Sunday, 7 February 2010
Tele Conference Call of January 17, 2010

We began our conference call with a prayer read by Mary Scaine from Bill Cleary:


God of All Creation, when our hearts are cold as stone and our minds numb, still we know our prayer is heard, the prayer that is our past, our present and our future.   Our very life prays, communicates, to you.   The faithful sun, seemingly still, moves steadily from east to west, and everything living cries out to it for vitalization.   Similarly we all look to you, Creating Intelligence, in gratitude.   We are alive, chosen to exist today, and we give thanks.   Amen.


We then had a moment of silence remembering and embracing our members who were sick, Alan Moore, Mary Alice Charpentier and Ralph Pinto. We called into our circle of prayer Francis McGillicuddy who “passed over” and his beloved wife and soul friend, Elaine. We remembered the people of Haiti and the following conversations flowed:   Several people have requested that we probe more deeply into the new cosmology (New Story)    as a basis for our next discussion.  Please notice that Patricia Fresen suggests that reformed groups are beginning to understand “that our faith will be reformulated to fit in better with humanity’s present and future understanding of cosmology and the universe story.”


We will start our New Cosmology discussions with an article from the July/Aug. ’09 CORPUS REPORTS entitled “Spirituality for a Third Millenium” wherein Dick Scaine situates the three commitments within the context of the New Cosmology. This will be followed by the Jan/Feb 2010 CORPUS REPORTS article entitled “Spirituality: Feeling at Home in the Universe.”


Discussion Questions:




  1. What did you find most liberating in this article?  Why? Most challenging? Most insightful? What did you find most disturbing? Why? Please be specific.   



Conference Call Community of John XXIII   Jan. 17, 2010


Tony began the discussion with the observance that the article was certainly liberating for him and was helpful in discerning how to work out the way to live his life. That does get to the heart of what the commitments of the JohnXXIII Community mean as we go about our daily lives. As Pat said, it calls out to the living spirit in each of us into something  better, breaking through any isolation we may be in.


The discussion revolved around an overriding theme of cosmology which is “relatedness.” How apropos as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. King who often used the phrase, “All life is interrelated.” How wonderful that we were able in such a caring way, to express our willingness and openness to connecting to the 3 commitments of relatedness, justice-making and mutual collaboration, especially when faced with  a tragedy like the earthquake in Haiti. Our very discussion and internal prayer expression reaches out to the people of Haiti in a positive prayerful embrace.


Terry and Fred Quinn


Every month our focus becomes clearer and this time it was very clear and very +-special. Sad to say, the disastrous situation in Haiti was the backdrop for the successful time we spent together. The particular urgency there was an occasion for us to identify more closely with cosmic reality as it is unfolding in Haiti, and where we were able to understand and relate and adapt our specific John 23rd spirituality to the situation. As a result we felt closer to each other as we identified with the victims of the tragedy. This is my personal opinion, which I am sure is shared by all who were present.  I would also say that in my own case I gained more from the experience because I have further to go in applying and living out the goals of our group to specific situations. Tony


The image that comes to mind when I think of the whole Haiti crisis is that of an open wound in the body of the earth or the Body of Christ --- the whole world. Like the immune system in the body, the whole world is rushing to the site of the injury, trying to heal and make whole and healthy again.  We mourn all the dead and work to bring new life to the living.  Health will come only when a more just world works together to heal this terrible wound that is Haiti.


Therese Padovano


In preparing for today's conference I was also following the events of  devastation in Haiti. The values of the article paralleled with the  reality of Haiti's  situation. Interconnectedness.  Interdependence. "Seeing one in  all" ,this is our challenge NOW of belonging to the world. A people  reduced to the most basic needs in front of our eyes are our community  in need of care as well as protection from all levels of materialism,  abuse of power as well as patriarchal, hierarchical and institutional  injustice. Caring, respect and financial support are opportunities to  co-create with the Spirit toward a new unexpected future of greater  equity and financial justice as opposed to control and domination.  Pat We felt energized in our relationship to each other and to the world  as we were searching and discerning, e.g.: we saw the consequences of  an empirial director "Duvalier" providing a country club for the elite  and we opted for an "Aristide", who could plan for an agriculturally  self sustained island-nation & eventually share this paradise island  with ecotourists of the world.


Nick & Pat




Posted By Dick and Mary Scaine in Category:General Info
Sunday, 3 January 2010
Conference Call December 20, 2009

Below is the response from the Community of John XXIII from our December Conference call: We had revisited the article written by Patricia Fresen in Corpus Reports Sept/Oct issue:


Pat & Nick Mosunic


Patricia Fresen is thought provoking and inspiring in her ideas. For a 

while we have found a hope in the Vatican's  harsh ,rigid thinking and 

treatment of God's people. Maybe things would be so clearly bad that 

it would evoke a strong reaction and force change. Now in this 

article, “the Chaos Theory" insightfully illustrates how severe 

aggression can be followed by chaos leading toward transformation. The 

spirit breathes where it will and our experience and pursuit of God is 

not dependent on any institution. Sometimes false belief systems must 

die in order to welcome new life.  



