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REMEMBRANCES

FOR

FR. BRUNO COCUZZI

Delivered by Fr. Paul Albert Trementozzi

Mass of the Resurrection

July 25, 2002

Our Lady of the Presentation Church

Brighton, Massachusetts

Discalced Carmelite Order

Theme: Ephesians 4, 29 – 32

…… say only good things that men need to hear—things that will really help them……

Introduction:

Fr. Provincial asked that a few words be said about Fr. Bruno in his work as Mission Procurator, of our missions in Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa. Perhaps it can be said best, by quoting from a letter he would send to the Pastor from where the Mission Appeal was to be made, about Kenya. Quote from the letter to the Pastor:

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“Although Kenya is considered one of the more advanced and stable of the African nations, large numbers of its people suffer greatly from poverty, disease, and lack of the basic necessities of life. This is aggravated by corruption in Government. Were it not for the help of the many Missionary congregations in Kenya, there would be very little hope for these sufferers. Nevertheless, for the most part, Kenyans are a gentle and peace-loving people. Their deeply religious nature finds expression in exuberant Liturgies abounding in song, dance, and colorful vestments and attire.

The primary work of the Discalced Carmelites in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, consists in educating native African Friars, from several English-speaking countries in East Africa, for the Priesthood. In addition, our Friars operate a Retreat facility for Diocesan Clergy, Religious, and Laity. These represent the most cost effective way of cooperating in the work of Evangelization, and of helping the Church to grow and take firm root in Africa. Secondarily our Friars do what they can to alleviate some of the suffering spoken of above.

Whatever you can contribute will be greatly appreciated. Be assured of remembrance in the prayers of the Carmelite Missionaries and students.

Asking God’s choicest blessings upon you, your staff, and all your parishioners, I am

Fraternally yours in Christ, the Great High Priest,

(signed)

Rev. Bruno Cocuzzi, O.C.D., Mission Procurator

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Very often during these past years, Fr. Bruno asked me to help him with the Mission Appeals. Especially if the Appeals were to be made in the same area—like Boston or Maine. He would take me to my Mission Appeal on Saturday morning and then would go on to his and then on Sunday, he would pick me up on his way back from his Mission Appeal and we would go back to the Monastery, in Brighton, Massachusetts. He would always be self-sacrificing. For example: He would take the more difficult appeals, more Masses, no cook; often the Pastor would leave for the weekend. He would never stop to get something to eat. He would take some food from the Monastery to hold him over until he reached the church for the Mission Appeal. Why? Well, just to save money for the Missions.

Fr. Bruno not only helped our Missionaries in Nairobi but also our Carmelite Nuns in Nairobi and those within our Province in Africa. For example, when he heard the Nuns in Nairobi needed a sewing machine---off went money to buy the Nuns a sewing machine. When he learned our Community could use some books for the library, off went huge boxes to the Friars and for the Nuns, also. Yes, even a washboard was sent to our Nuns in Nairobi.

I was asked to keep these remarks short. Well, Fr. Bruno. Thanks for all you have done for our Missions in Africa, and will continue to do in Heaven. Thanks again for all your help to me over the years.

Indeed the Gospel of last Sunday speaks of you---Matthew 13, 24 – 43---and to all of us.

“……The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast that a woman took to mix in with a measure of wheat flour until the whole batch was leavened……”

My brothers and sisters, we are all that woman in the Gospel. We, with a small amount of yeast, and three measures of wheat flour, can, with God’s blessing, produce a whole batch of bread and help to feed the hungry of the world.

We hear that “The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few.” Our missionaries are the Church’s laborers, sent out just as the first Apostles were sent to proclaim the kingdom of God. Jesus sent out the twelve, all of us, not only to preach the Word, which brings so much joy to the faithful, but to care for their immediate needs as well.

Go, He says to all of us, and cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons.

Go, He would say today, and help bring health care to the ill, hope to those dying of AIDS, housing for those cast out to the slums, and reforms to corrupt governments.

Not all are called to active service in a mission, but we are called to participate in the missionary work through our prayers.

Because without cost we have received; and without cost we are to give to those who have nothing.

Matthew 25:

“I was hungry and you gave me food.

I was thirsty and you gave me drink.

I was a stranger and you welcomed me,

naked and you clothed me.

I was ill and you comforted me,

in prison and you came to visit me.”

“I assure you, as often as you did this for one of my least brothers, you did it for me.”

And so it is as Saint Paul says in Ephesians 4, 24 – 32:

“……say only the good things that men need to hear….things that will really help them.”

There are countless “good things” we could say about Fr. Bruno but you know what they are. So be it !!

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