| Franciscan Friars of the Renewal | Winter 2004 |
By Fr. Glenn Sudano, C.F.R.
 It’s moving day for our “home missionary” friars in New Mexico. By the New Year they will be happily settled into larger living quarters better suited for community life. Thanks to the generous service and financial assistance of local residents, the life of the friars planted in Albuquerque can better take root and grow. Community members coming from varied climates and cultures throughout the United States are grateful that the CFR life is not limited to the inner cities of the Northeast - especially during the winter! The friars on the move are (from left to right) Fr. Robert Stanion, Fr. Terry Messer, and Br. Sharbel Mariam Alkhass. |
Sitting on Santa’s lap for the very first time is considered nothing less than a historic event for a five-year-old. Indeed, my small slice of history is attested to and permanently recorded in my family’s photo archives which are in the bottom drawer of an old bureau. Oddly enough, the almost endless array of photos taken over the past sixty or so years shares their dark cramped quarters with a few never-opened photo albums. Maybe on some rainy afternoon all these pictures will be sorted and neatly arranged in them. Thus far, however, this minor miracle has yet to happen. But there, stuffed in either a tattered manila envelope or an old greeting card box, is a shiny black and white snapshot of Santa Claus, my older brother Barry, and me.
As a child, Christmas Day was surrounded with an almost visible aura – it almost glowed – everything about it felt and looked different. It felt like, well, Christmas. The day, however, was made special due to the heightened excitement and anticipation which built up over the preceding weeks. Like in every epic drama or big game, crescendo and crisis make the final scene or inning worth the wait. How great can a World Series be without even one full count with the bases loaded? Perhaps the reason Christmas Day felt somewhat surreal was simply a combination of sleepiness due to an excited 3 AM rising, wearing a tie and jacket for an entire day, getting overloaded with gifts, and consuming a large quantity of Italian food and delicious desserts.
 Wearing a crown of thorns symbolic of her sacrificial betrothal to Christ, Sister Clare Matthiass is all aglow with her grandmother on the day of her final vows. The inspiring profession ceremony and Mass was celebrated by Father Andrew Apostoli, founder of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal, in St. Adalbert Church located in the South Bronx. As with the friars, a sister’s decision to profess these solemn vows brings to a closure years of personal discernment under the guidance of formation and spiritual directors. After final vows, however, religious formation continues as greater responsibilities in the community and apostolate begin. Sister Clare, who is presently the vocation director for the sisters, is kept quite busy and encouraged over the large number of inquiries she is receiving from here and abroad. |
For most people, Christmas preparations often involved cleaning, cooking, decorating, and shopping – not necessarily in that order or with equal intensity. Certainly one’s age, attitude, culture and faith are all a part of the equation. When you’re a child, getting toys are on top of the list; when older, buying gifts and getting together with family and friends is important. As a religious, the spirituality of the season is of course central. I particularly look forward to our community’s liturgies which are more solemnly celebrated with our schola singing Gregorian chant in the choir loft above and with great billows of incense in the sanctuary.
Now, about my historic encounter! The events surrounding it I cannot clearly remember. I do recall, however, my brother and I being excited when my mom announced to us we were going to see Santa. However, for some unknown reason, as the big day approached, my excitement slowly turned into anxiety when my brother asked a simple and innocent question: “What are you going to ask Santa for?” After I told him, I for some reason suspected he wanted to ask for the same thing. “What if Santa only had one”, I thought, “since he’s older, he’s gonna get it!” From that moment on, I put my little brain into gear and began to think of a plan that would work.
My memory of traveling to the downtown Brooklyn department store by subway is gone. I know we didn’t drive since everyone born and bred in New York knows that the only cars seen in the city during the Christmas shopping season are driven by taxi drivers and out-of-town tourists. Walking into the store I do remember, since the whole place permeated with the smell of buttered popcorn. To this day, anytime I smell popcorn I think of McCrory’s, a once bustling department store which went bust and quietly closed its doors sometime in the sixties. There, going up on the escalator to the third floor, I interiorly reviewed my strategy.
When we arrived and took our place at the end of the line, I purposely took my mother’s hand so she would be between my brother and me. After waiting a while we finally reached the front of the line where we could all clearly see Santa. On his lap sat a chubby boy who was having an inaudible yet animated discussion with Santa. I thought their conversation would never end, but soon after a big hug the boy clumsily climbed off Santa’s lap. That’s when I made my move! Knowing that my mom would escort my older brother up first, I broke rank and ran! I quickly scurried up and settled into Santa’s lap. He looked somewhat surprised seeing my mom and brother awkwardly approaching him. I didn’t dare look up lest my mother call me back. Santa smiled and with eyebrows up asked me, “...and have you been a good little boy?” I feigned complete innocence and staring at my shoes sheepishly said, “Yes.” Now came the question I was waiting for. I was ready for the big pitch: “...and what would you like for Christmas?” I sat up, straightened my shoulders and clearly announced, “I want a Battlin’ Betsy!” For my mother’s sake, he loudly and slowly said, “Oh, so you want a Battlin’ Betsy?”
