2013 Spring Peacemaker - National Shrine of Saint Rita of Cascia

TheSpring 2013PEACEMAKERNATIONAL SHRINE SAINT RITA OF CASCIA

The PeaCeMakeRspring, 2013 Publication of thenational shrine of saint Rita of CasciaShrine Director:fr. Joseph Genito, o.s.a.Development Director:Deborah binder, M.ed.Photography:fr. Dan Mclaughlin, o.s.a.Design:accent communications, inc.Printer:Gerald o’neill, fast formsContact us for a free subscriptionnational shrine of st. Rita1166 so. broad st., Phila. Pa 19146215-546-8333www.saintRitashrine.orgritashrine@aol.comShrine Hours of Operation:Weekdays: 7:30 aM - 5:25 PMWednesday: 7:30 aM - 7:30 PMsaturday:7:30 aM - 6:00 PMsunday:8:00 aM - 2:00 PMMasses:­Weekday:8 aM, 12 PMWednesday: 8 aM, 12 PM, 7:00 PMnovena after all Masses on Wed.saturday:8 aM, 12 noon, 5 PMsunday:9 aM, 11 aM MassesConfessions: Monday-saturdayEucharistic Adoration: DailyshRIne boaRD MeMbeRs:fr. Joseph Genito, o.s.a.Executive DirectorJay agnesJohn Cannonedward Carusoanthony DeCarlofr. John Deegan, o.s.a.Dina DellaDucataRon Donatuccibishop Michael fitzgeraldfr. Mickey Genovese, o.s.a.Dominic liberiJudge louis Presenza, Ret.Judge Timothy RiceIssue TheMe:ShARinG OUR GiFTS AnD TALenTSFOR heALinG is a theme consistentwith the example of Saint Rita,whose life exemplified doing justthat. As a wife and mother, widowand religious sister, she dedicatedher life to reconciling woundedand alienated spirits. in this issuewe offer examples of her legacypracticed by her followersand admirers.­– Fr.­Joseph­A.­Genito,­O.S.A.Table of ConTenTsletter, fr. Joseph Genito, o.s.a. 3st. Rita novena schedule 4st. Rita feast Day schedule 5article , fr. M. DiGregorio, o.s.a. 6-7Reflection, fr. D. Mclaughlin, o.s.a. 8-9article, Michael sheeran 10-11Pictorial of shrine 12-13Interview, anthony Visco 14-15article, fr. Joseph Genito, o.s.a. 17Development, Deborah binder 22Cover Photo: Collegiate Choir and DirectorMichael sheeran performing at st. Rita’s Church,11:00 aM Mass, each sunday.2

wORDS fromFATheR JOeDeAR FRienDS,We are again at that time of year when the SolemnNovena and Feast are soon upon us, inviting us toconvene at the Shrine. The ministries of the CasciaCenter have begun a second year, as Fr. Jim Paradiscontinues to offer opportunities for those who arewounded and grieving to find ways to heal. Although we are stillchallenged by a lack of space for large gatherings, the groups andindividuals who have responded to his invitations have found a safehaven here in whatever rooms are available in the Augustinianresidence and parish office. We have not let obstacles defeat ordeter our desire to provide quality service in the important areasof peacemaking and reconciliation.This year’s Peace Award recipientsshare our values and determinationnot to let difficulties prevail over thegood work that needs to be done.The founders of Dawn’s Place, alsoa safe haven for those who havebeen exploited and wounded, haveworked hard to establish a meansof ministering to vulnerable womenand giving them another chance atlife. Many of them found themselvesmanipulated and abusedbecause they were looking for abetter life, only to be enslaved inprostitution and drugs. Now throughthe good work of Dawn’s Place theyhave that opportunity.May the celebration of Saint Rita’sfeast renew in each of us our determinationto make our world morepeaceful as we work to make thingsright. Whatever gifts and talents wehave can always be used in serviceto others if our motivation is to dowhat is right and just. Following ourgreat Saint Rita’s example, may webe good stewards of those gifts andcontribute to the good of the worldby sharing them generously.Fr.­Joseph­Genito,­O.S.A.Shrine Director3

