Faith Offman, Associate Director of Ministry at St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat and Conference Center in Detroit, Michigan, walks us through the importance of the Liturgical Year living in God’s Time.
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May the Passion of Jesus Christ Video
National Vocations Awareness Week
Please join the Passionists in celebrating National Vocation Awareness Week, November 3-9, 2024.
We invite you to participate in this meaningful, week-long event that calls Catholics across the United States to prayerfully reflect on, appreciate and promote vocations to the priesthood, diaconate and consecrated life.
As Passionists, we are especially grateful for the gift of our Charism, as given to us by our Holy Founder, St. Paul of the Cross. This Charism, the powerful witness of God’s love through the sufferings and death of Jesus, continues to guide our global Passionist community and our ministries today.
May this week inspire you, enrich your faith and motivate you to promote the gift of religious vocations in your community.
There are many stages of formation and discernment when considering a vocation to become a Passionist priest or brother. The Province Vocation Director helps you discover the direction in which the Holy Spirit is leading you. Our first desire is to begin to get to know you, who you are and your life experience thus far. It is also a time for you to get a better understanding of the Passionists. Thus, the conversations and the questions!
Want to know more about life as a religious sister, brother or priest? In these featured profiles and videos from the National Religious Vocations Conference, some of our newest Catholic religious sisters, brothers and priests will give you a glimpse of who they are, what gives them hope and what led them to their vocation.
For more information about a vocation as a Passionist Priest or Brother, contact:
Fr. John Schork, CP
847-518-8844, ext. 307
[email protected]
View an electronic vocation brochure:
Vocation Brochure - English
Vocation Brochure - Spanish
Download and print our vocation brochure:
Vocation Brochure - English
Vocation Brochure - Spanish
Check out the following links for more vocation resources:
Fr. Simon Herbers, CP ~ 2018 Compassion Award Recipient
Congratulations to Fr.Simon Herbers, CP, 97, recipient of the Compassion Award for the 2018 Gold Standard Award for Optimal Aging, presented by the University of Louisville, Institute for Sustainable Health and Optimal Aging.
Nominated by Dr. Terry McDevitt, Michelle Rudovich and Fr. David Cohour, CP.
“The Institute presents this award to an individual or couple, age 85 or older, who exemplifies optimal aging – someone who is making the most of what their later years bring and continues to love life.
The Gold Standard Award for Optimal Aging Award Ceremony & Luncheon celebrates and honors older adults who embody the Institute’s vision for a world where all older adults lead engaged and flourishing lives.”
Bio:
Fr. Simon Herbers, CP, is a “golden” example of how to optimally respond to age-related changes! Two years ago, as a member of the Passionist religious order, he was transferred to the to the Passionist assisted living facility at Sacred Heart Monastery in Louisville, Kentucky, after living and ministering in Houston, Texas, for 30 years, Instead of letting his ministry and active life fade with age and a new home, Simon responded with flexibility, energy and grace. He jumped into ministry in Louisville, continuing his newsletter for seniors, Think Life. He sought out a writer to document his prison ministry. He started visiting seniors at Nazareth Home, a skilled nursing facility in Louisville. Simon continued his openness to new experiences and began participating in the Compassionate Louisville Elder Cousel. His active approach to life and ministry is inclusive, humble and grounded by love. Simon’s ability, to be “love” for others – while aging – is seen in his ministry.
Fr. Simon’s Passionist Family and friends gathered for the awards ceremony and luncheon,
September 7, 2018, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Prayer for Healing
“What’s to fear?
I’m excited about the future.”
~Fr. Jim Thoman, CP, March 13, 2010
Prayer for Healing
Loving God, help me surrender my
will to you, this day and every day, in
complete and loving trust.
Free me from anxiety over the past
and fear of the future. Accept my
gratitude this day for the gift of life
You have given so generously to me.
Guide me in my struggles so that
I may bear witness to the living hope
found in you.
Bless me, O Lord, and each of us, for
In you we have nothing to fear and
everything to anticipate with joy. Amen.
Fr. Jim’s Prayer
“Pillars” of the Community
In 2015, it was discovered that the southernmost pillar on the front portico had rotted through and is in danger of collapsing. A campaign was created in 2016 to raise the necessary funds to replace the pillar.
Through the generosity of our benefactors, enough funds were raised to replace the pillar, paint all four pillars and the porch above, restoring the front entrance of the monastery to its stately appearance.
Please take a moment to watch the video below to see the installation of the new pillar.
A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
The day begins at Sacred Heart Monastery in Louisville, Kentucky, as it has for decades: in prayer. The Passionist priests and brothers in residence at Sacred Heart gather at 7:45 to pray the Office each day, and then Mass begins at 8 a.m. The beautiful chapel fills with warm light that streams through the stained glass windows. The men’s voices resonate in prayer and a sense of peace envelopes the space.
A community breakfast follows and then the men head off in a variety of directions. Some of the more active Passionists will head out for preaching or teaching assignments. But because Sacred Heart Monastery has been designated as the Province residence for senior or infirm Passionists, on any given day Br. John Monzyk, the local superior, or Br. Kurt Wernert, the administrator of assisted living, may be taking one of the several senior Passionists to a doctor’s appointment or conferring with medical staff to ensure that medication is being properly taken.
There is also the building itself to be cared for –Br. John Monzyk can often be found brainstorming with contractors about how to address a leaky roof, for example. Recently a leak was discovered in the Monastery’s basement. Prior to that a campaign was held to replace one of the four pillars that adorns the front entrance because of rot and potential structural damage. Once the new pillar was
in place, all four pillars and the porch above were painted. This project was completed with the helpful generosity of our benefactors.
Of the senior Passionists who reside at Sacred Heart Monastery, Fr. Simon Herbers, at 97, is the oldest Passionist in Holy Cross Province. You will often find him in his room, absorbed in a book or working on his newsletter, Think Life, geared toward senior citizens. Each week the men gather for group exercise, led by Lisa. The sessions involve laughter and conversation in addition to the leg and arm “reps.”
There is group prayer again in the early evening, but you may also see a Passionist emerging from prayer in the chapel late at night after the others have gone to bed. Contemplation is a rich part of Passionist spirituality, along with community life and ministry. In fact, senior Passionists are especially devoted to prayer and view their active prayer life as ongoing service to the Province and Passionist friends and benefactors.