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

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  

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a Conference call on Sunday, October 25^th. 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 25^th 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

2. 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

Our Conference Call for September, though small in numbers was certainly animated in the creative sharing of the Spirit. We had emailed the following for consideration.

Practicing Catholic:

            From chapters Four through Seven 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 X.III.

Mary Scaine led us in the prayer:

Come Holy Spirit, breathe down upon our troubled world.

Shake the tired foundations of our crumbling institutions.

Break the rules that keep you out of all our sacred spaces,

and from the dust and rubble, gather up the seedlings of a new creation.



 Come Holy Spirit, enflame once more the dying embers of our weariness.

Shake us out of our complacency. Whisper our names once more,

and scatter your gifts of grace with wild abandon.

Break open the prisons of our inner being,

and let your raging justice be our sign of liberty.



 Come Holy Spirit and lead us to places we would rather not go.

Expand the horizons of our limited imaginations.

Awaken in our souls dangerous dreams for new tomorrow,

and rekindle in our hearts the fire of prophetic enthusiasm.



 Come Holy Spirit, whose justice outwits international conspiracy,

whose light outshines religious bigotry,

whose peace can halt our patriarchal hunger for dominance and control, whose promise invigorates out every effort:

to create a new heaven and a new earth, now and forever.  Amen.



Diarmuid O’ Murchu

As Mary Scaine said in her opening remarks, “It was  for her, a trip down “Memory Lane”

Terry and Fred Quinn had the following response

The discussion began with a trip down “Memory Lane” with fond recollections of the openness that occurred with the aggiornamento of our hero JohnXXIII. As Barbara said, “He let in the fresh air,”----opening those wide windows.  However, we are currently faced with closed windows, firmly latched and secured against the loss of power, prestige and control. This control includes the concept of Jesus as Savior. On pp. 82-83 James Carroll tells us that mystics like Teresa of Avila and in contemporary thought, Thomas Merton—“found God in their interiority as much as in Church membership; by thinkers like Abelard in early medieval Paris and Dollinger in Enlightenment Germany, for both of whom Jesus was less Savior than Revealer—revealing that we are all already saved simply by virtue of existing. For that matter, such affirmation of the human was made by the author of the Gospel of John, who defined creation as the logos of God. Creation itself is sacramental.”

This is important because without the “Fear Factor” of the loss of salvation or heaven as it were, the hierarchical power no longer exists.  This allows for the expression of the Spirit through new ways of celebrating in community and in recognizing the relatedness of all creation.

Hi, Mary and Dick

Thank you so much for the Corpus edition-I love the articles-it arrived yesterday.

 Don't know if you wanted to hear from us re something to post-

Anyway, I am grateful to be part of the Community-I feel very empowered after our meetings!! I really appreciated what Terry had to say.

 Prayers for Francis as he goes into surgery-

 Love,

Barbara

Dear Friends,

 I just wanted to let you know that I missed yesterday's call due to a sinus infection that sent me to bed for the last few days.  Went to the doctor today and was given double doses of antibiotics to get me in shape for my Italy trip next week.  But I was so sorry to have missed the discussion, as well as next month's, ergo, a little reflection follows:

 I had read the required chapters of John Carroll's book and am so amazed at my naivete from the time I went to a Catholic college for 3 years, (studying Dominican theology and philosophy) yet, knowing so little about the outside world, up to and including the ensuing 10 years in the convent. 

Just prior to my entering in the summer of 1960, John Kennedy came to the Newman Center in Albuquerque.  I was asked to organize and prepare a reception for him after Mass, which I did.  During the Mass I sat right behind him, and when he sat down and I kneeled, my nose was practically in his hair!  During the reception we had a receiving line and I told him that I was leaving for the convent in a few weeks, but that I believed in what I had learned about his platform and had made arrangements to vote for him by way of absentee ballot.  He was very supportive of my decision, encouraged me, and wished me well in my new life.  I was thrilled with the encounter and with his "magical" presence, believing that he would be a wise and patient President.

 That November, though I had been previously assured that I could vote, the superiors changed the policy and I was disenfranchised.  That was the beginning of my distrust and dissatisfaction concerning "arbitrary" decisions made by superiors.  I kept the "rule" (of St. Augustine) to the "t", and was considered a "good nun" but always thinking, I would leave when I decided to, not when others  might decide I may have been unfit.  Gratitude for my experiences and blessings there, still abounds.

 For the last 3 years I was appointed Directress of the Albuquerque Dominican Retreat House.  Those three years were a shocking revelation to me and, I thought, an expansive education as we hosted retreats for religious from all over the Southwest.  The intellectual "ferment" was electrifying.  Even though I met my future husband, Romeo, whom I hired to give retreats in early 1968, and he spent years educating me regarding the life of the Church and the modern world, I had never quite put the pieces together the way John Carroll did in those Chapters, especially the explanation of what went on during Vatican II and afterwards, and the thinking of various heroic scholars of the time.  His welcomed perspectives broadened my world view, and firmed up my commitments to social justice.

 Coming from such a sheltered life, and yet, despite my lack of education and basic knowledge, I feel that I've always valued a basic openness to new ideas, and the freedom to entertain opposing ideas in search of God's Will in the Christ Light, i.e., God, up there, and God down here: our evolving consciousness is a stunning, integral part of the divine creative Force, here and how.  I think that evolution is approaching "warp speed"!

Thank you, John XXIII, Romeo, (RIP-2006) and the Community, for nurturing me.

Vicki Dear Vicki,

 It's such a joy reading this I would encourage you to send it to our whole John XXIII community!   Thank you for your last sentences!  They show such insight: "...our evolving consciousness is a stunning, integral part of the divine creative Force, here and how.  I think that evolution is approaching "warp speed"! Warm memories of last June's sharings at our CORPUS Conference!

Elaine.

Our trip down “Memory Lane” concluded with promises to read the last three chapters  (Eight –Eleven) 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 XXII.

Submitted by: Mary Scaine

The Tele-conference call of August 16^th was very refreshing in the overflow of the Spirit. We gathered as the community of John the XXI in the cosmic embrace of: Mary and Dick Scaine, our Facilitators. Joining us were: Fred and Terry Quinn, Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy, Barbara Ryland and George LeBlanc and Theresa Padovano.

Mary Scaine led us in prayer with the following:

O Parent of the Universe,

manifesting thyself as generative energy,

Bend over us and remove

all that clutters our being

and set apart a place

where thy sacredness may dwell.

 Fill us with thy creativity,

so that we may be empowered to bear

the fruit of thy vision.

 Then, moving to the heartbeat of thy desire,

make us the embodiment of thy compassion.

 Drawing from the ground of our humanity

grant that we may renew each other

with love, understanding, and sustenance.

 Empty us of frustrated hopes and despair,

as we restore others to a renewal of vision.

 And let us not fall into agitation,

but save us from precipitous actions.

For thou art the ground

of the fruitful vision, the birthing-power, and the fulfilment,

as all is gathered and made whole once again. Ameyn.

As rendered by Mark Hathaway (www.visioncraft.org) based on the work of Neil Douglas-Klotz (www.abwoon.com - Prayers of the Cosmos, Harper & Row, 1990).

Terry & Fred responded:

Not being familiar with the poem A Summer Day by Mary Oliver mentioned in our discussion today, we looked it up and actually found another of her poems that may even better reflect our discourse. The following is the poem entitled The Journey.

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice - - -

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

'Mend my life!'

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations - - -

though their melancholy

was terrible.It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice,

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do - - - determined to save

the only life you could save.

This poem spoke to us of the literalism and confines of the religion of our childhood and the subsequent response to the awakenings of Vatican II, and as Nick said, our ongoing progression of learning. This thought helped us to realize that we were always evolving throughout those years following Vatican!!, and that now, after 2 years of being part of Dick’s education series, our readings and membership in the Community of John XXIII , we feel the tug of the spirit so much in our daily lives and we see life and the existence of the universe in relational terms. We see God as relational, and co-creating.

Some of us also discussed the role of youth and their spiritual journeys. We, as we said, see our three children as very spiritual, but not in the sense that we grew up with. We actually learn from them in our conversations with them about how they see people, nature and animals, government and especially the environment. We are often humbled by their kindness to others and their thoughtfulness. We don’t think they need to name a God in their lives, although they admire Jesus and his teachings, because as Elaine said, they experience God, as we do in our daily lives.

 Elaine wrote:

While waiting in the doctor's office today for Francis who underewent a corneal transplant eye surgery, I was catching up on Carroll's book.   Even without having read ahead of time by Sunday his passage about the powerful Mea Culpa image which Terry mentioned, I appreciated Pat's bringing up this "unworthiness" attitude we Catholics seem to have inherited from a pre-Vatican church.  

            I know also that Francis agrees with all of you who expressed relief in leaving the priestly collar of separation behind.   

            I felt as if in Sunday's sharing we grappled with an issue together (Pat's question about her children) and came through to a clearer understanding, thanks also to Dick for his enlightening sharing. 

            I loved George's saying "It's wonderful to be grown up!"  I share the same experience.

Here's the little book I mentioned and highly recommend:  God of Dirt, Mary Oliver and The Other Book of God by Thomas W. Mann.   And here's the quote on our fridge:  "When man writes he inscribes characters upon rock, leaf, paper, wood, or steel; when God writes, the characters He writes are living creatures.  There is one holy book, the sacred manuscript of nature, the only manuscript which can enlighten the reader."  Hazrat Inayat Khan, the Sufi Message.

