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Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, named rector of the Basilica Shrine
On May 19, The Basilica Shrine of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal held the investiture of Fr. John Kettelberger, CM, as rector of the Basilica Shrine. This took place as Bishop Efren V. Esmilla of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, celebrated the Perpetual Novena and Holy Mass.
Everyone at the Basilica Shrine asks Our Lady’s blessings upon Fr. Kettelberger. You can watch the Investiture on the Basilica Shrine’s YouTube channel.
Vinsights
Vincentian insights from the Province
Fr. Tom McKenna, CM
“I was a student at a Catholic college on a work scholarship. Part of my job was to wax and buff the floors of the chapel when no one was there. On one night, I somehow began to take extra notice [of] the statues and paintings and Bible-words that were all around me. And the question came to me, ‘Is any of this real?’“
Fr. Pat Griffin, CM
“Discipleship places demands upon a person. The cost is measured: by one’s heart in true love of the Lord; by one’s actions as one serves one’s brothers and sisters on behalf of the Lord; and by one’s life as one surrenders oneself willingly and completely to walking after the Lord.”
Fr. Aidan Rooney, CM, gives homily celebrating Vincentians’ 400th at St. John's
On May 1, 2025, Fr. Aidan Rooney, CM, Executive VP for Mission at St. John’s University, provided a homily as the university in our Eastern Province celebrated the Vincentians’ 400th anniversary.
Here is a transcript:
From our Vincentian universities
Support the work of the Vincentians!
The Vincentian Priests and Brothers of the Eastern Province serve those on the margins in areas often forgotten by the world.
Make a recurring gift to the Central Association of the Miraculous Medal. Your generosity provides the Vincentians with much-needed stability and lifts us into the future with the confidence of your consistent support.
As a thank you for joining our Rays of Hope giving society, we’ll send you this tote bag in hopes you enjoy it and use it often to help share the Vincentian mission and Blessed Mother with everyone you meet.
A
message
from
Father
Steve
Grozio,
CM
Dear friends,
Congratulations to our Jubilarians
Many confreres celebrate their anniversaries around this time of year, and it is an opportunity for us to recognize our special jubilarians. Congratulations to Frs. John Freund and Jerry Luttenberger who celebrate their 60th anniversaries, to Frs. Jack Kane, Tom McKenna, Mike Shea, and Steve Bicsko who celebrate their 55th anniversaries, and to Fr. Bill Allegretto, who celebrates his 40th. This coming Sunday these confreres will be recognized at Family Day in Philadelphia for their many years of faith-filled, dedicated service of God’s people. Let us continue to pray for them and for vocations.
Fr. Vincent O’Malley, CM’s Last Book
Fr. Vince’s sixth, and last, book, “Friends and Foes: Little Known Facts of Christian-Muslim Relations,” is now available on Google Books. The description on the back cover reads, “He [O’Malley] applauds major achievements produced by Christian-Muslim cooperation, and criticizes tragedies each religious group perpetrated. Friends and Foes transcends partisan politics and sectarian apologetics.” Click here to obtain a copy.
Yours in St. Vincent,
Fr. Steve Grozio, CM
Trivia time!
1. Pope Leo XIV prayed before the artwork Salus Populi Romani. Who does it depict?
2. Whose feast day is May 9?
3. What is competitively chased down Cooper’s Hill in England?
last week’s results
1. Who sat in seat 2 of row 19 in section 140 for Game 1 of the 2005 World Series in Chicago?
24 correct answers
2. What Paris landmark has been added to the conclusion of the Tour de France?
16 guesses
7 correct answers
3. What is the state animal of New York?
17 guesses
12 correct answers
Prayer requests
Please pray for the repose of the souls of:
All the Vincentian Priests and Brothers who have gone before us
Please remember in your prayers:
Our confreres in St. Catherine’s Infirmary
All those affected by war
All those affected by natural disasters
All victims of violence and their families
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