The New Spirit of the Cenacle July, 2000

Jubilee / Jubileo 2000

The Missionary Cenacle Family marked the Jubilee year with a major celebration and working conference.  The purpose of the gathering was to take counsel on the gift the MCF brings to the mission of the Church as we enter the Third Millennium of Christianity.  In attendance were 266 members of the Missionary Cenacle Family.  Twenty additional members came for the closing liturgy and lunch. The conference  was held at Villanova University, near Philadelphia. It was the culmination of three years of planning by a committee, appointed by the Family Council in 1997.  The committee consisted of two members from each of the four branches and was chaired by Sr. Barbara DeMoranville, MSBT.  Unlike previous Missionary Cenacle Family conferences, this was a “working conference.”  The entire conference was conducted in both Spanish and English with special sound equipment used for translation.

Prior to the conference itself, each branch of the Family had elected liaisons who were charged with facilitating the preparations for the gathering.  This involved  taking part in an intensive effort to ascertain the views held by members of the MCF about numerous aspects of the MCF at the start of the new millennium.  The conference’s Planning Committee formulated a questionnaire which was distributed to each Family member.  The responses to the questionnaire were tabulated and synthesized and members were invited to comment on these responses.  These data gathered from the grassroots were the basis for an “Identity Statement” drawn up by the Planning Committee.   The Identity Statement (see page 3 ) succinctly stated what the members of the MCF considered the Cenacle’s charism: its mission, method, spirituality, and future.  In turn, the Identity Statement became the centerpiece of the work of the Jubilee/Jubileo 2000 Conference.

The conference proceedings were facilitated by Sr. Brenda Hermann, MSBT, and  Br. Paul Michalenko, ST, who are professionals in the area of group dynamics. The process used was that of taking counsel.  The 266 participants were assigned to 33 “working Cenacles,” each with two liaisons.  One liaison served as the facilitator and the other served as the reporter.  The four “working sessions” of the conference were based on each of the charisms expressed in the Identity Statement.  These were introduced by presentations or readings from scriptures related to the particular charism.  Each Cenacle was then asked to take counsel on what they heard, to articulate the challenge for the future, and to bring forward recommendations for meeting that challenge.  The reporters submitted written and oral responses to a Listening Committee headed by Fr. John Edmunds, ST.  On Saturday morning the Listening Committee presented a synthesis of Friday’s deliberations, and on Sunday morning it  presented a draft of an Action Statement  which was overwhelmingly approved by the conference as a mandate to the Missionary Cenacle Family Council.  The key points of the mandate recommended that the Council act with dispatch to launch a program of common formation across the branches and take initiatives, wherever possible, to further collaborative missionary work among members of all branches.  (The statement will be further refined and presented to the Family at a later date.)

During the weekend one could not help but realize the presence of the Holy Spirit among us.  The beautiful booklet for the prayer and eucharistic services reminded us of the gifts that were given to us by our founders—Father Judge, Mother Boniface, and Dr. Margaret Healy. Thursday evening began with an opening prayer service followed by a welcoming address and an orientation to the conference procedures and the Villanova campus.  The international character of the MCF was evident as participants from the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica were identified.  Flags representing various countries surrounded the front part of the room.  Fr. Domingo Rodriguez, ST, a member of the Planning Committee, gave the welcoming address.  The four General Custodians —Sr. Barbara DeMoranville, MSBT; Margaret Hayes, BTMI; Josie Morales, MCA; and Fr. Austin Walsh, ST—each made a brief statement of welcome and outlined their expectations for the conference.

Although this was characterized as a working conference it was also one in which the participants learned a lot—how to take counsel, how to share our faith experiences with one another, and how to face the future in a spirit of love and giving.  There were many highlights: the thought provoking presentation by Pat Regan, MCA, on “Mission as Family”;  the reflection by Sr. Joseph Miriam Blackwell, MSBT,  at Saturday’s liturgy reminding us of that Christ continues to walk with us just as he did with the disciples at Emmaus; the  accounts of personal journeys in the Missionary Method by Luz Guitierrez, MCA,  and Alexis Zuniga, ST;  and the moving stories of Missionary Spirituality as told by Sr. Martha Quinones, MSBT, and Terry Lafferty, BTMI.  Indeed, all of the reflections and sharing by participants, too numerous to list,  were high points.  Some special moments were shared not only in the Cenacles, but in the hallways, the cafeteria, and most especially in the Emmaus walk we each took with another member of our Cenacle on Saturday afternoon.

