JUBILARIANS ALL! - Holy Name Province

WestFriars
Newsletter of the Saint Barbara Province of the Franciscans
VOLUME 43, No. 5
september/october 2009
JUBILARIANS ALL!
"On the morning of July 5, 1959, at Old Mission San Miguel, the Provincial, David
Temple, received a new class of novices.
"On the morning of July 5, 2009, at Mercy Center, Oakland, the five remaining from
that class [in order of age: Jan Honchosky, Louie Vitale, Angelo Cardinalli, Michael
Guinan, and Gino Piccoli] celebrated their golden jubilee.
“Louie presided at the Mass and Mike preached (less than 9 minutes!). Lunch followed
in the dining room with a number of friars from the area. Thanks to the artistry
of Franklin Fong, they each had name tags to keep them from getting confused."
Many thanks – Michael Guinan
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EDITORIAL MUSINGS
No guide book mentions Cliftonville, a quite unpretentious town in Kent, England.
It’s a sort of tired retirement village with a number of less than modest hotels
and boarding houses. Fortunately it does have a train station, encouraging
me to visit St. Anselm’s Institute to visit a Bangladesh priest who was spending
his sabbatical there.
The Institute is actually a renovated small hotel which offers an unique program, going on 20
years now, for bishops, priests and religious. Call it a renewal time or whatever—but apparently
it is quietly known world-wide.
What brings the place to mind is an article written by its director, Fr. Len Kofler, priest and
psychotherapist (The Tablet, 3 July 2009), who candidly admits that “I have spent many years
dealing with my own emotions and helping others to be constructive with theirs.”
He is convinced that not only in the formation years but throughout our lives, “…the emphasis
needs to shift from a mainly intellectual to a more experiential approach,” adding that “we
need a psycho-spiritual integration.”
While heads may nod in approval, he adds a most important zinger: “Spirituality without psychology
is not anchored. Psychology without spirituality is directionless.”
Proof Does anyone remember the tragic fad of “encounter groups” in the 60s and 70s The
damage done to individual friars was absolutely horrific. The great and appalling weakness
was to encourage participants to “let it all hang out,” only to find to their shocked dismay that
there was no one to put Humpty Dumpty together again.
Let’s be real: everyone is “wounded.” Usually the target is the “dysfunctional” (aka crazy)
family history. Let’s be more real: oftentimes the person never realizes the here-and-now but
subconscious effects of past, negative experiences.
Sr. Joan Chittister offers a concrete example:
“People in positions of authority know they aren’t being heard if the people they are trying
to direct turn every conversation into an adolescent struggle with the ghosts of their parents.”
Maybe there was some truth in the story told about Archbishop John J. Cantwell of Los Ange-
continued on next page
WestFriars
Editor: Warren J. Rouse, OFM . Layout, Design & Circulation: Ali Packard
Archives: Timothy Arthur, OFM
Submissions: (E-Mail attachment preferred) Frwarren@serraretreat.com or:
Warren Rouse, OFM PO Box 127 Malibu, CA 90265 Tel: 310.924.2124 Fax: 310.456.9417
2

les way back in the 40s. When a prospective
seminarian was proposed, his question was:
“Does he come from good stock” Somehow
the Archbishop was acutely aware that unresolved
family disorders needed first to be recognized
and then healed. Chittister is in tune
with this:
20 years and many clients are grateful proof
of this!
WJR
AWARDS FOR
KEITH DOUGLASS WARNER,
O.F.M.
“We have to learn to take the raw materials of
our lives and turn them into the stuff of sanctity.
We can’t wait for the perfect person or
the perfect environment to call us to spiritual
maturity.” (Emphasis mine.)
Throughout lives we’re called to do our
homework, the painful task of naming and
healing perhaps long-forgotten wounds that
subtly influence us today. As we understandably
and admirably look for help at times, one
may even recall, in very broad terms, that for
a time psychology reigned over spirituality.(
On the other hand, and perhaps in our own
day, there has been a conservative backlash:
spirituality may brush aside and disdain psychology.)
Thus the purpose of St. Anselm’s—and other
institutes—is to help the participants to acquire
deep faith, much confidence and a range
of social skills. But Fr. Kofler has a caveat:
“Secular counselors will not be able to understand
fully the special charism of priests
and Religious, and therefore will not be able
to help them to develop and grow in a holistic
way. Many counselors have no idea what
spirituality is, and therefore cannot tap into
the most important resources of the priestly
and religious vocation.”
What he calls for is the combined skills of
Christian counseling and spiritual direction.
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Congratulations on honors for Care for Creation!
It received the following Catholic Book
Award at the 2009 Catholic Press Association
convention in Anaheim, CA.
• 1st place, Social concerns- Care for
Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality of the
Earth (Ilia Delio, OSF, Keith Douglass Warner,
OFM, and Pam Wood). Judges wrote:
“Anyone concerned about the ecological crisis
has many resources on ‘green’ prayer, theology,
and action steps available to them. Care
for Creation is a welcome addition, though,
because of its delightful, readable content
and format. Firmly grounded in the Franciscan
tradition that sees God’s creation and the
Incarnation as ‘fully and integrally’ related,
the book contains science, theology, practical
advice, and inspiration, For the reader who is
equally devoted to both Jesus and to our fragile
world, this is a gem.”
• 2nd place, Spirituality, soft cover-
Care for Creation: A Franciscan Spirituality
of the Earth (Ilia Delio, OSF, Keith Douglass
Warner, OFM, and Pam Wood). Judges
wrote: “This timely book wonderfully presents
a Franciscan spirituality of creation and
the Incarnation, the implications of St. Francis’s
Canticle of Creation for the contemporary
world, the role of contemplative prayer
in light of global climate change, and the conversion
that is necessary for humanity to face
these challenges.”

2009-2010 Novitiate Class(from left to right) : Regan Chapman (Novice Master);
Michael Minton, Tom Frost (Assistant Novice Master), Phillip Polk and Ryan
Thornton.
MEET THE NOVICES
Phillip Polk, 27, is a member of the San Carlos Apache Nation in San Carlos, AZ. He has
known the Franciscans all his life as a member of St. Charlie’s Apache Catholic Community.
Before entering the formation program, Phillip was a fulltime caregiver for his elderly
grandparents. Phillip also spent a few years as a hotel restaurant manager for a Hilton resort
in Tucson, AZ.
Phillip was drawn to the friars because of their care for the poor and the transparency of the
community. Phillip is looking forward to this year of novitiate to deepen his prayer life and
further his discernment with the friars.
Ryan Thornton, 25, hails from Monrovia, California. He comes to the friars after having
spent a year as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Ryan is also a recent graduate
of Harvard and has a special interest in the work of Franciscan philosopher John Duns
Scotus.
Between college and seminary, Ryan spent a year in Ukraine teaching English at a Byzantine
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Catholic Seminary where he was exposed to
the spirituality of the Eastern Rites. As a result,
during novitiate he hopes to explore its
intersection with Franciscan spirituality for
his own development as well as to continue
in discerning God’s ever-unfolding plan.
Michael Minton, 46, is a native of Northwest
Indiana. He has worked supporting and
advocating for people with developmental
disabilities for almost 20 years. He has a
Masters degree in Non-Profit Management
and a BA in Sociology.
His initial exposure to Franciscans began
while in college and came to fruition after
moving to California. He is grateful for this
opportunity to discern his vocation in a more
intense, intimate, and trusting way.
The novitiate team wholeheartedly welcomes
Friar Tom Frost to this community and gives
great thanks to Friar Clifford Herle who
departs after six years.
LETTERS
About Br. Wenceslaus
vocation that unknown to me began that year.
I'm glad that I knew him. Kindly let this be
an item for the next issue of WestFriars. –
Barnabas Hughes, O.F.M.
About Moving
The BIG news for us friars here is the coming
“Changing of the Guard.” Tom Frost is
on his way to San Miguel to help in the novitiate,
and Ignatius has moved into Covered
Wells Village (Tom’s former place) and I’m
scheduled to move to Tularosa, New Mexico,
soon. This will happen when Ponchie Vaquez
is freed up from St. Elizabeth’s by his several
replacements, to take my place on the eastern
side of our San Solano Missions parish—
with a little luck by mid-August. The other
Brothers—Chris Best, Martin Sanabria and
Hajime Okuhara—are due before the end of
August.
I’ve been here for over 18 years now. It’s
absolutely amazing how much stuff has
accumulated in the process! Besides all my
regular work at present, I’m staring at this
Mountain of Stuff which needs to be (a)
sorted, (b) discarded, (c) carried along, and
(d) burned in effigy.
Wency was the first friar that I met, at the
time a tertiary brother and wore the capuche
only in public. It was during Holy Week,
1938. My grandmother lived in Santa Barbara
at the Upham Hotel and had invited me to
spend Holy Week with her. She showed me
how to walk to the Mission. I did. The Mission
was open. I found the gift shop. And
Wency with his beaming smile welcomed
me like a long lost brother. He never forgot
me. Always the smile, always the cheerful
greeting. His presence did much to foster the
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If I had more time/energy I’d send you a
beautiful reflection on my life and ministry
here…Maybe next time Max Hottle,
O.F.M.

