QUOVADIS02-08 - Congregation of the Resurrection, Priests ...

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PROFESSION OF FIRST VOWS-JANUARY 6, 2008
On Sunday, January 6, 2008, on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, at
Resurrection Chapel at Resurrection Retreat and Conference Center,
Charles Messler(pictured on the right of this photo) and Rafal
Wasilewski(pictured on the left of this photo) professed their first vows
in a beautiful Eucharistic liturgy witnessed by over 150 community
members, family and guests of the newly professed, and friends of the
Congregation of the Resurrection. Many complimented on the beauty
of the liturgy and it’s warm and inviting spirit. The music was led by
the choir from our Resurrection Parish in Woodstock, IL. Our last profession
of first vows was in 2003. Their profession of vows and reception
of cassock and cincture was truly inspiring. Afterwards a splendid
dinner was served in the dining room. Both Charles and Rafal are now
happily registered at Aquinas Institute pursuing studies for ordination.
A sincere word of thanks ought to be expressed to our brother, Stephen
Glab, CR, who had served as novice director of these newly professed.
His dedication and willingness to journey with our newest members on year of novitiate can only be rewarded by the knowledge
that his efforts and spiritual insights have made a true impression on these men. Michael Kruszewksi, the Ontario-Kentucky
province novice professed his first vows in Waterloo, Ontario on Saturday, January 12, 2008. Our province was represented by
Steve Glab, our two newly professed members, Bart Pindela(one of our seminarians), Marty Bratek, and yours truly. God has
truly blessed us by these wonderful new members. Please pray for them as they continue their formation.
PROVINCIAL’S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER(con.)
Often times information shared in this publication is shared with individuals outside of the province who do not understand
or appreciate the need for the discretion of information shared. Members of the province who are completing
three year assignments or special one year assignments have received in the mail the form seeking their preferences
for renewal or a new assignment.
Considerable energy has been spent discussing the rigorous communication from Bishop Robert Brom, the ordinary of
the Diocese of San Diego, in his determination to request our province sharing in financially supporting the settlements
received in four cases of alleged sexual misconduct against two deceased Resurrectionists in the 1940’s and
early 1950’s in Fontana, CA. These awards have amounted to $4.3(less than the original $5.5 million) million dollars.
Bishop Brom feels that our province ought to bear the cost of these settlements even though we had no active participation
in agreeing to settlement before going to trial and any input into specific settlement costs. Bishop Brom has
rejected our offer of $100,000. With the advise of our civil attorney and canon lawyers, we are strongly urged to suspend
any more discussions of settlements until they can further research this issue. Canon lawyers who are associated
with the Conference of Major Superior of Men are assisting us in this issue. This issue is sadly far from being resolved.
I have attended two meetings of the Sanctuary of the Divine Mercy Advisory Committee at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish.
I feel quite comfortable being included in the proceedings of this very capable and dedicated group of individuals.
Among other important considerations is the unveiling of the Ark of Mercy Iconic Monstrance at a Mass scheduled for
May 31, 2008.
At each council meeting, I share a complete financial picture of the province with all the challenges facing the province.
We continue to bear a great financial deficit in two of our corporate ministries namely: Resurrection Retreat
and Conference Center in Woodstock, IL and Resurrection Life Center in Montgomery, Alabama. The Corporate
Members of both these corporations are in discussion as to a future which will not jeopardize the limited resources of
the province. More information will be shared in this and the next edition of Quo Vadis.
Three of our houses will need to conduct superior elections this year namely; St. Joseph the Worker House at Gordon
Tech in April, Immaculate Conception House in California in May, and Archbishop Weber House in Chicago in September.
A wonderful hope is that our house in St. Louis, MO will soon be resurrected when there are at least three or
more perpetual professed members will be residing in that house by this summer.
