March 2011 - Vol. 26 No. 9

We all are the Priestly People of God. Together, we are leaders in responding to the emotional and spiritual needs of Priests and Brothers.

Dear Priestly People,During the time of Lent and especially as we approach Holy Week, our minds and hearts turn more toward the sufferings Christ endured to save us. His passion, death and resurrection constitute the final and complete act of His Priesthood here on this earth. We, as a Priestly People – even if we are not always able to imitate this part of His life – can at least unite ourselves with Him through our remembrance of what He did for us. Christ Himself asked us to sacramentally renew the sacrifice of His Body and Blood, when He instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper: Do this in memory of me. Part of the memory of Christ’s sacrifice is the great agony He experienced in bringing the gift of Himself to completion. The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the supreme and complete way of our remembering what He underwent for us. Although separated in time and space we could say that at the Mass we are there with

Christ on Calvary. Because the suffering and death of Christ are such an important part of our life as Christians and because we are saved by Him through these acts, it is important that we try to realize, deep within our minds, hearts and feelings, just what Christ has done for us. We could even say, from the perspective of eternity, that Christ’s act of suffering and dying for us is present now. Even if we seem to be unmoved in our feelings and our thoughts by what Christ has and is undergoing for us, we must still try to respectfully hold in our memory and imagination what He underwent.

In this issue of Priestly People I would like to offer a few reflections on the suffering and death of Christ as they are presented to us in the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary. These reflections are for a Priestly People who are called to be one with Christ in the great Mystery of Salvation.

Suffering and Sorrow are part of our Life with Christ! They inevitably lead to new Life in Him.

First Sorrowful Mystery – the Agony in the Garden:In some mysterious sense the Divine Person of Jesus – even while living in the form of a complete human nature – was fully cognizant of every sin ever committed. He was also aware in an infinite way of the terrible nature of sin as an offense against a good and loving God, and against others. Somehow in His human intellect and feelings He was able to experience the enormous weight of the sins committed by God’s creatures. As a man he was crushed by the weight of sin. We know that on at least one occasion he wept when he saw that people – chosen and beloved people – were rejecting the love of the Father. In His agony in the garden the horrible physical sufferings he was soon to undergo would have been an expression of the intense spiritual anguish, and expectation for the future glory, which He felt for all of us. Because of His Son’s mental and physical suffering, the Father forgives us forever and increases His love and grace in us whenever we ask for His pardon. More than that His Son -- bloody, torn in body, and anguished in spirit – seeks us out in His love for us and our sanctification.

All of this is part of Christ’s Priesthood. What can we, as His Priestly People, say? Certainly, we should say something to Him out of gratitude and appreciation. But, even before we say anything, our trying to remember what He has done for us is already communicating something to Him. And, even when we find it difficult to respond with appropriate

feelings for what He has done for us, we are expressing the beginnings of an act of love for Him and what He has done for us. As we begin to say the First Sorrowful Mystery of the Rosary, the Agony in the Garden, let us also begin to try to keep the image of His Suffering before out mind. He can and will do the rest. The Blessed Mother will clothe us with her own maternal compassion as we try to understand and appreciate what Christ has done for us.

The Second Sorrowful Mystery – the Scourging at the Pillar:An Italian priest, Msgr. Ricci, worked for many years in the Vatican’s Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments. Apart from his work for this Vatican Office, he had a special interest in studying the Shroud of Turin. When I was privileged to meet him in the 1970’s and listened to the results of his research, he had by then already spent 20 years carefully studying the linen cloth that is reputed to be the shroud that the dead body of Christ had been wrapped in when He was placed in the grave.

Msgr. Ricci studied the Shroud from a historical, medical and scientific point of view. He had acquired, for example, detailed knowledge from ancient texts about the way the ancient Romans executed those condemned to death. At times a prisoner condemned to death was scourged before execution. The Roman military had various types of whips, and were very methodical and cruel in the way they scourged unfortunate victims. One type had small hard objects embedded in the whip, which bruised the flesh. Another had very sharp edges on the whip lashes, which would cut and lacerate the flesh. A third type of whip had small hook like appendages that would pull off small pieces of flesh from the body. All of this would be, of course, extremely painful for the poor victim. Msgr. Ricci, from

studying the marks on the Shroud believes that there are indications that Christ underwent this type of suffering.

