Marist Studies
August 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
We have been fortunate enough to have Alois Greiler travel from Rome to spend a two days with us. As well as joining us tomorrow on our visit to Fourviere, Alois has presented five lectures / seminars in the past twenty four hours or so. As well as being amazed at the wealth of his scholarship, his enthusiastic presentation and choice of topic made it all go so fast. Interest was high and there were really more questions than time would allow. Perhaps having an extra day with him tomorrow may present the opportunity for people to ask him more questions in an informal setting.
Topics Alois spoke on were:
- How to understand Marist origins
- The House of Mary: key image for the life and spirit of Jean-Claude Colin
- Outline on Understanding Colin, his Personality and Way of Acting
- Transforming Grace: Essay on Marist Spirituality
- Colin and Oceania: Suva Colloquium 2007
Sung Vespers
August 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Sunday after the second day of pilgrimage was a day at home. La Neyliere continued to be a hive of activity with well over 100 here. was a hive of activity, so much so that room in the main building where we eat has been taken over by a new group, the Apostles of Peace. They are an international semi-charismatic community with some members coming from as far away as Africa for their annual gathering at La Neyliere. The charism of the community is essentially peace and they express it through singing “internally” and in liturgical settings. Periods of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and reflective recitation of the Rosary are key components of their spirituality. As well as singing and prayer, community members are strongly encouraged to be involved in some form of peace-themed social outreach.
With so many here today there was a choice of Mass times, a 9am with the Disciples of Peace or the usual 11am with the local people. There is a church at Pomeys about 1km up the road, however it’s holiday time and the regularity, spirituality and convenience of the La Neyliere Mass means a good number of the local community come to Mass here. Whereas the Apostles of Peace Mass was all in French and some “broke into tongues” after communion, Bernd Kordes was sensitive to the international flavour of the regular community mass and used a diagram to help express the concept he conveyed in homily.
Before they go home, it is customary for the local people to join with the Marist community for an aperitif after the 11am Mass, normally around midday and today was no exception. Thankfully some among the visiting congregation spoke English which made it a little easier.
Dinner followed and the vine-ordinaire was replaced by a Cotes du Rhone, a nice touch to accompany the spicy sausage main meat dish.
After lunch, Alois Grollier, (Rome) Christof Kochmann (German Marist seminarian) and Thilo Saft (soon to be German Novice in the Philippines) arrived. Actually they arrived late last night, but left again early in the morning for Chartreuse, so after lunch was the first time we saw them. Alois is here to provide some Marist history input and will deliver 5 lectures in 1 1/2 days. He, Christof and Thilo will also accompany us as we travel this week to Fourviere, Belley and Cerdon.
Edwin McCallion, Charlie Randle, Bernado Petero, Marcel Ma'ah and Matt Morris at "Sung Vespers".
Some may have embarked on a Sunday afternoon walk, however looking at us as we arrived Alois’ Sunday afternoon lecture, suggests most perhaps didn’t.
In the area where Bernd Kordes comes from “Vespers” means a cup of tea. On Sunday night it is the tradition of the La Neyliere community to have “sung” vespers, something that all the renewal group participated in with enthusiasm. The end of a somewhat quiet but pleasant day.
P.S. With that written the locals down at St Symphorien decided to have the last say with an impressive fireworks display. Not sure why, perhaps it might have been to mark the feat of St which took place during the week, on August 22.
Welcoming Marcel Ma’ah
August 22, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Today is another preparation day for our visit to Les Barbery, St Bonnet-le-Troncy, Coutouvre and Jarnosse. The style was more of tutorial style, use the various sources, read and come back and share what we discovered. This proved to be “refreshing”, both senses of the word, in that it was another change in presentation style, and also it provided an opportunity to “brush up” once again, however this time the difference is that we knew we were going to visit these places.
A fact that seemed to skip our attention was that Jean-Claude’s mother Marie was only 13 when she married Jacques, who incidentally was 24.
The group was delighted to welcome Marcel Ma’ah this afternoon. Marcel was travelling from Africa and his Visa was only approved on Monday. Somewhat jet-lagged, without all the formal introduction process and with English somewhat unfamiliar to him the first afternoon proved some what challenging for him, however it is good that we are now complete in number.
This evening a new group is arriving, a large group, so much so that our dining room, which is much bigger than we need, has been taken over by the Apostles of Peace. From dinner this evening until they go, we’ve moved into one of the adjacent buildings.
While on the subject of dinner, the main course for supper this evening was very Lyonaise, a style of boiled salami sausage and potatoes in their jacket. Normally there is butter for the French loaf only in the morning, and so it was a surprise to see it on the table tonight. Those of us with Irish influence in our heritage immediately put it on our spuds, however the locals actually use it on the boiled salami sausage. Another little cultural learning point.
We also discovered TV tonight, along with CNN and BBC channels in English. Now with the Internet and these two international media giants the world all of a sudden seems a little closer.
Isa Lei – minimises the cultural divide
August 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment
It’s very difficult to keep a secret when in a “touring group” or a group that is “travelling” together. Most of us arrived at breakfast a little weary after yesterday, but were surprised at the enthusiastic morning greetings we were receiving from the other group in house, the people involved in the “Non violent communication” seminar. “Hello Brother,” “Good morning Brother.” It was different to what we had experienced before.
