Sent: Friday, January 17, 2014 2:40 PM Subject: REGNUM CHRISTI NEWS OF THE WEEK -- January 17 REGNUM CHRISTI NEWS OF THE WEEK Click on tag line to go to article Ask a Priest -- Fr Edward McIlmail LC Angel for a Day – Washington, DC Boys on a Mission – in El Salvador The past week in Regnum Christi Live! Christ the great healer – by Paola Trevino The heart is their eyes – by Paola Trevino A pat on the back – by Paola Trevino Christmas Story: Thornwood, Christmas Baby, Chapter – Br John Choi LC Drawn Toward the Rising Sun – by Ashley Osmera Treasure in jars of clay – by Br Antonio Lemos LC Mt. Alfred – by Fr Simon Devereux LC Prayer, a glance towards… my watch? – by Mirianna Sternhagen Blessed are the poor in spirit – by Fr Michael Sliney LC Christ the great healer. Regnum Christi Live – January 11 By Paola Trevino Today the gospel talked about the leper that Christ cleanses. Leprosy is a neurological illness that numbs your body, especially the extremities. They go numb, you can't feel anything. Aren't we all leapers in so many ways? Aren't we numb to the needs around us, aren't we numb of the reality of the world, nothing fazes us. Like one missionary shared with us, "I was asleep and Haiti was an awaking moment for me". In Haiti Christ cleans not only physical leprosy, but especially the leprosy from us missionaries. He heals us, so we can feel again. So we can feel the needs of others; so we can feel His presence in our lives now and through all our lives; so we can feel and love. With the love that's true. So we can feel and start searching for the meaning in our lives; so we can feel and start living with a positive attitude; so we can feel and be joyful and thankful. Let’s ask our Lord, today and every day, like the leper: “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean”. The heart is their eyes Regnum Christi Live – January 12 By Paola Trevino We just finished our first mission in the year 2014 here in Haiti. 31 young missionaries are on their way home after a week of service. We stay with another 20 to continue the work. Last night we had our reflections to share the things that we will "pack" to take back home. I was amazed by how full those hearts were after a week with the poorest of the poor. I would like to share with you a couple of ideas that help me, hoping it will help you. In Haiti the sick babies, the dying, the sick people, they see through their heart. Their heart is their eyes. They see past our physical appearance, our past, our present, our future, our imperfections, our weaknesses, our sins...They see us from who we really are, sons and daughters of God created out of love to give love. Another idea was a word to describe the mission: a tree. Yes, a tree. I thought the same as you when I heard it, but let me explain. A tree represents life, growth, a tree has roots. Here in Haiti you discover your roots, you discover who you really are, and what you can become; just like a tree with deep roots gets stronger and gives much fruit. We need to go deeper to discover our roots and growth and build from there, so we can start giving life. I hope that all of you Mission Youth Missionaries can continue the experience once lived in Haiti or in Mexico; learn to see with our hearts and go deep to our roots to discover who we are. So we can GO to SERVE and BUILD. Go out of our comfort zone to serve those in need and build the Church. A pat on the back Regnum Christi Live – January 13, 2014 By Paola Trevino During my lunch break I went to pray a rosary with a sick little boy who had just arrived. Chenidel, is 17 months old and weighs 2.8 kg. All the weight is in his head; his tiny body is so fragile that he doesn't have the strength to hold his head or sit. As I started praying, the baby from the crib beside started crying, so with one hand I started patting his back. Soon enough, he settled. The baby in the crib in front also began to cry, so I moved and followed the same technique, a pat on the back. Sure enough, he was silent before I knew it; well before I knew it, all the babies in the room, like 20 of them, had found the trick. So there I was, holding Chenidel with one hand, going around from crib to crib, patting the babies. When I was in the 5th mystery of the rosary, 15 minutes had passed, when I realized that all the ladies of the staff were having the laughter of their time, watching me with carrying little Chenidel in one hand and going around patting the kids that obviously they were playing with me. A simple pat on the back. I started thinking. Was it my patting or the fact that I was praying the rosary out loud and it was the soothing sound of the Hail Mary, or it was Mary herself, the Mother of all the babies, patting them on the back? Wow, it was a beautiful image that came to mind, Mary walking around all her sick babies, patting