Starting Point
The ancient Greeks coined the term catharsis and applied it to the theater. It means a cleansing or purging of the emotions. Catharsis is realized when we as members of an audience identify and sympathize with the suffering of others as portrayed in a film or a play.
Often as not these days, catharsis also involves bringing a controversy out into the open, helping to explore all points of view and thus "clearing the air." In this sense I can't help but think of Salvatorian Father Joe Rodriques and his work with the Jordan Ministry in Tucson, Arizona.
Since accepting assignment to Tucson a few years ago, Father Joe has drawn upon his own talent and experience as an actor to address the complex issue of immigration. He now directs and performs in The Line in the Sand, a play produced in cooperation with the Jordan Ministry and Catholic Relief Services.
I won't give away the story here. Let me just say, however, that this sort of ministry–promoting a dialog between the Church and the world–precisely reflects what Father Jordan had in mind when he urged his followers to use "all ways and means possible" to make known our Savior's love and compassion, in this case both for those entrusted with upholding the law and for those whose struggles place them in conflict with prevailing policy.
In this issue of HOPE, we also pay tribute to a priest whose wisdom and insight likewise proved provocative at times, at least among his fellow Salvatorians in the heady aftermath of Vatican II. Like the prophets of old, Father Mike Kendall was expert at reading "the signs of the times." As director of renewal, he shepherded the Society of the Divine Savior through its renewal deliberations, helping it to achieve a certain catharsis of its own. We grieve his sudden passing, even as we thank our Savior for the many ways in which he graced our lives.
Finally, on a more upbeat note, we join seven Salvatorians in celebrating 60 and 50 years of profession. Combined they represent centuries of sacramental ministry, none of which would be possible without your prayers and gifts. For this, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And may our Savior bless you abundantly for your kindness and generosity.
"The Line in the Sand" Portrays Many
Sides of the Immigration Debate
In becoming a Salvatorian priest or Brother, a man doesn't necessarily have to "give up" his past. Instead, he builds upon it, finding new opportunities to employ talents and abilities he was blessed with earlier in life.
Certainly this is true for Father Joseph Rodrigues, a Salvatorian based in Tucson, Arizona and a member of the Jordan Ministry. Prior to joining the Salvatorians, he had worked as a professional actor and vocalist on both the East and West Coasts. And since becoming a priest, he has continued to apply his musical skills on behalf of the Gospel. Father Joe has recorded two CD's of Christian songs, Chorus of Faith and Sing Divine Fire, the proceeds from which went to the Salvatorian Mission Warehouse. He's now recording a third, Desert Rain, to help fund programs and activities of the Jordan Ministry.
Father Joe is also directing and performing in a play, The Line in the Sand. It takes on the controversial subject of immigration and addresses the issue from all sides. Based on interviews Catholic Relief Services conducted with people living on or near the Arizona-Mexico border, the play was first performed as part of a Good Friday commemoration and later for attendees at the Southwest Liturgical Conference.
The characters include representatives of the U.S. Border Patrol, an activist working with the "No More Deaths" organization, a rancher, a homemaker, a coroner, a member of the Mexican consulate, three immigrants facing diverse challenges, a detention center employee, and a Mexican father searching for his lost daughter. A majority of the cast are members of Most Holy Trinity parish in Tucson, where Salvatorian Father Bill Remmel serves as pastor.
Response to the play has been overwhelmingly positive. And the cast continues to be asked to perform at various parishes throughout the Diocese of Tucson, as part of its social justice outreach.
According to Father Joe, the most remarkable facet of The Line in the Sand is what routinely occurs following a performance. "When the performance concludes," he tells us, "the cast returns and entertains comments and questions from the audience. And the responses have been quite powerful and moving. People in tears have said how this play has mirrored their own families' struggles and pain. Most importantly, there is sharing, an exchange of views, point versus counter-point. We try to get to the real human stories that go beyond all the politics. We're searching for common ground."
"Of course, the real reason for this play and the question we keep hoping to resolve is this," Father Joe continues. "What would Jesus have us do?"
Seven Salvatorian Men Celebrate
Jubilees of Profession
On June 28 of this year, six Salvatorian priests and one Brother marked jubilees of first profession. They join a number of Salvatorian Sisters and Lay Salvatorians who in 2008 likewise celebrate anniversaries of entrance into the Society of the Divine Savior.
Father Roman Stadtmueller, SDS - Professed 60 Years
Born: March 27, 1928 Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Professed: September 8, 1948
Ordained: June 5, 1954 National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC
Ministries: Teacher, missionary pastor and assistant pastor, counselor, and hospital chaplain. Currently retired. |
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Father James Bretl, SDS - Professed 50 Years
Born: August 29, 1936 Maplewood, Wisconsin
Professed: September 8, 1958
Ordained: June 5, 1965 National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC
Ministries: Teacher, youth minister, missionary, pastor, associate pastor, and assistant pastor, chaplain. Currently retired. |
Father Richard Driscoll, SDS - Professed 50 Years
Born: November 17, 1937 Brooklyn, New York
Professed: September 8, 1958
Ordained: June 5, 1965 National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC
Ministries: Teacher, missionary, pastor, associate pastor, and parish administrator. Currently pastor at St. William Church, Shelbyville, Tennessee. |
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Brother Peter Farnesi, SDS - Professed 50 Years
Born: September 12, 1926 Madera, California
Professed: March 19, 1958
Ministries: Missionary, farmer, baker, and maintenance worker.
Currently retired. |
Father Richard Gagnon, SDS - Professed 50 Years
Born: December 27, 1933 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Professed: September 8, 1958
Ordained: June 5, 1965 National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC
Ministries: Teacher, pastor, and associate pastor. Currently pastor at St. Luke Church, Smyrna, Tennessee. |
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Father Andre Papineau, SDS - Professed 50 Years
Born: October 6, 1937 Escanaba, Michigan
Professed: September 8, 1958
Ordained: June 5, 1965 National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC
Ministries: Teacher, counselor, and author of nine books on spirituality. Currently professor of homiletics at Sacred Heart School of Theology, Hales Corners, Wisconsin. |
Father Thomas Tureman, SDS - Professed 25 Years
Born: July 18, 1954 Quebec City, Canada
Professed: August 13, 1983
Ordained: May 14, 1988
Ministries: Associate pastor, campus minister, social justice and Hispanic ministry. Currently mission procurator for the USA Province of the Salvatorians. |
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A Clear Head, An Impassioned Heart
Father Michael Kendall, 74, who entered eternal life on July 5, was a man of passion, three great passions to be exact. The first was for the holy priesthood and his fellow Salvatorians. The second was for history, American history in particular. And the third became his ministry to those often forgotten by our society, notably prisoners and persons who are gravely ill.
Father Mike served the People of God as a teacher, a pastor, and as a chaplain. At the start of this century he was among the "pioneers" of the Jordan Ministry in Tucson, Arizona. And then in 2004, at the age of 71, Father Mike joined the prison ministry staff at Arizona State Prison in Florence, Arizona.
Father Mike "officially" retired in 2005, electing to remain in Florence where he continued his prison ministry and assisted at local parishes until his death. May he now enjoy his eternal home in the company of our Savior and the saints.
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