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Quoting from the Guidelines for Redemptorist Associates draft, Fr Paul Coury began the September 6th meeting describing Redemptorist Associates as “those lay people, secular clergy or members of other religious communities who have been invited into a circle of Redemptorist Associates connected with some Redemptorist missionary centre, group or project. Redemptorist Associates live out their commitments in independent lifestyles, answering the call to proclaim the Good News of plentiful redemption within the context of their daily lives. Having participated in a process of initial formation, they are enrolled as Redemptorist Associates.  Circles of Redemptorist Associates meet regularly for the purposes of fostering a stronger spiritual growth and a more explicit commitment to the evangelization of the poor, exploring Redemptorist charism and spirituality. They may share in some aspect of the Redemptorist Mission.”

Dr Lee Morrison followed with an inspiring account of the life of St Gerard Majella whose feast we celebrate October 16. Many miracles have been attributed to St Gerard’s intercession. But it is his devotion to the Eucharist, desire to serve others – especially the poor, unwavering obedience to God’s will and infectious cheerfulness that make Gerard so appealing to the universal church.

“It is true that at times we find ourselves confused and weak. But there is no confusion in God; there is no weakness with God’s power. Because it is certain that in the battles God himself helps us with his divine arm. For this reason, we can be joyful and extend ourselves further to accpeting the divine will. And we bless his works for all eternity.”

•  – Blessed Gerard Majella

Among the handouts Lee provided were a short biography of St. Gerard (which may be found here: Biography) and a St Gerard Novena Prayer (whch may be found here: Prayer).

Diana Davenport presented the life and spirituality of Blessed Maria Celeste Crostarosa  at the August 18th Associates Meeting.  

September 11th is Feast of Blessed Maria Celeste Crostarosa

Maria Celeste Crostarosa and Alphonsus Liguori were both born in Naples in 1696. Thirty three years later they would begin working together as “Witnesses to the Redeemer,” founding both a contemplative order (The “Redemptoristines” in 1731) and an active congregation (The ”Redemptorists” in 1732).  The Redemptoristines and Redemptorists remain united in their missionary solidarity with all humanity – especially with the abandoned and the poor.

“Lord God and Father, you have called me to relive in myself the mystery of Jesus, your well-beloved Son, and under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to pour out on the world the light of your love shining on the face of your Christ, the Savior of the world.”      

–  Maria Celeste Crostarosa

Maria Celeste was declared blessed June 18, 2016.  For more see: Maria Celeste Biography by Diana Davenport and Redemptoristine St. Moira Quinn’s short video: Introducing Marie Celete Crostarosa

Congratulations to the eighteen Our Lady of the Desert Redemptorist associates and friends who assembled for our second Sandwich-Making session July 19th. More than 400 sandwiches went out in bag lunches given out at the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen Friday Morning, July 20^th. The next scheduled Sandwich-Making session is Thursday, August 30^th at 5:00 PM. 

Casa Maria, the Catholic Worker Community in Tucson whose goal is to practice daily the Works of Mercy and Works of Justice, is very grateful for your efforts.  The Casa Maria Soup Kitchen is open every day of the year from 8:30am-11:30am,  except Thanksgiving and Christmas, typically feeding 500-600 people per day.  Thursday’s efforts made a real difference for them.

Donations are tax deductible and may be made either by cash or check  (made out to Our Lady of the Desert Church with “Sandwich Ministry” written in the memo line). Contact Diana for any questions (email: diana@davenport.net; cell: 520-612-9873).  Diana/OLD Church can provide receipts for donations.

Redemptorist Associates Meeting

Because August 1st is the feast day of Saint Alphonsus, the August 2^nd Redemptorist Associates meeting will center on the person of Saint Alphonsus Liguori.  A short video on Alphonsus’ life, planned for the meeting is narrated by Michael Brehl, C.Ss.R, superior general of the congregation. It may be found at: Alphonsus Liguroi.

Never Stop Walking

“Provided you never stop walking, soon or later you will reach the journey’s end,” advises St. Alphonsus de Liguori in a letter dated August 4, 1771 to Sr. Brianna Carafa. Born in 1696, Alphonsus had already reached his 75^th year when he wrote that letter.  He would “walk” another 16 years before finally reaching his goal – his beloved Redeemer – on August 1, 1787.

