Trans Atlantic
The Transatlantic Super Region
Great Britain South Africa
Ireland Trinidad & Tobago
Malawi Zambia
Autumn 2016 E q u i p e s N o t r e - D a m e Teams Contents
Letters 1 . Letter from the Editors 2. Letter from Super Regional Couple
Reflections 4. To infi nity and beyond by Abbot Martin Shipperlee
From The Super Region 6. Visiting the Irish Region 8. Our fi rst Trinidad experience 10. Gilda de Freitas 12. Malawi solidarity update
From the International Movement 14. Unity in diversity 16. What goes on in a College 18. Photos from the College 20. ERI meets GB Teams 23. Join the Friends of Fr Ca arel 24. New theme for 2016/2017
Teams members write……. 25. God gave us a convent 28. Ghana visit 32. A night out in London 33. Our experience of the study topic 34. Message from the Polish Super Region 36. Spiritual animals
Our Super Region 37. Full list of contacts
Please send all contributions for the next issue of the Newsletter, preferably by e-mail, to: The Newsletter Editors: Peter & Di Wordsworth
If you require further copies of the Newsletter, or have changed your address, please contact your local Regional Couple. Letters From the Editors
Dear Friends in Teams This will be our last editors’ letter as we are coming to the end of our responsibility. Have we got the champagne on ice, getting ready to celebrate, while heaving a sigh of relief that it’s all over? No, not at all. The joy of this job has been having contact with so many people from different parts of the world. We have built up friendships – albeit sometimes by email, without ever meeting face to face. There’s always been great excitement when we get the first draft back from the printers, after several months of work spent putting the newsletter together. Then when the final edition pops through our letterbox, it’s a little like seeing the beauty of a newborn baby after the hard work of labour. Like any role that you accept as a team member, whether that is Responsible Couple or being involved in your Sector or Regional team, there is always hard work involved, but the gifts that we personally have received back, have far outweighed the effort put in. Approaching couples that we did not know, to commission an article, was nerve-wracking, but was nearly always followed by the joy of them quickly responding with a “yes”. Then a few weeks later comes the delight of a beautifully written article arriving into our email inbox. We have received wonderful support from the previous Super Regional couple Antony and Janet Denman, and their successors, Piotr and Dzidiza have been equally supportive in helping us to create this edition. We ask you to keep them in your prayers as they lead the Transatlantic Super Region forward during their 5 years of service. Meanwhile a huge thank you to all those who have contributed news, photos and articles to this newsletter over the past 4 years. In this edition, there are a wide range of topics covered, so we hope there is something that appeals to everyone. We’ve included an article about an English Teams couple and chaplain who have started Teams in Ghana. There is also a lovely piece, nearer to home, about a Teams family who have been gifted an old convent to continue the work of Christ in their locality. Happy reading! Peter & Di Wordsworth Super Regional Newsletter Editors
1 Letters From the Super Regional Couple
Dear Friends in Teams We cannot believe that already almost a year has passed since we took over the role of Super Regional Couple. We started the year with great trepidation – we are simply a Team couple – and yet the Holy Spirit gives you wings and helps you to face all the challenges! From press conferences to a TV appearance, this was not quite what we expected…. Piotr & Dzidzia on their visit to Knock in Ireland However, the wonderful thing about Teams, the very essence of the movement, is working together as a couple and as a Team. As we often say in schools to encourage children to work together, “In TEAM, there is no I.” That is certainly confirmed whatever role you take on in Teams. Firstly, we have grown closer as a couple, prioritising our tasks, sitting for hours at the computer over translations, emails from all over the world, planning talks. It is wonderful how the shared role enables us to utilise each other’s strengths and weaknesses to create the most effective outcome. We have learnt patience, humility and most of all had the opportunity to offer and to experience hospitality. You soon realise that “people are people” and that Teams’ members all share a goal, to improve their marriage, to support their Team and also to support the movement. The role has deepened our commitment to Teams and to our faith. Fortified by examples from Teams’ couples all over the world, we have become even more convinced of the value of the movement and the fruits it can bring. One result of this, is the proposal to “twin” Teams across our Super Region and further afield. We propose to link Teams by email, Skype, phone or WhatsApp – depending on individual preferences; to encourage sharing and support across the movement and to widen couples’ experiences of the worldwide scope of Teams. If this interests your Team, please get in touch and we can set up a link with another Team. Another way of experiencing the global nature of the movement, is by attending an International Gathering. We are fortunate that the next gathering in 2018 will be in Fatima – a brilliant opportunity to pray and study together and meet couples from all over the world. We also have the opportunity to support other couples to attend, who themselves may not
2 Letters From the Super Regional Couple have the means to do so. We could look at this as a means of evangelising, of putting our faith and care for others into action. “Deeds not words” (Pope Francis). We invite you to consider ways of raising Solidarity in your Teams, Sectors and Regions. Perhaps a way to encourage a new couple to join… supporting a struggling couple … enabling a couple to discover their talents. We welcome any ideas as the International Leading Team is also looking for ways of raising Solidarity across the world. We end with a quote from a book, read during our stay in Trinidad and Tobago, and a wish for all of you: “Her kiss was a question he wanted to spend his whole life answering.” (The History of Love – Nicole Krauss.) We wish you all to grow together in love and faith and to continue reaping the joys and benefits of the vocation of marriage. Piotr & Dzidzia Chodzko-Zajko Super Regional Couple
Welcome & Thank You We welcome couples and spiritual counsellors of all new Teams, as well as those who are undergoing piloting at present. Our thanks go to all the pilot couples for their hard work and commitment.
We welcome and thank the following couples who have recently accepted new responsibilities in the Transatlantic Super Region: New Super Regional Treasurers Mike & Lisa Beevers New Sector Couples for both South African Sectors Anthony & Natalie Joss Dulce & Elio Simoes Thank you also to their predecessors for their hard work.
3 Refl ections ‘To Infi nity & Beyond . . . ’
Editors Note – Abbott Martin Shipperlee (our new Super Regional Spiritual Counsellor) shares his thoughts on an old TV science programme.
ack in the 1970’s, I was a huge fan of the science Bdocumentary series Horizon and most of what I think I know about science was culled from its Noakes had become immortal and episodes. I was intrigued then, still populated Blue Peter. to discover a collection of old programmes and decided to take a All very entertaining, but why look, alighting on a 2009 broadcast mention it? Well one thing really about infinity. What, I wondered, struck me. This programme had happened to Horizon over the was about infinity and how that years? Well, remarkably little. There slippery concept leads us to see were the same old visual interludes, the universe as vastly, in fact which have got prettier over the infinitely, more complex than we years but still add nothing to the can imagine. No surprises there explanation (imagine a shot of you might think, because, crudely grass bent over in the snow…why? speaking, that’s what God is all What for? The BBC didn’t stop to about. But Horizon, or at least explain). But best of all, the mad the narrator (Stephen Berkhoff, professors were out in force and weirdly, channelling Vincent Price), since they were all mathematicians, drew the conclusion that since they were especially eccentric. the universe was infinitely vast Apologies, of course to any with a potentially infinite number mathematicians reading this, but of versions of ourselves, then we blame the BBC not me. All my old were individually insignificant. But childhood friends were there; the that is like saying that since we no smooth American one, although longer believe ourselves to be the he was interviewed on a landing at most important things around, then the top of his stairs (Horizon loves we must be of no account at all. If interviews on stairways), the zany we can’t be in charge, we must be English one with lots of hair, and thoroughly unimportant We must best of all, the central-European- be everything, or be nothing. one-with-the-thick-accent. It was Yet Christians believe exactly the as if Valerie Singleton and John opposite. Because we are nothing
4 Refl ections ‘To Infi nity & Beyond . . . ’ by ourselves, because we depend A very nice innocent seeming utterly on God, we are everything, science programme with some because He loves us infinitely. The beautiful facts, pictures, and even universe might be full of hugely professors, was being used to big numbers, but that’s no reason smuggle in a very Bad Idea, which to conclude that the small, the has nothing to do with science. poor, the unborn, don’t matter; Watch out, it is happening all the they always matter, just like you or time. me. In Teams we know that we are Abbott Martin Shipperlee concerned not with perfect couples Super Regional Spiritual Counsellor (which is just as well, since we’d have a very small membership), or with the number of Teams, or Sectors or the size of gatherings, but with the needs, the losses, the failures, the joys of all, because that’s above all where we find Jesus.
