Father General graces the centenary celebration of St. Joseph Parish, Lodi and visits Adorno Communities in South Carolina
After nine hours of flight from Rome, Fr. General Raffaele Mandolesi, CRM and a coadjutor brother Fra. Carmine Pellegrino arrived in Newark on April 18, 2017. They came to join the centenary celebration of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lodi NJ since it was founded in 1917.
A lot of preparations have been made beginning in 2016 for this year’s centenary including a series of concerts and fund raising for the said event.
The centenary’s highlight is the thanksgiving Mass presided by His Most Excellency Joseph Cardinal Tobin. Adorno Priests from different parishes came also to join the celebration. Fr. Frank, Pastor of St. Anne and Jude in Sumter, Fr. Jason, Pastor of Immaculate Conception in Goosecreek, and Fr. Ed, Pastor of Jesus, Our Risen Savior came to con-celebrate at the thanksgiving Mass on April 23, 2017.
Adorno Priests from the Philippines also came to attend the celebration as they have been part of the life and growth of St. Joseph Catholic Church. Other Adorno Priests from South Carolina came also to Lodi to attend the anniversary gala on the 25th of April.
The Father General met the majority of the US-Philippine Delegation priests to discuss important things of the Order. One of the topics was the 2018 General Chapter in Rome. A lot of changes will be made all for the good of the Order. He specially reminded the Adornos to live the Charism God has entrusted to us in every aspect of life.
On one of his visits, he stopped by to say hello to the Flock15 (young adult group) in Spartanburg. He was pleased to see young people get together, read the Scriptures and reflect on them. He encouraged them to listen to the voice of God in their life. The good shepherd, who calls each one by name, wants to have a personal relationship with each individual.
After visiting each religious house as part of the canonical visit, Fr. General Raffaele and Fra. Carmine returned to Rome on May 5, 2017.