Getting things written for Communio usually takes a fair amount of nudging, arm twisting and reminding. Not so when I approached some people to write about Ted Scalia, the Community’s former Director of Religious Education who died earlier this month. The articles poured in, and in time for my early deadlines. Frankly it took me a little by surprise -- before I could tell people that there were others writing, they had already composed their thoughts. Thus there is a certain amount of repetition.

I’ve also been told that there were others interested in writing about Ted. That says a lot about Ted and how he was loved and respected. If you have something to add to what appears here, I’d be glad to print it.

Ted died at Malachi House. Appropriately, we also have an article by Horst Quintus of reflections on his service at Malachi House and how his experiences there have come to serve him.

• Another version of Chris Schenk’s article "Jesus And Women In Catholicism," which we ran in the Jan. 28 issue, was printed by the Universe Bulletin a few issues back as a letter to the editor. And a few weeks later, Fr. Michael A. Matusz of St. Mary Magdalene Parish in Willowick wrote a supportive response that the diocesan newspaper also published.
• Note that the meeting to approve the Charter revision will be March 3 after the 11 a.m. Liturgy in place of Coffee Hour. John Lucic tells me that the mailing of the charter was a big job that involved a lot of hands. Paul Kunkel spent many hours preparing the document so we could read both the old text and the new changes. Bill McLaughlin printed out the mailing labels. The Lucics, Brinichs and Garvens put the mailing together. John also pointed out that, to save costs, only one copy went out to each household -- they alternated male and female addressees. Contact John at 221-5017 or the Rectory for additional copies.
• Here’s a quick review of the major revisions: council size cut to six at-large members, voting quorum changed, proxy voting eliminated, term limits changed, Finance Council added, budget process changed, and the fiscal year is changed to coincide with the Diocese.
• Deadline for the March 10 issue of Communio will be Friday, March 1. Watch this space for future deadlines as I’ve got a bunch of mid-week business trips coming up.

On Feb. 8th, Ted Scalia passed from this life into the next at Malachi House, he was 33. Ted once told me that he thought of this Community as a gift from God. But, if you didn’t have a chance to know him personally, he was a gift to us as well.

Ted was a member of our Community for almost four years, serving as Director of Religious Education for our Christian Formation program. He was a very visible part of the Community. If you didn’t know him personally, he was recognizable: he was the thin man with the shaved head and earrings. And, Ted had AIDS.

When I received the call about Ted’s death I was relieved that his suffering was finally over. However, Ted was not a complainer. He had come to terms with his illness. Although Ted wanted to live on in this life, his faith had prepared him for his next life.

I bring up his illness with the approval of his friend, because I feel that was one of his gifts to us. Too often we are too separated from this disease to understand its devastation thoroughly. Ted made us look at this disease face-to-face, he didn’t hide who he was or what he had. Throughout his illness, there were times when people were uncomfortable being around him, but Ted never failed to show love and compassion.

Ted grew up in Florida. He studied for the priesthood, but dropped out. He worked as a campus minister at Notre Dame College before coming to Saint Malachi’s. While serving as our DRE, he also worked part-time for Lakewood’s office on AIDS services. He is survived by his parents, Theodore and Florence Scalia of Florida, as well as by many friends. He was one of the founding members of the Rainbow Wranglers, a gay square-dancing group.

In December, Ted’s parents made their first trip outsideoutside of Florida since 1957 in December to see him. During their visit, they talked about taking Ted home. Ted told his parents he was home and not to worry. They left knowing that was probably the last time they would see Ted. Both of Ted’s parents have been ill and could not travelmake up here for his memorial service, although their parish priest celebrated Mass for them at that same time.

I leave you with these words from Ted’s journal, Jan. 23, 1996:

For those who would like to send a card or note to Ted’s parents, their address is:

Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Scalia

Sea Breeze Mobile Manor

10855 South Federal Highway, Lot 111

Hobe Sound, FL 33455

Ted Scalia, 33, departed for eternal rest WedneThursday, Feb. 78, 1996 succumbing to the AIDS virus after a brief illness.

Ted was a Florida native, an only child survived by his adoptive, beloved parents. He had entered the seminary in the Southsouth and had been admitted to the order of acolyte. While a seminarian Ted became interested in deaf ministry and taught and prepared deaf children for first communion. Ted mused to Jan Leitch: "It’s one thing to learn signing and to communicate with deaf children. It’s a whole different thing to communicate to them a sense of the theology of Eucharisteucharist!" Many years later Ted would share his avocation with deaf people at St. Malachi’s by greeting them in sign language as they entered the church.

In time he chose to follow his call to teaching and campus ministry, the very call that brought him to Ohio as campus minister at Notre Dame College in South Euclid. When the position of Director of Religious Education opened up at CSM, Ted applied and was hired because of his credentials which included not only his creativity but also his deep appreciation for liturgy and music and his love of the scriptures. "He was very much a spiritual person," exclaimed Fr. Tony, "and a person of church."

Through his involvement with the Christian Formation program, Ted interacted a great deal with the diocesan religious education office. Said one of the sister-employees of the office with respect to Ted’s willing nature to share his abilities and expertise with others: "How generous he was in his willingness to give and be involved."

