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ISSUE # 85
August 2006
www.ecommerce.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/
61 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087; 609-294-2148;
vtpoisella@yahoo.com
717 Washington Ave, Chappaqua, NY 10514; 914-238-8001;
richard.foy@verizon.net
65 Muirfield Court, Poughkeepsie NY 12603; 845 454 6116;
gusnolan@aol.com
476 La Playa, Edgewater, FL 32141; 386-426-6349;
jdkammer@earthlink.net
▲
click on email address to send email
▲
▼click on correspondent or topic to go to that item
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Correspondents
Greg Ballerino '57
Br. Joseph Belanger '43
Marie Bonovitz
Joseph Horan '50
Don Mulcare '57
Gus Nolan '48
Rich Shaw '58
Barney Sheridan '55
John O'Connell '58
Gene Zirkel '53
Pat Zirkel
Topics
Abba — a parable
Aging
Art show
Esopus Summer camps
Leo Forrest
Greater Marist Family Workshop
Lives of the Saints
Bernardo Ortuoste
Picnic at MSM — 9 Sept
Symposium: Evolution, Faith and
Creation
Links to Marist Websites
From the editors:
GMC picnic at MSM Sept 9
Rob Schmid '68
financial support
Andrew A Molloy
updating addresses & e-mail
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Please join us at the GMC picnic at Mount St. Michael on
Saturday, September 9th. Bring your own beverage and a
potluck dish for a shared meal. The festivities begin at noon.
As in other years, the picnic will be held rain or shine.
The editorial team of Marists All welcomes Rob Schmid
(’68) who has offered his assistance in the preparation and
maintenance of this publication. In the hectic lifestyle that
most of us have chosen or that has been chosen for us, Rob
offered these words as he accepted some of the
responsibilities for this publication: “Each issue of Marists All
impresses us with the youth and vitality of the brothers,
regardless of age. With time our spirituality changes. We ask
God for different things. We are sorry for a lifetime of things.
We thank God for a lifetime of things. And we wrap these
things up with praise for the God that we have experienced….
I don’t know why I volunteered to do this. Maybe it is a
calling. As Tevye opined about the Chosen People in Fiddler on
the Roof, “Why does He always have to choose us?” In all
seriousness, I think that it is a desire to begin to repay the
brothers for all that they have given me.” Ed.
From GUS NOLAN (‘48): As the summer draws to an end, I
would like to take a moment to reflect on a great work that goes on
each summer in what was/is the Marist Brothers training center in
Esopus and on the man responsible for starting it. The broad
category “summer camps” is applied to a whole array of activities that
supports a good number of challenged individuals in providing them
with at least one wonderful week of pleasant experiences. I have no
data regarding the numbers of campers or volunteers who are
involved in this wonderful enterprise. Br. Don Nugent, Esopus
administrator, and all who participate are worthy of praise and
admiration. Many people have played an important role in the
“summer camps” -- far too many to mention here. But one, like Leo
Forest, who has gone to his eternal rest, was Br. Stephen Martin, an
earlier financial administrator, who was able to seek all kinds of help
through his perception and ingenuity, including surplus U.S.
government food products.
Earlier this year, the idea of a memorial for Leo Forrest, the
founder of the Esopus summer camps, came to life in a bench
overlooking the pond by the icehouse. A recent letter from Br. Bill
Lavigne summarized an event held on May 13
th
dedicating the bench
with the inscription, “Leo Forrest – Camp Founder.” Bill wrote: “The
dedication was done in the context of a liturgy with Fr. Al Berner
presiding and attended by over a hundred people with representatives
from the staffs and campers of the various handicapped groups. Leo’s
widow, Cindy, was also present for the occasion.”
An article in the Cape Cod Times entitled “Random Acts of
Kindness” submitted by JoAnne L. Zacchini stated that Leo continued
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in later life to help people in any way he could. She continued: “He
taught swimming to the disabled at the YMCA in Hyannis and as a
certified swim instructor gave the majority of swimming tests so there
could be greater use of the pool. As a Cobblestone Trustee, he was
always there to help, not just with words, but also by actually building
and improving safety features. With his passing away on Monday,
August 8, 2005, a bright light went out in Cobblestone Landing.”
DON MULCARE (’57): The Greater Marist Family Institute on
Spirituality met at Marist College for the twelfth time on July 7-9,
2006. In addition to the informal interactions among the participants,
the evening Happy Gang gatherings, and the visit to the Esopus
cemetery, the weekend provided excellent presentations. Br. Brice
Byczynski served as moderator and delivered the keynote meditation
on Enriching Spirituality for This Stage of Our Lives, reminding the
participants that as we go through life’s changes, our spirituality must
address different needs. He suggested that there are no roadmaps to
the spirituality of aging, especially since many of our spiritual models
never reached old age, as we know it. Br. Brice stressed that a
healthy spirituality will help us face the problems of aging and will
give meaning to the conflict and suffering that often accompany our
later years.
Br. Don Bisson continued the theme with a Jungian flavor,
noting that we may find ourselves asking exactly the same questions
at different stages of life, but we may uncover entirely different
answers. This can be difficult if one expects that these questions
have fixed answers or any answers at all. The act of questioning
becomes more important than the answering. The questions invite us
to contemplate mysteries such as the Trinity, the humanity and
divinity of Jesus, and even the mysteries within ourselves and within
the people in our lives.
Martin Lang ('47), Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at
Fairfield University, followed the theme of the spirituality of aging in
his presentation on St. Luke’s approach to the gospel. He urged us all
to read both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles as a
package. He explained how Jesus endured psychological and
physical pain and abandonment, a parallel to what some of us may
experience throughout the aging process.
