Via Sacra FROM THE SUPERIOR S DESK. Dear Friends and Benefactors, December 8, 2004 Immaculate Conception

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1 Via Sacra VOLUME VI, NUMBER 3 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE SOCIETY OF ST. JOHN CANTIUS FROM THE SUPERIOR S DESK COORDINATING COUNCIL Rev. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. Fr. Director Rev. Burns Seeley, S.S.J.C. Fr. Assistant Director Dear Friends and Benefactors, On behalf of all the members of the Society of St. John Cantius I extend our Christmas greetings to you. We wish also to remember all of you at this time in a special way during our DECEMBER 25, 2004 December 8, 2004 Immaculate Conception Christmas Masses, the Divine Office and our daily Rosary. May Our Infant King shower you Rev. Albert Tremari, S.S.J.C. Bursar Rev. James Isaacson, S.S.J.C. Member BOARD OF SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS Rev. Regis Barwig Rev. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. Rev. John Hardon, S.J. (deceased) Dr. James Hitchcock Bishop Basil Meeking Rev. Thomas Nelson, O.Praem. Bishop Joseph Perry Msgr. Richard Schuler Msgr. James Turro Telephone: Fax: During this year s pilgrimage to Poland, Fr. Dennis Kolinski was able to celebrate Mass at this beautiful Baroque altar with a painting of St. John Cantius miracle of the jug in the church of St. Florian in Krakow. This altar stands in a side chapel of that church where the saint often prayed. Brothers Joshua Caswell (left) and Robert Maresh (right) served the Mass. (photo courtesy of Susan Cicchini)

2 with the blessings of Bethlehem. Each time I write for the Via Sacra (Latin for sacred way ), I always imagine the Sacred Way, which is taking us on a never ending route, but one which is nonetheless filled with many turns and surprises. Since our last edition, the Via Sacra has led us to many wonderful incidents, which play an important part in the life of the Society of St. John Cantius. As many of you know, Cardinal George plans to let us take over the parish of St. Peter in Volo when we have enough members to staff a religious house. But in the meantime, we began our apostolic work in Volo on the first Sunday in August of this past year by offering the Sunday Tridentine Mass. Since then, one of the priests from the Society has offered the regularly scheduled Tridentine Mass every Sunday. Father Don Dietz, OMI, the present pastor of St. Peter s, has carefully assisted our men in making them familiar with how things are done at St. Peter s. Just as we experience at St. John s, the Traditional Mass continually draws new faces, and young families. Just as there is growth in our apostolic work, so it is also with membership in the Society. Two new men entered in August: Brian Schafer, a graduate from Loyola, On September 8, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R., accompanied by Br. Chad McCoy, blessed the habits of two new members of the Society Br. Brendan Bartlett (left) and Br. Brian Schafer (right). Their investiture in the habit of the Society of St. John Cantius marked the beginning of their novitiate. who used to regularly attend Mass at St. John s, and Brendan Bartlett a former resident of Arizona where he was a member of the border patrol. Father Phillips, Father Garcia, Brothers Anthony, Alexander and Robert were especially blessed this summer by being able to join the annual pilgrimage to Fatima conducted by Father McCaffrey. We could relate to you numerous stories about our experiences throughout the pilgrimage, but the important one in my eyes is when Father Garcia and I received permission from the Rector of the Fatima Basilica to offer the Traditional Mass in the chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows. A pilgrimage to Fatima is truly rewarding and spiritually refreshing and I would recommend that if you are ever able to make a pilgrimage to Fatima, you should go. On Sunday, August 8th we had the Annual Benefit Dinner for the Society of St. John Cantius. We were able to conduct this event once again at the elegant University Club in downtown Chicago. This annual fundraiser assists the Society with important expenses, such as seminary tuition and health insurance. With the attendance of those who participated in the dinner, as well as those, who could not attend but yet contributed to the Society, this fundraiser was once again a success. August 15th holds a special place in the life of the Society of St. John Cantius for it is the day we consider our foundation date. This year Brothers Anthony, Alexander and Robert professed first vows. Brothers Keith and Chad renewed vows and Fathers Al, Jim Dennis and Deacon Brendan were invested in the rochet, mozzetta and four-cornered biretta. All of the Brothers in vows also received the mozzetta. (See photos and text box on page 4 and 5.) As summer rapidly came to a close, Brothers Brendan, Keith, Anthony and Alexander departed for Holy Apostles Seminary on August 23 rd. During the same week, Father Frank, Father Jim and Brother Chad drove to Syracuse, New York for the wedding of Karl Jackson, a young man who assisted in our parish during two summers and is currently on the faculty of Magdalen College. Brothers Brendan Bartlett and Brian Schafer were invested on September 8th with the habit and began the first year of their Novitiate. The Novitiate is a two-year program of prayer, study and work, which prepares new members of a religious community in the understanding and living of religious life. It is only after the completion of this period of discernment and formation that members of the Society profess the traditional vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. The highlight during September was a Pilgrimage to Poland conducted by Father Dennis. Brothers Robert, Scott and

