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Your are my beloved and in you I am well pleased

 As we celebrate this season of Lent we begin on Ash Wednesday with the blessing of ashes: ‘’Reform your life and live the good news, the Gospel’’. In these most challenging times in the FDNY, let us re-form our lives to hear anew in the center of our pain Jesus’ own words to us: ‘’I came that you may have life and have it to the full. I came that my joy would be in you and your joy complete. Peace I give you, my peace I leave you. I don’t call you servants; I call you friends because I have shared with you everything I have from my Father. While great things have been accomplished through me, these and greater than these will be accomplished through you. You are my beloved and in you I am well pleased’’.

                  Whatever is your own suffering let Jesus’ prayer on the cross be your own. He is not only Emmanuel, God with us, He is within us: ‘’My God, my God, why have you forsaken me. Let this cup pass from me, yet not my will, yours be done. Father forgive them. They know not what they are doing. Into your hands oh Lord I commend my spirit. It is finished’’!

               Members of the Holy Name Society proclaim ‘’to make the name of Jesus better known and better loved’’. St.Francis of Assisi said; ‘’Preach always and if you must use words’’. Let this silent witness of your everyday life make believable God’s love and compassion for others. And re-form your life so you can see yourself as God sees you: Beloved and delighted you exist.

Father Christopher Keenan, OFM

Jesus Suffered: and so may You

The season of Lent, culminating Holy Week, is a time to reflect on the Passion of Jesus Christ and the suffering He endured for our salvation. The Church set aside the forty-day period of Lent each year as a prescribed time to contemplate the meaning of our lives in retrospect to the life of Jesus. When one contemplates they are attempting to gain a deeper understanding of a mystery beyond their current comprehension. A mystery all humans seek to understand is why we do suffer?

   The suffering of Jesus Christ recounted the passion narratives of four Gospels reveals Jesus predicted three times to law. They will sentence Him to die and hand Him over to the Romans. They will mock Him, beat Him with their whips, and kill Him.’’ (Mark 10:33-34). Jesus was not the first human being to suffer misery. A scan of history, whether biblical or other written records, narrates accounts of human sorrow endured by both the innocent and the guilty. The story of Adam and Eve and their fall from grace is an attempt to explain the reasons for human suffering (see Genesis 3:15-19).

    Human anguish did not cease after the Paschal event. A perusal of the daily newspapers will convince everyone that human suffering continues today. Humans inflict this travail upon themselves and on each other, whether through sin, criminal acts, or terrorism. Natural disasters, appropriately or not termed Acts of God, are another cause of Human hardship. The fact that we are destined to suffer from forces within or beyond our control seems reasonable to accept.

          The Catholic faith asserts that God is the Creator and Master of the universe and through His wisdom and power He has set all things in order. We can therefore conclude that there is a Divine purpose for suffering, while not positively willed by God, certainly allowed. During Jesus’ earthly His disciples asked, ‘’Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?’’ Jesus’ answered, ‘’Neither he nor his parents sinned; it is so that the works of God might be manifested through him’’ (John 9:2-3). Jesus’ answer confirmed the ancient theology of Second Isaiah and the author of the Book of Job that for some reason God allows the innocent to suffer adversity.

         The exilic period was a time of great theological though and growth for Judaic religion. The pre-exilic prophets condemned Israel for her sins and directly contributed her suffering to that misconduct. Reflecting on the deprivation of the exile and acknowledging that the people suffering were not responsible for that actions of their ancestors the author of Second Isaiah (Isaiah chapters 40-55) developed that the theology of vicarious suffering against the though God exacts individual retribution. That someone could suffer vicariously for the sins of others allows Christians to accept the death of Jesus as the force of their redemption.

         The post-exilic Book of Job explicitly brings into question the theology of retribution, when Job asks where is my quilt that I have been treated with such punishment? Psalm 49 also question whether God always chastises sinners in this world and that only the guilty suffer, since from an earthly perspective the evil often prosper while the innocent suffer. The psalmist actually takes for granted that retribution is not a correct theological doctrine when he states, ‘’Don’t be dismayed when the wicked grown rich, …in this life they consider themselves fortunate, but they will die like all others’’ (Ps49:16-19). The same psalmist says, ‘’as for me, God will redeem my life’’ (Ps 49:15).

Steadfast in our belief that God derives no pleasure from our distress we must conclude that suffering must somehow be for our own good. That good may very well be the manifestation of God’s glory in our lives, as it was when Jesus healed the blind man (John 9:30-33). God is not the cause of human suffering, the sinful nature of humanity has brought the hardship into the world. Human nature became distorted from its original state by poor use of our free will endowment. Knowing this we can believe that there is a Divine objective, yet not cause, for our suffering.

