Centering On Retreatsfbs.advantageinc.com/theway/summer_2019/files/...serving the poor and promoting...

THE FRANCISCAN FRIARS PROVINCE OF SAINT BARBARA

SUMMER 2019 • VOL. 24, NO. 2

CenteringOn

Retreats

The Wayof St. Francis

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2 SUMMER 2019 | The Way

The Way of Saint Francis SUMMER 2019, Vol. 24, No. 2

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The Franciscan Friars of the Province of Saint Barbara

are members of a Roman Catholic religious order, from a

diversity of backgrounds and cultures, dedicated to

serving the poor and promoting justice, peace, care of creation,

and reconciliation in the joyful and prophetic

spirit of St. Francis of Assisi.

www.sbfranciscans.org

Prayer, Fraternity, Joy, Service

The Way of St. Francis is published by the Franciscan Friars of California, Inc. It is a free magazine to those who provide their time, treasure, and talent to friars in the Province of Saint Barbara. The friars welcome your comments concerning The Way of St. Francis. You can contact the friars at Franciscan Friars of California, Inc., 1500 34th Avenue, Oakland, CA 94601 or via email at [email protected].

The Way of St. Francis is owned and published by The Franciscan Friars of California, Inc. Copyright 2019. The Franciscan Friars of California, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the Franciscan Friars of California, Inc.

Publisher Very Reverend David Gaa, OFM

Provincial Minister

Editor Father Charles Talley, OFM

Editorial TeamMr. Kevin Murray

Art Direction and Design Paul Tokmakian Graphic Design

Contributors

John Feister

Father Melvin Jurisich, OFM

Father Warren Rouse, OFM

Father Charles Talley OFM

Publisher

on the cover

The labyrinth at the Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, with the beautiful Arizona desert landscape in the background. The FRC opened

its doors in 1951 and has become known nationally as a vibrant center of evangelization. See Page 16.

Photo: ©www.peterjordanphoto.com


http://www.sbfranciscans.org/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.peterjordanphoto.com/

Centering On Retreats

DEPARTMENTS

4 dear friends

5 by the way

6 snapshot

8 the word

9 donor profile

24 letters fromreaders

26 at last

inside

10 franciscan thoughtsWhy make a retreat?

13 guest profileKathleen Flanagan: Lay Leadership in the Franciscan Tradition

16 reflecting backretreats: their history and importance in franciscan life

20 community profileFire Survivors Find Respite Care at San Damiano Retreat

FEATURES

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The Way | SUMMER 2019

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dear friends …

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Peace and all good!One of the ministries most dear to my heart as a Franciscan is retreat work. It is an avenue of contact, friendship, and service which has enabled us for more than 75 years to reach and touch literally thousands of people. Since 1942, our retreat centers in California and Arizona have welcomed generations of families and parishes into

an environment where they can rest, relax, and renew. As our former Minister Provincial Father Mel Jurisich OFM notes, Jesus frequently took time to pray and to rest in the Father’s presence and love.

Our retreat centers have been able to grow “with and among” God’s people over time. We have made every e�ort to meet people where they are and to help them to move to the “next step” in their spiritual growth. The retreat movement was initially imbedded in a firm and vibrant Catholic culture. Today, we welcome people of every spiritual path whose values are in harmony with our Franciscan traditions. As Kathleen Flanagan has observed: “Franciscan culture leads us to see the intercon-nectedness of all creation.”

Kathleen knows firsthand of what she speaks from her own professional trajectory. Her current job involves inculcating the Franciscan charism among the lay leaders so vital to the fur-thering of our goals and values. We remain committed to provid-ing an environment where people can rest and heal. As Father Mel observes so poignantly: “… few of us gi� ourselves with the opportunity to step away and take a breath. A retreat is a great gi� you can give to yourself.” ❖

God bless,Father David Gaa, OFM

Provincial Minister, Province of St. Barbara



by the way

J U N E

Contemplative Retreat: To Be or not to Be (a mystic) That is the Question6/2–6/7San Damiano Retreat Center, Danville, CAPresenter: Sister Ishpriya