Pat & Nick:     Practicing Catholic was so insightful regarding our beginnings. The emphasis on UNWORTHINESS and GUILT placed such negativity, fear and false sense of self influencing our identity in the precious early formative years. All this was followed by the elitist invitation to be the chosen one, the best,  the perfect-the religious the priest. 

A challenge  today is finding opportunities to share with our adult children the beauty of the New Story, the New Cosmology and Science. Evident is a reaction of apathy influenced by the hurt of Institutional Thinking.

-It was a joy to share with the group a sense of hope that the truth of the Spirit will find expression in a new paradigm. Our experience is limited but the pursuit of truth continues to evolve!

Tony Wrote:

Generally speaking, I continue to consider myself lucky to be part of this group, and I continue to see that (from one point of view) the paradigm shift involved in what we are doing will take a long time, while, (from another point of view)  I would say it is really expressing a spirituality that is and has been  in many ways  really very natural to me.

Specifically I was struck by the fact that our children have not lived through the period of Vatican II and earlier, and therefore we need to understand this in order to know how to treat and deal with them.  And  so, our Catholicism is really very different from  them and ALSO  from so many other Catholics of our own age and time, who are not following our "cosmic" approach.  The day after our cyber/virtual meeting, I had a three hour meeting with four Polish former priests who are all very far from our views, yet I should also say that the day before our call, I met for two hours with a former priest (and current well known theologian) who ( to my way of thinking)  is even ahead of them.

We concluded with the anticipation of meeting again on September 20, 2009. We will continue reading:

Practicing Catholic:

            From chapters Four through Seven 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 X.III

Submitted by Mary Scaine

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a Conference call on Sunday, April 5, 2009 in the presence of: Linda Pinto, our Moderator, Mary and Dick Scaine, our Facilitators. Joining us were: Fred and Terry Quinn, Bob Charpentier, Theresa Padovano, John Warner, Vicki Di Benedetto, Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy and Tony Marotta (on Skype computer connection from Italy).

John Warner led us in prayer with the following:

 It is a prayer of Joyce Rupp from May I Have This Dance? entitled 'Watered Gardens'

God of little birds just now wearing green sleeves

God of lilac limbs all full with signs of flowering

God of fields plowed and black with turned-over earth

God of screeching baby bird mouths widely awaiting food

God of openness, of life and of resurrection

Come into this Easter season and bless me

Look around the tight, dead spaces of my heart

That still refuse to give you an entrance

Bring your gentle but firm love

Begin to lift the layers of resistance

That hang on tightly deep inside of me

Open, one by one, those places in my life

Where I refuse to be overcome by surprise

Open, one by one, those parts of my heart

Where I fight the entrance of real growth

Open, one by one, those aspects of my spirit

Where my security struggles with the truth

Keep me open to the different and the strange

Help me to accept the unusual and also the ordinary

Never allow me to tread on others' dreams

By shutting them out, closing them up

By turning them off or pushing them away

God of Resurrection, God of the living

Untomb and uncover all that needs to live in me

Take me to people, events, and situations

And stretch me into much greater openness

Open me. Open me. Open me

For it is only then that I will grow and change

For it is only then that I will be transformed

For it is only then that I will know how it is

To be in the moment of rising from the dead

Fred & Terry responded:

             John’s prayer at the beginning of our discussion spoke of the openness of creation—the openness of the Spirit. It seems that we all are searching for ways to BE open to the Spirit and to live our commitments to relatedness, justice-making and mutual collaboration. Some of us spoke of the ways we have recently found to be of some assistance to others, either by our physical presence, or by our material or spiritual support. It’s apparent that we are all OPEN to doing this and to responding to the Spirit as it evolves in our lives. 

When we spoke about the church of the future and how young people respond to the spirit, it occurred to us that they do so, not because they are thinking of “living the gospel”, but because they relate to others (regardless of race, religion or gender) , they are very concerned with justice and truth, and are very collaborative, especially when helping those in their immediate communities and/or the environment or the needs of the poor. This may be the church of the future, but without the “name” church---but with the experience of openness to the needs of others and with a spirituality that responds to the beauty of the world around them and the inner beauty of other people all over the world.

For those who are interested in the organization we spoke about (involving 2 young women who are devoting themselves to the poor in Haiti in amazingly creative ways)—the link to their website and their address is:

SOIL 124 Church Rd. Sherburne N.Y. 13460---here is the link I found-- http://www.oursoil.org/

For those interested in the organization First Friends (those seeking asylum in this country and have become detainees) where Fred volunteers, here is the link:

http://www.irateweb.org/firstfriends.htm

Bob’s Reflection:

Reflecting on our time together April 5, 2009, I found Bonheoffer’s metaphor of the runaway chariot helpful. Charity or justice? Bonheoffer suggests it can be both/and: help the injured and figure out some way of stopping the runaway. Seems to me this is a variation on, "act locally, think globally." I was touched by the responses in the group and emails to do something about a specific situation, Haiti, by members of the community .Thinking, reflection leading to action. I like it! As wonderful as our monthly conversations related to suggested readings are, they do not necessarily lead to action -at least for me. This is something I need to pay closer attention to, i.e., musing, reflecting and on to action. --Bob Charpentier

  As I listened intently to all the generous and beautiful perspectives of our members, I reflected on how many years ago, as I felt the leadership of our Church go astray, I reasoned that the Popes, and many Catholic clergy, probably never experienced true solidarity with the poor, probably never walked the walk without their titles and robes.  How could they say such things and worse, promulgate them?  

    I don't believe Jesus ever intended to start a "Church" as we know "Church" today, but that His Divine Spirit would flow in every household and community, through natural and inspired leaders, who respond to and reflect what He stood for and taught, all working, in one way or another, regardless of affiliation, to bring forth the reign of God on this planet and beyond.   I rejoice in the opportunity of being included in the Community of John XXIII.  We are all "Sparks from the Fire"! 

In gratitude,

Vicki Di Benedetto

Dear Friends,

I beg your forgiveness for being a bit out of the loop.  Having been missing from the conference calls for two months, I was a bit clueless as to the book we were to discussing.  After speaking to Dick and Mary, I promise to be more on board in future.

           I was able to connect with the question about what scriptures texts were helpful in times of stress.  With my work with Voice of the Faithful, we are often denied use of Catholic institutions by the bishops and even some religious communities without any real cause.  So the quotes from the Gospel of John mean a great deal to me.  John 15: 18---27:  "They hate me without reason."  "As servant is not greater than his/her master."  "As they persecuted me, they will persecute you..."  John 16 2--"They will ban you from the synagogue’ indeed, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will suppose that he is performing a religious duty..."   Well, no one has been physically killed, by they have labeled VOTF/NJ as "anti-catholic and anti-church” without cause and without knowing the wonderful Catholics that they condemn.  

Ah, so!

Theresa Padovano 

Elaine & Francis McGillicuddy wrote:

Francis':

I appreciated the gem of a prayer John contributed.  Thanks also to Bob for highlighting the definition of spirituality, namely, living the gospel, inspired by the Spirit, accompanied by others.

 Elaine:

Ditto to the above!

I responded to Bob's imagining the future of the Catholic Church (Dick's question), as -- "a community of communities" in which "thanksgiving - the Eucharist" will still be central.

I was also moved by Fred and Theresa's sharing that the scriptural source that speaks to them is the beatitudes, - as Theresa quoted:  "They will put you out of the synagogues."

I appreciate that as a community we're increasingly sensitive to justice issues and it's also good that Linda pointed out there's also 3rd world poverty right here in the US. Sorry to be so tardy-- Linda Pinto wrote:

I felt especially challenged during our faith sharing. We were asked to model the church we envision in the next forty years. I have become settled and satisfied that I can only become the change I want to see. So, my church is here and now and with the prayerful discernment with my Community. That being said, my outreach is quite local. I have become extra sensitive to the suffering around me. This crucifixion is not physical but takes on many forms: the unemployed, the battered, the lonely, and the desperate.

Tony from (Italy) responded:

 One  important effect of the conference is that I am trying to  integrate more deeply the three goals of our community into the reality of my daily life a life largely devoted to teaching. As usual I am impressed with the personal experiences of our members.

We adjourned the conference call and are contemplating changing the date to the third Sunday in May, which is May 17, 2009.

(Submitted by Mary Scaine)

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a tele-Conference call on Sunday, March 8, 2009 in the presence of: Mary and Dick Scaine, our Facilitators. Joining us were: Fred and Terry Quinn, Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy, John Warner, Bob Charpentier and Tony Marotta (on Skype computer connection from Italy).

Mary Scaine led us in prayer with the following:

Prayer to the Holy (Cosmic) Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, breathe down upon our troubled world. Shake the tired foundations of our crumbling institutions. Break the rules that keep you out of all our sacred spaces, and from the dust and rubble, gather up the seedlings of a new creation.  Come Holy Spirit, enflame once more the dying embers of our weariness. Shake us out of our complacency. Whisper our names once more, and scatter your gifts of grace with wild abandon. Break open the prisons of our inner being, and let your raging justice be our sign of liberty.  Come Holy Spirit and lead us to places we would rather not go. Expand the horizons of our limited imaginations. Awaken in our souls dangerous dreams for new tomorrow, and rekindle in our hearts the fire of prophetic enthusiasm.  Come Holy Spirit, whose justice outwits international conspiracy, whose light outshines religious bigotry, whose peace can halt our patriarchal hunger for dominance and control, whose promise invigorates out every effort: to create a new heaven and a new earth, now and forever.  Amen.

