As young people traveled from all over the United States, braving the blizzard of 2016 to stand up and let their voices be heard in Washington, D.C., Catholics from South Texas journeyed to Austin for the same reason, to lend their voices to the voiceless victims of abortion.

Members of the St. Anthony’s Pro-Life Group in Robstown and the St. John’s parish in Robstown attended along with other members from the Diocese of Corpus Christi, including Saint John Paul II High School and Bishop Garriga Middle Prep School. Sister Mary Elizabeth Albers and Sister Mary Mediatrix Patterson rode up with the JPII High School students.

“It was beautiful to see so many people from all over the state. People even traveled from Louisiana to join us in the rally. The experience was very positive and peaceful. People were singing and praising God for the gift of life,” Sister Mediatrix recalled.

The rally began with a mile walk through downtown Austin around the Texas Capital building. Bishop Daniel Garcia opened the presentation on the Capital steps with a prayer of benediction. Texas Governor Greg Abbott and speakers from the Texas Alliance for Life and the Texas House of Representatives followed, and the keynote address was given by abortion survivor Melissa Ohden.

“We are a movement that isn’t just pro-life or pro-child we are pro-women, we are also pro-love,” Melissa Ohdem said in her speech. It was a statement that encapsulated the spirit of the gathering that day.

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This past December, Sister Maria Pia professed her perpetual vows. She reflected on her journey from her family growing up to her new family, SOLT.

My parents were married in 1979, and I was born in 1985 in Busdac a simple village coastal area in the Filipino Province of Albay. I was the fifth of their twelve children. Busdac is one of the villages on the beautiful Island of Cagraray where the first SOLT mission parish was established in the Philippines. The late Fr. Thomas Gier, SOLT, was the parish priest of this ‘Sacred Heart Mission Parish’. He baptized me on December 16, 1985, which was also the first day of our nine-day dawn Masses before Christmas.
My parents loved having a big family. When my father was asked by his friends, “How many children do you have,” my father would always joyfully answer, “Oh! Just one.,.one tribe of Israel.” His friends always laughed. Having joined the SOLT family I feel happy and very at home since I grew up in a big family.

Growing up, I was surrounded by religious people who were like extra family to me. Busdac is a little bit far away from Sacred Heart Mission Parish, but the distance was not a hindrance to me being raised as a good Catholic. Untiringly, my family and other Catholics taught me to grow more in the faith. I do not know when God first called me to be a religious sister or how my calling began. When I was in elementary school, I was so happy dressing up like a nun. My older sister told me that I looked like a nun, but I didn’t even know what a nun looked like! When I was in fourth grade, some of the priests and seminarians gave catechesis for the third grade students (first communicants) and they played the movie “The Life of St. Faustina.” I found myself watching it and telling myself that I would like to be a nun like St. Faustina.

After high school, that desire to be a nun had been forgotten as I was occupied with work and studies. However, SOLT sisters and priests visited our village for the summer apostolate. My desire to be a nun awakened again and I decided not to return to work because the calling to enter religious life was so intense. I did not know yet that my Godmother offered me to God during my baptism to become a religious sister. I am so thankful to her and I have no regrets.

For my whole life our parish in Cagraray has been under the care of SOLT priests, so I grew up experiencing this religious community of priests, sisters and laity. Their relationships with each other were what attracted me to enter the SOLT family.

As a recently perpetually professed sister, I am assigned to this Parish of the Sacred Heart Mission doing pastoral ministry. I enjoy being with different people, listening and learning from them and at the same time, sharing my faith with them. When I meet young people who are discerning religious life, I always say, go on with your desire and listen to that call. When you enter and journey through religious life, please don’t give up easily when hardships and trials come your way. Don’t turn your back on religious life, but rather go back to the time you started hearing the call of God.

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On February 10, 2016, Fr. Mark Wheelan, SOLT, was one of the priests selected and commissioned by Pope Francis to be a special “Missionary of Mercy.”  The following is an interview with Fr. Mark which explains the process and the significance of this important mission!

Who are the Missionaries of Mercy?

In Misericordiae Vultus, a papal bull, Pope Francis explains that he intends to send out Missionaries of Mercy who will be, “a sign of the Church’s maternal solicitude for the people of God, enabling them to enter the profound richness of this mystery so fundamental to the faith. There will be priests to whom I will grant the authority to pardon even those sins reserved to the Holy See, so that the breath of their mandate as confessors will be even clearer. They will be, above all, living signs of the father’s readiness to welcome those in search of his pardon.”

How did you become a Missionary of Mercy?

I was over in Hawaii giving a retreat, when a good friend of mine came and asked me if I was going to be a Missionary of Mercy Priest. I questioned her about it, and then commented to Our Lady, “If you would like me to do this, I will”. As my travels continued, I met others asking me also if I was going to be a Missionary of Mercy Priest. At that time, I was unaware of how Pope Francis was going to implement this undertaking. I then read an article asking for priests to apply to be a Missionary of Mercy for Pope Francis for the Year of Mercy. I filled out my application along with a letter from my Superiors and off it went.

I never thought I would ever be chosen. But we are constantly reminded in Sacred Scripture, ask, seek and you will find. After submitting the requirements I was asked, and then gave it to Our Lady.

What will be your role?

At our commissioning on February 10, 2016 we were instructed that our mandate is to preach mercy but most of all to hear confessions.

Pope Francis said he will be granting these Missionaries, “the authority to pardon even those sins reserved to the Holy See.” Who does this affect?