Now that my secret mission was accomplished, I felt good yet uneasy because something just wasn’t right. I thought to myself, “Hey, he doesn’t know what a Battlin’ Betsy is! What if he thinks it’s a girl’s doll!” I panicked and began to frantically explain: “It a big boat, a battleship and it’s gray and shoots real rockets and even has a twirly copter which really flies and it’s big and it does a lot of other stuff!” After some small talk I slid down Santa’s leg and quickly passed by my brother as he was walking to the chair. I made sure not to look him in the eye. I was a bit afraid of the consequences of my actions but the excitement of soon being the proud owner of a big gray battleship made my guilt quite bearable.
By the time I returned to my mother, my brother was already talking with Santa. I couldn’t clearly hear the conversation, but
 Br. Honorat Maria Grifka, who hails from Bad Axe, Michigan appears to have found a new friend when he visited the friars’ mission in Honduras. Younger friars in formation are encouraged to pray for the grace of a missionary vocation which may lead them far from the security and stability of home. We are grateful many friars have answered this “call within a call” and are now serving the spiritual and material needs of the poor outside the country.Missionary work has been a part of Franciscan life and spirituality from the very beginning. Besides Central America, the friars also serve in England where they soon hope to establish a second friary. By the way, Br. Honorat is playing with “Leo”, named after the faithful companion of Saint Francis. The puppy is a pure bred Rottweiler and presently being trained by the friars to offer some friendly “security support” at the nearby medical clinic. |
did hear, “And you, little boy, what would you like for Christmas?” My brother answered so loudly I thought half the store could hear him, “I want a beautiful gown and a pair of golden slippers for my mother!” Santa immediately pulled back his head and stared at him, then at my mom who was standing there speechless gazing at my brother in mute admiration. I stood there stone-faced and tight-lipped. I remember thinking, “if I had that Battlin’ Betsy, I’d smash it right over his head!”
Yes, this was my day of infamy. It was an event not soon forgotten since it was repeated and relived for many Christmases to come. Yes, insult was added to injury each time my mother told the “My Barry’s beautiful gown and golden slipper” story. The story always ended with the same results: the audience sighing, my mom glowing, my brother smiling, and me cringing.
You might think my story would make a good comedy, yet some would say a good mystery. The question is why a little boy without a worry in the world would act that way – suspicious, greedy, and conniving? The answer is actually found in the first book of the Bible. In Genesis we can read about the well-known account of the fall of Adam and Eve. In this simple story, we encounter the real root of every error and wrong action. The catechism calls the condition “original sin”, a congenital spiritual disease we catch at conception. It is interesting to note that some scientists have recently discovered a common gene which links us back to our first parents. At the same time, the Church and the Scriptures have consistently pointed to another link. The first is biological – DNA, the second, spiritual – SIN.
 Friars are ever grateful for the financial and fraternal support they receive from others. Youth groups and their directors, some who travel great distances, come to the Bronx for a few days of generous service. The friars and the needy, however, aren’t the only ones on the receiving end since volunteers often return home spiritually refreshed and inspired. Those who assist are invited to participate in the friars’ daily prayer, most especially the early morning Mass and evening Eucharistic holy hour.
This Grayfriar News photo pictures an enthusiastic group on the front steps of St. Crispin Friary saying goodbye to the Bronx before heading home to Wisconsin. Perhaps in a few years some of these teens will receive a special grace from God, and one day return to the friars or sisters - to stay! |
Putting both Bible and catechism aside, let’s step into the shop and look at this problem another way. Everyone alive experiences a certain propensity or “pull” which prevents them from going where they really want to go. We intend to go straight forward but are quietly pulled off course. Simply put, everyone’s alignment is off. This is why no one makes it through life without suffering scrapes, dents, and for some, complete destruction. Those who want to avoid going off the shoulder and into the ditch must therefore exert a conscious and concerted effort. On the other hand, there are those who drive with light hand and heavy foot – and wonder why so much of their life is crash and burn.
If you prefer gardens to garages, let me describe this difficulty a different way. Planted down deep within our immortal soul are seeds. They need no cultivation, but in time they automatically spring up. Call them “spiritual stink weeds”. Left unattended, they quietly creep over the landscape of our lives; but when watered and warmed, watch out – they’ll eat everything, even consuming the soil itself!
