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LIFE AT VILLA SAINT JOSEPH - NUMBER 7 - JANUARY, 2003 Happy New Year from all of us here at Villa Saint Joseph! After struggling with some December colds, we have begun the New Year in good health and we hope all the readers of these reports are also doing well. We had two special guests in December: Brother Robert Juenemann following cataract surgery and Brother Patrick McMahon who needed the peace and quiet of the Villa to recover from a lingering cough. Brother Pat is still with us as I write, and has been another strong voice in chapel besides providing wit and cheer to our conversations. Unfortunately, just as I was drafting this report, Brother Pat learned that he will have to undergo intestinal surgery in the coming days. Please join us in praying that the operation be successful and his recovery prompt and complete. In December Sister Gloria made a mini-retreat here. Cynthia Gopalacrishnan, a friend of Father Joseph Stefanelli, was also our guest for a few days. Brothers Jim Leahy and Skip Matthews, honorary members of our community, also stayed overnight. Brother Charles Ehrenfeld, our Senior Member, continues to make headlines. In his explorations he was concerned about the stripping of the fruit trees at the Marianist Center so he posted a sign for the invaders: "Please save some for the owners!" Besides his shopping expeditions and care of houseplants and preservation of bananas, he has been fighting a persistent leak in his room. Mr. Steve Weiner thought he had repaired the deck roof, but the heavy December rains found their way through. And when Brother Charles tried to protect himself by placing a bucket to catch the dripping water he found out the bucket also had a leak! It is good he has a sense of humor and can share these adventures with us! The most amazing sight, however, was watching his cheerleading at the Community/Staff party. Life begins at 87! The other surprise for me was seeing Edie in action as she dashed out from the kitchen to sing a solo for us. Our next in line, Brother Charles Boglitz, is doing very well. Surprisingly, despite his Spartan diet, he has been gaining weight month by month. For our Holy Hour concluding the year he read one of the selections from Scripture. He also cares for a neighborhood cat he now calls "White Paw." White Paw has become quite religious or maybe he has just discovered the warmth of the chapel wall. Brother Joseph Wasy was the guest of friends in San Diego early in December and returned refreshed and renewed, raving about the glorious weather, while we were being buffeted by heavy winds and driving rain. He keeps us informed about the SM in Hawaii. The youngest of our eighty year olds, Father Joseph Stefanelli, continues to amaze visitors and us by his steady recovery and mastery of intricate puzzles. The four of us in our seventies are also fine. Brother Robert Wade worked well with Mrs. Lynda DeManti to prepare the chapel for Advent and Christmas in addition to all the other services he supplies so vigorously. Brother John Samaha continues to write for publication and is a strong and true voice in chapel. He and Brother Gene Frank work hard to provide inspiring liturgies. Brother Gene had an enjoyable visit with his family in Southern California at Christmas time so he missed our marathon of Masses - and the celebrations in the dining and community rooms. Of all the musicians I have known, Brother Gene is one of the calmest, handling chapel crises quite capably! Even after some of his carefully prepared plans go awry, he dismisses that with the comment "It's good they can't read music anyway!" Our youngest, Brother Paul Fennelly, serves three communities. Besides handling our community finances and most of the driving he continues to take care of the books for the San Francisco Community. Brother Stanley Murakami, Director of our neighboring San Juan Community, frequently calls on him to provide transportation to and from the Bay Area airports - or the post office. We are participating in the Diocesan Novena of First Fridays of Reparation. On Pearl Harbor Day, Brother Gene, Brother John, and I attended the regional meeting of Marianists at the Singleton Community. Brother Skip Matthews again represented the West Hills Community. That afternoon we had the lighting of the Christmas Tree and enjoyed a concert provided by the Singers Around the Bay. On December 12 we hosted the Marianists in the area for evening prayer, social and dinner. Our staff did a great job and we were delighted with the turnout. But two days after the party we had a savage rain/wind storm that again knocked out the power. Fortunately, thanks to Mr. Steve Weiner, our generators functioned perfectly. On Friday the 13th we joined with the rest of the Province for a Holy Hour of prayer in response to the sexual abuse scandals that have wounded so many. On the first day of the Christmas Novena as we began the singing of the O Antiphons we also celebrated the sacrament of the anointing of the sick and elderly. Then, just a few days before Christmas Grace organized the traditional Community/Staff Christmas Party which emphasizes the wonderful reality that our staff is like our extended family and they in turn care for us like family. Then came Christmas and ongoing celebrations both in the dining room and chapel. We are grateful for all who joined us in spirit and we continue to enjoy the abundant Christmas gifts of candy, cookies and nuts. There were several anniversaries of deaths in December
including the two founders of the Province of the Pacific, Brother James
Wipfield on the 20th and Father Walter Tredtin on the 22nd. We also
remembered the death of Father George Meinzinger on the 23rd. There
were four Birthday celebrations in December, beginning with Brother
John Samaha on the 5th, followed by Father Jack Rielly on the 12th,
myself on the 18th and Brother Charles Boglitz on the 22nd. We also
remembered Vicky on the 23rd. Grace and her staff did a wonderful job
of decorating and providing great meals. Fortunately Grace had a few
days off between Christmas and New Year's and Edie was a capable backup. The feast of the Immaculate Conception was transferred
to Monday, the 9th this year, and we celebrated Mass with a special
remembrance of our families and friends, former students and collaborators,
near and far - all those whose lives we touch. ST |