Winter 2019 - Xaverian Brothers

Transcription

VOL. 19 NO. 2Winter 2019Brother Robert Green in the Xaverian House Chapel speaking to middle school students from Xaverian Brothers High School, Westwood and St. John’s PreparatorySchool, Danvers, during Founders Week in December. The visit to Xaverian House was part of the Founders Week activities.WE ARE GOD’S LOVE POURED OUTIN THIS ISSUEBrother Edward Driscoll General Superior Brother Edward talks about the meaningI am happy to share with you some ofthe mission activity of our Brothers andlay colleagues throughout the world. Inthis Concordia you will meet Brothersministering in Congo, USA, Haitiand Kenya. You will also see how ourschools in the US celebrated FoundersWeek and the Feast of St. Francis Xavier.Finally, you will read inspiring storiesof three of our American Brothers whohave completed their earthly mission.The word ‘mission’ has many meanings.Pope Francis speaks of Jesus’ missionin this way. “In Christ our life itself ismission! We are mission because we areGod’s love poured out.” In His earthlylife Jesus became aware of this mission—to be the face of the unseen God, tomake the love of His Father visible,active and accessible in the whole worldof mission.so that ‘we all may be one.’ In his finalhours, Jesus shared His deepest desirefor his followers. “As I have loved youalso should love one another” (John13:34). Later Jesus would say, “Youwill realize that I am in the Father andyou are in me and I am in you.” Jesusmade mission inclusive. It transcendsnationality, race, tribe, sexual identity,religion and social status.Our Xaverian Rule of Life reminds usthat “God desires to manifest His love toall peoples of the world in these times,”so they too can experience communionwith the God of love and each other. Ithank you for your interest and beliefin our mission. You also are Mission. St. Xavier, Bungoma, celebrates thededication of a new building. Brother Brian Vetter begins a new ministryin Texas. Brother Adolph joins the Sant ZaveryenCommunity in Haiti. Construction begins for a new building atthe Brother George Center for Street Kids inLikasi, Congo. We celebrate our generous donors atregional luncheons. In Call Fulfilled we remember BrothersEdward Bozzo, Edwin Boissonneau andRichard Hastings. St. Kevin’s, Lodwar, Kenya alumni sayfarewell to Brother Louis Calmel as hereturns to the US.

NEW BUILDING DEDICATION AT ST. XAVIER, BUNGOMAOn December 13, 2018, the Brothers in Kenya gathered for thededication of the new classroom block at St. Xavier High School,Bungoma, a boys secondary school. The school took in its firstgroup of students at the start of the new academic year in January,2018. Now they will welcome their second group of students andwill continue to expand facilities as the school grows.Above: St. Xavier High School, Bungoma, Kenya students and faculty withFather Bramwell after the dedication of their new building.Right: Fr. Bramwell planting a tree as part of the dedication ceremony.2

COME TO THE BORDERBrother Brian Vetter learned first-hand what Pope Franciscalls the Way of the Heart—a spiritual path serving Christ’smission. In 2017, after twenty-seven years teaching andworking with children abandoned to the streets in Bolivia,Brian decided to return to the States. He had no plans forministry back home. A good friend, a Maryknoll Sister,said to him, “Come to the border.” Since January 2018Brian has been ministering at the Annunciation House inEl Paso, Texas. Started in 1978 this community’s mission isto witness to the gospel by a simple lifestyle of service livedin solidarity with the poor, undocumented immigrants,and street people of the border area. Their ministry is oneof hospitality, advocacy, and education.Brian recalls the first woman he helped to make calls. Theycontacted the social worker at the shelter where her fiveyear-old son was being detained. The social worker told themother that the five-year-old refused to come to the phonebecause he felt his mother had abandoned him. The socialworker coaxed the child to the phone. Patiently and gentlybut with tears in her eyes his mother continued to repeatto her son that she loved him and did not abandon him.Brother Brian Vetter at the Annunciation House in El Paso, TX, wherehe volunteers.That she had no choice. Brian shared how he was affected,“I kept thinking how senseless this pain and suffering was.What damage had been done to this child?”Those ministering at Annunciation House understand whatPope Francis means when he says, “The poor have the hiddenpower to transform us.They can change us when we listendeeply to them. Only then can we be their voice.”BROTHER ADOLPH JOINS THE SANT ZAVERYEN COMMUNITY IN HAITIThe Sant Community recently welcomed Brother Adolph Kabulo. BrotherAdolph, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo joined the XaverianBrothers in 2008, pronouncing his first vows in 2012 and his perpetualvows this past July. Brother Adolph’s original field of study was in healthcare, so in addition to teaching in the Brothers’ missions in Congo he alsoworked in the local clinic. He is getting acquainted with life in Haiti and isspending time these first few months studying Creole. Brother Joseph Ngoieand Brother Vincent Ilunga are both very happy to welcome their confrere tothe Sant and look forward to assisting him as he develops his ministry in theCroix des Bouquets neighborhood. Upon arriving in Haiti, Brother Adolphvisited St. Gabriel School in Fontaine, where Brother Bill Griffin teaches andvolunteers. Brother Adolph and Brother Bill Griffin are pictured together(left) during that visit.3