There was also time to play.  On Saturday evening the participants enjoyed a festive banquet followed by an even more festive Gaudeamus.  Sr. Debbie Wilson, MSBT, was the grand coordinator of the Gaudeamus, with Sr. Becky Betz, MSBT, serving as MC.  The multiculturalism of the MCF was much in evidence as different groups presented skits, songs, and dances.

The participants at the Conference were challenged to take ownership of the future of the  Missionary Cenacle Family, to let go of negative images of the past, and to embrace the mission of the Church as lovers of the Triune God.  That challenge can be extended to all members of the Missionary Cenacle Family.  During the coming months as the Family Council continues its work to implement the recommendations of the participants, we are all urged in our home Cenacles  to study, reflect on, and to take counsel on the charisms of the Cenacle.  We should also continue to pray for a successful follow-up to Jubilee / Jubileo 2000.– Jim and Smittie Bolner, MCA

KEEPING IN TOUCH
Missionary Cenacle Family in Cyberspace

Each month more and more members of the Missionary  Cenacle Family are acquiring access to the Internet.  The day is not far off when Internet access, like access to television or the telephone, will be taken for granted.  Since 1996, when its Web site was launched, the Missionary Cenacle Family has had an official presence in cyberspace—a Web site authorized by the Missionary Cenacle Family Council.  The Web site’s chief purpose is to proclaim the mission of the MCF and to inform all who visit it of our history, our work, and our vision.  From the start, an effort has been made to make the Web site’s content entirely bilingual (English/Spanish).  The MCF Web site , whose Internet address is http://www.mcenacle.org, serves as a kind of clearinghouse for Web sites maintained by branches of the MCF as well as by individual Cenacles.  As an example, one may navigate from the MCF Web site to the site maintained by Sr. Debbie Wilson, MSBT, for the sisters, or to the Trinity Mission Center site, which will inform visitors of the work of that MCF project.

 The MCF’s Web site encourages contact among Family members in several ways.  Th site features an e-mail directory of all those sharing our charism who wish to make their e-mail addresses public.  A chat room offers the possibility of interactive “chatting” among Family members.  A monitored electronic forum permits all who wish to do so to post comments (or respond to comments) on any topic relating to the MCF.  On the Web site one can also locate  MCF documents (such as a copy of this newsletter and copies of past issues of the newsletter) which may be printed or downloaded with the click of one’s mouse.  In addition to text and photographs of Father Judge, Mother Boniface, and Doctor Healy, the site permits all MCF members to see photographs of their leaders, to see scenes from our MCF conferences, and to take virtual tours of some of the places which are held sacred within the MCF, such as Holy Trinity, A L, and  the Sisters’ Motherhouse in Philadelphia.

 Some members of the MCF are using the Internet to further our organizational work.  Joanne Jones, the Regional Custodian of the MCA for the southeastern U.S., uses e-mail to keep in touch with virtually all the MCA Cenacles in her region.  Copies of documents sent out to members of the MCF by the Planning Committee of the recently concluded Jubilee / Jubileo 2000 Conference were available on the Web site.

 You are invited to visit the MCA’s own Web page at http://www.mcenacle.org/mca/mca.htm where one may find an overview of the MCA’s purpose, history, organization, and programs.
 
 

Missionary Cenacle Ordo
  Another way to keep in touch with the members of the Missionary Cenacle Family is to use the Ordo in connection with daily prayer.  The Ordo, which features the Scripture readings for the day, prayers of petition, and a spiritual reading (usually from the writings of  Father Judge), is an effective way for the entire Missionary Cenacle Family to pray together. The Ordo is now published in a new loose-leaf format; copies may be ordered from the Missionary Cenacle Press, 501 Solly Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19136, or by contacting Claribel Santana at clamarmcap@juno.com.  Currently the price for the Ordo is $8.00 ($16.00 for the next two issues).  Shipping is included.  For the Missionary Cenacle Press binder add $3.00; however, binders may be bought at any office supply store.
 

