"I know that those of you who are part of the (Neocatechumenal) Way, or are benefactors who support the mission, have already adopted this missionary attitude, which we hope to inculcate in our future priests and really in the whole Church," Archbishop Pierre added.Is it not interesting that Archbishop Byrnes believes that those TYPE of priests should only exist in large populations. Yet, the Catholic Church is moving in the direction of implementing that TYPE of priesthood to FUTURE priests for the WHOLE Church. By "whole church", that would also include the Catholic Church in Guam. The bold is mine.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUINCY -- Nearly 700 people from throughout the archdiocese gathered at the Boston Marriott Quincy hotel for the ninth annual Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary Gala Dinner.
This year's gala honored Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States and Dr. Lucy Bayer-Zwirello, Chief of Maternal Fetal Medicine at St. Elizabeth's Medical Center at Steward Medical Group. Noted guests included Nicolle Noguera vice-consul of Colombia, Alberto Vasallo, president and CEO of El Mundo, Boston, Massachusetts native Bishop Donald Pelletier, retired bishop of Madagascar as well as several priests from the Archdiocese of Boston.
The evening began with Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley addressing the audience.
"First of all, I want to just thank all of you for being here tonight," Cardinal O'Malley began. "Your presence and your support of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary is so important -- it's crucial."
"Today, we celebrate in the Church the feast of Corpus Christi. In many of our parishes we have processions and other beautiful Masses to celebrate the gift of the Blessed Sacrament. But the Blessed Sacrament is made available only through our priests. We are a eucharistic people, and our priests are so important, therefore I am so grateful to all of you who are here tonight who support our seminaries and pray for vocations, and encourage our young men to consider a call," he continued.
Before the dinner service, Father Roderick Crispo, OFM, spiritual director of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, was recognized in a video tribute of his life. Immediately following the video several seminarians led the crowd in the singing of "Happy Birthday" as Father Crispo blew out candles on a birthday cake. A native of New York, Father Crispo was ordained in 1955, and has led a rich and varied life of service to the Church, serving as director of the Franciscan Retreat Center in Andover.
Beginning his keynote address, Archbishop Pierre extended a warm welcome from Pope Francis. "As the apostolic nuncio, the Holy Father's personal representative in the United States ... I wish to assure you of his spiritual closeness," he said.
The nuncio spoke of the need to evangelize society. Citing a quote from the Latin American Bishops used in Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium," he said, "We cannot passively and calmly wait in our church buildings. We need to move from a pastoral ministry of mere conservation to a decidedly missionary pastoral ministry."
"I know that those of you who are part of the (Neocatechumenal) Way, or are benefactors who support the mission, have already adopted this missionary attitude, which we hope to inculcate in our future priests and really in the whole Church," Archbishop Pierre added.
The bishop continued speaking of the need to form priests with missionary zeal.
"Boston has a rich Catholic history and tradition," he said, but added that "at the same time, it is missionary territory ripe for the new evangelization of the many who have fallen away and for the many new immigrants who are arriving. It is mission territory that longs for deep healing for those who have been alienated, disenfranchised or deeply wounded by members of the Church."
The bishop underscored that "only Christ can provide the true remedy."
He then cited Pope Francis' May 5 address on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Neocatechumenal Way in Rome, when the Holy Father said that "only a Church that is free from power and money, free from triumphalism and clericalism bears witness in a credible way that Christ frees mankind. And those who, through his love, learn to renounce passing things embrace this great treasure: freedom."
"The Redemptoris Mater Seminary is a place where seminarians learn to renounce the things of this world and to discover and embrace the beauty of freedom, a freedom which they place, as shepherds of the flock, at the service of those at the physical and existential peripheries," he said.
Archbishop Pierre concluded praising the generosity of those attending the gala to support the seminary.
"Your gifts, your sacrifices and prayers help make all this possible," he said.
Following the nuncio's remarks, Dr. Lucy Bayer-Zwirello was presented with the seminary's Evangelization Award by Father Antonio Medeiros, rector of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary. The Evangelization Award "publicly recognizes the faithful witness of the Gospel of Life," Father Medeiros explained.
"Doctor Lucy has helped countless women," Father Medeiros said.
"I'm going to try really hard not to cry," said Bayer-Zwirello as she accepted the award. "But I want to share this award. I want to share this award with anyone who has worked in the field of maternal care."
"The honor really goes to every mother, future mother, past mother, and almost mother here today," she said.
"What does it mean to be an obstetrician in this world that is in such confusion and is so confusing?" she asked the crowd, noting that in the "Me-generation what is inconvenient can just be discarded."
She spoke of the importance of being a support for all expectant mothers, particularly those plagued by drug addiction.
"We love each of our patients. We really do," she said emphatically. "We care for our patients and wish each of them to succeed."
Bayer-Zwirello, who has delivered more than 7,500 babies in her 37-year career stressed that "every single one of those babies has been an honor and a pleasure."
