(November 2001)

 

Welcome to this edition of The Cross and the Flame.   As usual, there has been a lot going on in MGL circles.  Of course, at this time, there is much happening in our world as well.  Please join with the brothers and sisters in praying for peace in our world.   In this Issue:   Reflections... from Fr Ken   MGL NEWS – ·        Vows and Promises ·        Summer Schools   Spiritual Association News ·        Brisbane ·        Melbourne ·        Perth!   And the Fridge Door

Reflections...

 

Dear friends,

 

With the September 11 terrorist attack on the United States, and its aftermath, the world has entered into a new era of uncertainty, anxiety and instability. Many of our established securities have been shaken, as we realise that our world is deeply fractured and maybe teetering close to chaos. It is time to take stock of our lives and to turn to the only One who brings lasting security, and can offer a sure hope in the midst of a profoundly troubled world. Ultimately our security is found only in Jesus. It is time to confidently come to him with a new urgency and a new fervour.

 

While the world is threatened with an escalation of violence through terrorism and acts of war by nation states, we know that God is not in any way impassive or disinterested. He is passionately with us, and will begin to act in our hearts in new ways if we allow his entry. This time of world crisis may very well be a “kairos” moment for a significant movement of God bringing many people back to the realisation that our ultimate meaning and purpose will only be found in him.

 

This is a time of grace, a time when hearts will be shaken from indifference and apathy towards to God, and will again seek him as the ultimate solution to the world’s problems. This is a time when the message of Jesus is most relevant. Violence is not the answer. Even if exercised in the name of justice, violence simply breeds more violence. Only love can heal our broken world, the love that has been brought into the world in the heart of Jesus, who hung on the Cross for every human being.

The mystery of the Cross reveals to those who believe that love will ultimately conquer hatred, that the gentle will ultimately inherit the earth, and that the way of mercy will ultimately prevail over the way of vengeance.

 

This is a time when God is bringing our hearts to deeper conversion. It is a time to experience more deeply his merciful heart for the world, which is lost and seems to be careering dangerously out of control.

 

The Missionaries of God’s Love   The Missionaries of God’s Love began in 1985 in Canberra, Australia.    The MGL brothers and sisters dedicate themselves to living the Gospel by sharing a common life of prayer, and by consecrating themselves to the Lord in poverty, chastity and obedience.    At the heart of the MGL is the mystery of the Cross and the Flame.  The Cross is the most eloquent manifestation of the love of God for the world, while the flame is the sign of the Holy Spirit, poured out upon the Church at Pentecost.  As priests, brothers and sisters, we are called to proclaim this love of God to all men and women.   The MGL Brothers have houses in Canberra, Melbourne, Darwin and Manila (The Philippines).  The MGL Sisters have houses in Canberra and Darwin.     The MGL are part of Disciples of Jesus Covenant Community, which consists of families and single people living a common way of life in the Church.

It is a time for standing at the foot of the Cross of Jesus and, through intercession, pouring his blood out upon the hardened hearts of all who do not yet know his love. This is a time for acting with mercy towards those who have personally offended us in any way, and finding the grace within to be able to forgive. This is time to discover in and through Jesus the merciful heart of the Father, God, and to throw ourselves confidently into his arms. This is a time to bring the whole world with us to the Father’s heart through persistent prayer, confident that the definitive act of love made in human history by Jesus on the Cross of Calvary is all-sufficient to reconcile all peoples, if only they will turn to him. This is a time for a new proclamation of God’s mercy, and to lovingly invite as many as possible to experience new life in him.

 

                                                 Fr Ken Barker

 

 

	A Big Thanks to those who organized the recent dinner-dance fundraiser for the Missionaries of God's Love in Melbourne recently.  We really appreciate it!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

MGL NEWS

 

Spiritual Association News   ·          PERTH!  The exciting news is that we have just begun the MGL Spiritual Association in Perth.  Please pray for those who have joined the Association.   ·          Do you know anyone who might like to join the MGL Spiritual Association?  Members commit themselves to living out elements of the MGL spirituality in a manner that is appropriate to their state of life.  For more info, contact John and Noeline Carrick on ·          (02) 6295 0836   ·          The Brisbane Spiritual Association gathered for Mass in October with Fr Anthony Phillips and in November with Fr Steve Tynan.   Spiritual Association days were also held in Melbourne and Canberra in October and November.

