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What I Give You
Spiritual Family Tree
I have always been fascinated by history, especially the history of my family. Learning about my roots and the branches of my family tree always interests me. When I discover someone I never knew existed I get especially excited.
I was recently looking at old census records on ancestry.com and found that my grandfather, Michael Conroy, had a little sister. My family always led me to believe that my grandfather and his four brothers only had one sister (my Aunt Helen). When I looked at the records and census materials online, I realized that my grandfather had a little sister, Nora, who died at the age of ten from influenza.
While I don't have any other information about young Nora Conroy, I do know that she is part of my family story and that she is someone who I can now pray for (and to) as I include all of my aunts, uncles and cousins in my daily prayer.
I thought of Nora when I came across the story of Saint Dominic Savio. Dominic was a young student in Italy who lived a holy life that is still remembered today. On March 9, 1857, Dominic died from complications due to pneumonia at the age of 14. He had just started studying with Father (later Saint) John Bosco to become a priest in the Salesian order.
Dominic never became an official novice or seminarian, but he was certainly Salesian as he followed the teachings of Saint Francis de Sales. Throughout his short life, young Dominic was able to teach others by his example. Dominic showed that holiness can be achieved through the practice of simple, everyday actions in our daily life. Being friendly, faithful and helping others was the way that Dominic put the spirituality of Francis de Sales into practice as a child and teenager.
Dominic once said, "I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God." Saint John Bosco, Dominic's mentor and guide, later described this young saint as someone who found joy and holiness in doing the ordinary things for love of Jesus. John Bosco would tell the Salesians that "religion must surround us like the air we breathe. Dominic Savio wore holiness like the clothes on his back."
As I wrote a few weeks ago, the Oblates have always considered the Salesians of Don Bosco as spiritual "cousins." Just as I was humbled to find my Aunt Nora in the Conroy family story, it is great to discover that the Oblate family has a young cousin like Dominic Savio in our spiritual family tree. May the example of Saint Dominic inspire all of us - no matter our age - to do the ordinary in an extraordinary way. As we live each day guided by Jesus, may we work each day for holiness. Francis de Sales encouraged us to be close to God with these reassuring words: "Let God be the air in which your heart breathes at ease." May Saint Dominic Savio and all of the deceased members of our own families help us to find holiness in the air and in our hearts.
Provincial, Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
Rev. Thomas J. McGee, OSFS, 1942- 2023
Rev. Thomas J. McGee, OSFS, in his 62nd year of religious life as a professed member of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, died on February 27, 2023. Father was born in Philadelphia in 1942, the son of Clarence C. McGee and Margaret T. Davis McGee. After graduating from Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1959, he entered the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and professed first vows on August 22, 1961. He made perpetual profession on January 31, 1965 and was ordained a priest on June 5, 1971. Father earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Niagara University (Lewiston, NY), a Master of Arts Degree in Education from Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) and a Master of Theology from De Sales School of Theology (Washington, DC).
Over the years, he served on the faculty of Bishop Ireton High School (Alexandria, VA), Salesianum School (Wilmington, DE), and Bishop Verot High School (Fort Myers, FL). In education, he also held the following leadership positions: Dean of Students at Bishop Ireton, Treasurer and Business Manager at Northeast Catholic, Principal of Holy Name High School (Reading, PA), and Principal of Salesianum. He also served as Religious Superior of the Bishop Verot Oblate Community. After his ministry in education, Father McGee served as Pastor of Saint Charles Borromeo Parish (Ahoskie, NC) as well as Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Good Counsel (Vienna, VA) and Our Lady Star of the Sea (Cape May, NJ).
Rev. Thomas J. McGee, OSFS is preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, Michael J. McGee (Patricia), his nieces Michelle Miller (Dennis), Gwen Potero, and Bonnie McGee (Damian) as well as several great-nieces and great-nephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday March 4, 2023, beginning at 11:30 AM at Our Lady of Light Chapel, 1120 Blue Ball Road, Childs, MD 21916. The Viewing will precede the Mass from 10:00 AM to 11:15AM. Interment will take place at the Oblate Cemetery following the Mass. Attendees must be fully vaccinated and boosted from COVID-19. Social distancing and masks are required.
In memory of Father McGee’s life and legacy, donations may be made to the Oblate Development Fund, P.O. Box 87, Childs, MD 21916-0087 or here.
Father Crossin, OSFS featured in Arlington Herald
Father John W. Crossin, OSFS
The Arlington Catholic Herald recently ran an article entitled, "Christian unity may not be so far off, says former head of bishops’ ecumenical office.” This features the newest book by Father John W. Crossin, OSFS, Moving into the Ecumenical Future: Foundations of a Paradigm for Christian Ethics. This book was the topic of a talk Father Crossin gave at St. John Neumann Parish (Reston, VA) earlier this month. In the article, Father John is described as "an optimistic ecumenist." From the article: “As an Oblate, Father Crossin’s 50-plus years of formation in the spirituality of St. Francis de Sales certainly contributes to his hopeful stance."
Father Crossin’s book proposes ten pillars for common Christian Ethics and invites dialogue on the topic. He holds a Ph.D. in Moral Theology, served as Executive Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the Catholic Bishops’ Conference and has published books and articles on Virtue Ethics and Salesian Spirituality.
