February 2010

The Passing of a Milestone

An era has passed!

The last of the nine lads who opened the Cenacolo House at Dodding Green in March 2005 has left the House.

Nicola Pancaldi has returned to his native Italy, to Saluzzo in readiness to leave Comunità Cenacolo. By the time this magazine hits the streets, Nicola will have been gone some months.

 

Nicola had already been a member of the Community for 2 years when he was selected together with: Mark, Chris, Phil, Fabrizzio, Thomas, Pierre, Martin and Wolfgang to open the English House.

 

It was March 2005 that Divine Providence brought these boys, together with Don Stefano, to the house which would become known as ‘Our Lady Queen of the Martyr’s! I well remember going to the house that first evening and welcoming the lads to the Parish.

The House seemed to be thronging with people: the ‘Friends’ of the Community fusing about and making a meal, one or two others busily applying themselves, and the lads in person.

 

Of the Italian boys, only Fabrizzio had a smattering of English. But Nicola not only quickly picked up the language, but he also got the idiomatic sense of it.

From the beginning it was obvious that Nicola was a man of manual dexterity. He seemed to gain skill after skill, and his work with wood was outstanding.

Anyone who has seen the free-standing altar in the Chapel will marvel at his work. The altar was made from the old oak beams from the barn. Therefore, the altar is a connection to the past, with the recusant days when priests were sheltered in the house and the Mass celebrated in secret. Inside the altar, is a photograph of the first nine lads – not quite a first class relic!

 

But there have been other things, many and varied that Nicola has turned his hand to, in collaboration with his brothers, that have enhanced the House and grounds.

We just need to think of the walls! The dry stone walls of the house at Dodding Green have been marvelled at by experts in the field.

 

Latterly with his qualification to use a chain saw, Nicola entered into the realm of husbandry; thinning down the trees on the estate to allow new growth and removing dead wood.

In that last period when he was the Responsible (Leader) of the Community, Nicola has taken the property forward in many ways.

 

His forceful personality did not always made him ‘flavour of the month’, and a course in diplomacy might not have gone amiss, but he remained true to his lights.

 

But Nicola’s greatest contribution to the Community was his leadership of the lads, the way he helped them to go forward in their ‘walk’ in Community.

 

One of the most telling things in the last few weeks before Nicola left, was the number of lads who privately told me of their sadness at his impending departure, ‘he really understands me,’ or ‘he knows what I’m thinking,’ or ‘I can’t hide anything from him,’ are just a few of the comments.

 

Nicola may only have been 29 but he was very much a father figure to the lads. And this really is the most important attribute, it is at the very core of this peer-led experience that we call Cenacolo: drug addict reaching out to drug addict, leading them from darkness to light, from death to life.

 

Nicola Pancaldi who for many years walked the path of death as a heroin addict, became an agent of life and brought life to others so that they in turn could become agents of life.

Nicola was not a saint, as many could testify, but he has begun to walk towards that very possibility.

 

We thank him for giving back to the Community what was given to him.

 

We wish him well in his future life, and will remember him before God in our prayers.

 

 

 

Fr. Chris Loughran

 

Yes, I know that the traffic in Rome is always bad but it was even worse the evening I arrived (Oct 16th) with Diego and Denis (Irish Responsible). The taxi driver explained that an elderly driver had launched himself (accidentally) into the Tiber demolishing part of the bridge near the Vatican causing Lungo Tevere to be blocked off and near gridlock everywhere else.

 

Friday, however, the traffic was back to its normal terrifying state and I noticed workers were busy repairing the shattered bridge as I headed toward the church of the Holy Spirit (Santo Spirito in Sassia).

 

What an appropriate church in which to keep vigil whilst Mother Elvira and the custodians of Cenacolo were in the Aula Magna (Great Hall) of the Pontifical Council of the Laity receiving from Cardinal Rylko (President) the document which recognises Comunità Cenacolo as an International Association of the Faithful. And ‘keep vigil’ we did.

 

About a thousand people – members and friends of the Community – gathered for Eucharistic Adoration, prayer and song. And then, after two hours in Vigil, we went to St. Peter’s Square to meet up with Mother Elvira et al when they returned from receiving this recognition. But we had to wait quite a while for them.

