SOLT

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A Message from the Gener al Priest Servant

Dear Friends of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity,
One of the great promises that Jesus gave to his apostles was that those who
leave their life behind to follow Him would gain much more in return, not only in
the next life but already here in this life, in terms of brothers and sisters, homes,
etc. As a member of a religious community made up of priests, sisters, brothers
and laity, one definitely experiences the acute growth of brothers and sisters that
Jesus speaks of! In early May, I was privileged enough to attend the SOLT Asia
Pacific Regional Assembly and ordinations in the Philippines. The visit was, once
again, a great reminder of the wonderful gift that my brothers and sisters are
in the community and what tremendous people they are. I cant share a story of
each of the members of the SOLT family, but I would like to briefly tell you a little
bit about a few of them.
The newly ordained, Deacon James Castillo, is among the many Filipinos who
are wonderfully talented in music. However, Deacon Jim takes things to another
level by composing his own music. It isnt often that one attends an ordination
where the communion song and the musical setting for the Responsorial Psalm
are written and composed by one of the ordinandee! I was awestruck at the
beauty of the composition. Every vocation is a gift, but to see such talent being put
at the service of God and the Church is truly a beautiful sight to behold!
Anchalee is a 19 year old young lady from Thailand who is aspiring to become a SOLT sister and has just entered the next phase of her formation program
which takes place in the Philippines. Our community is blessed with a number of
exceptional Thai sisters, but at this moment, they all reside outside of the Philippines. As a result, Anchalee is beginning her experience not only far away from
home, but also without being able to communicate verbally with any of the sisters
there. While I am sure she will pick up the local language quickly enough, I was
amazed at her remarkable faith, courage and determination in pursuing her discernment of a calling to religious life in SOLT in the face of significant challenges.
Fr. Simon Paglau is an intelligent, sophisticated priest from near Mount
Hagan in Papua New Guinea, whom I had the privilege of meeting for the first
time. Fr. Simon went through seminary and formation in the Philippines and has

now been serving in Ghana, Africa for the past two years. His sincerity and zeal
for the people he serves is immediately apparent from conversing with him. I was
truly struck at his incredible journey that took him from Papua New Guinea to
the Philippines to Ghana!
Finally, Fr. Pedro Balde (from the Philippines), Fr. Sam Medley (from Minnesota) and Fr. Zachary of the Mother of God Shallow (from Michigan) are three
priests who have been assigned to work in formation at the major seminary
level in the Asia Pacific Region. Fr. Pedro, Fr. Sam and Fr. Zachary of the Mother
of God are being brought together as a team from missions and ministries that
they loved in Macau, China; Hythe, England; and, Corpus Christi, Texas respectively. Their missionary spirit and enthusiasm is quite contagious and should be
an invaluable component of the gifts they have to offer those in formation. I was
extremely edified at their promptness and willingness to accept such a drastic
shift in assignment and location in order to share their significant gifts with those
in formation. What better way to help form priests to be missionaries then by
priests who are living as missionaries even while in formation!
I certainly dont pretend that any of our SOLT family members are perfect
or without limitations and weaknesses. However, as I travel around to our various missions and have the privilege to get to know our members better, I cannot
help but be grateful to God for calling me to be a small part of a community that
possesses members with such diversity, zeal and love for the Church, Our Blessed
Mother, and the Most Holy Trinity. Indeed, the Lord Jesus has blessed us with an
abundance of brothers and sisters from all around the world!
Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Peter Marsalek, SOLT

General Priest Servant

fr. peter marsalek, solt

originally from burlington, canada,
was elected during the july 2013
chapter in corpus christi, tx.

on the cover
fr. sam medley, solt with john and mary sena, a solt family of corpus christi, texas.

