September 2007

OCTOBER 2007

John Michael, Viola and "tour guide", Fr. Brian Clarke

We began our celebration with Eve Weiss turning over the staff of domestic leadership to John Puleo. Eve has served tirelessly and faithfully as our Domestic General Minister for many years. She will continue to serve on the Domestic Counsel as an advisor for a period of five years. We showed our appreciation to Eve by presenting her with bouquets of flowers from each Region, accompanied by “spiritual bouquets”, offerings of prayers and sacrifices for Eve’s intentions. She was also given a beautiful quilt made with squares designed by each cell group, and sewn by our domestic sister, Denise Bernt of the Northwest Region. What a shock to find out that our motherly Eve Weiss has always dreamed of owning a Harley Davidson motorcycle, when she was presented with a stuffed “hog” dressed in cycling gear and a Harley t-shirt! We will all greatly miss Eve’s loving, nurturing leadership, but praise God we now have the gentle fatherly hand of our brother John Puleo to guide us.  



The community prayed over the domestic leadership, from left to right, Peter Davidson, Rick Manella, John Puleo, Eve Weiss and Carmen Zullo.

I think that everyone will agree with me that our children, led by the Westmont cell group, helped make this one of the best gatherings we’ve ever had. There were fifty-six children here this year, and they all behaved like angels! What a joy it was to see them not only attending the gathering, but participating in every activity with joy and enthusiasm. Many of them joined in our 1st ever talent show on Friday evening, entertaining us with juggling acts, song and dance routines and card tricks. Every morning after prayer, each age group blessed us with their gifts. The teenagers made beautiful wood Stations of the Cross plaques in the shape of the heart tau, and presented them to the monastic community, while performing a theatrical enactment at each station. Many of us were moved to tears, including some of the teenagers. The words “The Rule of the Bothers and Sisters of Charity is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” was set to music, and performed by our precious 4-7 year olds. And our 8-11 age group each painted lovely icons of Jesus on wood plaques, and displayed them for us. 



Our first ever talent show was a great hit! Mark Shepler served as the judge, roaring up to the outdoor stage on a lawn tractor, wearing a long, curly wig, sunglasses, prayer shawl, and a huge pair of white wings, and looking eerily like Howard Stern! What fun and unique talents! There were dance acts, poetry readings, juggling, violin and accordion playing, just to name a few. Claire Walker and her children brought the house down with her hilarious leprechaun puppet act, and Greg Walton got us all out of our seats, clapping and laughing to his rendition of Ray Steven’s “Mississippi Squirrel Revival”.



Of course, the matters of the Spirit were the primary focus, as always. Our three-hour praise and worship service on Thursday evening was truly anointed, as everyone there experienced the presence of the Lord. The praise music was superb as always, and the young people sang, clapped, danced and cheered. After bringing the Spirit into our midst, we were all invited up for the laying on of hands for healing prayer. Nearly everyone who went forward was slain the Spirit, including some of the teenagers. Praise God for this manifestation of His power and love!



The teachings provided by Eve and John blessed and re-energized us. Eve inspired us with stories of the miracles of St. Benedict, teachings on the different ways that the evil one attacks us, and the weapons to use against these attacks. John gave us a lesson on the 12 Steps to Humility from the Rule of St. Benedict, and showed us a video of John Michael giving a teaching at the 1990 gathering, which brought our founder into our midst in a real and tangible way. At the end of the last session, we were invited to the microphones for questions and comments. Each and every person who approached the mike was overcome and wept, as they recounted their experiences of this year’s gathering, especially how the children had touched and moved them. Eve announced that we needed to start a St. Monica’s group in order to pray for all of our children who are lost. During the lunch break, the word was spread that an impromptu meeting would be held immediately after lunch, and 24 of us gathered spontaneously in the Portiuncula chapel to begin this ministry!

We were blessed with many new members this year; I was amazed at the number of new faces, including several “come and see” attendees. One couple made the announcement that they were going to apply for domestic membership as soon as they arrived home!