A panel discussion on personal spirituality featured Brian
Desilets ('45), Vince Poisella ('58), and John Scileppi ('68) who
summarized their personal views on the spirituality of aging. The
liturgies offered by Fr. Ed Keel, SM, featured a special Marist canon
that was complemented by poetic meditations.
The fabric of Marist spirituality, darned and woven, patched and
embroidered, has grown during this July weekend. It offers us a
garment of hope, joy, and courage as we look to our apostolate during
the months before the next gathering. (7 Staffon Road, Fairhaven,
MA 02719-4214; 508-994-8605;
dmulcare@comcast.com
)
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From GENE ZIRKEL ('53): Poughkeepsie, 2006, provided us
with another wonderful weekend! About two and a half dozen
Brothers, as well as those brothers with their wives (Champagnat’s
daughters-in-law), and friends of Champagnat gathered for our
twelfth annual weekend conference/retreat/reunion at Marist College.
This year was outstanding. The theme concerned aging
(although I don’t know why). The talks by Br. Don Bisson and Marty
Lang were acclaimed by all present. Marist liturgies led by Marist
Father Ed Keel were another highlight. Of course, the usual Happy
Gang enjoyed their gatherings. If you missed it, we missed you.
Why not plan on next year?
As a continuation of that spirit, participants of the July
weekends at Marist College have been getting together each spring
and fall for a day of prayer under the guidance of Br. Charles
Marcellin. The next gathering will be on Saturday 4 November at
10:30 am. We will pray, have a presentation on the Magnificat by Pat
Zirkel, share our thoughts and reactions, and end with a potluck lunch
at 2 pm. All are welcome. For info contact me at 631-669-0273 or
genezirk@optonline.net
.
From PAT ZIRKEL: In the latest edition of Butler’s Lives of the
Saints, a concise, modernized collection edited by Bernard Bangley
(Paraclete Press, 2005), the lives of St. Marcellin Joseph Benoit
Champagnat, St. Peter Chanel, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and St.
(Padre) Pio are listed.
The biography of St. Marcellin does not mention the “Happy
Gang.” Barney Sheridan, an expert on this form of spirituality,
commented on this grave omission: “Marcellin may have been at his
holiest during the Happy Gang gatherings.” The editor reminds us
that the word “saint” was used by St. Paul to include all members of
the Church. Although the Church honors the Saints with a capital
“S",” we also recognize that many of our living and deceased Marist
confreres and associates have lived and live heroic, virtuous lives.
These currently un-canonized saints inspire us with their victories
over their personal demons, their gentle concern for those in need,
and for their continual awareness of the presence of God in their
lives. Remember that “saint” is not a four-letter word. Feel free to
use it on each other.
The committee organizing next year’s weekend celebrating
Marist spirituality includes members from the Hudson Valley as well as
Long Island, New Jersey, and Quebec. They have launched
preparations for next year. Should you wish to receive information
and updates on the July 13-15, 2007 edition, please contact Pat Zirkel
who will add your name to the mailing list. (472 Village Oaks Land,
Babylon, NY 11702; 631-669-0273;
pzirkel@optonline.net
)
From BR. JOSEPH BELANGER (’43): I am now old enough to
represent the “old Brothers” at the Chapter held June 23-25 at Mt. St.
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Alphonsus. But Joe Teston was also there and beat me on that score.
When my French philosopher Edgar Morin turned 85 on 10 June 2005,
I sent him a little note. He answered with the motto of Paris:
“Fluctuat, nec mergitur.” “It floats, and doesn’t go under.” Most
appropriate. Meanwhile, I keep busy with seeing doctors, organizing
symposia, looking after Mary Russell in Cabrini Center in lower
Manhattan, and attending five-day seminars at Maryknoll. Jim Casey,
former De La Salle and adjunct at Marist in philosophy, is co-organizer
of the symposia. Our next symposium is on Saturday, 21 October
2006: Evolution, Faith and Co-Creation. The five speakers will be
theologian John Haught, distinguished research professor at
Georgetown; astronomer Guy Consolmagno, SJ, curator of the Vatican
meteorite collection; professor of molecular biology and genetics
Gayle Woloschak of Northwestern: physicists Lawrence Krauss of Case
Western Reserve and Russell Stannard, Professor Emeritus at Open
University, UK. We had some fifty no-shows at the free symposium
on Teilhard de Chardin on 14 June 2005, so this year we’ve added a
token $10 fee for all day, including lunch. Registration is limited to
250. To request a brochure and reservation form, please email your
name and address to
specialevents@marist.edu
or call Valerie Hall at
845-575-3359. On 16 June 2007 the topic will be “The End of Life
and After-Death, and in June 2008 “Religion and Technology.”
(
joseph.belanger@marist.edu
)
From JOSEPH HORAN (’50): I have been promising myself to
write a letter to Marists All, but as we well know, time gets ahead of
us. Seems when we retire we spend time with many hobbies, and in
most cases, just golfing. Our community offers much, so that we’re
constantly busy traveling with groups to sightseeing adventures. We
also have many volunteers who share their time with community
services, hospitals, and churches. You name it, and someone from
our community is ready to assist. I do work for our local church and
am available when they need assistance. On a sadder note, my sister
died unexpectedly in early February. My brother Richard and I flew to
New York. Being the oldest of the family, I had a rough time
adjusting to all the needs required. They had been married fifty-three
years. As always, it is good to read Marists All. I’m looking forward
to our next class reunion since I missed the last one. If anyone is in
the vicinity, you are welcome always. Home is about thirty-five miles
north of Tampa. (10426 Collar Dr., San Antonio, FL 33576; 352-588-
0179;
jhoran6@tampabay.rr.com
)
From GREG BALLERINO (’57): Just a bit of news! At the San
Diego County Fair I submitted nine art works to the juried contest.