This hiatus gave me the opportunity to catch up with some of the boys who have been through the English House and are now in other Houses. First I met Christian who had just been transferred back to Italy from Florida; Rainer, now at Envie, was his usual self; Martin from Scotland who is still using his musical talents. All seemed to be in good form even though they had spent the night sleeping on the floor of a school gymnasium!

Eventually Mother Elvira appeared and there was great rejoicing. The day was crowned by Holy Mass at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica presided over by Cardinal Comastri, the Archpriest of the Basilica, he was supported by three bishops and twenty odd priests.

It was a fitting conclusion to a very important and exciting day.

 

Saturday dawned somewhat grey and overcast. I trundled my way, courtesy of the Roman Underground, to Basilica San Paolo. Here the former bishop of Saluzzo, Mgr Diego Bona, was the main celebrant at   Mass. He was the bishop who very early in the life of Cenacolo recognised the potential of the Community and took it under his wing. This particular basilica, where the Apostle Paul is buried, has an important place in my heart, for it was there, as Cenacolo was being born on the hill of Saluzzo, that I was ordained deacon for the Church.

 

It was at the end of this Mass that Fr Stefano read out the decree of the Holy See received the previous day, and it was met with great applause.

 

Now Cenacolo is no longer simply an association of the diocese of Saluzzo, it is an international organisation of the whole Church. As Fr Stefano wrote: We are deeper in the heart of the Church, united to the heart of the Pope, a work of God placed in his hands and at his service, fully cognizant of this great gift.

After a little free time to explore this vast basilica, a packed lunch was consumed and the body of Cenacolo sped off to the Catacombs of St. Callistus – a treat I missed.

 

On the final day of this great Triduum, we returned to where we had started on Friday at Santo Spirito in Sassia where Holy Mass was celebrated. This time it was more a family affair; no cardinal or bishops, just the Community priests and one or two other priest friends.

Fr Stefano presided and preached about love and service. At the conclusion of this Mass, once again we decanted to St. Peter’s Square to await the Pope who appeared on the dot of noon, prayed the Angelus and gave some words of encouragement to the vast crowd thronging the square.

He then went on to greet certain groups gathered in the square and when he mentioned Comunità Cenacolo a great cheer went up from the Cenacolo contingent. The Holy Father mentioned the work of the Community before passing on to the next group.

 

And then we were into farewells: hugs, kisses, a few tears and then dispersal back to the various Houses of the Community to continue this work of God under the watchful patronage of our Lady, Mother of Cenacolo.

 

Fr Chris Loughran

 

 

 

 

I really looked forward to celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the opening of the Community Cenacolo in Knock.  A small group comprising of Jean McGuiness, Sr. Anthony and myself set off on the 19th December for a two-day celebration.

Unfortunately Mother Elvira was unable to come, as she had planned, due to health problems.

 

We stayed at the Sisters of Charity near the Shrine and congregated at St Johns rest, which is a hall used for groups and is also near the Shrine. 

 

We were all greeted with great joy and enthusiasm by Fr. Andrea and the ‘Lads’ We saw old familiar faces and some new, and what a joy to see some of the ex-lads now happily married with their own children!

 

We shared our memories and I showed the photos I had taken ten years ago, the lads made a beautiful presentation board with them on, so everyone could appreciate all that had happened.

 

We all shared a beautiful day, Mass was celebrated and afterwards we enjoyed a buffet. 

In the afternoon we prayed the Rosary and watched with great emotion the recent visitation to the Vatican of Mother Elvira and the Community. 

 

*This occasion as many of you know was the official recognition by the Church that Cenacolo Community is now a 'Public Association of the Faithful with International recognition.' It was very moving; the humility of Mother Elvira was very evident to all of us. 

 

The next day we ventured out to the Community with some trepidation since the snow had fallen heavily and the ice was very treacherous. Luckily Damian, an ex-lad, had a people carrier with a four wheel drive, so he drove us, he had to make two trips but eventually we all got there. 

 

We had a lovely Mass celebrated by Mon. Joseph from the Shrine, Fr. Donal, a Kiltegan father who acts as chaplain, and myself concelebrated. 

 

After Mass we listened to some very moving testimonies. 

We had intended to see the lads perform their annual Nativity play but due to the adverse weather conditions it was cancelled as many people needed to leave and get home before the weather deteriorated further.

