July 2003

(updated 05/07/03)

Teutonic Province Elects Provincial Director and Councilors

Members of the Teutonic Province outside the retreat house "Maria Hilf" in Kufstein-Kleinholz (photos: Jerry Stack, cpps)		New leadership team for the Teutonic Province: Frs. Andreas Hasenburger, Josef Gehrer, Ferdinand Zech (provincial director), Josef Klingele and Georg Becher

Meeting in the beautiful setting of the CPPS retreat house in Kufstein-Kleinholz in Austria, members of the Teutonic Province re-elected Fr. Ferdinand Zech as provincial director. Also elected at the assembly held from June 23-25 were provincial councilors Josef Klingele, Josef Gehrer, Andreas Hasenburger and Georg Becher.

A consultant guided the members through a process of looking into the future and discerning the qualities needed in province leadership in order to face the challenges and opportunities of the coming years. Part of the process also involved an opportunity to articulate specific goals and concrete proposals for possible apostolates in the future.

Feast of the Precious Blood Celebrated at Sant'Anastasia

The historic church of Sant'Anastasia, not far from the former location of the Piazza Montanara where St. Gaspar ministered to the poor of his day, was the site of a Eucharistic celebration and hour of adoration on July 1. Presiding and preaching at the Eucharist was Archbishop Giuseppe Mani, the new ordinary of Cagliari.

Pilgrims gather for "animation" prior to Mass. (photos: Jerry Stack, cpps)		Archbishop Mani bestows the Mission Crucifix on Fr. Pacini as Fr. Barry Fischer looks on.

A special moment in the Mass was the reception of Fr. Alberto Pacini, pastor of Sant'Anastasia, as an auxiliary Missionary. A diocesan priest, Fr. Pacini has embraced the spirituality of the Precious Blood. Sant'Anastasia is the only church in Rome in which there is round the clock adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

Course for CPPS Formators Begins

Thirty CPPS Missionaries from around the world have gathered at the Collegio Preziosissimo Sangue in Rome for a five-week course and retreat. The goal of the course, organized by the General Curia with the theme, "Drinking from Our Well," is to help members directly involved in the formation of candidates to have a common understanding of our heritage. Presentations covering the history and current reality of the so-called "three pillars" of our community -- spirituality, apostolate, and community -- are scheduled for the first four weeks. A retreat at the birthplace of the Congregation, San Felice in Giano, will take place during the fifth week.

	Some photographs from the first two days of the course- After introductions and an introductory presentation by Moderator General Barry Fischer, Fr. Beniamino Conti (right) began the presentations on July 3. (Photos: Jeff Keyes, cpps, & Jerry Stack, cpps)

The participants will not only be listening to invited speakers but will also be sharing the stories of their own provinces, vicariates, and missions with one another during the course. Many CPPS members have experienced a desire to know more about how the spirituality of the Blood of Christ and the charism of St. Gaspar are being lived in community life and in the apostolate in the different regions and cultures in which our Missionaries work. This course promises to be a rich opportunity for them to learn from one another and to carry back to candidates and members alike what they have learned.

The schedule for the course is available by clicking the following: schedule. A list of participants is also available.

Two Missionaries Called to Eternal Life

Two veteran Missionaries died during the month of June. In the Teutonic Province, Father Daniel Lins, 89, died in Schellenberg, Liechtenstein. Fr. Lins was a native of Austria and became a member of the Society in 1939. After the Second World War he was director of the retreat house in Kufstein, Austria, and was deeply involved in ministry to his brothers in community who had been affected by the that conflict, helping them to re-establish community life. His ministry also included the ministry of pastor in Schellenberg (where he received a distinguished citizen award and where he built the church) and the formation of students at St. Joseph's College in Salzburg. After serving there for ten years he once again engaged in parish ministry in Klagenfurt-Annabichl and later in Upper Saxony.

