Monatsbote

March 2006
Volume 118 Issue 3

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

Father's Letter

 

One Tiny Moment

The intellect of both men and angels is too small to comprehend God as He is in Himself.

Try to understand this point.  Rational creatures such as men and angels possess two principal faculties, a knowing power and a loving power.  No one can fully comprehend the uncreated God with His knowledge; but each one, in a different way, can grasp Him fully through love.

Truly this is the unending miracle of love: that one loving person, through his love, can embrace God, whose being fills and transcends the entire creation.  And this marvelous work of love goes on forever, for He whom we love is eternal… 

He who with the help of God’s grace becomes aware of the will’s constant movements and learns to direct them toward God will never fail to taste something of heaven’s joy even in this life and, certainly, in the next he will savor it fully.

By the work of contemplative love man will be healed.  Failing in this work he sinks deeper into sin further and further from God, but by persevering in it he gradually rises from sin and grows in divine intimacy. 

Therefore, be attentive to time and the way you spend it.  Nothing is more precious.  This is evident when you recall that in one tiny moment heaven may be gained or lost.

One tiny moment from a fourteenth century mystic.  Some writings take a little more time to contemplate their value than speed reading allows us.

                                                                                                                     Father O’Regan

Commentary

SPRING BREAK

By the time this issue of the Monatsbote appears on the newsstands, the fabled New England winter will be waning, and we all will be focusing on Spring.  No doubt the intervening Christmas holidays have succeeded in doing their assigned role in creating the illusion of a shortened winter season.  With the peace of mind that comes with the completion of all the chores necessary at this time of year, a well deserved rest has been awaiting all harried parents in anticipation of the approaching outdoor season.  Soccer Moms will appreciate this respite before the game schedules again take over.

Meanwhile, for all those who dare take matters into their own hands, Uncle Sam provides a pleasant seasonal pastime.  A pastime which could prove to be more lucrative than Bingo and with all the thrills of Monopoly.  Indeed, the experience a person acquires doing his own income tax could lead to an interesting relationship with a Volunteer Tax Assistor's Program.

Then after removing the driveway snow for hopefully the last of several times this year he (or she) could settle down to a beneficial Lenten Fast.  This in preparation for planning the location of the tomato plants, in the soon to be started summer garden.

See, it all goes to prove that winter is mostly an illusion, which by allowing events to follow a natural course will pass in due time.  In fact, with all the demands that television makes on our time, not even to consider the daily newspaper, those gift books, and the ubiquitous Crossword Puzzles, the currently achievable mere FIVE SCORE AND TEN years allotted to each of us on this planet are insufficient

                                                                                                                                    C. N. Faulstich

As part of this column’s retrospective series, this essay is reprinted from the February 1998 edition of  Monatsbote.

Special Items

Announcement

A small committee of graduates of the former Holy Trinity High School in Roxbury is trying to reach as many of the school’s alumnae as possible to determine the level of interest in conducting a Grand Reunion to include all classes in the school’s four decade history.  If you attended the “High School on the Hill” please contact Carita (Carnation) Whitcher, ’66 as she begins the process of assembling a master mailing list.  [1 Walnut Court, Rockland, MA 02370 or <ccw615@hotmail.com>.]  If you know an HTHS graduate, please pass this message along.

 

Archdiocesan Reorganization News

As reported last month, the representatives of the Parish Council were invited by the Chancellor to examine the detail records that supported his finding that over a period of years $176,390 was improperly taken from Holy Trinity and used for the benefit of St. James the Greater Parish.  Per their request, a committee representing the parishioners was granted access to detailed bank statements and check registers for the period June 2003 to August 2004.  As a result of that examination, which took place on February 3, they were able to reconcile already existing data about collections and Good Will donations to bank deposits and accounted for all withdrawals on the bank statements.  Arrangements have begun for Holy Trinity to acquire standard bookkeeping software in order to be able to keep financial records in the form mandated by Archdiocesan policy.

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.  Beyond the fact that the Office of the Archbishop acknowledges receipt of the letter and recognizes its serious content, there has been no response as of this writing.

