Jan 5, 2015
by Pam Demassi, Liberty, Missouri Companion
This fall, I participated with a small community at Precious Blood Center studying Living Beyond the “End of the World,” A Spirituality of Hope by Margaret Swedish. We talked about the many ways the ecology of our communities is changing and even breaking down—toxins in our air, water, and food; extinction rates unseen since the end of the dinosaur age; changes in weather patterns; diseases impacting our forests; the rise in human diseases like cancer, asthma, and diabetes. There were participants who had cancer, participants who challenge our country’s involvement with nuclear proliferation and participants who worked for the Environmental Protection Agency.
Our reading identified ways in which we are already living beyond the biocapacity of the planet and challenged us to identify elements of a spirituality for living through the ecological crisis. We viewed several films and listened to guest speakers. We did not identify many ways to live beyond the end of this world with a rich and vibrant Earth community still intact and still able to support life. We learned that climate change has already made impact around the globe and will undoubtedly impact the quality of life for future generations. As we faced the magnitude of the impacts of global warming, we began to examine the suffering of human and non-human beings.
We used the teachings of scripture that value stewardship for God’s creation and justice for the poor. One film we watched inspired reflection on our place in and responsibility to God’s creation. We were reminded of the natural world around us being threatened by the ecological crisis.
One of our guest speakers, as well as our book, reminded us that humans are the cause of our ecosytems becoming altered. We contrasted this with the gift of creation we read about in the Scripture. Currently there is little debate among the scientific community about the fact of climate change. However, little of this clarity has reached the public through the mass media.
Our group talked about our carbon footprint, the damage caused by our use of fossil fuels. We looked at how the poor and marginalized are directly impacted, especially poor communities of color and poor communities in Appalachia.
The book talked about the American Dream of affluence and our ever-increasing standards of living. This is proving to be unsustainable and impossible to continue. Growing scarcities of water, food, and energy will increase the threat of violent conflict, including war. We face hard questions. Do our values support this consumer society?
Human beings are living beyond the means of the Earth to support our consumption and waste. Industrialization has been fueled by the exploitation of coal, oil, and natural gas at the cost of environmental devastation. The era of cheap sources of energy is coming to a rapid end. To what extent is our depletion of the planet’s ecosystems stealing from future generations? We must calculate our ecological footprint and ask the question, “Who is my neighbor and must I love them as myself?”
When we reflected on this in the light of faith, we begin to envision a new American Dream based on a quote by Mahatmas Gandhi: “Living simply so that others may simply live.”
Despite everything, no matter how stark the news, our faith challenges us to continue to give reason for hope. Our gospel narratives have much to offer on this journey. These narratives resonate as never before as they are broken open to address the crises of a new age, a new moment in history.
Dec 11, 2014
by Fr. Joe Nassal, C.PP.S., Provincial Director
Hurricane Lorraine
Lorraine Ramos was a force of nature. We often call weather events—tornadoes or hurricanes—forces of nature. But the image that has kept time on my mind since learning of Lorraine’s death was that she was a force of nature—Hurricane Lorraine. But unlike a hurricane that leaves behind destruction, what Hurricane Lorraine leaves behind is a legacy of love and compassion that will live on for years to come.
For 85 years in this corner of God’s good earth, Appanoose County and Centerville, Iowa, Hurricane Lorraine swept away the debris of lethargy and inactivity and called us to action on behalf of the poor, the sick, the homebound, the indigent, the elderly, the lonely, the physically and mentally challenged. She was a hurricane of hope and healing, of group homes and long term care centers, community betterment and home health care. And all of us here at St. Mary’s Parish—certainly any priest who served here—knew Lorraine’s faith would move her to speak up and reach out and lend a hand—often a directing hand—to make the gospel of Jesus a living reality in our time.
Whether it was a free lunch on Saturday afternoons to help those in the area who needed to stretch their budget—but even more needed some company to curb their loneliness—or knitting prayer shawls for those grieving, or coordinating the social action committee, or holding an anointing service and lunch for the elderly, or serving on the parish council, when something needed to be done or there was someone in need, there was no better advocate than Lorraine.
Eye of the Hurricane
They say that in the eye of a hurricane there is a patch of blue sky where birds sing and all is calm and peaceful. The eye of Hurricane Lorraine was always on the lookout for the next one who needed help. From her spiritual center of peace and prayer, nourished here at the table of daily Eucharist, Lorraine would go forth to the courthouse or the capital or the chancery or the rectory to unleash a torrent of change.