IN MEMORIAM
Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Ruby Berkeley, MCA, Queen of Peace Cenacle, Ocala FL, since 1992.  She passed away on July 27, 1999, after a long illness.  Her Trinitarian example, humility and generosity reflected Father Judge’s hopes for the laity.  (Note: announcement of her death was inadvertently omitted from earlier newsletters.)

JUBILEE/JUBELEO 2000 MOMENTS

Margaret Hays, BTMI, ended her remarks at the opening session with a story that included the following prayer:

I pray this day for the grace to be a good listener.
Let me listen to the sounds of Your world
      so that I may hear the wonder of Your power
      and the greatness of Your love.
Let me listen to the words of those around me
      so that I may experience the joy
      and the worth of other people.
Most of all, Lord, let me listen to Your voice.
I can hear you calling me to holiness.
Give me the grace to listen, Lord, even as You call me
      to that special road of life You want me to walk.
– Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick
 
 

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA REGION—Puerto Rico
 The San Juan Bautista Region  (Puerto Rico) continues its missionary work—this time far from the confines of our little island.  Our Lord used different persons and situations to guide and direct us to take the Missionary Cenacle charism to the Dominican Republic.
 We were put in touch by telephone with Nilda Reyes, a missionary living in the Dominican Republic. We sent her informational material about our charism and our founders.  This reinforced information that she had already received from Tony Garcia, who had been a novice with the STs and who is a resident of the Dominican Republic.

  Nilda belongs to a support group in the Caleta Valiente region and she shared the information with the members of her group.  The group responded with much enthusiasm and expressed an interest in knowing our charism better. Our General Custodian authorized us to go to the Dominican Republic to acquire a clearer idea of what was happening there and to give what help we could.  Sr. Gloria Mercedes Gonzales, MSBT, went with us.  We were so happy to be received so graciously by Nilda and her family.  They offered us lodging in their home and all participated in the meeting with the group.  The group, which consists of over 35 persons, was filled with the Trinity Spirit.  Each expressed enthusiasm upon learning the insights of the MCA.

  The two of  us met with Nilda to help her work with the group.  We answered her questions and offered spiritual guidance and shared the experiences of other MCA groups. Today, this assistance continues by telephone.

 Three months latter  Angel Peña, one of our associates living in Puerto Rico and a native of the Dominican Republic also  met and shared with the group.  He was impressed with the growth of the group and their enthusiasm for our charism.

 The seed has been planted.  We need everyone’s prayers so that the project can bring forth fruits.  We know it is the work of the Lord and we are His instruments.

 We were also blessed to have Fr. Dennis Berry, ST, during our Pentecost Retreat in Puerto Rico.  The theme of the retreat revolved around the following concepts: being missionaries, Christ’s love, and a vigilant spirit as a continuation of our preparation in the millennium.

 Among other things we remember how God reveals Himself to us as community and family, and how He invites us to live inside His heart.  God respects our individualism.  We are all united equally in His presence though we are unique.

 A missionary should be a person who  has a contemplative spirit.  The missionary is called to look closely to God the Creator and to relate to others what this is and what it means.  To have a vigilant spirit calls us to read the signs of the times and to act.  God is constantly creating new life, and we must be attentive to the signs of the times and His Divine Providence.

 During Holy Mass a number of persons made the Act of Consecration to join the growing number of Associates in the island.  This celebration also included the blessing ceremony for Angel Peña  to go out and do mission in his native island, the  Dominican Republic.

 In June the Custodians from all over the island met in Ponce and were presented with the second part of the Stewardship Program.  They were given the pledge forms and  instructed to select how he or she will help support the MCA according to each Associate's preference.  The response was positive.

 Finally 13 of our Associates went to Philadelphia to participate in the Missionary Cenacle Family conference, Jubilee/Jubilee 2000.  They are very interested in contributing and sharing their ideas and experiences.

  Puerto Rico needs your prayers.  We ask them with the assurance that you will pray for us so that we can continue with our commitment.  You are also in our  prayers.  May the Holy Trinity continue to bless us!

Virgenmina Lugo, MCA
Regional Custodian

 HOLY TRINITY REGION–Southeastern U.S.