Father Crossin will speak on “The Church and the World” on Friday, March 31 at 7:00 pm at St. John Neumann Church, 11900 Lawyers Rd., Reston, VA.
To purchase the book click on: Moving into the Ecumenical Future: Foundations of a Paradigm of Christian Ethics
Saint Katharine Drexel
“If we wish to serve God and love our neighbor well, we must manifest our joy in the service we render to Him and them. Let us open wide our hearts. It is joy which invites us. Press forward and fear nothing.” - Saint Katharine Drexel
This time last year two men with opposite impacts on the world were in the news. Only a few days apart, Dr. Paul Farmer died unexpectedly at 62 years of age. The same week President Vladimir Putin decided to commence an “absurd and cruel war” in Ukraine, as Pope Francis aptly described it.
Mr. Putin is well known, in the news frequently since his coming to power back in 1999. Paul Farmer is less known. He was one of the founders of Partners in Health, an organization based on the belief that modern health care can and should be available to everyone, everywhere in the world. The belief arose from working in collaboration with people in communities without the type of care that is standard in affluent countries. Dr. Farmer summed up the belief that underlines this work: “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.”
Partners in Health brings people together to build up medical institutions in places throughout the world without access to modern medical care. Paul Farmer and his partners are effective because they bring openness and humility to the communities they encounter. This encourages, and even requires, working with others, getting buy-in and engaging in back and forth. Step by step, person by person, the effort builds up something good, true and beautiful.
But it is so much easier to destroy than to build up. Forces that destroy stir up and harness fear, hate, jealousy, ignorance and distance to energize people. Far from fostering encounters that could lead to understanding and connections, destroying divides, imposes and does not listen to any voices outside its own echo chamber.
Clearly, Mr. Putin is able to do that in the authoritarian Russia he has helped shape. Beginning last February, in this one conflict, millions of lives have been disrupted, hundreds of thousands have died, billions of dollars—and rubles—that could have been directed to improving the lot of humanity, have been wasted creating or mitigating this tragedy.
Mother Drexel (right) with Navajos; courtesy and copyright the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament.
Pope Francis often notes that when we bridge differences and make contact with people different from us, the poor and people on the margins of our world, our hearts grow larger. It is important to remember the many efforts to build up good in this world. The loud and disruptive negative can overshadow the good.
The same season as these one-year anniversaries, the Church Year highlights another outstanding Christian who can inspire us. Saint Katharine Drexel came from a very wealthy family in Philadelphia. Despite their status, her family served the needy out of their home each week. The Drexels had a close family friend who was a bishop in a Western territory. Through him, the family encountered Native Americans and learned about their experience as conquered peoples who were pushed to the margins to make way for the young republic’s westward expansion.
With this background shaping her vocation, Katharine founded a group of women, the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, to reach out to Native Americans and African Americans. The sisters shared the faith of Christ, building schools and parishes. Pictures of Mother Drexel in full, formal Victorian Era nun’s habit next to a group of Native Americans or Black Americans illustrate vividly that these were people from very different worlds encountering one another.
Our world has a long way to go before the joy of the Lord crowds out all fears and smallness of heart and everyone sees everyone else as sister or brother of the one God above. In unmistakable ways, Saint Katharine Drexel and Paul Farmer demonstrate the power of faith in action that each one of us is a part of. This Lent let us be sure to renew our hearts by keeping company with sisters and brothers who share the joy of Christ in their open hearts.
Father Mike McCue, OSFS
Chaplain, Our Lady of Lourdes Virtua Hospital
Camden, NJ
Eat Fish
Last Friday, I had fish for dinner. It was a Friday during Lent, meaning most Catholics observe the meatless Friday rule by having fish on their dinner menu. Fridays during Lent are one of the few times I eat fish. I don’t like fish, never have, and probably never will but it’s Lent, and I eat fish. I’ve learned to tolerate this annual penance, not happily, but I sit at the table and quietly eat what I don’t enjoy. I do it because it helps me live the spirit of the season.
Eating fish on Lenten Fridays helps me remember that this season is a time for me to discover those things that are less tasteful in my life. Lent is a time to reflect and identify the habits, attitudes and behaviors that prevent me from successfully “living Jesus.” Fish Fridays help me remember the practice of Lent and maintain the spirit and focus of this penitential season.
Linguistically, lent is derived from an old English word meaning springtime. In Latin, “lente” means slowly. Lent points to the coming of spring and invites us to slow down our lives to take stock of ourselves. Saint Francis de Sales preached, wrote and advised many on the spirit of Lent and fasting. Here are some of his encouragements for this season.
Saint Francis wrote that “fasting is not a virtue,” but fasting can lead us to virtue. Paraphrasing Francis in his Introduction to the Devout Life, he encourages us to fast with our whole being. If we have offended God through the eyes, ears, tongue and other senses, why should we not also make them fast? The ears, by depriving them of listening to destructive and cynical talk, only to fill the mind with negative and dark images. The tongue, by avoiding judgmental, offensive, gossipy and negative comments or discussions. “We ought also to cut off useless thoughts, vain memories, superfluous appetites and desires of our will.”