One of Ted’s passions was Cuban food (does that have something to do with his being a native of south Florida?). He related to Fr. TonyFr.Tony that he couldn’t wait to go home to visit his parents because the food was much more authentic down there.

Another of his avocations was square dancing; it was no secret that he absolutely loved to dance. So much so that on one of her regular trips to Finast Barb Aylward found, much to her astonishment, that a square dancing group was performing in a space as you enter the store. And who is dancing there big as life? Of course, none other than CSM’s Ted!

Ted placed great value on diversity. S so much so that he taught workshops dealing with it. Ted told Fr. Tony, that "Therethere was a process that happened with everyone who participated by listening to their stories and by recognizing a common humanity and a common pain."

When Ted’s illness had begun to get the better of him he decided to spend his last days at Malachi House where he died after two months. While a resident, in his usual style, Ted shared his artistic talent with other residents by doing his brand of artwork for the life enrichment program. He spent much of his time talking with other residents and sharing with them. In time he could only do one strenuous thing per day; he loved to go next door to the reopened Traci’s Restaurant and have coffee with his friends. Then he’d return home exhausted. "Ted was into life and lived each day fully," offered Fr. TonyFr.Tony.

Another thing Ted loved was singing. One of the last comments he made at liturgy referred to singing a gospel hymn. While the congregation was singing the spiritual and clapping supposedly with feeling Ted leaned over to Kay Vine and opined: "We clap like people without soul!"

Andrew Aylward had come down with a case of chicken pox and was lamenting his fate to Ted. Ted reassured him that he’d be fine in time, remembering his own case of the pox when he was 19, coming down with it on his way to vacation forcing his family to return home. Says Barb: "He was so encouraging, even on his deathbed. More importantly, he really loved the kids and had a real feeling for where kids are. He was just so special."

Ted kept a personal journal, a compilation of his thoughts expressed both in words and artwork. An entry in his journal dated Nov. 16, 1995 helps reveal who he was:

Ted, requiescat in pace.

Ted Scalia, a member of the Community of St. Malachi, died Feb. 7 at the age of 33. He died in the care of Malachi House, of AIDS. The liturgy booklet for his Feb. 12 Memorial Mass was illustrated with artwork from his journal, with the note that the journal contained "many wonderful reflections and works of art."

His poetry didn’t leap off the booklet cover. It soared: "There is a place I know where people go to die... But life blooms there in abundance...life, love, care, security rush to and from and fill all the hearts of those who come. Like bright light in times of Darkness it flows a river of Love. Come and see, come and know the River of Love called Malachi..."

This entry was dated "January 23" -- just two weeks before Ted, also a dance enthusiast, high-stepped it off to join his beloved Lord of the Dance. As his own words would attest, he danced away in peace, surrounded by the love he recognized and valued, and wrapped in a deep faith. And certainly bequeathing us plenty to think about, including that "bright light in times of darkness."

For the last three years, I have spent one evening a week, some Saturdays and occasional call-ins, at Malachi House. When I first started volunteering, I was somewhat reluctant and could not picture what my role would be. My solution to this dilemma was to resort to serving as jack of all trades and master of none. As time passed the House has become another piece of my life that has surprised me. One evening when everything was unusually quiet and there were no requests to be found in my "mail bag," I sat quietly and was gently overwhelmed with the spirit of the house. I wrote down these thoughts to share with all of you.

Sunlight filtering through the windows of one of the big upstairs resident’s rooms. Bright, cheerful and alive. Even the dust miotes seem to be dancing the dance of life in the sunbeams.

Pale light of moonlight or street lampstreetlamp reflecting on the carpet in the still of the night. Sudden start and wake up in a strange place. Instant of panic brought on by lack of recognition. The slow calm as the awareness of being in the House quietly dispels the fear.

A slow and quiet evening sitting in the living room with gentle music in the background. Andrea’s sweet and bluesy voice singing along with some tune on the radio.

The worried look in a resident’s eyes while trying to comprehend some bit of news. A gentle hand on a shoulder to accompany the gentle voice trying to dispel the fears.

A welcome and heartfelt greeting for our dog Maxine from many hands and faces belonging to both staff and residents. Maxine lyinglaying curled up at the feet of Gordon while watching a show in the TV room.

These greetings seem to be misplaced. Even though there seems so little that we actually do for any resident, we are greeted warmly, perhaps more warmly than we deserve. We come to bring warmth, friendship and a little bit of help. Surely we do not come to receive it from those who have found a place of peace and a place to live.

Sitting here this evening in the calm and serenity that comes late at night. I am convinced that the House is full of spirits, grateful, warm, gentle essences in the air. The breath of angels perhaps?

The gentle and warm gratitude of those who passed through here. Who found some respite and love in their final steps. Some came here lonely and afraid, and left with courage and not alone. Some came with anger and bitterness, and left with peace and love. Some came without the will to live, and left in peace after finding some purpose to their life. Some came strong and proud, and left humbly and at peace. And through the loving effort of some, they were able to leave reminders of themselves behind.

