paulistnews.org

Father John R. Donahue, SJ, to offer annual Hecker Lecture

smanowski — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:56:27 +0000

Jesuit Father John R. Donahue will offer the annual Hecker Lecture titled, “The Gospel of St. Paul: A Challenge for Our Country Today” Friday, Jan. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s College, 3015 Fourth Street NE, Washington, D.C.

In this Holy Year of St. Paul, with our country finding itself in the midst of historic challenges and momentus changes, the Paulist Fathers invite you to a discussion of what the original Christian missionary has to say to us today.

Father Donahue is a research professor in theology at Loyola University in Maryland. He is past president of the Catholic Biblical Association and noted Scripture author and writer.

Cardinal Egan to celebrate closing of Paulist 150th Anniversary Year

smanowski — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:48:30 +0000

Cardinal Edward M. Egan of New York will celebrate a Mass to officially close the Paulist Fathers’ 150th Anniversary Year at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle, 60th and Columbus, Sunday, at 10 a.m. Jan. 25, the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle.

It was Cardinal Egan who opened the Paulist 150th Anniversary Year in January 2008 by proclaiming Paulist founder and native New Yorker Father Isaac Thomas Hecker a Servant of God, opening the path to sainthood for Father Hecker. The anniversary year included a national convocation in Washington, D.C., two pilgrimages to Rome, and celebrations in each of the 18 cities served by the Paulists.

Florida retreat celebrates St. Paul

smanowski — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:46:10 +0000

Celebrate the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle with a retreat in Riverview, Fla., Jan 24 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Father Frank DeSiano, C.S.P., will celebrate Mass and facilitate the retreat, even “becoming” St. Paul by combining elements of his writing with autobiographical commentary. Focus will be on Paul the missionary, Paul the community organizer and Paul the mystic. Contemporary reflections will include: How can ordinary people make an extraordinary difference in today’s culture? What gift are you to the world that community draws out? Are you a mystic, too? (or … Guided by the Holy Spirit)
Father DeSiano serves as pastor of Florida’s Paulist Associates. The next associates formation program in Florida will begin on Jan. 29th for those in ministry who are interested in connecting with others who are also in ministry in the spirit of St. Paul.
For more information, log on to www.gnm.org/stpaul or call Terry and Ralph Modica, the Florida associates coordinators, at 813-654-1306.

Father Thomas Connellan, C.S.P., dies

smanowski — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:16:08 +0000

Father Thomas J. Connellan, C.S.P., died Dec. 26 at the Paulist Fathers residence in Vero Beach, Fla. He was 84, and was a member of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle for 59 years. Visitation will take place on Jan. 2 from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. in the chapel of the Paulist Fathers residence in New York, 415 W. 59th St. A funeral Mass will be offered at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle in New York on Saturday, Jan. 3 at 10 a.m.
Father Connellan was born on Jan. 13, 1924 in New York City as the oldest son of oldest son of Thomas J. and Anne (Jones) Connellan. Father Connellan graduated from Regis High School, attended Columbia University and graduated from the United States Naval Academy. After World War II, he worked for General Electric before entering the Paulist novitiate in 1949. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 3, 1956.
His first priestly assignments were in parish (St. Paul the Apostle) and campus ministry in Richardson, Tex., from 1956-61. He then returned to his native New York and campus ministry at the Community College of New York from 1962-66.
Father Connellan’s next ministry took him to San Paolo, Brazil, on special assignment looking into Latin American ministry from 1966-67. He returned to the U.S. and New York City as the archdiocesan coordinator of Newman Apostolates from 1967-71. He then took a year for continuing education before heading to the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids, Mich., from 1971-73.
Father Connellan then became superior and pastor at Immaculate Conception parish in Knoxville, Tenn., from 1973-76; and then at Old St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco from 1976-82.
Father Connellan was elected the Paulist vice president, and he served in that capacity from 1982-90 while serving as director of St. Mary’s of the Lake in Lake George, N.Y., from 1982-85. He also continued his education at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., in 1985. Father Connellan then served as associate at the Paulist novitiate at Mount Paul in Oak Ridge, N.J., before retiring to the Paulist residence in Vero Beach, Fla., in 1997.
Father Connellan is survived by his sisters: Sr. Anne M. Connellan, S.C., Helene O’Neil, Angela Murphy, Mary Dougherty and Elizabeth McGahren; 21 nieces and nephews; and 44 grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by his brother, William, and sister, Miriam.

