Ann Louise Sullivan, along with her husband Dan '90 and their family hosted two visitors this past summer. The following is Ann Louise's reflection on this experience
My childhood recollection of Russians was one of great fear, the "RED MENACE!" In fact my brother has a collection of bubble gum cards entitled just that. In the 50's and 60's I feared Russia. I remember well air raid drills every Friday at noon. I remember well the Cuban Missile Crisis. I was in high school when President John F. Kennedy announced nation wide that he was imposing a blockade off the coast of Cuba and that any Russian ship entering our waters would be viewed as an act of aggression against the United States. War between the United States and the Soviet Union was a real threat.
Little did I
envision then that two beautiful young ladies, Olga Nemley (left
in picture) and Oksana Ponomarava (right in picture), from the
country of Belarus, an offshoot of the Soviet Union would invade
my very being, capture my heart, and become the "Living
Presence" for me.
My family and I had the privilege of hosting these two girls from Belarus. Olga is an outgoing, extremely intelligent young lady with an intense curiosity for learning. By the time she left, she was comprehending most conversational English and some written language as well. Quite a feat for less than one month! Oksana on the other hand was more reserved, loved sports, and possessed glee in her eye that would rival any Irish leprechaun alive!
Both girls came from an orphanage in Gormel, Belarus and slipped into our lives on June 23, 1996, During this brief interval we shared many things: videos...especially "GREASE" their favorite, music, trips, cruises, picnics, even EUCHARIST. However, the most special sharing was family, our very selves, exposed for acceptance or rejection. They, on the other hand, were vulnerable and loving!
Two totally different cultures met, wondered at each other, and fell totally and unconditionally in love with each other. They had extended their love and trust to us. It was their most exquisite and only gift. God has truly blest the Sullivan family in an extraordinary way, and we are grateful!
Ann Louise Sullivan, '90
From the
Director's DeskEvery year, I usually prepare a list of New Year's resolutions that seem wonderful when I write them, become too cumbersome by February 1, and forgotten by the Ides of March. Every year the list includes losing 10 pounds (or more!), beginning an exercise program, reading more, watching less TV, and other behaviors that I should change or begin. This year, instead of resolutions let me suggest some hopes and dreams for 1997 that we all might consider. Perhaps, by addressing them as a group we can achieve positive results.
This year why don't we:
On the other hand, I wonder if it would be easier to lose 10 pounds ?. Hmmm!
Happy New Year,
Deacon Leo Donoghue, '92
As we sat in the immense Cathedral of the Holy Cross apse on the morning of September 14th, our senses were filled with the smell of incense, the sound of the beautiful choir and liturgical music, and the sight of hundreds of family, friends, and well-wishers. The reality of what was about to happen caused an overwhelming sense of joy in my heart. As in many situations in our lives where a long-awaited event is about to take place, thoughts started to surface as to the circumstances that led me to this place and time, and how the future would change as a result.
Ending in a few moments would be the time of discernment and preparation. The years of classes at the seminary, books to be read, papers to be written, final exams, and the long drive down Route 128 had all become activities that we could say are behind us. Gone too would be the time that we could sit in the pews at our respective parishes as candidates in training, for at the close of this day we would be looked upon as teachers, guides in the faith, speakers, educators, baptizers, healers of hurt, intercessors in prayer, people with answers. Our lives were to become public domain as we begin our ministries and strive to apply all that we have been taught. The questions I thought about were many: Am I truly ready? Will I be good enough? Will I be any different than I am right now?
As I was asking myself these questions, perhaps for the thousandth time in the past four years, I looked at the faces of my brothers around me. As our eyes met, some winked, some nodded or smiled, each in his own way acknowledging the other's thoughts and hopes for this day and the many beyond it. As Cardinal Law began the liturgy, his words brought us into the present moment as he spoke about the meaning of this day and thanked our wives, parents, families, friends, pastors and those who had a hand in our formation process. His words brought reassurance and peace. He urged us not to forget what we were about to do; saying yes to God's call to care for his people to the best of our abilities in our ministries of the liturgy and of the word, and especially in the ministry of charity. For our most eloquent homily, he exhorted, would be a life lived in the humble service of God's people. He particularly focused our attention on the beautiful words of the responsorial psalm, "Do not forget the works of the Lord." To help us on this path, the Cardinal offered the most perfect example of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ who came to this earth not to be served, but to serve, and talked of the power of the Holy Spirit that he would call down upon us in the ancient ritual passed down by the Apostles.
What a blessed and grace-filled moment it was to be surrounded by the assembly, infused with their prayers, inspired by the words of scripture, and blessed by the Church. There was no bolt of lightning, or flash of insight, but an overwhelming sense of peace and well-being--a sense of being loved--and a desire to share that love. And so we move into the future. As we walked out of the Cathedral at the end of the liturgy, after the last picture was taken and the final handshake and hug given, I was asked if it felt anticlimactic now that the ordination was over. With little hesitation, I answered "No". If anything I was feeling a renewed sense of beginning and hope for this wonderful Church of ours.
Deacon Tony Rizzuto '96
Spirituality Of
The DeaconDeacon Richard Gindel, '92 reflects on the keynote address to the Northeast Regional Deacon's Assembly by Bishop Robert F. Morneau.
