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Four Masses Sunday, present at all nine, still learning spanish, school has opened, spent some time with a crying kinder, still opening boxes, the desk has arrived and slowly getting moved into, Parish Council exec team night, Faith Formation tonight, Provincial Council all day today, the other two priests are away, Sr. Jeanne is on vacation, pray for me.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 8:07 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

It was a restful three nights at Villa Maria Del Mar. The two days with the school faculty and staff was enriching. I am impressed with their youth, energy, drive, vision and gifts. The parish School opens its school year tomorrow. The Teachers will be gathering for Morning prayer at 7:40am and I will join them. As a gift for the new year I gave them a fontanini statue of St. Gaspar for the school office.

I am still unpacking. It seems that the desk has arrived and will be installed tomorrow. Tonight I hung up several pictures I had unpacked. The place is still a mess, but it is beginning to take shape.

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I will be away for the CPPS cluster meeting. Then for a retreat with the teachers from here at the parish school. Both events are being held somewhat serendipitously back to back at the same retreat house.

It is a tough job, but someone has to do it. The retreat house sits on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Cruz.

The computer is staying home, but the camera is going. So check back on Thursday or Friday for a report.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 8:40 AM | TrackBack

One of the big holes here at my new parish is Adult Faith Formation. They used to call it RCIA here, but I make a distinction between the education/formation program and the Rites of Initiation as they are celebrated in Church. Beside, any Catholic should be welcome and encouraged to participate, not just those who are becoming Catholic.

One of my first tasks is to form a Faith Formation Team, and then to develop the program. Does anyone have any suggestions of books that might be used as a text? Also I have developed my own list of topics, but do you have any suggestions of topics that absolutely have to be included?

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 3:35 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack

I will have to read the homily in spanish, but can say more, obviously, in English. It will be the second time I have presided in Spanish. The first time was last March in Phoenix. The English text is below.

Homilia, Agosto, 21, 2004

Es un tiempo para volver a nuestra experiencia original, a los primeros días de los seguidores de Jesús. Un tiempo anterior a las construciones de iglesias, tabernáculos, altares, bancos, estandartes, misales y biblias. En aquellos días nos reuníamos en secreto para la Misa y lo llamábamos de muchas maneras, litúrgia, el pan partido, la cena del Señor.

Ha habido mucho de esta experiencia que conocíamos. El lider pronunciaba las oraciones, y la lectura de Las Escritura. Pero ha habido mucho más de la experiencia que fue nueva y diferente. En las sinagogas antiguas han sido los hombres quienes se reunían. Las mujeres se reunían en otra habitación aparte. En las reuniones solamente Hebreos eran bienvenidos. Los paganos eran dejados afuera.

Pero aquí ahora es diferente. Nosotros somos diferentes del resto del mundo, del resto de la sociedad. Aquí hombres, mujeres y niños se reúnen juntos para ecuchar la Palabra de Dios. Aquí nos reunímos con extranjeros y desconocidos para comer y beber en la misma mesa. No ha sido mucho tiempo atrás “ellos y nosotros”. Todo el que cree en Jesús y lo sigue en su camino es ahora parte del cuerpo de Cristo. La línea de división que nos ha separado ahora se ha borrado por la fe en Cristo. Las barreras que nos mantenían aparte han sido ahora destruídas por la crus de Cristo. Aquellos que han estado una vez lejos han sido creados nuevos por la sangre de Cristo.

Muchos de nosotros han visto un desfile de naciones cuando el juego de las Olimpiadas comenzó. Ha sido una hermosa esperiencia. Muchas caras felíces una trás otras, todos entrando con un mismo fin. Ha sido el Señor quién dijo, “Yo vine a juntar las naciones de todas la lenguas; ellas vendrán y verán mi gloria...Ellos deberán traer todos sus hermanos y hermanas de todas las naciones como un ofrecimiento al Señor”. El Señor nos ha prometido a través de los profetas que la Santidad de su nombre será revelada en las reuniones de las naciones, desde el norte hasta el sur, desde el este al oeste. Es por esto que rezamos y decimos “santificado sea tu nombre, que venga tu reino, que se haga tu voluntad”.