them on the back to calm down their pain. When we get cranky, or sad, or lonely, or we feel sick, we just need to give a little cry and Mary will pat us on the back and with a soft, gentle voice she will whisper: Do not be afraid my child, everything is going to be ok, am I not here, that I am your Mother? And then all will be ok, just like for the babies, soon enough we will calm down and be happy in our "little cribs". A Christmas Story: Thornwood, the Christmas Baby and the General Chapter Regnum Christi Live – January 13, 2014 By Br John Choi LC About a month ago friends from New York said a sad goodbye to the Legion's center in Thornwood, NY. At first I took it neutral. I hadn't spent much time there so it didn't really say anything to me. If anything, my memories of the Westchester area house were a bit depressing. We'd go "down" to Thornwood for our LC Get-togethers in those days when we were on edge, tense...really tense. For some time I sort of blocked those days out of my mind so as to sleep better at night. Forest walkway in Thornwood LC Center This Christmas I began to see it differently. With another beautiful Ordinations Mass (Dec. 15, 2013) and the coming of Christmas I got to see something really beautiful happen - as every year - the Birth of the Christ-child. I followed the Ordinandi from the time they boarded the bus right to the Basilica of St. John Lateran for the imposition of hands snapping photos of them all along the way. Fr. Josef Hare and Fr. Jess ngel Lopez on the way to their Ordination A priestly ordination is like watching someone "be born anew". According to Fulton Sheen "a Priest is Not His Own" and emphasis on the is. The priest is a new born child and despite the appearances he is the Christ-child in Person. Prostration during the Litany of Saints during the Ordination Rite With a gush of joy in our hearts there is no way not to be filled with hope. And hope is contagious. Some of the moments throughout Christmas were like living the Ordination Rite over and over again. The wait, the quiet, dizziness of movements, the Child in a Manger. This brings me back to Thornwood again. Forgotten memories uninterred, I think Thornwood was and is not a failure. It is sad to see the closing of a Religious formation house, very sad. Pope Francis recalled in his past conversation with heads of religious orders entitled, "Wake up the World!" he mentioned that despite the ephemeral "passing" of "works" the Charism of a religious congregation "remains". The most important "works" of an order are its own houses of formation. Besides the Papal Fact - and this, most importantly - was that despite its closing Legionary Fathers and Brothers see same "grain of wheat" rise anew with hope towards the future. Manger scene at the Legion's Center for Higher Studies - Rome, Italy Being a Religious - and furthermore, as a priest - there is one great mission that we share - to bring hope in the midst of darkness. On January 8th we began our General Chapter. God knows what He wants; and I know that God gets what He wants. I pray that each and every one of us can bring out the Joy of the Gospel in the midst of these days ahead and place our hope in the Child born for us. Drawn Toward the Rising Sun Regnum Christi Live – January 14, 2014 By Ashley Osmera The earth is still, Covered in a blanket As black as coal. When the eyes of all have just begun to believe That the darkness will be eternal, Small purple flowers Begin to bloom in the eastern sky, Their petals stretching across the horizon. As time passes, Their tips are kissed first by a dark maroon, And then a fiery red and orange. The dawn has come. Soon the focal point Becomes an increasingly bright point In the center of the eastern horizon. Something brilliant is struggling to be born From the depths of the swirling colors. Suddenly it breaks, spilling over the clouds, Instantly flooding all, And at once the dawn Is overcome by the sun. Yet the beautiful, humble dawn Is not jealous, And slowly fades, So that the sun may shine all the brighter, Filling all the earth and sky With his awesome warmth and light. What child precedes his parents; or what son can be born before his mother? Yet it is truly the sun which comes before the dawn, and in fact, creates its breathtaking display. The sun has no need of the dawn. But the sun asks for the dawn, and even pleads for it, because without it, the long darkened eye would be blinded by the dazzling light of the sun, if it sprang directly into the darkness of night without warning. We also know of a Son who preceded his mother. In truth, he also had no need of her. Yet he chose to allow her to participate intimately in his incredible plan, in order to prepare all hearts and eyes clothed in darkness for the coming of the Son’s light. The love and touch of the