Heart of Jesus MCA, Hope Hull, AL.
 Our group is composed of persons who are involved in either education, counseling, pastoral work, social service, or nursing.  "The Providence of our everyday lives" includes being Church in an area of Alabama in which the overt anti-Catholicism which existed in Father Judge's 1912 is no longer so "overt," except in vicious literature in some bookstores.  In our daily contacts, we are witnesses for the church as we reach out to find common bonds with those whom we serve, regardless of their faith or lack of it.  An archbishop from Washington said so well, "We don't serve people because they're Catholic; we serve them because we're Catholic." Bridge-building is always present.

 In addition to this apostolate in our daily "Providence," we were able to volunteer for the CSS Thrift Shop on Saturdays in the interim between Sister Mary Peter's departure and Sister Mary Florence's arrival.  This project was actually organized before Sister Mary Peter's departure and provided the members a way of working together while helping CSS. Other fine works include RCIA leadership, advocacy for the physically disabled,  outreach to the Spanish immigrants, volunteer work at community clinics, “work days” at Holy Trinity, and First Holy Communion catechesis.  Each one is inspiring to all of us as we share in the meetings.

  In an effort to help our membership grow, we've been meeting with the Spirit of Peace MCA of Selma this year and have been enriched by this.  We've sent eight bulletin supplements to the different parishes of the  two cities and to the Vincentian parishes.  These supplements for their weekly parish bulletins contain quotations from Father Judge, one each week, attractively printed up.  The parishes receive and print them, and one Vincentian priest also gave a beautiful addition of his own about Father Judge.  Anyone who wants copies of the supplement can write me at the address below.
We're also working on a Public Service Announcement for television.  It is a ten second shot which has youngsters of different religious denominations praying in different ways, with the voice-over message, "God's Presence is indivisible; let's respect each other's way of worship." This would be available after July 1. (For further information, please contact me at the address below.)

 The Spirit of Peace Cenacle in Selma participated in the leadership of ONE SELMA, a  group which promotes the unity of the human race.  In a recent community celebration commemorating the Selma March, several of us went to Selma to "help swell the crowd";  the witness of the gathering was inspiring.  Selma MCA leaders put together a beautiful ecumenical prayer service for the occasion. (Available upon request, see address below.)

 We still grieve the deaths of Liz Clark, our delightfully truthful and humorous member, and Sister Josepha, whose inclusive love lifted us all.

  Jim Garroway, the husband of Lydia Gaines Garroway, was installed at the Pentecost retreat.
 We really enjoyed our Pentecost retreat at Holv Trinity, and, as usual, were inspired by other MCAs from the Southern Region.

With love and peace,
Mary E. Kelley, MCA, Heart of Jesus MCA
P.O. Box 56, Hope Hull, AL 36043

Living Waters Missionary Cenacle, Pensacola, FL

 Our program in April was on stewardship, and was presented by Jan Shiplett.  Our hostess, Mary Giblin, gave an inspiring spiritual program.

 In May, Peg McElroy hosted the meeting.  She gave a presentation on Eucharist and Church, and related those topics to her trip to Israel. She presented rosaries from Jerusalem as gifts to all.  Peg will be our new Assistant Custodian, and Rita Tolbert will move up to be Custodian.  Annmarie Sluka will help Peg with mentoring, and Pierrette Gorman volunteered to act as “back-up” mentor.  Deacon Henry Burrell will continue as Spiritual Guide.  The July meeting will be held at the Cenacle with Rita as facilitator.  New possible candidates will be invited to the July and August meetings.  The young adults who attended the workshop in March will be invited.  The “suitcase” of books will be brought to each meeting for availability of reading materials.

 Six Associates attended the MCA retreat at Blessed Trinity on June 2-4 conducted by Harold and Sylvia Grant. Those attending were Marianne Beckman, Peg McElroy, Lois Walker, Mary Gilbin, Harold Lauterback, and Van Fell.  Living Waters conducted the prayer service on Friday evening All felt blessed to have this opportunity to share and pray with each other.  The presentations by Harold and Sylvia were very helpful in reaffirming our call to be apostles, to community, to the abandoned, and to be spiritual people.

 Blanche Baker has started a one person campaign to eradicate the amount of violence in our world today.  She is asking each person to take a moment each day to spread this message through e-mail, letters, phone calls, and parish bulletins.  Copies of the letter and message can be obtained from Living Waters Cenacle.  (See below for a copy.)