Father Charles Banet of the Cincinnati Province died on June 22. He was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in 1922 and was ordained for the American Province in 1949. Virtually his entire career as a Missionary of the Precious Blood was devoted to ministry at St. Joseph's College, Rensselaer, Indiana, where he served as head librarian and eventually as President beginning in 1965, a post he held until retiring in 1993. He is known in the academic world for guiding the College in adopting the innovative Core interdisciplinary education curriculum. Within the Congregation he served on the Provincial Council of the Cincinnati Province and was one of the founding members of the Precious Blood Institute, which sought to promote devotion to the Precious Blood. After retirement he served in a parish with his brother, a Josephite priest.

June 2003

Twenty Ordained for the CPPS

The months of June, July, and August stand out in the recent history of the Congregation with nineteen members ordained to the priesthood and one ordained to the transitional diaconate.

In May, Sebastian Pieta was ordained to the priesthood in the Polish Vicariate.

During the month of June, six members of the Tanzanian Vicariate were ordained to the priesthood: Dismas Mfungomali, Egidius Seneda, Magnus Tegete, Richard Kungi, , Thomas Wambura, and Walter Milandu. Four more members — Richard Tiganya, Arcadius Mapinduzi, Angelo Kaizirege, and Deusdedit Mulokozi — will be ordained in July.

Seven members of the Indian Vicariate were ordained to the priesthood in June: Shaji Francis Kunnel, Amalanathan Savarimuthu Thomas, Susainathan Aruldass Santhan, Yesuraj S. Rayappan, Anthony V. R. Devadass, Arokia Raja Madhakanickam, and David Arockiaswamy Mulavan.

The Cincinnati Province celebrated the ordination to the priesthood of Timothy Knepper and the diaconate ordination of Jeffrey Kirch in June.

Congratulations and the Lord's blessings to all the newly ordained!

Maria De Mattias Now a Saint

An overcast morning turned clear and bright for the canonization of Maria De Mattias and three other saints on Sunday, May 18. Pope John Paul II, also marking his 83rd birthday, presided at the Mass celebrated in St. Peter's Square.

Dance in honor of Maria De Mattias at the vigil in St. John Lateran		The red caps mark St. Maria's "fans" in St. Peter's square.		Sr. Vittoria Tomarelli, superior general of the Adorers, carries a relic of the new Saint.

Photos: Jeff Keyes, cpps, (1&2) and Jerry Stack, cpps (3)

Besides the Eucharist on Sunday morning, the Adorers and their friends had celebrated several vigils during the preceding week, incuding a well-attended vigil at St. John Lateran in the evening of June 17. A theatrical production recounting the life of Maria was held in the evening of May 18 and a Mass of Thanksgiving and Papal Audience were celebrated on Monday, May 19.

More information on the life of St. Maria may be found in the entry on this page for May 2003 and at www.adorers.org. Part of the October 2003 issue of The Cup of the New Covenant will be devoted to the canonization, including the text of the homily given by Bishop Erwin Kräutler, cpps, of the Brazilian Vicariate, at the Mass of Thanksgiving.

Thirteen New Members in the CPPS

The Congregation welcomed twelve new members into the Indian Vicariate in May: Fredrick Arokiam D. Lourdusamy, Gnanamani M. Arockiaswamy, John Baptist N. Alphonse, John Peter Siluvappan, Nelson Yuva Raja Abraham, Mahimidaidass Irudhayam, Showry Kokakani, Vara Kuma Chowtapally, William Arokiaraj Joseph, Daniel Asirvatham, Perianayagam S. David, and M. Anthony Pathinathan.

In the Cincinnati Province, Jeffrey Kirch became a definitively incorporated member during the annual province assembly in May.

The Society welcomes our newest members and prays that they will find joy in God's service and in our fraternal life.

Candidates Receive Ministries

Marking their journey toward the priesthood as members of the CPPS, seventeen seminarians recently received the ministries of acolyte and lector, formerly known as two of the minor orders. In the Iberian Province, Virgilio de Mata Martins received the ministry of acolyte in April and in the Kansas City Province, Matt Link received the ministry of lector in May.

