Journal
Monday,Oct 19 2009, 10:04:22 PMUt Unum Sint ( That All May Be One)
Ut Unum Sint (That All May Be One)
A Reflection by Rev. Bob Johnnene OFD
Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy
Reformed Catholic Church of New England
Ut unum sint! The call for Christian unity made by the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council with such impassioned commitment is more important today than ever before. When so many of God‘s Children are being denied the opportunity to worship God because of man made rules that deny them participation. When the ego‘s of some denomination’s leaders to be the BIG CHEESE. prevents unity or denominations refusal to allow all whom God calls to service be ordained. Causes division and strife, how can we ever achieve reunification of the One Holy Catholic (Universal) Apostolic Church?
When Pope John Paul VII wrote his encyclical on May 25th 1995 he began with this statement; “The courageous witness of so many martyrs of our century, including members of Churches and Ecclesial Communities not in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, gives new vigor to the Council's call and reminds us of our duty to listen to and put into practice its exhortation. These brothers and sisters of ours, united in the selfless offering of their lives for the Kingdom of God, are the most powerful proof that every factor of division can be transcended and overcome in the total gift of self for the sake of the Gospel. Christ calls all his disciples to unity. My earnest desire is to renew this call today” He further stated the following;…."believers in Christ, united in following in the footsteps of the martyrs, cannot remain divided."
Today there is even more division than existed in 1995 between all the various Faith communities that profess to believe in the Creed and the teachings of Jesus Christ and most of it is because of some man made rule or some other reason that has nothing to do with the TRUTH proclaimed by Christ that God, Abba is a loving and compassionate God. Christ called us to be charitable, loving and welcoming to ALL God’s children. If we whom God has called as his priests and servants cannot get along and come together in our service to Almighty God how can we ever convince the laity to live out Christ’s teachings fully. Even in the Independent Catholic Communities that not only believe in the Creed and the teachings of Christ but believe in ordaining married persons and women as priests and Same Sex Holy Unions there is division. There is the RCC, RCCINE, NAOCC, ECC, and so many others that can not seem to come together. In the last two weeks the Holy Spirit has led me to find a like minded community of religious in Providence Rhode Island, The Little Brothers and Sisters of Jesus Caritas, which was founded by Blessed Charles de Foucauld, and are a part of the North American Old Catholic Church. Beginning this past Sunday October 18th and every Sunday from now on, All friends and members of the Faith Community of Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus who are in the general area of Providence Rhode Island, are invited to attend The Eucharistic Liturgy at 6:00 PM every at the Church of the Holy Paraclete ( Church of the Holy Spirit) which is currently using the Brooklyn Coffee & Tea House at 209 Douglas Avenue for services. This past Sunday I spoke with 3 people who had not been to church for 15 to 40 years and “FOUND” this ministry. They felt the Holy Spirit alive and well and the Love of Christ being exhibited in an inclusive and welcoming Faith Community. One of the individuals had met Bishop Mel and I at our missions booth at Boston Pride Festival and was so happy to meet us and celebrate liturgy and partake of the Eucharist with us. Bishop Mell Borham of the ORCC-English Rite and I have decided, I am certain with the inspiration and direction of the Holy Spirit, to work together with The Little Brothers and Sisters of Jesus Caritas and combine our ministries in order to better serve God’s children in the New England Area. Just imagine what miracles could happen if all the jurisdictions that have the same mission purpose were to gather together to work in harmony how the message of the Infinite mercy and Love of God would become more alive in peoples lives. Just imagine how powerful a coming together would be. We would actually be living the words of the Hymn WE ARE ONE IN THE SPIRIT which proclaims;
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord. And we pray that all unity may one day be restored, so they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand. We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand. And together we'll spread the news that God is in our land. We will work with each other, we will work side by side. We will work with each other, we will work side by side. And we'll guard each man's dignity and save each man's pride. And They will know we are Christians by Our Love.
If only we could achieve this goal among all the independent churches the message of John Paul II encyclical would have made a huge movement toward fulfillment. AMEN