Diarmuid O’ Murchu

            Mary and Dick Scaine offered the following selection on our ongoing discussion of

Quest for the LIVING GOD: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God by Elizabeth A. Johnson. (Available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com)

Chapter 3

1.      Moltmann, Soelle and Metz have different perspectives on suffering. Which, from your experience, has particular appeal? Why?

Are there any other perspectives you would like to share?

Where is the presence of God in such darkness?  Can you share an experience? 

Chapter 4

2.      Starting in mid twentieth century Brazil, and quickly spreading throughout Latin America, a pastoral movement to revitalize faith among people began to gather them into small groups. Here they read scriptures, prayerfully reflected on its meaning in relation to their situation, and began to act together for change. Do you think these progressive base communities should and would work in North America?  

Comment on Elizabeth Johnson’s statement that church is not primarily an institution for promotion of individual piety and moral living. What do you think is its primary purpose? 

Elaine's response:

I greatly appreciated every shared story of suffering experienced by members of our community today, e.g., how Bob's grief over the suicide of a young relative evolved from a Moltman-like response of God grieving with him to a Metz-like response of lamenting.  Also, Dick's comments on the political theologians' views, esp. Dorothee Soelle's "non-forceful silent cry as an urge to the future," and her understanding of Transcendence as not separate from us, but "beyond us as a lure."  Having read her Theology for Skeptics, I will follow up on Dick's recommendation to read Political Theology and Suffering.

 Francis' response:

I appreciated Bob's clarification of spirituality being Jesus and me and you.  Spirituality begins with one's individual experience and then moves on to seek justice for others who are downtrodden.

Terry& Fred

We feel that yesterday's discussion may have evolved into a real experience of collective compassion, in the telling of various stories of loss, death, and sad and/or emotional happenings. We had just returned from a very effective discussion at the Inclusive Community during which some of us articulated that though we had experienced sometimes very difficult circumstances, we felt that what we term "God' had nothing to do with it,-- certainly that God had not caused or “let" it happen. We also feel a real affinity with Jesus who experienced great suffering and also all the other emotions that are so much a part of our lives.

Having both worked in the inner city where poverty was and still is so much a part of people's lives, we also identify with liberation theology and its relation to the suffering and compassionate Jesus.

Tony

I suspect that I see God (sense that I am somehow closer to God) more in my own suffering that in that of others.  This would seem to be true even though my own suffering (concretely or abstractly?) is rather small.  I wonder what this means.

We finished the conference call by selecting Chapter 5, God Acting Womanish and Chapter 6, God Who Breaks Chains for our next conference call which will be on April 5, 2009 @ 2:30 p.m.

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a tele-Conference call on Sunday, February 8, 2009 in the presence of: Linda Pinto, our Moderator, Mary and Dick Scaine, our Facilitators. Joining us were: Fred and Terry Quinn, Babara Ryland, George LeBlanc, John Warner, Vicki Di Benedetto, Bob Charpentier and Tony Marotta (on Skype computer connection from Italy).

We were led in prayer by Terry Quinn: 

Prayer

 Holy God who is real – not the all-powerful "lord" of everything or the sentimentally sweet old father in the sky but true Ultimate Mystery:  it is your real creature's voice you hear, the soul of my soul speaking in words and beyond words.  I sometimes fill the void between us with verbalizations like these: it's a bridge into the comfort of your silent nearness.   But my soul's soul knows the language of silence as well, and, behold, my prayer: myself.  

Amen.

Dick and Mary prepared the following questions for our consideration and discussion: Quest for the LIVING GOD: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God

by Elizabeth A. Johnson.

Quest for God: Chapters I &II

1.      What were your earliest experiences of the sacred, as a child? What are your experiences of the sacred as now, as an adult?

2.      What is atheism and in your mind what kind of God is usually denied by atheists? In what sense was God declared dead?   (Page 15 ff)

3.      Elizabeth Johnson speaks of Incarnation and Grace as the self-communicating gift pulsing out from depths of the Divine Being. (Page 39) For you, is the Incarnation a matter of God’s initiative in becoming human (emphasizing Jesus’ godliness) or should the accent be placed on Jesus incarnating God (emphasizing Jesus’ humanity)? In the first, Incarnation becomes a doctrine about Jesus as God and he is worshipped as such. In the second, Incarnation becomes a task for all to accomplish in that we give concrete expression to the Spirit within us). God then, becomes human, so that humans can become God. (Page 30 ff)

4.      Do you prefer Dominican (Thomas Aquinas) or the Franciscan (Duns Scotus) position regarding the purpose for the Incarnation?

5.      Karl Rahner insists that “the devout Christian of the future will either be a ‘mystic’ one who has ‘experienced’ something, or he/she will cease to be anything at all.” What, do you think, is to be experienced? (Page 44)

6.      Comment on Elizabeth Johnson’s statement that church is not primarily an institution for promotion of individual piety and moral living. What do you think is its primary purpose?  (Page 45).

We received the following responses:  

Though many of the participants’ early experiences of the sacred were devotional, while others were not sure of what sacred might have meant to them, all seemed to have evolved into an introspective, experiential awareness of what was called “God.” God, who was a noun when we were younger, has evolved into a verb, which is relational. The relational includes connections between people (familial love as well as love in friendship and love expressed in the caring of others and the earth). Jesus calls us all into incarnation as we express our openness to the living intuitive spirit alive on this earth, the universe and beyond. So we all figuratively “take off our shoes” because “we’re standing on holy ground.”

 Terry & Fred

This first conf call was for me a serious event in my quest for the "living God."  There are many reasons for making this statement.  One of them is the framework and perspective it afforded me in dealing with the recent theism/atheism debate. Another is that it has made so many of the "little things" of daily life meaningful, leading to some amount of satisfaction. Tony from Italy responded:

            I apologize for this being a week late -if you are unable to include it that is OK- The group call last Sun. was very energizing. I was inspired by our conversation and especially helped by Dick's comments. The points that resonated with me are how we experience God as a verb and also how this is found in the matrix of all relationships. I look forward to our next meeting. Barbara

Linda’s response

I especially appreciated journeying with the Community. To recall the "God" of my youth and discover how far I have come is inspiring. I was especially moved by Bob's Song of Songs that everything is sacred. The barren trees, the biting cold, the icy roads....everything is sacred.

            We concluded our discussion and scheduled our next teleconference for Sunday March 9, @ 2:30 p.m.

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a tele-Conference call on Sunday, January 4, 2009 in the presence of: Linda Pinto, our Moderator, Mary and Dick Scaine, our Facilitators. Joining us were: Fred and Terry Quinn, Babara Ryland, George LeBlanc, John Warner, Vicki Di Benedetto, Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy and Tony Marotta (on Skype computer connection from Italy).

Mary Scaine led us in prayer with the following:

Prayer to the Holy (Cosmic) Spirit

Come Holy Spirit, breathe down upon our troubled world.

Shake the tired foundations of our crumbling institutions.

Break the rules that keep you out of all our sacred spaces,

and from the dust and rubble, gather up the seedlings of a new creation.



Come Holy Spirit, enflame once more the dying embers of our weariness.

Shake us out of our complacency. Whisper our names once more,

and scatter your gifts of grace with wild abandon.

Break open the prisons of our inner being,

and let your raging justice be our sign of liberty.



Come Holy Spirit and lead us to places we would rather not go.

Expand the horizons of our limited imaginations.

Awaken in our souls dangerous dreams for new tomorrow,

and rekindle in our hearts the fire of prophetic enthusiasm.



Come Holy Spirit, whose justice outwits international conspiracy,

whose light outshines religious bigotry,

whose peace can halt our patriarchal hunger for dominance and control,

whose promise invigorates out every effort:

to create a new heaven and a new earth, now and forever. Amen.

Diarmuid O’ Murchu

Mary and Dick Scaine offered the following selection for our discussion:

Heaven

The Late Middle Ages accented heaven as an afterlife preceded by a judgment from a God who is supposed to love us unconditionally. Largely based on fear, this view inclined Luther and most other Catholics of this time to confess very frequently. Luther often confessed multiple times a day. Feeling guilty and unworthy, many “received Communion” only once a year. Hence the order to “receive Communion” as an Easter duty.

In the first three Gospels, Jesus rarely mentions the “afterlife.” In fact, he rarely refers to himself in these Gospels. Rather, the accent is on the New Reign of God, a Kingdom of peace, justice, inclusivity and compassion in the here and now. It is the alternative to the Roman domination of his time.

Discussion: Do we primarily think of the Kingdom of heaven as “up or out there” (after life) or primarily as Kindom of peace and justice in the here and now?

Linda Pinto responded:

Transforming our sense of heaven and hell from the hereafter to the here and now entails an embrace of justice, compassion and peace. This means I must live my life with the momentary awareness that it is precious. I must also be involved in issues which may seem remote, but affect us all. These range from the pending inaugural of Barack Obama with it's sweeping sense of change to my active involvement in the political crisis in the mid-East. I am left with Dick's challenge: If I was sincere in my belief in the Resurrection, I would embrace much more risk.



What touched Elaine during our January 4, 2009 tele-gathering:

1) Barbara's expression about heaven as "being open to places of creativity: to engage with it."

2) Linda's honesty about the challenge of growing into new paradigms. (Personal note: I love the journey of being powerful drawn into a new way of seeing, but am also amazed at how long it takes to really sink in, -- how deep and long the journey is!)

3) Dick's always welcomed enlightening comments:

a) how Luke's version challenged Matthew's: The "Kingdom" is more than "within you." It's -- "among you."

b) Resurrection as not a rising to but a transformation of who we are.

