LETTER TO THE STIGMATINE LAITY – FOR MAY, 2015

May 17, 2015 terezacl

Stigmatines – St. Joseph’s Hall
554 Lexington Street
Waltham MA 02452

April 19, 2015
3rd Sunday of Easter

Dear Stigmatine Lay Member,

As we are still in the “after-glow” of our celebration of the Stigmatine Titular Feast, honoring the glorious Stigmata of the Lord – and since it is rather late in the month, there will be no May meeting. Our next possible gathering may be like the one this past Friday, with an afternoon Mass at 4:15 – followed then by super. This is not definite yet, so further information will be forthcoming during the month of May.

In our faith, the Sacred Stigmata – or the Five Wounds that our Lord suffered on Calvary – are celebrated in their ”sorrowful” dimension, culminating in the thrust of the Roman soldier’s spear into the side of the dead Christ. In this commemoration, the usual reflection is on our copious redemption.

With the Gospel of Mercy Sunday, the Stigmatines celebrate the festival of their title on the Friday following, emphasizing the Apostolic Mission of the Risen Christ, as recorded in John: As the Father sent Me, I now send you…!

In the light of this, the Stigmatines celebrate the ‘integral’ Stigmata – one and the same set of wounds as found on the dying and dead body of Christ – as well as then being retained in the Risen Body of Christ: Luke mentions Jesus showing His hands and His feet – while John alone presents the hands and the sacred side of Christ.

In the life of St Gaspar Bertoni, there are many historical sources” for this understanding of Jesus Christ in the Stigmatine charism. One would be the small Church in Verona dedicated to the stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi where the Stigmatines were founded on November 4, 1816 – also the fact that St. Gaspar Himself preached on the “Grades of the Passion’, an old-time weekly devotion, emphasizing the wounds in Christ’s body. Furthermore, the Saintly Stigmatine Founder suffered all through his life with poor health – requiring, according to the medicine of the time, repeated lancing of infections in his legs. This inspiration behind all this was the lived hope: By His wounds, ours are healed…!

Please pray for our Stigmatine confrere, a Brazilian Bishop, + Antonio Alberto Guimarães Rezende, CSS, at the age of 89. May he rest in peace! Let us continue to pray for each other and for all the Church needs. [On Friday, June 12th of this year, St. Gaspar Bertoni and the Stigmatines will be featured in the Boston PILOT section on Religious Life.

Fr. Joseph Henchey, CSS
Acting Spiritual Director

Monthly Letter, Stigmatine Laity

LETTER TO THE STIGMATINE LAITY – FOR APRIL, 2015

March 26, 2015 terezacl

Stigmatines – St. Joseph Hall
554 Lexington Street
Waltham MA 02452-3097

Palm Sunday
March 29, 2015

Dear Stigmatine Lay Member,

Many blessings for a new spring-time and a blessed Easter. As we ponder the mind and heart of St. Gaspar Bertoni, let us ponder his Parish Sermon for the Second Sunday of Easter over 2 centuries ago [in those days called “Low” Sunday, April 5, 1807] – on “The Spiritual Life”:

1305: Having thus proposed the future resurrection, St. Paul requires another resurrection of us, a new institution in the present life, for the changing of our ways. When, in fact, … when an avaricious person becomes merciful, or a wrathful individual becomes meek, there takes place in these instances a resurrection which is the principle of the future… The former way of life is canceled, and the new and angelic way flourishes anew. Thus, we can say with St. ANSELM [1]: intemperance has died in such a person, and sobriety has risen up; …. On hearing “new life”, let each one seek out in himself much diversity, and great changes….

1312: To cite still another example, CORNELIUS a LAPIDE [2] relates the story of the Holy Count, Eleazar, immobile in his mountainous solitude, lived there a celibate life with his virgin wife, Delphina. She sent him letters to find out how he was getting along. He responded: I am healthy of body and safe. If you wish to see me, look for me in the wound of the side of Christ. For it is there that I dwell, and here it will be easy to find me. You will search in vain in any other place.

Do you see, my hearers, the just idea of a person risen with Christ? Could such a person even yearn for the lowly realities of this life? Could such a one seek for anything else in this life, other than the supernatural and heavenly goods, among which he will live eternally?

1313: But, precisely this life of glory, in the hope of which we now glory, is much less known and seen by the world. Similarly, there is not seen the glorious life to which Christ has risen, and of which He lives in God, that is, near His Father. This is why St. Paul states [Col 3:3, ff.] that our life is hidden with Christ in God: …When Christ shall appear, who is your life [i.e., the cause of your life], then you shall also appear with Him in glory… [v. 4]. This is just like the pearl, says St. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, [3] whose end is hidden as it is in its shell.