mother, the dawn, is gentle and soothing, and fills the trembling heart with a desire and longing for the One who is even more perfect and beautiful than she. She draws us to the spot from which her Son will appear. And then, when he arrives in all his glory and splendor, she quietly bows out of the spotlight. Yet she is not forgotten. Oh, no; the eye remembers vividly her beauty, and the heart her gentle guidance. So when, in our darkness, she appears once more, we turn to her with awe, trust, and expectation, knowing that the dawn will never fail to lead us, and gentle lift our chins, so that our gaze may be directed and drawn toward the rising sun. Ask a Priest U. S. A. | WHO WE ARE | NEWS RCSpirituality.com invites you to send your queries on the faith to Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC I am in love with a married man. What do I do? How can I handle constant criticizing from a spouse? As a Catholic, is it OK to use or display the word “Namaste?” Are we baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity or in the name of Jesus? Is it bad to wear a cross sideways? How can I fulfill my vocation while being homebound? Why does God allow so much pain and suffering? How often can I go to confession? These are the types of questions being tackled by Fr. Edward McIlmail LC on RCSpirituality.com. Fr. Edward is the editor and contributor behind the new “Ask a Priest” advice column on the website. “Over the years many people have been helped by the meditations offered through Regnum Christi websites,” said Fr. Edward. “I welcomed the chance to help with a question-andanswer for RCSpirituality. It seemed to be a good way to help people in their particular situations. The spiritual life is a battlefield, and the wider culture isn’t making it any easier to follow in the footsteps of Christ. “With God’s grace, the Ask a Priest column will be able to answer that need,” he said. “In the short time the feature went live online, we decided to try to be open to any and all questions. Readers haven’t disappointed us, sending questions ranging from how to improve their prayer life, to how to live in relationships chastely and well, to deep theological questions. All this indicates a hunger for knowledge of the Catholic faith. Deep down, people want to hear the truth.” Fr. Edward requests the Fr. Edward McIlmail LC RCSpirituality.com readers, and all RC members, keep him, and the RC Spirituality.com website in their prayers, and he asks patience if all questions are not answered immediately. “Rest assured that every question is read and pondered,” he said. “And you are all in my prayers.” To contact Fr. Edward at "Ask a Priest", go to the following link: http://rcspirituality.org/ask-a-priest/, or send him an email at [email protected]. Treasure in jars of clay Regnum Christi Live – January 15, 2014 By Br Antonio Lemos LC One of the perks about being a Legionary Brother is to live 24/7 with priests. It is such a blessing. More than anyone else, we are always in touch with their human side and with the mysterious presence of Jesus Christ, Priest and Victim, in their souls. We have Mass with them every day; and minutes later we are cooking pancakes and eating breakfast together; we receive spiritual direction and are mentored by them; and we disassemble our Christmas tree as a family; we can ask them for confession whenever we need; and sometimes we play flag football at the beach with them. Last week I experienced this mystery in a very special way. Two brothers and I went with my superior, Fr Brian, to do some exercise in the local park. As we arrived at the park, each one went running in a different direction. I decided to go to a trail I had not explored before. As I was running through the woods, in a very narrow part of the trail I saw a group of people ahead, maybe 10 or 15. I thought they were having some kind of outdoor class, since they were all quiet and in a serious mood while a woman talked. As I approached them, I realized that there was a man lying on the ground and a person was doing CPR on him. “Is this some kind of outdoor paramedic class?” I asked myself (I live in California, and this would not surprise me). I realized that the woman was actually talking on the phone and asking for help, and that the man lying was unconscious. It was a very awkward moment. Everyone was quietly observing the CPR procedure, no commotion at all, and I was wondering what to do. I felt really impotent; I wanted to help that man but did not know how. I started praying a Hail Mary for him. “If I were a priest… I could really help him…” I said to myself. Then, I suddenly remembered that Fr Brian was running somewhere in the park. I ran as fast as I could and prayed to my guardian angel to bring me to Fr Brian, but to no avail. I did not find him on the other