Volume 11, Issue 3 December, 2002
| 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 April 1st, 2003. Please submit materials for the newsletter to Smittie Bolner, 460 Bancroft Way, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. E-mail: sbolner@cox.net. |
From the General Custodian
May the Grace and Peace of the Hoy Spirit Be with Us Forever!
The Feast of Christ the King is our gateway to Advent—a time of waiting and
watching for the coming of Christ. It is a time that reminds us that God is
present in the world, that he sent his son to be a living witness to that
fact. Many of the early Christians gave their lives in proclaiming Christ the
King. It was important that they know what God was asking of them. In the same
way it is important for each of us to know what God is asking of us. God asks
each one of us to respond to his will in the providence of our daily lives. He
is actually asking us to make him present in the world—to die to our
selfishness, to put aside our fear, our pride, our ego. The Gospels throughout
the Advent season have many examples of the early Christians responding to God
in the providence of their everyday lives. In the story of the Good Samaritan,
three persons going about their daily lives received a call from God; two
continued on their way, only one responded. Only the Samaritan, “moved with
compassion,” was willing to interrupt his routine and go out of his
way to respond to the man on the side of the road. The story of the poor widow
who gave in spite of her own needs challenges us to be generous and selfless.
Advent is a time to reflect on how we respond to the call of God. Is it with
our leftovers and excuses? Or is it with love and compassion? In the
providence of our daily lives God calls us out of our routine, to give of
ourselves beyond our comfort zones. Once we are willing to commit ourselves,
we discover that there is no lack of opportunities to serve as missionaries.
We should begin by seeking to discover the will of God through prayer and reflection. This is where we ask for the counsel and gifts of the Holy Spirit, especially wisdom and fortitude. It is often on the margins of society and the painful edges of our lives that the greatest missionary opportunities present themselves. We must recall that Jesus worked with the marginalized.
May God give us the grace and talent to be engaged as active missionaries where there is conflict, pain, or suffering. In many instances we may not be able to respond in the dramatic ways of the early Christians or even to engage in active ministries such as visiting the sick or those in prisons, but we can still respond. We can pray for our brothers and sisters who perform works of mercy; we can be supportive of those missionaries who are called to action by donating our treasures; but most of all, we can be a witness to others that God is truly present by the way we conduct our daily lives. Whatever we do, we should do it as a missionary. Being a missionary is about who you are, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Pat Regan put it well in her reflection: At the heart of our vocation as lay apostles is an understanding that God is calling each of us to be missionary in our given situation. In 1928 Father Judge writes: “We will find the field of sanctity in the circumstances of our everyday providence.”
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have so generously given of your time, talent, and treasure for the good of the entire MCA—those who have done the work and the extra tasks asked of you, all local and Regional Custodians, and all Spiritual Guides. I am very aware and most humbled by your commitment and faithfulness to the MCA, the Family—the work of God.
May Jesus fill your hearts and your lives with his love, joy, and peace.
In the Most Holy Trinity,
Josie Morales, MCA,
General Custodian
FROM THE INTERNATIONAL SPIRITUAL GUIDE
Christmas 2002
My dear Friends:
May the grace and peace of
the
Holy Spirit be with us forever!
The consoling words of Isaiah in Chapter 11 which we have read during the Advent season are more than opportune given the war–like attitude which prevails in Washington D.C. nowadays.
“The wolf and the lamb will lie together . . . and the lion and ox will both eat hay . . . and a child will shepherd them.” And the dream continues since that dream becomes the foundational rationale for living in hope. Regardless of the partisan politics which may influence your attitude, you and I have to acknowledge we cannot ignore the Gospel imperative that flows from the Prophet’s dream.
Jesus is the Prince of Peace . . . that’s non-negotiable! You don’t make a survey about a revealed truth. But yes, we can choose to ignore the Gospel and even to alter its message. It becomes less compelling that way!
The truth remains for all of us in the Cenacle Family that despite the turmoil and rumblings of war and violence, we choose peace. A peace born out of justice.
My friends, let us renew our commitment to the poor and abandoned ever conscious of the transforming power of God’s love enfleshed in Jesus.
Christmas is about the Prince of Peace . . . about the elusive justice. And you and I, its messengers.
