An old proverb reminds us: “Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”

St. Patrick, like all the saints, agreed. He said:

“I am certain in my heart that all that I am I have received from God.”

The Lord is my pacesetter,
I shall not rush.
He makes me stop for quiet intervals.
He provides images of stillness which restore my serenity.
Even though I have great many things to accomplish,
I will not fret for his presence is here.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activities,
By anointing my mind with oils of tranquility.
– Found in a parish bulletin.

God, our Father, through the mist of grief in the dead of night, someone is coming toward us. Dispel our darkness, Lord.

Make us recognize who it is: Your own Son coming to erase our doubts, to
strengthen our weak faith, to warm our hearts and rescue us, and lead us
to You in the glory of His return and forever more.

– Anonymous.

Hope continues in time the initial intuition of faith;

it is faithfulness to one’s vocation,

the strength to live it out day by day,

the steady gaze on the distant goal right up to the last day of all.

– Carlo Carretto, Italian author.

Thirteen men from Canada, Australia,  Ireland and 3 U.S. provinces have begun  a two-month novitiate preparation program in Victoria, Kan. Another is expected soon. Three friars run the program.

Front row: Fr. Jim Froehlich, O.F.M.Cap. (Penn. Prov.), Fr. Frank Grinko, O.F.M.Cap. (Mid-Am. Prov.), Tam Pham (Austral. Prov.),   Liam Quinn (Irish Prov.), Roshan Anthonypillai (Penn. Prov.), Jon Goodan (Penn. Prov.), MJ  Groark (Calv. Prov.), Craig McWade (Cent. Canada Prov.). Back row: Kevin Moshier (Penn.Prov.), James Watson (Penn. Prov.), Matthew Giles (N.Y.-N.Eng. Prov.), Ron O’Keefe (N.Y.-N.Eng. Prov.), John Paul Kuzma (Penn. Prov.), Ronald Dietz (Penn. Prov.), Stephen Greco (Calv. Prov.), Fr. Michael Greco, O.F.M.Cap. (N.Y.-N.Eng. Prov.). Missing: Rafael Anguiano-Rodriguez (Penn.Prov.) — awaiting visa to leave Mexico after family visit.

Wit is something to treasure,
Charm is something to live,
Peace is something to keep,
Love is something to give.
Joy is something to feel,
Trust is something to find.
God is the One to thank
From now ‘til the end of time.
– An old Irish creed.

Bishop Luigi Padovese, O.F.M.Cap., 63, Vicar Apostolic of Anatolia and president of the Catholic bishops conference of Turkey, was stabbed to death outside his home in the Mediterranean port of Iskenderun June 3. He was scheduled to leave for Cyprus the following day to meet with the pope.

According to first reports, he was killed by his driver of over four years, who was mentally unstable and was receiving psychological treatment. Others, however, doubt that and say the driver was very loyal to Padovese.

Born in Milan in 1947, Padovese entered the Capuchin novitiate in 1965, and for many years taught patristics at the Pontifical Antonianum University in Rome. From 1988 until he was named a bishop in Turkey in 2004, he directed the Franciscan Institute of Spirituality at the Antonianum. For many years he has been closely involved in ecumenical work and in dialog with Islam.

In 2007, Fr. Adriano Franchini, O.F.M.Cap., superior of the Capuchin Custody of Turkey, was killed in similar fashion in northern Turkey. At that time, Padovese said, “Our will to remain here has been reinforced by this act of aggression.”

U.S. Senator Sam Brownback, pro-life candidate for governor of Kansas, named as his running mate conservative Republican State Senator Jeff Colyer on June 1. — Educated by the Capuchins at Thomas More Prep, Hays, 1974-1978, Jeff is an Overland Park surgeon, who served a term in the state House before joining the Senate in 2009. — Brownback said he picked Colyer because of his intelligence, his medical background, his compassion and his dedication to Kansas. “Jeff’s brilliant,” Brownback said of Colyer. “He’s extremely well qualified. He’s talented. He’s a wonderful humanitarian… he’s just a total package.” — Colyer said if elected lieutenant governor he’d focus on reforming the health care system to help consumers and professionals, and work to improve the economy by lowering tax and regulatory burdens. — Colyer and Brownback share in an interest in crisis plagued regions in the Third World. While Brownback has made Darfur and other hotspots legislative priorities, Colyer has gone on multiple medical missions to equally troubled areas.

“True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic.  It is the urge to
serve others at whatever the cost.” — Arthur Ashe

Jesus said: “I did not come to be served, but to serve.”

And He also said: “Follow Me.”

In case you are wondering what the “provincial’s desk” looks like, here it is:

Pretty messy, huh?  It isn’t always that way.  There are times when it is neat and organized, usually before I am gone for a few days.

I returned Thursday night from a quick trip east through the province.  I left early Wednesday morning and stopped in Hays to see Father Gregory who is recovering from all kinds of medical problems.  Fortunately, he should be back in St. Fidelis Friary by Tuesday (June 1).  Then it was on to St. Joseph’s for a discussion on parish matters with Father Gilmary.  While I was there, I showed Father Canice the pictures on the web of the St. Louis gathering, dropped off a few things (provincials are also mail carriers through the province) and then went on to Victoria.  I visited a bit with Fr. Didacus at St. John’s to see how he is getting along. The big news he had for me was the tornado preparations everyone had to make the previous night when all the residents were moved to safety because a twister was sighted southwest of Victoria.  At the friary I met with Fr. Bennett and Fr. Thaddeus to talk about Gregory’s situation and how the friars could help.  And then I sat down with Fr. Simon to talk about all kinds of issues.  Fr. Simon is always a wealth of information on religious life, development work, and Church issues.

On to Lawrence.  I spent some time with friends before arriving at the friary where I was able to visit with Fr. Jim and talk over his new assignment as well as the transition in the friary and at the VA in Topeka.  Fr. John shared some new plans for expansion of the parish facilities in preparation for adding grades to the school. He also needed a new car.  Father Earl and I talked over some issues regarding his new assignment to St. Joseph’s in Hays.  He also had some boxes for me to transport to the friary in Hays.  Father Duane and I discussed the ministry at Haskell Indian Nations University and the upcoming 25^th anniversary of the Catholic Campus Center at Haskell.  After celebrating Mass and Morning Prayer with the friars and continuing some discussions, it was back to Ellis County.  I stopped in again to see Fr. Didacus and to get his blessing on my travels and work.  Fr. Harvey was back from his sister’s funeral in Wichita so we were able to talk over some financial matters that needed to be handled.  The friars are making preparations for the pre-novitiate program which begins this Memorial Day Weekend.  Frs. Frank Grinko, director of the program, and Jim Froehlich, staff member, were also there busily getting things ready.  Then on to Hays to deliver Fr. Earl Meyer’s boxes to St. Joseph’s Friary, visit with Fr. Greg and his doctor and then begin the trip back to Denver.

I arrived back in Denver around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday night and signed checks to pay bills, went through the mail, and responded to email before going over to the friary.  It was a quick but fruitful trip.  It’s always good to see the brothers.  And the car time is a good time to pray the rosary.  I have a CD of all four sets of mysteries and prefer to listen to that rather than the talk shows.  I also use my cell phone to check on Fr. Regis in Phoenix and do other business.