Tagaste Newsletter
January, 2020
__________________________________________________________
 
New Year’s greetings to all of our SAR and Guild members and the Hispanic Committee!
 
Christmas in Belvidere. Frs. John Gruben and John Oldfield joined Recollect friars from St. Nicholas Monastery in Union City, NJ, for the traditional post-Christmas party at the Recollect Sisters in Belvidere, NJ on December 30. As usual, the Sisters had a wonderful buffet with many different dishes and some scrumptious desserts and, of course, home-made rompope, and even a large tray of buñuelos to take home! After lunch there was a lively sing-along of Christmas carols with everyone improvising on tambourines and drums, and later an exchange of gifts. In spite of the bad weather, the spirits were high and all enjoyed the Sisters’ joyful hospitality.
 

“On the sixth day of Christmas”: Recollect friars join AR Sisters for lunch at the convent in
Belvidere, NJ, December 30, 2019
 
Cardinal’s visit . Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York surprised the Recollects and parishioners of Sacred Heart Church by announcing that he would come and celebrate the 5:30 PM New Year’s Vigil Mass on December 31. The people were delighted to see the Cardinal who brought his trademark comical and casual style to the evening liturgy, and afterwards dropped in for a short visit at the rectory where the friars, several staff members, and newly ordained Fr. Walter Genito and his parents were present for an early New Year’s toast. The Cardinal was staying at the house belonging to the Archdiocese in Sloatsburg, NY. He frequently visits the local parishes while he is staying in the area.
 
Epiphany, 2020. The three kings followed a star to Suffern and appeared just in time for the 10:30 AM Mass at Tagaste on Sunday, January 5. They brought their traditional gifts—gold, frankincense and myrrh—to the manger scene; later they brought the offertory gifts to the altar. Fr. John Gruben was the main celebrant. After Mass all enjoyed chocolate and pasteles in the Guild Hall . . . that same afternoon the SAR fraternity of Tagaste hosted its annual Epiphany pot-luck lunch. Some 25 fraternity members and guests bought enough food to serve an army. Everyone sang Christmas carols, shared stories, and received Christmas presents.
 

              We Three Kings: Members of the Hispanic committee and servers join Fr. John Gruben
 and los tres reyes on Sunday, January 5 in the Tagaste chapel
 

       SAR Epiphany party: Fr. John Oldfield is front and center (left!) with Frs. Michael
       Rafferty and John Gruben, SAR members, and guests for annual get-together on
      January 5
 

 
New Year’s Eve surprise (l to r): Frs. Walter Genito and Michael Rafferty, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, and Fr. John Gruben at Sacred Heart rectory after Cardinal celebrated New Year’s Eve Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Suffern, NY
 
 

 
“Tis the season to be jolly”: AR sisters lead the singing at the Christmas celebration at the convent in Belvidere, NJ, on December 30
The next meeting of the Tagaste SAR will be Wednesday, February 5 beginning at 2:00 PM in the fireplace room. All members of the fraternity are encouraged to attend and to be on the lookout for prospective new members.
 
The Hispanic Committee of Tagaste in conjunction with the Pius X Guild will hold its annual St. Valentine’s dinner-dance on Saturday, February 15, beginning at 6 PM. [See enclosed flyer for more information]
 
Please pray for healing and strength for: Peggy Evans, and Sr. Mary John (St. Zita’s)
 
Fr. John Gruben, OAR, prior
Theresa Giampaglia, SAR president
Connie Montanye, Guild president
 
 
 

Fr. James Brown, OAR, 1921-2019
 
Into Eternal Life: The Tagaste community was saddened to hear of the death of Fr. James Brown, OAR. He died after a long illness on December 8, 2019. He had been cared for in these last few years by the Sister Servants of Mary at Mary Health of the Sick Nursing Home in Newbury Park, CA, and frequently visited by our friars who also celebrate Mass at the facility. After funeral services in Oxnard, CA, and Omaha, NE, Fr. Brown was buried in the community plot in Kansas City, KS. Fr. Brown was one of the first Recollect friars to reside at Tagaste Monastery after it formally opened in 1952. He was instrumental in founding the Tagaste chapter of the Secular Augustinian Recollects.