The evening concluded with a musical selection from the Redemptoris Mater seminarians, who sang a cross section of folk, modern and traditional songs in a multitude of languages, representing the many cultures of the men studying in the seminary.
Speaking to The Pilot following the event, Father Medeiros said he was "impressed by the remarks of both honorees on the theme of the evening, namely young people, faith and vocational discernment."
He expressed appreciation for Archbishop Pierre's "simple, direct, and profound remarks echoed the Holy Father's love and enthusiasm for young people and then Dr. Lucy Bayer-Zwirello delivered poignant remarks about her rich experience witnessing the Gospel of Life in the context of prenatal and natal care, where she has helped countless women face the challenges and the joys of maternity, including delivering thousands of babies."
He also praised the "tremendous response" of those who came out to support the seminary at this year's gala.
"I am truly grateful for their generosity, for their friendship and for their love of our seminary," he said.
Beginning his keynote address, Archbishop Pierre extended a warm welcome from Pope Francis. "As the apostolic nuncio, the Holy Father's personal representative in the United States ... I wish to assure you of his spiritual closeness," he said.
The nuncio spoke of the need to evangelize society. Citing a quote from the Latin American Bishops used in Pope Francis' Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium," he said, "We cannot passively and calmly wait in our church buildings. We need to move from a pastoral ministry of mere conservation to a decidedly missionary pastoral ministry."
"I know that those of you who are part of the (Neocatechumenal) Way, or are benefactors who support the mission, have already adopted this missionary attitude, which we hope to inculcate in our future priests and really in the whole Church," Archbishop Pierre added.
The bishop continued speaking of the need to form priests with missionary zeal.
"Boston has a rich Catholic history and tradition," he said, but added that "at the same time, it is missionary territory ripe for the new evangelization of the many who have fallen away and for the many new immigrants who are arriving. It is mission territory that longs for deep healing for those who have been alienated, disenfranchised or deeply wounded by members of the Church."
The bishop underscored that "only Christ can provide the true remedy."
He then cited Pope Francis' May 5 address on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Neocatechumenal Way in Rome, when the Holy Father said that "only a Church that is free from power and money, free from triumphalism and clericalism bears witness in a credible way that Christ frees mankind. And those who, through his love, learn to renounce passing things embrace this great treasure: freedom."
"The Redemptoris Mater Seminary is a place where seminarians learn to renounce the things of this world and to discover and embrace the beauty of freedom, a freedom which they place, as shepherds of the flock, at the service of those at the physical and existential peripheries," he said.
Archbishop Pierre concluded praising the generosity of those attending the gala to support the seminary.
"Your gifts, your sacrifices and prayers help make all this possible," he said.
Following the nuncio's remarks, Dr. Lucy Bayer-Zwirello was presented with the seminary's Evangelization Award by Father Antonio Medeiros, rector of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary. The Evangelization Award "publicly recognizes the faithful witness of the Gospel of Life," Father Medeiros explained.
"Doctor Lucy has helped countless women," Father Medeiros said.
"I'm going to try really hard not to cry," said Bayer-Zwirello as she accepted the award. "But I want to share this award. I want to share this award with anyone who has worked in the field of maternal care."
"The honor really goes to every mother, future mother, past mother, and almost mother here today," she said.
"What does it mean to be an obstetrician in this world that is in such confusion and is so confusing?" she asked the crowd, noting that in the "Me-generation what is inconvenient can just be discarded."
She spoke of the importance of being a support for all expectant mothers, particularly those plagued by drug addiction.
"We love each of our patients. We really do," she said emphatically. "We care for our patients and wish each of them to succeed."
Bayer-Zwirello, who has delivered more than 7,500 babies in her 37-year career stressed that "every single one of those babies has been an honor and a pleasure."
The evening concluded with a musical selection from the Redemptoris Mater seminarians, who sang a cross section of folk, modern and traditional songs in a multitude of languages, representing the many cultures of the men studying in the seminary.
Speaking to The Pilot following the event, Father Medeiros said he was "impressed by the remarks of both honorees on the theme of the evening, namely young people, faith and vocational discernment."
He expressed appreciation for Archbishop Pierre's "simple, direct, and profound remarks echoed the Holy Father's love and enthusiasm for young people and then Dr. Lucy Bayer-Zwirello delivered poignant remarks about her rich experience witnessing the Gospel of Life in the context of prenatal and natal care, where she has helped countless women face the challenges and the joys of maternity, including delivering thousands of babies."
He also praised the "tremendous response" of those who came out to support the seminary at this year's gala.
"I am truly grateful for their generosity, for their friendship and for their love of our seminary," he said.
Byrnes need to rethink his position on the RMS priests.
ReplyDeleteByrnes was told 2 things before coming to Guam.
ReplyDelete1. We don’t want any more problems in Guam. Resolve the situation there.
2. If you do we will make bishop of a diocese in the mainland USA. Or you will be rewarded with a post in Rome. But you will not stay in Guam forever.