Virgilio da Mata Martins receives the ministry of acolyte
from Iberian Provincial Director Paulino Hernández.
(photo: Iberian Province)

In the Indian Vicariate, Albert A. Michael Dharmaya, Arockiadoss R. Muthusamy, Antony Daniel Joseph Dass, Jayababu Nuthalapati, Sahaya Ruben M. Francis, Vijay Raj Vije, Vincent Katta, and Xavier Budhali received the ministry of acolyte. The ministry of lector was conferred on Chirstopher Jayaraj Ramchetti, Franklin Fernando Thumma, Ilayaraja Panjalathan, Joshi V. A. Andrews, Marianna Ramaji, Peter Pradeep Devadass, Sahaya Celestine Soosai, and Xavier Thangaraj Susai.

Steve dos Santos of the Pacific Province received the ministry of lector at the Provincial Assembly in May.

The Congregation Is Growing

The Society of the Precious Blood has been growing over the past few years and now numbers 531 definitively incorporated members. At the end of 2002 there were 524 members. Most of this growth in numbers is occurring in two of the newest units of the Congregation, Tanzania and India, which now number 45 and 34 members respectively. The table below gives a breakdown of all definitively incorporated members by unit of the Congregation.

May 2003

Father Emo Moretti Ordained for the Italian Province

Archbishop Fontana kisses the hands of the newly ordained Fr. Emo Moretti.	Fr. Emo with his parents at the meal after the First Mass.

Photos: Jerry Stack, cpps

The medieval church of the Abbey of San Felice, Giano, birthplace of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, was the site of the ordination of Father Emo Moretti on May 3, 2003. Thirty-five priests concelebrated with Archbishop Riccardo Fontana of Spoleto-Norcia at the evening Eucharist of ordination.

The following day Fr. Emo celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving in his home parish in Marcellano, a community that lies a few kilometers from Giano. Afterwards his family and friends celebrated with a traditional Italian “big meal” (pranzone) at a local restaurant.

Prior to entering the formation program of the Italian Province Emo had been a nurse. After ordination he returned to Rome to complete his theology studies and he will receive his first assignment as a priest this summer.

Maria de Mattias to be Canonized May 18

The foundress of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Maria de Mattias, will be canonized in Rome on Sunday, May 18, 2003. Maria was born in the little village of Vallecorsa, about 75 kilometers south of Rome in 1805. In 1834 she founded the Adorers in the village of Acuto, Italy. Although she never had a chance to go to school, this self-educated woman would become a great teacher and wrote hundreds of letters. Maria loved God and people immensely and had a particular concern for the poor and those in some kind of need. Like Gaspar del Bufalo, whom she first met in 1822, she labored tirelessly to nurture and grow her community, traveling all over central Italy. She became known as “the woman who preaches” to the people of her day. She suffered a great deal during her lifetime – from poverty, the rigors of travel, ill health, misunderstandings and jealousy, temptations to give up – but through it all she found her meaning and purpose in Jesus, who shed his blood for us on the cross. After her death in 1866, Maria’s work continued, and the Adorers of the Blood of Christ now number about 2000 members and continue her mission on every continent. For more information on St. Maria and the Adorers, go to www.adorers.org.

April 2003

Missionaries Leave “First Love” in USA

On July 1 of this year the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, Cincinnati Province, will officially leave the parish of St. Boniface, New Riegel, Ohio, after over 159 years of service. The parish was entrusted to the CPPS in January 1844, within a month after the first CPPS Missionaries arrived from Europe under the leadership of Father Francis de Sales Brunner.

Brunner determined that the first residences for the priests, brothers, and sisters would be at New Riegel and initially intended that this would be the main center of activities for the Society in Ohio. Within a few years, however, the Society expanded into other areas and the center was finally located in Mercer County, Ohio.

Fr. David Kelly Honored in Chicago

CPPS Missionary David Kelly received the Spes Unica (One Hope) award from Holy Trinity High School in Chicago in recognition of many years of service to the community on the west side of Chicago. For nearly twenty years he has worked with the faculty of the school, helping them to understand the situation faced by the students. He has also mentored many young people and referred them to the school during that time.

Among his other ministries Fr. David has served as chaplain at the local juvenile detention center and has been instrumental in establishing the new Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation in Chicago.

