November 2, 2020
- In Response: When “Attentive” and “Associate” Become Synonyms
- In Response: Asked and Answered: An Associate Tells Her Story
- Groundbreaking of the Paulist House of Mission and Studies in Washington, D.C.
- Spirit of Hecker Awardees Honored During the Virtual Groundbreaking Gala
- Looking for Newsletter Input
- Proposed Program for November: Pope John XXIII
- Renewing Promises and Updating Lists of Associates
- Paulist Associate News
- Prayer for the Intercession of Father Isaac T. Hecker
- Contacts
- Promise
By Paula Cuzzo, A Boston Paulist Associate
In the September issue, Denis Hurley asked:
But it doesn’t answer anywhere near all the questions, especially the one that
can’t help coming to mind in this intrinsically gender-challenged Church:
“What in the Paulist charism or in whatever other explanation has
attracted so many women to the Associates path?”
In October 2010, I approached Fr. Frank Desiderio, CSP with a bit of trepidation while at the second all-day planning session for the Paulist Center’s latest strategic plan.
At that point, I hardly knew him. We were introduced at a few Paulist events over the years. We never had any one-on-one conversations. I met him again when he was moving into the Paulist Center in Boston that July, again with others around. A couple of weeks later, I chatted with him at Fr. Jim Moran’s funeral at the Motherhouse church in New York City for just a few moments before others joined us.
I suspected that Fr. Frank may not have remembered my name because I didn’t have any opportunities to speak directly with him since he began his work as Director at the Paulist Center in Boston in September. If I made an impression, it may have been a negative one since I was a bit of a contrarian at the first all-day planning session a few weeks earlier. I was steadfast in my commitment to carrying forward a five-word phrase from our then mission statement to the revised statement.
When I came up to Fr. Frank at a break, I stood beside him with both of us fixed on a group of people across the room, not looking at each other. I said in a soft voice, “If you give me those five little words, I promise not to be adamant about anything else. I promise to give you my support on something that you really want in this process.”
“Five words?” Fr. Frank asked.
I replied, “Attentive to the Holy Spirit …”
“Oh, those five words. Well, of course. I know where they come from, and yes, I agree that we can add them to the mission statement.”
I suggested that those five words frame our previous mission statement for the Paulist Center Community when we last created a strategic plan in 2004. The consultants at the time tried to convince us not to cling to the past but to forge ahead with a new vision. However, for me, that phrase particularly expressed our ties to the Paulist past, present, and future.
The Paulist Center Community takes its name from the Paulists, and the community’s mission and charisms are founded in and shared with the Paulists. This phrase, “attentive to the Holy Spirit,” is at the heart of the promises made by the Paulists throughout their formation and in their final promises. It is also a critical phrase in the annual promise of those of us who are Paulist Associates.
I couldn’t imagine the PCC mission statement without these five words. The consultants didn’t agree with me.
I felt a bit more courageous after Fr. Frank’s assent; so I then sought out several of my friends, including Denis Hurley, to join me in my campaign to retain those five words in our next mission statement. I am grateful to these members of my beloved worship community for their listening ear, their open heart, and their ultimate consent once again to begin our mission statement with these five little words:
Attentive to the Holy Spirit and nourished by vibrant liturgy,
we are a Catholic community
that welcomes all,
fosters healing and reconciliation,
and acts for justice.
Fr. Frank kept his promise to me in that strategic planning process; I don’t remember if I kept mine.
At some later point, Fr. Frank told me that Fr. Jim Young, CSP was the Paulist who introduced the phrase when they were updating their mission statement and promises. When I was in high school, I worked at the bookstore at Center in Boston when Fr. Jim was on staff, so Fr. Frank’s story was particularly poignant to me. The Paulist Mission Statement no longer includes these five words; still, this phrase is an important part of the promises made by novices and students in their formation and final promises as well as by the Paulist Associates in their promises every year.
