Father Paschal's Christmas 2007 Letter
Christmas, 2007
Dear Friends,
It was last December 16th right after I got my last year’s letter off to you that we gathered for the dedication of the church of St. Bartholomew in Manchester, Maryland. My long time friend since I arrived in Baltimore, Fr. Michael Roach, who also preached at my Dad Vito’s funeral, has been working on this church for nearly 10 years...And finally it was a done deal and what a pleasant house of God it is...Warm and inviting when you enter. I am so happy that he was able to finally get it accomplished as it was quite a struggle for him. I was pleased that he asked me to be part of the dedication ceremony as well.
Christmas was quite nice for us this past year as our outreach again was run very smoothly and we had great assistance from our sister parishes and all the folks who came to work with the packing and distribution of gifts and food…We were able to reach out and help over 155 families. It’s a monumental task but with the help of many local folks as well, we were able to accomplish it all… We again had the assistance of Father Thomas More who has been an invaluable help to us for the past few Christmases helping with Masses and confessions. Following my Masses I was able to get home and spend Christmas night with my family…We still miss my Dad a lot as he always added so much to our Christmas gathering.
In January the Adelphoi board met for a retreat –planning day at the Greensburg Garden center. It was a very full day and we were able to begin working on long range planning. Much has happened in the child care sector in the past couple of years and we have had to rethink and plan accordingly as it becomes more complicated as we go along with so many regulations and demands being made on the agency. But in all we are able to help more youngsters, and our outcome has better results than many others who work in the same field. We have a high success rate and have again this year received awards...To be an award winning agency in the state of Pennsylvania for three years straight is no small accomplishment. I cannot begin to tell you how pleased I am with the fine work that is going on there. I never dreamed that it would grow and be able to produce such fine results as we are seeing today.
In February of this year our church building became 75 years old...We opened the 75th anniversary celebration with a Mass celebrated by our urban vicar Bishop Denis Madden, and it was quite lovely with several local priests present to concelebrate with us. We have had a fine concert and lecture series this year to celebrate the occasion. No big celebrations have been planned but small things to make the church more visible. We hope to have something very nice to close the year next spring. The building is in rather good shape for its age; now that the roof restoration is completed we are concentrating on the 20 upper windows that have real problems and this should start in the spring and completed in 2008. The funds have been coming in steadily for this project and we will be so happy to have it all behind us.
On February 11th we had a very distinguished visitor attend our Saint Maximos Society gathering. Archbishop Vsevelod of the Ukrainian Orthodox church gave us a very interesting talk .Our group has been meeting continuously for the past 12 years nearly every month. We have a very varied group and it has been a great experience coordinating this ecumenical group. At the time of this writing the Archbishop is very ill and you might want to keep him in your prayers. He has been in the forefront of good relations with the church of the west for many years and has been a corner stone of the Orientale Lumen Conferences of which I have been a part of for the past 10 years.
Lent began and I was scheduled for two parish missions. The mission in Crabtree, PA, was snowed out and the one in Ellicott City, Maryland nearly had the same problem but then the weather cleared and it was big success. Holy Week went very beautifully with great weather and our parish group reenacted the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary on Good Friday evening with a packed church. They have done a great job for the past few years. Easter Sunday and the week following were just beautiful and I went to Latrobe for the memorial Mass and preached for a long time friend Dorothy Ransel. Dorothy had passed away in the winter in South Carolina; but, her daughter Barbara waited until the spring to bring her ashes home to be buried. The following week I went to Emmaus, Pennsylvania to give a day of recollection to the Oblates of Holy Transfiguration Monastery there...it was an overnight and a very pleasant visit to a part of Pennsylvania that I had not visited before. The sisters there were very gracious and had a pleasant group of Oblates for the talks and Mass. Late in April we celebrated our First Communions and I left on the 2nd of May for Rome for a Meeting concerned with the 2009 World Congress of Benedictine Oblates and then on to the Orientale Lumen conference in Istanbul which lasted a week, and then the group organizers took us to Cappadocia for a couple of days before returning back in Baltimore. I made a two day stop in Athens and took care of some business for our gift shop and got home on the 17th of May just in time to go home to Portsmouth for our 50th high school class reunion. Even though I went to Belmont Abbey Prep for most of my high school I have always maintained my ties with those with whom I went through grade school and so we had quite a beautiful weekend in Portsmouth with a great attendance... the Mass at St. Paul’s church was filled and I preached about how much we had received in that very church. I truly felt it to be one of my finest homilies as I was preaching from the heart. My Mom went along for the Mass and dinner as she knew everyone there. My sister Margaret’s class was also invited as were several other classes so it was great as we had all been very close in grade school and then most of them in high school as well. One of our classmate Catherine McDonald Meeks came on her sail boat and docked next to the hotel and on Saturday we were able to cruise up and down the Elizabeth River. Following the reunion I went to the Religious Book Trade Expo in St. Charles, Illinois for five days to buy books for our gift shop…getting caught in a terrible storm coming back that closed down several airports…I got home too late to get to Sr. Rosalia’s 70 Jubilee Celebration. I was in the dog house again. Earlier in the month I was in it because I was overseas and could not get to the funeral of a very dear friend of many years, Joe Steep. I was traveling in Turkey when he passed away and was unaware of his death until about a month or so later. I knew he had been very ill but had no idea he had died.