Twelve Redemptorists Associates and Book Club members read and discussed Nancy Fearon’s excellent book Never Stop Walking: The Life and Spirit of Saint Alphonsus Liguori on June 27^th to learn more about the Redemptorist charism and the congregation’s founder. Diana Davenport moderated the discussion. Fr Charlie also joined the discussion, lending his insight on how 21^st Century Redemptorists differed from and how they were similar to their 18^thCentury counterparts. On one important point, Fr Charlie noted, 18^th and 21^st Century Redemptorists were in unanimous agreement – Alphonsus’ rejection of Maria Celeste Crostarosa’s (founder of the Redemptoristines’) suggestion the men’s order adopt a male version of the red and blue habits worn by her nuns.

Alphonsus established the Redemptorists in 1732 during the pinnacle of monarchist sentiment in his home city of Naples. The Bourbon kings were very much opposed to the founding of any new religious orders in their territories because there were already too many priests who enjoyed exemptions from Bourbon taxation. They also feared that, although Alphonsus promised to live in poverty, the Redemptorists would later become as rich and powerful as the Jesuits.

Alphonsus’ goal was to make Jesus, the redeemer, accessible to all, especially the most abandoned. He pursued this goal through incredible physical, emotional, and spiritual trials for all of his 91 years. (See: Time Line.) Although he died betrayed by those closest to him and separated from the congregation he gave his life for, the Redemptorists survived, remaining true to his purpose in founding their congregation – with professed Redemptorists now numbering more that 5500 in 82 countries. 

The group also discussed the role of individual revelations in the founding of the Redemptorists, the definition of “obedience” as it was understood in the 18th century and as it is now, and Alphonsus’ view of the tender humility of Mary. Alphonsus, an accomplished artist, portrays Mary as a shepherdess, entitling his painting “Mary Crowned Queen of Heaven.”  For Alphonsus, it is Mary’s humility that makes her our queen.

Congratulations to the twenty-three Our Lady of the Desert Redemptorist associates and friends who assembled more than 500 sandwiches Thursday evening.  Because of your efforts, 250 people went home Friday from Tucson’s Tucson’s Casa Maria Soup Kitchen with a bag lunch which included two of the sandwiches you made!

Thanks, also, to those who donated not only their time, but also cash or food.  A special thank you goes to Lee Morrison and Fr. Paul Coury for opening the project to our Redemptorist Circle and to the Redemptorist Renewal Center for providing use of the Alphonsus kitchen as well as a delicious dinner for twenty-three hungry sandwich-makers.

Finally, thanks to Angela Schneider and Diana Davenport for organizing the effort.  Based on Thursday’s generous and enthusiastic response, Angela and Diana anticipate making sandwiches for Casa Mara on a monthly basis. Food costs amounted to about $150 to make 506 sandwiches. They have already received $50 in donations towards the next session!  When donations reach $150, Angela and Diana will announce timing for the next session. 

Donations are tax deductible and may be made either by cash or check  (made out to Our Lady of the Desert Church with “Sandwich Ministry” written in the memo line).  “In-kind” food donations are also welcome. Please coordinate them with Diana (email: diana@davenport.net; cell: 520-612-9873). Diana/OLD Church can provide receipts for cash, check or in-kind donations.

 

Redemptorist Associates are partners with professed Redemptorists in the mission of proclaiming plentiful redemption to the most abandoned, particularly the materially poor who live out their commitments within the context of their daily lives.

After leading the group in the prayer that was used to open each session of Vatican II, Fr Paul showed a video (# 13 “Associates” from the Partners in Mission Retreat in Oconomowoc in October 2017) in which Anne Walsh, Chair of the General Commission for Partners in Mission, leads a group discussion about the Redemptorist charism and what it means to be a Redemptorist Associate.

Encouraging lay participation in the Redemptorist Mission and Spirituality is a priory for Redemptorists worldwide, Fr Paul pointed out as he providing both a summary of the video as well as a draft copy of the Redemptorist Associate Guidelines to the group for further discussion.

John Davenport announced both the creation of a an associates website at oldassociates.net as well as the creation of a joint Dropbox account for associates’ use.