Editors Note – Piotr and Dzidzia mentioned their TV appearance in Trinidad in their letter and more details on their trip are given on Page 8. Their visit including the Teams retreat was reported in the local catholic newspaper. To read about it refer to pages 8 and 13 in the link below. www.catholicnewstt.com/magazine/september4/
Editors Note – Just as we were going to print we received the latest letters from both the Leading Couple (Tó and Zé Moura Soares) and the Spiritual Counsellor to the ERI Father José Jacinto Ferreira de Farias. Both mention the forthcoming International Gathering at Fatima in 2018. Their letters can be found on the Super Regional Website www.teams-transatlantic.net
5 Super Region ‘Visiting the Irish Region’
ttending a local Teams to our car! Attending a Regional meeting in Dublin, was one Meeting in the O’Connell School in Aof the highlights of our Dublin, gave us the opportunity to recent trip to Ireland, the fi rst of meet Sector Couples and Father our ventures abroad to visit and Peter Sexton, Regional Chaplain. support our Transatlantic Super We were inspired by the variety of Region. During this meeting, we Sector events, including an event also came to the realisation of in Dublin in recognition of the the level of commitment we have centenary of 1916, which included a undertaken when accepting this Museum tour and stroll around St role… when someone gave thanks, Enda’s park. Many of the Sectors during the prayer, to couples who have also organised retreats, which are prepared to dedicate their time have been well attended. to Teams. We are excited about the World It is a daunting thought – we have Meeting of Families, planned for the fi ve years ahead of us in role as 22nd – 26th August 2017 in Dublin, Super Regional Couple - fi ve years in which to continue the wonderful work Teams are doing across our whole region and to fi nd ways in which to support existing and new Teams. The Irish Teams certainly made this easy with their generous hospitality and kindness. We were Irish RegionalTeam fortunate to stay with Breda and which the Pope has expressed Tony Preston, the Regional Couple a desire to attend, and o ers a with many years of experience fantastic opportunity for Teams to in Teams and to meet their make their presence felt. Perhaps a family. We had the chance to date to put in your diaries! explore Glendalough, (renowned Following the Regional meeting, for an early medieval monastic we attended the monthly Team settlement founded in the 6th meeting of Team 32, hosted by century by St Kevin) in glorious Mary and Hugo Gallagher. The sunshine and missed the rain, warm welcome we received was which poured when we returned memorable – we immediately felt
6 Super Region ‘Visiting the Irish Region’ at home with all the couples - a also extremely uplifting. We also feeling we are beginning to get had the opportunity to receive the accustomed to, as we visit more Sacrament of Reconciliation and and more Teams. One faith, one pass through a door of Mercy just direction and the unifying e ect outside the Chapel of Reconciliation, as well as attending a Guided Prayer session, which was similar to the Team’s approach to the monthly meditation on Scripture. Our trip culminated in one night in Belfast, where Brendan and Moyra Bunting greeted us warmly and took us on an interesting tour of the city of the Teams Movement is evident and shared a meal with us at throughout the Super Region. It Belfast Castle. was interesting to note the slight di erences between the Team ‘invigorated & inspired meeting and that of our own Team by the kindness, in the order of events, whilst still generosity and spirit maintaining the core elements and enabling us to join in at every of Teams prayerfulness step. We found the sharing and and hospitality in the prayerfulness particularly uplifting Irish Region.’ and enjoyed the singing at the end of the meeting. We returned to London, invigorated Our journey continued with a trip and inspired by the kindness, to the National Marian shrine at generosity and spirit of Teams Knock. The Shrine is beautifully prayerfulness and hospitality in the placed and well designed to cope Irish Region. We will continue to with many visitors. While we were hold the Region in our prayers and there, it was very peaceful and not look forward to our next meeting. too busy and we were fortunate Piotr and Dzidzia Chodzko-Zajko to be able to attend two masses Super Regional Couple – one including anointing of the sick and one evening mass where we had to step in as Eucharistic Ministers – rather unnerving but
7 Super Region ‘Our fi rst Trinidad experience!!’
rriving in Trinidad, we generosity of Teams. Each couple immediately experienced brought a dish to share and the Athe incredible hospitality of feast was varied and abundant. It the island, when we were warmly was wonderful to have the chance greeted by Andrea Castagne from to talk to Alyson and Maldon Pantin, Team Stella Maris, who took us to who were part of the original Team her home for afternoon tea on the 1 in Trinidad. They were piloted lawn. The Trinidadian Regional by mail, 33 years ago, after Father Couple, Dwight and Christine Neil Rodriguez from Trinidad read Gonsalves, arrived and produced an article about Teams in the a detailed itinerary for the week, Osservatore Romano about an including a Press Conference, a slot audience with Pope Paul VI, and on Trinity Catholic TV and a meeting contacted Teams in England. Father with the Benedictine Abbot, Father Rodriguez worked with an existing John Periera. No pressure then! prayer group who were meeting After a good night’s sleep at the weekly and encouraged the couples home of a previous Regional Couple, to create a team. Franklin Pollidore Wendy and Stephen Johnston, we met with representatives of the press in Port of Spain. Together with Dwight and Christine, we presented the ethos of Teams and invited local couples to join the planned retreat, entitled, “Marriage a Passionate Adventure.” We were asked many questions about how to address the Piotr & Dzidzia with Fr Periera increasing challenges in today’s communities, including recalls how: ‘they grew from being divorce and couples living together ‘Sunday Catholics’ to cementing with no thought of marriage. Little their Catholicism. The call to did we realise that our conference holiness is being a good husband, would be featured on the local TV6 being a good friend, being a good News that evening and would result manager at work. Couple prayer in many calls to register interest for and reading the Daily Word are the the retreat! important endeavours. Finding the A shared evening meal with Team time to sit down is di cult, however, 1 was a fantastic experience of the when you sit down, you grow a pair of wings.”
8 Super Region ‘Our fi rst Trinidad experience!!’
The evening concluded with dancing Our fi nal day in Trinidad was the to Calypso and Polish music. Retreat at the Emmaus Centre. Appearing on Trinity Catholic We were joined by two couples Television fi lled us with great who came as a result of the Press trepidation, but the presenter, Conference – one engaged and Sandee Bhanwell, put us at ease. one married. The theme was The half hour slot fl ew by as we “Marriage, a passionate adventure – proceed with courage and joy.” Piotr and I gave a presentation and then joined another couple for questions on marriage, intimacy and sexuality. A wide variety of questions and thoughts. This was followed by a joyous and delicious shared lunch and an even more joyous Retreat at Emmaus Centre Mass, full of wonderful shared on the Pope’s message singing. to Teams in Rome, September Altogether, a very busy week, full 2015. Sandee was very interested of new and uplifting experiences, in Teams and whether Teams confi rming the great family of could include young people and Teams we have around the world, address the needs of divorced or with couples striving to deepen wounded couples. We also took their marriage spirituality and move the opportunity to advertise the forward together in love and faith. Retreat. Piotr & Dzidzia Chodzko-Zajko Father John Periera, (the Abbot Super Regional Couple of Mount St Benedict’s) was very interested in Teams as he receives daily visits from couples looking for support in their marriages. Hopefully some new leads there for expansion. The Abbey is beautifully nestled in the Northern Range, with breathtaking views of the Central Plains.