We all make the Journey through space-time from birth to death; there are no exceptions. As we travel we need times of rest, stillness to listen to the spirit within.More Information:

www.sandamiano.org or 925-837-9141

Creating a Path to Vital Relationships6/7–6/9Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZPresenters: Judith McHale,

MA, LPC and

Tom Mitchell, PhD

A new look at relationships and how one can main-tain a healthy self-image during times of divorce/ separation.More Information:

www.casa.org or480-948-7460 ext 132

Serenity Sisters Al-Anon Weekend6/28–6/30St. Francis Retreat Center, San Juan Bautista, CAMeetings, Creative Space, EZ DUZ IT time, Writing, Sharing, Recharging your spirit.More Information:

[email protected]’

J U LY

Summer Series: Children’s Book Series Mondays 7/1–7/29, 10am–12 noonSan Damiano Retreat Center, Danville, CAHost: Jan Stegner, MTS, MMC

Come with your child/chil-dren, enjoy the grounds, a book reading session in our gift shop, a snack, and a craft/activity. More Information:

www.sandamiano.org or 925-837-9141

Hispanic Couples Retreat7/12–7/14Serra Retreat, Malibu, CAHispanic Couples Retreat: Encontrando Nuestro Camino with Fr. Ray Tintle, OFMMore Information:

www.serraretreat.com or (310) 456-6631

Be Still and Know I Am God7/14–7/ 20Mission San Luis Rey Retreat Center,Oceanside, CAA silent, 7-day directed retreat. All women are wel-come! Enter into prayerful solitude and listen for the quiet voice of God. This retreat is created for women religious and lay women of all faiths who feel called to be in the silence with God.More information:

www.sanluisrey.org or 760-757-3659 x123

S E P T E M B E R

Women’s Retreat9/6–9/8Serra Retreat, Malibu, CAFinding Our Way with Sr. Carol Quinlivan, CSJ and Fr. Michael Doherty, OFM More Information:

www.serraretreat.com or (310) 456-6631

St. Francis Repairs the Church9/13–9/15Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZPresenter: Fr. Bill Short, OFM

Using insights from the writings of St. Francis and recent documents by Pope Francis, how can we engage in repairing the house of the Lord in our day? What actions and attitudes can turn the Church from ruin to renewal? More Information:

www.casa.org480-948-7460 ext 132

5The Way | SUMMER 2019

Labyrinth at Serra Retreat, Malibu

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http://www.sandamiano.org/

http://www.casa.org/

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http://www.casa.org/

http://www.serraretreat.com/

http://www.serraretreat.com/

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Friar RetreatSerra Retreat, Malibu, California1963 Photo: Courtesy of the Provincial Archives of the Saint Barbara Province

snapshot

Can You ID All These Friars?

The friars seen here in a 1963 photo from Serra Retreat in Malibu, California represent a cross-section of men involved in retreat ministry during that era. We can partially identify most of them, but we need your help. Here’s what we’ve been able to come up with so far: Cook: Brother Mel (?); Tailor: Brother Romual Krimphoue; Sacristan: Brother Roger (?);



Master: Fr. Timothy Gilker; Plumber: Brother Ernest LuVisi; Parking: Fr. Brice Moran; Beds: Brother Anselmo (?); Sergeant: Fr. Hugh Noonan; Cleaning: Brother Vance (?); Foreman: Mr. Michael Braun (?); Weeds: Brother (?) ; Waker: George Stricker (candidate). Many thanks! You can contact us at: [email protected]. ❖



the word


I T IS SOMETIMES

startling when we hear some-one—often a stranger—make a remark that can only and maybe later be described as a moment of grace. Here’s one that came during dinner recently.

The friend said, “There are three crosses on the hill.” We of course, thought that he was referring to the bad thief on the left, Jesus in the center, and the good thief on the right. But he had his own non-scriptural take on that. “On the left is the past, on the right is the future, and the center is the present.”

