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The Spirit of the Cenacle |
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Volume 14, number 2 - August, 2005 |
| The Spirit of the Cenacle is the official Newsletter of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate. It is published three times during the year in conjunction with the liturgical seasons of Advent, Lent/Easter, and Ordinary Time. The deadline for the next issue is December 1, 2005. Please submit materials to Smittie Bolner, 460 Bancroft Way, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4805; E-mail: sbolner@cox.net. |
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FROM THE GENERAL CUSTODIAN Dear Family, "May the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit be with us forever!" As I face the end of my term of office as General Custodian of the MCA, I am prompted to reflect on Jesus’ sending the apostles to “the other side,” while he dismissed the crowds and went up on the mountain to pray (Mt 14:22-33). I cannot help wondering about the content of Jesus’ prayer. I am certain that he prayed for those he had sent off and especially for the apostles, and his prayer was surely that they would make it safely to “the other side.” I know that Jesus thanked his Father, and this reflection leads me to offer up my own prayer of gratitude. Yes, I am most grateful for all the blessings I have received as I have attempted to serve God in the MCA, but my prayer is also filled with petitions. My prayer of gratitute merges with my prayer of petition. For what am I grateful? For what do I ask? I must confess that this is not an easy reflection; yet, I know in my heart that it is an important one. I am grateful that Jesus has called me to “go to the other side” on this boat called the “MCA.” From this boat of the MCA Jesus continues to call me, as he did to St. Peter, to walk on water, to deepen my faith, and to rely on his strength. I hear Jesus’ challenging call often, and I am always grateful that the call comes to me while I am securely in the boat named the “MCA.” I am grateful for all of you who have ventured with me on the “MCA.” At times the boat has experienced rough seas and some storms, but we have never doubted that Jesus was there—calling us and nourishing us. I am grateful for the grace that continues to push those of us in the MCA to go against our most basic inclinations, which are often to deny that Jesus is calling us and challenging us. We would want to stay in our “comfort zone,” tending to our busy schedules, and wanting to put off thinking of Jesus’ call. After all, it is not easy to embark upon the water when the weather is threatening—and the weather seems to be constantly threatening. My reflection has led me to conclude that it is not possible to get to the “other side” without enduring the trial of the waves, the opposing winds, and the tribulations of the sea. If you, as I often do, find yourself weighed down by many tiresome matters and tired by the very long crossing, do not give up. Giving up leads to shipwreck. Only with Jesus could the disciples make it to “the other side.” I pray that we bring many others on board and that we all make it “to the other side.” Thank you, Jesus!
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL GUIDE Fr. John Seymour, ST Ana and Her Boss Ana and her husband, Juan, both Cenacle members from California, work in different departments of the same factory. Ana’s boss, a professed Christian of a Protestant denomination, was anything but Christian in the way he treated the workers under him. He was all criticism and no compliments. Worst of all, his quick anger led him to belittle and insult the workers under him. Ana was one of his favorite targets. No matter how hard she tried she could not please him. Time and time again Ana, and many other workers, would leave work upset at the way they had been treated. Juan did his best to console and comfort her, but felt helpless to change things. They were newly married and needed the jobs to meet their expenses. In factories like Ana’s, the salaries are low, the benefits few. Without unions there is little recourse for protection from abusive supervisors and managers. The general attitude is: “If you don’t like it here, you know where the door is.” Ana, being a natural leader, decided to speak to him on behalf of herself and the others. But her words made little impression on him. Not much changed. Ana and Juan then decided to pray for him. They also invited their Cenacle to join them in prayer. They persevered in prayer, month after month. It took a long while but gradually Ana’s boss began to change his attitude toward her and toward the other workers. The insults and hurtful remarks stopped. The atmosphere in the factory brightened up. Production improved. Ana and Juan believe it was prayer that made the difference. There is power in persevering prayer, especially when it is accompanied by the steadfast witness of a committed Christian life. Jesus transformed the power of our prayer on the night before he died. He said to those gathered in the Cenacle: “Amen, amen I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I go to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:12-14) Here is Jesus’ solemn promise. It was given not only to the Twelve Apostles, but to you and me, and all who follow in their footsteps. It is meant for the work of continuing the mission of Jesus to extend the Kingdom of God. Personally, I have not had much luck with it when it comes to picking the winner of the Kentucky Derby or in influencing the outcome of a presidential election. Yet, as I look back I must admit that prayer has gained countless blessings for me and for those for whom I have prayed. It is amazing how many times my prayers have been answered. I am beginning to appreciate more this quote from Father Judge: My dear children, the longer I live the more I am impressed with this truth: it is only prayer which effects the conversion of sinners. This conversion must begin in prayer. Any agency used, no matter how brilliant or resourceful or powerful, no matter with what prestige it is launched, unless it be accompanied by prayer, it will fail. (Meditations, p.271) In the providence of our everyday life, persevering prayer together with steadfast witness can bring about positive change. It did where Ana worked. Interestingly, her boss now praises her as “the best worker in the factory.”