Youth Weekend in Brisbane

 

A weekend camp for 18-35 year olds was presented by six of the Missionaries of God's Love brothers and sisters (Fr Anthony Phillips, brothers David Callaghan and Chris Kerwick, and sisters Therese Mills, Kylie Bradford and Michelle Jones) on October 19-21, 2001 at Laidley outside Brisbane.

 

Called Transforming Fire, the theme of the weekend was for young people not to be afraid to be Saints of the new millennium.  It was judged an overwhelming success by the young participants on the weekend. Here are some comments from some of those who attended Transforming Fire:

 

"The Missionaries of God's Love provided a vibrant, wonderfully joyful ministry to youth."

 

"We are grateful to the Missionaries of God's Love for the example of their radical love for Christ." 

 

"I'm aware that I came to the weekend with my parent's faith but I leave having come to find my own faith and developed a greater longing to love Jesus more from the heart."

 

Youth on Fire

 Around 100 young people gathered in Canberra at the beginning of October to celebrate the Feasts of St. Therese of Lisieux and Francis of Assisi at St. Benedict's Eucharistic Centre. 

 

The Prayer Festival event made the most of the creative talent and excitement of youth through drama, music and through young people telling their story of faith.

 

Talks were given by Fr Daniel Benededtti, Fr David Tremble and Judy Bowe, who are all from the Missionaries of God's Love. Eucharistic adoration was a wonderful focal point for the young people over the course of the weekend. 

 

			St Benedicts has a new email address and website! Contact us at stbenedict@austarmetro.com.au Check out the Website at: www.mglvocation.org Say G'day or find out more about us, or do both!
	Would you like to make a donation to support the work of the Missionaries of God's Love?   Please send it to: Fr Ken Barker, MGL 8 Nuyts St, Red Hill ACT 2603, AUSTRALIA.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What's On?

 

Asia-Pacific School of Evangelization

 

Fridge Door   Please pray for:   §           Vocations, and those making vows and promises   §           Provision of funds for a Demountable Building at Red Hill for extra Office Space   §           Provision of funds for  school fees of seminarians   §           Visas for Jun Bello and Noel Cabiting

Interested in spending Easter to  Pentecost in 2002 learning how to reach out to young people with the Good News of Jesus?  Want to learn more about the Church's mission to evangelize?  How about 7 weeks of training, and then a one month mission experience in Darwin or the Philippines? The Asia-Pacific School of Evangelization is for young people who want to have a fantastic time growing in their faith and learning how to be effective missionaries in the world today.  For more info, contact St. Benedict's Eucharistic Centre on (02) 6295 7879 or email: stbenedict@austarmetro.com.au

 

Summer Schools

 

More chances for young people to discover more about their faith and have a great time in the process.  If you are between the ages of 16-35 and keen to know more about the Lord, then there is a Summer School near you:

Dates for 2002 are: 

6-13 Jan. Newcastle.  Ph: (02)9674 5541            

6-13 Jan. Bowral. Ph:     (02)6231 1896

13-20 Jan. Melbourne. Ph: (03) 9808 8707                      

13-20 Jan. Bunbury, W.A. Ph:     (08) 9451 4497 

13-20 Jan. Bathurst. Ph:  0419 639 742                

 

 

Prayer Festival at St Benedict's

 

You can get a copy of "Becoming Fire" from most Catholic Bookshops.  Or order it from St. Benedict's Eucharistic Centre.  Write to: St. Benedict's Eucharistic Centre Tallara Pkwy Narrabundah ACT 2604

Author of many books and Marist priest Fr Paul Glynn will be speaking at the next St. Benedict's Prayer Festival, on Dec 7-8, 2001, as the Church celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Beginning with a healing mass, 5:30pm on Friday 7th and concluding with a youth gathering Saturday night.  Contact St. Benedict's for more info: (02) 6295 7879.

 

Vows and Promises

 

You are all invited to the celebration of initial vows and promises of the Missionaries of God's Love, on Sunday, December 9, 2001.  St Benedict's Eucharistic Centre, Canberra, 3 pm.