THE NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF May 7, 2007...
Provincial’s time Fr. MacDonald is in the office this week. Please remember… Anna Fette, the mother of Br. Mike Fette, who is now in home hospice care. Her health is quite fragile at this time. Rita Presto, the mother of Br. Frank Presto, who fell and shattered her left elbow last week. She also sustained cuts and bruises on her left arm, leg and eye. Br. Frank said that it was “a freak accident — she slipped while descending a set of outdoor concrete stairs.” Mrs. Presto is scheduled to have out-patient surgery today (May 7), during which various metal stabilizing devices will be inserted. She is expected to have an 8-12 week recovery, with physical therapy for some time after. “My mother and father asked me to express to all concerned their appreciation and thanks for the many prayers and thoughts,” said Br. Frank. Maureen Suckling, the sister of Fr. Dermot Twomey, who died of a brain aneurysm last week. She was 77. Dorothy Brown, the mother of Fr. Charles Brown, who is hospitalized in Corinth, Miss. Br. Jim Willis, who was to have surgery last week to correct his abdominal aortic aneurysm. Because of complications, doctors decided not to do the surgery and will treat Br. Jim with medication instead. New exhibit The Waseda Gallery at St. Joseph Retreat Center in Baileys Harbor opened its spring exhibit on May 5. A reception was held May 6 and the gallery will host another on August 6 from 1-5 p.m. The title of the new exhibit is “Invitation, Dedication, Creation, Celebration” and includes various mediums. The pieces were supplied by artists from men’s and women’s religious communities from throughout the Midwest, including several SCJs. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 1-5 p.m. To learn more about the gallery or St. Joseph Retreat Center, go to its web site at: http://www.stjosephretreat.org/ Award-winner Fr. Edward Griesemer was one of four people who received awards at the 22nd Annual Milwaukee Archdiocesan Holy Name Union Award Banquet. The celebration, which included a Mass and reception, was held at Sacred Heart School of Theology on May 6. Fr. Ed, who has been diocesan spiritual director to the organization for many years, was recognized for his service to the Church on the occasion of his 50th anniversary of ordination. He was ordained on May 25, 1957. A plaque, given to Fr. Ed during the ceremony, noted that the Holy Name Union recognized him for his “dedication to the priesthood, your endless hours of educating the youth with your wonderful knowledge of living your life by the gospel, and your loving commitment to helping the parishes you’ve been assigned to by giving them your wonderful time and showing them the love of Jesus.” Congratulations Fr. Ed! ESL news The spring ESL newsletter is now available as a PDF download from the home page of the Fridge Notes web page. Fr. Paul Grizzelle-Reid, director of the ESL program, reports that there was a graduation party for the spring students last week. Many will continue through May 25, some doing more work with liturgies in the community. Several students have been practicing their English by giving homilies at the community Masses. During the summer session, Fr. Paul expects between 30-40 students. Mission intention The Holy Father’s mission intention for the month of May: Seminary Teachers, that in mission territories there may be good and enlightened teachers for the major seminaries and institutions of consecrated life. Riverwalk On Sunday, June 24, the Benedict Center of Milwaukee is holding its first annual “Bridges to the Community” river walk, a two-mile walk along the Milwaukee River that starts and ends at Pere Marquette Park in downtown Milwaukee. It will begin at 11 a.m. The Priests of the Sacred Heart are a major financial supporter of the center; Fr. John Klingler currently serves on the Benedict Center’s board of directors (see the June SCJ News for a story about Fr. John’s ministry at the center). The Benedict Center is an interfaith, nonprofit criminal justice agency that works with victims, offenders and the general community to bring about justice and rehabilitation. It has been in existence since 1974. Under its umbrella are educational opportunities (such as tutoring to help women earn their GED or HSED), parenting classes, job training and assistance with job placement, outreach programs (including restorative community service), and jail chaplaincy. To learn more about the center, and/or to register for the walk, go to the center’s website at www.benedictcenter.org and click on “Calendar of Events.” You can also call (414-347-1774) or e-mail the center (justice@benedictcenter.org). Or, contact Fr. John at: klinglerjohn@yahoo.com