With best wishes and my love,
In the Most Holy Trinity,
Father Domingo Rodríguez, ST
International Spiritual Guide
“Find Your Mission” Workshop
On November 22nd, twenty-five young adults from three states arrived at Holy Trinity for a weekend retreat sponsored by Blessed Trinity Shrine Retreat and Trinity Mission Center (TMC). This is the first time TMC's popular "Find Your Mission" workshop was available as a full retreat. Mr. Ed Green, MCA, of Decatur, AL, Fr. Ray Riding, ST, and Srs. Mary Kay McDonald and Deborah Wilson, MSBT, comprised the retreat team. Catholic young adults from Tallahassee, Pensacola, Fort Benning, Decatur, and Mobile heard presentations such as "Why I am a Missionary" and "Discerning God's Will." The team also gave a detailed explanation of other programs sponsored by the Missionary Cenacle Family. Trinity Mission Center's “Find Your Mission” workshop is normally a day or half-day designed to promote an apostolic spirit. It has proven to be an effective method to attract young adults to missionary work. If you'd like to host a workshop in your area, please contact TMC at
trinityctr@aol.com or write to Sr. Deborah Wilson, 3501 Solly Ave, Philadelphia, PA., 19136
A CHALLENGE
Sr. Deborah Wilson has developed a unique
device to entice other Sisters to engage in vocations work. She listed a number
of works the Sisters could perform—with the reward in the form of lottery
tickets. Sr. Deborah says that although she cannot offer any winnings—other
than winning favor with God—she challenges the MCA Cenacles to join the
Sisters in working for Missionary Cenacle Family vocations. Some of the works
are listed below.
___ Invite one or more Catholic young adults to dinner/and or prayer with your
Cenacle during 2003.
___ Get a story about the MCA published in your diocesan or local paper
___ Recruit a Catholic young adult to do volunteer work with members of your
Cenacle.
___ Get one or more members of your Cenacle invited to give a talk to a school
or parish group on the charism of the MCA.
____ Host a Holy Spirit Novena for young adults or others in your parish
communities.
____ Recruit participants for Summer Mission Institute or for Missionary Cenacle
Volunteers.
___ Other (Describe
BOOK REVIEW
Allan F. Wright’s Silent Witnesses in the Gospels: Bible Bystanders and Their Stories (Ann Arbor: Servant Publications, 2002, 219pp.), is a collection of twenty-six Bible stories presented imaginatively in a tone of quiet spirituality. Wright’s approach is to elaborate on specific details of the biblical text while introducing a supporting cast of plausible actors—the “silent witnesses” of the title. The descriptions and dialogue keep consistently close to his major thesis: that the details of the gospel stories can serve as points of departure for fruitful spiritual meditation. While the work may be described as not “scholarly,” since it lacks documentation, a bibliography, or an index, it reflects throughout the author’s sound formation as a scripture scholar. The work accomplishes in a most polished way what the author sets out to do—to serve the contemporary reader as an insightful and enlightened guide to the truths taught by his/her encounter with the “silent witnesses.”
Father Dennis Berry, ST, has written the forward for the book. Wright mentions the Missionary Cenacle Family in the Acknowledgements and includes a quote from Fr. Judge. Fr. Dennis and Fr. Judge are mentioned in one of the chapters as well. The Archbishop of Newark, Most Rev. John J. Myers, has written an endorsement that appears on the back cover of the book.
About the Author
Allan Wright, a member of the Breath of Life Cenacle in New Jersey, is a religion teacher at Union Catholic Regional High School in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. He was selected as the UC Teacher of the Year for 2000-2001 and was recognized as an Outstanding Educator for 2001. In addition to teaching, he is in demand as a lecturer on Scripture. Part of his appeal as a speaker is due to his ability incorporate humor and role-playing to create an exciting and interactive aspect to his presentations on the Gospels. Along with Mike St Pierre, Allan founded the Catholic Ventures web site (www.catholicventures.com), which helps Catholics to recognize their gifts and vocations. He has been active at the Father Judge Apostolic Center in Stirling, New Jersey, for the past seven years. Alan received his B.A. in Religious Studies with honors, from Seton Hall University and his M.A..in Theology, Biblical Studies, with honors from Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology.