Eating fish on Fridays is not going to save my soul. But, as I abstain from meat on Fridays, it reminds me to abstain from actions, behaviors and attitudes that lead me away from Christ. Lent, in a small way, allows us to imitate Christ’s forty days in the desert. It is a time to let ourselves be unprotected, vulnerable and aware of our sinfulness so that we may turn again to the light leading us to God through the mercy of Christ. Lent invites us to stop eating whatever protects us from facing the desert inside us so we can finally give the angels a chance to feed us.
The need for Lent is in all of us. Without this time, we cannot correctly prepare; hearts open, thirsting and ready for the waters of life and the grace of Easter.
So, Eat Fish!
Father Jack Loughran, OSFS
Provincial
Toledo-Detroit Province
Perfection
When I was a junior at North Catholic High School (Philadelphia, PA), I remember our Christian Morality teacher began the course by quoting the Scripture passage many of us heard last weekend, “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). As a 16-year-old average student, this teaching seemed out of reach; it seemed impossible. I kept asking myself, “How can anyone be perfect?” I believed that perfection meant being better than others, being without any problems, going through life minus struggles and sins. With that definition in my mind, I reasoned that only Jesus and the saints were perfect. Perhaps Jesus did not mean for his followers to take this so literally.
Today, I think I have a better understanding of this teaching. Jesus really did mean what he said. He does not want us to be “average” or “pretty good.” He wants perfection! While this is still a challenge, I am able to see that it is possible for all of us. I think we have to separate the call of Jesus to be our best and the psychological pressure to be flawless. The latter idea can lead to stress, burnout or guilt.
The message of Jesus is a call to be perfect, to become perfected and to grow in holiness. This is the Christian call to become saints. This is the vocation we were all given at baptism. This is the challenge to transform ourselves into what God has called us to be. Saint Francis de Sales tells us again and again to “be who you are and be that well.” If we try our best to be our best, we can transform ourselves and the entire world into the Kingdom of God.
For de Sales, perfection is about striving to live each and every moment in the Grace of God. Tomorrow is not yet here and yesterday is gone forever. All we have is the present moment. It is in this moment that we are called to live perfectly. And if we can do this in the present moment, what is keeping us from doing it in the next moment? Over time, these moments of perfection will get easier and our call to holiness will grow stronger. Francis encourages us when he wrote, “God will lead us to perfection one step at a time.”
Yesterday, the Church began the season of Lent. We all know this a penitential period of preparation for Easter. It is also a time for Christians to prepare for the Kingdom – a time to prepare for perfection. Perhaps this is a moment to pursue holiness. Perhaps we can make this Lent an opportunity to become a saint!
Recreation for Renewed Reflection
Father Marty Lukas, OSFS and Father Jack Loughran, OSFS, with Steve Fox.
My secrets out! I've been caught. Last week I was on a Zoom conference with several other Oblates, and not wanting my location to distract from the business at hand, I did my best to disguise it. Then, in the middle of the meeting, one of the participants said, "Jack, is that a palm tree outside that window behind you?"
It was, and my attempt to conceal the fact that I was at a resort in Cancun was foiled. I couldn't convince them that palm trees do grow in Michigan. And, of course, once I admitted where I was, I got a bit of grief from the guys stuck in the cold and snow of Michigan and Ohio. "Must be nice!" "Aren't you special?" "Wish I could get away in the middle of winter." I took the expected ribbing in the spirit of fun in which it was expressed.
My classmate, Father Marty Lukas, OSFS, and I have been traveling to Cancun with friends, Steve and Mary Fox, who own a number of time-share weeks at a beautiful beach resort, for over 20 years. It is beautiful, especially in February when the sun and 84 degrees beat the pants off frigid Michigan.
I am a bit sheepish about having such a wonderful and extravagant vacation. But, upon reading the following from the Introduction to the Devout Life by Saint Francis de Sales, I claim the wisdom of this Doctor of the Church!
Francis states in his classic work:
“It is sometimes necessary for us to relax both mind and body by some kind of recreation. As Cassian relates; When a hunter one day found Saint John the Evangelist holding a partridge in his hand and stroking it by way of amusement, he asked how a man like him could spend time on so common and trivial a thing. Saint John replied to him, ‘Why don’t you always carry your bow taut?’
“‘If it were always bent I’m afraid it would lose its spring and be useless when I needed it,’ the hunter answered.
“To this, the apostle replied, ‘Don’t be surprised then if I sometimes relax my close application and attention of mind a bit and enjoy a little recreation so that I may afterwards apply myself fervently to contemplation.’ It is undoubtedly a defect to be so strict, ill-bred, uncouth and austere as to neither to take any recreation ourselves nor to allow it to others …It is the common prudence that gives due order, time, place and measure to all things.”
Some more wisdom from Saint Francis de Sales that serves body, mind and spirit. I love it.
Father Jack Loughran, OSFS
Provincial
Toledo-Detroit Province
A Salesian Spirituality of Imperfection
As human beings we are more alike than we are different. One characteristic we all share is that each of us, at some point in our lives, has made a mistake and, despite our good will and intentions, will probably continue to make them.