Alfonso Joseph Floyd Lotito
July 28, 1934 – July 14, 2009
In our reflection for this afternoon, as we pay
tribute in sorrow and thanksgiving to our
Brother Floyd, our scripture reading has the
disciples “coming down the mountain” with
Jesus. (Lk. 6.17-21) His disciples follow him
into a large crowd from all over the world.
What do they see in the crowd: the sick, the
lame, the blind, those afflicted with exterior
diseases and internal pains, “those troubled
with unclean spirits.” They see human beings
just like themselves; they see people
who reach out—they want to be healed, to be
recognized, to make contact with God; they
wish to be included; they want bread, they
long to be touched with a blessing. And the
disciples see “power” come out from Jesus’
touch, and the words of blessing, not just
once but many times, every day, every moment,
to each single one:
Blessed are you poor,
the reign of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are hungry,
you shall be filled.
Blessed are you who are weeping,
you shall laugh.
Eventually, later on in their journey, the
disciples will see Jesus give to the people
not just food but the bread of life; they will
watch as he restores them to human dignity,
gives them hope with the promise of justice,
and proclaims with the witness of his own
death and resurrection the victory of life over
death. And the disciples, who have followed
Jesus, not away from the human community
but into it, receive the Lord’s Spirit, take
it into themselves, and his power comes out
from them, and his blessing, and they repeat
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his words: “Blessed are you poor;” and the
disciples proclaim a final justice, “the reign
of God is yours.”
Alfonso Joseph, later Floyd, Lotito was an
exceptional disciple of the Lord. We know
that because he did not flee from nor ignore
the world around him; he followed Jesus
down from the mountain and entered into
the human community of the Tenderloin;
and power came out from him. He blessed
everything in sight: dogs and cats, snakes
and hamsters, parakeets and doves, worms
and lizards, taxi drivers and muni travelers.
He blessed the people in baseball parks and
in neighborhood playgrounds; he blessed
the delegates of the Democratic national
convention and the Sacramento politicians;
he blessed meals for the poor and family
gatherings for the better off; he blessed old
women in their apartments and drug addicts
on the streets; he blessed the people in Pacific
Heights and in the avenues and people
whose home was the street; he blessed friars
in their Redwood city gatherings and lay folk
in their celebrations; he blessed a succession
of San Francisco mayors and the first woman
Speaker of the House.
When you bless someone, you give to them
your vitality, your soul, your wisdom, what
you hope for them; you acknowledge that
they mean something to you; you open for
them the gates of mercy and human dignity.
You touch them with healing power. Our
Lord says in the reading: "Blessed are the
poor."
Several months ago, Floyd, who taught me
dramatic arts and speaking over forty-five
years ago and with whom I had been privileged
to serve on the governing board of the

Franciscan friars, called me up and I came
over to visit him in San Francisco. We had
a breakfast meal together here at St. Boniface
and then went over to his office at St.
Anthony’s. He was getting very frail and
trying to make up his mind whether or not to
move from his homes here on Golden Gate
Avenue. A Franciscan friar and a priest, he
mentioned to me at that time what he considered
to be the two other major blessings
of his own life. He was able to bless because
he had first been blessed.
The first blessing he had received came from
his family.
• Born a son of Joseph, an immigrant
from Bari, Italy, and Filomena, a first generation
American of Calabrian parents, he never
forgot the blessings of his parents’ love. He
grew up with Michael, his brother, whose
premature passing affected him so deeply,
and his two beloved sisters, Madeline and
Frances. When I came over to see him he
spoke to me not so much about his own fears
but about his love for you: he did not want
to leave you.
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• Through his parents,
Alfonso Joseph possessed many
natural blessings from his Creator.
Believe it or not, he was a
gifted track star; later advanced
training would capitalize on
his exceptional public speaking
ability. But there is one
natural blessing to which I want
to call attention, because it so
often misunderstood. It was a
gift which few people have—a
certain naïve innocence, a core
simplicity which allowed him
to ascend to high places, plaster the walls of
his office with pictures of himself with truly
influential people, and tell everyone about it.
Every Italian male, it is said, has two words
inscribed on his license plate: Numero Uno,
and Floyd has sent to his Franciscan superiors
a daily log of his activities every month
for the last thirty years. Yet despite it all, he
remained remarkably unaffected: filled with
blessings, but to himself, still “poor brother
Floyd.” This was not affected; it was rather
God’s gift of Gospel simplicity.
• Floyd was southern Italian to the
core: good food, celebration, hospitality,
an absolute loyalty to a life of relationships
lived within the small orbit of a human family
of six, a Franciscan family, several close
families here in San Francisco, the family of
the Tenderloin. I think it rather typical that
he would die before he would permanently
move. His superiors, including myself,
tried to move him three times; he would not
budge. I used to think it was stubbornness,
and perhaps there was a little Calabrian
there. But I have come to understand it was
so much more. Floyd was not a wanderer
but a family settler—once in San Francisco,

he was here for forty-one years. His baseball
cap and forty-niner jacket testify to that. He
insisted on staying here not because he was
stubborn or because he needed to stay here,
but because he actually loved you and wanted
to be with you. Family was everything.
When Floyd became a Franciscan friar in
1953 and was ordained to the priesthood on
December 17, 1960, he began his life’s work
filled with the wonderful blessings of a deeply
priestly spirit grafted onto a loyal, open,
family oriented, compassionate, and gifted
nature.
Father Floyd Lotito celebrated his 70th birthday, cutting
the first piece of cake and tasting the frosting with
help from Cissie Bonini, manager of his beloved St.
Anthony Dining Room. After cake, he pitched in and
helped serve lunch to more than 2,000 homeless and
needy people in the Tenderloin.
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The second blessing Floyd acknowledged in
our conversation, was the poor. And here I
need not go through his long years at St. Anthony’s
or his work in the Tenderloin. The
staff, the donors, the bread line, the public
media, and, above all, his beloved guests
give great testimony to that. I simply want
to say in tribute that this blessing of the poor
was something that grew in him, and it grew
both through example and through adversity.
If you go into Floyd’s office you will see
there a picture of himself and Father Alfred;
you cannot understand the course of one
life without knowing the course of the other
life. When Alfred emerged, Floyd receded;
where Alfred led, Floyd followed; where
Floyd was acknowledged, Alfred lay hidden;
as Alfred declined, Floyd ascended. Yet
he was not to be the successor. It is a great
testimony to Floyd’s expansive heart that he
not only persevered but flourished. He found
himself blessed by the poor. He was one of
them, a brother to brothers and sisters. They
acknowledged him, opened their hearts to
him, gave him a sense of human dignity, and
touched him with healing power. He would
become their public advocate, their mediator
for justice, they his family. Every time he
signed the head of his “brother” or “sister”
with a cross, he found himself signed with
his own redemption. It was a wondrous
blessing exchanged between equals. If Floyd
was a priest for the poor, the poor were other
Christs for him.
In our last conversation, Floyd mentioned
that he had met the soon to be inaugurated
Barak Obama. As he told it in Lotitoesque,
he more or less bribed one of the Secret
Service men. However he got there, the
two great men stood face to face, the one
ascending to power, the other in all of his

Blessing of the Animals at St.
Boniface on the Feast of St. Francis,
October 4th.
frail dignity. If
there had been
a picture, you
could be sure
that it would
have gone up
on his wall,
and he would
have told us
about it! And
our Joseph
Alfonso Lotito,
our family
man—said
less than ten
words, posed
as a question, not only to the President of the
United States but to all of us: “What are you
going to do for the poor”
Floyd, I think, would want me to conclude
these formal reflections by simply saying to
everyone here on his behalf, “Thank you.”
And on our behalf, may I give to Floyd what
he so deeply gave to us, a blessing. The
sign and the words of this blessing are central
to our Franciscan tradition and they were
treasured by Floyd himself. Alfonso Joseph
Floyd, we who are now poor because of your
absence, sign you, our brother now rich in
life, with the following words:
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord let his face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you.
The Lord look upon you kindly and give you
peace.
The Lord bless you. (Num. 6.24-26)
Joseph P. Chinnici, O.F.M.
July 20, 2009
FUNERAL SERMON
Floyd Alfonso Joseph Lotito
74 years of age
56 years as a Friar Minor—Franciscan—
and in 2010 Floyd would have celebrated
50 years as a priest.
Son of Joseph Lotito and Filomena Pirri
Youngest brother of
Michael Lotito (deceased) and
older brother of May and Frances.
Classmate in the Franciscan Order with
Tom Frost, Loren Kerkof,
Ten days ago I returned from Rome to San
Francisco. I was working in the General Curia
near the Vatican for the last six years. One
of the highlights of the six years was that this
year 2009 – all of us, the Capuchins, the Conventuals,
the TORs and ourselves, the Friars
Minor-- together with the Poor Clares,
the Secular Franciscans and all the religious
Brothers and Sisters of the Franciscan Family
celebrated and are continuing to celebrate the
800th anniversary of the actual founding of
the Order.
We had celebrations all over the world and recently
we had a special one in Assisi. –The
late Pope John Paul II would often encourage
us to be with the people and to be friends of
the Poor. Recently, Benedict XVI reminded
us that one of the essential characteristics of
our charism is our life with the poor. We have
been challenged to be "Friends of the Poor".
Whenever I hear those words, I think of numerous
men and women that I have met during
my lifetime -- but the image that comes
to mind most often is that of Floyd Lotito.
Floyd loved the poor and it didn't happen
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overnight-- it took the grace of God, it took
many false starts, it took years of being with
the poor, speaking with them, listening to
them, sharing with them, struggling to understand
their feelings and their plight.
Floyd, with his paradoxes, his brokenness
and his human frailty-- yet with an almost
childlike confidence -- with hours of contemplation
on this Gospel text of Matthew
25 -- Floyd knew the poor; he understood the
poor; he was an advocate for the poor. Indeed,
Floyd was a friend of the poor!
Let me share with you how I think it happened.
Sixty years ago--1949—August: In a dimly
lit corridor of St. Anthony Franciscan Seminary
High School in Santa Barbara, CA, two
young men, 14 years of age, stood in a waiting
line to meet and be interviewed by the Rector
of the Seminiary. We had never met before--
we were new here--we both had gone to other
high schools the year before and we were entering
the seminary as sophomores. We knew
very few people in the place. Floyd was from
Los Angeles and I came from Phoenix.
Little did we realize that 60 years later one of
us would be preaching at the other's funeral.
Last year here at St. Boniface, when I was
close to death with cancer, Floyd anointed
me. As he prayed, we both cried. I felt then
that he would be preaching at my funeral.
During our days of formation in the seminary,
Floyd was a fine student as he possessed a
very clear and strong speaking voice -- he excelled
in public speaking. He took part in almost
all of the class plays and dramas. Floyd
enjoyed being on stage... he was very comfortable
there, very much at ease “on center
stage!”
Floyd made vows, was ordained, taught in
our high schools and returned to the minor
seminary to teach English and public speaking,
drama and forensics. He
coached a debate team that
won many statewide awards.
Father Floyd Lotito and Father Dan Lackie, Franciscan friars from St
Boniface Church in the Tenderloin, leave the field at Pac Bell Park after
blessing the field before the first game.
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Around 1964, the Provincial,
Terence Cronin, another fine
preacher of our Province,
recognized Floyd’s talent in
public speaking and assigned
him to study for a master’s
degree in public speaking/
rhetoric at Marquette University
in Milwaukee. While
in the Midwest, Floyd developed
his preaching skill and
he also made a deep, lasting
friendship with a wonderful
Italo-American and Irish-Pol-