     From the good news of Jesus Christ we also learn that the guilty suffer for their wrong-doing. A clear example of this is when the paralytic is forgiven his sins and result gets up and walks (Mark 2:1-12). Most of first century Galilee thought that people suffered ailments because of past misconduct (see John 9:34). Jesus by recognizing the sinfulness of the paralytic acknowledges sin as a reason for suffering. Despite cause for the suffering, the glorification of God is realized by the release from the affliction (see Mark 2:12).

      Jesus knew that He was to suffer and die at the hands of the Jews and Gentiles and even so He journeyed towards His ordeal was prayer with the Father. In one such prayer Jesus admits to being troubled and asks, ‘’Father, glorified Your Name.’’ God responded, I have glorified it and will glorify it again’’ (John 12:27-28). The Bible reiterates two themes; first, that God’s true purpose is the good of humankind and that human suffering has its end in the glorification of God, “the Lord gave me everything that I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord” (Jon 1:21).

     Jesus was betrayed by an associate, denied by a friend, and abandoned by his disciples. We know from our own experiences that the emotional trauma Jesus must have felt from the desertion of those He loved was far more painful than the humiliation and physical pain inflicted by His enemies. Note that God was not the author of Jesus’ anguish. Jesus suffered and died as a direct result of human malice. Jesus accepted His suffering because He believed he promises made to Him by the Father. Hope and faith is where we derive our strength.

      We have the strength to endure suffering by the grace of the Holy Spirit. Through our baptism the virtues of faith, hope, and charity are supernaturally infused into our souls. Those virtues enable us to accept and offer up our currents suffering, in imitation of Christ, for the less fortunate than ourselves here on earth and for the souls in purgatory. The Church teaches us to offer our suffering to God praying for the souls in purgatory. Admittedly this may seem like a foreign concept to us, but how often do we make kind gestures to friends and strangers and appreciate the same? We all know someone in purgatory and quit likely will spend some time in purgatory ourselves.

       Next time we want to seek revenge or complain about some wrong done to us, we can think of the words of Christ, “When I am lifted up from the earth (hanging on the cross), I will draw everyone to myself’’ (John 13:32). Inspired by these words, we know that God has destined us to be with Him and Jesus in Heaven some day. No suffering on earth can distract us from our ultimate goal. Instead, by mystery known only to God, it may be significant in our reaching salvation.

       A Christian interpretation of the Old Testament does not postulate the ancient erroneous idea that God is some sort of tyrant looking to punish sinners. The very nature of our gift of freedom indicates that when we misuse it we will suffer. God does not bring suffering upon the people He created rather He allows an unwanted evil to take place because He refuses to retract His endowment of free will. What God does is transform this nonconformity to good into an event that manifests His Glory and therefore brings His people closer to Himself.

Tom Roche

The Ghetto Firefighter 

  During the years of the 1970’s and 80’s New York City became a roaring inferno in the Ghetto’s of Brooklyn, the Bronx, Harlem and Lower Manhattan. Fires were burning continually for reasons for insurance, for arson, just for fun and games, and for many unknown causes. It was a crazy time and the cream of the crop the Ghetto Firefighters was born. The men who drew the strength from the brothers around them. The men with powerful hearts, iron lungs, a desire to show fires they can be defeated and a passion for the job they loved. Some of the worlds’ greatest firefighters existed in this era. They received little praise but it did not trouble them. They just did the job. Rescues were being made and heros’ were emerging and God was always watching their actions. He was part of their leadership and goodness.

    The Ghetto Firefighters returned to the firehouse shelter, dirty, sweating, choking, tiered, and with painful headaches but they kept going. They always looked for the support by examples and encouragement of their fellow firefighters. Many of us have problems today and are looking for real solutions now.

     Those times have passed. Now the era of terrorism has raised its ugly head. The hell a cast of the World Trade Center has changed the methods of firefighting and issues in new methods to combat fires. Methods of firefighting have changed but God has never left the fire grounds. He will always show us the way.

     It is now that we can all come together, the new biological warfare technicians and the older Ghetto Firefighters and our friends to honor the many who have departed this life on the battle grounds or have left by natural causes. This coming October, join us at the Annual Firefighter Retreat at the Bishop Molloy Retreat House. It is a time for support, encouragement, and renewal. We cannot forget our fellow firefighters. Mark it on your calendar. It will be the easiest hallway you will ever have to make.

Retired Battalion Chief Jim Schuppel

Walt’s Retiree’s Corner

Mickey Collis gave me a call. Mickey was the president of HNS from 1970 through 1972. He was chairman of the St. Patrick Parade 1960 to 1970 and we reminisced about past Holy Name breakfasts when we had thousands in attendance. Mickey came on the job April 1954 and was assigned to Eng 55 and retired December 1974. He was married in 1956, his wife Katherine can be proud of Mickey and their 4 children, 3 sons a state dept contractor, surveyor, and one in the plastics industry. Their daughter works for the US Military, she is not a soldier. Mickey is a member of American Legion Post 290, he is adjutant and was the Post Commander. He told me story when Bill Lanagan HNS Delegate was transferring from Eng 55 He told Mickey you got it. Mickey said, “I hardly go to church”. Bill replied “Start going.” Mickey met Joe Reily President of the HNS and Joe asked Mickey to help out at the Cloisters, It turned out they had to move Mother Cabrini’s casket. It was all glass and weighed a ton; it took ten or twelve firefighters to move it. From that day forward it felt good going to church, so we could say Mother Cabrini moved Mickey!