From the outset, Paulist spirituality is centered on the action of the Holy Spirit in every soul — not in the faithful witness of the Paulists alone, not only in the faith life of Catholics, not limited to Church hierarchy. The Holy Spirit dwells in every human person: male and female, from every background and continent, in every age.
The movement of the Holy Spirit is not confined to the Pentecost experience; rather, the human soul since the dawn of creation is gifted with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Hecker wrote:
The light the age requires for its renewal can only come from the same source, the cultivation of the Holy Spirit in the individual soul. The renewal of the age depends on the renewal of religion. The renewal of religion depends upon the greater effusion of the creative and renewing power of the Holy Spirit. The greater effusion of the Holy Spirit depends on the giving of increased attention to His movements and inspirations in the soul. The radical and adequate remedy for all the evils of our age, and the source of all true progress, consist in increased attention and fidelity to the action of the Holy Spirit in the soul. “Thou shalt send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created: and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.”
If I take this precept to heart, then I too must be attentive to the stirrings of the spirit in my soul. Often in my prayer and reflection, I realize that my faith and spiritual nature are not fully formed, and, like Isaac, I am a seeker. I require persistent prayer and growth in knowledge as well as fidelity to God’s outpouring grace. I take comfort and gain strength in a spirituality grounded in the life-giving Spirit. Hecker’s devotion to the Holy Spirit is key to my attraction to Hecker’s spirituality and the charism of the Paulist community.
At times I may feel “less than” in a Church that does not always appreciate the feminine character of the Divine and excludes women from ordination and positions of authority, or even when the Paulists exclude others from input in some important decisions. I also feel equal in the power of the Holy Spirit abiding in my soul. My faithfulness to God’s call is grounded in the steadfast and liberating grace of God through the Holy Spirit.
The first time I took my promise as a Paulist Associate almost 18 years ago, Fr. Terry Ryan, CSP sent me an email in which he inquired why would I ever want to become an Associate. I replied, “For two reasons: first, to remind you and the Paulists of Hecker’s writings; and two, to be a pain in the neck to the Paulists.” I have done my best to live up to the retort sent to my friend.
I also do my best to live up to my promise as an Associate:
I believe that I am drawn by the Holy Spirit
to the spirituality and qualities of the Paulist Community.
I have discerned both by prayer and study
that God calls me to become associated with the Paulists.
I promise that I will pray for the works of the Paulist Society,
meet with others, who are also members of the Paulist Associates,
for spiritual sharing and formation;
and I seek to embody the apostolic qualities of the Paulists in my daily life.
Attentive to the Holy Spirit and faithful to the example of St. Paul and the charism
of Father Isaac Hecker, I commit myself for one year of membership in the Paulist Associates.
By Regina Conklin, Florida Associate
How did you find out about the Paulist Associates?
Right after my husband converted to Catholicism in 2008, after over 25 years of marriage, we saw an entry in our Parish bulletin for a meeting to explore the Paulist Associates. My husband’s saint for his confirmation was St Paul & we were looking for something to do as a couple to strengthen our faith. Seemed like a sign to me. We attended that event.
What attracted you to the Paulist Associates?
My first impression was that the group was open and the hospitality palpable at the event. Fr. Frank DeSiano did what I called “St Paul Live”. My husband and I were delighted with this presentation (which we have seen twice.) And we accepted the invitation to find out more and attended the formation events as a couple.
There was just something there in the Paulist Associates that was hard to describe that drew me in and my husband was willing to join me in the discovery. Now I will strongly affirm that the ‘something’ was the Holy Spirit. Reading the Paulist Vocation Book on Fr Isaac Hecker and his “angelic’ encounter spoke to me deeply.
We completed formation and took our first annual promises.
The heartfelt sharing and learning in our group over time was feeding my soul as a person in recovery, a professional working with foster youth with deep trauma and a vocalist co-writing Christian and recovery music. The group is and was so accepting of my husband who has had multiple health issues.
You have a group without a Paulist Parish, How did and does that work?
A couple who was attracted to the Paulist’s had explored the Associates and formed the Paulist Associates of Florida, in the Tampa Bay area. We had and have a Chaplain. And we have a group of retired Paulist priests in Vero Beach — about 3 hours way.
