Celebrating Fatima, 100 years!

Transcription

1 From The Center 1 Summer 2017 A Newsletter for Friends and Benefactors of Saint Benedict Center across the Country Celebrating Fatima, 100 years! On the 100th anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady at Fatima, Saturday, May 13th, 2017, hundreds of people gathered at IHM Chapel to honor Our Lady in a procession commemorating the event. The day began with a Solemn High Mass after which the blessing of the five crowns to be placed on statues took place. The 40 wood carved statue on the sedia was crowned in the sanctuary. This statue of Our Lady of Fatima was very special, as it was bought at Fatima this year when two Sisters visited the Shrine in February. It was a stunning sight to see Our Lady carried out of the chapel to lead the Procession, surrounded by donated flowers in the gardens, on the altar, and on the sedia, all bursting with color. The procession of almost 400 people carried banners as they sang hymns, stopping to pray a decade of the Rosary at each crowning. At the last shrine white helium balloons, tied in bouquets were released by the novices, each carrying a tag saying; Celebrate Fatima 100 years, or Pray the Rosary for Peace. After crowning five statues and walking up the hill to the convent, Benediction on an outdoor altar concluded the prayers and the picnic began. It was a lovely event, demonstrating a united devotion to Mary and her Fatima message. Top: The Statue of Our Lady from Portugal is carried in procession by Phillipe Napoli, Daniel Malm, Michael Evanowski, and David West. Above: The Sisters get ready to release the Fatima Message balloons. Far Left: The procession leaves the chapel driveway on the way to the third crowning. Left: Hannah Bohane, a junior at Immaculate Heart of Mary School, crowned the fourth statue. The Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of SAINT BENEDICT CENTER P.O. Box 1000 Still River, MA Main House (978) School (978)

2 2 Paving the Way From The Center Now that the MacIsaac Hall is finished, the final touches are being addressed. One of them is not a detail, but an essential, and thanks to a close friend of ours, who generously donated the funds to make this possible, we finally have a paved driveway not only to the gym, but all the way to the convent. Now no more mud tracks to mop, and dust piles to sweep! The straight and narrow way has just become smooth with a coat of tar! 25th Jubilee of Profession On May 31, 2017, Brother Anthony Marie Brackett, MICM celebrated 25 years as a professed member of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Brother serves as the Vocation Director for the Brothers, and is the percussion instructor for the IHM Band as well as the athletic director for the school sports teams. Over the past 25 years, Brother Anthony has played a big part in the building up of the monastery, literally, with his carpentry and landscaping skills. He is also one of the builders of Montfort Retreat. In his spare time, you ll find Brother in his office in MacIsaac Hall working in the audio/ visual department, producing videos and trailers for various SBC events and promotionals. Always a figure of energy and joy, Brother Anthony Marie has been an exemplary religious to those in his religious family as well as the youth that surround him in the school and camp apostolates. May God grant him many more years!

3 From The Center 3 Professions On the feast of Saint Louis Marie de Montfort, May 28th, two Brothers, in a double ceremony, made their Vows as Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The feast was doubly special as these two young men were twin brothers! Brother Patrick Joseph Duffy, having completed six months of postulancy and a two-year novitiate, made his First Vows, whereas Brother Christopher Isaac Duffy, having finished a total of five and a half years in the community, pronounced his Final Vows as a perpetually professed member of the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart. In the beautiful and touching ceremony, the Brothers received new habits, cinctures, and candles, signifying the light of Christ as they put off the old man, and put on the new. Returning to the Mass wearing their new cassocks, a new beginning dawns for their lives dedicated to Jesus through Mary. The Orchard This spring we added 2 acres of apple orchard and grape arbor to the convent yard. Hopefully the apples, after a little more attention, will yield enough fruit for future October Fair pies. As for the grapes...there are Concord, which make good jelly, and the other variety can be used for altar wine...but that is just in the planning stage! We will start preparations for next year s harvest now and hope for the best!