9 Super Region ‘Gilda de Freitas’
ilda de Freitas’ life was a abundant graces. Gilda’s last trip in song that played in her soul, her life included a private audience Gmaking her dance. She was with Pope Francis and fellow a free spirit who took notice of members of Teams of Our Lady. God’s wonders in creation and celebrated them. She would look up at the sky during stunning African sunsets and spot angels in the cloud formations. She loved to express herself through her paintings and writing, which were warm embraces of her creative spirit proclaiming the beauty of God’s creation. Gilda loved her orchids, and they seemed to bloom especially for her in celebration of her tender Gilda with her orchids care. Whenever she baked or cooked, she would keep aside the This occurred in the Clementine burnt part for herself if it didn’t turn Hall at the Vatican in September out too well, and give the best to her 2015. The cancer was no obstacle family. Her unmatchable chocolate for Gilda to live her life to the full. chi on cake was always made with She wrote of her experience: so much love. “We were led up several levels of wide, marble stairs walking at ‘warm embraces of an unrelenting pace. There were paintings, arches and ceilings to her creative spirit admire everywhere but the main proclaiming the beauty preoccupation was to catch our of God’s creation’ breath! Pope Francis’ peaceful, soothing voice left an indelible Gilda was devoted in everything impression on me. Being in Pope she did – as a wife, mother, friend, Francis’ presence bound together counsellor and member of Teams as Teams by our common faith; of Our Lady. She fought her battle made this experience a deeply against cancer as part of her spiritual one” pilgrimage in this world. Those A few years ago, Gilda composed painful moments were the birth a beautiful tune for the ‘Magnifi cat’, pangs of her spiritual life in Heaven. inspired by her deep devotion to But God is a God of surprises and Our Lady. It was played at her
10 Super Region ‘Gilda de Freitas’ funeral, and beautifully sung by a sang the ‘Magnifi cat’ at Gilda’s special young lady. This was the funeral. Rest in Peace Gilda. culmination of Gilda’s willingness Editors Note – This lovely moving tribute to listen to God’s voice. She was written by Gilda’s son Daniel. Gilda encouraged her sons to go to World and her husband Eddie were sector couple Youth Day in Brazil in 2013, and that for many years in the Kwazulu Natal is where her son met his soulmate. Sector of South Africa. She was the same young lady who
The New Transatlantic SR Prayer
Dear Lord Together we join in prayer to remember all the members of Teams in the Transatlantic Super Region. We ask you to hold them in your care, support them in their daily needs and lead them closer to you, particularly through their involvement in Teams. Bless those in positions of responsibility and reward them with your grace and guidance to fulfi l your will. We remember those members of Teams who have already passed into your light. We also pray for widows and widowers who mourn their passing and ask for the healing gift of the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit help and guide us in fulfi lling this responsibility within the Movement with joy and dedication. Let us never forget to thank You for everything that Teams has done for us as a couple. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
11 Super Region ‘Malawi solidarity update’
t is one year since we received some funds for renovation of the Editors Note - A further update from Ihouse of Christine Mandala and her several Team Spiritual Counsellors in children after the dangerous fl oods. Malawi on how your donations to Teams We are happy to report that the house couples in Malawi have been spent, has been renovated, a new kitchen following the devestating fl oods. has been constructed and new toilet facility has been put up. Her life and of hunger for Team members as well as the one family of very old people within the neighbourhood, we spent most of the donation from solidarity on maize. Once again we sincerely thank you for the appeals you make to well-wishers to help us at our points of need. You have actually given us a signifi cant push in this plight of hunger. We have just harvested our maize. The output is still far from good. Hence we still continue Christine outside her home to appeal for possible assistance whenever it is possible for you. the life of her children have been taken Fr Innocent Peter Chiwanda care of for the whole year, thanks to Zomba 3 Team the funds you sent for her. We received £700 to do the Many thanks for your fi nancial renovations and we have spent £883, assistance. We received the money the di erence of £183 is our Teams’ to the teams of our parish, St Agnes, contribution. Thanks to the assistance Zomba diocese in Malawi. This we received from contributions of money will assist us to buy maize for Teams in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Teams, which are struggling due India and elsewhere. to food crisis that has hit the country. Be assured of your continued place God bless you abundantly for this in our daily prayers and Masses. May kind gesture. God bless you all! Fr Alfred Chilenga Fr. McDonald Kankhono Teams in St Agnes Parish Zomba 1 Team Many thanks for your timely In Malawi, we are going through terrible assistance, which you gave us. The times due to, among other things, the Teams are grateful. We are having e ects of climate change. One of the food at our meetings. God bless you critical issues at the moment is food always. insecurity as well as lack of food for Fr Alfred Chilenga self-su ciency. To reduce the e ects Teams in Mlombozi Parish
12 Super Region ‘Congratulations’
• We congratulate Paul Mason, who has been appointed to the role of Auxiliary Bishop of Southwark, with responsibility for Kent and Medway. Paul is the son of Maria and Jim Mason of Backworth Team (Northern GB) and his ordination was on 31st May 2016.
• Jim and Maria will be celebrating 50 years in Teams this coming December and their son Paul will be o ciating at the Mass. We send them all our congratulations. • Father John Udris (our previous Super Regional Spiritual Counsellor) travelled to Rome in February to be commissioned by the Pope to be one of the Missionaries of Mercy. From Super Region to Super Confessor! Congratulations to any of our other Team Chaplains who have also been commissioned.
Rest in Peace
It is with great sadness that we note that Michael Vadon of Ealing 3 Team, Great Britain, passed away peacefully in April. Many of you will have known Michael as he travelled widely with his wife Kay and attended many Teams events in the UK and abroad. Michael was a long time active member and supporter of Teams with many roles including Regional Couple, which he fulfi lled with great energy and passion. May he rest in peace.
13 International ‘Unity in Diversity’
College Theme “I am the Way, the Truth & the Life.” Editors Note - The International College is the annual meeting of the International ith representatives Leading Team (ERI) with the Responsible from the 4 zones of our Couples of the 12 Super-Regions (which Teams World – Central are the way the Teams movement has W split the world into manageable parts). Europe, Euroafrica, Eurasia and It provides an opportunity to share America, accompanied by the worship, communion and experiences International Leading Team (ERI), with other Teams couples and priests, translators and speakers, and not as well as hearing talks on matters that forgetting the animating team, the concern couples and marriage. It is also the annual business meeting of the Teams International College numbered movement. This year it met in Swanwick, around 85 people. Speaking Derbyshire and Piotr and Dzidzia share in French, Portuguese, English, some memories of it. Spanish, Italian, Arabic and Polish, the wide diversity of our movement was refl ected, but did not interfere • Having received the gift of a in the camaraderie and friendship sacramental marriage, we need to that ensued or was reinvigorated show compassion to those who do from past meetings. not see the value of such a marriage. We have come away “full of good We need to awaken a curiosity for things”, and fi lled with optimism them to fi nd out more. We need to and energy to help support and become messengers of Mercy and go develop Teams within our Super to the peripheries of society to o er Region and continue links with friendship and support to others. Teams around the world. • “Truth is squaring one’s mind with Some key thoughts arising from reality and not the other way round.” the presentations and discussions: This can take place in a marriage • A marriage can refl ect the where we have to square our reality compassion of God himself. It is with a truth beyond us. As stated a living image of God’s love. A in Amoris Laetitia, there must be compassionate heart within a “unity in diversity”, in “reconciled marriage allows itself to be moved, diversity.” We should not trespass avoids keeping score and shuns on another’s truth to make it suit being right. It is ready to soothe and us, but try to square our mind with not judge. To be welcoming and to the truth and let it change us. love. Being loved makes me feel • The wide cultural and international better in whom I am and therefore spread of Teams, creates a rich better able to demonstrate my love. diversity within the Movement,
14 International ‘Unity in Diversity’ however it is important to maintain We need to discover God’s will fi delity to the Movement and its through prayer, through listening ideals. Support in Piloting – making and meditation and a well formed sure you allow time to listen and Christian conscience. We must understand the aspirations of a always be true to the principles of new team, ensures that the team the Movement but also be fl exible develops successfully and has and approach each situation we the appropriate tools to develop meet with discernment and prayer and strengthen couples in their and consider what is best in each marriages. New teams who have individual case. fi nished piloting, should not be left This is a brief look at some of the alone, but should be accompanied key issues raised at the College. by a liaison couple who We urge you all can continue to o er to continue to support and advice. ‘truth, is squaring one’s mind with reality’ develop your • Discernment – in lives in Teams, today’s rushed world, by looking at we need to have time to think the new documents available on things through and not to react the National and International impetuously without thought. websites and by supporting local, We should maintain a continuous national and international Teams dialogue with God, listen to the events which serve to deepen our Word of God and use this to mould faith and strengthen our marriage our lives. We should not judge and spirituality. “ condemn others but rather walk Piotr & Dzidzia Chodzko-Zajko with them and discern what help Super Regional Couple and love we can best o er them.