Seven were accepted and exhibited; two won “Honorable Mention”
and one of the seven won a special sponsor’s gift. And my web site
won second place! In addition, an article about my work appeared in
the national magazine SeniorNet
(
www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?PageID=8025
). I volunteer-
teach two classes to senior citizens: Digital Photography and Adobe
Photoshop Elements. Most of the time, I am the youngest in the
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class. My students are so eager to learn and be part of current
technology. (3212 Sage Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028; 760-451-0839;
ballerino9096@gmail.com
)
From FRANCIS X. (BARNEY) SHERIDAN (’55): I used the
parable below with hospital chaplains. Before I began my
presentation to the chaplains, I wrote a theological reflection for them
to use in meditation. I asked them how many of our patients perceive
God as a nurturing father; how many of our patients have never
experienced a nurturing father; and how our patients perceive God’s
representatives. (626 E. 20
th
St., #9A, NY, NY 10009-1515; 212-
529-2257;
fxsheridan@rcn.com
)
Abba: A Parable
I placed my tiny hands on the rough bark
and peeked around it.
He was there – big and strong and clearly looking for me.
I knew he saw me.
“Betcha can’t get me!” I shrieked
and ran around the other side of the tree.
He made a roaring noise
and lumbered around, trying to surprise me.
“No, no,” I squealed. “No, you can’t ketch me.”
I began to run away.
I really tried to escape; but every time I looked over my shoulder
He was there gaining on me.
I was excited and made a fast, tricky turn
and darted off in another direction.
But when I glanced back, he was right there.
He seemed to anticipate my every move.
I heard him cry, “Oh, no you don’t.” His big hands swooped me
up.
I kept running, but my feet just fluttered in the air.
“I gotcha,” he laughed. I squealed and laughed too.
I really wanted him to catch me all along.
It felt good. He enclosed me in his strong arms
and pressed me to his chest in a big, warm hug.
Abba kissed me.
From JOHN O’CONNELL (’58): “Hi” to all you “big B” and “small
b” B/brothers. Greetings from Maine as we remember our training
together from 1954 to 1962, the “Oh, B/brother, Where Art Thou?”
sub-grouping. I would like to update you on the evolving story of our
efforts to reconnect after over forty years. The reconnection began
when my wife Sandy and I met with Judy and David Kammer back in
the summer of ’01 at their cottage in Maine, commiserating both about
Vinnie Hall’s (’58) passing and our complete lack of knowledge
regarding the circumstance of his life and death. Since then, we have
successfully identified and located about 160 former “group-mates”
(not counting the eighteen who have gone on before us), with many
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meetings face-to-face as well as during the four annual April
“gatherings” we’ve had in Esopus.
Most recently, b. Bernie Ortuoste (’58) took ill and passed away.
He was one of three Filipinos to join us in Tyngsboro back in ’57, and
now all three of them have passed on. Rene Lozada, who left from
Tyngsboro, died about two years ago. Felipe Renato Cruz FMS died a
few years earlier. As a result of our network, our “virtual Marist
community,” as it were, Bernie, and then his wife Edith and daughter
Marie, were inundated with promises of prayers and acknowledgements
of our life and times with him ”way back”, and then more recently over
these past four years. This was such a far cry from the circumstances
surrounding the rather “anonymous” passing of our brother Vinnie Hall!
I just want to encourage any of you “small b” Marist brothers out
there who might be inclined to join with us. Understand that there is
something very special about re-connecting with those with whom you
lived during those very formative, impressionable years together,
especially since we were “pre-screened” as having a special affinity for
one another through altruism and a willingness to sacrifice that brought
us together. Also, the reconnecting and re-bonding is almost
instantaneously joyful (Time IS relative!) once we get past the
superficial gray hair, or lack thereof, a bit of paunchiness, and the
wrinkles, all of which are a small price we pay for wisdom and
maturity. During the many hours eleven of us were able to spend with
Bill Reffelt during the last ten months of his terminal illness, I’m
convinced Bill and Elaine, were able to “forget” his cancer and celebrate
his life and their lives together instead….
In Memoriam
Bernardo Ortuoste
d. July 17, 2006
from JOHN O’CONNELL (’58): Bernie had attended three of our
four Esopus “Gatherings.” He, George Conboy, Richie Shaw, and I --
“group-mates” all -- had spent more than a week together back in
March of ’05 riding up and down the Pacific coastline in George’s two-
seater pick-up truck, visiting Ron Pasquariello above San Francisco,
inviting Tom Hutchinson to join us there; and then Kevin Finn, just
south of LA in Newport Beach. Greg Ballerino, whom we hadn’t seen in
40+ years, joined us there. So, we all had once again, very easily and
readily, returned to that mutual respect for one another on which our
much earlier relationships had been founded. And so, with the recent
illness, and then passing of our brother Bernie, 108 members of our e-
mail could share the news and offer support to Bernie, and then to
Marie, Bernie’s daughter, and wife Edith. It’s never too late, when
someone passes, to reach out to loved ones with prayerful
thoughtfulness. So I’d encourage you to not hesitate to send a
sympathy card if so inclined to let his loved ones know of your
support. Send condolences to Edith at `
Bernie_ortuoste@yahoo.com
or by regular mail to me at: 15 High Street, Boothbay Harbor, ME
04538)
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From RICH SHAW (’58): I was a good friend and classmate of
Bernie’s while at Tyngsboro in ’58. I now live in San Diego and had the
honor of attending Bernie’s funeral services yesterday at St. Elizabeth
Seton Church and the burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery adjacent to
the church in Rowland Heights, California, near Pomona, a little over
ten miles east of Los Angeles.
