The suffering of Good Mother is the Suffering of God

A viewed from a feminist perspective

By: Viktor Mage SSCC

“Remain in silence with Jesus who is offered on so many altars and in so many suffering people.  I do not get tired; I need Him for so many years lost without Him.  To be a repairer is to center prayerless on me and more on the world where sin hurts persons and society.  I pray for so many who don’t ask for God’s forgiveness through Jesus, the victim offered for us. When I make adoration I bring here to the chapel, people, the world, and my homeland.  I have received that love to be able to give it.  So many don’t receive it, they don’t want it; they seem not to need it.  If they only knew…I offer myself, a victim with Him… despite my unworthiness.” (Good Mother)

The Spirituality of ‘Nakedness’: A New Model of Solidarity

By: Fransiskus Fortunatus Antung sscc (Indonesia)

Henriette is more than a founder of SSCC Congregation. She is a patron and figure of Holy woman in our Congregation. She has deep faith quality in God. Henriette came from a rich family economically. I will say that she could have anything what she wants, for example food, clothes, education, entertaining, etc. At the time, Henriette grew up in the revolutionary regime. Fortunately, the condition of her family determined their life and needy. As a sufficient family, revolution did not big impact on her family. Logically, she could keep and stay cool in her comfort zone. The key is only obeying the revolutionary regime. But for some people, what she was doing was no-sense even unpredictable. Henriette went out of herself, from her comfort zone, then she did a ‘foolishness’. What is that? She hid the priest whom they reject to promise and obey on revolution. A rich woman took the different way by leaving what she had. Some people even me, if I live in that moment will judge her by saying, “wow, how stupid you are, Henriette”. But Henriette is an independent woman. There were no fears in her eyes. At a young age, she chose and decided a crucial thing with a big consequence too. What she did could endanger her and her family. She didn’t care about it. What kind of spirit dwells in her heart? I reflect that there was a great power and courage. I find that a great power is coming from great faith. Faith means believing in God totally and Henriette has done it.

Mother Henriette and Covid-19

In Jesus, we find all: his birth, life, death: this is our rule.

By Karol Huar sscc (Indonesia)

It must be confusing for some people when reading the title of this writing. Is there any direct connection between Mother Henriette and Covid-19? Why does the title of this writing is Mother Henriette and covid-19? In the next part of this writing, I will tell why does the title of this writing is Mother Henriette and covid-19.  

The Risk of Discipleship

The Reflection About Discipleship

Based on Henriette Aymer de la Chevalerie’s life

By Firminus Hoga Botan, SSCC

The decision to become a follower of Christ, whatever the form of our vocation, especially by becoming a monk or a nun cannot be separated from the consequences. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote excellently in his famous work, "The Coast of Discipleship", underlining, "Becoming a follower of Christ comes at a price. One can only answer to God in his life by involving his whole life, by resisting the misfortune of his own life and especially for the lives of others but also with resignation (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship).

The context of discipleship as describe above is very interesting when we make relate with the story in the Gospel of John 9: 1-41, story of the blind man from birth who was healed by Jesus. Although the text itself does not talk about discipleship in terms of witnessing, but from the narrative and story line itself implicitly shows us the importance of bearing witness to Christ which we have personally experienced. The story implicitly describes how a person who was healed (or redeemed by Jesus) testifies in the midst of conflict and tension. So, the purpose of this reflective paper is to see Henriette's life in the spirit of discipleship, especially to bearing the witness about Jesus in the context of conflict and tension.

                                         ***

Living in a situation of the French Revolution that is very tense, even when human lives are at stake is not a comfortable atmosphere. Psychic, psychological, social, economic, political, religious and other suffering were bitter experiences that people at that time had to experienced, including Henriette and her family. Even though she was from a noble family, she and her mother had to experience suffering. Being arrested and imprisoned is a reality that they must experience.

'The True Self of Henriette Aymer de la Chevalerie from the point of view of Thomas Merton'

*** A Theological Reflection A Pilgrimage to the True Self ***

Br. Ludovikus Calasanz Salu sscc (Indonesia)

Introduction.

The life of nobleman as many peoples knew is a life that full of happiness. Their lives are often decorated by having various events together among their groups. This life style also has been experienced by Henriette Aymer because she is from noble family. In many events of nobility in Poitiers (France), Henriette was always be the limelight of many peoples because of her pretty face, her passion for expressing herself, and her brilliant ideas. Henriette experienced this life style for so long.