It’s no secret that different people process experiences in a variety of ways and late last night, in the area the community calls the cloister, Bernard was singing and playing his guitar. Unbeknown to him, it was their final night and they were having a bit of a party upstairs. Without music one of their number happened to hear Bernard strumming away and singing. The invitation was extended and he joined them for a short while. Isa Lei was a great hit.
These people were French speakers, we are predominantly English speakers, yet Bernard’s quiet enthusiasm and this Fijian song, broke down linguistic and cultural barriers ever so much quicker than our attempts at greeting them in French and an occasional smile.
Yesterday was a day for “taking it all in” however the magnitude of yesterday began to sink in today. It was a quieter day and a good day to reflect on the significance of this visit for us, the place where the initial idea of the Society of Mary, was given to Courvielle.
Bernd also opened up for us the distinction between listening and hearing, but placed this in the context of our charism, of thinking as Mary, judging as Mary and acting as Mary.
Nature’s verdict – final
August 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment
We took in a lot in one day, however all has gone very smoothly and we all seem to be getting on well.
In terms of content we were fairly much left to our own devices today, that’s not say it was a free day, far from it. Outside of preparing to visit Le Puy tomorrow, there was the opportunity to avail ourselves of the library and read perhaps for the first time, or re-read now with some experience behind us, material with, as it were, “eyes anew.”
Matt Morris visiting the Colin Museum
A highlight of the day was being introduced to the Museum of Oceania and Fr Colin’s study and bedroom. It was kind of strange to visit, but there was a real buzz in the rooms.
It was cloudy and somewhat colder overnight and today, many saying they slept either with a blanket or additional blanket for warmth last night. We had our first experience of thunder and lightening today, I say our first experience, because a week or so ago there was another thunder storm that disabled access to the Internet. It’s refreshing to see that telecommunications communications companies even in France say it’s not their fault and that it’s to do with the settings of the internal wiring and the like. Some 2 hours work “after hours” by Paul Loubaresse, including a lengthy phone conversation with the telecom help desk suggested differently.
Nature’s verdict, not to mention Telecom France, had proved to be final and with the Internet out of action, communication the world was at a minimum. Bernd Kordes was nearing his “wits end” as he was expecting some important messages, while Charlie Randle, who had unfortunately left his travel bag with some money, camera, drivers licence and credit cards on the plane, was finding it difficult to get answers over the phone in English from the airline. Those avid followers of the Olympics and the like were reduced to getting results from their friends either by txt /sms messages, in conversation with them on the phone or by getting the gist of what’s happened by skimming the French newspapers. Those reading this know that we live in an information age, however if we ever needed confirmation of it, these last couple of days go someway towards demonstrating it. It’s time for Telecom France to “step-up.”
Settling in
August 18, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The first day of our renewal, and the group began fresh and enthusiastic, with the exception of Marcel Maa from Africa. Marcel had some Visa issues and could not get a ticket until today, so we are hopeful to see him later in the week. For the record, the following are the participants: Deogratias Bararishize and Marcel Ma’ah (Africa), John Beckley (Atlanta), Mikaele Cilicewa [Fiji], Paul Pidcock and Charlie Randle (Australia), Edwin McCallion (Ireland), Matt Morris, John Murphy and Denis O’Brien (New Zealand), Berenado Petero (Oceania).
As we gathered, no one really knew much about what we were about to embark on, other than from what we had gleaned from those who had gone before us. Most have given glowing accounts. Any fears that we had were soon allayed firstly in meeting Bernd Kordes and then secondly in his presentation of the outline of what was ahead.
Bernd’s presentation complete for now, it was our turn to introduce ourselves. While there are various nationalities, ministerial backgrounds, life experiences, ages, and local interpretations of the Marist Charism in our group, the openness and brotherly interest in each other is immediately evident.
Very early in the first afternoon, John Beckley presented Bernd with a beautifully woven image of the Madonna and Child. It was an image that John particularly liked and he shared with the group the meaning of the symbolism it contained.
First days are initial impression days. As well as getting to know each other, it was also an opportunity to get to understand a little of the French way of eating. Breakfast is simple, slices of French loaf, perhaps with butter, but generally with a fruit conserve, along with a bowl for coffee. Some prefer tea. The main meal is in the middle of the day and is served in courses, typically a salad, some carbohydrate (rice, pasta, potato), meat and vegetable of some sort, followed by cheese and then a desert. French loaf is always available throughout, as it is for supper, which takes a similar format. At both meals a wine is served, purchased from a local merchant who mixes his own blend.
A typical St Symphorien street
Gastronomical impressions are one thing, but the local surrounds are also part of the process of introduction. Each of us has our own room with a good firm bed, desk, chair and hand basin. Toilet and bathrooms are nearby. Wider afield, but also nearby are two villages, one, Pomeys somewhat smaller and closer, while the larger, St Symphorien is about a 20 minute walk there and a 25 minute walk home. There is a cafe-bar-restaurant at Pomeys, however it’s holiday time and it won’t be open again until 1 September. A number of the vendors are similarly closed at St Symphorien, but not all. Most importantly the well-stocked supermarket is open and several make a trip to pick up some essentials.
While rural in its setting, La Neyliere is a busy place. Three Marists, Jean-Bernard Jolly, Bernd Kordes and Paul Loubbaresse live and work here, along with a staff of full-time assistants and several part-time people. All contribute to help keep the place functioning smoothly.
We are not the only ones here, living in with us, albeit separately for the week is a very large group of people involved in a non-violent communication.