There are two ways of remem-bering the past: rejoicing over the good times and things we did, or concentrating on the darker side. It seems that some people visit thera-pists because they have been stuck with sorrow and maybe by bitter memories of what they have done or not done: omission or commis-sion. (Add to that the blame game of a miserable childhood.) Getting stuck in the past can be a refusal to move on. The cruel quip holds a lot

of truth for such people: “Get a life!” The opposite arm of the cross

often symbolizes the neurotic “wor-rier.” Certainly it is common sense to plan ahead for a secure and happy life. No question there. But have you not met people (maybe even yourself) who thrive on gran-

diose or nagging thoughts—especially “What if there…” or “I know my ship will come in.” It’s just here that the gift, the virtue of hope, can be so valuable.

Notice, though, that Past and Future can lead to an identical symptom: despair. Basically, despair is a des-perate refusal to be oneself. And this brings us to the middle of the cross: the present.

In his 53 years of working with and, more impor-

tantly, learning from the disabled, Jean Vanier, founder of the L’Arche movement, discovered for himself that “each person is precious; every person is unique. And each one is important to God and to humanity.”

Pause here and think! “Who am I?” Where am I going?” Each of us, knowingly or not, needs the space for an annual retreat or a day of rec-ollection to ponder these questions, simply by being silent and allowing Jesus to speak. And He surely will.

But, often we prefer “doing” to just “being.” How sad it is that, during a retreat, some people interrupt their silent time by dragging out their cell phones. Do they tell their friends in

continued on page 24

Three Crosses

By Father Warren Rouse, OFM



donor profile

A NGELA AND JOE RIVELLO came by their love of the Franciscans,

you might say, naturally. Both New Yorkers, many years back Joe stud-ied at the Franciscans’ St. Bonaven-ture University. Angela’s father had spent some years in Jesuit forma-tion before following his calling to marriage. Joe’s career brought the family to the San Francisco area later. They settled in Santa Rosa and ultimately raised five children. Along the way they moved to Dan-ville, California where they now are retired—and busy!

The couple was naturally drawn into the Franciscan world by San Damiano Retreat, up the mountain from Danville’s business district, where, years ago, they made a Marriage Encounter retreat. Then they joined a pilgrimage to Assisi. How many people can come home from Assisi and not find themselves renewed in the spirit of Francis? That spirit, for them, has been lived out in community service.

“Angela and I come at spiritu-ality both from her Jesuit back-ground and from my Franciscan background,” says Joe. Of the two traditions, one can easily see the practical, joyful character of Franciscanism carrying the day.

Angela focuses on the practical: “I went to a Catholic nursing school,” she explains, then she gave her nursing license a long rest in order

to raise children. “When the last guy left, I got a little more involved in working,” she says, modestly. Keep reading: She advanced her train-ing and had to “work like a bunny” to pay a Catholic (Jesuit) college tuition, working for about 20 years as a nurse. Then she retired and helped start a free clinic! At the clinic, located next to the Pittsburg (California) St. Vincent de Paul Family Center, doctors and nurses have served about 3,000 uninsured patients since in 2011. “That’s 12,000 visits,” says Angela, proudly. The clinic is cosponsored by Rotary Club and St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Joe has his own community involvement. He laughs in the back-ground as Angela says, tongue-in-cheek, “so he doesn’t grumble and grouse that I left him.” Joe explains: “I’m in St. Vincent de Paul doing hos-pital ministry and at the Loaves and Fishes,” a dining room feeding the hungry of Contra Costa County. His conference also provides emergency services. “When a person in need comes to our parish, “it’s like, ‘How can we get together to help them?’”

Angela and Joe Rivello

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Angela and Joe Rivello: Serving in the Franciscan SpiritBY John Feister

continued on page 24


franciscan thoughts

W h y m a k e a r e t r e a t ?By Father Melvin A. Jurisich, OFM

Jesus often went away from the crowds and His disciples to

go into the wilderness or on a mountaintop. This was not

some type of overnight camping trip or vacation. This was a

time of quiet, reflection, and prayer. And when He returned

to the people, something always happened. St. Francis of

Assisi and other holy men and women followed Jesus’ exam-

ple and made this time a part of their own lives. Obviously,

this time away is essential to a strong spiritual life.



Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.

— MARK 6:3


Today, we call this a retreat and the reasons for anyone making a retreat are as varied as the people who actually do so. However, there is an underlying cause that affects almost everyone no matter the particular reason, no matter the age, and no matter the spiritual belief. We live in a very noisy world where we are often bombarded with good and bad news, frustrat-ed with things around us, chal-lenged by our beliefs, or addicted to something that is not life-giving. The list goes on. The point is that it all becomes overwhelming, and we lose perspective on ourselves as well as the world around us. In

short, it is easy for us to lose our moral and spiritual compass.

A retreat gives individuals the opportunity to step back and put themselves into a sacred space where they can be quiet, shut out the noise and distractions, and put themselves in touch with their inner hearts and souls and with their God. There are many ways to go about making a retreat. One can attend a preached retreat, or make a private retreat meeting with a spiritual director who can give one some insight on one’s questions or spiritual journey. Alternatively, you can just be quiet on your own and evaluate your life—spiritual,


SUMMER 2019 | The Way12

emotional, relational. Perhaps as a result of a time of retreat, you can set some goals in specific areas where you want to reclaim your life. And something will happen.

Of course there are all kinds of reasons to avoid a retreat experi-ence: the job, the children, other priorities we have set for ourselves. If we are honest with ourselves, though, we would admit that per-haps we are afraid of being alone with ourselves and God for any extended time. We are afraid that we have to make this journey by our-selves, forgetting that God is always with us on the journey. We are afraid that we might have to change the direction of our lives, or pick up again something we thought we had left behind for good. But to stay where we are, to do nothing at all, is the beginning of a “spiritual death.”

At the recent meeting of the Church’s Synod on Youth, the young

adults told the Catholic bishops pres-ent that they were not interested in a new apologetics or the refine-ment of doctrine. Instead, they were most interested in building a strong spiritual relationship with God so that they might live more fully as Christians in the world in which we live. What is true of our young adults ought to be true for the rest of us. Retreat work feeds that desire.

We all struggle living in today’s world, yet few of us gift ourselves with the opportunity to step away and take a breath. A retreat is a great gift you can give to your-self. Is Jesus saying to you today, “Come with me to a quiet place and get some rest.”? You deserve it! You owe it to yourself! ❖

Father Melvin A. Jurisich, OFM is former pro-vincial minister of the Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Barbara. At present, he is Director of Serra Retreat, Malibu, California.

This maze at the Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, Arizona, is part of a meditative tradition spanning more than a millennium.

PHOTO: ©www.peterjordanphoto.com



guest profile

Kathleen Flanagan came to the Franciscans several years ago from her career in corporate finance, serving compa-nies large and small in the U.S. and beyond. In January of 2019, this outgoing executive director of Old Mission San Luis Rey, in Oceanside, California, took a new Franciscan job with a long title: Executive Director of the Office of Mis-sion Integration and Ministry Support. Hers is part of a new effort to strengthen the Franciscan identity of lay leaders within ministries of the Province.

Kathleen Flanagan:LAY LEADERSHIP IN THE FRANCISCAN TRADITION By John Feister

Much of Kathleen Flanagan’s work has

involved collaboration with the friars and laity, as shown here in this photo

of Fr. Vince Mesi, OFM, Pastor (Mission San Luis

Rey Parish, Oceanside, CA) with staff members and

parishioners. PHOTO: ©www.peterjordanphoto.com

PHOTO: ©www.peterjordanphoto.com





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The idea of Franciscanism with greater lay leadership is not so radi-cal as it might appear. St. Francis was a layman, after all, when he set out to rebuild the church at San Damiano. Laymen joined him in community, as brothers. St. Clare and her sisters, of course, were laypeople, as were members of the Third Order. Only later came the ordained members. (Francis himself eventually may have been ordained a deacon.) Francis rec-ognized that his love of the pov-erty of Jesus was for everyone, whether vowed religious or not.

