Thanksgiving, November 26, 2009

John Michael explaining the significance of the altar -- it was the original brought from
Alverna, was in the original Portiuncula chapel, was used to celebrate our 25th
anniversary of Little Portion by Bishop Anthony Taylor, and is now being used for the
first Mass in the still-under-construction Charity Chapel.

Cisco led the children in our opening song, the first sung in Charity Chapel, "Malo,
Malo, Thanks Be To God".

Richard Ims proclaimed our first reading.

John Michael led our first chant, the responsorial psalm.  The accoustics are great!

Jina Ims proclaimed the second reading.

Fr. Lambert read the day's gospel.

Glory to God in the Highest!!

Fr. Bob Dombrowski prayed often for the rebuilding of Charity Chapel.  We used the
chalice presented to us by the Knights of Columbus in memorial of Fr. Bob.

Preparation of the gifts.  At the end of our Mass we sang "Our God Reigns" followed
by "Lift High the Banners of Love".  Of course we were too busy dancing to take
pictures.

We concluded our celebration with a wonderful Thanksgiving meal together and
then shared what we were grateful for this year.  It was a wonderful day.

The community gathered in our new dining room to celebrate the feast of St. Francis
on Sunday, October 4, 2009.  This was our first meal in the new building and we
look forward to the day we can move here permanently.

JMT reading to the community about St. Francis from the Omnibus

The community enjoyed an economical meal of chicken sausage, rolls, potato salad,
and from donated cabbage, cole slaw and fumi salad.

John Michael and Viola Talbot

Colbert family with Beth Lloveras tucked in for good measure.

Hannah playfully gives JMT's beard a tug. Left to right, Rosie Lloveras, Hannah Colbert,
Caroline Colbert, JMT, Beth Lloveras, Rachel Colbert, Therese Lloveras and Maddie
Colbert.

Left to right: Mark Shepler, JMT, Jack Herbert, Sharon Herbert & Caroline Shepler.

Rosie Lloveras rings the bell to signify the end of the meal.

August 14-16, 2009
Hesed Retreat facilitated by Michael Card
Little Portion Retreat Center
Eureka Springs, AR  72632

SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS

Bill & Chrissy Jones, Gainsville, TX  -  12th Wedding Anniversary
(Karen &) Robin Noad, Norman OK – 50th Birthday
Michael Card, author/lecturer/composer/musician – retreat facilitator
Bob & Joyce Van Bruggen, Louisville, KY – 1st Wedding Anniversary
Fr. Lambert – 60th Anniversary as a Priest
Sandy & Cordell Schulten, Fenton, MO – 31st Wedding Anniversary

THEY'RE BA-AAAAAACK - DEACON ZACH AND THE YOUTH GROUP RETURN TO LITTLE
PORTION FOR THE 5TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR!

Many thanks to the St. Peter's Youth Group in Omaha for all their hard work

Another wave of youth from Team Effort are visiting the monastery this summer
to help us with a variety of chores.  Much thanks goes to the many youth who
will be helping us over the next 8 weeks!!

Above: Youth working in the garden

Community members gather on the feast of St. Isadore the Farmer
to pray and bless the livestock and gardens.

Blessing of the flower, herb and vegetable gardens.

Blessing the chickens and goats.

Peace and Good in Christ!Our beloved friend and community Chaplain, Fr. Bob Dombrowski, passed away April 22, 2009 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. 
 Fr. Bob has been a domestic member the Brothers and Sisters of Charity for 12 years, and moved to Little Portion Retreat Center in 2003. Before that he was an Army Chaplain, and served all over the world. He was also a parish priest in the Diocese of Ft. Wayne/South Bend Indiana. Since that time he served as Chaplain of The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage and Little Portion Retreat Center.As a confessor and spiritual director he was "no nonsense," yet most compassionate and human in bringing God's Word. After his army chaplaincy he was accustomed to getting to the core of the issue and giving good spiritual advice very quickly. This also worked well in ministry to a monastic community.  He was similar as a preacher. His down-to-earth upbringing as the son of a Polish baker in Chicago always kept his preaching rooted in daily reality. Yet he was unafraid to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly and without compromise. He was a very good preacher. This was always inspirational to his congregation.Fr. Bob was very well read, and knew the history and teachings of the Church very well. He was always up to speed on the events and current teachings of the popes and bishops. He was also a gifted writer, and kept up a column that was published in several diocesan papers.On a personal level, he was a dear friend. He was also my confessor and spiritual director. I have spent many an hour talking about God and daily life with Fr. Bob. I will miss him dearly. But I am grateful that his battle with illness was not seriously prolonged and painful. He is at peace with his Lord. The funeral Mass will be held on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 10 am at St. Elizabeth's Parish Center in Eureka Springs.  Interment at Little Portion will be followed by a light luncheon, also at Little Portion.In Jesus,John Michael Talbot
Founder, and Spiritual Father
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage

Fr. Brian Christ presided at the Thanksgiving Mass.

 

We are most grateful for the many friends and benefactors who helped to bring this wonderful meal to our table.

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All Saints' Day 2008



Cisco and Marisol Lloveras and Faith Ims carving pumpkins.



Beth Lloveras carving her pumpkin with assistance from Sr. Mary Catherine 
and Mark Shepler.



Hannah Colbert with her pumpkin.



Jack Herbert and Fr. Brian Christi, visiting us from the Companions 
of the Cross, lend a hand to Caroline Colbert.



The finished product with our pumpkin carvers. 



Next Fr. Brian Christi giving a talk on the history of All Saints' Day.



Hands behind their backs, the youth bob for apples hanging from
a string. Carrie (far left) uses the tree to stabilize her apple
while Beth (far right) works with Rachel Colbert to still her apple.



Rose Lloveras takes a whack at the pinata. 



Carrie Colbert deals the fatal blow (see below).



...and the youth run to round it up!



A chili dinner with candy or carmel apples and smores completed
our celebration. Maddie Colbert enjoying her candy apple.

BACK TO WHAT'S NEW HOMEPAGE

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New skylights were installed thanks to donations made through Friends 
of the Hermitage.

An HVAC Technician is seen installing a new heat pump for us. The heat pumps for our original family and guest hermitages at Little Portion were made possible by using funds donated to ourFriends of the Hermitage Appeal. The old ones were 25 years old!

The new visiting area outside Charity Chapel was recently completed featuring a flagstone pathway (complete with a heart-tau), brick retaining wall, updated landscaping with perennials, and a teak wood bench.

SACRED STEPS BLESSING

A beautiful new stone pathway created by Mark Shepler, BSC was completed just prior to the beginning of this year's Annual Gathering at Little Portion in October, 2006. The photo below shows our Chaplain, Fr. Bob Dombrowski bestowing a special blessing over the steps during the Gathering. Also shown are Mark Shepler, BSC and John Michael Talbot, BSC General Minister.
Even though beautiful as well as functional, the stone walkway leading from the Priests' parking spaces through the bed of hostas up to Charity Chapel is no ordinary set of steps. This is the story of the Sacred Steps: Fr. Martin Wolter, OFM was Spiritual Grandfather and Chaplain for the Brothers and Sisters of Charity for many years. When he arrived to celebrate Mass, he would always park in the parking space reserved for him nearest Charity 
Chapel. But instead of going around the car to the existing walkway to enter the Chapel, Fr. Martin would take a shortcut and tiptoe through the hastas. On several occasions, he was gently reminded to use the walkways rather than disturb the hastas. Each time, he heartily agreed.
But time, it seems, is of the essence when arriving for a Mass-- and old habits are hard to break. For years Fr. Martin continued through the hosta bed until eventually he wore a path there.
Following Fr. Martin's death, Fr. Bob Dombrowski assumed Chaplain duties and did likewise. After all, by then there was a path, right? The community realized that the path might just as well be made official, so Mark lovingly cut and laid the stone for the walkway through the hosta bed.
Both Fr. Bob and John Michael feel Fr. Martin's presence each time they walk on the pathway.

PORTIUNCULA'S BELL TOWER COMPLETED

Visitors to our monastery, including all those attending this year's annual General Gathering, will see something new in front of our Portiuncula Chapel: a graceful work of art that doubles as a bell tower. They'll also hear something new: the deep, calming sound of the bell.
Inspired by temple bells in the far east, our new bell was actually made from an old oxygen tank cut open at one end, then painted non-glossy black. Clay Colbert, family monastic resident of Little Portion Hermitage, built the artistic curved wooden tower.
The bell, christened the prayer bell, is rung whenever one passes the bell tower. The ringer then pauses to say a little prayer.

