Gray Robes. The. society of our lady of the most holy trinity summer 2013

Transcription

1 Gray Robes The society of our lady of the most holy trinity summer 2013

2 Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity American Region Seminarians Formation in Solt Spirituality Theology IV Br. Al Abainza, Philippines Br. John Cormack, Ireland Br. Juan Villagomez, Mexico Br. Michael Mary Wight, Montana Br. Patrick Prajzner, Michigan Theology III Br. Beau Schweitzer, Idaho Br. Michael Slovak, Texas Br. Tristan Abbott, Cayman Islands Theology II Br. Jeremy Davis, Kansas Br. Peter Shaffo, Arizona Philosophy II Br. John Rigsby, California Br. Joseph Mary LeJeune, Louisiana Philosophy I Br. Timothy Burnham, Canada Br. Richard Brooks, England College I Br. Julio Garcia, Belize Rector Fr. Peter Marsalek, SOLT frpeterm@gmail.com SOLT House of Studies Holy Redeemer Parish 1721 Junction St. Detroit, MI Seminarian Sponsorship Sr. Mary Mediatrix of All Grace, SOLT PO Box 4116 Corpus Christi, TX Ext. 312 soltdevelopment@gmail.com 2 The Gray Robes Summer 2013 Dear Friends and Benefactors, Once a month, the SOLT seminarians gather for their in-house formation session. The theme for the academic year 2012/2013 was our Marian-Trinitarian spirituality, by which we strive to imitate our Blessed Mother in her relationships with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. My intention in choosing this theme was threefold: 1. To contemplate the mystery of the Blessed Virgin in her relationships with the persons of the Trinity; 2. To grow in our knowledge, awareness, devotion and implementation of our SOLT spirituality; and, 3. To trace and root the elements of SOLT spirituality in important ecclesial documents from the past fifty years. Each month, a different document was studied with the intention of identifying helpful insights into our Blessed Mother s way of life. The documents studied were: the 8 th Chapter of Lumen Gentium, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary; the encyclical of Blessed John Paul II, Redemptoris Mater (Mother of the Redeemer); the 6 th chapter of the encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, dedicated to Mary, Woman of the Eucharist ; and, Blessed John Paul II s Marian catechesis from January 10, 1997, dedicated to Mary s relationships to the persons of the Trinity. At each session, the brothers would have a period of individual reflection followed by a discussion in small groups, and concluded by a sharing with all of the brothers. While it would be impossible to share here all of the fruits of our reflections, one aspect, which struck me as being particularly relevant for the men in formation, is the notion that the Father has chosen, elected or predestined Mary from all eternity to play a crucial role in His plan of salvation. Although Mary s role is without question enormously special and unique, it reminds us that each one of us has also been chosen in the Father s loving plan to play some role in the work of salvation. On the one hand, this election leads us to an attitude of praise and joy as our dignity and purpose of life is discovered, but on the other hand, it also underlines the responsibility and accountability that accompany the privilege my life is important, what I do matters and has an impact on the salvation of my own soul and others! As Mary replied with a whole-hearted assent to the plan of her Father, I pray that the brothers in formation, and each of us, respond with the same affirmative enthusiasm to the plan of the Father in our own lives. Fr. Patrick Marsalek, Rector Pictured Back L to R: Br. Michael S., Br. Beau, Br. Michael Mary, Br. Juan, Br. Tristan, Br. Peter Middle L to R: Br. John C., Br. Jeremy, Br. Patrick, Br. John R., Br. Richard Front L to R: Br. Timothy, Br. Julio, Br. Al, Br. Joseph

3 The Value of life Brothers attend the Right to Life March in Washington D.C. Were ½ million people really there? It s hard to say. But I ve been to a stadium with 100,000 people. We d have filled it again and again. Brother beau On January 25, 2013 national news reports that: A Subway sandwich isn t really one foot long. A dolphin died in a Brooklyn canal. Brother Tristan and Brother Michael reunite with Zach and other friends at the National Mall. Meanwhile, national news did not mention: The largest annual political event in America In the US, abortion has killed 55 million Americans. The society that allows parents to kill their children will allow children to kill their parents. Cardinal o malley Right to life Vigil mass Brother Tristan and Brother Michael joined over 1,000 seminarians and clergy for the Mass s entrance procession. Walking 2 by 2 into the National Shrine took 40 minutes! Despite snow, the young crowd made the march one of celebration. In four hours I never saw a single right-to-life opponent. Brother beau Summer 2013 The Gray Robes 3