 Associates who will attend the Jubilee in Philadelphia are: Marianne Beckman, Rita Tolbert, Noreen Moser, and Pat McElroy.

–In the Trinity,
 Marianne Beckman , MCA
 Living Waters Cenacle

Youth Gathering, Pensacola, FL
On April 28-30, 2000, youth from Pensacola and their families gathered for a retreat at Camp Dixie just west of Pensacola, with the focus on PEACEMAKING. This event was primarily for the families of the "Family and Children Enrichment Programs," sponsored by Catholic Charities and coordinated by Sr. Beth Henken, MSBT, at St. Anthony Parish. Twelve families participated in the gathering.  Parents of some of the youth  participated as weekend helpers, like the cook Herbert and his wife Glenda who cooked for all of us. (They have 15 children of their own, although not all of their children attended the weekend). Other family members served as facilitators.  Victor Henken, MCA,  and Joanne Jones, MCA, joined Debbie Schwatrz a volunteer (one of the young adults who attended the MCF Youth Retreat on Mission) and other volunteers in the Pensacola area who were on hand to assist in a variety of ways. Children were grouped by age for activities; adults came together to discuss various topics on Peacemaking. Everyone joined in prayer and meals and fun times, such as a swim in the bay or planting a peace-flower to give as a "peace offering to someone."  It was a wonderful family experience for all who came and joined in. May we continue to serve and look for ways to collaborate with one another in Mission. —Joanne Jones, MCA, and Sr. Beth Henken, MSBT

Queen of Peace/Christ the King Missionary Cenacles, Ocala, FL.
The two Cenacles convene jointly the second Tuesday monthly to celebrate a spiritual meeting.
 March, 2000– The Cenacles examined the concept of the “Missionary and Minister.”  The comparison was presented by Fr. John Seymour, ST.
 April, 2000– Continued the discussion of the “Missionary and Minister.”  Charles Becker led the members to the source book (Catechism of the Catholic Church), Nos. 849-855, which  expanded our understanding of the Missionary, and Nos. 898-911, which enlightened us on the concept of the Minister.

May, 2000– “To Understand Eucharist, See Christ in Everyone” is a title of a series presented  by Cardinal Roger Mahoney of Los Angeles at the New Center. “Catholics will never truly understand one of their most sacred Doctrines– the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist–until they see Christ’s presence in everyone,” he said.  We must see the Real Presence in everyone; recognize Him in real people.
 June, 2000– The reflection on Pentecost is offered with an Icon– “The Descent of the Spirit.”  It is the door which leads us into the mystery of God’s inner life. With the iconography we contemplate the icon, not as decoration or as a holy picture, but as a holy place– the Cenacle (the upper room) where an awesome action occurred.  We are empowered by the Holy Spirit (the Holy Spirit descends on the Apostles and on us) to carry the Spirit into the world.  The Spirit comes to the Community and through the Community and creates in us the bond of love which establishes the Church.

 Christ the King Cenacle members were revitalized at the Holy Trinity retreat the weekend of May 12-14, 2000.  The presentations were awesome, the sharing exhilarating and as always the Sisters at the Retreat House precious, loving and caring.  We are one in the Spirit.
Peace in the Trinity,

Maria Barnes, MCA
Christ the King Cenacle

INCARNATION REGION–Northeastern U.S.
Father Leon Buggy MCA, Philadelphia, PA.
 We think we have again made history for the MCF when 2 Haitians were received into the MCA in October 1999.  Jean Baptiste and Micheline Pierre are here directly from Haiti.  Fr. Dennis Berry believes they are the first Haitians to be installed in the MCA.
—Submitted by Claribel Santana

HOLY SPIRIT REGION—Western U.S.

San Felipe de Jesus MCA, Capistrano Beach, CA.

 The members of the San Felipe de Jesus of Capistrano Beach, California, were well represented at Jubilee/Jubileo 2000.  How they got there is very inspiring to all of us.  During the year preceding the Conference the Cenacle members raised money by holding dances and other family oriented social events.  Custodian, Israel Lopez, spoke for the group.   He indicated that this was something they had talked about and hoped for and that the Conference was a “dream come true” for the members.  The Cenacle was begun many years ago when an ST was stationed in the area.  The Cenacle continued to exist long after the STs departed.  Members of the Cenacle work hard and are blessed with good and strong leaders.  They are deeply committed to the mission of the MCA and show it by the many wonderful things they do for the poor and abandoned.

