Transmission of the Thanks Giving Mass for the VIII Assembly of the LCM

This afternoon the Thanks Giving Mass for the VIII General Assembly of the LCM at the Our Lady of Aparecida Shrine will be transmitted through the shrine’s tv channel. You can follow it in the net through this link starting at 6:00 PM Brazil local time (Brasilia).

Tino Rodriguez, is re-elected Secretary General of the LCM

Venezuela was in charge of today’s morning Eucharist. We celebrated the recognition of the family with a special moment during communion for the married couples present here at the Assembly (Tino & Auxi, Concha & Pablo, Tomas & Syd, Laura & Miguelo), and also a very emotional final blessing for the elders of the Assembly: Petra, Nene, Consuelo, Conchita and Maria Isabel.

In our work session we began by reading the greetings that arrive from the Heart of Mary Community (Zaragoza, North Spain) and Antioch (Sivilla, Betica), as well the message from Justin (Colombia), and of Julita Villanueva from Mexico. We proceeded with the reading of the minutes from the previous day and this was followed with the presentation of the candidates that came through the sondeo yesterday. The candidates then shared their personal history and that with the LCM along with their availability to fulfill the functions required by the office.

After the break we started the second big section of the Assembly. Now it was time to begin looking for concrete proposals and suggestions in walking towards our future. We introduced ourselves into this work by invoking the Holy Spirit to enlighten us, through the discernment that we did yesterday, by seek out concrete lines of action. We worked in groups on the 8 themes to be discerned: Identity, Spirituality, Formation, Mission, Guides, New Members, Economy, and Communication. While respecting local autonomy we seek out proposals and suggestions with a common vision for the General Council, Regional Council, and groups and communities. The vision and its synthesis took us until late afternoon.

After a brief break, we began the electoral process. In the late afternoon we proceeded to elect the General Secretary. The prayer in the chapel prior to the election was guided by the representatives of El Caribe. In this environment of prayer we returned to the Assembly hall where the Assembly chairs went over the members with right to vote and the procedure for the vote is reviewed. The number of those present with the right to vote was 40. For an absolute majority 21 votes are required. In this environment of prayer and order the vote took place, in which on the first vote and by absolute majority Constantino Rodriguez was elected, with 38 votes and 2 blank ones. With an emotional and loud applause his last four years of service and love for the LCMF are recognized, and the confidence on him for the next four years is ratified. After accepting the election we conclude with a brief thanks giving to Mary. Before dinner we closed this intense day with a prayer prepared by Canada. We closed the day’s activities with dinner and a fraternal celebration prepared by Venezuela.

Shaping the present and future of the LCM and the first sondeo of the candidates for the General Council

We began as we do each day with the Eucharist. Today’s liturgy was animated by Colombia. The Eucharist motivated us to break the chains, to undo what has been learned, so that we may walk towards the future of the LCM.

After breakfast we started our work session by reading the messages received through e-mail and blog. In this manner they make themselves present at the Assembly Fr. Luis Erlin, CMF (Sao Paulo Curia); our Lay Claretian brothers and sisters from Puerto Rico (Gladys); San Pedro Sula (Judith), and from Cuba (Mirtha Burgos). Following this the minutes from July 18 (completed) and from July 19 are read for approval.

The Curriculum Vitae and availability of the candidates that were introduced for the posts in the council two days back were discussed, along with the reasons and qualifications for which they were suggested. This is done both for those that are present in the Assembly and for those that are not through the people that know them. A brief coffee break and we started the second session of the morning. Again, some more messages are read, this time from Maxim Gonzalez, CMF (Provincial of Cataluna); our brothers and sisters from Puerto Rico (Angel, Betsy, and Berenice). The objective of the dynamic for our working session is to clarify what God wants for the LCM in the future. To complement the work done thus by the Assembly the contributions received through e-mail and blog in regards to the suggested questions were read. Images and explanations of the summarized work were shared and analyzed in groups of 4 persons to see if they reflect the reality of what has been said in the Assembly thus far. Finally, before lunch, we had a period of prayer to internalize and put in God’s hands all the work that has been done up to now.