THE MISSION GROWS IN CONGOThe ground is prepared for the foundation of the new centerin Likasi.A moment of thanksgiving was recently shared by the Brothers’ Commission for Human Development in the Congo. TheCommission visited the construction site at the Brother George Center for Street Kids. This very needed Center wasstarted by Frère Georges, one our Belgian Brothers who was completely mission-driven and committed to the poor, andespecially the youth of the Congo. Brother George spent over 50 years in the Congo. The present Commission for HumanDevelopment consists of Brothers Zacharie, Ananie, Vital, Serge, Alain and Gracien. They were accompanied by BrothersJoseph Kibambe, Rutal and Patrick, a former aspirant and friend of the Brothers.THEODORE JAMES RYKEN SOCIETY LUNCHEONSThis past Fall, our Advancement Office hosted regional luncheons to thankour generous donors, celebrate their friendship and bring them up to dateon the life of the Congregation. Lead donors Scott Haner from Louisvilleand Ginny and John Heinrich (MSJ) participated in the luncheons,explaining their commitment to the Brothers as members of the TheodoreJames Ryken Society.top left: Ginny and John Heinrich, and Scott Haner at the Baltimore, MD luncheon; bottomleft: Brother Harry Eccles and Thomas Head at the Louisville luncheon; bottom right: Brothers,Associates, XBSS collaborators and generous donors at the Brooklyn luncheon.44

FOUNDERS WEEKEach year, the thirteen Xaverian Brother Sponsored Schoolswithin the U.S. observe Founders Week as a way of celebratingtheir school’s Xaverian mission. Spanning from November26th (the anniversary of Ryken’s death) to December 3rd(the Feast of St. Francis Xavier), Founders Week falls betweenThanksgiving and Advent. This timeframe perfectly reflectsthe intent of these mission driven activities as they challengeour school communities to reflect on the history of theBrothers with gratitude and look ahead with joyful hope forthe future of Xaverian education.This year our schools participated in the #IAMWITHRYKENcampaign, where students, faculty, and staff, reflected on thevalues and actions of the Founder and shared how Ryken’slegacy has influenced their lives. Participants wrote theirreflections on posters stating why they stand with Rykenand shared them on social media platforms. Also, theologyclasses across the network integrated lessons on the historyand mission of St. Francis Xavier, Theodore James Ryken,and the Xaverian Brothers into their curriculum. Outside ofA Lowell Catholic student with his version of “Flat Ryken.”the classroom, each of our schools gathered for a celebratoryliturgy on the Feast of St. Francis Xavier. It is customary atthis liturgy to present faculty and staff members with theRyken award, an honor bestowed once a year to a communitymember that exhibits the charism of the Xaverian Brothersin their work, relationships, and spiritual life.Schools were quite creative with this year’s Founders Weekcelebrations. Students and faculty at Malden Catholic, St.John’s Prep, and Xaverian Brothers High Schools visited theretired Brothers at Xaverian House. Brother Robert Greengave middle school students from St. John’s Prep and XaverianBrothers High School a tour of Xaverian House and spoke tothem about the life lessons of the Fundamental Principles.Lowell Catholic created a “Flat Ryken” campaign, modeledafter the famous “Flat Stanely” books, to engage their middleschool and high school students. Their students were invitedto keep a paper cut out of Ryken with them in their everydaygoings to show how they integrate the proud tradition of theirschool into their lives. These are just some of the small yetinnumerable ways that Xaverian Brother Sponsored Schoolsseek to integrate their Xaverian mission and heritage into thelives of their communities.Students from Xaverian Brothers High School celebrating Founders Week- one dressed in the Xaverian Brothers’ habit and his classmate showinghis #IAMWITHRYKEN poster.55