Meet the Lloveras's who arrived at Little Portion in September.  
Left to right Marisol with family's newest addition, Juan Pablo, Rose,
and Cisco. Not pictured are their two eldest daughters, 
Beth and Therese.



Juan Pablo was baptised during our mass at the general gathering 
on Saturday, October 4, 2008. Abbot Jerome Kodell presided.

Our winter has been quite mild compared to many areas and we are awed
by the beauty of nature.

From all of us at Little Portion, may your Lent be filled with God's Spirit 
and Grace. You are in our prayers.

UPDATE: Chris and Katie discerned that they were not called to 
monastic life and have moved back to Pennsylvania. We pray God's 
blessings upon them and their children as they continue their journey.


Meet our new family! From left to right, Chris, Cecelia, Ian, 
Joseph, Rachel, Katie and Augustine.

Br. Andrew Augustine and volunteer Joyce Park, BSCD work together 
making chicken sausage. Be sure to give it a try - it's great!



Wearing their new traditional ankle length tunics for the first time at this year's Easter Vigil are 
(left to right) Sr. Mary Rose, Sr. Juliana Laura, Sr. Mary Catherine and Sr. Carolyn. 
The habits are modeled after the habit worn for a few years by Viola Talbot, our community's 
Spiritual Mother and Vicar General Minister. The scapular is received by the monastic celibate 
Sisters during their permanent profession ceremony.

Joan Currier is sewing up a storm at Little Portion Monastery. Joan is 
making new habits for the sisters, the monastics... even some new 
ones for baby Madeleine. Watch for the "unveiling" of the 
sisters' new habits at the Easter Vigil.

Though she's checking them off a l-o-n-g list, it seems more 
requests for sewing come in each day.  
Joan is really living up to her nickname: "Sister Sew 'n' Sew!"

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2008 Arkansas Canopy of Prayers

On Tuesday, March 11th, Little Portion Hermitage sponsored a day of prayer as part of the
366 days of prayer being prayed throughout Arkansas for eight intentions: family, Church,
military, government, Education/youth, media, marketplace and for Arkansas. Many
churches throughout the State are hosting one day at their local church. Once 365
churches accept the call, Arkansas will be covered with prayer for all of 2008.

Each Church organizes a day of prayer anyway they like. Little Portion hosted a one-hour
interdenominational prayer program in addition to opening our doors at noon for prayer.
The formal ceremony began with the solemn lighting of candles at 5 PM, followed by
Vespers and a meditation/reconciliation service instead of the usual intercessions. JMT
shared his reflections on each of the above categories.

Those attending were invited to hammer a nail into the cross to signify our prayer intention
and sacrifice to God. As visitors left they were invited to take a heart-shaped stone with a
prayer intention written on it to remind us to continue praying.

We ended with a time of fellowship over coffee and hot cross buns in the common center.
What a joyful event it is when we can pray with our non-Catholic brothers and sisters!

 

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Veneration of the Cross

John Michael Talbot, Founder of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, venerating the Cross
He shares two thoughts regarding Holy Week and Easter:

The "holy" in "Holy Week" has special significance. "Holy," means "set apart." Holy Week
is time for us to set aside special times and places to do more intensely the positive things
we do daily as disciples of Jesus. To be a "disciple" means to embrace the "discipline" of a
teacher or master. For a Christian Jesus is our Teacher of teachers, and Master of masters.
For most of us this means more intentional time and space for prayer and meditation on
Jesus and the Church. In addition to personal spirituality in the privacy of our own home it
might also mean going more often to church for Mass or Communion or the Sacrament
of Reconciliation, and the "communion" of "community" with those of one mind and
heart regarding faith and morality. We can also mention simple acts of kindness that do
not have to be noticed or rewarded by anyone but God. On a personal note I was deeply
touched during Lent when one of our consecrated sisters brought meals to my hermitage
during a time of illness. I was also blessed by a discipline embraced by several monastics
of not saying anything negative about anyone. Both of these penances touched me
deeply.

