Editor: Diane Anderson July/Aug/Sept 2011 Visit us on the web: http://www.villadesiderata.com

Prayer Corner

A beloved member of our community, TomKusmerz, passed away on Monday, June 20 .th

He is survived by his wife, Marie, 3 children,3 step children, 8 grandchildren, 1 greatgrandchild, and 5 siblings. He was a proudhusband, Dad, and Grandpa. He was amember of the Knights of Columbus, a BoyScout leader for many years, an excellentroller skater, was involved with the Villa formany, many years, and loved collectiblesbecause he was an avid historian. Tom was 79years young. We will all miss him dearly.Please keep him and his family in yourprayers.

Please pray for each and every person on ourprayer list: A Batavia high school senior waskilled in an auto accident May 17 . She wasth

the daughter of Jeff Gilbert, one of ourfacilitators and involved with the HopeOutreach program. John Kubica, Ken Rago,Rich Budzynski, Bob Powers, facilitatorLoretta Rossini, Dottie Becker, John Halloran,John Lynk, and Betty Cichon.

Thank you for all of your prayers.

Happy Independence Day

Retreat Schedule

JULY AND AUGUST HAVE OPEN DATESFOR RENTALS

September 09-11 Woman's Spiritual Chris H.847-772-492716-18 AA Men Bill K. 630-816-419523-25 ACOA Mixed Audrey 815-245-091430-10/2 AA Men Jerry 630-859-1940

October07-09 NOT AVAILABLE14-16 Mixed 12-Step Lesa 847-475-740421-23 AA-Alanon, Men/Women Bob 847-800-313728-31 LUTZHAUS AVAILABLE FORRENT

For a complete schedule of retreats for the restof the year, please go to:www.villadesiderata.com

Open Mic Night

Our own Dominic will present the ongoingfundraiser for the Villa, Open Mic Night, withmusic, sing-a-long, and fun for a$5.00 donation. The next datesare; July 20 , Aug. 17 , andth th

Sept. 21 . Please bring a snackst

to pass. Thank you.

The Viatorian Behind Villa DesiderataRetreat Center

For almost fifty years, Br. Patrick Drohan,CSV, has been working quietly, steadily, anddiligently to ensure that Villa Desiderata, runssmoothly. His present ministerial focus is onadult retreat groups, primarily those in 12-stepprograms, where he has seen thousands ofpeople leave with a firm interior grounding tohelp them live lives of sobriety andproductivity.

Br. Pat began his work in 1963 as part of aViatorian retreat team which offered retreatsto Saint Viator High School students. Hismentor was the retreat master, the late Fr.Eugene Lutz, CSV, a man known for beingfirm, caring, with a quick sense of humor, anda very firm handshake. Fr. Lutz's experiencesas a marine, and as a POW in Asia duringWorld War II for four and a half years, forgedin him an intolerance for self-pity andirresponsibility, a quality that everyone whospoke with him immediately recognized.

On the final evening of the senior retreats,people from Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)would speak to the students about theirpersonal experiences with alcohol and druguse. For young men being bombarded with themyth that inebriation equals popularity andvirility, the discussions would often be lengthyand spirited.

When Saint Viator High School ceasedsending their seniors offsite for retreats, Fr.Lutz and Br. Pat redirected the ministerialfocus of Villa. At that time home Masses werevery popular and Fr. Lutz and Br. Pat werefrequent guests in local homes where Fr. Lutzcelebrated prayerful and intimate liturgies. Asthe numbers of participants became larger, Fr.Lutz and Br. Pat invited them to come to thevilla chapel for Sunday Mass. Theyestablished a faith community that continuesto this day. Br. Pat coordinates the Sunday

Viatorian contd.

liturgies and is a constant presence every week.Many of the Mass participants were recoveringalcoholics. Even though Fr. Lutz was not inrecovery, they saw in him a person of integritywho would immediately see through anyphoniness. Thus, many sought him out to makean inventory of their past lives, so as to beginanew. While he always listened attentively andempathically, if he felt that someone was notbeing completely honest, he wouldimmediately tell the individual to go home, domore work, and then come back. Even thoughhe ruffled some feathers, people knew he wasright and respected him for it. Many returned.

In 1971, a group of men from AA approachedFr. Lutz and Br. Pat about having their ownretreat, to which they agreed. From this smallbeginning the present ministry at the Villa grew to what it is today. From the men's retreat,the ministry has branched out to hostingretreats for women in AA, adult children ofalcoholics, AA couples retreat, and Alanon. Br. Pat saysthat approximately 90% of theretreats are 12-step retreats.

When cancer struck Fr. Lutz, Br. Pat and theVilla community gladly performed numeroustasks to care for him in his last days--anexample ofmutualministry.