passed away 10 days later on August 25th.BROTHER EDWARD G. BOZZO, CFXin Rome while studying for his Licentiateat the Lateran University. Upon return tothe United States, Ed would spend from1964 to 1970 teaching New Testamentand Moral Theology at Xaverian Collegein Silver Spring, Maryland. In 1969, Edearned his doctorate in Theology fromCatholic University.For those who had any significant contactwith Brother Edward Bozzo, the wordsthat his former superior Brother Climacus(Harold Boyle) used to describe him wouldring so true: “Brother Kurt’s religiousspirit is simple and humble. He is devotedto his religious duties and is exemplaryin community.” Like Brother Alberto,his natural brother, the call to “the life oflove in faith and trust as a disciple of Jesusin the Congregation of the Brothers ofSaint Francis Xavier” was grounded in hisearly formation. The young Edward Bozzowould have encountered a vibrant spirit ofreligious at St. Michael’s in Brooklyn wherehe would have been taught by Brothers suchas Claude, Gilroy, Jogues, Randal, Donald,and Thomas More. An outstanding student,Ed graduated from Saint Michael’s in June1950, and entered Sacred Heart Novitiatein Fort Monroe, Virginia in September ofthe same year. On the Feast of Saint Joseph1951, Ed received the religious habit of theXaverian Brothers and the name ‘BrotherKurt.’ After novitiate, Ed would attend theCatholic University of American earning hisBA in Spanish in 1956, and his Bachelors inTheology in 1962. From 1961 to 1964, Edlived with the community at the Generalate6Ed would then teach for thirteen years atSaint John’s Preparatory School Danversand, in 1986, he would join the facultyat Malden Catholic High School wherehe would spend the next thirty-two years.During those years he lived in communitywith the Brothers at Vinton Street inMelrose, MA. Ed’s life ended tragicallywhen he was hit and dragged by a hit andrun driver while out for his morning walkon July 9, 2018. He died as a result of hisinjuries six weeks later on August 20.There is no simple answer to the questionof evil. Brother Ed taught that reality in hisMoral Theology classes. How we respond toevil, however, is tied up with the meaningof life that we discover in our relationshipwith God and each other. Ed discovered thatmeaning many years earlier in the simplicityof his family life, the inspiration of his callto follow Christ as a Xaverian Brother andthe joy he experienced in community withhis Brothers in Melrose and in his teachingand serving others. We pray in thanksgivingfor Ed’s life. May he now enjoy the peaceChrist promises us as he joins his parents,sisters, and brothers.BROTHER EDWIN, CFXBr o t h e r E d w i n ( Pa t r i c k Jo s e p hBoissonneau), our oldest XaverianBrother, marked seventy-eight years inthe Congregation on August 15, 2018. HeBrother Edwin was born in Black Lake inthe Province of Quebec, Canada to Odilonand Orea Boissonneau. However, he wasbrought up in Malden, MA, along withhis two sisters, Irene and Fernande, andtwo brothers, Roland and Roger. Edwincompleted his freshman year (1936-1937)at Malden Catholic when Brother Gilbertwas principal before entering St. Joseph’sJuniorate in Peabody. Upon graduationfrom the Juniorate in 1940, Edwinentered Sacred Heart Novitiate in FortMonroe, Virginia. He received the habitof the Xaverian Brothers and the religiousname ‘Edwin.’ After three years of study atCatholic University (1941-1944), he wassent to Saint Matthew’s Grade School inBrooklyn. He finished his undergraduatedegree in French at St. John’s University.He would also earn his Masters in Frenchfrom St. John’s.Edwin’s teaching ministry encompassedelementary, secondary and collegeinstruction. He taught at Mt. St. JosephHigh School in Baltimore (1947-1949)before spending seven years at St. Michael’sin Brooklyn (1949-1956) where he wasrevered by his students.

