An Ave for Aunt Marguerite...

Requiescat in Pace

Margaret M. Feeney McGarrity

The daughter of the late Thomas and Margaret O'Malley Feeney and is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, John J. McGarrity, Sr.; three sons, James T. McGarrity and wife, Jane L. of Middletown, John J. "Jack" McGarrity, Jr. and wife, Mary Ellen R. of Linglestown, and Thomas P. McGarrity and wife, Jennifer A. of Harrisburg; one daughter, Helen M. Fuhrman and her husband, Daniel L. of Linglestown; ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Aunt Marguerite was born in Fr. Rader's Parish (Holy Name) on the East Mountain of Scranton and graduated from Scranton Central High School before she moved to the Swampoodle section of North Philadelphia (St. Columba's) with her family. She and Uncle John made West Philadelphia (Transfiguration) their home before the Pennsylvania Railroad (all aboard!) took them to Harrisburg. I'm sure Mom was there, along with the Dolly sisters, when the Lord welcomed her to Heaven. I just hope He was prepared for the Blackfeet Tribe of O'Malleys that threw the party when she arrived. Uncle Buddy Feeney and Aunt Molly Sweeney are probably singing 'Danny Boy' as I write. Good luck getting them to stop ;-)

Wake and Mass of Christian Burial:

St. Catherine Laboure Roman Catholic Church

4000 Derry Street

Harrisburg, PA

May her soul, and all the souls of the faithfully departed, through the Mercy of God, rest in Peace. Amen.

Oh Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling
From glen to glen, and down the mountain side
The summer's gone, and all the roses falling'
Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow
Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow
'Tis I'll be here in sunshine or in shadow
Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so.

But when ye come, and all the flowers are dying
If I am dead, as dead I well may be
You'll come and find the place where I am lying
And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me.

And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me
And all my grave will warmer, sweeter be
For ye shall bend and tell me that you love me
And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me.

Fire at Holy Ghost Prep causes $1M in damage

As an alumnus of Holy Ghost Preparatory School this is very sad news. The Chapel of the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit is 100 years old and was built in part with funds provided by St. Katherine Drexel herself, as the Holy Ghost Fathers (Spiritans) and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, at least then, had similar charisms. If not for the archaic rules of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia the Chapel would have held the weddings of nearly every graduate. A beautiful worship space where even the most hard core atheist would hear the word of God.

I'm sure insurance money will help them to rebuild but the stained glass in the Chapel is irreplacable. From the pictures it would seem that the seven side chapels, where 100 years worth of private masses were celebrated by the Holy Ghost Fathers... were destroyed as well.

So why we're sad for the loss the Chapel will be rebuilt, and the fire was contained and no one was hurt -- due to the quick efforts of the Bensalem Fire Department. It could have been much worse.

Cor unum et anima una.

44

Holy Ghost fire causes $1M in damage

By: GEORGE MATTAR
Bucks County Courier Times

The fire was sparked by a roofer's torch. Firefighters had to break more than a dozen stained-glass windows while battling the blaze.

A fire started by a roofer's torch caused an estimated $1 million worth of damage to the chapel at Holy Ghost Preparatory School Monday afternoon.

School was not in session and none of the school's 518 students were on the property.

Volunteer firefighters from seven Lower Bucks companies and the Bensalem Rescue Squad were called to the school off Route 13 about 1:55 p.m., Ruggiero said. The fire was brought under control at 2:31 p.m., according to the Bucks County Radio Room. One volunteer firefighter was slightly hurt, complaining of a thumb injury, said Cornwells Fire Co. Chief Joe Ruggiero.

"When I pulled up, there was smoke coming from the roof and three roofers up there working," Ruggiero said.

Water filled the parking lot, and firefighters had to contend with biting wind while fighting the fire.

Fire police closed a portion of Route 13 in Bensalem to traffic as more than a dozen fire trucks rushed to the scene.

Bensalem Fire Marshal Jay Scanlon said the fire was started by roofers using a torch while spreading asphalt on the flat church roof. Roofing trucks at the scene had the name Russell Roofing on the doors. Russell Roofing is located in Oreland, Montgomery County. The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching the roofing company for comment Monday evening.

Scanlon said the roofers had used a torch about 45 minutes before they called the fire company.

Scanlon said his damage estimate is due, in part, to at least a dozen expensive stained glass windows that were broken while firefighters battled the blaze.

One parent, whose husband and son graduated from Holy Ghost, stood shivering on Route 13 in the strong, biting winds and was visibly upset about the fire.

Advertisement "It's a great school. This fire is unbelievable. I feel so bad for Father Jeff and the staff. My husband and son got a great education here. I hope the building can be repaired," said Beverly Viscusi.

The school celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2009, according to signs hanging in front of the school.

The Rev. Jeff Duaime, who runs the school, is upset about the fire and damage to the 100-year-old stained glass, but praised firefighters and said he has used Russell Roofing for other previous repairs and was pleased with the work.

"I am not sure of what type of material is on the flat roof, but the roofers were using tar at the time of the fire," Duaime said. "The fire departments did a good job. They deserve a lot of credit.

"It's hard to say if there is $1 million in damage, but when I saw the broken stained glass, well, I just can't say for sure. But no one got hurt and we are grateful for that," he said.

Duaime said 518 students attend the school and that the damaged chapel is used for daily Mass for the students.