1. A person who throws away the consecrated species or takes or retains them for sacrilegious purpose (i.e. desecration of the Eucharist; Canon 1367 of the code of Canon Law, 1983).
2. A priest who is in the act, on the occasion, or under the pretext of confession solicits a penitent to sin against the sixth commandment of the Decalogue (c. 1387).
3. A confessor who violates the sacramental seal (c. 1388).
4. A person who uses physical force against the Roman pontiff (c. 1370).

How are these things different than the sins people usually confess in the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

These actions are in a profound way against justice in the church, calling for a different kind of accountability so that the offender may be reformed and the scandal caused be healed. Their very existence in law provides a warning, acting as a preventative measure. The particular acts listed above involves an automatic (latae sententiae) excommunication which is a censure of medicinal penalty beckoning the person to correct the harmful behavior and through these means return to full and fruitful communion.

The Papal Bull says also that this authority will be conferred upon you by Pope Francis through the mandate. Does this mean you went to Rome?

Yes! Years ago I was blessed to go there to study at the Angelicum. What a very blessed time. And after all these years, I was invited back to meet Pope Francis which was awesome. On Tuesday, February 9, 2016 during the meeting, the Holy Father personally welcomed all of the Missionaries of Mercy and spoke about the sensitive nature of our service.

The next day, Ash Wednesday, we joined the Holy Father to celebrate the Holy Eucharist, and he conferred upon us the mandate. The relics of St. Padre Pio and St. Leopoldo Mandic, special patrons of confessors and of the confessional, were brought to Rome for this unique occasion.

Any final comments?

I wish to give thanks to Bishop Mulvey, Fr. Peter Marsalek, GPS, and Fr. Jerry Drolshagen, RPS, for time and thoughtful consideration. And special thanks to Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

Please pray for me!

The commissioning included a walk through the Holy Doors. As I walked through the Holy Doors, I was praying for all the people I have encountered in my life. Gifts are given not for ourselves but for the building up of the Church. So as we processed through the Holy Doors, I offered it for our community, families and friends.

This service is being offered by our Holy Mother Church, for people everywhere and all walks of life for a deeper understanding of God’s Mercy. With the Missionary of Mercy Priests that Pope Francis has commissioned, our Church is in a unique and important way extending the arms of Mercy to all in a deeper way.

We must remember, the only sin that God will not forgive, is the one that’s not confessed!

We must show Mercy to others, as the Father shows Mercy to us!

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A beloved priest, Fr. Francisco Guianan, Jr., SOLT passed away unexpectedly in his sleep on Sunday, March 6, 2016 at the Parish Rectory of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. He was 59 years old and known for serving God’s people with humility, gentleness and a great love for Our Lord Jesus and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The Funeral Liturgy is on Friday, March 11, 2016 at Most Holy Trinity Parish (8620 N. 7th St., Phoenix, AZ 85020):
• 4:00pm – Viewing
• 5:30pm – Rosary
• 6:00pm – Funeral Mass

Fr. Francisco was born on September 10, 1956 on the Island of Rapu-Rapu in the Province of Albay, Bicol Region of the Philippines. His parents were Francisco Guianan Sr. and Potenciana Dy, who unfortunately died when Fr. Francisco was very young. Later he was adopted by Dr. Esteban Hidalgo and his wife Anita, who raised Fr. Francisco and Fr. Rex Hidalgo.

He is survived by his sibilings: Marly Guianan Ebrada, Santiago Dy Guianan, Blesilda Dy Guianan, and Medelyn Guianan Ecal.

He was a very loving, kind-hearted and generous uncle to:

His Nephews: Omar Guianan Ebrada, Antonio Guianan Ecal Jr., Glenn Guianan Ecal, Francisco Guianan III, Rex Giacomo Guianan, Rex James Guianan, and Steve Franco Guianan.

His Nieces: Medelyn Ecal Habana, Elma Marie Guianan Ebrada, Mary Grace Guianan Frary, Girly Guianan Piper, Maria Lisa Joy Guianan, Jonah Mae Guianan, and Karen Angela Guianan.

Fr. Francisco (fondly nicknamed “Fr. Keats”) graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from the Ateneo de Naga University. After his graduation he taught at Carolina High School for three years before entering the seminary. He initially joined the religious life with the Blessed Sacrament Community but later entered the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT).

As a SOLT seminarian he started his philosophical studies at Holy Rosary Seminary in Naga City and completed his theological studies at the Maryhill School of Theology in Quezon City, Metro Manila. He was ordained a transitional deacon on March 19, 1988 by Jaime Cardinal Sin. And He was ordained a priest for the Society of Our Lady on November 17, 1988 by Bishop Leoncio Lat at Holy Cross Parish in Amparo Village, Calookan City. He made his perpetual profession with SOLT on Jan. 25, 1995 in the presence of Fr. James Flanagan at Our Lady of Peñafrancia Basilica in Naga City.
He humbly served in the Philippines at the following missions:
• Assisting Deacon at Holy Cross Parish in Manila.
• Parochial Vicar at Parish of Kristong Hari.
• Parochial Vicar and formator of seminarians at Holy Cross Parish in Manila along with Fr. Tom Gier.
• Administrator of San Antonio Parish in Milaor, Camarines Sur.
• Pastor of Nuestra Sra. del Santissimo Rosario in a very remote village named Badian, Oas, Albay of the Diocese of Legazpi.
• Pastor of St. John Nepomucene Parish in Bonga, Bacacay, Albay.