National Shrine St. Rita of CasciaSolemn NovenaMonday, May 13th through Tuesday May 21stSCHEDULEMon., 13th-Fri., 17th 8:00 AM, 12 Noon, 5:30 PM, 7:00 PMConfessions: 11-12 Noon, 4-5:30, 6:30-7:00Saturday, 18thSunday, 19th8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12 Noon, 5:00 PMConfessions: 9:30 -10:00, 11-12 Noon, 4-5:009:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM - Healing MassNo Confessions TodayMon.20th-Tues. 21st 8:00 AM, 12 Noon, 5:30 PM, 7:00 PMConfessions: 11-12 Noon, 4-5:30, 6:30-7:004All Masses will be Celebrated in the Upper ChurchNovena & Veneration of Relic After Every Mass

St. Rita of CasciaSolemn Feast DayWednesday May 22SCHEDULEVeneration of Relic after each Mass8:00 AM, No Confessions10:00 AM, Confessions 9:3012 Noon, Confessions 11:003:00 PM, Confessions 2:305:30 PM, Confessions 4:007:30 PM, Confessions 7:00Please Join Us!Refreshments will beavailable in the tent areanext to church, behind thefriary, after each Mass.

VIeW fRoM My WInDoW by fR. MIChael DIGReGoRIo o.s.aSAinT RiTAand The wORKOF PeACeOVeR TwenTYYeARS AGOthe PriorProvincial of theAugustinians in the eastern UnitedStates entrusted to three friarsunder his jurisdiction the taskof revisiting the way in which theProvince was ministering at theChurch of Saint Rita in SouthPhiladelphia. The Augustinians hadbeen the founders of the parish in1907. It was established to serve amixed congregation of both longstandingfamilies, mostly of Irishheritage, and a very large wave ofnewly arrived Italian immigrants.There was a great need for this newchurch and the congregation grewquickly. Saint Rita had been canonizedjust a few years earlier in 1900,and was the Augustinians' newestsaint. There were not yet manychurches named for her in thecountry, and none in Philadelphia.She was thus chosen as patroness,and the friars soon gave their all inpromoting devotion to her. Thatdevotion spread far and wide, bringingenormous crowds of people forweekly devotions from throughoutthe city and beyond. The churchserved not only as a parish forthousands in the neighborhood,but as a pilgrim site for thousandsmore from various destinations6throughout many decades. In the1960s and 70s the face of SaintRita Parish underwent a significanttransformation, the number ofparishioners declined, as diddevotion to Saint Rita herself. Butthe devotion never disappeared.Her feast would continue to drawthousands of faithful former residentsof South Philly, as well as otherdevotees, who would proudly recallthe number of years they had beenmaking the pilgrimage to SouthBroad Street. The invitation madein 1992 to look again at Saint Rita'sand to rekindle the flames ofdevotion met with immediate andincreasing success, as the mostrecent chapter of the Shrine'sstory attests.I mention the above because it wouldoften intrigue me that with so muchelse changing in society, in theChurch, and in people’s personallives, other things — like this devotionto Saint Rita — would remain aconstant. I’ve come to learn, aftertelling Saint Rita’s story over andover again to individuals, pilgrimgroups and churches filled withvisitors — and hearing their storiesas well — that there is often somethingvery personal that connectsindividuals to Saint Rita and that'something' remains important overthe long term.

ASiGnfromGOD“FOR Me, PhOTOGRAPhY iS the attempt toillustrate what is beautiful and important in life.For 26 years I was a high school teacher of Christiantheology. For much of that time I illustrated the storyof God using words. I started using graphics andfamous paintings, then started to add my ownphotographs and personal movie clips. For 11 yearsin the classroom I was able to learn how to perfectmy visual presentation of the message of God.On May 26, 2012 Pope Benedict XVI declared that allpriests and religious people should use multimediafor proclaiming the gospel. For me it was “a sign fromGod” saying, in effect, that my classroom efforts wereblessed. I believe I was given a new directive on howto cultivate my interest in photography.”Fr. Dan McLaughlin, O.S.A., National Shrine of St. Rita,Photographer for the “Peacemaker” magazine.To see more of Fr. Dan's photos, visit www.fatherdan.net9

