We all are the Priestly People of God. Together, we are leaders in responding to the emotional and spiritual needs of Priests and Brothers. March 2010 - Vol. 25 No. 9

Christ has died Christ has risen Christ will come again

May the joy of Easter be with you!

The Year of the Priest On the day before the Second Vatican Council

closed, December 8, 1965, Pope Paul VI in union with all the Bishops of the Catholic Church issued a Counciliar document on The Ministry and Life of Priests. This and the Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World were at the end of a series of 16 Constitutions, Decrees and Declarations on the Church’s nature, life, mission and structures. The Decree on Priestly Life and Ministry is a comprehensive doctrinal and pastoral synthesis of the Church’s 2000 years of tradition, beliefs and practice in regards to Priesthood. This year, nearly 45 years after this important document, the Church is again turning her attention to Priests in a special way through the “Year of the Priest.” Because the events of Holy Week and Easter call to mind the origins of Priesthood and hence take on special meaning for this Year of the Priest, I thought it might be well in this Lenten/ Easter issue of Priestly People to briefly review what the Vatican Council said about Priestly Life and Ministry. Here we can only touch on a few points that this great Decree reiterates about the nature and purpose of Priesthood. In presenting some of major teachings on Priesthood from Vatican II, I would like also to briefly insert these points in the historical context of certain events that have taken place in the Church.

1. Priesthood takes its meaning from the Priesthood of Jesus Christ and is shared in by the entire People of God. One of the first points that the Decree makes is that everyone who is baptized shares in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. After a brief introduction to the Decree itself, the Council Fathers state that:

2. The Lord Jesus, “whom the Father has sent into the world” (Jn 10:36) has made his whole Mystical Body a share in the anointing of the Spirit with which he himself is anointed. In him all the faithful are made a holy and royal priesthood.

In the earliest writings of the Church, Priesthood was predicated first of Christ. Then Priesthood was applied to the “priestly people” composed of all the faithful baptized. After that, the term Priesthood was used to refer to certain members of the early Christian community who were ordained to officiate at the “Lord’s Supper” for the sake of the community. In the 16th Century many of the Protestant reformers did away with the concept of ministerial priesthood, considered all the faithful as priests, and/or reduced the functions of the ordained clergy. The Council of Trent found it necessary to clarify the role of the ordained Priest as characterized by the divinely conferred powers to consecrate the Body and Blood of Christ, forgive sins, evangelize and guide the Church. Four and a half centuries later, while emphasizing the role of the Priestly People of God, Vatican II reaffirmed the role of the ministerial Priest in its three-fold task of building up, sanctifying, and governing the People of God. In the 45 years since Vatican II, we have seen a greater participation of the Laity in the life and activity of the Church. In our times we have seen that the Church is bringing to light again the role of the laity in building up, spreading, and living the Gospel of Christ. At the same time, the Church emphasizes the special role of the priest in serving the spiritual and pastoral needs of the faithful In many areas and ways, the vocations of the ordained Priest and the Laity are helping to mutually strengthen their complementarily in the Church. As we come to understand and appreciate more the role of the Priesthood of the People of God - in the Light of Christ’s Priesthood - we also come to value more the role of the Ministerial Priesthood. And, likewise, as we come to comprehend better what Ministerial Priesthood is and does, we also grow in our esteem for all the baptized as the Priestly People of God. I believe that this theme of mutuality and reciprocity in the vocations of the Priest and the Laity has tended to underlie many of the presentations on Priesthood by various members of the Servants of the Paraclete during this “Year of the Priest.” I believe this is inspired by the Holy Spirit in his renewal of the face of the ordained Priesthood and the People of God as a Priestly People.

2. Evangelization by Ordained Priests and by the People of God, each in its own way, leads to the Eucharist. The Council had much to say about the Church’s primary task of evangelization. Without evangelization the Church would not have been able to spread from the day of Pentecost to the present. And, bringing the Gospel of Christ to the modern world was the inspiration behind Pope John XXIII’s call for “aggiornamento” (updating the Church for the modern world) and convocation of the Second Vatican Council. The whole work of Evangelization, however, is undertaken for the purpose of bringing people to Christ, and most especially in the Eucharist. Even the very grace and power necessary to evangelize comes from the Eucharistic Mystery of Christ.

The other sacraments, as well as with every ministry of the Church and every work of the apostolate, are tied together with the Eucharist and are directed toward it. ... The Eucharist shows itself as the source and the apex of the whole work of preaching the Gospel.