Kansas City Province Holds Electoral Assembly

Frs. John Wolf, Aloys Ebach, Jim Urbanic (Provincial Director) Joe Bathke and Tim Guthridge		A light moment of relaxing during the assembly

Members of the Kansas City Province gathered for an electoral Assembly from April 28 through May 1 and elected Fr. James Urbanic as the new provincial director. The newly elected provincial council members are Father Aloys Ebach, Joe Bathke, Tim Guthridge and John Wolf.

The new provincial director and council members will serve for four years. Their installation ceremony will take place in June.

Some of the Companions (lay associates) of the Province

Two Missionaries Die in the USA

Father Thomas Ozanne, of the the Kansas City Province, died on April 2, 2003, after suffering a heart attack and subsequent respiratory problems.

A Native of Lexington, Nebrasaka, Father Tom was 56 years old. After his ordination in 1974 he served in parish ministry and then began a twelve year career as a chaplain in the U.S. Army. After leaving the service he again engaged in parish ministry in Liberty, and St. Joseph, Missouri,  and most recently had served as a hospital chaplain in Blue Springs, Missouri.

Father Bernard Meiring of the Cincinnati Province was called to new life in Christ on April 12, 2003, at Carthagena, Ohio, after a long struggle with cancer. Ordained in 1955, he joined the faculty at St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana, in 1957 and received a Ph.D. in education from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1963. At St. Joseph’s he founded the elementary education department and later earned a degree in accounting and became a certified public accountant to strengthen the accounting department.

He also taught part-time and eventually full-time at Calumet College, Whiting, Indiana, until began a new career in parish ministry in 1994. In 1998 he joined the ministry staff of Sts. Peter and Paul, Ottawa, Ohio.

According to Fr. Tom Hemm, cpps, pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul, his own struggle with cancer helped him to become more sensitive to others who were dealing with illness and he was constantly visiting the sick both in hospitals and in their homes.

Official Visitation of Central American Mission

A group of elders in Tucuru preparing flowers for Palm Sunday	A celebration of Palm Sunday with the community in Montesano of the Parish of Our Ladyof the Precious Blood
Elders incensing Church and altar in preparation for Mass in La Tinta	Our Seminary complex in Guatemala City
Our ten CPPS students of philosophy leaving for a Holy Week Mission with their Director, Fr. Armando Rivas	The first group of lay associates in Guatemala, accompanied by Sr. Mary Feye, CPPS, and Fr. Jaime Miranda and Bro. Victor Yoc, CPPS

Fathers Barry Fischer, Moderator General, and Luis Felipe Cardoso, General Counselor, visited the members and students of the Central American Mission in Guatemala in April.

The Guatemalan Mission, as it is also called, began in 1976 and currently has 12 members and 12 candidates in formation. The Mission has three houses in or near Guatemala City, the capital, and two in the province of Altaverapaz. All but one of the members in Guatemala is a native of Central America.

March 2003

New Vicariate of India Established

The newest vicariate of the Congregation celebrated this major step in its history with a festive Vespers held on February 19. The Mass marked the official erection of the Indian Vicariate and included the formal reading and signing of the document by Moderator General Barry Fischer. Also concelebrating were Fathers Giovanni Francilia, Provincial Director of the Italian Province, and Giuseppe Montenegro, who has been Director of the Indian Mission and has guided its growth from the beginning. Along with members and candidates of the new Vicariate, Archbishop Matthias Alphonse, former archbishop of Bangalore, and members of the Italian Provincial Council and the General Council were also present for the event.

After the official ceremony establishing the new Vicariate of India: Frs. David Jayasingh, Giovanni Francilia, Giuseppe Montenegro, Barry Fischer, Archbishop Matthias Alphonse, Fr. Amaladoss Mariasusai		Saint Gaspar's dream of going to India has finally been realized! This statue, a reproduction of the statue on Gaspar's tomb in Rome, is in front of the altar at St. Gaspar Ashram, Bangalore.

On the following day elections were held for the new leadership of the vicariate. After an hour of prayer in the chapel, balloting began and the director and councilors were elected, each on the first ballot. Fr. Amaladoss Mariasusai is the new Vicariate Director and Fathers John Bosco Santiago, Susaiappan Nadalaimuthu, Michael Peter's, and David Jayasingh make up the new Vicariate Council.

