Volume 4, Issue 2, Spring, 2011

Communio
Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity
June 18, 2011, is the day when we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. This feast reminds us of the most profound mystery of faith: God one and three: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We all know that the Most Holy Trinity revealed himself in history. And in every age and epoch that God reveals himself, it is always a moment of grace, a moment of favor on the part of man. He is the Father who creates and loves, the Son who redeems and sacrifices, the Holy Spirit who inspires and strengthens. Though man falls into sin, God continues to reveal himself: his love, his forgiveness, his fidelity, his unconditional love for humanity. We can see clearly in our human history how God works in our midst. Though we continue to being unfaithful to him, God remains in his love, kindness and mercy. Jesus Christ our Lord continues to remind us to be Perfect as the Father in heaven is perfect. Just as he said that the invisibility of the Father is now visible in HIm and also in the Church through the Holy Spirit who continues to guide her. Christ also wanted us to learn from him in order for us to be seen by the Father as Christ is. We are asked to follow him as his disciples of the present day and continue to be witnesses to the new generation of followers. We must remain in Jesus Christ, as Johns gospel narrated, Truly, truly, I say to you, says the Lord, he who believes in me will also do the works that I do (Jn 14:12). We must always remember that Christ is the way, the truth and the life. We have to believe and lived out this faith in Jesus. This is our faith and we need to proclaim this faith and witness it to the whole of creation. He mentioned as well that he is sending the Holy Spirit to remind us of this reality and will guide and help us in daily discernment in our lives in the midst of the challenges and pressing needs of this present world. This is what the Vicars of Christ did and are doing. They are docile to the Holy Spirits impulse guiding them to what Jesus Christ would want in the Church of the present times. We observed this in the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II and in his pontificate, so also with the current Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI. In every age and time, God has given us shepherds who continuously guide his Church, in a every given time, in circumstances. God never fails in guiding his Church: in every moment there is always the fresh breath of the Holy Spirit, making the Church always rejuvenated, always strong! In the Society of Our Lady we also have similar experiences. God has never abandoned us. Throughout the history of the Society, we have felt and we have seen how the hands of God molded us and guided us. Just in the recent past, with Bishop Edmond Carmody, God gave us a shepherd who has truly guided the Society. And with the present Bishop of the Principal Seat, Bishop Wm. Michael Mulvey, it is my opinion that all his directions to us are a manifestation of Gods hand again molding the Society. In every age, in every moment, God intervenes, and when He intervenes, it is always a moment of grace for the Society of Our Lady. With the forthcoming Ordinary General Chapter, let us hope and pray that God reveals again to us His desire, His design for all of us. Lets hope that as one Family of the Society of Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity, we continuously move forward, always in the Service of Christ and His Church. In Communion +,

Rev. Fr. Rogel B. Rosalinas, SOLT General Priest Servant

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I M I T AT E M AR Y , B E C O M E L I K E J E S U S , L I V E F O R TH E T R I U N E G O D

SOLT WEBSITE GETS A FACELIFT

The face of a person is the most revealing part. It shows what they really are going through and is the contact point of communion with others. Blessed Pope John Paul the Great asked the Church some years ago to become the living reflection of the face of Christ. Marketing analysts claim that a website shows the true face of the organization as never before. A website is increasingly the place where customers get that vital first impression. If it is our business to be the living reflection of the face of Christ, it is important what the face of our community shines forth to the world.

It was in this mindset that the SOLT website was remodeled, to be a more accurate and clear representation of our community and its service to the Church and the world. It must be noted that the website had done this well in the past, but was in need of updating, to reflect the growth and the current direction we are taking. If you look at the new design, you cannot miss the fact that it was built on the beautiful foundation of what was already there. Here thanks should be given to Susan George, Marlene Sibley, and Ken Dawson for their contribution. However, a website does not only serve ad extra, or to the outside public, it also has an ad intra benefit, or a way of up-building our own family. It has the effect of revealing to the community itself who it is and what is happening in different parts of the world. All too often it is easy to have a critical spirit on what we are not doing as a community. Here it is good to examine ourselves, Do we contemplate the face of Christ in our community? Do we see the good things Our Father is giving to us? Do we have a constructive criticism that is contextualized in Gods purpose, and are our observations of our need for growth connected to our willingness to change in the right direction? The website intends to inspire SOLT members to the good things that God is doing, and the beautiful love Our Lady shows us manifested in the different works and movements of our members. I would like to point out a few changes in the website that are attempts to build up our community and also to shine forth the face of Christ to the world. The Sisters are now integrated into the structure of the website. Previously, there was a theological distinction between the states of life, but we are not actually distinguished Submitted by Fr. Sam Medley SOLT Website: http://www.societyofourlady.net/