Saint Francis de Sales was aware of this. In fact, he said that the spiritual life itself is comprised largely of mistakes because it is in our mistakes that we realize our own humanity, our own limits, and our need for God. He writes, “We must never be astonished at finding ourselves imperfect…because there is no cure for it.” Saint Francis asks us to acknowledge something we’d often rather avoid; namely, that as humans we are not, and will not be, perfect. Instead, we must ask ourselves how we respond to our mistakes.
Do we:
Take the time to learn from them or dismiss them?
Take responsibility when it is our fault or blame others?
Do we work to correct it or resort to self-pity?
Are we honest and accountable or do we play the victim?
Finally, Saint Francis also reminds us that after every mistake there is one thing we must do: pick ourselves up and continue moving forward as Jesus did when carrying the cross to Calvary. During that walk Jesus was physically battered, emotionally drained, and going through physical upheaval. Yet, after each fall, Jesus picked Himself up and continued going forward and persevered until He reached His destination. How did He do it? First, Jesus was supported through His prayer, His constant communication with the Father who loved Him and was with Him during His suffering. Second, Jesus was supported by His friends who met Him on the way like His mother Mary, Mary Magdalene and the Beloved Disciple, John.
Sometimes we can feel this way too: like we are carrying the weight of the world as we go through our days. And the tools that Jesus used, prayer and friendship, we ought to use too. By prayer we share our most intimate needs, desires, hopes, dreams and fears with God. We ask God to be with us on the way. And in friendship, we become closer to the people who will walk with us during our successes and our mistakes.
When it comes to rising from our mistakes, let’s:
Recognize our mistakes (our imperfections)
Take responsibility for their consequences
Pray & patiently try to change ourselves to avoid making them
Tell others what we are doing
Persevere in making the needed adjustments as we try and try again
As Saint Francis advises, “Perfection consists in fighting against our imperfections…In this enterprise, we must have courage and patience…in this…we are always victorious provided we are willing to fight.” In other words, we fail only when we fall and decide to remain down. We are perfect when we fall and then rise again, trusting in God’s love and mercy, and determined to change and do better.
May God be praised!
Consider the Apodan
Even though I attended St. Francis de Sales High School in the late sixties, it wasn’t until I came under the warm magnetic field of the Oblates in the 1980s that I began to fall in love with the Saint Francis de Sales, the Gentleman Saint.
I had always loved his famous quote, “There is nothing so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as true strength.” It had hung in the music room of my grade school, named after another great saint, Saint Vincent de Paul. But after working with the Oblates, who had blessedly come to Denver, CO for a decade, I could see how deeply true it is that true strength reveals itself in gentleness, forgiveness and, sometimes, laughter so uncontrollable you nearly fall off the table.
Decades later at our fiftieth high school reunion, several of us gathered our favorite quotes of Francis de Sales and read them together at our Mass. I wasn’t the only one who had come to know and love him in the intervening years.
This past year has brought still more opportunities to know him. With the Double Salesian Year, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis de Sales, and the 450th anniversary of the birth of Saint Jane de Chantal, came Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter, Totum Amoris Est. Yes, even the most superficial dive into the life and writings of Saint Francis reveals a Christian for whom EVERYTHING pertains to love.
The section entitled “Wind and Wings,” right in the middle of the letter touched me to my toes. I’d never heard of an “apodan,” apparently named by Aristotle, but that little short-legged bird owns my heart now. These little birds, Saint Francis tells us, have such weak and short legs that “it’s as if they did not even have them.” If they fall to the ground they have to stay there because their little legs don’t give them the traction they need to get a running start to take wing.
So they’re completely dependent on a gust of wind to pick them up. Once airborne, they must be ready to flap their wings so that the thrust of wind will continue to propel them higher and higher. Eventually, they’ll be flying on their own but only because they’ve learned to surrender to being helpless on the ground until the wind finds them and sends them to the skies.
I’ve given the word “surrender” a lot of thought these past many years. None of us lives a long (and grateful) life without losing a lot. One of the more intense losses for me was my generally good health, which tilted precariously in the wrong direction in 2007 when a staph infection tried to kill me. Within the space of thirty minutes, I went from getting ready to go to lunch with a friend, to screaming my lungs out in the emergency room.
There began my descent into the valley of the shadow of death. The infection had found its way into my prosthetic hip, which had to be removed, and replaced with a spacer until antibiotics cleared the infection. Twice during those interminable months, the EMTs arrived at my house to pick me up and take me in the ambulance to the emergency room because the pain was more than I could stand.
Like the little apodan, I was utterly helpless to assist them in lifting me. I learned to trust that I would be lifted carefully, with absolutely no help from me. Likewise, in the months of my recovery, my life or death was completely out of my hands. I was forced to surrender my life to God.
It's surrender that saves us. Surrender - kenosis - takes an immense amount of grace. But consider the apodan, says Saint Francis de Sales. It has the grace to wait for the wind (and we would say Spirit) to lift it up. It’s in surrender that we learn to Live Jesus.
Kathy McGovern
Kathy McGovern is a well-known scripture teacher in the Denver area. She publishes a weekly scripture column for parish bulletins. Subscribe at www.thestoryandyou.com
She has also authored a new Stations of the Cross book for Twenty-Third Publications, Walking with Jesus on the Way to Calvary: Praying the Stations of the Cross with Perseverance, available here.