Newly elected leadership: Frs. Susaiappan Madalaimuthu, John Bosco Santiago, Amaladoss Mariasusai, David Jayasingh, Michael Peter's	An impromptu photo opportunity at St. Gaspar Ashram during the celebrations

The new Vicariate of India has 23 members: 15 priests and 8 deacons who will be ordained to the priesthood in June. There are 43 students at the level of theology and 69 in initial formation and philosophy. These are impressive numbers given that the beginnings of the vicariate date back only to the year 1985.

There are currently six houses in the new vicariate: a new seminary for theology students and a seminary for initial formation and philosophy, both in Bangalore; a parish and orphanage in Kolar Gold Fields, and parishes in Sadras and Pozhichalur (Madras/Chennai). In addition, two members have been living on property in Mysore while ministering in the local area. Work on the seminary for theology students (St. Gaspar Ashram) is still in progress with the church currently under construction.

St. Gaspar Ashram, new home to candidates studying theology in Bangalore.	St. Gaspar Bhavan, seminary for college-level students, Bangalore

The Catholic Church seems to be thriving in India, despite the fact the Christians are generally a small minority of the population in most areas, and the prospect for vocations is bright. The Adorers of the Blood of Christ, for example, now have 51 members after 25 years of presence in India. Despite the growth of Hindu fundamentalism and some incidents of violence in a few areas it appears that the Catholic Church remains strong and has the respect of many because of its ministry in education, health care, and work with the poor.

Ven. Merlini, St. Gaspar and a barefoot Bl. Maria de Mattias celebrate the new Vicariate in this skit performed by students at St. Gaspar Ashram.	The newest house in the vicariate in Mysore. Fathers Peter Gali, Amaladoss Mariasusai, Barry Fischer and Lawrence Mekala Asirvathan.

Domenico D'Alia Incorporated in the Italian Province

	On January 17, 2003, Domenico D'Alia became the newest member of the Italian Province. Domenico is currently completing his theology studies at the Salesianum. Domenico is a native of Naples and was pursuing a career in banking before joining the Congregation. He will be ordained to the diaconate later this year.

Fr. Adriano Iacovacci Dies in Florence

Veteran Missionary Fr. Adriano Iacovacci died suddenly in Florence, Italy, on 28 February 2003. A native of Vallecorsa, Fr. Adriano celebrated his golden jubilee as a priest of the Society last July. He was well known and much loved for his pastoral work in parishes and a huge crowd turned out for his funeral at the Church of the Most Precious Blood in Florence.

Intercongregational Formation Weekend in the United States

Twenty-one men and women gathered at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio, on the weekend of January 31-February 2 for the fourth annual gathering of candidates in formation from the Precious Blood communities in North America. The gathering this year focused on sharing the stories of the congregations: the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, the CPPS Sisters of Dayton, Ohio, the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, and the CPPS Sisters of O'Fallon, Missouri. On Sunday a celebration of the Word Day for Consecrated Life was held at St. Charles, during which professed members of various communities recommited themselves to lives of service.
(The above is based on material written by Matthew Schaefer, candidate for the Cincinnati Province.)	Front row: Annie Rudsell, Patricia Sommer, Marla Gipson, Gwen Woodin, Michelle Woodruff, Ginny Snyder, Marcus Gomori. Middle row: Marie Poland, Trish McConnell, Hang Pham, Sheila Stewart, Joni Belford, Dianna Hughes, Back Row: Tim Knepper, Matt Schaefer, Harry Lingo, Steve Dos Santos, Rob Reuter, Vince Wirtner, Jeff Kirch, Brian Boyle, Matt Link

February 2003

Chilean Vicariate Holds Elections

Fr. Richard Beischel was re-elected Director of the Chilean Vicariate at an assembly held in January. The members of the Vicariate also elected Frs. Donald Thieman, Wojciech Czernatowicz, and Abelardo Ibaceta as councilors.

There has been a CPPS presence in Chile since 1947. Currently the Vicariate has eleven members and one member from another province engaged in the apostolate.

Best wishes and prayers for the new leadership team in Chile!