He added that the damage was mostly confined to the main altar and seven side altars in the chapel, known as Chapel of the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Duaime said the building was used as a seminary dating to 1897, until it became a chapel.

He said the chapel is fully insured, but it was unknown how soon repairs could be made. For now, Mass will be held in a former chapel near the main residence on school property.

The fire does not affect the Jack Schott Holiday Tournament basketball game scheduled for today. The game will be played, said school athletic director Jim Stewart.

I meant to post this earlier but couldn't find it. It is the commencement address at HGP last year from Mary Lou Quinlan, the founder and CEO of Just Ask a Woman, the leading women's marketing company in the U.S. She is an a alumna of Cardinal Dougherty High School and Saint Joseph's University.

Thank you so much for the honor of speaking at this wonderful occasion. And for breaking a nearly 50 year tradition. You let a Dougherty girl in.

It’s an honor for me to be part of your big day.

As Tony mentioned, I’ve got a lot of Holy Ghost connections…and a lot of love and affection for this school, starting with my husband Joe who’s an alum. ..and both of my brothers in law. But the first Joe Quinlan to enter the school was actually back in the fall of 1911 when it was called Holy Ghost Apostolic College. He was "my" Joe Quinlan's great uncle, Father Joe Quinlan. He had a distinguished career as a Spiritan, both at the motherhouse when it was in Paris...as well as in the overseas missions.

Father Joe was buried some 40 years ago just 100 yards from here...and he's been joined in recent years by many of the priests whom he recruited into the order when he served here, first as teacher and then as rector. Like Joe’s mentor and our friend, Father Henry Brown, a wise and wonderful priest who married us 30 years ago.

Just as Mr. Chapman never left Holy Ghost, my husband Joe, in his own way, never left either. He’s loyal to you in every way. Today I want to say thank you, Holy Ghost for helping Joe be the man he is, someone I am so lucky to have in my life, and to his mom and Dad, Virginia and Tom Quinlan who sacrificed to send him here. They’re all here today.

And, thank you, Tony… a great leader, a great friend, as is his wife, Jane… and daughter Katie.

But this day is about you, the graduates of the class of 2009. Right now, I know you’re excited to be moving on but you might also be feeling a little sad. No wonder. You’ve got a lot of leave-taking ahead of you. Your family, your friends, your school.
But the good news, like Joe and Mr. Chapman, you can always come home. Because Holy Ghost is now part of you. And it’s a legacy that you’ll carry the rest of your life.

(Where’s Steve Chapman?) Your mom Donna Chapman, told me she remembers dropping you off for Freshman Orientation and you were kind of shy, and when she left, she sat out in the parking lot, praying, “Please let him make a friend…not expecting a bunch, just even one.” (How things have changed!) She told me, “Steve’s an only child but he has many brothers.” For all of you, Holy Ghost is the home where you all found brothers for life. A brotherhood united for good.

Home is the place that gives you roots and wings and with these awards and diplomas you’ve got the foundation and you are set to fly.

There are three thoughts I’d like to share with you today. And Joe Knowles, the Michael Phelps of medal winners over there, when I asked him for guidance for this speech, said “We’re pretty high brow students, so don’t be corny or cliché!” Well, these are clichés I believe in and live by, so bear with me, Joe.

The first relates to your roots. Remember Where You Came From.

This class is headed to dozens of colleges and universities all over this country…big shout out to Ted Grabowski! Some are going far away, some are staying closer to home. I know that seven of you are going to City Avenue to attend my alma mater, Saint Joseph’s University here in Philadelphia…the Hawk will never die!)

But no matter where you go, someday, you may find yourself, with families of your own and nice cars and fancy houses in a big job, with a big paycheck ….and you may look at yourself and say, “Hey, look what I did!”

And you might forget how you got to be who you are. I invite you to think about that now. Holy Ghost has its fingerprints all over you. (for the entire address click here)

Teach me to serve...

All Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus
Feast Day November 5




Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you.

"Ah, Lord GOD!" I said, "I know not how to speak; I am too young."

But the LORD answered me, Say not, "I am too young."

To whomever I send you, you shall go; whatever I command you, you shall speak.

Have no fear before them, because I am with you to deliver you, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:5-8

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Gracious God, give to the Society of Jesus men who are on fire
for Christ and desire in all things to love and to serve.


The Society of Jesus in the United States

Teach me to serve...

"Be attentive to surprises, joys, disappointment, it's all part of God's plan."

Called by adversity Philadelphia Inquirer

The Rev. Rick Curry turned a humiliating rejection into a life of faith and creativity.

By Monica Yant Kinney

At the last Mass at St. Joseph's Prep before students scattered for Christmas break, the Rev. Rick Curry gave the homily.

I'm not sure how to adequately describe this man, so get ready for a wild ride that I guarantee will put you in the mood for Christmas.

Curry's homily began with a story about a mouthwash commercial.

The would-be actor was born without a right forearm, which made him a freak to the receptionist at the 1977 audition. She laughed him right out of the office.

"I was stunned. I was hurt," the visiting priest told the church full of 1,000 antsy young men. "There was no way I could convince her that having one arm wouldn't stop me from gargling mouthwash."

At the time, Curry was a Jesuit brother studying for his doctorate in theater. He trudged off muttering, "God, what was that all about?"

A day later, Curry got the idea to open the National Theatre Workshop of the Handicapped.