I asked Kathleen a few ques-tions about the task of nurtur-ing a Franciscan identity.

Q: In our time it seems odd to have people who are not vowed Franciscans energizing Franciscan ministries. Are lay leaders capa-ble of exercising leadership that is truly Franciscan in character?

A: Yes they are! But only if they are both attracted to and value the insights and gifts of living the Gospel life that the Franciscan charism has to offer. For our Franciscan institutions, that requires up-to-date organi-zational leadership skills, but within the context of a life of continual formation. Our leaders must under-stand that St. Francis’ vision of following Christ wasn’t born in the halls of the Church hierarchy, but rather in the roads and towns of a society that looks much like ours today—rife with corruption and disparity between rich and poor.

Q: Might this lead to dilution of Franciscan ideals?

A: There’s an old joke, “You’ve met one Franciscan, you’ve met one Franciscan!” We don’t see our-selves as a uniform group of indi-viduals with a strict rule book to be followed. We have lots of room for personalism and the expression of each person’s unique approach to living their Franciscan life. The Order has evolved and taken many turns throughout its history. So, will it be different? I’m sure it will be. With the right education, processes, governance and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit, it will be good, too.

Q: When you teach about Franciscan identity, what do you emphasize?

A: Franciscan culture leads us to see the interconnectedness of all creation. That means care for all creatures and creation with the love of a sister, mother, or brother.

Kathleen Flanagan at Old Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, California

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15The Way | SUMMER 2019 15The Way | SUMMER 2019

We see God reflected in the beauty of a hillside, Christ in the eyes of the drug addict on the corner. Franciscan culture values the nurturing of rela-tionships by spending more time communicating face-to-face than by email. Time is made for prayer; work is done in the service of others. A friar once described Franciscan culture as “an earthy one—we have dirt under our fingernails.”

A Franciscan identity means we can be found among people in the midst of divorces, addictions, incarceration and grief. We eat our piece of birthday cake, even though someone may have just spit all over it while blowing the candles out! And we laugh. Oh, how we laugh! The key part of a Franciscan iden-tity is not that we do these things, but why we do them: to live a life that imitates Jesus. St. Francis is simply our guide and mentor.

Q: So you see that identity as something lay coworkers can learn?

A: This is one thing I don’t need to speculate on. I’ve seen evidence of it at almost every Franciscan minis-try I’ve visited. Laypeople and friars struggle to articulate exactly what is “Franciscan” about them, but we know it when we see it. I’ve trav-elled throughout the Province from ministry to ministry and witnessed gardeners praying with retreatants; cooks making healing oils from ingredients in their garden; manag-ers doing laundry with the home-less, ministers sharing lunch and laughter together; staff donating their vacation hours to a co-worker with medical or family issues; leaders simplifying their lives by giving up possessions and privileges; staff and friars attending the funerals of those who have no one else to remember them. Yes, lay co-workers and board members can, and have, picked it up.

Q: How will you go about nurturing this as you establish your program?

A: Mission integration will be for-mal enough that it is repeatable. As new board and staff members join us, we’ll present a process that is structured, but also allows for differ-ences among people and ministries. I want to share what many of us are learning in the Franciscan tradition: how to follow Christ simply in a com-plicated world. That’s been a light for me. If my new position allows me to preserve and pass that tradi-tion on to others, I would consider it the greatest honor of my career. ❖

John Feister is the retired editor of St. Anthony Messenger magazine, writing now for Glenmary Home Missioners and Franciscans of St. Barbara Province.

As part of her new responsibilities, Kathleenis a frequent speaker on Franciscan collaborative efforts.

