The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

Alumni Update

Special Easter greetings to one and all!

We are writing to you as members of our Passionist Family and providing an initial report on the formation of a Passionist Alumni group/website that was announced in early February.

To put it simply:  we’ve had a very encouraging response!  The comments, references and “spirit” shared from the 30+ folks who responded prompt this update – and the activities currently underway.  Thanks to all who responded!

A quick review:  As the Passionist Family has been blessed by the lives of countless men over the years in all phases of Passionist life, the idea of continuing to foster that spirit has been promoted by many.  An alumni “tab” was added to our Province web site, www.passionist.org. Various types of data are being gathered to foster communication, share memories, and encourage one another in many ways.  To say the least, the response thus far has been gratifying, lively and future-directed.

Looking to the future and building upon the initial response, we’re trying to:

  • further promote and fine-tune the resource that is the web site;
  • get a team of alumni to form a foundational “think-tank” to work with the information gathered; and
  • plan some of the events/experiences suggested in the surveys received thus far.

Practically-speaking, one action is a “think-tank” meeting of four alumni to take place in Chicago on the afternoon of May 16…AND, a Chicago/regional gathering of alumni the evening of May 16…with a number of area vowed Passionists joining in the festivities at our former Chicago monastery on Harlem Avenue, now known as the “Senior Suites of Norwood Park”.

So, please continue to spread the word about this new venture and encourage folks to sign up via the alumni-tab on the www.passionist.org web site.  Ideas are most welcome, as is your offer of help to make things happen – this venture will succeed with the involvement of many of us!  Let’s continue our prayer for one another, our country, our world – and especially our Passionist Family.  Keep in touch!

“May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!”

Joe-Moons-Sig
Joe Moons, CP
Provincial Superior
Fr-John-Schork-Signature
John Schork, C.P.
Director, Alumni Relations
Ash Wednesday

On March 2, the Church celebrates Ash Wednesday. 

Most of us learned early in our Catholic lives that Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, and that is a time of special sacrifice in preparation for the Easter celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection.

Dear brothers and sisters, every moment of our lives is a time for believing, hoping and loving…. These words of Pope Francis, taken from his Lenten Message of last year, 2021, and echoing the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity, can still inspire our answer to the question: “What am I giving up for Lent?” 

We can draw our Lenten sacrifices out of our daily life: 

Share our faith in God’s presence by sharing in prayer with our family or with those in our parish community.
Share our hope in God’s promises by encouraging positive and respectful dialogue in our family circle and among our friends. 
Share the charity God has bestowed on us in the Passion of Jesus, with those whose sufferings are ignored or aggravated.

Let us pray for one another as we enter the season of Lent. Our Passionist “motto” can be our daily prayer during Lent, “May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts.”