According to the Umatuna (the bold is mine):One of the reason why the United States would never give up Guam is because of its strategic location to Asia - a predominantly non-Christian continent. The Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Guam was not only there to serve the local Church but also serve the Universal Church in spreading the Gospel. Guam would be an ideal place for RMS because it is an American territory closer to the Asian region....a region that is predominantly non-Christian.“The main reason for closing the seminary is that it’s just not a sustainable model for the Archdiocese of Agaña,” the archbishop said.The Redemptoris Mater Seminary model is a missionary seminary model whereby priests are formed at a diocese and are then sent as missionaries to other places, the archbishop explained.That model could work and be very sustainable in other places, in particularly large dioceses like Denver or Miami where Catholic faithful number in the millions, the archbishop said. However, it is not sustainable on a small island like Guam, he said.
Archbishop Byrnes says the RMS model is a missionary seminary model and such a model is not sustainable in Guam. REALLY? What Catholic seminary is viewed as non-missionary and do not teach missionary work? What Catholic seminary does not prepare its priest for missionary work? I suppose then that Archbishop Byrnes does not view himself as a missionary shepherd? The Catholic Church itself is missionary. All her baptized are missionaries and called to spread the Gospel to the ends of the world just as Jesus commanded. The mission of the Church is to save souls. According to Vatican Radio:
The Church should be on its feet and on the journey, listening to the restlessness of the people, and always with joy.........
Pope Francis the focused on three "words" taken from the day's first Reading, inviting those present to re-read the passage at home. The first saying was the words of an angel to Philip: "Get up and go". "This," the Pope said, "is a sign of evangelization": the vocation, and the great consolation of the Church," is to evangelize.
“But in order to evangelize: ‘Get up and go!’ One doesn’t say: ‘Stay seated, calm, in your house’: No! In order to be faithful to the Lord, the Church should always be on its feet and on the journey: ‘Get up and go.’ A Church that does not rise up, that is not on the journey, is sick.Pope Francis encouraged us to listen to the restlessness of the people with joy. One cannot listen if all you do is talk. And when you evangelize using only a newspaper and a podcast from behind your desk, you are not listening to the suffering of the people. All you are doing is talking. A church that stays in is SICK. Jesus left the 99 sheep and went looking for the lost sheep. The shepherd always goes out of his way to save the lost sheep.
Another Redemptoris Mater Seminary is being opened in France. Praise the Lord for this Missionary model of a seminary. Praise the Lord for a missionary seminary producing missionary priests who goes out looking for the lost sheep. What is unique about the opening of this seminary is that its opening is a result of martyrdom. According to Catholic News Agency:
.- Patrick Canac was baptized, but like so many others, drifted away from the Church over time.
In recent months, however, the successful French businessman has had a change of heart, returning to the Catholic Church and even making a large donation for the construction of a new seminary in Avignon, France.
What caused the drastic change? The witness of Fr. Jacques Hamel, the priest killed in August 2016 by ISIS jihadists as he was celebrating Mass in the small French town of Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, a suburb of Rouen.
“I was brought up in the Christian faith. I was baptized and received all the sacraments of initiation, but then I drifted away from the practice of my faith for a long time,” Canac told CNA during a visit to Rome.
“Last year, the murder of Fr. Jacques Hamel in a church near Rouen really hit me,” he said. “For terror to make its way into that church reminded me of the darkest times of our civilization.”
“I had an immediate, reflexive reaction as if they had killed my brother. That someone can go into a church today and kill the celebrant is just terrible, it's horrific, it's the devil going into a church.”
The French businessman had an instant reversion to the faith, realizing, “we all have Judeo-Christian roots” which “must be defended and saved.
“It's the same problem they have the Middle East, where Christians are being killed,” he reflected. “And I had an inner reaction, telling myself, 'I'm a Christian and I've got to do something, put my talents to use'.”
Canac promptly made a large donation to build the new Redemptoris Mater seminary in Avignon. The project is gradually becoming a reality, and Pope Francis blessed the building's cornerstone at his Sept. 4 general audience in Saint Peter's Square.