Holy Spirit Region—Western United States
San Juan Bautista Region - Puerto Rico The Colors of Our Cenacles: A Meditation We all live in God’s garden of life—the universe—filled with many-colored creatures. In this garden gardeners plant seeds and cultivate the flowers, the trees, and, indeed, all living things that blossom into a beautiful array of colors. Our Cenacles are part of that garden of life and our missionaries are the gardeners. From east to west, from south of Ponce to the north of San Juan, in Puerto Rico our Cenacles contribute to the beauty of life through service, action, and love. These contributions find meaning in the colors that are the fruits of our labors. Yellow is the color of the sun. We find it in the laughter of the children of Pueblo Indio. Green is the color of trees. It is the color of hope we see when we make God the center of our universe, when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and bring the word of God to the sick and the imprisoned. Blue is the color of peace. We see it in the comfort we offer to those who suffer and the drying of the tears of the old; we see it in the happiness of a young pregnant girl who, after prayer and counseling, decides to have her baby. White is the color of purity and friendship we see when we give support to a mother who has lost her son in war. Pink is the color of love. We see it in The School of Love in Pueblo Indio where, on Saturday mornings, the Cenacle working with Sister Gloria Merced, MSBT, teaches the children that Jesus is their friend who loves them. Brown is the color of strength. It is the color of our youth from Loiza Valley, La Central, Pueblo Indio, who show strength as they search for hope, respect, dignity, and a better way of life. We see strength in Micol Perfecto and Ninoshka Diaz, two young girls sent out as volunteers to serve in Trinita, Connecticut. Red is the color of love aflame with the spirit of the Cenacle. It is the love we see in Father Cristóbal Reilly, ST, from Coamo, celebrating 50 golden years of priesthood; Father Vicente Pascualeto, ST, of Loiza Valley in his 35 years of service; Father Pedro Escalante, ST, in his first year as a priest; Brother Jener Valencia, ST, renewing his vows in La Central; Brother Allen, son of Carmen of Puerto Rico, making his final vows in Mexico; Father Domingo Rodriguez, ST, elected honorable son of Coamo for his leadership in all things spiritual; and in our Regional Councilor, Alma Robles. --Contributed by Linda Landin
The report from the San Juan Bautista Region gives great promise for the growth of the MCA on the island. Currently there are fourteen established Cenacles, one Candidate Cenacle, two Angel Cenacles, two Cenacles in formation, and two Apostolic groups. Communication is in a healthy state, using both telephone and e-mail to communicate to members. A trimester bulleting keeps members informed of activities. Letters are mailed out to members before each regional meeting. Numerous retreats and workshops are planned for the year, including workshops for lay and religious spiritual guides, and a youth retreat. The Dios Familia Retreat will be given twice this year with Father John Seymour, ST (February) and Father Edgar Solano, ST (October). The Pentecost Retreat now includes children and youths of the family members. The regional custodian participated in Contemplative in Mission retreat in Alabama. Two youths assisted at the Summer Mission Institute and Trinita in Connecticut. The report of Apostolic works gives great evidence of faith in action. Members are engaged in ministering to the incarcerated, visiting the sick, counseling the homeless and the abandoned, visiting the poor in family homes in Pueblo Indio, and guiding unmarried young mothers-to- be. Many members have responded to the call to serve in the Pueblo Indio Community.
The leadership team of the Region consists of: ---Alma Robles, Regional Custodian OTHER NEWS FROM PUERTO RICO During Pentecost’s retreat, members of La Resurrección Cenacle of Loiza, received their pins as they made their promise to keep the spirit of the Trinity alive. This cenacle was begun by Brother Orlando Bonilla, ST, during his year of mission in Puerto Rico. In three years it has blossomed under the care and guidance of Sarai Melendez; Father Harold Stone, ST; Alma Robles; and Linda Landin.
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Roberto Aponte,
beloved son of our Regional Spiritual Guide, Sarai Melendez. He died of
a sudden stroke on August 15, at 40 years of age.
