Provincial Newsletter - Congregation of the Resurrection, Priests ...

Provincial
Ontario-Kentucky
Province
Newsletter
February, 2007
Novices Charles Messler, Michal Kruszewski and Rafal Wasilewski with Novice Director
Fr. Steve Glab, C.R. at the beginning of the Novitiate Program in Woodstock, Illinois.
January 6, 2007

Dear Brothers,
Greetings to each one of you in the Risen Lord!
I remember so often during my great letter writing days in Bolivia feeling it necessary to begin the
letter with “I am sorry that I have not written sooner, but …” . Unfortunately I feel obliged once again
to begin this Newsletter in the same way. Time seems to fly (although it seems as if some days will
never end).
The last few months have been very busy. There have been many opportunities to share with one
another. I have completed Visitation of four Houses – St. Cecilia, Villa Pacis, St. Mary’s (Kitchener) and
St. Jerome’s University; visitation of Ascension House has just begun. The first time around I did all the
Visitations personally, for the opportunity to meet with each one of you; however, this time Jim and I are
sharing the Visitations. I still have Bermuda, Resurrection College House and St. Peter’s. Jim is in the
midst of visitation of St. Agatha House, with St. Stanislaus, Resurrection Manor and Florida yet to visit.
We appreciate the hospitality and candor of the members of the Province during these blessed
opportunities.
One of the high points of recent months was the Entrance Rite into the Novitiate in Woodstock,
Illinois, for Michal Kruszewski, Charles Messler, and Rafal Wasilewski. On Saturday January 6, within
Morning Prayer, Steve Glab, C.R., Novice Director, led an inspiring Rite of Entry. Michael Danek, C.R.,
Richard Grek, C.R., Sam Restivo, C.R., and I participated with the Novitiate Community. Sam will be
the liaison with Michal during this stage of his formation. This joyful experience fuels our hope for
vocations to our Congregation. Please keep the Novitiate Community in your prayers. Please support
and encourage Michal by your prayers, letters/cards and e-mails. Fortunately they will come to Canada
for various Provincial celebrations this year. I have included the text of the Rite of Entry for your
reflection.
Another positive point was the acceptance of eight Resurrectionists who have left their names
stand for election to Provincial Council. I with to thank all who participated in the nominating
procedure, those who prayerfully reflected on the will of their brothers to respond to this call to
leadership, and those who have said ‘yes’ at this time”: Ed Benson, Joseph deViveiros, Brian Karley,
Murray McDermott, Terry McGuire, Sam Restivo, Ernie Varosi, and Jim Wahl. Please participate in the
elections at the station nearest you on Saturday February 17. I would encourage each House to celebrate
our Founders’ Day in a special way on that day (or weekend), and to remember it in the Prayer of the
Faithful in the faith communities we serve. A special lunch will follow the elections at Resurrection
College.
May the Risen Lord bless you!
In the Risen Christ,
Paul S. Voisin, C.R.
Jim Valk, C.R.

PROVINCIAL NEWS
Cursillo Movement
Bishop Anthony Tonnos of Hamilton has
appointed Frank Reitzel, C.R., as Spiritual Advisor
for the Diocesan Cursillo Movement, effective
November 15, 2006. Congratulations, and thank
you, Frank, for shepherding this important
apostolic movement of the Church. Many of us
have participated in a Cursillo, and know the
benefits that it brings to the individuals, their parish
communities, and the Church.
Christmas Dinner
Thanks go out to Terry McGuire, C.R., and
the men of the Manor who were our hosts for the
Community Christmas Dinner. Christmas
gatherings were also held in Louisville, North Fort
Myers and Bermuda. Even though we may be tired
after so many Christmas liturgical celebrations, it
is important to gather together in Community to
celebrate. Thank you to all from Southwestern
Ontario, and points beyond, who came out to
celebrate. Our celebration is enhanced by the
presence of each one.
St. Jerome’s Lease
The lease agreement between the
Congregation and the Waterloo Catholic District
School Board has been successfully completed.
This secures a new rental fee for the St. Jerome’s
High School property, which is being used for the
St. Louis Continuing Education programs. This
agreement was accomplished, once again, by our
Finance Committee and especially our lawyer,
George Voisin. The lease will be re-negotiated
again in 2010.
Resurrection Centre
During the last few months we have been
working on a restructuring of Resurrection Centre.
It is our hope that this reflects a more responsible
use of both human and financial resources.
(left to right) Fr. Michael Danek, Fr. Richard Grek, Charles
Messler, Michal Kruszewski, Fr. Steve Glab, Rafal
Wasilewski, Fr. Sam Restivo, Fr. Paul Voisin
Novitiate
I include the text of the Rite of Entry of the
Novice from January 6, 2007. One of the most
thought-provoking things said in the rite of entry
has been highlighted. These powerful words can
serve as a reflection for each one of us, hopefully
leading to renewed action. Perhaps it could lead
us to a sharing at a House Meeting.
“Your presence here is a pledge of your
desire to join our religious community, the
Congregation of the Resurrection. You have
already shared your life with us for a period of
time, and we rejoice and thank God for your desire
to continue seeking Him within our community.
Your novitiate year is an opportunity to
profoundly deepen your knowledge of yourself,
your brothers in community, and especially your
Lord, Jesus Christ. It also serves as a time to
formulate your response to the One who calls you
to leave all and follow Him. During this time,
you will be invited to listen attentively to His voice
as you ponder the Scriptures, rejoice in his
presence as you celebrate the Eucharist, and
participate in His life-giving Spirit as you
experience the daily strengths and challenges of
life in community.
We welcome you into our Resurrectionist
family. We accept you as brothers in the Risen
Christ. You stand for us as a sign of God’s blessing
and our hope for the future. We offer to share
with you that treasure which is our community’s