Abelardo Ibaceta (Third Councilor), Donald Thieman (First Councilor),Richard Beischel (Director of the Vicariate) and Wojciech Czernatowicz (Second Councilor)		1st row - Antonio Baus, Angelo Anthony, Donald Thieman, Richard Beischel, Israel de la Fuente 2nd row - Luis Briones, Juan Carlos Barajas(seminarista), Miguel Soto, Omar Cerda (seminarian), Humberto Jaña, Nicanor Azúa, Wojciech Czernatowicz, John Falter and Abelardo Ibaceta

Peruvian Mission Elects New Director

At an assembly held in the  Peruvian Mission in January, Fr. Dionisio Alberca was elected as the new Director of the Peruvian Mission. Elections for councilors will be held next year. The current councilors are Frs. Jim Gaynor and Máximo Mesía.

The Peruvian Mission was initiated just over forty years ago. There are thirteen members of the Congregation in Perú.

Congratulations to Fr. Dionisio and our prayers for the leadership team in Perú!

Erection of Indian Vicariate and Visitation of Members

Frs. Barry Fischer, Moderator General, and Jerome Stack, Secretary General, will be traveling to India for the celebration of the erection of the Indian Vicariate, which had been a mission since its founding in 1988. The ceremony will be held on February 19 and Frs. Barry and Jerry will be visiting members and students of the vicariate for three weeks.

The CPPS presence in India dates to 1985. Currently the Indian Vicariate has twenty-three members.

Fr. Harold Diller of Cincinnati Province Dies at St. Charles Center

Fr. Harold was called to his new life in Christ on February 13, 2003. Born in St. Anthony, Ohio, on October 6, 1908, he entered the Congregation in September 1922 and was ordained on May 10, 1934. He was the brother of Fr. Otto Diller who preceded him in death.

While not the oldest member in North America by age, Fr. Harold had the distinction of being oldest in length of membership in the CPPS. He was incorporated in 1926, meaning that he spent nearly seventy-seven years as a Missionary of the Precious Blood!

Requiescat in pace.

Recovering from Racism

The Precious Blood Leadership Conference offers four workshops at sites throughout the United States on the theme: "Recovering from Everyday Racisms." Led by Fr. Clarence Williams of the Cincinnati Province, the goals of these conferences are to deepen the experience of Precious Blood spirituality and to recognize its implications for combatting racisms, to increase the awareness in the participants of the various racisms which exist in the Church, workplace and society, to begin a journey of recovery and to make a commitment to concrete action.

The workshops are open to members and companions of the Congregation. More information about the PBLC and these conferences can be found at the web site: http://precious-blood.org.

January 2003

Iberian Province Holds Annual Assembly

The Iberian Province held its annual assembly from 26-28 December 2002. The first day was dedicated to a retreat led by Fr. José Maria Borreguero, CPPS, on the theme: "The Challenges of the Spirituality of the Precious Blood in our Apostolates." On the same day Virgilio da Mata Martins was incorporated as a member of the Society.

The following day Provincial Director, Paulino Hernández, CPPS, gave his annual report. Members also presented reports on how they were bringing the spirituality of the Blood of Christ into their apostolates. There were several references to the symposium on parish ministry and Precious Blood spirituality held at Dayton, Ohio last year, and a discussion of the possibility of some kind of meeting on this topic for the province.

On the third day of the assembly Fr. Pedro Carrasco, CPPS, presented an outline of the pastoral plan of the Province. Speaking in the name of the Provincial Council, he proposed to the assembly the creation of a province pastoral team which would be in charge of popular missions, youth and vocation ministry, the groups "Friends of the Precious Blood," and a platform for confronting the evils afflicting our society and other possibilities.

The proposed team would consist of a permanent commission, of a CPPS member, an ASC member and two lay persons. This would be the "engine" of the pastoral plan. There would also be an executive committee consisting of two or three CPPS members, one or two ASC members and 5 or 6 lay persons. This proposal was approved by an overwhelming majority of the members voting.

In other matters, the assembly decided to continue the project in Guinea-Bissau (where two members of the Iberian Province have been working for the past two years) for an additional two years in an "experimental" status, prior to any attempt formally to establish a mission there. The workshop on Spirituality of the Blood of Christ will be held 14-16 November 2003. Members were invited to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Colegio S. Francisco Javier during the year 2003.