4 4 Broadening Our Horizons From The Center In May 2017, Bud Evans, our friend and neighbor for forty years passed away at the age of ninety. Bud was an icon of our village, Still River, in the town of Harvard, MA, where he ran a pick-your-own pumpkin and sunflower farm in the seventyseven-acre valley behind IHM School and chapel. The Evans Farm was known as a favorite fall destination for family fun, attracting people from all over New England. Over the years as Bud and his wife, Marion, aged, they were no longer able to farm their beloved property. They began leasing haying fields to the local farmers, leaving most of the valley The Brothers current house is becoming too small to accomodate incoming vocations. basically unused. Our school sits on three acres overlooking the farm. It is a vista of fantastic sunsets. After Bud s death, the family put the property up for sale. In June we signed the Purchase And Sales Agreement for the Evans Farm. The scenic fields and hills will now enable us to build a larger house for The house on the new property, hopefully to become the new Brothers house and offices.

5 From The Center 5 the Brothers, a ball field for the school, and literally broaden The cabin and pavilion, which was used to store farm equipment our horizons with a host of other possibilities for expanding the monastery. We also plan to make it a shrine, starting with the installation of our outdoor Stations of the Cross. The stations are eight feet tall and made of granite with scenes of the way of the cross carved in marble and inset in the center of each cross. The 12th station is a life-size crucifixion scene made of Carrara marble. In honor of Saint Louis de Montfort, our patron who set up a unique Calvary scene with stations leading to it, we would like to give these stations an appropriate setting. At this point, its acquisition is up to the bank and the amount of down payment we can make. Our total goal is $1,750,000 and we have a long way to go before we can close the deal. So far, the Father Sipperly Foundation has offered a matching gift challenge that will match gifts, dollar for dollar up to a total of $100,000. We pray that you will be able to help us but we need to move quickly. Whatever you can afford would be greatly appreciated. We have placed this endeavor in the heart of our Immaculate Mother through the intercession of Saint Philomena. During this Centenary of Our Lady s apparitions at Fatima, please consider making a gift to help promote the promised triumph of her Immaculate Heart. All for Jesus through Mary.

6 6 From The Center Montfort Retreat, 10th Anniversary! This year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the opening of our Montfort Retreat Center in Washington, NH. Up to that point, for twenty-seven years Morning Star Camp, and Montfort Boys Camp had been renting facilities in various locations. In 2004, we found and purchased our present location. The land was undeveloped, fifty-eight acres of virgin forest. It was a daunting endeavor and many friends scoffed at the idea of building a camp. Putting our trust in Our Lady, the Montfort Miracle happened. Four years later, against all odds, Campers painted and fired commemorative Fatima tiles depicting the Immaculate Heart of Mary in their ceramic class. Montfort Retreat opened its gates. Over the years, it has grown to a 200-acre facility for Morning Star Girls Camp, Montfort Boys camp, and a peaceful retreat site for men and women throughout the year. It is a living testimony to the power of prayer and trust in Jesus through Mary. Morning Star Camp now offers four week-long summer programs; Leadership, Teen, and two regular Summer Camp weeks. The theme of the Leadership Camp was Fatima in honor of the 100th year anniversary of Our Lady s apparitions. The girls left with new skills to put into action, and a renewed sense of focus and responsibility as future Catholic Leaders in today s society. No sooner had our Leaders left than a new group of 100 girls arrived and the first week of the traditional Morning Star Summer Camp schedule launched off! This tried and true program weaves together a balance of faith, catechism, art and music with sports, boating and waterfront activities! A new addition to this years season was Teen Week. A midpoint between Leadership and Regular week styles, it was a wonderful merge of catechesis, activities and events for campers ages The fourth week of Morning Star 2017, found every bunk filled and the cabin villages alive and happy with lots of campers!

