SPREADING HIS WORD

Joint Regional Retreat 2010

Salvatorians gathered in Picture Rocks, Arizona from Aug. 16 - 20 for a Joint Regional Retreat. Fr. Keith Brennan has provided details about the experience below.

Forty Salvatorians, priests, brothers, sisters and lay members gathered at the Redemptorist Renewal Center near Tucson, Arizona from Aug. 16 - 20 for a Joint Regional Retreat. They came from Arizona, California and Kentucky to reflect, pray, discuss, and discern how to best involve themselves in serving the real and current needs of the poor and the marginalized – both in the localities in which they live and work, and throughout our nation.

Sister Carol Thresher, SDS, the current provincial leader of the American Province of the Salvatorian Sisters and a member of the Salvatorian International Charism Commission, was the lead presenter and guide throughout the retreat. There were additional presentations by representatives of Pima County Interfaith Council on immigration and border issues, Casa San Juan, a social justice outreach center, and excursions to Casa Maria, Poverello House and Most Holy Trinity Parish – all of which are dedicated to serve the needs of the poor and homeless in the Tucson area. Bishop Gerald Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson, presided at a Eucharistic Liturgy during the retreat.

Click picture for a larger group photo from the retreat.

Jordan Awareness Week

This Sept. 4 – 12, Salvatorian priests, brothers, sisters and lay nationwide will honor founder Fr. Francis Jordan so that others can learn more about his life, his contributions and his vision, and become informed about the cause of his canonization.

“The more widely Fr. Jordan is known, and the more fervently he is venerated, the greater the chance of his advancing to sainthood,” said Fr. Dan Pekarske, chair of the Jordan Awareness Committee.

Fr. Jordan’s vision was to serve others in whatever ways needed, “so that all may know the One True God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.” He founded the Catholic religious order in 1881, which later became the Society of the Divine Savior, also known today as the Salvatorians.

With three branches of priests and brothers, sisters and lay working together to make the love of the Divine Savior known to all people, the Salvatorians are fulfilling Fr. Jordan’s vision today.

There are 26 Salvatorian parishes and apostolates across the United States, and all are celebrating the founder in different ways, including the following:
• Holding special prayer services, weekly Masses and school Masses
• Including information about Fr. Jordan’s life in weekly bulletins and newsletters
• Incorporating Fr. Jordan’s beatification prayer into daily Masses • Having student essay and coloring contests about Fr. Jordan
• Placing signage to promote Jordan Awareness Week
• Distributing informational materials about Fr. Jordan to visitors and parishioners

Click picture for larger photo of Fr. Dave Bergner, provincial and Fr. Bob Marsicek, pastor of St. Pius X and Mother of Good Counsel parishes preparing for Jordan Awareness Week.

Entrance to Novitiate

Benjamin Babb and Michael Gallagher entered Salvatorian novitiate on August 14 at Alexian Village in Milwaukee.

“During my novitiate, I am excited to be serving in new ministries, getting to know the Salvatorian community better, and preparing to take vows,” Benjamin said.

Michael is also excited to enter novitiate. “I look forward to strengthening my prayer life, deepening my Salvatorian spirituality and expanding my knowledge of the only true God, and the one whom he sent, Jesus Christ,” Michael said.

Congratulations Michael and Benjamin! Click photo for larger pictures of Michael and Benjamin at the Entrance to Novitiate event.