of Christ-like service for us in Newark, the road map God desired us to follow in Newark? Edwin and others of us believed Martin’ s words and would act on them. The assassination of Dr. King two weeks later on April 4, 1968 and then Bobby Kennedy’ s death two months later, compelled Edwin and us to join together into one community commitment that today stands rock solid totally characterizing our Schools, Parish and Monastery. Abbot Martin speaking at the March 21, 1968 anniversary banquet celebration said:
“ Which way, St. Benedict’ s you ask? Toward a deeper involvement in the society of which it is a part, toward an increased endeavor to help parents in the education of their sons.” He went on.“ Can we the faculty at St. Benedict’ s, begin to shape somewhat the situation at our doorsteps, by offering each year a college prep education to youngsters from the ghetto who need that type of education and who can well qualify for it? Or shall we turn our faces away from our front door, and pretend to the world around us that one really need not attend to his neighbor? Then the words of Christ are pure fiction! I propose to the business Community of Newark, to the industry of Newark, to interested private citizens of Newark and its suburbs, the challenge of a lifetime. I challenge a society( and, at the time, he might have added and the Newark monastery) that talks a great deal about helping the underprivileged to let St. Benedict’ s do just that.”
At the time Edwin, Philip, Boniface, Maynard, Albert, Luke and Paul Thornton, and our brothers now with the Lord, and thank God so many others, accepted as a lifetime project Martin’ s challenge and today still live it. Thank God!
At this and every Holy Mass the Christian community celebrates the one, single, central divine / human event of all human history, past and future: The saving death and glorious life-giving Resurrection of our Brother and Lord. Today as we pause to think of the mysterious actions of many protagonists leading to the closing and resurrection of St. Benedict’ s, and the election on the evening of November 14, 1972 of the recently ordained 26-year-old Father Edwin, we are overwhelmed by the Divine power of our One Father who raised His beloved Son from the dead and raised us up with Him.
We human beings-- embodied spirits that we are by nature-- live by signs and symbols sometimes faintly and unconsciously, but at other times mightily and marvelously. These signs and symbols are the authentic fingerprints of the Holy One that tip us off to God’ s hand in our works, flood our minds and hearts with meaning, and our deepest psyches with the sheer Power of the Creator ex nihilo-from nothing.
Edwin’ s shepherding of the School, with special others, like Paul Thornton, Mike Scanlan, Bernard Green and Ivan Lamourt, serves as this living sign. God is with us! And does not the Lord Himself select privileged, common signs of bread and wine, to come daily to all who believe and present themselves? Why not then rejoice and marvel when a small community 40 years ago sets out bonded together in faith and walking not by one’ s own eyes but another’ s gives birth to seeming miraculous realties, not only a great, legendary Headmaster and his cohort but also to the inestimable gift of an education and life-experience for all those whom divine providence leads here to High Street, Dr. Martin Luther King, Blvd.
Father Edwin in recent months has chosen to conclude certain talks, even letters, with the provocative word: Courage. It would be interesting in understanding his present state of mind and heart why this one word has attracted him so, but I might venture my own take by remembering how we all over the past forty years have identified with the Gospel song“ We have come this far by faith”. The“ courage” of the woman or man of faith in adversity and times lacking all clarity is discovered and informed by actively begging the Holy Spirit in prayer to stand steadfast in God, no matter what the moment or particular circumstances, and no matter how I feel.
So when Msgr. Charles McCorristin of St. James Roman Catholic Church in Woodbridge wrote a short note recommending Dennis Leahy for admission into the 1959 Freshmen class of 233 he struck the perfect note to describe Father Edwin’ s appropriation of and exercise of the leadership of St. Benedict’ s Prep. The Monsignor wrote:“ I think the boy has a vocation. I wonder if you could do something for him and thus help to foster another vocation?”
Edwin the man, monk and priest was selected by the Spirit to become, also, the Headmaster. May the mysterious Holy Spirit continue to guide and guard you all the days of your life.
“ If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do the builders labor; if the Lord does not guard the city, in vain does the guard keep watch.”( Ps. 127,1) Ad multos Annos! Amen.
On March 10, 2013, Fr. Edwin was among four honorees at the Annual Communion breakfast, joined by Paul Napoli P’ 87, Jill Hall P’ 04,‘ 06, and‘ 08, and Mark Riley‘ 79. Fr. Edwin received the award as Distinguished Alumnus. This year is also Fr. Edwin’ s 45th year since his ordination into Priesthood and the 50th year of his graduation from St. Benedict’ s Prep in 1963.
Telolog 2013 | Strength In Community 87