We have had various Paulist priests visit in person and on Skype and now Zoom. We even had a visit from Paulist Media Director Paul Snatchko. We have continued to meet almost monthly and are using Zoom. We find new members through personal initiation. For some time now we have been discussing the suggested program format available each month in Associates World.
How to you stay connected to various Paulists?
So many ways. I have been connecting most days to mass and other video posts live or recorded on social media since the pandemic. Before that reading on social media and going to web pages. The Florida Associates hosted a retreat one year. Inspired and requested my little studio band, Ask for A Sign to write a song for the Paulist’s “We Answer Your Call” as a meditation for the retreat.
My husband and I went on two Pilgrimages to the Holy Land, first in 2018 with Fr. Rich Andre and then in 2019 with Fr Bruce Nieli and Fr. Thomas Kane. Both were life changing. We have visited NYC and stayed with a Paulist associate who lives there, and went to Mass at St Paul the Apostle.
We attended the ordination — our first — of Fr. Evan Cummings last year and connected and reconnected with many people. I had met Evan years ago in Las Vegas with many other Paulist fathers, seminarians, Associates and employees. We visited Toronto to do fellowship with another Paulist Associate.
Anything else?
My music adventure continues with Ask for a Sign, we now have six music albums and two relaxation albums released independently. I’m working on one more of each as I write this. Music is a big part of how I pray. The Holy Spirit provides the lyrics and melody lines! And explaining how that communication happens is a frequent joy!
Growing our group has been a challenge. I have invited more than 12 people. A few started formation or completed it and chose another path or had schedule conflicts. Four of the individuals I invited made their promises.
And we are delighted to have learned that Vero Beach now has a Paulist Associates group. We got to have an Associates meeting with them recently along with a few others on zoom.
We had a man who came to our group that is now in the seminary for our local diocese.
Wow, did I want to have him choose the Paulist Fathers.
The big news is that we are about to start formation using Zoom with a seminarian whom we met 3 years ago. He is studying to be a priest in a diocese in Georgia. Knowing both of these men is such a blessing.
My prayers continue for more Paulist Priests.
On October 17, 2020 we broke ground on the Paulist House of Mission and Studies followed by the Virtual Hope Coast to Coast gala.
contractors and architects.
During the groundbreaking gala, parishoners and lay collaborators from Paulist foundations across the country were honored with the Spirit of Hecker Award. Many of the honorees were Paulist Associates.
Please see this page for a listing of honorees.
The Newsletter is published monthly, except January and July. The January monthly Program appears in the December issue, the July Program in the June issue. Articles should be submitted at least a week before the end of the month to appear in the new month.
Material for Associates World is always welcome. We would love to hear what is going on with your local organization. If you have material for the newsletter please contact Denis Hurley <[email protected]>.
Asking again for responses:
At the end of an article I wrote for the September Issue of Associates World about my understanding of the Paulist Charism and why I have found it attractive, I asked for women Associates to provide their particular perspective on why association with an order of male priests was something they had chosen. We – the editors of Associates World – would still like to hear from women on this subject and to publish your thoughts in the November issue of the newsletter. Please think about it and consider providing some insight for all of us. Thanks.
Denis Hurley, Co-editor.
Submitted by Nancy D’Amico, Sue Ann Clark and Rita Loper West Michigan Associates.
Opening Prayer:
We stand before you, Holy Spirit, conscious of our sinfulness, but aware that we gather in your name. Come to us, remain with us, and enlighten our hearts. Give us light and strength to know your will, to make it our own, and to live it in our lives. Guide us by your wisdom, support us by your power, for you are God, sharing the glory of Father and Son.
You desire justice for all: enable us to uphold the rights of others; do not allow us to be misled by ignorance or corrupted by fear or favor. Unite us to yourself in the bond of love and keep us faithful to all that is true.
