Closing of the House of Loreto
by Fr. David-Ladislaus Przedwiecki
Since January 9, 1984 the brothers of the O.F.M.I. Had called themselves into being in a real sense of the word by striving to live a communal life.
There, at the House of Loreto we saw our first postulants and novices become truly a part of this great venture for Our Holy Mother.
Since we were prohibited from buying the House of Loreto for our own purposes due to the fact that Cardinal Szoka did not want us to remain in his diocese, the wonderful property was put up for sale to anyone who would buy. On July 1, 1984 we were informed of the final agreement and were told to move by July 31, 1984.
Months of Growth and Progress
This newsletter will be followed soon by a more informative and more embellished version. But many MANY developments have since taken place in our venture and lives.
The Latest and Most Important News
July 10th, Friday, 1984 we are making the important move to New Riegel, Ohio. FOR THE SAKE OF THIS NEWSLETTER, it must be emphasized that we are there only until we find a bishop. We do not know how long of a stay we will have. Once we arrive, the chaplain there, Fr. Ed Morman will help us get situated. He assures us that we will have all the privacy and rest we need to regroup and prepare for entrance into a diocese. Perhaps, later, once the pastor of the nearby parish asks us to get involved with the parish apostolates the Bishop of Toledo will have to approve our parochial involvement. There also is a chance for us to remain there if the Bishop of Toledo decides to accept us into his diocese. Our new address will be:
“The Convent”
Franciscan Friars of Mary Immaculate
51 North Perry St.
New Riegel, Ohio 44853
(419) 595-2656
So the first chapter of our lives together in Christ and Mary ended and a new to be written by God who is leading us elsewhere.
It was with great sadness, however that we bade farewell to Sr. Germaine, Stella and Louise, Kathy and Herb that fateful day of July 31st when we rode away, our van loaded with immediate needs, to a temporary quarters.
The beautiful atmosphere and warmth of that House of Loreto made possible by the people who lived there will never be forgotten.
Sister Germaine had donated many statutes and other mementos precious to her to our community. One especially we must note is Sister's special statue of St. Therese. She asks that every time we pass this statue we pray for her and Sr. Loretta the foundress of the House of Loreto. We shall have on the base of the statue: “ALL THOSE WHO PASS THIS IMAGE OF ST. THERESE, PRAY FOR THE INTENTIONS OF SR. GERMAINE AND SR. LORETTA.”
Little Rose Chapel – Taylor, MI.
In need of a place to stay, St. Joseph, our procurator and bursar sound us a small but cute little chapel in Taylor, Michigan.
Mama and Papa Antel, the founders of the chapel have welcomed us with open hearts and arms. We are presently being housed in a big one-room apartment. It is adequate for our needs for the present and we are quite comfortable. The room is our bedroom, kitchen, dining room, rec room, and meeting room. Toilets are available for us in the back of the chapel. Showers are available in Mama's house any time. Many well-wishers and benefactors have been generous to us and so we have had many treats and delicious goodies come our way.
We ask all of our distant MOTHERS AND FATHERS NOT TO WORRY, we are well and happy. Our address here until the 10th of August (July 10th was mentioned in the above article was incorrect), 1984 is:
LITTLE ROSE CHAPEL
10098 Mortenview Dr.
Taylor, MI. 48180
(313) 291-6996
The chapel is named for Little Rose Ferron, the mystic, ecstatic, stigmatic who died in the 1930's in Rhode Island. Her cause for canonization is presently pending. She was a wonderful example of suffering and patience in her agonies of the crucifixion which she endured on Fridays during her brief life here on earth. She is in the glory of heaven.
Personnel Changes
Edward Gajewski (Bro. Solanus) left the community Easter Sunday, April 22, 1984.
Vincent Cusumano (Bro. Juniper) left the community of July 17, 1984.
David Kurtz has entered our community as a candidate on July 22, 1984.
Calendar of Events: Spring-Summer, 1984
April 10, 1984 – Lansing-Fr. David speaks to Catholic Women's League
April 22, 1984 – Eastern trip – Fr. David is accompanied by Bro. Joachim and Bro. Juniper. Visit to Christendom College.
May 1, 1984 – Fr. David speaks at St. Joseph's, Trenton, MI.
May 7, 1984 – Fr. David speaks at Little Rose Chapel, Taylor, MI.
May 13-15, 1984 – Fr. David conducts tridium Holy Trinity, Bay City, MI. Community attends.
May 16-19, 1984 – Visitation of Fr. David with Bishop Glennon Flavin of Lincoln, NB. Bros. Joachim, Marian, and Zacchaeus in attendance.
May 21, 1984 – Fr. David speaks at Guardian Angels Parish, Clawson, MI. Friars attend and participate in Mass and discussions.
May 22, 1984 – Fr. David has audience with Archbishop Szoka.
May 29, 1984 – Fr. David speaks at a sports banquet in Portland, MI. Bro. Joachim attends.
June 8, 1984 – Fr. David takes a short trip with Bro. Joachim, Bro. Marian, Bro. Zacchaeus, David Kurtz, and Bro. Juniper. Visit with the Bishop of Madison, Cletus O'Donnell. Visit to St. Joseph's College in Edgerton, Wisconsin.