And yet it seems that Christ who suffered unspeakable pain during the scourging wants us to focus more on the pain and damage that sin causes to His Mystical Body. Weep not for me but for yourselves. As we look out at the world today – as well as within our own hearts and minds – we can see the terrible bruises and lacerations with which sin is disfiguring human nature and the human family created by God. In a sense the scourging of Christ is a painful embodiment of the terrible suffering and damage being inflicted by mankind in the world.

Priesthood means victimhood on behalf of those for whom the sacrifice is being made. We have often heard that Christ is the victim of our sins. The response of His Priestly People is to offer Him our participation in suffering some of the consequences of sin. This means facing the reality of sin in the world, and in ourselves... and yet maintaining hope for forgiveness. We believe that Christ’s patient endurance in His suffering saves us from the consequences of sin, gives us the strength to overcome the sinful tendencies embedded in our fallen human nature, and in this way leads us to eternal joy.

Perhaps as we say the decade of the Rosary that honors the Scourging of Christ we might think of the intense physical suffering of Christ as a stark reflection and a healing remedy for the suffering, ruin and disorder brought into the world by the uncontrolled and misdirected passions of mankind. What Christ suffered in His flesh is mystically transferred and becomes a new strength for us in our struggle against the wayward tendencies of our own humanity and its flesh.

The Third Sorrowful Mystery – The Crowning with Thorns:Msgr. Ricci notes that if the Shroud of Turin accurately reflects what happened to Christ during the crowning with thorns, we can say that the thorns themselves were one to two inches in length. They were pressed down through the skin of Christ’s head and upper face. One thorn in particular, very close to the right eye left a very bad wound and must have been particularly painful. On top of this there was the ridicule, striking, and spitting of the soldiers. Being spit upon was one of the few – out of many - sufferings that Christ mentioned when he predicted his suffering and death.

The Divine Person undergoing all this torture and humiliation is, we believe, God Himself. The God who knows all things, created all things, is all powerful and is good beyond measure toward all His creatures, undergoes an extreme form of humiliation from those to whom He has given the highest form of life on earth. His love and Kingship is mocked and made fun of. We must not think that as God, the Divine Person of Jesus withdrew into his Divinity and, in His Infinite Wisdom, was able to hide, be safe and remain quietly self-assured that He is God and what they are doing cannot affect Him. On the contrary, He would have had to suffer in so far as men were mocking the living and sentient presence of Himself. They were not only ridiculing the Incarnate Image of God, but were disfiguring the image and likeness of God within themselves – something they would likely come to feel intense remorse for in time. He did not leave us, however. He stayed and drank this chalice of pain and humiliation to its bitter dregs, and thus brought us forgiveness for what we have done to Him.

When I think of Christ being crowned with thorns and made fun of, I might think not only of what he suffered – and in a mystical senses is suffering right now in us – but I might also feel regret for the terrible and distorted sin of pride – not just the pride of so many in the world and in history, but also the vestige of pride in myself, however large or small it might seem. And, ask Him for forgiveness.

As a Priestly People our vocation is to praise and thank God on behalf of all creation. As the Preface at Mass says, it is right and just to praise Him at all times and everywhere. If there is a time that is particularly fitting for us to praise and acknowledge Him as God, perhaps it would be when He is suffering the direct opposite of what is proper to Him as the source of all life and all goodness.

The Fourth Mystery – Jesus Carries the Cross to Calvary:By this time in the drama of His execution, Jesus would have been greatly weakened and hardly able to stand, much less carry a heavy cross. Simon of Cyrene helped Jesus carry His cross. This helped Him physically and perhaps also in spirit. Simon’s carrying of Jesus’ cross is cited by many authors as a symbol of our bringing consolation and help to Christ in His humanity and mission, by carrying our cross. If as God He was aware of the extension and depravity of all sins, so also He was aware of all who offered to carry the cross in order to follow Him each day.

