Weblog

The St. James Society in South America

st. jamesI found a great article on Cardinal Sean’s Blog discussing the work of the St. James Society in South America.

Cardinal Sean also wrote a very informative and moving piece on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Society of St. James.

In the summer of 2000 I spent two and a half months in Chimbote, Peru with Fr. Jack Davis who was then a member of the Society. My life changed, I realized how ignorant I had been about learning a new culture, and about how the Church works amidst the poor.

A few years later, my great friend Fr. Jimmy Jeanfreau joined the Society and served for 5 years, during which I visited him three times. Again I was very humbled by the work both of the Society and of my friend.

I’ve always maintained a somewhat quiet desire to be a member for 5 years, and recently had a conversation with our Bishop about the matter. To my great surprise, he said that he would support me in it, if that is what I would like to do. There’s a ways to go in the discernment of that; but we’ll see what the Lord will do.
peruvian orphanage

From Cardinal Sean’s Blog was back in 2007:

The St. James Society, as it is commonly called, was formed 49 years ago by Cardinal Richard Cushing in response to the call of Pope John XXIII for priests and religious from North America to aid faithful of South America.

The archbishop of Boston is the titular head of the society, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year.

In those years, over 300 priests have served in the Andean countries of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador through the Society. There are approximately 40 priests currently serving. Those who participate learn Spanish and incorporate themselves into the St. James Society with the commitment to serve for at least five years in Latin America. From the beginning, Cardinal Cushing envisioned this as an association of diocesan priests not only from Boston but from other parts of the English-speaking world. Today there are Americans, Irish, English, Scottish, an Australian and two Philippinos in the group.

Boston is, I believe, the single diocese with the most priests presently serving the Society in Latin America. However, by nationality, I think there are more Irish than Americans there at this point. It is interesting to note that many of the Irish there are actually priests of the Archdiocese of Boston, though they never served here. Cardinal Cushing ordained them for the archdiocese so that they could serve in the St. James Society.

We hope that in the future, more priests from the archdiocese will be able to participate in this mission. We are very glad that diocesan priests from other dioceses are joining because that makes it possible for the wonderful work of the St. James Society to continue.

The countries in which these priests serve have far too few priests to serve their large Catholic populations so the presence of these additional priests has made a significant impact. They have been particularly involved in some of the most difficult and the poorest areas of these nations. In fact, they have made a special effort to target their ministry to those areas.

Yet, the benefit of their work has not only been seen in Latin America. Many of the Boston priests who have served the Society in Latin America have returned to work with the Spanish-speaking Catholic community here in the archdiocese. That’s the case with our recently ordained Bishop Robert Hennessey as well as many other priests.

…
The parishes in which these priests minister are huge by American standards. Many have a central church and then many chapels. One priests I met there, who is not part of the society but is from Westminster, England, told me that his parish consists of 150 chapels which he visits by mule. The rural parishes are like that: very large areas with many small communities of people who have no means of transportation.
…

It’s definitely worth reading the entire blog entry.

And, one cannot help but note that Cardinal Sean’s Blog is a photoblog. Perhaps I’m on the right track after all.

Back into the day, first — off to pray…

End of the Road – Part 2

Well, it’s back to our dramatic, exciting and revealing tale of life along the mighty Mississippi.

In case you had forgotten all about it, or are just tuning in, we’re travelling along the river, to the south of New Orleans.

thejoint2

When last we met, we had just passed up Jack Dempsey’s on Poland Avenue. Right across the street from Jack’s place, is ‘The Joint‘.

Never heard of it.

But it certainly looks like a fun time. Kind of.

onthebridge

It’s never a good idea to take pictures while you drive.

But, since there was no one behind me for miles I stopped and took a picture of the old bridge across the Industrial Canal. It helps to get the feel of the rickety nature of it all.

And this brings us to an important point. The main reason you never drive along River Road outside of New Orleans and downriver from it, is that there is no River Road to the South of New Orleans. So to see the River front you have to do some driving in and out of various neighborhoods.

It’s an interesting trip. But it’s not for everyone.

larive

The grand view from across the Industrial Canal. Ahhh, magnifico!

