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 March 15, 2007. Send materials to Smittie Bolner, 460 Bancroft Way, Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4805. E-mail: sbolner@cox.net. ________________________________________________________________________ From the General CustodianDear Associates and Candidates of the MCA, May the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit be with us forever! I am sure that you are aware that Regional Assemblies and Follow-up Assemblies have been held in all regions of the MCA. These gatherings have been a true learning experience for all the participants. I have come away from the last Follow-up Assembly with a strong desire to have all of us in the MCA strengthen our commitment to be committed lay apostles. The Holy Spirit is calling all of us to be passionate about our faith and filled with enthusiasm to share it. Let us take our temperature as missionaries. Are we committed in our dedication to the Missionary Cenacle, passionate about our faith, and fired up with enthusiasm to share it? Advent is a most appropriate season for our renewal. It is a time to reflect on our vocation, our missionary preparation, our formation, and our commitment to our call. Advent provides us with an occasion to examine how intimately we share the joys, hopes, anxieties, and sorrows of those who are poor, abandoned, and excluded. Let us pray that during this season of Advent we will be re-confirmed in the knowledge that we have received the message of God’s love and that our mission is to spread this good news. Vatican II proclaims that the faith of the church is that Christ died and was raised from the dead for all and that this element of our faith gives us the strength to respond fully to our vocational call.
In responding to the great challenges facing us as members of the MCA and of the Missionary Cenacle Family we must not let the obstacles confronting us lead us to despair. Humanly speaking, we are fragile and it is easy for us to lose heart and become discouraged. My last recommendation is that we in the MCA develop a deep appreciation for the family idea—for our own personal families and for the Missionary Cenacle Family. We must be zealous and alert in caring for all the branches of the Missionary Cenacle Family. Father Judge very wisely counseled us to depend on one another “….that we always need each other….” For the past eight years my humble service in the MCA and the Missionary Cenacle Family could not have been carried out without the loving support of you, members of the MCA, and of the members of the Missionary Cenacle Family. I end with the prayer of Pope John Paul II: “That the Sacred Family of Nazareth help open our understanding of the vocation of all families more and more deeply, that the families find in Christ the source of its dignity and of its sanctity." Thanks to all of you! And Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Josie Morales, MCA _______________________________________________________________________________________ Council Unanimously Agrees: Viva Mexico!On October 5-11, 2006, the MCA General Council met in Cuernavaca, Mexico. The Spiritual Guides from each region also attended. This is the last Council meeting for the current administration with Josie Morales as General Custodian and Joanne Jones as Assistant General Custodian . What a blessing it was for us to stay at the retreat center of the Claretian Missionary Sisters of the Most Holy Sacrament, a world-wide missionary order, whose mission is to help children and support the labor of all missionaries. At our previous Council meeting, we had asked for the opportunity to meet in Mexico so that our MCA might truly experience the diverse culture of Mexico and visit with our members there. Several of the attendees and a couple of regions assisted financially to defray costs. As a result, it was less of a strain on the MCA budget than previous meetings held in the U.S. Sr. Brenda Hermann facilitated a two-day workshop for the MCA Council and Spiritual Guides. She emphasized the “Role of the Leader” and “Charism and Mission.” She was given a standing ovation for her work. The Council worked diligently (bilingually!) during the meetings and covered the following items:
New Committees:
The overall assessment of this Council was that this administration has worked well and accomplished much. One remarkable accomplishment cited was the collaborative work to complete the Norms and Policies of the MCA. The Council thanked the Committee: Kay Knott, Joanne Jones, and Fr. John Seymour. Spiritual Guides had the opportunity to meet separately and later shared their insights. Not all was business. Council members had an opportunity to meet with fellow members from Mexico and visit with the Sisters who hosted us. The retreat house was an oasis in the city with its lovely flowered courtyard (location of morning Qui Gong, breathing exercise class for the early risers). We were able to go shopping across the street from the Retreat center—to Sears, Subway, McDonalds—or down the street to Costco. Most preferred our afternoon out at the Mercado—the Mexican craft market. Our host Sisters provided stringed music accompanied by their lovely voices. They shared their charism, including a history of the order and the story of their founder—Mother Maria Aryan Ines Teresa, who has been submitted for canonization. The delicious meals prepared by the Sisters gave us an authentic taste of Mexican cuisine. Alma Hernandez, from Mexico, led the entertainment night which featured antics by Missionary Cenacle Family members—great relaxation for the hardworking Council. Submitted by Joanne Jones, MCA, Assistant General