Perhaps we may not be accustomed to thinking of the possibility that we could be a consolation to Christ in time and eternity. The theology of it might seem a little awkward. And yet, if we read the lives of many saints and holy persons, such as St. Margaret Mary, St. Faustina and Blessed Dina Belanger, it is clear that Christ actually yearns for our consolation and love – perhaps as much for our sake as for our brothers and sisters and in this way for Him. What you did for the least of my brothers and sisters you did for me.

Jesus is our High Priest – who was able to sympathize with our weakness... who has similarly been tested in every way... (who) offered prayers and supplication with loud cries and tears. As His Priestly People we have the vocation to follow Christ in this way also. Before following Christ by picking up our cross each day, we can be prepared to do

so willingly and with joyful hearts by first thinking of Him carrying His cross to Calvary. At least in our minds, if not yet in our hearts and behavior, we can show appreciation of the harsh reality that it was not easy for Him to take another step, to get up after He kept falling, and to face death on the cross.

The Fifth Station – Jesus is Crucified and Dies on the Cross:Msgr. Ricci in his study of the Shroud has tried to answer the question of what Christ actually died of. Was it loss of blood? extreme pain? exhaustion? or some other physical cause or a combination of these that lead to his death? One likely cause might have been suffocation because hanging while tied or nailed to a cross can lead to suffocation. Msgr. Ricci concludes that it was actually a form of a heart attack that lead to Christ’s death. One of the clues that this was what Christ actually died of is the testimony of Scripture that blood and water flowed out when the side of Christ was pierced. The shroud itself seems to add further external evidence that indeed blood and water flowed from His opened heart, because of blood and water stains in the area of the burial shroud that covered His heart. Msgr. Ricci adduces evidence that there is a condition in which, under intense suffering and emotion, the heart can actually undergo a rupture. When this happens, water collects in the pericardial area around the heart. At the time of the rupture of the heart, under intense tension and suffering, which leads to death, people have been known to call out in agony. Msgr. Ricci interprets the events of Christ’s death in this light.

First of all, however, to avoid suffocation Christ would have had to attempt some movement on the Cross. He notes that the direction of the blood flow on the wrists, as evidenced by the Shroud, indicates that the victim on the cross changed his position while hanging on the cross, obviously causing even more intense pain. Msgr. Ricci suggests that Christ struggled on the Cross to keep from suffocating – because He wanted to suffer the fullness of reparation out of love for His Father and for us. It was the intense physical and emotional pain that finally lead to a rupture or breaking of His Heart, which was both symbolic and real. And at that moment, he cried out “It is finished... Father into your hands I commend my spirit.”

Whether or not Msgr. Ricci is accurate in his explanation of what Christ actually died of, his interpretation does help us realize at least in a small way the depth of the thoughts and feelings of His Heart toward us and all people. It does seem accurate to say that Christ suffered and died for love of us, that his heart was broken for us, and that from his broken heart came the graces, symbolized and sacramentally brought about by water and blood.

In view of the awe inspiring realities of the suffering and death of Christ, what should our response be? Perhaps each of us may have many different responses, but at the heart of them all are likely to be sentiments of love, appreciation, gratitude and trust.

I think that if Christ loved us so much, he will in his love for us continue to reach out to us and help us to respond to him in a way that corresponds to his own love. He promised to send his Holy Spirit to help us remember all that he said and did for us. Each of us in our own small humble way can be prepared for the action of the Spirit within us by simply trying to hold in our mind, for a few minutes, the events of Christ’s suffering and death.

In every Priestly act there is an offering, and the consummation of the offering is a total gift to God. As a Priestly People we offer the total gift of Jesus – and ourselves along with Him – to the Father. This is done not out of fear, constraint or force. To be worthy of a God who loves us infinitely it can only be done out of love. In Jesus the total gift of love was for His Father and for us – a love that was fitting, needed and suited, although in an infinite way, to each of the beloved. As His Priestly People we are invited to likewise offer Him and ourselves out of love to the Father and each other. We can do this, first of all, through the Holy Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Eucharist. Eucharist in its original Greek derivation literally means “eu” or well/good “charis” or love/gratitude.

