Fr. Dan Leary is Back

 

In June/July 2020, Fr. Dan Leary left the Archdiocese of Washington (St. Andrew the Apostle, Silver Spring) to become the chaplain of the Sisters of Mary, which serves the poor worldwide.  You can find more about them here.  

It was reported in the latest issue of the Catholic Standard, in the section on Clergy Assignments, that Fr. Leary has been assigned as Pastor of St. John the Evangelist in Clinton, MD.

I had assumed that his transfer was permanent, as there was no indication in any writing that this was temporary.

His videos on his work stopped about two years ago.  Recently, there were a few that appeared on the website for FOCUS in regards to Lent and Holy Week. 

I do not know the reason for this.  Don't know if there was a falling out.  Don't know if was due to illness.  Don't know if he became burned out.  Don't know if he realized that this was not the life Christ was calling him to be. 

I simply do not know.

No matter what, please keep him in your prayers.

 

Update on St. John the Evangelist Teacher's Aide

For an the latest update on the proceedings, as well as all other updates, please go to the original post located here:

 http://awashingtondccatholic.blogspot.com/2013/06/teacher-arrested-from-st-john.html

UPDATE: St. John the Evangeslist Teacher Update

To view the most recent update to this story, please go to the original post:

http://www.awashingtondccatholic.blogspot.com/2013/06/teacher-arrested-from-st-john.html

Update on Teacher's Aide from St. John the Evangelist School

Over the last few weeks, I have searched the Washington Post and the Montgomery County Gazette for any reference to the arrest of Allyson Gulley, the teacher's aide at St. John the Evangelist School (Silver Spring, MD).

Now, I do not expect to see it in the Catholic Standard but not one word in either one of the other papers.  The family and/or the Archdiocese must have some pretty strong pull with the Fourth Estate to keep this out of the papers.

In addition, one of my contacts was at the meeting held by the pastor and the "team" handling this matter at the school.  He reports that it was a total waste of time.  They had no answers (think the Sgt Schultz line -- "I know nothing!") and simply went over the Child Protection program. 


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Case #:123340C
Sub Type: Indictment
Scheduling Hearing: Sept. 6th at 8:30am in Courtroom #1  
Location: 50 Maryland Ave.  3rd Fl.

Count #1:  SEX ABUSE MINOR 
Count #2:  SEX OFFENSE THIRD DEGREE
Count #3: SEX OFF 4TH- PERS POS AUTH

The third count is as follows:

did as a person in a position of authority, engage in [a sexual act /sexual contact] with ____(name), a minor, who at the time of the [sexual act/sexual contact], was a student enrolled at the school where said person of authority was employed.

Note: See CR 3-308(a) for definition of "Person in a position of authority".
Note: See CR 3-307(a)(4) and CR 3-308(b)(2) for exceptions

St. John the Evangelist (Silver Spring) 3rd Grade

It seems that they made the Washington comPost's Kids Post Class of Month.

Congratulations!

For the photo and article, please go here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/kidspost/class-of-kidspost-st-john-the-evangelist-third-graders/2011/12/22/gIQAY66UdP_story.html

Former Teacher Arrested for 3rd Degree Sexual Assault (update)

I received an email last night from a reader.

Mr. Michel Rosenzweig was arrested by the Montgomery Country Police Department and charged with five counts of third degree sexual assault from an incident in 2003.

Mr. Rosenzweig was a part-time phys. ed. teacher at St. John the Evangelist School (Silver Spring) from 1989 to 1992. Therefore, his arrest is not related to his employment with the Archdiocese.

However, this linked video states that he was accused in 1990 of inappropriately touching several female students, which would have been the time he was employed by the Archdiocese. But, according to the video, police could not charge him because "there was not any probable cause."

If you have any information, please contact Det. John Reinikka of the MoCo Family Crimes Division (1-240-773-5400).