Funeral Mass offered for Father Stanley F. MacNevin, C.S.P.

smanowski — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 16:15:45 +0000

This homily in honor of Father Stanley Francis MacNevin, C.S.P., was given by Father John B. Ardis, C.S.P., during Father MacNevin’s funeral Mass offered Dec. 27, 2008, at the Paulist Center in Boston. He was interred at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in West Roxbury, Mass.

Words could never totally grasp the man of faith that Stanley Francis MacNevin was. He grew up 20 minutes south of here in Dedham, the middle son, two older and two younger brothers. While most of his nearly 49 years of ordained life were spent elsewhere doing campus ministry, it was always clear Stan was a Bostonian.
In the 12 years that we lived and ministered together in Knoxville and Boston, it was clear what was important to Stan – his extended family: his brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. And also the family that he inherited, his fellow Paulists, and many men, women and children whom he so lovingly and faithfully served at West Virginia University, Memphis State, MIT, Ohio State, UCSB, UConn and the University of Tennessee, before becoming superior here in September 1995. Most in each of those locations will remember Stan as always tanned, impeccably dressed and not a silver hair out of place.
Stan never spoke of his early childhood faith, certainly a major part of his faith journey took place right here on Park Street. Park Street Church down on the corner is where he started his adult faith journey, but one day, led by the Spirit, he made his way half way up the block to 5 Park Street. He cherished the fact that he received five sacraments at 5 Park. From Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist and Penance to being ordained in this very chapel on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle nearly 49 years ago.
As much as Stan enjoyed excellent food and beverages, what drew him to the Catholic Church was the Eucharist. The words from the Gospel of John rang true in Stan’s life: “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will have eternal life and will be raised on the last day.” The sense of gnawing on the Eucharist, which this passage speaks of, being nourished by the bread of life, was the same way he gnawed on the bone of an excellent cut of prime rib. Celebrating the Eucharist and preaching a great homily were his trademarks. Stan always excelled in making the celebration of the Eucharist one that would be remembered, from setting the ambience to being attentive to the Holy Spirit in his life so as to proclaim the Word in a way that would leave those who attended fully nourished. If he had his choice, I think every Mass would have been followed by a meal for all who had gathered. With Stan, all were always welcome.
While Stan was one of the best mentors I or any priest could ever have, he was also a wonderful collaborator in ministry as well as a great leader. Be it a fellow Paulist or a lay staff member, he was always open to the ideas others offered. At the same time he never hesitated to share things he had learned from his associate pastors, especially Tomaso Kane and Mark-David Janus.
I will always remember a late October day, three months into our time together in Knoxville. I received a call early that morning that my father had died. I went to Stan to share the news. His words of comfort and compassion to me then were that he would be there for me to continue what my father had begun. Certainly, 10 months later when my mother died, Stan did indeed become a member of my family, there to comfort me and my siblings. I will always cherish the many vacations we shared together with my siblings, whether it be at sea on a cruise ship or at cabins in the Smokies.
One of Stan’s favorite expressions when he was impressed was “Woo, woo, Woo!” when you scored one of those, often around a meal, you knew you had done well.
As I reflect on the relationships in Stan’s life, be it family, fellow Paulists or significant people from each of the stops on his Paulist journey, the word loyalty comes to mind. From his first assignment at West Virginia University as the associate to the Good Stop, Fr. Bob Scott, to the cherished memories throughout the journey, one of the hardest things for Stan besides loosing many he loved along the way, was the decision the Paulists made to leave Storrs and the ministry he loved at UConn. While others might have just taken senior ministry status and said “enough is enough,” not Stan. When called to become pastor at John XXIII in Knoxville, he accepted the call, and once again excelled in sharing his many gifts and talents.
I thank Paul Huesing and all of the Paulists here for their care of Stan in his final days. Today as we celebrate Stan’s life and mourn his death, may we be comforted by the words proclaimed so eloquently today by Ruth Queen Smith from the Book of Wisdom: “The souls of the just are in the hand of God, no torment shall touch them.” God indeed has tried Stanley Francis MacNevin and found him worthy. Having been fed and nourished by the Bread of Life, he now takes his place among the elect, God’s chosen ones forever at peace.