Today, his "workshop" (www.ntwh.org) consists of two campuses (in New York and Maine) and a professional repertory company funded in part with proceeds from a bakery staffed by disabled students. The bakery sells Brother Curry's Miraculous Dog Biscuits along with bread from one of the two cookbooks he's authored.

I told you Curry had some tricks up that sleeve.

In his spare time, he also runs Wounded Warriors, a dramatic-writing program for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And in a triumphant comeuppance, the man once deemed unfit for a mouthwash ad has been profiled on 60 Minutes. He even guest-starred on the cable program Monk.

"Be attentive to surprises, joys, disappointment," Curry told his charges. "It's all part of God's plan."

'They didn't want me'
The fact that Curry - a West Philadelphia native who attended the Prep in 1957-58 - could deliver a holiday sermon proves his point.

When he was growing up, church discipline held that a priest needed the use of the thumb and pointer finger on both hands to hold the host to be consecrated.

"I was told when I was 6 I couldn't be a priest," he explained after Mass. "They didn't want me. And I didn't want them."

Curry's first calling was to the stage. He majored in theater at St. Joseph's University, earned a master's at Villanova and a doctorate at NYU, all while serving God the only way he was allowed - as a brother.

"Any time you raise the human spirit, you're working in an atmosphere of faith," he told me. "When you are giving tools to persons of disabilities to communicate with one another, you're dealing with something very sacred."

An unexpected calling
Six years ago, Curry was counseling wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center when he met an angry young man who would upend his life.

"He was very anxious to get things off his chest," Curry recalled. As the soldier raged on, "I had no idea it was his idea we were in confession. At the end, he said, 'Padre, how about absolution?' "

Embarrassed, Curry explained that he wasn't a priest.

"Why not?" the soldier probed.

"I've never been called."

"Well," the young man barked, "I'm calling you." (click title to read the entie article)

Christian faith being used and denied at the same time

Nativity at Old St. Joseph's Church - Philadelphia's Jesuit Parish.

Merry Marketing: Stores give us something to believe in -- shopping.

By JAMES MARTIN, S.J.

I like Christmas as much as the next Christian. And by that I mean the Feast of the Nativity—the one with Jesus being born in a manger. The one Linus talks about every year on "A Charlie Brown Christmas." That Christmas I like.

The Christmas I don't like is the one most people don't: the commercial one. And this year what's been irking me are the slogans that companies are deploying in their December ad campaigns that hope to have it both ways: They're using religious themes without actually being religious. Call it faith-based advertising.

Some aren't bad. This year J.C. Penney's ads featured the slogan "The Joy of Giving." (Giving is, needless to say, laudable.) But many advertisers couldn't seem to decide how religious their ads could be. Most are eager to glom onto the highly profitable Christmas angle without being Christian, which would be a challenge even for Don Draper and his "Mad Men" copywriters. The cover of the Land's End catalog, which is bursting with preppy families who apparently divide their time between laughing dementedly, drinking steaming mugs of hot chocolate and petting horses, says: "Make it Merry!" Make what merry? Celebrating the birth of Christ or petting a horse?

Likewise, the Container Store, a packaging company, wanted to remind shoppers to mail in time for Christmas but couldn't quite bring itself to say the word. "Only 15 Days Left!" said one of its ads on Dec. 10. Fifteen days till what? Arbor Day?

"Magic" is another popular word on Madison Avenue: Pier One's catalog says, "Make Christmas Magic!" Sadly, all I can think of is Mary and Joseph standing around Harry Potter in a manger.

And this year the Gap's ads are just plain weird. Their TV commercials feature perky models rapping out the following ditty: "Go Christmas! Go Hannukah! Go Kwanzaa! Go Solstice! You 86 the rules, you do what just feels right. Happy Whatever-you-wannukah, and to all a cheery night!" But the models are clearly wearing sweaters and scarves in bright red, the traditional Christmas color. In other words, the Gap is selective about what gets 86ed. Actual religious beliefs? Those go. Holiday trappings that can move a few sweaters? Those stay.

The winner of this year's worst catch phrase is a tie: between Macy's and Eddie Bauer. Macy's shopping bags say, "A million reasons to believe!" In what? What does Macy's want us to believe in? That Jesus is the Son of God? (Imagine that on a bag.)

Nearly as maddening was the cover of this year's Eddie Bauer catalog, which proclaims "We believe." As with Macy's, I was eager to find out just what Eddie Bauer believed in. The Council of Chalcedon's fifth-century declaration that Jesus was fully human and fully divine? Not exactly. Page three professed the retailer's creed: "We believe in the world's best down."

Of course I know that this is the way marketing works. Retailers use anything to hawk a product. And I'm sorry to be a stickler, but it's strange seeing the Christian faith being used and denied at the same time.

Nonetheless, I try not to get too upset about it, because I don't want to let commercialism distract me from the reason to celebrate Christmas Day. Because I really do have a million reasons to believe.

Father Martin is a Jesuit priest and author of "My Life with the Saints" and 44's favorite "This Our Exile. "

Old Time Hockey

Ole 44 doesn't follow hockey that much anymore, but as a kid growing up in NE Philly we loved our Broad Street Bullies and played alot of street hockey. Halcion days for us with two Stanley Cups followed by being the only NHL team to kick the crap out of the Red Army team from the Soviet Union -- the only time everyone was cheering for the usually hated Flyboys. The Red Army was undefeated against the NHL and only the Flyers stood in the way of a perfect record. The Flyers roughed up the commies a bit too much and they refused to take the ice in the 2nd period, until Ed Snyder informed the head comrade that if they didn't complete the game they wouldn't be paid for entire series against the NHL. Ahhh... how money talks. They retook the ice and lost 4-1.