4) Mary's quoting Martin Buber re the need to retire the word "God" since "It's got blood all over it!" (Personal note: I haven't been able to use the word "God" comfortably for years!)



Francis' comment:

The most prominent aspect of the hour for me, was the fact that Dick introduced the Israeli-Palestinian issue as a justice and peace issue, and said that those who protest injustice are working toward the kingdom.



Terry and Fred's Comments about conference 1-04-09:



The kingdom is the kingdom of the ongoing Spirit----among us and through us as we strive for community within our own environs and as we try to positively affect the world community of peace and justice. We try to think about "What am I doing about this now?"



We liked the thought about the kingdom being one of unending discovery and creativity. This connects to resurrection not being "a rising up" but a transformation of who we are.



Barbara replied:



The Sun. meeting of our Community was thought -provoking and inspiring. I definitely feel that heaven is here-within and without and that we are called to assist in its creation with actions for peace and justice.



George LeBlanc recalled:

Reflections on the Sunday, Jan 4 conference call: Thoughts running thru my mind.

"Being discovered; discovering; not being alone; kin-dom & connectedness; the struggle to yield to be changed (transformed); hope; endless discovery."



Tony Marotta wrote:

1) Sincere explanations of lived Christian life (Kingdom of God on earth)

were inspirational for me.



2) Mention of the Gaza/Palestinian problem as a "Peace and Justice"

issue

was most welcome to me.



3) It is always powerful when (toward the end of the call) Dick gives his

comments - that pull things together and deepens the context.



4) When it became clear to me that I wanted to make a

final contribution,

it was too close to the end, so I will now say what I wanted to say then.

From one point of view, the word "Kingdom" tends to turn me and

others off, in that we live in the 21st century, and it can be difficult to

identify with it. I like to use the word "Kindom" - which sees our Christian

life in relational terms. For me Heaven is essentially linked to others.

Spirituality for me must be lived in a social context - with and amid

other people, and now, as part of John 23, it must be lived in a cosmic

context - with all aspects of the universe.



Mary and Dick asked the group to consider the book by

Elizabeth Johnson as a springboard for discussion for upcoming conference calls:

The name of the book:

Quest for the LIVING GOD: Mapping Frontiers in the Theology of God

by Elizabeth A. Johnson. (Available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com)



There was a decision made in favor of reading the book. We finished the conference call by selecting chapter I and 2 for our next conference call which will be on February 8, 2009 @ 2:30 p.m.

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a Conference call on Sunday, November 16, 2008 in the presence of: Linda Pinto, our Moderator, Mary and Dick Scaine, our Facilitators. Joining us were: Fred and Terry Quinn, Bob Charpentier, Theresa Padovano, John Warner, Vicki Di Benedetto, Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy and Tony Marotta (on Skype computer connection from Italy).



Mary Scaine led us in the following prayer:



Spirit God, in whom all things become one,

Come as our source of renewal;

Set us aflame with justice-making,

that the Earth and all its ecologies

shall not suffer extinction.

Come, Holy Spirit, renew the whole of Creation,

Help us to overcome violence,

to end all discrimination

and to remove barriers to justice.

Amen



Prayer composed by Wal Anderson, Pilgrim Church, Adelaide, September, 2003.

Reproduced in Horne, B., Lockyer, A., & Wickham, S., (eds) Singing while it is still dark... a gift book of prayers and meditations for members of the South Australian Synod 2003. A Publication of Friends of Unity, 2003, p. 63.



Linda and Elaine discussed the CTA National Conference weekend and the great line up of speakers including Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Miriam Therese Winter, and Bishop Spong. .



We reflected on and discussed question #4



Holy Communion: What do we receive when we “go to Communion”? Do we “receive God” in the way of a personal Savior or is it a “yes” to co-creative participation in the Spirit of “new possibilities” in the here and now?



Terry & Fred’ reflection:



We are energized by the spirit, which emerges each time we come together, re-igniting the spirit of Jesus. The Eucharist truly becomes "communion" without restrictions, but with possibilities, which emerge as we go on with our lives--- trying to enrich our own lives, the lives of others and the planet we live on.



Vicki responded:



When I think of Jesus at the Last Supper, he talked with his friends, looked into their hearts and connected. Remembering His words and actions, and as a result of today's nourishment, I now define the Eucharist as: Any connection of care and compassion in which we intensify our relationship with God within and all around us--animal, vegetable, mineral, quantuum and the cosmos. Gracias a "DIOS"



Mary



Warm greetings for this winter season! We just got off the phone with the community and my heart is full and my mind a bit overstimulated. I could have been with the group for hours without any problem and been 'turned on' and 'tuned in' with the positive and creative energies flowing thru the conversation.

I had many thoughts, most of which I will not share here. Suffice it to say THANKS and Blessings to all.



I am going to attempt to attach a poem or two to this missive, esp. the one I shared on Barack Obama. It was not really thought out that well, but came a bit spontaneously to me as I reflected on the experience of his election after wanting it so much. I am going to a celebration party tonight with some fellow Democrats who worked to get Ohio (finally) to vote for the best person. To have victory in Louisville(way too white and conservative for me), Ohio, was a great accomplishment in some ways. Also, was great to see more 'Catholics' voting for Barack than for McCain.



My prayer (from my ordination card) is : To the extent of my power because I am a priest, I wish from now on to become conscious of all that the world loves, pursues, and suffers.



Again, thanks to you and the community of care and compassion for all that you are and do.



Peace, shalom, salam, pas/pax, and namaste,

John



Elaine and Francis’ response:



On our November 16 telegathering:

I agree with Bob that our sharing in community is itself a gathering of Thanksgiving, which means "Eucharist.” And I'm so grateful to Dick who said we need to move beyond only the "anthropocentric" in our celebration of Eucharist. To pursue this flash of insight his comment gave me, I pulled out CORPUS Reports which feature Dick's two articles: (Sept/Oct 2007) - "The Eucharist in an Evolutionary Perspective;" and (May/June, 2008) "The Cosmic Christ" and reread them.

As I mentioned, I highly recommend two small books by Margaret Galiardi, OP in which she quotes unpublished material of Thomas Berry's: Encountering Mystery in the Wilderness, One Woman's Vision Quest, (This book is on the left in the attached photo) and Where the Pure Water Flows: The New Story of the Universe and Christian Faith. .) Both are available from Sor Juana Press in San Antonio, Texas as well as "Homecoming Inc." in Amityville, New York. You could email Margaret at mgalop@aol.com and order either directly from her as I have done with her first book.



Elaine



The outstanding conversation on the Eucharist was such that for me ( and I am sure others) it was a true Eucharistic event. The Holy Spirit was present.

This was palpable. And so I am most thankful.



Tony



We concluded our telegathering by setting the next date for December 6, 2008 @ 2:30 p.m.

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a Conference call on Sunday October 5th, 2008 in the Presence of: Linda Pinto, our Moderator Mary and Dick Scaine, or Facilitators, joining us were: Fred and Terry Quinn, Theresa Padovano, John Warner and George Le Blanc. We also welcomed a new member Vicki Di Benedetto into our midst. We missed the presence of Bob Charpentier, Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy and Allen Moore. We continued our ongoing conversation.



Linda Pinto lead us in the following prayer:



Canticle of Creation



In the beginning, my God, You alone existed: eternally one yet pregnant in the fullness of

unity.

Full to overflowing, You, Giver of All Life, exploded outward in a billion bits and pieces.

Your Words became flesh, whirling in shining starts, shimmering suns and in genesis

glimmering galaxies.

You, my God, spoke, and Your words became flesh: in sun and moon, earth and seas,

mountains and gentle hills, rolling rivers and silent streams.

You, my God, spoke, and Your Words became flesh: in sun and moon, earth and seas,

mountains and gentle hills, rolling rivers and silent streams.

You, my God spoke, and Your Words became flesh: in winged birds, in deer and

elephant, in grazing cow, racing horse and fish of the deep.

Your Words, so unique and so varied, filled the earth also with rabbit, squirrel and ant.

And all Your Words were beautiful, and all were good.



From each of these holy Words arose a prayer of praise and adoration to You, their

Creator and wondrous womb.

“Praise You,” rang out the redwood, “Blessed be You,” chimed in the cedar, “Holy

are You,” prayed the prairie grasses.

From all four corners of this earth, rose up a chorus of perpetual adoration.



O Sacred Spirit, O Divine Breath of Life, unseal my ears that they may ever listen

to Your continuous canticle of creation; open my heart and my whole self,

to sing in harmony with all its many voices.

Teach me to commune with Your first Word made flesh, Your Creation, that

I may be able to unravel the wondrous words of Your second Word made flesh,

Jesus, through whom, and in whom, I may see myself as another Word of Yours made flesh, to your glory and honor.



Mary and Dick Scaine had emailed the following six areas offered for consideration in our subsequent conference calls: Our focus was on:



#3. Prayer: What do we do when we pray? Do we address or express God? Do we change God? Here are all of them for your consideration:







A new paradigm (lens, outlook, worldview) is demanded when the old paradigm can longer handle the questions posed in a new situation.



The New Cosmology suggests that we let go of old perceptions from our childhood religious training.

What perceptions of previous (earlier) training are we not only willing to admit as childish but willing to leave behind? Here are six areas offered for consideration in our subsequent conference calls:



1. Personal spirituality: Is it individual and private, or communitarian and cooperative; aimed toward building merit for heaven or challenging injustices on earth?



2. View of God: Up there (judgmental, overseer, interventionist, elsewhere, remote) or an all-embracing active, evolutional life-force?