Salesian Students Aim High to Make a Difference!
Over the past ten years, Salesianum School, Padua Acadamy (part of the Oblate parish, St. Anthony of Padua) and Ursuline Acadamy in Delaware have partnered annually to coordinate a powerful fundraising event called SALSTHON (Students About Life Saving). The collaboration is headed by the Student Councils from each school and to date has raised a remarkable $1,400,000 for local non-profit organizations, including The Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans, Child Inc., The B+ Foundation, SL24: Sean's House, St. Patrick’s Center, Limen House, AI DuPont Children’s Hospital and The Summer Collab.
This year, the students announced that The Ronald McDonald House of Delaware (RMHDE) is the SALSTHON 2023 beneficiary and together have set their sights on an impressive $175,000 fundraising goal.
To choose the beneficiary for SALSTHON, the Student Councils research and present options focusing on foundations that are in need and where the money raised will be the most impactful. After interviewing the nonprofits and much consideration, students agree on one foundation. This year, when speaking with RMHDE and touring the facilities, the students felt a deep connection between the mission of the foundation and Salesian Spirituality.
Pam Cornforth, President and CEO of RMHDE; Brian Reed, whose family was a beneficiary of RMHDE, and members of Salesianum's Student Council (L-R): Jake Randall '23, William "Deuce" Mutts '23; Colin McGhee '23, Nate Gambol '23 and Jack Gormley '23.
As SALSTHON faculty liaison Ms. Alison Hildenbrand said, “The joy and optimism that emanates from RMHDE has a real connection to Salesian Spirituality and the teaching of Saint Francis de Sales. The foundation is dedicated to creating a place that is happy and optimistic for families who are going through difficult times.”
If this year’s fundraising goal is met, RMHDE will be able to fill its financial need to be able to continue to provide meals for families staying with them. If students are able to surpass the goal, those funds will go towards updating the accommodations and furnishings at the housing facilities.
Salesianum’s Student Council President Jack Gormley ‘23 is passionate and enthusiastic about this year's effort. He said, “It is through efforts like this that we as students are able to highlight how Saint Francis’ teaching lives inside of us every day and in all that we do. We are really able to show that we live these teachings when we can put them into action in the real world and do something really special to help others. Through this effort we show our true selves, being who we are and being that well. We don’t shy away from obstacles, even though it is not easy. We are here to work on something really special and continue to live out Salesian Spirituality in our communities.” He went on to express how he and his fellow council members hope that this can be the start of a partnership with RMHDE and Salesianum as they have already identified ways that students can volunteer at the foundation and have brainstormed other fundraising options for the future.
From now until March 18th, students from all three Salesian schools are joining forces to raise funds through various outlets, including direct donation solicitations, sponsoring “dress down” days, social events and athletic tournaments. Finally, on the evening of March 18, the fundraising efforts culminate at the spirited SALSTHON overnight dance held at Salesianum where the highly anticipated reveal of the official total dollars raised occurs.
To learn more about SALSTHON here.
Live + Jesus!
St. Paul VI Catholic High School Celebrates its 40th Anniversary
This year, Oblate-affiliated St. Paul VI Catholic High School is celebrating 40 years of growing in grace and wisdom! The school community celebrated with an Anniversary Mass on Sunday, January 29 in their theatre, Teatro Montini. The Mass was concelebrated by current Chaplain Father Stephen Schultz, founding principal Father Donald J. Heet, OSFS, and former principal, Father Robert Mulligan, OSFS, with over 400 people in attendance. It was so special to have so many past, present (and future) Panthers, faculty and staff celebrating together.
Father Donald J. Heet, OSFS, (front) Chaplain Father Stephen Schultz, (back) and Father Robert Mulligan, OSFS, (right).
St. Paul VI High School was established in 1983 by former Arlington Bishop Thomas J. Welsh and the Oblates administered and staffed the school until 2000. Other Oblates who served at the school include Father Joe Brennan, Brother Bob Carter, and Fathers Michael Cavanaugh, Bill Dougherty, Ed Fitzpatrick, Frank Hanlon, Matt Hillyard, John Lyle, Robert Mancini, John McGee, Ed Ogden and John O'Neill.
The mission of St. Paul VI Catholic High School is to provide an excellent Catholic education to young men and women by affording them the means to achieve spiritual, intellectual, personal, social, and physical development according to the teachings of the Gospel and Saint Francis de Sales. St. Paul VI Catholic High School is committed to graduating responsible, moral, service-oriented young adults who will continue to “grow in grace and wisdom."
A full gallery of photos from the day are available here and the Mass can be viewed on the PVI YouTube Channel.
Father John W. Crossin, OSFS, Explores the Ecumenical Future
While praying on a retreat at Trappist Monastery (Holy Cross Abbey) in Winchester, Virginia, Father John W. Crossin, OSFS, felt a strong calling. A theologian and author, he has two decades of expertise and knowledge in the areas of ecumenism but on retreat, he felt compelled to explore ecumenical ethics further.
Father Crossin recalls his self-reflection during the retreat, “We (different Christian groups) will always differ on issues of personal morality and we haven’t dialogued on this as we have on other topics, so why not rely on the Holy Spirit?”