charism, the gift first received from God by our
Founders and handed down to all those who have
followed in their footsteps. May you come to
discover this charism as a treasure which has also
been entrusted to you.
In keeping with that charism, we expect you
to deepen your commitment as a disciple of Jesus
through a life of poverty, chastity, and obedience
as expressed within our Constitutions. In this way,
you may come to more fully participate in the
Paschal Mystery of dying to self in order that
Christ may live in you.
Community is the most fundamental
apostolate of our Congregation. Make it your
aim, then, to care for and support one another
within the common life, serving the God Whom
you cannot see by attending to the brother whom
you do see.
For our part, we, the Congregation of the
Resurrection, recognize the power of the Holy
Spirit working within you. May that same Spirit
lead you through proper discernment to discover
how you may best serve Him, and strengthen you
to follow Mary’s example of humble obedience to
God’s will.”
(one of the novices, speaking for the rest,
said)
“We believe that God’s love has drawn us
here to discern His call to this community. We
pledge to deepen our life of faith through prayer,
to learn attentively the Way of Truth and Charity
which is the life of the Congregation, and to open
ourselves to the will of God as it will be revealed
to us. May the love and prayers of this Community
guide us on our journey.”
150 th Anniversary of St.
Mary’s Parish, Kitchener
On Sunday January 28 there was the first of
many celebrations of the 150 th Anniversary of St.
Mary’s Parish. At 11:00 a.m. Bishop Gerard
Bergie was main celebrant and homilist,
accompanied by George Nowak, C.R., Clair
Girodat, C.R., Ernie Varosi, C.R., and Paul Voisin,
C.R. Bishop Bergie thanked the Resurrectionists
for their service there, in particular George and
Clair, and recalled his own contact with the
Congregation at St. Jerome’s University and
Resurrection College. He highlighted the teaching
of Clair in Philosophy. On Sunday August 5 there
will be another liturgical celebration. The
Anniversary Committee of the Parish has chosen
this date since many Resurrectionists will be in
the area, between the Retreat and Chapter. Another
celebration will be around the feast of Our Lady
of Sorrows, September 15. Other social and
cultural events have also been planned.
St. Teresa of Avila Parish,
Elmira
Each of the parishes we serve shares one
characteristic – the parishioners admire, respect,
and love the Resurrectionists who serve there. It
is painful for us as a Province, and for parishioners,
to ‘lose’ our presence as ministers of a parish. We
were facing this situation in the case of St. Teresa
of Avila in Elmira. Since July 2006 Lloyd
Michaud, C.R., has done a tremendous job
ministering to the people there, and coordinating
the help of generous Resurrectionists to meet the