Despite the effect of the weather it was still a most wonderful experience and I am filled with gratitude to God to have seen so many graces come to fruition after all these years. 

 

Let us also remember that our house in Kendal was born out of the Knock Community, it was when we met Mother Elvira ten years ago in Knock and discussed how we could have a Cenacolo in England that she asked myself and a number of others to begin a prayer group, to pray for a house in England, and as they say the rest is history because truly  'Nothing is impossible to God'.

 

May God bless all our efforts to support both houses, especially through providence this coming year.

God Bless  

Fr Michael

 

 *To read speeches made by Stanislaw Cardinal Rylko and Mother Elvira please go to:

 

http://www.comunitacenacolo.it/viewpagina.asp?keypagina=2484&idlingua=1

 

 http://www.comunitacenacolo.it/viewpagina.asp?keypagina=2485&idlingua=1

 

 

  

 

  

It is always a joy for the lads in Cenacolo when one of the priests of the Community visits from Italy. So it was with great excitement that the lads at Dodding Green welcomed Don Massimo to the House, together with Jerome, one of the Consecrated of the Community. Don Massimo and Jerome arrived on Wed 25th Nov. so that they would be present for the weekend of the ‘Nativity’.

 

For a couple of days before the weekend Don Massimo was able to spend time with the Dodding Community taking stock, teaching, admonishing and engaging with the lads on their ‘walk’ in Community.

The parents began to arrive on Thursday evening and many of them stayed at the Salesian convent at Brettargh Holt. Most visited the house at Dodding Green during the day on Friday, then later the lads and their parents assembled at Brettargh Holt, where Holy Mass was celebrated by Don Massimo in English - a first for him! However, his homily was given in Italian and translated by Jerome.

After the Mass Daniel gave his testimony as did Dennis; and then dinner. The evening was concluded by a period of gentle silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, after which the lads departed to Dodding Green.

The contrast in the weather between last year’s nativity and this year’s could not have been greater. Last year the ground was ice-hard following days of severe frost and snow. The nativity this year came in the middle of what seemed like the monsoon season! It had rained almost non-stop for at least a couple of weeks, and to say that it was damp underfoot was a gross misstatement. Cumbria had experienced its worst flooding in a 100 years and nearly everywhere was awash with water. But the play went ahead (maxim: the show must go on!) Indeed, it was an answer to prayer that the Saturday of the play dawned bright and dry; there was a blue sky and even some sunshine.

But before the nativity play many, many guests were welcomed to the House, most of whom seemed laden with gifts of food.

In the late morning all assembled in the chapel to pray the rosary which was a prelude to Holy Mass, again celebrated by Don Massimo in English. Because of the paucity of space in the chapel, the Mass was relayed to a group in one of the downstairs rooms via a television link.

After Mass the vast amount of food brought to the House by so many was consumed by the same many! There was a time for the lads to share with their parents and others members of their family.

 

In the afternoon, the group divided into two for ‘testimonies.’ Daniel, Jean (one of the mums) and Neil (a former member of the Community) spoke in the chapel whilst Paul, Mary (a mum) and Alex spoke in the room downstairs.

 

As twilight turned into the dark of the evening, and as to full moon and the stars made their appearance, the scene was set of the Nativity Play, which took place in the field immediately in front of the House. The lads, many of their parents and members of their families together with one or two others (including a real baby!) told the great story of the incarnation from the Annunciation of Mary to the Birth of Jesus. It was a very moving event.

 

Gradually the many became the few as people drifted away. Eventually just the families and one or two others were left, and Don Massimo provided entertainment with jokes and magic tricks. Then the whole assembly repaired to the chapel for a rosary in thanksgiving for the blessings of the day.

 

Sunday was scheduled as a day for the families. All the high jinx of the Open Day and Nativity Play behind them, the lads were able to spend some quieter time with their families. They only have the opportunity to meet up about twice a year and very often much needs to be said; love needs to be renewed; forgiveness offered and the path to peace and restoration journeyed along a little further. Much hurt, much misunderstanding has to be overcome or worked through in all quarters.

 

Cenacolo is quite patently a work of the Holy Spirit; it is a work that receives its energy from the prayers of many people. It is so important to pray, pray, pray for these lads and for those who have not yet found Cenacolo, those whom God is calling to liberty from addiction.

