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ResurrectionBULLETIN • FALL 2015

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Thursday we met at St. Patrick s Church at 11:00 a.m. for the Profession of Faith and the Oath of Fidelty of the Bishop-elect, attended by the priests and laity. Bishop Robert Kurtz, CR, was the celebrant of this Prayer.At 5:00 p.m. we began the solemn Ordination of Bishop Wesley Spiewak, CR, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton in Bermuda. There were eight Bishops in atten-dance from the Antilles Episcopal Conference, of which Bermuda is a member. The Co-Consecrators with Bishop Kurtz were Archbishop Niocola Girasoli, our Nuncio (who also preached) and our Metropolitan, Archbishop Patrick Pinder. Father Sudie MacDonald, CR, our former Superior General, and our present Superior General, Father Bernard Hylla, CR were the ‘Chaplains’ who accompanied and assisted the Bishop-elect. The Cathedral was packed, with some also watching in the Church Hall and - through the miracle of computers – people in many coun-tries of the globe. We were happy so many people – especia l ly the family of Bishop Wesley, and Resurrectionists through-out the world – could share in this beautiful ceremony. The Mass lasted two hours and a half, fol lowed by speeches by Archbishop Pinder, Fr. Hylla, beloved Bishop Kurtz , and the newly-ordained Bishop. The choir was fantastic, and the participation by all was an enthusiastic beginning to a new leadership of the Diocese. There was a reception in the Auditorium of Mt. St. Agnes Academy (across the street) attended by many.As a Resurrectionist, this was a great expression and demonstration of our fraternity as members of an interna-tional Religious Community, and also of our willingness

R E S U R R E C T I O N B U L L E T I N • FA L L 2 0 1 5

ResurrectionB U L L E T I N

A Joyous Celebration!By Fr. Paul Voisin, CR

They began arriving Sunday, September 27, beginning with Fr. George Nowak, CR. Monday brought many trips to the L. F. Wade Airport in Bermuda to welcome Resurrectionists arriving for the Episcopal Ordination of our brother, Bishop-elect Wieslaw (Wesley) Spiewak, CR. By Monday night members of the General Council had arrived, as well as Resurrectionists from Canada (3), the United States (2), Germany (1), Poland (15), and Australia (2). A spirit of excitement and brotherhood was palpa-ble. We shared a supper at St. Patrick s Rectory Monday and Tuesday evenings, hosted by Fr. Vladimir Sobolewski, CR, giving one another a chance to meet with the Bishop-elect, and to reconnect once again with one another. Fr. Vlad had arranged with families of his Parish to be “Host Families” for some of the visiting Resurrectionists, some stayed in our Resurrectionist Rectories (and the Bishop s residence) and others stayed at the Grotto Bay Hotel. Wednesday night we gathered at the Grotto Bay Hotel for a dinner to celebrate the great event in the ongoing history of the sixth Resurrectionist Bishop.

IN THIS ISSUE

A Joyous Celebration Celebrating 23 Years of Evangelization Page 2Communion of Saints Page 3In Memoriam Page 4Our Seminarian in Maryland Page 4Resurrectionist Fr. Paul Szymanowski, CR Page 5The Resurrectionist Missions Page 6Our Current Situation Page 6Novitiate Begins in Buhemba Page 7Water Reservoir for Buhemba Page 7The Priest Behind the Lens Page 8Where are they Now? Page 8How you can Help Page 8

Most Rev. Wesley Spiewak, CR, Bishop of Hamilton in Bermuda.

SpiritualB E N E F I T S


Donors to the Congregation share in the following Spiritual

Benefits:

1. Daily prayers said in all the houses of the Congregation of the Resurrection for living and deceased benefactors.

2. One Mass said each month in each house of the Congregation of the Resurrection for the living benefactors.

3. One Mass said each month in each house of the Congregation of the Resurrection for the deceased benefactors.

4. One Mass said annually in November in each house of the Congregation of the Resurrection for the deceased benefactors.

“ If the faithful help even one candidate for the priesthood, they will fully share in all the future masses and in all the fruits of sanctity and apostolic works that will be his.” Pope Pius XII.