Meditating on the Mysteries of the Rosary is an excellent way to prepare us for a devout and receptive sacramental remembering of the suffering and death of Christ in the Mass. Like Mary we stay beneath the Cross. The Lord will see us before him and his cross, and will give Mary to us as our Mother, and entrust us to her as her child. She whose heart was pierced by a sword of sorrow will undoubtedly help us know and appreciate better what Christ has done for us. She will do this for us each time we unite ourselves with Christ

in the Mass, each time we say the Rosary, and each time we encounter a brother or sister who is with Christ on the cross. In terms of time and eternity, the suffering associated with the Cross will be short, albeit intense, but it will soon be followed by

the joy and peace of the Resurrection If we have remembered Christ in his sufferings and in the sufferings of his members, He will remember us as he comes into his Kingdom.

* * *

As we move toward the final phase and culmination of Lent – the

suffering and death of our Lord and Savior, it is my sincere desire and intention to be united with each of you -- the Priestly People of God -- in your daily cross, prayers and love for Christ. My confreres and I are grateful for what you are doing for the Church, for the Priesthood, for each other, and for our own ministry to the Priesthood. Although I do not know in detail the precise nature of what you are experiencing in your life and on your journey with Christ, the Holy Spirit knows. Along with my fellow Servants of the Paraclete and all those we are serving in the Paraclete ministry, I pray that the Holy Spirit will be with you in a special way at this time, helping you in your following of Christ, both in the cross you bear and in the joy you are or will soon experience as participants in the Mystery of Christ crucified and risen to new life.

* * *

In the week of the 10th of April – one week before Holy Week – the Servants of the Paraclete will hold a General Chapter of Elections. At that time we will elect a new Servant General. He will take office on the Feast of our Lady of Sorrows in September. Please remember our elections and our future Servant General in prayer.

As the time of my 12 years in office as a Servant General draws to a close, I would like to thank you for journeying with me during all or part of the past 12 years. The Servants of the Paraclete and the Priests and Brothers who live with us have been very blessed by having you as companions in the Priesthood of Christ. I send you my heartfelt gratitude and pray that the Lord will bless you especially in the coming Holy Week and Easter.

Sincerely yours,

Fr. Peter Lechner, s.P.

The rosary is a devotion to Jesus through his mother, Mary. Her agony and the death of her son were excruciatingly painful. The recitation of the rosary is one way to pray to Jesus through His mother. She bore human emotional torture as she watched her child crucified for us, knowing from the beginning that this was to happen according to “how it was told” and prophesied. A mother cradling her son in birth and death... a witness to all for reconciliation and unconditional love toward all... painfully aware that this was to happen from the beginning.

My child, my child what have they done to you?My child, my child what have they done to you?

General Chapter of Elections

Religious Congregations hold general chapters at times defined by their constitutions. Chapters can be held for reasons other than election and often times they will use this congregational time together as a time for renewal.

Father Gerald Fitzgerald founded the Servants of the Paraclete in 1947. As the Founder of this Religious Congregation, he entrusted a charism to the members that exists today. The Chapter is an ecclesial event which is of interest to the Christian community as a whole, especially to you our Priestly People.

At the time of a General chapter, a congregation places itself in a situation of listening. Listening, first to the Word of God. This Word comes to the Congregation through its own tradition and also through what its members are experiencing, perceiving and saying. It comes to it also through what the Spirit (Paraclete) is saying to the Church today as well as through the signs of the times, that is, the contemporary social and cultural context.

In a General Chapter of Elections, the Spirit guides the members toward choosing the best person for the leadership of the community at this time in its history. One who is capable of directing the Congregation in pursuit of its mission and in the continual reading of God’s will. The Servant chosen for leadership in the Congregation of the Servants of the Paraclete will be offered grace from God to go forward with the joy and challenges of leading, inspiring and motivating all present members and those embarking upon a life as a Servant.

We continue our prayers as the week before Holy Week approaches and we ask for an abundance of grace to be bestowed on the chosen Servant General, who will serve for the next six years as Congregational Leader for the Servants of the Paraclete.

