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Once you have had the experience of God’s
benevolence, you need no longer feel abashed in aspiring to a holier
intimacy. Growth in grace brings expansion of confidence. You will
love with greater ardor, and knock on the door with greater
assurance, in order to gain what you perceive to be still wanting to
you. ‘The one who knocks will always have the door opened to him.’
It is my belief that to a person so disposed, God will not refuse
that most intimate kiss of all, a mystery of supreme generosity an
ineffable sweetness. (Bernard of Clairvaux)
LCG Retreat 2005
On the weekend of September 16-18, 2005 we held of our annual
retreat at the Abbey of Gethsemani. The theme of this year’s retreat
was “The Retreat about Nothing.” Unfortunately, Jon Siegrist of
Louisville, the co-planner and coordinator for the retreat, was
unable to participate in the retreat, as he sustained injuries in a
bike accident a few days prior to the retreat. Jon was remembered in
our prayers as he began a period of recuperation at home. Michael
Brown of Louisville filled in for Jon and coordinated the retreat
weekend with assistance from other members of the Louisville group.
There were many new faces this year in attendance. Following supper
on Friday evening, we enjoyed a social time becoming acquainted with
fellow Lay Cistercians, candidates, and guests. Jane Endriss of
Toledo led us in a silent meditation following Compline.
On Saturday morning Michael Brown presented a talk on a topic of
“Nothingness.” He reinforced the importance of being Christ-centered
in our spiritual practices. (See notes of Michael’s comments below.)
Later in the day we all enjoyed a pleasant walk and visit to
Merton’s Hermitage to join Br. Paul Quenon and a visiting group from
Louisville. Br. Paul gave a reflective talk on a few aspects of
Merton’s thought on celebrating nothing. Later Saturday afternoon
Michael Brown and Mike Johnson shared their experiences of attending
the International Lay Cistercian Meeting held in Clairvaux, France
in June 2005. The day concluded with a “Full Moon Celebration” for
those who were interested in participating. We gathered on top of
St. Joseph’s Hill where Ron Bohannon led us in an experience
honoring the gift of the Moon with chant, howling, and a Abba prayer
(a version of the Our Father). The full moon together with the night
mists draping the knobs and valleys created a mystical scene.
On Sunday morning the conference room was packed with retreatants
and guests as Fr. Michael and Br. Paul shared their thoughts on
“What it means to be Cistercian.” A lively discussion followed.
The retreat concluded as usual with group sharing in the Guest
Chapel. Everyone was invited to reflect on the retreat weekend and
share insights, experiences, etc., of our weekend together. The
final event was the Lay Cistercian commitment ritual where three
people who completed their period of discernment and formation
within the last year made their first commitment as Lay Cistercians
of Gethsemani. They were Mary Guilbert, Don Buckingham of Columbus,
Ohio and Kevin Kreutzer of Danville, Kentucky Others in attendance
made a re-commitment to live the LCG Plan of Life. We also welcome
Paul Kimmel as a new Lay Cistercian who was not able to attend the
retreat.
(CLICK HERE to see photos of the
retreat.)
The LCG retreat for 2006 is scheduled the weekend of September
15-17, 2006. Retreat House reservations for LCG members and
candidates can be made from March 15 through May 1.
Notes of Michael Brown’s Talk on “Nothingness”
Zen is doing what you are doing and being where you are. Sounds
simple, right? It is the same with the spiritual life and our
monastic practices. The simple things....the basics .... are often
challenging to do on a daily basis. The reality of the spiritual
life.....
Two monks were meditating. An older, wiser monk and a young novice.
As they were meditating, the young monk kept peeking at the older
monk. He did this several times. Finally, the older, wiser monk
looked at him and said, "This is it. Nothing else happens.
The contemplative life....how do you do it? The Plan of Life is our
guide.
To be a Buddha means to be an "awakened" one. In the Christian
tradition, to be a contemplative is to also be an awakened one.
Our spiritual practices are a means to an end. Our focus must be on
Christ. Our intention is the inner transformation and conversion
that leads us to purity of heart and the Kingdom of God. This is the
heart of the teachings of John Cassian.
As an awakened one, we strive for the single minded attentiveness on
Christ that slowly peels away the layers of the onion that makes up
our false self. Like the Tom Cruise character in the "Last Samurai",
we often have too many minds. As Lay Cistercians living in the
world, we strive for this single-mindedness that is focused on
Christ.
A small fish was swimming along. He came upon a bigger fish and
asked, "Can you tell me where the ocean is?" The bigger fish said,
"Are you kidding??? You're in the ocean. It's all around you. In it,
we live and breathe and have our being!"
So it is with God. He is like the ocean and we are fish. We spend
our entire lives living in his presence. In Him, we live and breathe
and have our being!
LCG Advisory Council Met on September 16
The Advisory Council conducted their semi-annual meeting on the
afternoon of September 16 prior to the beginning of the LCG retreat.
The minutes of this meeting is posted on the LCG website (Members
Only page). Highlights of this meeting include the approval of
guidelines for state/regional LCG coordinators. Additional
coordinators have been identified and will receive resource
materials from Mike Johnson, as they assume responsibility of
coordinating LCG activities in their designated state or region. We
will begin a rotation among local LCG communities for the planning
and presenting of annual LCG retreats at Gethsemani Abbey. The 2006
retreat will be planned by the Midland/Southeast Michigan-Toledo LCG
members. In 2007 the Cincinnati area LCG community will plan the
annual retreat. The next LCG Advisory Council meeting is scheduled
for April 22, 2006 and will be held in Oxford, Ohio.
Remember Our Candidates in Your Prayers
The following people have entered our year long discernment and
formation process using the new formation and mentoring guidelines.
They are: John Beach, Richard Beach, Patrick Biggs, Ric Cochran,
Steven Craver, Bill Dennehy, Kathleen Ellison, Tom Leonard, Dan
McFeely, John Neiheisel, Jill Tessin, and Wallace Myers. Other
candidates who are in the final months of their formation are Martha
Artis, David Lopez, Amanda Mills, Walter Poe, Molly Randoph, and
William Sanders. Please remember all of the candidates in your
prayers. May the Lord bless all the candidates and mentors!
LCG Website: “Members Only” Page Opens
The password protected “Members Only Page” is now accessible on the
LCG website. This page is only available for LCG members. The
Members Only page contains a forum, a member directory, and a LCG
Advisory Council section. Many of you should have received an email
message containing instructions of how to access the page with a
username and password. The webmaster informed us that several email
messages were returned as undeliverable. It is important that you
keep your email address updated.
Check the LCG website frequently for additions, such as, photo
galleries, homilies by Fr. Michael, and resources. Also, please be
aware that the new International Lay Cistercian website contains
many resources for Lay Cistercians. The address for the website is
www.cistercianfamily.org.
A LCG Community Forms in Indianapolis
LCG members Carol Andrejasich and Charla Banner have organized a
local LCG community in the Indianapolis area. Carol and Charla have
held their first organizing meeting with two candidates for LCG
membership, Steve Carver and Dan McFeely. This core group will begin
meeting monthly. Carol and Charla will also be LCG coordinators for
Indiana and serve as mentors. Welcome to our newest local community
in Indianapolis! |