Contributions to the Congregation may be sent to:

Congregation of the Resurrection Provincial Office, Treasurer Resurrection College 265 Westmount Road North Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G7

Charitable receipts for income tax purposes will be issued to all donors.

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to serve the universal Church where we are called to bring about the resur-rection of society. It was a proud day for all Resurrectionists, not only those who were fortunate enough to participate, but each and every member of our Congregation.

Celebrating 23 Years of EvangelizationIn June, Fr. Fred Scinto, CR retired from the Waterloo Catholic District School Board after serving as its spiritual animator for 23 years. This event was marked by a gathering at the Edelweiss Tavern on October

28th, during which Fr. Fred was presented with a picture entitled: “Child of God”. This picture was commissioned and painted by a grade 12 student

from within the school board.Although Fr. Fred is not working fulltime with the school board, he is far from retired. He will now focus on promoting the views of Pope Francis on what he wants the Church to be. Fr. Fred said that he seeks to follow how the Holy Spirit is moving him and will do his best to evangel ize what Pope Francis wants t h e C h u r c h t o b e come for our modern world. Presently, Fr. Fred is writing a weekly ar t ic le ent i t l e d : “Background and Reflections on the 2015 Synod: About Pope Francis for People in the Pew”. These are articles about the Synod of Bishops on the Family that was held in Rome in October. They can be accessed on our provincial website: www.resurrectionists.ca, on Fr. Fred’s blog. These articles are being sent to all members of the Congregation of the Resurrection in the Ontario-Kentucky Province, USA Province and Rome, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, St. Jerome’s University, the Diocese of Hamilton, Archdiocese of Toronto and many others.Fr. Fred will also write articles throughout the next year that will touch on themes connected with the Holy Father’s “Year of Mercy”, which will commence on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and will conclude on the Feast of Christ the King, November 2016.In addition to his writing, Fr. Fred continues to be involved with ministry to the separated, divorced and bereaved. This Fall he facilitated a retreat day in Toronto entitled “How do I Manage the Suffering in my life?” We thank Fr. Fred for his many years of service to the Catholic School Board and wish him God’s continued blessings in his ministry.

Fr. Fred Scinto, CR, accepting gift from Derek Haime of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board


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SIX RESURRECTIONISTS JOIN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS IN 2015!

Among the communion of saints these days there are six new voices singing along with the Archangels, the Seraphim and the Cherubim, giving praise, honour and glory to God. Although we, as Resurrectionists, grieve the loss of six of our Resurrectionist priests during this past year -- Fr. Charlie Fedy, CR, Fr. J.J. Johnstone, CR, Fr. Walter Schnarr, CR, Fr. Bernie Hayes, CR, Fr. Bob Liddy, CR and Fr. Terry McGuire, CR, we are consoled by the fact that we are being held by our deceased brothers in their prayers, thoughts and memories; in their ongoing love, care and concern for us. This past year has given cause for us, as Resurrectionists, to pause and to name, claim and own our identity as men who believe in the Risen Lord, proclaim the Risen Lord and are open to receive life with the Risen Lord when it is time to go to our eternal home. Being a Resurrectionist is a wonderful reality. As men of faith we are called to share in the joys and blessings of people’s lives and mark with them the sacramental moments of their lives. When the people of God dance with the joys and blessings of life, we are meant to be there with them to laugh their laughs, sing their songs, and to dance their dances. When the people of God cry out in pain in the midst of the pain and darkness of life we, as Resurrectionists, are meant to be there with them and to walk with them through the valley of tears. “Convinced of God’s unconditional love for us, we herald the liberation and salvation of each person and society as a passage from death to life in which every situation of evil and injustice will be overcome” (CR Mission Statement).We are grateful for the ways our brother saints have led us by their words, their lives, their ministry and their example that brings us closer to Jesus; closer to an understanding of his awesome compassion, mercy and forgiveness. “We believe that God’s love for us is merciful and unfailing. We have not earned his love. We are nothing, have nothing and can do nothing without God. We are attracted to evil. We are sinners. Yet, God continues to draw us to himself ” (CR Charism Statement).As we stand before the feast of Christmas we celebrate “Emmanuel”, God is with us. We thank God in this moment, time, place and space for our six new Resurrectionist arrivals among the communion of saints. They have been gift to us and continue to gift us with their prayers. All their lives these men searched to find God; God has allowed them to find Him. Now in the spirit of the season we are glad to share our CR saints with you. Feel free to seek out their prayers for you and I assure you that they will also hold you within their prayers and close to their hearts.