Continuing the charism of Father Gerald Fitzgerald s.P.Servants of the Paraclete... General Chapter... April 10 – April 17, 2011

Prayer

Discernment

Vision

Mission

Community

“There was a rich man who had a good harvest. ‘What shall I do? He asked himself. “I have no place to store my harvest. I know! He said. ‘I will pull down my grain bins and build larger ones. All my grain and my goods will go there. Then I will say to myself. You have blessings in reserve for years to come. Relax! Eat heartily, drink well. Enjoy yourself.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life shall be required of you. To whom will all this piled-up wealth of yours go?’ That is the way it works with the man who grows rich for himself instead of growing rich in the sight of God.” (Luke 12:16-21)

January 1, 1947, Fr. Gerald Fitzgerald first set foot in Jemez Springs, New Mexico and founded the Servants of the Paraclete. He was one of the very few in the history of the Church with a vision committed to serving the needs of priests. Today, in the vision of Fr. Gerald, we are still Servants of the Paraclete (Holy Spirit) who exist through the grace of God: to heal, to offer hope, and to witness to the presence of a God who came and remains among us! Thank you for your continued support and prayers to further Fr. Gerald’s vision.

Did you know?• OverfiftypercentofAmericansdiewithoutavalidwill.• Thesimpleactofmakingawillallowsyou to have control of your assets

in how they are managed and distributed.

Frequently, people who would like to help support the Servants of the Paraclete need to preserve their financial resources for the immediate future or for their lifetimes. In such cases donors can make a planned gift, which can provide valuable tax benefits for the donor in the present and valuable resources for the Servants of the Paraclete in the future.

Gifts of CashGiving cash is the most popular form of gifting due to its simplicity. Cash gifts may be made by currency, check, money order, or bank draft. The applicable income tax deduction reduces the actual cost of the gift.

BequestA bequest through a will or trust is the most common form of a planned gift because it is a way to make a substantial contribution to support the organization without diminishing the assets available to the donor during his or her lifetime. Because a bequest to the Servants of the Paraclete is deducted entirely, without limit, from the taxable estate for estate tax purposes, important estate tax savings can result from this type of gift. Bequests often reduce or possibly eliminate one’s federal estate tax burden. Please check current tax laws.

Sample Wording:

“ I give to the Servants of the Paraclete, 6476 Eime Rd., Dittmer, MO 63023, a non-profit organization in

Dittmer, Missouri –EIN# - 85-0413838”

• For a cash bequest - The sum of ______________ dollars($__________).

• For a stock bequest - __________ Shares of common stock of ____________

corporation.

• Percentage of Estate - __________ percent(______%) of the residue of my estate.

I impose no restrictions upon the use of this bequest to the Servants of the Paraclete.

Gifts of SecuritiesGifts of marketable securities, or stock listed on an exchange, can be an advantageous way to make a substantial contribution to support the Servants of the Paraclete. If you give appreciated securities to the Servants of the Paraclete, there are several benefits.

• Donorscanavoidpayingcapitalgainstaxesontheamountoftheappreciation.

• Donorscanstilldeductthefullamountofthecurrentvalueofthestock as a charitable income tax donation. If you cannot use all of the deduction in the year you make the gift; you may carry over the deduction for an additional five years.

Planned Giving Part III

Life InsuranceGifts of life insurance can offer an attractive way to benefit the Servants of the Paraclete at a relatively low cost. Life insurance may be especially attractive for young donors due to the relatively low premium. For older donors, the reason for having the policy in place may no longer apply.

• Forexample,thechildrenmaybegrown,theremaybenomortgageremaining on the family home, or a spouse may have other assets for his or her support. In these situations, donating the existing policy may be a wonderful way to support the Servants of the Paraclete.

To receive income tax benefits, Servants of the Paraclete must be named the irrevocable owner and beneficiary of the policy. The insurance premiums are paid to the Servants of the Paraclete; who then forwards payment to the insurance company. This premium is tax deductible for federal returns. When the Servants are named owner and beneficiary of an existing policy, the value of the policy is tax deductible as are the current and future premiums paid.

Some of the benefits for making a Life Insurance gift are:

• It might be an asset that you no longer need. Many life insurance policies have outlived their original purpose - that

is, to assure the financial security of your children or your spouse. This policy would be of great value to the Servants.

• You might be eligible for a tax deduction. By naming the Servants of the Paraclete as beneficiary and assigning

ownership of the policy to our organization, you can secure a valuable income tax charitable deduction. Assuming you itemize your deductions, your gift is deductible up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income, with a five-year carry over for any excess.

