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Thursday, June 30, 2011

Historic Union in Congregation of Holy Cross

Notre Dame, Ind.–-On Friday, July 1, an historic union will officially take effect when the former Eastern Province of Priests and Brothers merges into the Indiana Province to form the new United States Province of Priests and Brothers. The merger was approved at the Congregation of Holy Cross’ general chapter meeting in Rome in the summer of 2010. In December, the two Provinces agreed that the merger should be effected by the Superior General on July 1, 2011, on the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. “This merger is a union and an act of God,” said U.S. Provincial Superior Rev. David T. Tyson, C.S.C. “Holy Cross has trusted in God’s Divine Providence from the beginning. Today with this union, He continues to bless us. With more than 100 seminarians, we are now more than 500 strong. We are men of different ages, cultures, and ministries, but we are united in the common mission of Holy Cross: to make God known, loved and served!” Nearly 400 Holy Cross religious from the Indiana Province and the Eastern Province gathered in a joint Assembly, held June 13-16 on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. At the meetings, Father Tyson reflected that the “mission of the new United States Province is the Lord’s mission. The Lord works through us, our work, and our ministry. This union brings not only new opportunities for us, but also for the people we serve at our parishes, educational institutions, and missions.” The ministries of the new U.S. Province include four colleges and universities: the University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Ind., 1842); University of Portland (Portland, Ore., 1901); King’s College (Wilkes-Barre, Pa., 1946); and Stonehill College (Easton, Mass., 1948). Other ministries include 15 parishes in the U.S. and Mexico; André House in Phoenix; the Downtown Chapel in Portland; Ave Maria Press in Notre Dame; Holy Cross Mission Center serving people around the world; and Holy Cross Family Ministries (HCFM) in North Easton, Mass. HCFM was founded by Servant of God Patrick Peyton, C.S.C., and encompasses Family Theater Productions, Family Rosary, and Father Peyton Family Institute. The United States Province is also present in Mexico, and the Districts of Chile, Peru, and East Africa (which includes Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania). The United States Province’s religious members number more than 410 priests and brothers, plus 102 seminarians currently in formation. The administrative offices of the new Province will be located in Notre Dame, Ind. The Congregation of Holy Cross is a Catholic religious order formed in 1837 in the little town of Sainte-Croix, (which translated means Holy Cross) France. Founder Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C., joined a group of parish priests with a band of teaching brothers to fill the educational and spiritual void left by the upheaval of the French Revolution. Today there are approximately 1,500 Holy Cross religious working to educate both the heart s and minds of believers of Jesus Christ in 16 countries on five continents. Holy Cross presence in America began in 1841 when Blessed Moreau sent one of his new, young priests, Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., to do mission work in the “New World.” Within a year, Fr. Sorin founded the University of Notre Dame—the world’s most renowned Catholic university. To learn more about the mission of the United States Province of Priests and Brothers, please visit us at www.holycrossusa.org. Contact: Lucha Ramey, Director Office of Communications 574.631.1359 lramey@holycrossusa.org www.holycrossusa.org

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Alborghetti Offers Readers a Spirituality of Service for Everyday Life

Notre Dame, IN—In her new book, A Willing Heart, bestselling author Marci Alborghetti explains how the trauma of a home robbery became the catalyst for a renewed vision of Christian service. Alborghetti shows readers how they too can incorporate service into their chaotic and busy lives in ways that are both rewarding and manageable. Alborghetti uses anecdotes from her own life and the lives of saints such as St. Paul and St. Francis of Assisi, combined with meditations on service, excerpts from psalms, and practical tips, to guide readers into a spirituality of service for everyday life. Alborghetti describes the process of healing and growth she went through after her apartment was robbed. She writes in the first chapter of her book, “I know now what I didn’t begin to understand then: God was leading me by the hand. Grace was at work.” Alborghetti decided to donate part of her insurance check to charity, and she refers to this experience as a wake-up call to Jesus’ message. Alborghetti writes of her hope , “I pray that through my rather ordinary journey and the sometimes extraordinary journey of those I’ve been blessed to know, as well as saints and other towering models of service, we can come to serve Jesus as much as we love him.” A Willing Heart is the perfect guide for the person who feels overwhelmed by the problems of the world and struggles to find a balance between serving others and fulfilling the obligations of work, family, and daily life. Alborghetti suggests taking simple steps, such as making a charitable donation that matches the amount of tickets to a concert or writing to a service organization and thanking them for everything they do. Her book provides an ideal solution for those eager to emulate Christ’s model of selfless giving in small ways in all aspects of their lives.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

From Subversive Schoolboy to Rosary Evangelist: Rev. John Phalen, CSC, Shows How to Find Life’s Rhythms in the Mysteries