3. Prayer: What do we do when we pray? Do we address or express God? Do we change God?



4. Holy Communion: What do we receive when we “go to Communion”? Do we “receive God” in the way of a personal Savior or is it a “yes” to co-creative participation in the Spirit of “new possibilities” in the here and now?



5. Jesus: Is he my personal Savior through whom I am saved in the Fall/Redemption model or is he the invitation to abundant life and a new consciousness as in the evolutional model.



6. Heaven: Do we primarily think of the Kingdom of heaven as “up or out there” (afterlife) or primarily as a Kingdom of peace and justice in the here and now?



Richard & Mary Scaine 9/8/08



We had the following responses:



From Fred and Terry



As George said---where we are in life may determine how we pray. Prayer has many dimensions, perhaps dependent on what has immediately happened in our lives, or part of remembrances. Theresa said for her prayer involved listening---any way it comes to her. We both also liked the definition as active thought. We'd like to end with a section in a recent "Mirabile Dictu" which seems to summarize our thoughts, remaining open to the wisdom of the spirit.-------



LISTEN

My heart is open to the wisdom of Spirit.



When something in life shows up as a dilemma, I first seek an answer in prayer. The answer to what I am to do may come immediately. Or it may come at a time and in a manner that I least expect.



My prayer time prepares me to listen and learn--however, the answer may come. I listen with my heart--remaining open to unlimited possibilities.



I may then receive spiritual insight by hearing what friends and family have to say. Or someone may ask for advice from me, and I will have the chance to be of help to them. By my very act of listening, I am providing this person an opportunity to sort through questions and discover the answer. My heart is open to the wisdom of Spirit. As I listen with my heart, I am blessed and I bless others.



Hello, Mary and Dick,



What a rich discussion on prayer yesterday. Some ideas that resonate with me are the connection with Divine Energy and also with the pulsing of the Universe. The conversation also heightened my sense of interconnectedness.

Blessings and prayers,

Barbara



Dear Mary,



Thank you for calling me prior to the community call. It bespeaks your thoughtful, caring self!



Thoughts on the call:



So many kinds of prayer, so many possibilities to move ourselves and others in harmony with the flow of the Divine Source.

I liked John's attaching the names of loved ones to his breathing and connecting with the Pulsating Universe.

I loved Mary's creative response to the silent period and the energy she felt.

Seems like we do change God, maybe not always as the direct result of a petition, but surely as we are all God Expressing and Evolving.

I am grateful for all the earnest thoughts shared today, especially the inclusive character of the community, and I hope to remember you in prayer, at 2PM

CST, by rescheduling my senior moments.



And the prayer of St. Michael:



Lord Michael, Lord Michael, I call unto thee,

Wield thy sword of blue flame and now cut me free.

Blaze, God power, protection, now into my world

Thy Banner of Faith, above me unfurled

Transcendent blue lightning, now flash through my soul

I AM by God's mercy made radiant and whole.



Vicki Di Benedetto



Hi, Mary and Dick



Just a quick note on the call today.



I said that I try to put myself in a posture of listening to God. I don't try to change God, but perhaps have God change me. "Be still and know that I am God." very often is something I use to focus by heart.



Thanks for all you do to keep us all in touch.



Peace,



Theresa Padovano



We completed the conference call and scheduled the next one for the 2nd

Sunday in November due to the Call to Action Conference. We will continue our discussion on November 9th at 2:30 p.m. 

























  

        The Community of John XXIII gathered for a Conference call on Sunday, September 8, 2008 in the Presence of: Bob Charpentier, Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy Fred and Terry Quinn, Linda Pinto, Theresa Padovano, Mary and Dick Scaine, Allen Moore, Barbara Ryland, and John Warner. We gathered by phone to continue our ongoing conversation.

We were brought into the spirit of community by Elaine McGillicuddy's literal English translation of the French translation in La Bible de Jerusalem of Psalm 139



Psalm 139 Psaume 139



Adonai, you probe me and know me. Yahve tu me sondes et me connais;

Whether I rise or sit, you know it. que je me leve ou m'assoie, tu le sais,

You penetrate my thoughts from afar tu perces de loin mes penses;

Whether I walk or lie down, you sense it. que je marche ou me couche, tu le

sens,

My paths are all familiar to you. mes chemins te sont tous familiers.



The word is not even yet on my tongue, La parole n'est pas encore sur ma

langue,

and look, you know it in its entirety! et voici, Yahve, tu la sais toute

entiere;

Behind and before me, you encompass me derriere et devant tu m'enserres,

You have put your hand on me. tu as mis sur moi ta main.

Marvel of learning which surpasses me! Merveille de science qui me depasse,

Height which I cannot reach! hauteur ou je ne puis atteindre.



Where could I go far from your spirit? Ou irai-je loin de ton esprit?

Where could I flee far from your face? ou fuirai-je loin de ta face?

If I climb the heavens, you are there! Si j'escalade les cieux, tu es la,

Of if I lie in Sheol, -- there you are! qu'au sheol je me couche, te voici.



I take the wings of sunrise Je prends les ailes de l'aurore,

I take lodging at the farthest end of the sea je me loge au plus loin de la mer,

Even there your hand guides me meme la, ta main me conduit,

your right hand seizes me ta droite me saisit.



I will say, -- 'Let darkness hem me in. Je dirai: "Que me presse la

tenebre,

Let night be for me an enclosure." que la nuit soit pour moi une ceinture";

Even darkenss is not darkness before you. meme la tenebre n'est point

tenebre devant toi



It's you who moulded my inmost being, C'est toi qui m'as forme les reins,

who wove me in my mother's womb. qui m'as tise au ventre de ma mere;

I give you thanks for so many marvels, je te rends grace pour tant de

prodiges:

the wonder which I am, merveille que je suis, merveille que tes oeuvres.

the wonder of your works.



My soul, you knew it well. Mon ame, tu la connaissais bien,

My bones were not hidden from you mes os n'etaient point caches de toi,

when I was formed in secret, quand je fus faconne dans le secret,

embroidered in the profundity of the earth. brode au profond de la terre.



My embryo, your eyes saw it. Mon embryon, tes yeux le voyaient;

In your book they are all inscribed, sur ton livre, ils sont tous inscrits

-- the days which have been determined, les jours qui ont ete fixes,

and each one of them matters. et chacun d'eux y figure.



But for me, how difficult your thoughts! Mais pour moi, que tes pensees

sont difficiles,

I count them. They exceed the sand. Je les compte, il en est plus que

sable;

Should I finish, I am still with you. ai-je fini, je suis encore avec toi.



We engaged in a discussion based on the following six areas offered by Dick and Mary Scaine. We considered and discussed Areas 1. and 2. We will address Area 3. on Prayer in our next conference call in October.



A new paradigm (lens, outlook, worldview) is demanded when the old paradigm can longer handle the questions posed in a new situation.



The New Cosmology suggests that we let go of old perceptions from our childhood religious training.

What perceptions of previous (earlier) training are we not only willing to admit as childish but willing to leave behind? Here are six areas offered for consideration in our subsequent conference calls:



1. Personal spirituality: Is it individual and private, or communitarian and cooperative; aimed toward building merit for heaven or challenging injustices on earth?



2. View of God: Up there (judgmental, overseer, interventionist, elsewhere, remote) or an all-embracing active, evolutional life-force?



3. Prayer: What do we do when we pray? Do we address or express God? Do we change God?



4. Holy Communion: What do we receive when we “go to Communion”? Do we “receive God” in the way of a personal Savior or is it a “yes” to co-creative participation in the Spirit of “new possibilities” in the here and now?



5. Jesus: Is he my personal Savior through whom I am saved in the Fall/Redemption model or is he the invitation to abundant life and a new consciousness as in the evolutional model.



6. Heaven: Do we primarily think of the Kingdom of heaven as “up or out there” (afterlife) or primarily as a Kingdom of peace and justice in the here and now?



Richard & Mary Scaine 9/8/08







Elaine Response:



Your meaningful words which touched me:



Terry: "Evolve in the situation you're in...possibilities..."

Mary: "...where you find it, e.g. tenants."

Fred: "...listening...( esp. to seniors)"

Theresa: "Jesus the first community organizer...(and) create justice in the church."

Bob: "John XXIII a community of communities."

John: "God as Breathing Spirit."

Linda: "Intention...(of) presence to people you meet for whatever reason.

Enjoy and stop being concerned with heavy assignments."

Tony: "Pluralism...open ended: How will it end?"

(I'll send a Beatrice Bruteau article related to this. - Elaine)



Thank you each and every one!



Francis wrote:



The spirituality of most members seemed to be community centered, and focussed on peace and justice issues. This trend is most encouraging for me. The wealth of ideas for types of community was also revealing, -- from fellow passengers on the subway to relating to neighbors.



Linda’s Response:



I found our discussion about finding and nurturing community to be intriguing. The need for intimacy and a shared sense of spirituality is great. But, I am unable to find it in the organizational church. I try to be fully present to each individual I meet and in a sense, they become part of the greater community. I liked John's sharing of being present to God in the very breathe he takes. That will be my focus until next time.



Mary and Dick-

Thank you for the discussion questions. We seem to be getting somewhere. I tried to find the web address for Peter Hickman. I wanted to include it, but can't seem to find it. I'll be in touch. You are both in Ralph and my prayers for strength and recovery.



Love, Linda



Terry & Fred



Our personal spirituality is creative and filled with possibilities for community in various ways. Walls do not a community make. Connections make community. It may not be defined in the way we were used to defining it, but it may actually be MORE commutative because there are so many more possibilities for connection to those with whom we come in contact and even to our contemplative thoughts--- which may connect to nature or art or whatever we are involved in at a particular moment or time.