Fr. Murray McDermott, CRProvincial Superior


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Fr. Robert Liddy, CRFr. B ob L iddy, CR , d ied su d d e n ly and u ne x p e c t -edly on August 21, 2015. He was 82 years old, in his 58th year of religious life and 52nd year of ordained priesthood. Fr. Bob began his minis-try as a Catholic educator at St. Jerome's High School, Kitchener. He then served as Rector at Resurrection College for two terms and later as Chaplain at St. Jerome's College, Waterloo. He held a variety of leadership roles within the Congregation, including Vocation Director, Assistant Provincial and Provincial Superior. Fr. Bob was also pastor of St. Louis Parish in Waterloo. Numerous community groups called on Fr. Bob to serve as a board member or trustee. In 1992 Fr. Bob received a Commemorative Medal for the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada "in recognition of significant contribution to compatriots, community and to Canada". May he rest in peace.

Fr. Terrance (Terry) McGuire, CROn October 3, Fr. Terrance (Terry) Joseph McGuire, CR died after a lengthy illness. He was 81 years old, in his 60th year of religious life and 52nd year of ordained priest-hood. Fr. Terry spent his early years of ministry as a teacher at St. Jerome’s High School in Kitchener and later as prin-cipal. He worked for the St. Jerome’s/St. Mary’s Foundation and as chaplain at St. David’s High School in Waterloo.For a number of years, Fr. Terry was Director of the Bolivian Missions for the Congregation of the Resurrection, and spent eighteen years as Econom General on our General Curia in Rome. He was well known in the Kitchener-Waterloo community, serving as Chaplain for the Waterloo Regional Police Association and as a member of many community boards. He was also very involved as Chaplain for the Knights of Columbus and the Waterloo Business Men’s Club. Fr. Terry was a member of the Fr. Funcken General Assembly K of C - 4th degree. May God grant him eternal rest.

A Christmas Snapshot from our CR Seminarian in MarylandBy Raphael Ma, CR

If you told me in high school that one day I would be a reli-gious in temporary vows, preparing for the priesthood, at a seminary next to a quiet town at the base of the scenic tree-laden Catoctin mountain ridge, minutes away from the shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American born saint… I would not have believed you. But God is full of surprises. I arrived at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland halfway through orientation week, with our Provincial, Fr. Murray McDermott, CR, who helped me with the drive from Ontario. After my novitiate year in the big city of Chicago, the quiet town of Emmitsburg was quite a change. Ironically, the pace of life for me in little Emmitsburg is far busier, even frantic at times, when compared to the often calm and contemplative pace of the novitiate in Chicago. Fr. Jim Donohue, CR is my rector, and we live in a little rented semi-detached house in town. He teaches theol-ogy and coaches the hockey team at Mount St. Mary’s University, on whose grounds Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, where I am studying, is located.

During each year of Theology at the seminary there are Pastoral Field Education (PFE) placements. This year, I have been assigned to a local Catholic high school, where I drop in once every week or two to teach an honours Philosophy class and two grade 10 Religion classes on encountering Jesus in the New Testament. Both in preparing lessons and actually teaching, God has given me an opportunity to share in a small way in the educa-tional apostolate of the Congregation. Through the in class discussions with students, I can see the emphasis of

Fr. Jim Donohue CR with Raphael Ma, CR at the entrance to their home in Emmitsburg, Maryland

IN MEMORIAM

Fr. Bob Liddy, CR

Fr. Terry McGuire, CR


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our Founders on not only transmitting facts, but integrat-ing this with the development of the entire human person [Constitutions 201]. While not officially part of seminary formation, I also have had the opportunity to spend most of my Sundays with the Archdiocese of Washington’s Our Lady of China pastoral mission about an hour away. This has been an occasion for me to grow in a more thorough knowledge of Chinese language and culture by getting to know the people there. One aspect of my formation that has been challenging and yet at the same time a source of growth in my iden-tity as a Resurrectionist is the fact that I am the lone Resurrectionist seminarian studying at Mount St. Mary’s. This year, there are 125 seminarians at Mount St. Mary’s from Dioceses across the USA, four of whom are from reli-gious communities.Please pray for me and for all seminarians at Mount St. Mary’s, that we will have a successful and rewarding year.