4 The value of life lived It is a great joy to visit the residents at Marywood Nursing Care Center every Tuesday afternoon. Listening to the elderly residents and being with them reveals God s creativity and goodness to me. As we share time together, they inspire me with their deep faith and joy. Each person is wonderfully unique! After each visit, I ponder the beauty of God s providential care. Brother Jeremy Benefactor-brother relationships The seminarians see their relationships with benefactors as a vital part of their time in seminary. Our individualistic culture praises the do-it-yourself attitude, but this has never been the Christian way of life. As seminarians, we can t do it ourselves. We recognize our need for help and we value the relationships that strengthen, enliven, and remind us of why we are in seminary. The sharing of life and prayer becomes a part of the benefactor-brother friendship. We are united in joys, hopes, and sorrows. We pray for our benefactors every day. Through his assistance, friendship and prayers, Brother Al has helped many families relocate to Legazpi after a deadly flood washed away their homes. Brother Beau joins beloved benefactors for Stations of the Cross at Notre Dame Would you like to help us get through seminary and enter a supportive relationship with a SOLT Brother? Please contact us. We greatly appreciate your help! SOLT Seminarian Sponsorship PO Box 4116, Corpus Christi, TX Ext. 312 soltdevelopment@gmail.com 4 The Gray Robes Summer 2013

5 Brother Tristan and Brother John R. lead teens in praise to God. Brother Julio brings levity to The Edge. Serving youth on the edge Detroit is an often hostile environment for youth. With a murder rate 10 times the national average, most of last year s 386 homicides were drug related. Recognizing the risks facing our young people, Brother Tristan started a group at the parish for middle school aged youth. The Edge youth group provides an environment where youth can grow in relationship with Jesus and each other. The Edge provides a positive Saturday night activity, with creative and engaging activities to help kids build positive relationships and establish a regular life of prayer. The youth who come are good kids fun, enthusiastic, engaged and the group has only just begun. The first week three kids attended; recently, we welcomed sixteen. It keeps growing. Praise the Lord for the good things He is doing. Please pray for these kids and this ministry. We thank you in advance for your support! Brother John R. During the academic year, we spend most of our time studying and praying. Still, we enjoy dedicating time each week to helping local youth know, love and serve Jesus. Brother John R. Summer 2013 The Gray Robes 5

6 Brother Michael tutors at Holy Redeemer middle school. Brother Patrick raises thoughts of Jesus in religious education class. Brother Juan sings a ranchero song about the seven Sacraments. He wrote this song in Spanish to teach over 100 detroit teens more about the ways God manifests his love to us. Brother Joseph helps teens develop a life of prayer. 6 The Gray Robes Summer 2013 Brother Richard brings joy and a home-made cake to his student s birthday celebration.

7 Announcing ordinations These six SOLT Seminarians, pictured below, will be ordained to the Diaconate on July 16 th in Corpus Christi, Texas. Thank you for all your support. Please pray for: Brother Juan Brother Tristan Brother Michael Mary Brother Patrick Brother Michael Brother Al Brother Tristan and Brother Michael will return to Sacred Heart Major Seminary for their final year of studies. The other men will be assigned to ministry at SOLT parishes. We asked Brother Patrick the most important lesson the seminary taught him for future ministry. Brother Patrick, Brother Michael Mary, Brother Juan and Brother Al completed their graduate studies in Theology. Br. John R. and Br. Joseph graduated with a Bachelor in Philosophy. Our Christian faith is meant to be shared with others. Upper Row: Brother Michael Mary, Brother Patrick, Brother Juan Bottom Row: Sister Consuelo, Bertha, Rebecca, Brother Al Summer 2013 The Gray Robes 7

8 Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Seminarian Sponsorship Program PO Box 4116 Corpus Christi, TX Non-Profit U.S. Postage PAID Robstown, TX Permit No. 774 Inside The Value of Life Youth on the edge announcing ordinations on the cover Brother Michael and the mayon volcano near Solt missions in the Philippines