PAULIST SERVICE OF FATHER STANLEY F. MACNEVIN
Ordained
Jan. 25, 1960

Staff
Paulist Center, Boston: 1960-62

Canpus Ministry
West Virginia University, Morgantown: 1962-66

Assistant
St. Patrick’s, Memphis, Tenn.: 1966-70

Campus Ministry
Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston: 1970-74

Campus Ministry (Superior)
Ohio State University, Columbus: 1974-78

Director
Paulist Center, Boston: 1978-79

Campus Ministry
University of California at Santa Barbara: 1979-82

Campus Ministry (Superior and Pastor)
University of Connecticut, Storrs: 1982-90

Sabattical 1990-91

Capus Ministry (Superior and Director)
John XXIII University Parish
University of Tennessee, Knoxville: 1991-95

Superior
Paulist Center, Boston: 1995-97

Senior Ministry Status (Retired)
Boston: 1997

UCC Austin heralds award for bishop

smanowski — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 18:38:48 +0000

Bishop Gregory M. Aymond of the Diocese of Austin was awarded the 2008 Exemplary Bishop Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Catholic Campus Ministry Association. The award goes to a bishop who demonstrates outstanding leadership in campus ministry at the local, regional, and national levels.
The Paulist-run University Catholic Center at the University of Texas participated in the nomination of Bishop Aymond for his strong support of Catholic Campus ministry at the school as well as the other Catholic ministries at public and private universities and colleges.
On a diocesan level, the bishop meets with campus ministers several times each year to engage in dialogue about how college students are being empowered to actively participate in the life, mission, and work of the Catholic faith community. Regionally, Bishop Aymond is a strong advocate for Theology on Tap, a ministry program for married and single adults, ages 21-35 who are interested in learning about the wisdom and hospitality of the Catholic church. Nationally, Bishop Aymond is a former member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Campus Ministry Committee, which sets the tone for the work of campus ministers on the national level. In addition, Bishop Aymond recently completed his first capital campaign for the Diocese of Austin and committed $2 million to fund four campus ministries, including the University of Texas at Austin.
The University Catholic Center was established more than 100 years ago to serve the students on The University of Texas campus as well as faculty, staff, alumni and resident community members. By encouraging students to take active roles in liturgy, volunteer work, and social justice projects, the center staff prepares these young people to become leaders in the larger Catholic community and to raise families in the Catholic Christian tradition. The University Catholic Center provides a safe and hospitable place for the community’s educational and social needs. Within the center’s walls, students can pray, reflect, relax, study, have fun and grow.