Notre Dame, IN—In Living the Rosary, Rev. John Phalen, C.S.C., provides readers with reflections on the mysteries of the Rosary that will enrich their love for this vital Catholic practice. Phalen writes in the introduction to his book, “With a very short attention span and two sisters who rather looked forward to my antics, I did my best to subvert the family Rosary.” Years later, Phalen became an international champion of the “Gospel in miniature,” as the Rosary is often called. Phalen is the current president of Holy Cross Family Ministries, founded by Servant of God Patrick Peyton, CSC, who coined the phrase, “The family that prays together, stays together.” Blessed Pope John Paul II particularly encouraged Catholics to pray the Rosary, a practice that originated in its current form around the fourteenth century. Phalen invites readers to imagine Mary praying the Rosary with us, as if she is turning the pages of a photo album of the events in her son’s life. Mitch Finley, author of The Rosary Handbook, writes, “The Rosary’s mysteries are as much about today and about your life as they are about events that happened long ago! Phalen’s book will help you learn to make this connection and enrich your praying of the Rosary a hundred times over.” In Living the Rosary, Phalen invites readers to find the rhythms of their own lives within the Rosary. Phalen writes that the mysteries are in correct proportion to the experience of human life—the categories of Joyful, Luminous, Glorious, and Sorrowful reflect that there is generally three times as much joy as there is suffering in life. Phalen writes that the purpose of the Rosary is “remembering Christ with Mary, learning Christ with Mary, being conformed to Christ with Mary, praying to Christ with Mary, and proclaiming Christ with Mary.” Phalen uses stories from scripture and from his own pastoral experience to lead readers into deeper communion with God through the Rosary.

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Joyce Rupp to Speak at Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit Banquet

Ave Maria Press author Joyce Rupp will give the Thursday night banquet address at the twentieth annual Religious Booksellers Trade Exhibit (RBTE) on June 2, 2011, in St. Charles, IL. In Rupp's address, titled "The God Past All Grasping," she will explore the many-faceted metaphors used to communicate with the divine and offer reflection on their influence regarding personal transformation and religious diversity. Rupp will also be autographing copies of her newest book, Fragments of Your Ancient Name, for registered RBTE attendees from 5:30-6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 2nd. RBTE, a regular trade show for Ave Maria Press, is the annual gathering of the religious marketplace from Catholic, Episcopal, and other liturgical traditions. RBTE takes place at the Pheasant Run Resort.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Ave Maria Press Remembers Judy Cannato, Beloved Author and Friend

Entered this life on May 4, 1949 Entered eternal life on May 7, 2011 Mass of Christian Burial: 11 AM Friday, May 13 Online obituary here. It is with deep sadness but profound gratitude that we at Ave Maria Press and Sorin Books share the news of Judy Cannato’s entrance into eternal life. Judy has touched all of us, as she has so many around the world, with her deep faith, her energy for life, her passion for spiritual vision, and her gentle heart. We have had the honor of working with Judy for more than ten years and have published her four books: Quantum Grace Lenten Reflections on Creation and Connectedness (Ave Maria Press, 2003) Quantum Grace: The Sunday Readings Lenten Reflections on Creation and Connectedness (Ave Maria Press, 2005) Radical Amazement Contemplative Lessons from Black Holes, Supernovas, and Other Wonders of the Universe (Sorin Books, 2006) Field of Compassion How the New Cosmology Is Transforming Spiritual Life (Sorin Books, 2010) Writing in the tradition of Teilhard de Chardin and Thomas Berry, Judy Cannato has shown how modern scientific discoveries demonstrate that at the most fundamental of levels, all life is connected and humankind participates in the unfolding of the universe. Judy aptly expressed her vision and motivation for writing in Radical Amazement: "My hope is that you will receive this information on a deeper level than the cerebral, that you will take the information and its implications into the core of your being, allowing any remnants of the old divisive paradigm to fall away and a new one to emerge—one that sees connections, affirms life, and transforms the way we live. Or, if you are a person who already sees life primarily in terms of connectedness, my hope is that these reflections will nurture your contemplative spirit as you read and pray with them." Her work has been praised by notable theologians and spiritual writers, including Diarmuid O’Murchu, Brian Swimme, Joyce Rupp, Barbara Fiand, and many others. Judith Cannato was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on May 4, 1949, to Lucille (Truman) and Don LeMaster. Her sister, Linda, was born two years later. Judy graduated from Valley High in Lucasville and from Ohio University in 1971. In 1973, she married Phil Cannato, and a year later she became a Catholic at St. Monica’s Church in Portsmouth, Ohio. Judy and Phil have two sons, Philip (married to Nicole) and Douglas (married to PJ). Grandchildren Gabrielle and Kylie are the daughters of PJ and Doug. She taught English at West Portsmouth High School for three years and held a graduate assistantship at Miami University where she taught English composition and poetry. Judy and Phil moved to Steubenville where she taught English at Steubenville High School. After moving to Mentor, Judy obtained two master’s degrees from John Carroll University: one in education and the other in religious studies. She received a certificate for spiritual directors from the Diocese of Cleveland and also became certified as a mid-life directions consultant. Judy became an associate of the Congregation of St. Joseph in 1995. Their charism, “that all may be one,” and lived spirituality resonated deeply with her. “The CSJ’s have touched me more than any other religious community,” she said. “I am drawn to its particular charism and want to share life with a community of women who are committed to responding to God in the world.” From that connection, Judy’s own spiritual path, work as a spiritual director, and writing career evolved. As a spiritual director for Rivers Edge: A Center for Contemplation and Action in Cleveland, she was instrumental in guiding many persons in discovering and deepening their spiritual life. As an author, her work has centered on the relationship between science and spirituality. Judy’s passion for inviting others to live in the sacred dimension of reality took her to many parts of the world for lectures, workshops, and retreats. In 2007, she received a Catholic Press Association Award and in 2010 the Sacred Universe Award. Judy entered eternal life on May 7, 2011. Her survivors include her husband Phil, her children and grandchildren, her mother Lucille, sister Linda, father-in-law William Cannato, and three brothers-in-law and their wives. She also leaves the sisters and associates of the Congregation of St. Joseph, who have been greatly blessed by her life and who will hold her in grateful memory. Two reflections from Judy Cannato: "I marvel not only over the capacity to see, but also for the gift of reflection, the ability to integrate each new vision with all previous experience, to know that I am connected to all that has been, all that is now, and all that is to come. I can choose to live in contemplative fidelity to each moment of radical amazement, knowing that something great is indeed happening in my soul." From Radical Amazement (p. 11) "Holy Heart of the Universe, help me to see myself in relation to all that is. Help me to recognize the ways that my energy touches all that is, the ways my habits and words affect all the wholes of which I am a part, and all the parts that make me whole. Empower me, that I may embrace the capacity for self-transcendence as I negotiate the tension between self-preservation and self-adaptation. Allow me to learn from experiences of self-dissolution and enable me to grow in the capacity to live in freedom. Amen." From Field of Compassion (pp. 39–40)

Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Ave Maria Press Author Lawrence Cunningham to Receive University of Portland’s Highest Honor

Lawrence S. Cunningham, Ave Maria Press author and John A. O’Brien Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame, will receive the University of Portland’s highest honor, the Christus Magister Medal, at the university’s 2011 commencement exercises on May 8. The University of Notre Dame made the following announcement earlier today: "Cunningham, a scholar of systematic theology and culture, Christian spirituality, and the history of Christian spirituality, joined the Notre Dame faculty in 1987, having taught at Florida State University for the previous 21 years. An award-winning teacher who chaired Notre Dame’s Department of Theology from 1992 to 1997, he also has written for a wide variety of scholarly and popular journals, contributed numerous articles to encyclopedias and dictionaries of religion and is the author or editor of some 25 books, including, most recently, Things Seen and Unseen: A Catholic Theologian’s Notebook. Adept at explaining complex and sometimes arcane details of Church history, liturgy, teaching, governance and spiritual life, Cunningham is frequently consulted by journalists covering religious topics. The recipient of numerous honors for his writing from the Catholic Press Association, Cunningham also has received honorary degrees from Bellarmine University, Neumann College and Saint Anselm’s College."

Friday, April 29, 2011

Lisa Hendey Contributes to "Prayers to St. Gianna" App

Notre Dame, IN—Ave Maria Press author Lisa Hendey is among the contributors to eVotions, a brand new series of devotion apps for Catholics, available for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. Little i Apps, the now-famous developer of Confession: A Roman Catholic App, announced today that "Prayers to St. Gianna Molla" is approved and available from the iTunes store. Lisa Hendey, whose website ministered to a community of over 500,000 Catholic moms in 2010, wrote the introduction to this new app. St. Gianna was an Italian pediatrician, wife, and mother, and is best known for risking her own life by refusing an abortion when she was pregnant with her fourth child. The eVotions series makes its debut on the iTunes App Store and Android Marketplace with the release of three new apps, including St. Joseph, St. Gianna, and Blessed John Paul II.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Congregation of Holy Cross to Ordain Two Priests Saturday, April 30, 2011

We at Ave Maria Press rejoice with the Congregation of Holy Cross for John Britto, C.S.C., and Paul Ybarra, C.S.C., who will be ordained Holy Cross priests on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Spes Unica, a vocations and discernment blog covering the lives, ministries, and apostolates of the priests and brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross, has some coverage that you won't want to miss in the week leading up to the ordination ceremony and to the Royal Wedding of Kate Middleton to Prince William. Here's a sample of what you can expect to see on Spes Unica: "Feeling a little inundated by all the Royal Wedding coverage of Friday’s nuptials between Prince William and Kate Middleton? Looking to hear about other important news and events beyond the marriage of Prince William and Kate? Well, we here on the Spes Unica blog have just what the Good Shepherd prescribed for you. On Saturday, April 30, two of our men in Holy Cross, Deacons John Britto, C.S.C., and Paul Ybarra, C.S.C., will be ordained priests by Bishop Daniel Jenky in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame. Starting tomorrow, our blog will have exclusive and behind-the-scenes coverage of this amazing, news worthy event that is a great sign of hope for our Church and for our world. Tired of hearing about Kate Middleton’s wedding dress and who designed it? We will talk priestly vestments with Patty Schlarb, the Liturgical Seamstress at the Basilica, who makes the chasubles given to the ordinandi. We will also get the inside scoop on this year’s vestments."