Thus, Moving into the Ecumenical Future: Foundations of a Paradigm of Christian Ethics was born. This book provides a common framework in approaching moral issues. Father Crossin reminds us that the Pope invites tension and disagreement so we can come to a common understanding. In the book, Father Crossin reflects on the moral debates and issues between Christians and invites readers to prayer and dialogue on these.
Structured around ten fundamental pillars, Father Crossin explores foundational influences and how they contribute to the understanding of Christian ethics. The text begins with the Holy Spirit as Father Crossin believes all Christian traditions should rely on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Subsequent chapters consider pastoral input, the teaching and example of Jesus, biblical teachings, and our relationships with God and one another in developing paradigms for ecumenical ethics.
There are echoes of Salesian Spirituality throughout the entire book. Father Crossin explains that he considers Saint Francis de Sales’ lessons appropriate for dialogue on ecumenical ethics, specifically, his encouragement to be gentle, to be in dialogue and that the will is more important than the intellect. There is also a section dedicated to Salesian Spirituality. This is the focus because, Crossin explains, spirituality is a foundation of morality. It provides an area of discussion where one can meet another with differing views with respect and grounds for convincing. The book seeks reconciliation between Protestants and Catholics, and Salesian Spirituality, through its gentleness, practicality, and humility, can lead to the coming together of two opposing sides. When Saint Francis de Sales dealt with those who held different positions he treated them (and everyone) all in the image of God. Father Crossin encourages our discussions on Christian ethics to follow this model of being gentle and charitable to those with which we may disagree.
Father Crossin, OSFS, entered the Oblates in 1965 and has served in ecumenical work for over 20 years. He is the former Executive Director of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and holds a Ph.D. in Moral Theology from The Catholic University of America. His publications include books related to virtue ethics and numerous articles on Salesian Spirituality. He also served as Director of the Washington Theological Consortium, Director of the Spiritual Formation program at Saint Luke Institute, and President of De Sales School of Theology. Father Crossin has worked with other religions and Christians spending five years on the road traveling to conferences.
Father John W. Crossin, OSFS
He sees this book as an extension of his two decades of work in ecumenism. He recognizes that achieving full agreement on Christian ethics will probably never occur but he hopes his book makes a contribution and says, “Who knows what the Holy Spirit will do if we prayerfully consider all this?”
He says he considers this publication a starting place for ecumenical studies and a foundation for discussion for international dialogue to dive deeper in ecumenical studies. “I hope in reading this book others will see some light and it will help bring us together, which is Jesus’ will at the Last Supper; that we be one.”
Father Crossin said he wants “to help build relations between opposing sides by providing biblical and pastoral models to ecumenical studies as well as Salesian views on this topic.” A review by Kathryn Johnson, former Director for Ecumenical Relations for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America suggests he achieved this. She said, "This is a book of hope and summons. Where many despair that differences on moral teaching must inhibit ecumenical growth, John Crossin musters multidisciplinary hosts of resources to root dialogical openness at the heart of mature Christian life. Then, as a moral theologian, he proposes steps forward on the way toward unifying (while appropriately diverse) witness on the unavoidable matters of how to live--all with humility, love, and trust in the Spirit of God.”
To purchase the book click on: Moving into the Ecumenical Future: Foundations of a Paradigm of Christian Ethics
Rev. Thomas J. Tucker, OSFS, 1938-2023
Father Thomas J. Tucker, OSFS
Rev. Thomas J. Tucker, OSFS, in his 66th year of religious life as a professed member of the Wilmington-Philadelphia Province of the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, died on February 7, 2023.
Father was born in Philadelphia in 1938, the son of Morgan J. Tucker and Henrietta Bach Tucker. After graduating from Northeast Catholic High School in Philadelphia in 1956, he entered the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales and professed first vows on February 2, 1958. He made perpetual profession on February 2, 1961 and was ordained a priest on October 1, 1966. Father earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Niagara University (Lewiston, NY), a Master of Science in Biology from the Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) and a Master of Theology from De Sales School of Theology (Washington, DC).
Over the years, he served on the faculty of both Father Judge High School (Philadelphia, PA) and Salesianum School (Wilmington, DE) and also served as Superior of the Salesianum Oblate Community.
Rev. Thomas J. Tucker, OSFS is preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law, Paul Davis. He is survived by his sister, Janet Davis as well as his nephews, Matthew Davis and Adam Davis.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 11, 2023, beginning at 11:30 AM at Our Lady of Light Chapel, 1120 Blue Ball Road, Childs, MD 21916. The Viewing will precede the Mass from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM. Interment will take place at a later date. Attendees must be fully vaccinated and boosted from COVID-19. Social distancing and masks are required.
In memory of Father Tucker’s life and legacy, donations may be made to the Oblate Development Fund, P.O. Box 87, Childs, MD 21916-0087.
Sacred Heart Valentine
As we approach the middle of February, we don’t have to look too far to see images of Valentine’s Day in homes, shops and supermarkets. Candy, cupids and flowers are also on display, but it is the heart that has become the primary symbol of romance and love. Many histories of Valentine’s Day propose that the stylized image of a human heart became so popular because it appeals to our senses. Most of us understand the importance of the heart for our health and well-being and this has been translated into seeing love as central to our life.