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retreats: their history and importance in franciscan life BY CHARLES TALLEY, OFM

reflecting back


(clockwise starting at bottom, left) Greeting retreatants in the early days of the Franciscan Renewal Center; Window at The Conventual Church of Our Lady of the Angels at the Franciscan Renewal Center. Conventual Church; Fr. Raymond Bucher, OFM, former Director, San Damiano Retreat, Danville, CA

Unless noted, contemporary photos, ©www.peterjordanphoto.comHistoric photos courtesy of the Provincial Archives of the Saint Barbara Province

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(clockwise(clockwisebottom,retreatantsdaysRenewalat Theof Ourat theCenter.RaymondDirector,Danville,

Historic photos courtesySaint Barbara Province




THE PROVINCE OF SAINT BARBARA has served as a pioneer in the Franciscan order in terms of its extensive commitment to retreat ministry. This ministry emerged early on as an effort to address the needs of both the friars and of the communities in which they served. Friars wanted to preach and evangelize to Catholic parishioners in a larger cultural con-text and apart from demands of daily parish and family life. Initially, week-end and week-long retreats were developed to meet the needs of both groups and individuals seeking religious direction and accompaniment.

Early on, friars were contacted by members of congregations represent-ing other faith traditions in search of a place of rest, education, and reflec-tion as well. What has since developed over the past eight decades is a wonderful, ecumenical/interfaith expression of hospitality and faith-based commitment both expressive of and consistent with Franciscan values of hospitality, healing, and peacemaking. Groups whose purposes are in harmony with these values continue to participate in the life of our retreat centers.

(clockwise starting at left) Br. Joachim Grant, OFM in the kitchen at San Damiano Retreat; courtyard, San Damiano; statue of St. Francis, San Damiano; historic arch from the original Old Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, CA, c.1798; exterior, Old Mission San Luis Rey, Oceanside, CA.


The Way | SUMMER 201918

Among the first retreats offered in the Province were those held in Arizona. In fact, the very first retreat house was built in the hills of Malibu, California (1942)— the forerunner of today’s Serra Retreat. (A fire in the late 1960s destroyed much of the original plant, which was subsequently rebuilt). Centers which continue to flourish under the auspic-es of the Province to this day were estab-lished in San Juan Bautista, California (St. Francis Retreat, 1947); Scottsdale, Arizona (Franciscan Renewal Center, 1951). Danville, California (San Damiano Retreat, 1961); and, Oceanside, California (Old Mission San Luis Rey, 1976). Other centers have either been repurposed or are currently maintained by other organizations. They include: Holy Cross--Mesilla Park, New Mexico(founded, 1954), Our Lady of Peace--Beaverton, Oregon (1954), St. Anthony Retreat--Three Rivers, California (1955—now maintained by the Diocese of Fresno), and Old Mission Santa Barbara Retreat (started in 2007, but most recently converted for use as our Franciscan Interprovincial Novitiate).

(clockwise, starting at lower left) St. Joseph Garden, (inset) Old Mission San Luis Rey, CA Friars Sam Nasada and Freddie Rodriguez at OMSLR; grounds at Serra Retreat (nd); fountain at Serra Retreat, Malibu, CA

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Initially, retreats were given for women’s groups, men’s groups, married couples, and individuals seeking private religious direction. Of the nine retreat centers started during the early days of the movement, the five which still continue under the auspices of the Province continue to pro-vide space for rest, religious education, and workshops for retreatants of all faith back-grounds. They do this through both hosted events and sponsored retreats which focus on Franciscan-related themes.

While we friars reflect back on the achievements of the past, we also look forward to welcoming future generations of women and men in search of spiritual rest and respite. The Province of St. Barbara’s retreat centers proud-ly continue to embrace ecumenical inclusiveness in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. ❖

Father Charles Talley, OFM is Director of Communications for the Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Barbara and resides in Danville, California.

(left to right) Main building, St. Francis Retreat, San Juan Bautista, CA; historic photos, (nd), from St. Francis Retreat.


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Fire Survivors Find Respite Care at San Damiano RetreatBy John Feister

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community profile



would scarcely admit that her own tragic experi-ence had anything to do with it. But people around Lisa Briones suspect that the loss of her own home in the 2015 Butte Fire definitely had something to do with her spear-heading the Christmas respite week for Camp Fire survivors at San Damiano Retreat last December. The Danville, Califor-nia facility, 40 miles east of San Francisco, hosted some 90 survivors for an entire week.