I have also been struck in recent weeks by the much talked about report that eight out of
ten Americans call themselves "Christians." That is much higher than I would have thought,
and is revealing concerning everything from inter-faith issues such as meditation and
mysticism to moral issues such as pro life and simple living. But the report goes on to say
that most of these have not stayed with the religion of their upbringing, and now tend to
"shop around" with various churches whenever one gets too familiar, or "old." This latter
point is a bit disconcerting. It is a challenge to the church, and a challenge to our culture.
How is it that so many call themselves not just religious or "churched," but "Christians,"
yet are so unhappy with the stability offered in the institutions of traditional family and
church? On one level this report gives us great hope that we will find enough common
ground with those of western culture to bring the deeper messages of faith, morality,
and mysticism. On another level it means that we Americans tend to only "buy" that
which is easy, simple, and quickly replaceable. Is it any wonder that deeper levels of
spirituality are seldom reached by those of our own culture?

This is a challenge to those of us who stay with one church or spouse for life. It
challenges us to live our stability in a more life giving way. This way must
authentically change us within before it can change anyone or anything without.
This is called being a "witness" for Christ. But such "witnessing" can be most off putting
if done only for display. It must be genuine and humble if it is to have a positive effect.

So I encourage you to set aside some extra time for prayer, church sacraments,
and care for everyone we meet. Let's embrace a Christian spirituality that takes us so
deep that we no longer feel the need for the easy, and quickly replaceable
spirituality that has become so prominent in America today. Then we can get to the
root of the problems of our culture that sees every- thing from marriage to monasteries
in an easy, and quickly replaceable mindset. Then can we find the stability of Jesus who
never leaves us so easily or quickly when we fall into the various troubles of life. Then
we can have a stability within that no one can take away. This stability can then bring
a deep and abiding peace to our troubled and insecure world.

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John Michael and Viola Talbot just returned from SCRC in Anaheim, CA. SCRC is an acronym for
Southern California Renewal Communities. JMT's teaching session was on the Jesus Prayer, and
he gave an overview of the words to this ancient prayer, and led the crowd in cleaving that
prayer to their breathing.

JMT has been appearing there about every other year since he sang after the release
of The Lord's Supper in 1978. This year was special because it co-incided with JMT's
50th release.

On Saturday morning John Michael sang for the General Assembly with Francis McNutt,
who spoke on healing. The music JMT played was from the new release, "Living Water,"
as well as from past projects, emphasizing healing in Jesus in order to tie in to Francis'
teaching. Our JMT/Brothers and Sisters of Charity booth was flooded with requests
regarding both John Michael's music, and our community. The booth was manned by
Viola and several Domestic volunteers including two that drove to be there from
Arizona. Many thanks to Jeannette Humes for the beautiful decorations and many
years of service.

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John Michael Talbot, Founder of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion
Hermitage was honored by friends, family, community members and work associates
at a surprise event in Nashville to celebrate his 50th record, Living Water.

Dusty Wells (Sr. Director of Field & Telesales/Word Distribution, presents JMT with a
sculpture of Jesus as servant.

John Michael was presented with a plaque commemorating catalog sales of more than
one million units. Left to right: Rick Horne (CFO, Exective VP of EMI CMG), Greg Bays
(Sr. VIP/Sales & Marketing, EMI CMG), John Michael, Phil Perkins (Producer) and Billy
Ray Hearn (Executive Producer).

John Michael was also presented with a Ramirez guitar patterned after the guitar
used by Segovia. Shown from left to right: Peter York (President, EMI CMG Label
Group) Al Perkins, JMT, Phil Keaggy, Tom Booth and Michael Card.

Shown left to right: John Styll (President, Gospel Music Association), JMT, Viola Talbot,
Phil Perkins (Producer) and Billy Ray Hearn (Executive Producer).

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John Michael and the Brothers and Sisters of Charity participated with the Eureka Springs
Ministerial Alliance to celebrate the National Day of Prayer. A crowd of some 500 gathered
at the Berryville Fairgrounds to hear music and join in prayer. The local school band, two
local chorales, some great singers, a bluegrass group, and many local pastors and civic
leaders were among the featured performers and presenters. It was wonderful to see
such local talent celebrate the faith of those present, and those represented. John
Michael concluded the evening with his prayer songs and a candlelight service. It
seemed a wonderful evening of faith, song, and message for all.

