really is.
How many times have we been asked to "get into the boat", not knowing what was ahead of us, and realizing only afterwards that Jesus was with us all the while? We learn slowly that it is not always necessary to know every detail when we are asked to do something by the Lord. It is mainly the faith and trust we develop that are important; he will take care of the rest. A simple "look back" at the events in our life, even just in the previous day, shows us how much a part of our lives God plays. Things take in more meaning in retrospect as we see that indeed the hand of God was present. What if we did know everything ahead of us as we "get into the boat"? Would we still do it? Would we grow deeper in faith and trust?
Today, as we prepare for Pentecost, let us ask the Holy Spirit for the gifts of faith and trust which we need to make a meaningful crossing in the boat. Far greater things await us than we can imagine now as we read this and step into today's boat.
Bro. Rene

"Where You Do Not Want To Go"

After Jesus had prepared and served a lakeside breakfast for some of the Eleven to lift their spirits after a fruitless (fishless) night on the Sea of Galilee, he asked Peter three times if he loved him, and upon hearing his affirmative reply, admonished him to "feed his sheep." When Peter staunchly professed his fidelity, (this time he meant it), Jesus said to him: "Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." (Jn 21: 18). Granted this was an indication of what kind of death he was to expect, but we can also read it as a clear message to us, that in loving and thus feeding others, we are always, it seems, called to go where we do not want to, to do something that we do not want to do, or think we are capable of doing. Yet, with the power of love behind us, we find that going where God wants us to go is better than any plan we could have made, and that in handling difficult, what we think are impossible situations, we somehow "have the right words", or "the strength comes from 'nowhere''. It comes from somewhere: from the Holy Spirit. We will celebrate Pentecost on Sunday when the power of the Holy Spirit was unleashed in full force. That same Holy Spirit, that same power is with us. And one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is love. These are the days when we might be asking for the Holy Spirit to unleash the power of love upon us so that we might not fear going "where we do not want to go."
Bro. Rene

Death of a Brother

Our American Marists were saddened to learn yesterday afternoon of the sudden death of Brother Richard LaRose, a native of Lawrence, and a graduate of Central Catholic, class of 1958. He entered St. Joseph Novitiate the September after his graduation and was a novice there when I was a postulant. He went on to a Doctorate in Chemistry, taught in various Marist schools here and in Japan and at Austin Prep. He had a serious heart attack while in Japan, but recovered enough to keep on working. He suffered a major set-back from a fall from a ladder while changing a light bulb when he was visiting a Capuchin friend at his mission in Montana. He worked at Central Catholic until a series of mini-strokes forced him to retire. It was downhill until a heart attack yesterday allowed him to return to the Father.
We as a province are grateful to God for Brother Richard, whose wit, and daring added so much to our Marist life and the schools where he taught. He was only in his early '70's, but his death was a blessing as his memory faded and left him unaware of what was happening around him. Over the 53 years he was a Brother, he influenced countless lives, and, evidently, God saw that it was time to "come home." It makes us all pause and reflect on the brevity of our fragile lives, and of the need to, as was often repeated to us, "live each moment as if it were our last, for we know not the day nor the hour." Everything we do can and does have an effect on others, let us live in the confidence that even the simplest things add up to a life of service in some form, to others.
Bro. Rene

Giving Thanks

Central Catholic's students complete their final exams at noon today and begin summer vacation. The faculty and staff will gather for a prayer of thanksgiving and celebrate the conclusion of another academic year with a barbecue and time to relax. It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing his praises day after day, for "strong is God's love for us; he is faithful forever." (cf Psalms 117 and 118). Even as we go through each day, we can whisper a word of thanks as we complete a task, make it safely through an intersection without waiting forever...get that green light that will save us a few minutes, have a cold drink, receive a warm greeting, etc. Our days are full of reasons to give thanks. It might be good at the end of the day to look back and see what stands out as especially worthy of a huge thank you to God. And, let's not forget to say thank you to the people who do so many things for us or for others, that we usually take for granted. A well-placed thank you can turn gloom into joy, or pre-occupation into awareness that there are many beautiful people and events that come our way every day.
Thanks, Lord. All good things come from you. You are the BEST! Amen.