Br. Patcontinues anddevelops thelegacy ofFr. Lutz. In hisquiet and gentlemanner, heensures thegood operationof the villa. Hechecks to make sure that the supplies arepurchased and delivered; the building and

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grounds are maintained; and while the groupsare meeting, they have what they need. Withalmost fifty years of experience at Villa, manypeople consider Br. Pat a friend and confidant.He continues the Fr. Lutz tradition of nottolerating self-pity.

His many years of experience have given hima keen insight into the people who come to theVilla. He noted that, unfortunately, theproblem of drug and alcohol addiction keepsgrowing and there is no lack of retreatcandidates. Many arrive with only a few hoursof sobriety and walk through the doorsbecause their sponsors are bringing them.They are at rock bottom and their future holdseither recovery or self-destruction--it's theirchoice. Br. Pat said that he is still amazedat the miracles that have occurred. From allappearances, it seemed that there was no hopefor many of the retreat candidates; yet,numerous retreatants have emerged clean andsober because of a power greater thanthemselves to live effective lives where they inturn reach out to others.As Br. Pat celebrates his 48th year at the Villa,he has seen many people walk through thedoors. He knows from experience the value ofpersonal one-on-one ministry that hastransformed so many lives. By reaching out tothose in recovery, Br. Pat fulfills the Viatorianmission ofaffirming thevalue and dignityof every humanbeing, especiallythose who areaccounted of littleor no importanceby mainstreamsociety.

Thomas Long, CSVTaken from an article in the ViatorianCommunity Newsletter, The ViatorSpring 2011 issue, Vol 16, Number 2

Chris and Art-Retreat Administrators

In special recognition and congratulations toChris and Art Houtsinger for an incredible jobfor the last 8 years as retreat administrators andfor keeping the retreat schedule full for thecourse of the year. Job well done. You are trulythe Villa’s earth angels.

13 Annual Scholarship Fundraiserth

In Memory of Fr Lutz Picnic

Fun forall!!

Spitz Bitz

Hello readers of the Villa Voice. The onlinedictionary defines tidbits as follows: Noun, asmall piece of tasty food o a small andparticularly interesting item of gossip orinformation. Hmmm… and as for Spitz Bitz itis a more of a "hodgepodge" defined as aconfused mixture. Please know I am open forsuggestions, comments and questions.

As you may know I am a chaplain for FamilyCentered Hospice, which allows me theprivilege of providing spiritual care for thesick and dying. As part of our bereavementservices we offer an on-going grief supportgroup called H.O.P.E. (Healing Our PainfulEmotions.) This group is open toEVERYONE in the community (over 18 yrsof age) who has experienced any type of loss.We meet the 2nd Wednesday of each monthfrom 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Villa. Comejoin us for sharing, handouts, refreshments andmusic at each session. If you have anyquestions or you want to RSVP call630-317-3300.

While on the subject of Family CenteredHospice, the volunteer coordinators, Caroleand Peggy are looking for compassionate carevolunteers and if you are interested pleaseknow that the training would be convenientlylocated at the Villa.

Today I was talking with the lady of the housewho is a sister in Christ and she is caring forher dying aunt. We were discussing her aunt'ssimple faith along with all her "I don't knowsand we'll see" remarks. This niece brought tomy attention what St. Therese of Lisieuxwrote, "I told you once how it puzzled me thatGod did not give everyone the same amount ofglory in Heaven, and I feared they could notall be happy. You sent me off to fetch one ofFather's big glasses and made me put my littlethimble by the side of it; then you filled themboth up with water and asked me which Ithought was the fuller. I had to admit that onewas just as full as the other because neither of

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them could hold any more. That was the wayyou helped me to grasp how it was that inHeaven that the least have no cause to envy thegreatest." This passage helped me understandthat our spiritual capacities vary within each ofour souls. The important part is not our abilityor our size but that we are completely filled tothe brim. We love God and are spirit filled tothe rim of our full potential.

Lastly, I thank God for the amazing friendshipsand loving support that is synonymous with theVilla Community. Recently my best friend,Crista, died. (Feb. 12, 1958 to April 30, 2011)She is the one who taught me thatunconditional love is possible. I mentioned thisloss to a brother in Christ. He told me that if Ithought about it a little longer I'd know that Ididn't really lose my "best friend" because mybest friend is Jesus. Two things are now certain- Crista is at peace and Jesus is my new bestfriend. Amen.

Written by Laurie Spitzig

From Fr. John

Some people Try to turn back their odometers.Not me!I want people to know 'why'I look this way.I've traveled a long wayAnd some of the roads weren't paved.

Submissions or Announcements

Please email your announcements to me bySeptember 15 . My sincere thanks to everyoneth

who contributes to the Villa Voice.

Diane Andersonvillavoicenewsletter@yahoo.comwww.villadesiderata.com