My Second Christmas in Canada is a Christmas Gift!By Fr. Paul Szymanowski, CR

“I think that the only option and the best option for you is to minister in Canada”. I remem-ber this sentence so well. When I heard it for the first time, it was on one of those beau-tiful, sunny days in April in Vienna. It changed my life like it happened yesterday. I mean, how could I forget it? I remem-ber many feelings that were going through my mind on that red-letter day. When I went to pick up the phone to call the Provincial of the Polish Province, I felt fear but more so, I was excited. My dream to work somewhere in an English speaking country had been growing for a long time. I was praying and asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. Was it God’s will? In September, 2014 I came to Canada and started my English course at Renison University College in Waterloo. Living in our religious house in Louis Hall I had an amazing opportunity within the Ontario-Kentucky Province not only to learn the language, but most of all to live with other CR’s and to learn from them what it means to be a Resurrectionist in Canada. There I learned that a

Resurrectionist is a man full of joy like Fr. Ray Reitzel. I learned that a Resurrectionist is a man who can preach in a very vivid way like Fr. Jim Valk. I learned that a Resurrectionist really loves our community and spiritual-ity like Fr. Charlie Fedy. I learned that a Resurrectionist is a man of vision and knowledge like Fr. Sudie MacDonald. I learned that a Resurrectionist is devoted to our Congregation and to the poor like Fr. Murray McDermott. These were the more important lessons I learned as a newcomer to life in Canada. These factors led me to my present full time ministry at St. Mary’s, Kitchener, as an associate pastor with Fr. George Nowak. Although I face some difficulties, I am really happy where I am right now. It is not only because I can help at the parish but because I feel that I’m growing as a religious and a priest in terms of my personal and spiritual life. One more thing, here in Canada, I realized the importance of Pope Francis’ words: “what might you need to change in your own heart, in order to respond to the call of, to 'give voice' to the cry of those in poverty?” Invited by Fr. Murray, I started to help in the wonderful soup kitchen project usually once a week. I still don't speak very much with people that go there (I hope that will change when I feel more comfortable with the language). I am simply there to help with basic tasks. In my understanding those are very important. Actually, I learn a great deal from these people and from those who are involved in this ministry. The Pope once said: “what do your brothers and sisters in poverty have to teach you?” They can teach me a lot and I feel that this is the place where I can find the person of Jesus Christ, even if it is not always easy to make time to be there.I’m only (or already) 33 years old, but I really feel deeply in my heart that I did not refuse my opportunity from God and from the Community and here I am, in Canada, responding to this opportunity. Of course, by coming to Canada, my dreams didn’t end. I still have many dreams, especially when it comes to our Congregation, dreams that young people, like Br. Raphael Ma, will want to continue the mission and charism of Bogdan Jański as a Resurrectionist. I dream about people who want to serve as signs of the transforming power of Jesus’ love and be instruments for the renewal of society, bringing life and love to all people and leading them to the Church. This is why I feel that ministering in Canada is a Christmas Gift at this point in my life, the wonderful gift of people that surround me. I hope and I know that it is not the last gift that I will receive from the Lord!

Fr. Paul Szymanowski, CR


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all fronts. Tanzania is the third poorest country in Africa. Our missions are in a territory that is subsistence farming. Families often need help just to eat let alone send chil-dren to school. We are establishing a local Resurrectionist Community and that requires help as there is no possibil-ity of earning money except by donations from the outside.Not too long ago, many people would tithe a certain portion of their estate to the support of mission work in the church. That has seemingly gone the way of Mass inten-tions at the time of a death in the family. This has taken away a lot of traditional funding from the missions. So, as well as direct contributions, perhaps some would be willing to consider willing a portion of their estate which would provide a financial receipt to the estate for the heirs.I know there are many solicitations for help these days. I thank you for considering Resurrectionist Missions among them, and I ask that you join us especially in prayer for missionaries and those whom they serve.