3 Joshua joined Father Dennis in this pilgrimage and provided music for the Holy Masses as well as servers for the Traditional Mass. Father Dennis had the privilege of offering Mass at the altar of our Lady of Czestochowa. Outside of a few individuals taking sick it was an outstanding pilgrimage, thanks to Father Dennis extensive knowledge of Poland after several years of study there. St. John Cantius parish has a very active Padre Pio Prayer Group directed by parishioner, Amos Miller. I am its regional chaplain. We were privileged to host Padre Ermelindo, OFM Cap. at St. John s in mid-october. Padre Ermelindo took care of Padre Pio in the last years of his life and so was able to relate many stories and incidents about this beloved Saint. Padre Ermelindo offered the 11:00 a.m. Missa Normativa. Even though he told me that he had not celebrated Mass in Latin for many SAVE THE DATE On May 26, 2005, His Eminence, Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I. will ordain Rev. Br. Brendan Gibson to the priesthood. The Ordination Mass will take place at 7:30 p.m. in St. John Cantius Church. This year s Society of St. John Cantius Annual Fundraiser was held once again in the Chicago University Club s Cathedral Hall. The August 8 event was another success in helping raise much-needed funds to support the Society, especially to cover seminary tuition and other related costs. years, his Latin and knowledge of the rubrics was perfect. During October, the Year of the Holy Eucharist opened in Mexico. Father Seeley had the unique privilege to join many members of the U.S. hierarchy in Mexico for the opening of this year dedicated to the Holy Eucharist. During the month of October, St. John s normally conducts its Forty Hours Devotion and as always, the Brothers spent various hours in adoration during theses special days in the life of our parish. This past November, the members of the Society began having a monthly day of recollection at its St. Anne Chapel in Lawton, Michigan. The structure of the retreat is very simple: Silence and Adoration. Even though the chapel is not heated, our men stayed in the presence of our Eucharistic King in silent adoration. We also have nocturnal Eucharistic adoration each Thursday night in the chapel of our rectory. It is this devotion to the Holy Eucharist, which will strengthen the vocations of these men and encourage future vocations. This past semester, Brother Chad expanded his musical horizons by taking music theory classes at Roosevelt University in Chicago. He took this initial class as a way to begin to perfect his knowledge of music in order to assist him in the work he does with the Holy Innocents Choir. The choir presently has sixty children and they sing for Mass on a regular basis at St. John s. In concluding, I wish to extend my personal greetings and blessings to all of you and your families in this Christmas season. All of your prayers, words of support and encouragement as well as your generous financial support are deeply appreciated. So many of you form the invisible backbone, which gives strength to all of us in the Society. May our Infant King shower you with His blessings and as always may our heavenly patron St. John Cantius raise your petitions to Christ our King. Rev. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. Founder-Superior