1314: Even more fitting is the example that St. AUGUSTINE [4] uses to explain this passage, that later St. ANSELM [100] would copy. In the bitter winter, even the green tree seems dry to the sight. As the summer approaches, the living root once again is vested with fruit. This is our life, that is much like that winter, when the sun is further away from us and concealed behind the clouds. This sun for us is Christ.

1315: We are much like the plants, dry on the outside, and without foliage, without honor, and without the appearance, or the luster of beauty. However, within we have living roots: charity, planted in God, as in a vital, stable, and living earth. The summer will appear, as the glory of Christ comes. And the plants will be seen to come to life again, rising up, and once more give their fruits and vital foliage. There will be the glorious traits of beatitude, both in the spirit as well as in the flesh. Come on now, exclaims St. AUGUSTINE [104], come now, most sweet Jesus, that this pact with You be a firm one for me: that I might die totally to myself so that You alone might dwell within me. Within, totally in recollection, I will keep silence, so that You alone might speak in me. I will be totally at repose, so that You alone might work in me. The Apostle cries out: … And I live now, not I; but Christ lives in me… [Ga 2:20].

1316: And in another place: … But our conversation is in heaven… [Ph 3:20]. And: … But you are not in the flesh.. [Rm 8:9]. And again: … having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ … [Ph 1:23]. These are some of the sublime affections of a person dead to sin, one who no longer has a taste for the things of this earth. These are the sublime feelings of a spirit living hidden together with Christ in God. Such a person seeks only the superior realities, those that are of heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God [Col 3:1]. These are the sweet transports of a heart ravished by the sweet joy of these holy thoughts….

1322: … To heaven, to eternal life, to heaven, you have been called. You are already well along your way, and moving along with giant steps. Follow through to the goal, to your heavenly home. You have been enrolled by God for an eternity to be the citizens of heaven, domestics, heirs of God. Upward, then, with all vigor, with all your strength, hurry onward, hasten your steps. The saints await you, already sure as they are of their happiness and solicitous also for yours. Christ awaits you, and has already prepared a place for you – rather, a throne. Why do you hesitate, why to look anymore to earth, to heaven, to heaven! If you have risen with Christ…

+ + +

Let us continue to pray for the Church, the Stigmatines and all trying to build a spiritual life in the hope-filled faith that if we have indeed risen with Christ, let our thoughts be above! As we pray in every celebration of the Eucharist: Lift up your hearts!

For those of you who can come, please join us for the Mass in honor of the Stigmata, April 17^th at 4:30 – with supper following. We will be in touch regarding subsequent meetings.

Sincerely yours in the Healing Wounds of Christ,

Fr. Joseph Henchey, CSS
Acting Spiritual Director

[1] Cited by Cornelius a Lapide, Col 3:3.
[2] Col 3:3.
[3] In Epist. Ad Col. Hom 7, 2 [t. 11, p. 227/2 D].
[4] cf. De Script. Vet. et Nov., Test., Serm. 36, 4. [t. 5/1, pp. 176 G, ff.].

Monthly Letter, Stigmatine Laity

LETTER TO THE STIGMATINE LAITY – FOR LENT, 2015

February 23, 2015 terezacl

Stigmatines – St. Joseph’s Hall
554 Lexington Street
Waltham MA 02452-3097

February 18, 2015
ASH WEDNESDAY

Dear Stigmatine Lay Member,

A blessed Lent to you all! Due to our severe winter, we really have not had much contact since our gathering [for those who could make it!] for the Mass and supper on the 199^th anniversary of the foundation of the Stigmatines, November 4^th [1816 – next year is the second centenary].

In this period as well, two members of our Province died, known to most of you: Fr. Henry J. Linse, CSS – who died at the age of 95 [pre-deceased by his brother, Fr. George Linse, CSS, who died also in January over 2 decades ago] –and Fr. Joseph Connolly, CSS – who died three weeks later, February 6^th, 2015, at the age of 84. Please pray for them and for those who mourn them.

It has been decided that we will not have a March meeting –hoping that much of this snow will melt [!]. This means our next gathering will be for Mass and supper on the Feast of the Stigmata, which is celebrated on the Friday following Mercy Sunday. So, the Feast of the Stigmata will be celebrated this year on April 17^th – and as the festivity approaches, you will be informed by letter inviting you, regarding the time of Mass and supper.