I don’t know what politicians felt when Hurricane Lorraine swept into their office or city or county council meeting, but as a priest I know what I felt when she came to the rectory with the latest idea about was needed in the parish. When I arrived in Centerville as a newly-ordained priest in 1982, I knew almost immediately upon meeting Lorraine that I was dealing with a force of nature. Lorraine always told me what she thought, whether I agreed with her or not. And as all of you who loved her and all of you who worked with her on committees either in the parish, city, county, or diocese know, Hurricane Lorraine was not shy about raising her voice or offering her opinion. Could she be pushy? You bet! But her heart was with those on the margins and she taught me so much about social justice and action on behalf of the poor and abandoned.
Spending time with Lorraine and her beloved husband of 60 years, Adrian, I experienced that “eye of the hurricane”—that peaceful calm of care, concern, and unconditional love. I always felt so at home with them as they would kid each other back and forth, egg each other on. I felt like part of their remarkable family. Of course, there was always food to feast on at their table and always room for one more.
Lorraine was a woman of great energy that never really waned until the stroke stopped her in her tracks a few years ago. Then we saw even more clearly that unconditional love of Adrian and Lorraine that reveals the ancient truth: “To love another person is to see the face of God.” Every time I saw her after the stroke, her face would brighten and her smile was so warm and welcoming and as she embraced me I was captured once again the in eye of Hurricane Lorraine, and felt at home.
Family of Faith
There are at least three families of faith that were so important to Lorraine. Of course, the family she and Adrian created and cultivated for more than 60 years was most important to her. What a team Adrian and Lorraine made together. What a legacy of love and service to others they have passed on to Doug and Tammy, Rita, Richard and Barb, and their beloved grandchildren, Luke and Marissa. How proud Lorraine was of all of you.
I can’t tell you how many times over the past 32 years I stretched out on the couch in Adrian and Lorraine’s family room, Lorraine knitting and talking and not missing a stitch; Adrian nodding, now and then snoring, then suddenly asking, “Father, how about another beer?” It was always so real, so genuine. No need to put on airs or pretend to be someone you’re not. You’re welcome here. Have another bite to eat. The family feasts were legendary.
St. Mary’s Parish was her faith family to which she gave so much time and energy. And the third family was the Precious Blood community. She was one of the first to make Covenant as a Precious Blood Companion and for more than twenty years she renewed her covenant and served on various committees for the province, including the justice and peace committee. I will hold close to my heart the memory of Lorraine making her final covenant with the community here at St. Mary’s last year when we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Precious Blood missionaries coming to serve St. Mary’s.
In these three families of faith, Lorraine fulfilled the three requirements the prophet Micah says that God desires of each of us. She acted justly, often speaking loudly on behalf of the poor, the outcast, and the abandoned. She loved tenderly, but also tenaciously and passionately. She certainly wasn’t afraid of showing tough love. And she walked humbly but also confidently with our God, because she knew that when we walk in faith, we walk with confidence for that is what the word means, “with faith.”
Citizen of Heaven
For 85 years, Hurricane Lorraine was a force for good for these three families of faith and for the local community. In 1976, she was named Citizen of the Year by the Iowegian and the description of the award captures well why Lorraine made such a difference in our lives. “The award is given to a citizen, who over a period of time has made an outstanding contribution to the community, lived unselfishly thereby creating a better place in which to live, work, worship, and raise a family.”
And now Hurricane Lorraine has arrived at Heaven’s Gate and I can’t wait to learn how heaven will never be the same. As St. Paul, another force of nature, reminds us, we hold on to “this hope that will not leave us disappointed because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Lorraine knew we are saved not by our good deeds but by the blood of Christ “through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
So now that Hurricane Lorraine has gone out across the sea, the words of Jesus, intimate and inviting resounds in our silence, our grief, our gratitude: “Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.” Find rest, dear Lorraine, for your work here is finished. The yoke of these last few years following the stroke is broken, and the burdens of life are lifted from your shoulders.
But I am sure of this: today hurricane warnings are sounding in heaven. Lorraine is on the way and heaven will never be the same.
This is Fr. Joe’s Funeral Homily, given November 3, 2014 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Centerville, Iowa.
Jun 27, 2014
by Kathy Keary, Kearney, Missouri Companion
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Companion Kathy Keary at the 2014 Provincial Assembly
A couple of years ago, I attended Peace Circle training in Chicago facilitated by Fr. Dave Kelly and Fr. Bill Nordenbrock. I was looking forward to Fr. Dave’s presentation at the Assembly because I find his work both fascinating and inspiring. My reflection is in response to Fr. Bill’s invitation to bring Fr. Dave’s message to our own context.
Fr. Dave grabbed my attention early on when he discussed how most of our lives are spent in the tension between brokenness and the hope that is our faith—the joy of the Resurrection. Within this tension, we witness to the possibilities that Resurrection offers; however, we are not in denial in regard to the reality of life. It’s tough. There are crosses to bear. Ministers of reconciliation are all about the “muddled mess.”