The perfection of the hand is not to be found in the fi ngers, but in the work that it creates.
Henri Ca arel “ 15 International ‘What goes on in a College?’
the College has taken place in the Editors Note - We were lucky enough to UK, the last time was in 2007, at be asked to be part of the animating team working behind the scenes at this year’s Ushaw near Durham. College held at Swanwick in Derbyshire. Because Teams is a global Here’s what goes on… organisation one of the challenges is language. French still remains the ave you ever wanted to be at mother language and presentations an airport, waiting to meet are translated from this into the Hsomeone you have never other languages. Each talk is also met, so you have to stand holding provided in translation on colour up a card with their name on? Not coded paper: blue for French, everyone’s dream, but we found yellow for Spanish, red for English ourselves doing it, waiting to meet and green for Portuguese. These a Teams’ couple who had come all colours are used widely in Teams the way from Colombia. All went Internationally and incorporated in smoothly and by the end of the the Fatima 2018 logo for example subsequent car journey, despite (see back cover). the language problem, we felt we The fi rst 5 days of the meeting at had already made good friends. Swanwick was just for the ERI. The One of the many enjoyable jobs we meetings were in French and they undertook as part of the animating used projected presentations for team. But fi rstly the background..… their work. Each couple worked on The couples responsible for their own PC so a grid of extension Teams worldwide are the ERI (the leads provided power to their tables. international Leading Team) and The ERI meeting coincided with the they meet twice a year to deal warmest days of the summer, so with the business aspects of Teams numerous fans were also required globally. Attached to one of these in the room. sessions each year is the meeting The animating team established of the College, which includes each ourselves in a meeting room Super Region couple – ours being next door, providing easy access Piotr and Dzidzia - responsible whenever the ERI needed anything for our own Transatlantic Super or wanted printed copies of Region. documents. Challices, hosts and The most recent of these Colleges wine, cloths, even a monstrance had occurred at Swanwick, Derbyshire to be transported to the conference at the Hayes Centre - the venue for centre. Pat and Tony Banks acted several Teams events over the past as Sacristans for the two weeks, few years. This is the second time which was a demanding job as “the
16 International ‘What goes on in a College?’ kit” could not be left in the Chapel and stations on rotation over the and had to be transported in and next 2 days. Messages can be out for each Mass. lost in translation as we found Most of the ERI travelled into when picking up at Derby Station. London and the Epsom Teams did Some people arrived early, others sterling work in picking people missed the station and went up and providing overnight onto Chesterfi eld or She eld by accommodation ahead of travel to mistake, and others came in a day Swanwick. A minibus then brought later than they had promised. It the group up to Swanwick where was interesting and challenging!! the animating team provided On the Saturday we were bolstered hospitality to get them settled in by a lovely Portuguese couple and their accommodation. A quick tour their delightful children from the of the beautiful site and facilities (on recently formed Birmingham Team. the warmest day) allowed them to Extra pairs of hands, another car feel at home and ready for business. and the ability to speak another Mass (in French) each day and meal language were invaluable help. times gave us the opportunity to Along with all the Super Regional get to know the ERI better. couples came a team of 4 translators The animating Team was by now and a co-ordinating translation preparing for the onslaught of couple ready for the College. Four the arrival of College members. translation booths were set up at Conference packs were fi nished the back of the conference hall and o , displays and signs were put headphones were added to the up, keys obtained for rooms and named tables. preparation was being made for As acting sound engineer for the the picking up of attendees from week, Peter had a crash course various transport hubs. We had on the sound and projection spent the week being serenaded equipment. by lovely music from young people During the week with over 80 in the Derbyshire Music Service people from all over the world Orchestras who were sharing the present, we did our best to solve all conference centre with us. On their the problems that arise from being in fi nal night a jazz group played on a foreign country and not speaking the lawn in the evening and we sat English. We explained what gravy around enjoying a peaceful drink was! as well as exchanged money – the lull before the storm! for them, did odd shopping trips, We organised ourselves to do resolved problems and enjoyed the many pick ups from airports having an odd beer in the evening
17 International ‘What goes on in a College?’
with them. (see article on page 20). Others One of the di culties before were dropped back at the airport the college was for some of the or at Derby Station. We cleared couples obtaining visas. Sadly and dismantled rooms and packed the couple and their chaplain from our cars ready for home. Togo were unable to achieve theirs, Would we do it again? If we got the but the Syrian couple (see last SR opportunity, yes, as despite being Newsletter) got approval half way hard work, it was so rewarding. We through the College – they were met some lovely people, who are picked up at Heathrow by the all working for Teams on our behalf Denmans and got to Swanwick at in the background. We now have 2am! As you might imagine their o ers to stay all around the world story was very moving. and we o ered our home up as Finally the 2 weeks came to an end. well. The ERI and a few others took the Peter & Di Wordsworth coach back to Epsom where an Middlesbrough 1 evening was spent with local Teams
Belgian SR Couple & Chaplain Half of GB’s Animating Team
College meeting in progress (with translation booths in background)
18 International ‘More photos from the College’
Social time one evening Fatima Icons prior to distribution
Priests celebrating Mass
Priests meeting in open air Exposition & theme of the College
ERI Leading Couple & translators
19 International ‘ERI meet GB Teams’
t the request of the ERI Flood were stunning. There was a (International Leading spectacular display organised by ATeam) to meet local Teams Piotr and Dzidzia Chodzko-Zajko, members, the GB Southern Region which highlighted Teams within GB and included the lovely photos Team members had sent to them. Following a very British meal of fi sh and chips and a selection of cake supplied by ERI to meet local Team members Westbourne 1, there was a question and hosted a ‘Meet the Teams’ evening answer session. at St Joseph’s Church Hall, Epsom Members of the ERI took it in turns on Friday 29th July. Braving the to answer the questions that GB vagaries of our motorways on Team members had submitted (via a Friday night, in a journey that their Regional Couples) prior to the lasted fi ve and a half hours, the evening. The answers were given in 28 delegates travelled down by the native language of the speakers coach after their time at Swanwick. and Isabel Baptista Ferreira did a In the true spirit of hospitality of fantastic job in translating these Teams, Colette and Teddy Totman into English. masterminded the task of fi nding a) How is the contribution given to overnight accommodation and the ERI by GB couples used? onward transport for the delegates In general terms, 20% goes on back to their own countries. Our Teams administration costs to thanks go to all the local Team the Secretariat in Paris. The members who provided hospitality greatest contribution 50% goes and overnight accommodation. on supporting the needs of the On arrival at the church hall movement all over the world e.g. suitcases were safely stored away liaison with the Pontifi cal Councils and we greeted the guests with and other Catholic movements, a much needed welcome drink Study Topics and Project work in the and nibbles. Epsom 1 Team, ably 4 Zones. 30% is spent on Solidarity assisted by David and Breeda supporting poorer countries, Walsh, did a magnifi cent job in enabling couples and religious to setting out the tables for dinner and attend events that they otherwise the fl ower arrangements by John could not a ord to attend and