Pero el mundo sigue dividido. Hay muchos que piensan que la voluntad del Señor ya se hizo, que el plan de Dios ya se cumplió cuando seguimos separados. Arash Miresmaaeli (Atleta Iraní de judo) ha dejado de jugar antes de competir con Ehud Vaks (Israletíta) Desde Irlanda hasta Iraquí se derráma sangre porque sentimos que somos amenazados por gentes diferentes a nosotros. Desde Abganistán a Argentina encontramos gentes y naciones que insísten en ser superiores. Esto no es lo que Dios espera de nosotros. Esto no es lo que Él desea. Esto no es la voluntad de Dios. Él lo describe muy claramente que el que se piensa primero, en realidad será el último.

Nosotros venimos de mucha naciones y países. Mis antepasados vinierón de Irlanda y Yo naci y fui criado en Hayward, CA. Nosotros no podremos hablar la misma lengua, pero no es nuestra lengua que nos une. No somos unidos por la palabra que podemos usar; más bien somos unidos por La Palabra, Jesucristo. Él es la Palabra que se hizo carne, y Él ha roto las barreras que nos mantenían apartados.

Es el Señor que esta reuniendo las naciones. Quién es el desconocido? Quién es el extranjero? En esta casa puede haber algún fugitívo?. Todos aquellos que creen en su Presencia, que vienen a su mesa, que siguen su camino,que comen y beben en su presencia, nosotros nos hacemos parte del cuerpo de Cristo, su cuerpo y su sangre haciendo su voluntad en la tierra como en el cielo.

Es mi esperanza poder hablar Español un dia para poder comunicarme con ustedes y no necesitar que alguien traduzca mis palabras. Hasta entonces, vamos a vivir como una familia, una familia en Cristo, cada uno buscando el camino del Señor, en comunión con Él, un cuerpo en Cristo.

It is time for us to return to the original experience, to the first days of the followers of Jesus. It is a time before church buildings and tabernacles, altar rails, pews, banners, missalettes and bibles. In those days we gathered in secret for Mass and we called it many things, liturgy, the breaking of the bread, the Lord’s Supper.

There was much about this experience that we knew. The leader pronounced the prayers, and the scripture readings were read. But there was much about the experience that was new and different. In the old synagogue it had just been the men who gathered. The women gathered in another room. In the old gatherings only fellow Hebrews were welcome. Gentiles were left outside.

But here it was now different. We were different from the rest of the world, from the rest of society. Here men, women and children gathered together to hear the word of God. Here we gathered with foreigners and strangers to eat and drink at the same table. It was no longer “them and us.” All who believed in Jesus and who followed in his way were now part of the body of Christ. The dividing line that had separated us was now erased by faith in Christ. The barriers that kept us apart have been destroyed by the cross of Christ. Those who were once far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.

Many of us last week witnessed a parade of nations as the Olympic Games began. It was truly a beautiful experience. Many smiling faces one after another, all entering a common pursuit. It was the Lord who said, “I come to gather nations of every language; they shall come and see my glory. … They shall bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations as an offering to the Lord.” The Lord has promised us through the prophets that the holiness of his name would be revealed in the gathering of the nations, from north to south, from east to west. It is this that we pray for when we say “hallowed by thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done.”

But the world is still divided. There are many who think that the Lord’s will is done, that God’s plan is accomplished when we are kept separate. “Iranian judo athlete Arash Miresmaeli dropped out of the games rather than compete against Israeli Ehud Vaks.” From Ireland to Iraq blood is shed because we feel threatened by people who are different from us. From Afghanistan to Argentina we find peoples and nations that insist on their superiority. This is not what God hoped for. This is not what he desired. This is clearly not God’s will. He very clearly says that if you think you are first, you will discover that you are last.

We come from many nations and countries. My ancestors come from Ireland and I was born and raised in Hayward, CA. We may not be able to speak each other’s language, but it is not our language that unites us. We are not united by the words we use; rather we are united in a living Word, Jesus Christ. He is the Word made flesh, and he has broken down the dividing wall that kept us apart.