Historically we see that Christ’s preaching, on key occasions, was preparing His listeners for eating His Body and Blood. On at least one occasion, after preaching to crowds at length in the desert, they were hungry and He miraculously fed them. He subsequently used this miracle to encourage them to desire the true bread of heaven, which is own Body and Blood (cf. Chapter 6 of the Gospel of St. John). And, at the Last Supper, Christ shared with His Apostles many of the hidden mysteries of the Kingdom of God. At the end of the Supper, by way of consummation of all He said, he took bread and wine and transformed them into His Body and Blood for them to eat. Then He gave the command to do this in memory of Himself, thus establishing the Priesthood of the New Covenant. Priesthood, both in the Ordained Priest and in the Priestly People of God, and in every phase and manner of Evangelization, finds it ultimate meaning and consummation in the Eucharist. In the Eucharist Priest and People offer Christ and themselves to the Father – that is the reason ultimately why we have Priesthood. Of course, the genuine and sincere gift of self to the Father includes also love and the acts of love for our neighbor.

(Vat. II Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, #5)

Celebrating liturgy at Donor Mass in St. Louis

Thus the Eucharistic Action, over which the priest presides, is the very heart of the congregation. So priests must instruct their people to offer to God the Father the Divine Victim in the Sacrifice of the Mass, and to join to it the offering of their own lives. (ibid. #5) No Christian community, however, is built up unless it has its basis and center in the celebration of the most Holy Eucharist; from this, therefore, all education to the spirit of community must take its origin. (31) This celebration, if it is to be genuine and complete, should lead to various works of charity and mutual help, as well as to missionary activity and to different forms of Christian witness.(ibid. #6)

3. At the most profound level, priesthood consists in living and dying in union with what is celebrated in the Eucharist: the Pascal Mystery of Christ. This means emptying oneself through suffering and death, and rising with Christ to a new life of joy and praise of the Glory of God in the Holy Spirit. While there are many ways of suffering and dying – and also of rising to a new life - for the Priest this is primarily associated with the work and spirit of Pastoral Charity, in imitation of Christ who gave His life for His sheep.

Christ, whom the Father sanctified, consecrated and sent into the world, “gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and cleanse for himself an acceptable people, pursuing good works” (Tt 2:14), and thus through suffering entered into his glory. In like fashion, priests consecrated by the anointing of the Holy Spirit and sent by Christ must mortify the works of the flesh in themselves and give themselves entirely to the service of men. (ibid. #12) As they direct and nourish the People of God, may they be aroused by the example of the Good Shepherd that they may give their life for their sheep, ready for the supreme sacrifice following the example of priests who, even in our own day, have not shrunk from giving their lives. (ibid. #13)

At the heart of Christ’s Priesthood is His kenosis – emptying Himself to become like us. In doing this He suffered and died an agonizing death on the Cross. He did this so that we may come to the Father, to receive His forgiveness, to thank and praise Him, and to give our lives to Him as Christ did. This is part of Jesus’ command to priests to “do this in remembrance of me”. It should lead to humble kenosis in the priest and to participation in the Cross and suffering, so that the priest too might rise to a new way of life. In this way the priest carries out his service to the People of God - not only in an official and formal way, but as a living extension of Christ Himself. Relic table in the chapel – Dittmer, MO

Historically we see that this is the path that the early Apostles followed in living and dying for Christ and His sheep. During the first three centuries of the Church, there were ten great persecutions. It could be said that during the first 300 years of the Church’s existence a follower of Christ never knew when he or she might have to give up his or her life for the faith. The most violent and deliberate of the persecutions focused on Bishops and Priests, as the leaders of the body of Christians, and many of them did die for their faith and for their flock. Throughout the centuries many priests, as well as lay persons, have given up their lives as a supreme participation in Christ’s life and death - in an act of ultimate love for Him and His flock. We have the example of priests who risked their lives to celebrate Mass in various countries at the time of the Reformation. We also have the example of missionaries in foreign lands. During the 19th century, for example, the average life span of missionaries who went to Africa was less than one year after arriving there! In our own times, there are many priests and lay persons who have suffered and died in prisons and concentration camps, giving witness to the value of the cross and suffering as an essential part of the priestly vocation. These are extraordinary but numerous examples, who received a special grace for martyrdom. But there is also another type of martyrdom which every priest and baptized person is called upon to give: a life spent for others, in the midst of many demands and trials, in working and in suffering with patience, often in hidden ways -- that the Kingdom of God may be attained by many.

This is the mystery of the Priesthood of Christ which we celebrate in a special way during Holy Week, and which we rejoice in on Easter Sunday with the risen Lord. The final outcome of such priesthood is immense joy in seeing many brothers and sisters entering the Kingdom of Heaven and in sharing with them a life of uninterrupted beatitude with the Father in the Holy Spirit. *

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With my fellow Servants of the Paraclete and all the Priests and Brothers in our Paraclete communities I would like to wish you a very blessed and joyful Feast of the Resurrection. We will keep you especially in prayer as we celebrate the Great Mysteries of our priestly faith during this coming Holy Week and Eastertide – more than that we will be sacramentally united with you as the Priestly People of Christ, especially as we celebrate together in Christ these great mysteries. Before closing, I would like to ask your prayers for 5 of our postulants who will begin their novitiate in April, for 7 our students who will be renewing their vows also in April, for 7 of our novices who will be taking their first vows on May 9, and for 2 of our members who will be taking their final vows on that day. Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. Peter Lechner, s.P.