Fortuitously, the respite retreat took place during the Christmas break. “It’s the one week of the year that San Damiano actually can close,” says Director Peter Wise, of his very busy

program. “People are doing other things, you know—Christmas.” But here was a need and a way to meet it. Many of the survivors of the Camp Fire—thousands of them—have been living in makeshift arrangements ever since the fire destroyed their homes in November, 2018.

Lisa, who is Hospitality Coordinator at San Damiano, says the idea just came to her one day shortly after the fires. “I was in my office and it just popped in my head,” she recalls with a laugh. She was getting ready to fly the idea past our Kitchen and Facilities Manager, Ron Roncarati, when he showed up in her office to ask about something else. Ron laughs as he retells the story. “I said, you know, I’m thinking about taking like four or five days off this year. Do you think it’d be all right to ask Father Rusty (Shaughnessy OFM) if the friars could take care of themselves for a few days?” (Ron and his wife

Kathy live at San Damiano.) “She kind of gave me a little smirk.”

Lisa hedged a little, then told Ron: “I have an idea, but I don’t’ think you’re going to like it….” She needn’t have wor-ried. Ron was game, as was everyone else on the leadership team. Peter recounts that the staff all agreed, “We should at least extend the invitation.” Lisa Briones

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They weren’t even sure any survivors would drive the distance or even want to come.

So word went out via vari-ous church contacts in Butte County, as well as other agen-cies. There was strong response. In fact, it became the Christmas story for Bay Area media.

From December 20–26, the San Damiano core staff, along with nearly 200 volunteers, delivered, recalls Peter, “a beautiful retreat, food, wi-fi, snacks, games, crafts, basketball, washing machines, beautiful grounds, and hiking trails overlooking Mount Diablo.” Christmas carols, Santa, and the rest, too, were part of it. Local busi-nesses and individuals provided food and gifts. Ron had gone to the restaurants in town with a flyer describing the week. Discounts

and contributions followed. Steaks. Pizzas (40!). Mexican food. All told, it was enough for 18 meals, Ron says. “The other 15 were done by me and volunteers.” It can be “kind of hard” for a chef to let others into the kitch-en, but Ron rose to the occasion.

Peter recalls, “Children who lost everything could shop from among the gifts. Parents could pick out clothes from a selection on racks. Folks could get a haircut or even a massage. “To take a minute to relax is really nice,” said one survivor to local media. “A little bit of normal for Christmas,” was the highlight, said another. “A real bed, a real shower!” “I experienced an overwhelming sense of peace,” said yet another. But maybe the greatest relief was a few days of real sleep for the parents, a safe place to play for the children, and a joyous celebration of giving

PHOTO: © D. TANDY, OFM 2018

PHOTO: © DAVE PERNA 2018



and hope for everyone. “My kids and I could not have felt more welcomed and blessed with such beautiful people, in (one of) the most… peace-ful places I have ever been… ” fire survivor Mandi Moons wrote on San Damiano’s Facebook page. “You all have given us a sense of family.”

The hardships are far from over for Mandi’s family or other survivors, Lisa reflects. “You hear that people are still hanging on, working through (things). We just provided a little bit of a relief.” “Who knows?” she says. “San Damiano might find a way to help out again.”

Ron is even more enthusiastic. “Humbling,” and “special,” he says. “It was my best Christmas ever. I’d do it again in a heartbeat.” In fact,

plans are afoot to find another spot in the San Damiano calendar for a first-responders’ retreat. “They have trauma, too,” Ron explains. What bet-ter place than San Damiano to stop for a few days and soothe the spirit?

The event at San Damiano was not a “first” for the Franciscan fri-ars, by the way. Firefighters were also welcomed with food and beds at Serra Retreat in Malibu, California during the nearby Woolsey Fire in December, just as they had been at Old Mission Santa Barbara previously. ❖

John Feister is the retired editor of St. Anthony Messenger magazine. He is currently on the com-munications teams both for Glenmary Home Missioners and for the Franciscans of St. Barbara Province.

