Monatsbote

February 2006
Volume 118 Issue 2

The Newsletter from Holy Trinity, "the German Church", published since 1899.

Father's Letter

Dear Monatsbote Readers,

I find the Gospel for February 2^nd to be most appropriate. You might say the Alpha and the Omega. May each one’s life fit into the models provided by Jesus and Simeon.

God bless all of you!

Father O’Regan

When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, Mary and Joseph took Jesus up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord, just as it is written in the law of the Lord: “Every male that opens the womb shall be consecrated to the Lord” and to offer the sacrifice of “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons” in accordance with the dictate in the law of the Lord.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. He came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform the custom of the law in regard to him, he took him into his arms and blessed God saying:

“Now, Master, you may let your servant go in peace, according to your word, for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel.”

St. Luke 2:22-32

Commentary

ROXBURY IN RETROSPECT - GERMAN HILL

Histories of the parish describe the facilities in Roxbury as the "Home" and continue with a detailed description. What follows here is a vignette of the German community which developed in the surrounding area and in some quarters became known as "German Hill". This section had been a Yankee stronghold, as evidenced by the many large houses scattered throughout the area. All this as it remains in the memory of a second generation native who was reared in this environment.

KIMMEL-LANG-KRIM-PINK-WILL-HINDERSCHEID. The ethnic flavor of the neighborhood can be captured by recalling the name of families and schoolmates at random, intermixed with an occasional “Auslander”, a Murphy or a Sullivan. Immigrants identified by their "Go mit the hill up" and other such expressions in a newly acquired language, lived in harmony with their native born offspring.

REISS-BOEHNER-HOHMANN-CAVELIUS. Sunday mornings found many at the nine o'clock Mass on the third floor "Home" chapel being put back on the straight and narrow by the stern admonitions of the Jesuit, Father Joseph Keller. Father Keller, who had returned in ill-health from the Jamaican missions was assigned to the then pastoral fields of Roxbury to accelerate his recovery. He is remembered for his involvement with this beloved missionary work through the Little Flower Missionary Club, a charitable organization, which he founded and sponsored with the help of then Father Richard and later Cardinal Cushing.

SCHMIDT-SPOTH-MUELLER-WESSLING. Appropriately "German Hill" was located in close proximity to the local breweries bearing German names, Haffenreffer in Jamaica Plain and Burkhardt in Roxbury Crossing. Close by was Arbeiter Hall and not too far away near Franklin Park the Turn Verein, both popular with the non-sectarian German set. To complete the idyllic picture, early on cows could be seen grazing on neighboring Parker Hill, not far from the Mission Church. The area is today easily identifiable from the Orange Line and the west by the prominent Observation Tower at the highest point.

C. N. Faulstich

As part of this column’s retrospective series, this essay is reprinted from the January 1995 edition of Monatsbote.

Special Items

Announcement

As is widely known by now, Archbishop O’Malley has granted Fr. O’Regan’s request to retire. Thursday, February 2, 2006 (which happens also to be the 49^th anniversary of his ordination) will be Father’s last day as Administrator of Holy Trinity Church. On the Feast of St. Blaise, Father will begin a new phase in his career as he becomes a Senior Priest of the Archdiocese. The parishioners of Holy Trinity thank him for all the good things he has done for us and for our church and we wish him well in his new role.

Archdiocesan Reorganization News

As reported last month, the Parish Council received a letter from Archdiocesan Chancellor, David Smith, dated December 15, in which he announced that the audit of Holy Trinity’s financial affairs that he undertook as a result of the Council’s demand had revealed that Holy Trinity funds had been improperly transferred to St. James, the Greater Parish. The figure he cited was $176,390, which has since been returned. Subsequently, representatives of the Council met with Chancellor Smith (on January 11) to learn details of what actually happened. At Mr. Smith’s invitation, a subcommittee will shortly be returning to the Chancery building to review detailed financial records of their choosing in a cooperative effort to confirm to everyone’s satisfaction that due diligence was exercised in this undertaking.

