Rev. Monsignor Harry Bugler

(October 15, 2009, Monthly Fellowship Meeting) At the October 15 meeting of the Men of Manresa, Father Harry Bugler celebrated Mass with the Men of Manresa.



SCB Men of Manresa enjoy spiritual nourishment

Because physical nourishment is so often a part of SCB Men of Manresa activities, good food is often cited in jest as the reason this is such a popular men’s club. Our annual retreats at Manresa are graced with one sumptuous meal after another, and our monthly meetings always include a delicious meal prepared by one or more of our talented chefs...that is, until the ground-breaking evening of October 15,2009.

For the first time in memory, the Men of Manresa monthly meeting did not include a meal. The evening began - as it always does - with Mass and Rosary, but rather than concluding with dinner, the assembly instead attended a presentation on the Psalms. Amid doubt that “anyone might show up” and humorous speculation that some “might starve to death,” the evening was well-attended and without fatality. As Manresan wife Janell (Mrs. Alan) Weber and others commented prior to Mass, “We may not received physical nourishment here tonight but we will be spiritually nourished.” In retrospect, it is difficult to disagree...

An open letter to our new pastor

The Lamb, March 2002

DEAR FATHER HARRY,

In the peace and love of Christ, the Men of Manresa welcome you to St. Charles Borromeo Parish!

Since God brought you to our parish just over a month ago, it has been a pleasure to begin to know you, bit by bit. At this time, we would also like to introduce ourselves to you.

The first thing we want you to know is that we - the SCB Men of Manresa - are here for you, just as you are here for us. We are behind you 100%, and we are always ready to share the peace of Christ with you, and to work with you to bring it to others.

We invite you to join us to celebrate the Eucharist in conjunction with our gatherings - usually on the third Thursday of the month. Immediately after Mass we recite the scriptural rosary together. We then retreat to the cafeteria for a delicious dinner prepared by an expert chef, followed by a very brief meeting. Please come. Four times a year, the wives also join us - for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Lenten candlelight Way of the Cross, and Easter.

During the year, we have several activities. This year, on Palm Sunday, we will again stage "The Story of Jesus" after the 6:00 p.m. Mass. During the summer, we help sponsor a dinner for our wonderful teens' H.E.A.R.T. work camp and we participate in the annual parish talent show. In November, we co-sponsor a flea market and throughout the year, we donate our portion of the proceeds to spiritual causes. Each month, we share our prayers, works, joys, and sufferings on the pages of this newsletter and on our website (community.nola.com/cc/scbmom). And each year, we recharge our spirit with a three-day retreat at Manresa House of Retreats.

The adult choir, the Nifty-Fifties, the building committee, ushers, readers, Eucharistic ministers, the church decorating committee, the parish prayer group, RCIA, the parish fair, G.I.F.T., perpetual adoration, CCD, St. Vincent de Paul Society, and most other ministries also find Men of Manresa among their ranks. We are blessed to have three exceptional deacons among our members.

So welcome to our active parish, Father Harry. We are here to serve Christ, we are at your service. Please join us, please help us help others as we strengthen our faith in Christ.

Your brothers in Christ,

St. Charles Borromeo Men of Manresa

Our motto: "To the Lord I give the hours of my life and the use of my death."

 Clarion Herald - January 20, 2000 "Time for celebration"

 Clarion Herald - September 30, 1999 "13 named monsignor"

13 named monsignors

excerpts from The Clarion Herald, September 30, 1999

Here are the archdiocese's 13 new monsignors...

Msgr. Bugler is a native of Ireland who completed his studies for the priesthood at St. Patrick's College in Tipperary. He was ordained in 1975. He served at St. James Major parish in New Orleans before being named pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Belle Chasse. Since 1996 he has been pastor of St. Rita Church in New Orleans. Msgr. Bugler has served as director of the Family Life Apostolate and is currently Vocation Director for the archdiocese....

(Father Harry's comments)

My heart is filled with gratitude! I thank God who has loved me into life and who continues to give me life through the love of so many people. I am especially mindful of my parents, Dan and Ella Bugler, and of my six brothers and sisters who first nurtured me in the faith. The members of my home parish of Lorrha in Ireland sowed the seeds of my vocation by their example of faith and holiness. I was fortunate to have been taught in high school by the Patrician Brothers. They instilled in me an excitement for the missionary church. The faculty and staff of my seminary, St. Patrick's College, Thurles in Ireland inspired me by their vision for the church and by the holiness of their lives. Among many things they compelled me to do my best and to value personal integrity. I could not have asked for anything more from the people of the various parishes, archdiocesan offices and many other organizations where I served over the years. All these people have taken me to their hearts. Their love, generosity, dedication and commitment have all combined to make my life so worthwhile and fulfilling. They are tangible evidence of God's closeness always. I have been privileged to be a collaborator with so many others in ministry. My brother priests, sisters, deacons and so many others have all been an enormous grace to me. Archbishop Schulte has been a great personal friend and a true shepherd. I am truly thankful to him for the confidence he has in me and for bestowing upon me this great honor. Thanks to so many people who have been true friends and to God who has made it all possible. My heart is indeed filled with gratitude.

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