Yesterday I sat in bed and energetically used my Direct TV remote to switch between the Mummers Parade and the NHL Winter Classic between the Bruins and Flyers at Fenway Park. "Old time hockey"-- with the Flyers losing but winning the only fight. The final picture reminded me of my buddy Lammers, who played hockey for Villanova -- and still has in his office a tattered poster of an aerial Bobby Orr scoring a goal, way back when.

Flyers fans flocked to Fenway Philadelphia Inquirer

Though they were clearly outnumbered, Flyers fans did their best to turn the site of yesterday's Winter Classic into Phenway Park.

Philly-area fans invaded Boston the last few days. They were in bars. In restaurants. In hotels.
And, of course, at historic Fenway Park, which hosted yesterday's Winter Classic between the Flyers and Boston Bruins. The fans turned Boston into Philly North with their orange jerseys, their Flyers chants, their "Yo, Happy New Year's" greetings.

The Flyers were given 5,000 tickets to sell to season-ticket holders. All went quickly. A few thousand additional fans bought tickets from other outlets. Erin Dodds and Jessica Baver, both from Marlton, N.J., said they bought "nosebleed" tickets for $300 each from StubHub.

"It was a lot of money, but it was worth it," said Dodds, 24, a waitress who wore a Rick Tocchet jersey. The two young women were part of a huge group of Flyers fans who arrived in Boston on Amtrak, about 10 minutes after midnight yesterday. "We had our own little Flyers car," said Baver, 22. "We drank in the New Year together. Philly loves their teams, and we do it right." (click title for the entire article)



A grand slam on ice - The Boston Globe

“It’s the perfect day for hockey in Boston,’’ said Bobby Orr as he watched from an upstairs box. “It’s a thrill to see all these pros turn into kids again for one day. This is how we all started playing hockey - outdoors. And this day, here at Fenway Park, truly is a classic.’’

Classic.

The crowd made the day. Ken Burns’s well-worn PBS series on baseball spoke lovingly about the good old days of ballpark crowds when “everybody wore a hat.’’ Grainy photos of packed Fenway in the days of Ruth feature endless rows of gentlemen smoking cigarettes, wearing boaters, no doubt placing bets on the unfolding action.

You can’t smoke at Fenway anymore, but it seemed that everybody at the park yesterday wore a hat. Owed to comfort more than fashion, most of the 38,112 kept their heads warm with one of the Winter Classic tuques sold at the concession stands. Those hats forever will be souvenirs of one of the most magical afternoons in the history of the 97-year-old yard.

It was 39 degrees at game time (some Sox games have been colder) and many sight lines were terrible, but few complained. Twenty-three-year-old Lindsey Maher made the trip from Allentown, Pa., and scored a front-row ticket behind the backstop, only to learn she was sitting below ice level, 150 feet from the penalty box.

“At least we’ll be able to hear the game,’’ said Maher, a Flyers fan.

Most of the fans had the same attitude. This was a day to be there. That was enough. (click title for the entire article)



Staff Sergeant Ryan R. LaFrance (center) dropped the ceremonial first puck for with

Flyers great Bobby Clarke and Bruins great Bobby Orr before the Winter Classic began Friday at Fenway Park.

Wintry mix

Snow again today in the City of Brotherly Love but it makes for a nice photo of Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were drafted and signed. Should you be interested in touring Philadelphia please check out the website of Centipede Tours -- the best in the industry.

Better late than never ;-)

Photos of the " Holy War " Pep Rally held at the St. Andrew the Apostle Parish School in Drexel Hill, PA, courtesy of '81 Hawk...

Special guest star 'Pops' Martelli!

Our Lady of Victory...

One of my favorite sites to visit is the Philadelphia Church Project, which, in their own words, "charts the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly in Philly's Religious Architecture" -- mainly in area Catholic churches. Having lived in suburban New Jersey and suffered with what can only be called intentionally uninspiring church architecture -- it's a joy to see how we used to do things. When our immigrant ancestors sacrificed to build these beautiful neighborhood cathedrals.


I came across this picture on their blog and of course it reminded me of the mantra of every CYO team back in the day just before you broke the huddle. I know Bob Hurley's teams at St. Anthony pray for her intercession before every game, and given our record this year it might be time for St. Joe's to bring back the practice ;-)


OUR LADY OF VICTORY... PRAY FOR US!

Walnut St. Theatre Ticket Master...

Looking good Mr. Rick, at Decade in review: Arts & entertainment Philly 12/28/2009

Ahmad Nivins ha sido operado

Just finished reading The Miracle of St. Anthony by Adrian Wojnarowski for the 4th time. A great book I never tire of reading about a guy who truly has a basketball vocation and has touched so many lives, and continues to save St. Anthony High School and Catholic secondary education for youths in Jersey City -- Coach Bob Hurley. From page 361;

"They (recruiters) were all chasing the rapdily developing Ahmad Nivins. Suddenly, coaches in the Big East, ACC, Big Ten, Pac-10 and SEC were hot on his trail, but Ahmad was nothing if not loyal, and underdog national power St. Joseph's University stayed at the top of his list. After all, Martelli had started recruiting him before anyone else. Sean had encouraged him to take the biggest offer that came his way, but Sean and Ahmad had come to St. Atnhony with different objectives. Ahmad loved the tight-knit St. Joe's campus, the genuine coach, Martelli, and the university's well-respected business school."

