Candidate Enters Special Formation

Aug 7, 2023

It’s been a reflective summer so far for Newton Lih, who is now in special formation with the Missionaries of the Precious Blood.

For much of June and July, Newton has been living with the Missionaries at the Precious Blood Center in Liberty, Mo. He attends morning Mass then spends time with Fr. Keith Branson, C.PP.S. They discuss the history of the Congregation, and more. Together they are reading a book by Fr. Joe Nassal, C.PP.S., “Passionate Pilgrims.”

“That gives us the opportunity to reflect on Precious Blood spirituality in very open conversations,” Newton said. “For Fr. Keith and I, conversation flows like a river—it meanders, takes twists and turns, comes from a lot of different perspectives, brings in knowledge from different backgrounds. It’s a full conversation at a nice pace.”

The purpose of special formation is to help a candidate dive deeper into Precious Blood spirituality, Community life and its history. “It’s been really wonderful,” said Newton, who first moved into the Missionaries’ San Felice House of Formation in Chicago in the fall of 2021. Newton, who grew up in California, first became acquainted with the Community through Fr. Matt Link, C.PP.S., at Holy Redeemer Church in San Francisco.

Newton made his first commitment to the Community at the US Province’s assembly in June. In Liberty, he continues to be immersed in community life, sharing evening meals with C.PP.S. Frs. Ron Will, Mike Volkmer and Jim Betzen at the center.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time reflecting. I go back to my room with all sorts of experiences to process,” he said.

For instance, recently he made a weekend visit to St. Francis Xavier Church in St. Joe, Mo., where C.PP.S. Frs. Al Ebach and Lac Pham are in ministry. They had invited some diocesan priests over for dinner, and Newton joined them.

“I thought about how in Gaspar’s day, he forged partnerships with the diocesan clergy. To think about how that happened in Gaspar’s day, then see how our Missionaries are doing the same thing, was interesting to see,” he said.

Soon, Newton will move on to the next location for his special formation year, St. James the Less Parish in Columbus, Ohio. There he will live with C.PP.S. Frs. Steve Dos Santos and Greg Evers and Brother Tom Bohman, who will supervise his experience there.

Newton said he has already discussed a goal with Brother Tom: “I haven’t had a lot of experience with being an altar server—I would like to spend some time serving at the altar, developing a ministerial presence. I feel clumsy as I move about in the sanctuary, so honing that ministerial presence will be good practice. The best altar servers are available and active, but in the background. They don’t take away from the liturgy. That’s a good challenge, to be able to blend in.”

That’s one challenge he has set for himself. There is another. “The greatest challenge is to continue to work on my Spanish. There is a wonderful Spanish-speaking community at St. James the Less, so this is a good opportunity to grow in my Spanish skills,” he said.

But he recognizes that special formation is not all about work. “One of the things to develop in terms of ministry is to know when to rest, when to lean into self-care,” he said. “There are a lot of needs in the parish, lot of excitement to have more hands on deck. This year isn’t to be fully invested in ministry, but to develop a good pace of work.

“So I’ll be doing some creative writing, praying and meditating on what I’ve been experiencing. That’s the heart of my self-care: prayer and reflecting time.”

An Artifact from a First Mass in 1953

Aug 4, 2023

When Fr. Donald Thieman, C.PP.S., celebrated his 70th ordination anniversary at St. Charles Center on July 1, one of his special guests brought along a special object.

Marilyn Link came to the celebration with a satin pillow that she had carried when, as a five-year-old, she was part of the procession at Fr. Thieman’s first Mass.

Marilyn is the oldest of Fr. Thieman’s nieces. She and two of his young cousins, Sarah McDonough Baldorf and Mary Ann Penno Diller, were part of the procession into

Fr. Thieman’s home parish, Holy Trinity Church in Coldwater, Ohio, on June 7, 1953. After Mass, family and friends joined Fr. Thieman for a celebration meal at the Coldwater High School gym.

It was a big day, but a long day for a five-year-old. Marilyn’s long-sleeved white dress, which was flocked and flounced, was “hot and it smelled,” Marilyn said. “The veil hurt my head. And I could not run out and play” like the other children were free to do. Yet even at five, she realized something momentous was going on—and she was a part of it, along with her uncle.