ish extended family in Chicago. Floyd kept
contact with them for all these years. They
substituted for his California family when
Floyd received the "Distinguished Alumnus
Award" from Marquette several years ago.
In 1967, Floyd was transferred from Santa
Barbara to the Tenderlion. He was to preach
weekend retreats at the new retreat house, San
Damiano, in Danville, and at St. Francis Retreat
in San Juan Bautista. He would live here
and work at St. Boniface during the week.
(Later he would also teach preaching at the
Franciscan School of Theology in Berkeley).
At St. Boniface he worked closely with Alfred
Boeddeker, the founder of St. Anthony Foundation
-- it was sort of an apprenticeship for
Floyd. A few months later, he was asked to
assist Fr. Alfred.
Floyd worked in the Tenderloin for over forty
years. The Gospel of Matthew which we
just read provides us the scriptural basis for-
Floyd's concern for the poor. The text could
serve as a job description of the Foundation or
its mission statement. "I was hungry, thirsty,
homeless, sick, in prison, a stranger -- a marginalized
person and you took care of me.”
The question, " When, Lord, did I see you"
gives us a glance into Floyd's motivation during
his years at the Foundation, “into what
made him tick." Frequent reflection, contemplation,
conversation about the meaning of
this text strengthened within Floyd a deep,
childhood lesson that he learned from his
mother.
11
In a chapter written by House Speaker Nancy
Pelosi in a recently published book about
politicians who are believers, Nancy described
how she once asked Floyd the secret
of his perseverance during the forty plus years
of working with the Foundation. " Don't you
wear out, don't you ever get tired, don't you
ever feel like changing jobs" Floyd answered
her: " As a child and -- yes -- even as an adult,
my mother used to tell me often, 'Son, stay
close to the poor. Love the poor because God
loves the poor!'"
During his years with the Foundation--in
many different positions--Floyd grew to know
the poor and to love the poor. Floyd had many
friends and he loved us all -- he related with
us well, but we always knew that he had preference
for the poor. He was friends of many
archbishops, bishops, other priests, religious
brothers and sisters, rabbis, ministers, government
officials --both local and national--
people of wealth and power in our society and
in our nation -- and ordinary people from all
walks of life. Yet he never lost this friendship
with the poor.
He received awards from the Church, from
U.S. presidents, from mayors, and articles
were written about him in numerous national
publications. He was an author of a couple of
books. He was interviewed and praised by
well known people, he was a friend of news
reporters, a friend of Herb Caen and other
journalists, a friend of all the policemen in the
Tenderloin, a friend of taxi cab drivers whose
cabs he blessed, and of owners of all sorts
of animals whose pets he blessed around the
feast of St. Francis. The text of Matthew 25
came to life in brother Floyd.
Allow me to finish by talking briefly about the
three pillars in Floyd's life that offered him
structure and stability... the three loves in his
life.

He loved his family. His father died when he
was in high school. His family was a significant
priority for Floyd-- his immediate family
was very important to him. He kept contact
with them, spent quality time with them. They
gave him affirmation, warmth and strength.
They loved him very much. I am sure that
May and Frances will tell us that Floyd was
an exemplary, duitiful son, a loving brother, a
devoted uncle and a joyful cousin.
He loved his Franciscan family. He appreciated
the gift of his vocation very much. He
was a vital member of the Province. He served
on various committes and administrative positions.
He was especially good as a guardian of
the local community, both here and at St. Anthony's
on Cesar Chavez Street. He took the
responsibility seriously and tried to help us
grow. He would frequently bring in top-notch
guest speakers --experts -- to help us understand
the new changes in the Church and the
world around us. He sponsored many friars’
get-togethers in the Bay Area. For years he
published a monthly newsletter for all the
members of the Province. He even sent an extra
copy to me to give to the Minister General
in Rome.
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He loved St. Anthony Foundation and the
fine people of San Francisco. He was grateful
to John Hardin and his staff. The Foundation
over the years offered him a forum for his
ideas, it taught him new skills, gave him new
strategies and insights. It opened many doors
to him, it often challenged Floyd, and it allowed
him to give expression to his love and
concern for the poor in concrete ways.
And you, the dear people of the Tenderloin
and of the city of San Francisco, you affirmed
Floyd, you were patient and understanding
as he grew. You stood by him -- your generous
support and contributions definitely kept
the Foundation alive and flourishing. He was
grateful.
In conclusion, John of the Cross, the Spanish
mystic, once said, "In the evening of our life
we will be judged by Love."
We pray for Floyd at this Mass, as he stands
before the Just Judge, accompanied by all
these Franciscan Saints on the ceiling around
the altar – and many more, all those who love
the poor. Floyd, as you listen to the voice
of God saying, “I was hungry, I was thirsty,
I was homeless….” standing in “center
stage,” you will not have to ask the “when
question.” You learned the answer here on
earth in the Tenderloin.
We rejoice with you, Floyd, as the Lord invites
you, welcomes you. “ Come, enter the
kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world!” Floyd Alfonso Lotito,
may you rest in peace!
Fr. Finian McGinn, O.F.M.
STUDENTS REMEMBER FR.
FLOYD
One of the earlier posts on SASSEM was an
appeal to get back in touch with some of the
older OFMs we knew and loved at St Anthony's
who are now elderly and infirmed.
When word went out about Fr. Floyd's illness,
I began a correspondence with him and
he seemed really moved to get letters from
his old students. I only regret that I didn't go
to see him as I had planned to do. After another
note went out on the Franciscan prayer
list about Fr. Peter recently, I sent off a card
to him as well.

I imagine the pain that many of our brothers
felt from the abuse at St. Anthony's had to
have impacted on friars who were in the Order
at the time. Clem Wehe talked about this
with me a few years back at a SAS reunion.
I know that many friars eventually left out of
frustration, disappointment, disgust perhaps,
others for a variety of personal reasons. But
some very good men who remained watched
as their Order shrunk, faced bankruptcy and
faced great ordeals, many of these caused
by the individuals who brought shame to the
Order.
Fr. Floyd represents the good that attracted
many of us to OFM. Even into his old age
he dedicated himself to selfless giving and
service to the poor and disenfranchised.
May we be inspired by his witness and the
genuine spirit of Francis of Assisi. –Kevin J.
Belton '65
What a nice tribute he got. Did a lot of great
work--especially at the kitchen in SF. Of
course, we knew him as Lumpy Lotito--said
in fond memory. He tried to teach our class
Latin using a new style--speaking it....didn't
really work. Didacus '68
I remember Fr. Floyd from SAS in the early
'60s. Our paths never crossed after that, but I
am heartened that those who knew him well
confirm my positive impressions of him.
Who could forget those coke-bottle glasses
He had a quick wit and wry smile. He was a
warm, caring, and very "Franciscan"
friar. He is missed. Jerry, '65
on national TV. We met in the refectory
sitting in a circle. Fr. Floyd was one of the
few friars who was present. I recall how he
and Fr. Alberic compassionately listened to
the stories shared by former students, their
spouses and even children. I could see the
pain, confusion and shame he felt. His presence,
as well as that of the other friars present,
reinforced my belief that there were, and
still remain, great men among the friars who
continued to live by the teachings of Francis.
Fr. Floyd was such an inspiration to us to develop
our communication skills. He ensured
that the seals from the National Forensic
League and California High School Speech
Association were affixed to my diploma as
they were almost left off. Reading his eulogy
reminds us of the true calling we had
as young men to follow in the footsteps of
Francis as Fr. Floyd did. Ron '70
I have fond memories of Fr. Floyd too. Just
flashed on his attempt to lose weight with the
grapefruit diet! Greg’69
So sad to lose Floyd, he was always a joy to
be around and was truly a brother to his fellow
priests. He just radiated happiness when
you were with him. Whenever our paths
would cross, I always found him truly filled
with "Good News". No wonder the people
of San Francisco loved him so much because
we fellow friars experienced him the same
way. There was no pretense with Floyd; he
lived with his heart wide open. We are all
richer for having known him.
The last time I saw Fr. Floyd was at a SAS
reunion. It was the first time a group of us
met and began to talk about our experiences
shortly after news of the abuse at SAS was
13
Kevin, you put it so well that I can only second
your thoughts. And Jerry you are so right
to hold a high opinion of him, his life proved
the soundness of you assumption. He was

simply one of the best. And my dear Vince,
how generous of spirit you are to rise above
it all and realize friars like Floyd and Alberic
represent many more that struggle to serve
faithfully. They are truly worthy of our respect
and our love.
But sadly there will be less laughing and joy
now that Floyd has gone home. But heaven
is surely rocking tonight. Much love. Paz y
Bien. Matt'58.
I am so sorry to hear this. Floyd was a good
person who did a lot of wonderful things at
SAS and beyond. Dr. Arnie Witchel
I have not seen Fr. Floyd for some time, but I
always remember him as an especially loving
and caring Franciscan. In the years when
I left the seminary and we "exes" were persona
non grata around SAS and the mission,
Floyd invited me to his ordination. He was
a good friend at SAS and put that first. Few
men are so easy to love, and few of us love
so unconditionally. Alex ‘54
discard the jar. He was careful to put it on
a different side each day to ease the ache in
his back caused by the uneven load. Because
of its poor performance, the cracked jar felt
inferior to the sound jar. It was ashamed of
how it wasted the efforts of the water bearer.
After years of daily trips to the river, it could
no longer keep silent. One day it said to the
water bearer, “I am so sorry for my flaw. It
is unfair that you work so hard and only get
the result of half as much work because of
my imperfection. You should find another
jar that is as sound as my companion so your
efforts are not wasted.” The water bearer
walked on in silence for awhile and then
said, “You should not compare your work to
the work of the other jar. I need both of you
to accomplish the master’s work. I know of
your imperfection and have put it to good
use."
As they made their way up the mountain path
that day, the water bearer pointed out the
beautiful flowers that grew on each side of
the path. He went on to say:
Funeral Homily
For
EMERY RICHARD TANG, OFM
In China, there is an old story about two
earthen jugs that a water bearer carried to the
master’s house each day. He would loop the
handle of each over a pole across his shoulders,
fill them at the river and carry them up
the mountain path. Now—one of the jars was
badly cracked. It had a crack down one side
that caused it to leak half of its water before
arriving at the master’s house. The defect
was plain to see, but the water bearer did not
14
“For many years nothing would grow here.
The soil is dry and no one could take the
time to provide water for plants to grow. But
you have found a way to nourish the flowers
that takes no extra work. You please the
master not only with the water you bring to
his house, but the water you spill along the
way which has given us this garden of beautiful
flowers.”
In the beginning God’s design for all of
creation was as perfect as the sound jar in
our story: there were no cracks in God’s
jar. God’s vision for humankind was perfect
and precious. God did not make suffering,