Beginning in 2007, Fr. Francisco served in the American Region at the following missions:
• Pastor of Nuestra Señora del Carmen in the city of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico where he learned Spanish fluently.
• Pastor of Our Lady of Peace in Kansas City, MO.
• Associate Pastor of Divine Mercy Parish in Belize City and San Pedro Church on the Island of San Pedro in Belize.
• Most recently he served as Associate Pastor of Most Holy Trinity Parish in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Father James H. Flanagan (Father Jim), Founder of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT), passed into eternal life on Thursday, March 24, 2016 in Bosque, New Mexico. He was 91 years old. Father Flanagan was born on May 29, 1924 on the Feast of the Ascension at Forest Hills Hospital in Jamaica Plain, Boston, Massachusetts. His parents were James Henry Flanagan and Rose Freeley Flanagan. Father was the oldest in the family of five, three brothers and one sister: Joseph, S.J., Kevin, Newman, and Rosemarie. Father Flanagan was preceded in passing by his brothers, Father Joseph and Kevin.

Father was baptized on the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity in Sacred Heart Church in Roslindale, Massachusetts. He received his First Holy Communion and the Sacrament of Confirmation at the same church.

He completed elementary school at St. Frances Xavier School in the Sacred Heart Parish in Roslindale and graduated from Boston College High School. After a year of studies at Seton Hall Prep School in South Orange, New Jersey, he entered Notre Dame University on a football scholarship. In 1943, he joined the Navy and served in World War II in the Pacific War Zone as a Navy Frog Man; after the war, he returned to Notre Dame and began taking classes in the law school in addition to his undergraduate courses.

Father was called by God to the priesthood after returning to Notre Dame for a year and entered Saint John Seminary in the Archdiocese of Boston. On January 10, 1952, he was ordained a priest by Richard J. Cardinal Cushing (then Archbishop Cushing) at Boston’s Cathedral of the Holy Cross. His first assignment as a priest was Associate Pastor at St. Elizabeth Church in Milton, Massachusetts. A year and a half later he received his second assignment as Assistant Pastor of St. Patrick’s Church in Lowell, Massachusetts.

On December 8, 1957 Father Flanagan was permitted to depart from the Archdiocese of Boston to prepare for the foundation of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, New Mexico under the sponsorship of His Excellency Archbishop Edwin V. Byrne. He was assigned Associate Pastor serving at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Holman, New Mexico where Fr. John McHugh (later, the first SOLT priest) was pastor. While he was at Immaculate Heart of Mary parish, Fr. Flanagan founded the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity on July 16, 1958, comprised of priests, consecrated sisters and brothers, and lay members. From its small beginning in Holman New Mexico, SOLT has grown to having missions and apostolates both in the United States and throughout the world. Currently, SOLT’s Generalate is located in the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Monday, March 28, 2016

Wake and Rosary: Our Lady of Belen in Belen, NM, 6-9 pm

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

-Viewing at 12 pm: St. Gertrude the Great in Mora, NM

-Rosary: 12:30 pm

-Funeral Mass: 1 pm

-Burial immediately following at the Sisters’ Convent in Holman, NM

-Reception following burial

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Our beloved founder, Father James Flanagan, passed into eternal life on March 24, 2016. Members from his spiritual family of SOLT and from his immediate family gathered to pray for his soul and to remember his life and teachings. The Vigil and Rosary was held at Our Lady of Belen in Belen, New Mexico on March 28, 2016 and the Funeral Mass was celebrated the next day on March 29, 2016 at St. Gertrude the Great in Mora, New Mexico.

Bishop Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, Texas was the main celebrant at the Funeral Mass for Father Flanagan, and the homily was given by Father Peter Marsalek, General Priest Servant of SOLT. An audio recording of Father Marsalek’s homily is available below.

Text of Father Marsalek’s Homily for Father Flanagan’s Funeral Mass

Father Flanagan was buried at the SOLT Sisters’ convent in Mora, New Mexico. We wish to thank everyone for your kind words of comfort and support during this bittersweet time of missing the earthly presence of our founder while at the same time rejoicing in the hope and mercy of everlasting life.

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The Asian region of SOLT gathered for its 2016 Assembly April 4-8 at the Formation Center Putiao in Sorsogon in the Philippines. The theme for the annual event was “SOLT Ecclesial Family: Witnessing God’s Mercy.”

Father Peter Marsalek, General Priest Servant, traveled for the occasion which included receiving the perpetual promises of two men who are going to be ordained for SOLT on April 25th.

Also in attendance were Sister Megan, General Sister Servant, and Father Dan Estes, General Servant of the Laity.

The week began with a Mass celebrated by Father Peter Marsalek, after which he gave his account of the last days and funeral of Father James Flanagan, the founder of SOLT who passed into eternal life last month.

Day two of the assembly began with Mass celebrated by Father Dan Estes, SOLT, and the homily was delivered by Father Ronald de Jesus. The afternoon talk, entitled “The Holy Trinity: Source of God’s Mercy,” was given by Msgr. Rodel Cajot, a diocesan priest and professor of the seminary. Evening sessions included vocations meetings.

Day three began with Mass celebrated by Fr. Ryan Bores with homily by Fr. Edgar Barias. Afternoon sessions included testimonies with the theme: “SOLT Ecclesial Family: Experiencing God’s Mercy.” Evening sessions for day three included reports from the missions.

Mass on day four was celebrated by Fr.  Dominic Sathit Sriwanchai and the homilist was Fr. Teodolfo Medina. The Most Reverend Jose Rojas presented the reflection after Mass, “SOLT Ecclesial Family: Mirroring God’s Mercy.” Workshops followed in the afternoon, and administrative reports by vocation were continued into the evening.

Finally, on day five of the assembly, a Mass at St. John Nepomucene Church in Bonga, Bacacay in Albay celebrated by the Most Reverend, Arturo M. Bastes, honored two SOLT brothers, Brother Amigo Bringino and Brother Tirso Villanueva, who made their perpetual professions.