7 From The Center 7 The Brothers take morning roll call at Montfort Boys Camp. The Montfort Boys Camp and Youth Retreat weeks, run by the Brothers, had their biggest year yet, with almost 200 boys and young men! The Montfort Boys Camp program, which places an emphasis on the importance of virtue and discipline, included faith-building religious instruction along with fun, energetic activities like fishing, sailing and team-building races. The Montfort Youth Retreat was full of events, conferences, daily Mass, Benediction and Rosary, outdoor adventures and sports. The Brothers could not have asked for a better group of young men to spend a week with. They would love to see more campers attend and perhaps add another week of camp, but will have to wait until more vocations come in to supply the need. A big Thank You to all the great help from the staff of volunteers, cooks, and counselors for both camps, as well as friends and benefactors who donated for the upkeep and continuation of this apostolate. May God bless and reward your generosity!

8 8 Pro-Life Billboard Campaign The Saint John the Baptist Pro-Life League of Immaculate Heart of Mary School often participates in the 40 Days for Life prayer vigils in front of Planned Parenthood, Worcester, MA. The students, however, wanted to do more! That is when the idea for a billboard campaign came up! Initiated by the school s administration, and designed by one of the Sisters, the billboards were up in a no time, and visible to the highway, for From The Center all to see. We always like to present a positive message, something people enjoy looking at, something inspirational, said Brother Thomas, principal of Immaculate Heart of Mary School. Bridget Duffy, president of the League, said that this was a new undertaking for our league, something we have never done before. Although expensive, funds for these billboards were raised by the students in the league through our annual 5k race, pancake breakfast and pro-life display at our church bazaar. The two billboards have produced tremendous positive responses in the local community. The League members are happy to have used the powerful means of a public billboard to spread the pro-life message to people they may never see or meet. We look forward to using the billboard campaign in the future, The new billboard presently up for the fall campaign Maria Bambina A beautiful devotion to the Virgin Mary as an infant was introduced to the church by Sister Isabella Fornari, a Poor Clare Franciscan in Todi, Italy in1735. In 1876, the waxen image of Baby Mary was brought to its current location in Milan at the Mother House of the Sisters of Charity where it is still venerated by the Sisters. Eight years later, in 1884, miracles started to occur to those who prayed at the image of the Mother of God. Soon pilgrims began to flock to the convent shrine. In 1904, Pope Saint Pius X granted a plenary indulgence to all who venerated her on September 8th. By 1984, after the shrine survived World War II, it became a center for pilgrimage and was even visited by Pope Saint John Paul. Today, the exact image of the Maria Bambina is enshrined in Immaculate One of the two billboards that went up in the Spring. said Bridget, and continuing our work to spread the joy of life. A fall campaign is currently in the works. Heart of Mary Chapel in Still River, in a beautiful reliquary of carved wood, thanks to the donation of Father Donald Noiseux. The image itself is wax and safe behind a glass case. A kneeler is provided for those who seek her intercession through prayer. Please come and venerate Our Lady in this unique devotion.

9 From The Center 9 On the Air Recently the Brothers began working with WQPH, a local radio affiliate of EWTN, which serves the northern Worcester County in Massachusetts. Mary Ann Harold, President of Eternal Life Radio, was looking for Catholic programs from people in the area. Shortly after, the Brothers started producing two minute programs on the lives of the saints, taking excerpts from our book Saints To Remember. Their first program, featuring Our Lady of Perpetual Help, was aired on June 27, the feast of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, to whom the station is dedicated. The Brothers are excited about producing more and and even longer programs in the future. With the new Audio Studio in MacIsaac Hall the possibilities are endless. The Cross The absence of the gold cross from the steeple of Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel was glaringly apparent during Holy Week. After standing witness for forty years since the construction of the chapel, the weather-beaten cross was in dire need of restoration and repair. So in the early spring, it was removed and Dan and Marian Kelly of Harvard, MA, volunteered to clean and re-gild the cross, gold leafing it and re-painting the base. To the surprise of everyone, on the evening of Good Friday, after all the services had finished, a truck with a cherrypicker drove into the Chapel parking lot. The sorrow of the liturgy hung heavy in the air, but was soon replaced by the joy of seeing the cross triumph as it was lifted back into its space on the steeple. Cheers and clapping resounded as this symbol gave Easter hope in the resurrection.