In Catholic culture, the Sacred Heart of Jesus has become an icon of God’s love and mercy. It is a centuries-old tradition that focuses on Christ’s physical heart as a symbol of His love for humanity. The devotion has roots in the Middle Ages but it was in the late 17th century that Jesus appeared to Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, a Visitation nun in France. The Salesian tradition has always emphasized the love of God and the significance of speaking to one another “heart to heart.” So, it was fitting that Christ chose to communicate His love for all humanity to a spiritual daughter of Saint Francis de Sales and Saint Jane de Chantal.
In many ways, this devotion may have become popular for the same reasons the heart symbol gained prominence among romantics. The Sacred Heart is a very tangible reminder of the love and mercy God has for His children.
The Church encourages us to remember the Heart of Jesus throughout the year. On the first Friday of each month, special prayers, litanies and holy hours are offered as Catholics recall the love of Jesus. The actual feast of the Sacred Heart is celebrated each year a few weeks after Easter and Pentecost.
In popular culture, the month of February is filled with heart shapes, love songs and romantic cards and decorations. As we walk down the aisles of our drugstores and supermarkets, maybe we can walk with Saint Valentine. As a Christian bishop, he often preached the words of Jesus, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29).
My hope is that the Heart of Jesus will inspire us all year round. Like Saint Margaret Mary, my prayer is that the Kingdom of Christ will be established in our own hearts. And may we be able to say, along with the disciples walking to Emmaus, “Were not our hearts burning within us when he talked to us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” (Luke 24:32).
Reverend Jack Kolodziej, OSFS
Provincial
Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
Meet Father Joe Campellone, OSFS, Provincial Councilor Wilmington-Philadelphia Province
Father Joe has provided spiritual support to Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, formerly Eagles Head Coach. Pictured above (L-R) are Brian Westbrook, former Eagles player, Andy Reid, Father Joe and Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Before the Superbowl match-up of Chiefs versus the Eagles, Father Joe told Andy Reid, “You’re a great buddy but I’m rooting for the Birds this Sunday!”
Father Joe Campellone, OSFS, Provincial Councilor, brings a great perspective and interesting experiences when he collaborates with his fellow councilors in advising Father Jack Kolodziej, OSFS, Provincial, Wilmington-Philadelphia Province.
A proud product of Northeast Philadelphia, Father Joe was raised in a home centered on faith and shared with his five siblings. He recalls his late mother, who worked for many years with Oblates at St. Joachim Parish, as one who loved to smile and always laugh. Father Joe considers his parents and grandparents influential role models of the servant model of Christ.
He says he couldn’t get into Father Judge High School, so he attended Ashburn High and played football for St. Timothy’s Parish. He had some learning disabilities disguised as behavior problems and graduated from DeSales University (DSU) with the help of the ACT101 Program.
When he was at DSU, he remembers thinking that he wasn’t going to make it through. “At DSU, a lot of awesome people saw something in me,” he recalls. “They didn’t just look at the score on paper; they saw who the person was in their heart and in their spirit.”
After he graduated, Father Joe worked in Student Life at the University, living in the dorms and dealing with all different types of student situations. After he became an Oblate, he first came to Father Judge High School to serve as Chaplain and created a large ministry team and a variety of community-oriented programs. As Chaplain, he relished the opportunity to engage with others and encourage self-reflection.
Father Joe, center, is flanked by former Philadelphia Eagles Head Coaches Doug Peterson, on his right and Andy Reid, on his left. Reid is now Head Coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.
“As an Oblate, our way of life causes us to be internal and reflective. This gives you the ability to help others do this…as a chaplain I worked with students who have now become my very good friends. It was such a privilege to be a chaplain as an early priest as I have been able to walk with so many people,” Father Joe said.
In addition to countless Judge students and families, Father Campellone has supported and coached businesspeople, athletes and coaches including Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, Philadelphia Flyers players and other business leaders. Working with people from all walks of life is particularly gratifying for Father Joe. The words of Saint Francis de Sales that he had printed on his ordination prayer card remain the center of Father Joe’s spirituality, “Strive to seek God in all things, without exception.”
At Judge, Father Joe served as President for 15 years. Today, he ministers as an Advancement Consultant. He has helped raise millions of dollars to support the growth of the Father Brisson Center for Academic Excellence, which provides a supportive environment for the completion of academic work and ensures that each student has the opportunity to be as successful as possible. The Center offers educational support for students with learning differences.
In addition to raising funds for the Career Pathways Academy at Father Judge, Father Joe also helped create the model for this program where students graduate with more than just a high school diploma; they earn certification in a trade. Thus far, the program offers welding and automotive training but future plans include HVAC, building trades and CNC machining.
“This is such a great program; I am so happy to be able to work with alumni to be part of the mission as we continue to provide a Salesian education at Judge,” said Father Joe.
Another uniqueness of Father Judge is “Judge 27” a reference to the 27 Judge alumni who lost their lives in Vietnam, more than any other private/parochial school in the nation. These men and their families are always remembered and Father Joe has had the privilege of working with many of them. Most recently, he collaborated with other veterans in establishing Fort Freedom Foundation, which hosts a 24-hour hotline and a 90-day in-patient program in Jupiter, FL for vets experiencing PTSD and other issues. The free program offers spiritual, psychological and medical programs for vets across the country. Father Joe is passionate about this work and comments, “They (vets) gave us freedom but they don’t have freedom – we thank them but they are not having mental freedom to live their lives.”
