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Home , Catherine of Racconigi, Henry Suso

LAY DOMINICANS ST. ALBERT T H E G R E A T CENTRAL PROVINCE contemplata

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 SEPTEMBER, 2013 7 VI R- TUES Francis wrote recently  CHASTITY that the reform that’s need- Clericalism? ed is “neither to clericalize  TEMPERANCE nor asked to be clericalized. The layperson is a layperson. Clerticalism—What is Yet the Church does not  CHARITY He has to live as a layper- it? Is it wrong? - It is a teach this (Lumen Gentium, son..to be a leaven of the danger in our Church, Apostolicam Actuositatem).  DILIGENCE love of God in society it- in our spiritual life. We are all the ‘People of self...to proclaim the faith, God’ and are all called to  PATIENCE It is a newly-empha– not from a pulpit but from cized problem but not lives of sanctity. We are not his everyday life.” anti-clerical but genuinely  KINDNESS a new problem. It has been with us for many complementary and mutual- ly supportive.  HUMILITY centuries. In 2004 in “100% Dominican; It is the belief that the cleri- 100% Laity” Fr. Jerry Stookey OP, our new Promoter, cal is the The question we must ask I N S I D E wrote: “We continue to standard and and answer is: “What is gen- THIS ISSUE: struggle with the centuries norm for uine Lay spirituality?” We of clericalism that divides Church members. The are Laity; we must act and Clericalism 1 our Catholic community Laity look to the clerics look Lay. It is our vocation 3 Essentials between those who are or- (and by extension to be Catholic Dominican dained and those who are and sisters) as the com- Laity. To this the Holy Spirit September 2 not, between religious and plete example for the is calling us. Let us not be secular...Vatican II restores Laity. It is felt that we, imitative but live our role October the sense of the Church as the Laity, should look complementarily and sup- the ...with dif- and act like the clerics. portively. ferent gifts.”

Happenings 3 Rule Formation 3 Essentials...

A Bridge 4 The significance of the num- Now we promote 3 special Too??? ber 3 for us begins with the documents with which every minican Leadership Who am I? . St. Dominic carried Lay Dominican should be All 3 of these are available Contemplari 3 books with him ( of familiar. This is especially for download from our Pro-

Matthew, writings of Paul, true for every elected Pro- vincial website: Cassian’s Conferences). The vincial Council Delegate. (laydominicancentral.org) earliest Dominicans were Before you attend the Pro- on the ‘Members’ page allowed to have 3 books. vincial Council read and study these3: Study is one of our Pillars Our Formation Training ad- and it would not be right to vocates 3 must-have books 1) Lay Dominican Rule come to the Provincial for every Dominican’s library 2) Provincial Council Bylaws Council without having read (Bible, Vatican II Documents, 3) A Handbook for Lay Do- and studied these 3 docu- Catechism). ments!

P A G E 2 Saint of the Month for September

For this month let us re- late medieval times. She as a result of her visions. A turn to the “Age of was born into a poor fami- broken dish was made Faith” as the medieval ly in , Italy in whole again. Money and times were known. This 1487, often in conflict. food would be provided is a time when legends At the age of 5 she began when needed. “Jesus, my and miracles abounded. to have visions of Jesus, hope!” she would often ex- It is a time before the Mary, claim. “Age of Science.” Walk and Peter Martyr. Jesus Eventually she became a Lay in the footsteps of the always appeared to her as Dominican. peasants and faithful of a the same age. Mary told Her neighbors were terri- bygone era and suspend Catherine that Jesus want- fied at the sounds and lights judgement for a delightful ed her as His bride and which came from her home moment. gifted her with a wedding during her mystical experi- Bl. ring and the only ences. Even the os- OP, (Italian: Caterina she could see. tracized her but she perse- Mattei), is an example of Many miracles happened vered.

October Saints Oct 3—Bl. Dominic Spadafora Oct 11—Bl. James of Ulm +1491 +1521 Oct 13—Bl. Madeline Panattieri Oct 4—OUR HOLY FATHER +1503 +1226 “Blessed are the Oct 14—Bl. Marie Poussepin Oct 5—Bl. Raymond of Capua +1744 poor in spirit.” +1399 Oct 27—Bl. Bartholomew of Oct 19—Bl. Agnes of Langeac Vicenza +1270 Matthew 5: 3 Oct 6—Bl. Bartolo Longo +1926 +1634 Oct 7—Our Lady of the Rosary Oct 21—Bl. Peter of Citta di Oct 28—Ss. Simon and Jude Castello +1445 Oct 8—Bl. Sansedoni Oct 30—Bl. Benvenuta Bo- +1287 Oct 25—Bl. Peter Geremia iani +1292 Bl. Matthew Careri +1470 +1452 Bl. Terence O’Brien +1651 Oct 9—St. +1581 Oct. 26—Bl. Damian of Finale Borgo +1484 Bl. Peter Higgins +1643 Henry Suso OP

Bl. Henry Suso OP wrote all its possessions and they flowed. My love “I am a good A Little Book of Eternal honors as worthless, and can also relieve regen- Wisdom (a conversation so pure...” only fit to be cast away; erate hearts from the with God). My beloved ones are en- heavy load of sin, and can give a free, pure, “Eternal Wisdom.— Lo! I compassed by My love, am a good so pure, that and are absorbed into the and gentle heart, and he who in his day only One Thing alone without create a clean con- gets one drop of Me re- imaged love and without science.” gards all the pleasures spoken words, and are and delights of this world Is this not Contempla- as nothing but bitterness; taken and infused into tion? that good out of which CONTEMPLATA VOLUME 2, ISSUE 4 P A G E 3

