Queen of Peace Church

"Beginning with Founders' Day on Nov. 19, 2020, Saint Vincent will begin celebrating its 175th Anniversary - our demi-semi-sept-centennial.  

As we celebrate this milestone in our history, we will be commemorating the occasion throughout the coming year, concluding on Founders' Day 2021. As part of this celebration, there will be a series of weekly reflections emails, written by members of the Saint Vincent monastic and college communities, as well as alumni and friends.."  [Please also see the June 14 news post on our website.]

*Below is a reflection written by Fr. Ananias, published June 3, 2021, on St. Vincent Archabbey's webpage.*

"Cherished Memories on the Feast of Corpus Christi (2021)"

"Back in the Summer of 2017 an article entitled Saint Vincent Bread Tradition Alive in Patton was slated to be published (See Heart to Heart, https://issuu.com/saintvincentarchabbey/docs/2017_summer_heart_to_heart_sm p. 18). I warned my secretary of the impending tsunami of phone calls and emails that were looming on the horizon. Sure enough, the article went to press and the inquiries, began. Could they 'pick up three loaves on Tuesday?' Would you 'be kind enough to mail a loaf to Wyoming?' 'Can you send it just like they did in the old days wrapped in butchers’ paper and tied with twine?'

Just why is it that this very ordinary monastic mixture of flour, water, salt, yeast and vital wheat gluten causes such a flood of memories, conjures such complex emotions, induces such impassioned reactions in those who hold Saint Vincent dear?

Maybe it’s because that particular bread represents the hard work of the monks who tilled and planted, harvested and ground. Maybe it’s the drops of sweat dripping like dew from heaven from the bakers’ brow anointing the manna as they pulled 80, 8-pound loaves from the cavernous ovens. Maybe it’s the memory of 'Sister Bread' who plated a day-old slab of stale bread, maternally slathering it with gravy in order to create a palatable portion of 'Saint Vincent Steak' for some Scholastic or Prepster. Maybe it’s the memory of countless thousands of down-and-outs who presented themselves in Abbey bread lines and who found in those crusts both sustenance and hope. Is it any wonder that Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a woman baking bread (Matt 13:33; Luke 13:20-21)?

Whatever the reason, bread, all bread, has always elicited feelings of home and hearth and the mystique of Saint Vincent Bread is no exception. Mythologized, even modernized after the loss of the ovens in the great fire, it makes little difference. Bread is life sustaining, pure and simple. Jesus knew that. That’s why He used that! 'On the night he was betrayed, he took bread, and gave you thanks' (Eucharistic Prayer, from the Roman Missal).

Those who bake bread will tell you that there is something deeply satisfying about employing an ancient tradition in these present days to create, as Peter Reinhart says in Brother Juniper’s Bread Book, 'a modern incarnation of a metaphor for goodness.'

I believe Saint Vincent Bread is nothing more and nothing less than a tangible reminder that a handful of monastics came to a foreign land in order to pray and work and be leaven in the Kingdom by rising above and far beyond the confines of the Enclosure in order to feed any, all and every hungry soul with bread – whether it’s fashioned with flour, water, salt and yeast or charity, self-sacrifice and service. It only matters that “in all things God may be glorified.”

Those latter ingredients mixed, combined, kneaded, formed and raised should elicit just as passionate a response in those who hunger in their souls. Once nourished may their renewed life allow them to do good in the Name of Christ. After all, a little leaven goes a long way. So . . . believe it or not, it is possible to feed the hungry masses Saint Vincent 'bread,' even though the ovens are no more.
 
℣. You have given them bread from heaven.
℟. Having all sweetness within it!
(The Rite of Benediction)
 
Fr. Ananias G. Buccicone, O.S.B.; SVC ‘88; Seminary ‘93
Pastor, Our Lady Queen of Peace; Patton, PA
https://queenofpeacepatton.org/ "

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For the Parish calendar of events and local news, be sure to check out the link at the top of this page, "Events/News." 

Queen of Peace Activities Committee is excited to announce that they now have an online RADA cutlery account! 

RADA Cutlery is 100% American made & guaranteed for life!

Simply click here  & shop the RADA online catalog! **All profits will be credited to our Church.** 

Stay tuned for further details about an “in person” sale during the month of October.