It is the Lord who is gathering the nations. Who is a stranger? Who is a foreigner? In this house can anyone be a fugitive? All those who believe in his presence, who come to his table, who follow his way, who eat and drink of his presence, we become together part of the body of Christ, his flesh and blood doing his will one earth as it is in heaven.

It is my hope one day to be able to speak to you in your own language, when I will no longer need someone to translate my words. Until then, let us live as his family, one family in Christ, each seeking the Lord’s way, in his communion, one body in Christ.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 11:11 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

Okay, I was all packed by the end of May, and now I finally get started on the other side of the process. The crew here has been most dedicated, and the bookcases now installed and attached to the walls are quite beautiful. Finally some of the books are seeing the light of day again. Slowly but surely I will get moved in. As life returns to some normalcy, I am also sure that blogging will do the same.

The new bed arrived today also, so soon I may move from the guest room.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 9:27 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Fr. Raymond Cera, C.PP.S. September 17, 1920 – August 13, 2004

Fr. Raymond Cera, C.PP.S., 83, died at 4:28 a.m. on August 13, 2004, in the infirmary at St. Charles Center in Carthagena, Ohio. He had been in failing health for the past several months.

Fr. Cera was born on Sept. 17, 1920, in Lorain, Ohio, to Louis and Anna Cera. He entered the Missionaries of the Precious Blood in 1940 and was ordained on Feb. 2, 1946.

Much of Fr. Cera’s ministry was dedicated to the field of education at St. Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, IN, where he was professor of modern languages for many years. While at the college, Fr. Cera was also engaged in parish ministry and served for a time as Director of Seminarians. For three years he served the Precious Blood Community as Secretary General in Rome.

Fr. Cera dedicated much of his life to translating from Italian into English the thousands of letters and materials written by St. Gaspar del Bufalo, founder of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, and other documentation about the saint’s life so that the English-speaking world could appreciate and learn from this great apostle of the Precious Blood. One of Fr. Cera’s last projects was a collection of his talks about the life of St. Gaspar.

Fr. Cera shared his knowledge in many ways, teaching groups about St. Gaspar, submitting translations to the Community newsletter, and collaborating on other projects, always freely sharing what he had worked so hard to learn.

Fr. Cera was a natural teacher. When he spoke of the saint, his eyes would shine and his voice took on a storybook quality. He never seemed to tire of the subject to which he had devoted his scholarly life, and his enthusiasm spread to any who heard him speak about St. Gaspar.

Fr. Cera also was devoted to his family. It was their tradition to spend New Year’s Eve together. In later years, when poor health prevented him from traveling, he was still a part of the family circle as he called them at midnight, on the dot.

His survivors include two sisters and a brother-in-law, Clarice and Louis Broglio, and Laura Atkins, all of Lorain; a brother, John Cera, Rockville, Md., and several nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Three brothers, Lucius, Reno and Louis Jr., and a brother-in-law, Bernard Atkins, are deceased.

A mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Charles Center on Monday, August 16, 2004, at 2 p.m., the Fr. Angelo Anthony, C.PP.S., officiating. Burial will follow in the Community cemetery.

Calling hours at St. Charles will be held Sunday from 1-5 and 7-9 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Hogenkamp and Sons Funeral Home, Coldwater, is in charge of the arrangements.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 10:24 AM | TrackBack

The following was read at the beginning of the funeral Mass yesterday morning. Fr. Barry is our Moderator General in Rome.

Today we celebrate with love and gratitude a confrere who was very dear to all of us. I wish to pay my homage to a very good friend and to a true C.PP.S.er.

From the time Ray was my teacher at St. Joe College back in the ‘60s I admired him very much as a community member and dedicated professor. He taught me Spanish and gave me the necessary language skills so as to be able to face the challenges of mission in Latin America. But not only did he teach me the language skills, but he exuded a true love of language and inspired in me the desire to learn to express myself well in it. I had four years of Spanish with Ray and was his only fourth year Spanish student and that surely was something which also bonded us.