pain, sickness, and death. God fashioned all
of creation to be life-giving and worthy of
God’s loving touch.
However, weak water bearers came along
and damaged God’s creation just as the
cracked jar had been damaged. What was
once a beautiful piece of pottery now had
a bad crack. Where there was once light
and life, now there was darkness and death.
Where there was once hope and love, now
there was despair and hate. So creation was
damaged and we seem at times to be like that
cracked jar of the water bearer: futile, useless,
and wasting.
But God’s intention did not waver; God’s
intention remained the same. God intended
that our jars would be whole—that our jars
would produce life. God did not make
death. God did not put the crack in the
jars of our life. Nor was God content to sit
back and allow death to have the final word,
to have death drain us of all life. In other
words, no way was the crack in our jars going
to make us useless and wasteful.
Something would have to happen to that
cracked jar to make it a beautiful piece of
pottery again. And so the God-man named
Jesus was born into the world as one of us,
to experience suffering and death from the
inside. But from Jesus’ death, from the crack
in Jesus’ jar, God would fashion something
new for the human race and for all of creation.
Jesus then would use death itself--the
crack in the jar--to give life, everlasting life.
From Jesus’ jar, flowers would be watered
and blossom. So Jesus did not abolish death:
he knew he would die; he knew he had to
die; he was ready to die. And why Because
with his death, death would cease to be the
15
enemy. Oh, I do not mean that with Calvary,
on Calvary, death became easy; it did not. I
mean that on Calvary Christ gave death a
new look, a fresh meaning.
What this new meaning is can be said quite
simply: from the death of Jesus Christ, life
was born, not only for him but also for us.
That, which was thought to be useless and
cracked, now gives life. And gardens are
watered and beautiful flowers bloom for all
to enjoy and to praise God.
There is a danger that each of us leave the
jar of our life untouched because we fear the
cracks that are there. We feel that they are
too deep, too wide, too broken. The cracked
jar in the parable felt sorry for the water
bearer because the jar felt it wasn’t doing its
job. If we look at our jars and put them in
the corner to collect dust, then indeed we can
end up being useless; we end up wasting precious
life. But through Jesus God invites each
one of us to use the cracks in our jar to water
the gardens of our lives to create new life, to
create our own garden of flowers. Jesus used
the crack in his jar to create new life and so
he tells us: “Whoever serves me must follow
me and where I am, there will be my servant”
( John 12:26).
Today we come together to praise our God
for Emery Richard Tang’s life and his beautiful
garden. As you well know, Emery was a
master gardener and took great pride in his
flowers. In Emery’s own words:
“The loveliness of flowers in my life is a constant
reminder of God’s marvelous creativity
and never-ending thoughtfulness and care.
Blossoms show me that with each “ohh” and
“ahhh” I breathe, God the unseen is some-

where in the wings, smiling at my pleasure."
(FFJ, p. 71)
We gather then to honor a good man who did
not put his jar aside to collect dust. Rather,
he faithfully and constantly hauled the water
of life so that he could grow beautiful flowers
in his garden, which were only a sign of
God’s tremendous love for each of us.
Emery walked up and down the path of life
for eighty-one years. That is a lot of walking.
Sometimes the walk was easy for him;
sometimes the path was rocky, but he never
gave up; he never quit. He faithfully carried
the jar of water each day of his life—spilling
his life so that his garden could grow. Today
let us look at that garden he watered and
some of the flowers in that garden.
but more importantly, he is at home with his
knowledge; it rests lightly yet securely upon
him. Doesn’t that picture of the wise man of
the Scriptures describe Emery perfectly
It has been this gift of wisdom that has been
the source of all that he has done—whether
it was teaching in a classroom, sitting in a
principal’s office, preaching from the pulpit,
producing communications media, taking a
photo or writing a book, planting a garden—
all of it has been about preaching God’s
Word with wisdom.
In Emery’s own words of wisdom:
On forgiveness: “Those who do not forgive
destroy the bridge over which they may one
day need to pass.” FFJ, p. 118
But first, let me be clear about these flowers
that I will identify. I found these flowers in
his own writings, especially in his last book,
FOOD FOR THE JOURNEY. These are the
flowers that gave him the greatest joy, and he
shared them with us.
The first flower in his garden is the gift
of wisdom. On the occasion of his 50th
Jubilee as a priest, I said in my homily that
of “all the gifts he had received from God
and his parents, the one gift that stands out
is wisdom.” This is the wisdom who hastens
to make herself known to those who
desire her. And God has made his Wisdom
known through Emery’s life and ministry. In
the Scriptures, the wise person is the expert
in the art of good living. Passion does not
sear him; he is self-possessed. Wrath does
not wrack him; he is patient; he is cool He
is a knowledgeable man; he’s mastered a
field, may even have academic knowledge,
16
On generosity: “If only there were a simple,
inescapable way to be convinced that sharing
my gifts and goods, not amassing or wasting
them, is the key to the happiness that is so
desirable but so elusive in life.” FFJ, p.54
On life’s accomplishments: “Looked at with
the proper perspective, I’ll never be able to
accomplish all I would like to do, but I know
I have all the time I need to do what God
would have me do.” FFJ, p. 57
Now, in God’s own Word from the Wisdom
of Solomon:
I learned both what is secret and what
is manifest,
for wisdom, the fashioner of all things
taught me. (7: 21-22)
Oh, yes, wisdom is definitely a flower in Emery’s
garden.
The second flower in his garden is the be-

lief that the love of God, the love of others,
and the love of self is the secret of good living.
This belief was not only the heart of his
teaching and preaching, but it was the heart
of who he was as a man, a friar, and a priest.
His message was quite simple: love is doing
good to others. No strings attached. Period.
He encouraged us to do good because we
should want to do good. It is the motive that
counts. And the good must be unilateral—
nothing expected in return--and that is risky
business. Emery challenged us to risk love
because deep down we are all afraid of being
taken. And the basis of this love must be the
love of Christ. He says, “I am convinced that
there is only one truth—the love of Christ.”
And the acceptance of that love requires a
willingness to change: our attitudes, our
prejudices, our opinions, our positions on all
kinds of issues. Yes, love is risky business,
but we should not fear. Emery took great
consolation in St. Paul’s words: “For I am
convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels,
nor rulers, nor things present, nor things
to come will be able to separate us from us
from the love of God” (Rom 8: 38-39).
approach to being Godlike. The result is that
I share more abundantly in the beatific joy
that is God’s nature.
For Love to be Love, it first of all must be
freely done. It can’t be forced or legislated.
I have to want and choose to do good for
someone, starting with myself. That is the
real power and beauty of love.” FFJ, pp. 95
– 96.
Now in God’s own Word from the Gospel of
John:
“As the Father loves me, so I also love
you. Remain in my love.
This is my commandment: love one
another as I love you” (15:9-12).
Oh, yes. Love is definitely a flower in his
garden.
The third flower I find in his garden is the
commitment to a world in which there is
justice for all. For the Jews of old, NOT to
execute justice was NOT to worship God.
In Emery’s own words of love:
“Love is God, without beginning and without
end. God is all-good, forever pouring out
goodness. God can’t do anything else. It’s
impossible for God to run out of goodness
and to stop giving. Conversely, it’s impossible
for God to do anything which is not good
or which is bad. Love can only do what is
good."
“The amazing fact is that I am made in God’s
image. This means that I am created out of
God’s love in order to love and, of course, to
be loved. The more I love, then, the closer I
17
For Emery, NOT to preach justice is NOT to
preach the gospel. In his preaching he would
often point to the violence and division in
Church history and ask, “Is this the result of
Jesus’ coming I guess God is having a hard
time communicating.”
Therefore, he was not afraid to take on the
justice issues of his day: nuclear war, the
death penalty, the homeless and the hopeless,
the senior abused and confused, the teenage
mother hooked on coke and the teenage
boy taking his gun to class, the millions too
discouraged to look for work, the unnumbered
hearts that harbor hate, eyes empty of

hope, stomachs bloated with hunger. Emery
preached not only a gospel of hope to them,
but a gospel of love about them.
One of the most poignant justice-words he
preached was a Telespot produced by Franciscan
Communications. In this short spot,
a finely dressed woman is walking up to a
church in downtown Los Angeles. As she
goes up the steps of the church, she passes a
homeless person sitting there. She turns and
gives a look of disdain. And as she is about
to enter the Church, the picture freezes.
Then comes the voice:
‘If you don’t find God out here, you certainly
won’t find him in there.” You can just picture
Emery saying those words while giving
that look of his that spoke volumes.
Now in God’s own Word from the Gospel of
Matthew:
“And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell
you, just as you did it to one of the least of
these who are members of my family, you
did it to me” (25:40).
he prized your friendship by the way he kept
in touch by word and deed.
In Emery’s own words of friendship:
“Without any qualification, my friend is my
life’s most precious treasure. Again and
again, I praise and thank God for so wonderful
a gift: someone who truly cares for
me, anticipating and providing for my needs
and who will stop at nothing to provide for
my well-being, asking nothing in return…
Friendship is a warm blanket of comfort and
security in which I can wrap myself during
conflict and struggle. My friend lends a
sympathetic ear to my travails and comforts
me when I am afflicted by grief. When I embark
on a new endeavor I can always count
on my friend for honest analysis, advice and
support. When I am underway, my friend
stands by me with encouragement and honest
criticism through ups and downs of any
undertaking. If I veer off course or become
distracted, my friend rouses me and straightens
me out.” FFJ, p. 46
Now in God’s own Word from the Gospel of
John:
Oh, yes. Justice is definitely a flower in his
garden.
Finally, the last flower I have identified is
family and friendship. This is really one
flower in his garden. For Emery, if you were
a member of his family, you where his friend
and, if you were his friend, then he considered
you his family.
To Emery’s family: you know how much he
loved you and he knew how much you loved
him. He was always there for you and you
for him. And to his friends: you know how
18
“And I will soon show to you and to everyone,
there is no greater love than to lay down
your life for your friend. I have shared all of
this so that you can share in my own infinite
joy, and then, my beloved friend, your joy
will be complete” (15:10-15).
Oh, yes. Family and friendship is definitely
a flower in his garden.
Now these are only some of the flowers in
his garden, watered from Emery’s jar of life.
But those certainly are not the only flowers.