• Your income is not decreased. A gift of an insurance policy won’t reduce your current income.

Gifts of Real EstateGifts of real estate offer great flexibility in financial planning. Whether it is residential property, business property, or farmland, the method by which a donor chooses to make a gift of real estate depends on that person’s individual goals and objectives. An outright gift of appreciated land or other real estate has several immediate benefits for the donor. Those tax benefits include no taxation on the appreciation of the real property; an income tax deduction for 100 percent of the fair market value of the property as of the date of the gift; and a reduction in the donor’s taxable estate by the value of the gift less any income tax savings that are retained or reinvested. All proposed gifts of real estate are reviewed by the Servants of the Paraclete before the gifts are accepted.

Including the Servants of the Paraclete In Your Will Is Simple And Easy!A commonly asked question about charitable giving is:

“How do I include the Servants of the Paraclete in my will?”• Youneedawrittenstatementdeclaringyourwishes.

A gift through your will is one of the best ways to support the Servants of the Paraclete.

It’s That Simple!If you would like to designate your bequest to a specific purpose for the Servants of the Paraclete, we encourage you to contact theDevelopmentOfficeat314-875-0816 or development@theservants.org to determine wording that will ensure the appropriate use of your bequest.

Gifts of land or other real estate can offer many advantages to a donor and the Servants of the Paraclete.

• Agiftofrealestatecanbeanattractivewaytomakeasubstantialcommitment and to realize important tax and income benefits at the same time. You may be able to reduce significantly the amount of income, capital gain, and estate taxes you otherwise would have to pay.

• Thedisposalofyourpropertycanrelieveyouofmanagementworries.

Your gift will be acknowledged in our financial reports. Or, if you wish, your gift can remain anonymous.

If you choose to make a gift to the Servants of the Paraclete as part of your will, let us know of your intentions or any special requests. All information will remain strictly confidential.

The entire Paraclete community is grateful for your prayerful consideration of a bequest, and the residents as well as the staff all appreciate your support.

Please remember to consult with an attorney or financial planner/tax advisor before making any decisions on planned giving to ensure you are making the right choices for you and your loved ones.

FeelfreetocontacttheDevelopmentOfficeat 314-875-0816 - development@theservants.org

with any questions regarding planned giving.

Be sure to Check out the new Servants of the Paraclete website!

www.theservants.org

Winter beauty abounds but we anxiously await spring!

Marian WolaverDirectorofDevelopment314-875-0817mwolaver@theservants.org

Thank you for your generosity! It is greatly appreciated.

Please remember the Servants of the Paraclete in your estate and will.

DEVELOPMENT OFFICE CONTACT INFORMATION

Barb BehlmannDevelopmentAssociate314-875-0816bbehlmann@theservants.org

FAX: 314-875-0818Website: www.theservants.org

Servants of the ParacletePO Box 9Cedar Hill, MO 63016

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March

Newsletter

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Mass StipendsRemarks from Father Peter Lechner s.P. regarding mass stipends:

“One of the principal functions of the priestly vocation is to pray for all faithful people. A particularly efficacious way of doing this is by offering a mass for a special person, living or deceased. As a priest, I appreciate it when a person asks that a special intention be remembered in prayer, particularly in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

A mass stipend is not necessary for a mass to be celebrated.

It certainly is not paying for the offering of the mass.

It is a good will offering on the part of the faithful which helps to support a priest. We request a stipend for mass offerings, but it is by no means mandatory.”

We appreciate the many mass stipends that we receive. We thank you for supporting that part of our ministry. While many priests may designate how they want to utilize the mass stipend funds, the Servants of the Paraclete share in the mass stipend pool, as directed by their vows and constitution.

Name of Person to be remembered in a mass celebrated by a Servant of the Paraclete:

Name of person donating the stipend:

Doyouwantanacknowledgementcardsenttosomeone?If so, please put the name, address, city, state and zip so that an acknowledgement of the mass in memory or honor of someone can be sent.

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

If you would like to request a specific date, please list below. Please allow 2-3 months for specific dates as they must be distributed to our priests from the DevelopmentOffice.

RequestedDateforMass:

Mass Stipend Form