UPDATE

It's been awhile since I have posted anything on our site.  Here is an update of some of the various ministries in which the Sons of Saint Philip Neri have been involved.

• Parish Mission: Door-to-Door Prayer Ministry:  October 14-20

Fr. James and I were invited by Fr. James Seculoff, pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in New Haven, to conduct a weeklong parish mission.  Fr. James gave a wonderful talk on the New Evangelization on Sunday evening.  On Tuesday, we had a training session on how to go door-to-door. 

Many were nervous at first; however, once they began to do it, they quickly discovered how beautiful it is, as we simply went to the doors, telling the residents who we were, asking them if they had any prayer intentions we could take back to the Church to lay before the altar, and giving them a prayer book.  If no one was home, we left a card with the parish information on it and a handwritten note that said, "We prayed for you today."  If we bring one soul closer to Christ and His Church, then praise God.

We went out three different times during the week, having between three to four teams.  One evening, we had a group of 8th grade girls who participated.  It was great to see the excitement and joy on their faces.  I told the three young ladies with me that even if we had a door slammed in our face, we would be blessed, for did not Christ say that if one offers another a blessing and he does not accept it, then the blessing returns to that one?  While most were accepting, there were a couple who, in fact, did slam the door.  We prayed even more fervently for them.



Some of the Prayer Ministers

In all, we visited 358 homes, so it was a good week, and we pray that the members of St. John the Baptist will continue this important ministry.

• Fr. Daniel and College Retreat:  St. Felix Oratory: October 12 to October 14

I am the chaplain of the Newman Catholic Fellowship at IPFW (Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne).  At IPFW, I go each Tuesday to celebrate Mass in one of the rooms at the Student Center.  Afterwards, we have fellowship, while eating pizza. YUM!  We are also conducting a bible study for the Year of Faith using Fr. Mitch Pacwa's book called, "The Year of Faith."  Every other Tuesday, we meet in the evening in one of the classrooms.  On average about 20 young people attend.

In addition, the officers of the Newman Catholic Fellowship planned and put on a wonderful retreat the weekend of October 12 to October 14, focusing on the theme of Christ being the Vine and we being the Branches.  There were over 30 young people, not only from IPFW but also from Manchester University and Trine University.



Saint Felix Oratory

This retreat was held in the beautiful building and on the grounds of St. Felix Oratory in Huntington, IN.  St. Felix was originally the friary for the Capuchins where Venerable Solanus Casey (1870 - 1957) lived for a few years.  You are able to visit his room.  After the friary closed, the building passed into other hands and eventually was put on the market once again.  How blessed that a Catholic entrepreneur bought the site and renovated it to its former glory.  Part of the Oratory is now being used as a formation house for the Dominican Sisters of Mary, the Mother of the Eucharist, from Ann Arbor, MI, while the other half is availabe for retreats.  Thus, the reason for us being there.

Closing Prayer on Sunday

Closing Prayer on Sunday

I was able to be there on Saturday for Adoration, a talk on the Eucharist, and Confessions.  I returned on Sunday for Mass and another talk in the afternoon.  Other presenters included two diocesan priests, one of the Dominican sisters, a married couple, and a lay woman.   So many of them said the highlight of the weekend was the time in Adoration before the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, praising and adoring the King of Kings.  How encouraging to see the faith alive in these young people who will continue to be a part of the New Evangelization!  Please keep them in your prayers.

• Fr. James at the United Nations:  Week of October 15 to October 18

Fr. James had the opportunity to work with C-FAM: Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute.  C-FAM seeks to defend the sovereignty and human dignity at the United Nations by monitering and affecting the social policy debate.  As many of you are aware, the push by the wealthier and more influential nations, including the USA, to promote an anti-life agenda on poorer nations, including access to contraception and abortion, is rampant.  At times, it can seem like a David versus Goliath story when trying to promote the correct view of the human person.  Yet, David won, and we know that when we are on the side of Christ and His Church, victory will ultimately come, no matter how pervasive the darkness tries to smother the light.

• Fr. James and The Neri Institute

Besides being a chaplain at St. Joseph's hospital and an adjunct professor at the University of Saint Francis, Fr. James is forming The Neri Institute.   Its purpose is to promote human dignity and build a civilization of truth and love through education, advising, and research in the natural law.  In part, it does this by offering consultations and workshops for educators and catechists, government and elected officials, business leaders, religious leaders, and healthcare professionals.  This is one of the reasons Fr. James spent some time at the United Nations with C-FAM.  Please take a look at The Neri Institute heading on this site and go to The Neri Institute www.neriinstitute.com for more information on this most worthwhile apostolate of the Sons of Saint Philip Neri.

God bless you all and through the intercession of St. Philip Neri and Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman, may you spread the Gospel in all you say and do.  Please pray for us.

Fr. Daniel Whelan
Sons of Saint Philip Neri