4 As the Society s Founding Day, August 15 has also been the day on which its members professed their religious vows. Kneeling before Superior, Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. (accompanied by Deacon Bart Juncer), Br. Chad McCoy renews his vows for another year. Standing to the right is Br. Keith Manna, who had already renewed his vows. Observing from the side are perpetually vowed members of the Society Fr. Dennis Kolinski (left) and Fr. Al Tremari. On August 15 of this year, Superior/Founder Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. for the first time vested those members of the Society, who had already professed final vows, in the rochet, the mozzetta and the four-winged biretta (see text box). Perpetually professed members of the Society will now wear them for all liturgical functions. Fr. Phillips vests (left to right) Fr. Dennis Kolinski, Fr. Al Tremari, Deacon Brendan Gibson and Fr. Jim Isaacson. Deacon Bart Juncer (left) assisted him.

5 IN MEMORIAM This past year two beloved benefactors of the Society of St. John Cantius passed into eternal life: Dorothy Kennedy and Shirley Cichy. Following the August 15 profession of vows and investiture ceremony, members of the Society pose for a moment in the sacristy. (standing left to right) Fr. Dennis Kolinski, Fr. C. Frank Phillips, Br. Robert Maresh, Br. Keith Manna, Br. Alexander Schimpf, Br. Anthony Rice, Fr. Jim Isaacson, Deacon Brendan Gibson, Fr. Al Tremari and (kneeling) Br. Chad McCoy. Since the very inception of the Society they had been good friends as well as generous supporters of its work. Please remember them in your prayers. R.I.P. AUGUST 15 INVESTITURE CEREMONY This year during an August 15 ceremony, Founder-Superior of the Society of St. John Cantius, Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. introduced three new elements into the Society s habit. In the past, the mozzetta, rochet and four-cornered biretta have traditionally been used by Canons Regular for liturgical functions. Because the Society is a religious community in the spirit of Canon Regular they will now follow the same tradition by making them part of their official habit for liturgical functions. The rochet is a white linen knee-length garment resembling a surplice but much more elaborate and decorative. All members of the Society, who have professed perpetual vows will wear the rochet. The mozzetta is an elbow-length shoulder cape. All professed members of the Society will wear the mozzetta members under perpetual vows, over the rochet, and those under temporary vows, over a regular surplice. The biretta is a square cap with a pom-pom and stiff ridges on the top. Clerics in the Latin Rite have traditionally worn a three-ridged biretta. Members of the Society will be wearing a four-ridged biretta, which is traditional for Canons Regular. Only those members, who have professed perpetual vows will wear the biretta. On November 18, Fr. Jacek Pietruszka and Fr. Wlodzimierz Lukowicz from Poland visited the Society of St. John Cantius. They are shown here with Fr. C. Frank Phillips. Fr. Jacek Pietruszka (right) is Vice-Rector of the Wawel Cathedral in Krakow, Poland. Members of the Society first met him there in 2002 and through him they have received permission to take part in the cathedral s Corpus Christi celebrations for the past two years. Fr. Wlodzimierz Lukowicz (left) is Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish in Skawina, a town not far from Krakow.

6 After the Tridentine High Mass, which Fr. Dennis Kolinski celebrated at the tomb of St. John Cantius in Krakow s St. Anne Church, the four Society members on this year s pilgrimage to Poland posed before the altar and tomb of their patron saint. (left to right) Br. Joshua Caswell, Fr. Dennis Kolinski, Br. Robert Maresh, Br. Scott Haynes. (photo courtesy of Susan Cicchini) (upper photo) A view of the central courtyard in the Niedzica Lower Castle, which this year s pilgrims to Poland visited while they were in the southern Polish mountains. (photo courtesy of Susan Cicchini) (lower photo) While visiting the fourteenth-century Niedzica Castle in Poland, Br. Scott Haynes decided to enlist Br. Joshua Caswell to see if the castle s dungeon and torture chamber were still in working order. (photo courtesy of Susan Cicchini) During this year s pilgrimage to Poland, the pilgrims stopped for Mass at a medieval wooden church named St. Anne s in the town of Nowy Targ in southern Poland. This old wooden church dedicated to St. Anne stands only about ten miles from the spot where the Society s new St. Anne Chapel in Lawton, Michigan was originally constructed before being disassembled and shipped to the United States. (photo courtesy of Susan Cicchini)