In God's Time

Our fast, full pace of life brings on impatience and frustration if things don't happen "on schedule" or according to "our plan." Even in prayer, if we do not get the response we want right away, we tend to go into a spiritual pout. For Marcellin, simplicity reigned: "either God willed something or he did not. If he did, then in time it would come to be, maybe not in Marcellin's time, but in God's time." (Champagnat Year Booklet). He took to heart the words of Deuteronomy, "Understand, then, that the Lord your God, is God indeed, the faithful God who keeps his merciful covenant down to the thousandth generation toward those who love him and keep his commandments..." (Dt 7:9) We need to slow down and simplify, to let God work in God's time. How can we eliminate the clutter in our lives that stands in the way of abandoning ourselves to God's way and God's time? Can we take a moment to breathe between tasks...even better, can we work on limiting the number of tasks, meetings, calls, etc. that overstuff our day? It's very hard to do, especially when we have a long history of biting off too much, or feel that so many people depend on us, or worse, of thinking that we can do everthing. We have thus eliminated God, God's time, and put ourselves and our time in its place. The time between the Ascension and Pentecost should find us in the upper room with Mary and the Apostles, awaiting the promise of the Spirit. It was a nine day novena, a time of quiet prayer an waiting...a perfect model for us. May the Holy Spirit lead us to such a place of quiet, physically, or interiorly so that we might acknowledge once again who we are, who God is , and allow him to work in his time.
Bro. Rene

St. Marcellin Champagnat

On this day in 1840, St. Marcellin went to his eternal reward in the presence of the brothers who gathered around his bed to pray the rosary. As they sang the Salve Regina, he breathed his last. We can imagine the emotion at that moment, when so much loved was felt for this beloved man of God. The impact of his life more than outweighs his talents, demonstrating again, that superior intelligence and other gifts, do not replace a deep, determined faith and an absolute trust in God and in other people. Perhaps, however, the most striking characteristic of St. Marcellin is that heart of his, "the knew no bounds." His passion for making Jesus known and loved influenced all did, whether it was his dealings with the brothers or the students in their care. It pushed him forward in times of trial and resistance, in times of ridicule and even ill health. He loved largely, so much so that he saw the whole world too small to contain the love that filled his heart and overflowed to others. He stands as a giant, though his humility, simplicity and modesty kept him with reach of all, and capable of relating to everyone, even his enemies. His love begets love, and we who follow his simple path find ourselves impassioned with the same desire to carry on his vision 171 years after his death. Let us pray for all those touched by his spirit and pray that his followers, lay and consecrated, grow in numbers until, indeed they fill the world.
Bro. Rene
P.S. An apology on my short entry before I left for Wheeling..Pentecost is NEXT Sunday.

Away For The Weekend.

A class reunion in Wheeling West Virginia of the students I taught from 1967-1971, their 40th, will prevent me from slicing Daily Bread with you until the Memorial of St. Marcellin on June 6th. Will keep you in prayer, especially on Sunday, Pentecost!
Bro. Rene

Living in Joyful Expectation

Ascension Thursday. For New Englanders, perhaps it's taking a back seat to the tornado disaster in central Massachusetts or the Bruin's 1-0 loss to the Canucks in the last 18 seconds. These, only a small segment of the massive "imperfection" of the human condition, remind us that "nothing is perfect in this world." We can imagine the dismay of the Disciples as Jesus returned to heaven. Their three-year blissful "schooling" in his presence as they grew from ordinary fishermen or tax collectors to men who would dynamically change the world, seemed to come to an abrupt end. "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?" (Acts. 1: 11) Do we find ourselves in their shoes, eyes looking longingly for answers, help, assurance? Sometimes our faith even wavers. Matthew tells us that just before the ascension, "The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. Whey they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted." (Mt 28: 16-17). We are not alone. Thankfully, the angel who spoke to them (us) gives us hope: "This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven." (Acts 1:11). Despite all the tragedies, disasters and disappointments inevitably part of our lives, we are encouraged to live in joyful expectation for his return. We have been commissioned to bring the message to the ends of the earth, and are reminded that Jesus remains with us till the end of time. Rather than a period of woeful waiting, it is our task to make it a period of joyful mission.
Bro. Rene

Month of the Sacred Heart

The month of June has been traditionally dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, mainly because the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart usually occurs during this month. After focusing on the risen Jesus for 50 days, the Church continues its meditation by using the familiar image of the Sacred Heart to highlight the on-going and unconditional love of God for us, symbolized by the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We all need to strive to be more united to Christ, and this month the Holy Father's intention is that "priests, united to the Heart of Christ, may always be true witgnesses of the caring and merciful love of God." As desirable as that is for priests, it also applies to us, who in the Marist Tradition seek to make Jesus known and loved...in our own souls, and in the hearts of the children we teach and guide, and of the people who cross our paths daily. We, in a sense, become "missionaries", dedicated to the spread of the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of love. May this goal be part of our June experience as school ends, vacations bring needed rest and recouperation, and a healthy change of routine redirects our energies.
Bro. Rene