Hello Dick and Mary,



Today's conversation among the members of the community of John XXIII was a helpful conversation among people who belong to a lot a different communities. Each time we gather I am enriched by the sharing of our various experiences in communities that most of us probably take for granted. I particularly appreciate the sharing of experiences that I would otherwise know nothing about. More and more I think of my time with the Community of John XXIII as one of being part of a community of communities.



On another matter someone asked about the recent Michael Morwood article from E- Corpus,(http://webmail.aol.com/38575/aol/en-us/Mail/DisplayMessage.aspx) that very much relates to conversations we have been having.



Dick, you are in my prayers and thoughts. –Bob



Tony responded:



I am sorry to get this out late. I enjoyed very much our discussion on

"community" last Sunday. As a result, I am only more aware of the new

spiritual paradigm we are dealing with. I just received the latest Corpus Reports (thanks Linda!) and I see that the material of Dick Scaine and Matthew Fox only back this up.



As an outsider who has not been to the U.S in ten years, I am personally interested in knowing to what degree the members of Corpus are moving in the direction of Cosmic Christianity. I am not sure if this is easily answered.



Thanks for your thoughts, Tony. We really appreciate your candor and questioning. That is what is best about our community....the freedom to think, question, and expand. Dick has spent the better half of over two years writing in CORPUS REPORTS about Cosmic Christianity. His articles have been well received.

Peace. Linda



Mary and Dick-



Sorry this is a little late re our meeting and I hope Dick is doing well-



My thoughts re spirituality and community are that individual connection with the Divine is vital to participate in social justice issues-it is emphasizing both and is not an either/or proposition. The individual and connection with the Divine and community flow back and forth, in and out, like a beautiful tapestry. The Divine I consider to be tender, embracing, and the ground of all being. Without connecting to this Source through contemplative practice, social justice work can often lead to burn-out for community. I do like the consideration of our community also as a community of communities.



Barbara



We completed our discussion and made arrangements to share again our journey again on October 5, 2008 @ 2:00 p.m. 



























 

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a Conference call on Sunday, August 3, 2008 in the Presence of: Bob Charpentier, Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy Fred and Terry Quinn, Linda Pinto, Theresa Padovano, Mary and Dick Scaine, Allen Moore. We also welcomed new members Barbara Ryland, and John Warner. We gathered by phone to continue our ongoing conversation.



Mary Scaine led us in prayer with the following:



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.



The conversation centered on the excellent presentation at the Joint Conference of “Religious Life Renewed: The Community of John XXIII." The panel consisted of Linda Pinto, our Facilitator, Mary and Dick Scaine our moderators, Robert Charpentier, former Vice-President of CORPUS, and Bishop Peter Hickman of the EEC community. Linda Pinto and Theresa Padovano spoke of the women’s ordination that took place following the conference: We spoke of the status of JohnXXIII’s standing in the Corpus community



Barbara wrote:



I was so moved my Mary Ann's actions in becoming a deacon-what vitality and courage! I am also glad to be welcoming her and supporting her as community. I read regularly the writings of Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes in NCR, who speaks eloquently of this life and justice making, specifically by women in the church despite ostracism many have endured. Also very moving is the story of Paul Harney who even as he is dying of cancer is walking the path of justice and making a difference for others. These specific instances help me look to more ways I can "enflesh" a call to our commitments.

Thank you.



Elaine’s Response:



First of all, - Congratulations to Linda, Dick and Mary and Bob, for an excellent presentation at the Joint Conference of “Religious Life Renewed: The Community of John XXIII." During our meeting today, I was inspired by Dick and Mary's insightful words about prayer, as well as Linda's story about deacon Mary Ann's prophetic witness, and her courage in facing the resistance which is the lot of the prophet. Theresa's quip on the diocese's reaction to Mary Ann was perfect, -- "We have a law." I was moved by Fred's description of his work in nursing homes, and Terry's and Barbara's alertness in bringing kindness to others. Loved Bob's characteristic creativity when he suggested we "adopt" Mary Ann! I shared how one of the times (Relatedness) the Spirit quickens in me the experience of being the Body of Christ is during communion. From my first row seat in the second section of the church, between where the bread and the wine are given, I am often held, gazing at people slowly walking toward the chalice. Dressed in all manner of attire (including African) reflecting the rich diversity of God's children, their attitudes seem to reflect mine. It's as if we're all caught up in some wordless mystery.



Francis' wrote:



Elaine and I spent last weekend at a celebration of the life and work of Jim Harney, a long time activist since he was one of "The Milwaukee 14" in 1969.

He has photographed the poor throughout Central America and even in Iraq,

(www.posibilidad.org) Jim then brings their stories back to people all over the U.S. It's a powerful prophetic witness. It led me to reflect on degrees of justice-making. Jim was called to a more radical kind than I have ever been called to. But each one has his/her own vocation, and all that matters is answering our own call. I was also touched by the witness of Mary Ann, the new deacon. She has responded to her vocation vis a vis her parish community with a profound spirituality.



Fred and Terry



Relatedness



Fred-people I meet every day—use of humor- deflecting tension-helping people feel comfortable— Storytelling-relating to The young and the old (including those with Alzheimer’s and dementia).

Terry—teaching and relating to young children- computer work for both of us—cooking for various people—gardening.



Both—visiting the sick helping and listening to neighbors, visiting those suffering from depression



Being conscious of consumerism- avoiding stores that exploit employees or sell guns- watching what we eat- using reusable bags and eco-friendly products



Contemplative—praying, sending positive energy to those we know & meet, those who ask us to pray, quiet contemplation

during the day



Justice Making



Being aware of what is going on in the world & taking a stand by letter, e-mail, signing petitions, and making phone calls.



Contributing to groups who support peace and justice and/or the poor. anti-gun violence. Support for gay rights.



Disseminating peace and Justice info on e-mail and writing original e-mails or letters to do so-- writing to the media and “keeping them honest.”



Supporting candidates who support peace and justice issues.



Mutual Collaboration



Participating in discussions about spirituality and life in general.



Participating in Inclusive Community while trying to always reach out to members.



Trying to be “bridges” for our own family and friends.



Helping others as much as is physically possible.



We also addressed our standing as members of JohnXXIII within the CORPUS community. The following is an example



Theresa Padovano wrote;



Linda, as long as we can use the 501 (C) (3) and constitutions of Corpus, I see no problem.



Linda Pinto responded:



I think it is better if I get this proposal out to you sooner rather than later. I am using my personal contact list instead of the listserve. I need to contact Joe Cece upon his return to verify that Barbara and John are included on the listserv. So, when you respond with a comment or question, please use "respond to all". I suggest that you visit the CORPUS or Community website before responding and read through the Charter and Q+A's developed by Bob several years ago. I will try to be simple and concise.



Proposal



To request the recognition from CORPUS to be considered qualified under the new category of membership called "community" member. As such, we have standing in CORPUS. Beyond that, the Board did not decide whether we are entitled to the benefits of membership, such as an issue of CORPUS REPORTS or a vote once every three years. We can continue to be in dialogue with the Board regarding this issue.



Why the request?



Since the leadership of CORPUS met with the leadership of the Ecumenical Catholic Communion in 1994, (please visit www. ecumenical-catholic-communion.org), it was agreed that the new Community of John XXIII have an ecumenical component. This was central to the person of Pope John XXIII and it makes perfect sense. Bishop Peter Hickman was thrilled with the idea of entering into formal partnership with CORPUS and the Community because it would expand and enhance the scope of the ECC. Board Members of CORPUS were thrilled because of the added ecumenical component which enriched the idea of the intentional community.



Why formal recognition as a "community" member of CORPUS?

In order for any ecumenical church to enter into formal relationship with any group, they require two things: a formal (IRS) non-profit status (501 (c) (3)) and a constitution. In early discussions with members of the Community, there was a strong consensus that we did not want to incorporate or be considered "apart" from CORPUS. As Bob phrased it...we are the spiritual arm of CORPUS. In order to satisfy this juridical requirement of the ECC or any other entity, we needed to adopt a non-profit status and a constitution.



At our meeting in Boston, the Board proposed an additional recognition of membership called "community" membership. The Community of John XXIII could request recognition as a community member and thus, be authorized to use the 501 (c) (3) status and Constitution of CORPUS to satisfy the juridical requirement of the ECC.



What are the advantages?



The Community will be formally recognized by the Ecumenical Catholic Communion as a Religious Order or a Specialized Ministry. These are ECC constitutional categories and I am still in conversation with George Van Stamwitz, Chancellor of the ECC as to which category we fall into. Regardless, we will be included as an intentional part of the communion; be invited to their retreats and Synods; be involved with their decision making and constant effort to evolve and reform in the Spirit. We will enter into dialogue and interact with divergent views and theologies and grow, grow, grow.



What are the disadvantages?

I can see none. The Community of John XXIII prides itself on expanding and exploring. It is the freedom of the Spirit that we celebrate.









________________________________________

The Community of John XXIII gathered for a Conference call on Sunday, June 29, 2008 in the Presence of: Bob Charpentier, Elaine and Francis McGillicuddy Fred and Terry Quinn, Linda Pinto, Tony Marotta (on Skype computer connection from Italy) Mary and Dick Scaine, and  Allen and Sylvia Moore. We also welcomed Barbara Ryland, our new member from Vermont. We gathered by phone to continue our ongoing conversation.