Our Current SituationRev. Luciano Piotrowski, CR is the Regional Director of our Brazilian Missions. In his letter of October 9th to Fr. Murray McDermott, he wrote in part, “Finally, I want to also thank you for your openness to continue financially supporting our Region. When I learned that at this time the Resurrectionist Missions have no more funds available to help us as it has done for the last 5 years, I was about to sink into despair”.Our Resurrectionist Mission account has no more funds to support Brazil or Tanzania at this time. Because of the many needs that have arisen over the past number of years, including the construction of the water reser-voir in Buhemba, the mission fund has been depleted. The Ontario-Kentucky Province is in a crisis in terms of honouring its commitment to support the Congregation’s missions in Brazil and Tanzania. Although the Province will do what it can from its own resources to provide some funding, much more is needed. Currently, the roof of the seminary in Curitiba, Brazil is in urgent need of replace-ment. In 2011, the roof tiles were replaced; however, it was soon discovered that the new roof tiles did not fit that kind of roof, and so now the roof has serious leaks. Because the company that installed the roof declared bankruptcy, the problem could not be resolved. Now the water is ruining the wooden roof, the walls and the floor of the seminary. In order to save the building, the leaks must be stopped. This means replacing all the roof tiles with appropriate ones.

Resurrectionist MissionsBy Fr. Sudie MacDonald, CR

The Church is missionary by nature as it is an Apostolic foundation. (The Greek word, apostolos means “one sent.”) The Church in Canada was born from missionary efforts, most notably in its earliest foundations by the Recollects, the Redemptorists and the Jesuits who came from Europe to minister in Canada.As described in an earlier edition of this newsletter, Bishop Charbonnel of Toronto went to Rome and was able to get newly-ordained Fr. Eugene Funcken, C.R. to minister full-time at St. Agatha Parish in St. Agatha, Ontario. That was followed by the coming of his Brother, Fr. Louis, to begin St. Jerome’s College; and the School Sisters of Notre Dame coming to Canada to take care of the Orphanage.The Canadian Church had to rely on missionaries from other countries for its foundation and its continued growth. Indeed, subsequent Resurrectionists often began their studies at St. Jerome’s and then went to Rome for their theological studies. In these days, now we are being asked to help in some of the less fortunate parts of the world. St. John-Paul II asked religious orders, especially, in the 1990’s for renewed efforts in missionary activity in view of global-ization which he saw as going far beyond economic factors. And today Pope Francis talks about spreading “the Joy of the Gospel” to the whole world.My purpose here is to ask you to partner with us in our missions first of all by prayer, by asking and encouraging more people to be missionaries, and by helping finan-cially in supporting the missions. We ask you to pray for missionaries especially for their health, dedication, and well-being as they labour in the Lord’s vineyard far from home. We ask also that you pray that more people will hear the call to help in mission territories, either in the priest-hood and religious life, or in lay volunteer programs with a periodic commitment. And finally, we ask you to help us in whatever way possible by your donations to the missions.Resurrectionists have missions in South America, where Brazil and Bolivia make up one entity; in Eastern Europe, where they minister in Bulgaria, Slovakia, and the Ukraine; and in Africa where they are in Tanzania, East Africa. In the South American Region, the most help is needed in formation of future Resurrectionists. Our Polish Province supports the missions in Eastern Europe, and they help provide financial aid to our African missions. Our Province’s focus is on the missions in Brazil and Tanzania. This latter, the mission in Tanzania, needs financial help on


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The Novitiate BeginsFour candidates for the priesthood have begun their novi-tiate program at the recently completed novitiate building in Buhemba, Tanzania. A fifth man is studying for the Brotherhood and will soon renew his vows in the Congregation of the Resurrection. These men are studying under the direc-tion of Fr. Andrzej Duda, CR, Director of Novices.