As reported last month, parishioners formally complained that Archdiocesan spokesman, Terrance Donilon, referred to the German Catholics of the parish in an inaccurate and pejorative manner and demanded that he issue a public apology.  A letter was received from the Archbishop’s Secretary, Rev. Robert Kickham, in which Fr. Kickham states “there was no intent on the part of the Archdiocese to show disrespect to any parishioners.”  While we appreciate Fr. Kickham’s efforts at addressing the issue, we note that no word has been heard from the individual who made the original statement and we have no way of knowing whether he shares in Fr. Kickham’s judgment.  Apparently, the Archdiocese considers the matter closed.

Upon learning of Fr. O’Regan’s decision to resign as Administrator of Holy Trinity, contact was made with Rev. Robert Deehan, head of the Office of Clergy Personnel, to request that a meeting be arranged at which parishioners could voice their thoughts on what they would like to see in a new Pastor/Administrator.  Fr. Deehan advised that such meetings are no longer held (ignoring the fact that one was scheduled for Our Lady Help of Christians the next day) but invited the parishioners to submit their thoughts in writing.  Because a meeting to consider Holy Trinity’s situation was already scheduled for later that week, we had less than two days to pull something together.  Under the circumstances, it was impossible to solicit input from a broad representation of the parishioners.  Several individuals were good enough to drop what they were doing to assist in this important effort.  The following is a transcription of the text that was e-mailed to Fr. Deehan on February 8, 2006.

Father Deehan,

   It was a pleasure to speak with you earlier this week.  I have spoken with several parishioners of Holy Trinity (German) Church, Boston (particularly, members of the Parish Council) and we appreciate your giving us the opportunity to offer some of our thoughts as input to the process of selecting a replacement for our retired administrator, Fr. O’Regan.  I am sure that you will understand that in order to get something before you in time for the meeting already scheduled on this topic for later this week, we have not been able to poll a large percentage of the parishioners nor to make a polished presentation.  Here, then are some ideas.

Sincerely,

Peter Cooper 

 

Summary of Input from Holy Trinity Parish Representatives

to the process of selecting a replacement for Fr. Hugh H. O’Regan

 

1.       As a personal parish for ethnic Germans and for Latin Tridentines, Holy Trinity has unique missions within this Archdiocese.  We need a pastor who can relate to these missions and who will be committed to them.  In short, we need someone who appreciates Church history, who wants to lead this parish in the present, and is willing and able to plan for its future.

2.       While the parishioners of Holy Trinity are drawn from a broad spectrum of attitudes, it would be fair to characterize the average parishioner (whether from the German or the Latin group) as being more conservative and traditional than the average parishioner of the Archdiocese as a whole.  Accordingly a good match suggests someone who is comfortable with orthodox principles and expressions.

3.       Holy Trinity has a 161-year history as a German national parish.  While it is not essential that our pastor be German or speak the language, it is critical, however, that he be someone who appreciates the special role that national parishes play in the spiritual life of those who identify with them.  He must be willing to seek ways to promote the unique characteristics of national religious traditions without leaving the impression that he is either being patronizing or merely tolerating whims.  If he cannot conduct liturgies in German, then he should willingly cultivate relationships with clergy who are able to do so for those occasions when they are needed.

4.       Since 1990 Holy Trinity has been the home to the Latin Indult Mass.  Due, in part, to the fact that there is a similarity between the Germans and the Latins in their appreciation of tradition, the members of the latter “persuasion” have been fully integrated into the life of the parish.  They are not merely a special interest group that uses the facilities during off-hours.  Therefore, we believe it is critical

that our new pastor be able, at least from time to time, to celebrate the Tridentine liturgies with his parishioners.  It is also important that he be able to deal effectively and compassionately with the challenges and tensions within our congregation that are created by the workings of the various traditionalist splinter groups that exist even within the boundaries of the Archdiocese.

5.       Almost from its founding, music has played a central role in the liturgical and social life of this parish.  A pastor who understands the contribution that proper music can make to the spiritual impact of liturgy and who appreciates the dedication of those who provide it would be a particularly wise choice for this assignment.

6.       Holy Trinity is fortunate to have a high percentage of its members freely offer their time and talent to the parish.  It needs a pastor who is able to work with staff and volunteers on a regular basis to harness those skills – someone who can administer a large number of individuals through collaboration and delegation.  It should be no surprise that we are also looking for someone who is committed to full financial transparency.