The Cenacle Newsletter: A Brief History
This year marks the eleventh anniversary of the Spirit of the Cenacle newsletter in its present form. Volume 1, No. 1, was published in August 1991. It has been published every year since that time except for one year (1994). The concept of a newsletter as an outreach ministry of the MCA actually predates 1991. There were earlier newsletters, and we know that Father Judge was a strong advocate of communication among the members of the Missionary Cenacle Family. The current version of the newsletter had its origins as a regional newsletter written and distributed by Sister Josepha of Holy Trinity, AL, when she served as MCA Spiritual Guide for Trinity Region. The publication was later continued primarily through the efforts of Joe Kibbe of Ocala, FL. In October, 1990, Christ the Servant Cenacle in Baton Rouge, LA, assumed responsibility for the newsletter and gave it the title, The Spirit of the South. The newsletter was published bi-monthly. Jim Bolner served as the first editor. In 1991 Marvine Waite, Custodian General, asked that the newsletter be expanded to include the entire MCA. Charles and Trish Mann with the assistance of other members of Christ the Servant Cenacle took over the publication when Jim moved to France for a year in 1991-1992. With the expanded coverage, the title was changed to The Spirit of the Cenacle. In 1993 the newsletter changed from a bi-monthly to a quarterly. In 1994 Christ the Servant Cenacle requested that the Council find someone or another Cenacle to assume responsibility for the newsletter. However, efforts to find another editor/publisher were unsuccessful and the newsletter was not published that year. In 1995 Marvine Waite, concerned with the lack of communication among Cenacles, re-established the newsletter. Debbie McDermott, Assistant General Custodian, of Loraine, OH, assumed the editorship under a new title, The New Spirit of the Cenacle. In 1997, when Claribel Santana was hired as a part-time secretary for the MCA office in Philadelphia, one of her duties was to edit and distribute the newsletter. She was also responsible for translating the newsletter into Spanish. With that change, the publication schedule was also changed to three times a year. When Jim Bolner became Assistant General Custodian in 1999, he and Smittie Bolner volunteered to edit, publish, and distribute the newsletter in English and Spanish. Josie Morales serves as translator for the Spanish version. The title once again was changed to Spirit of the Cenacle. In addition to a paper copy, the newsletter has been published online since July, 1999; http://mcenacle.org/mca/newspirit.htm.
In 1990 Marchita Mauck, MCA, then Regional Custodian for Trinity Region, wrote in the first issue of Spirit of the South : “The idea [of the newsletter] is to continue the original purpose of enabling Cenacles to know what others are doing and facilitating knowing each other better as we share our apostolic mission. In addition, we would like to share a forum for reflection on topics of interest to the MCA, suggestions for new books, and perhaps, musings about the spiritual journey in light of our MCA commitment …”
The newsletter is about you, the MCA, and for you. We welcome your suggestions and encourage any contributions that you believe would be of value to our mission as MCA.
Smittie and Jim Bolner
Brush up on Social Justice
[Source: Tri-Com. Prepared by Fr. Joe Keenan, S.T. Would anyone like to recommend another list and in Spanish?]
Terror in the Mind of God: The Global Rise of Religious Violence, by Mark Juergensmeyer. (University of California Press, 2000).
Crossing the Gods: World Religions and Worldly Politics, by N. J. Demerath, III (Rutgers University Press).
The Death Penalty: An Historical and Theological Survey, by James J. Megivera (Paulist Press, 1997).
Walking with the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement, by John Lewis with Michael D’Orso (Harcourt Brace and Co., 1998).
What Does the Lord Require? A Bibliographical Essay on the Bible and Social Justice, by John R. Donahue, S.J. (The Institute of Jesuit Sources, 3601 Lindell Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63108 e-mail: IIS@SLU.edu)
Preparations
Underway for the Margaret Healy
Leadership Assembly
As reported in the last issue, the MCA Council is convening a leadership assembly in Holy Trinity, Alabama, March 27-30, 2003. The assembly is being named in honor of Dr. Margaret Healy, the first General Custodian of the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate. Each region is presently in the process of choosing delegates to represent the membership at the assembly.
Information about the assembly, including questions for reflection, was mailed to all associates and spiritual guides in the United States and Puerto Rico in mid-September, and distributed to members outside the U.S. by way of regional custodians in October. We understand that some Associates did not receive the mailing. If you have not received it, please contact your regional custodian for a copy.
The focus of the Margaret Healy Leadership Assembly will be our mission in the context of “the providence of daily life.” The reflection questions are aimed at getting a sense of your experience of that providence and how the MCA is helping you fulfill your missionary vocation. We had hoped to have responses by November 5th, in time for our planning meeting, but because of the delivery problem, the deadline has been extended to December 31st. Your responses will be invaluable, and will ensure that the Assembly is a true representation of the entire MCA membership. We encourage you to prayerfully respond to the reflection, either individually or as a Cenacle. Responses should be mailed to Pat Regan (address and e-mail address shown below).