I hope to share with you the deeply moving services for our
great friend. My sweetheart of forty-four years, Carolyn, and I left for
Pomona a bit before 7 am. Bernie had visited us in San Diego in the
‘80’s, and his charm and friendliness left a deep impression on
Carolyn. I had met Edith, Bernie’s lovely wife, in March ’05 on the
coastal trip with Oke and George Conboy.
Although there was sadness in Edith’s eyes, she expressed a
certain joy in knowing that there was support from family and friends.
Among the moving tributes shared were those of Bernie’s sister
Geraldine who spoke so eloquently about him: eighth born of twelve
children who displayed gentleness, humility and inner goodness.
Bernie’s daughter Marie, whose eyes and smile are like her Dad’s,
shared with us a “letter” she had written to and for him. Her voice
broke often and tears spoke more than the words of the love a
daughter has for her special Dad. Then a long-time friend of Bernie’s
spoke: Andres “Andy” Versoza, a former Marist Brother of fourteen
years who had been a student of Bernie’s at the scholasticate. Andy is
currently Director of Catechesis at a Catholic church in the diocese of
San Bernadino. He gave a remarkable tribute to Bernie, ending with
“once a Marist, always a Marist.”
The celebrating priest then blessed and sprinkled the draped
casket with holy water and reminded us touchingly of the transition
that we are all to make; and how death is really a beginning; and how
we can rejoice in knowing that our faith in Christ will carry us all to a
reunion of joy beyond what we can imagine. I can’t help but think that
now it is Bernie who is doing the praying for us all. (3015 Conner Way,
San Diego, CA 92117;
Carolyn_shaw@faa.gov
)
From MARIE BONOVITZ (daughter of Bernardo Ortuoste): I want
to thank everyone for all the prayers and support. My mom and I truly
appreciate all your caring thoughts and wishes. We also want to thank
you for the beautiful flowers sent by “Bernie’s Band of b/Brothers.”
And thank you again to Rich Shaw and his wife for attending the
funeral service and for being a pallbearer. We cannot thank you
enough for being there and for representing the Marist Brothers.
Although many of you were not able to be there, we know that my Dad
and our family were in your thoughts and prayers during that time.
God Bless.
From THE EDITORS: As we go to press, we are saddened by the
news that
Andrew Molloy
(’47) passed away at 5:00 am on the
morning of August 19
th,
after four days in Vassar Hospital. Andy had
been enduring an increasingly debilitating health condition for years.
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Finally, he was taken to the hospital with a broken hip. Andy’s wife
Rosemary was at his side throughout his latest hospital stay, with Gus
Nolan relieving her during the last three days. All of the Molloy sons
live some distance from Poughkeepsie.
Years ago, Andy was a key laborer in the construction of Our
Lady of Wisdom Chapel at Marist College. Fittingly, the wake will be
held at the chapel on August 22
nd
(the feast of the Immaculate Heart
of Mary) with the funeral at noon on August 23
rd
. Andy became a
chemistry professor at Marist and then held the position of academic
dean for a good number of years. Further details of Andrew Molloy’s
life and work will be placed on the Marists All website and/or appear in
the November issue. May he rest in peace.
A note from the editor: First, we are continually grateful to
those who write to us with the intention of sharing their lives,
their thoughts, their feelings with the readers of Marists All.
We are also indebted to those who send monetary contributions
to ease the financial burden of publishing. Most recently, these
contributors include: Joe, Hores, Br. Bill Lavigne, John Miller,
John “Buddy” Nolan, and Gene Zirkel.
It is important for us to know email addresses of all our
readers whether or not they wish to receive a hard copy of each
issue. We sometimes send bulletins through email and would
like to reach as many of our readers as possible in those
situations. We also could use updates on addresses that we do
have. Kindly email this information directly to David Kammer at
jdkammer@earthlink.net
.
One further item: In John O’Connell’s quest in finding all
those who shared the Marist formation experience back in the
late fifties and early sixties, he has listed names of those who
appear to be “lost.” Hoping that our readers might have some
information on these names, they are included below:
’57: Bill Collins, Tom Golembewski, Konrad Penzkoffer,
Frank Pimentel,
’58: Mark Buckley, Frank Cahill, Pat Fazzari, Jim Gara,
Owen Gormley, Charlie Jacklin, Matt McComish, Bob Walsh, Bob
White,
’59: George Febles, Tom Mulhern, Buddy Walsh, Walter
Ziegler
’60: Eddie Frail
Links: Those who are so inclined and would like to explore the
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Marist world beyond Marists All may wish to delve into the following
websites:
Marist International
www.champagnat.org
Marist USA
www.marist.br.com
Marist Australia
www.maristoz.edu.au
The Spring 2006 issue of the Today's Marist Brother, the US Province
Newsletter highlights the current use of the Esopus property. If you
haven't received a copy, contact Brother Hugh Turley or Brother
Timothy Brady at
www.maristbr.com
.
