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Tom vu san jose11/19/2023 First a companion of Jesus, then a companion with other Jesuits, some living, others gone ahead, still others called to another way a companion with gifted lay men and women in our call to labor together for the reign of God, in five parishes as a companion with young students in three high schools in formation work with new Jesuits and now walking as a companion with the Coeur d’Alene people on their reservation in Idaho. What image captures the grace of 60 years in this Company of Jesus? Companion. Boly is chaplain at Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon. From that moment on, I have trusted the reality of resurrection because I have seen it myself.įr. She simply received the deliverance she needed to die peacefully. She lay there holding my hand for about three more minutes. Her face relaxed, a warm light seemed to emanate from her, and a tear rolled down her cheek. On her forehead, I applied the fragrant oil with the words, “Through this holy anointing, may the Lord in his love and mercy help you with the grace of the Holy Spirit.” And on her hands, “May the Lord who frees you from sin, save you and raise you up.” She was too tired or too lonely to say no. When she stirred, I took her hand and asked if I could anoint her. When I entered her room, she saw my collar and said, “Get out.” When she had fallen asleep, I tried again, praying quietly by her bed. The doctors said that she was a Catholic-perhaps I could give her peace. Her only reason for living was to carry a white-hot flame of hatred for the husband who had deserted her years before. Topel is professor emeritus at Seattle University, where he assists in pastoral ministry.Īs a new priest working as a hospital chaplain, I was told that the old woman in room 749 was riddled with cancer. The Contemplatio is the grace of my Jesuit vocation.įr. I always sought God in all things, but only when Jesus had inoculated me against our culture’s viruses-pleasure, possessions, power, prestige-did I start finding God everywhere: in nature, in ministry, in community, in faith sharing, in my failing frame, and even in personal prayer. I always had someone to guide me and men to emulate.īut my greatest grace is the presence of God in my life. So perhaps my greatest blessing is the community I have experienced-trustworthy superiors to whom I confessed my weakness and who discerned my future above all, the men with whom I lived. Then I remembered why I entered-to share the community of joy and love I saw in the scholastics at Seattle Prep. At first, I thought of the events of my 70 years in the Society-but none of these could be called the greatest. Naucke assists in the Jesuits West provincial office and prays for the Church and the Society at Sacred Heart Jesuit Center in Los Gatos, California. The greatest grace is knowing I have been blessed to follow the Lord’s call.įr. Four years at Bellarmine College Prep strengthened that insight. I also served Mass at the Jesuits’ Holy Family Parish, right around the corner, serving the Italian community.Īt around age 12, I knew that my early desire to pilot a steam locomotive was childish, and the Lord wanted me to serve him in the Society of Jesus. I linked in with the fathers and brothers and gradually took on duties in the church and rectory, including answering the phone and counting the collection. Joseph’s in downtown San Jose where I, like my parents, was baptized, and I began serving Mass and benediction at a very early age. My family lived very close to the Jesuit parish of St. We asked some of this year’s jubilarians to reflect on the greatest grace of their Jesuit vocation. Our 2022 Jesuits West jubilarians have served in a variety of ministries at apostolates across the western United States. National and International Ministries and Organizations. Protecting Minors and Vulnerable Adults.
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