The projected budget for the Assembly is $36,000. We have received a generous grant of $22,000 from the Missionary Servants of the Most Holy Trinity, and some funds will be allocated from the general MCA operating fund (sustained by your stewardship donations). Still, our MCA Council is asking members to assume a significant part of the expense to show our commitment to the development of leaders in the MCA. We are asking each delegate, if they can, to cover some or all of their expenses. We are also asking all MCA Associates to consider making a special donation to help meet the shortfall. If you can help, please send your donation to Pat Regan, with a note that it is for the Assembly.
Please continue to pray for the success of the Margaret Healy Leadership Assembly. As we consider and plan for the future of the MCA, we beg the Holy Spirit to grace us with wisdom and fortitude.
With prayers in the Trinity,
Pat Regan, MCA
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HELP NEEDED Are you a "Frequent Flyer" ? If so, the MCA could use your help! We are asking for donations of frequent flyer tickets for MCA delegates needing help getting to the Leadership Assembly in Holy Trinity, AL, next March. Delegates from each region will be participating in the Assembly, and some will need financial assistance in order to attend. Donating a free ticket with your frequent flyer miles is a great way to help the MCA! Please contact Pat Regan if you can help. Phone: 301-890-1680. E-mail: patregan3@comcast.net
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REFLECTION
This is the second in a series of articles describing each of four characteristics of apostolic spirituality and how they are expressed in the spiritual thought of Father Judge.
The questions at the end of the article could be used either for individual reflection or for discussion in your Cenacles.
Pat Regan, MCA
Divine Providence Cenacle, Maryland
_____________________________________________________________________________
The Cenacle and the Church
In an apostolic spirituality, there is an emphasis on the missionary nature of the Church. To that end, both St. Vincent de Paul, Fr. Judge’s “spiritual father,” and Father Judge himself were active in the movements of Church reform and spiritual renewal of their day. In 17th century France, during the time St. Vincent lived, the clergy was badly in need of reform. Many priests were poorly educated and often neglected their congregations for long periods of time. An experience St. Vincent had of hearing the deathbed confession of a peasant who had not received the Sacrament for years had a huge impact on him. One purpose of Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians), which he founded in 1625, was to preach and bring the Sacraments to the poor peasants in France’s countryside. St. Vincent viewed the clergy as being at the service of the poor, and he devoted much of his life to training priests for that purpose.
While the reform of the clergy was not an essential issue for Father Judge, his insights about the role of the laity must certainly be considered a breakthrough in terms of the accepted religious and Church structures of his time. It is true that progressive Catholic thought arising in the latter part of the nineteenth century recognized a changing role for lay people in the Church. However, Father Judge’s structuring of the early Cenacle put a unique spin on this understanding. The “Inner” and “Outer” Cenacles were unified and interrelated in a way that was not found in other situations. The fact that both religious institutions (S.T. and M.S.B.T.) arose out of the lay apostolate is of particular import. In a 1932 letter, Father Judge emphasized that “the major purpose of [the men’s] Institute is to cherish and safeguard the Outer Missionary Cenacle.” And a decade earlier, in a letter to Mother Boniface, Father Judge wrote:
The purpose of our Sisters is to train the work-a-day man and woman into an apostle, to cause each to be alert for the interests of the Church, to be the Church, and that here lies in a very large way the solution of all the Church’s problems. The greatest of all helps to Religion, . . . a spiritualized and apostolic laity, that this is the work of the Cenacle to evoke this personal service.
Finally, Father Judge placed his missionary emphasis on the Catholic community, or more specifically, “fallen away” Catholics. From the early days of his priesthood, preaching missions with the Vincentians, to the development of the lay apostolate—and eventually the religious institutes—Father Judge’s attention was turned toward the reclamation of lapsed Catholics. Under the watchword of “Preservation of the Faith,” the Cenacle’s emphasis was on work among those lost to the Church (letter to Most Rev. Gerald Fitzgerald, 1928).
Questions for reflection:
1. How do you understand the connection between involvement in religious and Church reform and spirituality?
2. How have you experienced the interrelation of the “Inner” and “Outer” Cenacle in your journey in the Missionary Cenacle Family? How has it enriched your spiritual and apostolic life?
3. How does Father Judge’s thinking about the laity resonate with your experience of Church? What implications do you see it might have for the Church of the 21st century?
4. Who are the people in your daily life who are “lost to the Church”? How have you reached out to them?
MCA GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 11-13, 2002
Mother Boniface Spirituality Center
The meeting convened at 6:30 with the celebration of mass, Fr. John Seymour presiding.