The Most Blessed Eucharist contains the entire spiritual boon of the Church, that is, Christ himself, our Pasch and Living Bread, by the action of the Holy Spirit through his very flesh vital and vitalizing, giving life to men who are thus invited and encouraged to offer themselves, their labors and all created things, together with him. In this light, the Eucharist shows itself as the source and the apex of the whole work of preaching the Gospel. (Vat. II Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests, #5)

Celebrating liturgy with residents in Dittmer, MO on Servants of the Paraclete Founder’s Day – January 5th.

Special Tribute to my Priest

Father Gary Lombardi

Pastor: St. Vincent DePaul Parish, Petaluma, California Diocese of Santa Rosa, California Tribute by: Adrienne Paskal

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Father Gary has always been available to me and my family with great advice

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Spring is trying to make a comeback...among the winter ground covers, new shoots of life appear.

DEVELOPMENT OFFICE NEWS Some of our donors have been asking about donating on line. The Servants of the Paraclete will be launching a new website within the next few months. The new website will allow donations on line. Thanks you very much for asking. We are trying to accommodate any form of donation that you would like for participation in our ministry. God bless you for your support!

Update on the new 16 room addition to our residential center in Dittmer, MO. We are almost ready for move-in day! The inside is being painted and carpeted. The outside is being completed with siding and landscaping. Spring brings warmer weather and the anticipation of new spaces for our residents.

Siding company putting finishing touches on all buildings Staff members watching the progress

Mass Stipends Remarks from Father Peter Lechner s.P. regarding mass stipends: “One of the principal functions of the priestly vocation is to pray for all faithful people. A particularly efficacious way of doing this is by offering a mass for a special person, living or deceased. As a priest, I appreciate it when a person asks that a special intention be remembered in prayer, particularly in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. A mass stipend is not necessary for a mass to be celebrated. It certainly is not paying for the offering of the mass. It is a good will offering on the part of the faithful which helps to support a priest. We request a stipend for mass offerings, but it is by no means mandatory. “ We appreciate the many mass stipends that we receive. We thank you for supporting that part of our ministry. While many priests may designate how they want to utilize the mass stipend funds, the Servants of the Paraclete share in the mass stipend pool, as directed by their vows and constitution.

Name of Person to be remembered in a mass celebrated by a Servant of the Paraclete: Name of person donating the stipend: Do you want an acknowledgement card sent to someone? If so, please put the name, address, city, state and zip so that an acknowledgement of the mass in memory or honor of someone can be sent.

Electronic Transfer of Funds If you are interested in a monthly donation, please contact the development office. Electronic Transfer of Funds is the easiest way to donate to the ministry of the Servants of the Paraclete. Every gift counts! The forms are simple to fill out and are handled by a company that works with many religious organizations in assisting them with funding these transfers.

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Please drop this form in the envelope included in the newsletter and we will be happy to get the information to you.

❑ Please send me Electronic Fund Transfer information so that I make a monthly donation!

Name: Address: City, State, Zip: If you would like to request a specific date, please list below. Please allow 2-3 months for specific dates as they must be distributed to our priests from the Development Office. Requested Date for Mass:

Tribute to my Priest... Father Gregory McCormick s.P. Pastor: Mary Mother of God and Mother of Priests, Jemez Springs, NM Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico Tribute by: Molly Duarte

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For the exemplary way he has served all these 60 years!

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Father Gregory has been known by Molly and her family for many years. She wanted to send a tribute to him in honor of his 60 years as a priest. Father Gregory was featured in the January issue of Priestly People; celebrating those 60 years of ministry.

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Mass Stipend Form

Servants of the Paraclete PO Box 9 Cedar Hill, MO 63016 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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St. Louis, MO Permit No. 3252

DONOR NEWS It is great to connect with our many donors. The commitment and dedication that you have to the Servants of the Paraclete is a blessing. Rina, a monthly donor, has been praying for her son to get a job. Without work for over a year, Rina called last week to let us know that her son will begin a new job this month. Rina’s devotion to St. Joseph and the many prayer requests of her friends and family were answered. Rina and her family, especially the request for a good job for her son and his family, have their prayer requests entered into the prayer request booklet in the Servants of the Paraclete chapel in Jemez Springs.

The Servants of the Paraclete are seeking a matching set of statues of Mary and Joseph for their chapel in Dittmer, MO. If you know of a set that would be suitable... as large as life size... please call Marian in the development office. We can arrange for shipment. They should be in very good condition and, of course, let us know how much you are asking for the set. Our newsletter goes to priests, brothers, sisters, and lay people all over the United States. Maybe someone has a set that would be great in our chapel in Dittmer. Our residents would love it. Marian 636-748-1934 [email protected]