You see, he has a flower for each of you. He
grew it just for you. Today, look at it, appreciate
its beauty, honor it, celebrate and praise
God and Emery for it, and then share your
flower with another.
And for Fr. Emery. Indeed there is much to
mourn as there was much to mourn on Calvary.
We shall have to wait for the resurrection
on the last day before we see that inviting
smile of his, before those sharp eyes look
at us, before we hear that melodious voice
with his words of wisdom and challenge. All
of that is sad—no matter how profound our
faith.
But the thrilling truth remains: Emery is
alive with God. In the presence of God,
there is only God, there is only Love. In the
presence of God, every cracked jar pours
forth the water of life.
And now, finally, in God’s own Word from
St. Paul:
“No eye has ever seen nor ear heard nor has
any mind ever conceived the things God has
prepared for those who love him.” (I Cor
2;9).
And so, Emery, my teacher, my brother and
my friend, rest well as you enjoy the mansion
God has prepared for you. Now it is
time for you to walk in God’s garden where
with each flower God is saying to you, “Emery
Richard Tang, I love you.” AMEN
Melvin A. Jurisich, OFM
Ex. Min. Prov.
St. Bonaventure’s Church
Huntington Beach, CA
And we who remain What of us We have
our memories, of course, and they are precious.
But there is more, much more. Emery
Richard Tang is not merely a memory, he
is part of us. He is built into our lives. His
wisdom and smile, his kindness and love,
his friendship and service—all have seeped
into our lives. Because of him and his life as
a friar and priest, we are more human, more
life-giving, more blessed.
And now, finally, in Emery’s own words:
“And so, in these remaining years my goal
is to accept the challenge to ‘fight the good
fight’ to the end, as Paul urged his friend
Timothy (I Tim 6:12). Then what an enormously
thrilling and wondrous moment it
will be to discover the full answers to life’s
who, what, when, where and why.” FFJ, p. 5
19
FR. EMERY REMEMBERED
Sad to read about Fr. Emery’s passing in the
July WestFriars. In the fall of 1944 my father
had to make an unexpected trip from Gallup
to Los Angeles on business. He then took
the train to Santa Barbara to visit me. At the
portals of S.A.S. the first person he met was
Fr. Emery, a 5th year seminarian, to inquire
how to find me. A brief encounter! In his
early 50s, some 50 years after that encounter,
my father, out of the blue, surprised me with
a most pleasant question: “Is that Chinese
still there” My father still remembered our
Viking captain for his graciousness.
My wife met Fr. Emery when we went to the
ordinations of Frs. Barry, Elias and Mario in
December, 1956. She has remembered him

well ever since. In 1993 Fr. Emery sent us a
copy of his Franciscan Life, courtesy of Marvin
and Kathy Woelffer. Since 1996 I began
using his book as my own mini-necrology to
keep the respect of our “risen” Franciscans.
And now Fr. Emery!
My two favorite publications are WestFriars
and Fr. Mel’s “Franciscan Bridges.” I look
forward to them! Arthur Lente, Albuquerque,
NM.
Dear Warren,
Thank you for your well edited WestFriars
and for an opportunity to remember Emery.
He was a life-long friend and inspiration.
The memories stretch far back to those blistering
summer days in Phoenix (you, Warren,
were also there). We were home from St
Anthony's and part of Fr. Brian's "brigade".
We met for Mass, movies and various activities,
including an end-to-summer vacation in
northern Arizona.
After ordination in 1955, I was fortunate to
join Emery, Frs. Ronald and Marion at St.
Elizabeth's in Oakland. As in everything, he
was a gifted teacher--humorous and friendly,
yet mixed wth firmness when needed. His
stage plays and musicals were professionaly
produced and directed--another one of his
many talents.
My wife and I are parishioners at Sts. Simon
and Jude where Emery had been in residence.
It was truly a gift to "catch" him and
visit from time to time. He never lost that
quick wit and ready
smile. Patrick D. O'Connor
THE CHARISM OF
ADMINISTRATION
Administration as a call from God and the
church (and the Province) has the potential
to make more out of us. It makes us more
whole, more humble, more courageous.
It expands our vision and our capacity to
love. It marks on us the pattern of Christ,
moving through death to new hope. If we
believe in the future of the Church and society,
the work we undertake is absolutely
essential. It is essential for the institutions
in which we serve. It is essential for the
people of God as a whole. It may even be
essential for us and the working out of our
own salvation. Administration can be a
great spiritual adventure. [Ann M. Garrido
America: July 6-13, 2009]
Pope Benedict XVI
A TRUE PILGRIM
By Father Garret Edmunds, OFM
On Pope Benedict’s last day in the Holy Land,
I was assigned the modest task of helping
to facilitate the passage through security of
those guests invited to be part of his visit to
the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. There were
about 280 invited guests including clergy, religious
and lay people, and representing both
the local Christian communities and those
who, like the Pope, were visiting the Holy
Land
At one point, during a lull in the arrival of
the guests, a French journalist asked if he
could interview me. His question was simply,
“What is the significance of the Pope visiting
the Holy Sepulchre on the last day of his visit
20

to the Holy Land” A perfect question for me
since I spend most of my time in the Holy
Land working with people, like the Pope, who
have come here as pilgrims.
My answer was that for every Christian pilgrim
to the Holy Land the culmination of
pilgrimage in this land is the arrival and visit
to the Holy Sepulchre or the Basilica of the
Resurrection. In this Church the Pope was,
like countless pilgrims before him, able to remember
Christ’s crucifixion, death, burial and
resurrection and enter more deeply into these
central mysteries of our salvation.
There were for this visit some moments of
public prayer and words spoken by both the
Holy Father and the Latin Catholic Patriarch
of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Fouad Twal, to
the invited guests. The Pope was welcomed to
the Holy Sepulchre in the traditional Solemn
Entry ceremony by the Franciscan Custos of
the Holy Land, Fr. Pierbattista Pizzaballa,
O.F.M. And his entry to the Basilica was accompanied
by singing of the Te Deum by the
Franciscans present. The Franciscans have for
more than 600 years represented the interests
of the world’s Catholic population- we are the
“custodians” of the Holy Land – at the Holy
Sepulchre.
These were the parts of the Holy Father’s visit
to the Holy Sepulchre the world and guests inside
would have seen, heard and experienced.
But the most important parts of his visit to this
place, which is arguably the holiest site in all
of the Christian world, were quiet and private.
The Pope not once, but thrice went to pray by
himself- in the empty tomb of Christ, in the
Blessed Sacrament Chapel, and at the place
on Calvary where Jesus died.
He was clearly moved by each of these mo-
21
ments of personal prayer. At Calvary he even
broke from the well planned program and
asked, like do hundreds of other pilgrims who
visit each day, to light a candle at the place
where Jesus gave up his life for our redemption.
It was an unexpected gesture, spontaneous
on the Pope’s part, and prompted the
question afterwards as to who would have
paid the normal donation to the Greek Orthodox
sacristan responsible for dispensing the
candles.
When in the normal course of my ministry I
am trying to animate the visit of pilgrims to
the Holy Sepulchre, I always strongly recommend
that, after they have visited the Church,
they take the time to truly experience this holy
place by spending some time in quiet, personal
prayer. Without doing so the time spent in
the Holy Sepulchre is time spent as a tourist.
Including the time for prayer, indeed making
it the priority of a visit to the Holy Sepulchre
as did the Pope, is what makes a real pilgrim’s
experience of this holy place.
Following the Pope’s return to Rome on Friday
those whose job it is to do so began their
analysis of his visit. Those who approached
their analysis from a secular or political viewpoint
gave these visits modest marks. There
were no major gaffs, but also no major milestones
on the road to resolving the serious
conflicts that mark the relationships of peoples
in this part of the world. The Pope’s presence
did serve as a focus on the need to rethink the
ways people here and elsewhere view their
neighbor and relate to them, but only time
will tell what fruits that message bears.
To form an option of Holy Father’s visit to the
Holy Land from this worldly vantage point is
to miss the reason he made this journey. He
came, as he often said, as a pilgrim, represent-

ing the pilgrim Church. He addressed the issues
that affect the lives of all peoples, but he
more importantly reminded those who paid
attention to his words and actions that only by
encountering the transcendent made present
in the incarnate Lord can we hope to continue
to make progress toward the Kingdom of God
- a kingdom of peace, grace and reconciliation.
Pope Benedict XVI was a true pilgrim during
his visit to the Holy Land, helping us to
remember that our lives with one another and
with God in this world are a pilgrimage to
the fullness of life God promises in time and
space and in dimensions of being that extend
beyond time and space.
(Reprinted with permission from Holy Land
Franciscans, courtesy of Fr. Jeremy Harrington,
O.F.M., Commissary of the Holy
Land in Washington, D.C.)
OUR MISSIONARIES
DAVID GAA AND BUREAUCRACY
It is the end of July, and I am writing from
Washington, DC, where it is very hot and humid.
I came here at the end of last week for a
new visa for Kazakhstan. I remember writing
for WestFriars last time and at the end of
my letter saying that receiving a new visa
for Kazakhstan was not much of a problem,
while John Gibbons had a much harder time
in Russia.
Well, things have changed. About two weeks
ago, when I was in Kazakhstan, I went to the
immigration police to begin the process of
applying for a new visa and they told me that
I now had to return to my home country to
22
receive my visa and not just apply for a new
visa in Kazakhstan like I had for the past 6
years.
The way the system works is that in order to
get anything besides a tourist visa you need
an invitation by a recognized organization
and this is no major hassle since the Diocese
is an inviting organization. Then with a letter
from them you go to the immigration police
who then give you yet another letter that you
then go to the justice department to receive
the visa. The process normally takes just
about a week.
But now everything had changed and I could
not just cross the border into Kyrgyzstan or
go just to Rome, but had to go all the back to
the States. I couldn’t believe it and even the
parish lawyer, the Vatican Embassy or the
Diocese could not budge the police, so off I
went to Washington. This is all very odd as
the new system does not apply to the other
friary located in a different political jurisdiction.
According to the Vatican Embassy the new
visa problems are only affecting the region
where I live and one other region in Southern
Kazakhstan. In all the other regions religious
and priests are not having problems getting
new visas. There really is no real system of
law in Kazakhstan, but the law is just interpreted
by whomever one is dealing with.
Just my luck; so here I sit in Washington DC.
My new visa is supposed to be ready at the
end of the week and then it is back to Kazakhstan
I go.
I am staying at the Commissariat of the Holy
Land in DC and it is a huge place. Fr. Jeremy
Harrington, who was the visitor to our