20 International ‘ERI meet GB Teams’ running formation sessions. There di cult economic situations, each is no other income other than that Super Region should be focussing received from Team members and on a dialogue with local churches Solidarity enables us to reach out in the ways that Pope Francis has to the peripheries, as Pope Francis identifi ed as the priority areas for has asked us to do. our mission, ”supporting young couples before and after marriage b) Existing Team widows and or living together, families in widowers are allowed to stay in di culty and Christian couples in Teams. Could recently widowed second unions”. (**) people who are not in Teams be allowed to join? d) Pope Francis has asked us to Whilst our movement supports accompany young couples who widows and widowers who are are planning to marry and those in already in Teams and want to remain di culties. Should Teams revisit (e.g. in Brazil there are nearly 400 the decision to develop a pre- of these), the ERI stated that this marriage scheme. possibility does not extend to other The exhortation ‘ Amoris Laetitia’ widows or widowers who were (**) emphasizes marriage not part of the movement prior to preparation as a key mission for all widowhood. It is believed that there Teams within the movement and an are other pastoral organisations in invitation to show imagination and parishes that can o er support. creativity to respond. Fr. Ca arel, like Pope Francis, has always been c) What is the most successful way concerned about the training of evangelising Teams? of the young. Nowadays many At a personal level everyone in Teams young couples are choosing to can be a missionary. You can be this live together without receiving the at home with your spouse. Couples sacrament of marriage. The French living their lives as a Christian Super Region has addressed this couple within their own families concern by forming “Tandem” and parish can provide a great teams which is a course that brings witness to faith. One can do this by together young couples, married or having a big open heart, showing not, willing to discuss and refl ect humbleness, by listening to people with others on various aspects and and their anxieties, thus reaching meaning of their daily lives, in the out to others. At an international desire to return to a life of faith and level at a time when European a subsequent engagement. Similar countries are highly a ected by the experiences have been reported loss of religious values and faith and from Brazil and Columbia. African countries are faced with
21 International ‘ERI meet GB Teams’
e) In the light of Pope Francis’ The message that we took from request that “we should support the evening was that in our daily couples whose marriage has failed” lives we should be witnesses of is the ERI going to give guidance the Christian joy in the sacrament on how we could support those of marriage. We should reach out separated and divorced? to people within and outside of the Although we cannot receive these movement. We were reminded by people into the movement we Father Jacinto of Pope Francis’s should reach out to them within words “We can do what we can do, our parishes and be with them in no more no less”. At a time of global mercy. unrest and violence it felt good to bathe in the light of Our Lord and f) In countries where gay marriage to know that we are part of a truly has become “the norm” could the international family of couples who ERI see a time when practising gay endeavour to live out their daily lives couples would be welcomed into according to Gospel Values. It is Teams? every one’s task as a Team member Teams is a movement for Christian to evangelise the movement and to couples united by the sacrament bring His loving grace into the lives of marriage, according to the of as many married couples as we guidelines and doctrine of the can. We are also called to reach Catholic Church and the statute of out in mercy to those outside the the Movement. So, at least for the movement who need our support. foreseeable future the answer must We fi nished the evening united as be “No”. one world holding hands in a circle whilst singing the Magnifi cat. If you are a team member who has not yet experienced the feeling of being part of this truly international family, as we did at Epsom, we urge you to start saving now and join us for the Fatima Gathering 16th – 21st July 2018. Bernard & Susan Kelly Roberto & Graca answer questions Southern GB Regional Couple Editors Note - This is an edited version (**) Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Amoris of Q&A session, please contact Bernard & Laetitia of the Holy Father Francis. Published 2016 Susan if you would like the full text (see Contacts list at end for address).
22 International ‘Join the Friends of Fr Ca arel’
eptember 2016 marked the awareness of 20th anniversary of the death the life of Fr Sof Father Ca arel and the Ca arel and 10th anniversary of the opening of his thoughts the cause for his canonisation. and writing. We should thank the Lord for all F r P a u l - that we have received through D o m i n i q u e the ministry and infl uence of this has asked us wonderful servant of God. His to spread the highlighting of the inseparability of word that marriage and prayer, and providing a l t h o u g h the guidelines for couples in there are Teams to follow this teaching, has a l r e a d y infl uenced all our lives. We should many Teams also ask the Lord through our members within the “Association prayers, to hasten the day when the of Friends of Father Ca arel”, the Church will recognise the holiness numbers could, and perhaps should, of his life. be much higher. Father Ca arel’s books have been By becoming part of the published in many languages Association, you will be helping and many consider his writings spread the word about the life and meditations irreplaceable, as of Father Ca arel, so that more they seem to establish a personal couples can receive the good news dialogue between the reader and he o ers for their spiritual life. The benefi t to Teams as a whole, should ‘as God can truly be the Church grant such recognition discerned as present in to our founder, will be a fantastic his writings’ boost, great joy for the movement and a tremendous publicity and Fr Ca arel or indeed between expansion opportunity. Therefore God and the reader, as God can please, if you are not already, truly be discerned as present in his consider becoming a member writings. of the Association of Friends of The friends of Fr Ca arel are led by Fr Father Ca arel by visiting the Paul-Dominique Marcovits, o.p. and website : http://www.henri-ca arel. it is the duty of all of us in Teams to org/pages_gb/inscription.html consider joining this worthy cause. and signing up as a couple and Anyone who has been touched by encouraging other couples in your Fr. Ca arel’s teachings may want Team to do likewise. to support and receive news about God bless. the cause and any events that are Piotr & Dzidzia Chodzko-Zajko organised to promote the cause and Super Regional Couple
23 International ‘New Theme 2016/2017’
Editors Note - The ERI announced the theme for all Teams throughout the world for 2016/2017 to be “Couples to Communicate the Joy of Love in the Family” (Amoris Laetitia)
Orientation: To answer marriage and family’s challenges (A.L. Chap 2)
Lines of action: 1. The family vocation (A.L. Chap 3) 2. To live love in our marriage (A.L. Chap 4 & 5) 3. Family and evangelisation: pastoral perspectives (A.L. Chap 6) 4. To strengthen children’s education (A.L. Chap 7) 5. To accompany, discern and integrate fragile people (A.L. Chap 8) 6. To live the couples’ and the family’s spirituality (A.L. Chap 9)
Concrete Measures: • Study theme of the year: The family’s pastoral challenges in the new evangelisation • Endeavour: Conjugal prayer and family prayer • Debates in national and regional gatherings and theme used for retreats
Jesus, Mary and Joseph In you we contemplate the splendour of true love to you we turn with confi dence
Holy Family of Nazareth, make our families places of communion and cenacles of prayer real Gospel schools and small domestic churches.