Maybe not. But looking to river’s bend and the city, one wonders why those two ships on the right are sitting there. Lord only knows. They’ve become a permanent fixture. (I think I do know, but am not 100% sure.)

holycross

The Holy Cross School was located here until Katrina flooded it out. They have an unbelievably beautiful new campus in the city proper, in an area which was also flooded out. One wonders what will become of this old place.

pitthouses

Here are some of the new houses being built from the designs fostered by actor Brad Pitt.

homeandschool

A view from this part of the levee back towards the old school, also captures one of the homes which is built to look like a river boat.

jackson

Driving along, the road ends once again and you have to go up to the highway to make a few detours. Here is a part of Jackson Barracks, used by the La. National Gaurd.

domino

One of the last places on the along this stretch of intermingled neighborhoods and industries is the Domino Sugar refinery. Where would we be without that?

sugarhouse

Part plantation, part factory, it looks like someplace we should have visited on a field trip as children yet, for some reason, I don’t believe we did.

Well.

That wraps up Part II of this exciting tour. I know you’ll be holding your breath waiting in anxious anticipation for Part 3. But that will have to debut sometime in the coming week.

Until then enjoy life, pray greatly, and give thanks to God for His abundant goodness and mercy.

Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Tornado damage

Driving home today I took a detour through Tuscaloosa, Alabama so that I could see the tornado damage we’ve heard so much about on the news.

Lord, help us. Lord help Tuscaloosa.

There’s such complete devastation which goes on for miles — a house is safe and sound on one block, and the next block is leveled.

Tuscaloosa Tornado damage

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Tuscaloosa Tornado Damage

I had a helpless feeling driving through; as if I should do something yet knew there was little I could do personally. But I can continue to pray for them; that’s always a help.

The End of the Road – Part I

Treme Mansion

Last week on my ‘day off’, which is opposed to my ‘alleged day off’, which is what it’s called when we’re really busy, I took a drive downriver. Speaking of which, a lot of people get resentful when Priest’s talk about their day off, and say thing like “I wish *I* had a day off!” And then they take the weekend off, or go on vacations with their family. Perhaps if everyone lived at work they would understand this bizarre phenomenon a bit more clearly. And speaking of which… well, let’s not even talk about Priest’s vacations.

I started this scenic tour around the French Quarter since I’ve driven the River Road from Baton Rouge to New Orleans, and along the river in New Orleans so many times I could do it in my sleep. (I wouldn’t really do it in my sleep of course.) My plan was to drive along River Road to the south of New Orleans, until it ends.

I didn’t feel like parking in the Quarter, so I snapped a shot of the Treme Mansion just outside the Quarter. People used to call it that, now it’s the African American Museum.

Bright garage

So you drive out from the Quarter along the river, and pass some interesting sights. The post-Katrina renaissance has brought our a lot of local color. Of course it very well may have been like this before Katrina, and I would never have known about it since I haven’t driven this road since college days.

A big lesson I learned: get out of the car to take the photos. I know most photographers prefer to take photos in the morning or evening light since it’s more interesting. But a day off’s a day off and I can’t be worried about that since who knows when I may pass this way again!

Bright Pink Store

Speaking of color, this shocking pink store is just – shockingly colorful.

You have to turn onto Poland Avenue to navigate this drive successfully (or at all for that matter.) Ane right there is Jack Dempsey’s. I’ve been meaning to dine there for about 30 years now. I pray that one day soon I will actually get around to actually having this fine culinary experience (there I go thinking about food again…)

Alright, well this has brought us up to the Industrial Canal, which has been made famous by such hurricanes as Betsy and Katrina. Right across the canal we encounter the remnants of Holy Cross High School, but we’ll have to get to that a bit later.

I have things to do and places to go! More on this exciting adventure a but later…

An Overdue Tribute – Winston Arthur Grant

Winston Grant

Awhile ago in between assignments, I signed on for a 9/11 internet tribute to all of the victims who died on that terrible day. The idea is to learn more about some of the victims, and to ensure that they are remembered.

Then, I had a series of small assignments and tasks, and it all got away from me. I forgot to write my tribute.

Today I realized that oversight and am rectifying it by writing my tribute to Winston Arthur Grant.