Fred and Terry’s response to Conference Call-- Community of JohnXXIII---12-20-09


After reading Patricia Fresen’s article again, Fred expressed frustration with an


understanding of what an emerging church is to us, but what is not the


understanding of many in our acquaintance,  or for that matter the majority of the world.


Perhaps it is the same frustration that Tony has when he speaks of no one with whom he can communicate his emerging and challenging thoughts. We see the emergence


of a non-dogmatic, non-hierarchical spirituality based on commonality of purpose,


as evidenced by our LIVING of the commitments of the Community of John XXIII.


Patricia Fresen speaks of self-ministering communities, which we see as reflective of the early church communities, and reflective of the message that Jesus revealed—of the kingdom of NOW, the kingdom within. She quotes Douglas Klotz’s translation of the original Aramaic Our Father—“Focus your light within us, make us useful.”


Perhaps we should use Dick’s last article “Spirituality for a Third Millenium”(Corpus Reports July/Aug.-09)   as a basis for our next discussion because it focuses on the new cosmology, or the “new story’ as Morwood refers to it, pushing us to reassess our commitments in the light of what Patricia Fresen suggests as the end of an old paradigm leading to “paradigm mutation” or a cosmic shift. She says, (and helps us in our frustration when she does), that, “when enough people see things differently, it changes the balance of things and the balance tips over, and change comes about, the new paradigm emerges.”


 Tony from Italy responded:


I resonate with the first paragraph of Fred and Terry's comment. I found

the reading and discussion of the Patricia Fresen article to be an

excellent overview of the axial period  full of the changes we are living

through, five hundred years after the Reformation, stressed by Richard

(who always keeps us on track and always closes the call with an

insight/overview  that is fitting and needed.)  As a historian, I am

particularly struck by this. Our times are exciting to live through, and

unquestionably I am hopeful. Yet, I am disturbed that I personally

do not have much of the satisfaction that normally comes from a Corpus-like

family which is living through these historic times together. Right now,

my main sharing is more with religious pluralists,

borderline Christians, and some agnostics.



Vicki Di Benedetto


I apologize for missing Sunday's meeting.  I simply forgot!


Believe it or not, I am becoming accustomed and enriched by my sharing


with "religious pluralists, borderline Christians, and some agnostics", as


 Samuel categorizes them, so much that personally, I no longer feel


disturbed at not being part of a local Corpus-like family.  I find the my


world contacts divided between those that are "inclusive" and those that


 are "exclusive", but the "inclusive" crowd is growing exponentially, and


 that, to me, is "church".


 At the same time, I cherish my inclusive CORPUS family!  I read all I can


 and think and share what I can remember, especially treasuring CORPUS


REPORTS and the John XXIII community.


Several people have requested that we probe more deeply into the new cosmology (New Story)    as a basis for our next discussion.  Please notice that Patricia Fresen suggests that reformed groups are beginning to understand “that our faith will be reformulated to fit in better with humanity’s present and future understanding of cosmology and the universe story.”


 


 



Posted By Dick and Mary Scaine in Category:General Info
Sunday, 13 December 2009
TeleConference Call November 15, 2009

Community of JohnXXIII Conference Call Nov 15, 2009


The community met to discuss the following: Mary Scaine led us in prayer.


Community of JohnXXIII November 15, 2009 Thoughts for Discussion and Opening Prayer


1.      What did you find most exciting in Patricia Fresen’s article? Why? Most challenging? Most insightful? What did you find most disturbing? Why? Please be specific.


2.      In addition to the thoughts Patricia Fresen makes, what are some of the other ways to face the question “what now?”


We are receiving requests, and referring inquiries into our JohnXXIII website. Please do not forget to write a paragraph of appreciation/reaction for posting on the website. It is a main source of information for those who want to pursue our identity and history. Your submission need not disclose personal material but should be briefly informative. Thanks.


SOARING At Daybreak


By William Cleary


www.clearyworks.com/about.html


When my mind is far from concentration and my heart unfocused,


still my being speaks to you, God of life, God of promise.


There is hope for me because you are a caring creator,


and have filled our experience with caringness:


links of concern and love for those around me,


and energies of caringness from others to me.


In such a circle we can survive,


and with imagination can find joy in the mysterious dance of daily life.


Amen.


Terry and Fred Quinn wrote:


We began with Nick’s poignant description of his recent visit to Croatia and his sadness at meeting a former classmate, a nun, still bound by the restrictions and submission of women of the church of yesteryear. Echoes of that feudal system in the church remain, but Patricia Fresen gives us reason to hope, as she speaks of a better understanding of the mission of Jesus and what he revealed about God. As she says when she writes of the language spoken by Jesus, Aramaic—“nethqudash smath”---“Focus your light within us, make it useful.” ---which is what we are striving to do by living our commitments. Hopefully, at Pat’s suggestion, we will be able to share this vision in person at a retreat gathering in the Spring.