LETTERS

Dear Missionary Cenacle Family Members,

 I am writing to you to ask for your help in a critical project, which I feel deserves the attention of all of us. A day does not pass without headlines in the papers and  news stories on the radio or on the TV depicting over and over again incidents of violence in our society. Violence of man against woman, parent against child, brother against brother is so common place that many of us can hear the announcement or read the story and not blink an eye. Many in our society have become so insensitive to the presence of violence that they can completely tune it out.

 Obviously, this is not the solution. What, then, is the solution? We believe that this problem cannot be solved until we turn to the solution for all those seemingly unsolvable problems—our Creator. We must lift up this problem to God and stand ready to follow His guidance. Herein lies the purpose of our request. We are beginning a campaign within our church to, hopefully, bring people to a level of consciousness each day to recognize the reality and horror of violence, and to place that before God, seek His help and be prepared to carry out His guidance. We ask that you help us in this effort. The following paragraph is a brief message that explains what to do and how to do it.

 TAKE A MOMENT EACH DAY. We all know there is too much violence in our world today. It must end, and it must end now.  But what can I, just one person, do? We believe that the more we are aware of this horror in our world, and the more we make a concentrated effort to place that before God, the sooner it will end. So we ask you to "Take a Moment Each Day" to remind yourself that there is violence in our society. Raise that consciousness to God, ask for His help to do something to end it, and speak and think the following phrase, "PEACE NOT VIOLENCE."

 The following suggestions are practical ways to get the word out:
1.  Print this paragraph in your church bulletin or newsletter, on a periodic basis.
2. If you have a church sign or billboard, put the phrase, "PEACE, NOT VIOLENCE" on it for a while.
3.  Start a "Chain Mailing" campaign and mail it to all of your friends and ask them to pass it on.
4.  Use the e-mail of the INTERNET to pass this message along to all those for whom you have addresses and ask them to do the same.
5.  Make "PEACE NOT VIOLENCE" the theme of one of your church services.
 Please help us in this critical task. We can solve this problem with God's help and by working together. For answers to your questions or further information, please call me at (850) 453-1081.

Thank you for whatever you can do.

Blanche Baker, MCA
Living Waters MCA, Pensacola, FL

Lead me from death to life
From falsehood to truth

Lead me from despair to hope,
From fear to trust

Lead me from hate to love,
From war to peace.

Let peace fill our hearts,
Our world,
Our universe.
 

Missionary Cenacle Apostolate
Task Force on Stewardship and Fund Development

May the grace and peace of the Holy Spirit be with us forever!

Last September your Council and I decided to become more financially self-supporting through a program of voluntary giving of our time, talent and treasure.  This stewardship program would replace the current model of asking every associate to pay dues of $25 per year.  We formed a task force to introduce the program, and each region is developing a team of members to implement it.

Stewardship is truly an expression of our faith and must be based on prayer and personal reflection.  For that reason, we are involving the spiritual guides in our efforts and they will work closely with our MCA leadership at all levels.  Father John Seymour, S.T., the acting General Spiritual Guide, has met with the English and Spanish speaking task force groups.  In his own reflections on stewardship and the MCA, he has developed a comparison between the dues-based model and the stewardship-based model.  I am enclosing said comparison for your own reflection.

There are many compelling reasons to make this move at this time in our history.  The fact is, we now have nearly 900 associates and candidates in the United States, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Costa Rica and Colombia.  We are truly an international community—and growing every year!  But our ability to support ourselves financially has not kept up with our reality.  Less than 25% of our operating expenses comes from within the MCA.  We have depended on the generosity of the religious branches of the Missionary Cenacle Family for the rest. In fact, this entire stewardship education and fund development project is being funded by a special grant for leadership development the MCA received from the STs. Although we are deeply grateful for the help they have given us, we must not continue to rely on the other branches for our financial survival.