7 Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R. inspects the foundations for the Society s St. Anne Retreat Center in Lawton, Michigan, which were laid this past fall. Once this was completed, much work had to be done to make sure that the plans for the retreat center building conformed to all of the local building codes. Construction is projected to begin in January. On September 11, 2004, in a public ceremony on the anniversary of the terrorist attack on New York s Twin Towers, Fr. C. Frank Phillips officially dedicated the evocative crucifixion sculpture outside of the St. Anne Chapel in Lawton, Michigan to the victims of that tragedy. Assisting him are Fr. Jim Isaacson (left) and Br. Joshua Caswell (right). CHRISTMAS & YEAR-END GIVING Consider the gifts that God has bestowed upon you not only this year but throughout your life. Christmas and year s end is a spiritual opportunity to make a return to God for His many blessings. It is a good time to support the work of the Society of St. John Cantius and also positively impact your taxes. All gifts made on or before December 31 are tax deductible for the tax year in which your gift is made. Giving can be done in a variety of ways, all of which are tax deductible. Cash is the easiest way to make a charitable donation simply by writing a check. Stocks, bonds, and shares in mutual funds can be given with a deduction for the full market value at the time the gift is made. You can also save by paying no capital gains tax on the sale of the stock as you would if you sold the stock and held the cash. You can also sell stock that has declined in value, claim that loss on your tax return and then, donate the cash from the sale of the stock. Real estate and personal property both qualify as charitable gifts that would benefit the Society. Cash value in current or paid up life insurance policies can benefit the Society by naming it as a beneficiary. Gifts from businesses, such as equipment, materials and service, as well as cash, also qualify. (As in all legal matters, always consult your accountant, attorney or other financial professional.) Please mail your year-end contribution to: The Society of Saint John Cantius, 825 North Carpenter Street, Chicago, Illinois

8 THE SOCIETY OF ST. JOHN CANTIUS The Society of St. John Cantius is a Public Association of the Christian Faithful in formation as a new religious community of men formed with the approval of Cardinal George and the Congregation of the Resurrection. Its mission is the Restoration of the Sacred in the Church through solemn liturgies, devotions, sacred art and sacred music, as well as instruction in Church heritage, catechesis, and Catholic culture in the context of parish ministry. The community s sixteen members include six priests, four seminarians, two professed religious brothers and four members in formation. HELP RESTORE THE SACRED You too can help Restore the Sacred through your tax-deductible contribution or as an Associate Member of the Society of St. John Cantius. In addition to men who are seeking a vocation in religious life, the Society s statutes also allow the laity male or female, married or single to affiliate themselves with the Society as Associate Members in order to aid in the advancement of its mission. For more information about how to become an Associate Member, write to: Fr. C. Frank Phillips, C.R., Superior, Society of St. John Cantius, 825 North Carpenter Street, Chicago, Illinois You can also send your check made out to Society of St. John Cantius to the above address. VISIT US ON THE WEB Learn more about the Society of St. John Cantius on its website You can also learn about the Society s work by visiting the St. John Cantius Parish website where you can visit the community s mother church on a cybertour or view an exhibit of Sacred Art from the Society s collections. GET THE WORD OUT! Do you know of someone who you think should know about the Society of St. John Cantius? Please send us their names and addresses, so that we can add them to our Via Sacra mailing list. Via Sacra The Society of St. John Cantius 825 North Carpenter Chicago, IL

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