Members of Our Community Who Are Sick and Need Prayers:

Fr. Jim Flanagan Ann Craig Conrad Gonzales Stephen Lickteig

Sr. Mary Joseph Bregin

Please pray for the repose of the souls of: Fr. Joe Hromadka Bro Philip Howard and Phil Bauer Mary Ryan

IMITATE M AR Y, BECOME LIK E JESUS, LIVE FOR THE TRIU NE GOD

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Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

I started my pilgrimage on March 19; the solemnity of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary and foster father of Jesus. It was a Saturday, so outside the Walled City there was no activity as far as movements of people and business, for it is Sabbath. This I attributed such non actions as a way of making myself to be more observant and sensitive to inner workings of the Spirit, whom St. Joseph was deeply attuned from the moment of God revelation through dreams to having Jesus and Mary. He remained on the background so to speak for it is God in Jesus that needs to be out there. So, I resolved to focus my visits and prayers to the very mysteries of Jesus birth, ministry and death with St. Joseph as protector and guide. He protects for like what He did to Jesus not to be harmed or killed to guide Jesus learning from Him everything about how to be a devout man for the law, making oneself for God through others.

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the place where Jesus died and was buried became my point of origin in all my directions to places where Jesus was. It was through Jesus passing from this earthly existence that He fulfilled the Fathers will to redeem all creation and restore everything to its proper order. The order of each day will always begin or end with passing through this place as if such gesture is to fulfill or to make whole in my past and future plans as priest centered on offering of Jesus. Places I visited like that of the Church of Peter Gallicantu, where Jesus believed to be in prison upon receiving the sentenced of death and the place where Jesus dinned for the Passover brought unparalleled experienced of inner resolved in me in meditating the sublime act of Jesus to fulfill His Fathers plan. To dine with people close to Him to fulfill what contains in the scripture was the source of strength to face death, the passing from this earth/world.

In Bethlehem, the experienced was so refreshing like that of anticipating something/someone to happen or to come. I touched the place where Jesus was born brought flashes of experiences in leading people in my ministries through the years for fresh start in ways pleasing to God founded in and through the sacraments. I cannot forget that sense of contentment after visiting the place believed to where Mary the mother of Jesus nursed the infant Jesus. The place has a prominent adoration chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. I prayed for the needs of the SOLT specially the upcoming chapter/assembly mark the visit. Immediately, I visited Jericho, at the Israel side, the place where Jesus was tempted after forty days/nights of fasting before His ministry. Temptations look like packets or caves on the side of that mountain where monks or mystics used to lived then to attain perfections brought me of small holes in my inner self that where unattended or unfulfilled by the sacraments or sacramental that became places where temptations to sin starts, therefore, daily examination of conscience, weekly spiritual exercises, and regular recollections and retreats become so relevant to me.

It took me two full days in Nazareth and around the Sea of Galilee. I found out that Nazareth looks more attractive to visitors because of its arable land. Most areas are greener unlike that of the surrounding places of Jerusalem that are arid and dry. I was magnetized by a simple gaze at the valley of Jezreel where Nazareth imposed herself. No doubt for me that Jesus grew in wisdom and age through the guidance of St. Joseph in His hidden life. The Church of the Annunciation just blown me away specially when I joined the rosary-procession at the night of the solemnity of the Annunciation, March 25. I went up to Mount Tabor where Jesus was transfigured and the mountain where Jesus preached the beatitudes. Last but not least is the Mount of Olives. It was a surprised that I was able to see where Saint Louis IX stayed during the crusades. This place is in Tel Aviv, the place where the Popes representative holds his office.