So sorry to hear about his injury -- a quick and full recovery to our Ahmad Nivins.

Nivins (Manresa), operado de su lesión en la rodilla izquierda, estará unos seis meses de baja

Para cubrir su ausencia el Suzuki Manresa ha fichado al veterano Larry Lewis, de 40 años

El pívot del Suzuki Manresa Ahmad Nivins ha sido operado, en la Clínica Sant Josep de Manresa, de la lesión que sufrió en la rodilla izquierda durante el partido frente al Ayuda en Acción Fuenlabrada y estará, como mínimo, seis meses de baja.

La operación de Nivins, a cargo del doctor Ramon Serra, consistió en una plastia en los ligamientos cruzados y en el ligamiento lateral interno, además de una sutura meniscal del menisco interno y externo. El pívot estadounidense permanecerá hospitalizado todavía unos días.

Ante la imposibilidad de contar con Nivins durante, al menos, los próximos seis meses, el Suzuki Manresa ha fichado al veterano ala-pívot Larry Lewis, de 40 años, 2,01 metros de altura y procedente del Unicaja de Málaga, hasta el final de temporada.

Translation:

The center of Manresa Ahmad Nivins Suzuki has been operated at the Clínica Sant Josep de Manresa, the injury he suffered in his left knee during the match against Fuenlabrada Action Aid and be at least six months out.

Nivins The operation, led by Dr. Ramon Serra, was a cross-plasty in the linkage and the internal lateral linkage, and a meniscus meniscal suture internally and externally. The U.S. center will remain hospitalized for a few days.

Given the impossibility of having Nivins for at least the next six months, the Manresa Suzuki have signed veteran power forward Larry Lewis, 40, 2.01 meters high and from the Unicaja Malaga until the end season.

Prayers for Fr. Deeney

Fr. Deeney about to say Mass on his 87th birthday for 26 of his Jesuits brothers and us!

I'd ask any and all who read my blog to say a prayer for my friend Fr. John Deeney, SJ in India.

Even the most casual reader would know of the love and respect I have for this great man and his life long work (Appeal for the St. Paul Miki School in India) of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to souls in a land so far away. I am privileged to know a great many people in this world and I have never met anyone more holier, or humble, than this Jesuit (so humble in fact that he intentionally doesn't capitalize the 'sj' after his name). He has sought God in all things in his life, and as the e-mails below will indicate he may be close to his eternal reward. I can think of no one more deserving of a place at the right hand of God.

I was introduced to Fr. Deeney through my best friend and his grand nephew Johnny Gill -- and I am in debt to the Deeney/Curtis/Caramanico clan for allowing me to become part of their great family. Years ago Johnny and Fr. Deeney came to my house for dinner and not being the greatest chef I cooked hot dogs and bake beans on the hottest day of the year (Fr. liked my 'Boston' beans, which he hadn't had in 50 years). Since my house is small, and my air conditioner even smaller... I asked Father if he was comfortable. He told me he was a little cold ;-), and shared with us that it was over 100 degrees at night in India although he had a ceiling fan that kept things cool -- when they had electricity! When I'm forced to watch those ridiculous reality shows with Mrs. 44, and the actors' unfounded complaints, my mind drifts to Fr. Deeney's 100 degree room. Last year Johnny and I got a brief taste of the conditions Father has lived through for 60 years when we visited.

At the request of the Jamshedpur Province Fr. Deeney wrote a brief autobiography as inspiration for the younger Jesuits. In it he spoke of his vocation, and how God wanted him to be a Jesuit. I asked him recently about the details of this:

About my vocation. While I was alone, quietly waiting for a trolley I suddenly had this firm conviction, almost like a message, that God wanted me to become a Jesuit. It was a very strong thing, which left no question of doubting it. After that I just knew that I was to become a Jesuit. I considered that very sacred and never spoke about it until recent years. When I was asked to write something about my vocation I wrote that with hesitation, and asked the Socius to the Provincial whether I should include that. He advised me to include it. In recent years I have come to think of it as a kind of intellectual vision (i.e. no sight nor sound). In the Spiritual Exercises #330 Ignatius writes about consolation without previous cause. This was something like that. It came to me suddenly out of the blue.

I share this with you all (and I hope that Father doesn't mind) because I feel that God still tries to speak to us everyday, in many ways... yes, even while waiting for a trolley on Girard Avenue outside St. Joseph's Prep in North Philadelphia. So many distractions these days though. We make it difficult to hear what He is telling us. I sometimes wonder why Johnny, the Klarich boys and I traversed 9,000 miles to visit him and the wonderful Jesuits in India. Miraculously we may have been quiet enough to hear His call that one particular day.

So I'd ask that you take a moment and say a prayer for this humble Jesuit and this loyal servant of Christ -- so that he doesn't suffer. He is at the finish line of his life, and I'm quite sure that God has a nice place waiting for him. I hope it is nicer than his room in Lupungutu -- although I know Father won't mind a bit.

