July 2008
7/28/08
The Spirit of World Youth Day
The World Youth Day celebrations concluded, Fr. John Martin Shimkus, O.S.B. returned home last week from his two week stay in Australia.
The eight member Genesis Ministries group Fr. John traveled with was able to split its time between a cottage next to St. Benedict’s Monastery in Arcadia and a number of host families in the Sydney area. Activities included some hiking and site-seeing at the beginning and end of the trip and a multitude of faith-related events during the World Youth Day “week” of July 15-20.
“The city of Sydney was literally taken over by World Youth Day pilgrims”, said Fr. John Martin. “I’ve never seen anything like it: young people chanting, waving flags, smiling and cheering one another on as we passed in the streets. Then, of course, there were the major events that brought all the pilgrims together. These were deeply moving expressions of faith.”
World Youth Day pilgrims gathered for an opening Mass on Tuesday, July 15; the arrival of Pope Benedict XVI - whom they enthusiastically greeted with cries of “Benedetto!”- on Thursday; a portrayal of the Way of the Cross down the streets of Sydney on Friday; then an all night vigil on Randwick Racecourse, Saturday, followed by the closing Mass which was attended by over 350,000.
“We speak of the Church as the Body of Christ in this world”, observed Fr. John Martin. “Spending a night under the stars with 200,000 other pilgrims, then rising to celebrate Eucharist with the Pope on Sunday morning - that really made our unity in the Holy Spirit a tangible reality to me!”
We pray that the power of this Holy Spirit will be a lasting and ever greater force for good as the World Youth Day pilgrims return to their homes around the globe!
7/22/08
More Items At Our Gift Shop
Over the years, many have found our online gift shop a convenient and affordable way to purchase religious items as well as support our community and its works. This Thursday, July 24th, we will add a variety of new offerings such as Bibles, sweat shirts and sacramentals. As usual, our prices are discounted as our way of thanking in advance, those who share our faith in the Gospel. Please visit our gift shop and have a look around this week. If there is an item not there that you think would be a good offering, please let us know.
7/15/08
St. Benedict’s Feast
This past July 11th was the Feast of our Holy Father, St. Benedict. Every Benedictine community throughout the world celebrates it as a solemnity. Our community celebrated a special Mass that morning which included a message of brotherly encouragement and affirmation during the homily given by our Prior, Fr. Daniel Homan. At noon, an exceptional meal was prepared by our “chef”, Br. Marty Singer.
The following day, our oblate community had a special day of celebration for St. Benedict at our monastery and retreat house. In the morning, 23 of our lay associates came to celebrate the Mass presided by Fr. Daniel Homan. Afterward, everyone gathered at Subiaco Retreat to enjoy a barbeque “picnic”. Originally planned as an outdoor event, the meal was enjoyed inside the retreat house due to the inclement weather. Regardless, the grey day did not put a dash on the spirits of our oblate who came to celebrate the gift St. Benedict has been to their lives and to the Church.
Pilgrims to Australia
From July 15th through the 20th, the faithful
from all over the world will come to Sydney, Australia to celebrate
World Youth Day. This gathering of young people, started by the
late Pope John Paul II takes place every two years. During the
six-day celebration of hope, there will be prayer services, Eucharistic
Adoration, availability of the sacrament of reconciliation, catechesis
as well as opportunities to explore the local area. This year,
over 600,000 pilgrims are expected to be there to celebrate the
universal call to holiness and welcome his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.
One of our monks has been honored with the
opportunity to offer his presence and priestly ministry for a group of
young men and women called Genesis Ministries (based in the Pontiac
area, north of Detroit). Fr. John Martin Shimkus, O.S.B. will
start his pilgrimage with them to the “Land Down Under” on Thursday
July 8th and is expected to return home on the 25th. Fortunately,
our community has a monastery in Australia, so Fr. John Martin made
arrangements for the members of Genesis to stay at St. Benedict
Monastery in Arcadia for a part of their time there. The
remaining days will be spent at a “host” family’s home in the
area. Fr. John Martin reflects, “World Youth Day has been able to
magnify the power of Christ’s love and the witness of our faith, not
just for a week, but for years to come. I am grateful to be part
of it.”
We ask all our website visitors and friends to
keep the members of Genesis Ministries safe during their trip and that
they will be inspired in their growth in the Catholic faith when they
return home.
For an itinerary of the pilgrimage and
information about Genesis ministry please visit
vhttp://genesisdownunder.blogspot.com/
Brother Benedict Returns Home
After being hospitalized for a week, Br. Benedict Guiliani returned home from Crittenden Hospital in Rochester Hills. Although he is still recovering from the pneumonia and an ulcer, his progress is nothing short of remarkable. Our community at St. Benedict Monastery has been doing their best to ensure that he is well cared for. With the help of nurses who come periodically throughout the week, the monks do their part everyday in providing for his needs and encourage him in his recovery. At 94, Benedict’s fighting spirit has not been weakened by this physical and emotional trial. With humility he accepts the help of others when it is needed and, little by little as he gets stronger with time and therapy, he is regaining his independence.