Water for BuhembaTanzania is among the 49 least developed countries in the world. Its economy relies on rain-fed agriculture. Due to climate change, the frequency and severity of droughts have negatively impacted agricultural production and food security in the country. About half of Tanzania’s GDP comes from agricultural production (including livestock), the majority of which is rain-fed and highly vulnerable to droughts. Because of a significant decline in total annual rainfall, a reduced number of rainy days and longer dry spells during the rainy season, the problem in Tanzania is worsening. The increasing number of droughts has resulted in water and food shortages throughout the country.

This problem is a serious one for our mission in Tanzania. There is a shortage of water, and women and children must spend hours each day finding and bringing water to their homes. Under the leadership of Fr. Maciej Braun, CR, director of our Tanzanian mission, a decision was made to build a water reservoir to collect rainwater. Many people were needed to make this project a reality.In the early part of this year, a large hole was excavated in Buhemba to mark the beginning of the construction of the water reservoir. Construction of the walls of the reservoir began on September 14th. The tank was divided into three sections to help bear the weight of the water. Walls were built with mortar mixed with waterproof cement. After the walls were dry, the upper lid was poured onto the tank. By the end of October, gutters had been dug and water collecting pipes had been placed and connected. These pipes will collect the water from the roof of the church and the roof of the novitiate. This water will be used for drink-ing, cooking and washing. Now the hope is that more rain will fall. Please pray for rain!Our hope is to support other such projects in Tanzania as the need arises.

Fr. Andrzej Duda, CR with novices and candidate for the Brotherhood in front of Novitiate in Buhemba

The Priest Behind the LensBy Fr. Murray McDermott, CR

Bishop Crosby once commented to me about our voca-tion director, Fr. Toby Collins, CR saying that he is not sure Fr. Toby ever sees an ecclesiastical celebration he attends from anywhere except behind a lens. It is true that for his work for vocationculture.ca Fr. Toby is seizing the moment, whether it be first vows, final vows, ordination, wedding, funeral, special event or celebration, both sacred and secular. He seeks to touch the moment to be savored or remembered through a picture or video in the hope that perhaps we will be led to discover, in a deeper way, what life, love and commitment are all about. One might call it a new kind of poetry. We want to congratulate Fr. Toby, who was recently elected to the Board of the National Association of Vocation/Formation Directors (NAVFD). Fr. Toby’s association with this group will encourage both the U.S. and Canada to share their ideas and resources in inspiring new vocations.All of this is good news to be shared. Check out Fr. Toby’s work on vocationculture.ca.

CONGREGATION OF THE RESURRECTION265 Westmount Road North, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G7

1637368

Fr. Jim Valk, CRFr. Paul Voisin, CR

Fr. Phil Reilly, CRMs. Patti Tusch Fr. Tim Uniac, CR

Editorial team for The Resurrection Bulletin:

Please check out the Ontario-Kentucky Province’s website at www.resurrectionists.ca. If you would like to receive the Resurrection Bulletin by email, you can sign up on the website. Prayer requests are always welcomed and encouraged.

Where are they Now?Fr. Chris Buda, CR, formerly associate pastor of St. Joseph’s Parish in Hamilton, Ontario, has become a member of the Resurrection Manor community in Waterloo. He can be reached at 265 Westmount Road North, Suite 312, Waterloo, N2L 3G7. His phone number is 519-772-2951 and his email address is [email protected]. Sam Restivo, CR is participating in a 12 month residency program at the UCSF Medical Center in San Francisco. He will serve as a member of the Spiritual Care Team, minis-tering full-time to the sick and dying. Fr. Sam is living with the Jesuits at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1025 Masonic Ave. San Francisco, CA 94117.

How you can HelpDonations in aid of Resurrectionists working in the missions (Brazil and Tanzania), will be gratefully received. It would be helpful if funds were not designated for a partic-ular project or area; this would give the Congregation the flexibility to use the money where it is most needed. Please make all cheques payable to Resurrectionist Missions. Thank you for your ongoing support.

The priest behind the lens, Fr. Toby Collins, CR

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