In this life style, Henriette turned out to be very far from her True Self. She seemed to be in an alienation of identity. The Henriette-self whom appears on these life style is a fake Henriette. It can be said that it is Her False Self.

Which Way Religious Life?

An Interview with Brother Maiki Kamauoha, sscc,

in the midst of his "Pastoral Year"

By Fr. David Lupo, sscc

"Is religious life headed for oblivion? I hardly think so, not if we look beyond the surface to deeper signs of vitality. Religious life has been around for more than thirteen centuries. As long as a God who ever makes things new plants seeds of the call to radical discipleship in the hearts and minds of persons who are generous enough to respond[,] it will continue." 

Sr. Anne Munley, IHM (Call to Growth/Ministry Summer 1988)

My name is Michael Kamauoha, many people call me Maiki (pronounced Mikey).  I am of Hawaiian and Filipino descent.  I come from a family of six, two sisters and a brother.  I grew up in Hawai’i on the island of O'ahu. I began my journey with the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts in February of 2012. I have been in various parts of our province for different stages of my initial formation, currently I am in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, at St. Joseph's Parish, on what is called a pastoral year.  After professing temporary vows, I began my studies at Chaminade university, HI and then Holy Name University, CA working toward a bachelor’s in philosophy.  Later I entered the Pacific Regional Seminary, in Suva Fiji. I professed perpetual vow in November 2016.  I am currently in the 5th year of seminary studies which is the pastoral year.  I arrived in Massachusetts in the last days of December 2019. Prior to the suspension of serves and ministries due to Covid 19, I was involved in most of the parish ministries from Faith formation to Bereavement; I helped Fr Stephen Banjare, sscc, on hospital and care home visits; I volunteered at St Luke hospital as an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, while takes time to visit parishioners; I volunteered for a short time at a food pantry in New Bedford.  Since some of the Covid 19 restrictions have been lifted. I assist in liturgical celebration and in the few ministries that have started again, like baptism preparation.

Q. Br. Maiki, here you are, away from Hawaii. doing ministry in the time of Coronavirus, with a religious community, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. Do you believe that Religious Life is headed for oblivion, destined to fail, or lose importance, in modern America?

A. I believe modern America is in dire need for people who try to live a selfless life, who live the love of God, who teach by example and call others a life of holiness. It is my hope that Religious life not be headed for oblivion or destined to fail, but on the contrary be a beacon of holiness.  

Q. I second that! As you probably know, vocations to religious life do not come in the numbers that they did some years ago. Still you have hope in you. What feeds that hope?

A. Well, I see the need in society for conversion. Reason tells me I cannot be alone in recognizing the need. I have faith God will call those who also see the need, to be beacons of light and holiness in a darkening world. 

Q. What was family life like? Did your parents instill the faith in you?

A. I have been blessed. I grew up in a loving home, where faith was important to my parents. I have been fortunate to be in environments where people were willing to teach me, explain to me, why we did what we did as Catholics. The religious education director at St Michael, Priscilla Tampon was especially instrumental in my early faith development.

Q. And you have continued exploring your faith in theology studies in Suva, Fiji, at the Pontifical Regional Seminary. Have these high-learning classes enhanced your faith, or is it becoming too head-oriented? 

A. I think my studies have enhanced my faith; I think about faith seeking reason when trying to keep a balance 

Q. So, religious life is alive and doing well in the south Pacific? Are there many communities represented at the school? The Marists?

A. Religious life is very much so alive in the Pacific. There are 7 different religious communities, with students studying at PRS along with the seminarians from 7 different dioceses. Yes, the Society of Mary (SM) is there along with the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (MSC), the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB), the Missionary Society of St. Columban (SSC), the Congregation of the Mission (CM), and us, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts (SSCC). We also have a few sisters from the Sisters of Our Lady of Nazareth (SOLN). The Society of Jesus (SJ) are also a part of the school, they have no students, they are part of the faculty.

Q. Religious life is well in Hawaii, also. I was working there, on Oahu during the Year of Consecrated Life. I got to speak about it at several churches across the islands. Did you look at any religious community other than ours?   

