Paulist 160th Anniversary

HAPPY 160TH ANNIVERSARY PAULIST FATHERS

On March 6, 1858, Pope Pius IX dispensed Fr. Isaac Hecker and four of his associates from their vows as Redemptorist priests.  This allowed them to form the first US men's religious order, the Missionary Society of St. Paul the Apostle on July 7, 1858, under the direction of the local bishops.

Cardinal Della Genga wrote that Pope Pius IX wanted these men to:

 ” … spare no labor in the prosecution of the holy missions, in the conversion of souls, and in the dissemination of Christian doctrine.”

“His Holiness confidently trusts,” the document continues, “that the above mentioned priests will labor by work, example, and word in the vineyard of the Lord, and give themselves with alacrity to the eternal salvation of souls, and promote with all their power the sanctification of their neighbor.”

For more info, please check out Paulist Fr. Ron Franco's blog for March 6.

Thanks to the 50th Anniversary Committee

Thanks to the 50th Anniversary Committee (Howard Fischer (chair), Alan Roselius, Amy LaGoy, Charlie Bogle, Colette Ford, Darrell Christian, Deborah Tatto, Dorty Nowak, George Scharffenberger, Fr. Ivan, Jeannie Battagin, Judith Jarosz, Julia Casella, Juliane Trapse, Kinson Ho, Mary Harrow, Mary Annne Litell, & Rosemary Loughman) for all the planning, coordinating, and executing our wonderful 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 30th.  It was an incredible celebration with endless fabulous food, drinks, music, a silent auction, and wonderful people to meet.  

Thanks also to Colleen Lenord for planning the wonderful music, Carla DeSola and her fabulous dancers for the inspiring liturgical dance, Richard Cushman on organ, Coleen Patterson for our anniversary logo, Jana Jaroz for flyer designs, Matt Sie & Zac Dehkordi for our anniversary video, Kirk Peterson for display photos, Randy Dixon for our Campanile Poster, Matt Hauwiller for table setup, Therese Stawowy, Barbara Wander, Margot Simpson, Alfreda & Rich Campos for hospitality, Su Tang, Linda Bradford, & Suzanne Mar for kitchen help, and Peg McGowan for all the financial coordination.  Thanks to all the Paulists, who came to celebrate.  Thanks to all the numerous volunteers who made everything go so smoothly (e.g. brought food, set up, clean up, provided music, bartended, …).  And thanks to our wonderful Newman community who keep the spirit of Newman vibrant and alive.

Reflections on Liturgical Dance

Dear Pope Francis, 
When you were a child, did you like dancing?   
- Prajla   (Age 6, Albania)

Very much, dear Prajla! 

Really a lot! I enjoyed being with other children, playing Ring around the Rosie, but also dancing our traditional dances from Argentina. I really had so much fun! Then, as a young man, I liked to dance the tango. I really like the tango. You know, dancing expresses joy and happiness. When you are sad, you can’t dance. Usually, young people have one great resource, being happy. And for this reason, when you are young, you dance and express the joy in your heart.

Even the great King David danced. He made Jerusalem the Holy City and brought the Ark of the Covenant there in a solemn procession. And then King David began to dance in front of the Ark. He didn’t worry about formality. He forgot to behave as a king, and he began to dance like a little child! But when his wife, Michal, saw him jumping and dancing, she criticized David and scorned him in her heart. She was sick with too much seriousness, what I call the “Michal Syndrome.” People who can’t express joy are always serious. Dance now, children, so you won’t be too serious when you grow up!                -  Pope Francis

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We as humans, experience God in many ways, but because we experience life through our five senses, God came to us in human form so that we can see, hear, smell, taste and feel his presence. It is for that reason we eat the bread, drink the wine, hear the word, sing the psalms, smell the incense, and move in processions. These are all sensual ways of experiencing our Lord. Liturgical Dance is part of the ritual movement encouraged by the Bishops’ Committee on the Liturgy, National Conference, as written in their document on Environment and Art in Catholic Worship. “Processions and interpretations through bodily movement (dance) can become meaningful parts of the liturgical celebration if done by truly competent persons in the manner that befits the total liturgical action.”