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ISSUE # 85
August 2006
www.ecommerce.marist.edu/foy/maristsall/
61 Golf View Drive, Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087; 609-294-2148;
vtpoisella@yahoo.com
717 Washington Ave, Chappaqua, NY 10514; 914-238-8001;
richard.foy@verizon.net
65 Muirfield Court, Poughkeepsie NY 12603; 845 454 6116;
gusnolan@aol.com
476 La Playa, Edgewater, FL 32141; 386-426-6349;
jdkammer@earthlink.net
▲
click on email address to send email
▲
▼click on correspondent or topic to go to that item
▼
Correspondents
Greg Ballerino '57
Br. Joseph Belanger '43
Marie Bonovitz
Joseph Horan '50
Don Mulcare '57
Gus Nolan '48
Rich Shaw '58
Barney Sheridan '55
John O'Connell '58
Gene Zirkel '53
Pat Zirkel
Topics
Abba — a parable
Aging
Art show
Esopus Summer camps
Leo Forrest
Greater Marist Family Workshop
Lives of the Saints
Bernardo Ortuoste
Picnic at MSM — 9 Sept
Symposium: Evolution, Faith and
Creation
Links to Marist Websites
From the editors:
GMC picnic at MSM Sept 9
Rob Schmid '68
financial support
Andrew A Molloy
updating addresses & e-mail
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Please join us at the GMC picnic at Mount St. Michael on
Saturday, September 9th. Bring your own beverage and a
potluck dish for a shared meal. The festivities begin at noon.
As in other years, the picnic will be held rain or shine.
The editorial team of Marists All welcomes Rob Schmid
(’68) who has offered his assistance in the preparation and
maintenance of this publication. In the hectic lifestyle that
most of us have chosen or that has been chosen for us, Rob
offered these words as he accepted some of the
responsibilities for this publication: “Each issue of Marists All
impresses us with the youth and vitality of the brothers,
regardless of age. With time our spirituality changes. We ask
God for different things. We are sorry for a lifetime of things.
We thank God for a lifetime of things. And we wrap these
things up with praise for the God that we have experienced….
I don’t know why I volunteered to do this. Maybe it is a
calling. As Tevye opined about the Chosen People in Fiddler on
the Roof, “Why does He always have to choose us?” In all
seriousness, I think that it is a desire to begin to repay the
brothers for all that they have given me.” Ed.
From GUS NOLAN (‘48): As the summer draws to an end, I
would like to take a moment to reflect on a great work that goes on
each summer in what was/is the Marist Brothers training center in
Esopus and on the man responsible for starting it. The broad
category “summer camps” is applied to a whole array of activities that
supports a good number of challenged individuals in providing them
with at least one wonderful week of pleasant experiences. I have no
data regarding the numbers of campers or volunteers who are
involved in this wonderful enterprise. Br. Don Nugent, Esopus
administrator, and all who participate are worthy of praise and
admiration. Many people have played an important role in the
“summer camps” -- far too many to mention here. But one, like Leo
Forest, who has gone to his eternal rest, was Br. Stephen Martin, an
earlier financial administrator, who was able to seek all kinds of help
through his perception and ingenuity, including surplus U.S.
government food products.
Earlier this year, the idea of a memorial for Leo Forrest, the
founder of the Esopus summer camps, came to life in a bench
overlooking the pond by the icehouse. A recent letter from Br. Bill
Lavigne summarized an event held on May 13
th
dedicating the bench
with the inscription, “Leo Forrest – Camp Founder.” Bill wrote: “The
dedication was done in the context of a liturgy with Fr. Al Berner
presiding and attended by over a hundred people with representatives
from the staffs and campers of the various handicapped groups. Leo’s
widow, Cindy, was also present for the occasion.”
An article in the Cape Cod Times entitled “Random Acts of
Kindness” submitted by JoAnne L. Zacchini stated that Leo continued
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in later life to help people in any way he could. She continued: “He
taught swimming to the disabled at the YMCA in Hyannis and as a
certified swim instructor gave the majority of swimming tests so there
could be greater use of the pool. As a Cobblestone Trustee, he was
always there to help, not just with words, but also by actually building
and improving safety features. With his passing away on Monday,
August 8, 2005, a bright light went out in Cobblestone Landing.”
DON MULCARE (’57): The Greater Marist Family Institute on
Spirituality met at Marist College for the twelfth time on July 7-9,
2006. In addition to the informal interactions among the participants,
the evening Happy Gang gatherings, and the visit to the Esopus
cemetery, the weekend provided excellent presentations. Br. Brice
Byczynski served as moderator and delivered the keynote meditation
on Enriching Spirituality for This Stage of Our Lives, reminding the
participants that as we go through life’s changes, our spirituality must
address different needs. He suggested that there are no roadmaps to
the spirituality of aging, especially since many of our spiritual models
never reached old age, as we know it. Br. Brice stressed that a
healthy spirituality will help us face the problems of aging and will
give meaning to the conflict and suffering that often accompany our
later years.
Br. Don Bisson continued the theme with a Jungian flavor,
noting that we may find ourselves asking exactly the same questions
at different stages of life, but we may uncover entirely different
answers. This can be difficult if one expects that these questions
have fixed answers or any answers at all. The act of questioning
becomes more important than the answering. The questions invite us
to contemplate mysteries such as the Trinity, the humanity and
divinity of Jesus, and even the mysteries within ourselves and within
the people in our lives.
Martin Lang ('47), Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies at
Fairfield University, followed the theme of the spirituality of aging in
his presentation on St. Luke’s approach to the gospel. He urged us all
to read both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles as a
package. He explained how Jesus endured psychological and
physical pain and abandonment, a parallel to what some of us may
experience throughout the aging process.