Custodian
Missionary Cenacle Family Council Newsletter: July 2006Note: Because we did not publish a newsletter this summer, we have included the latest MCF Council newsletter because of its ongoing relevance to planning for the Centennial celebration in 2009.—Editor ) The Missionary Cenacle Family Council met June 16-18, 2006 at Mother Boniface Spirituality Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As part of our ongoing reflection leading up to the celebration of the centennial celebration in 2009 (MCF/FCM 100), we engaged in looking at that which might be keeping the "Family Spirit" from being actualized within the Missionary Cenacle Family. The Council received and approved reports from the standing and ad hoc committees, and from each of the General Custodians. We also spent time looking at the dynamics of the Missionary Cenacle Family Council and the process of taking counsel within the Council and committees. John Skrodinsky, ST, will be replacing Pat Regan, MCA, as Executive Secretary. From the "MCF/FCM 100" Planning Committee We give glory to the Triune God by: claiming and giving thanks for who we are in the Church celebrating with a grateful heart our past and present lighting a fire that draws us to give greater expression of our gift to the world. The desired results would be: greater visibility of MCF in the Church and world a greater appreciation of our international/gender/lifestyle diversity as family a more intentional awareness of our "daily providence" as missionaries and how we share this with others growth in our ability to take Counsel with one another new model/structure to facilitate MCF into the future Process for accomplishing the above: MCF/FCM 100 conducted a survey with the membership of the branches to explore assumptions and attitudes of the membership of each branch regarding the MCF. All members of each branch were encouraged to participate in the survey. Each branch will be involved in naming five regional core committees to plan local MCF gatherings to take counsel on survey results, on issues pertaining to the future of the MCF, and to name delegates to represent each region at the 2009 celebration. Missionary Cenacle Family Council General Custodians: Rosa Tirado, BTMI; Josie Morales, MCA; Barbara DeMoranville, MSBT; Austin Walsh, ST Council Members: Bonnie Hackett, BTMI; Helen Marshall, BTMI; Joanne Jones, MCA; Alma Robles, MCA; Barbara McIntyre, MSBT; Nancy Walsh, MSBT; Gary Banks, ST; Steven Vesely, ST Facilitator: Brenda Hermann, MSBT Executive Secretary: John Skrodinsky, ST Father Judge declared that . . . "if the right
spirit is maintained, if the primitive spirit is passed down, this
family idea will engender the most beautiful fruits for the honor and
glory of God and for the edification of the Church" Rule of Life,
Article 8.
MCA Committee for Formation The Committee for Formation is now getting launched and working diligently to identify materials used in the formation process. The Committee makes the following request: Please send any MCA training documents you have previously used or new materials (not listed below) that you would like to have reviewed by the MCA Committee for Formation to either Joanne Jones (English) or Ivette Guitterez (Spanish ). The Committee will start by reviewing what is currently being used for Initial formation and look at any new materials with an eye towards creating a standardized formation process. Currently we have the following, but any others would be welcome. · Video, and accompanying booklet for Growing in the Spirit Day by Day, Fr. Dennis Berry, ST · Book on the Scripture study of St. Luke, Fr. Guy Wilson, ST · The Valiant Warrior, Fr. Dennis Berry, ST · Margaret Called and Chosen, Sr. Josepha McNutt, MSBT · The Monographs, 1-6 Thank you for helping to get this committee off to a good start. Please contact either Joanne or Ivette if you have insights or ideas for specific directio Joanne Jones Luz Ivette Gutierrez Padín _______________________________________________________________________ You Are Invited! The Missionary
Cenacle Volunteers invitesALL members of the Missionary Cenacle
Apostolate to participate as volunteers in the 2007 Trinita Family Life
program in Connecticut. Orientation for new volunteers
begins SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2007. The first group of families arrives
Saturday, June 30, and each Saturday for the next six weeks. You
are welcome to serve from one week to six weeks, depending on your
schedule. We will provide everything you need; we only ask you to
get yourself to Trinita and back home. Please contact the MCV
office and Shawn Witmer, MCA at 800-221-5740 with questions or
application, or apply on-line at www.TMC3.org.