Postscript:

�e sta� and volunteers at San Damiano Retreat have been chosen by the Contra Costa County (California) Red Cross Leadership Council among the honorees

for the Red Cross Heroes Award this year for their support of those a�ected by the Camp Fire in December, 2018.

PHOTO: © DAVE PERNA 2018

PHOTO: © D. TANDY, OFM 2018



Service included, for Joe, mem-bership on the Board of Directors of San Damiano Retreat, and helping lead a major capital cam-paign to tackle expensive, long-overdue, facility renovation.

Joe and Angela were two of the volunteers from St. Joan of Arc parish in nearby San Ramon, who spent last Christmas at San Damiano Retreat serving the Camp Fire survivors. “Instead of focusing on what we were going to get (out of it), it was, ‘How much can we give?’” says Angela. This giving atti-tude, for Angela and Joe, is a clue to their lives of generous service. ❖

John Feister, former editor at large for St. Anthony Messenger, lives and works in the Cincinnati, Ohio area.

donor profile: continued from page 9the word: continued from 8

advance that they don’t want calls unless it’s an emergency? The lan-guage of God is silence, after all.

The disciples did not receive their calling from Jesus while they were in a designated sacred space like the synagogue, or even while they were in prayer or contemplation in their own homes. Our vocation comes to us in the midst of our everyday life and work—not apart from it or before we even get started doing things with our lives. Yet we do sometimes need to take quiet time apart to reflect and discern, as Jesus himself did so often in his short public life. ❖

Father Warren Rouse, OFM, 88 years old, 68 years professed and 61 years ordained.

WINTER ISSUE 2018Thanks for the Winter Copy

of The Way. I thoroughly enjoyed it and was very touched to come across the names of the Franciscans “of old” who influ-enced my youthful spiritual life, especially Fr. Virgil Cordano and Fr. Richard Juzix ([then] Pastor of St. Francis, Sacramento). God bless and keep you! May His face shine upon you, and may He grant you peace! — Chris Delany, Sacramento, CA

Chris and her husband Dan, founded the Los Angeles Catholic Worker in 1970, and the Loaves and Fishes Catholic Worker in Sacramento, CA later in the 1970s.

letters from readers

NOTE FROM EDITOR: We are always happy to receive letters from our readers and would like to encourage this engagement. Did you find something in an issue striking? Enlightening? Thought provoking? Did we make a mistake that needs attention? Please, share your thoughts. We’ll publish a selection of letters as space permits. Write to us at: [email protected].



The Franciscan Friars are pleased to offer a complimentary estate-planning organizer. A place to store completed legal documents, the organizer also prepares you to create or update your will or living trust and contains a checklist of accounts, assets, and instructions so your loved ones can easily find what they need in case of emergency. When completed, the organizer lifts a burden from your loved ones and can save both them and you time and expense.

With Our Compliments…WithWithW

OurCompliments…WithWithWCompliments…

ith

Our free document organizer completes your estate plan.

To receive your free organizer, please call: Maria Paulino at (510) 536-3722, or go to www.sbfranciscans.org/get-involved/donate/legacy-giving/

youexpense.

www.sbfranciscans.org/get-involved/donate/


http://www.sbfranciscans.org/get-involved/donate/legacy-giving


at last


St. Francis Retreat: Rebirth and Renewal

The new statue shown here

was dedicated following

completed reconstruction in

2009.

On June 23, 2006, a tragic fire completely destroyed the main building of St. Francis Retreat in San Juan Bautista, California. Amazingly, a small

statue of the Virgin Mary survived the conflagration, though it was subsequently stolen and never recovered. Undaunted, members of the community sprang into action to rebuild the facility. As an expression of gratitude, this new statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe was installed

following reconstruction and rededication in 2009.

Photos Courtesy of St. Francis Retreat


“Where there is rest and meditation,

there is neither anxiety nor restlessness.”

—Admonition XXVII. St. Francis of Assisi (1182–1226)

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