November 29, 2001

Team Building Experience A Success for St. Peter Home

In an effort to always provide the very best quality of care for the young girls of St. Peter Home, the staff often participates in on-site training sessions, but we are always looking for ways to make our workshops different and exciting.

Earlier this year, the professional staff of St. Peter Home for Children gathered at beautiful Canale Farms in Oakland, Tennessee, for a fun-filled team building retreat. The staff was treated to a wonderful day of meaningful, fun, group-related activities that inspired their minds and spirits.

One of the highlights of the day was an informative message on successful communication in the workplace given by Ms. Gina Wells from Memphis Light, Gas and Water. Several St. Peter staff members also contributed to the experience with a few special activities of their own. Many topics were presented for discussion, including the meaning of the word, "team," to the best way of relieving stress on and off the job. One of the most interesting activities was "Big Foot," in which three team members had to cooperate to win a most unusual "foot race!"

A most delicious "picnic" lunch was prepared and served by the staff at Canale Farms during the lunch hour, which proved to be just the right touch for a country retreat. The closing activities of the day brought a nice team feeling to the members as they were treated to an old-fashioned hayride and awards ceremony hosted by Mrs. Dawn White, the Director of Operations for St. Peter. Many thanks go out to all who made this experience possible, including Drew and Ali Canale who offered to donate another great experience to our staff next year. -- Submitted by Anthony Settles, Instructor, St. Peter Home

"Nobody talks about vocations anymore"

Yes, we do! Beginning in January 2002, priests and religious will be talking about vocations — in schools, churches, and college campuses.

Sunday, January 13, is Vocation Awareness Sunday and parishes in the diocese have been invited to participate in the "Called By Name" program. Because vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life are part of the shared responsibility of all God's people, parishes are being asked for their encouragement and support.

The "Called By Name" program involves parish participation and prayer, and an invitation to those women and men 18 years old and older who seem to have the qualities needed by priests, sisters, and brothers.

"Every vocation is a personal and unique event, but also a community and ecclesial event. No one is called to walk alone."— Pope John Paul II.

Look for coming events in your parish.

-- Sister Carol Clasgens, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, KY, and parish minister at St. Peter Church, is a member of the Vocation Ministry Committee.

Fr. Condon to Speak on St. Martin de Porres Shrine at Dec. 6 B & P Luncheon

The Monthly Business and Professionals Luncheon, open to all, will be held on Mon., Dec. 3, 11:45 a.m., at Saint Francis Hospital (St. Catherine Room), located on 5959 Park Avenue. This month's speaker is Fr. Tom Condon, O.P., Director of the St. Martin de Porres Shrine in downtown Memphis. Fr. Condon's topic will be St. Martin de Porres and Memphis.

Lunch is free, but reservations are required. Call 373-1209 by Thur., Nov. 29.

Cenacle League to Hold Dec. 7 First Friday Retreat

Fr. Ernie DeBlasio, pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, will be moderator of the December Cenacle Retreat League First Friday retreat. The retreat, open to anyone, will be Dec. 7 at the Stritch Conference Center, 2455 Avery, on the Christian Brothers University campus.

Fr. DeBlasio's two-part talk will carry the Christmas message of Emmanuel. Registration for the First Friday will be at 9:30 a.m. Fr. DeBlasio's discussions will be held at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Mass will begin at 11:45 a.m. CBU teachers, students and faculty, and all members of the diocese are invited to attend.

For more information, call Barbara Singleton at 323-9076 or Mary Jo Walker at 357-5830.

Office of Religious Education to Offer Apologetics Series in Memphis, Jackson Deaneries

The Diocese of Memphis Office of Religious Education is offering an Advent Apologetics Series. Topics offered are Defending the Role of Mary in the Church and Defending the Role of the Papacy in the Church.

The series will be offered at two locations _ the Church of the Nativity in Bartlett and Holy Cross Church in Paris. The Nativity sessions will be held on Thur., Dec. 6 and Thur., Dec. 13 from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Church of the Nativity in Bartlett. The Holy Cross sessions will be held on Sat., Dec. 15 at 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 1210 E. Wood St. Paris, TN.

The cost is $10 for either the Bartlett or Paris session. For more information, call (901) 373-1203 or (901) 373-1222.

St. Martin de Porres Shrine & Institute to Present Theology of the Eucharist Dec. 5

Fr. Gerard Austin, O.P. will deliver a lecture, Theology of the Eucharist; What Happens at Mass? on Wed., Dec. 5, at the St. Martin de Porres Shrine and Institute at St. Peter Church Parish Hall, 190 Adams in downtown Memphis. Supper begins at 6:15 p.m., followed by the lecture at 7:00 p.m. Reservations are required if you plan to join us for the meal.