I shared Fr. Deeney's vocation story with my Ignatian Prayer Group led weekly by Fr. James Moore, SJ. At the end of our meeting Fr. Moore gave us some advice, which I will now pass on to you:

Go find your trolley, and may it bring you consolation without previous cause.

AMDG,

44


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To all of you,

Since the Provincial sent out that letter which I forwarded to the whole Province, I think it best to give you the full picture. The doctor told the Provincial that I could expect 2-3 good enough months and then probably slide into a more difficult stage. I think that you know that I am ready for whatever. God has been so good to me and He has put me into such a wonderful loving family that I have really been blessed. I know that He has a nice place ready for me when the pains of this life end. I include Tom here because he has linked in so well with my work.

Much much love to all,

John, sj

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Today (24 December 2009) at noon I made a visit to Mercy hospital with Fr. Jerry Cutinha. Fr. John Deeney, who was admitted on 16 December 2009, looked far better – swelling in the legs disappeared, skin colour returning to normal, more strength in body and more smiles on the face. He greeted us with folded hands and a friendly smile. He still feels quite weak and finds it difficult to swallow solid food. He mentioned that he had half an egg for breakfast after so many days. The fluid formation in the stomach has been flushed out with a syringe. His stomach still looks full with fluid. More flushing is to be done late in the day.

Then we met Dr. Tamal Deb, the Resident Doctor who is treating Fr. John. He told us that John was suffering from two major health problems, one, with anemia with very low blood count (for which blood transfusion was done), second, a cancerous development in his gal bladder that causes the fluid accumulation in his stomach (which is being flushed out). The Doctor assured us that they are giving all care and medication to reduce pain and uneasiness in John. However, he did not rule out sudden change of situation. He told us he would keep John for a few more days and then discharge him to be taken care of at Jesuit Infirmary in XLRI.

Fr. John needs our prayerful support and round the clock assistance.

Mike T Raj, SJ

Jamshedpur Jesuit Province
Loyola Niwas,
15 Straight Mile Road,
Sakchi, Jamshedpur 831001, INDIA

Take My Son...

I wish you a Happy Christmas. Here is a story for you "Take my Son, the one who takes the son, gets everything".

Jerry Cutinha SJ

TAKE MY SON

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, “Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety hen a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love or art.” The young man held out this package. “I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.” The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting.

The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift.” The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later.

There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel.. “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?” There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100? $200?’ Another voice shouted angrily. “We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!” But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who'll take the son?’ Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. “I'll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10, who will bid $20?” announced the auctioneer. “Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.” “$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?” The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, Sold for $10.00. A man sitting on the second row shouted, “Now let's get on with the collection!”

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. “I'm sorry, the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?” “I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!” God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: “The son, the son, who'll take the son?” Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

For God so loved the world he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

I have to keep them somewhere...

Uhhh... they're my Christmas ornaments ;-)

The queen on her throne.

She was blessed: She had faith and she had family...

Tom,

I think this article may be of interest to you (and uplifting as well). It was for me.

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

Dennis



Making Room on Campus by Kathryn Jean Lopez

Mary Dodd is alive today because her mother said “yes” when Mary entered her life. Now Mary’s mom is part of an effort to make sure that there is always room at an inn for mothers who want to say “yes” to unplanned babies, but need the support to carry through with the choice.

Lacy Dodd was a senior at the University of Notre Dame when she realized she was pregnant. Her boyfriend wanted no part of the child they had made together, but abortion was not an option as far as Lacy was concerned.

She was blessed: She had faith and she had family. Last spring, she wrote movingly about the day her daughter was born: “On All Saints Day 1999, I gave birth to baby Mary. Her name is no accident. This Mary was living inside me while I walked the campus of a university dedicated to a woman who is mother of us all, and it was Mary Our Mother who gave me courage when I was afraid of what would lie ahead. Mary teaches us always to be open to seeking the will of God in our lives, no matter what it is, and never to be afraid of God’s will. God’s will may contain suffering, but God’s will also brings peace and joy. When we place ourselves at God’s disposal, he will do great things for us.”

On that day, she says, Lacy’s father “took one look at Mary in my arms and said to me, ‘This is your gift for making the right decision.’”

Needless to say, not every college student who finds herself pregnant gets that kind of support.

Last spring, moved to tell her story by the controversy involving Notre Dame’s bestowing an honorary degree on President Obama, an advocate of legal abortion (and then some), Lacy Dodd wrote of the consolation she found in her faith as a scared college student: “No amount of shame or embarrassment would ever lead me to get rid of my baby. Of all women, Our Lady could surely feel pity for an unplanned pregnancy. I recalled her surrendered love to God’s invitation to become the home of the Incarnate Word. ‘Let it be done to me according to thy word,’ she had said. In my hour of need, on my knees, I asked Mary for courage and strength. And she did not disappoint.”

And that strength guides her as a mother, an activist, and a role model. Today Lacy lives in Charlotte, N.C., and is involved with Room at the Inn, a Catholic organization there that provides support to pregnant women and young mothers. They’re currently raising money to build an inn at Belmont Abbey, a Catholic college.

The Benedictine monks there have already donated the land for the inn, believing that “we should put into action our faith commitment in the sanctity of human life,” Abbot Placid Solari explains. The plan is for a facility that will house 15 moms and their children, infants and toddlers, adjacent to campus.