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Rachel Colbert shows her picture depicting the unity in the body of believers for National Prayer Day. Rachel
received a ribbon in the special art category.

           Loving Tribute, Funeral Helf for Brother Timothy McMillan, BSC

Berryville, AR -- The earthly life and passing into eternal life of Brother Timothy Gerard McMillan, age 51, was marked by a funeral Mass at Little Portion Hermitage at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, February 7, 2007.  Brother Tim was a beloved monastic member of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity since coming to the community in 1992.

 Br. Andrew Augustin prays for Br. Tim at an all night Vigil held for Br. Tim

Father Robert Dombrowski, Chaplain, concelebrated Holy Eucharist with Fr. John Mittelstadt, OFM, who traveled from New Mexico to attend the funeral.  Domestic members, guests, and Friends of the Community joined their voices with monastic members in prayer, praise and remembrance.  Jim McMillan, Tim's brother, traveled from Pflugerville, TX.

BSC Founder and General Minister John Michael Talbot paid tribute to Brother Tim, sang Psalm 23 during the service, and closed with "Come Home Little Children".

Lectors proclaiming God's Word included Br. Tim's longtime friends, Sr. Mary Catherine Breidt and Family Monastic member, Caroline Shepler, both of whom worked with Br. Tim in Nicaragua as well as at Little Portion Hermitage in more recent years.  Sister Carolyn Enders read condolences from Diocesan Administrator Msgr. J. Gaston Herbert.  Clay Colbert, BSC, Family Monastic member and the community's Pro-Vicar, read a letter from one of the commity's beloved spiritual founders, former Diocese of Little Rock Bishop Andrew J. McDonald.  In his letter, Bishop McDonald wrote: "St. Francis had his wolf of Gubbio; Brother Tim had Eli."  Eli was the monstery's faithful dog, a Golden Retriever who died on Saturday, February 3, 2007 -- the same day as Brother Tim.

Burial followed at the Little Portion cemetery.  Little Portion community members eached placed a flower on Brother Tim's casket as they said their goodbyes to his earthly remains.

Tim lived a tough life, and struggled with various addictions before his conversion to Christ.  I will always remember him giving his testimony to the monastic community, quietly weeping as he spoke of how Jesus literally saved his life.  He often reminded us not to get too caught up in the lesser things of life that so often rob us of our peace, joy, and love.

Brother Tim was a man of few words but was direct: he let you know what was on his mind.  This was used by God many times when he would say just a few words at a community meeting, but would impart much wisdom.

He was a great teacher, and I always thought that if his health had been better he would have made a great monastic priest.  He often taught religion classes for young people.  He also took the youth on several field trips, including the sacred pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Denver.  Children and teens loved Br. Tim.  His quiet, down to earth way was attractive to those who sought something solid and real.

In recent years, Br. Tim became an avid flintknapper -- a maker of arrowheads and other objects in the fashion of the Native Americans. He used this gift to create from flint crosses or various designs, as well as likenesses of our community symbol, the heart tau.  These were highly prized, and much sought after.

He will be sadly missed.  But through our sadness we also see Br. Tim attaining his hope of glory in Jesus Christ.  I am completely confident in his joy with the Lord, and this confirms me in my own vocation and walk with Christ here on earth.

I will close with a story told to us at our community's reading of the Office of the Dead last Saturday by Fr. Bob, our Chaplain.  Only a short time after learning of Br. Tim's passing, Fr. Bob received word that Eli, one of our faithful monastery dogs, had died the same day.  Fr. Bob told us he could imagine in his mind Br. Tim walking up the path to heaven and Eli running after him and barking, as if to say, "Wait for me, Br. Tim.  I'm coming too!"

Along with our faithful dog Eli, we also say, "Br. Tim, wait for me," for he is already experiencing first hand the fullness of what we all seek while sojourning here on earth.  If this life on earth is just a twinkling of God's eye, it will not be long before we are all reunited with Jesus and everyone we love in Eternity.

Br. Tim, we pray that Jesus will embrace you fully.  We will miss you.

In Jesus,
John Michael Talbot
Founder, Spritual Father, and General Minister
The Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion Hermitage

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