Prayer is the duty of those both near and far to sustain this action of the Kingdom of God.

May Jesus the Good Shepherd be merciful and may Mary, Mother of Cenacolo continue to intercede.

Fr Chris Loughran

 

Here follows the latest news from the Cenacolo house in Kendal since the Festival of Life:

 

August was an emotional month for us as we said farewell to Nicola, who has been with us for a period of four and a half years and he was a major help to our Community, with various works, advice and as a Responsible.

Although it was difficult to see him leave, we were also happy to see him move into a new phase of his life.

 

The main focal point in September was on the 28th to the 30th when we received the gift to visit Lancaster Cathedral and give testimonies to the youth of our diocese, but the greatest honour was the gift of carrying the relics of St Therese of Lisieux, a very proud and humbling experience.

 

October was a major milestone for the Cenacolo Community as a whole.  Diego and Dennis, the responsible from Ireland, went to Rome to represent our houses as the Community was recognised by the Pope and the Catholic Church as an ‘International Association of the Faithful’

 

November saw the final steps of preparing the set for the village for the Nativity play.  On the 28th and 29th we had ‘Open Days’ during which our families and friends came.  Also Fr. Massimo and Jerome came from Italy. 

These days were a wonderful, joyful experience for us and our families, when we shared emotions and joy, a time to catch up.  We also had wonderful times of devotion and prayers with our families and Fr. Massimo.

 

Hosting these days was a huge job and mostly undertaken by ‘Friends’ of the house, who not only helped us with providence, but also worked really hard for us and we are very grateful and thankful to them.

To top off the Open Days we had the Nativity Play, which around 200 people came to view.

 

In the last couple of months there has also been a few new editions to the Community, Christopher, Eddy, Marko, David and Martin.

December saw Christmas and the Fest in Cuneo for the families.  Fabio, Martin, Daniel, and Paul attended with only Fabio returning as the others are now continuing their walks in Italy.

 

Over Christmas we passed a prayerful and joyful time together and on Christmas Day we were invited to a wonderful dinner with Father Chris who had gone to a lot of effort for us.  It was nice to share and talk together and we want to thank Fr Chris not only for this day, but also for all the hard work, time and spiritual guidance he bring to us.

 

On New Years Eve we had a wonderful time of adoration in the Chapel with Fr Chris, when we wrote our prayers and intentions for the New Year, which were blessed then put in the fire.

 

In general in these days we have given many testimonies and the works are going forward.  As the snow hampered the work on the wall, we worked on the barn, which included pointing the walls, laying the floorboards and removing the scaffolding.  Also Michael worked on Mother Elvira’s birthday gift, a wonderful painting, as he has a talent for art.

 

Once again, Thankyou for all your prayers, help and support.

‘The Lads’Our Lady Queen of Martyrs

Here follows the latest news from the Cenacolo house in Kendal since the Festival of Life:

 

August was an emotional month for us as we said farewell to Nicola, who has been with us for a period of four and a half years and he was a major help to our Community, with various works, advice and as a Responsible.

Although it was difficult to see him leave, we were also happy to see him move into a new phase of his life.

 

The main focal point in September was on the 28th to the 30th when we received the gift to visit Lancaster Cathedral and give testimonies to the youth of our diocese, but the greatest honour was the gift of carrying the relics of St Therese of Lisieux, a very proud and humbling experience.

 

October was a major milestone for the Cenacolo Community as a whole.  Diego and Dennis, the responsible from Ireland, went to Rome to represent our houses as the Community was recognised by the Pope and the Catholic Church as an ‘International Association of the Faithful’

 

November saw the final steps of preparing the set for the village for the Nativity play.  On the 28th and 29th we had ‘Open Days’ during which our families and friends came.  Also Fr. Massimo and Jerome came from Italy. 

These days were a wonderful, joyful experience for us and our families, when we shared emotions and joy, a time to catch up.  We also had wonderful times of devotion and prayers with our families and Fr. Massimo.

 

Hosting these days was a huge job and mostly undertaken by ‘Friends’ of the house, who not only helped us with providence, but also worked really hard for us and we are very grateful and thankful to them.

To top off the Open Days we had the Nativity Play, which around 200 people came to view.

 

In the last couple of months there has also been a few new editions to the Community, Christopher, Eddy, Marko, David and Martin.

