Cross and Flame (March 2005)
Fr Ken's reflection
Dear friends in Christ,
In this year of the Eucharist there is a special grace to rediscover the
wonder
of adoration and to rekindle the fire of love in our hearts for Jesus, our
Eucharistic Lord. Pope John Paul 11 in Ecclesia de Eucharistia speaks from
his heart when he says: “It is pleasant to spend time with Him , to lie close
to his breast like the Beloved Disciple (cf. Jn 13/25) and to feel the infinite
love present in His heart. If in our time Christians must be distinguished
above all by the ‘art of prayer’, how can we not feel a renewed need to
spend time in spiritual converse, in silent adoration, in heartfelt love
before
Christ present in the Most Holy Sacrament? How often, dear brothers and
sisters, have I experienced this, and drawn from it strength, consolation
and
support!”
In Eucharistic adoration Jesus is speaking in the silence of our hearts.
He invites us to respond to him
in love. There is a heart to heart exchange of love. As Psalm 42 says: “Deep
is calling upon deep in the roar
of mighty cataracts” (Ps.42/7). When people are in love they do not have
to use many words. They rejoice
simply being in the presence of the beloved. In the Song of Songs the bride
sings “My Beloved is mine and I
am His, and His banner over me is Love” (2/4,16). In adoration we rejoice
that we have been conquered by
the love of our Beloved, and that he has claimed us as his own. We just want
to be in his presence, listening
to his heart. As the Pope says, it is like John the beloved disciple at the
Last Supper , resting his head on the
chest of Jesus in unaffected intimacy. It is like Mary of Bethany who simple
sat at the feet of Jesus absorbing
his presence, glad just to be there with him. Jesus said to Martha: “Mary
has chosen the better part”
(Lk.10/42). It may not involve specific revelations or rushes of emotion.
It may be simply quiet and
seemingly uneventful. At times it may seem even boring and hard to endure.
Yet the love within us, which is
his gift, enables us to remain faithful and generous by simply being there
for him.
Another image of Eucharistic adoration is that of a wife attending at the
bedside of her sick husband
in the hospital, keeping a long and lonely vigil out of love for her beloved.
Jesus invites us to watch with him
an hour. Jesus does not need our love in the same way as a sick husband needs
his wife; yet Jesus thirsts for
our love all the same. In keeping loving vigil with him we are in a mysterious
way keeping vigil with all
those in the Body of Christ who have no-one to show them that they are loved.
Yet it is primarily a personal
love relationship between Jesus and ourselves. Like any marriage there is
a need for times to just be together
and to share from the heart with one another. In Eucharistic adoration we
take time to be with our Beloved.
He is the best friend we have. He says: “ I do not call you servants anymore.
I call you friends…” (Jn.15/14).
What a wonderful gift it is to have Jesus as our friend! He waits for us
to spend time with him to deepen the
friendship. In a mysterious way, during long hours of adoration, when we
are often distracted or struggling to
stay awake, the friendship is deepening. A deeper bonding of the heart grows,
and we abide more in him and
he is us. From this comes much fruit (Jn.15/5)Many miracles have occurred
through sustained adoration. The woman in the gospel who
had a haemorrhage for 12 years simply reached out to Jesus in faith and touched
the hem of his
garment (Mk.5/25-34). She was healed. If we come with the same faith and
simplicity the power of the Lord will flow into us for healing. Eucharistic
adoration is not so much for those who are “all
together”, but rather for those who are aware of their brokenness and sinfulness,
and wait humbly
upon the healing of the Lord. The change may not be as sudden as the woman
with the
haemorrhage. But if we persevere in the presence of Jesus we can be assured
that healing of some
sort will take place. Those suffering a poor self-image will find affirmation
of their worth and
dignity. Those struggling with sinful patterns of behaviour or disordered
thoughts will over time
find the power to break these patterns and to walk in victory. Those with
addictions will discover a
new power to change and to walk free. Those afflicted with anxiety, guilt
or anger will find that the
Lord will bring them his peace that surpasses all understanding. Those who
are despairing will find
a new hope.