As we gather in your name may we temper justice with love, so that all our decisions may be pleasing to you, and earn the reward promised to good and faithful servants. You live and reign with the Father and the Son, with the Holy Spirit, One God, forever and ever. Amen (The Opening Prayer at the Second Vatican Council)
Read in advance of meeting:
Angelo Roncalli was born and baptized on November 25, 1881 in Bergamo, a town near Milan, Italy. Son of sharecroppers, he was the third of thirteen children. Living with extended family members, there were often as many as 32 people living in the big stucco house! He learned early in life how to live with very little material goods and how to get along with others.
After entering the seminary at 12 years of age, he was ordained in 1904, served in World War I as a chaplain and then returned to Bergamo as a spiritual director. He was called to Rome where he worked to reorganize the Society for the Propagation of Faith followed by becoming the apostolic delegate to Turkey and Greece experiencing life among the Eastern Churches. During WWII he was reportedly involved in secret missions to save around 24,000 Jews. After World War II, he worked in Paris to assist the Church’s post war efforts.
In 1953, he was made cardinal of Venice and thought he would remain there for the rest of his life. His plan changed after attending the Conclave after the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958 where he was elected pope. Angelo was already 77 years old at that time. Many thought he would be a “placeholder” pope. One cleric commented, “What we need is an old man, a transitional pope. He won’t introduce any great innovations and will give us time to pause and reorganize. In that way the real choices that cannot be made now will be postponed.” Imagine his and everyone’s surprise at the changes that Pope John XXIII introduced during his papacy!
Pope John XXIII, as he was called “il Papa Buono” – “the Good Pope,” had quite a different approach from previous popes. He had a warm pastoral approach, marked by openness and friendship. He believed his greatest role was as a pastor with direct contact with his people. He believed the pope should be kindly pastor and not a ruler. The approach is emulated today by Pope Francis.
In many ways, Pope John XXIII was a bridge builder: a bridge between the church and the modern world; the church and other religions, and the “old” church with a more open, modern church. He became pope after living through both world wars and the beginning of the cold war. He was keenly aware that the church did not have the luxury of staying aloof and removed from world events. Pope John XXIII was intensively devoted to the establishment of world peace as seen in his encyclical Pacem in Terris. In that encyclical, he also mentions the increasing recognition of women’s involvement in the Church. Even as a young priest he promoted the dignity of women and the involvement of lay women in the church.
It is easy to see why Pope John XXIII is a Paulist Patron as he was a leader in ecumenism and interreligious acceptance, one of the Paulist charisms. He established the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity two years before the Second Vatican Council. His desire was that “all may be one.” He worked to lessen divisions between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as Catholic and Muslims. He invited representatives of various Protestant faiths to the Council.
His greatest achievement, of course, was bringing about the Second Vatican Council in 1962. He didn’t live to see the conclusion of the council as he died in 1963, but he was instrumental in setting it in motion. So many dramatic changes in the church were brought about by the council, including changing the liturgy from Latin to the vernacular.
Saint John XXIII was canonized on April 27, 2014 by Pope Francis.
Reflections and Questions:
- Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what your tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.” These words of Pope John are both encouraging and challenging. Discuss how they tie into living out the Paulist charisms.
- The Paulist Fathers embrace ecumenism as a charism. How do you encourage Christian Unity in your everyday actions? How might we as an Associate group further the growth of Christian Unity in our communities? In our world?
- As a young boy, Pope John XXIII composed a Decalogue for Daily Living. What are one or two you do or would want to put into practice in your daily life?
- Just for today, I will try to live for this day alone without wishing to solve my life’s problems all at once.
- Just for today, I will take great care of how I present myself: I will dress simply; I will not raise my voice; I will be polite in my manners; I will not criticize anyone; I will not look to improve or discipline anyone other than myself.
- Just for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the world to come, but also in this one.
- Just for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without expecting circumstances to adapt to my wishes.
- Just for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to sitting in silence and listening to God, remembering that, just as food is necessary for the life of the body, so silence and listening are necessary for the life of the soul.
- Just for today, I will do a good deed and tell no one about it.