Closing he RMS was a political move. Byrnes thought that by closing the RMS he would quiet the Rohr and company, solve the problem and get out of Guam ASAP. This is also the reason why he needs Apuron to be found guilty: if Apuron is found guilty then Byrnes has the ultimate justification for destroying the Way in Guam. If Apuron is found NOT guilty then everything that Byrnes has done gets shown for what it is, unjustified persecution.
However. Byrnes backed the wrong horse. By destroying the Way in Guam he is destroying himself. In the first place because He is fighting God and in the second place because his moves make him look like an idiot on the world stage. No one closes a seminary with vocations. And no on starts a campaign to humiliate and make enemies of priests in his diocese. And no one, no matter how much they dislike the way, openly opeses what the pope supports. His peers around the world are looking at Byrnes and saying we cannot trust that guy anywhere else, let Guam keep him. Byrnes is pariah at the usccb.
Dear Anonymous at 1:31 am,
DeleteI do not know what Archbishop Byrnes was told before he came to Guam. What I do know is that he is surrounded by the junglefolks. Personally,I think that his mind was poisoned just like the manankos who protested in front of the Cathedral.
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Egyptian-Christians-can-be-missionaries-at-home-and-stop-the-exodus-of-the-faithful-44089.html
ReplyDeleteDear Lou,
DeleteThank you for this information.
I would pray that people who freely talk about Arch Bishop Barnes will look inward and ask....before the WAY....how did you worship.
ReplyDeletethe temple in the village church or the temple of GOD?
So what if he was surrounded by jungle folks or the devil himself.
How were we deceived...how were brought before the light?
It surely was not of our own efforts.
Dear J. Bautista,
DeleteWhen one is surrounded by the junglefolks whose agenda is to discredit the Way, it only brings more division into the Church.
and where was your voice Diana when the RMS was closed? Where was the collective voice of the communities?
ReplyDeleteLet me guess.....it was the will of the LORD.
last time I heard....our Lord is the Lord of action.
the silence of the WAY before...during and after the closing of RMS Guam was everything but action.
jungle folks did not close the RMS.
Got it?
Dear J. Bautista,
DeleteGod certainly did not close down the seminary. Lord of action??? Surely you are not saying that God is responsible for our sinful ACTIONS? God allows us to choose either to sin or not to sin because he respects our freedom. God did not make us into robots.
And we were not silent when it came to the seminary. We were silent when a bill was introduced to lift the statutes of limitations, but certainly not the seminary.
It was the junglefolks who wanted the seminary closed. They control the Finance Council and Presbyterial Council. Both councils agreed to close down the seminary.
Where was the voice of the communities Diana?
ReplyDeleteWhere was the voice of the faithful?
Finance Council and Presbyterial Council...don't deflect!!!!!
The Spirit speaks louder one may say but we walked away in silence just as the apostles did at the foot of the cross.
Dear J. Bautista,
DeleteI was not deflecting. I said it was the junglefolks who closed down the seminary. They took control of the Finance Council and Presbyterial Council. They were the ones who closed it down. You were the one deflecting by bringing up the Lord of Actions and the silence of the NCW.
As I said, we were not silent when it came to the attacks on the seminary. Or did you expect the communities to come out with picket signs saying "Save the seminary" in front of the Cathedral???
Dear J. Bautista,
DeleteYou are mistaken about 'just as the apostles did at the foot of the cross.' Mary and the beloved disciple were at the foot of the cross in reverence for Jesus.
Regarding 'Where was the voice...', Jesus himself was silent when questioned:
Matthew 27:12-14 'And when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they are testifying against you?” But he did not answer him one word, so that the governor was greatly amazed.'
Maybe the communities were silent so as to avoid possible radical confrontation from the ccog, lfm and jungle zealots. Look at what happened at the airport when Giuseppe was verbally abused on his arrival. Cannot expect emotional, stubborn and closed-minded people to rationally dialogue.
ReplyDeleteif we have the courage...even the RMS can be raised from the dead.
J. Bautista @ 1:57 PM, you do have courage as shown in the comment you made at 12:37 PM. You have courage and you have faith. I hope your brothers will develop the courage to speak (or in this case write) what is on your mind as you do.
DeleteGod bless you. Stay strong
Dear J. Bautista,
DeleteOnly God can raise RMS from the dead. We were the ones who killed Christ. Our sins nailed him to the cross, but God raised him up.
In the same Way, it was the sins of certain people that closed a fruitful seminary. But God is the one who can raise it up. We need to pray for Archbishop Byrnes and our persecutors.
JB, it will not be the RMS of your image and likeness, you have to renounce that idol. RMS Guam has become an idol to many in the islands NCW. God does not want any competition brothers.
DeleteI notice that you are afraid to print the truth -- or does the NCW prevent you from printing the truth.
ReplyDeleteThe blind leading the blind, and they both fall into the pit.
Dear Anonymous at 3:49 am,
DeleteI already announced that I do not publish any jungle propaganda on my blog. You can go to the other blog for that.
http://www.cope.es/noticias/religion/camino-neocatecumenal-celebra-sus-anos-berlin_225394
ReplyDelete