Trinity Mission Center (TMC) invites all members of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate to collaborate with the TMC to host a one-day workshop for young adults (18-35) called "Find Your Mission." We will supply the staff, program and materials for the workshop and we ask our local MCA partners to arrange a location, provide lunch, and recruit local young adults to attend. Please contact our office for more information and to discuss dates you may have in mind. Call Sr. Beth Henken, MSBT at 215-335-7534 or Shawn Witmer, MCA at 800-272-8850 _______________________________________________________________________ July 27, 2006, was a special day for New Life in the Spirit Cenacle in Atlanta, Georgia. Three of our older Associates. Margaret (Peg) Hoeler, Mary Treiss, and Grace Samson were honored as they became members of Mary’s Prayer Apostolate. The ceremony prepared by our Spiritual Guide, Ann Stout, was simple but beautiful. (One of the inductees, Mary Treiss, now resides in West Palm Beach, Florida, and could not attend the ceremony but she joined us through a speaker phone connection.) The ceremony, which was held in the chapel of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Atlanta, began with a lovely rendition of “Ave Maria” followed by a reading of the Missionary Cenacle Family Prayer. Barbara Turner then read an excerpt from Fr. Dennis Berry’s book, God’s Valiant Warrior. Joanne Jones, Assistant General Custodian of the MCA, explained the role of members of the prayer apostolate. Pat Branford, our Area Custodian, presented each new member of the prayer apostolate with a lighted candle (a symbol of their apostolic works) and a red rose (a symbol of their spiritual works). Penny Krautter, Custodian, presented the three members with a Certificate of Appreciation, which recognized their years of active membership in the MCA and acknowledged their call to the Apostolate of Prayer. The new initiates were given a prayer booklet featuring a photograph of each Associate in our Cenacle and the favorite prayer of each. At the closing of the ceremony all of our members laid hands on the new prayer apostles and asked that they continue to pray for our Cenacle members and the Missionary Cenacle Family. In turn, our Cenacle will continue to remember them in our prayers. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Cenacle Doxology. After the ceremony we all gathered in a room in the church called “The Upper Room” for a festive celebration meal which all of us took part in by contributing something wonderful to share. We still had Mary on the speaker phone so that she would have the opportunity to speak with each of us. --Penny Krautter, MCA
_______________________________________________________________________ Missionary Cenacle Family CentennialThe Centennial Planning Committee has been meeting regularly to plan for the celebration in 2009 of the one-hundredth anniversary of the Missionary Cenacle Family. Alma Robles and Joanne Jones represent the MCA on this committee. The title of the celebration is: Missionary Cenacle Family Centennial – Centenario de la Familia del Cenáculo Misionero. The theme is: Glorifying the Triune God, 100 years - Glorificando a Dios Trino 100 años. Central idea: (From Father Judge): "I hope and pray that your affairs will be so conditioned that you must depend upon one another, that you cannot do without one another, that you may realize that you need one another." Though the major celebration will take place in the year 2009, other celebrations/Family gatherings will take place in five areas: Northeast USA, Southeast USA, West USA, Puerto Rico, and México. As of this time, no exact area celebration locations have been selected. Training and support will be provided for liaisons to promote and coordinate these celebrations. An ingredient that is most needed is that of enthusiasm. This is something that we can all contribute and promote—it is contagious! As the Centennial Committee approaches you with requests, please respond promptly and enthusiastically. We will keep you advised as planning and preparations progress. — Josie Morales, MCA, General Custodian ________________________________________________________________ Welcoming New MSBT: A Family AffairOn September 9, 2006, I was privileged to participate in the Rite of Initiation into the Novitiate ceremony held in the Chapel of the Mother Boniface Spirituality Center for Janet Santibanez.. Besides members of the MSBT, others attending were the MCF General Custodians (Austin Walsh, Josie Morales, and