Our prayers go
out to Sarai, that she will be consoled in this moment of great pain at
the loss of her beloved son, secure in the knowledge that he has
returned home and has been embraced by his eternal father in heaven. 50th Anniversary of Fr.
Christopher Reilly, S.T. —Alma Robles
Trinity Region – Southeastern United States – Regional Report There are 24
established Cenacles in Trinity region, two candidate Cenacles, and ten current
candidates. Four new Associates were pinned during the recent Pentecost
retreats. Kay Knott is Regional Custodian and Betty McGowan is Assistant
Regional Custodian. Fr. Guy Wilson, ST, is the Regional Spiritual Guide and is
missioned in Bainbridge, GA. While there have
been lapses in communication between the Cenacles and the leadership,
particularly among some of the older Cenacles, a concerted effort is being made
to be in touch with all of the Cenacles, either through e-mail or regular mail.
There has also been some concern that some individual members are no longer
active and some Cenacles have become inactive. Much of this is due to
aging among Cenacle members. However, among the Cenacles that are active,
apostolic ministries are numerous and spirit- filled. Works include hospital
ministry to the sick, bereavement ministry to families, hospice volunteers, St.
Vincent DePaul volunteers, prison ministry, and ministry to shut-ins. Many MCA
members are actively involved in parishes as Eucharistic Ministers, lectors,
music ministers, Renew leaders, children and adult catechists, etc. While there
is some lessening of engagement among some of the older Cenacles in the Region,
there is also some growth and signs of encouragement. Tallahassee/Quincy, FL,
is a good example. The English and Spanish speaking Cenacles cooperate to serve
the Hispanic community in the area. The Cenacles in Atlanta , GA, and Decatur,
AL, are quite active in their communities and in the life of their respective
church parishes. The
annual Pentecostal retreats were held at Holy Trinity, AL, over three weekends
in May 2005. Many of our Cenacle members attended the Missiology Institute held at Holy Trinity in July, 2005. While there is a
lot of good going on in our region, there is a lot that needs attention.
Through good leadership, formation, and spirituality we will be able regain the
vibrancy that has been historically evident in our region. We must remember to
keep focused on our original commitment to the MCA and to our ministries. We
should keep in mind that the MCA serves as a conduit of common spiritual energy
and direction as we live out our lives in service to God. —Kay Knott, Regional Custodian
Grace Samson celebrated her 90th birthday July 5, 2005. Her family gave her a wonderful birthday party with her favorite Italian foods at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Many OLA parishioners attended along with her family, including several of her siblings, three children, twelve grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren, as well as her New Life in the Spirit Cenacle family. Grace is an active member of MCA, being first and foremost a missionary in the providence of her everyday life, which includes serving as a volunteer at Saint Vincent de Paul Society by helping people who are in need of clothing, furniture and other necessities and at St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta. She walks five miles a day and can dance like a 20 year old. We all celebrate her life! New Life in the Spirit Cenacle--Atlanta, Ga.
Our Lady of Angels Region – Costa Rica – Regional Report Regional Custodian:
Ana Isabel Barquero Bolaños The Costa Rica Region has seven established Cenacles and four youth Cenacles in formation. The Cenacles have shown some growth since the Leadership Assembly held in January, 2004. We have come to realize that all in the region are called to work harder to develop a sound formation process. We are also working to promote a family spirit and to get to know each other better. Formation is proceeding along two lines: we use the documents of the MCA and, secondly, we use a complementary process involving working toward the specific goals set forth by the Leadership Assembly. We are moving toward a
pattern of meeting every month, or every other month if that is
appropriate. At our meetings we take counsel with each other about our
missionary work. Although there are challenges in this area, we are
working toward developing communication using the telephone and e-mail. Our apostolic work in the region is varied and intense. We minister to the poor in a number of ways, including working at the Vista del Mar Orphanage. Those of us working at the Mother Teresa of Calcutta Elderly Asylum minister to AIDS victims as well as the elderly. We visit the missions in San Miguel de Sarapiqui, Buenos Aires de Osa. We work with the Infancia Misioneera in San Miguel de Sarapiqui. We do much work in catechesis, working with those preparing for baptism and confirmation. We also support the Holy Week activities in the Peninsula de Osa. We are planning to meet with the pastor of Santo Domingo to undertake work with Infancia and Adolescencia Misionera. In an effort to get to
know one another we are planning a social activity on October 9, 2005, for all MCA members and their families. —Ana Isabel Barquero Bolaños, Regional Custodian Our Lady of Guadalupe Region – Mexico – Regional Report Regional Custodian: Miguel Evaristo Juarez
Mendoza In Temascalapa
there are two active Cenacles. We have three enthusiastic candidates in
formation. We are working at creating a formation team to examine the existing
formation material and adapt it to our culture so that it can be better
understood. At the same time we want to make sure that we maintain the original
goals of the MCA. All the
Associates participated in leadership development, and the result is that we
have committed leaders who are not necessarily Custodians, Assistants, or
Spiritual Guides. We have new Custodians and Assistant Custodians who are the
product of the leadership development efforts. Our Cenacles meet twice a month.