The following members made advancements:  

Lifetime Profession:
Joanne Bridge, Peg Gibson, Kathy Arquette, Julie Largent



Left to right: Peg Gibson, Julie L'Argent, Kathy Arquette, & Joanne Bridge

Temporary Profession:
Kim Panaro, Dianne Albrecht, Joan Currier, Rita Currier, Erin Couch, Peggy Lodewyks, Warren Gaffey

Novices
Kurt Filla, Anneleisa Filla, Pam Murphy, Scott Gillis, Barbara Gillis, Lynnette Goldy

In closing, we were all reminded that next year’s gathering will be the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Little Portion. We were advised to make our reservations now, as it promises to be a huge and historic event. It is also a busy tourism time in Eureka Springs, so mark your calendars, get your hotel reservations and start praying for next year’s miracles! See you in 2008!

Debbie Moss, BSCD

MAY 2007

May the risen Lord Jesus Christ be with you! The South Central Region has experienced joys and sorrows in the Lenten and Easter seasons. Rita Currier experienced the joy of entering the novitiate. Paula Hill experienced the joy of dying in Christ. Our novices continue to work toward the goal of making their temporary professions in October. One of our novices is moving out of our region to take care of his elderly mother. Our cell groups have grown in their faith and desire to serve God. Many good things are happening among the people of God. If you are interested in exploring the way of life of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, please contact us.

George Butterfield,
Regional Minister

Paula Hill’s Homecoming

Kelly Wells posted the following on the BSC Forum the day after Paula’s death which occurred on April 3, the Tuesday of Holy Week:

“It is with a mixture of hope filled Joy and human sadness that I tell you all that our dear sister Paula (Sr. Mary Louise) went to spend Holy Week with Our Lord. She passed peacefully at 9:20pm last night, surrounded by friends and family at her home. She had spoken with her son who is in Wyoming earlier in the afternoon, and had been resting peacefully since then.”

A beautiful Mass of Christian burial was held on Monday, April 9, at Paula’s home parish in Houston. Following are some of the pictures of Paula that her children displayed at the “Irish wake” after the Mass.

 



 



Rest in peace, Sr. Mary Louise.

News From Our Region

Kerrville Cluster – Kerrville, Texas
Two of our novices, Rita and Joan Currier, are currently residing at the monastery. Information on their activities can be found in the What’s New section on the Little Portion homepage.

San Juan Diego Cell Group – Houston, Texas
For the St Juan Diego Cell Group in Houston, Lent was truly a time of journey. Our beloved sister and cell group member, Paula Hill went home to be with Our Lord during Holy Week. Cell group members were at her bedside as much as possible in the weeks before, at her home and in the hospital.

Our Regional Minister, George Butterfield, came to Houston for her funeral – where we were honored to take a place along with her family in a candle lighting ceremony. Cell group members helped host a reception (or in Paula’s words and Irish Wake) after the funeral.

Michael Lewis, one of our fine novices, will be moving to Lander, Wyoming, in July to take care of his mother. He will be missed here in Houston but will be a great addition to the Northwest Region of the BSCD.

Shepherd’s Heart Cell Group – Fort Worth, Texas
Cell group meetings in May were held in the home of Doris Sawey. Meetings in the coming months are scheduled for the homes of John and Carol Hunter, Connie Tassin, and Margaret Dickens.

St. Louis, Missouri Cell Group
During Lent the St. Louis cell group attended a weekly study/sharing session on the gospel of Luke. Pat Hinton had the opportunity to visit our Mission in Nicaragua during Lent and work, pray, and recreate with everyone there.







She also had the opportunity to visit with three children that she, her dad and Debbie Perotta sponsor at the neighboring orphanage--Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos.





Evelyn Duffin left St. Louis during Lent & moved to Little Portion. We miss her terribly but know God was calling her there. We continue to pray for more vocations to our St. Louis cell group.

John Paul II Cell Group - North Little Rock, Arkansas
We are exuberant to announce the birth of Jason and Stasia's new baby boy, Raphael Anthony Blalock, born April 19th, weighing 8lbs 9oz!!!! Mother and baby are doing great! Daddy is busy with taking care of them all.

We are studying the Rule of St. Benedict individually and plan to discuss it as a group in the nearing future.

Laura is supporting the parish program "Why Catholic?" and has been very blessed through this 'sharing in faith' continuation of Renew.

St. Jude Cell Group – Allen, Texas
No update.

St. Thomas More Cell Group – MORE Mountain, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
No update.