Rosa Tirado) and the branch representatives who serve on the MCF General Council. Janet was warmly welcomed into the MSBT and to our Cenacle Family. On September 7th, Kate Warren had been admitted into Candidacy and was welcomed as well. What an honor to watch as Janet repeated the words and promises of her vocational call to the Missionary life. Her sisters accompanied her and will continue to guide her formation through final vows. Sr. Mary Kay gave a moving reading—using some of Fr. Judge's own words and citing from Sr. Deborah Wilson’s thesis on the importance of Cenacle Family. Sr. Mary Kay will be Janet’s individual mentor and continue to walk with her. Following the ceremony, Janet was greeted and then congratulated by her new family at dinner. Later a special celebration with Cenacle Family included more food and special "blessing toasts" to Janet by each of the General Custodians. Led by Sr. Beth Henken, with guitar accompaniment by Sisters Mary Ann and Maria Lauren, family fun ensued. Let's just say it was special entertainment as only our Missionary Cenacle Family can provide. We pray God's
continued blessings be with Kate and Janet in the days
ahead.
______________________________________________________________________ Our Lady of Guadalupe Region, Mexico The meeting of the MCA General Council took place on October 5-11 in Guernavaca, Mexico, which marked the first time the Council has met in Mexico. In addition to the General Council, other special guests included the Spiritual Guides from each region and Father John Seymour, ST. In the workshop conducted by Sr. Brenda Hermann, MSBT, we were guided through a process that emphasized the need to recognize our value and understand our identity as MCA, our mission, and charism. Each region is to work on this according to its own culture and needs. Following the historical event of the MCA General Council meeting held in Mexico was the regional assembly follow-up in Morelia, Michoacán, on November 3-5, which was attended by Josie Morales, General Custodian, Sister Brenda Hermann, MSBT, and MCA members of the two areas in Mexico. The need to be clear on the MCA’s identity, mission, and charism was emphasized, as well as the fact that to be called to be a member of the MCA is to be called to a vocation. As members of our parishes we were encouraged to participate in the aspects of parish life and in missionary work beyond the parish. We are to be "secular Catholic missionaries in the providence of the daily life calling to others to be apostles and missionaries." This is the charism of the MCA. After the meeting, Josie Morales visited the two areas in Mexico—first the area of Michoacan, where Almarosa Hernandez, Assistant Regional Custodian, accompanied her to meet with members of the MCA, with the priest of the parish (who sees the MCA adversely), and with the Bishop of the diocese of Apatzingan to whom Josie explained the call and purpose of the MCA. Josie also visited the area of Temascalapa where she was greeted warmly by me (Miguel Juarez), my family, and MCA members. We had the opportunity to talk with the priest of the parish. Our region is grateful to Josie Morales, who has watched over us as a mother. Our region says: "Thanks, Josefina, for your love toward us; may God bless you in your work.” Finally, we ask for prayers for our region as we go through the process of growth and reorganization. An added blessing was the visit by Fr. Dennis Berry, ST, who was visiting the House of Formation located some 30 minutes from Temascalapa. Although his visit was brief, it allowed us to experience the loving care and support of the Missionary Cenacle Family. ---Miguel Juarez, MCA, Regional Custodian, Our
Lady of Guadalupe Region ( Mexico)
Family ArtistsBrothers Steve Vesely, ST, and Howard Piller, ST, recently installed stained glass windows in St. Joseph church/chapel. Built by Father Judge in the mid-1920s, the church is located in Holy Trinity, Alabama, across the road from Blessed Trinity Shrine Retreat Center. Called Trinity Window, the stained glass window is about eight feet tall. Brother Steve says that, by far, it is the biggest project he has ever worked on. ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________
If one cannot see the genius or magic of things and/or persons that surround you, no matter what shape, size, color or form they are in, then you have truly missed its presence, its blessings and have never found, nor felt. the miracle of love. —Linda Landin, MCA, Puerto
Rico
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