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Update: It seems that SNAP has weighed in on this matter. If you go to their website, you can see how they have left out facts, such as the fact that the was also a teacher in other private schools and public ones, and worked for other organizations. Personally, I don't trust SNAP but that is just me.

However, I will fault the Archdiocese for not having ANYTHING on their website (as of this writing) about this issue. You thought that they would have learned.

The Latin Mass

A few weeks ago, I got myself up extra early and headed down to The Latin Mass at Old St. John the Evangelist off of Georgia Avenue. It takes place every Sunday at 7:30am.

This was my very first time at this Mass. There were about 100 people in attendance.

It was very different. I spent most of the time trying to understand what the priest was doing and where we were in the Order of the Mass. The priest gave a great sermon. Very clear, concise and really to the point. None of this meandering about.

Now, some people will write it off. I will not. I will try to get myself out of bed early a couple more times before the end of the calendar year and head over there to Mass. Who knows. I may even become a regular.

After Mass, as I was heading towards downtown Silver Spring on Georgia Ave, I discovered a place call the New York Bagel Shop. Great bagels. Their Black Russian bagel, with a smear of cream cheese, is fantastic.

The Latin Mass...and other things...

One of my readers has asked me to help publicize the fact that The Latin Mass is held at Old St. John's Church (9700 Rosensteel Ave.Forest Glen, MD 20910) every Sunday morning at 7:30am. This particular reader tells me that it is very well attended with a number of families with children. And, if that does not get you there, maybe the fact that coffee and donuts are served after Mass will.

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One of my readers (or maybe a couple) have accused me of being an "angry" Catholic. Well, that got me to thinking. Maybe the name of this blog should be changed. So, you get a chance to vote and tell me what you think. No guarantee but who knows.

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One of my readers left me a note about a particular ministry at a parish in this diocese. Can you send me an email telling me a little more about it? What are the objectives? Does it promote living a Catholic lifestyle --- not a Cafeteria Catholic lifestyle?

Man wanted in robbery of Convent in Silver Spring...

From the Washington Post:

Montgomery County police are seeking the public's help in identifying a man believed to be responsible for several church-related burglaries in Silver Spring and are urging residents and other churches to secure their windows and doors.

Grace Episcopal Day School, Grace Episcopal Church, Calvary Lutheran Church and St. John the Evangelist Convent, home to the Sister Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, were burglarized between Dec. 19 and Dec. 28. Cash, checks and wrapped candies, to be given as Christmas gifts, were taken, police said.

A nun at St. John the Evangelist said the full extent of the theft hasn't been determined because many of the 12 nuns who live there haven't returned from holiday visits with their families. The burglar entered the convent through a second-story window, she said, and stole credit cards and petty cash. The burglar left other valuables, such as a gold cross on a dresser in one bedroom.

"For somebody to even think that they would get much from the convent -- I mean, we don't have that much around," said the nun, who declined to be identified because of safety concerns.

Police said they are searching for a man of unknown race with a light complexion and wearing a black jacket, gray hooded sweat shirt and black skullcap. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 301-565-5835.

The St. Joseph House - Pro-Life in Action

This week's paper copy of the Catholic Standard (Nov. 20, 2008 page 17) has a nice story about the walkathon at St. John the Evangelist School (Silver Spring) for the St. Joseph House. (Kudos to the Catholic Standard on this one.)

The St. Joseph House is run by Cubby and Dan LaHood, since 1983. Both are lay Missionaries of Charity and have run the St. Joseph House as a non-profit daycare respite home for youth with multiple disabilities. They not only care for this youth but it also provides their parents with a chance to be able work a full day and also gives them some time to run errands or some respite time.

The principal, St. Kathleen Lannark, stated that this sort of fundraiser teaches the students to "respect all life" and to become sensitive to the fact that children with disabilities are "God's children too."

The students raised over $7,000.

Talk about the pro-life movement in action. (This is the type of story that should be put in the faces of the Planned Parenthoods and NARALs of this world.)