We are very fortunate to have Carla De Sola, who has taught for many years Liturgical Dance at the Graduate Theological Union and nationally, as our parishioner and Director of the Newman Dancers and Director of the Omega West Dance Company. Working with us, she has taught us the historical meaning of some of the moves we do, their origin in Early Jewish and Christian traditions. From these historical, spiritual and aesthetical moves she choreographs stories from the Gospels for us to experience, much in the same way as we may sing music that express the readings in ways that may move us.

If you would like to participate in liturgical dance and learn from the gifts of Carla, please leave a note at the front desk for her with your contact information. Students to long-time parishioners with dance experience are all invited. Let us remember what Pope Francis has instructed us to do, “ Dance now, children, so you won’t be too serious when you grow up!”

     - Randy Dixon, Newman Dancer

Statement from the Paulist Fathers Regarding Father James Martin, SJ

Statement from the Paulist Fathers Regarding Father James Martin, SJ

Rev. James Martin, SJ, is not only a noted Catholic author and priest but he is also a friend and neighbor of the Paulist Fathers and a parishioner of our Mother Church, St. Paul the Apostle, in New York City.  We are grateful for his presence in our midst and the many occasions he has celebrated Mass with us and graciously addressed our faith community.  He is our brother in God’s vineyard.

Thus, many Paulists were shocked and disappointed by the decision of Theological College, a national Roman Catholic seminary, to rescind an invitation to Fr. Martin to give a talk entitled “Encountering Jesus: Meeting the Jesus of History and the Christ of Faith” at their upcoming Alumni Symposium.  Apparently, Theological College feared that the negative reaction they have received from “various social media websites” since the publication of Fr. Martin’s most recent book, Building a Bridge, would taint their 100th Anniversary Celebration.

We support Fr. Jim Martin’s vision to engage Church pastoral practice on the care of our LGBT brothers and sisters as exemplified in his book.  He chose to write on a subject that should unite all Christians:  the human dignity of every person.  Yet, for some, this book’s call for the simple act of love and respect is perceived as a slippery slope towards heresy and damnation.  From our reading of the book, this is simply not the case. 

Moreover, this incident exposes the ugliness of homophobia and intolerance in our Church and society that is in desperate need of reconciliation and healing.  Theological College had an opportunity to offer Christian leadership and confront efforts to blacklist Fr. Martin.  Instead they have sent a dangerous message to the future priests they train that encouraging dialogue and accompaniment with those on the periphery is unacceptable.

For the sake of our Catholic community of faith, most especially our LGBT family members, fellow parishioners, collaborators in ministry and friends, we hope and pray this moment may prompt desperately needed charitable conversation and dialogue among the faithful on sexuality and spirituality, lead to deeper theological inquiry and insight, and foster communion among all God’s children.

Very Rev. Eric P. Andrews, C.S.P.
President, The Paulist Fathers

INVITATION TO SACRISTAN MINISTRY

We have a number of wonderful volunteers who quietly work behind the scenes to ensure that all is beautifully prepared for – and cleaned up after - each Mass: the bread and wine, the cups and plates, the candles, the liturgical books, the cloths, sound, and lighting.  Sometimes these people are not available for various reasons, so trained subs are very much appreciated also.  If you 'hear the call' to this ministry please complete a Sacristan Ministry Application, available on the Hospitality table in the lobby, and leave it at the Front Desk for our Head Sacristan, Christine Dalton.

Paulist Come & See Vocations Retreat 10/6-8/17

Are you wondering where God is calling you?  Are you feeling that sense you were made for more and need guidance fulfilling that sense?  Do you love Christ, love the Church, love God's people, love having a purpose?  Maybe God might be calling you to a religious life or service to the Church.  If you are male and single and have a inner desire to be about and sharing Good News, possibly the Paulist Fathers may be part of your calling. 

One way to explore this is by finding out who we Paulists are and learning some skills and insights on how to listen.  Consider attending our Paulist Come & See Vocations Retreat on October 6-8, 2017 at the Paulist House of Mission and Studies in Washington, DC.

For details, please contact Paulist Fr. Dat Tran at 917-830-5537 or be@paulist.org.
Also check out www.paulist.org

Paulist Diaconate Ordinations

Paulist Diaconate Ordinations - Praise be to God for the ordinations Saturday, Sept. 4th of Paulist seminarians Ryan Casey and Michael Hennessy as transitional deacons during a Mass in the crypt church of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.