Please remember these SOLT Brothers in your prayers. Their ordination to the priesthood is scheduled for April 25, 2016.

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Two SOLT brothers were ordained deacons this Monday April 25, 2016 in the Philippines by Bishop Arturo Bastes of the Diocese of Sorsogon with the permission of Bishop Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi, TX, USA.

Brother Tirso Villanueva and Brother Amigo Bringino had recently professed their perpetual promises at the 2016 SOLT Asia Assembly on April 8th of this month. That day marked the final step in their commitment to SOLT, and this day of diaconate ordination marks the beginning of their ordained ministry in the Church, a final step before priesthood.

Please join us in celebrating the brotherhood and ministry of these two young men who are committed to serving the Church through the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity.

Br. Amigo with his parents before the ordination

Br. Tirso with his mother before the ordination

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Last Wednesday, April 27, Father Keats, who had passed away at a SOLT mission site in Arizona back in March, was remembered in a funeral Mass in his homeland of the Philippines. Father Roger Abalon presided over liturgy as the main celebrant and homilist. Father Keats’s brother, Fr. Rex Hidalgo, delivered a beautiful account about his life.

The next day, family and friends as well as members of the SOLT community again gathered to attend the burial Mass at which Bishop Jose Rojas presided and gave the homily. Father Keats was laid to rest at the SOLT Formation Center’s Porta Coeli Cemetery in Putiao, Sorsogon. May he rest in the peace of Christ.

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A Memorial Mass for Father Flanagan was celebrated at the Our Lady of Corpus Christi Chapel on Tuesday, May 3, 2016. The event had been planned to offer a liturgy in remembrance of Father Flangan for the more of the members of SOLT who were unable to attend the funeral and burial in New Mexico at the end of April.

Bishop Michael Mulvey presided over the liturgy, and Father Peter Marsalek, General Priest Servant delivered the homily that drew from the Gospel for the Mass. He noted that its Eucharistic theme was a fitting scripture to pair with the memory of Father Jim Flanagan.

“The Eucharist was truly at the center of Fr. Jim’s life – for Him, it truly was the best way to ‘walk in the presence of the Lord in the land of the living.’  Indeed, living communion to communion for Fr. Jim was precisely a part of constantly seeking to live in the presence of the Lord.”

Audio Recording of Father Peter Marsalek’s Homily

Members from the local SOLT community participated in the Memorial Mass. Sister Margaret Mary read the First Reading, and Sister AnnMarie Claire sang the Psalm. Mona Lisa Biberstein read the Second Reading, Deacon Paul Moore of the Diocese of Corpus Christi proclaimed the Gospel, and the Rizzio family brought up the gifts. B.J. Biberstein led the choir comprised of SOLT members and associates.

Father Rogel “Ogie” Rosalinas joined the choir on the guitar to play the recessional hymn. It was a hymn that had been composed by Father Flanagan Himself, Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Its words and simple melody invoked the devotion so passionately taught and humbly lived out by the Founder of SOLT:

Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity
Most Holy, Immaculate Virgin May.
You are the Mother of God Himself.
You are the Queen of all creation.
You are the keeper of heaven’s treasure.
You are our help and protection.
Grant us your intercession and may your favor never fail us.

Following the Mass, a reception was held in the Kolbe center, adjacent to the chapel. Bishop Emeritus Edmond Carmody gave the blessing before the meal, and the gathering continued with the palpable joy of lives dedicated to Trinitarian communion. As a thoughtful observer might have looked around the room filled with laughter and friendship, the final words of Father Peter’s homily that evening could have been recalled: “As we proceed to carry on the work of our founder Fr Flanagan, let us also affirm our ‘yes’ to the Most Holy Trinity, to serving in communion with Bishop Mulvey and to our commitment to make our community everything the Holy Spirit intended it to be!”

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Sister Miriam James Heidland, known for her quirky sense of humor and her penchant for keeping abreast of Twitter happenings @onegroovynun, has tapped into a modern audience with some help from an anonymous celebrity sister.

“Sister Mary,” whose trademark gray veil is featured in the off-sided forefront in photos of various televised sporting events and activities accompanied by hilarious captions, was created to show that being a sister is nothing less than being a dedicated servant of God, but also can involve some silliness and good humor along the way.

“It gives a broader view to the whole world of what religious life is like,” Sister Miriam shared recently with a San Antonio online news outlet, “You get to know us on a different level […] nuns are people too.”

Back in February, Sister Miriam’s antics hit the national spotlight, being featured in a humor article by Huffington Post. Comedy Editor Andy McDonald wrote: “…she has hashtag blessed us all by bringing that work to us on the Internet, live-tweeting her and her sisters’ experience watching the biggest game of the year. It was really magical.”

Check out some of these tweets from Sister Miriam’s (and Sister Mary’s) fans:

Fun nuns: South Texas sisters hilariously live tweet NBA games, other daily life happenings https://t.co/nmvR8yMr39 via @mySA

— SOLT (@SOLT33) June 3, 2016

huffpotech: This Nun Tweeted The Super Bowl And It Was A Heavenly Gift From God #tech#technologyhttps://t.co/6u6bkM6oFo

— Zerobase (@zerobase_tweets) February 8, 2016

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Sister Maria Christina Moses, a native of Papua New Guinea, recently made her perpetual profession to the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Father Peter Marsalek and Sister Megan Mary Thibodeau traveled to the island situated off the coast of Australia to visit this remote mission site and to officiate the event that took place on May 31, 2016.