A panel discussion on personal spirituality featured Brian
Desilets ('45), Vince Poisella ('58), and John Scileppi ('68) who
summarized their personal views on the spirituality of aging. The
liturgies offered by Fr. Ed Keel, SM, featured a special Marist canon
that was complemented by poetic meditations.
The fabric of Marist spirituality, darned and woven, patched and
embroidered, has grown during this July weekend. It offers us a
garment of hope, joy, and courage as we look to our apostolate during
the months before the next gathering. (7 Staffon Road, Fairhaven,
MA 02719-4214; 508-994-8605;
dmulcare@comcast.com
)
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From GENE ZIRKEL ('53): Poughkeepsie, 2006, provided us
with another wonderful weekend! About two and a half dozen
Brothers, as well as those brothers with their wives (Champagnat’s
daughters-in-law), and friends of Champagnat gathered for our
twelfth annual weekend conference/retreat/reunion at Marist College.
This year was outstanding. The theme concerned aging
(although I don’t know why). The talks by Br. Don Bisson and Marty
Lang were acclaimed by all present. Marist liturgies led by Marist
Father Ed Keel were another highlight. Of course, the usual Happy
Gang enjoyed their gatherings. If you missed it, we missed you.
Why not plan on next year?
As a continuation of that spirit, participants of the July
weekends at Marist College have been getting together each spring
and fall for a day of prayer under the guidance of Br. Charles
Marcellin. The next gathering will be on Saturday 4 November at
10:30 am. We will pray, have a presentation on the Magnificat by Pat
Zirkel, share our thoughts and reactions, and end with a potluck lunch
at 2 pm. All are welcome. For info contact me at 631-669-0273 or
genezirk@optonline.net
.
From PAT ZIRKEL: In the latest edition of Butler’s Lives of the
Saints, a concise, modernized collection edited by Bernard Bangley
(Paraclete Press, 2005), the lives of St. Marcellin Joseph Benoit
Champagnat, St. Peter Chanel, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, and St.
(Padre) Pio are listed.
The biography of St. Marcellin does not mention the “Happy
Gang.” Barney Sheridan, an expert on this form of spirituality,
commented on this grave omission: “Marcellin may have been at his
holiest during the Happy Gang gatherings.” The editor reminds us
that the word “saint” was used by St. Paul to include all members of
the Church. Although the Church honors the Saints with a capital
“S",” we also recognize that many of our living and deceased Marist
confreres and associates have lived and live heroic, virtuous lives.
These currently un-canonized saints inspire us with their victories
over their personal demons, their gentle concern for those in need,
and for their continual awareness of the presence of God in their
lives. Remember that “saint” is not a four-letter word. Feel free to
use it on each other.
The committee organizing next year’s weekend celebrating
Marist spirituality includes members from the Hudson Valley as well as
Long Island, New Jersey, and Quebec. They have launched
preparations for next year. Should you wish to receive information
and updates on the July 13-15, 2007 edition, please contact Pat Zirkel
who will add your name to the mailing list. (472 Village Oaks Land,
Babylon, NY 11702; 631-669-0273;
pzirkel@optonline.net
)
From BR. JOSEPH BELANGER (’43): I am now old enough to
represent the “old Brothers” at the Chapter held June 23-25 at Mt. St.
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Alphonsus. But Joe Teston was also there and beat me on that score.
When my French philosopher Edgar Morin turned 85 on 10 June 2005,
I sent him a little note. He answered with the motto of Paris:
“Fluctuat, nec mergitur.” “It floats, and doesn’t go under.” Most
appropriate. Meanwhile, I keep busy with seeing doctors, organizing
symposia, looking after Mary Russell in Cabrini Center in lower
Manhattan, and attending five-day seminars at Maryknoll. Jim Casey,
former De La Salle and adjunct at Marist in philosophy, is co-organizer
of the symposia. Our next symposium is on Saturday, 21 October
2006: Evolution, Faith and Co-Creation. The five speakers will be
theologian John Haught, distinguished research professor at
Georgetown; astronomer Guy Consolmagno, SJ, curator of the Vatican
meteorite collection; professor of molecular biology and genetics
Gayle Woloschak of Northwestern: physicists Lawrence Krauss of Case
Western Reserve and Russell Stannard, Professor Emeritus at Open
University, UK. We had some fifty no-shows at the free symposium
on Teilhard de Chardin on 14 June 2005, so this year we’ve added a
token $10 fee for all day, including lunch. Registration is limited to
250. To request a brochure and reservation form, please email your
name and address to
specialevents@marist.edu
or call Valerie Hall at
845-575-3359. On 16 June 2007 the topic will be “The End of Life
and After-Death, and in June 2008 “Religion and Technology.”
(
joseph.belanger@marist.edu
)
From JOSEPH HORAN (’50): I have been promising myself to
write a letter to Marists All, but as we well know, time gets ahead of
us. Seems when we retire we spend time with many hobbies, and in
most cases, just golfing. Our community offers much, so that we’re
constantly busy traveling with groups to sightseeing adventures. We
also have many volunteers who share their time with community
services, hospitals, and churches. You name it, and someone from
our community is ready to assist. I do work for our local church and
am available when they need assistance. On a sadder note, my sister
died unexpectedly in early February. My brother Richard and I flew to
New York. Being the oldest of the family, I had a rough time
adjusting to all the needs required. They had been married fifty-three
years. As always, it is good to read Marists All. I’m looking forward
to our next class reunion since I missed the last one. If anyone is in
the vicinity, you are welcome always. Home is about thirty-five miles
north of Tampa. (10426 Collar Dr., San Antonio, FL 33576; 352-588-
0179;
jhoran6@tampabay.rr.com
)
From GREG BALLERINO (’57): Just a bit of news! At the San
Diego County Fair I submitted nine art works to the juried contest.