The very word “sin” is related to the Latin word “sine” which means “without”. Although sin is a reality which does a lot of damage, its real destructive power is not found in what it possesses in itself, but rather in what it lacks. Like a hole in the center of a doughnut, sin is a void, a “no-thing”, a dark space surrounded by love, truth, justice, and mercy.
Many intelligent, talented, and powerful people are afraid to accept these simple truths which even a child can understand. There are those who refuse to read the Bible believing it is too “negative”, even violent. Yet they read the newspaper cover-to-cover every day, get depressed, yet find no answer to the problems of life. If only they would read the first two chapters of the Gospel of Saint Luke, the story of the first Christmas. While it speaks about a world shrouded in sin and misery, its main message is about hope and salvation – some things this world sorely needs!
 The Franciscans of the Renewal proudly announce the Final Profession of these friars who now give themselves to the service of the poor and the proclamation of the Gospel. They are (from left to right) Br. Augustine Mary Conner (Preston, England), Br. Benedict Joseph Maria Delarmi (Manchester, England), Br. Dominic Miriam Bormans (Auckland, New Zealand), Br. Solanus Maria Benfatti (Midland, TX), Br. Agostino Miguel Torres (Alamo, TX), Br. Pio Maria Hoffman (Lake Charles, Louisiana), Br. Francis Mary Roaldi (Buffalo, NY), and Br. Paulus Maria Tautz (Pirna, East Germany)
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 Monsignor James Turro is both a professor and friend to Br. Michael Kmiotek, a student at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut. Monsignor Turro is not only well-respected due to his knowledge of the Sacred Scripture, but also for his evident fidelity and priestly zeal. Not only seminarians, but clergy, religious, and laity throughout the tri-state area continue to benefit from his untiring apostolic efforts. Many people, including the friars, take delight in hearing Monsignor’s spiritual insights which are as profound as they are brief. |
In these dark and difficult days, it is not only nice, but indeed necessary to take the time, sit the kids down, and explain the reason for all the wreaths and ribbons, songs and celebrations. Bringing the little ones to see Santa may not be sinful, but not bringing them to our Savior’s stable certainly is. If children are more familiar with Santa Claus than they are with Jesus Christ, something is very wrong. Life will teach them early on that good people and best intentions often fail, but only you can teach them the real reasons why, and what they can do to make life work.
This Christmas bring the kids to Christ. They must know the One who called Himself, “The Way” and the “Bread of Life”. Without Him, they’ll be lost and hungry, but with Him they can make it through the journey safe and sound. They will experience a full life – with an immortal soul as vast and beautiful as an ocean of golden wheat waving in the wind. If we remain silent, we sin but they will surely suffer. So, open the book and bring them the true message and meaning of Christmas. They deserve, indeed desire, nothing less than the real story.
 On September 8, Michael Corsini from Westminster, Maryland together with ten fellow candidates, received from Fr. Richard Roemer a simple wooden cross which signifies the beginning of postulancy. This six-month period of ongoing discernment and initial formation takes place at Saint Joseph Friary located in the Harlem section of Manhattan. Under the direction of Fr. Richard, postulants are introduced to Franciscan religious life through fraternal living, regular periods of common and private prayer, classroom instruction, and varied apostolic experiences.Michael and his fellow postulant classmates hope that they will be formally received as novices when they exchange their cross for a simple hooded tunic, rope cincture, and sandals. Novices live a similar yet more intense period of formation and discernment at the new novitiate friary, Most Blessed Sacrament, located in the heart of Newark, New Jersey. |
 Some might call it a long line of misery, but the line outside the San Benito Jose Medical Center is really a line to mercy because it ends in a place of hope and healing. Through the initiative and hard work of Fr. Herald Brock, pictured above, the newly constructed clinic, named to honor Father Benedict Groeschel, offers free medical assistance to many impoverished people. Together with the friars who serve at San Serafin Friary, lay missionaries, local volunteers and medical personnel have the privilege of witnessing a wonderful work of God. The medical center built near the friary in Comayagua, Honduras, not only has a walk-in pharmacy but also a series of operating and recovery rooms. Together with medical supplies and modern technical equipment, the clinic provides visiting surgical teams with a secure and sterile environment to help those most in need. Visiting doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel soon become well-aware that faith is central to the life and work of the center as evidenced by the chapel and tabernacle which clearly stands at its very center. |
 The joyful day of investiture, that is, the receiving of the religious habit, marks the end of postulancy and the beginning of novitiate. Well aware and ready for the challenges ahead, these sisters kindly request your prayers. They are: (left to right) Sr. Veronica Marie Vandenbunder (Lille, France), Sr. Margaret Mary Hegarty (Donegal, Ireland), Sr. Catherine Mary Holum (Broomfield, Colorado), and Sr. Elizabeth Marie Hogan (Gahanna, Ohio)
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