“College women now account for a little more than half the abortions that occur nationwide,” Jeannie Wray, executive director of Room at the Inn, explains. “They are the most abortion-vulnerable population that we have.” And while “there are many maternity homes that focus on other populations of women,” she worries that there is a real lack of support for college women, specifically. “We receive several calls each month from college students who need help, need a place to go, who are fearful that they will have to forfeit their education if they don’t have an abortion. The need is very real and it is here now. The need is as real here in North Carolina as anywhere else in the country. Our current residential facility is full, and all our residents have had their babies and are going to continue their post–high school education.”...

To read the full article please click the title. For more click Notre Dame, My Mother First Things.

Judeo-Christian Ethics 101

The Catholic Nun and the Jewish Lawyer: Perfect Together!

Sister Mary Lydon and her biggest fan, Adam Getson, in the food pantry and clothing room that Sister runs out of a basement room at St. Cyprian Adam Getson is a Jewish guy with a Christmas dream, and I think it would be a mitzvah if this blog's readers helped make it come true.

The 31-year-old trial attorney at Wapner Neuman has recently gotten to know - and been blown away by - Sister Mary Lydon, IHM, the director of parish services at St. Cyprian Roman Catholic Church at 525 S. Cobbs Creek Parkway.

Sister Mary, who's worked at St. Cyprian's for a decade, founded a free food pantry and used-clothing room out of the church's basement. Open two days a week and manned each month by 18 volunteers, it's not just a mission of love for Sister Mary but an absolute necessity for the working poor whose paychecks cover shelter and utilies but not much else.

Through a former client of his, Adam learned about Sister Mary's mission and felt compelled to meet the pint-sized dynamo (who won't tell me her age, except to say it's "old"). He's now her biggest fan.

"She's one of those energetic selfless people who you just want to help the minute you get to know her," says Adam. "What she does is so important, and she does it with grace and love."

Feh, says Sister Mary. "I don't do anything. I'm just a conduit," she says modestly, scratching her head that a young go-getter like Adam would be impressed with the likes of her. "Good people donate to the parish, and we turn around and give it away to other good people."

Yeah, y'know, no big deal - except to the people whose lives it saves.

That's why Adam has made it his own mission to raise money to help Sister Mary's labor of love, which is not financed by St. Cyprian's general fund. He's been spreading the word about the pantry and clothing room, colleting financial donations, and plans to present her with a check when he has raised $5,000, or on Christmas Day, whichever date comes sooner.


Right now, he's at about $2,000. Even if he can't scare up another nickel, that's still a healthy donation to Sister Mary's cause, which has never received more than $500 in individual support.

But wouldn't it be great if Adam hit that $5,000, thanks to readers of this blog?

Adam has created a Facebook page to spread the word about Sister Mary, which she appreciates, but she's asked me to correct a point the page makes - that she sometimes finances her project out of her pocket.

"No. Never. I'm a nun," she chuckles. "I have no money."

Anyway, for those who can't get onot facebook, here's Adam's pitch:



"After having a wonderful Thanksgiving, I realized how much I have to be thankful for and want to give Sister Mary a donation. She has never received a donation larger then $500.00. My goal is to raise $5,000.00.

"I have never tackled a project like this in my life, but I am excited to be involved. I plan on keeping those who are interested informed via this facebook fan page.

"Sister Mary has ensured me that upon request, she will give proper documentation for those who donate and would like to receive a tax credit to use when calculating their income tax at the end of the year.

"Should you feel as compelled as myself to donate, please send a check made payable to Sister Mary and mail to my work address:

Adam S. Getson, Esquire
Wapner, Newman, Wigrizer Brecher & Miller
115 S. 21st Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103

"I plan on presenting Sister Mary with the checks received by me when I reach $5,000.00 or December 25, 2009, whichever date is sooner.

"I hope that this finds everyone well and in good health. Should you want to discuss this in greater detail, please do not hesitate to call me on my cell phone at 267.240.2171.

"Lastly, please share this fan page with anyone that may be interested."

He and Sister Mary make a funny pair, says Adam, who's so impressed by Sister's energy and selflessness, he's planning to team up with her for future projects.

"I'm a young Jewish guy and she's an older Catholic nun. Everything says we should have nothing in common. But working with her just feels like something that's meant to be."

Triple G: 6th Man's third...

Welcome to the world Grace Genevieve Gill, 7 pounds - 12 ounces. Healthy and beautiful!

Barroom Brawl: Top 5 Philly Teams of the Decade

Barroom Brawl: Top 5 Philly Teams of the Decade

By Rob Kuestner
Comcast SportsNet

Once again we are counting down a decade of sports in Philadelphia. This time, we remember the best teams of the past 10 years. We’ll get our Rick Dees on and count them down from five to one (for you kids out there who don’t know Rick Dees, here’s a link).

5. 2003-04 St. Joe’s Hawks

Finished 30-2, lost in Elite 8 of NCAA Tournament

I understand Nova Nation disagrees vehemently. It argues that its team actually reached a Final Four (2008-09) and an Elite 8 (2005-06) in the decade. That’s a completely valid argument.

My response is simple: neither of these Villanova teams had a perfect regular season. Neither earned a No.1 ranking. Neither team boasted the national player of the year. Neither team was on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Neither team captivated the city. St. Joe’s did all of these things.

Jameer Nelson swept all National Player of the Year awards. Phil Martelli did the same among coaches. The Hawks finished a perfect regular season with one stinker in the A-10 tournament, but still earned the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Tournament.