ColleGIaTe ChoIR DIReCToR: MIChael sheeRanheALinGand SACReD MUSiChOw DO we heAL ThROUGh MUSiC? Music isvibration. It touches us physically, emotionally and spiritually.It can elevate our heart beat and lift our spirits by a quick,lively pulse or it can calm us and bring us to an inner stillnessthrough a gentle, slow rhythm. Music, unlike paintingor sculpture, only exists in time. When it is finished itevaporates into the air. Music must be re-created from theprinted page each time it is sung or played. Sacred music...BRINGS US NEW insight AND perspective10is not entertainment or background material, but ratherdeeply profound composition that takes us on an inwardjourney to a place of prayer, praise and thanksgiving. It islife changing and life giving and brings us new insight andperspective. We feel a change of heart and ask forgiveness.Sacred music inspires us to reach out to those inneed of our comfort and support as it deepens andstrengthens our relationship with God and each other.The choir’s journey begins with the spiritual works of greatcomposers who lived their faith and left their musicalprayers through the centuries. It comes to life throughthe musicians, choirs, cantors, and instrumentalists whodevelop their techniques to master the needed skills.The musicians balance the intricate details of music withnotes, rhythm, intervals, fingerings, articulation, phrasing,dynamics, language, and diction. The planning of therepertoire-hymns, choral and instrumental works –requires much research, reading, listening, prayer, andreflection on the scriptures and proper text of the Mass.We strive to offer our music to God and to the peoplegathered in prayer. The effort to accomplish this keepsus humble. Our work is not about us and it is not aboutperformance. We use all the skills and disciplines neededto perform, but we offer it for a different purpose. We arehere to serve.

Our lives and relationships arereflected in the beautiful cycles ofthe church year. We return to familiarhymns with deeper understandingand compassion after suffering aserious illness, a job loss or thedeath of a loved one. Alone andhurt we long for hope and light aswe sing O Come, O Come, Emmanuelin the darkness of December.The tender, heart-rending Spiritual,Were You There, sung as a congregationalhymn or by our choir in themoving choral settling by Burleighcan bring the Passion close to us.Betrayal, loss and death are thingswe all understand. The sufferings ofJesus can bring us to tears andcause us to tremble. As we hearthe glorious Exsultet proclaimedat the Easter Vigil we welcomenew members into the Church andcelebrate with joy our Risen Lord.Life brings new events, challengesand obstacles. Sometimes we turnto the old songs which become neweach time we pray. The Lord’s Prayeroffers new reasons for gratitude forthe gifts of new days and our dailybread. We endure new hurt andwrongdoing and we need to forgiveand be forgiven. The words are thesame yet the meaning changesevery day of our lives. As we singand pray together, we are strengthenedand healed. The music fillsour hearts with hope and humblegratitude to God, who came to usand continues to love and bless us.Michael F. Sheerin is the Director/Organist of the Collegiate Choir ofPhiladelphia. He and the choir performweekly at the 11:00 AM Mass at theNational Shrine of St. Rita and othertimes throughout the year.Collegiate Choir with Michael Sheeran, St. Rita Church, 11:00 AM Mass, Sundays11

Sharing Our G

ifts forHealingPhotos of Lower Cryptof our Shrine by Fr. DanMcLaughlin, O.S.A.

y fR. MIChael DIGReGoRIo, o.s.a. , founDInG ReCToR of sT. RITaDiD YOU USeall i GAVe YOU?…an InTeRVIeW WITh sT. RITashRIne aRTIsT, anThony VIsCoAnThOnY ViSCO, the giftedartist whose several works inspirethe many visitors to Saint Ritashrine, takes a few minutesto speak with us of his art andits spiritual influence on himselfand others.why have you chosen todevote so much of your talentto religious art?I should say it’s the other wayaround. After years of being rejectedfrom every public art commissionpossible, it seems religious art choseme. However, when I was a youngartist I thought of nothing else but tomake religious art. But then again,that was through my naiveté as Ithought all art was religious.what has been the greatestartistic challenge?When you realize that you’vereceived all that you have prayed for,it always presents that challengeof accepting the gift, not squander it,not bury it, but invest the giventalents. in that sense i always wantto make sure i use all that God hasgiven me. i never want to be asked,“Did you use all that i gave you?”Can you say something to usabout art as an expression ofspirituality?As humans, I think we all look for aGod that we can realize and experienceon different levels whether itis through thought, word, or deed;a God that isn’t so incomprehensiblethat our own beliefs alienate usfrom the God we seek. As Catholics,I think we have a genuine responseto visual art because of our fundamentalbelief in the Incarnation.As Catholics, it’s not a questionof anthropomorphism since theMystery entered its own creationand took on its created flesh.Along with that we realize that notall things are verbally understoodor to be explained by word alone.we leave room for the silent homilyof sculpture and painting. We areblest with a way and means toexpress our beliefs in so manyways. We have seen religious artand architecture change lives.14