Winston, I never knew you but I watched the horrific events of that day unfold; that was the day you died. I will offer a Mass for you and for your family. And I pray you are resting in peace and that your family has found some consolation.

The 2996 Project lays out the beta:

On September 11, 2001 almost 3,000 of the world’s citizens were brutally, and publicly, murdered. We all cried, and we all swore that we’d never forget. But a few years later I realized that I knew nothing about those people who were doing nothing more than living their lives. In 2006 I asked other bloggers if they thought it would be a good idea to take the time to learn about the victims and try to keep their individual memories alive. The response I got was overwhelming. And Project 2,996 is the result.

Wherever you fall on the political spectrum, whatever you may think of what has happened in the years since 9/11, I don’t think it’s too much to ask to learn about just one victim. Here is a list of tributes that have been posted over the past years.

Note: At the end is a list of victims whose tributes have gone offline. If you’d like to participate write a tribute to one of those names, and help make sure no one is forgotten.

And here are some links to tributes to Winston Arthur Grant:

  1. Where He Glistened Like an Angel, is a blog tribute to Winston by another who was assigned to write about him. Unfortunately I’m unable to retrieve it while behind the firewall at my workplace this afternoon.

  2. From CNN’s 9/11 Tribute Site:

    • Winston was a true gentleman who loved and admired his family. He was an incredible person who taught me the importance of the little things in life while I was chasing after deadlines, money, power and prestige. He will be missed and I can only hope to be half the man he was.

      Paul M. Dreskin, co-worker

    • Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord, for we walk by faith, and not by sight, we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. (2 Cor 5:6-8) But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. (1 Thess 4:13-14)

      Steven Goldman, close friend

    • I just want to express my deepest respects to the family of a true friend and co-worker. An intelligent and remarkable man that left a mark on my life. Hard work and friendship described his life. I miss my friend and coworker. He is missed at tech services at Blue Cross/Blue Shield.

      Fredd Guerrero, co-worker

    • I didn’t personally know Mr. Grant, but his daughter is a dear friend of mine. Joya is a person of deep faith in God, is tremendously devoted to her family, warm and loving. Her parents raised her wonderfully. She is a living tribute to her father’s love. May God rest his soul and keep his family safe and blessed.

      Lorilynn Varnado, friend

    • In the short time that I knew Winston and supervised him, I can tell you he was a supreme gentleman and a great person to have on any staff. His loss continues to effect us to this day, and the memories of him will be with us forever.

      Kenneth Milberg,
      supervisor

  3. From 9/11 Brothas and Sistas…

    Winston Arthur Grant rose at 4 a.m. each day to care for his wife, Joyce, a victim of Lou Gehrig’s disease who uses a wheelchair. An immigrant from Trinidad, Mr. Grant seized upon computer technology as a career path in the 1960’s, and rose to the position of chief technical services specialist at Empire Blue Cross in the World Trade Center. “He was the one who people would call in the middle of the night to get the computer problem straightened out,” Mrs. Grant said.

    Mr. Grant met Joyce at a 1965 dance at the Renaissance Ballroom in Harlem; the couple married a year later, ultimately raising three sons and a daughter. Mrs. Grant, who learned of her illness in the late 1980’s, recalled the morning of Sept. 11, when her husband, 59, was joined by their daughter, Joya, on a 6:56 a.m. commuter train from their home in West Hempstead, N.Y.

    The train was delayed by 20 minutes. “Joya called to say I shouldn’t worry, since he was probably too late to be inside the World Trade Center,” she said. “Then I turned on the TV, saw the black necklace around the building, and started to pray.”

    Winston

  4. Another, from Liberty Unites, which I cannot retrieve behind my firewall as well.

    Dear IT department, God bless you. And I completely understand.

As mentioned, at the beginning of the project all of the names were passed out and assigned. However, some sites have been closed or have otherwise moved on. So there are plenty of names left to write about and to learn about.

If you have a moment, why not take a look and learn about one of these souls who died in 9/11, as we approach the 10th Anniversary.

It’s well worth the simple effort, and could easily be a simple, spiritual act of mercy.

Fr. Kenneth Allen