December saw Christmas and the Fest in Cuneo for the families.  Fabio, Martin, Daniel, and Paul attended with only Fabio returning as the others are now continuing their walks in Italy.

 

Over Christmas we passed a prayerful and joyful time together and on Christmas Day we were invited to a wonderful dinner with Father Chris who had gone to a lot of effort for us.  It was nice to share and talk together and we want to thank Fr Chris not only for this day, but also for all the hard work, time and spiritual guidance he bring to us.

 

On New Years Eve we had a wonderful time of adoration in the Chapel with Fr Chris, when we wrote our prayers and intentions for the New Year, which were blessed then put in the fire.

 

In general in these days we have given many testimonies and the works are going forward.  As the snow hampered the work on the wall, we worked on the barn, which included pointing the walls, laying the floorboards and removing the scaffolding.  Also Michael worked on Mother Elvira’s birthday gift, a wonderful painting, as he has a talent for art.

 

Once again, Thankyou for all your prayers, help and support.

‘The Lads’Our Lady Queen of Martyrs

 

 

Last week we reflected as a group in Birmingham on the 10-year journey of our local Cenacolo support prayer group. From the early beginnings, to the discovery and meeting with other supports in Liverpool and London, the many retreats held and the establishment of the national charity, as well as the many visits to the annual Fest all leading to the eventual opening of the house in Kendal. Along with these milestones were the many friendships formed, and families and individuals helped through the life and work of the Community.

 

In all these various recollections, stages and events that have taken place over the years; we recognised that above all else the work of adoration was the reason why we have continued. To use the term ‘work’ might seem at first glance to be an odd phrase, but in our discussions we each identified with the struggle that so often has to be overcome to continue with this encounter with Christ.

On the face of it, adoration makes no demands and yet it is not always easy to bring our troubles, our yearnings, the needs of our children and families and our hearts week after week and kneel before the Eucharistic Lord. This is hard work. But each person knows that this, with all its strains, is like no other place. Nowhere else can our needs and the needs of the world be met, and we are so privileged to know, and be able to experience this truth. This is the truth that Mother Elvira has placed at the forefront of the whole of the life of the Cenacolo Community and which we have come to learn.

 

There have been, in the last 10 years, many times of great joy and celebration, of meetings and endeavours, of harmony and accord. Of course, in our weakness, there have also been times of frustration and failure. Yet, despite our obvious brokenness through all this we have remained together. This could not have been achieved except for the Eucharist, that all the time is revealing to us the way of gentleness.

 

In coming together each week in adoration, to support the work of the Cenacolo, we too become more aware of our own poverty. This too is hard. And there is a lot of truth in the fact that in each of us there is much that resists this encounter. As our minds wonder between, and try to unravel the many frustrations and needs that the day has brought, alongside our desire to help support those who suffering from addiction, we so often end up numb and lacking of any feeling.

But some how within all this confusion, and helped by being together, a calmness settles on us. Little by little, Jesus who is really present searches the soul, and in secret the Spirit receives our prayer.

Through this gentle unchanging presence of Jesus, our self-reliance, anxiety, and pride melt away.

 

As we begin 2010, we are called anew to be friends together, faithful to our adoration, constant and full of trust that God is using us in a powerful, though hidden way.

 

There is nothing easy about this, but yet, can we not ourselves also say with St. Peter, “Master, it is wonderful for us to be here” (Lk 9:33).

 

Happy New Year and God bless.

 

Birmingham Support Group

 

 

 

A New Anniversary? Surely an anniversary is always an anniversary and can’t be changed? Wrong!

 

As you know the Church fixes given dates for feast days and then, when it is necessary, changes them, moves them slightly, or transfers them. And that is the sort of thing that is happening with the Anniversary of the Community at Dodding Green.

 

Twice a year the boys get the opportunity to entertain their parents and close family at the House near Kendal. Up until now this has happened near to Christmas and in March.

Near to Christmas the lads at Dodding Green, like all the other Houses in Cenacolo, put on a Nativity production and this becomes the opportunity for their family to visit and have some time, not just with the boys, but also with each other.

It is also the time when usually one of the priests of the Community come to the House and catechise the boys and their parents etc.

 

The same sort of thing happens in March at the anniversary celebration. But the two are very close together, just about three months apart, and that is one of the main reasons for moving the anniversary to May.