MARCH 2007

The South Central Region of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity Domestic welcomes you to our website. We are well into the season of Lent with the official beginning of spring right around the corner. Many wonderful things are happening in our region. May this update of our website encourage you to draw nearer to God.

 George Butterfield,
 Regional Minister

News From Our Region

Kerrville Cluster – Kerrville, Texas



Rita Currier reads her promise as a new Novice of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity.



Regional Minister, George Butterfield, explains the significance of Rita's new blessed tunic.



Rita receives her tau cross. 

St. Jude Cell Group – Allen, Texas

The St. Jude cell group has completed its Advent Study and begun a study of Simplicity by John Michael Talbot and Dan O'Neill. Although this book is 20 years old, it is still quite relevant today. We Americans don't seem to be changing how we live our lives, and the concept of simplicity is certainly a timeless one. We are looking forward to our twice-a-month discussions of the chapters.

Our Advent Study concluded with a lesson on the first chapter of the Gospel of St. John: "In the beginning was the Word...The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Too often at Christmas time, we lose sight of the fact that God has always been with us. He created us and has been in relationship with us since the beginning of time. I don't mean to discount the miracle of Christmas, but we sometimes forget that Christmas is a part of the story, not the whole thing. Still, what incredible love is shown by our God to put on human form and live with us. These first few verses of John's Gospel have been dancing in my mind since Christmas week. It has made for a truly happy new year.

On behalf of the St. Jude Cell Group, I wish all of our Brothers and Sisters a "Happy New Year." 

San Juan Diego Cell Group – Houston, Texas

The St Juan Diego Cell group had a busy Advent season, with two members spending time in the hospital! We held two of our cell group meetings in their rooms at St. Luke’s hospital. We were so thankful that all were able to attend our annual Christmas get-together cell meeting when we write Christmas cards to all our community members in the South Central Region. It is always a good time to slow down and share what is going on in our lives during this wonderful but often hectic time of year.

 

New Novice, Mike Lewis, writing cards to brothers and sisters in the region



Sue Schreiber, taking a break to remind us the “Reason for the Season”

 

Terry Jackson surrounded by the cards!



Paula Hill and Kelly Wells sharing fellowship while writing.



Our “prospective candidate” Allen Jackson, shares the reading material we have given him!

Shepherd’s Heart Cell Group – Fort Worth, Texas
The Fort Worth cell group is still studying the prayer book “Six Ways to Pray with Six Great Saints.” Carol is leading a mini retreat for cell members with good sharing occurring. We have had no new inquiries but one is possibly interested in community

St. Louis, Missouri Cell Group
The St. Louis cell group celebrated Christmas with a feast at Carol Sinopole's house. Everyone brought something to share. After prayer, we had our gift exchange--"rob your neighbor". Everyone brings a few small presents & we roll dice for them--it's a good reminder that looks can be deceptive as some of the most coveted presents are ones that the owner will be sure to bring next year to give away.

We sponsored two families this Christmas, one refugee family from Liberia and one family from Our Lady's Inn (a residential house for expectant women and their children). 

We thank God for our many blessings and pray that we will share what we have and work for a just world.

St. Thomas More Cell Group – MORE Mountain, Eureka Springs, Arkansas
We took our last meeting to reaffirm the daily office and do the daytime prayers. Peggy Lodewycks and Steve gave that teaching. We made plans for the future meetings and did the usual study of the "Rule". Our biggest news is the upcoming wedding of Steven and Peggy, Feb. 6. [Editor’s Note: Peggy is now Peggy Mann and I have it on good testimony that the wedding went off without a hitch. Well, actually, with a hitch. They are good and hitched].

John Paul II Cell Group - North Little Rock, Arkansas
See the January 2007 update for great news from Little Rock.

JANUARY 2007

Greetings to you from the South Central Region of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity Domestic. The Advent and Christmas seasons have been dedicated to our families and cell groups. Thus, this update is brief. I asked our cell groups not to put together a report but to spend more time together.The John Paul II Cell Group in Little Rock had already prepared the report that follows so we include it here.

May God’s richest blessings be upon you as we head into a new year.