With Ray’s passing, the Congregation has lost one of her greats. He will be remembered by many in the Congregation as a man truly dedicated to the community and above all, in love with our Founder, St. Gaspar. His translations of St. Gaspar’s letters and other works concerning our Founder is invaluable. It was truly a monumental work which he continued for as long as he possibly could, up to a short time before his death. Through this work of love, many of our English-speaking members have come to know our Founder better. Our young men in formation for years have benefited from Fr.Ray’s conferences on St. Gaspar life and works. He brought our Founder alive for them and his love for Gaspar was contagious! THANK YOU, Fr. Ray, for the legacy you have left us. I bet his meeting with St. Gaspar was a very joy-filled one! And Ray probably had more than one question of clarification for our Founder!

From heaven Fr. Ray will continue to care for the Congregation he loved so much, for Gaspar’s sons. We hold you in our hearts, dear friend and confrere. ARRIVADERCI IL CIELO! (Till we meet again in heaven!).

Fr. Barry Fischer, C.PP.S.

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Tomorrow we celebrate our 189th birthday. We were founded August 15, 1815. Let us rejoice and be glad.

I would ask you to pray in a special way for the up and coming General Assembly meeting in Rome in September. It definitely will be a defining moment in our history.

St. Gaspar, the Apostle of the Precious Blood, pray for us.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 9:36 AM | TrackBack

I leave in the morning for Chicago. Sunday, 10:00am mass at St. John's in Whiting, IN will be the celebration of Br. Brian Boyle's Definitive Incorporation(Final Profession). Then Fr. Angelo and I will drive to Ohio where Monday at 2:00pm we will celebrate the life of Fr. Ray Cera. Monday night I fly back to California. I get home early Tuesday morning. A few friends and family are coming over that night for a Birthday BBQ. I will be 51.

I am still living in the guest room at the parish while the room is painted, the carpet has been taken up which reveals a beautiful hardwood floor which we will keep. Book cases are arriving soon, and I still need to buy a bed.

The first full week at the parish is drawing to a close. It is an amazing parish. I will be back to blogging soon.

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Please remember in prayer the soul of our brother,

Father Raymond Cera, C.PP.S.

He was called to his new life in Christ on Friday, August 13, 2004. Ray was born on September 17, 1920, in Lorain, Ohio, and was ordained on February 2, 1946.

Visitation will be on Sunday, August 15, from 1 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Charles Center, Carthagena, Ohio, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, August 16, at 2 p.m. in Assumption Chapel at St. Charles Center. Interment will follow in the Community Cemetery.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 12:56 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

I added a new category to the Blog: St. Edward Parish.

I have been here two weekends, and the people have been most gracious and welcoming. I have been to all the masses except for the Portuguese Mass, but will go to that in two weeks. (Next weekend I am in Chicago again)

This is my first Monday at the parish and it is time to get plugged in and moved in. I miss my books.

Today, buy a bed and some book cases, decide what to do with that ugly carpet, and clean out the room. I have a Finance comittee meeting tonight.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 7:49 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

The Chant CD is finished and available. It can be ordered directly from Fr. Heiman.

The cost is $10.00 and $2.00 for postage.

If you are anywhere near Newark, CA you can pick up a copy from me.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 11:39 AM | TrackBack

Pictures from the retreat.

The retreat talks -- A+
The location -- A+
The Comraderie -- A+
The meals -- A+
Having long spaces of free time for prayer and reflection -- priceless
The Liturgies -- C-

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 11:34 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack

The same issue of the Catholic Voice has some information about Retrouvaille.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 10:25 AM | TrackBack

I recieved word in tonight's email that Fr. Cera is in critical condition in the hospital back in Ohio.

Fr. Cera is the wonderful priest, great friend, translator of all of St. Gaspar's letters.

Please keep him in your prayers

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 9:42 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

The Catholic Voice is the paper of the Diocese of Oakland where I am now stationed. Their current issue has an article about my return to St. Edward.

The retreat was fine. More about that later.

Posted by Fr. Jeffrey Keyes, C.PP.S. at 9:39 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack