The Friends of Father Treco thought that it might be good to post each of the updates that have been posted to the GoFundMe Appeal that Jonathan and Evie Schwartzbauer launched in support of Fr. Treco. We chose to start with the most recent post.
Update 19: How to Live in Disorienting Times!
July 21, 2019 | By Fr. Vaughn Treco, Beneficiary
[Note: This Update is a slightly rewritten exhortatory letter that Fr. Treco sent to a dear sister in Christ. He prays that each of you find it helpful.]
Dearest Sister,
Thank you for reading my update email, the articles which it pointed to, and for watching the linked video! In your email you acknowledged one of the chief challenges that confronts faithful Catholics today:
“I don’t know how to respond; I’m puzzled and saddened about the entire situation. There seems to be so much to question in the responses you’ve received (and have not) from officialdom.”
Again, in your email, I believe that you also identified the first response that each of the faithful should to the disorienting times in which we live: Cry out to God! Or as you put it, To “continue to pray ... [that] God [may] keep us all.”
Regarding what to do, here is what I would commend to you!
First, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! For as the psalmist cries, “holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.” [Psalm 92(93):5] Put another way: GET HOLY!
Second, seek to know, love and serve God more fully! Put another way: GET HOLY!
Third, pray that you and those held in your love will keep the Faith entrusted to the holy Apostles by Our Lord Jesus Christ. And, if any of those held in your love have walked away from Christ, pray that the current scandalous conduct of the hierarchy — a symptom of the crisis that has engulfed the human element of Holy Mother Church for more than five decades — will cause them to see by way of contrast the life-giving beauty of the Doctrine of Christ. Put another: Pray that you and they GET HOLY!
Finally, I encourage you to examine your thoughts, decisions and habits. Then reject whatever personal opinions you hold that do not conform to the immutable teaching of Jesus Christ; Rescind and repent of any decisions that you have made that are in conflict with or do not reflect the moral doctrine of Christ the King; and to break any habits that distract you from your attainment of the stature of Christ. Put another way: Pursue holiness with all your heart, soul, mind and strength! that is, GET HOLY!
If you and I do these things, we will know the peace of Christ in the midst of any storm that may threaten us! And, we will enjoy the delight of the Blessed Trinity forever in the life to come.
This is how the saints of old became saints despite public shame, persecution or sword! And, this too, is how we will become saints. Put another way, this is how they became, and how we will GET HOLY!
Dearest sister, I can imagine no greater joy than that of beholding the Beatific Vision in the company of brethren in Christ whom I had the privilege of serving in Christ’s name in this life!
So... I pledge to you this day that I will pursue the Triune until I GET HOLY!
—
In Jesus through Mary always,
Fr. Vaughn Treco
PayPal.me/frtreco
"Stat Crux, dum volvitur orbis"
[Note: This Update is a slightly rewritten exhortatory letter that Fr. Treco sent to a dear sister in Christ. He prays that each of you find it helpful.]
Dearest Sister,
Thank you for reading my update email, the articles which it pointed to, and for watching the linked video! In your email you acknowledged one of the chief challenges that confronts faithful Catholics today:
“I don’t know how to respond; I’m puzzled and saddened about the entire situation. There seems to be so much to question in the responses you’ve received (and have not) from officialdom.”
Again, in your email, I believe that you also identified the first response that each of the faithful should to the disorienting times in which we live: Cry out to God! Or as you put it, To “continue to pray ... [that] God [may] keep us all.”
Regarding what to do, here is what I would commend to you!
First, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! For as the psalmist cries, “holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.” [Psalm 92(93):5] Put another way: GET HOLY!
Second, seek to know, love and serve God more fully! Put another way: GET HOLY!
Third, pray that you and those held in your love will keep the Faith entrusted to the holy Apostles by Our Lord Jesus Christ. And, if any of those held in your love have walked away from Christ, pray that the current scandalous conduct of the hierarchy — a symptom of the crisis that has engulfed the human element of Holy Mother Church for more than five decades — will cause them to see by way of contrast the life-giving beauty of the Doctrine of Christ. Put another: Pray that you and they GET HOLY!
Finally, I encourage you to examine your thoughts, decisions and habits. Then reject whatever personal opinions you hold that do not conform to the immutable teaching of Jesus Christ; Rescind and repent of any decisions that you have made that are in conflict with or do not reflect the moral doctrine of Christ the King; and to break any habits that distract you from your attainment of the stature of Christ. Put another way: Pursue holiness with all your heart, soul, mind and strength! that is, GET HOLY!
If you and I do these things, we will know the peace of Christ in the midst of any storm that may threaten us! And, we will enjoy the delight of the Blessed Trinity forever in the life to come.
This is how the saints of old became saints despite public shame, persecution or sword! And, this too, is how we will become saints. Put another way, this is how they became, and how we will GET HOLY!
Dearest sister, I can imagine no greater joy than that of beholding the Beatific Vision in the company of brethren in Christ whom I had the privilege of serving in Christ’s name in this life!
So... I pledge to you this day that I will pursue the Triune until I GET HOLY!
—
In Jesus through Mary always,
Fr. Vaughn Treco
PayPal.me/frtreco
"Stat Crux, dum volvitur orbis"
Update 18: GoFundMe Appeal Surpasses Its Goal!
July 18th, 2019 | Jonathan Schwartzbauer, Organizer
Dearest friends and supporters,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. Late last week, we reached our stated goal. Thanks be to God! The initial emergency need for funds has been met! As I believe I mentioned in a previous update, when we launched this campaign I was not certain we would ever meet the stated goal. Today, I look at the total amount raised and I thank God for His provision provided through your generosity. So let me say again:
THANK YOU!!!!
As I'm sure most of you know, much of the recent publicity and online discussions surrounding Fr. Treco's situation came from an article from Church Militant on July 8th (linked below.) We friends of Fr. Treco are thankful to Church Militant for the article. It is the clearest and most up to date presentation of the facts of this story in one place and we are very thankful to them for this article. Church Militant also devoted an episode of "The Download" to Fr. Treco's case (available to their premium members.) Through a generous offer to Fr. Treco and any friends and family members he wished to share it with, I was able to watch the episode, and it was every bit as excellent as their article. If you have the ability to watch it, I highly recommend it.
There has been some controversy about Church Militant's take that I'd like to address very briefly. Many are saying that the article is not fair because we don't have the bishop's side of the story. Many of the former parishioners of the now closed St. Bede's and others have requested information from Bishop Lopes and he has declined to even acknowledge receipt of any of these requests. He has had the opportunity to make his side known and he has chosen not to. That alone, I believe, speaks volumes.
Now, with all of that said, we come to today. As of writing, Fr. Treco and his wife Norma still have no regular source of income. Father is working towards sustainable secular employment, but his temporary living situation and the necessary training prohibit his ability to secure such employment as of yet. Fr. Treco recently made his financial situation known to me. He will be able to secure the income he and his wife need sometime around the end of December. So need for further income still exists, and we ask for your continued generosity.
In light of this need, and your generosity, we have opted NOT to raise the fundraising goal. The emergency need is over and met. (again, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!) We leave the supply of the continued need to Our Lord and whatever He inspires his people to contribute. Please remember that assistance is still a need, however.
As always, please remember to share this with family, friends, fellow parishioners, and on social media. And of course PRAY for Fr. Treco and for the justice of God to prevail as the canonical appeal in Rome awaits a decision (based on others' experiences, we do not expect any decision until at least May 2020.)
And we cannot say enough... THANK YOU!
Sincerely in Christ,
Jonathan Schwartzbauer & the Friends of Father Treco
Dustin & Carolina Dufault
Julie Dupre
Anna MacArthur
Dr. & Mrs. Kerry MacArthur
Mary MacArthur
Links:
ChurchMilitant article
Priest Excommunicated, Parish Closed After Criticism of Conciliar Popes
Website
Friends of Father Treco
1Peter5 Article
O Father, My Father: The Story of Vaughn Treco
Help spread the word!
Dearest friends and supporters,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity. Late last week, we reached our stated goal. Thanks be to God! The initial emergency need for funds has been met! As I believe I mentioned in a previous update, when we launched this campaign I was not certain we would ever meet the stated goal. Today, I look at the total amount raised and I thank God for His provision provided through your generosity. So let me say again:
THANK YOU!!!!
As I'm sure most of you know, much of the recent publicity and online discussions surrounding Fr. Treco's situation came from an article from Church Militant on July 8th (linked below.) We friends of Fr. Treco are thankful to Church Militant for the article. It is the clearest and most up to date presentation of the facts of this story in one place and we are very thankful to them for this article. Church Militant also devoted an episode of "The Download" to Fr. Treco's case (available to their premium members.) Through a generous offer to Fr. Treco and any friends and family members he wished to share it with, I was able to watch the episode, and it was every bit as excellent as their article. If you have the ability to watch it, I highly recommend it.
There has been some controversy about Church Militant's take that I'd like to address very briefly. Many are saying that the article is not fair because we don't have the bishop's side of the story. Many of the former parishioners of the now closed St. Bede's and others have requested information from Bishop Lopes and he has declined to even acknowledge receipt of any of these requests. He has had the opportunity to make his side known and he has chosen not to. That alone, I believe, speaks volumes.
Now, with all of that said, we come to today. As of writing, Fr. Treco and his wife Norma still have no regular source of income. Father is working towards sustainable secular employment, but his temporary living situation and the necessary training prohibit his ability to secure such employment as of yet. Fr. Treco recently made his financial situation known to me. He will be able to secure the income he and his wife need sometime around the end of December. So need for further income still exists, and we ask for your continued generosity.
In light of this need, and your generosity, we have opted NOT to raise the fundraising goal. The emergency need is over and met. (again, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!) We leave the supply of the continued need to Our Lord and whatever He inspires his people to contribute. Please remember that assistance is still a need, however.
As always, please remember to share this with family, friends, fellow parishioners, and on social media. And of course PRAY for Fr. Treco and for the justice of God to prevail as the canonical appeal in Rome awaits a decision (based on others' experiences, we do not expect any decision until at least May 2020.)
And we cannot say enough... THANK YOU!
Sincerely in Christ,
Jonathan Schwartzbauer & the Friends of Father Treco
Dustin & Carolina Dufault
Julie Dupre
Anna MacArthur
Dr. & Mrs. Kerry MacArthur
Mary MacArthur
Links:
ChurchMilitant article
Priest Excommunicated, Parish Closed After Criticism of Conciliar Popes
Website
Friends of Father Treco
1Peter5 Article
O Father, My Father: The Story of Vaughn Treco
Help spread the word!
Update 17: Friends of Father Treco Launches Website!
July 2nd, 2019 | Jonathan Schwartzbauer, Organizer
Dear Friends,
I am writing to announce a new initiative just launched in the ongoing defense of Fr. Vaughn Treco! FriendsOfFatherTreco.org
From the Welcome page:
The Friends of Father Treco have launched this website in order to facilitate the dissemination of true and accurate information about his case, to provide updates as they become known, to serve as a portal for significant articles related to his case, and to provide an easy mechanism by which Christians may offer him spiritual and material support.
The initial impetus for the creation of this website was the reasonable doubts expressed by various people about the claims being made in support of Father Treco's situation and in support of the GoFundMe Appeal that was launched to secure emergency material and spiritual support. This website seeks to address those concerns by providing access to whatever documentary evidence that may be relevant to Fr. Treco's case.
We welcome submissions of any documents, articles or other resources relevant to Father Treco's case. FriendsOfFatherTreco.org reserves the right to publish or not publish any resources submitted for review and inclusion.
MAY JESUS CHRIST, the author and finisher of our faith, be with us in His power; and may the Immaculate Virgin, the destroyer of all heresies, be with us by her prayers and aid. Amen.
In Jesus through Mary,
Friends of Father Treco
— — —
Jonathan & Evie Schwartzbauer
Dustin & Carolina Dufault
Julie Dupre
Anna MacArthur
Dr. & Mrs. Kerry MacArthur
Mary MacArthur
Dear Friends,
I am writing to announce a new initiative just launched in the ongoing defense of Fr. Vaughn Treco! FriendsOfFatherTreco.org
From the Welcome page:
The Friends of Father Treco have launched this website in order to facilitate the dissemination of true and accurate information about his case, to provide updates as they become known, to serve as a portal for significant articles related to his case, and to provide an easy mechanism by which Christians may offer him spiritual and material support.
The initial impetus for the creation of this website was the reasonable doubts expressed by various people about the claims being made in support of Father Treco's situation and in support of the GoFundMe Appeal that was launched to secure emergency material and spiritual support. This website seeks to address those concerns by providing access to whatever documentary evidence that may be relevant to Fr. Treco's case.
We welcome submissions of any documents, articles or other resources relevant to Father Treco's case. FriendsOfFatherTreco.org reserves the right to publish or not publish any resources submitted for review and inclusion.
MAY JESUS CHRIST, the author and finisher of our faith, be with us in His power; and may the Immaculate Virgin, the destroyer of all heresies, be with us by her prayers and aid. Amen.
In Jesus through Mary,
Friends of Father Treco
— — —
Jonathan & Evie Schwartzbauer
Dustin & Carolina Dufault
Julie Dupre
Anna MacArthur
Dr. & Mrs. Kerry MacArthur
Mary MacArthur
Update 16: A Few Important Numbers
June 20th, 2019 | Jonathan Schwartzbauer, Organizer
Greetings friends and supporters!
It has been some time since I last updated you on the status of this fundraiser and Fr. Treco's canonical status. We've gone through all of the Easter season, the Holy Spirit has descended on Pentecost, we have worshiped God as the Trinity which He is, and today is the feast of Corpus Christi in which we honor, worship, and adore the Body of Christ in the Holy Eucharist (though I realize in many places that feast is transferred to this coming Sunday.) And after that, we begin the slow burn in the time after Pentecost (or Trinitytide as it is called in the Ordinariate calendar.)
It is at this time the the church year slows down. We become very accustomed to the green vestments of the sacred ministers, and feasts are few. It's during this time of year that we ponder all we have gone through in the first half of the year from Advent through Epiphany into Lent rising up to Easter, and let that nourish us through the journey of the Christian life. The time after Pentecost is not just "Ordinary Time" as if we're getting back to normal, but the time after Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit is moving in the Church which is the Kingdom of God to make manifest the rule of Christ the King here on earth.
It was on the feast of Christ the King at the end of the liturgical cycle last year that Fr. Treco delivered his homily in which he took a stand against a corrupt hierarchy and provided us with much needed context for the abuse scandal. Not only did he simply take a stand and tell us where this has its roots, but Fr. Treco also showed us a way forward, on how to live a good Catholic life in the midst of this terror.
Today is also the one year anniversary, to the day, of the then-Cardinal McCarrick revelations which brought the abuse scandal back to the forefront of our thoughts. If you follow Catholic media, you may be aware that new revelations about Cardinal Bernardin have come to light. You may have also heard about the neo-pagan sympathies and proposed laxity in the discipline of priestly celibacy in the Instrumentum Laboris for the upcoming Amazon Synod. I won't go into any details of these things. You can find them yourself if you're interested.
It is against all of these things that we all must stand, and it is for this reason that we need to to support Fr. Treco. Some time ago, we doubled the amount the appeal initially asked for. This was not done lightly but because of a realization of what is at hand.
The reality is this. On January 29th, Father was suspended a divinis, no longer able to celebrate the sacraments. On April 1st, Bishop Lopes issued a decree of excommunication against Fr. Treco. There was almost no due canonical process. Some facts of the case are in the image attached to this update.
Fr. Treco has submitted a canonical appeal to the Ordinariate, his second, both of which have been ignored by the chancery. The second was also sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by way of the Papal Nuncio. Other battles are just over the horizon.
So far, Father's Canonical defense has cost over $5,000 USD. By the end, the expected cost is going to be in the excess of $15,000. That's the reality we're in and that's why we raised the fundraiser amount.
I'd like to thank you again, as I did at the beginning of the Easter season, for helping Fr. Treco to meet our initial goal. I did not know if we would reach it. We've exceeded that amount, but still have quite a ways to go.
With all of the evil be perpetrated by certain members of the hierarchy and the doctrinal confusion present through the diabolical disorientation in the church today, we need priests like Fr. Vaughn Treco who are willing to fight for the Catholic faith. We need them in good standing to administer the sacraments to keep us on the right path.
We still need your help. If you can continue to give, please do. Please direct friends, family, and fellow parishioners to this fundraiser. Share the link and updates on social media. And of course, offers prayers and sufferings for our persecuted priests, especially Fr. Treco.
God bless you all!
Pax Domine, Jonathan
Greetings friends and supporters!
It has been some time since I last updated you on the status of this fundraiser and Fr. Treco's canonical status. We've gone through all of the Easter season, the Holy Spirit has descended on Pentecost, we have worshiped God as the Trinity which He is, and today is the feast of Corpus Christi in which we honor, worship, and adore the Body of Christ in the Holy Eucharist (though I realize in many places that feast is transferred to this coming Sunday.) And after that, we begin the slow burn in the time after Pentecost (or Trinitytide as it is called in the Ordinariate calendar.)
It is at this time the the church year slows down. We become very accustomed to the green vestments of the sacred ministers, and feasts are few. It's during this time of year that we ponder all we have gone through in the first half of the year from Advent through Epiphany into Lent rising up to Easter, and let that nourish us through the journey of the Christian life. The time after Pentecost is not just "Ordinary Time" as if we're getting back to normal, but the time after Pentecost is when the Holy Spirit is moving in the Church which is the Kingdom of God to make manifest the rule of Christ the King here on earth.
It was on the feast of Christ the King at the end of the liturgical cycle last year that Fr. Treco delivered his homily in which he took a stand against a corrupt hierarchy and provided us with much needed context for the abuse scandal. Not only did he simply take a stand and tell us where this has its roots, but Fr. Treco also showed us a way forward, on how to live a good Catholic life in the midst of this terror.
Today is also the one year anniversary, to the day, of the then-Cardinal McCarrick revelations which brought the abuse scandal back to the forefront of our thoughts. If you follow Catholic media, you may be aware that new revelations about Cardinal Bernardin have come to light. You may have also heard about the neo-pagan sympathies and proposed laxity in the discipline of priestly celibacy in the Instrumentum Laboris for the upcoming Amazon Synod. I won't go into any details of these things. You can find them yourself if you're interested.
It is against all of these things that we all must stand, and it is for this reason that we need to to support Fr. Treco. Some time ago, we doubled the amount the appeal initially asked for. This was not done lightly but because of a realization of what is at hand.
The reality is this. On January 29th, Father was suspended a divinis, no longer able to celebrate the sacraments. On April 1st, Bishop Lopes issued a decree of excommunication against Fr. Treco. There was almost no due canonical process. Some facts of the case are in the image attached to this update.
Fr. Treco has submitted a canonical appeal to the Ordinariate, his second, both of which have been ignored by the chancery. The second was also sent to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith by way of the Papal Nuncio. Other battles are just over the horizon.
So far, Father's Canonical defense has cost over $5,000 USD. By the end, the expected cost is going to be in the excess of $15,000. That's the reality we're in and that's why we raised the fundraiser amount.
I'd like to thank you again, as I did at the beginning of the Easter season, for helping Fr. Treco to meet our initial goal. I did not know if we would reach it. We've exceeded that amount, but still have quite a ways to go.
With all of the evil be perpetrated by certain members of the hierarchy and the doctrinal confusion present through the diabolical disorientation in the church today, we need priests like Fr. Vaughn Treco who are willing to fight for the Catholic faith. We need them in good standing to administer the sacraments to keep us on the right path.
We still need your help. If you can continue to give, please do. Please direct friends, family, and fellow parishioners to this fundraiser. Share the link and updates on social media. And of course, offers prayers and sufferings for our persecuted priests, especially Fr. Treco.
God bless you all!
Pax Domine, Jonathan
Update 15: O GIVE US BROTHERS UNTO EPHRAEM: A Cry from the Desert
June 18th, 2019 | By Fr. Vaughn Treco, Beneficiary
Hymn VI.
1. Would that the memory of the fathers would exhale from the tombs; who were very simple as being wise, and reverend as believing. They without cavilling searched for, and came to the right path.
He gave the law; the mountains melted away; fools broke through it. By unclean ravens He fed Elijah at the desert stream; and moreover gave from the skeleton honey unto Samson. They judged not, nor inquired why it was unclean, why clean.
2. And when He made void the sabbaths, the feeble Gentiles were clothed with health. Samson took the daughter of the aliens, and there was no disputing among the righteous; the prophet also took a harlot, and the just held their peace.
He blamed the righteous, and He held up and lifted up [to view] their delinquencies: He pitied sinners, and restored them without cost: and made low the mountains of their sins: He proved that God is not to be arraigned by men, and as Lord of Truth, that His servants were His shadow; and whatsoever way His will looked, they directed also their own wills; and because Light was in Him, their shadows were enlightened.
3. How strangely perplexed are all the heretics by simple things! For when He plainly foreshadowed this New Testament by that of the Prophets, those pitiable men rose, as though from sleep, and shouted out and made a disturbance. And the Way, wherein the righteous held straight on, and by their truths had gone forth therein, that [Way] have these broken up, because they were besotted: this they left and went out of; because they pried, an evil searching, [yea,] an evil babbling led them astray.
They saw the ray: they made it darkness, that they might grope therein: they saw the jewel, even the faith: while they pried into it, it fell and was lost. Of the pearl they made a stone, that they might stumble upon it.
4. O Gift, which fools have made a poison! The People were for separating Thy beauteous root from Thy fountain, though they separated it not: [false] teachings estranged Thy beauty also from the stock thereof.
By Thee did they get themselves estranged, who wished to estrange Thee. By Thee the tribes were cut off and scattered abroad from out of Sion, and also the [false] teachings of the seceders.
Bring Thyself within the compass of our littleness, O Thou Gift of ours. For if love cannot find Thee out on all sides, it cannot be still and at rest. Make Thyself small, Thou Who art too great for all, Who comest unto all!
5. By this would those who wrangle against our Pearl be reproved; because instead of love, strife has come in and dared to essay to unveil thy beauty. It was not graven, since it is a progeny which cannot be interpreted.
Thou didst show thy beauty among the abjects to show whereto thou art like, thou Pearl that art all faces. The beholders were astonied and perplexed at thee. The separatists separated thee in two, and were separated in two by thee, thou that art of one substance throughout.
They saw not thy beauty, because there was not in them the eye of truth. For the veil of prophecy, full as it was of the mysteries; to them was a covering of thy glistering faces: they thought that thou wast other [than thou art], O thou mirror of ours! and therefore these blind schismatics defiled thy fair beauty.
6. Since they have extolled thee too much, or have lowered thee too much, bring them to the even level. Come down, descend a little from that height of infidelity and heathendom; and come up from the depth of Judaism, though thou art in the Heaven.
Let our Lord be set between God and men! Let the Prophets be as it were His heralds! Let the Just One, as being His Father, rejoice! that Word it is which conquered both Jews and Heathens!
7. Come, Thou Gift of Holy Church, stay, rest in the midst of Her! The circumcised have troubled Thee, in that they are vain babblers, and so have the [false] doctrines in that they are contentious. Blessed be He that gave Thee a goodly company which bears Thee about!
In the covenant of Moses is Thy brightness shadowed forth: in the new covenant Thou dartest it forth: from those first Thy light shineth even unto those last. Blessed be He that gave us Thy gleam as well as Thy bright rays.
O God, who didst will to illumine thy Church by the wondrous learning and glorious merits of blessed Ephrem, thy Confessor and Doctor, do thou, we humbly entreat thee, by his intercession and thy continual power, defend her against the wiles of heresy and wickedness
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Saint Ephraem, pray for us!
Our Lady, Destroyer of heresies, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
— — — — —
Ephraem was of Syrian stock, his father being a citizen of Nisibis. While he was still young, he went to the holy bishop James to be baptized. In a short time he advanced so much in holiness and learning that he was made master of a flourishing school at Nisibis, a city in Mesopotamia. Ordained deacon of the Church of Edessa, and refusing the priesthood out of humility, he shone with the splendour of all virtues, and sought to acquire devotion and religion by the profession of true wisdom. All his works, illuminated with the bright light of learning, caused this Saint to be treated with great honour as a Doctor of the Church even in his lifetime. He excelled, above all, in a wonderful and loving devotion to the immaculate Virgin. Rich in merits, he died on the 18th day of June at Edessa in Mesopotamia, under the Emperor Valens. Pope Benedict XV, after consulting the Congregation of Sacred Rites, declared him a Doctor of the universal Church.
— — — — —
SOURCES:
Hymn VI. “NPNF-213. Gregory the Great (II), Ephraim Syrus, Aphrahat.” Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
Bellarmine SSJC+, V. Rev. Gregory. The Roman Breviary . Christian Books Today Ltd. Kindle Edition.


Help spread the word!
Hymn VI.
1. Would that the memory of the fathers would exhale from the tombs; who were very simple as being wise, and reverend as believing. They without cavilling searched for, and came to the right path.
He gave the law; the mountains melted away; fools broke through it. By unclean ravens He fed Elijah at the desert stream; and moreover gave from the skeleton honey unto Samson. They judged not, nor inquired why it was unclean, why clean.
2. And when He made void the sabbaths, the feeble Gentiles were clothed with health. Samson took the daughter of the aliens, and there was no disputing among the righteous; the prophet also took a harlot, and the just held their peace.
He blamed the righteous, and He held up and lifted up [to view] their delinquencies: He pitied sinners, and restored them without cost: and made low the mountains of their sins: He proved that God is not to be arraigned by men, and as Lord of Truth, that His servants were His shadow; and whatsoever way His will looked, they directed also their own wills; and because Light was in Him, their shadows were enlightened.
3. How strangely perplexed are all the heretics by simple things! For when He plainly foreshadowed this New Testament by that of the Prophets, those pitiable men rose, as though from sleep, and shouted out and made a disturbance. And the Way, wherein the righteous held straight on, and by their truths had gone forth therein, that [Way] have these broken up, because they were besotted: this they left and went out of; because they pried, an evil searching, [yea,] an evil babbling led them astray.
They saw the ray: they made it darkness, that they might grope therein: they saw the jewel, even the faith: while they pried into it, it fell and was lost. Of the pearl they made a stone, that they might stumble upon it.
4. O Gift, which fools have made a poison! The People were for separating Thy beauteous root from Thy fountain, though they separated it not: [false] teachings estranged Thy beauty also from the stock thereof.
By Thee did they get themselves estranged, who wished to estrange Thee. By Thee the tribes were cut off and scattered abroad from out of Sion, and also the [false] teachings of the seceders.
Bring Thyself within the compass of our littleness, O Thou Gift of ours. For if love cannot find Thee out on all sides, it cannot be still and at rest. Make Thyself small, Thou Who art too great for all, Who comest unto all!
5. By this would those who wrangle against our Pearl be reproved; because instead of love, strife has come in and dared to essay to unveil thy beauty. It was not graven, since it is a progeny which cannot be interpreted.
Thou didst show thy beauty among the abjects to show whereto thou art like, thou Pearl that art all faces. The beholders were astonied and perplexed at thee. The separatists separated thee in two, and were separated in two by thee, thou that art of one substance throughout.
They saw not thy beauty, because there was not in them the eye of truth. For the veil of prophecy, full as it was of the mysteries; to them was a covering of thy glistering faces: they thought that thou wast other [than thou art], O thou mirror of ours! and therefore these blind schismatics defiled thy fair beauty.
6. Since they have extolled thee too much, or have lowered thee too much, bring them to the even level. Come down, descend a little from that height of infidelity and heathendom; and come up from the depth of Judaism, though thou art in the Heaven.
Let our Lord be set between God and men! Let the Prophets be as it were His heralds! Let the Just One, as being His Father, rejoice! that Word it is which conquered both Jews and Heathens!
7. Come, Thou Gift of Holy Church, stay, rest in the midst of Her! The circumcised have troubled Thee, in that they are vain babblers, and so have the [false] doctrines in that they are contentious. Blessed be He that gave Thee a goodly company which bears Thee about!
In the covenant of Moses is Thy brightness shadowed forth: in the new covenant Thou dartest it forth: from those first Thy light shineth even unto those last. Blessed be He that gave us Thy gleam as well as Thy bright rays.
O God, who didst will to illumine thy Church by the wondrous learning and glorious merits of blessed Ephrem, thy Confessor and Doctor, do thou, we humbly entreat thee, by his intercession and thy continual power, defend her against the wiles of heresy and wickedness
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.
R. Amen.
Saint Ephraem, pray for us!
Our Lady, Destroyer of heresies, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
— — — — —
Ephraem was of Syrian stock, his father being a citizen of Nisibis. While he was still young, he went to the holy bishop James to be baptized. In a short time he advanced so much in holiness and learning that he was made master of a flourishing school at Nisibis, a city in Mesopotamia. Ordained deacon of the Church of Edessa, and refusing the priesthood out of humility, he shone with the splendour of all virtues, and sought to acquire devotion and religion by the profession of true wisdom. All his works, illuminated with the bright light of learning, caused this Saint to be treated with great honour as a Doctor of the Church even in his lifetime. He excelled, above all, in a wonderful and loving devotion to the immaculate Virgin. Rich in merits, he died on the 18th day of June at Edessa in Mesopotamia, under the Emperor Valens. Pope Benedict XV, after consulting the Congregation of Sacred Rites, declared him a Doctor of the universal Church.
— — — — —
SOURCES:
Hymn VI. “NPNF-213. Gregory the Great (II), Ephraim Syrus, Aphrahat.” Christian Classics Ethereal Library.
Bellarmine SSJC+, V. Rev. Gregory. The Roman Breviary . Christian Books Today Ltd. Kindle Edition.


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Update 14: PSALMS IN THE DAY OF TESTING: An Invitation to Prayer
June 15th, 2019 | By Fr. Vaughn Treco, Beneficiary
PSALMS IN THE DAY OF TESTING: An Invitation to Prayer
They had almost made an end of me upon earth:
but I have not forsaken thy commandments.
Quicken thou me according to thy mercy:
and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
[118: 87-88]
Unless thy law had been my meditation,
I had then perhaps perished in my abjection.
Thy justifications I will never forget:
for by them thou hast given me life.
I am thine, save thou me:
for I have sought thy justifications.
[Psalm 118:92-4]
Thy word is a lamp to my feet,
and a light to my paths.
I have sworn and am determined
to keep the judgments of thy justice.
I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly:
quicken thou me according to thy word.
[Psalm 118:105-107]
Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear:
for I am afraid of thy judgments.
I have done judgment and justice:
give me not up to them that slander me.
Uphold thy servant unto good:
let not the proud calumniate me.
[Psalm 118:120-122]
Thy justice is justice for ever:
and thy law is the truth.
Trouble and anguish have found me:
thy commandments are my meditation.
Thy testimonies are justice for ever:
give me understanding, and I shall live.
[Psalm 118:142-144]
Princes have persecuted persecuted me without cause:
and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.
I will rejoice at thy words,
as one that hath found great spoil.
I have hated and abhorred iniquity;
but I have loved thy law.
[Psalm 118:161-163]
Much peace have they that love thy law,
and to them there is no stumbling-block.
I looked for thy salvation, O Lord:
and I loved thy commandments.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies:
and hath loved them exceedingly.
I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies:
because all my ways are in thy sight.
[Psalm 118:165-168]
I have chosen the way of truth:
thy judgments I have not forgotten.
[Psalm 118:30]
We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to pour into our hearts Thy Holy Spirit, by Whose Wisdom we have been created, and by Whose Providence all our ways are ordered. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
[Roman Breviary]
Grant, Almighty God, that may not falter in my fidelity to Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the Catholic Church, to the Deposit of Faith, or to the holy vocation entrusted to me! Amen.
—
With gratitude for your continued prayers,
Fr. Treco
Feast of Saints Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, Martyrs


Help spread the word!
PSALMS IN THE DAY OF TESTING: An Invitation to Prayer
They had almost made an end of me upon earth:
but I have not forsaken thy commandments.
Quicken thou me according to thy mercy:
and I shall keep the testimonies of thy mouth.
[118: 87-88]
Unless thy law had been my meditation,
I had then perhaps perished in my abjection.
Thy justifications I will never forget:
for by them thou hast given me life.
I am thine, save thou me:
for I have sought thy justifications.
[Psalm 118:92-4]
Thy word is a lamp to my feet,
and a light to my paths.
I have sworn and am determined
to keep the judgments of thy justice.
I have been humbled, O Lord, exceedingly:
quicken thou me according to thy word.
[Psalm 118:105-107]
Pierce thou my flesh with thy fear:
for I am afraid of thy judgments.
I have done judgment and justice:
give me not up to them that slander me.
Uphold thy servant unto good:
let not the proud calumniate me.
[Psalm 118:120-122]
Thy justice is justice for ever:
and thy law is the truth.
Trouble and anguish have found me:
thy commandments are my meditation.
Thy testimonies are justice for ever:
give me understanding, and I shall live.
[Psalm 118:142-144]
Princes have persecuted persecuted me without cause:
and my heart hath been in awe of thy words.
I will rejoice at thy words,
as one that hath found great spoil.
I have hated and abhorred iniquity;
but I have loved thy law.
[Psalm 118:161-163]
Much peace have they that love thy law,
and to them there is no stumbling-block.
I looked for thy salvation, O Lord:
and I loved thy commandments.
My soul hath kept thy testimonies:
and hath loved them exceedingly.
I have kept thy commandments and thy testimonies:
because all my ways are in thy sight.
[Psalm 118:165-168]
I have chosen the way of truth:
thy judgments I have not forgotten.
[Psalm 118:30]
We beseech Thee, O Lord, mercifully to pour into our hearts Thy Holy Spirit, by Whose Wisdom we have been created, and by Whose Providence all our ways are ordered. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.
[Roman Breviary]
Grant, Almighty God, that may not falter in my fidelity to Our Lord Jesus Christ, to the Catholic Church, to the Deposit of Faith, or to the holy vocation entrusted to me! Amen.
—
With gratitude for your continued prayers,
Fr. Treco
Feast of Saints Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, Martyrs


Help spread the word!
Update 13: TO OUR LADY & ST. GREGORY: A Third “Not Really An Update”
May 25th, 2019 | By Fr. Vaughn Treco, Beneficiary
If you have moment, I ask that you would offer this prayer of Saint Don Bosco on my behalf:
MOST HOLY VIRGIN MARY, Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help
for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions
many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth
we may love and eternally
thank you in heaven.
Amen.
And, if a second moment is afforded you, offer this Prayer to Pope Saint Gregory VII, for the exaltation of Holy Mother Church:
O INVINCIBLE DEFENDER of Holy Church's freedom,
Saint Gregory of great renown,
by that firmness thou didst show
in maintaining the Church's rights against all her enemies,
stretch forth from Heaven thy mighty arm,
we beseech thee,
to comfort her and defend her in the fearful battle
she must ever wage with the powers of darkness.
Do thou, in an especial manner,
give strength in this dread conflict
to the venerable Pontiff
who has fallen heir not only to thy throne,
but likewise to the fearlessness of thy mighty heart;
obtain for him the joy of beholding his holy endeavors crowned
by the triumph of the Church
and the return of the lost sheep into the right path.
Grant, finally, that all may understand
how vain it is to strive against
that faith which has always conquered
and is destined always to conquer:
"this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith."
This is the prayer that we raise
to thee with one accord;
and we are confident, that,
after thou hast heard our prayers on earth,
thou wilt one day call us to stand
with thee in Heaven,
before the eternal High Priest,
Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit
liveth and reigneth world without end.
Amen.
And, again if a third opportunity arises, join me in this prayer to the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ:
O GOD, the might of all them
which put their trust in thee,
Who to keep thy Church free,
didst make thy blessed Confessor and Bishop Gregory
strong to wrestle and to suffer,
grant unto us, following his example,
and holpen by his prayers,
that with us as with him,
if they fight against us,
they shall not prevail against us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord,
Who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end.
Amen.
Viva Cristo Rey!
Fr. Vaughn Treco
If you have moment, I ask that you would offer this prayer of Saint Don Bosco on my behalf:
MOST HOLY VIRGIN MARY, Help of Christians,
how sweet it is to come to your feet
imploring your perpetual help.
If earthly mothers cease not to remember their children,
how can you, the most loving of all mothers forget me?
Grant then to me, I implore you,
your perpetual help in all my necessities,
in every sorrow, and especially in all my temptations.
I ask for your unceasing help
for all who are now suffering.
Help the weak, cure the sick, convert sinners.
Grant through your intercessions
many vocations to the religious life.
Obtain for us, O Mary, Help of Christians,
that having invoked you on earth
we may love and eternally
thank you in heaven.
Amen.
And, if a second moment is afforded you, offer this Prayer to Pope Saint Gregory VII, for the exaltation of Holy Mother Church:
O INVINCIBLE DEFENDER of Holy Church's freedom,
Saint Gregory of great renown,
by that firmness thou didst show
in maintaining the Church's rights against all her enemies,
stretch forth from Heaven thy mighty arm,
we beseech thee,
to comfort her and defend her in the fearful battle
she must ever wage with the powers of darkness.
Do thou, in an especial manner,
give strength in this dread conflict
to the venerable Pontiff
who has fallen heir not only to thy throne,
but likewise to the fearlessness of thy mighty heart;
obtain for him the joy of beholding his holy endeavors crowned
by the triumph of the Church
and the return of the lost sheep into the right path.
Grant, finally, that all may understand
how vain it is to strive against
that faith which has always conquered
and is destined always to conquer:
"this is the victory which overcometh the world, our faith."
This is the prayer that we raise
to thee with one accord;
and we are confident, that,
after thou hast heard our prayers on earth,
thou wilt one day call us to stand
with thee in Heaven,
before the eternal High Priest,
Who with the Father and the Holy Spirit
liveth and reigneth world without end.
Amen.
And, again if a third opportunity arises, join me in this prayer to the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ:
O GOD, the might of all them
which put their trust in thee,
Who to keep thy Church free,
didst make thy blessed Confessor and Bishop Gregory
strong to wrestle and to suffer,
grant unto us, following his example,
and holpen by his prayers,
that with us as with him,
if they fight against us,
they shall not prevail against us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord,
Who liveth and reigneth with thee,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end.
Amen.
Viva Cristo Rey!
Fr. Vaughn Treco
Update 12: ST. VINCENT’S GIFT: A Divine Remedy for Diabolical Confusion (Another “Not Really An Update”)
May 24th, 2019 | By Fr. Vaughn Treco, Beneficiary
“THIS being the case, he is the true and genuine Catholic who loves the truth of God, who loves the Church, who loves the Body of Christ, who esteems divine religion and the Catholic Faith above every thing, above the authority, above the regard, above the genius, above the eloquence, above the philosophy, of every man whatsoever; who sets light by all of these, and continuing steadfast and established in the faith, resolves that he will believe that, and that only, which he is sure the Catholic Church has held universally and from ancient time; but that whatsoever new and unheard-of doctrine he shall find to have been furtively introduced by some one or another, besides that of all, or contrary to that of all the saints, this, he will understand, does not pertain to religion, but is permitted as a trial, being instructed especially by the words of the blessed Apostle Paul, who writes thus in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, "There must needs be heresies, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you: "as though he should say, This is the reason why the authors of Heresies are not forthwith rooted up by God, namely, that they who are approved may be made manifest that is, that it may be apparent of each individual, how tenacious and faithful and steadfast he is in his love of the Catholic faith.”
“And in truth, as each novelty springs up incontinently is discerned the difference between the weight of the wheat and the lightness of the chaff. Then that which had no weight to keep it on the floor is without difficulty blown away. For some at once fly off entirely; others having been only shaken out, afraid of perishing, wounded, half alive, half dead, are ashamed to return. They have, in fact swallowed a quantity of poison--not enough to kill, yet more than can be got rid of; it neither causes death, nor suffers to live.
O wretched condition!
With what surging tempestuous cares
are they tossed about!
One while, the error being set in motion, they are hurried whithersoever the wind drives them; another, returning upon themselves like refluent waves, they are dashed back: one while, with rash presumption, they give their approval to what seems uncertain; another, with irrational fear, they are frightened out of their wits at what is certain, in doubt whither to go, whither to return, what to seek, what to shun, what to keep, what to throw away.”
“This affliction, indeed, of a hesitating and miserably vacillating mind is, if they are wise, a medicine intended for them by God's compassion. For therefore it is that outside the most secure harbour of the Catholic Faith, they are tossed about, beaten, and almost killed, by divers tempestuous cogitations, in order that they may take in the sails of self-conceit, which, they had with ill advice unfurled to the blasts of novelty, and may betake themselves again to, and remain stationary within, the most secure harbour of their placid and good mother, and may begin by vomiting up those bitter and turbid floods of error which they had swallowed, that thenceforward they may be able to drink the streams of fresh and living water.
Let them unlearn well what they had learnt not well, and let them receive so much of the entire doctrine of the Church as they can understand: what they cannot understand let them believe.”*
“The doctrine of the Faith revealed by God has not been proposed to men as a philosophical invention to be perfected, but entrusted to the bride of Christ as a divine deposit, for her to guard faithfully and to infallibly teach. Further it is necessary to guard the sacred dogmas in the sense that the Church has once and for all time exposed, and it is never permitted, under the pretext of a more profound understanding, to distance oneself from them. It is thus important that intelligence, knowledge and wisdom grow and progress vigorously, in each as in all, for each individual man as for the Church as a whole, in the course of ages and centuries; but only in its kind, that is to say, in the same dogma, the same sense, and the same thought.”** “Enlighten, O Lord, the hearts of thy servants with the grace of the Holy Ghost: give them a tongue of fire; and on those who preach thy word, bestow increase of power.”**
Saint Vincent of Lerins, pray for us!
Our Lady, Destroyer of heresies, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Pax Christi,
Fr. Vaughn Treco
On Saint Vincent’s Day
— — — — —
Reference:
*THE COMMONITORY OF ST. VINCENT OF LERINS: Chapter Twenty: The Notes of a true Catholic Translated by Rev. C. A. Heurtley
**Vatican I, DZ 3020
***Dominical Missal, Collect, Mass ‘for Preachers’
“THIS being the case, he is the true and genuine Catholic who loves the truth of God, who loves the Church, who loves the Body of Christ, who esteems divine religion and the Catholic Faith above every thing, above the authority, above the regard, above the genius, above the eloquence, above the philosophy, of every man whatsoever; who sets light by all of these, and continuing steadfast and established in the faith, resolves that he will believe that, and that only, which he is sure the Catholic Church has held universally and from ancient time; but that whatsoever new and unheard-of doctrine he shall find to have been furtively introduced by some one or another, besides that of all, or contrary to that of all the saints, this, he will understand, does not pertain to religion, but is permitted as a trial, being instructed especially by the words of the blessed Apostle Paul, who writes thus in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, "There must needs be heresies, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you: "as though he should say, This is the reason why the authors of Heresies are not forthwith rooted up by God, namely, that they who are approved may be made manifest that is, that it may be apparent of each individual, how tenacious and faithful and steadfast he is in his love of the Catholic faith.”
“And in truth, as each novelty springs up incontinently is discerned the difference between the weight of the wheat and the lightness of the chaff. Then that which had no weight to keep it on the floor is without difficulty blown away. For some at once fly off entirely; others having been only shaken out, afraid of perishing, wounded, half alive, half dead, are ashamed to return. They have, in fact swallowed a quantity of poison--not enough to kill, yet more than can be got rid of; it neither causes death, nor suffers to live.
O wretched condition!
With what surging tempestuous cares
are they tossed about!
One while, the error being set in motion, they are hurried whithersoever the wind drives them; another, returning upon themselves like refluent waves, they are dashed back: one while, with rash presumption, they give their approval to what seems uncertain; another, with irrational fear, they are frightened out of their wits at what is certain, in doubt whither to go, whither to return, what to seek, what to shun, what to keep, what to throw away.”
“This affliction, indeed, of a hesitating and miserably vacillating mind is, if they are wise, a medicine intended for them by God's compassion. For therefore it is that outside the most secure harbour of the Catholic Faith, they are tossed about, beaten, and almost killed, by divers tempestuous cogitations, in order that they may take in the sails of self-conceit, which, they had with ill advice unfurled to the blasts of novelty, and may betake themselves again to, and remain stationary within, the most secure harbour of their placid and good mother, and may begin by vomiting up those bitter and turbid floods of error which they had swallowed, that thenceforward they may be able to drink the streams of fresh and living water.
Let them unlearn well what they had learnt not well, and let them receive so much of the entire doctrine of the Church as they can understand: what they cannot understand let them believe.”*
“The doctrine of the Faith revealed by God has not been proposed to men as a philosophical invention to be perfected, but entrusted to the bride of Christ as a divine deposit, for her to guard faithfully and to infallibly teach. Further it is necessary to guard the sacred dogmas in the sense that the Church has once and for all time exposed, and it is never permitted, under the pretext of a more profound understanding, to distance oneself from them. It is thus important that intelligence, knowledge and wisdom grow and progress vigorously, in each as in all, for each individual man as for the Church as a whole, in the course of ages and centuries; but only in its kind, that is to say, in the same dogma, the same sense, and the same thought.”** “Enlighten, O Lord, the hearts of thy servants with the grace of the Holy Ghost: give them a tongue of fire; and on those who preach thy word, bestow increase of power.”**
Saint Vincent of Lerins, pray for us!
Our Lady, Destroyer of heresies, pray for us!
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us!
Pax Christi,
Fr. Vaughn Treco
On Saint Vincent’s Day
— — — — —
Reference:
*THE COMMONITORY OF ST. VINCENT OF LERINS: Chapter Twenty: The Notes of a true Catholic Translated by Rev. C. A. Heurtley
**Vatican I, DZ 3020
***Dominical Missal, Collect, Mass ‘for Preachers’
Update 11: Original Appeal Goal Met!
May 23rd, 2019 | Jonathan Schwartzbauer, Organizer
Praise be to God!
Dearest friends and fellow workers in the vineyard of Christ,
I am writing here to thank you all for your support. Due entirely because of your help, we have reached the original goal set for Fr. Treco's support!
Thank you all!
This means that the majority of Fr. Treco and Norma's outstanding expenses and debts are covered for now. I know this gives them great piece of mind.
That being said, we do still have some more to go. The fundraising goal was increased initially from the $15,000 mark because of the high cost of mounting a canonical defense. Canon lawyers are expensive to retain, and there are additional costs always incurred in any sort of legal battle. That battle is underway and, by the grace of God and His mercy, justice will be done.
In addition, Fr. Treco is currently without gainful employment due to his currently transitory state. Further, original plans for a more permanent living situation have had to be modified due entirely to circumstances beyond human control. As such, exactly when a normal income will be made available again, we simply do not know.
With all that as background, please continue to share this fundraising page with friends, family, fellow parishioners, and on social media. Fr. Treco is a fantastic priest and the best man I have ever known. He deserves all our support and more.
And again, thank you all so very much for bringing Father this far!
To be honest, I did not know if we'd get here!
Deo Gratias!
Sincerely and with heartfelt thanks,
Jonathan Schwartzbauer
Praise be to God!
Dearest friends and fellow workers in the vineyard of Christ,
I am writing here to thank you all for your support. Due entirely because of your help, we have reached the original goal set for Fr. Treco's support!
Thank you all!
This means that the majority of Fr. Treco and Norma's outstanding expenses and debts are covered for now. I know this gives them great piece of mind.
That being said, we do still have some more to go. The fundraising goal was increased initially from the $15,000 mark because of the high cost of mounting a canonical defense. Canon lawyers are expensive to retain, and there are additional costs always incurred in any sort of legal battle. That battle is underway and, by the grace of God and His mercy, justice will be done.
In addition, Fr. Treco is currently without gainful employment due to his currently transitory state. Further, original plans for a more permanent living situation have had to be modified due entirely to circumstances beyond human control. As such, exactly when a normal income will be made available again, we simply do not know.
With all that as background, please continue to share this fundraising page with friends, family, fellow parishioners, and on social media. Fr. Treco is a fantastic priest and the best man I have ever known. He deserves all our support and more.
And again, thank you all so very much for bringing Father this far!
To be honest, I did not know if we'd get here!
Deo Gratias!
Sincerely and with heartfelt thanks,
Jonathan Schwartzbauer
Updates 01-10 to be added soon!
A GoFundMe Appeal Launched
March 22, 2019 | By Jonathan & Evie Schwartzbauer [Note: This article has not been updated for inclusion on this website.]
Fr. Vaughn Treco is a Catholic priest of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter and former parochial administrator of the Church of St. Bede the Venerable in St. Louis Park, MN who has been unfairly and unjustly suspended, and is threatened with excommunication by his bishop, His Excellency Steven J. Lopes.
On the Feast of Christ the King on November 25th, 2018, Fr. Treco delivered a homily that explains the root of the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, and exposes the rot that infects the current hierarchy. This homily was posted to "The Remnant TV" YouTube channel (with Fr. Treco's explicit permission) and has, of the time of this writing, over 41,000 views (linked below.) For this, Bishop Lopes removed Fr. Treco as administrator, and then two weeks later suspended him entirely as a priest. Included in the notice of suspension, was a threat of excommunication in 60 days from the notice if he did not recant of the homily. Though it has been asked, the bishop nor any of the chancery officials have provided any information or specifics for what is wrong in the homily, only vague allusions to not being allowed to "criticize popes."
For more information on the specifics of who Fr. Treco is and greater details on exactly what happened, see the linked article below. Suffice to say, Fr. Vaughn Treco is a priest in the mold of St. John Vianney, and easily the best man I have ever met. He is being persecuted and suppressed by a hierarchy that wants the status quo of the last 50+ years to be maintained at all costs.
Unfortunately, Fr. Treco's only source of income was his pastoral ministry, primarily as a hospital chaplain. Not only did he rely on this income, but as a former Anglican clergyman, he is married and so his wife, Norma, does as well. Due to his suspension, he is no longer able to function as a priest and can no longer perform those duties. Thus, he has lost the entirety of his income. Furthermore, he and his wife have had to move out of the rectory they were living in and move in with family temporarily before another housing opportunity (already arranged) opens up in June. This has caused additional costs.
In total, due to the move and other expenses including insurance back premiums, Fr. Treco and his wife have a total of immediate expenses in the excess of $15,000. Although a canonical appeal for the reinstatement of his priestly faculties was filed with the chancery of the Ordinariate, the Bishop nor any of those who work for him have even acknowledged the receipt of this paperwork. Therefore his reinstatement is unlikely. Until he can find gainful employment in the secular world, which will likely not be for several months, he requires financial support.
Initially, Fr. Treco did not want to set up a GoFundMe or other crowdfunding source, but after the initial volume of requests for support came in and upon the counsel of another priest, he has agreed to allow me to set this up to help him. Whatever you can give in however much is greatly appreciated. Please help my pastor survive this persecution.
If you are unable to assist financially then the best way you can help is through your prayers. Fr. Treco remains faithful to the Catholic Church, he remains subject to the Holy See and the Vicar of Christ, and most of all, he remains faithful to Our Lord, nor does he bear ill will toward his bishop. Please send your prayers that he be sustained in this time and ask for Our Lord's will in what shall be done regarding his priesthood. You can also help by sharing this on social media and with friends who you think may be able to assist.
To learn more about Fr. Treco and what has been done to him, please read this article I had published in mid-February: O Father, My Father!: The Story of Father Vaughn Treco.
And to hear the excellent homily that started all of this trouble, click the link below.
Homily - The Fathers' Grapes and the Children's Teeth.
Please, share this wherever you can.
With great thanks and appreciation,
Jonathan and Evie Schwartzbauer
Parishioners at the Church of St. Bede the Venerable and personal friends of Fr. Vaughn and Norma Treco
Fr. Vaughn Treco is a Catholic priest of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter and former parochial administrator of the Church of St. Bede the Venerable in St. Louis Park, MN who has been unfairly and unjustly suspended, and is threatened with excommunication by his bishop, His Excellency Steven J. Lopes.
On the Feast of Christ the King on November 25th, 2018, Fr. Treco delivered a homily that explains the root of the sex abuse crisis in the Catholic Church, and exposes the rot that infects the current hierarchy. This homily was posted to "The Remnant TV" YouTube channel (with Fr. Treco's explicit permission) and has, of the time of this writing, over 41,000 views (linked below.) For this, Bishop Lopes removed Fr. Treco as administrator, and then two weeks later suspended him entirely as a priest. Included in the notice of suspension, was a threat of excommunication in 60 days from the notice if he did not recant of the homily. Though it has been asked, the bishop nor any of the chancery officials have provided any information or specifics for what is wrong in the homily, only vague allusions to not being allowed to "criticize popes."
For more information on the specifics of who Fr. Treco is and greater details on exactly what happened, see the linked article below. Suffice to say, Fr. Vaughn Treco is a priest in the mold of St. John Vianney, and easily the best man I have ever met. He is being persecuted and suppressed by a hierarchy that wants the status quo of the last 50+ years to be maintained at all costs.
Unfortunately, Fr. Treco's only source of income was his pastoral ministry, primarily as a hospital chaplain. Not only did he rely on this income, but as a former Anglican clergyman, he is married and so his wife, Norma, does as well. Due to his suspension, he is no longer able to function as a priest and can no longer perform those duties. Thus, he has lost the entirety of his income. Furthermore, he and his wife have had to move out of the rectory they were living in and move in with family temporarily before another housing opportunity (already arranged) opens up in June. This has caused additional costs.
In total, due to the move and other expenses including insurance back premiums, Fr. Treco and his wife have a total of immediate expenses in the excess of $15,000. Although a canonical appeal for the reinstatement of his priestly faculties was filed with the chancery of the Ordinariate, the Bishop nor any of those who work for him have even acknowledged the receipt of this paperwork. Therefore his reinstatement is unlikely. Until he can find gainful employment in the secular world, which will likely not be for several months, he requires financial support.
Initially, Fr. Treco did not want to set up a GoFundMe or other crowdfunding source, but after the initial volume of requests for support came in and upon the counsel of another priest, he has agreed to allow me to set this up to help him. Whatever you can give in however much is greatly appreciated. Please help my pastor survive this persecution.
If you are unable to assist financially then the best way you can help is through your prayers. Fr. Treco remains faithful to the Catholic Church, he remains subject to the Holy See and the Vicar of Christ, and most of all, he remains faithful to Our Lord, nor does he bear ill will toward his bishop. Please send your prayers that he be sustained in this time and ask for Our Lord's will in what shall be done regarding his priesthood. You can also help by sharing this on social media and with friends who you think may be able to assist.
To learn more about Fr. Treco and what has been done to him, please read this article I had published in mid-February: O Father, My Father!: The Story of Father Vaughn Treco.
And to hear the excellent homily that started all of this trouble, click the link below.
Homily - The Fathers' Grapes and the Children's Teeth.
Please, share this wherever you can.
With great thanks and appreciation,
Jonathan and Evie Schwartzbauer
Parishioners at the Church of St. Bede the Venerable and personal friends of Fr. Vaughn and Norma Treco