Present: Josie Morales, General Custodian; Fr. John Seymour, ST (Acting General Spiritual Guide); Angel Garcia, Incarnation Region, Kay Knott, Trinity Region (for Joanne Jones); Alma Robles Perfecto, San Juan Region; Roxana Lopez, Our Lady Queen of Angels Region; Jose Castro, Holy Spirit Region.
Absent: Jim Bolner, Assistant General Custodian, and Mexico’s representative.
Josie, Angel and Fr. John served as translators throughout the meeting.
Josie announced that Marie Boin has resigned as Regional Custodian of Incarnation Region due to health problems. It is expected that Angel Garcia will assume the position of Regional Custodian in her place.
Regional Reports-- Regional reports were translated into English or Spanish and distributed to the members. Josie stressed the importance of communication with the Regional Custodians. Josie expressed concern at not being able to communicate with Mexico’s Regional and Assistant Custodians; Mexico was not represented at this meeting, nor was a report submitted. A discussion followed on ways to help the Mexico Region become more actively involved in the Council..
Spiritual Guide Manual-- The manual was drafted by the MCA Regional Spiritual Guides, Fr. Domingo, General Spiritual Guide and Josie Morales, General Custodian. Fr. John led a discussion of the draft Manual at Saturday morning’s meeting. Originally the Manual was intended to clarify the role of the local Spiritual Guide, but that led to the need to clarify the roles of the General Custodian, Assistant General Custodian, and Regional Custodians. Council members approved distribution of the Spiritual Guides Manual in its present draft form. Fr. John requested that any suggestions for corrections or additions to the Manual be sent to him. It is expected that revisions and additions will take place within the next five or six years and by then it will be more stable and ready for printing in a more permanent format.
Review of the Role of the Regional Custodian--The Regional Custodian sees that the work that is being done in his/her region meets the needs of the times. The Regional Custodian is responsible for reporting and speaking for his/her region to the General Council, and for reporting back to the region’s cenacles on the activities of the General Council meeting. The Regional Custodian helps to make decisions that affect the whole MCA in the following areas: administration, financial, formation, policies, statutes, rules, apostolic works, etc. The Council is the steering committee (rudder) of the whole organization—the Council must plan ahead including all of the nitty-gritty involved with planning and executing a meeting. Two Regional Custodians have additional responsibilities because they participate in the Family Council (three meetings a year) in addition to meeting twice a year with Josie and other six regional custodians. Roxana Lopez (Costa Rica) suggested that since two General Council members are also meeting with the Family Council, the rest of the Council should make a novena for the success of Family Council Meeting. Josie announced that the next Family Council Meeting would be January 10. The novena should begin January 1.
Revision of the Rule of Life--There were numerous responses to the revisions. There was strong opposition to allowing Deacons to become Associates because of their clerical status. Many felt that the MCA should remain strictly laity. Because of the strong feelings expressed on this issue it will be left alone for now. Another suggestion was that the document be directed more towards the laity. Josie indicated that in light of the responses, the Committee will be reorganized to include MCA theologians who can address issues more pertinent to the laity. For now, the MCA will continue to operate under the present Rule of Life. It will take some time to finalize the Rule of Life and Constitution. In view of this fact, Josie asked the Council to approve the formation of a committee to work on the Directory. This is a detailed explanation of the Rule of Life, with specific directions for its implementation, for example: how to carry out elections; what to do if a Custodian retires or resigns, how to handle formation . The Directory is the legislation of the MCA; the Council can make changes to it as needed. The Council unanimously approved the motion. Fr. John will serve as consultant and Kay Knott will head the committee and will choose others to help with this task. It was suggested that it be done one chapter at a time.
Leadership Assembly, March, 2003--Father John provided a brief background on the history of leadership in the MCA. The MCA was started in the North by mostly professional women, many of whom later became MSBTs, resulting in the loss to the MCA of much good leadership. For many years the MCA remained dependent on the Sisters for leadership. Dr. Margaret Healy was appointed leader of the MCA in 1928 and remained in that position until 1969. The first elections for General Custodian were held only after Dr. Healy died. The MCA does not have a long history of developing leadership, and there is a problem with finding leaders now. Josie stressed that it is very important that we form leaders in all areas (local, regional and general) and no one should be sent to the Assembly who is not willing to be a leader beyond the local level as the MCA is growing faster than we are producing leaders. The delegates will play an important role in identifying and selecting leaders. The Assembly is also an occasion to deal with the pressing needs of the next four years. Council members should prepare the delegates beforehand as to the business of the Assembly and make them aware of the content of the report of the General Custodian and General Council so they can understand what will be discussed. They need to know the history of the Assembly, the Council meetings, reports and the role of the Council. Josie will write her report and e-mail to each Regional Custodian for their information and comments. Roxana presented a motion from Cost Rica MCA that the Leadership Assembly be called “Dr. Margaret Healy Leadership Assembly.” The Council approved this motion overwhelmingly. Fr. John and Kay Knott volunteered to assist with transportation to and from the airport.