On December 28, 2005 the lay members of the Parish Council wrote to Archbishop O’Malley formally stating that the fact that more than $100,000 had been taken from Holy Trinity over a period of at least six years with no apparent objection from anyone in the Archdiocesan hierarchy was clear evidence that there was deliberate intent to run down the parish so as to better justify its closure. The letter explicitly states the representatives’ judgment that this is a clear violation of Canon Law. It also explicitly requests that the Archbishop do everything within his power to right the wrong starting with declaring that it is no longer his intention to suppress Holy Trinity Church. At this writing we can report only that we have been advised that the Archbishop has read the letter and he is considering its content very carefully. He also understands that it needs to be evaluated in the context of the information that was presented to him in the meeting of September 1, 2005. However, the fact that Archdiocesan spokesman, Terrence Donilon issued a statement about Fr. O’Regan’s retirement to the press in which he refers to the German Catholics of the parish as “those who gather each month for German hymns” clearly indicates that the campaign to denigrate the German Catholics of the Archdiocese and of Holy Trinity continues at the highest levels. An explicit request for a public apology from Mr. Donilon has been made in a conversation with the Archbishop’s Secretary.

Lastly, the Archdiocesan “Parish Reconfiguration Fund Oversight Committee” continues to be interested in the financial affairs of Hoy Trinity and will be taking its own look at the results of the Chancellor’s audit at its January meeting.

Text of Father O’Regan’s letter announcing his retirement.

January 17, 2006

Hello Everyone,

Not long ago, I wrote to Archbishop Seán requesting permission to resign as Administrator of Saint James the Greater and Holy Trinity Parishes. I am seventy-five years of age and while not required to submit a request for retirement, I find it the right time to do so. I suggested that my forty-ninth anniversary of Ordination might be an appropriate date.

On 16 January 2006, I received a letter accepting my resignation effective 2 February 2006 and granting me Senior-Priest/Retirement Status.

I am grateful for the Archbishop’s agreement and I hope that you will accept this and cooperate with whomever the Archbishop assigns to take my place.

Thank you for your cooperation with me during the past eighteen years. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have had to serve you during this time. Deo Gratias.

Sincerely,

Fr. O’Regan

Video Recordings of Holy Trinity’s Day of Thanksgiving Masses are in production!

On Sunday, June 26, the parishioners of Holy Trinity gathered for a day-long celebration. In two beautiful liturgies we expressed our Thanksgiving for this wonderful parish and for the postponement of its closure. The Masses were professionally recorded with special attention paid to capturing the sound of both the prayers and the music. (The impact of the tower bells as they were rung as part of the Gloria of the 10 o’clock Mass and amplified into the church is particularly impressive.) Recordings are no longer available at the church but you can still order them directly from the producer. Anyone who has ever marveled at the beauty of the sight and sound of Mass at Holy Trinity should have these recordings. The set of 2 DVD’s costs $50 and the set of 2 VHS tapes costs $40. Shipping and handling is included in both cases. Please send your name, address and telephone number (along with a check made out to “Frank Wallent Productions, LLC” in the appropriate amount) to the following address:

