Friday, March 27, 2015

Charles Henry Brent, First Bishop of the Phillipines

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On this Friday in the fifth week of Lent, the Church remembers the life and ministry of Charles Henry Brent who was born 9 April 1862 in Newcastle, Canada, and died on this day in 1929.
 
Brent was 1 of 10 children, and his father the rector of the Anglican Church in Newcastle.  Brent went to seminary and was ordained to the diaconate in 1886, and to the priesthood in 1887. That same year during a retreat, he had met the Rev. A.C.A Hall, at that time Superior of the Boston House of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, (The Cowley Fathers) with whom he had quickly formed what was to prove to be a life-long friendship. So, when, in 1888, Fr. Hall suggested that he move down to Boston to work at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, which was served by the Cowley Fathers, and live at their Mission House, Brent gladly accepted.
 
The 3 years he spent with the Cowley Fathers (1888-1891) were crucial to Brent's spiritual formation as a priest. Under the direction of the monks, he learned the lessons of an ordered and disciplined spiritual life, which were to serve him well for what lay in the future.
 
Brent was sent to St. Stephen’s, a recently re-opened church in the south end of Boston, one of the city's poorest neighborhoods. Brent remained there for 10 years, and the parish became vibrant and thriving.
 
Brent had an excellent reputation as a preach, his reputation as a preacher, pastor and organizer, that only Brent himself was surprised when in 1901 Bishop Potter of New York asked whether he would, if elected, accept the newly formed Diocese of the Philippines.  Brent did.
 
Once in his new Diocese, Brent he directed his efforts toward the non-Christians: the Igorots of the mountains of Luzon, the Muslims of the southern islands, and the Chinese settlements in Manila. Brent made considerable inroads and established thriving Christian communities.
 
Brent began a campaign against the opium traffic, and served on several international commissions devoted to stamping out international traffic in narcotics. James Kiefer writes that: “During World War I, he was the Senior Chaplain for the American Armed Forces in Europe. He declined three elections to bishoprics in the United States in order to continue his work in the Philippines, but in 1918, he accepted the position of Bishop of Western New York. His experiences in the Philippines had aroused in him a strong concern for the cause of visible Christian unity.”
 
Here is a prayer written by Brent that we are all familiar with and is appropriate during this Lenten season:
 
Lord Jesus Christ, who didst stretch out thine arms of love upon the hard wood of the Cross, that all men everywhere might come within the reach of thy saving embrace: So clothe us with thy Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know thee to the knowledge and love of thee; for the honor of thy Name.
 
He died on this day in 1929 from what can be best described as exhaustion.
 
Let us pray:  Heavenly Father, whose Son prayed that we all might be one: deliver us from arrogance and prejudice, and give us wisdom and forbearance, that, following your servant Charles Henry Brent, we may be united in one family with all who confess the Name of thy Son Jesus Christ: who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.
 
CALENDAR REMINDERS
 
Lenten Program, The Rule of Life, is at Trinity on Wednesday, 1 April starting at 6 PM.  The Rev. Bob Flick will be our speaker. 
 
This Sunday is Palm Sunday.  We start at the cross outside.
 
Senior Health Lunches with hosted by the Rev. Dr. Helen Appelberg and UTMB at St. Augustine’s starting Tuesday, 14 April at 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM.  Come and learn about health issues from trained medical professional speakers.  Spanish speakers are especially welcome since there will be someone from UTMB providing translations.  Please get the word out!
 
The Annual BBQ with Bigmista is right around the corner, 2 May.  Pitch in and help!
 
Please remember everyone on our Prayer List, especially those recovering from surgery.
 
Your servant in Christ,
 
Fr. Chester J. Makowski+
St. Augustine of Hippo Episcopal Church
Galveston, Texas 77550
 

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