In the afternoon, we continue our work session, this time, by analyzing in rotating groups how to best improve our Identity, Mission, Formation, Economy, Communication, Guides, Spirituality, and the Incorporation of New Members, in order to derive conclusions of the most relevant aspects of each one. After this the results of the sondeo of the candidates for the Council, that was done earlier, are read along with the names of the candidates for the General Secretary, as was done in the morning.

After dinner, Peru and Colombia entertain and teach us some dances and traditions from their countries.

Visit to “Fazenda (Farms) of Hope”

July 20. The members of the Assembly enjoyed a day of excursion and visiting with the residents of Fazenda da Esperanza. This place is a rehabilitation and therapeutic center for youth that are battling addictions. When we arrived at the center we celebrated the Eucharist in their beautiful chapel in the shape of a tent which was inaugurated by Pope Benedict XVI on his visit to Brazil. After the liturgy we shared a brunch which was prepared by the resident youths of the center, and we visited the farms, first the one for boys and later the ones for girls, some kilometers away.

After dinner, back at the retreat house, we gathered to read many of the received messages: Martha Lucia (LC, Colombia); Choni (Superior of RMI from South Spain); Manolo Tamargo (CMF Provincial of Santiago); Milagros Vicente (former Formation Secretary of the General Council); Maria del Mar Alvarez (General Director of Cordimarian Family), and Tono Parames (LC from the Emmaus Community, Betica and delegate to the Sevilla Zone).

The LC group from Mexico has made its presence in the Assembly through a video that was shown during the group’s presentation and the report of their activities.

Finally, the Caribe Region shared with us their experience of shared mission through the Fundacion Promicla, between the LC and CMF, and they shared a video of the Claretian Volunteers of Antillas.

Reflection on the LCM: Present and Future

We present to you the conclusions of the work that has been done thus far by the Assembly members. If you want to participate, leave your comments in the blog or send us your reflections to 8asamblea@seglaresclaretianos.org. On Thursday we will share with the Assembly all the comments received.

How is the LCM today? If I imagine the LCM as a person ……… the Movement is a persona that is 14 to 20 years old who has the characteristics of someone that age. (Seesaw: adolescence goes up and down)

It is in good health, but it has gone through some health issues of infancy, and it has some pains and aches that are not serious. It has not reached maturity yet, but in many ways it wants to be independent; autonomous, but in some aspects continues to be dependent (balloons: they represent dependency and its lack responsibility. The strings attached to them can be broken whenever the person decides to break them). It does not possess a clear image: of itself (head: without a face); of its potential; of its weaknesses, of its own identity (bar standing on: unstable identity); of its charism. It has key undefined issues (silhouette: unfinished).

It is an active person (it is in movement with something always on its hands), it uses comfortable clothing, simple (clothing: loose, it hides the shape of the body). It does not what to attract attention to itself, yet it does not want to go unnoticed, it wants to be taken into consideration, to be noticed. It has difficulties in balancing its activity and spirituality, its being and doing, its contemplation and activity (vertical axis: represents the duality in the person). It is a happy person (the smile), open (the open arms). In some aspects it seems committed, but in others it is too relaxed, and in some occasions it feels disoriented because it is not clear how it needs to respond to particular situations (legs: one firmly planted and the other relaxed). This youth is in the process of discernment (LCM question mark) because it still does not know what its role in God’s Kingdom is (the world at its feet is not clearly defined, color blotches), and it does not want to define itself or what its mission is.

It does not feel the need to face the responsibilities of some aspects of the life of an adult person (circles: different sizes), for example: its finances, family, civil, and social. It does not recognize the importance, the weight of its transcendence that these aspects have on its person. However, in others times it is capable to assume important responsibilities in a mature way, like the proclamation of the Word, option for the poor, solidarity, and in many occasions lived it in a share mission (The large circles are the responsibilities that have been taken with maturity, while the small ones are the responsibilities that it avoids.)