A. I did not look into any other religious community, I knew about the others, but prior to being invited to join the Sacred Hearts, I was unaware God was calling me to Religious life. I thought I would have a career in finance. 

Q. Shhh, we will make you Treasurer at some point! Haha! Anyhow, have you noticed that Religious community members are hard to find? Moreso here in the eastern US than in Hawaii, Religious are hard to find. It seems we are too bound down in our rectories, apartments or convents. Have you noticed this?

A. I agree that Religious are hard to find, but I have found some, however only through mutual ministries that we are involved in. I think we need to start in our parishes, where the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few, promoting and developing disciples and evangelist who will help with the mission of the church. When parishes are alive and well, reaching out into their community, the religious who serve in the mission there are visible and recognizable.

Q. Hmm. Yes. In Hawaii, can parishioners differentiate between diocesan priests and religious priests? Our Congregation brought Catholicism to Hawaii. so maybe we are more pungent there as Sacred Hearts. It is more of a problem here.

A. I’m not sure if people in general can differentiate a diocesan priest from a Religious. The Catholics I know in Hawaii are usually very active, and I believe they know the difference. But Hawaii is probably the same as here in that the “average catholic” wouldn’t probably know.

 Q. It seems, then, as you say, we need to do a lot more in our parishes. First, let them know (if they don't) that we are from an apostolic religious community. It seems parish work can be a hard place to make a difference. What other ministries would you like to see us carry our charism into?

A. I read a book called Great Catholic Parishes: A Living Mosaic - How Four Essential Practices Make Them Thrive by William E. Simon, which surveyed a few hundred parishes, and found that those parishes that are thriving share four characteristics--vibrant parishes share leadership; foster spiritual growth and plan for discipleship; provide great Sunday experiences; and face outward (evangelization). I think until our parishes model this, people won't be receptive to know who we are, let alone be interested in vocations. I'm not sure where we should carry our charism next, but in the meantime, we could work on making our charism known where we are.

Q. That is some line-up! We would have our work cut at St. Mary's. Are you reading anything else--spiritual or otherwise--that is also interesting?

A. I just started reading the novel Archangel by Sharon Shinn. It’s a fantasy novel with angels and mortals living together. 

Q. What has bolstered your spiritual life in living as a Religious? The Rosary? Centering Prayer?

A. What has bolstered my life as a religious would be a kind of centering prayer, where I try to silence the noise of life, so as to hear more clearly the needs of the world to bring to God... then trying to silence the noise of life to recharge for the mission ahead. Reflection, and meditation prayer. 

Q. How has this Coronavirus pandemic impacted the ministries that you're involved in?

A. Covid-19 has greatly reduced my ministry. Potential opportunities for me to serve and learn have been postponed or canceled. I’m doing a lot less than I anticipated doing. However, I’ve learned through religious life, things don’t always turn out how we planned. God has the final say. 

Q. Well, here you have the final say. Any last words, thoughts or advice to young religious?

A. Try to surrender the self and live according to God’s will for your life. It’s hard, but a worthwhile and fruitful endeavor. 

Thank you, Br. Maiki!

He made everything beautiful in its time / Gott hat das alles zu seiner Zeit auf vollkommene Weise getan

By Patrisius Breket Mudaj ss.cc.

International community SSCC in Berlin

On behalf of our community in Berlin, I greet you cordially.

In the Old Testament it is stated in Ecclesiastes 3:11 “He made everything beautiful in its time”. In this corona period, the Arnstein Fathers celebrate the 100th anniversary of their Congregation (SSCC) in Germany and at the same time the German province, together with the provinces of Indonesia and Africa, in coordination with the General Superior, founded our International Community in Berlin. This is the challenge for us, which we seek to fulfill with God's blessing.                                                                                                                                        My brothers and sisters, first of all I would like to congratulate all the sscc brothers of the German province on behalf of the International Community of Berlin, for the 100 years of our Congregation's presence in Germany.  Secondly, I congratulate you all on behalf of the Indonesian province. And thirdly – and this will take a little longer – I want to share with you  on our preparation and our first experiences in Berlin.                                                                                                                                  Before we set off for Berlin, we lived in the community here in Werne for half a year in order to grow together as a community and prepare for the project. While we were waiting for the two African confreres, we four (Patrisius, Dionysius, Ludger and Harald) had the opportunity to get to know each other. We discussed our ideas and formulated our vision and mission in a statement based on the expectations of the German province and the local Church of Berlin.