But it is not the only one. A six months interval obviously spaces out the events, but with the anniversary being in March it always falls in Lent, which is not the best of times for a celebration. In the Kendal area, March is in the middle of their monsoon season! And in May the rain is slightly warmer. And by moving the feast of the anniversary from March to May, we are moving from one feast of St Joseph to another.

 

Originally the anniversary was on March 19th (although the boys and Don Stefano arrived a week earlier) and it is being moved to May 1st (though not in 2010 because accommodation is not available at Brettargh Holt where many of the parents stay).

But the interesting thing is that when Don Stefano first came to look at the House at Dodding Green long before it opened, it was at the beginning of May. So in a sense we are returning the original anniversary.

 

So to recap: in 2010 the anniversary weekend will be May 8th & 9th but in all other years it will be the first weekend in May.

 

Brettargh Holt, Levens Nr Kendal

 

To stay at Brettargh Holt, e-mail;  topbookings@btconnect.com

Other accommodation in the area can be sourced through Kendal

Tourist Information Tel 01539 725758

 

If travelling by train – destination station is Oxenholme, Lake District

Taxis from Oxenholme to Brettargh Holt cost roughly £10-14

Blue Star Taxis 01539 723670  Freephone 08000 582 499

K-Cars              01539 731000

Steel Taxis       01539 724 217

 

Any other enquiries E:mail: jean.mcguinness@ntlworld.com

Telephone Mary 0151 342 4990

 

Cenacolo Community, Dodding, Green, Kendal

10.00am       Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Morning Prayer

11am            Catechesis

12noon         Lunch

1.30pm         Rosary – followed by Testimonies

2.45pm         Refreshments

3.30pm         Holy Mass:

 

This programme may vary slightly, but the house will be ‘open’ from 10am, and all will be very welcome.

 

 

 

The dates for this year’s Fest in Saluzzo are Thursday 15th July to Sunday 18th July.  The American and English-speaking day will be held on Monday 19th July.

 

A group will be travelling from the UK on Wednesday 14th July, returning on Wednesday 21st July.

 

If you wish to travel with this group, it is advisable to book as soon as possible as accommodation places are limited.

 

For further information or to make a booking;

E:mail: jean.mcguinness@ntlworld.com Tel Mary 0151 342 4990

 

 

 

 

I am a mother of three son’s, three wonderful sons, both myself and my husband worked all our working life to bring up our family to respect others and treat people with dignity,

 

There is a ten year gap between my eldest and youngest, and eight years between his other brother, my young son was always quiet, never brought us any trouble of any kind. 

When he reached the age of about 14 years he seemed to be changing friends on a regular basis, but we didn't think anything about it.

Looking back now, if only we'd have known about drugs, but nobody knew anything about them I just thought it was part of growing up how stupid that sounds now!!!!!!

 

My son went into 2 rehabs but they never worked. Eventually he went on to have a young son himself, had a house, a partner, worked and things seems to be going OK.

Oh how wrong was I to think that, he went from bad to worse. Eventually he ended up living on the streets, both his Dad and I went everywhere looking for him, I cried myself to sleep every night.  Unless you have a child or partner with a drug or drink problem nobody knows what pain we go through.

 

It was Christmas time, my son was on the streets and he went into hospital, we rang the hospital but they said he had left the day before, so his Dad looked at the phone book and started to phone all the hostels for the homeless. 

Eventually he spoke to someone who asked him did he have a problem he said yes, he was trying to find his son who was missing and homeless, she said, “I cannot help you but I know a nun who may be able to, I will tell her when she comes back and she will ring you”

Later on that night the phone rang, it was the nun, she said her name was Sister Pauline Gaughan, and could I tell her our problem, which we did, and then she said “could I come to your house to see if I can help you both”, we said of course. 

That night my son rang out house to ask if he could come home for a bath and something to eat, of course you can we both said, but do not come if you are high with the drugs.  Anyway as soon as it went dark he knocked at the door, honestly we didn't recognise him he had lost so much weight, and was scruffy and smelly.  We brought him in and said go and get a bath, he was so ashamed of himself he would not look us in the eye, anyway he had something to eat, then sister Pauline knocked at the door, we asked her in, she said Hello to us, then asked to see Andrew she was very human, humble and non judgmental to him. 