From 1956-1958, Edwin would serve as theDirector of Studies at St. John’s Prep andthen return to Brooklyn where he taughtFrench at St. Michael’s/Xaverian HighSchool from 1958-1960. He would alsoteach at Xaverian College before returningto St. John’s Prep from 1962-1969. Edwinvolunteered for our missions in Kenya andspent from 1969-1975 in Mumias. Uponreturning to the United States, Edwin taughtat St. John’s Prep from 1975 to 1993 beforejoining our community in Venice, Florida.Edwin returned to Xaverian House in 1997,and was a member of the community untilhis death.The words of one of his former studentshelp describe Edwin’s spirit. As a student atSt. Michael’s in Brooklyn, Don Reilly hadEdwin for French and basketball. “BrotherEdwin was ‘all things to all students.’ Isaw that quality in him in the classroom,on the basketball court and in generalconversations with him. Crowds of studentsalways surrounded him at lunchtime andafter school.”Love of his Xaverian vocation, theimportance of his relationship with Godand his loyalty and helpfulness to hisBrothers in community are lessons welearn from Edwin’s life. All who knew himwill also remember his humor and his fiercecompetitiveness whether for sports at SaintJohn’s Prep or the Patriots or Red Sox or hisfamous Friday night poker games.May Brother Edwin enjoy the peace thatChrist promises to those who do the willof His Father.BROTHER RICHARD HASTINGS,CFXJohn Richard Hastings was the loving son ofRaymond and Catherine (née Camerford)Hastings. Richard grew up in the Flatbushneighborhood of Brooklyn where he firstmet the Xaverian Brothers who taught atHoly Cross Elementary School.Richard’s call to the Xaverian Brothers cameearly in his life. Upon graduating fromHoly Cross Elementary School in 1944,Richard entered Saint Joseph Juniorate inPeabody, MA, a preparatory high school foryoung men considering their vocation tothe Xaverian Brothers. During high school,Richard demonstrated strong academicability, mechanical aptitude, self-discipline,respect for others and a mature sense ofresponsibility. Among his peers, Richardwas also seen as a very strong athlete.Richard graduated from Saint JosephJuniorate in 1948, and entered SacredHeart Novitiate located in Fort Monroe, VA,where he would spend the next two yearsstudying the Rule of the Xaverian Brothersalong with the essentials of the spiritual life.On August 15, 1948, Richard received thereligious habit of the Xaverian Brothers andthe religious name Brother Ivo.Richard did his undergraduate studiesat the Catholic University of America inWashington, DC. Five years later he wouldcomplete his Master’s Degree in IndustrialArts at New York University. Brother Ivo’sfirst teaching assignment was at CardinalHayes High School in the Bronx, followedby two years at Saint John’s Prep, Danvers,before returning to Cardinal Hayes for onemore year. He would spend the next twentythree years in Maryland and Kentucky wherehe taught at Good Counsel High SchoolWheaton (1961-1972) and at Saint XavierHigh School in Louisville (1972-1984).In 1984, Richard decided to try ministryoutside of our traditional schools. Richardwould spend the next thirteen yearsministering first in a special school forpoor children in David, Kentucky, which islocated in Appalachia. Richard would thenmove to Camden, Mississippi to SacredHeart School, a small Catholic schooldedicated to the education of poor AfricanAmerican children. Richard was a newperson as a result of his involvement withthese schools. Perhaps his sense of missionwas inspired by a new ‘purpose’— helpingthose whom others were not serving.In 1997, Richard would retire first to SaintMary’s Ryken in Leonardtown, MD andthen to Xaverian House in Danvers, MA.As we know ‘religious’ do not really ‘retire.’Richard did not retire from his mission.He carried out his mission by participatingin the House Council and in communitymeetings on transformation, by his repairingthings in the house that needed repair, byhis fidelity to the spiritual exercises. Richardremained faithful to the call he first heard inhis family and with the Xaverian Brothersseventy-four years ago as an eighth graderat Holy Cross Elementary School.Richard edified his Brothers daily by hisfaithfulness to the Prayer of Centering.One could see him several times a dayin quiet prayer in the chapel. Richard’smission was completed when he passedaway as a result of a heart attack onNovember 10, 2018. May he now rest inthe Peace of Christ and enjoy intimacywith the Father.7

XAVERIAN BROTHERS4409 Frederick AvenueBaltimore, MD 21229FAREWELL BROTHER LOUISIt was a happy, funny, and memorablemoment as the alumni of St. Kevin’s from1993 through 2014 gathered at St. JamesSeminary, Lodwar to say a word of thanksto their father, brother, headmaster,and teacher, Brother Louis Calmel.Memorable events, often humorous,were shared by the first students BrotherLouis admitted to St. Kevin’s in 1998.The memories were as fresh for him as ifthey happened yesterday. Brother Louisreturned to the US in December afterhaving served the people of the remoteand desolate Turkana region of Kenya for25 years. He has joined the communityof Brothers at Ryken House, ANBROTHERS@XAVERIANBROS

Right: Fr. Bramwell planting a tree as part of the dedication ceremony. 3 . to witness to the gospel by a simple lifestyle of service lived in solidarity with the poor, undocumented immigrants, . Ryken