Financial Report--Josie distributed copies of financial reports. She noted that pledges are down. This means less money in the General Fund and this reduces what the MCA is able to do. We are an international organization and must be supported at all levels.
Reflection on Providence of Daily Life--Fr. John led the Council in a reflection on the theme of the Assembly (the Providence of Daily Life). One may be tempted to have a narrow understanding of its meaning; the providence of daily life does not just include those accidental, unplanned, unexpected things that happen in our lives. Providence is what happens in every day life where we recognize God working in our lives. This includes everything (planned and unplanned)—events and opportunities. A missionary is one who is sent to communicate God’s love to everyone whom he/she has the opportunity to meet—to answer when God calls us, to go where one would not ordinarily go, to trust God and be willing to offer ourselves to the will of God. Missionaries are instruments of grace. The elements of being a missionary are trust, sacrifice, willingness to take risks, patience, and prayerfulness. Fr. Judge said: “All of life, all around us, is a treasure of opportunities.”
Reflective Sharing: Issues of Concern
· Membership in the MCA has continued to grow despite problems occurring in some areas. Regional reports should document these problems so that we can discuss them and find ways to meet the challenges.
· We need to preserve MCA documents carefully since we have a shortage of space for storage.
· Formation is very important and the Spiritual Guides are helping with that.
· In our regions we must learn to work with, communicate with, witness to and bring into our Cenacles Hispanics who are moving into our areas in larger numbers as well as with all immigrants who are traditionally Catholic.
· There is a need to look for youth and young married couples to introduce to the Cenacle’s way of life.
· There was concern about what the Council did not hear—news from Mexico. The Council is making plans, decisions, discerning, sharing; Mexico needs to participate at the General level. The Council should offer any assistance it can to our Cenacles in Mexico.
FAMILY COUNCIL-- Josie reported that the Family Council met September 13-15, 2002, at Mother Boniface Spirituality Center in Philadelphia. The Mission Statement has been put together and the Council continues to work at responding to the issues raised at Jubilee/Jubileo 2000. On peace and Justice issues, Josie asked the Council to present the following questions to their regions for feedback:
What are the needs of our times in our particular area regarding peace and justice?
What can our Cenacles do? .
Be aware of what’s happening all around us; talk about it in our Cenacles.
The local Cenacles should respond to the Regional Custodian by the end of December
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FATHER JUDGE- MEDITATION FOR ADVENT Letter Conference to Missionary Servants—c. November 28, 1926, Missionary Cenacle Meditations, p. 2. The first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the Church’s new year. It introduces the proximate preparation for the great feast of Christmas. The Cenacle has been preparing for this holy festival since last Christmas, for this is the custom that we begin on Christmas day to prepare for the next Christmas. The whole year, indeed, should be a preparation. How short a time it is, in fact, to place ourselves in those sentiments and dispositions that this sacred and keystone mystery of the Christian religion warrants. The time now is for a more intense preparation. The Holy Spirit arouses us … that knowing the season we will be intent, ready, prompt to act according to His impulses; that we owe it to out soul, to it’s destiny, to its salvation. Yes, we owe it indeed to our Maker, to our Savior to throw off our sluggishness, to bestir ourselves from our lethargy, to break asunder any shackles of sin that bind us, to disfranchise ourselves from the citizenship of perverse or vain habits that we may be ready for the coming of our King, our Saviour. “For now our salvation is nearer than we believed. The night is passed, and the day is at hand. Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of Light.” (Rom. 13:11-12) In a word, let us begin now actively, generously, with whole heart and soul to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ,” (Rom. 13:14) It is time, indeed, to think of the gift we are going to offer the Christ Child for his birthday. Apply actively, energetically, the words of St. Paul’s epistle to the holy season of Advent. Now, all together for a greater advance along the way of sanctity. Determine that the cause will be first: the Cenacle, the Church, the works of religion, our King, our Saviour, our Lord Jesus. Be courageous and invincible, resolved in the work of overcoming self. All for Jesus. Take heart for we can rise. We can attain. Prayer will do it. His blessed Immaculate Mary will help. Stand by your duty. Stand by your work. Stand by your conscience; again, stand by Jesus. His enemies are fiendishly active against Him. Let us have something to offer of reparation and of consolation.