.The Central Province Lay Domincans will hold their Provincial Council at the Provincial Happenings Chicago Cenacle from 10/3—10/6. We do need your prayers for a fruitful meeting. All The Blessed Sacrament The Friars held their recently Chapter, Farmington Hills, MI. in Trogir, Croatia. Fr. Bruno Cadore we need now is some nice weather in the witnessed on Aug. 11, 2013 the OP, Master of the Order, emphasized: ‘Windy City.” Final Promises of Dr. McDonald Ph.D, OP and the the Word of God; fraternal communi- Check out our website: Reception of Maria Dyer OP ty; love of the world. (laydominicancentral.org) for new info during Evening Prayer with the on ‘News’, ‘Promoters’, ‘Jubilee’ and Contemplative Nuns in the Monastery Chapel. Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP, former It was a glorious occasion! Master, answered the question: “Why brand new—Vocations’ etc. we believe in the future?” We continue to ask for your prayers for our recent Provincial Lay Dominican Promoters:  I in 6 brothers is in formation; Fr. Matt Walsh OP and Fr. Jim Motl OP.  we are all young in heart;

 Preaching is extended to the inter- net. . Indeed, the future is bright for the Or- der with the help of the Holy Spirit. Lay Dominican Rule

We are members of the Order the dignity of the human per- This Document begins of Preachers. This means that son, as well as to defend the the Candidacy I For- each one of us is a “Preacher.” sacredness of life and family. mation Training be- Our Rule #12 states: “Every The Dominican vocation also cause it is so important Dominican must be prepared to includes the promotion of and should be studied preach the Word of God. Christian unity and dialogue by every Lay Dominican. Sometimes they are Through this preaching, Chris- with both non-Christians and It touches on the use of necessary. We tians, baptized and strengthened non-believers.” by the Sacrament of Confirma- words which are neces- must prepare our- Among other references our selves by prayer and tion, exercise their prophetic sary at times when good office. In our present world, Guidelines refer us to the example is not enough. study for those preaching of the Word of God Vatican II Document on the As St. Francis said, “Use times and step up to must encompass in a special way Laity (Apostolicam Actuostatem). words when necessary.” the plate. Provincial Formation

preacher. He in turn was fol- “By your friends you will be known.” the reason why it is so important You can tell a great deal about a for the Lay Dominican to meet in lowed by St. Albert the person by his/her friends. We Chapters. Community is one of Great, St. , watch the friends of our children our 4 Pillars. St. Catherine of Siena up to Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati. because we know that peer influ- Unit 6 of Candidacy I concerns ence often sadly outweighs home What a magnificent group of “Dominican Saints.” Imagine— we friends! influence. are part of 800 years of men and On the other hand good friends are women who have achieved great In fact, look about and I am sure a joy. Together we can accomplish sanctity as Dominicans: Friars, you will see other Lay Domini- much. Synergy brings greater re- Nuns, Sisters and Laity. can saints among your Chapter sults than individual efforts. This is members. People who really try We were founded by an alter to live the Dominican way of Christus, St. Dominic, an itinerant life.

.A BRIDGE TOO ??? guard shouted at them, Several older priests and “Hey, you there, get off the bridge!” their Cardinal were attending a retreat at The Cardinal, taking a private resort owned by a charge, said, “It’s all right. LAY DOMINICANS big donor. We’re at this resort with

ST. ALBERT One afternoon they were permission. We’re Catho- THE GREAT wandering the grounds as a lics.” CENTRAL PROVINCE . group and came upon an “Maybe so,” said the

Send us your news on the hap- old bridge which crossed a guard, “but if you don’t penings in your Chapter/Group lovely pond. get off that bridge you’ll

and we will be pleased to post They began to cross the all be Baptists!” them in contemplata and on our bridge, not noticing a small Provincial website: sign declaring the bridge laydominicancentral.org unsafe.

Suddenly a nearby security

Editor—Mr. Terry McSweeney OP [email protected] Get rid of it!

Who am I? Contemplari... bedroom reflect your mind as There is a strange symbiotic rela- Last month’s Saint was filled with clutter? Ask your- tionship between our Contempla- Mechtild of Magdeburg. selves these questions by tion and our lives. They are con- I am a man living my Dominican Brooks Palmer in Clutter nected while one and the same. vocation as a , presently at Busting: St. Pius V in Chicago. Each affects and enlivens the oth- er. It is all God-driven.  If my home were a store, In 1972-74 I was the 2nd Vice would I consider buying President of the National Cath- In Contemplation we make room what I currently own? olic Forensic League (Fenwick for God. We lose our lives while HS). I also taught Homiletics at gaining our lives. A new life; a life  If my home were a refriger- Aquinas Institute, St. Louis, united to God. ator, which items have Dominican House of Studies, Contemplation is a prayer of sim- passed the expiration Washington, DC, St. Paul Semi- plicity. So our lives should reflect date? nary, St. Paul. I am a preacher this simplicity. Henry David Tho-  Are you keeping this item on The Word. reau said the secret of life is to just because it was expen- “simplify, simplify, simplify...Our Not avoiding controversy when sive? a great bargain? necessary I and many other life is frittered away by detail.” Friars signed a letter of LCWR Life coaches tell us that without a  If I had to make an emer- support. I lovingly served as plan we will become subsumed gency move, which items the Provincial LD Promoter with meaningless stuff. would I save? WHO AM I? Does your home, your office/ What you own, owns you!