“I think it's important for our Western countries – (including) France, of course – to be evangelized, that people be encouraged to return to the Church again. Because the Church is the cradle of our civilization,” Canac said.
“I think of the first Christians, those who were pioneers, those missionaries and martyrs that spread the Gospel throughout the world. And that's why I have put my business success to work by helping with the building project for the Redemptoris Mater seminary in Avignon.”
He explained that seminary will help to re-evangelize Europe by forming the priests who will become modern-day missionaries, “priests that will evangelize people like me so they can return to the Church.”
He continued: “After the murder of Fr. Hamel, I felt that our Judeo-Christian civilization is being threatened. Anything that will form people who will spread the Gospel, a Christian message of peace and love, must be helped.”
Last October, Pope Francis allowed the opening of Fr. Hamel’s beatification cause, waiving the normal five-year waiting period after his death.
“I am in complete agreement with Pope Francis proposing him for beatification,” Canac said. “Fr. Jacques in a martyr. What I have learned about his past life before he was killed is that he was a true Christian, worthy to be a martyr. He tried to convince his murderers that they were doing evil. His attitude was extraordinary and exemplary for everyone, Christians and non-Christians alike.”
Although the RMS Guam is scheduled to close(still praying for it not to) there was news out of the recent convivence Merkaba that several seminaries are opening. Isn't this what it means to be missionary? To have the bigger picture in mind, to worry about the others.
ReplyDeleteThe Archbishop is just revealing what he believes to be the model for the local church. Gas Stations! Yep this is what every church should be no more no less. Come in fill up and go. What you do when you leave is up to you. We'll see you next Sunday.
Guess what is also happening, several parishes are handing out Sacraments like candy, just to increase their Sunday collection. Speed courses. Ages varying from 6th grade to adults,enrolled in confirmation fast track.
They'll never retain the crowd after the year ends and sacraments have been dished out. There's no consistency like the life we have in community.
Pas!
-Jokers Wild
If they are failing and you're complaining, what does that tell me? It tells me that there are people serving the Lord despite their limitations and shortcomings while you sit, watch, and complain. They may be 'lazy' in your eyes, but your words make you seem worse. But because I know these are just my assumptions based on your statements, why don't you tell us yourself, if you are aware of this problem, are you doing anything to prevent it or build them up as members of the Christian family outside of the NCW? Do you invite them to your parish, get to know them, and offer your services to help them learn and grow as a Christian? If not, should you even be complaining? If you are, shouldn't you be thankful and ask God to continue to bless your work so you can reach more children and adults? Why complain to us? Shouldn't your concerns be brought to the bishop himself? If he isn't listening, why not be like CCOG and complain loudly in public? If their example is any indication, persistently banging on his door works. It's really sad to see that you're reduced to complaints instead of taking action as a community to actually stand up against this problem.
DeleteDear Joke's on you,
DeleteDid you read the post? I am not complaining. I am expressing my agreement with Pope Francis. It was Pope Francis who stated: "But in order to evangelize: ‘Get up and go!’One doesn’t say: ‘Stay seated, calm, in your house’: No! In order to be faithful to the Lord, the Church should always be on its feet and on the journey: ‘Get up and go.’ A Church that does not rise up, that is not on the journey, is sick."
Do you think the Pope was complaining???? I believe he gave good and sound advice that all bishops should follow. I agree with the Pope.
A seminary is a sign of evangelization and that more men are being called to the priesthood. Because Guam is close to the Asian continent, Guam's RMS can send men to spread the gospel to Asia.
That's not how the NCW operates. We're not here to dictate to the Archbishop what to do. We never did that with Apuron nor will we do that to Byrnes. We expect Byrnes to make his own decisions. Apparently, that's not the case. The reason Byrnes gave for closing RMS is pathetic. We also know that it came from Rohr cuz those were the same reasons Rohr cited in JW. It would have been more believable had Byrnes just come out and say he's closing RMS cuz he needed the money to pay out the settlement.
DeleteDiana,
DeleteI was addressing Jokers Wild. Also, I do not think the Pope was complaining because he actually does something to reach people left on the margins and encourages others to do so. I don't know you. I don't know what you're doing outside of your parish to reach those "Sunday" gas stations. And because I don't know, all I have is your words. From them, all I get is how much contempt some members of the NCW have for those not in the NCW.