Advent activities will be provided for children ages five through thirteen and child care for preschoolers will be also be provided. A free will offering will be taken

Fr. Austin is a Professor of Theology at the Edmund Rice School for Pastoral Ministry, Arcadia, Florida. In 1999, he retired from the Catholic University of America after 30 years on the faculty. Fr. Austin is a past president of the North American Academy of Liturgy. He holds degrees from Providence College, Immaculate Conception College, and the S.T.D. from Institut Catholic de Paris. Fr. Austin is the author of two books and more than 30 articles in the areas of Liturgical and Sacramental Theology.

For reservations or more information, call 527-8282.

Homecoming: St. Peter Home Invites Old Friends and Family for a Special Celebration

St. Peter Home is having a special homecoming celebration for former staff, residents, and anyone who has been embraced by the "outstretched, loving arms" of the 150 year-old facility. The event, part of St. Peter Home's year-long 150^th anniversary celebration, is scheduled for Sat., Dec. 1, at the current site of St. Peter Home, 3060 Baskin from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Performances by the St. Peter Home Choir and The Silent Worshipers: the St. Peter Home dance ministry will provide the backdrop for this wonderful day of reunion, fellowship and memory sharing.

Indeed, St. Peter Home is full of rich memories and history that helped shape not only the lives of thousands of children, but the entire Memphis community. For almost 150 years, St. Peter Home has been a symbol of love, spiritual guidance, and compassion for the children of Memphis. St. Peter Home's story began in 1852 when the Dominican Priests of St. Peter Church at Third and Adams took in the first orphans. We are looking for people who are a part of St. Peter Home—past and present—so that we might renew old friendships as we prepare for the next 150 years of service to the community.

"Throughout the years, St. Peter Home has always changed to meet the needs of the community. During the Civil War and the Yellow Fever Epidemic, we served as a safe haven for young children and continued to do so until the late 1970s. In the `80s, we refocused our efforts and became a residential treatment facility for abused and neglected young girls," said Sr. Betty Fracchia, administrator, St. Peter Home. "Through it all, the one constant has always been caring for, welcoming and embracing children, and we want to reconnect with all of our children and their children."

For more information about this event, call (901) 354-6300.

Diocesan Men's Retreat Planned for December

On the weekend of December 7 _ 9, the men of the diocese are invited to a weekend retreat sponsored by Our Lady Queen of Peace Spiritual center. The weekend offers an opportunity for men to gather and share faith and friendship with one another.

Leading the retreat will be the Passionist Sisters _ Srs. Anna Marie Becker, C.P., and Eileen Fucito, C.P. They will be joined by Passionist Father Victor Hoagland. Fr. Victor has had extensive experience as a preacher of missions and retreats. He is the author of many publications and is also the editor of the internet site: BREAD ON THE WATERS (www.cpptryon.org) and Compassion Magazine.

Throughout the weekend, the retreat will focus on the theme, Come Before the Cross of Christ. Today, the cross is present in ways that call for our attention and reflection. This weekend will provide an opportunity to do that individually in the company of other men of faith.

The retreat will be held at St. Columba Episcopal Center, Bartlett, beginning Friday evening, Dec. 7, with dinner and ending Sun., Dec. 9 at noon. Offering for the retreat is $130. For reservations, call 388-5928 or e-mail efucito@aol.com.

On the weekend of November 30-December 2, women of the diocese are invited to a weekend retreat sponsored by Our Lady Queen of Peace Retreat Center. This retreat offers an opportunity to take time for prayer and reflection personally and with other persons of faith.

Leading the retreat will be the Passionist Sisters, Anna Marie Becker, C.P. and Eileen Fucito, D.P. They will be joined by Passionist Father Columkille Regan, C.P. Fr. Columkille, former Provincial Superior, is well-known as a Passionist preacher of parish missions and retreats.

Throughout the weekend, conferences and prayer focus on the theme, Come Before the Cross of Christ. The weekend affords opportunity to reflect on the power of the Cross in our lives corresponding to the Liturgical Seasons of the church year.

The retreat consists of conferences, prayer, both private and common, Sacramental Reconciliation, and Mass, both on Saturday and Sunday.

This retreat, held at St. Columba Episcopal Retreat Center in Bartlett, begins on Friday evening, Nov. 30, and ends on Sunday, Dec. 2 at noon. Offering for the retreat is $130. For reservations, call 388-5928 or e-mail efucito@aol.com.

Beginning in September, a varied list of musical offerings will be presented by the Memphis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The local group numbers more than 120 members, including several from Catholic parishes in the diocese. The chapter meets monthly from September through May at different churches, and its programs are always open to the public.

The coming year's events will include:

• "Spirituality for the Church Musician" with sung Compline, Dec. 10

• Epiphany Party for musicians hosted by St. Peter Catholic Church, Jan. 7

• Composer's Forum led by Joel Martinson of St. Rita Church, Dallas

• Hymn Festival with Dr. John Ferguson, May 6

For more information, contact Jane Scharding Smedley, St. Peter Church, at 527-8282 or Albert Burk, Church of the Incarnation, at 763-1281.