Submitted by Fr. Carlos Saligumba, SOLT

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Padro Pio Catholic Children's Activities By Frieda Cramer

Padre Pio is a saint known and loved in the Catholic faith. Padre Pio is a much loved modern Catholic saint. He was born in a small Italian village in 1887 and died in 1968. He was known for performing miracles and his following was so great that it was often difficult to get a seat at Mass where he officiated. Padre Pio is still an inspiration today. He was canonized by Pope John Paul II in 2002, and although he is Saint Pio, many still affectionately refer to him as Padre Pio. Through books, discussions and activities, children can come to know and love Padre Pio. Reading There are many books to read with your children that tell the inspirational story of a young Italian boy named Francesco Forgione, who wanted to serve God and later became Padre Pio. One such book is called, "The Way of the Cross: A Story of Padre Pio" by Claire Jordan Mohan. As of 2010, the book can be found on Amazon.com and at the Fatima Shoppe -- a link to the website is in the resources section. Another book, the "Padre Pio Comic Book," by Fabio Fenzo, tells Padre Pio's story and the miracles he performed in easy-to-understand terms. As of 2010, this book is also sold on Amazon.com, as well as at the Catholic Company, whose website can be found in the resources section. As of 2010, Aquinas and More Catholic Goods and the Ignatius Press both offer ageappropriate books and DVDs about Padre Pio.

Family Discussions Read about how Padre Pio overcame many difficulties and discuss with your children. The life of Padre Pio is considered by Catholics to be inspirational. Find time to discuss his life and what miracles are attributed to him. Once you and your children have read a book or two about Padre Pio, discuss how he communicated with his guardian angel. Pick various chapters in the books that talk about difficulties that Padre Pio faced in his life and how he overcame them, and discuss parallels to your own lives.

Coloring Having your children draw a guardian angel is a fun way to incorporate a lesson on Padre Pio. Children have a natural interest in angels, and Padre Pio believed firmly that everyone has a guardian angel. Provide paper and coloring materials for your child to use his imagination to draw an angel. You may want to have colored paper, glue sticks and glitter as well. Have your child imagine what he would like his guardian angel to look like, how old the angel would be and in what ways your child would like their angel to help him/her.

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The words of our risen Savior Go make disciples of all the nations. inspires Our Ladys Society in the fulfillment of her missionary mandate and outreach to bring the Good News of Salvaion to all mankind.

In the fulfillment of the vision of Our Ladys Society, given to Father Flanagan, the Southwest (New Mexico) of the U.S. was to be the springboard to the evangelizacin of the Americas, the Philippines to Asia and the Pacific and Spain, the springboard to Europe and Africa.

As General Vicar Servant, Fr. Vince Albano, is assigned the responsility for ministries in missions and apstoles with special concern for educacin, planning and evaluatin.

(PD-D.3). In carrying out this responsibility he was sent to Spain by Fr. Ogie to investigate and evaluate the needs of the local Church and look into the possibility of establishing a missionary work of Our Ladys Society. After visiting eight different dioceses, two dioceses, Bilbao in the northern Basque part of Spain and Coria-Caceres in the mid western part, expressed very great desire to have Our Ladys Society come to serve. The Diocese of Coria-Caceres was chosen because of its greater pastoral needs as well as their desire to have us come as soon as we were available.

The Bishop, Don Francisco Cerro Chaves is very active in promoting the apostolote of the laity in the spirit of Vatican II, and he recognizes the charism of serving together on ecclesial teams, as priests, Religious and laity as a very important and essential witness that is needed to inspire and encourage the laity in the living of their vocations as active members and living stones in building up the Church. There is also a great need of Priests and Religious because of a lack of vocations coming from faith-filled and loving families. There are only 5 seminarias in Theology and 6 in the minor seminary. There are very few Religious in pastoral work. Older priests who have reached the age of 75 and 80 years old are still attending parishes because there are not enough younger priests to take their place. So the needs are very great for such a Catholic country as Spain.

The very great light in the darkness, however is their great love and devotin to our Blessed Mother and Fr. Vince sees why Our Lady wants her Society to be in Spain. Her very first shrine, Our Lady of Pilar, was established in Zaragoza by St James the Apostle himself. Almost every place you go there is a shrine dedcate in her honor under a special title and celbrated with special feast days. Each town has its own patron saint and a special devotin to Mary that are publicy celbrated.

A lot of interest in going to Spain and serving there has been expressed by members of Our Ladys Society and Fr. Vince will available at the International Assembly and Chapter to share more informatin with us and see if Our Lady is calling you to become a pioneer and member of the ecclesial family team to Spain!

In the joy and peace of Our Risen Lord and in Our Lady, Father Vince Albano, SOLT

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