The ceremony was held in Sister Christina’s home parish in Kendep in the Enga province of the Western Highlands.  It was the first time a profession ceremony was held in her parish.  The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Arnold Orowae of the Diocese of Wabag and concelebrated by a number of SOLT and Diocesan priests.

Sr. Maria Christina is one of seven children, and most of her family was able to attend her profession, as well as the majority of her tribe. She had professed first vows on December 8, 2009.

SOLT has been in Papua New Guinea since about 1994 when Fr. Tom Gier began the mission.  SOLT’s presence has been continuous since then.

Sister Megan said it was interesting to learn about some of the challenges that the missionaries had encountered. “When talking with our team there, they were explaining a bit about the Pidgen language and how limited it is,” Sister Megan shared. “There are many words that we use in English that cannot be translated and therefore require a long explanation.” She said a couple of examples of words not translatable are “nature” and “virtue”. 

Father Peter said that the primitive culture, though lacking in development, revealed great natural beauty and very interesting and wonderful people. “Our team is making a great contribution there and there is still so much more which can be done,” said Father.  “It really is a great mission for our community and our SOLT members there seem to be really thriving!”

The mission in Papua New Guinea consists of three parishes in Togoba, Ulga and Tagada.  The three parishes are about 15-20 mins apart by car.  Each parish has between 3-8 outstation churches that it serves and two of the parishes (Ulga and Tagada) have schools attached to them as well.

SOLT has four priests and four sisters serving there.  Three of the priests are pastors of the three parishes and the fourth works at the Diocese of Mt. Hagan Chancery Office as the Director of Health Services for the diocese.

Of the four sisters, two assist in the parishes and the other two work for the Chancery Office – one as the Director of Communications and the other in accounting.

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The American Region of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity kicked off their 2016 Assembly with a Mass, celebrated by Father Dan Estes, former director of Our Lady of Corpus Christi.

The theme for this year’s assembly built upon the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy call to be “Merciful Like the Father” and incorporated this call into the charism of SOLT, “Serving of Areas of Deepest Apostolic Need.”

Father Drolshagen, Regional Priest Servant, set the tone for the Assembly in his homily for the first Mass as he recalled SOLT’s founder and the gifts he tirelessly shared with everyone who came into his life, and he connected this Year of Mercy that providentially coincided with Father Flanagan’s departure from earthly life.

“Many people came from near and far to celebrate with us the Year of Mercy and the home-going of Father Jim Flanagan and especially to lift up the legacy that he left to SOLT, a legacy of the call to be recipients and instruments of God’s mercy in this world,” recalled Father Drolshagen.

Father Drolshagen continued to draw his reflection out of the words of the Holy Father: “Pope Francis writes, ‘Mercy is the very foundation of the Church’s life.’ And so firmly rooted in this foundation of faith, hope and charity, we can move forward through anything with joy, confident that our Heavenly Father loves us, and in His providence and love, he will guide us to our ultimate good.”

Finally, Father Drolshagen called to mind the source of the inspiration that continues to capture the hearts of members and associate of SOLT.

“Most of us were attracted to SOLT…either because we recognized in Father Jim a man, a priest who was firmly rooted in God’s mercy, who was firmly rooted in the foundation of the Church’s life,” said Father Drolshagen, “or if we didn’t know him, we saw this focus of his, this spirit of his, reflected in those who had joined his community and were living the life that he sought to support as the proper way to live for a Christian.”

“Above all else, Father Flanagan was a man and a priest who lived and loved God’s mercy and wanted everyone to experience it,” concluded Father Drolshagen.

Keynote addresses were given by representatives from each of the vocations on Wednesday morning. Sister Ann Marie Walsh, Deacon John Purk, and Father Antonio Anderson entertained and inspired their audience with personal memories about Father Jim Flanagan that produced many instances of laughter mixed with the warm familiarity of shared experiences.

Assembly week continued on Wednesday with the renewal of lay commitment, including the committed members and consecrated widow associates. Thursday evening’s Mass celebrated renewal of vows for the sisters and renewal of promises for the brothers. Other events during the week included a pilgrimage to the Holy Doors of Corpus Christi Cathedral; mission reports from Belize City, Phoenix, Wyoming, New Jersey, and other locations; and vocations meetings. Youth programs and evening activities such as game night and the annual talent show showcased the lighthearted spirit of the SOLT community.

The week’s highlighted event was the much anticipated first promises of novices Gene Grandy and Javier Ebertowski, who both received their gray robes and the title of “Brother” during the ceremony within the Mass. Father Samuel Medley, new director of Our Lady of Corpus Christi, delivered the homily that once again echoed the themes from the week.

“‘Jesus Christ is the face of the Father’s mercy.’ With these words, Pope Francis ushered in the Year of Mercy,” Father Medley began. “It is no small coincidence that you two are consecrating yourselves today in this Year of Mercy as a living sacrifice of mercy. It is one way of understanding that everything in your life has happened, God has permitted to happen, for an increase of mercy in your life.”

Father Medley continued to expand on the theme of mercy as gift and sacrifice. “Every time that charism is generated in a new person, in other words, every time that person comes to gift themselves in promises, they are, as it were, a new wine skin, a new way of gifting themselves in this charism to God.”

In his concluding remarks, Father Sam offered his advice from the experience of his own vocation: “Do not be surprised by the depth of the Pascal Mystery that you are invited to encounter. Do not be afraid of that. Be rather fearful of not pleasing God, of not asking Our Lady for her help in doing this.”

Saturday marked the final day of the 2016 American Region Assembly as well as the anniversary of the Foundation of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. This anniversary, like most significant dates in SOLT, coincides with a Marian feast, the feast day of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Members gathered to celebrate Mass and the renewal of wedding vows for members of the laity. Father Scott Giuliani’s parents renewed their vows in celebration of 50 years of wedded life. It was a grand conclusion to a week of communion and renewal.