fR. JosePh a. GenITo, o.s.a., sT. RITa shRIne DIReCToRReFLeCTiOn OnThe wRiTinGof “LeT TheRebe PeACe”in The TRAnqUiL environmentof the Smoky Mountains I wasinspired by the beauty of nature towrite a song entitled “Let There BePeace,” connecting the peacefulnessand concord of creation with thehope for harmony among humanbeings. The majesty of mountainswreathed in mist heralds the gentledew dropping from above, as Isaiahso poetically put it in his prayer, thatjustice may descend from on highlike the revitalizing rains. In nature,all things exist in harmony; there isa rhythm to the order of things.The author of Psalm 19 asserts thatthe heavens proclaim the glory ofGod and nature declares God’shandiwork, and if God’s law ofjustice is honored, all creation findspeace in the right relationship of theway things were created to be.Achieving peace brings healing.when we are at peace with ourselvesand with others, there is noanxiety, no stress, no competition,no jealousy. We are content. I havefound that creating music providesa haven of serenity where, as inthe lovely Smoky Mountains, I feltthe security of God’s presence.And sharing that music, that giftGod so generously gave me, oftenprovides peace for others. I amoften humbled by the commentsof those who say that a particularsong spoke to them, touched theirhearts, soothed their souls. In thisway, not only do they find contentment,but I am gratified that mywork contributed in some way totheir peacefulness.In the beginning, the book of Genesisrecounts, all creation was in harmonyand at peace. Everything was in rightrelationship. When sin entered theworld, wounds abounded, requiringhealing. when we share whatevergifts we have, we serve one anotherin ways that effect healing, and helpto arrive at the right relationship ofjustice and peace.17

A bridge to a new era...we ReCenTLY experienced amomentous happening, the rareoccurrence of a papal resignation.One would expect from the leaderof Catholic Christianity the examplewe are called to follow, as theacknowledged successor to theapostles, particularly Peter, modelsfor us the way that Jesus taught hisdisciples to act. “I­have­come­notto­be­served­but­to­serve,” Jesustold us, his model of leadership instark contrast to those who “lordedit over” their people. Taking thenotion of service to its most radicalaspect, he literally gave himself upfor us, for the forgiveness of sins.To be forgiven is the ultimate healing,to forgive the ultimate gift ofhealing the soul.By his resignation, Pope BenedictXVI conceded the limitations of hishumanity and willingly put thegood of the Church before his ownwelfare. He leaves a Church incrisis, beset by many challenges,and admitted that he does not havethe stamina to provide what isneeded. His humility is a sourceof hope, a healing influence on aChurch reeling from scandals.As is the case with every ordinaryhuman being, our notion ofChristian stewardship is thatwhatever we have been given, asin our time, talent and treasure, isa God-given gift not for our benefitonly, but to be shared with others.Pope Benedict’s parting wordsincluded the statement “I­willsimply­be­a­pilgrim­who­is­startingthe­last­phase­of­his­pilgrimage­onthis­earth.” Pope, President or Popstar, we all share the same human18

condition and ultimately will becalled to give an account of whatwe did with what we were given.With the election of Pope Franciswe already see subtle changesemerging in the Catholic Church.He is the first to come fromArgentina, distinctively differentfrom the centuries-old tradition ofchoosing someone from Europe.More worthy of note is his reputationfor simplicity of lifestyle, underlinedat the outset by his choosingto be introduced in an unpretentiousgarment rather than regalvestments. Reporters were quick topoint out that he lived in an apartmentin Buenos Aires and commutedto work on public transportation.Fr. Michael DiGregorio told me thatwhen he celebrated Mass at theparish church next to the Vatican,he vested in the parish vestments,preached as any pastor would, andgreeted the people after Mass, oneby one.Our new Pope has indicatedemphatically that his priority is tofollow the Gospel mandate to servethe poor. His words and actions getfar more attention than what anyother person or group can do, andso it is a sign of optimism that he isintent on being a bridge to a newera in the Church. We have now achampion who has captured theattention of the world for all theright reasons, a Supreme Pontiff,the ultimate bridge-builder, who willlead us by his example to point outthe way to the world that justicemust prevail. Our prayers shouldbe with him each day for hisstrength to carry on this mission,and may our everyday actionssupport him as they mirror hiscommitment to justice.Article written by Fr. Joe Genito O.S.A.Director, National Shrine of St. Rita,2008 to present19