I had actually been on the road for nearly six weeks with only a day or so at home at a time. I had planned to take my sister Margaret and Benny’s grand children to Florida for a week in June. When school was out, we had planned this since last Thanksgiving. But plans change; Fr. Chad and I had a great week of peace and quiet which I needed after having such a hectic schedule since the beginning lent.
Later in June Ordinations in Baltimore took place and two of those ordained were very good friends of mine, Fr. Michael Triplett and Fr. Daniel Goulet. Fr. Mike Triplett had been a seminarian with us in the summer about three years ago and was a great help and just a fine person. Fr. Daniel Goulet is a Benedictine Oblate who has become active in our Oblate group here. They both came during the following week to celebrate Mass for our people.
Just at the end of June one of our dearest parishioner Elaine Kolarek went to God. It was a Sunday morning when her son Bob, our organist, stopped by to pick her up for Sunday Mass and found her dead. It was a shock for all of us. Elaine had worked in the parish cooking for all occasions for years especially in our summer Camp until she was no longer able to do it.
July saw me off to Latrobe for a week of community meetings, vow ceremonies and ordination at the Archabbey. Staying several days for this and only getting back on Saturday. The following week I went to Portsmouth to spend some time with my Mom and do some things for her. While there, my cousin Jim Morlino and his wife Fran, who live in Connecticut and their six kids, arrived. We celebrated mass together with them and had a nice dinner and just enjoyed the kids so much, as we had not seen Jim since their Uncle Vito’s funeral three and half years ago. What a beautiful family they are. Some of our other first cousins also came by to visit while they were in town and it was great to see them all . They are really a joy to be around.
Our parish Picnic took place near the end of July and then I took off for the North American Association of Benedictine Oblate Directors meeting in Lacey, Washington, and representing St. Vincent Archabbey. This meeting takes place every two years and it is for this Association that I chair the committee and am the National Director for the World Congress of Benedictine Oblates. The meeting is in Rome in 2009, this is reason for which I was in Rome in May and again in October for planning meetings for ‘09. While I was out in Washing ton state I had the opportunity to visit the Tresser Family whom I had not seen since the 50th Wedding anniversary for their grandparents John and Marian Zappone, some years ago. The kids have grown up and are all doing well. I was able to spend a nice afternoon and dinner with them. The State of Washington is simply magnificent for its beauty. From my room at St. Martin’s Abbey, where I stayed, I had a magnificent view of snow covered Mt. Rainier. Each hour of the day it had a completely different look. I also had an opportunity to visit with Mother Anastasia and the Byzantine nuns of Holy Transfiguration Monastery right nearby. They are the sister community of Holy Resurrection Monastery in Newberry Springs, CA...Abbot Nicholas from there is visiting with me at present as I write this letter.
I arrived back just in time for the Annual Crab Feast boat trip to Celebrate Sister Beatrice’s 91 birthday this year. The boat was filled to capacity 110 persons, and the crabs were nice and fat and the weather could not have been any more beautiful. It is one of those events that everyone looks forward to each year. Sr. Beatrice has retired from active duty as of this fall and now lives a t the provincial house in Emmitsburg, Maryland, she comes in town often and so we are very much in contact with her and talk to her on the phone weekly. We all miss her very much as she was a vital part of the parish for the past 20 years. She is greatly missed by all.
Buffalo was the next adventure, as I always try to attend the Arcese Family reunion, I was the only one from the Virginia part of the family who was able to attend this year. My Mom has one first cousin still living there. I stay with her Cousin John and his family when I go and it is his son Gary who organizes the reunion. There were well over 150 persons there this year and I can tell you the fireworks were as good if not better than those we have in Baltimore for the 4th of July. It was to say a spectacular time all around. I dropped out of the egg toss contest early; there were 62 teams, as my partner threw the egg way over my head. I was relieved. I also had a great time selling our raffle tickets at this event as they were waiting for me and my Baltimore lotto tickets. I got home for a visit right after this and brought my Mom back to Baltimore with me, she had a great visit for nearly 6 weeks. I hope to have her back after Christmas.
Now moving into the fall, September found us at our annual Golf Outing at Rocky Point. It has become a real tradition and was a great fund raiser this year as we had lots of fun and great weather and good food…. and I had fun driving the refreshment wagon around the course, checking on the golfers…Me golf??? Are you kidding? I tried and am a disaster, believe me. The Golf outing and our Raffle tickets help our window restoration fund a great deal. Thanks to all who continue to support this fund. We finished out the month with a great concert by the Army Field Band celebrating Hispanic Heritage month. It was great concert with a nice attendance. Then that same afternoon I participated in the Festive Ecumenical Vesper service at Zion Lutheran Church celebrating the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels for the anniversary of the reunification of Germany. I went immediately that evening to the Vespers at the Basilica in Baltimore for the welcome service for the priests and religious of the archdiocese to meet our new Archbishop Edwin O'Brien.