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Please remember in your intentions the repose of the soul of Father Paul (Yongian) Hu. A vigil service and Rosary will be prayed on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Our Lady of Corpus Christi Chapel. Bishop Michael Mulvey of the Diocese of Corpus Christi will be presiding over the funeral Mass at OLCC at 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 21 also at OLCC. Burial will take place at the cemetery located near St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Violet immediately following the funeral.

Father Hu was born in Beijing, China to his parents Mingjian Hu and Ruijai Wang. He attended seminary under a time of severe religious persecution in China. Persevering in the midst of these conditions, Father Hu was ordained to the diaconate in 1986 for the Diocese of Beijing and to the priesthood in 1994. Shortly afterwards, Father Paul was forced to flee his homeland.

Father Hu arrived in the United States in 1994 and was introduced to SOLT. He continued studies and formation in SOLT at Holy Apostles Seminary in Connecticut and made his perpetual promises in 1998.

One of Father Hu’s first assignments as a SOLT priest was at Our Lady of Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he served as a teacher and counselor. After seven years, he was reassigned to be the Parochial Vicar at St. Ann’s Parish in Belcourt, North Dakota in 2011. His final years were spent serving the people of the Diocese of Corpus Christi out of Casa San Jose until his health prevented him from continuing to work.

This past month of June 2016, after serving as a missionary priest in the United States for over two decades, Father Hu was granted U.S. citizenship. His mission to spread the faith had been welcomed in a country where freedom of religion gives opportunity to those who seek to follow the evangelical command of Christ: “Go therefore, and make disciples of all nations.”

Father Jerry Drolshagen, Regional Priest Servant, remembered him as “very heroic in his dedication to the faith.” Father Hu’s bishop from Beijing also paid tribute to him in a letter of recommendation written years ago: “Father Paul Hu is a priest with extreme deep faith and outstanding in his strong leadership quality.”

Father Paul Hu passed into eternal life late Saturday evening, July 16, 2016, on the anniversary of the day SOLT was founded, which coincides with the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. May he be welcomed home by the words of the Master, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

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Sister Mary Elizabeth Albers recently returned to the United States from her pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Krakow, Poland. She accompanied the St. Ann’s Mission youth group from Belcourt, North Dakota along with Sister Kateri Marie Benedicta of the Cross Burbee. The following article chronicles her journey and highlights some of the amazing experiences their group had throughout the week.

In his final words to the roughly 1.5 million pilgrims attending the closing Mass at Campus Misericordiae on the outskirts of Krakow, Poland, Pope Francis expressed a theme that ran like a golden thread through the World Youth Day experience for so many: “How much [the Lord] wants his word to be able to speak to you day after day, so that you can make his Gospel your own, so that it can serve as a [GPS] for you on the highways of life!” Those of us who had traveled from the SOLT mission on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in Belcourt, North Dakota listened to the English translation of the Holy Father’s words—coming through a loud speaker owned by a very prayerful and boisterous group from Los Angeles—with particular attention and gratitude.

Each morning of the nine-day pilgrimage, our group of 14 would rise with only one clear expectation for the day: the Lord was to be our “tour guide” during this entire experience, and as much as we strove to do our part in the planning, inevitably his Providence was the only thing upon which we could depend.

This theme began to take shape for us when a six-hour bus ride from Prague to Krakow turned into a nine-hour scenic tour through the Czech Republic.  Upon arriving in Krakow on Monday evening, we were immediately introduced to what an influx of almost one million pilgrims would mean in a city with a population of 760,000.  Buses and trams were re-routed at the last minute, and clinging to the backpack of the person in front of you was oftentimes the only way to keep the group together amidst the large-scale crowds at papal events.  Yet the words we consistently heard from the youth in our group—and the elders as well—was how wonderful it was to be here, together, in the “city of saints,” as a part of the vibrant and joyful and almost incomprehensibly peaceful Body of Christ.

One of the great graces of a time of pilgrimage is that the Lord will often “pull back the veil,” so to speak, on his mysterious designs, making it easier to glimpse the degree to which he holds all people and situations in his hands, despite what might appear to be insurmountable obstacles.  On Wednesday, a last-minute side trip to Wawel Cathedral—the place where St. John Paul II celebrated his first Mass as a priest, where he was ordained a bishop and where he served as Archbishop of Krakow from 1967 until his election to the papacy in 1978—turned into a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  As we exited the tram near Wawel, we were hopeful that the crowds would be lighter at the Cathedral since this was the first day that Catechesis was being offered.  But seeing more people than usual lined up against barriers on the street, we soon discovered that Pope Francis would be traveling by in the “popemobile” within the hour.  One of the elders in our group was overcome with emotion; seeing the Holy Father in person was the sole desire she had for herself on the pilgrimage.  After Pope Francis passed by, she remarked, “It seemed like time slowed down during those few moments.  I could get on the plane to go home right now, I’m so happy!”

On Thursday, we traveled to Auschwitz, where nearly 1.1 million people were killed during World War II, and Wadowice, the birthplace of St. John Paul II.  On the bus ride, Sister Kateri told the story of St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), giving her as an example of one who embraced the plan of God, uniting herself with the sufferings of Christ, even to the point of death in the gas chambers of Auschwitz-Birkenau. And although it had been sunny and warm up until that day, the rain began to pour as we waited to enter Auschwitz I, where St. Maximilian Kolbe had offered his life so that a Polish army sergeant with a wife and children would not suffer the same fate as so many who were murdered there.