 I had a chance to talk to Firefighter Eileen Gregan who was appointed Sep 20, 1982. Eileen spent 11years in Eng 250 and 11 years working Battalion 35. Elieen has lots of friends on and off the job. She always shows up at events like the HNS Communion Breakfast and the Fr. Julian Deekan Memorial Mass. Medal Day etc. I wish I could say that for some other firefighter. She’s to modest to tell a fire story, but recently Monsignor John and Eileen attended a graduation at Proby School.

    Eileen parked Monsignor’s black car under a tree and it seems migrated starlings paused for a pit stop. Monsignor said he liked his car better in black rather then the grey with the green! Anybody know of a good car wash!

   Most firefighters received a copy of the firefighters’ news letter, two items that may be of interest are the Auto Accident 30day rule and the Uninsured / Under insured motorist coverage, if ever in an accident as a driver or passenger. Check out the website www.firelaw.com to find out more information.

   Bob Straub, your name was accidentally left out of the last issue of the newsletter when I said “Hope you will continue to show up at the Bronx Evens”!

   Tom Murray an old friend and retired chide with Bat 14 sent me a story about George Desmarais, a firefighter from Eng. 80. George was appointed Jan 1, 1952 and spent 26years in Eng 80 and the next 6 in Ambulance 1 on 133st and Lenox, Eng 59 and Lad 30. I understand George was an EMT. George was married to the love of his life, Catherine in 1947 and lost her in 1999. He and Catherine have four children, Marianne who is a nurse/midwife, Kathy who is a teacher, George who is an engineer, and Debbie who is in business, and teaching it to companies. Debbie was so helpful conveying what I asked George as he cannot hear very well. George was a co-pilot and flew 19combat missions over France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia coming back from one mission with 50 266mm holes in his plane. George’s total flight time is 1,100hours which includes learning how to fly the b29 for the invasion of Japan. George’s personal history of the war was recorded for the Library of congress.

   Retired chief Tom Murray and Chief Jack Caulkin have arranged a reunion and will pick up George on Jan 11, 2005 and bring George to meet his friends from Eng 59 and Lad 30.

    Take a moment to pray for our service men and sick members/

       Here is a joke sent in: What is a good day? When I wake up and see the ceiling. If I see clouds I am either in heaven, or my house blew away!

        If you have a message or a joke, or a story, or want to contact an old friend, call 914-779-1826 or write: Walt Whitmore, 126 Windermere Drive, Yonkers, NY 10710

Walt Whitmore

President’s Message 

I would like to wish everyone a Happy, Healthy, and a Joyous New Year. Thanks to all our members who participate in our “Duce a Man Sheet” and all our Retiree’s who send in a little extra with their dues. Because of you, we were able to send out checks before Christmas to the children, the blind, the elderly, the frail, the homeless, and other religious. These checks made their Christmas a little brighter.

   With the warmer weather returning, our activities begin to increase. Mark the following dates for our spring meetings: March 7^th (we will be in the Bronx), April 4^th (we will be in Staten Island), and May 2^nd (we will be in Long Islands). The St.Patric’s day parade and celebration Committee once again has a Scholarship Contest for our children. Don’t forget the St.Patric’s day parade Thursday, March 17^th! If you are not marching come and give us a hand at the Armory, we can use all the help we can get on that day. If you do march, we can always use your help in the clean up! Our company Holy Name Delegates will receive a pass for the Armory, details to follow at a later date.

    This year our Annual Communion Mass and Breakfast will be held on Sunday, April 10^th. The 10:15a.m. Mass will be followed by breakfast at the New York Hilton Hotel. Please note that this year is 2weeks after Easter! During the breakfast the High School scholarship will be awarded along with the drawing for the Higher Education Scholarships. If you are a member in good standing, your children & grandchildren are eligible for the Holy Name Society Scholarship programs. Application for the Higher Education Scholarship must be submitted by March 26^th! Our annual Captain Timothy Stackpole Retreat is being held on October 20^th at the Bishop Molloy Retreat House.

      Also I know I said this before, but this time things seem to be coming together so be on the lookout for our website: http://www.fdnyholynamesociety.com

       We ask all our members to take a little time out of your busy schedules and join us as we celebrate the ‘’Year of the Eucharist’’, where Jesus Christ gives Himself to us as the ‘’Body of Life’’, to help us in our journey through life.

Joe Bryant