It was encouraging to hear Fr. Dave say the most important gift he offers is faithfully showing up, often clueless to what will unfold or the words that will flow from his mouth—words only God knows needs to be heard. I am drawn like a magnet to ministries serving people marginalized by life circumstances. For the past several years, I ministered with those challenged by severe and persistent mental illness. Any hardship I have encountered significantly pales in the face of the hurdles and struggles mentally ill people cope with on a daily basis. I am an ambassador of hope; placing God’s message of love, peace, and compassion into the “muddled mess” every day. By faithfully showing up, my presence offers a space for them to talk about God and to remember once again He is with them. I have no degrees in psychology; I am simply responding to God’s call with the Spirit and the Word of God. It’s a privilege to accompany those I serve—to be a part of and a witness to their courageous story. I am just getting my feet wet in prison ministry, but it is clear God is asking me to create space for inmates to be touched by Christ bringing hope.
The story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-42) is about the ministry of presence. The passage opens with Jesus resting at the well, tired from his journey. Despite his fatigue, he focuses his total attention on the Samaritan woman when she arrives. An amazing transformation follows. At the Samaritans’ request, Jesus stays a couple more days. The lives He touched were changed as they came to believe He was truly the savior of the world. Because of His presence, they were able to shift from a worldly philosophy to one centered in Christ. Let us also be bearers of hope, beacons of reconciliation by faithfully showing up to the ministry God is calling us to, extending the gift of our presence to those longing for a sacred encounter.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Jun 6, 2014
by Fr. David Matz, C.PP.S., Interim Director of Companions
It was warm and muggy when Fr. Ron Will and I left for the Dakotas to visit the Precious Blood Companions there. It didn’t matter the weather changed back to cold and rainy on the journey as we reached South Dakota; as soon as Claire Ann Wheeler and Doris Weber opened the door, Ron and I were warmly welcomed as long-lost brothers reunited with our family. This was a foretaste of many doors opened to us as we wandered the edges of our old missionary territory.
Eleven years had passed since I was on the edge of the Dakota plains. Jeanette Kolberg pulled out a copy of The New Wine Press from May 2003, with a picture and an article of the North Dakota Companions who made covenant. She said, “This was the last time we gathered as a community and with community members in North Dakota.” I took a gulp and gasped ashamedly, “It has been that long?” In the photo, Fr. Al Ebach and I were with the companions from Linton and Bismarck. Jeanette wasn’t chastising us for our long absence; there was excitement to see us, and a fondness for the times when we told stories and ate together at a common table. Our souls and our relationships were nurtured.
One afternoon, Ron and I were walking the main street of Linton, stopping in stores to look for people Ron recognized from his tenure as pastor. When we entered the bakery, out walked Mary, who recognized Ron immediately. For next few minutes she shared with us about her family and bakery over the past twenty years since Ron left. The sweet aroma of freshly baked bread gave way to harsh reality as Mary recounted the struggles with her daughter-in-law’s sudden death while giving birth to a child that died fifteen days later, and her son’s resulting dark depression. She shared that a picture of Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the foot of the Cross became her saving grace; now she understood the pain and surrender Mary experienced at there. Ron and I looked at each other and immediately thought the same thing, “This woman knows and lives Precious Blood Spirituality.”
After a tour of the bakery, Mary offered us some pastries and we thanked her for sharing her story and her bakery with us. Outside, Ron and I paused for a moment to give thanks for a woman who broke bread with us and left us with the aroma of hope in the precious blood of Christ.
We shared this moment with the Linton companions at our gathering with them. They hadn’t met as a group in eleven years, yet they chose to renew their covenants. We challenged them to invite people like Mary who showed us such a profound faith in God. We challenged our Bismarck and Aberdeen companions as well to look for people who would welcome an invitation to reflect on Precious Blood Spirituality. A gift is given and meant to be shared; Ron and I felt Mary had given us the gift of faith, not only with sweet rolls but also with the brokenness of her life.
Over the last year, I have been asked how our companions in Wisconsin and North and South Dakota are doing. I answer they are all living their busy lives like the rest of us. Yes, they miss the presence of the Precious Blood Missionaries, brothers and priests; it inspired hope and a love of community in them. One companion said she thought about not renewing her covenant because her group hadn’t gathered in 11 years. But within the few short days of our visit, spirits were renewed and inspired with a hope that nourished our relationships with each other. Will this companion group begin to gather regularly again? Will the sharing of our chance encounter with Mary bring about new growth? Only time will tell.
People of Precious Blood Spirituality are everywhere, especially in a bakery on Main Street in Linton, North Dakota where even sweet bread broken gives life. A visit to the northern edge of our province challenges all of us to be more intentional about gathering together, even for a short while. As Joe Nassal wrote in the Psalm of the Edge, “St. Gaspar take us to the edge…. Give us courage to find our home on the edge where heaven meets earth and hope is born.”