UCC Austin celebrates 100

smanowski — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 19:19:39 +0000

The Paulist-run University Catholic Center at the University of Texas at Austin celebrated its centennial anniversary.
The celebration began with a Nov. 1 Mass celebrated at the University Catholic Center by Cardinal Daniel DiNardo of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston and Bishop Gregory Aymond of the Diocese of Austin. Paulist Fathers president Father John F. Duffy was among the 18 priests who concelebrated the liturgy.
During the gala that followed, the University Catholic Center presented three Hecker Awards (named after Paulist founder Father Isaac T. Hecker) to Bishop Gregory Aymond, Father David O’Brien, C.S.P., and Caroline Johnston. The awards acknowledged Catholic men and women who are - as Father Hecker was – simply, calmly, joyfully, entirely Catholic. The center’s first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Father Robert T. Scott, C.S.P., for is 59 years of service and commitment to Catholic campus ministry across the country. To help Father Scott’s legacy endure, The Good Stop Endowment Fund was announced. The fund will ensure the center continues to be a good stop for future generations of Catholic longhorns. More than $89,000 was raised to begin the fund, and gifts will be continually accepted by contacting the center’s development office.
Austin Bishop Emeritus John E. McCarthy celebrated an anniversary Mass Nov. 2 at the center. The bishop was presented a Hecker Award by Father Duffy for his steadfast support of the center’s ministry. More than 200 people attended a picnic at Zilker Park following the Mass.

For more information, please contact:

Stefani Manowski

smanowski@paulist.org

202-269-2521

Father Timothy Sullivan, C.S.P., takes on Memphis diocesan post

smanowski — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:24:58 +0000

Father Timothy Sullivan, C.S.P., has been appointed the episcopal vicar for social ministry for the Diocese of Memphis, Tenn., by Bishop J. Terry Steib. While taking on his new post, Father Sullivan will continue his duties as pastor of St. Patrick Church in Memphis, where he has served since 2005.
Bishop Steib dissolved the former Associated Catholic Charities and reorganized the diocese’s social ministries with a new collaborative model of administration. Father Sullivan will now oversee Catholic Charities, The Diocese of Memphis Housing Corporation and St. Peter Villa. The change was brought about with the intention of strengthening the social justice ministry to more effectively serve those in need.
Father Sullivan earned a masters of divinity degree from the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C., where his pastoral thesis focused on Catholic social teaching and the empowerment of the poor through church-based community organization.

Paulist campaign exceeds $12 million goal

smanowski — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 18:23:28 +0000

A Future Brighter Than Past: The Campaign for the Paulist Fathers has exceeded its goal of $12 million to support the capital, programmatic and endowment of the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle.

“I can not find sufficient words to express my gratitude not just to my Paulist brothers but to the laity who worked on the campaign and our benefactors who have generously shared their financial resources with us,” said Paulist president Father John F. Duffy. “This campaign shows that in the spirit of Father Hecker (founder of the Paulist Fathers), we will continue to be able to read the signs of the signs of the times and meet the needs of the church in the modern age.”

The Paulists have given the Word of God a voice by engaging the culture of North American with faith for the past 150 years. The success of the campaign is but one indicator that the varied ministries of the Paulists are vital and vibrant in today’s society.

“The campaign underscores the fact that our particular charism is needed by the church,” Father Duffy said.

The campaign funds will also “build a foundation on which the Paulists can continue to build in the future,” according to Adam Dawkins, executive director of the Paulist Office for Financial Development, who mentioned that each Paulist foundation also received a large percentage of the funds it raised to help support the local community.

“This success represents a great deal of support for the Paulist Fathers, and the tremendous affection that people have for them,” said Mr. Dawkins. “Paulist ministries have touched so many lives, and the campaign reflects that faithful everywhere are committed to equipping the Paulists to continue their ministry to the next generation.”

Founded in 1858 by Servant of God Father Isaac Thomas Hecker, there are 150 Paulist priests in the United States and Canada serving in parishes, information centers, university Catholic centers and in a variety of other ministries. The Paulists are the first religious group of men in the Catholic Church founded in the United States.

Father Rich Colgan, C.S.P., to be installed as pastor in Toronto

smanowski — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:58:01 +0000

Auxiliary Bishop Richard J. Grecco of the Archdiocese of Toronto will formally install Father Richard Colgan as the pastor of the Paulist-run St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Toronto Saturday, Oct. 18 at the 5 p.m. liturgy. All are welcome. For more information, please call 416-534-4219.