Sometimes I feel the calming essence of those who passed through here. I hope that others, in the time of trouble, feel it too. Someday this House will be filled to overflowing with the good that has happened here.

I often come here to work with my hands, to accomplish something, to contribute in my own way. But I also find myself more and more reaching out , touching and being touched.

Perhaps then this is the true presence of a humble Christ walking gently with us, the true spirituality of peace and love and the true essence of Christianity.

During the seasons of Lent and Easter we will be celebrating evening prayer every Monday at 7:15 P.M. Evening prayer (also known as vespers) is part of the Liturgy of the Hours (also known as the Divine Office) and is considered to be the official prayer of the Catholic Church. The Liturgy of the Hours, which is prayed at set times during the day (morning, daytime, evening and night) is also celebrated, in similar form and content, by many of our Christian brothers and sisters, both Orthodox and Protestant.

The history of the Liturgy of the Hours stretches back to the beginnings of the Christian Church. (An excellent in-depth history of the Hours can be found in The Liturgy of the Hours in East and West by Robert Taft, S.J., a book to which I am indebted for this article.) In the Church’s early days, the Liturgy of the Hours was celebrated publicly and prayed by all, both laity and clergy. But practices evolved in such a way that, in the Middle Ages, the Hours became devotions prayed privately and prayed only by religious.

This was the state of the Hours until modern times. Vatican II reforms encouraged the laity to renew participation in the Divine Office and there has been some movement in that direction. (A more driving impetus for change, though, may now be appearing in the present clerical crisis. As celebrations of the Mass become increasingly difficult to arrange in many parishes, communal celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours are again becoming more significant.)

Two important symbols of evening prayer are light and incense. The evening lamp is symbolic of the light of the world shining amid the darkness of sin. The incense refers to our self-offering of repentance rising with our prayers. The usual texts of the service, including Psalm 141, the Magnificat, and the Lords Prayer, are supplemented with selected antiphons, psalms, readings, intercessions and other prayers which can be found in the book commonly called the Breviary.

The music that is used, especially during Lent, is designed to bring out the reflective nature of the prayer. Some of the music that we will be using during the upcoming weeks, for instance, includes chants from the Taize community, traditional and ancient hymns and chants, and contemporary psalm and canticle settings.

In evening prayer we are given a beautiful service to help us close the day, thank God for the day’s graces, ask pardon for the day’s faults, and ask for grace and protection for the evening. In this prayer we are given the opportunity to draw on the richness of both biblical tradition and the history of the church. In this prayer we can join our voices with that of the entire living Church, with Christ at its head, to give our prayer a transforming value that it could not achieve alone.

The newsletter editors recently received an announcement from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District. A that a Pesticide Collection Day (the actual date is yet to be announced) will give county residents the opportunity to turn in unwanted pesticides for proper disposal. This includes insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. Such pesticides can pose a hazard to people, pets and the environment if used or stored improperly. Anyone with unwanted pesticides to dispose of should call 443-3749 to register for the program.

It is interesting to consider "pesticide disposal" and other environmental issues within the realm of Church business or Spirituality. We can find support for this idea in the following quotes from our spiritual tradition:

Maybe you missed it. But there it was in the Feb. 16 Plain Dealer. "Community heroes" chosen to be torch-bearers cross country for the coming Olympics include 33 from Greater Cleveland. And among those 33, as one might expect, is our own Kay Vine. The Atlantic Committee for the Olympic Games and the United Way selected from among 38,500 nominees, 5,500 people "who have distinguished themselves by their community work." The ubiquitous and dedicated Kay certainly meets the qualifications. These runners each will carry the flame up to one kilometer before igniting the next carrier’s torch. The run will begin Apr. 27 and end at the Olympic opening, July 19, covering 15,000 miles through 42 states. We’ll have to learn where Kay’s kilometer will be.

Wonder if she’ll sport a crown of leaves, or whatever that is they wear on their heads?

Several long-term studies of large communities have shown that people with strong family ties, particularly those that involve work for and with other people in the community, tend to be healthier than those who live in isolation. Scientists have begun to wonder whether altruism actually benefits the altruist as well.

Some animal research does suggest that when rats, for example, help or protect their kith and kin, the action causes the altruist’s brain to produce endorphins (chemicals associated with pleasurable sensations) while antisocial behavior has the opposite effect. There’s still no evidence that this happens in human beings.

However, a recent health conference of doctors and social scientists proposed that altruism, particularly when the helper observes the beneficial effects in others, might reduce the feelings of helplessness and depression, and thus enhance health. Women who came into direct contact with those they aided reported a strong and lasting sense of satisfaction, an increased sense of self-worth, less depression and fewer aches and pains.

Helping others is one way of achieving social connectedness, which has been shown to be associated with good health.

THE COMMUNITY OF ST. MALACHI is a lay-directed, non-territorial personal parish of the Diocese of Cleveland. Although separate from the Parish of St. Malachi, we join together for many worthwhile activities. All are welcome to worship at the 11:00 a.m. Community liturgy on Sunday. Community members are expected to actively contribute of their time, talent and treasure.