Linda Pinto gathered and embraced us all in the Spirit with:

Tony Marotta will lead us in prayer. We will then round-robin introductions, especially given our newest member, Barbara. Mary and Dick will share their retreat experience with Diarmuid O'Murchu. We will then consider the following (presented by Mary and Dick): The erotic, creative energy of the divine manifests itself first and foremost in cosmic and planetary creation.

Our cooperation with that flow is called co-creation. It follows, then, that any basic spiritual estrangement is not so much with God, but rather with God's creation. If this is where the alienation is felt most painfully, then this is where the rehabilitation should begin. Spiritually, intellectually, politically and economically, we need to develop whole new ways of relating to creation. In what ways are we implementing our commitments in this regard?

Justice-making? Mutual collaboration? Blessings. Linda

And so we embraced and reflected with each other…..

 Tony Marrotta led us in prayer (from Italy)

 Holy Spirit, we ask You to  look in on us as we are entering a simple conversation. Be with us, please!  We have formed a small community in the name of Pope John XXIII, and we are trying to enrich our spirituality, AND to do this we seek NEW WAYS  of relating to creation. Today, in this prayer, we see how You inspired St. Francis of Assisi.  We see this inspiration in three of the prayers linked to him.. As we take a glance at them, You, who have inspired us so much in the past, please continue to help and guide us in our 21st century circumstances.

The FIRST one is called "The Prayer of St. Francis" (also The Prayer of Peace)

 Lord make me an instrument of your Peace!

Where there is hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury let me bring Pardon,    where there is doubt....faith.......where there is sadness...joy. and on it goes!

There is great clarity and simplicity in this!! Holy Spirit give us some of this clarity and simplicity!!

 The SECOND prayer that comes to mind - is the Canticle of Brother Sun and Sister Moon. It is filled with many references of praise for the God of Creation! Brother Sun, who brings the day, he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Praise be you, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars, in heaven you formed them clear and precious and beautiful.

Praise be You through Brother Wind and Sister Water....through Brother Fire and  Sister Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us and who produces varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Holy Spirit..help us to be closer to all of creation as WE HEAR THESE VERY CONCRETE IMAGES!!

HOWEVER, Holy Spirit,  as we look at the THIRD prayer, "The Praise of Virtue" we ask You and St. Francis, to inspire us in a SPECIAL way, because we are trying to implement/ to come to / a modern interpretation of these virtues ( in our case VOWS) as we strive in our own way to co-operate and co-create with God. We see in this prayer so many references to virtues...Wisdom, Lady Poverty, Holy humility, Lady charity, sister Obedience.  He who possesses one of you, without offending the others, possesses all. He who offends one of you lacks all and offends against all.  Holy Wisdom overcomes Satan, Holy Poverty drives out cupidity, avarice and earthly desires, Holy Humility overcomes pride. Holy Obedience drives out carnal desires.  We ask again, O Holy Spirit, to help us accomplish our goal of co-creation, against the background of recent theology. Help us in relatedness, justice making, and mutual collaboration!  AMEN

Tony’s Reflection:

I am quite comfortable with all the ideas expressed by Mary and Dick, and I agree with what Elaine and Francis wrote.

For a long time I have thought that the interaction of the Spirit and/in the people during the Mass is what is key. Living in Europe I have had, sad to say, too few “liturgical" occasions where effective sharing took place. Dick Westley type small faith communities would be a good place to bring in Cosmic Christianity. Specifically regarding the "spirituality" referred to in the prep page Linda sent us before the conf call......what I have been thinking over for the past days is the fact that my life in   Warsaw( where I live in the very center of a huge city on the edge of a beautiful park...) is actually more conducive for me  to be close to nature, and therefore close to the Spirit from this point of view, WHILE when I am back in Vicenza in Italy, a small city of 125000, where I know many of  my neighbors, I am closer to  the Spirit from the point of view of interpersonal relations.

Francis' Reflection:

I was enriched and challenged by our stimulating conversation.  It's at a level one doesn't regularly get, a rarified experience which I greatly value.

Elaine's Reflection:

Bob's account of his Benedictine experience conjured up for me a sense of sacred space.  I also appreciated his point that the lifestyle, (if I understood him correctly) doesn't break through into 21st century "actio."

Pondering Mary & Dick's rich sharing:  1) The "Desire" (Diarmuid's retreat title) is a matter of INTENTION in the ongoing invitation to co-create. (Like that!)  2. Diarmuid's call for myths to yield deeper meaning.  (Makes me want to read which ones he's referring to.)  3) We don't address God, but express God.  When we pray we give a form to that.  It's a release of Spirit already within us.  (Yes!  But I'd add, -- just as it's a human need to give a face to Spirit as Mary said, so also with addressing God.)  4)  Though we appreciate Dick's reason for wanting to drop the consecration, (a calling down of Jesus from on high,)  Francis and I are nevertheless inclined to agree with Allen's suggestion we educate people, (the role of the consecration is a sign of the presence of God, as we all are,) not remove it since it can be misinterpreted.

Terry’s Response:

 Keeping in mind the topics that Mary & Dick asked us to think about, -----  I talked about the energy of prayer and the Spirit alive all around us, impelling us in our daily lives. For me, this can be more activist than contemplative, although there are always elements of both in my day. With, regard to the discussion of the consecration, I spoke of how we, at the Inclusive Community often recite the words of the consecration together. I personally think that the word "consecration" implies some sort of exclusive and almost royal ability to the priest, which for me is not the picture I have of Jesus and his intent at the Last Supper.

Fred’s Reflection:

I talked of my work as a storyteller enriching the commitments in my life, as I relate to the very young and the very old. I concur with Terry's description of consecration and believe that more emphasis should be placed on the spiritual communion and energy we get from being part of the Body of Christ.  

Linda’s Reflection:

 I appreciated Tony Marotta's opening prayer which focused on the spirituality of St. Francis. How gleefully coincidental that our Community's focus on renewing creation was St. Francis' direction back in the fourteenth century. I am so much more aware of my surroundings and how sacred they are because of our Community. It’s as if I stand back at each instance of the day and consider how my actions will reflect the God I believe in.

Barbara’s Reflection: (Our newest member)

What a wonderful, thought-provoking meeting that was yesterday!!

There are many thoughts I have in response-I am fascinated with the energy of a place as well as of a person, community, creation-and how the whole idea of intention factors into this. I am pondering what the Spirit within is calling me -and us as community -to in relation to being a contradiction to today's predominant culture. More inner listening and perhaps drawing the Spirit within as Mary experienced on retreat will assist the process for me at least.

In gratitude,

Barbara

Our next conference call is scheduled for August Sunday August 3rd 2008.

In attendance were a cross-section of representatives from various parts of the U.S.A. Bob Charpentier joined us from Honolulu, Allen and Sylvia Moore and George LeBlanc from Arizona. Linda Pinto from PA and the following: Theresa Padovano, Fred and Terry Quinn, and Mary and Dick Scaine from N.J.

Fred and Terry Quinn began our session together by leading us in A Prayer for Peace. Other members of the group shared their thoughts and prayers. Special thoughts and prayers for Allen Moore who will undergo surgery on Wednesday February 6th @ 5:00 a.m.  We promised to be united with Allen in cosmic prayer and vibrations on that date from our various dwelling places at that particular time. David Gawlick was unable to be part of the group due the sudden illness of his friend and participant member of John XXIII community, Jim Koneazny. We also acknowledged Jim as well in our prayers.

We continued to discuss the John XXIII website and how we could make it more computer friendly. Bob suggested that we have a site called John the XXIII Cafe where we can post our thoughts and ideas. He also mentioned the Jesuit Website from Dublin Ireland, which some us are familiar with already. Terry Quinn suggested that we have access to the names of all listed members of John III Community. (Will check with Joe Cece and Stuart O' Brien).

We continued our discussion of Diarmuid O' Murchu's book Consecrated Religious Life, The Changing Paradigms. We began with Chapter Three: Paradigms in Transition of which there are eight.  Dick emphasized that although the book was written based on a retreat O'Murchu gave to women Religious in the Philippians, its applications are a passionate exploration of the future not only of religious life, but of the Church.

Allen suggested that we try to get Diarmuid O' Murchu for our next Corpus Convention. I mentioned O' Murchu's website www.diarmuid13.com. ( Dick and I have since spoken with Allen) who accessed the website and O' Murchu's itinerary is fully booked until 2011.

We concluded the conference at 3:20 PM

Prayer for Peace By Pope John XXIII

 

Lord Jesus Christ,

The Prince of Peace,

Yourself our peace and reconciliation,

who so often said

“Peace to you,”

grant us peace.

Make all men and women witnesses of truth,

justice, and brotherly love.

Banish from their hearts whatever might endanger peace.

Enlighten our rulers that they may guarantee

and defend the great gift of peace.

May all peoples of the earth become as brothers and sisters.

May longed-for peace blossom forth

And reign always over us all.

 

From a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King

Given before The Poor People’s Campaign

December, 1967

 

“It really boils down to this:

All life is interrelated.

We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,

Tied into a single garment of destiny.

Whatever affects one directly,

Affects us all indirectly.

Members and supporters of the Community of John XXIII  (Tony and Linda Bocchino, George LeBlanc, Francis and Elaine McGillicuddy, Allen and Sylvia Moore, Theresa Padovano,  Linda and Ralph Pinto, Mary and Dick Scaine) met through the services of www.freeconferece.com for their monthly conversation on Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 2:30 pm (Eastern). Mary and Dick Scaine began our time together with a prayer for a Pilgrim Church.