Collegiate Choir under direction of Michael Sheeran“Singing belongs to oNE who loves”- St. Augustine of HippoChOiR MeMbeRS:SOPRAnOSMaureen BroadbentAnita BurgherJanet CatenacciBarbara CapizziTara CapizziDonna GruberMarie HerrchaftTrudy JacksonCarmel KroppSusan MaierMary Ann PisulaTatiana RianiLoretta Rufo-ForanCarol TaddeoDeborah WrightALTOSCatherine BairdKathleen FinneyVeronica HustonGerry KelseyMaureen McNultyRita PellechioTenORSCharles CarpenterJerry CarrierLavarr DixonFranciscusDwilaksanaBrian GambleDavid LinahanbASSRobert BroadbentDes FlahiveCharles MarshRichard PisulaMichael RosatiJohn Vicente20

SAinT RiTA SOCieTYFOUnDeD in 1910 to honor St. Rita, to makeknown her life and message, and unite thosedevoted to her in spiritual communion.The beneFiTS:+ Monthly Mass offered at the Shrine for all living anddeceased members+ Remembrance in Novena each Wednesday and in theMay Solemn Novena+ In the daily prayers of the Augustinian Friars assignedto the Shrine+ A certificate of membership is providedYOUR OFFeRinG:q Individual Annual—$5.00q Family Annual—$10.00q Individual Perpetual—$25.00q Family Perpetual—$50.00EnrollPRINT NAMEin the St. Rita SocietyMail enrollment to: Saint Rita of Cascia Shrine, 1166 S. Broad Street, Phila, PA 19146Please make check payable to Saint Rita of Cascia Shrinewww.SaintRitaShrine.org21

DeVeLOPMenTof OURDeVeLOPMenTSDeAR FRienDS OF ST. RiTA,The CasCIa CenTeR PRoJeCTOur issue theme of “sharing our gifts for healing” is a verypertinent one for me as I write this letter the day after thefuneral of my dear and beloved father. Over the last weekof dad’s life and his time in hospice, I was struck by theway music, liturgical, spiritual, and popular on our playlists, brought my family to peace when we set up a speakerto a phone, in the hospice room with dad. As our parentssang ‘their’ song, “Always,” the words and the act itself,transcended the four generations present and lit up allof our souls, and gently softened the road we wereabout to travel together the next few days.The visual images of my dad’sfavorite saint, St. Anthony, broughthim joy when we prayed around thehospital bed as dad looked at hisstatue and holy cards we kept in hisview. In thinking about this letter, Icouldn’t help but connect my timethere with dad to all of the pilgrimswho visit us in the shrine to ‘catch aglimpse’ of heaven, of Rita, and ofpeace, in our chapel, in our churchand in our lower crypt, as they prayat the many sculptures, paintings,stained glass windows, statues,altars and relics.Your donations to our Shrine allowus to continue to provide a holyrespite that offers the seeker,the pilgrim, an opportunity toengage in a healing experiencethrough prayer, and if open to it,an uplifting interaction with beautifulsacred images that for many bringsa bit of heaven and the holy aliveon earth. Our fundraising continuesas we work tirelessly to bring ourCascia Center project to fruition.Your dollars, each and every one ofthem, will support those efforts.God bless you for your continuedwillingness to donate to assist withthe promotion of the apostolate ofSt. Rita of Cascia, and we thank allof the gifted artists and musicianswho have brought a piece of heavento earth here at our Shrine!Deborah­BinderDevelopment Director215-546-8333 ext. 12ritashrine@aol.comwww.SaintRitaShrine.org22

JOin YOUR PRAYeRS with ours at the Shrine at this most solemn timeand may St. Rita intercede for all of your most heartfelt petitions. We askthat she remove any barriers that prevent spiritual, physical, emotionaland relational healing. Through Christ, Our Lord and Savior and His MostBlessed Mother. Amen.- The Friars, Employees and Volunteers of the Shrine.23

ShRine UPCOMinG eVenTSAPRiL 15-25 Pray for the safety and peace of all pilgrims on the‘In the Footsteps of Rita’ pilgrimage to Cascia &Rome, Italy with Fr. Michael Di Gregorio, O.S.A.MAY 3 Annual St. Rita Peace Award BanquetEVENT SOLD OUTMAY 13-21 Solemn Novena of St. Rita, schedule, pg. 4MAY 22 Solemn Feast Day of St. Rita, schedule, pg. 5www.SaintRitaShrine.orgNational ShrineSaint Rita of Cascia1166 South Broad StreetPhiladelphia, PA 19146Return service requestedNON-PROFITU.S. POSTAGEPAIDLANSDALE, PAPERMIT NO 491