George Butterfield,
South Central Regional Minister

News From Our Region

John Paul II Cell Group, Little Rock, Arkansas

We gather here, St. Ann’s hall, bimonthly for our cell group meeting.



For special prayer times and events, we meet in the church. This is where we had Linda Yamben’s glorious funeral.



When the weather permits, we meet in the woods for study and prayer in our screened in, open-air chapel that Laura’s husband built for our cell group.





Finding strength in our community prayer and study times, we live out most of our call as domestics in our own homes where our spiritual growth finds it’s purpose…. with our families.

Here is Jason with he and Stasia’s three beautiful children, Clare, Michael, and little Gabriel:



But wait… there’s more!!! Stasia is due to deliver another munchkin April 18th!!! Being pregnant didn’t keep her from raking leaves on this beautiful day.



We are truly family in Jesus and are grateful for each other!!!

DECEMBER 2006

Greetings from the South Central Region of the Brothers & Sisters of Charity. If you are visiting this site, I encourage you to check out what is happening in our region but also in our whole community. Perhaps you are looking for a place where you can stand with others who embrace radical Christianity. Or, you may be tired of the battle and looking for a place of rest and refreshment where you can be encouraged to trust in the indwelling Holy Spirit and be filled with the water of life. No matter what your reasons are for checking out this site, check us out, too. Check out our way of life. Come and visit the Hermitage or come to a retreat at the Retreat Center. Visit one of our many cell groups. We are a people who really do believe the teachings of Jesus and are trying to put them into practice. If you are looking for partners on your Christian journey, come and see.

We have come to a beautiful time of the year. I love the Advent Season. During Advent we celebrate three advents or comings of Christ. We remember the coming of Jesus in the flesh. We worship the Word of God Incarnate. This is the primary focus of this season. We also anticipate when Jesus will come again in glory. We are reminded each day in the Liturgy of the Hours that we live in God’s “today.” “Today” is the day of salvation. “Today” if you hear his voice, harden not your heart. We not only anticipate the day of his coming, we live in it each day. Finally, we celebrate the coming of Jesus into our hearts. This is that “coming” or “advent” that is often neglected during this season. Yet, what a wonderful time it is to celebrate the permeating activity of the Spirit of Jesus in our lives. Phillips Brooks said this beautifully in his great hymn that we sing this time of the year.

How silently, how silently the wondrous gift is giv'n!
So God imparts to human hearts the blessings of His heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming, but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in.

Let Christ Jesus, God's indescribable gift, enter in. Be filled with the joy of our Lord this holy season. If we can help you in any way on your journey, please contact us.

George Butterfield,
South Central Regional Minister

News From Our Region

St. Thomas More Cell Group – MORE Mountain, Eureka Springs, Arkansas

St. Thomas More Cell Group meets the first and third Saturdays of each month at 'More Manor' on top of the Mountain across from the Retreat Center. Since Mass is at 8:30 a.m. at Resurrection Chapel, we meet at 9:30 a.m. We have ten Professed members and one Novice. The attendance is usually eight to ten regularly! We open with prayer and then study the Rule and Constitution and will continue to study that ad infinitim! There is always something new to discern and we love the refreshment of hearing each other's take on the words! We also study an approved book. We have just completed The Ideals of St. Francis and are ready to take on another book. The primary mission of our Cell membership is volunteering at the Retreat Center. Some members also volunteer at the Monastery and at Little Flower Clinic. From time to time, Debbie Perotta and Pat Hinton are here at their house on the Mountain and attend the meetings. Our regular members are: Professed, Bill and Barbara Cook, JohnnieMae and Robert Gerlick, Carley Perry, Debbie and Joe Moss, Stephen Mann, Farther Bob Dombrowski and Nita Reuter. The Novice is Peggy Lodewycks. When the meeting closes, we have light refreshments and light and heavy conversation.


The St. Thomas More Cell Group met after Holy Mass on Saturday morning, November 4, 2006, at More Manor for prayer, study of the BSCD Rule and the reception of Peggy Lodewyks into the Novitiate of the domestic expression of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. Debbie Perotta, the South Central Regional Vicar, was present to receive her on behalf of the community.