needs of the Parish. He has gained the respect of
the community as they waited for a pastor (and
kept reminding me of this...) Providentially, Sudie
MacDonald, C.R., will be returning to Canada on
February 15 and has been approved as the new
Pastor of St. Teresa of Avila Parish. Lloyd will
continue to serve there with him. We welcome
Sudie from Tanzania, and look forward to his
ministry at St. Teresa’s.
Ray Hughes, C.R.
Ray Hughes, C.R., has requested and been
granted permission to return to the Diocese of
Venice, Florida, effective February 15. Ray will
take up pastoral duties there, and may also do some
preaching for ‘Cross International’ (an aid agency
like ‘Food for the Poor’). For the time being he
will be at Resurrection Parish in Fort Myers. Pat
Aiello, C.R., and Lory Keasey, C.R., also help
there. The Parish address is located at the end of
the Newsletter. A personal telephone number will
be made available when it is known. Ray will
resume his membership in the Florida House.
Thank you Ray, for your contribution to St. Mary’s
House, as well as your much-appreciated pastoral
work at St. Aloysius Parish.
Celebrations of the life of
Vern Brunning, C.R.
On Friday January 26 our brother, Vern
Brunning, went to his eternal reward, after years
of a courageous struggle with cancer. His brother
Vincent, sister-in-law Iris, and nephew Larry were
with him at Lisaard House when he died.
Throughout his long illness, Vern never
complained, bearing his burden with great faith
and strength. It was not the first time that he
‘stared death in the face’, taking into account
his wartime experience.
Obituaries appeared in the Kitchener-
Waterloo Record, and Hamilton Spectator. They
gave testimony to Vern’s military career and his
priesthood.
Visitation began on Monday evening at
Erb and Good Funeral Home, and continued
Tuesday afternoon and evening at St. Agatha
Church, where Vern served as Pastor from 1978
to 1984. At 3:00 p.m. Ernie Varosi, C.R., led a
Wake Service at which Terry McGuire, C.R.,
preached. Jim Link, C.R. led the singing. A
reception for Community members was held at
the rectory after the evening visitation. Many
parishioners of St. Agatha Parish mentioned that
they were so grateful that we brought Fr. Vern
‘home’ to St. Agatha.
The Mass of Resurrection was at 11:00
a.m. on Wednesday morning and was well
attended. There were about twenty-five
Resurrectionists, and some former members.
Many parishioners and friends joined us. Many
of the liturgical roles were filled by relatives of
Vern. Music for the funeral, provided by
members of all three choirs of the parish, was
very inspirational. Paul Voisin, C.R. was the
main celebrant and homilist. Bishop Matthew
Ustryzcki attended, and did the final
commendation. Jim Valk, C.R., led the prayers
at Mount Hope Cemetery. Expressions of
sympathy were received, and shared, from the
U.S.A. Province and the General Curia.
We can never thank enough the staff and
volunteers of Lisaard (Hospice) House in
Cambridge. The care there was tremendous, and
Vern felt very much at home. Even there he
ministered to fellow residents and family
members. The staff and volunteers respected
him greatly. In his memory, and in gratitude,
we have donated $10,000 to Lisaard House.

2007 Community Retreat
Preparations for our 2007 Community
Retreat are almost completed. The retreat will
begin Monday July 30 and conclude Friday
August 3 at Resurrection College. Article #15 of
our Provincial Statutes reads: “Ordinarily a retreat
of four full days for all delegates will precede the
Provincial Chapter”. It is our hope that not only
the delegates will attend, but that ALL
Resurrectionist members of the Ontario-Kentucky
Province and of other Provinces serving under our
jurisdiction will seriously consider their
participation in this retreat.
At the Superiors’ Conference there was a
concern expressed about our sense of mission, and
our future direction. We hope that this retreat will
help us to meet this concern, and prepare us for
the Provincial Chapter whose theme is
Resurrectionist Spirituality, Community Life and
Apostolates. We have chosen for the retreat the
themes of an excellent conference given years ago
at one of the Hamilton Diocesan Pastoral Seminars
by Bishop Paul-André Durocher, under the title
‘Spirit-Filled Leadership’. As in previous years
there will be an input session, followed by a time
for personal prayer (with Scripture passages
provided), time for sharing in small groups, and
then a plenary session, bringing together our
wealth of reflections and insights.
The five themes, and their presenters are:
Challenging the Status Quo
-- Paul Voisin, C.R.
Inspiring a Shared Vision
-- Jim Donohue, C.R.
Enabling Others to Act
-- Bernie Hayes, C.R.
Modeling the Way
-- Charlie Fedy, C.R.
Encouraging the Heart
-- Jim Valk, C.R.
More information will be forthcoming. In the
meantime, please mark your calendars.
2007 Provincial Chapter
Recently Jim Valk, C.R. has been preparing
letters to be sent to Superiors and Chairmen of
Committees. The Chapter Steering Committee,
comprised of Jerry Kroetsch, C.R., Jim Link, C.R.,
Tim Uniac, C.R. and Jim Valk, C.R., has met and
begun the necessary preparations for the Chapter.
The Provincial Chapter is Monday August 6 until
Friday August 10, at Resurrection College.
Article #14,a. of our Statutes says: “All
perpetually professed of the Ontario-Kentucky
Province may be voting members of the Provincial
Chapter. To be a voting member of Chapter, the
perpetually professed must declare his desire to
be so in writing by the date set by the Chapter
steering Committee.” As in our previous Chapters,
our hope is that many men will declare themselves
as Chapter delegates, representing a cross section
of locations, ages, and apostolates. More
information about the Chapter preparations, as
well as materials for House Meetings will be
forthcoming.
200 th Anniversary of the Birth
of Bogdan Jañski
The Anniversary Committee, comprised of
Brian Karley, C.R., Joe Palubeski, C.R., Ernie
Varosi, C.R., and Paul Voisin, C.R., has met a few
times in preparation for this celebration, and that
of the 150 th Anniversary of our arrival in North
America. Very soon you will receive information
for your use on Sunday March 25. We will be asking
that in your Masses part of the focus of the
homily be on Bogdan Jañski. A Prayer of the Faithful
will also be prepared, as well as a Penitential
Celebration that you may wish to use in parishes
during the 2007 Lenten season. In Bermuda plans
have already been made, and a handout prepared
for Parish bulletins, using information from the
article The Spiritual Legacy of Bogdan Jañski,
written by Ernie Varosi, C.R. The article will form
a part of the next two Resurrection Bulletins.