Province, I guess like 12 years ago, is the
guardian and a very welcoming host. It was
good to see him again. A pleasant surprise is
that I ran into Garrett Edmunds, home from
the Holy Land for an operation. He is still
in recovery but is able to sit at meals and we
visit-- he telling me about his work in the
Holy Land and I telling him about my life in
Kazakhstan. It was very nice to talk to someone
from the Province.
I have been kind of bummed out lately about
this whole visa runaround. John Gibbons still
has it much worse that I do, since he still has
to leave every three months, while I have
to leave just once a year. This week he is
leaving St. Petersburg for Sweden where he
hopes to get yet another three months visa,
but the good news for him is that, after this,
he should be able to receive residence-- or so
he hopes. So John has it worse than I but I
am still very bummed out.
It is part of the problem of working in the
Russian Foundation: the constant hassles
with the visas, documents, permissions and
what not…Sometimes it just gets to be too
much. And the tendency is to just throw
up your hands and say, “ I can’t take it any
longer,” and the return to your home Province
or go elsewhere. Sometimes, late in the
evening, when I am really tired or it has been
a really bad day, I especially feel this despair.
Muslim neighbors are kind; it is just the government
that is a constant problem. So I try
to live in hope and plug along and figure that
tomorrow just has to be better.
Not much else to report in this letter. Summer
is great in Kazakhstan. It gets really
hot, not quite as hot as it did when I was in
Tucson, but still quite hot. Like Arizona, it is
a dry heat and so it is not too bad. The days
are long and I work in the garden every evening
as it starts to cool down. The markets
become full of fresh fruit and vegetables,
which are really nice to get since in the winter
months it is just impossible to get fresh
produce.
We have our little kids’ summer camp program
and then a week or 10 days retreat
with the youth of the parish and that is about
all for the summer. The college-age young
people come back from the universities they
go to in Poland and Russia to visit with their
families, so it is always nice to see them
again. After they graduate they rarely if ever
come back to Kazakhstan. And that is about
all; life goes on and is mostly very good….I
am thankful that I am optimistic by nature.
Until next time; please keep the Foundation
in your prayers.
But then, on the other hand, I feel very committed
to the young Russians coming to be
friars, and to the struggling Catholic community,
and so I try not to stay in despair but
focus on what is wonderful and good about
my life over here. And there I have much to
be thankful for in our life in the Foundation.
The parish people are great and my local
23

TOMMY KING
REPORTS
Even though these are very
tough economic times for
most people, my Franciscan
brothers and many
individuals have been very
generous in their support.
After some encouragement
from my bishop and others
who work with me in
ministry, I made the investment
in April to put a
roof on the parish boat to
protect those who travel in
it from the rain and, most
importantly, the intense tropical sun. It is a
great gift on the regular trips I make to the
north of the parish when I spend three to four
hours traveling. Alleluia! Below is a photo
of the renovated parish boat before I head out
to visit some of the villages with the support
of animators Telma Ruiz and Ivan Rengifo.
Although Mothers Day is very important in
the United States, it is celebrated even more
intensely in Latin America. Where I live,
activities crank up a week before the second
Sunday in May with musical numbers by the
school kids, parades, barbecues and more.
Needless to say, it is very important to honor
all the mothers at Mass that day. Mauro
Ribeiro, a very dedicated animator for many
years in the village of Puerto Enrique, died
suddenly in December. I was able to visit
his village on Mothers Day to honor him and
all the mothers during a Mass in the village
chapel. It is a wonderful faith community
and, fortunately, two other men have volunteered
to serve there as animators. Above
is a photo of me with the mothers of Puerto
Enrique.
As we celebrate the eighth centenary
of the Franciscan Order
this year, it seemed important
to deepen our relationships with
our sisters and brothers in other
Christian churches. I invited
Pascual Vasquez, the pastor from
a Pentecostal church in Tierra
Blanca, and the members of his
church to join us for Mass on
24

Trinity Sunday (June 7th).
Pascual read the Gospel and
preached. Our parish community
was very hospitable.
They served refreshments
to our visitors after Mass
as they sang hymns from
their tradition. Pascual said
he wants to invite us to his
church in November. To the
right is a photo is a photo
of members of the two faith
communities who participated
in the reception after
Mass. You can see Pascual
directly under the crucifix holding his Bible.
We only have two seasons in the junglewinter
(mild temperatures with lots of rain)
and summer (hot with less rain). By June we
are in full summer and Gerard is fulfilling
principal’s duties and teaching religion every
day (The school year in Peru is April to December).
Although Gerard is a very efficient
administrator, he clearly is most happy in the
classroom. Below is a photo of him at work
at the beginning of this month. Along with
the attentive students, notice Gerard’s perspiration-filled
shirt and chalk on his pants.
After four years of faithful service, the outboard
motor of the parish broke down just
days before I needed to go the village of San
Lorenzo to celebrate with them the vigil of
the feast of Saints Peter and Paul on June
28th. Fortunately, there was a boat available
to rent. We went in a peke-peke (a canoe
with a motor named for the noise the motor
makes). The six-hour trip in
the tropical sun was much
slower than the parish boat
but, fortunately, it did not rain
going or coming. Alleluia
again! On the next page is a
photo of me with Sr. Guadalupe
and Karen Briones who
joined me on the trip to liven
up the liturgical celebration
with some music.
Thanks again for all of your
prayers and donations! In
these difficult financial times,
I deeply appreciate the sacri-
25

small villages on the Tohono
O’odham Nation after 26
years.
Father Tom, who is 78-yearsold,
embodies the gentleness
and humility that are the
characteristics of the Franciscan
Friar. And, characteristically,
Father Tom would just
smile, shake his head and say,
“Oh, boy!” if you were to tell
him that.
fices you are making to financially support
my ministry. God bless you.
TRIBUTE TO
FR. TOM FROST, O.F.M.
Bishop Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson
I am very happy to share with you my visit
on Saturday to the community of Sacred
Heart Mission on the Tohono O’odham Nation.
“A Franciscan Farewell” is the best title
I can think of for this visit, although
some other titles came to mind, such
as, “32 Times around the World” and
“The Many Hats of Father Tom.”
Father Tom greeted me at the
small rectory that is adjacent
to the beautiful stone church of the Sacred
Heart and invited me in. The living room, the
tiny bathroom, the closet size walk-in shower
and the bedroom of his rectory speak volumes
of the life of simplicity that Father Tom
has led these past 26 years.
His bedroom doubles as an office. On a filing
cabinet in the bedroom/office is an old TV
set. Of course, the set doesn’t get any signals
after the change to digital transmission.
The living room is a well-organized conglomeration
of books, boxes and belongings.
The occasion of my visit to the mission,
which is in the small village of
Covered Wells and a nearly two hour
drive from Tucson, was the farewell
Mass and celebration for Father Tom
Frost, O.F.M., who is leaving his
ministry to the people in dozens of
26

Every surface has something on it. On the
corner of a cabinet is a stack of five straw
hats that Father Tom has worn over the years
for sun protection. He gave a sixth hat, a gift
years ago from Bishop Moreno, to a visitor
who didn’t have one.
The rectory is cooled by two small wall air
conditioners and is heated by an ancient
wood stove that is by the front door. A PC
tower in front of the stove makes quite a contrast
of technologies.
The community of Sacred Heart is celebrating
its feast day on Saturday, a day after the
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. Traditionally,
the people celebrate the feast day with a
Mass, procession and a big fiesta. This feast
day, the people have the joy of their traditional
gathering and also the sadness of saying
farewell to Father Tom.
For this special occasion, the people have
erected a big tent, brought all the way from
Tucson, and they have prepared huge pots of
chili, menudo and beans on grills fueled by
mesquite. The sweet pungency of the burning
mesquite and the wafts of smells arising
from the bubbling pots of food are a treat for
the nose!
Father Tom does a few last minute ministries
before the Mass begins: the “ministry” of
moving chairs and the ministry of preparing
the parents of little Kayla, who is going
to be baptized during the Mass. Father Tom
opens what he calls his “suitcase sacristy”
and props it open with a smooth stick that
has served this purpose many, many times.
He removes the implements and cloths for
the Mass, including the beautifully woven
baskets that are so culturally important to the
Tohono O’odham.
Father Tom is not sure how many suitcases
he has gone through over the years;
maybe this suitcase is the third or fourth to
serve as his sacristy. The suitcase is an essential
tool of his ministry. Each week, he
drives hundreds of miles to isolated villages
to say Mass, to administer sacraments and,
for what he says has been the hardest part
of his 26 years of ministry on the Nation, to
comfort grieving families and to bury their
dead. The number of funerals
he has presided at reflects the
toll in the Nation from health
problems such as diabetes and
substance abuse.
27
Hundreds of miles each
week for 26 years: more than
200,000 miles in his first
pickup; more than 200,000
miles in his second pickup;