As we endure here in New England the rigors of one of our most severe winters on record, we might do well to ponder the life of our saintly Founder, Fr. Gaspar Bertoni. So much of his life, he spent as an invalid, confined to his room – and mostly to his armchair and bed. Perhaps with the many spiritual masters who see that holiness is much associated with deadening routine, and involuntary limitation to free movement, due to age and illness with which none of us is totally unfamiliar! If this is our own present personal lot, let us associate ourselves to that wonderful idea of St. Paul that we are being invited [as was St. Gaspar!] to make of our lives an oblation to the Mercy of God [cf. Rm 12:1] – and with St. Peter who invites us all to join our sacrifices to that one sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

A blessed Lent to you all – let us pray for each other, and the Stigmatines’ Apostolic Mission in the Church, and also our own! God bless you all – hope to see you on April 17^th for the Feast of the Sacred Stigmata.

Very sincerely yours,

Fr. Joseph Henchey, CSS
Acting Spiritual Director

In Our Father's Home

Father Joseph Connolly’s funeral and burial – on February 12, 2015

February 13, 2015 terezacl

The funeral was very nice. Fr. Greg did his usual sterling funeral Mass.

Fr. Joe’s son, Patrick (the Boston firefighter) was there, as was Patrick’s sister and mother and I think a nephew.

Fr. Joe’s sister, a nun, was there and many of her confreres also.

Jessica, her dad (John, the cook) Ruthie, myself and a couple of others.

We went to the cemetery for services, but the burial will be later followe by unattended death cleaning– while I assumed it was because of frozen ground. The explanation given us was that nothing is plowed over to the Stigmatine’s section (THAT was apparent).

Again (as at Fr. Linse’s funeral), the Mass was in the lower Chapel due to construction and the collation was in the function room behind the Chapel. A parishioner owns a local deli and they have it catered by him…..the food is REALLY delicious!!!

Maureen decided it was TOO cold for her to venture forth – and Madelyn had wanted to come but neither Maureen nor I were able to reach her to finalize the arrangements so it ended up that only Ruthie and I were there from the Lay Associates.

Fr. Joe Connolly was a good-hearted person… and very good to Van, myself and Ruthie. Fr. Joe’s decline was not easy… some people seem serve their Purgatory time here on earth, and I think he was one of them.

Page Vandewater

†

In Our Father's Home

Father Joseph Michael Connolly, CSS is back AT our Father’s Home

February 7, 2015 terezacl

Reverend Joseph Michael Connolly, C.S.S. of the Stigmatine Fathers, 554 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA died on February 6, 2015 at Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA. He was 84 years old. He was born in Brighton MA on November 5, 1930. His Father, Michael, was born in Spiddal, Ireland and his Mother, Mary (Connolly) was born in Oughterand, Ireland. Both parents are deceased. He leaves his loving family: Sister Marie Connolly, C.S.J. of Brighton, MA, John Connolly of West Roxbury, MA and Patrick Connolly of Roslindale, MA.

Father Connolly entered The Stigmatine Fathers’ Community at Waltham on September 15, 1945. His First Profession of Vows was on August 16, 1951. His Final Profession of Vows was on August 16, 1954. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on May 5, 1957. He received the Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Angelicum University, Rome, Italy in 1957 and the Master of Arts in History from Boston College.
Father Connolly served in a number of Stigmatine assignments: Parochial Vicar at the following parishes: All Saints, Manassas, VA, Mount Carmel, Springfield, MA, Holy Family, Lynn, MA and he was a teacher at the following schools: Stigmatine Minor Seminary, Wellesley, MA, Bishop Fenwick High School, Peabody, MA and Aquinas Junior College, Milton, MA. He also served as retreat master at the Espousal Center, Waltham, MA.

Father Connolly’s Wake and Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 5 East Main Street, Milford, MA on Thursday, February 12, 2015. The Wake will be from 9 A.M. to 10:15 A.M., followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. Burial will follow the Funeral Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, Milford.

†

In Our Father's Home

Father Henry Linse’s funeral and burial – on January 20, 2015

February 7, 2015 terezacl

Wilma Morin and I went together, plus Colleen K. Kodjian and her husband came, so there was a representation of the Lay Stigmatines.

The funeral was very nice. It was in the lower Chapel @ Sacred Heart, in Milford.

There were some nieces, nephews and a few old friends there in addition to the Stigmatines…. also, Joseph Desir came, John (the cook) and Don.