- Just for today, I will do at least one thing I do not enjoy, and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices.
- Just for today, I will make a plan: perhaps I will not follow it perfectly, but still I will make it. And I will guard against two evils: haste and indecision.
- Just for today, I will know, from the bottom of my heart, no matter how it may seem, that God cares for me like no one else in this world.
- Just for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in love.
- I can easily do, for twelve hours, what I would find discouraging if I thought I had to do for a lifetime
News/Announcements/Prayers for Others:
Closing prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ, who are called the Prince of Peace, who are yourself our peace and reconciliation, who so often said, “Peace to you,” grant us peace.
Make all men and women witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love.
Banish from their heart whatever might endanger peace.
Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee and defend the great gift of peace.
May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters.
May longed-for peace blossom forth and reign always over us all. Amen
(Prayer for Peace by Pope John XXIII)
We are always happy to hear about new Associates taking promises as well as current Paulists renewing theirs. Please post notices and photos on Facebook and let us know so we can add the information in this newsletter.
When these renewals take place, it would be helpful to all if the local coordinator would send an updated list of Associates to Kathleen Lossau so she can keep our contact list current. Please email contact information for those taking first promises and those renewing promises as well as a list of those who have opted not to renewing promises to Kathleen Lossau <[email protected]>.
By Mike Kallock, CSP
Welcome Vero Beach Associates
On Monday October 12 soon after the October Associates World was released Bill and Nancy Curtis, Carol Mahony, Martin Feely, and Rae DelVecchio made their First Commitment as Paulist Associates.
Monthly Patron Programs
The remaining Monthly Program of Paulist Patrons is as follows:
- December Isaac Jogues – Tucson
- January* The Blessed Immaculate Virgin Mary – Los Angeles
- February Alphonsus Liguori – Mike Kallock, CSP
- March Patrick – Rome
*Will be included in the December issue. The Newsletter is not published in January.
Associates Coordinators Virtual Meeting
I am looking forward to the virtual meeting of our National Board and the Coordinators of our various groups on November 10. Did you know we have 14 separate associate groups?
We will have a report about the meeting in the December Newsletter.
Six Associates are Honored as Hecker Awardees
I was pleased to see that at least six associates were honored as Hecker Awardees during the Hope Coast-to-Coast Gala! They were Paula Cuozzo, Bill and Nancy Curtis, John Prados, Frank Trogus, and Francie Dix.
Heavenly Father, you called your servant Isaac Thomas Hecker to preach the Gospel to the people of North America and through his teaching, to know the peace and the power of your indwelling Spirit. He walked in the footsteps of Saint Paul the Apostle, and like Paul spoke your Word with a zeal for souls and a burning love for all who came to him in need.
Look upon us this day, with compassion and hope. Hear our prayer. We ask that through the intercession of Father Hecker your servant, you might grant us (state the request).
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit. One God, forever and ever. Amen.
When you pray this prayer, and if you believe that you have received any favors through Hecker’s intercession, please contact the Office of the Cause for Canonization of Servant of God, Isaac Hecker at [email protected]. Visit the web site: isaachecker.org to learn more about his life and the cause for his canonization.
Paulist Associates National Director
Mike Kallock, CSP
Paulist General Office
New York, NY 10023
Board Members
Carol Wagner Williams
Tuscon, AZ
Frank Desiderio, C.S.P.
Katherine Murphy Mertzlufft
Columbus, OH
Joe Scott, CSP
David Rooney
Chicago, IL
Mary Sullivan
Boston, MA
I believe that I am drawn by the Holy Spirit to the spirituality and qualities of the Paulist Community. I have discerned both by prayer and study that God calls me to become associated with the Paulists. I promise that I will pray for the works of the Paulist Society, meet with others, who are also members of the Paulist Associates, for spiritual sharing and formation; and I seek to embody the apostolic qualities of the Paulists in my daily life.
Attentive to the Holy Spirit and faithful to the example of St. Paul and the charism of Father Isaac Hecker, I commit myself for one year of membership in the Paulist Associates.