June 9-24, 1984 – Fr. David begins assistance to Fr. Bart Ferrero's parish, Our Lady of Mount Carmel – Oakwood Blvd, Detroit.
June 10, 1984 – Famous truck shower put on by our illustrious O.F.M.I. auxiliary.
June 14-15, 1984 – Youth trip from St. Hyacinth chaperoned by Fr. David and Bro. Marian. Visit to Marytown, Libertyville, IL.
June 18, 1984 – Auxiliary meeting.
June 22, 1984 – C.U.F., Ann Arbor, Fr. David speaks, Bro. Joachim in attendance.
June 25, 1984 – Guardian Angels, Mass & Homily, Talk – Fr. David.
June 26, 1984 – Blessing of homes, Down River area. Fr. David and community present.
June 28, 1984 – Fr. David gives invocation and benediction at Book Cadillac Hotel at a dinner honoring Al Haig and Jack Lousma, political candidates.
June 29-31, 1984 – All night vigil at Holy Trinity parish, Springfield, IL. Blue Army. Bro. Marian and Neil Martin assist and attend. Series of three talks.
July 8-12, 1984 – Walter and Kathy Penczak visit from Chicago, IL.
July 12, 1984 – Altar boy tour of Cedar Point. Bro. Joachim and Bro. Marian chaperone.
July 13-15, 1984 – Gregorian Chant Institute, Milwaukee, WI. Bro. Joachim and Bro. Marian attend. Bro. Juniper's visit to Brothers of M.H. Eucharist.
July 15, 1984 – Pilgrimage to Irish Hills Shrine. Bro. Zacchaeus, David Kurtz, “Liepshoen” and of course, Fr. David.
July 21-22, 1984 – Selling pens for Fr. Perrone and his fight against abortion at St. Hyacinth.
July 23-30, 1984 – Trip to upper Michigan. Visitation with the Bishop of Duluth, MN., Bishop Brom. Visit with Fr. McQuade S.J. In Traverse City, MI. Visit to shrine in Indian River, MI.
July 29, 1984 – Baptism in Milwaukee of Fr. David's great nephew, Danny.
July 31, 1984 – Moving day to Little Rose Chapel
August 10, 1984 – Moving day to New Riegel, Ohio.
August 13, 1984 – Meeting with Bishop Povish of Lansing, MI. Fr. David.
August 15, 1984 – Mother Angelica visits New Riegel, Ohio.
August 19, 1984 – C.U.F. Organized rally and pilgrimage in Belville, OH. Fr. David and community.
Directions to New Riegel, Ohio
Our community's second chapter begins in a fittingly small farming community in New Riegel, Ohio. The town itself was founded shortly after the arrival of German immigrants who founded St. Boniface parish in 1838. Later, sisters arrived in 1844 on Christmas Eve to establish a convent which would later grow into their motherhouse and be expanded to a cloistered and active community.
In 1956-58 Our Lady appeared there to a pius nun bringing us many messages. The apparitions were approved and the messages are published under the imprimatur of a bishop. Our Lady of America is the title of Our Lady who appeared in New Riegel, Ohio.
Needless to say, we are overjoyed to be going to live, even if for a time, in the very convent where the nun received these visions of our Holy Mother, Mary.
The convent itself has sixty rooms, three floors, two chapels, three kitchens, and about thirteen bathrooms. There is a beautiful enclosure which was used by the cloistered sisters. Several of the candidates have visited the grounds to inspect the facilities and agree with us that this would be a perfect starting place for our community.
Even if the bishop of Toledo, Ohio, does not receive us, we have plans to look into the possibilities of somehow being sponsored by the Maronite bishop whose diocese extends over the whole United States. We have already been exploring these possibilities with Msgr. Fehgali of Detroit who assures us that we would be able to retain all of our Latin Rite traditions but simply obtain bi-ritual faculties for the beautiful Maronite Liturgy. Much much hope exists in this venture especially now.
Since we now have plenty of room and plenty of time to grow..WE ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU WHO ARE POSSIBLE CANDIDATES TO CONTACT US FOR APPLICATIONS TO TOUR GROUP. WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO BELIEVE THAT NEW RIEGEL WILL BE OUR NEW HOME.
Reluctant Young Men:
I have with great disappointment heard from some of you that you feel reluctant because everything has not yet been settled and that we have not yet found a permanent home or bishop.
Well, I cannot say as if I blame you. You are espousing a human approach, a practical, logical, understandable, and all together worldly wise. But you are definitely not expressing the daring it takes for the plunge into Christ. You may be logical or practical but you are not heroes. This is not said to chide or somehow embarrass you into coming to us now. Like I said, I do understand.
When the young man came to Christ he was not given any guarantee fro Christ the he would have stability and comfort; he was promised nothing but eternal life. He refused because he was practical, logical, and it was understandable. Jesus did not scold nor correct. But he expressed disappointment. The rich young man did not take the plunge because Christ could not offer him security or a guarantee of worldly comfort. Thank God that the Apostles did not wait for security before responding to Christ's call: we would have no CHURCH!
Copyright 2009 City of Mary, Mount Morris