7.       Since our parishioners are drawn from all corners of the Archdiocese (and even beyond it), the burdens related to offering pastoral support when needed on an individual level can be significant.  A pastor who is able to follow Fr. O’Regan’s example of being physically present virtually anywhere and anytime to support sick and bereaved parishioners is important.

8.       Holy Trinity has a very long established commitment to Christ’s mandate to care for “the least of My brethren.”  While our size no longer allows us to operate our own schools, orphanages, food drives, homes, etc., we very consciously identify with the two social services agencies housed in our facility.  We see our physical and psychological support of these organizations as a central part of our responsibilities as a Christian church.  We need a pastor whose personal value system is consistent with the parish’s in this area.

9.       In September 2001, Bishop John Boles visited Holy Trinity as Cardinal Law’s representative.  In preparing for the visitation, the parish conducted a formal self-assessment.  A copy of that document was, of course, submitted to the Archdiocese.  If it is still available, we suggest that it still would serve to provide a very clear and detailed picture of who we are as a faith community.  (If you do not have ready access to a copy of the report, one can be provided fairly quickly.)  Of particular interest is the section in the appendix in which the individual parishioners’ written responses to the survey questions are transcribed.  One characteristic that clearly comes across in those comments is the parish’s need for clergy who instinctively celebrate the liturgy with reverence. 

 

The above thoughts relate to characteristics of the individual.  We would like to share a few thoughts on the office itself.

1.       Holy Trinity has not had a “pastor” since 1973.  While we understand that a duly appointed “administrator” has all the authorities and responsibilities of someone with the title of “pastor”, thirty-three years seems like a long time to be in what certainly sounds like an interim state.  We are a parish and we respectfully request that we have a “pastor.”

2.       We realize that since our rectory building is almost entirely used by Bridge Over Troubled Waters we are not able to house our pastor/administrator.  This certainly is one item that needs to be discussed in developing long range plans for the parish.  In the short run, however, it is clear that non-parish housing is necessary. 

3.       We also recognize that it is likely necessary to share our pastor/administrator with another parish as has been the case for a couple of decades.  In the interest of open discussion we are taking this opportunity to raise two points:

a.       If Archdiocesan staffing constraints can permit it, we would prefer not to share our pastor/administrator with St. James the Greater Parish.  We make this request not out of any animosity toward that parish or its parishioners.  Rather, it is our feeling that sharing an administrator with St. James over the past 9 years has suggested a greater affinity between the parishes than exists in fact.  St. James is a territorial parish; Holy Trinity is a national one.  Our missions and focus are completely different.  In contrast, since both Holy Trinity and the Cathedral have Archdiocesan-wide elements to their missions, there was not the same incompatibility in the years that the Cathedral rector served as our administrator.  Also, the fact that Holy Trinity physically sits within the territorial boundaries of Cathedral parish made this association somewhat more natural.

b.       Recognizing that the Archdiocese is facing an increasingly critical shortage of priests, we respectfully request that serious consideration be given to inviting one of the Orders established by Pope John Paul II specifically to minister to Tridentine communities to assume responsibility for Holy Trinity.  For more than 100 years of its history Holy Trinity was run by a religious order (the Jesuits).  This would not be a foreign concept to us.  Nevertheless, we recognize that careful arrangements would have to be developed so as not to jeopardize our standing as a German national parish nor to disenfranchise the German parishioners who worship in the Novus Ordo form, but the advantage of a having a net increase in the number of clergy actively working in the Archdiocese would seem to be worth the effort.

We thank you for inviting us to share these thoughts with you and those who will participate in the decision to select a replacement for Fr. O’Regan.  If there is anything we can do to assist in this process, please know that we are more than willing to help.  This is a critical point in the parish’s history and we pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you.

As of this writing (February 25, 2006), we have been advised only that the material was received.  In spite of the fact that we were formally invited to submit it, we have been unable to get any confirmation that the document was taken into account by the parties involved in the selection process in advance of their deliberations.

 

 

 

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

March 2006 Calendar

 

 

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Etwas Neues & Quid Novi