Pat and Nick commented:


     As the new "kid on the block", I hope the retreat ideas were not too  forceful. We loved Patricia Fresen's article.Agreeing with the quote of Don  Cozzens " The Church will submerge before it will emerge", we looked  at the realities of classism, clericalism,  sexism as they have  existed but are being challenged and rejected today. Presently we are  bridging from what already dominates to a new paradigm where  democratic principles,collaborative self ministering communities  closer to the vision of Jesus will exist. Insight is not enough to  give voice to these practices. How do we , the Community of John  XX111,move toward a global cosmic experience and share in such a way  that we can relationally affirm each other to help us live out these  beliefs. We would love to come together as a group for a weekend of  praying together and getting to know each other while we explore the  content of our communal committment.


We discussed the possibilities of having an annual retreat whereb current members  could renew their commitments and new members would be welcomed into the community.  The discussions are ongoing at this point. We plan on having our next conference call on December 20, 2009 and will re-visit Patricia Fresen’s article again as our participants were few in number.


 


                                                                                    Mary Scaine  




Posted By Dick and Mary Scaine in Category:General Info
Saturday, 14 November 2009
October 25th Conference call

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a Conference call on Sunday, October 25th. Present were: Linda Pinto our Moderator, Mary and Dick Scaine, our Facilitators.  Also joining us were: Fred and Terry Quinn, Bob Charpentier, John Warner, Allen Moore, Barbara Ryland, Theresa Padovano, Pat and Nick Mosunic and Tony Marotta (on Skype computer connection from Italy).


Mary Scaine invited all present today as participants in the Community of John XXII  to begin with a moment of silence as we welcomed and embraced  and sent our healing vibrations toward Francis and Elaine and Mary Alice and Bob and other members of our family and friends.


Into Your Silence…..


God of this creation, of this day,

of this moment, we speak words into your silence –

but with profound reverence.  

Our heads are spinning with astonishment at the universe

which we find ourselves in, living our lives within the phenomenon of evolution, an unfolding,

changing, unfinished reality.  

To be part of it is an honor.  

We give you thanks as we look into the abyss of your energies.

Amen.


William Cleary (We Side with the Morning)


We began our session with the following:


John XXIII October 25th Thoughts for Discussion



  1. From chapters Eight through Ten of James Carroll’s book, what events, personalities, struggles or admissions most parallel your own growth as an adult concerned participant in the Community of John XXIII. Please be specific


In the Embracing Spirit of the Community John XXIII


Where do we go from Here?



  1. Where does each of  us stand in terms of implementing our three commitments: 


1.  Commitment to Relatedness


2.  Commitment to Justice Making


3.  Commitment to Mutual Collaboration


 



  1. Do we wish to continue with written submissions for posting on the website?


Suggestion: For November discussion, read Patricia Fresen’s article (pp. 31-35) in September/October Corpus Reports, 2009.


PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU CAN BE PRESENT AT THE OCTOBER CALL, IF NOT, SHARE WITH US YOUR IDEAS AND SUGGESTIONS ON THE LISTSERVE….


Mary and Dick Scaine 10/4/09


 


The responses were as follows:


Fred and Terry Quinn


We began with a prayer and moment of silence in loving concern for Francis McGillicuddy and Mary Alice Charpentier. We included in that positive prayer energy their spouses and caregivers Elaine and Bob.


Our discussion revolved around thoughts brought about by James Carroll’s book Practicing Catholic. Pat talked about her surprise at the traditional approach to the Catholic church of her classmates at a class reunion. We feel that even the well educated are not always well educated in theology, the true history of the church, the principles of Vatican ii or even what canon law actually says.(think freedom of conscience). As we said, when the populace is unknowing and still walks in lock-step with what they were taught as children, the fear factor still takes over. The magic ability to take away sin and allow entrance into a place called heaven is the power wielded by the hierarchical church. Confronting the fallacies and almost childlike obedience to church teaching involves responsibility for one’s own actions and a response to what was the true mission of Jesus, embodied in our commitments to Relatedness, Justice-Making and Mutual Collaboration. For those interested in the article from America magazine (listed in the last Mirabile Dictu) that we mentioned the link is:


http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=11905


Tony wrote:


The conference dealing  specifically with the last chapters of Carroll's

book, and  generally with the whole book

1)  gave me the occasion to  revisit many years of my own  life,

2) helped me clarify various theological positions, and has been an aid in

the course I am preparing to teach on  recent American Catholicism for the

University of Warsaw and 3) most importantly  helped me deepen the  ( still

new to me) spirit of our progressive community. It was another moment in

meeting our silent and mysterious God. And this was/is good.

I welcome our decision to reflect and send this post -conference note,

especially because in my own case, I am convinced that it keeps me alert to

the need to implement our commitments. In contrast to most of the members

of the group, I do not have many other chances to do this.


Due to technical difficulties, many members could not hear one another and so our responses this month are of a limited nature. We adjourned and set a date for November 15, 2009.


We agreed to read, Patricia Fresen’s article (pp. 31-35) in September/October Corpus Reports, 2009.


 


                                                                                                Mary Scaine

















Posted By Dick and Mary Scaine in Category:General Info

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