When the Prophet Elijah went into the wilderness (1 Kings 19: 4-8), the Lord sent an Angel to the prophet with this message: "Get up and eat, or the journey will be too long for you."
With this in mind, Bishop Morneau addressed over 300 deacons and wives in Newport RI on Saturday, November 9, to feed us, help us to cope and sometimes thrive on our own journey of spirituality.
He deftly provided more than enough information for us to "just stay awake" to our God of love and mercy, to the cry of the poor, and to our brothers and sisters. He mentioned eight obstacles that block our growth in God:
Many times during his talk, the Bishop treated us to the recitation of spiritual poetry so that we could better deal with the mystery of God. As an illustration, consider the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning:
Earth's crammed with heaven
and every common bush afire with God;
and only he who sees takes off his shoes-
the rest sit around and pluck blackberries.
We, like Moses who took off his shoes at the burning bush, are invited to take off ours and put ourselves in the presence of God.
With regard to our own spirituality, Bishop Bob reminded us that we are a totally gifted people of praise, thanksgiving, joy, trust, generosity, and light to others. So spirituality is:
The Bishop went on to say our motto and symbol for spirituality should be, "Without you Jesus, I can do nothing." Using the analogy of a three-legged stool that can not stand without each leg, the Bishop confirmed there is no spirituality without prayer (to talk things over with God); asceticism (to order our lives and determine the freedom for our journey and freedom from worldly addictions) and service (to align our gifts with the needs of our brothers and sisters.) Prayer, asceticism and service are all interrelated. Touch one - touch them all. It's a whole package.
The Bishop challenged us as ordained ministers to determine where our spirituality lies. It is a spirituality of Word, Service and Love. In proclaiming the good news we must confess that God is really in love with us, that God's mercy is available and offer encouragement and hope to all people. Also we can not separate our Sunday faith from the rest of the week and the issues of life.
Moreover, a deacon's spirituality of service is paramount. In charitable ministries, we must carry each other's burden (Gal. 2:6). We were also reminded by the Bishop that we must name our gifts which can also be discerned by the following question, "In what you do when are you happiest and alive?" Furthermore, the deacon must have a sense of joyful generosity and stewardship in addition to praising God and allowing God to use our weakness as gift. When charity and love are present there is God.
In closing, Bishop Morneau exhorted us to memorize Ezekiel 36: 24-28 in praying for a new heart and new spirit. However, he cautioned us to be careful because if we really want a new heart our God is a promise-maker and keeper.
Thanks to Bishop Bob Morneau for teaching us how to "stay awake" more fully in the relational life with our God and our brothers and sisters.
Deacon Richard Gindel '92
In MemoriamPlease remember in prayer our loved ones who have died, and those who mourn their loss Alfred J. Geneus, Jr., Son of Elizabeth Ann Capone, Daughter
of Tommasine Gerumdolo, Grandmother
of Mary E. Kiley, Mother of Marie M. Kaelin , Mother of Gerry Kaelin '92 Mary Theresa Jabour, Sister of |
In December of 1992, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCCB) published a Pastoral Letter entitled U.S. Bishops Pastoral Letter on Stewardship - A Disciple's Response. Almost unnoticed at first, this powerful, and surprisingly radical proclamation has begun to move across the nation, gathering a groundswell of response from the People of God in the Catholic Church. The Pastoral states unequivocally that Stewardship is a fundamental and essential expression of our discipleship; one which has "the power to change how we understand and live out our lives". Stewardship is based on the scriptural premise that everything we have is a gift from God, which is to be used for our good and for the good of all His people. We are merely custodians of the time, talent and treasure given to us by God and we are called to be good stewards of these gifts. Jesus calls us to use these gifts to serve, in a special way, the poorest and most oppressed peoples of our communities and throughout the world. We are called to align ourselves in solidarity with the cries for justice echoing throughout the world from Zaire to Peru to Los Angeles and the inner cities of our own state. Catholics called to stewardship through renewed spirituality find themselves revitalized. Their parishes and communities flourish with new purpose and zeal for God, and we begin to make a difference. As deacons, we are called by our ordination to lead the way in this surrender of ourselves to the service of one another. Deacons, from the earliest moments of Christian history, have been the sign, as well as the reality, of radical service to the poor. We are, after all, diaconia. Who in the Church today is more called to dedicate themselves to serving the poor through the radical dedication of their time, talent and treasure than we deacons? Together with the whole Church we are so called. At this unique and portentous moment, which Pope John Paul II has called the 'culmination of time', it is our special calling to be the visible servants of the poor. We are called by the Holy Spirit to respond to Stewardship, not merely with passing interest and verbal support, but with our very lives, to be consumed in discipleship.
Deacon Jerry Ryan, '94
Diaconia Editorial Staff |
| Coordinator of Publication: Sister Clare O'Keefe |
| Editors: Charles A. Cornell, Carolyn S. O' Neil, Richard F. Radford, Gerald P. Ryan |
| Members of the Diaconate Community are encouraged to submit ideas, articles, photography that might be of interest to the Community. The deadline for submitting articles for the next issue of Diaconia is March, 1997. |