The installation took place the next day at the Cathedral of Mary our Queen with over 450 priests, 77 Archbishops and bishops and 9 cardinals present. Needless to say, it was packed to the walls. It was a beautiful celebration and the new archbishop gave a fine homily and really means to get to the heart of the matter, especially in the city where we have such great problems and need lots of help.
With our Annual Fall Festival the very next weekend being a big success and the heat of the summer and most of my gardening all well behind me I went with a group on vacation to Sicily and southern Italy, ending up in Rome with my second meeting in preparation for the World Congress in 2009. We attended the Papal Audience and had great seats just 8 rows from the Holy Father. My good friend Father Mike Triplett, just ordained this year, obtained the tickets for us…I had time in Rome to do some visiting of friends. Augustin Cardinal Mayer, O.S.B. who is 96 and still very much with it; the Benedictine sisters, from St. Walburga Abbey in Colorado, who live in a Cloistered monastery inside the Vatican, I visited them twice for mass. Our Father Kurt Belsole O.S.B., who is now teaching at the .North American College, Brother Benoit who is studying theology in Rome and Fr. Tom Roach, S.J., brother of Father Michael Roach. Then I visited at Sant’Anselmo that week for a meeting and had lunch there, it was like old home week as I saw so many folks that I know. The chef Antonio and the sub prior Brother Stefano, had spent several days with us in Baltimore this summer and they were very happy to see me. So, my days in Roma were full and yet we were able to make day trips to visit Norcia to visit the young Benedictine community there, Todi, Subiaco, Sacra Speco, Frascatti, and Castlegundolfo. But the weather in Italy was quite chilly for this time of the year. The Italians thought it was winter already.
As part of our 75th Anniversary celebration of the church we had Brother Nathan Cochran, O.S.B. who lectured on the art work in our church. There is much more to it than most folks realize. I hope to publish his talk and have it ready for a future mailing for you. I went on the 14th to Founder’s Day at St. Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe for the annual celebration and light up of the campus. After recovering from a heavy chest cold which I brought home with me from Italy, I preached for the 40 hours at St. Agnes Parish in Baltimore. Then I went on to preach two parish missions: one in Randallstown, Maryland and one for my good friend Fr. Patrick York in Wichita, Kansas.
On December 5th Adelphoi USA inaugurated their Heritage Wall, located in the Scalise Family Recreation Center, on the main campus of Adelphoi Village. I was honored to be named the first person to be placed on that wall as the Founder and first director of Adelphoi Village. The ceremony took place at the Latrobe Country Club with the board members and invited guests present. Among the invited guests were Archabbot Douglas Nowicki, O.S.B. my Abbot, Mother Mary Ann, O.S.B. of St. Emma Monastery representing our Benedictine Nuns who were so helpful to me when I began Adelphoi 37 years ago as well as some of my Benedictine confreres and close friends from the Latrobe area. No members of my family were able to attend. There was much snow on the ground going up to Latrobe and coming back as well. In this endeavor again I say that God used me well to bring Adelphoi into existence. It was with much prayer, lots of hard work and the help of many folks who believed in me and the project.
Our pastoral associate who took a break from seminary for the past four years Luis Leon has been accepted by the diocese of Arlington to return to the seminary and finish his studies for the priesthood. This is great news as it is something he has desired for some time. I am happy that I have been instrumental in helping him through this difficult time of discernment. He will return from a visit with his family in Costa Rica before Christmas and then in January return to the seminary. This is very good news for Luis, but sad news for us as he has been so very active and helpful in the parish. We will be lost without his assistance. I know I will. He has been invaluable help to me, and the staff as well, as to so many of our parishioners. Our Annual trip to NYC and the radio City Music Hall Christmas show took place on Dec 11th. The rest you’ll l have to read next year.
I hope and pray that each of you have blessed and happy Christmas. May God bless you, and may his light shine upon you and your loved ones in the New Year.
Fr. Paschal A. Morlino, O.S.B.
O
Holy
Night, the
Stars are brightly
Shining: it is the night
Of the dear Savior’s birth!
Long lay the world in sin and
Error pining, Till he appeared and the
Soul felt its worth. Till he appeared and the
Soul felt its worth. A trill of hope, the weary
Soul rejoices, for yonder breaks a new and glorious
Morn, fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O
Night divine, O night when Christ was born!
O night, O
Holy night,
O night divine!
O Lord Jesus, may this New Year be marked by our profound desire to reconcile with you in every way. May we remain close to you though faithfulness to the sacraments. Fill us with an authentic spirit of repentance. Free us from our resentments, our grudges, and our regrets. May Christ-like forgiveness be the hallmark of our lives. May we witness to our faith by proclaiming the dignity of all human life in our every thought word and deed. May our experience of your mercy make us generous in our acts of Justice for the afflicted of the world so that all may live in the freedom of your kingdom. Amen.