The group was markedly quieter on the ride from Auschwitz to Wadowice, recognizing how little can be said in the face of such evil.  The Lord, in his tender mercy, gave us sunshine on the drive, and by the time we reached the birthplace of perhaps one of the greatest saints in history, a sense of hope began to emerge.  As we stood amidst singing pilgrims in the square in front of St. John Paul II’s childhood home and toured the beautiful little church not 20 feet away and pressed our rosaries to the baptismal font where Karol Wojtyla had received the gift of new life in Christ, we experienced a new closeness with the man who had embraced the grace of God amid tremendous personal suffering and experiences of evil, such that he was open to encounter the Lord in any and all circumstances.

The witness of St. John Paul II inspired us to a deeper trust in the Lord and in the intercession of the Blessed Mother throughout our pilgrimage.  A line which we later learned lasted for two hours to enter the Cathedral where Mass would be celebrated in five minutes became an opportunity to experience the power of prayer and the mercy of the Father as our group was whisked past the ropes and ushered into a tiny side-chapel for Mass.  One of the youth in our group was especially touched by this Mass—sung entirely in Polish—and listed it as his highlight for the day.  An hour-long trip to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary located on the grounds of the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, where St. Faustina became the “Apostle of Mercy,” only to find the buildings closed, provided the chance to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet in the courtyard between statues of Jesus and St. Faustina, as if in that original dialogue.  Being shut out of a premier event and concert at the arena for Catechesis facilitated an encounter with a group of lively Scottish pilgrims leading songs on the tram ride home, which most of our youth were still talking about days later.  The “chance” encounter of Sr. Mary Peter and Sr. Mary Rachel with Fr. James Kelleher and Deacon John Purk led to Mass at the Carmelite Church of the Visitation, bringing together 45 pilgrims from six different SOLT missions.

By the time we began hiking to the site of the closing Mass, there was a sense of expectation as to how we would encounter the Lord along the way.  Even when our group was kept from entering our assigned section because it had been deemed full, several of the youth and adults shifted into prayer mode, quietly praying “Memorares” until we were inexplicably allowed to enter amidst a larger Polish group.  Our faith was tested when a two-hour wait for the sacks containing all the food we would need for the next 24 hours yielded nothing.  But we were surprised and humbled when the Chilean pilgrims camped next to us gave us more than enough sausages and bread to sustain the hike back.

In the quiet moments of prayer between events—which were relatively few!—the overwhelming sentiment in my heart was one of gratitude.  At the core team meeting in Belcourt the day before departing, our prayer had been that each one of the pilgrims in our group would encounter Jesus in whatever way he desired to meet them.  And although we also prayed to be free of the desire to witness those encounters firsthand, the Lord in his mercy gave us plenty of opportunities to see his love for each person in our group, ourselves included.  In his homily at the closing Mass, Pope Francis put it so simply: “Dear young people, you have come to Krakow to meet Jesus.”  Thank you, Jesus, for calling us to meet you there!

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This past Monday, on the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, Sister Mary of Holy Hope Cheng made her final profession of vows as a consecrated sister in the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity. Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey presided over Mass, assisted by Father Peter Marsalek, General Priest Servant of SOLT and other priests from the Society and the Diocese of Corpus Christi.

Sister Mary Holy Hope was born in 1978 and raised in Canada. She attended Catholic schools throughout her childhood. Her parents had emigrated from China into Canada before they were married and their two daughters were born, and they appreciated all the opportunities their new country provided for their family.

Sister Holy Hope said that though her family was not accustomed to practicing the faith when she was growing up, her attendance at Catholic school presented her with the possibility of living a consecrated life. “Our priest would always ask us to pray for more vocations to the priesthood and the religious life,” said Sister Holy Hope. “When I was twelve years old, I just woke up one morning and knew that I wanted to be a sister. God always finds a way to call,” she said.

In her young adult life, Sister Holy Hope was introduced to the religious order, Companions of the Cross, in Canada. She made a Marian Consecration and became interested in joining an order with a deep marian spirituality. One of the members of the Companions of the Cross suggested she look into SOLT.

Along with Sister Holy Hope’s early call to the religious life, she came to SOLT with many other gifts. She attended graduate school in Canada, earning her Ph.D. in Chemistry and had two years of teaching experience as a tenure-track assistant professor before joining SOLT. She also is an accomplished musician, having had musical training in piano from the age of five and continuing to learn various musical instruments including violin, harp, viola and organ.

In 2011, Sister Holy Hope took her first vows. She began working as a classroom aide and music teacher at the preschool SOLT operates in Kansas City, Kansas. She has also worked as the staff organist at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri. Each year, Sister Holy Hope and the other members of the Kansas City ecclesial family team organize a sacred music concert each to raise money for the preschool that serves the Kansas City community with quality early childhood care and educational development.

Sister Holy Hope is excited to continue her work in Kansas City as a fully professed sister with SOLT.

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Belize City – In the aftermath of Hurricane Earl, the residents of Belize City are grateful to have survived, but many are still struggling to repair their homes that were damaged or destroyed by the powerful storm.

Sister Mary Peter Roos, SOLT, was recently assigned to help out with the mission site in Belize City, and she was able to put together a list of basic needs. This urgent appeal includes open invitations for people to come to Belize and help with the rebuilding efforts as well as a list of materials and a request for funds to help contribute to this work.

Click here to donate to SOLT’s Hurricane Earl Relief Efforts in Belize City. Please Indicate that your donation will support this urgent need.

“In our parish a lot of the homes of the poor were badly damaged in Hurricane Earl,” wrote Sister Mary Peter. “We have a whole list of names of families who came asking for assistance, and we would like to help provide 84 mattresses and 242 sheets of metal roofing.”