A few years after his ordination, Fr. Thieman volunteered to minister in Chile, where he served for over 50 years. He returned to the U.S. in 2012 and lives at St. Charles.

Marilyn, now mature in her own faith and wisdom, is an active parishioner at Holy Trinity, where she wore that hot, itchy dress so many years ago. She served as a lector for 40 years, has taught several Bible studies, and is a server for funeral Masses.

She said she appreciates the example her uncle has set for the family through his 70 years as a Missionary of the Precious Blood. “Fr. Donald is dedicated to God and the people of God,” she said. “His nieces and nephews were always excited when he returned from Chile to visit with the family. We are happy that he is spending his retirement so close to home.”

Fr. William Delaney, C.PP.S., 1936-2023

Aug 2, 2023

Fr. William Delaney, C.PP.S., died at 3 p.m. on Monday, July 31 at Mercy Retirement and Care Center, Oakland, Calif. He was 87.

Fr. Delaney was born in Oakland on May 28, 1936, to William and Mary Margaret (Murphy) Delaney. Having met Precious Blood priests at his home parish, St. Barnabas, in Alameda, Calif., he joined the Congregation in 1956 at St. Charles Seminary in Carthagena, Ohio, and was ordained on June 8, 1963.

Fr. Delaney was active in parish and education ministries and in leadership during his 60 years as a priest.

After his ordination he served briefly at parishes in Oklahoma then at St. Anthony Church in Detroit; and St. Barnabas in Alameda.

In 1964, he was appointed an instructor at Del Bufalo Seminary in Liberty, Mo., and in 1965 became a member of the Kansas City Province, then the Province of the Pacific. He was appointed head of the religious education department at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, Calif., and later served as the faculty house superior and the principal.

Fr. Delaney served as provincial secretary from 1970–74.

For many summers, Fr. Delaney studied at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University in Chicago. In 1970, he received a master of religious education degree.

From 1977–90, Fr. Delaney was the associate pastor then pastor of St. Anthony Church in Manteca, Calif. He also served two terms on the provincial council.

Fr. Delaney also ministered at St. Agnes Parish, Los Angeles, as pastor (1990-2001), and St. Aloysius Gonzaga, Los Angeles, beginning in 2001. He returned to St. Agnes as senior pastor in 2005, accepting the position of pastor pro tem in 2014.

In 2015, Fr. Delaney retired to Sonnino Mission House in Berkeley, Calif. He moved to Mercy Retirement and Care Center in 2017.

Survivors include his sisters, who both belong to the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Sr. Maureen Delaney, SNJM, of Portland, Ore., and Sr. Rosemary Delaney, SNJM, of Oakland.

Fr. Delaney’s lifelong commitment to social justice and to the poor began at home, where he witnessed his father’s tireless work with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. In turn, Fr. Delaney inspired countless others in the parishes where he served and in his religious community. Fr. Delaney understood that a good shepherd not only cares for those who are in his parish but also leads them out into the world to make a difference in the neighborhood where they live.

He was in his 40s and assigned to St. Anthony in Manteca when he learned Spanish, so he could better serve the multicultural community there. The parish included people from many walks of life and ethnic backgrounds, and Fr. Delaney was able to bring them together and see each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. The spirit of the Gospel of justice and peace guided his ministry and leaves a legacy of hope in the people and the places where he has served.

That includes the Mercy Retirement and Care Center, where he spent his last years. While there, he was in ministry, to the staff, many of whom were Spanish speakers, and to other residents. He regularly led the rosary, including Precious Blood prayers. He went to all the activities and made himself a part of the community there. To the end of his life, it was important to him to minister to the people of God.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, August 11 at 10 a.m. at the Holy Spirit Chapel of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Center, 65 W. Rincón Ave, Campbell, Calif. Fr. Joseph Nassal, C.PP.S., presiding.

Burial took place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery and Mortuary, 26320 Mission Blvd, Hayward, Calif.

May he rest in peace.

Memorial donations may be made to the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, United States Province.