However, why don't we set the record straight? Why don't you tell us what you think about the people that only attend Sunday mass and of those priests who aren't in the NCW? What exactly do you think of them and their service?
Dear Anonymous at 11:31 am,
DeleteFirst of all, go out evangelizing both in and outside of Guam. But when we evangelize, we do not promote the Way. We promote Christ.
As for those who go to Sunday Mass, they are no different from us. They are our brothers and also sinners like us. Many of them come to Sunday Mass, and some of them who attend Sunday Mass serve the church in some way such as being in the choir, altar servers, etc. However, most of them only come to Mass on Easter, Christmas, and fiesta time. That is when you see the church is full.
There are a few differences that I also see between the Way and the regular church goers. In the Way, everyone knows each other by name because the community is small. In the Church, not everyone knows each other by name because the community is large. In the Way, there is more participation because the laity is involved in making the Eucharistic bread and in setting up. In the Church, everything is already set up so there is very little involvement from the laity. In the Way, no one leaves until Mass is over. In the Church, some people leave after communion.
"As for those who go to Sunday Mass, they are no different from us."
DeleteThen why do you look down on them?
Dear 5:18 pm,
DeleteWhy do you look down on the NCW?
You see....we are not so different after all.
Why do you say I look down on the NCW?
DeleteI have never complained about what you do except when it comes to the way you talk about those who attend Sunday mass regurlarly as if it was a joke.
If our Sunday and daily masses are like a "gas station", what does that make the NCW mass?
Dear Anonymous at 6:45 pm,
DeleteFor your information, I also attend the Sunday Mass. And I was telling you what I saw at the Sunday Mass.
You say that we should not complain about some who attend the Sunday Mass. Why not? I believe someone should tell those who leave Mass after holy communion that they should wait until Mass is completely over. A person who leaves after holy communion is a joke. Someone should tell those Catholics who only come on Christmas, Easter and the fiesta to come every Sunday. Someone should tell them that it is a mortal sin to miss Mass. It is a joke if they only come during fiesta, Christmas, and Easter when they should be attending every Sunday.
"I believe someone should tell those who leave Mass after holy communion that they should wait until Mass is completely over"
DeleteAgreed
"A person who leaves after holy communion is a joke. Someone should tell those Catholics who only come on Christmas, Easter and the fiesta to come every Sunday"
Yes
"Someone should tell them that it is a mortal sin to miss Mass."
Agreed again.
but then there's the problem that ignoring the liturgical instructions that the Church gives us, is also sinful. Some people put flowers on the altar next to a singularly Jewish symbol. They refuse to kneel in adoration. They think they "concelebrate" with the priest and consume the Eucharist simultaneously with him. They dance around the foot of the cross as if its a party.
Someone should tell them that these things are sinful.
Dear Anonymous at 11:26 am,
DeleteThe NCW have already been told about the flowers, the kneeling, and everything else. But when are you going to start telling the people who leave Sunday Mass early and those who only come to Mass on Christmas, Easter, and fiesta??????
Diana @ 11:42 AM as you said "The NCW have already been told about the flowers, the kneeling and everything else." That's all good and well.
DeleteMy question is: Are the communities DOING what they've been told to do?
Dear Just Wondering,
DeleteYes, we have been following what the Archbishop has been telling us.
Dear Diana, at 11.42am, are you willing, then , to retract your previous defense of "the flowers, the kneeling, and everything else"?
DeleteSpecifically, are you now prepared to concede that your prior arguments about the NCW "concelebrating" were wrong?
Dear Anonymous at 5:27 pm,
DeleteI said we follow the Archbishop. I never said that we follow YOU.
I agree with you Diana, but some in the NCW make the mistake of categorizing EVERYONE WHO ATTENDS SUNDAY MASS NOT IN THE NCW as Catholics whose worship is a JOKE and that you are better catholics because your masses and community are "more involved".
DeleteIf you have a problem with "these people" who you think are jokes, then why don't you go up and tell them to their face what your problem with them is instead of comparing yourselves and why you're so much better off?