  Our newest novice, Peggy Lodewyks

 

Peggy, clothed in tunic and tau cross

  Joy of the Holy Spirit

Following the Mass and meeting, a delicious brunch was served by Carley Perry. In addition to Cell Group members, visitors included Debbie Perotta and Pat Hinton from St. Louis, Missouri. Also taking part in the celebration were Sr. Mary Rose, Sr. Mary Catherine, Sr. Juliana Laura, Sr. Carolyn and Key Krecker-- all residents of Little Portion Monastery. Joe and Debbie Moss, who are in the process of resuming their place among the BSCD after years of faithful service at the monastery, were also present.

God is blessing our Cell Group in many ways. One of the most beautiful works of God among us is the engagement of Stephen Mann and Peggy Lodewyks. Stephen and Peggy are doing a marvelous job of running the Little Portion Retreat & Training Center. They are scheduled to be married in Charity Chapel at the Monastery the evening of February 6, 2007. All BSC/BSCD members are invited but please RSVP to Peggy at 479-253-7379. May the blessings of Almighty God be upon Stephen and Peggy.



St. Jude Cell Group – Allen, Texas
The St. Jude Cell Group in Allen, Texas, finished its study of John Michael Talbot’s Lessons of St. Francis in October. We cell-ebrated with a soup and salad party on October 26th. We had a wonderful evening of fellowship and were graced by the presence of our fearless leader, George Butterfield. George brought us a DVD of the hermitage which we enjoyed after dinner. Since we only meet every other week, we decided to start an Advent study a little ahead of the season. We are studying a book called "The Scriptures Sing of Christmas" by J. Ellsworth Kalas. The study is in four parts which are entitled Mary's Song, Concert in The Field, An Old Man Sings, and Song of Wondrous Mystery. The first chapter was thought provoking and quite on target for our times. We also celebrated the safe return from Iraq of one of our member's son-in-law. He has been the focus of many of our prayers. The St. Jude Cell Group wishes all of our brothers and sisters a very blessed Advent season.

St. Louis, Missouri Cell Group
The St. Louis Cell Group has six domestic members (five permanent professed and one temporary professed). The cell group meets weekly on Tuesday evenings. Each member takes a turn hosting the cell group in their home. In addition to the cell group meetings, the cell group community spends time together throughout the year recreating and serving. Each member is involved in different ministries, primarily in their home parishes. Our one male member in St. Louis says "more men please". We say "Blessed are you among women".



Some members of the St. Louis cell group collecting household items for African refugees relocating to the area.

Kerrville Cluster – Kerrville, Texas
We have two new postulants! Rita Currier and Jenà Hatchett were recently accepted into the postulancy by our Domestic General Minister, Eve Weiss. What a boost they bring to our Cluster and to the whole community.

Novices Joan Currier, Dianne Albrecht, and Allen Krecker and postulant, Rita Currier, met with Notre Dame pastor, Father Michael E. Peinemann over lunch to offer assistance to the parish and to provide information regarding the Brothers and Sisters of Charity (postulant Jenà Hatchett was unable to attend). Fr. Mike left with a packet of information on the BSCD which included an RC&D, Little Portion newsletters, our local cluster newsletters, a picture of John Michael Talbot and Viola from the 2005 Gathering, and the brochure on the Domestics. Currently, Joan coordinates the sewers of the parish in making baptismal gowns, corporals and purificators for the parish. She and Dianne sing in the choir, and Dianne coordinates sacramental records in the parish with volunteers, one of which is...you guessed it, Joan. All left the lunch feeling gastronomically satisfied and with a sense of agreement about the BSCD's future role in the parish.

The Kerrville Cluster re-instated their Thursday evening study group at the beginning of November. Allen, Rita, Joan, Dianne, and Jena' meet at six o'clock on Thursdays for a quiet study time at Tranquility House (Dianne's place of spiritual renewal). We come in quiet, help ourselves to the soup and bread in the kitchen, then find a quiet chair in which to read and reflect. The idea was born last year when all were lamenting lack of time to study. The time is special and sacred and it is comforting that during a busy week we know we have this two hour period dedicated to study. At the end of the time, people quietly say good-bye and leave Tranquility House. All is accomplished in quiet and informality.