24 You Write ‘God gave us a Convent’
from its demands, a place to be Editors Note - A story of living faith by a restored and renewed, in order to couple who were originally in Teams in Central return refreshed to their mission. GB and who moved north and introduced They bought this house, an old Teams to Wetherby, in Norrthern GB. pub, in Sicklinghall, near Wetherby, e had the privilege of to which they then added a wing having the Teesside & and a beautiful vaulted chapel in WYorkshire’s Teams summer the 1930’s. Sadly, the order had to picnic in our garden this year. It was leave over the last few years, as the a beautiful day, starting with Mass in needs of their community altered. the church next door celebrated by The Convent was then put up for Fr Michael Doody, newly ordained sale. I had a dream/desire to use the priest and chaplain to Wetherby 3, convent for something that would followed by an impressive shared continue the nuns’ legacy of being picnic lunch. The garden was fi lled a place to become whole, alive to with happy children’s voices, the God’s will...... I kept envisaging the hum of contented, relaxed parents garden full of children! and teens chatting, catching up Having no funds to purchase with friends. For Paul and I, it was this beautiful, sizeable building, I one of those ‘heaven on earth’ found myself praying and making occasions, a distillation of a year that enquiries to the land agent to the witnessed extraordinary generosity order, who were incredibly patient and profound humility. with this eccentric lady who was asking to ‘borrow’ it, to have a go at using it somehow. It was then taken o the market. I had to let go, of what? Of the thoughts Teesside & Yorkshire’s Sector summer picnic in the Convent of some garden at Sicklinghall s u p p o r t e d The Old Convent where we now live, l i v i n g used to be The Holy Family Convent. for young adults with learning The nuns came to Leeds in the disabilities, respite, a garden worked height of the industrial revolution and nurtured by these same young to minister to the Irish immigrants people...... who knows? 18 months working in the mills. Their ministry later it was on the market again! I was hard and they needed a ‘retreat’ once more became quietly fi lled
25 You Write ‘God gave us a Convent’
with the desire to ‘do something’, Convent, 4 from developers and how ironic, as in the end I did one from someone who wished to nothing. remain anonymous - but if their bid One day in February last year I was successful, it was their wish to felt I was being asked to phone gift the Convent to our family. It the nuns and to ask them to consider allowing us to use the Convent. I shrank from this; surely my preoccupations with the project were getting the better of me. I did not phone. Next morning, however, I was awoken very early with the same command, ‘ring the nuns’. Paul went to work, children to school, I was home alone and could no longer ignore what I felt to be the Holy Spirit speaking to me. I picked up the phone. The nuns Picture of Picnic by Josh, were unfailingly considerate Paul & Claire’s youngest son and gentle, I now had to let go again. then seemed that the agent’s voice changed. I was asked, “Are you In mid-June we received a phone able to receive that gift?” I am only call out of the blue from a third able to write what I felt, that I was party, “If we had the money in our standing before the throne of God back pocket, would we still want and it was Him that was asking me to buy the Convent?” Our startled to answer. A voice that I scarcely recognised said ‘yes’. ‘don’t let your good I rang Paul, incoherent. ‘How long plan come in the way of do we have to decide?’ he asked. I God’s perfect plan’ then had to admit that I had already said yes. A silence followed. Then reply was, “yes but we haven’t!” Paul simply said “what else could Another call that day asked us to we say, we have thrown it all in with meet an architect at the convent the Lord now.” the next week. We did. We talked We moved in on Epiphany 2016, the through our ‘vision’. Sealed bids had day of gifts and a real manifestation to be in by the end of the following of God’s glory and light. It felt week. We did not put in a bid, for like, (and still does), participating we had no money. A week later I in the Messianic Banquet, a huge had a call from the agent telling me outpouring of abundance, of grace, the nuns had received 5 bids for the in the quite extraordinary generosity
26 You Write ‘God gave us a Convent’ of the benefactors whom, it seems given the grace and the courage to we will never know. do it. What we are to be doing here, we In the meantime it is a great don’t know. There are so many venue for Team retreats. Plenty of possibilities; supported living accommodation, a beautiful walled for young adults with learning garden, surrounded by glorious disabilities, respite, a cafe providing countryside, a choice of walks employment for the young people from the door, a church where the who may be making their homes Blessed Sacrament is reposed, a here, a garden to provide food for chapel in the convent for meetings/ the cafe, a retreat house...... all discussions, a pub across the road. good things. One of our Teams Your Team is most welcome! Please friends is always moderating our keep our benefactors and us in your thoughts by saying, “don’t let your prayers. good plan come in the way of God’s Paul & Claire Hirst perfect plan”. We seek to discern Wetherby 1 this perfect plan and pray to be
Editors Note – We had planned to include a précis of Fr Dexter’s talk from the Trinidad retreat. Unfortunately due to space restrictions we have been unable to do it justice, so the whole talk is on the Super Regional Website. As you will see elsewhere in this newsletter, this is also referred to in their local Catholic newspaper.
27 You Write ‘Ghana Visit’
n 2015 we were invited, along with diocese of Techiman. We were Fr Martin of Prinknash Abbey, our received warmly and on explaining ITeam Chaplain, to go to Ghana our mission, the Bishop showed and introduce Teams of Our Lady. great interest. He recommended Our base was to be the Kristo Buase we speak at the end of Mass in Monastery (KBM) near Techiman the Techiman pro-Cathedral the in the Ashanti Region. So, on 12th following Sunday. April the three of us fl ew to Accra, Meantime the Holy Spirit was where we were met by Fr Ambrose already guiding our steps. One of the senior monks, Bro Gabriel, has many contacts and announced to us that he had phoned “a few people” and they would be coming to meet us at 10 o’clock the next day. He had even pre-empted the Bishop! Imagine our surprise and delight the following morning to be introduced to 12 men sitting in the shade of a grove of trees, waiting to hear what we had to say. We explained that Teams was all about couples, but they reassured us that they were aware of that, but at such short Kristo Buase Monastery notice all their wives were busy the superior of KBM and Gladys Naadi with whom we have been in email contact since meeting her 2 years previously. After early Mass on the 13th, we set o for the long drive to KBM. We arrived about 7pm and retired early, exhausted by the long journey and the unaccustomed temperature and humidity. Our fi rst information meeting! Our fi rst meeting was with but would come to any follow-up Bishop Dominic Nyarko, of the meeting. So we told them about
28 You Write ‘Ghana Visit’ being a couple in the Teams of Our football game! The Mass lasted 2 Lady, about how there are Teams and a quarter hours with lots of in the neighbouring countries of singing, music and drumming and Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast and the whole congregation dancing up Togo, but none in Ghana. The to the front with their contributions men asked quite a lot of questions at the o ertory, swaying in time to and seemed really interested. We the music. We felt we had well and added that we looked forward to truly participated in Mass that day. meeting their wives. Bro Gabriel Just before the fi nal blessing, we then produced cold beer and were invited to come up to the biscuits and indicated to us that he microphone and speak. Since it would talk alone with the men. We was Vocations Sunday, Fr Martin gave each of them the small icon built on that idea by talking about prayer card with the Magnifi cat the vocation of marriage; then we on the back, and then took our spoke, emphasising how being leave. Later Bro Gabriel told us Teams members drew us closer to that there would be two follow-up God and closer to each other. After meetings the next week, that the Mass about 20 people came to couples were all from the nearby speak to us, on this occasion they village of Tuobodom and that they were mostly women, and a spokes- had organised themselves into two person arranged with them to come groups. with their husbands and meet us The next day, we were up early to get the following Saturday afternoon. to the pro-Cathedral to introduce On Tuesday 19th April we had the ourselves to the priest celebrating fi rst follow-up meeting and went the 8am Mass. The church was full, along to the Catholic school of St around 500 people, a youth choir, Francis and found couples carrying several drums and a general air of joy and exuberance and Fr Martin was invited to concelebrate. The homily was in the local language of Twi so we had to rely on a summary by Bro Gabriel. We had been struck by how attentive the youngsters had been during the homily and heard later that the priest had likened the church to a Tuobodom 1