trails. Little did I know, Fr Brian was already with that man (way to go guardian angel!!!). He arrived minutes after I left the scene, together with the paramedics and the ambulance. He was able to give a conditional absolution to the man, who passed away minutes later. Experiences like this make me contemplate in awe the mystery of the priesthood, which is a real sign of the Divine Mercy in our lives. Jesus works through the lives of his priests and it is almost hidden in their ordinary lives, like a treasure hidden in a jar of clay. I am so grateful for the example and the service of all my brother legionary priests! Thank you, padres! By the way, it happened to be the first Friday of the month! Mt. Alfred Regnum Christi Live – January 15, 2014 By Fr Simon Devereux LC When you are going through hell, keep on going. Never never never give up. – Winston Churchill Today my brother, Fr. Matthew, and I hiked up Mt. Alfred. It was a three hour walk to the 1300 metre summit. I certainly didn't enjoy the pain of the ascent, but the view from the top made it all worth while (as you can see from the photo). Sometimes in our spiritual "hike" we tell Jesus that we want to give up; that it's too hard. In these moments, we have to trust that he has something absolutely amazing in store for us at the top. Don't give up! You may be closer to the summit than you realize! Angel for a Day U. S. A. | WHO WE ARE | NEWS Annual tradition in Washington DC draws 200 children and their families 1. 2. More than 200 children and their families enjoyed the annual Angel for a Day event in Washington DC. 3. The “three wisemen” ushered everyone to St. James Church to see the Christ Child and to pray the rosary. More than 200 children and their families enjoyed the annual Angel for a Day event in Washington, DC, held at St. James parish on January 4, 2013. “It is great to see how much joy you can bring others with just a little bit of effort and love!” said Br. James Wilson LC who serves in the Washington, DC area. Sixty volunteers, including members of the parish and local Regnum Christi members, played games with the children and handed out presents in honor of the Christmas season. A highlight of the event was the visit of the “three wisemen” who ushered everyone to St. James Church to see the Christ Child and to pray a few decades of the rosary. Prayer, a glance towards… my watch? Regnum Christi Live – January 16, 2014 By Mirianna Sternhagen St. Teresa of Avila described prayer as “a glance towards heaven.” I think for much of my consecrated life I have lived my prayer more as a glance--or frequent glances--at my watch. “Did I make it on time? How much longer does this have to last?” etc, etc. For the past year, however, I have begun to see my prayer very differently. It started back in February when I, along with a few others, began to pray for an hour long morning meditation instead of doing a half hour in the morning and half hour in the afternoon. It was hard to get up earlier, but I think the love that dragged me out of bed in the darkest hours made the prayer time that much more cherished, because it was something I really wanted! Though the change came gently, those hour meditations turned my life around. Suddenly I felt my heart had the space to pray that for months I had been gasping for. No more rushing through my drill of acts of faith, hope and love to dive into meditation points one, two and three. Silence. Stillness. I think my heart just needed that extra time to unfold in all the serenity with which a tight bud becomes a blooming flower. The content of my prayer wasn’t dramatic, but it was powerful. It was a being still with God, a peaceful resting in his presence, a delighted basking in his joy over me, a gaze from Heart to heart. For me, at the point I am at, these hour meditations have been vital to my spiritual life. Instead of me seeking to invent resolutions to apply my prayer to daily life, God was the one surprising me in the middle of the mundane! After an almost boring 60 minutes of morning meditation, just being quiet with God, He could catch me off guard in just 60 seconds! I remember this happening one day when I knelt down right in front of a tiny tabernacle, starting to prattle about how my day had been, when suddenly I GOT that God was in front of me. I was speechless and open-mouthed; my knees slid from the kneeler to the bare floor. “My Lord and my God! That’s really you. Wow!” Another time I was talking to one of my companions and as I listened I tried to look her in the eyes, imagining she were Jesus. But as I looked I realized that there was no “imagine if” element at play here. Jesus was really there, shining forth from this person who reflected His image and likeness. Wow! How beautiful and exciting life is when I let Jesus lead! Prior to the