POTOCNAK IN ROME:
Bishop Joseph Potocnak, SCJ, bishop of the diocese of De Aar, South Africa, is in Rome this month for his ad limina visit. Although he is staying at the Vatican, he has stopped at the Generalate several times for a visit with SCJs. Following his time here in Rome, he will make a brief trip to the United States to make mission appeals and visit with family.

DINING AT BRITISH AIRWAYS' EXPENSE:
Fr. John Czyzynski, provincial superior of the U.S. Province, got to Rome minus one of his bags. Evidently the computers were down when he checked in at London and the bag got lost in the shuffle of things. When he reported the incident, British Airways offered Fr. John about 160,000 lira for his inconvenience and vowed to deliver the bag as soon as it was found.

Well, it didn't take the English-speakers too long to sniff out the money. A few SCJs from the United States, Canada and South Africa decided to take Bishop Joe Potocnak out for his birthday last week. Of course, they invited Fr. John and his new-found riches. Thanks to British Airways, the bishop had a lovely Italian meal to celebrate his birthday. Oh, and Fr. John reports that the bag was found, so all's well that end's well.

A POET AMONG US:
Of course we knew that there were many scholarly men among the delegates, but little did we realize that we had a published poet within our midst. Fr. Andrew Ryder, director of mission animation recently got word that the following poem was to be published:

"Autumn Promise"
I shall pour clean water on you
I shall take your sins away.
You need never fear the darkness,
Near to hold you I will stay.

I shall put my Spirit in you:
He will change your heart of stone,
I have placed my Son beside you:
You will never feel alone.

Blessed and fruitful I shall make you,
If my covenant you hold.
Planted toil of spring and summer
In this season will unfold.

Just as joyful farmers gather,
Sheaves of wheat to cut and crop,
Close-clipped fields attest the harvest
Bagged and baled on tractor top.

As a son of man did promise,
Bones once dead would breathe anew;
You the Son of Man will quicken
In his heart, lance-pierced through.

From this Temple of his Glory
Living streams on you will flow.
For the welfare of my People
Autumn favour He will show.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Fr. Richard Woodbury of the French-Canadian Province celebrated his 26th anniversary of ordination May 16. His provincial, Fr. Maurice Légaré took him out for dinner to celebrate (unfortunately, all of Fr. Maurice's bags arrived with him in Rome, so he had to pay for the meal out of his own money -- unlike Bishop Potocnak's friends).

YOUTH ABOUNDS:
Although several delegates speak of the "aging" of the congregation, it should be noted that within the chapter quite a bit of youth is found. As tradition would have it, the youngest delegates will serve as tellers. They are: Fr. Stefan Tertünte of the German Province, who is 31, and Br. Jorge Torres Santibañe of Chile, who is also 31.

Mary Gorski
mgiornal@scj.org
Rome, Italy