One meeting is devoted to our apostolic work and the other one to prayer. The
prayer meeting places the emphasis on our spirituality. The Associates share
their experiences of spiritual and personal growth.
At Pentecost, we
had a retreat in the ST House of Formation in Huitzila led by Fr. Edgar Solano,
ST, and Brother Andres, ST. We participated in the arrival of the new novices
who came from Colombia to the House of Formation in Huitzila. We also attended
the celebration of the final vows at the House of Formation in Xotepingo, D.F.,
of Victor, Allen and Antonio. Fr. John Seymour, visited the Region of Mexico in
the month of July. The central point of his visit was to share with us the
topic of "Taking Counsel.” The retreat was followed by a potluck with the Associates. --Miguel Evaristo Juarez Mendoza, Regional Custodian ************************************************************************************** The area of Michoacán
has six Cenacles. We continued formation through the study of the
spirituality of our founder, Fr. Thomas Agustine Judge, and with the guidance
of Fr. John Seymour, who visited us in
August. We have had a leadership workshop for Spiritual Guides, Custodians,
Assistants, and other interested members. I meet with the spiritual guides,
custodians and assistants every third Sunday of the month to discuss the area’s
needs. The Cenacles meet on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month,
where we reflect on how we are working in our apostolate.
During Pentecost
we had a novena which was held in different public areas of the town. Several
talks were given on different themes, some on the life of Fr. Judge. The novena
ended with the visit of Fr. Edgar Solano, ST
and Sr. Lorena, MSBT. A retreat was held where all the MCA members
participated and shared a meal at the
end. The apostolic
works in which all the members participate are: Bible study, Eucharistic Ministers, ministers of
the Word, and choir. Some members work in the Rehabilitation Center and in the
distribution of food for the most
needy, visiting the sick and spiritually abandoned. Some groups are actively
looking for people who can serve as apostles. Our work is among the neediest.
All of this work takes place between Santa Ana and Buenavista.
Fr. John Seymour
visited us on August 1st to 3rd, 2005. On the first day he led a retreat where
he talked about “taking counsel.” On the following day, the MCA members
gathered, and all enjoyed a potluck where we said goodbye to Sr. Lorena, MSBT,
who had been our Spiritual Guide and is now assigned to another mission. --Alma Rosa Hernandez, Assistant Regional Custodian Missionary Cenacle Apostolate Leadership at the General and Regional levels and Regional Spiritual Guides
General Custodian: Josie Morales, MCA 2003 - 2007
MCA Fund Development Coordinator:
Pat Regan, MCA
Holy Spirit Region: Western United States
San Juan Bautista Region: Puerto Rico
Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe: México
Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles: Costa Rica
Director of Communications: Jim Bolner, MCA
THE MCA ON THE INTERNET We remind our readers that the MCA's new website's address is: http://catholicmissionary.org/home.html (English) and http://misionerocatolico.com/home-spanish.html (Spanish). For the present, MCA materials are also available on the MCF website: http://mcenacle.org/mca/mca.htm. MCA-related prayer requests and announcements are sent regularly to approximately 200 recipients who have access to e-mail. If you wish to be added (or removed!) from the list, please write to Jim Bolner at jimbolnersr@cox.net. Penny Krautter and Joanne Jones are now also handling prayer requests and announcements. When sending in items to be sent to the persons on the list, please send to ALL THREE at the following e-mail addresses: jimbolnersr@cox.net, misspenny22@yahoo.com, and h1434j@bellsouth.net. Also, please remember that The Missionary Cenacle Meditations and The Missionary Cenacle Ordo are now online on the Missionary Cenacle Family website. In addition, the MCF website features the monthly reflections prepared by the ST community as well as special devotions for the liturgical seasons. To access these materials go to http://mcenacle.org and click on the links indicated. If you encounter any problems, please contact Jim Bolner, Sr., at jimbolnersr@cox.net. |