29 You Write ‘Ghana Visit’
out school desks with seats attached this to them and promised to keep and arranging them under the trees in touch regularly and to pray for for our meeting. There were 7 them every day. couples present and we sat around in a circle. We introduced ourselves and talked about our family and then invited them in turn to tell us about themselves. There was quite a range of professions – teachers, (2 were retired) a civil servant, a farmer, a banker a seamstress, a weaver a health worker and 2 or 3 traders. There were 2 retired couples one of Tuobodom 2 whom had brought a grandchild strapped on Granny’s On Friday 22nd April we had our back, but mostly they were young second Tuobodom meeting. There couples with young families. One were 5 couples at this meeting. of the husbands had brought soft They were all young people with 17 drinks and we had brought biscuits children between them. Once again so it was a little like starting a Team they were unanimous in wanting meeting with a meal. We recapped to start a team. In the course of on our talks the previous Saturday, the meeting we learned that most for the sake of the wives and of them already prayed and read several of the men asked questions the Bible each day and they were indicating how carefully they had hungry for more. We felt this was listened and how interested they a remarkable start, not one we had were in learning more. Finally we expected, but the Holy Spirit often asked how many would like to form takes us by surprise. a team and they were all keen. Looking back we have been struck We fi nished by holding hands and by the number of God-incidences saying the Magnifi cat together that occurred. One in particular is of from the prayer card. Fr Ambrose great signifi cance. On Wednesday had kindly given permission for Bro 20th there was a funeral Mass at Gabriel to be Spiritual Counsellor to the Cathedral to which the whole the fi rst two teams, so we explained monastic Community – including
30 You Write ‘Ghana Visit’ ourselves – was invited. It was of leafl ets to leave enough for both a local priest, Fr Paul Miki, who teams; we had not expected to had died aged 51. The Requiem need so many! The photocopying Mass lasted almost 4 hours and was done at a Techiman street- was attended by about 3,000 market stall on an “original” laity, several bishops and scores of photocopier and proved a long and priests. It was an amazing event tedious process. By the time it was held in the open air beside the fi nished, we were all melting in the cathedral under shade-trees and heat and stopped on the way home strategically-erected awnings. Fr for ice-creams! Paul had been a much-loved and We have been in touch with Bro charismatic priest and, while at Gabriel since arriving back in UK and Tuobodom, had worked hard at have posted some more literature. arranging for many couples to have Few people in rural areas have their traditional, tribal marriages access to e-mail so we will be using blessed in church. We had been “whatsapp” and the postal service warned that it might prove to be to keep in touch. Already, following a di culty for Teams that often the Tuobodom 1 Team meeting, we Catholic couples left it till late in life hear that one couple has prepared before asking for their marriage to a report and are posting it to us. be blessed. It was as if Fr Paul Miki Please pray for these couples that had paved the way in Tuobodom, they will discover the joy of Teams for Teams to be established. and choose to continue once the On our last Saturday, we drove piloting is over. We are happy to again to the cathedral to meet up pilot these fi rst 2 teams ourselves with couples who had previously but look forward to there being shown an interest. This meeting other couples in Transatlantic SR was less successful, only 2 husbands willing to take on the task when came along and none of the wives, more teams emerge. but we were able to share a little of We found the heat debilitating and Team life with them and exchanged the way of life so di erent from our “whatsapp” phone numbers. There own but, despite being out of our may well be an opportunity on comfort zone at times, we would our next visit to Ghana, to set up not have missed this opportunity a team (or teams) in Techiman, but for the world. for the moment we are focusing on Tuobodom. Mary & Robert Jones Fareham 1 Before we left KBM, we went into town to photocopy the piloting
31 You Write ‘A night out in London’
ur friend Sister Dorothy date setting, soup and sandwiches (and Spiritual Advisor to or something else, and how do you OKingston Team) had noticed manage an annual retreat? These in the Regional Newsletter about discussions often provide things to a mixed team event. We all had think about and take back to our happy memories of these in the own team. past, so we decided to sign up. On this occasion Piotr and Dzidzia Accordingly one evening earlier had taken the opportunity to invite a this year, we braved the rush hour couple who were thinking of joining tra c to drive from Wimbledon a team. As one might expect, we to Greenford, to join two other were all a bit tentative to start with, couples in the home of Piotr and but it is wonderful how people Dzidzia. We had time to catch up share and pray so trustingly. on news during the car journey, and We all enjoyed the evening. For us thoroughly enjoyed meeting new it brought back happy memories of people in this one-evening group. other mixed team meetings over the For those who haven’t been to years - at regional and international a mixed team meeting before, gatherings, in conference centres, we should explain that it follows in hotels and holiday camp chalets, a similar format to the normal and peoples’ homes, mostly in monthly meeting. The di erence English but occasionally in a lies in the fact that you may range of languages, with people be meeting some of the other translating for each other as best couples for the fi rst time. So the they could. sharing has to incorporate a bit of These opportunities are so interesting and enjoyable because ‘we are all curious to they enable us to share with people learn how other teams from di erent parts of our country, operate’ and even di erent parts of the world. So it is a way of looking biography. And because we are all beyond the limitations of our own curious to learn how other teams team, and it always leaves us feeling operate, there is often discussion refreshed. about di erent approaches - how Peter & Mary Hayes to tackle the often vexed question Wimbledon 4 of the Endeavours, do you have di culties with time-keeping and
32 You Write ‘Our experience of The Study Topic’
material is not prepared in advance Editors Note - Have you ever struggled for discussion, which would be ideal. with the study topic or discussion in your Team meeting? A member of a Trinidad Instead one topic is read and studied team shares with us how her Team as a group at the meeting. It is amazing tackles this section of the meeting and how our earlier sharing often ties in to the benefi ts she gains from it. elements of the study topic, without prior knowledge or preparation. The ur Team#12 (Our Lady of Holy Spirit’s presence is felt at our Mt Carmel) from Trinidad & Team meeting, making His Word OTobago has been journeying and the teachings so relevant. The as a Team for the past 25 years. challenge of the literature is welcome, Our original couples participated in not beyond reach, but creates the Marriage Encounter around 1990, and opportunity for us to push and were encouraged to join Teams by the extend ourselves in spiritual growth. founding father of Teams in Trinidad, We feel progress has been made on Fr Neil Rodriguez, who served as our our adult spiritual journey from each chaplain until his death in 2013. Team meeting. We often ask, “Where In the early days of our piloting and did they get these questions?” as we formation, Fr Neil guided us through fi nd the material and the sharing of the study of Papal Encyclicals our group’s insights so mind-blowing ‘Familiaris Consortio’ and ‘Humanae and multi-faceted. Experiencing the Vitae’ which laid a strong foundation, richness and depth of the Word, and and challenged us to mature in our the ability of the authors to lead us faith. The topics were read out loud to fully explore the written material and discussed together during the leaves us in awe. They have to be meeting, with the priest’s added commended, and continue to be led theological wisdom. We also studied by the Spirit, to unite us as Teams ‘Theology of the Body’ in depth, worldwide through His Word. enhancing our married spirituality. The ‘Study Topic’ is one area of our Team Material from the Teams newsletter Meeting that we aim to accomplish ‘Salt of the Earth’ also developed with growing determination, because us as couples. As the study topic of the great benefi t derived. It is theme is optional, material from our the reward for the sacrifi ce to come Archdiocesan Family Life Commission together, in spite of all the competing also engaged our attention on demands for our time and energy. occasion. Back to Teams literature, We feel the Spirit enlightens us and we completed ‘Dare to Live the renews us in Christian fellowship on Gospel’ and ‘Discerning the Signs of a Sunday afternoon, to face whatever the Times’. As Team 12 reconvenes the week and month ahead may bring, for September 2016, our e orts will until our Team meets again. be focused on ‘Living Our Mission Linda Kowlessar Joyfully’. Team#12 (Our Lady of Mt Carmel) from Because of our busy schedules, the Trinidad & Tobago