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NEWS FROM THE REGIONS
San John the Baptist Region—Puerto Rico
As a Missionary Cenacle Family in Puerto Rico, we celebrated the anniversary of our founders, Padre Judge, Mother Boniface and Dr. Healy on Nov, 23rd in Caimito Center. Over 100 persons attended. A panel guided us in a discussion and reflection on “our response to social, cultural and religious values and crisis.” We also had a visit by His Excellency Roberto Gonzalez Nieves, archbishop of San Juan. We had the opportunity to discuss the questions that were presented to us by the Missionary Cenacle Family Council. MCA members and facilitators of small groups took notes, which are summarized below.
1) What are the pressing needs, the “faith shocks,” that we encounter on a daily basis that requires a justice response?
The Family as the basis of society has a new reality in its composition and responses. Single mothers and fathers are on the increase; families are trying to survive in a world of consumerism, surrounded by a new culture of work and technology, with no time to share and talk. The television and the computer are new members of the family. A new generation of children and youth touch the world in seconds, but they cannot touch their own families. For many, silence and loneliness are a daily experience. Many others are bombarded with violence on a daily basis through the media. Our church as institution, the family, our political leaders, the government agencies have lost credibility. Overwhelmed by news of war and terrorism, we look and wait for a message of hope, a movement toward peace and justice. We seek good and charismatic leaders who can help us in these times of distress.
2) What are we (or any agency- private or public) doing about these needs?
Many agencies and different groups in the church and civil associations are dealing with many issues. In our Cenacles we try hard to address the issues through our apostolic works. We experience the “shocks” and the “fear” with Christian courage and loving action, but we have to believe more in our efforts. We need to be like the Emmaus disciples; they walked away from the Jerusalem reality with fear and in shock. The message of Jesus turned them homewards. They returned with a disciple attitude; they recognized the power of Jesus’ love; they heard the call and responded. The new evangelization and mission begins in a small area—our homes, our neighborhoods, our small communities, our work places, and our church parishes. We need to touch the hearts of all—Catholic and non-Catholic. It is time to talk and to believe in hope and love. We need to wake up! We need more apostles with passion! We need to feel and communicate the love of our Triune God!
3) How can we as members of the MCF respond?
First we have to be conscious that prayer and apostolic action are pressing needs and that our presence as a religious family in the church is a gift. God is a family; He loves the family idea. We need to recognize that we live as Missionary Cenacle Family, not only as individual branches, but also as members of a family with shared thoughts and ideas. We need to believe in and work for our common goal as a family; we need to preserve the faith in our common mission and vision. As a family, we will find the strength and courage to deal and confront the social, cultural and religious crisis with faith and with a loving and justice response.
Alma Perfecto,
Regional Custodian
"On the Threshold of the Mystery" was the title of the Incarnation retreat held in Philadelphia on October 18-20, 2002. While the theme of the retreat was the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, on Friday evening the mystery was: would we get to Philadelphia? Some of us didn't arrive until midnight, so badly did we go astray. Our group found an angel who guided us to Philadelphia from Mohnton, PA, where we had wandered. She is Trish Carlini who went out of her way to assist us. I am sending her information about the Cenacle Family; perhaps that is the real reason we got lost—to find her!
The retreat director was Fr. Domingo Rodriguez, ST, who gave the conferences in English and in Spanish. Saturday morning’s presentation concentrated on the meaning of the word “mystery,” looked at from the pre-Vatican II viewpoint and now. The words used with the sacraments are illustrative: ex opere operato, which means by the worth of the work that is done, that is, the sacrament works despite our unworthiness. Fr. Domingo used several stories from a Sufi, an Eastern holy man and leader, to illustrate the ideas.
Saturday afternoon Fr. Domingo again used a story from the Sufi. The disciple asks the Sufi how long it will take for him to reach the mountain, where he hopes to find enlightenment. The Sufi says, “it all depends.” The disciple
asks several other questions, trying to find his answer, each time the response is, “it all depends.” Finally, the disciple walks away discouraged, and after going a little way, hears the Sufi saying “three days.” He looks back and sees the Sufi watching him walk, “I didn't know how fast you walk.” So also, we grasp the mystery of God in relation to how we grasp the mystery of ourselves.
