SPREADING HIS WORD

Provincial and General Chapter News

Fr. Dave Bergner, SDS Provincial shared, “It is evident that as Salvatorians we have much for which to be thankful. Through prayer and action the Holy Spirit has guided us this past year to use our diverse talents to spread the Gospel.”

The Year in Review –

• Fr. Francis Jordan was deemed “Venerable Fr. Francis Mary of the Cross Jordan, Servant of God” in spring 2011. Our founder’s cause is proceeding at the Vatican and we are awaiting the decree of beatification.

• Eleven Salvatorian Priest and Brother Jubilarians celebrated 25, 40, 50 and 60 years of service.

• We were witness to growing numbers of men in formation exploring their calling to God and connection to the Salvatorian community.

• The 150th anniversary of St. Mary of the Visitation Parish in Huntsville, Ala. was celebrated in October.

• Missionary work called us to work closely with our Salvatorian Sisters and Lay around the world.

Looking Ahead to 2012 –

The Society of the Divine Savior, USA Province, meets with its chapter every three years. All members are encouraged to participate in 2012. The role of a chapter is two-fold: to determine the direction of the community over the next three years and to elect new leaders to carry out the chapter’s directives. The Province’s chapter occurs this spring in Oconomowoc, WI from April 9-13.

The Society’s General Chapter also occurs this year over the month of October. Its role is similar to that of a Provincial Chapter, but the General Chapter sets direction and elects leadership for the International Society. These meetings will take place in Krakow, Poland.

Most interestingly, this fall, the international meetings of all three branches of the Salvatorian Family Sisters, Lay and Priests/Brothers—will meet at the same time, with parts of the meeting linked electronically in order to work on a shared agenda. We intend to work on matters of importance which will impact not only Salvatorians, but also the local churches in the 45 countries where we live and minister.

Click pictures for larger photo.

Salvatorian presence at the Motherhouse located in Rome, just steps away from St. Peter’s Square, dates back to our founder.

The former 18th century Bagno Palace is home to the Major Seminary of the Salvatorian Society in Poland.

Who Are These People?

Long ago a church collection for the people of Haiti drew the interest of Denise Snyder, SDS-Lay parishioner at St. Gregory in Smithville, Tenn. She questioned, “Who are these people and what do they do?” Fr. Jim Bretl, SDS Pastor at the time, encouraged her to “Go find out!” She responded by organizing a trip to Haiti.

What They Found—

Needs of the poverty-stricken area near the remote parish of Riviere’ Mancelle, in northern Haiti were overwhelming: There was no clean water, children were severely malnourished, basic medical needs were not being met and rapid deforestation aggravated the agricultural abilities of the region.

Accomplishments in Haiti—

15,000 people of the parish and surrounding community of over 45,000 are benefiting from projects in Haiti which have been made possible with grants and a completely volunteer-driven effort. Fr. Jadotte Joseph, parish priest of five chapels and 10 outposts in Haiti serves as liaison for the humanitarian efforts. He travels annually to the United States visiting local parishes and learning about bed gardening, agriculture, sanitation, water and more.

Since the inception of this ongoing ministry in 1999, progress is evident:

• School Tuition Program—provides a child’s education including books, tuition and two uniforms for a year.

• School Lunch Program—feeds 1,100 meals four days a week for the entire school year providing nutritious means for many malnourished children.

• Medical Missions Teams—have seen and treated more than 1,200 patients for basic medical conditions.

• Humanitarian Containers—collected and inventoried supplies are shipped each February.

• Water, Power and Erosion Services—deliver essentials such as limited lighting, fresh spring water, purification systems and erosion control.

• Agriculture—teach skills such as how to compost and terrace hillsides. Work is underway to implement a canning operation to preserve and market mango crops.

Next Steps—

“We should realize that Haiti is not a Third World country, but a developing nation.” Denise said, “The goal of Project Haiti is to give these families a way to feed themselves and gather the respect that comes with being self-sufficient.”