The Pope reminds us of the words of Alfonsus Liguori : “Of all devotions,
that of adoring
Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is the greatest after the sacraments, the
one dearest to God and one
most helpful to us”. In this year of the Eucharist I trust we will often
find ourselves at the feet of the
Risen Christ really and truly present in tabernacle, or at times of exposition.
Like Thomas we will
cry out in awe “My Lord and my God!”. This is the gift of adoration. Jesus
said to Thomas: “You
believe because you see me. Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe”
(Jn.20/29). That is
a reference to us. We are so blessed to believe that we have the whole Christ,
bodily risen from the
dead and available for us in the consecrated host, even though we cannot
see him. He is before us
just as really as he was before Thomas. How blessed we are if, without seeing
him, we believe ;and
with hearts filled with love we often bow before him in humble adoration..
Are you called to be a Friend of Providence?
The MGL Friends of Providence is a volunteer group, which aims to provide opportunities
for people
of good will to share in the work of the MGL through financial giving.
Many are concerned about the shortage of priests in Australia and we have all
been encouraged to
pray hard for vocations. How wonderful to see these prayers answered in the
Missionaries of God’s
Love with the arrival of eleven new novices and two more still to arrive. I
am reminded of
Romans10:15 “…The footsteps of those who bring good news is a welcome sound…”
The MGL brothers embrace a life of radical poverty, relying on divine providence
for all their needs.
It is a long journey to ordination. With seminary fees and basic living expenses,
their need is ever
present but provides a wonderful opportunity for those who want to respond
to the Lord by
supporting the MGL financially.
The main focus of MGL Friends has been to encourage people to sponsor or part-sponsor
a
student/seminarian. Please pray about this and how you can help. Any regular
monthly donation will
make a difference and contribute to the future of our church.
For further information about the Friends of Providence contact
Mary Pidcock (02) 62487264 or 0403 395 953 or marypidco@hotmail.com
If you want to help the MGL seminarians financially contact Mary Pidcock, above
details,
or Fr Ken Barker on (02) 6281 0132 or frken@smartchat.net.au.
Manila Mission
insert here
new year, new sisters, new house ...
MGL Brothers make vows and promises
meet some of the new brothers for 2005
We asked each brother to answer two questions -
What were you doing before you came to MGL?
What attracted you to MGL?
Alex Nolasco
Alex has been living for a few months with the MGL brothers in Manila,
Philippines. A Philippino, he has belonged to the Servants of the Word
as a
lay brother before coming to the MGL. He worked in a youth ministry for
the Archdiocese of Manila and with young people in a parish through an
outreach to the poor conducted by a covenant community.
Alex says “I was attracted to the MGL by the life of prayer and
evangelization. I felt called to be a priest in the context of the charismatic
renewal and covenant community. So here I am”
Jerry Augustin
Jerry has been involved in full-time ministry in youth evangelization in
West
New Britain (his home base) and Bougainville since 1999. He says “ I was
looking to join religious life; then when I joined the Diciples of Jesus
community in Bougainville I discovered the MGL. I came to APSE in Canberra
last year and experienced the MGL. I could see how the brothers are together
in
the love of Jesus, and that they have a challenging radical way of life.
It is hard
to live, but I want to do it for Jesus.”
Chris Eaton
Chris was with NET ministries for two years. After this he felt a calling
to
be a priest and joined a pre-seminary house in Christchurch for a year,
looking at the possibility of Diocesan priesthood. He heard about MGL
through others who had been on NET, and he checked out the website.
Chris says “I was attracted by the MGL way of prayer, being centred on
Eucharistic adoration, and being charismatic and Marian. I was also drawn
to the way of brotherhood, the expression of radical poverty, living the
gospel as a sign of the Kingdom. I am excited about giving my life for
the
‘new evangelization’, being on the front-line for Jesus”
Izak Belyanan
Izak had been an SVD brother for 6 years at Ledalero, Maumere in Flores,
Indonesia. He had to leave the SVD temporarily in 2002 because of
difficulties with studies. When Fr. Ken met him in Maumere in September
2004 he had already finished his degree in Philosophy and was looking for
a new start. He had heard about the MGL and was keen to explore this
option.