Frank Wallent Productions, LLC

9 Woodcrest Drive

Nashua, NH 03062

February 2006 Calendar

Sat 4	Holy Trinity German Choir rehearsal, 1:00 PM.
Feb 5	10 AM Mass in English/German. Frauenbruderschaft. The Mass will be offered for Herbert A. Wessling and Elizabeth Wessling and for Joseph & Anna Reiss. Blessing of throats will follow immediately after Mass. 12 Noon Mass in Latin. Blessing of throats will follow immediately after Mass.
Sat 11	Holy Trinity German Choir rehearsal, 1:00 PM.
Feb 12	10 AM Mass in English/German. Männerbruderschaft. The Mass will be offered for Michael Kitterick and for Joseph & Dorothea Ryan. 12 Noon Low Mass in Latin. The Mass will be offered for Donald Meears.
Feb 19	10 AM Mass in English/German. Holy Trinity German Choir. The Mass will be offered for Frank & Louise Freier. 12 Noon High Mass in Latin. Schola Amicorum. The Mass will be offered for the living and deceased members of the George F. Gilbride Family.
Feb 26	10 AM Mass in English/German. Immaculate Conception Sodality. The Mass will be offered for Herbert & Marie Barton, for Herbert Barton Jr., and for the living and deceased members of the Catholic Women’s Guild. 12 Noon Low Mass in Latin. The Mass will be offered for Elizabeth Grady.
Wed 1	Ash Wednesday. Low Mass in Latin. Schola Amicorum and Preces Canatae, 7:00PM.
Fri 3	Stations of the Cross and Benediction, 7:00PM.

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Etwas Neues & Quid Novi

Ø Mea maxima culpa to Sr. Herberta (Marie Smith) C.S.J. (Can’t blame this faux pas on a computer or editorial error.) St. Joseph’s beloved daughter-in-religion for over 60 years and her sister congregants should receive the congratulations due them and their archdiocesan order. Particularly in the fields of education and nursing, they exemplify true and lasting vocations.

Ø Holy Trinity German Church offers deep sympathy to the families and friends of the flowing long-time parishioners who died recently:

Paul Ketterle – brother of Mary Ketterle of Marian Manor.

Bertha (Hucksam) Cray – sister of the late Louise (Hucksam) Gross.

Marie (Andresen) Chamberlain – widow of James and a Past-Prefect of Y.L.S.

William MacDonald – son of the late William & Virginia (Faulstich) MacDonald.

Elizabeth Wessling – daughter of Paul Wessling.

May we remember these souls in our prayers that God will grant them eternal peace in His Presence!

Ø As Spring appears cheerfully around-the-corner on our calendar, so too is the anticipated joy of two Frauenbruderschaft members. Barbara Bridge is awaiting news of her first grandchild’s arrival and Barbara (Bergdoll) Wessling is anticipating great-grandbabies numbers 6 and 7 – Twins! Joy is contagious! Our prayerful wishes to the new “Moms” for safe and healthy deliveries. We’ll keep you posted as to their debuts!

Ø As we mention Spring births-to-be, we honor those who were born in February: (5) Peter Cooper; (7) Rosalie (Cavelius) Cooper; (18) Vincent Bachelder; (19) Martha Engler; (25) Dorothy (Schwab) Grigorupolos; and (29) Martha Rettman whose natal observance this year is pre-empted by Ash Wednesday. Gratulieren zum Geburtstag zu Alle!

Ø February offers special holydays and holidays as well: (2) Presentation of the Lord (Ordination Day memories for many priests); (3) St. Blaise; (11) Our Lady of Lourdes; also –

(14) Valentine’s Day – an occasion to send sweet messages to our loved ones and homebound elders; (20) Washington’s Birthday – now, Presidents’ Day – when we should ask God’s Blessings on our Commander-in-Chief for wise decisions and judgments especially in the realms of peace and justice. Remember March 1^st ushers in the Lenten Season. Plan ahead for your personal, particular penitential participation!

Ø Congratulations to Joseph Krim upon his reaching of the ¾ century plateau! Heard that “big brother” George escorted you and your lovely Marcia on a tour of Southern California which included the Rose Parade in Pasadena. Too bad that despite your choral singing of “Don’t Rain on My Parade”, it did! However, a little birdie told us that your spirits never got damp! Glad you enjoyed this unique celebration in (mostly) sunny California.

Ø In reminiscence, we recall pious customs still observed by many devotees: The Angelus: Three versicles, three Hail Marys and a special prayer recited each morning, noon, and night commemorating the announcement to Mary by the Archangel Gabriel and the ringing of the Angelus bell reminds us of Our Blessed Mother’s acceptance of the divine will and of the Incarnation (St. Luke 1:26-38).