Summer 2014 | SOLT Mission Magazine | 1

serving the people

of the

Philippines
I

t was on February 3, 1975 when

the Society of Our Lady of the
Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) started
to plant the seeds of vocation and
mission in the Philippines. Through
the help of the first SOLT missionaries,
the people of the Philippines began to
grow as a Catholic community and
develop their faith in God. These missionaries served the people in Ecclesial
Family Teams of priests, sisters and laity, helping those in deepest apostolic
need. In nearly 40 years, the Philippine
Missions have grown in discipleship,
living in the graced friendships given
to us to strengthen the mission God
has given us in this place. The sisters
of the Society of Our Lady have been
given an apostolate to spread the
gospel of God to the people.
As a part of their spiritual development both personally and in
communal life, the sisters in postulancy formation assist in parish work of

2 | SOLT Mission Magazine | Summer 2014

catechesis, religious organization formation, home visitation, and other activities that strengthen their vocation and future ministry.
The sisters in the novitiate (novices) are also engaged in their apostolic
year in pastoral ministry and presently assist with the feeding program and
healing Mass. While still in formation, they develop the gift of sharing their
talents bestowed upon them.
In their on-going formation, the professed sisters engage in different
missions entrusted to them. Some sisters go to school for further study and
the fruits of their labors help to cultivate the ministries that have already been
developed. Also, these sisters are able to create new apostolates for the community. Little by little, the sisters are accomplishing the teachings of Jesus to
feed the hungry, visit the sick and in prison, the poor and homeless and teach
the unlearned. It is beautiful to experience and share the mission of Jesus. This
is our labor, to continue the mission He started. There are sisters who give
catechesis and teach in seminary and school, while others are appointed in
pastoral works. Other sisters are assigned to religious life formation and other
apostolates that help the community sustain their day-to-day needs, such as
sewing, making hosts for Mass and giving retreats and recollections.
We continue to strive to do the mission God has entrusted to the Society
of Our Lady so that more people may be brought into the union of the Trinity. The Vocations Team in the Philippines are enthusiastic to be fishers of men.

It is beautiful to experience and share the mission of Jesus.

This is our labor, to continue the mission He started.

Sr. Mary Teresa of divine mercy boaloy

joined solt in 2002. since 2006 when she made her first profession,
she has served in holy family parish in putiao and as the
postulant formator in the philippines. she made her final
profession in 2012 and is expected to complete her bachelors
degree in psychology later this year.

Summer 2014 | SOLT Mission Magazine | 3

understandingthe

formation
experience

he novices follow Jesus, the poor, chaste and obedient one, as closely
as possible. Only by living deeply the Resurrected Life of Christ that
began in Baptism can they follow Christ Crucified. The three promises, chastity, poverty and obedience, are the nails by which they are crucified
with Christ. They strive to live a life of detached simplicity, loving God with
their entire being and all others for Gods sake. They must be ready to mission wherever they are sent and do what their servant leaders ask of them.
At the time of their first promises, they receive a
gray habit and a crucifix

4 | SOLT Mission Magazine | Summer 2014

as distinctive signs of their consecration, of the fact that they are one with
Jesus Christ and belong to God.
In the Society of Our Lady, some men are called by Jesus to live as
permanent brothers. Those who become priests still remain brothers. The
priest and permanent brother candidates share a common novitiate to foster a greater spirit of fraternity. Later the brothers and priests will witness
Jesus in their own distinctive ways on SOLT Ecclesial Family Teams and to all
they serve.
This year there are two novices for the Society of Our Lady in the
American Region.
David Brokke (27) is from Baltimore Maryland originally. He heard of the
Society of Our Lady while attending Franciscan University of Steubenville
and spent three years at the SOLT Mission in Belize
teaching religion at Mt.

Only by living deeply the Resurrected Life of Christ

that began in Baptism can they follow Christ Crucified.

Summer 2014 | SOLT Mission Magazine | 5

They strive to live a life of

detached simplicity, loving God with their entire
being and all others for Gods sake.

Carmel High School.

Jacob Wisenbaker (21) is from Louisiana. He came to SOLT through
a Disciples of Jesus and Mary (DJM) connection. He and his family knew Father Santan Pinto for a long time. Before coming to the novitiate, he did one
year of Aspirancy at the SOLT mission at the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation in North Dakota.
God willing, they will become brothers in July. Both hope to be good
holy priests one day. Please keep them and all of the Society of Our Lady in
your prayers. You are in our prayers too!
Fr. John Patterson, Solt
from lebanon, ohio, was ordained a priest for solt in 2002.
he has served in belcourt, north dakota and has
been serving the novitiate for the past two years. he is the
brother of sr. mary mediatrix of all grace, solt.