And did it ever occur to you that some people who show up on special occassions may be celebrating with family members that regularly attend that parish but they, themselves regularly attend mass in another parish? But you wouldn't know that because you are too busy with the NCW and aren't part of the larger "anonymous" community of Sunday worshippers to know that. You probably just assumed that, that was the case for EVERY new/semi-new face.
And even if they did show up to mass for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th time that year, instead of complaining about what they aren't doing why don't you thank God they actually showed up to mass and have the opportunity to listen to the Word of God and PRAY for them?
Just wondering,
DeleteIf you are so curious why don't you go to one of their masses and find out? They are supposed to announced in the bulletin and they are supposedly open to everyone.
GO SEE FOR YOURSELF.
Dear Anonymous at 7:22 pm,
DeleteIn the NCW, we correct each other. So yes, the catechist have said that we are all sinners and no better even than the inmates at DOC. So, when are you going to correct those who only attend Mass on Christmas, Easter, and fiesta instead of making excuses for them???? REALLY Anonymous....to make excuses instead of correcting them?
Who are "they"?
DeleteWhat are their names?
Where do they live?
What do they do?
How many members do they have in their family?
What is their story?
Do they believe in Jesus?
Do they believe in the resurrection?
Tell me what excuse I made for "them".
Dear Anonymous at 12:57 pm,
DeleteWhy ask me? Since you separate the NCW from regular Sunday parishioners, go and find out who they are. Make the effort to know your brothers in your large community. The NCW had no problem knowing the members in their small communities.
You're right. I should make the effort to know my brothers in the large community since you don't want to. Apparently, you care more for those who actually know who Jesus is than those who don't.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 7:14 pm,
DeleteOn the contrary, it is NOT that I do not want to know them. It is so that YOU need to stop depending on other people and do it yourself.
Sooo true....if only...
ReplyDeleteDo not be so Judgmental Jokers Wild. We also come and go as you might not notice. Some communities are fused, remember. We patterned ourselves from our Mother church, good for many of us we our light received might be brighter or hazy than others. We are all in the same soup. If God allows us to convert, in Gods grace, we might. Thanks be to God. But never better than the other all the time.
ReplyDeleteRMS Guam is not sustainable. It is true. There is already an existing seminary in the Philippines and another one in Asia (not sure about Takamatsu now) that seminarians can be trained there. I think the NCW is playing the numbers game here. So sad.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 7:08 am,
DeleteThe RMS in Japan has been closed down. If I'm not mistaken, I think it is the same in the Philippines. Maybe someone from the Philippines would know.
I know it is still there. So, why the need for RMS Guam, I think it is only for show and that to impress Kiko and not really for the greater glory of God.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 2:09 am,
DeleteA growing seminary means a growing priesthood, and the growing priesthood is coming from the NCW communities.
Amen
DeleteNo, Manila in open.... With Japan (in Rome), kaohsiung (taiwan), Seoul, Karachi, Bangalore, Pune e Ranchi
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 4:47 pm,
DeleteThe RMS in Japan is closed. I have not heard anything about the RMS in Manila other than that there is a moratorium on the NCW there.
Absolutely not! Takamatsu seminary continues in Rome with a dedicated RMS section for Japan, as was established by Pope Benedict. There is no moratorium on the Neocatechumenal way in the Philippines except one diocese (Lingayen). Sorry for my english!
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 7:08 pm,
DeleteRome is too far from Asia. Thank you for the information of the NCW in the Philippines. I am glad to hear that the NCW is allowed to continue in other parts of the Philippines.
The Rms of Japan is not closed. Pope Benedict XVI personally established the seminary for Japan in Rome when the Japanese bishops wanted to close it. he stopped them told them they could not do it and moved the seminary to Rome. In Rome, the RMS forms priests for Japan.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 3:20 pm,
DeleteHe did not move the seminary to Rome. He moved the SEMINARIANS to Rome. The seminary in Japan is closed. If it was open, the SEMINARIANS would not need to move to Rome.
The Japanese bishops wanted to expel the NCW out of the country. The pope stopped them and said you cannot do it.