Members who had attended the inaugural ceremony on November 10, 2007 recounted events of the day. Linda Pinto will draft an article for CORPUS REPORTS. Mary noted that the IPOD recordings of the conversation, the Liturgy, as well as the homily will be made available on the www.corpus.org website. Mary also informed the group that David Gawlik has been contacted by a group in the Milwaukee area who may be interested in participating.

As some in the group were unable to obtain Diarmuid O’Murchu’s book, Consecrated Religious Life: The Changing Paradigms,  it was agreed that we would postpone a discussion of Chapter One. It was agreed that today’s discussion focus on the vow of Relatedness (formally celibacy).

How to refocus and redefine our relationship to nature was the platform for discussion. This was especially true in our effort to challenge not only deviant sexual behavior, but any political, consumerist or socially oppressive practices,, which exploit our sacred creation.

Dick noted that the word “dominate” should not be viewed as having power over the earth. On the contrary, he noted that the word actually means “to be at home with” or to “make a home”. Therefore, our charge was to be an intimate part of nature, having respect for every aspect of it.  A discussion ensued about how each of us actually gives life to that charge.

Theresa Padovano invited all to pray for the conversion of the Church, especially for our Bishops. It was noted that Catherine of Siena walked hundreds of miles to visit the Pope. While seemingly a useless venture, she won over his heart and it made a difference. She is a good example of our need to continue to pray for and work for conversation from the top-down and the bottom-up.

Dick spoke of the presence of God (our Future) in our lives. The emphasis is on the Creator God and the liberating Son. He felt the focus should be on the Liberating Spirit. He noted that the current Church hierarchy was afraid of the freedom of the Spirit.

We agreed to meet on Sunday, December 16, 2007 to begin discussion of O’Murchu’s book.

A conference call was held on Sunday, September 23, 2007 for those who continue to be interested in furthering the formal initiation of the Community of John XXIII.

Mary Scaine began with prayer, reading from a translation of The Lord’s Prayer created by Mark Hathaway. It is based on the original Aramaic rather than the Latin translation. It reads:

O Cosmic Birther of all radiance and vibration!

Soften the ground of our being and carve out a space within us

where your presence can abide.

Fill us with your creativity,

so that we may be empowered to bear the fruit of your mission.

Let each of our actions bear fruit in accordance with our desire.

Endow us with the wisdom

 to produce and share what each being needs

to grow and flourish. 

Untie the tangled threads of destiny that bind us,

as we release others from the entanglement of past mistakes.

Do not let us be seduced by that, which would divert us from our true purpose,

but illuminate the opportunities of the present moment.

For you are the ground and fruitful vision,

 the birth, power and fulfillment,

as all is gathered and made whole once again.

Let it be so!

Linda Pinto reviewed the sense of past conference conversations and the development of the community to date. While the initial initiative was presented several years ago, the current interested members of community seek a deep sense of spirituality, intimacy and community rooted in the values celebrated by John XXIII.  It has been described as the “spiritual arm of CORPUS”. The Community continues to develop their partnership with the Ecumenical Catholic Communion to broaden and deepen its approach to theology and ecclesiology. The ECC has also provided an opportunity for members to have their ordained ministry recognized due to the ability of  the Community of John XXIII as being recognized as a “specialized ministry”. This aspect of the Community will need to evolve as members express their desire for this ministry.

She noted that despite email broadcasts to the thirty-four individuals who had expressed some interest in the Community over time, there was very little activity on the CORPUS website blog. Linda noted that this activity may develop over time as the Community takes some shape and form. She invited current participants to commit to connecting monthly through the free conference system. All concurred.

Linda thanked Mary and Dick Scaine for coordinating the Community and for their availability to represent the Community at the CORPUS booth at the CTA Conference, November 2-4, 2007. Mary and Dick are working closely with David Gawlik to develop a brochure, liturgy and lapel pin to distribute as needed. 

Over the course of previous conversations, it was agreed that you did not have to be a member of CORPUS or the ECC in order to be a member of the Community of John XXII. The mere desire to journey with other members of the community was qualification enough. Additionally, it was agreed that the term “commitment” would replace the word “vow” used in the original proposal. Further, the commitments would be renamed as that of Relatedness (Chastity), Justice Making (Poverty) and Mutual Collaboration (Obedience).

Linda invited participants to express why they would want to be a part of such a Community.

Many noted that CORPUS had served as their community and that a deeper, more intimate connection would serve as a valuable experience to grow spiritually and personally. Some noted that the current void provided by the re-entrenchment of current Church policies would be filled with the opportunity to question, challenge, expand and and further explore our religious experience. The themes of personal growth, spiritual nurturance, freedom of thought, connectedness  and relatedness were expressed. One individual reminded us of  Christ’s indictment “do not be afraid” and appreciated the fraternity and sorority provided by the  Community as vital.

Dick Scaine eloquently explained why Diarmond O’Murchu’s book Consecrated Religious Life: The Changing Paradigm should serve as a basis for our understanding for our Community. He spoke of changing paradigms regarding the image of God, the focus on patriarchy, a misguided emphasis on dualism, the canonical control of the Church, clericalism, fear and emphasis on obedience. He noted that we should celebrate a community of equanimity and discipleship. Dick described it as a “waking up” developing new horizons of consciousness and awakening the evolutional Spirit.

Linda thanked all for their contribution and blessing. It was announced that the Eucharistic Celebration of John XXIII Inaugural Ceremony will take place at the Inclusive Community, St. Paul’s Church, Nutley, New Jersey on Saturday, November 10, 2007 at 11:00 am. Dick and Mary Scaine are currently designing the Liturgy. They are working closely with David Gawlik to record it through IPOD and MP3 players for the website. Linda will explore with Joe Cece whether “real time” coverage could be provided by video camera services, especially for those individuals who are interested but geography presents challenges.

All agreed to meet through monthly conference calls. The next regularly scheduled conversation is scheduled for Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 2:30 (Eastern).

The first in a series of conversations regarding the Community of John XXIII took place Saturday, July 21, 2007 using the services of www.freeconference.com. Linda Pinto facilitated the conversation with Mary and Dick Scaine, Fred and Terry Quinn, Jack Houston, and George LeBlanc.  These individuals met at our most recent CORPUS conference in Providence, Rhode Island and had expressed a strong desire to see the Community come to fruition. To that end, Linda, Mary and Dick have organized a series of phone conversations over the course of this summer. A sense of the conversation will be posted on the CORPUS website blog. Comments, reactions and questions are welcomed. If you would like to participate in one of the conversations, please email Linda@corpus.org.

Mary and Dick began the conversation with a prayer:

Let us pray, Creative Spirit, may we pay attention to your call to authenticity as we seek to become co-creators in this time and place of which we are a part, by incarnating your evolutionary Spirit through our own humanity. As you hovered over the waters to generate order out of chaos, as you came to Mary to birth a son, inspire our creativity, working to give birth so that we might become co-creators of new possibilities. Strengthen us to do the work you have given us to do, so that by the power of your Spirit we may advance your kingdom of peace and justice.

Participants introduced themselves and shared why they so much desired to enter into a community focusing on the charism of John XXIII. Many called him a “hero” but also a champion of creativity in responding to the whispers of the Spirit. All agreed that Vatican II was such an instance. Many longed for a community within a church where freedom of thought was valued. Most expressed a yearning for a fresh spirituality, a deep sense of connection and a commitment to inclusivity.

As we had all reviewed Dick Scaine’s most recent article in the July/August issue of CORPUS REPORTS, this became a focus for discussion. He emphasized the importance of the writings and work of Diarmuid O’Murchu, Teihard de Chardin, Thomas Berry and Miriam Therese McGillis. Dick spoke eloquently about the emphasis on the divine “overhead” God in contrast to the “here and now” God.  He noted that an overemphasis on divinity creates a Eucharist which is incomplete. He noted that refocusing on the presence of God within us “no longer allows a Eucharist which escapes responsibility”.

A discussion began regarding the proposed vows. The original charter called for frugality (poverty), solidarity (obedience) and fidelity (chastity). O’Murchu’s writings inspired a change of verbiage to suggest vows of relatedness, justice making and mutual collaboration. Some commented that the word “vow’ was European and might elicit a rigidity of the past. The word “promise” or “internal commitment” was considered.

This led to a discussion regarding sacraments. Dick noted that the etymology of the word was “to reveal the sacred.”  He noted that creation was the first sacrament.  Mary mentioned that O’Murchu primarily emphasized Baptism and Eucharist and that the priesthood belongs to everyone. It was remembered the Edward Schillebeeckx  described  every person as sacred, as if to say, an angel precedes every person walking down the street, preparing the way is if he or she were royalty.

There was regret that the most recent declarations of Pope Benedict XVI have set the Church back to a Vatican I mentality. This gave members an increased desire to commit to the Community of John XXIII.

Linda noted that there would be a formal inaugural service at the Inclusive Community, Nutley, New Jersey on Saturday, October 13, 2007. The ceremony will be videotaped and available on the website for all interested members.

The Community of John XXIII is a new initiative of CORPUS which focuses on the spiritual development and apostolic work of its members. It places its energy on the inner life of prayer and contemplation, seeking to challenge the minds and hearts of its members to a fuller living out of the Gospel message. It strives to do this by blending traditional and contemporary experiences with religious life. Its intent is discipleship with Christ and public commitment to common life, common prayer and common witness as a means to make this discipleship central.

If you haven't already done so, please read our White Paper describing our intent and focus; you may also read our FAQ's regarding the John XXIII Community.

Your input is valuable.  Please feel free to respond to any posts with your questions, comments or suggestions.