Seven were accepted and exhibited; two won “Honorable Mention”
and one of the seven won a special sponsor’s gift. And my web site
won second place! In addition, an article about my work appeared in
the national magazine SeniorNet
(
www.seniornet.org/php/default.php?PageID=8025
). I volunteer-
teach two classes to senior citizens: Digital Photography and Adobe
Photoshop Elements. Most of the time, I am the youngest in the
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class. My students are so eager to learn and be part of current
technology. (3212 Sage Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028; 760-451-0839;
ballerino9096@gmail.com
)
From FRANCIS X. (BARNEY) SHERIDAN (’55): I used the
parable below with hospital chaplains. Before I began my
presentation to the chaplains, I wrote a theological reflection for them
to use in meditation. I asked them how many of our patients perceive
God as a nurturing father; how many of our patients have never
experienced a nurturing father; and how our patients perceive God’s
representatives. (626 E. 20
th
St., #9A, NY, NY 10009-1515; 212-
529-2257;
fxsheridan@rcn.com
)
Abba: A Parable
I placed my tiny hands on the rough bark
and peeked around it.
He was there – big and strong and clearly looking for me.
I knew he saw me.
“Betcha can’t get me!” I shrieked
and ran around the other side of the tree.
He made a roaring noise
and lumbered around, trying to surprise me.
“No, no,” I squealed. “No, you can’t ketch me.”
I began to run away.
I really tried to escape; but every time I looked over my shoulder
He was there gaining on me.
I was excited and made a fast, tricky turn
and darted off in another direction.
But when I glanced back, he was right there.
He seemed to anticipate my every move.
I heard him cry, “Oh, no you don’t.” His big hands swooped me
up.
I kept running, but my feet just fluttered in the air.
“I gotcha,” he laughed. I squealed and laughed too.
I really wanted him to catch me all along.
It felt good. He enclosed me in his strong arms
and pressed me to his chest in a big, warm hug.
Abba kissed me.
From JOHN O’CONNELL (’58): “Hi” to all you “big B” and “small
b” B/brothers. Greetings from Maine as we remember our training
together from 1954 to 1962, the “Oh, B/brother, Where Art Thou?”
sub-grouping. I would like to update you on the evolving story of our
efforts to reconnect after over forty years. The reconnection began
when my wife Sandy and I met with Judy and David Kammer back in
the summer of ’01 at their cottage in Maine, commiserating both about
Vinnie Hall’s (’58) passing and our complete lack of knowledge
regarding the circumstance of his life and death. Since then, we have
successfully identified and located about 160 former “group-mates”
(not counting the eighteen who have gone on before us), with many
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meetings face-to-face as well as during the four annual April
“gatherings” we’ve had in Esopus.
Most recently, b. Bernie Ortuoste (’58) took ill and passed away.
He was one of three Filipinos to join us in Tyngsboro back in ’57, and
now all three of them have passed on. Rene Lozada, who left from
Tyngsboro, died about two years ago. Felipe Renato Cruz FMS died a
few years earlier. As a result of our network, our “virtual Marist
community,” as it were, Bernie, and then his wife Edith and daughter
Marie, were inundated with promises of prayers and acknowledgements
of our life and times with him ”way back”, and then more recently over
these past four years. This was such a far cry from the circumstances
surrounding the rather “anonymous” passing of our brother Vinnie Hall!
I just want to encourage any of you “small b” Marist brothers out
there who might be inclined to join with us. Understand that there is
something very special about re-connecting with those with whom you
lived during those very formative, impressionable years together,
especially since we were “pre-screened” as having a special affinity for
one another through altruism and a willingness to sacrifice that brought
us together. Also, the reconnecting and re-bonding is almost
instantaneously joyful (Time IS relative!) once we get past the
superficial gray hair, or lack thereof, a bit of paunchiness, and the
wrinkles, all of which are a small price we pay for wisdom and
maturity. During the many hours eleven of us were able to spend with
Bill Reffelt during the last ten months of his terminal illness, I’m
convinced Bill and Elaine, were able to “forget” his cancer and celebrate
his life and their lives together instead….
In Memoriam
Bernardo Ortuoste
d. July 17, 2006
from JOHN O’CONNELL (’58): Bernie had attended three of our
four Esopus “Gatherings.” He, George Conboy, Richie Shaw, and I --
“group-mates” all -- had spent more than a week together back in
March of ’05 riding up and down the Pacific coastline in George’s two-
seater pick-up truck, visiting Ron Pasquariello above San Francisco,
inviting Tom Hutchinson to join us there; and then Kevin Finn, just
south of LA in Newport Beach. Greg Ballerino, whom we hadn’t seen in
40+ years, joined us there. So, we all had once again, very easily and
readily, returned to that mutual respect for one another on which our
much earlier relationships had been founded. And so, with the recent
illness, and then passing of our brother Bernie, 108 members of our e-
mail could share the news and offer support to Bernie, and then to
Marie, Bernie’s daughter, and wife Edith. It’s never too late, when
someone passes, to reach out to loved ones with prayerful
thoughtfulness. So I’d encourage you to not hesitate to send a
sympathy card if so inclined to let his loved ones know of your
support. Send condolences to Edith at `
Bernie_ortuoste@yahoo.com
or by regular mail to me at: 15 High Street, Boothbay Harbor, ME
04538)
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From RICH SHAW (’58): I was a good friend and classmate of
Bernie’s while at Tyngsboro in ’58. I now live in San Diego and had the
honor of attending Bernie’s funeral services yesterday at St. Elizabeth
Seton Church and the burial at Queen of Heaven Cemetery adjacent to
the church in Rowland Heights, California, near Pomona, a little over
ten miles east of Los Angeles.