Fifth Annual Study Week on the Spirituality of the Blood of Christ Held in Brazil

From 7-11 January 24 Sisters of the Precious Blood of Monza, Italy, 9 Precious Blood priests and 4 seminarians, 2 Adorers of the Blood of Christ and 6 lay people took part in a study week on the spiritually of the Precious Blood in the Brazilian Vicariate, held in Ananiduea-Belem. The theme of this year’s study week was "The lived spirituality of the Blood of Christ," a reflection on what was learned at last year’s seminar and how this has been incorporated in the personal life and ministry of the participants.

There was an emphasis on a spirituality of the Blood of Christ that sees Jesus as one who broke with the structures of power and who took the side of those who had been marginalized and deprived of their rights. A spirituality of the Blood of Christ implies an option for the poor and the marginalized since this a privileged place where one can meet God. Those who participated in the study week found it a very special time, which strengthened them in their common witness and in the closer bonds between both within their own congregations and among those same congregations, each dedicated to the mystery of the Blood of Jesus.

Images of India

The Indian Mission of the Congregation will be formally elevated to the status of Vicariate in February. Here are four images of India sent to us by Fr. Giuseppe Montenegro, CPPS, Director of the Indian Mission.

Elections Held in the Brazilian Vicariate

Newly elected Vicariate Director and Council Frs. Fritz Tschol (First Councilor), Andoni Ledesma (Vicariate Director), Josef Gruber (Third Councilor), Lucas Rodríguez (Second Councilor)		Members working in the Brazilian Vicariate: (standing from left) Frs. Fritz Satzger, P. Michael Rohde, Marco Tullio Recinos, Fritz Tschol, Lucas Rodriguez, Josef Gruber, kneeling from left: Frs. Andoni Ledesma und Rafal Malecki

In elections held during the Vicariate Assembly on 3 January 2003 Fr. Andoni Ledesma was chosen Viariate Director. Also elected were Frs. Fritz Tschol, First Councilor; Fr. Lucas Rodríguez, Second Councilor; and Joseph Gruber as Third Councilor.

A celebration of the birthday of the founder of the C.PP.S., St. Gaspar del Bufalo, followed the assembly and during the first week of January members and others continued with a week of study and prayer of the spirituality of the Blood of Christ, an annual event in the Vicariate.

Congratulations, best wishes and prayers to the new leadership team in Brazil!

Fr. Mark Armstrong Ordained in Cincinnati Province

Fr. Mark Armstrong (on right) at his Ordination Mass	Fr. Angelo Anthony, Provincial Director, and Fr. Armstrong

The St. Charles Chapel, Carthagena, Ohio, has been a place where many C.PP.S. priests have been ordained. Fr. Mark Armstrong of the Cincinnati Province was the most recent and received Holy Orders on January 4.

Fr. Mark, 45, is a native of Detroit, Michigan, and entered the Society after a career as an accountant. He completed his studies for ministry at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and has been working as a deacon in St. Augustine's Parish, Minster, Ohio, since last summer. He will continue as associate pastor at St. Augustine's.

Congratulations, Fr. Mark, and may the Lord bless your ministry to his people.!

Two Make Temporary Inorporation in Chile

Omar Guillermo Cerda and Juan Carlos Barajas

Two students of the Chilean Vicariate, Omar Guillermo Cerda and Juan Carlos Barajas, were temporarily incorporated into the Society on 6 January 2003 in Santiago, Chile. At a ceremony attended by nearly all of the members of the Vicariate, Fr. Richard Beischel, Vicariate Director, received their promises of fidelity. Also attending the Mass held at Nuestra Señora de la Preciosa Sangre Parish were Frs. Barry Fischer, Moderator General, and Fr. Ron Wiecek, Provincial Director of the Pacific Province, as well as the mother of Juan Carlos.

On the following day confreres and seminarians of the Vicariate along with Sisters of the Precious Blood (Dayton, Ohio) celebrated the event with a festive dinner at the Center House.

Congratulations and welcome to these new members of our Congregation!

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