10 10 True Devotionals From The Center At last our online and monastery shop have united with inventory and location. This summer we moved our gift shop and warehouse to a new building adjacent to the high school gym. Once a two-story garage, the Brothers converted the building into workable space, closing the garage doors, putting up sheetrock, flooring, and new lighting. The Sisters painted and decorated, organized the stock supply and set up the shop. In the store we try to offer products that have the dignity our Our online store: TrueDevotionals.com religion deserves yet are affordable to every home. Some of the products we feature are exclusively designed and sold for those who practice True Devotion to Mary as set forth in the writings of Saint Louis De Montfort To Jesus through Mary.

11 From The Center 11 Nicholas Fretwell, Postulant This year the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was an especially joyous occasion. After the annual renewal of Vows for the professed religious of the community, Nicholas Fretwell of Pepperell, MA, at the end of the Solemn High Mass, was accepted as a postulant with the Brothers, Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. What a beautiful day for Nicholas to begin his six months of serious discernment. Please pray for his perseverance! Nicholas stands with his family after the ceremony. New Mailing Room If you happen to come across a bare wall, an empty closet or an inch of space that is not being used here at the monastery, do not worry, it will not stay that way for long. Buildings, rooms, or landscape at Saint Benedict Center are constantly being remodeled, repaired and re-purposed to fit the need of our apostolates, new or old. Saint Augustine s House is an example The Brothers and visitor, Ben Orbeck, start remodeling while Tony Puccio plasters up part of the ceiling. of this. Originally a horse barn, Saint Augustine s was renovated over thirty years ago to house the Saint Benedict Center Religious Shop. This summer when the religious shop moved to its new location, the empty space it left behind was transformed into mail-out and shipping rooms, which outgrew their space in the neighboring building, Saint Anthony s. This expansion will provide a larger work area, storage for merchandise and packing materials, and even a place for a shrink-wrap machine and the empty space in Saint Anthony s will become the future recording and communication lab for IHM students Public Speaking course. But that s another story! The current shipping room for TrueDevotionals

12 12 There s Still Time! From The Center Celebrate the apparitions of Our Lady at Fatima and remind others to pray for her guidance by displaying commemorative banners in your church, community center, or school! The banners, which measure 24 x 64, depict Our Lady of Fatima and the newly canonized shepherd saints, Jacinta and Francisco Marto. Each is strikingly beautiful, and also easy to set up and take down, that does not take up too much space! Also try this commemorative mug for the 100th Anniversary of the Apparitions at Fatima ( )! The 11 oz. stoneware mug features images of the Fatima Children and the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. As you enjoy your drink you can say the beautiful prayer that the children learned from the Angel of Peace. A beautiful gift for this memorable year! Shop for these, and more exclusive items on our online shop today! TrueDevotionals.com Rest in Peace Paul Tarsa, grandfather of Brother Christopher Isaac, Brother Patrick Joseph, and Sister Mary Imelda, passed away peacefully at his home in Enfield, CT, on June 26, 2017, fortified with the Sacraments of the Catholic Church. Paul was a loving and faithful husband to his beloved wife Claudette during their fifty-four years together, a devoted father and grandfather to four children and fifteen grandchildren. He worked as a college professor, teacher, and sports coach up to the last two years of his life. Paul visited Immaculate Heart of Mary School a number of times, and offered assistance with various High School classes. He was also a regular guest and enthusiastic supporter at the school s Christmas plays, band performances, and sports games. Paul was always full of stories, loving to recount his memories of serving the Latin Mass as a young boy. He had a lively wit and great sense of humor, and even through his final battle with cancer, he continued to inspire his family and friends with his sacrifice, courage, and ever-present smile. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. May he rest in peace. Barbara Larson, grandmother of Sister Mary Clair, passed away on Sunday, May 28, 2017, in Batesville, AR, surrounded by loving family. Barbara was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her laugh and her smile were known to many, and she was always willing to help those in need. Her Faith and her family were the two loves of Barbara s life. She was devoted to the Rosary, and to the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary. These were her consolation especially in her last illness. She prayed her Rosary with her family right up to the moment she passed. Barbara was a generous benefactress to Saint Benedict Center, and she loved watching the Order of Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary grow. May she rest in peace.