Our presence in Berlin.   

Arriving in Berlin on 3 August,and on 15 August, we took over our pastoral duties in the Heart of Jesus Parish in Berlin-Charlottenburg.     

Berlin is the place we have chosen to fulfill God's mission here. We live in community. We have different backgrounds, we have our own strengths and limitations, but we have committed ourselves to helping each other and encouraging each other.  We are journing with the people in Berlin.   We also know that we are not perfect, but we are ready to listen to criticism and learn.                                                                                    

The people in the pastoral area of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf very warm welcomed us and  kindly: in the parishes of Herz Jesu, St. Kamillus, St. Thomas, which includes the French-speaking community, which is serviced   by Ludger. The English-speaking community in which Dion has taken on pastoral responsibilities. Every day in one of the churches we celebrate Mass with the people there. In the community, we have communty prayer,meal together and having regular community meeting. For this moment, we cook by ourselves.

I will end by asking for your prayers. Thank you for listening.

Internationale Kommunität SSCC in Berlin

Im Alten Testamen Kohelet 3:11 hat gesagt: Gott hat das alles zu seiner Zeit auf vollkommene Weise getan. In dieser Koronazeit feiern die Arnsteiner Patres die 100jährige Präsenz ihrer Kongregation (SSCC) in Deutschland  und in der gleichen Zeit haben die deutsche Provinz zusammen mit den Provinzen von Indonesien und Afrika, in Abstimmung auch mit der Generalleitung  unsere Internationale Kommunität in Berlin gegründet. Das ist die Herausforderung für uns, die wir mit Gottes Segen erfüllen wollen.                                                                                                                                          

Meine Brüder und Schwestern, zunächst möchte ich allen sscc-Brüdern der deutschen Provinz im Namen der Internationalen Kommunität Berlin gratulieren,für die 100 Jahre Präsenz unserer Kongregation in Deutschland.  Zweitens gratuliere ich Euch allen im Namen der indonesischen Provinz. Und drittens – und das wird ein bisschen länger dauern - will ich von unserer Vorbereitung und unseren ersten Erfahrungen in Berlin berichten.                                                                                                                                         

Bevor wir uns auf den Weg machten nach Berlin, haben wir ein halbes Jahr in der Kommunität hier in Werne gelebt, um als Gemeinschaft zusammen-zu-wachsen und uns auf das Projekt vorzubereiten. Während wir auf die beiden afrikanischen Mitbrüder warteten, haben wir Vier (Patrisius, Dionysius, Ludger und Harald) Gelegenheit gehabt, uns kennen zu lernen. Wir haben unsere Vorstellungen diskutiert und unsere Vision und Mission, basierend auf den Erwartungen der deutschen Provinz und der örtlichen Kirche von Berlin in einem Statement formuliert.

Unsere Präsenz in Berlin.     

                                                                                      Angekommen in Berlin am 3(dritten) August haben wir unsere pastoralen Aufgaben in der Herz Jesu Pfarrei in Berlin-Charlottenburg  übernommen.      

Berlin ist der Ort, den wir wählen, um hier Gottes Mission zu erfüllen. Wir leben in  Gemeinschaft. Wir haben  unterschiedlichen Hintergrund, wir haben unsere eigenen Stärken und Grenzen, aber wir haben uns selbst verpflichtet, einander zu helfen und uns gegenseitig zu ermutigen.  Wir  sind  unterwegs mit den Menchen  in Berlin.   Wir wissen  auch, dass wir nicht perfekt sind, aber wir sind bereit, auf Kritik zu hören und  zu lernen. 

Die Leute im pastoralen Raum Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf haben uns sehr freundlich aufgenommen: in den Pfarrgemeinden Herz Jesu, St. Kamillus, St. Thomas, wozu die Französisch sprechende Gemeinde gehört, die von Ludger betreut wird. Die Englisch sprechende Gemeinde, in der Dion pastorale Aufgaben übernommen hat. Jeden Tag feiern wir in einer der Kirchen die Messe mit den Menschen dort.

Ich schließe mit der Bitte um Euer Gebet. Danke fürs Zuhören.

Patrisius Breket, Berlin International Community.