It likes technology (ipod, headphones, …..) and uses it to communicate, but only when it wants to talk with friends and not when the need to respond to responsibilities arise, and it is a challenge to communicate in other languages (cube-circle, letters in different languages: they symbolize communication difficulties).

It is a youth that wants to live in community and feel the need for formation. It recognizes the importance of the Word, prayer, and the sacraments as a water source, food, support… but not always constant (The base is formed by disjointed elements, which represent inconsistency).

What is our image of LCM for the future?

It is larder (geographical expansion) and more mature. It has good health, but it has gone through some illnesses and difficulties that are not serious. It is more aware of its physicality (Constant attention to its members), and in general it remain fit. It is independent and autonomous (the balloons are no longer tied). It has a clear image of itself (the face is complete and the silhouette is well defined), of its capabilities, its weaknesses, and its own identity (its identity is supported by a solid base), of its charism (core LCM ideals appear). It appears with financial and emotional stability.

It is an active person with simple and comfortable clothing. It is recognized and consulted by in society (megaphone). It is joyful person, open and committed, restless, awaken, and dynamic, available for mission (in movement, dynamic).

It is in a process of discernment and revision, ready to renew itself and respond to what is most urgent, opportune, and effective, according to its vocation. It assumes its responsibilities: financial, family, civil, social and the proclamation of the Word, option for the poor, solidarity (all these is represented in the haversack where all responsibilities are carried). In many occasions it lives its vocation as shared mission (symbolized by the stick that hold the haversack, which has green leaves that represent the Claretian Family). It likes technology and uses it to communicate, even in different languages (megaphone, pamphlets with symbols of social networks y means of communication. At the base of its identity appear symbols of other languages). It desires to live in community and it’s in continual formation. It recognizes the importance of the Word, prayer, the sacraments, and the Lay Claretian ideals as source of water, food, and support…. They important pillars of its life (pillars on which its identity is founded).

End of the presentations of Stories

July 18. We began the day with the Eucharist, animated by the Region of Caribe and presided by Fr. Hector Cuadrado, CMF, Major Superior of the Antillas Delegation. Starting with today’s Gospel we had a shared homily centered on the signs of God through the LCM in the different groups and regions: denouncement of social injustices, insertion in the world, support for immigrants, option for the poor through the work of NGOs, foundations (Promicla, Proclade, Caritas), feeding the poor, attention to malnourished children, community pharmacies, land protection and reform, support of native cultures, political commitment, spiritual renewal, biblical formation for evangelizers of the Word ….

After breakfast and the approval of yesterday’s minutes the presentation of Stories by the Regions of North Spain, Venezuela and Peru was done. These last two countries offered us a small gift from their regions. The different Stories will be published in the net. The videos will be uploaded to youtube, where you can already find others along with these. You are also informed that after 2:00 PM, Brazil time, one of the sessions of the Assembly will be transmitted through radio from Peru. You can follow the transmission in www.redkatolikos.com

Presentation of Regional Stories

July 17. This afternoon we dealt with the theme of the Assembly “Present and Future of the Lay Claretian Movement”. We started with getting to know the present reality of the different regions and groups without a region during the presentation of Stories. Video and Power Point presentations brought us closer to the daily life of these communities, their members, apostolic activities, and encounters that have taken place. Argentina prepared the final prayer, after which we left for dinner.

The evening has been organized by Bolivia, Argentina-Uruguay, and Chile in which they delighted us with song and dance; they also offered us a small gift from their lands.

Participate in the Assembly!!

If you want to participate in the Lay Claretian General Assembly and you could not come, you can now participate. Today and through tomorrow we are analyzing the present reality of the Lay Claretian Movement (LCM).