  Tranquility House

San Juan Diego Cell Group – Houston, Texas



In the San Juan Diego cell group, November and December are always transition months where we slow down. This year this still holds true. We just finished the book, Regathering Power, by John Michael Talbot and we plan to start a study of Hermitage. We will do some outreaches together during these months and also support each other in our individual outreaches during the holiday times. We have some who spend more time with family, some who help with the homeless, and some who use this extra time for more intense prayer. We also have had a member who has become sick, so we have all been praying and helping where we can and visiting more during this time of intra-cell ministry. We are all looking forward to Advent, growing together, and the re-starting of our studies.

Report on the condition of Paula Hill. About a week after we got back from the Gathering, Paula's daughter noticed that she was really slurring her words. A day or so later she found that her handwriting was nearly unreadable. They went to the doctor who began running tests. They determined early on that she had a tumor on her brain that would not likely be operable. They scheduled surgery and were able to remove a bit of it, and do the biopsy which showed it is malignant. The type of cancer is Gliblastoma. She begins radiation and chemo simultaneously at MDAnderson. Since the operation, she has had a great deal of trouble talking - specifically getting words out - which is frustrating for her - but in true Paula spirit she has a great attitude about it! She is also having a great deal of trouble with her right hand - being able to use it - and she has asked specifically for prayer for that. Paula will also be continuing speech and occupational therapy. Her son and daughter are living with her and taking great care of her. Please feel free to email her - or even call - but please be patient with her ability to respond. She is very thankful for all the prayers she has received so far.

Shepherd’s Heart Cell Group – Fort Worth, Texas

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus from Shepherd’s Heart Cell Group in the Fort Worth and Alvarado, Texas, area. We are currently meeting every second and fourth Sunday of each month from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. for formation and fellowship. We alternate our cell group meetings regularly between our members, thus making each person’s home, a house of prayer. But we are especially blessed in this area to have the recognized Shepherd’s Heart House of Prayer located at Margaret Dickens’ home in Alvarado, Texas. Our core members include Margaret Dickens, Connie Tassin, Doris Sawey, Bernadette Zaremba, and John and Carol Hunter, along with a host of friends. Currently our cell group leaders are John and Carol Hunter of Fort Worth, Texas, following decades of service in this capacity by Margaret Dickens (thank you, sister Margaret).

We, too, are growing! We are growing deeper in love with our Lord Jesus and growing in our love for each other with mutual respect, concern, and prayer. During the first five months of this year we centered our self in silence before meditating on scriptures, centering on the divinity of Jesus. Next we concentrated on scripture, along with other sources, exploring various charisms of the Holy Spirit. Now we are going to focus on prayer with the help of a book written by Gloria Hutchinson entitled, Six Ways to Pray from Six Great Saints (Francis of Assisi, Clare of Assisi, Ignatius of Loyola, Therese of Lisieux, Teresa of Avila, and John of the Cross). We use the four W’s of welcome, worship, word, and work as a model when we gather together. We are constantly being challenged by our deep love relationship with Christ and this community of Brothers and Sister of Charity to let go of self and say, “Jesus, I trust in you.” May God’s peace find a home in each heart!

John Paul II Cell Group - North Little Rock, Arkansas
We meet bimonthly at St. Anne's Parish. The goal of our cell group is to foster a deeper living of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ together in Charity as described in the Scripture Rule, Constitution, Directory, and Way of Life of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. Our cell group meeting includes praying the Liturgy of the Hours, worshiping in song, discussion of a reading from the Scripture Rule, study, intercessory prayer, and fellowship. We are not a prayer group nor are we a Bible study; we are domestic community living out the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience according to the way of life of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity. Our apostolic ministry as a cell group is known as the Gabriel Project which is a ministry that gets parishes involved in helping pregnant women who without help might abort their babies. We also do itinerant ministry at nursing homes and help with our community's itinerant concert ministry when concerts occur in the central Arkansas area.

Scot Hughes – New Orleans, Louisiana
It's done. The waiting is over. My family's home in Chalmette was razed on November 10th. I was there, along with my brother, two sisters, and one of my nieces. A number of people had asked me why I wanted to watch our home being torn down. I am not really sure. I just felt I wanted to be there, and was very glad it worked out where my siblings and I could be there together. I suppose it was some kind of closure. My niece shrieked and sobbed as the giant claw came down and took its first big bite out of the roof of her Mimi's home. I suggested she wait in the car but she insisted she wanted to watch, too. The wrecking crew was sympathetic, asking how long our family had owned the property, and if everyone in our family had made it out of town okay.