Fr. Greg was the chief celebrant, Fr. Deeker the master of ceremonies and Fr. Henchey gave a wonderful eulogy.

The music was very, very good also.

THANKFULLY the weather held for the burial. Although it was 30 degrees, there was no wind, and the day sunny.

Afterwards, we returned to Sacred Heart for a nice luncheon in the community room, behind the downstairs chapel. A parishioner, who owns a deli, put up a dynamite salad, wonderful wrap sandwiches and delicious pastries.

Fr. Linse was a very holy priest….never wavered in his ministry…. and, when he was too frail and too hard of hearing to be involved with others, he kept up his Bible Studies.

Some priests ‘die with their boots on’…. whether they are in parish ministry, bedridden and praying for the poor souls in Purgatory or continuing their writing…

All are an inspiration to those of whose are aging ourselves!

In the spirit of St. Gaspar,

Page Vandewater

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Account, Stigmatine Laity

AN ACCOUNT OF THE FEAST OF THE ESPOUSALS – JANUARY 23, 2O15

January 24, 2015 terezacl

The actual celebration of this Patronal Feast of the Congregation was preceded by a meeting of the available Stigmatine confreres – in preparation for the visit of the Council of Superiors perhaps in September. A number of proposals were discussed to be presented to the next bi-annual meeting of the Confreres, set for the Feast of the Stigmata, the week after Easter.

The principal celebrant was the Provincial, the Very Rev. Gregory Hoppough, CSS. He was vested in a custom-made chasuble, the work of the nearby Trapppists. The actual portrait sewed into the back of the vestment was taken from an earlier vestment that was beyond repair – so this vestment also continued the tradition.

We were also blessed by the presence of a number of the Stigmatine confreres, and by some members of the Stigmatine Laity. So many of our thoughts and prayers were directed toward Fr. Henry Linse, CSS, who died on January 16th, just a week ago, and whose funeral was celebrated just two days ago. Furthermore, Fr. Joseph Connolly, CSS, – former Superior of St. Joseph’s Hall here – stayed in our prayers as well, since he is presently on a life-support system at the Lahey Clinic.

The sermon for the Feast was offered by the Stigmatine Laity Chaplain – and this can be found in this document:

St. Gaspar Bertoni’s Apostolic Mission and his “Espousals Principle”, study specially prepared by Father Joseph Henchey for the feast of the Holy Espousals, 2015

This happy celebration then was continued in the dining hall of this building for all who attended. Snow is predicted, so some of the Confreres [from Springfield and Pittsfield] wanted to return to their homes before the snows came.

We look forward now to the spring-time celebration of the Feast of the Stigmata.

Rev. JosephHenchey, CSS
Stigmatine Laity Acting Chaplain

Friday, January 23, 2015 – St. Joseph’s Hall, Waltham, MA.

In Our Father's Home

Father Henry Linse, CSS is back AT our Father’s Home

January 17, 2015 terezacl

Reverend Henry Julius Linse, C.S.S. of the Stigmatine Fathers, Waltham, MA died on January 16, 2015, at Marian Manor, South Boston, MA. He was 95 years old. He was born on September 15, 1919, in Boston, MA. His Father, Francis Xavier, was born in Germany and his Mother, Hirlanda (Hergenhan) was also born in Germany. He had four (4) brothers, now deceased: Joseph, William, Francis and Fr. George Linse, C.S.S. and one (1) sister, Marie Miller, also deceased.

Father Linse entered the Stigmatine Fathers in September 1938. His First Profession as a Stigmatine was on September 9, 1940 and his Final Profession of Vows was on September 9, 1943. He was ordained to the Holy Priesthood on June 12, 1948, at Saint Paul’s Church, Wellesley MA by Bishop (later Cardinal) John Wright.

During his years of priestly ministry, Father Linse served in the following assignments: Chaplain at Shirley and Concord State Prisons, Director of the Novitiate, Waterville, N.Y., Teacher in Guam, and as parochial vicar at Mt. Carmel Parish, Springfield, Mt. Carmel Parish, Pittsfield, Mt. Carmel Parish, White Plains, N.Y., All Saints Parish, Manassas, VA, Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Woodbridge, VA and as pastor of St. Francis Parish, Lynn, MA. He also served as a lend-lease priest at St. Joseph Parish, Lewiston, Maine and St. Mary’s Parish, Biddeford, Maine.

Father Linse’s Wake will be held at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Milford, MA on Wednesday, January 21 at 9:00 A.M. followed by his Funeral Mass at 10:30 A.M. He will be buried at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cemetery, Milford, MA following the Funeral.