Izak says “I want to be a priest, especially for the mission . I want to
serve
God and his people. I prayed to the Lord and he gave me a way. After
getting information about the MGL, I knew in my heart that this was God’s
way for me”
ways to help the mgl sisters ……
The sisters have many financial needs for this year. Can you help?
You may wish to contribute to help in some way with the following needs:
· rental assistance
· sponsorship of study for a formator-in-training
· travel to PNG
·
for Judy to travel to other countries in Europe and the Americas to visit
and learn from other groups of women in consecrated life
Send all donations to:
Sr. Judy Bowe MGL
58 Hannaford St.,
Page. ACT. 2614
Ph. 62545441
Email: mglsisters@aapt.net.au
For more information (including details about
direct debiting), please contact Judy at the
above address, or contact Mary Pidcock
Ph: (02) 62487264
Mob. 0403 395 953
Email: marypidco@hotmail.com
Summer Schools
In January the MGL brothers and sisters were busy helping with the Summer
Schools run by Disciples of Jesus community. The week-long schools were
conducted for young people in Perth, Melbourne, Bathurst and Maitland.
They
offered a total of about 600 young people an opportunity to discover their
Catholic faith more strongly. The young people are invited into a deeper
personal
relationship with Jesus, and receive good teaching on Catholic doctrine
and
morals. The evening charismatic prayer meetings always featured adoration
before
the Blessed Sacrament and opportunities for healing prayer. Many of the
MGL
priests and sisters helped in giving lectures and seminars on topics such
as the
Eucharist, Scripture, Moral teachings, Spiritual Growth and strategies
of
evangelization. One of the most rewarding aspects of the week for the priests
was
the number of young people who used the sacrament of reconciliation as
a means
of genuine conversion of heart. The priests were busy every night session
for
hours listening, counselling and administering the sacrament.
*** SPIRITUAL ASSOCIATION DATES 2005 ***
BRISBANE: Sunday 17th April 2pm, Mass and afternoon tea with
Fr. Chris Ryan MGL. Littel
Kings Chapel corner Carl and O'Keefe St. Buranda;Wooloongabba, entrance
Carl St. All welcome.
Information on this and future Gatherings in 2005 with MGL contact Margaret-Mary
(07) 33491944
MELBOURNE: Gatherings to be held at Seminary House, 297 Warrigal Rd.
Burwood. on April 9,
August 6, October 8. ALL WELCOME. Starts 2.00pm with Mass. Followed by
afternoon tea (bring
plate). Then rosary and Benediction. Finishes 5.00pm. For details about
Spiritual Association,
contact Jenny and Glen Rawlins, (03) 97080810
CANBERRA: Gatherings to be held at St. Peter and Pauls Church Garran,
near brothers house.
April 2, August 6 and October 8. ALL WELCOME. Starts 2.00pm with Mass.
Followed by afternoon
tea (bring plate). Then rosary and Benediction. Finishes 5.00pm.
A NEW CHAPEL FOR GARRAN HOUSE
The MGL brother’s house at Garran is going to have a new chapel!
This will complete the building project begun in 2003 by
which the 12 bedroom , double storey convent was purchased. From the beginning
it was clear that the present chapel is too
small and located too close to the noisy living area. The plan is to convert
that space in badly needed offices, and to build a
free standing chapel at one end of the present building. Fr. Geoffrey,
previously an architect, has been experimenting with
drawings and planning is at a very initial stage. The brothers hope that
work on the chapel could begin towards the end of
2005 or at the beginning of 2006.The office space is necessary since the
original building does not have much room at all for
this.
The new chapel will be twice as large as the existing one and designed
in simplicity and beauty as a worship space that is
very attractive. This will be the main gathering point for prayer for the
whole brotherhood.
YOU CAN HELP BY DONATING A BRICK
The brothers are hoping that some people will be moved to donate towards
the new chapel project. They are inviting donors
to buy a brick which as it were would have the donor’s name written on
it in invisible ink. No doubt the brothers would
always pray in gratitude for all those who contribute by donating a brick,
or maybe many bricks! To purchase one brick costs
$100.
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