I hope to share with you the deeply moving services for our
great friend. My sweetheart of forty-four years, Carolyn, and I left for
Pomona a bit before 7 am. Bernie had visited us in San Diego in the
‘80’s, and his charm and friendliness left a deep impression on
Carolyn. I had met Edith, Bernie’s lovely wife, in March ’05 on the
coastal trip with Oke and George Conboy.
Although there was sadness in Edith’s eyes, she expressed a
certain joy in knowing that there was support from family and friends.
Among the moving tributes shared were those of Bernie’s sister
Geraldine who spoke so eloquently about him: eighth born of twelve
children who displayed gentleness, humility and inner goodness.
Bernie’s daughter Marie, whose eyes and smile are like her Dad’s,
shared with us a “letter” she had written to and for him. Her voice
broke often and tears spoke more than the words of the love a
daughter has for her special Dad. Then a long-time friend of Bernie’s
spoke: Andres “Andy” Versoza, a former Marist Brother of fourteen
years who had been a student of Bernie’s at the scholasticate. Andy is
currently Director of Catechesis at a Catholic church in the diocese of
San Bernadino. He gave a remarkable tribute to Bernie, ending with
“once a Marist, always a Marist.”
The celebrating priest then blessed and sprinkled the draped
casket with holy water and reminded us touchingly of the transition
that we are all to make; and how death is really a beginning; and how
we can rejoice in knowing that our faith in Christ will carry us all to a
reunion of joy beyond what we can imagine. I can’t help but think that
now it is Bernie who is doing the praying for us all. (3015 Conner Way,
San Diego, CA 92117;
Carolyn_shaw@faa.gov
)
From MARIE BONOVITZ (daughter of Bernardo Ortuoste): I want
to thank everyone for all the prayers and support. My mom and I truly
appreciate all your caring thoughts and wishes. We also want to thank
you for the beautiful flowers sent by “Bernie’s Band of b/Brothers.”
And thank you again to Rich Shaw and his wife for attending the
funeral service and for being a pallbearer. We cannot thank you
enough for being there and for representing the Marist Brothers.
Although many of you were not able to be there, we know that my Dad
and our family were in your thoughts and prayers during that time.
God Bless.
From THE EDITORS: As we go to press, we are saddened by the
news that
Andrew Molloy
(’47) passed away at 5:00 am on the
morning of August 19
th,
after four days in Vassar Hospital. Andy had
been enduring an increasingly debilitating health condition for years.
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Finally, he was taken to the hospital with a broken hip. Andy’s wife
Rosemary was at his side throughout his latest hospital stay, with Gus
Nolan relieving her during the last three days. All of the Molloy sons
live some distance from Poughkeepsie.
Years ago, Andy was a key laborer in the construction of Our
Lady of Wisdom Chapel at Marist College. Fittingly, the wake will be
held at the chapel on August 22
nd
(the feast of the Immaculate Heart
of Mary) with the funeral at noon on August 23
rd
. Andy became a
chemistry professor at Marist and then held the position of academic
dean for a good number of years. Further details of Andrew Molloy’s
life and work will be placed on the Marists All website and/or appear in
the November issue. May he rest in peace.
A note from the editor: First, we are continually grateful to
those who write to us with the intention of sharing their lives,
their thoughts, their feelings with the readers of Marists All.
We are also indebted to those who send monetary contributions
to ease the financial burden of publishing. Most recently, these
contributors include: Joe, Hores, Br. Bill Lavigne, John Miller,
John “Buddy” Nolan, and Gene Zirkel.
It is important for us to know email addresses of all our
readers whether or not they wish to receive a hard copy of each
issue. We sometimes send bulletins through email and would
like to reach as many of our readers as possible in those
situations. We also could use updates on addresses that we do
have. Kindly email this information directly to David Kammer at
jdkammer@earthlink.net
.
One further item: In John O’Connell’s quest in finding all
those who shared the Marist formation experience back in the
late fifties and early sixties, he has listed names of those who
appear to be “lost.” Hoping that our readers might have some
information on these names, they are included below:
’57: Bill Collins, Tom Golembewski, Konrad Penzkoffer,
Frank Pimentel,
’58: Mark Buckley, Frank Cahill, Pat Fazzari, Jim Gara,
Owen Gormley, Charlie Jacklin, Matt McComish, Bob Walsh, Bob
White,
’59: George Febles, Tom Mulhern, Buddy Walsh, Walter
Ziegler
’60: Eddie Frail
Links: Those who are so inclined and would like to explore the
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Marist world beyond Marists All may wish to delve into the following
websites:
Marist International
www.champagnat.org
Marist USA
www.marist.br.com
Marist Australia
www.maristoz.edu.au
The Spring 2006 issue of the Today's Marist Brother, the US Province
Newsletter highlights the current use of the Esopus property. If you
haven't received a copy, contact Brother Hugh Turley or Brother
Timothy Brady at
www.maristbr.com
.
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