Personally, I want at least part of the funds derived from this project to be used for strengthening the Regions.  I will also see that complete accountability of the funds be given to you.
 But the financial reality in front of us is not the only reason we have chosen to promote the concept of stewardship in the MCA.  Each member has much to offer the MCA, the Cenacle Family and the entire Church.  Think of the three aspects of stewardship—time, talent and treasure—as a three-legged stool.  All three are necessary!  Stewardship is not just about money, although that is a critical need and should be addressed if we are to become the sort of community of lay missionaries we are called to be.

I am grateful for the people who have already been involved in this effort from each region, and am enclosing a list of the task force members for your reference.  We hope many more of you will be involved as our effort gets underway.  Special thanks are in order to Pat Regan, MCA, who presented the idea of stewardship to the Council and is coordinating the international effort, to Sr. Brenda Hermann, MSBT, who facilitated both of our task force meetings, to Father John Seymour, who is promoting the program with the spiritual guides, and to Victor Henken, MCA, who is serving his second year as treasurer of the grant funds.  Their generous sharing of themselves for the MCA is a beautiful witness of stewardship in action!

As we proceed with our stewardship and fund development program, I encourage you to be in touch with your regional custodian or the task force members from your region if you have any questions or concerns.  Although the Council and I believe whole-heartedly that this is the right direction for the MCA, I want to assure you that any commitment you make is voluntary.  If it is not done freely, it has little spiritual value.  All we ask is that you prayerfully reflect on the material we are presenting, and let the Holy Spirit guide you.

Stewardship encourages the free sacrificial sharing of our goods and resources.  This was a prominent feature of the early Christian community of Jerusalem and a powerful sign of the presence and action of the Holy Spirit in the community (cf. Acts 2:44-45; and 4:32-37).  The Holy Spirit is very much attracted to those who are willing to share what they have for the good of others in the community.  As missionaries in the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate, our call to share and be responsible for each other is the same today in the 21st century.

Not only does stewardship encourage the virtues of generosity and self-sacrifice, it also calls forth faith that the Cenacle is the work of God.  Whatever sacrifices we make for the Cenacle we have the assurance that it is for something that is the work of God.  So, fellow missionaries, let us pray for the grace to respond generously to this beautiful gift we have been given!

You are constantly in my prayers, and I beg yours for me.  Your love of and commitment to the MCA and the Missionary Cenacle Family is an inspiration to me.  I am your servant,

In the Most Holy Trinity,
Josie Morales, MCA
General Custodian
 

Why now?
 The Leadership Assembly in April 1999 called for a new model of structure that would:
* improve communication
* promote more shared leadership at the regional level
* allow for regional flexibility
* form leaders
* recognize that the MCA is an international organization
 

Implicit in this goal is the realization that the MCA must become more financially self-sufficient.

Food for Thought
1.  Less than 25% of our annual operating expenses come from members (dues and donations).  The remaining funds come from the MSBTs and STs.  This does not include the in-kind donation of office space in Philadelphia provided by the Sisters.

2.  Additionally, the STs have provided $100,000 over the past two years for leadership development.

3.  The percentage of members who have contributed to the MCA through dues in the past is very small.

4.  The changing demographics of the MCA – with a growing number of associates from economically disadvantaged countries and from minority populations in the U.S. – requires a change in thinking.  It is no longer just to expect the same amount of dues from everyone!

5.  A dues-based model of support does not encourage generosity!

6.  A dues-based model of support does not encourage personal commitment to the MCA as an organization.

Consider these Options
 

Monthly Pledge
 

 Prayerfully consider how much you can contribute to the MCA each month.  For most people, a monthly pledge is easy to fit in your budget.  And chances are it will amount to much more over the course of a year than you are currently giving, or could give at one time.  A gift of $5 a month amounts to $60 in a year, more than twice what we have been asked for in dues! Or $20 a month would mean your gift is nearly ten times the amount that you have been paying in annual dues!

The amount is not as important as your participation!  Each of us should pray about our support and decide the amount of our pledge.

Planned Gifts

 Consider revising your will to leave a bequest to the MCA.  Or make the MCA the beneficiary of a paid-up life insurance policy that might have outlived is original purpose.  It is a wonderful way to support in death what was so important to you in life!
 For members in the U.S., donating appreciated stock to the MCA can give you a tax break.  By donating the stock to the MCA, you can deduct a portion of the capital gain from your taxes.