renewal of our statutes, all consecrated women prayed half an hour of morning meditation, and half an hour of evening prayer. The first change came when consecrated in the apostolate could choose to combine these two prayer times into one hour. A few of us felt inspired and, with permission, started the hour of prayer on our own. Since summer, hour meditations have been an option for everyone in initial formation. I think having more space to choose how we pray is so precious, because prayer is born of love, and love flows from freedom. My heart swells almost to bursting some mornings, when, from my kneeler by the organ in our choir loft, I look down over my consecrated sisters filling the chapel below. Once upon a time we all sat in neat rows after receiving communion. Now it’s not unusual to see several people kneeling, thanking God that he has just given Himself to them, as their hearts bid them do. How blest we are to have such a good God as the one who has given his life for us! How blessed to partake in the freedom and joy, life and love which he won for us on the cross. How blest I feel I am to be part of Regnum Christi now, as we try to follow the inner promptings of the Spirit, docile to where God is leading us. In the end, He draws us to Himself, wishing that where He is we may also be. Union. Utter union of Lover and Beloved. This is what prayer is really all about. Blessed are the poor in spirit Regnum Christi Live – January 17, 2014 By Fr Michael Sliney LC “It is the duty of every man to uphold the dignity of every woman.” Blessed Pope John Paul II Definition: “Lust is a disordered desire for or an inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, # 2351) A Winning Strategy for Inner Peace and Authenticity: 1. Sacraments and Prayer Daily Mass and regular Confession (at least once a month): you cannot conquer these powerful passions without the help of God’s grace. The grace of the Eucharist nourishes the garden of virtues and the Sacramental Grace of Confession, like a good weed killer, attacks and weakens the weeds. Pray a Decade of the rosary every day for a greater purity. The Blessed Mother is the Queen of Purity and a powerful intercessor for us with Christ. 2. Internet/Media tips: Your mom/wife should receive a copy/history of all the sites that you visit during the day…keeps you honest and builds trust. Be realistic and get a tough filtering system, we need to protect ourselves. http://internet-filter-review.toptenreviews.com/ When you are tempted in this area, think of a good intention for which you can offer it up, perhaps a loved one in need or a sibling/son/daughter who may need extra graces. Go to where you need to go and then get out! Special care with images on video games, and content in movies and TV shows with inappropriate material…these have a huge psychological impact in creating disordered desires. 3. Control of Eyes: when associating with women, look into their eyes or face without getting distracted in other areas. Personally, it helps me to see and treat other women as I would my sister. 4. Control of Imagination: the devil is always stirring the pot with our memory and imagination and our thoughts need to be checked at the door. These are the inner battles of the soul which mean so much to God and truly forge our character. 5. Choose your friends well! A friend is someone who should inspire you with their example and not bring you down to a savage level of living. This is especially critical for teenagers. 6. Business trips Avoid travelling on the same plane, staying in the same hotel, or sharing a meal/drink with those female associates with whom you may have an unhealthy emotional attachment or a physical attraction. Always include a 3rd party if possible. Never to go to the hotel bar for dinner or drinks alone; order in room or be seated at the restaurant. Never have a meeting in a room, always secure a conference room at a hotel. Keep a busy and focused schedule, call into your wife every evening, and try to incorporate prayer and exercise into your free times. Daily physical exercise is very helpful! 7. Little acts of self-denial: taking less of the food you like, more of what you do not like; temperance and self-control in drinking alcohol; being especially kind to those who are disagreeable to you…controlling your passions in these areas form strong habits of self-control in your purity as well. 8. Attitude of selflessness! To be so focused on serving those around you that you do not have time for impure thoughts or actions. 9. Those whom you love can perceive your authenticity when they look into your eyes,…think of them when it gets tough. They need this example!! 10. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God.” Intimacy with Christ is only possible for the pure of heart! There is nothing worse than feeling divided and far from God! Boys on a Mission U. S. A. | WHO WE ARE | NEWS Students from Maryland take mission trip to El Salvador By Michelle Ardillo Four 8th grade boys from Holy Redeemer School (Kensington, Maryland) and their fathers departed on December 18, 2013, for El Salvador to participate in a mission trip led by Father Michael Sliney, LC, accompanied by Brother James Wilson, LC, and chaperone Michael Jacobeen. The Holy Redeemer contingency, Holy Redeemer students on a part of the larger group thirty mission to El Salvador. strong, included Tim Harper and two of his sons, Holy Redeemer alum JP and 8th grader Timmy; Mike Kirvan and 8th grader Finn; David Smith and two of his sons, Kyle (another HP alum) and 8th grader Garret; and Terrell Roberts and 8th grader Johnny. Upon arrival at the airport, the group traveled from the San Salvador Airport, with armed guards, to the local town of Zaragoza, the central town where they stayed, prayed and ate. Holy Redeemer parishioner and parent Tim Harper said, “It was an oasis in the middle of poverty.” While the mission trip began on December 18, 2013, preparation for it began much earlier. The missionaries were asked to collect shoes, clothing and soccer balls from their local school and church communities. As Tim Harper said, “The response was tremendous. The various workplaces of the attending fathers, schools of the kids, and local businesses, all showed their Christmas giving spirit in fulfilling this request.” Attendees each packed their two allotted checked bags full of shoes and clothing. The grand total of donated items included 900 pairs of shoes, numerous items of clothing and lots of soccer balls, and thousands of rosaries. Local sporting equipment company, Under Armour, and Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (Bethesda, Maryland) provided some new clothing and shoes. Cash donations were used purchase more shoes and Spanish bibles. The evangelization also began before the missionaries touched ground in El Salvador. In the DC areas, as they requesting and collecting donations, the boys and their fathers were constantly asked questions about the "Mission." Tim Harper said, “People wanted to know about it and participate to help others. This was truly inspiring.” He shared an itinerary: “Each day of the six-day mission trip began with daily reflection and prayer followed by a breakfast. Each meal was filled with a ‘voluntary talk from an expert among us’ directed by our leader Father Michael and then some wonderful words of encouragement led by Father Michael. We then descended on a local mountainside village. We visited people in their homes and let them know that someone cared about them. We would pray and sit with them. Our day culminated with soccer and arts with the kids. We led a Mass which turned out to be their Christmas Mass and Posada festivals. The villages would be fortunate to have a Mass once a month so our Mass was special. People said they prayed that we would return again (this group has been going for seven years). We sang Christmas carols at every stop, including a wedding of seven couples.” The villages visited were very poor, mostly homes of dirt floors and indoor burning fires. Timmy Harper (Jr.) was asked to say one thing about his visit and he responded, "This is my second year going to El Salvador; people were so happy that we came back. They told us they prayed for our return. That made everything worthwhile.” JP Harper shared, “What I noticed most was that people had nothing yet were so very happy.” The last day of the trip was spent preparing for the "Christmas Giveaway." Over thirteen hundred people who had attended the mission group’s Masses in the villages of Corinto, Carrelito, Brumas and Cimmaron were given tickets allowing them admission to this event where they could select from the items that had been donated. The people were amazed by the generosity of the United States. Everyone who attended received something for Christmas. Tim Harper also spoke about how Father Michael asked some of the non-Spanish speaking members of the mission group to lead a rosary in Spanish to those fourteen hundred anxiously waiting villagers. This vividly showed the power of this mission trip, having the missionaries get outside of their comfort zones to do what is not easy. “God works in mysterious ways,” said Tim. “We went to give to others but we received far more than one could ever expect.” The group returned to the DC area on the evening of December 23, singing “Hark the Harold Angels Sing” as they landed at Dulles International Airport to the surprise and applause of all the passengers. “We were terrible at singing but very persistent,” said Tim. Jim Fair Communications Director Legion of Christ 312-953-9864
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