RESURRECTION RETREAT AND CONFERENCE CENTER-WOODSTOCK, IL
As was reported in the last issue of Quo Vadis, the due diligence period of investigating
the possibility of developing acreage for single family senior life-lease
residences is proceeding. This exciting project is truly a Catholic faith-based
development. There are many exciting and expanding developments. One plan
calls for developing senior life-lease residences behind the center building and on
the adjacent property located next to the parish which the Congregation owns
rather than as was originally proposed the tracts of acreage along aside the main
driveway. There are other plans seeking to include the new addition wing and/
or entire building as possible senior suites. There are many details being delineated
such as feasibility and posturing with zoning concerns among other considerations.
On January 30, 2008, the Board of Directors were convoked and have
given their support to proceed with this venture. The Corporate Members met
with the Provincial Council to further study the critical point at which the center
finds itself financially. A lack of occupancy among other factors have necessitated the province assisting with $353,745.02
so far in this current fiscal year. There is confident reason to believe that more financial aid will have to be given in the next
five months to assist the center in meeting its indebtedness and financial obligations. Something must be done to rescue the
center! New business in the guise of new clients has not yet materialized in any great financial sustenance. This senior life-lease
project can possibly be the solution. A critical and absolute component of this development will be to provide many of the
spiritual opportunities which the center is providing now to a new client base-perhaps a senior aged population. The Corporate
Members and the Provincial Council are earnestly trying to respect the rich history of the center in providing spiritual retreat
and guidance and yet be financially responsible. There are critics that might try to argue that the center needs time to attract
more groups who would boost occupancy but it seems that there is not much time left. Our province is jeopardizing our financial
status by extending financial aid on a regular basis. Some might object that if we agree to this senior life-lease project we
are selling out on our mission but this is not true! We can continue the mission if we are in a healthy position to offer retreats,
etc. This new venture can provide the needed financial revenue to continue the mission and perhaps create a strong financial
base for the future. Please pray for this project as it unfolds. God’s grace, the creativity of province membership, and courage
resurrected the center building once before perhaps we need it again.
NEW NOVITIATE BEGAN JANUARY 21, 2008
With gratitude to our loving God, a new year of novitiate began on Monday, January 21, 2008. Upon the unanimous consent
of the provincial council, the recommendation of the Vocation Director, and the recommendation of the Board of Examiners
(Tim Keppel, Joe Malczyk, and John Nowak), we are blessed to have three men, Scott Coahran, Patrick Dwyer, and Delwyn
Haroldson begin this year of prayer and discernment. Our brother, Rich Grek, CR, has agreed to serve as Novice Director for
this year. A simple ceremony of investiture was celebrated during Evening Prayer on January 21, 2008 at which the members
of the Woodstock House, Jim and Mary Ivers, Patty Cardy, and yours truly attended. A dinner was held at the Bull Valley
Residence afterwards. The novices are residing at Resurrection Retreat and Conference Center, spending time in classes and
prayer, traveling to St. John the Baptist Parish in Johnsburg, IL weekly to work with Jerry Watt, CR. A sincere expression of
thanks ought to be extended to our vocation director and brother, Paul Sims, CR who coordinated the process by which these
men were admitted into the novitiate. Please pray daily for our novices and seminarians. God has certainly blessed us when so
many other religious orders are struggling with no vocations.
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NOVICE DELWYN HAROLDSON BIOGRAPHY
Delwyn(he prefers to be called ’Del’) is originally from Seattle, Washington and is the eldest of
four boys. Del is 49 years old. His dad is a retired school superintendent and his mom is a retired
secretary. Del’s mother is originally from Monterey, Mexico and Del speaks Spanish. Del has
been a CPA but most recently was a practicing lawyer in Boulder, CO. Del primarily worked
with Latino clients and provided a social justice ministry to the poor. Del has been active at his
parish, Sacred Heart in Boulder, CO. Del comes to us with great recommendations from his pastor
and others due to his profound dedication to helping the poor and solid spiritual life. Del is a
man of prayer and simplicity. He joins our other two novices, Scott Coahran and Patrick
Dwyer, profiled in the October edition of Quo Vadis. Please keep Del, Scott, and Patrick in your
prayers in this special year of novitiate