The Stigmatine Fathers are very grateful for the wonderful care Father Linse received at Marian Manor, So. Boston, MA by the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm and all the staff at this facility.

May God rest him.

Father Gregory Hoppough, CSS
Superior Provincial
Province of the Holy Spouses

Father Linse as sub-deacon on Father Henchey's First Solemn Mass, at St. Anthony's, Woburn, MA on Jule 22nd, 1956

Father Linse during Mass at the Chapel of the Stigmatine Retirement House [St. Joseph Hall] in Waltham, MA, on July, 2009

§§§

Brazil, In Our Father's Home

Father José Teixeira de Melo, CSS is back AT our Father’s home

January 17, 2015 terezacl

Our confrere, Father José Teixeira de Mello, CSS, from the Province of the Holy Cross, in Brazil, passed away on December 9, 2014, in Campinas, state of São Paulo, in Brazil. He was 79 years old.

Father Teixeira was born on March 7, 1935, in Montes Claros, state of Minas Gerais, in Brazil.

He entered the Stigmatine Congregation after his retirement, and was ordained a Stigmatine Priest on his 58th birthday, on March 7, 1993.

May God rest him.

§§§

Account, Stigmatine Laity

AN ACCOUNT OF THE STIGMATINE LAITY MEETING ON SATURDAY, DEC. 6, 2014

December 7, 2014 terezacl

STIGMATINE LAITY DECEMBER MEETING

Dec. 6, 2014

On this first Saturday of the month of December – the commemoration of St. Nicholas – in accord with the Liturgy of the Season, the Mass was that of the Ist Saturday in Advent. Along with some of our Marist brothers living here with us, our Father Provincial, Fr. Gregory J Hoppough, CSS, was also present.

Promptly at 9:00 Mass began and the homilist was the Laity group acting spiritual director, Fr. Joseph Henchey, CSS. His theme was taken on “Charism” in general – much in the modern jargon of the Church in this Post Vatican II era.

Charism was described as a way of life, infused by God, enabling one to carry out God’s Word and to accept His will. This involves two aspects at least: that of cooperating in the Mission that Jesus received from His Father, and which He handed on to His Apostles – as the gospel of the day [Mt 9 & 10] presented Jesus’ heart being moved by pity, sending the His followers out to heal, cleanse, the Lost Sheep of Israel. This for St. Gaspar Bertoni, is the Apostolic Mission.

And then, secondly, as St. Gaspar was an invalid for a huge part of his priesthood, we need to learn his “abandonment to the Divine Will.”

These spiritual movements are epitomized in St. Gaspar’s heart as the Latin Vulgate translation of Rm 12:1,ff.: make of your bodies [lives] and oblation [‘obsequium’] to the Mercy of God. The Will of God is a command in the Creation stories: FIAT [an imperative] LUX! Let there be light the “Covenant Formula”: noted in the formula that derived from this: we will do God’s Word! This was later repeated by Joshua and his family – and we are reminded by Deuteronomy: Do not forget, this Word was not uttered for your ancestors, but for you here TODAY!

This was then lived by Jesus: I have not come for MY own Word…Will… Gory – Your will be done… Into your hands I commend My spirit! The Blessed Virgin Mary, Spouse of Joseph, picked up on this = and her FIAT, an optative prayer. Mary’s FIAT was lived on Calvary where she became the Mother of the Church – as at Cana she delivered her message for all the apostolic missionaries of the world” You do whatever He tells you! [Jn 2]

For believers of all times, Vatican II speaks of Faith as an oblation of intellect and will – to carry out the Will of God in the acceptance of revealed dogma and moral, and the requirements of the as well as in liturgy, spirituality.

As we have seen, St. Ignatius lived this in his Suscipe [Sp. Ex. 234] – Charles de Foucauld in his Prayer of ABANDONMENT. St. Gaspar presents this in his prayer, to Mary:

Buon Giorno Madre Mia….!
Please offer to God all I have to do and suffer today,
in union with your merits,
as well as those of your Blessed Son.
I offer you and consecrate to your service
all my being and whatever belongs to me,
placing everything under your protection.

Yet was agreed that the next formal meeting will be March 6^th, 2015, Fr Henchey stated that a letter would go out inviting the Stigmatine Laity to our communal celebration of the Feast of the Espousals, January 23rd, at 4:15 p.m.

Father Joseph Henchey, CSS
Acting Spiritual Director