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2008 General Gathering PDF Print E-mail

 

 

As St. Francis of Assisi meditated on the cross of San Damiano and received a message to “rebuild my Church”, so the Brothers and Sisters of Charity broke ground for the rebuilding of “Little Portion Hermitage” in Berryville, Arkansas on Saturday October 4th, the Feast of St. Francis.

Father ‘Bob’ Dombrowski, Chaplain at Little Portion, blessed the building site with holy water before the groundbreaking ceremony began, the same site of a devastating fire on April 28th of this year, which destroyed the buildings, but not the spirits of the 30+ monastic members currently living at the monastery, nor the hundreds of domestic members living in the world, but not of the world, in their own homes. “The fire could have left us hopeless, but we are very hopeful about our future”, a community member added. 


Foundress, Viola Talbot, holds the holy water as 
Fr. Bob prays the blessing over the ground.



John Michael and Viola Talbot, Founder and Foundress of 
the Brothers and Sisters of Charity at Little Portion, break 
ground for the rebuilding of Little Portion common buildings 
and Charity Chapel.


A tea, open to the general public, was held from 1 PM - 3 PM at Little Portion. Members of our Domestic South Central region were available to serve as God's hands and feet.

During the tea party architect Albert Skiles arrived with a transit to locate the corners of the building and flag the exterior and cloister areas with surveyor's tape at the site.


Albert and Lisa Skiles reviewed the design intent and strategies for our new Franciscan-inspired monastery. Albert and Lisa have worked extensively on the building location and layout and donated the schematic and development designs pro bono. 


Albert Skiles gave a Power Point Presentation.


Albert and Lisa Skiles have 30 years of experience in 
energy efficiency and historical renovation.

During the community's 25th annual General Gathering this weekend, new ground was also broken with the reception of one new novice, seven making temporary profession and four making public, life professions of the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience. Earlier in the day, during Morning Prayer, Lynnette Goldy, Don Rochelo, Marguerite Smith, Scot Hughes, Vanessa Garcia, Carolyn Olinger Riddle, and Michael Lewis made their temporary professions and Raymond Bewley was received as a Novice. Those making life profession were Joe and Debbie Moss, Clare Walker, and Sharon Berry.  

“One of the ways we rebuild or repair is to commit & to keep those commitments”, remarked Founder and General Minister, John Michael Talbot.

“While on one level the community is focused on rebuilding the physical monastery, on a deeper level we’re focusing on rebuilding our interior lives”. - - Community member

 
(Left to right) Sharon Berry, BSCD, Clare Walker, BSCD, Debbie Moss, BSCD, and Joe Moss BSCD make public professions of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

 

Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB presided at the outdoor Mass, assisted by Deacon Manny Robles, BSCD, and concelebrated by brother priests from the community, Fr. Robert Dombrowski, Chaplain at Little Portion, Fr. John Mittelstadt, OFM, BSCD, Fr. David Cramer, BSCD, Fr. Daniel Mannhardt, BSCD and Fr. Brian Christi, CC.



Newest addition to community, baby Juan Pablo Lloveras was baptized at Mass (shown below with Godparents, Mark and Caroline Shepler). 



After Mass, all were invited to a delicious dinner made with Little Portion raised chicken, salad, rolls and beans.



People are wondering if we will still have a national gathering this year because of the fire and the answer is: Absolutely! This is our 25th anniversary and we are going to celebrate. Registration for our domestic members begins Friday at 1 PM. John Michael Talbot will be performing a concert at the First Assembly of God church in Berryville, AR at 7 PM on Friday, October 3, 2008. The concert is open to the public and tickets are available online.

We are also hosting a tea party beginning Saturday, October 4, 2008 at 1 PM until 3 PM for domestics and the general public. We look forward to seeing you there! 
LITTLE PORTION MONASTERY HOSTS ANNUAL GATHERING


The Brothers and Sisters of Charity recently convened for their annual Gathering at Little Portion Monastery. The event began on October 4 in celebration of the Feast of Saint Francis. One hundred and eighty people from as far away as Canada and Hawaii and as near as just up the county road participated in this year’s October 4-8 activities.

The theme for this year’s Gathering was “Rekindle the Charism.” Community members shared prayer, praise, and worship sessions over the course of the five-day event. Teaching sessions emphasized a renewed commitment to the original vision of the community. The first line of our Rule summarizes: “The Rule of the Brothers and Sisters is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Members were urged to stir up the love, joy and zeal for Christ that first attracted them to the unique way of life as “modern monks.” It was the first integrated, monastic community of its kind in the United Sates to be canonically-approved by the Catholic Church.  

Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, of Subiaco Abbey, represented the Bishop’s office at a special Mass during which three children were confirmed: Abigail Colbert, Christie Cook and Faith Ims. Four Domestic members made Permanent Professions to the Brothers and Sisters of Charity after completing several years of mutual discernment and spiritual formation. As Founder and General Minister, John Michael received members Glenn Galtere, John Hunter, Russ Mower, and Joyce Park. 

 “This yearly reunion is the highlight of our year, and the excitement is palpable,” says John Michael. “For our Domestic members, coming here each year is like coming home.” The metaphor of the “Fire of God” (the title of one of his books) was referred to during the Gathering. At the celebration’s end, he urged members go forth “as torch-bearers and candle-bearers lighting the world.“ 



While parents attended the sessions, children had their own activities, including a hayride.



In addition to group sessions, domestic members had the opportunity to meet with their cell groups and regional members.