and, in
his third
and current
white
pickup,
more than
400,000
thousand
miles.
That’s
more than
32 times
around
the world!
When
your parish
(San
Solano
Missions parish) is a big as the state of Connecticut,
that’s how much you would drive in
26 years as a parish priest.
Father Tom told me that he changed the oil
for the last time last week on his trusty white
pickup. The pickup will be retired, but not
Father Tom. He is going to be the assistantdirector
of the Franciscan formation house at
San Miguel starting next month. One other
thing about all those miles: Father Tom says
he had driven for 25 years without a collision
with an animal – not a single coyote
or jackrabbit or deer or cow – until
just a few weeks ago. He was on the
road and spotted some cattle on his
left, and while he was keeping his eye
on them and slowing down, a cow
suddenly moved in front of him from
the right, hitting the pickup’s right
headlight and bumper. Father Tom
looked in the rear view mirror and
saw the cow was lying down. “Darn
it,” he thought, “now I am going to
28
have to butcher it.” But by the time he turned
around and returned to the spot of the collision,
the cow had disappeared. Father Tom
said he hoped St. Francis had intervened and
that the cow would be OK.
Deacon Alfred Gonzales, Father Tom and I
vested in the church. Sacred Heart truly is a
beautiful church. Your eyes are drawn to the
ceiling made of hundreds of segments of saguaro
cactus ribs. People from many villages
in the Nation were present for Mass, including
the choir from St. Seraphin Mission in
the village of Ak Chin.
Father Tom’s homily was a message about
God’s all encompassing love for us and how
our respect for ourselves and respect for our
brothers and sisters witness to His love. He
concluded his homily by telling the people
that he hoped he had not caused hurt to anyone,
and that if he had caused hurt, he asked
their forgiveness.
The baptism of little Kayla (I think she is
18-months-old) was beautiful to witness.
Father Tom was patient and good humored
as she squirmed, and after Kayla wailed
when he dripped water on her face from a
shell, he told the people that from his time in

the Philippines he learned that when a child
cries during Baptism it means the evil one is
no longer present, so it was a good sign for
Kayla when she cried.
After Communion, Father Tom invited me to
speak, and it was my joy to share these feelings
and thoughts:
“This is the year for priests that Pope Benedict
has asked us to celebrate. How fitting on
this feast of the Sacred Heart, when we begin
the Year for Priests, that we give thanks to
God for a good priest who has been a wise
teacher, a gentle shepherd and a loving father
to his people for 26 years!
“The saint that Pope Benedict has asked us to
remember in this Year for Priests is St. John
Vianney, who is the Curé of Ars, and while
the Curé of Ars, St. John Vianney spent
about 17 hours a day in the confessional.
Father Tom has spent about 17 hours every
weekend traveling from mission to mission,
from church to church, to celebrate the Eucharist
and make the Lord present to us.
“Father Tom, you mentioned in your beautiful
homily on this feast of the Sacred Heart,
that the heart of Jesus reminds us of His
great love for each one of us. That love has
been communicated to us for these 26 years
by a priest named Father Tom Frost, who
came to our community here a much younger
man, but has worked day after day after day
after day bringing God’s love and God’s forgiveness
to God’s people.
“Father Tom, in the name of all of your
people and my own name, we want to express
to you our thanks and our love for you.
A priest, St. John Vianney said, is not a priest
for himself. A priest doesn’t absolve himself;
he doesn’t say Mass for himself; he doesn’t
baptize himself. He does his service for others.
And that’s what Father Tom has been: a
priest for us. For that we are deeply grateful.
“Father Tom, if you might come forward in
front of the altar so that all of us might extend
to you our blessings and best wishes, as
29

you have blessed us for these 26 years.
“So, we raise our hands, Father Tom, over
you now and ask God’s blessings: Loving
and gracious God, we ask your choicest
blessings for Father Tom Frost, who
has served so generously and faithfully our
communities here on the Reservation for
26 years. We thank you for his service. We
thank you for his words and his comfort.
We thank you for the forgiveness you have
shown us through him. We thank you for the
love you have given us through him.
“We ask you now, Lord, to bless him and to
fill him with joy and gratitude for 26 years
served so faithfully, so generously and so
well.
“And may the blessings of Almighty God
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, come
upon you, Tom, and remain with you forever
and ever.”
And all the people said, “Amen!”
Following the closing prayer, Isidro Lopez,
vice chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation,
expressed to Father Tom the thanks of
the nation for his ministry. Father Tom related
that when he first arrived in the Nation
he had met a little boy who was just about to
go to school off the Reservation and that the
little boy was Isidro. On behalf of the Nation,
Isidro presented Father Tom with a beautiful
blanket of the Tohono “Man in the Maze”
symbol.
procession with Father Tom.
Truly, what a wonderful way to begin this
Year for Priests!
TRIBUTE TO
FR. MAX HOTTLE, O.F.M.
Bishop Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson
Father Max is leaving after 19 years of ministry
at San Solano Missions Parish on the
Tohono O’odham Nation. It is his hope and
ours that after a year working at a parish in
New Mexico that he will return to continue
his service in the Diocese.
In addition to his service as pastor of San Solano
Missions Parish, Father Max also served
for several years as Vicar Forane of the Pima
West Vicariate.
San Solano Missions Parish is planning a
farewell event for Father Max in August, and
I will write more about him then.
For now, I want you to know just how much
Father Max has brightened our Monday
mornings here at the Pastoral Center these
past few years. Just about every Monday
morning, Father Max makes the drive from
Sells to Tucson to take care of parish business
in person with our staff. And what a joy
those mid-morning encounters have been for
us! Even if he doesn’t have business with
you, he stops to say hello and ask how you
are doing.
Then, it was time for the procession with
the statue of the Sacred Heart. Carrying the
statue were members of the community who
are Samoan. What a beautiful joining of
cultures! It was a joy for me to walk in the
30
He has a wonderful sense of humor, and
every conversation with him includes a good
laugh or two. He would tell some of us, “I
don’t know exactly what it is you are doing,
but it looks like you are doing it very well!”

Father Max also has a precise internal clock,
knowing to the second how much
time remains on the parking meter.
RETREAT CENTERS
RETREAT OFFERS
PEACE AND RENEWAL
IN MALIBU’S BACKYARD
By Hannah Klodt
Driven nearly insane by the beach traffic,
paparazzi, and price tags of Malibu, I needed
to get away. But I couldn’t go far. My travel
budget was bankrupt. To my surprise, a nocost
getaway beckoned to me just blocks
from my home.
The Serra Retreat Center sign pointed me to
a side street veering off Pacific Coast Highway.
I followed a winding road through a
neighborhood of Malibu’s wealthiest estates.
Atop the hill, I parked and climbed out of my
car. Isolated 1200 feet high above the roar of
Lamborghinis in central Malibu.
The Serra Retreat Center welcomed me with
silence. A colorful marble plaque offered an
introduction, “Serra Retreat Franciscans”. All
that I knew about the Franciscans was that
each believer pledges to poverty. The Retreat
Center’s calm beauty stunned me. Wideeyed,
I felt like Alice in Wonderland. Hillside
gardens in full-bloom boasted birds of paradise,
organ pipe cactus, and honeysuckle.
The grounds’ well-combed sandy walkways
and gardens were free of weeds, paper, and
debris. They showed a loving care anyone
would long for. I walked beneath eucalyptus
31
tree overhangs. I admire the holy statues of
the cross. I basked in the peace that I needed
so badly. Views of the Pacific coastline
soothed me. The cool Malibu breeze caressed
my face. Water gurgling down a stone fountain
urged my soul to throw away my worries.
The longer that I relaxed in nature’s simple
beauty, the deeper a strange irony set in. It
dawned on me that I was experiencing a classic
contrast of the ages: peace and poverty
amid pleasure and plenty. Here in Malibu
where cash reins supreme, there is a retreat
that pledges itself to poverty.
How did this come about I sought the answer
in the office of Fr. Warren, resident
and director of the Serra Retreat Center. He
expressed a disappointment: “ 99-percent of
Malibu residents don’t have the foggiest idea
of what we do [at the Retreat Center]. We
want to provide a place of quiet and reflection
to those who are looking for purpose.”
His words lifted me. This is exactly what
I was looking for; a quite place in a city of
commotion. “We want to provide a place
where people seeking peace and tranquility
can find it,” said Father Warren. “We welcome
everybody at the Retreat Center. Our
only hope is to bring a sense of peace and
relaxation to visitors.”
The path to peace is the labyrinth. The
labyrinth gives visitors a way of physically
tracking their reflection. At first glance, the
labyrinth appears to be a maze of stones
leading to a small, white cross. A nearby sign
explains the purpose of this maze. It indicates
that visitors should walk at their own
paces along the path while reflecting on their
individual spiritual journeys. The labyrinth

serves as a tangible reminder of the importance
of reflection.
Fr. Warren also said, “Our goal here has
been to add value and purpose to the lives of
Malibu residents since the center began. The
struggle to do this is harder today because
the community has changed. The value of
life is tied to the price tag more than ever.”
Only four full-time Franciscans live at the
Retreat Center and care for the 26 acre property.
With a limited maintenance staff, each
of these residents works around the clock
seven days a week. In the midst of Malibu’s
plenty, the four Franciscans face constant
financial frustration.
”We live from hand-to-mouth on a weekly
basis, receiving no funding from the Franciscan
order. When the entire plumbing system
blew last month, the center’s savings dried
up. It’s by God’s grace that the Center affords
to operate,” explains Father Warren.
Income derives largely from groups using
the Center’s facilities for retreats; however,
these groups pay the bare minimum costs of
operating the Center. If a member of a group
cannot afford to attend the conference, the
Center picks up all of the costs.
Originally owned by Malibu pioneer May
Rindge, the Franciscans bought the property
in 1942 and converted the unfinished
50-room mansion into a friary, a spiritual
outpost in the small beach community. It
evolved over the past fifty years into an
isolated place of rest and meditation. Serra
Retreat Center serves as a daily reminder of
the peace that many seek in Malibu.
of its patron, Junipero Serra. A friar, Serra
immigrated to California from Spain in 1749
to develop missions with the nature-oriented
people who had long inhabited the area.
The Franciscan way of life begins with believers
taking a vow of poverty. According
to St. Francis of Assisi, creator of the Franciscan
Order, “Those who embraced this life
gave everything they had to the poor. They
were satisfied with one habit which was
patched inside out, with a cord and trousers.”
Following this vow of poverty, modern Franciscans
serve the community in a variety of
ways, from feeding the homeless to providing
retreat centers across the globe. The Serra
Retreat Center began to grapple with its
identity within the community as the 1950s
saw a growth in population. This growth
ushered in a new reputation for Malibu as a
trendy beach getaway. Malibu was identified
with messages of youth rebellion through
popular movies, music and literature.
The Serra Retreat Center became a less visible
reminder of its spiritual roots, except to
those who knew it existed.
I spent a day at the Retreat Center basking in
nature’s beauty. Isn’t it wonderful that amid
the frenzied city of Malibu, there is a placed
that offers renewal
[ Malibu Surfside News- June 11, 2009]
The Serra Retreat Center carries the name
32