She asked him did he know various names of other addicts that she knew, he said yes; she asked him “do you want to get better?”

He said “Sister I know it is going to kill me but I cannot do anything about it, nothing works for me”, she said “why don't you give God a chance” he answered her saying “Sister the only time I ask God for anything is when I'm doing a turkey in a cell, I am a lapse catholic”.

 

She said “do you believe in divine intervention, Andrew ask your Mum how did she get my phone number?”  We both said in the Yellow Pages, Sister smiled and said “sorry but my number is not in the phone book”, then she said “do you not think this is God telling you he will help you” then she told us about the Community Cenacolo which meets in the *shrine on a Tuesday night at 7.00 and would we like to go there, we had never heard of it.

*(Blessed Sacrament Shrine, Dawson St. Liverpool)

 

Sister Pauline met us on the Tuesday night and introduced us to other parents who had the same problem as we had, and we met a wonderful priest, Fr Michael McCormick, who helped us all, with advise about what and what not to do, he said “Andrew will come good, try not to worry”.  That was the 1st week of a January, we listened to some of the stories from X addicts who had been there and started a new life free of drugs.

 

I think Andrew only went to the meetings to keep his Dad and I off his back.  He eventually went in to the Community Cenacolo in Knock, Ireland in April 2004

He stayed there for about 18 months, and then he went to Italy, a place called Lavornio, which helped him a lot.  He worked in the gardens growing Tomatoes, peppers etc, 

He was there for 2 years, and then he was transferred back to Knock in Ireland, when he then was asked to be the responsible of the house and did a wonderful job of it.

 

Andrew left the community in August 2008 and is now living in Dublin; he is working and has his faith to keep him going. 

 

It is wonderful to hear people say what a lovely person he is.

 

I always say my prayers every night to ask GOD to look after Mother Elvira and all the Community Cenacolo may God bless them all.

Sadly Sister Pauline died 2nd Sept 2007 both Sister Pauline & Mother Elvira were from the same order, Daughters of Charity.

 

They say God works in Mysterious ways don't they?

 

 

*******************

 

 

My name is Michael; I am 24 years old from Slovakia.

 

My problems began when I was 15 years old, when I moved house to another place with my family, and I started a new school.  During this time I was having arguments and problems with my parents and so I found my escape in drugs.

 

I also didn’t feel free to express my feelings to them and so this frustration lead to the use of harder drugs, but in the end I had to overcome myself and express myself and confess my problems to my family.  They found the Cenacolo Community where I entered in Croatia in 2005, but after a few days I left, even with the knowledge that I could not go home to my family.

 

I ended up living on the streets and after a few years of trying to change, I realised I needed to go back to Community.

 

I am now 7 months in Community and I feel I am learning more about myself now, and learning to overcome my difficulties without escaping them, like I was doing before. 

 

I see now how I am happy from the small things in life.  I am learning how to be free to share my feelings and to live in the truth with the others, to learn to pray, and I am learning to put my trust in God to heal my wounds from the past, and to help me forgive my family and live a better future

 

 

My name is Michael. I am twenty-seven years old and was born and raised in Chicago.

 

I am the eldest of six and I come from a very good and loving family. My childhood was great. I couldn’t remember anything bad about it if I tried.

 

I do remember being very nervous and sometimes uncomfortable though in school, for example, I was quiet and kept to my work. I had friends but I was always nervous in the group. This pretty much continued into my teens. When I was fifteen my friends and I started drinking and smoking pot, which a lot of kids were doing at the time. I clearly remember losing that anxiety that I constantly felt when I was drunk or high. I loved it and I looked forward to trying other things. From that point on, I was always doing something – drugs, that is.

 

From the age of fifteen to twenty-six not four days had gone by without me polluting myself with some kind of chemical. I tried and was addicted to just about everything. I always managed to maintain though, at least for a while. I finished High School and I got into a University and went to College.

 

It was when I was about twenty-one when I first realised I was losing control. I checked into a hospital because I had been doing Cocaine heavily for four days straight. I hadn’t slept and couldn’t stop using so I called for help. This is also when my family first realised what was really going on. After this, I kind of took it easy, sticking to milder drugs, mostly painkillers. I finished College with a degree in architecture and I got a great job.