Ø Among Mary’s tangible gifts to us:

Brown Scapular – Our Lady of Mt. Carmel to St. Simon Stock – “Whosoever dies wearing this Scapular shall not suffer eternal fire.”

Green Scapular – Blessed Mother to Sr. Justine Bisqueybers, Daughter of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul – “Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us now and at the hour of death.”

Miraculous Medal – Our Lady to Sr. Catherine Labouré also a Sister of Charity.

Spring at Lourdes – Given to Bernadette – still miraculously flowing.

Tilma of St. Juan Diego – may be seen at the Basilica in Mexico honoring Our Lady of Guadeloupe, a.k.a. Our Lady of the Americas.

Königen des Himmels, bitte für uns!

Ø Louise Watts wrote to tell us that since relocating to Virginia, Vincent Batchelder has begun to wonder how many of his Holy Trinity classmates are still around. If you count Vincent among your school chums from long ago, you can reestablish contact by writing to him at 5505 Seminary Road - 809N, Falls Church, VA 22041. He would be glad to hear from you.

Ø A few memorable thoughts come to mind after reading Father’s letter of January 17, 2006 in which he announced his retirement.

Who is Rev. Hugh O’Regan?

A loving only son.

Devoted brother to two sisters.

Justly proud uncle.

Dedicated seminarian.

Devout priest of almost half a century.

Loyal U.S. Navel Chaplin/Commander.

Administrator of St. James the Greater and to its local and Chinese congregations.

Administrator of Holy Trinity and to its German and Latin parishioners.

Vicar, Franciscan, hospital Chaplain.

Refurbisher of parish offices – adding new technological equipment.

Builder of a reconciliation room in the area of a former confessional.

Installer of sacristy restroom – much appreciated and needed.

Replacer of heating system.

Purchaser of new altar table and linens.

Updater of sound system.

Replacer of unsafe sanctuary carpeting.

Monatsbote publisher.

Provisioner of sacristy supplies.

Scheduler of priests for Sunday Masses and other services, etc., etc.

Meanwhile, he faithfully responded to his hospital chaplain’s pager as well as to requests by parishioners for sick calls. The wakes and funerals he has attended, not as celebrant but as comforting shepherd, are too numerous to tally.

Who is He Not?

An accountant or diplomat, courses sadly neglected or omitted in the seminary.

A very wise person said; “Yesterday is history; Tomorrow is a mystery; Today, the present, is a gift – enjoy it!” Ad multos annos – liebe Vater.

Ø Our appreciation to Genevieve Schmidt, to the CAS committee members, and to all the musicians who worked so hard on such short notice to ensure that Holy Trinity’s annual Epiphany Concert was held on schedule. Thanks for all you dedicated people do for us all the year through.

Ø We were delighted to hear from Marilyn Oberle who wrote after reading Charlie Faulstich’s column in the December 2005 issue. She wanted to let us know that the Italian Children’s Home mentioned in the column does, in fact, still exist at its 1125 Centre Street address in Jamaica Plain although its name is slightly changed. It is now known as the “Italian Home for Children”. She went on to tell us: “…the idea for such a Home was raised by well-to-do Italian businessmen who lived mainly in the North End as well as elsewhere, after the 1918 flu epidemic. Dozens and perhaps hundreds of children survived the epidemic but had become orphans when their parents had died from the same scourge of flu. The Italian men developed and built the Home … a not unusual concept and practice at the time.” Thank you, Marilyn!

Lectors for English/German Masses

Feb 5	Michael Hager
Feb 12	Richard Doucette
Feb 19	Joseph Harzbecker
Feb 26	Dolores Miller

Monatsbote Editor
Holy Trinity Church
140 Shawmut Avenue
Boston, MA 02118
617-426-6142