How do you see the present reality of the LCM? Its accomplishments, its weaknesses, its challenges, its opportunities, virtues and problem areas…. Answer this question in the blog. All answers that are received will be read and shared tomorrow afternoon. We await your participation!!!!!

First Day of the Assembly

July 17. We awaken in Aparecida. We are all together now. Late last night the representatives from Caribe and Peru arrived. In the morning, after breakfast, we went to the Basilica of Our Lady of Aperecida for the opening Eucharistic liturgy. During the mass Tino, the General Secretary, helped us reflect on the Assembly in the light of the proclaimed Word. As Lay Claretians we are seeds that should not to be strangled by the weeds of the world in which we live and are sown in. At the same time that we are seed, we are also sowers, evangelizers. We are called to proclaim the Kingdom and to transform the world. As a charismatic movement within the Church we bear a specific color: burning red. It is the color of love, the burning heart of Mary. In that burning fire we are forged as spears that are launched into the world. In this Assembly we are called to discern God’s will in order that we may know the direction in which are to be sent. It does not matter that we are only a few, or that we have difficulties or deficiencies. A little bit of yeast can leaven the whole batch, because the power of the Spirit and the Love of God is with us.

During the Eucharist we share a special remembrance of those who could not be with us, but whom we carry in our hearts. At the return to the retreat house we hold the first session of the Assembly to organize ourselves and to assign responsibilities. The working papers are given, the rights for voting are reviewed, the rules of procedure are approved, and internal assignments and commissions for the Assembly are created. After this we leave for lunch.

July 16. The Assembly participants here in Brazil started the day with a Eucharistic celebration of the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel together with the Claretian Missionaries of Sao Paulo; this is the anniversary feast of the congregation. As a family we give thanks to God and place our Assembly in the Heat of Our Mother.

After taking care of some last details and making our bags, we departed by bus after lunch for Aparecida. We stopped briefly at the airport to pick up brethren from Chile, Bolivia, and North Spain, and finally arrived at our destination. At the retreat house we were warmly welcomed and received with great hospitality by the province of Brazil. There we were joined by brethren from Canada and Argentina-Uruguay.

After dinner we were formally welcomed in a warm ceremony prepared by our brethren from Brazil. Teresa, regional coordinator of Brazil, greeted us and reminded us that we were finally in Aparecida, at the feet of our Mother. In this very significant Marian place we commend ourselves to her so that she may enlighten us in the knowledge of God’s will and discern the direction that our Movement is to follow.

The day ended with a beautiful theatrical presentation of the history of Our Lady of Aparecida and a fascinating show of capoeira (Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century). From Wikipedia.

Llegando a Brasil / Arriving to Brazil

15 de Julio de 2011, preasamblea en Sao Paulo.
Los participantes de la VIII Asamblea General de Seglares Claretianos van llegando poco a poco a Sao Paulo (Brasil). Ya nos encuentramos aquí las regiones de Venezuela, Colombia, Chicago y Bética. Los misioneros claretianos nos han acogido generosamente en su casa hasta el día 16, donde nos trasladeremos a Aparecida. Allí llegarán el resto de los participantes para dar comienzo la Asamblea.
En estos días previos a la Asamblea, además de ultimar preparativos, aprovechamos para la convivencia fraterna entre regiones. Guiados y acompañados por nuestros hermanos de Brasil, hemos realizado una breve excursión para visitar uno de los parques más bonitos de la ciudad.

July 15, 2011, Pre-Assembly in Sao Paulo.

The participants of the VIII Lay Claretian General Assembly are coming gradually to Sao Paulo (Brazil). We are already here: the regions of Venezuela, Colombia, Chicago and Betica. Claretian Missionaries have welcomed us generously in their home until the 16th, where we will go to Aparecida. There they  will be arrive the rest of the participants to begin the assembly.

In these days before the Assembly further to finalizing preparations, take this opportunity to fraternal coexistence among regions. Guided and accompanied by our brothers in Brazil, we made a brief excursion to visit one of the most beautiful parks in the city.