 

I managed for a while working, making money, but at around twenty-four my habit with painkillers had grown out of control. I needed them all the time or I was getting sick and I couldn’t afford them any more. So at that point, I made a conscious decision to start using Heroin, it was stronger, cheaper, and easier to get. This is when my life and the lives of my family fell apart.

 

It didn’t take long before I lost my job and was stealing from my family for my habit. I would steal any chance I got from them. I spent the next year and a half in and out of my parent’s house, in jail and in rehab. I sucked them dry and robbed my five brothers and sisters of the wonderful parents I had when I was a child. I had become an empty shell. I was literally rotting inside. I became numb to all the bad things I was doing. Towards the end, I gave up on myself, I had wanted, and tried, so many times to get clean, but I couldn’t – I just couldn’t stop!

 

It was at this time that I came into Community. It was my parents’ last stop with me, the last time they would help me. I had nowhere else to go so I came. That was fifteen months ago. I came in broken and depressed. I look at those first few weeks and I know the only way I got through is because of God and the prayers of my family. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done. In the beginning, I only stayed for my family, to stop hurting them. But slowly I started to get something back. It’s like there was some void inside me always and I tried to fill it with drugs but it became bigger.

 

For the first time in my life, that part of me was being filled. I know that someone was watching over me. There was far too much luck in my bad days. In these last fifteen months, I have been growing up, becoming the person God had intended me to be. The gifts this Community has given me are priceless. I am getting my life back and I struggle a lot. These are really tough days, days where I want to be home. But I stay, and something always gets me through those difficult times and keeps me going. For the first time in my life, I know I am doing what I am supposed to be doing.

 

 

“From Darkness

To The Light”

Main Meeting Places for Addicts and their Parents

  

 

 

 

 

 

Main Meeting Places for Addicts and their Parents

 

Kendal Every Thursday 7-8:30pm Cenacolo ‘Lads’ present from 7:30pm Holy Trinity & St George New Road. LA9 4BW Contact: Joan 01539 741138 Or Sheila 01539 724718	Glasgow, Every Monday 7pm National Shrine of Our Lady, Carfin   Contact: Mary 01698 734986 Or Mobile 07538 789 548
London Every Monday 7:00 or 7:30-9pm Notre Dame de France Leicester Square Contact Paula for correct time: Paula: 02086718027 or 07795063466	Liverpool   Every Tuesday 7-9pm   Blessed Sacrament Shrine   Dawson Street   Contact: Margaret   0151 342 1043 or 07949 983362

 

 

Prayer Groups

 

England
Birmingham Every Friday 7-9pm Holy Rosary Parish 141 Park Field Road Contact: Diane 0778 669 6942	Bradford Every Wednesday 7pm St Anthony’s Convent 24 Bradford Road Clayton Contact: Sr. Antonia 01274 882167
Loughborough First Tuesday of the month At 7pm St Mary’s Church Ashby Road Contact: Carmel 07970 546 947	Hull Every Wednesday 6:30-7:30pm The Endsleigh Centre 481 Beverley Road HU6 7LJ Contact: Sr. Catherine 07855 816 577
Stockton-on-Tees 3rd Saturday of the month 7:30pm English Martyrs & Sts Peter & Paul Redhill Road TS19 9BY Contact: Fr. Nick Jennings 01642 580171	North London Every 2nd Thursday 8-9pm St Anthony’s Edgware Middlesex Contact: Theresa & Tom 0208 346 1210

 

Scotland	Wales
Inverness Every Monday 6:30pm St Mary’s Huntley Street Contact: Fr. James Bell 01463 233519   Shettlestone, Glasgow Every Tuesday 7pm St Mark’s 51 Edenwood Street G31 5GL Contact: Sister Francesca 07788 798 731   Greenock 1st & 3rd Monday each month 7pm St Joseph’s Bow Road Contact: Anne O’Donnell 01475 805 625	Wrexham & Saltney Meetings held every Friday 7pm at alternative venues Details: Joan Glendining 01244 552861   St Anne’s Church Prince Charles Road Caer Park Contact: Fr. Jim Durkin Or St Anthony’s High Street Saltney Contact: Fr. Francis Doyle

 

  

New prayer groups please contact Bryan on 01995 604808 for listing and advice

 

 

 

 

 

 

FROM OUR LAST NEWSLETTER

 

August 2008