Advent Announcement 2017

The NCW had its Advent Announcement last night.  The Announcement always starts with the International Team who transmit it to the Team Catechists who then transmit it to the communities.  

The Announcement started with a couple of good news. Four RMS seminarians had passed their exams with flying colors. The 50th Anniversary of the NCW in Rome will also be celebrated next year on May 5th, and all are invited to attend. We were also reminded of the fruits that the RMS in Guam has brought.  As Jokers Wild stated: 

Many years of our own Seminary. Many priests ordained. Many young men discerning the call to the priesthood. Many young men abroad,a local priest ordained for Miami, a local boy being formed in Rome, another local boy being formed in Portugal. Many families in mission in other countries where the church is not present fully, offering their lives as a sign of Gods love. Many women have given up their lives to pray unceasingly for all of us. These are just a few of the concrete signs that we can always rejoice in.

Yes, we have young Chamorro men being formed for the priesthood. One is ordained in Miami,  and two others being formed in Rome and Portugal.  We also have local itinerants and local mission families.  These are some of the fruits of the NCW and RMS.  Imagine!  Our own people going out being missionaries.  We were also told that even communities are being called into mission. These communities in mission will be placed in a parish, helping the parish priest.  Some of the members helped the parish priest by being altar servers, lectors, Eucharistic ministers while others helped with the CCD students.  The cantors became the parish choir.  These are things many of us are already doing in our own parishes.  So, God is preparing us for the future call when we will be sent out in mission as a community.  

We were shown a short video clip of Kiko Arguello's travels to India and China.  A cardinal in India invited Kiko to his country because he was very impressed with the NCW when he attended the retreat in Galilee.  A calling was made in India, and 60 youths and men stood up for the priesthood.  62 youths and women also stood up to join the convent.  

The brothers in the Way were also instructed to begin Christmas on December 17th.  However, my family and I were already in the Christmas mood and had already set up our beautiful nativity. 

The announcement ended with the three P's: Patience, Prayer, and Perseverance.  Our catechists told us to be patient, to lead a prayerful life, and to persevere during the trials in our lives and the persecutions in the NCW.  Rejoice.  Yes, we have much to rejoice in!  Have a Blessed Advent!!!