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C
ommunio . . .
April
22, 2007
To strengthen our shared life in Christ
through mutual participation and the free exchange of ideas.
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Community
of St. Malachi, 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113-2380.
www.stmalachi.org
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Communio
Archive |
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Has the Community Run Its’
Course?
(Thanks to Ron
Perger for sending this in. A little background on Ron:
Ron Perger has been a member of the community since 1983.
He has served on community council three times and served
as President in the early 90’s. Ron has also worked with
Christian Formation for much of the past 20+ years, most
recently working with Kevin Aylward for the past eight
years teaching Jr. High Christian Formation.)
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I was
recently asked by Paul Kunkel to consider a run for Community Council for
the upcoming year. After praying and discussing it with my wife, I decided that
there were bigger issues than a simple council election. That issue is, “Is
the Community still a relevant entity?”
As we progress down this garden path called “clustering,”
I can’t help but think that the community has run its course. Long gone are
those activists who took up the cause of Vatican II; migrant workers, lettuce
and grape boycotts, lay leadership, and a strong voice in the diocese. In the
past 10 years we, (the community council) have let the pastor become the
community leader rather than council president.
As we sat at clustering meetings it was
evident that whatever suggestion we may have had was already decided between the
pastor and the diocese. It was a futile waste of time. We were being placated
and duped to think our opinions mattered. Much like we were in the pastoral
selection process 15 years ago.
Our forbearers such as Gen McCloskey
and Tony Dinardo would chide us for getting ourselves into this
situation. They, along with others, set the standard for a lay-directed
community. The priest serves as presider at Mass and as authority regarding
doctrine and matters of the church, all other decisions are made by the
community council where everyone has a voice but one vote. I feel as though we
have let this idea slip away and ceded control to the pastor.
This is not an indictment of our pastor. Fr.
Tony is a good and honorable servant of the church. It seems as a governing
body, council has become so conciliatory that the parish and community have more
or less blended into one. If this is what the majority of the community members
want, than so be it. But I think we should vote on it.
Unfortunately, many of our “elders”
are tired and have served on council numerous times. They now want to turn over
the community to the next generation. This next generation does not remember how
groups like the community originated. Active Catholics, who love their church
and wanted to embrace the reforms of Vatican II, founded them. These communities
dragged the diocese into the reforms of Vatican II kicking and screaming by our
example. I now see a more conservative generation, some actually embracing
pre-Vatican II forms of worship. From my observation, I find this generation
more compliant, more willing to accept the status quo without question or
opposition. And in fairness, many are too busy raising families to be activists.
Maybe, its time to celebrate the gift of
almost 50 years of the Community of St. Malachi. A community that empowered
hundreds of people to as St. Francis said, “Go and spread the Gospel,
and if necessary, use words.” The fire of the Holy Spirit has touched us all
– maybe its time to spread our gospel. I am speaking my opinion to open a
dialogue. I look forward to see where we move from this point forward.
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Five
Men around a Kitchen Table on Friday Mornings
by Bill
Jacob
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Top of Page
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(Bill is with the Friday Morning Men’s
Retreat Group and wrote this on April 4, 2007.)
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| Abba,
father, five Christian men gather (usually) around a kitchen table every
other Friday morning. They are men whose lives you’ve touched and
keep drawing back to the kitchen. Some, like me, are surprised because I
didn’t expect to be drawn in, so closely or deeply.
Now, because of the mysteries of a men’s retreat, held a year and
a half ago, we embrace and call each other, brother.
What a wonderful, yet inexplicable experience embracing someone is
for me, especially another man. I do not embrace easily nor do I accept an
embrace, easily. And, rarely do I call another man, brother. But here I
am, 16 months later embracing men and hearing myself calling those sitting
with me around a kitchen table, brother.
Why? I am not entirely sure. Putting this question aside and
raising one that I can answer; Is it because I feel your presence, Father,
at the center of this fellowship?
Dare I recognize and accept your presence as you become more
apparent to me each time we meet? Dare I trust myself in the presence of
others as you unfold yourself in the stories and prayers we share.
We have come to enjoy talking together about our journey with you.
Sitting around the kitchen table listening affirms and reaffirms our faith
and desire to face the challenges your life presents; challenges that give
life its meaning.
Each Friday builds on the last. Over time the telling of our
stories has become discernment of the “great I am.” It is discernment
from which Immanuel (God with us) is discovered in the hearing.
From this kind of sharing and prayer, around a kitchen table, trust
emerges that frees and enables me to embrace a man whom I now call brother
and in that same embrace calls me, brother.
I thank you, Abba, for enriching each of us in a fellowship where
discernment of Christ, around a kitchen table, is why we get together. My
prayer: that neither our stories nor the journey we take together become
garbled or wearisome. Amen.
