Twenty-five years of the founding of our Viet Toc Foundation marks the blessings of the vocation to serve the Tribal people in 30 regions of the five provinces of Vietnam. We provide clean water, medicine (especially for the leper colonies), food, and homes; we help build chapels. Most especially, we provide education by way of scholarships so younger generations can stand on their own two feet, and able to give back.
“Come and Pray” Weekend September 8-9-10 Ephrata, Pa. St. Clement Mission House and St. Peter the Apostle Church/Shrine of St. John Neumann, C.Ss.R., Philadelphia, Pa.
A joyful noise was raised to the heavens when four women renewed the commitment as Redemptoristine Associates on September 10, 2023. This happened at the celebration of the Eucharist presided over by Fr. Provincial John Collins, C.Ss.R.
Reflection on the invaluable spiritual legacy that St. Alphonsus bestowed to both our Congregation and the Church is necessary to authentically revitalize our Congregation and enhance the spiritual growth of every individual engaged in our missionary endeavors.
Happy September and welcome back to the Baltimore Beacon after our annual August hiatus! I hope that summer afforded you time for rest, relaxation, and recreation, along with opportunities to enjoy the company of family and friends in some of summers’ great venues: the family vacation, a day at the beach, the ballpark, the golf course, the big cookout, or maybe even the clambake!
On July 2, 2023, the Redemptorists completed their 93-year mission to the Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina. Arriving in May 1930, the Redemptorists began serving the rural poor, especially African Americans in Orangeburg
nding the semester at St. John’s, and then going back to college for the summer was the last thing I would’ve expected for my summer ministry. Yet, I’m privileged to have the opportunity to join the team here at Immaculata University’s Campus Ministry – Fr. Royce Thomas C.Ss.R., Sr. Laura Downing IHM, and Amanda Bielat – as they power through the summer and prepare for the upcoming school year.
The Juan Neumann Center, sponsored by the Baltimore Province and the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, is well known in this New York area. At its beginnings, the name, Juan Neumann Center, was chosen because 98% of immigrants seeking accompaniment and legal aid were Hispanics.
The Dominican mystic, Meister Eckart, once wrote “if the only prayer you ever said was ‘thank you,’ that would be enough.” I come to this July pondering with a deep sense of gratitude for the many blessings that I have experienced with people, at celebrations, and in the happenings of my life and ministry since last month. My sense of gratitude impels me to say, ‘thank you’ and to express appreciation.
Undoubtedly, all our Redemptorist communities and missions celebrate the annual feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in an extraordinary way. The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn, New York, was no exception.
Anyone who forgets their history is doomed to repeat it. So, Father Michael Koncik, C.Ss.R., reminded attendants in opening his Juneteenth remarks on the occasion commemorating the former Christ the King Church and School in Orangeburg, SC.
by Mike Schwabl, Chair of the Communications Committee
Since its founding in 1967 by the Redemptorist Congregation, generations of Christians spanning all denominations have come to Notre Dame Retreat House overlooking Canandaigua Lake in Upstate New York to renew and reflect on their faith journey with God. When it was announced that the facility was slated to close due to staffing shortages, the public outcry spurred a committee of 100% non-paid lay volunteers into action by establishing a new chapter of Partners in Mission (PIM).
As only God’s Providence would have it, this issue of the Beacon goes to print on the first day of summer! School’s out! The grill is on with burgers and dogs! And the beaches, the mountains, and all the grounds of picnic and sport shout out this season’s invitation: Take a break and relax! Enjoy the great outdoors! Get some extra rest! Have fun at play!
May brings with it many experiences of life that are full of meaning and cause for celebration in its special occasions and events that bring people together to celebrate family, faith, achievement, and the goodness of those whose love and kindness has helped us become the person we are.
After a process of ample reflection and dialogue, one of the decisions made by the 18th Baltimore Provincial Chapter from Monday, March 13, through Tuesday, March 21, 2023, was the recommendation “to the communities of the Province that they review the sections of the North American Conference Ratio relative to Partners in Mission (PIM) with the goal of forming a circle in each community or parish, where feasible.”