33 You Write ‘Message from the Polish Super Region’ ear Couples and Spiritual Wrocław and Bydgoszcz, so that Counsellors in the by 2005 the Region of Poland DTransatlantic Super Region needed to be formed. At this time We are Lucyna & Krzysztof Polish Teams Wysoccy and we live in c o u p l e s Poznan in Poland and have decided to been married 30 years. We u n d e r t a k e have been in Teams since 2001, e x p a n s i o n from the very beginnings of activities in the movement in Poland. neighbouring c o u n t r i e s , The start of the movement in the fruits of Poland which were In 2001 the ERI Leading couple, new Teams Gerard & Marie-Christine de in Belarus Robert, visited Poland at a n d the invitation of some Polish Slovakia. couples. In August of that In 2014 year, in the town of Cichowie, near the Polish Poznan, couples from 12 Polish region had dioceses were introduced to the expanded Equipes Notre Dame movement. to 7 Many of those couples decided to follow the road to Christ proposed sectors in by Teams. On the 4th May 2002 the Poland, 1 in formal structure of Teams in Poland Belarus and 1 in Slovakia along with was put in place. In December 2002 teams in Ukraine and Norway. there was one sector in Poland This growth of Teams in Poland which comprised of 20 teams of was noticed by the ERI, which which one was in piloting. There suggested a Super Region in this were 93 married couples involved area of Europe. In 2015 during the and 18 priests. College in Rome, the Super Region was o cially created. The Super The growth of Teams in Poland and Region was to be called “Poland neighbouring countries – Central Europe” comprising of 3 From 2002 the movement has Polish Regions, the Belarus sector, grown in Poland primarily in the Slovakia sector, Hungarian sector major cities. Sectors were formed and Teams in Ukraine, Czech in Warsaw, Poznań, Katowice, Republic and Polish émigré Teams
34 You Write ‘Message from the Polish Super Region’ in Norway and Germany. Currently Much emphasis is put on formation. the Super Region consists of Couples with responsibilities are 194 teams: 920 couples and 182 also couples who understand they priests. are in a position to serve. Every We are delighted at the enthusiasm year separate formation training is of our Teams couples and also organised for information, liaison their engagement in service to, and and piloting couples. expansion of, the movement. One Extremely important to us is the of the main contributing factors piloting period of a new team. to this success is the current good We recognize this as a uniquely position of the church in Poland: important time for a new team to encounter the movement and its Charism. Annually in May, there is a meeting (pilgrimage) of the whole Super Region to a Marian Sanctuary, each year to a di erent location. This is a joyful gathering and a chance to share our experiences in our “small Poland-Central Europe group at international community” because Brasilia 2012 as we have said, our Super Region many people still practicing their contains Teams from several faith; many priests; young people countries other than Poland. This still getting married and couples movement is certainly a wonderful wishing to deepen their spiritual example of internationality, cultural life. There are readily available rich diversity and what is so key for formation solutions from various the whole world: married couples faith groups for these couples, one living the same Christian Charism of these solutions is Teams. of marital spirituality. Teams in Poland organises Lucyna & Krzysztof Wysoccy weekend retreats every month of Super Regional Couple for Poland the year and week-long retreats – Central Europe in the summer. Couples not yet in Teams are also welcome to attend.
35 You Write ‘Spiritual Animals’
ou may have heard about and seasons. They can even teach the spiritual qualities of us a little about prayer; the smaller Ymany animals. The spiritual fi sh are rather anxious and as a fox noses about and knows many consequence are bad feeders, things; the spiritual hedgehog has rushing up making uncoordinated, one big idea, and rolls up into it. hurried and often unsuccessful There are spiritual birds too, but snatches. One might say that they all these can wander o into other are prone to distractions. The gardens, so perhaps it’s time to think older ones move slowly, spending about some more stable inhabitants careful time and huge persistence of our garden; the spiritual fi sh. in searching under every leaf and As many of you may know, the every dark corner for sustenance, monastery has a small pond just and as a result they grow fat. outside the refectory, which is We, like them, need to learn how inhabited by quite a to pray with number of rather large careful, slow, fi sh. Now, there are p e r s i s t e n c e ; several ways of thinking sudden rushing about them. You could in and away see them as a population will, as we contained in a fi nite know, gain us environment, growing little. every larger and dependent on Like the fi sh, we are dependent on the industrial quantities of nasty the good things God showers down smelling fi sh food provided for on us, of which there is always more them, whose origin and composition than we could ever need (God does is, like sausages, best not dwelt on, not forget us, unlike me when I but which they gobble up furiously. forget to feed the fi sh), but we do An economist might prescribe an need time and attention for this. urgent reduction of their numbers Perhaps the summer might be a for both their physical and moral good time to notice, slowly. good. Abbot Martin Shipperlee Alternatively, they could be seen as Super Regional Spiritual Counsellor a good model for the monastery; they keep within their enclosure, as St Benedict urged (not really much choice there), eat what’s put before them without complaint, and are perfectly attuned to times
36 36 Contacts ‘Transatlantic Super Region’ Currently 5 Regions & 6 Sectors
Super Regional Couple Piotr & Dzidzia Chodzko-Zajko
Super Regional Chaplain Abbot Martin Shipperlee
Treasurers Mike & Lisa Beevers
37 Contacts ‘Transatlantic Super Region’ Currently 5 Regions & 6 Sectors
Newsletter Couple Peter & Di Wordsworth
Region of Central Britain Paul & Janet Deboo
Sectors South Midlands; West London; North Thames; West
Region of Northern Britain Tony & Pat Banks
North East & North Tyne; Teesside & North Yorkshire; North West
38 Contacts ‘Transatlantic Super Region’ Currently 5 Regions & 6 Sectors
Region of Southern Britain Bernard & Susan Kelly
Sectors London South East; London South West; Solent; Surrey South & Sussex; Surrey North; Thames Valley; Wessex
Region of Ireland Tony & Breda Preston
Sectors Belfast; Cork; Dublin; Galway; Mullingar; Sligo; Limerick
Region of Trinidad & Tobago Dwight & Christine Gonsalves
Sectors North; South
39 Contacts ‘Transatlantic Super Region’ Currently 5 Regions & 6 Sectors
South Africa Kwazulu Natal Sector Anthony & Natalie Joss
Johannesburg Sector Dulce & Elio Simoes
40 40 Contacts ‘Transatlantic Super Region’ Currently 5 Regions & 6 Sectors
Central Africa Pre-Region of Malaza (Malawi & Zambia) Albert & Ethel Kaunda
Sectors Zomba; Mangochi; Dedza; Mzuzu (isolated teams); Pre-sector of Zambia
Malawi - Zomba Sector Cornelius & Ethel Muwa
Malawi - Mangochi Sector Backson & Barbra Mkozomba
Malawi - Dedza Sector Boniface & Ida Ntakati
Zambia - Pre Sector Edward & Fatima Mwale Fatima International Gathering July 16 - 18 2018 The dates for the International Gathering at Fatima have recently been confi rmed as 16th – 21st July 2018. Linking in with this is the launch of the gathering logo which is shown below.
The symbols in the logo are: Christ’s cross from the Holy Trinity Basilica; The image of our Lady of Fatima with a rosary in her hands; the white doves a symbol of peace and the sun to remind us of the sun miracle in the history of the Apparitions. The Immaculate Heart surrounding Our Lady of Fatima uses the four language colours used by Teams internationally. Fatima 2018 shows the Gathering’s venue and year with the number 8 symbolising the couple’s union represented in the two wedding rings.
Teams of Our Lady is an international Christian movement for married couples of all ages. Equipes Notre-Dame • Teams of Our Lady • Equipos de Nuestra Señora Equipas de Nossa Senhora • Ehegruppen E.N.D
E q u i p e s N o t r e - D a m e Teams