Sunday morning's conference focused on Trinitarian Spirituality and how it relates to Cenacle spirituality. We either embrace or diminish the Cenacle charism by our lives—doing always flows from being. Father Domingo left us with this challenge—“Grasping the charism and how it affects you is your job. Reflect on it!”
We are grateful to Father Domingo for his insightful presentations. At Saturday's Penance Service, the regional meeting, masses on each of the days, and the prayer service on Sunday morning we were able to worship and talk together. Hopefully, in future retreats, we will find a way to spend more time together to share our reflections on the conferences.
NEW ASSOCIATES
On Sunday, October 6, 2002, six people from the Lirio Inmaculado de la Santisima Cenacle in Silver Spring, MD, made the Act of Consecration and received their MCA (Spanish) pins at mass at St. James Parish in Mount Rainier, MD. The mass was celebrated by Fr. Seraphim Molina, ST, assisted by Br. Raúl Ventura, ST. Br. Steve Vesely , ST, delivered the homily. Welcome to the following new Associates: Ana Quesada, Hilda Suárez, Gloria and Emilio Gutierrez, Dilia Martinez, and Margarita Cremata.
Trinity Region—Southeast
Light of Christ Cenacle has had a busy quarter. October 5th saw a family Reflection Day, hosted by the ST Cenacle on U.S. 90 East in Tallahassee. The theme was "Who we are," and the keynote presenter was Fr. Dennis Berry. Attendance at that event was about 30 Family members and guests, including STs and MSBTs. On November 9th, we had another Family Reflection Day hosted by the ST Cenacle, this time the topic was "We are Family," and presentations were given by Fr. John Seymour, Josie Morales, and Fr. Francisco Valdovinos Ruiz. Approximately 22 persons from Tallahassee and Quincy attended the November event. We will host a semi-annual reflection day On December 15th at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Quincy, centered on the apostolic call of St. Juan Diego. In January, we will begin conducting Apostolic meetings and will continue formation for our Candidates on a separate schedule. Currently, the Cenacle is taking counsel on a Mission Statement and is discussing a "corporate" ministry that is within the providence of our daily lives.
Jim Geuin , MCA
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In Memoriam Deacon Henry Burrell who served for many years as the Spiritual Guide of the Living Waters Cenacle in Pensacola, Florida, passed away on September 21, 2002. His wife, Gloria Burrell, was died last year was a long-time member of Living Waters Cenacle. ******************************* Helen Quinn, a long-time member of the Queens, N.Y., Cenacles, died on September 21, 2002. Helen was Assistant General Custodian from 1964 to 1970 during which time she was in charge of the first national office of the MCA. At that time it was located in New York City. She set up the first computerized mailing list of associates and collaborated on a newsletter. Helen met Margaret Healy in the early 1940's while a student at Bryant High School where Dr. Healy taught history, and was invited to join the Cenacle. She became involved with the missionary work being done at that time–visiting the sick and homeless on welfare island, instructing children and taking them on outings, and was Custodian of a young women’s MCA, and a New York regional officer. After a long illness, she has gone to her eternal reward!
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MCA Directory and Mailing List
Jim Bolner, maintains the mailing list for the newsletter and the MCA Directory. Each mailing of the newsletter results in numerous returned copies because of address changes. Aside from having to pay extra for returned issues, we lose track of MCA members. Please let Jim know by e-mail or regular mail of any changes in your mailing address. It is also important that he be given the names of new Candidates and Associates in order to add them to the MCA Directory. Also, please notify him of any changes in your Cenacle’s officers and Spiritual Guide. Jim’s mailing address is:
460 Bancroft Way
Baton Rouge, LA 70808-4805
His e-mail address is poboln@lsu.edu.
MCA website address: http://mcenacle.org/mca/
Pledge Form
Missionary Cenacle Apostolate
After prayerful consideration, I am pledging the following amount in support of the MCA:
$____ each month (My first monthly pledge is enclosed)
or
$____ as my entire stewardship gift for the year _____
Name: ______________________________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
City, State, Zip: ______________________________________________________________
Phone: __________________________ E-mail _______________________________
__ Please send me information about making a bequest to the MCA in my will.MAIL THIS FORM AND FUTURE DONATIONS TO:
Pat Regan, MCA Fund Development Coordinator
3929 Greencastle Rd. #207
Burtonsville, MD 20866-2114 USA
Phone: 301-890-1680 E-mail: patregan3@aol.com.