Father Joe’s main focus of his advancement talents is raising funds for Father Judge High School but he also supports Beacon Pointe (an addiction recovery center in Philadelphia), the Sisters of St. Basil the Great, Saint Basil Academy Alumni (Philadelphia) and the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales. In addition to this work, Father Joe also served on the DeSales University Board of Trustees and currently serves on an urban city board, Visitation BVM, as well as many others.
Father Joe is honored to be serving as Councilor and so happy to be part of Father Jack Kolodziej’s administration. “(Father) Jack has a great vision to be creative and to continue to make Salesian Spirituality vibrant in all we do. He really cares about the men, is so optimistic and inspires us (Oblates) to do great things.” Father Joe continues, “I love serving on the Council. We have such a great team…we bring four very different views. I’m very excited to be working with them and all my brother Oblates.”
Direction of Intention
The Direction of Intention. This simple prayer is, for those in the Salesian family, a most powerful prayer for advancing in holiness. In this prayer we essentially do three things. We OFFER our action to God. We ASK for His grace and we ACCEPT whatever good or difficulty may come our way in a way that is pleasing to God. In so doing, we change the secular to sacred and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. In a sense, each action becomes a sacrament for in it we encounter Christ.
Our founder, Blessed Father Louis Brisson, OSFS, exhorted us to never forget the practice of this Direction of Intention. He urged us to make a new one with each new and successive action for we may need a different grace than the one required previously. I used to tell students that if the previous class did not go well, the next one is a new opportunity, a new beginning, a new Direction of Intention. At the same time, I mentioned that is was not magical. They couldn’t pray this prayer before a chemistry test they had not prepared for thinking they would do very well. Yet, on the other hand, they could accept the difficulty from not studying and resolve to do better. I begged them to pray this before all activities: a student council session, a play rehearsal, an audition, a sporting activity, at the beginning of the day and at its conclusion.
One of my favorite memories of this prayer was when 1100 male voices would pray it in a gym before a pep rally against our rival. Prayer recited, then they would cheer “Beat St. Mark’s” (or maybe it was kill?)! You get the idea. A brother of a parishioner asked if we were going to recite it prior to leaving the sacristy for his brother’s wedding. To this day, when I celebrate a former student’s wedding, we gather all the alumni together just prior to the wedding to recite the Direction of Intention. They all smile and proudly recite something that became second nature, instinctual. A graduate told me that at boot camp when his military academy was trying to emasculate him, get him to quit, he would pray the Direction of Intention as if to say “Bring it on; I’m ready.”
Another alum, years after being graduated, recalled that his first child was born with every malady and dressed with so many tubes on his body it would be very difficult to visit him. When he approached the gates of the hospital, he prayed the Direction of Intention and things went well. It put him in the Presence of God in the Present Moment (two more key concepts of Salesian Spirituality). Many are those who tell me that they continue to pray it as it is so helpful. To those who have heard about this prayer, they keep a copy of it in their office, on the mirror or wherever needed.
Whether it is doing the dishes, cutting the lawn, meeting with a less-than-pleasant client, sitting down to study, we dedicate the action to God. We GIVE it to God, ASK for God’s grace (“my grace is sufficient for you”) and ACCEPT everything as coming from God’s providential hands.
Not only did Father Brisson ask us never to forget this, but he begged us to teach this powerful means of sanctification to all those we serve. Anecdotally, the more I am faithful to this devotion, the better things progress. When I forget, difficulty has a chance of entering the picture accompanied by such vices as pride or anxiety. We do so many things over and over again (getting dressed, driving to work, getting vested to preside at Mass) that they can become routine, mindless and perhaps with little meaning. When beginning with the Direction of Intention, we can make the profane incredibly holy.
Father John Fisher, OSFS
Pastor
Our Mother of Consolation Parish, Philadelphia, PA
Catholic Schools Week
From January 29 to February 4, the Church celebrated Catholic Schools Week across the United States. In a special way, the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, whose patron considered learning to be the “eighth sacrament” of the Church, recognize and value the ministry of education, and in particular, how a Catholic education impacts the world in which we live: from our individual neighborhoods to our nation as whole. This reality is supported by the Oblates in many educational institutions throughout our two North American provinces: parish schools, high schools, and college campuses, many of which have shared pictures of their celebrations of Catholic Schools Week here.
When addressing the early Oblates and teachers at St. Bernard School in Troyes, France in 1891, our founder Blessed Louis Brisson, OSFS, acknowledged the importance of a Catholic school education when he told them, “What you are doing is the greatest good that can be produced. It is the goal of all of the efforts of good people and of the Church itself: to lead education in the ways of Christianity and of conscience.” Over 130 years later, the Oblates, and those with whom we partner in Catholic education, continue to provide this “greatest good” to young people. Let us praise and thank our Good God for this gift we share with the Church.
Brother Dan Wisniewski, OSFS
Director of Oblate Education