SUMMER SEEDS :
SAN DAMIANO RETREAT
Fr. Ray Bucher, O.F.M.
Every year, shortly after Pentecost, I receive
a letter from back east. I await it. I enjoy it.
The letter’s author attended my Pentecost
Mass at The Casa (in Scottsdale, AZ) in
1987, and somehow recorded my homily.
Every year she replays it on Pentecost. (And
every year she draws from it a new inspiration.)
She insists that the Holy Spirit keeps
the tape in tiptop shape.
That laudable letter landed on my desk
perched between Aristotle and Augustine.
(Of course Plato is there too, but you all
knew that!) In September, when you’re receiving
this Newsletter, I finished teaching
Classical Philosophy to some of our younger
friars! It’s been 30 years since I’ve taught
any philosophy, and surely new and better
ways of teaching this subject have been introduced.
Fortunately, the subject matter has
remained the same! Since Rome has mandated
that one must acquire 30 units of philosophy
before one can enter priestly studies,
our Province wants to give our young men a
head start. Hence, 3 hours of class a day for 2
weeks through the University of San Diego.
on retreat to prepare for their profession of
simple vows. There was a wholesome, joyful,
prayerful presence here. The anticipation
of commitment was palpable. Good job, Br.
Regan and other novice directors.
Secondly, and presently, we had a four-week
retreat for 13 friars preparing for solemn
vows. These men, too, are from around the
country. (The days of one province having
13 candidates for final vows are long gone!)
Here I sense a more mature, sober group of
friars, yet still exuding Franciscan joy.
A wonderful byproduct of these retreats
was the presence of talented retreat masters,
like Sr. Maria Elena Martinez, OSF, Br. Bill
Short, OFM, and Br. Robert Lentz, OFM.
What a summer blessing. Let’s pray for these
men who took their vows, that their commitment
might enhance (unleash) their freedom.
And, let’s pray for the students who took my
philosophy class. (The lucky fellows!) Who
knows—maybe next Pentecost there will be
an additional letter on my desk…thanking
me for a seed planted in a summer lecture—a
seed that somehow started to flower!
RENEWAL CENTER AT
MISSION SANTA BARBARA
It was a joy to have direct contact with our
younger friars. Their enthusiasm is contagious.
Their vitality helps us veterans “…stir
into flame the gift of God (once) bestowed
on us…” (2 Tim 1: 6-7)
Here at San Damiano we recently had the
good fortune to host a number of young
friars. First it was to welcome for a week, 16
novices from around the country. They came
33
Sr. Susan Blomstad, O.S.F., Director
[This is the final report from the Province
retreat centers. – WJR]
Richard McManus arrived at Mission Santa
Barbara as Guardian and Director in July of
2006. After 15 years as Director of St. Francis
Retreat in San Juan Bautista, he brought
with him a passion for retreat ministry and a

commitment to revitalizing the retreat part of
Mission Santa Barbara. However, OMSB is
much more than a retreat center---so he set
out attending to the various entities of this
vast property.
Now, 2 years later, plans and much work are
beginning to bear fruit. In January, 2007,
Sister Susan Blomstad, O.S.F., who has
shared in the retreat ministry with the friars
of this Province since 1991 ( Three Rivers,
San Juan and Serra), arrived to direct the
retreat center. That fall the first sponsored
retreats were offered. As expected, the response
was limited in terms of numbers, but
the interest was strong and has continued
to grow. On May 9, 2008, a website was
launched that is particular to the entities at
OMSB beyond the parish. www.santabarbaramission.org
is available for those who
wish to consider coming on retreat and/or accessing
information about the many activities
that take place here.
This year the following retreats are being
offered: A Poetry retreat, a Married Couples
retreat, a Grief retreat, a Women’s Spirituality
retreat, a Silent Advent retreat, and a New
Year’s retreat. In early July a week-long
Sisters’ retreat was offered in Spanish with
Sr. Maria Elena Martinez, O.S.F. as retreat
presenter.
sponsors and leaders has been essential to the
MRC’s continuing commitment to gracious
hospitality.
Marguerite Chatigny and her husband, Mark,
arrived as Covenant Volunteers in September
of 2007. Marguerite is a fantastic office organizer
and has caught on to the whole spirit
of doing hospitable retreat ministry. She and
Mark (who works with revitalizing our Mission
Tour operations) have decided to stay
for another year (and Sr. Susan is very grateful!).
One of the major shifts of late 2006 was the
relocating of all the friars in the Serra Wing.
In the spring of 2007, many hours were spent
cleaning, painting, moving furniture, buying
new beds and transforming the Serra Wing
into a private retreat area. The first guests
were welcomed on June 1, 2007, and since
then the 13 rooms have been used frequently.
There is a unique and special spirit growing
here among those of us who also call this
place home. Come for a visit and enjoy our
hospitality and gracious spirit. We indeed
have a place for you at Mission Santa Barbara!
The hosted groups continue to increase and
have become a steady source of income.
Calls come in weekly with inquiries about
holding events here, most of them spiritual in
nature and theme.
The consistent growth of retreat activity is
not without its challenges. Preliminary work
and frequent communication with retreat
34

TURNING PAGES
The British artist, Chris Gollon, was commissioned
(a story in itself) to paint the Stations
of the Cross in the church of St. John
on Bethnal Green in London’s East End.
They are most unusual, perhaps shocking.
The writer, Sara Maitland, is likewise a familiar
name in the UK. Stations of the Cross
contains stories reflective of each painting
reproduced in this short but engrossing book.
In her introduction, Maitland explains why
the traditional number of 14 stations is more
appropriate than those proposed by Benedict
XVI in 2007. The pontiff replaced the nonscriptural
stations with others. But, as she
rightly contends, this sequence destroys the
whole idea of pilgrimage.
She also has something to say about the popular
practice of adding a 15th station (Resurrection):
“The immediate, unbroken move
to a Station of the Resurrection calls into
question the reality of Jesus’ death. It gives,
in an odd sense, credibility to the accusation
that Christianity offers only an escape out of
the pain of the world, rather than a profound
engagement with it.”
sense of the things we have felt and seen”
(emphasis mine).
I realize that this has review has been a bit
lengthy, but the book is unique. One can
omit the well written commentaries, but do
not miss Maitland’s Introduction as well as
Green’s Afterword. And then… ponder these
Stations [Continuum Books. ISBN 978-0-
8264-0568-5]
Probably a good number of friars were not
even born when Vatican II took place and really
don’t appreciate the “before, during and
after.” What Happened at Vatican II by John
O’Malley is simply an amazing, absorbing
and enlightening book that is probably one
of the best written. Jared Wicks says of it: “It
carries the reader deeper into the reality and
outcome of Vatican II than do the other existing
books on the Council.”
The sources are impeccable, the unraveling
of intrigues is fascinating, and the accomplishments
are well delineated. This is truly
a superb book for anyone interested in understanding
how we as a Church are today.
Don’t miss it! [Harvard University Press.
ISBN 978-0-674-03669-2]
Just here it is noteworthy that in St. John’s
the 14th station is not in the front or side of
the church facing the altar. In his splendid
Afterword, Rev. Alan Green, the Team Rector,
states the theology plainly:
“Our stations end with the entombment of
Jesus by the west door of the church. Some
may return to celebrate the resurrection of
Jesus at the altar, but all of us are led from
the journey of the Stations of the Cross out
into Bethnal Green, where we have to make
35
Kathleen Norris sailed into prominence with
The Cloister Walk and Amazing Grace. Now
comes The Noonday Demon which is oddly
subtitled, “A Modern Woman’s Struggle with
Soul-weariness,” giving the impression that
this is a book primarily for women. And it is
not. Obviously well read, Norris calls upon
many literary and ancient writers to describe
that phenomenon that is labeled acedia by
the ancients and may well be classified as
boredom, despair, listlessness—and all the
rest. After studying 3-4 chapters, the reader

WESTFRIARS
P.O. Box 127
Malibu CA 90265
e-mail: Frwarren@serraretreat.com
TURNING PAGES continued...
may experience acedia! Why an entire lengthy book requires such attention is puzzling.
However, it is well written and quite anecdotal. The Latins have an expression: “Qui potest
capere, capiat”—a loose translation being: “Be my guest!” [Lion Hudson. ISBN 978-0-
7459-5366-3]
Surely everyone is familiar with William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible, especially the New
Testament volume. (If not—Tsk!Tsk!) Just published, and edited by Philip Law, are the fine
selections, Daily Devotions With William Barclay. The editor has concentrated on the NT
commentaries, aptly extracting the heart of various thoughts and arranged—although this
is immaterial—for each day of the year. Here is a splendid book for meditation and quite
rewarding. It is certainly worth obtaining and the reader will find it most profitable. [Westminster
Press. ISBN 0-664-23270-1]
Not exactly in the category of spiritual reading is You Learn by Living. “Eleven Keys for a
More Fulfilling Life” is authored—brace yourself—by Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962), who
wrote these brief essays in 1960. Perhaps the examples are a bit outdated, but her thoughts
are quite relevant and contemporary. She was a great lady in her day and, following her husband’s
death, virtually made a new life for herself in the public forum.
Among the brief subjects—meditations—are intriguing topics; for example, The Difficult
Art of Maturity; Readjustment is Endless; Facing Responsibility. A classic passage about
self-examination: “Some people become so interested, so fascinated, by this voyage of selfdiscovery,
that they don’t come out of it again. They remain completely absorbed in their
self-study.” Well said! Worth reading! [Westminster Press. ISBN 0-664-24494-7]
WJR
36