On a General level, a booklet on the life of
Bogdan Jañski is being prepared by Gerry Watt,
C.R., and Paul Sims, C.R. in various languages
for distribution later this year. I have viewed it on
my computer, and am very impressed.
We will keep you advised of plans as they
develop, either by e-mail or the Newsletter.
150 th Anniversary Celebration
Plans for the celebration of the 150 th
Anniversary of our arrival in North America are
progressing. The large communal celebration will
be on Tuesday August 14, beginning with the
Eucharist in the afternoon at St. Agatha Church,
and then a dinner at the Community Centre in St.
Agatha. One of the aspects of this celebration
(which has been constant in many requests) is that
former Resurrectionists of the Ontario-Kentucky
Province – those who were finally professed or
ordained, or shared in earlier stages of formation
– will be included in this day. Some of us have
put together a list of names; however, we don’t
have a complete list of names, and we lack a great
deal of addresses – be they e-mail or postal. We
will ask your help with some of these addresses in
the near future.
We will also be preparing a public Mass at
one of our Parishes around that same time, so that
many of our parishioners and collaborators can
share in this event of importance to us. Outside
of Ontario there will also be celebrations of this
event.
Changes to 2007 Directory
Please note the following changes in your
own copy of the Directory:
add
Julio Blazejewski, C.R.
St. Theresa’s Cathedral
P.O. Box HM 1191
Hamilton, Bermuda HM EX
(441) 292-5383
juliocr@northrock.bm
New address for Ray Hughes, C.R.:
Church of the Resurrection of the Lord
8051 Cypress Lake Drive
Fort Myers, Florida 33919
(813) 481-7171 (work)
E-mail address of Larry Bordonaro, C.R., is
lbordona@archtoronto.org
Change extension number of the office of Brian
Karley, C.R. to #1101.
Cell telephone number of Bill LaFlamme, C.R.,
is 239-989-1178.
School telephone number of Phil Reilly, C.R., is
519-751-2030.
E-mail address of Frank Ruetz, C.R. is
fjruetz@rogers.com
E-mail address of Fred Scinto, C.R. is
fscinto@rogers.com
fax and e-mail of Adam Wroblewicz, C.R., are
519-752-4084 and stjosephschurch@rogers.com
Requests for Prayers
Please remember the following in your
prayers:
the faithful departed:
Vern Brunning, C.R.
Bernice Kroetsch, S.S.N.D., sister of
Jerry Kroetsch, C.R.
Gord Lobsinger, father of Dan
Lobsinger, C.R.
Mary McGill, sister of Bill Burns, C.R.
Leonard Raszeja, brother of Norbert
Raszeja, C.R.
Jadwiga Wolszczak, sister of Chester
Chmurzynski, C.R.
our deceased Benefactors

the sick:
Julio Blazejewski, C.R., who is awaiting
eye surgery
Tom Fischer, nephew of Alex McCauley,
C.R., who recently had an aneurysm
Clarence Hauser, C.R.
Mary Ann Paolini, sister of Jerry
Kroetsch, C.R.
Harry Reitzel, C.R.
Wieslaw Spiewak, C.R., who continues to
recuperate and undergo treatment at Mentorella
Phil Tremblay, C.R., recuperating from
quadruple bypass surgery
others:
the newly installed Archbishop of
Toronto, Thomas Collins
Toby Collins, C.R., on his pastoral
internship in Bermuda
newly elected Polish Provincial, Tadeusz
Gajda, C.R.
Novices Michal Kruszewski, Charles
Messler, and Rafal Wasilewski, and their
Director, Steve Glab, C.R.
vocations to our Religious Community
the new Provincial Councillors to be
elected
Presidential Search for St. Jerome’s
University
the new Chancellor of St. Jerome’s
University, Dr. Peter Naus
DATES TO REMEMBER
February 17, 2007
Elections for two Provincial Councillors
July 30 – August 3, 2007
Community Retreat
August 6-10, 2007
Provincial Chapter
August 9, 2007
Jubilarian Celebration
St. Jerome’s University
August 12-17, 2007
Extended General Council meetings
August 14, 2007
Community Celebration of
Our 150 th Anniversary
Fr. John Miles, Fr. Ray Hofmann, Fr. Charlie Schoenbaechler and Fr. John Lesousky during Fr. Paul
Voisin’s visitation of Villa Pacis House