We shed a few tears but also shared laughter. We likened the equipment they were using to the machines in arcades filled with stuffed animals. Each time the big claw plunged into the house, we looked to see what "prize" it came up with... there's a toilet... and there's the mattress from the guest room. At one point a frightened kitten streaked out of our yard and ran across the street. My oldest sister screamed and jumped. She thought it was a giant rat. We all enjoyed a good laugh. I marveled at how it probably took weeks to build our house 50+ years ago, yet today, with our monstrous machinery, it could all be reduced to sticks and piled into 3 dump trucks within a few hours. My brother and I photographed the entire process and he also shot some video. Before long, it was over, and the bulldozer came in to clean up the lot a bit.

It was an interesting contrast to see our home coming to an end, just as my neighbor's new home next door is getting its final touches. They are looking to move in by the end of next week. Some of the new houses in the neighborhood are 10 feet above the ground but they did not build up much higher than their old house. I pray for them, this does not happen again, but I will not take the chance myself. Aren't we fortunate and blessed that, when one door closes in our lives, another always seems to open at the same time? Just as the time of destruction for my old home was nearing, the perfect property for a new home came on the market. I had entertained thoughts of moving to Arkansas but I guess the decision has been made. I could never tolerate the frigid winters in Arkansas and this land is pretty much just what I have been looking for all year, so I had to act quickly as I had some competition. It is close to my brother's home and my oldest sister's new home and I can ride my trike the short distance to the Tammany Trace (the rail-trail bicycle path). I have always been interested in conservation and dreamed of building and living in an earth-sheltered home some day. The land is nearly two acres, and so that is my hope and my prayer for myself. It's going to take some time and work but I have a vision. It has been difficult at times, but Katrina, for me, strange as it may seem, was, in some ways, a blessing. As they say on the radio: "God is good all the time!"

November 2006

Thanks be to God-- We are growing! Following this year's annual Gathering at Little Portion Monastery, our BSCD group now has two new Novices and two new Postulants. 



Dianne Albrecht, BSCD is our cell group leader. She works for Monsignor Mike Bouletter at St. Peter Upon the Water School for Formation and Spiritual Direction. She is enrolled in their School for Spiritual Directors, a two-year commitment. Dianne also helps out with Sacramental records at Notre Dame Parish and sings in the choir. Her special interest is in balancing the active and contemplative aspects of daily Christian life. She resides at Tranquility House, a beautiful oasis of peace used as a guest house by spiritual seekers, servants and sojourners. It is the primary location for our Sunday evening meetings, held weekly from 6 to 8 PM. You can call Dianne at (830) 792-3863 for information, to get directions, or if you need a ride to our meetings.

Joan Currier, BSCD is a seamstress for the Little Portion community. Nicknamed "Sister Sew-and-Sew," she recently spent almost two weeks at the Monastery with her Mother, Rita Currier. While Joan was kept busy sewing in preparationfor this year's Gathering, Rita earned the nickname "Sister Rita Greenbean" by helping out those in the garden and in the kitchen. Joan sings in the Notre Dame Church choir, helps with sacramental records, and is "Ministering Angel" for our group. Rita is completing her Postulancy, and will soon be received as a Novice.

Several "Friends of the Community" attend our weekly meetings regularly and share with us in worship, service and fellowship. Each is in a different stage of discernment regarding their affiliation with the Brothers & Sisters of Charity. Perhaps you are drawn to this deeper life in Jesus Christ as well! If so, please contact us.

St. Juan Diego Cell Group (Houston)

The Houston cell group has had a busy year so far! As a cell group, we are studying John Michael’s book Regathering Power which Eve recommended at the General Gathering last year. Individually, we have seen the daughters of two of our members get married, one member graduate from the Spiritual Direction Institute and one member went on a mission trip to Guatemala with Sending Out Servants.
We are thrilled that at the General Gathering we will have one member making her temporary vows (Paula Hill) and one member becoming a Novice (Mike Lewis).
We continue to meet on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, as we grow together as community.

  George Butterfield, SC Regional Minister