So, if you did not give the CCHD and are looking for a good Catholic charity, this is one. Note that they They do not receive any funding from the Archdiocese of Washington DC or any government funding.

St. Joseph House
1505 Cody Drive
Silver Spring, Maryland 20902

PS: They are on my annual list of Catholic Charities.

John Carroll Chapel Severely Damaged

The John Carroll Chapel, located in the Forest Glen section of Silver Spring, was severely damaged on June 4th, according to a story in the Gazette.

The storm knocked down two large oak trees into the chapel, damaging the roof and the entire right side of the building. When the first oak tree came down, it took a second one with it – both apx. 2 ft. wide.

The Chapel is under the care of St. John the Evangelist Church on Georgia Avenue. Built in the 1950’s, it is a replica of the John Carroll Chapel, built on the same site in the 1700’s. Carroll was the first Catholic bishop in the US and was the founder of St. John the Evangelist Church in 1774.

The chapel is only open for the occasional rosary service and tours, most of which are given by appointment.

Unfortunately, I was only able to get there this weekend. Of course, the trees had been removed and tarps put up.

The word is that they may have to tear the entire thing down.

Front

Right Side View

From the Back

(with one of the fallen trees)

Peeking thru one of the remaining windows

Even the tombstones were taken down

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Help defeat Montgomery County's Gender Identity Bill 23-07 this November. Go to http://notmyshower.net.

Dan Stallings Sentenced to Twenty Years

(Deacon) Dan Stallings has been sentenced to twenty years in prison for abusing his stepdaughter and a former parishioner at St. John the Evangelist Church (Silver Spring, MD).

He may be released after serving five years, under Maryland law.

For more information, please click here.

A Plea from the Comments Section (Dan Stallings)

I normally do not post over the weekend, but this comment (edited) was posted on the blog a short time ago. I have decided to post it, since I have followed the case of Dan Stallings (former Deacon of St. John the Evangelist Church in Silver Spring).

He lied to his family, his deceased wife, his faith, his parish...and has not asked for forgiveness from any one. The judge is currently thinking that he should serve no jail time since he is 73. I believe a man capable of sexually abusing his step daughter, niece, and making advances to a young woman in the parish 10 years ago is more than capable of committing this acts in the future! We need to protect all children from these predators, Catholic or not. I can tell you right now if he is not sent to jail it will be a crime. How many men are not sentenced to jail because of their age and allowed out in the community to potentially damage more young lives? This is a crime in our society!

He will be sentenced on May 15th.

I have heard from two other St. John's parishioners about this and they have encouraged me to let others know.

Therefore, if you can do so, please write (and no derogatory comments).

The judge in the case is:

Honorable Honorable S. Michael Pincus:
Circuit Court of Montgomery County
50 Maryland Avenue
Rockville, Maryland 20850

The States Attorney is Donna Fenton: donna.fenton@montgomerycountymd.gov.

As I have asked before, please pray for the victims in the case. They have been hurt more than we can image.

Please pray for the parishioners of St. John the Evangelist. Please pray for all of the priests and religious associated with the parish. They have been devastated by this betrayal.

(Deacon) Dan Stallings - An Update

As you many of you know, Dan Stallings was removed as a Deacon at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church (Silver Spring, MD), when it was learned that he had been arrested for incest in December of 2007. These acts (over 60 times) occurred in the late 1960's and early 1970's with his step-daughter. Although these acts occurred before he became a Deacon, it does not negate the disgusting crime committed.

On January 16, 2008, a note was distributed to the parishioners of that parish that he was accused of sexual misconduct with one of the participants in the parish youth group in the late 1990's.

On Tuesday (March 18, 2008), he pleaded guilty to five counts of incest and one count of fourth-degree sexual assault in the Montgomery County Circuit Court (Maryland).

He will be sentenced on May 15th.

For the report by WTOP, please click here.

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Please keep those who were abused by Dan Stallings in your prayers.

Please keep the parishoners of St. John the Evangelist in your prayers too.