Mango trees and vanilla orchards are being planted on the Fr. Jim Bretl Model Farm project land adjacent to the parish. The mango trees are expected to bear fruit in five years— vanilla plants in seven.

As funds are secured in anticipation of the products going to market in the next several years, plans are in place to:

• Secure the groves with a fence

• Build a caretaker home

• Purchase a truck to move product and people

• Construct a pavilion to process vanilla beans and mangos

Denise shared, “The simple song ‘Here I am Lord’ pulled me in and I have stayed invested. Twelve years later, my life is full.”

We are all called in some way. For more information or to donate to the Haiti project go to: http://www.feedhaiti.org

Click pictures for larger photo.

Fr. Jadotte (right) gives visitors a tour.

Fr. Jadotte (front) speaks with Gene Elosion, an American Haitian helping to interpret language and customs.

Our Own Fr. Tom Tureman Shines

Before the holidays, The Creative Camera Club of Lexington, one of the oldest camera clubs in the country, recognized Fr. Tom Tureman for his photography. As a member of the club he participated in its annual prestigious print competition, which presented visitors an opportunity to view over 100 striking photo images from Kentucky and beyond.

Fr. Tom won first place in categories and best of show in landscape at the city-wide exhibition. Photos were judged on composition, quality of print and presentation.

Fr. Tom shared that growing up he was raised with a camera in his hand and he has carried on the love it. He shared, “I developed my first roll of film when I was five years old sitting on my grandfather’s lap.”

Fr. Francis Jordan wanted to use what was available to reach the common persons and touch their hearts. He used the printing press and photography of the day. Today we continue that tradition by using digital media, the internet and more. It is all part of using our God-given talents to promote the charism of our founder. Fr. Tom said, “I think photography is another way to tell a story that can touch people deeply and spiritually. I want to record photographically who we are and where we are going. Fr. Jordan would definitely approve.”

Congratulations, Fr. Tom!

Click picture for larger photo.

Natural Landscape Category Winner—Morro Bay, California

Street Photography Category Winner— Florence, Italy.

January is Human Trafficking Month

The passing of the 13th Amendment in 1865 eliminated the institution of slavery, which permanently shaped American history.

Slavery Remains

Believe it or not, slavery and human trafficking remain in every country including the United States. It involves women, children and men who are tricked or coerced into labor or sexual exploitation. They are lured under false pretenses and held against their will. These crimes likely are linked to money-laundering, drug-trafficking, forgery, rape and torture. The United Nations recently reported on its effort to combat human-trafficking.

The United Nations has estimated that 4 million men, women and children are bought and sold each year! The US State Department 2005 “Trafficking in Persons” report estimates that 800,000 to 2 million women and girls, some as young as age five, are brought across national borders annually! The Federal Bureau of Investigation reports that 9.5 billion dollars per year is generated in the USA from trafficking and slavery!

Sustained efforts to confront this beast are necessary.

The Salvatorian Effort

January 11th, 2011 was been named National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. Fr. John Gorman, SDS, member of the Anti-Human Trafficking Committee, said, “In my experience, this inappropriate exploitation is an epidemic not only in our country, but throughout the world – Action needs to be taken.” Salvatorians have designated all of January to increase understanding of this issue and are asked to show support in a variety of ways:

• Wear the United Nations-sponsored Blue Heart pin during the month of January; and each month on the 11th.

• Initiate conversations about human-trafficking.

• Hold a prayer service.

• Host a prayer walk.

• Be creative in finding ways to bring attention to this concern.

The ABCs of Salvatorian Life states, “We involve others in our mission and seek to collaborate with those involved in promoting truth, justice and the defense of life, making a preferential option for the poor and for those whose humanity and dignity are not recognized.”

The Joint Justice and Peace Committee of the Salvatorians have representatives from all three branches who are working to circulate information on human trafficking. This atrocity on humankind is unmistakable. We are all called to respond!