Sister Mary Peter went out to take pictures of the homes that were most badly damaged. Though the work appeared daunting, spirits were high with hope as she was able to reach out to the families who were without shelter.

Sister Mary Peter with some of the children on one of the plank walkways leading to the homes in the neighborhood called Holy Emmanuel.

Sister Mary Peter with the owner of a home that totally collapsed during Hurricane Earl.

Another home that collapsed during the hurricane, which belonged to a family of eight. Sister Mary Peter is are standing with some of the members of the family on the steps that used to lead up to their home.

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Father Vincent Albano, who has been serving the needs of the migrant farm workers for over four decades, recently shared information about his current mission. He is wrapping up his season of service in the Diocese of Lafayette, Indiana with the assistance of three SOLT sisters. Since SOLT has been a part of the migrant ministry from its inception, the opportunity to look back into history presented itself with this story that was recounted in Father Albano’s own words. The historical passages were excerpted from The Original Communion, a collection of autobiographical accounts of original members of SOLT, and the final paragraph is Father Albano’s update.

Ministry to the migrant farm workers and their families was an apostolic work of SOLT from its very beginning. Called to serve the poorest of the poor and recognizing their great needs, our founder, Father James Flanagan, sent sister and lay members of SOLT to the migrant fields and camps in Rocky Ford, Colorado when the SOLT was still in New Mexico.

SOLT’s migrant ministry branched out to Wisconsin, Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska by the time I was assigned to this ministry. Besides serving the migrant farm workers, we were asked to reach out to the many Spanish speaking local people who were residents in those areas and who were lacking pastoral care in their own language. They too benefited greatly from the migrant team’s presence and were helped to develop leadership skills and abilities to serve alongside the members of the migrant team.

The migrant worker team visited the migrants in the fields, ranches and local camps, taught catechesis, prepared children and young people for their First Holy Communion and Confirmation, baptized, married, prepared the Liturgy, celebrated the Eucharist and witnessed the presence of the Church among their brothers and sisters “on the move.” These experiences helped the local people as well as our migrant farm workers, recognizing that they too were given by God with gifts and talents to share with their brothers and sisters and are called to be the Church and to build up the Church in their parishes as well as keep the ministry to Hispanic and migrant people alive and growing with the migrant team was no longer there.

Presently, I am with three of our Sisters ( Srs Maria de Jesus, Maria Marta and Maria Asuncion) serving in Migrant Farmworker Ministry in the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana from August to September. We will have a Despedida (farewell) Mass for the families on September 24 with Bishop Timothy Doherty and some of the children and young people will receive their First Holy Communion and Confirmation. The local parish St Mary’s in Alexandria, hosts the Mass and provides a special fiesta meal afterwards for all the migrant workers who come. We bless the cars and the pick-up trucks that the families come in for their safe travels home to Texas, Florida or other places!

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On Sept 23 in the Sacred Heart Major Seminary chapel, Br. Dave Brokke, SOLT seminarian in Year-II Theology, received the minor order of lector. Bishop Donald Hanchon, auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, celebrated the mass and installed Br. Dave along with 3 other classmates as lectors.

This step is one of several formal steps in preparation for ordination and reception of holy orders. With it Br. Dave moves deliberately forward in his vocational journey. The Church, for her part, also affirms in a particular way, her joy and willingness at receiving Br. Dave’s “yes” to the Lord.

The event was attended by the 5 brothers living and studying at the SOLT House of Studies, located at Holy Redeemer parish in Detroit. A small reception followed the mass.

Br. Dave recognized the importance of the Ministry of Lector entrusted to him by the church. The symbolic placing of the Word of God in his hands during the rite brought with it a powerful reminder of the call to interiorize the word, allowing it to actualize its transformative power in him, that he might be a true bearer of the Gospel.

Upon being asked how he felt during the ceremony, Br. Dave replied with honestly, “I hope I can be less nervous at my ordination, so that I can enjoy and absorb it more!”

Article and pictures submitted by Fr. Mark Wendling, SOLT Gray Robes Vocations Director

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Please remember in your prayers the repose of the soul of Sister Mary of the Trinity Vaughan who entered eternal life on January 10, 2017, in Hythe, England. She was comforted by the prayers of her fellow SOLT sisters and brother SOLT priests, family, and friends who kept vigil at her bedside.

UPDATE:
The arrangements for Sister Mary of the Trinity’s Funeral Mass are as follows:

Date: January 24, 2017
Time: Funeral Mass begins at 10:00 am with Rosary beforehand
Location: Virgin Mother of Good Counsel Catholic Church in Hythe
Address: Catholic Presbytery, 2 Lower Blackhouse Hill, Hythe CT21 5LS, UK

Obituary

Sister Mary of the Trinity Vaughan was born in Leigh, Lancashire England on August 7, 1950.  She is the daughter of Gladys and Fred Harrison (both deceased) and sister of Stephen (Ann), Christopher (deceased) and Catherine Evans, all of England.

Sister was baptized as an infant in the Anglican Church and was received into full communion with the Catholic Church in 1974.  She professed her first vows on July 16, 1979 with the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) in the Diocese of Kansas City, Missouri and later professed perpetual vows on December 14, 1994 while working in the Philippines.

As a founding member of the SOLT Philippine Mission, Sister served from 1979 until 2000 when she was elected as the General Sister Servant and moved to Italy. At the end of her term in 2003, Sister was sent to her beloved homeland of Great Britain.  She served in London, Wales and most recently in Hythe. Sister has offered all of her sufferings for the conversion of England.

May her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

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