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To all at St. Malachi:
Tomorrow, April 23, marks the one year anniversary of Dave’s
spirit transcending to new heights. There is not a day that passes that I
do not miss his wonderful laughter and love for life. My life here on this
planet continues and my focus is to do all I can to help people,
especially children, fall in love with the Earth. Children are our hope
for the future and in order to heal ourselves we must learn to live in
harmony with the wonderful planet God created for us. I will be training
in a method of living for the Earth called permaculture, which expends the
least amount of human energy while taking the entire environment into
consideration. Planting not only for people but for all of creation is
part of permaculture philosophy.
You are all invited to come to walk the land on trails Dave and I
created around Starre’s Acres. Bring children to play among the large
ledges and wade in the ever-flowing creek. Pack a picnic lunch or dinner
and enjoy dining out in the natural world. No need to make reservations;
just call to let me know you are coming: 330-239-1217 or barbarastarre@aol.com.
Dave and I always felt that we were only caretakers of this beautiful
piece of land and we both wanted to share it with as many people as
possible. St. Malachi’s was a place where Dave felt the love and spirit
of community. He loved you all so very much and I will be eternally
grateful for all your prayers and support during the difficult times of
Dave’s illness. I want to share some of the words our two oldest
granddaughters spoke at Dave’s memorial service:
“Grandpa always reached for the stars and strove for success. He was
a go-getter, always determined to achieve what it was that he wanted to
accomplish. He used his God-given talents to do great but ordinary things,
bringing joy and laughter to many people’s lives. He was a great one to
laugh and a great one to love. Someone who enjoyed life, who had fun with
life, and who shared his life generously with others.” {Hannah Marie
Starre, age 17}
“Just two weeks ago during Easter Sunday, my family and I were eating
dinner at my grandparents’ house. During the end of the meal, my grandpa
turned to me and said, ‘Although it is very hard sometimes, I try my
best to stay positive…to think, talk, and listen all positively…that’s
the key.’ And just like Grandpa would want, you must dwell on the
positive. Just think. He’s free of cancer. Free of pain. He’s playing
cards, swinging golf clubs, hitting baseballs. Smiling and laughing, he’s
watching over everyone he loves here on Earth. He’s an angel and I know
he already has his wings. I love you Grandpa.” {Mary Noell (Starre)
Guide, age 15.}
Happy Spring to all of you. Love and Peace, Barbara Starre.
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Community of St. Malachi, 2459 Washington Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44113-2380
216-781-3110 www.stmalachi.org
Sunday Community Mass 11 a.m. Parish Masses Sat. 4:30 p.m., Sun. 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m.
Holy day: Vigil 5:30 p.m., 7 a.m., noon. Weekday: 7 a.m., noon. Legal Holiday: 9 a.m.
We celebrate Children’s Liturgy of The Word every other Sunday, please see the Calendar.
For information on the Sacraments, please call the Community Office.
THE COMMUNITY OF ST. MALACHI is a lay-directed, non-territorial personal
parish of the Diocese of Cleveland. Although separate from the Parish of St.
Malachi, we join together for many worthwhile activities. All are welcome to
worship at the 11 a.m. Community liturgy on Sunday. Community members are
expected to actively contribute of their time, talent and treasure.
Communio is a monthly publication of the Communications Committee of the
Community of St. Malachi. Deadline is the second Sunday before publication. You
ease our task by submitting materials by E-Mail or on disk. All viewpoints of
interest to our Community in the context of our journey of faith are welcome
here. Viewpoints are those of the writers and not necessarily the teachings of
the Roman Catholic Church.
For e-mail delivery of Communio or Newsletter through CSM’s E-Subscription
service
complete the Newsletter/Communio Add/Removal Request Form
© 2007 Community of St. Malachi. Reprinting of articles originating in Communio
is encouraged – please contact the Editors for permission. |
Newsletter: Mary Englert
216-228-8417,
fax 216-861-5340,
14921 Lake Ave # 10, Lakewood 44107.
E-mail mtenglert@juno.com
Communio
Chief Editor: Joe Pulizzi
216-941-5054
E-mail joe_pulizzi@yahoo.com
Volunteers to collate and staple:
Nadge Herceg 440-930-2781
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Volunteers to hand out after Mass:
Kevin Garven
Copying and attachments: Kimberly Tatro
216–781–3110
St. Malachi Web Site: Mike May
E–mail stmalachiweb@catholic.org
Prayer Request: If you have a
prayer request, please contact the rectory 216–781–3110
To receive Malachi e–mail prayer alerts, go to www.stmalachi.org/prayers.asp.
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