The Hawks had the best college player in the last 10 years (Nelson). They boasted two NBA players in their backcourt (Nelson/Delonte West). They were one defensive stop away from the Final Four (ugh … John Lucas III). They were a team that rallied the city, led by the irrepressible Martelli and the unstoppable Nelson.

The only other team in the conversation is the ’05-06 Wildcats. They were very good. But I firmly believe if those teams played 10 times in a neutral site (I recommend the Palestra), the Hawks win more times than they lose.

Let it snow, let it snow... but not 24 inches

Lots of snow at the PATCO station / The old Strawbridge & Clothier Store

Chestnut Street looking from 8th Street

From the Ben Franklin Bridge -- yup... the show(s) must go on at the Walnut ;-(

TDow and Snickers -- Pre-game in Hersey for state champions LaSalle College High School.

Got Iggy?

Welcome to Iggy

"To respond today to the pressing needs of our complex fragile world, many hands are surely needed. Collaboration in mission is the way we respond to this situation: it expresses our true identity as members of the Church, the complementarity of our diverse calls to holiness, our mutual responsibility for the mission of Christ, our desire to join people of good will in the service of the human family, and the coming of the Kingdom of God."
-G.C. 35, Decree VI: Collaboration at the Heart of Mission

What is "Iggy?"
“Iggy" is short for the Ignatian Social Ministry Database. It provides a comprehensive listing of Jesuit and Ignatian-inspired social ministries in the United States, including direct service ministries; university social research institutes; social outreach programs at Jesuit parishes, schools and provinces; and much more.

How will Iggy be helpful to people in Jesuit ministry?
Iggy allows those working in Jesuit ministries to quickly and easily reach out to potential collaborators within the Ignatian family by centralizing all contacts and providing background information in one location. Users can search for people working on social justice issues, search ministries by categories or search institutions geographically. It also permits the user to refine searches by multiple terms, allowing for the targeting of specific niche ministries. Additionally, Iggy provides an interactive map of the United States which displays the ministries geographically and by category. Clicking on any of the ministry icons on the map brings up details of the ministry. The map link is located in the top right corner of each page in Iggy (under the search box).

How do I navigate the site and get help if I need it?
There are three sources of assistance on Iggy. To get started using Iggy and for basic how-to questions, consult the "Quick Reference Guide;" for more detailed assistance consult the "User Manual;" and for specific questions consult the“FAQ" section (all are accessible under the map icon on each page).

Who will have access to Iggy?
Iggy is available online for a general audience. Iggy was developed using publicly available information posted on existing websites. Iggy will be maintained by the Jesuit Conference (who sponsors the database) and Jesuit Commission for Social and International Ministries.

How do I update information on myself or my ministry?
To update information on yourself or the ministry or institution you work for, email iggy@jesuit.org with your update. The information available in Iggy will become more comprehensive and detailed over time as more people in Jesuit ministries use it and send updates.

Many thanks to Dr. Chris Huntley of Fairfield University for developing and launching Iggy.




Fr. Currie honored

The Ignatian Solidarity Network presented Charles Currie, SJ, president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, with the very first Robert M. Holstein Faith Doing Justice award. Fr. Currie, past president of Wheeling Jesuit University and Xavier University, cofounded the ISN. The late Mr. Holstein was one of the founders of the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice.





Eugene A. Welch, SJ; Ministered in India since the 1950's

Eugene A. Welch, SJ, a Pittsburgh native and former member of the Maryland Province Jesuits, died Oct. 22. A Mass of Christian Burial was offered in Jamshedpur, India, where Fr. Welch has lived for a half century, Oct. 23. He was 81, and a Jesuit for 62 years.

Fr. Welch was a novice at St. Isaac Jogues in Wernersville, Pa., when he heard that the Father General was asking for volunteers to go to foreign missions. “I think all of the novices volunteered,” he recalled in an interview conducted during a recent visit to Baltimore. “You don’t know what things will be like when you get there,” he said.

He arrived for his first assignment in India in 1951—and except for three years in the 1960s—he ministered there his whole life. Fr. Welch went first as a student to learn Hindi and study philosophy at DeNobilii College in Poona. His studies continued at various colleges in India, including a course in Agronomy at Bishop’s House, Allahabad. He was ordained to the priesthood in Jamshedpur March 24, 1960. He returned to the Maryland Province in 1962 to serve as assistant director of the Jesuit Seminary Guild, a position he held for two years. He remained in Baltimore for one more year to serve as minister for Loyola Blakefield High School. “I was very anxious to go back,” he recalled of the time. And so he did in 1965. He went to St. Xavier High School in Chaibasa where he served as a counselor, treasurer, and teacher of religion, English and agriculture. In 1972, he went to serve as parochial vicar in a Catholic church in Chakradharpur, and ministered there for five years. He serves as a teacher and treasurer at DeNobili School in Dhanbad from 1977 to 1986 before moving to Jamshedpur where he served as a treasurer from 1986 to 1999 at Loyola School. In 1999, he moved to his final assignment at Xavier Labor Relations Institute in Jamshedpur, where he was house treasurer and guestmaster.

Serving in India for so long, Fr. Welch said he enjoyed the opportunity to get to know so many of the Indian people. “You get close to people you are working for,” he said. “I have known them a long time.”