6 | SOLT Mission Magazine | Summer 2014

the eucharist
T

is

my life

he Lord commanded
and the heavens
were made. I believe
that He can make me His
eucharist. Yet it is a great
misery that I have Him
present and I am concerned with anything
else in the whole world.
I profess publicly that
among you stands
one whom I do
not know.
From the beginning of awareness
of the direction that the Holy Spirit was leading me (1961) in
my Postulancy with the Society of Our Lady, my urge was just simply to
be. My love for the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of life, kept grow-

My love for the Holy Eucharist, the source

and summit of life, kept growing to the point that I was
beside myself to know how to make a return.

Summer 2014 | SOLT Mission Magazine | 7

ing to the point that I was beside myself to know how to make a return.
At my First Profession of vows the Holy Spirit gave me the name of Mary
of the Holy Eucharist. We know that in the name given lies the vocation of
ones life. For me then it was to be Eucharist. What this life is I barely scratch
the surface to speak of it. Great saints have tried beautifully. The Eucharist
is our sanctification: I must be holy. He is alone, silent, and hidden. I must be
alone, silent, and hidden.
He is broken, given, and eaten. He is non-violent. One drop of his blood
is enough to save the whole world. He is Peace-Maker. He is Unity, Love, and
Communion. The Eucharist makes the Church.
Our Lord is Virtue and Sacrifice. He is Priest, Prophet, and King, the
Eternal Son of the Father. He is Healing. Jesus is Thanksgiving and Blessing.
He brings Christmas and Easter together, actualizing the birth and death of
Christ. At every Mass Jesus is at once Victim and Priest rendering present His
death and resurrection.
He is the pledge of future glory; something given in anticipation in the
signs of the bread and wine. The bread stands for usHis Body. The wine
stands for poetry and colordancing in comparison to walking, playing as
to working. It represents what is delightful.
I am Mary also. Remembering and invoking Mary our Mother means
preparing to receive Jesus in Her Company and share above all her love for
Christ and the Eucharist.

The bread stands for usHis Body.

The wine stands for poetry and colordancing
in comparison to walking.

Sr. Mary of the Holy Eucharist Romero, Solt

celebrates her fiftieth anniversary of consecrated life this year.

8 | SOLT Mission Magazine | Summer 2014

Express your Affection, Concern and Friendship with the

Society of our Lady of the most holy trinitys

Mass Association Cards

Perpetual and One Year Enrollment Cards perfect for

Weddings ~ Anniversaries ~ Birthdays ~ Get well ~ Sympathy

Perpetual
Deceased

Society of Our Lady

of the
Most Holy Trinity
One Year Living

Perpetual Living

One Year
Deceased

Spiritual Benefits for Members

Every week, the living and deceased members of the SOLT Mass Association
receive the benefit of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
offered at the Perpetual Adoration Chapel of Our Lady of Corpus Christi

Every family or individual enrolled enjoys a share in the daily

recitation of the Divine Office and the
recitations of the Holy Rosary offered by members of SOLT

Each year, on the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, a special Mass is offered for
living and deceased members of the SOLT Mass Association

Living and deceased members share in all good works performed

by members of SOLT

Yes!

I would Like to help SOLT Serve Humanity by enrolling my Dear ones.

To enroll or to request cards, please visit us online at

www.SOLT.net or call (361) 289-9095 ext. 312.

God bless you!

Celebrating more than fifty years as a Catholic

missionary community, the Society of Our Lady of
the Most Holy Trinity (SOLT) serves in family teams
of priests, sisters, brothers, lay members, volunteers,
and benefactors. The fruitfulness of SOLT grows
from the prayers, sacrifices and financial support of
people like you.
Living a joyful life, SOLT serves the deepest
needs of Gods people. Following the Gospel
mandate to go and make disciples of all nations,
SOLT serves people of all walks of life. Thanks to
the many blessings of the Lord, membership of
SOLT has tripled in the last ten years to serve the
growing needs.
SOLT needs your help to continue its growth
in service to others. Your prayers, financial support
and work as a volunteer allow more people to
receive the gift of Gods love and help. Please
prayerfully consider making a gift today to support
the fruitfulness of this work. Checks may be
made payable to SOLT or donate online at www.
societyofourlady.net.
SOLT PO Box 4116 Corpus Christi, TX 78469
361.289.9095 soltdevelopment@gmail.com
Thank you. May God bless you.

Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity

PO Box 4116 Corpus Christi, TX 78469
Robstown, TX
Permit No. 774

PAID

Non-Profit
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