How will you participate?
 

Only you can answer the question of how much you should give to the MCA.  All we are asking is that you prayerfully consider your circumstances – and your other obligations – and make a decision about your financial support.  We realize there are two other aspects of stewardship – time and talent – which we are not taking into account here.  While they are very valuable, and we count on them as well, our immediate concern is for the financial stability of the MCA.
 Our goal is to have at least 50% of our members practicing financial stewardship, and to be able to cover our operating expenses at the general and regional levels, by the year 2003.  It seems a long way off, but we must begin now if we hope to meet that goal.
 Attached is a pledge form.  Please complete it after you have made your decision and follow the instructions for mailing.  Thank you for your support!

 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied gifts. – 1 Peter 4:10

After prayerful consideration, I am pledging the following amount in support of the MCA:

 $____ each month (my first monthly pledge gift is enclosed.)

 I would like a monthly reminder sent to me at the beginning of each month

 I don’t need a reminder

 $____ as my entire stewardship gift for the year 2000

Name: _________________________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip: __________________________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________ E-Mail _____________________________________________
 

___ Please send me information about making a bequest to the MCA in my will.

___ Please send me information on donating stock or other assets to the MCA.

MAIL THIS FORM AND FUTURE DONATIONS TO:
Pat Regan
MCA Fund Development Coordinator
3929 Greencastle Rd. #207
Burtonsville, MD 20866-2114
USA
Home Phone: 301-890-1680
Office Phone: 301-434-6761
FAX (Office): 301-408-1443

NOTE: Pat Regan has been authorized by Josie Morales, General Custodian, to accept, record, and acknowledge donations on behalf of the MCA.  All monies will be forwarded to Josie Morales for deposit into the MCA banking account she controls.

DO GOOD, BE GOOD, BE A POWER FOR GOOD
 

Supporting the Missionary Cenacle Apostolate
A Comparison of the Two Systems

The following analysis was made by Fr. John Seymore , the Spiritual Guide for the Western Region, USA, and the spiritual guide for the Task Force for Stewardship and Fund Development
 
 

Dues Based Support 1. In this system we pay dues. 2. We pay dues of $25 per year. 3. Only the associates are obligated to pay. Candidates are not involved. 4. The dues are the same for everybody regardless of one’s circumstances. 5. This is an obligation of each member. 6. Participation is irregular. Some pay, others don’t. 7. Since the amount of the dues has been decided beforehand, there is little personal reflection and decision on the part of the member. Simply pay once a year or not. 8. This merely expresses that the members are aware that the MCA needs economic support the same as any organization. 9. Historically, there is been little or no accountability to the members on the use of the money. 10. Most members are not aware of the needs of the MCA or  how it works as an organization. 11.Discourages the members from taking ownership in the organization.  They tend to stay focused only on their local cenacle. 12. Funds used primarily for administration at the General level. 13. Does not involve many people working on it.  It is not a lot of work. 14. Limits the growth of the organization. 15. This system guaranties the economic dependence of the MCA on the ST’s and MSBT’s.

Stewardship Based Support 1. In this system we share our gifts. 2. We share our time and talent as well as our treasure. 3.  This involves all members, candidates as well as associates. 4. This varies according to the time, talent and economic circumstances of the individual. 5. This is voluntary, although the hope is to involve everyone in some way. 6. This system encourages everyone to participate, each according to his or her ability. 7. Stewardship requires prayer, reflection and personal decision on the part of each person.   8. This expressed gratitude to God for gifts received and faith that the MCA is a work of God and worthy of support. 9. Absolutely requires accountability to the members on the use of the money.   10. Requires that the members be informed as to the needs of the MCA and how it works as an organization. 11.  Encourages the members to take ownership of the organization at the General and Regional level, not just at the local level. 12. Funds available at both General and Regional level.  Funds not just for administration, but for formation and apostolic work. 13. This system is more work. It requires talents and time of many to administer it. 14. Supports the growth of the organization. 15. This system has the ability to help the MCA reach economic self-sufficiency.

This page was created by Jim Bolner, MCA.  He welcomes your comments and suggestions.  He may be contacted at poboln@lsu.edu.

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