This is an opportunity for family, Friends of the Community and supporters to meet with the members of the Community, to hear their testimonies, to pray with them and celebrate Holy Mass.
For weeks now, the members of the Community have been practising ready to stage the Nativity Drama. They have built the set in the grounds of the House, their costumes are ready, the outside lighting had been erected, and the various parts have been allocated. They will stage this drama at the end of the Open day.
The staging of the drama is just one part of the healing that goes on in the Community. The drama often takes the men out of their comfort zone and teaches them that they are often capable of things they thought beyond themselves. More than that, it actually makes more tangible the Christmas story, for those who take part.
The Cenacolo community has a big feast each year in Saluzzo and this year five priests from England (one was from Scotland) went out, plus three of the lads from the house here in Kendal. On our pillows, when we arrived, was a little sign saying: “Thank you for coming and for your availability” I asked a friend what I was making myself available for, and it was confessions. Confessions take you straight into the heart of the work of Cenacolo as you hear of the suffering of families and children as a result of addiction, and the search for healing. You become a part of that healing as you listen and absolve. Being the Year of Mercy, ‘I desire mercy’ was the theme of the feast, and a natural part of this was the question of suffering and forgiveness.
ROOF REPAIRS. The costs of running a house as old as Dodding Green can become quite daunting, particularly when the building is listed and unforeseen expenses occur, as has happened recently.
Friday 23rd January saw 15 of us of the Liverpool Cenacolo group fly to Knock in Ireland for the opening day of Our Lady of Knock Cenacolo. We arrived at Knock airport at 9.30 am and were met by a coach driven by Brendan who took us to the Knock Shrine hotel where we left our luggage before embarking on a sight-seeing tour of the area. It was a cold day but with sunshine and blue skies. We started in Westport with breakfast – the highlight of the day since we had been up since 4.00 am! then a walk around this delightful town. We visited Croach Patrick where some of us walked as far as the first station of the Cross, there sadly being no more time for more. In the evening we met up with some of the ex lads and their families including a two week old baby.
One Year has just ended and our hearts are full of beautiful emotions and joys. We are full of good memories and stories to share. Another year has started with all the hopes and challenges that we will be called to face, entrusting ourselves to God through our Blessed Mother Mary. In January, we prepared a new wooden sign for the entrance to the house because some of us, a few months ago, received the “gift” of a course in woodworking. The training aimed to give us knowledge on working safely and understanding the correct use of different machines. We worked together to make a welcoming wooden board as our gift to Mother Elvira for her birthday.
“Come with us to celebrate and enjoy the God of life. We are waiting for you!”
At the end of February, Tiziano and Andrea flew to Medjugorie via Italy for a retreat for senior brothers. This was planned for the beginning of Lent so that they could all consider how to approach the coming season. On Ash Wednesday, Lent began with the distribution of ashes and Holy Mass; it was also the beginning of three days of complete silence (even at meal times). During these days everyone prayed, celebrated Mass, listened to talks from priests within the Community, and heard testimonies from missionary brothers and also from brothers / sisters who have married and have family and are still living in Community. For some three years is not enough. For some it is a vocation for life. This is an important opportunity for everyone to reflect on our individual journeys within the Community.
On the 3rd of December 2016, we had the Christmas Open day. Many of our supporters were able to join the Community here at Dodding Green where we performed the Nativity play. Parents came from Poland, Italy, Ireland and the UK to see and to pray with their sons. Many of the people who attended, enjoyed morning prayer, the Rosary and the Adoration which were followed by Holy Mass and testimonies from Reece, Chun Fu and Rosemary (from the Medjugorje Community). The day ended with the guys, helped by volunteers, performing our Nativity play. It was good to have Virginia, Tiziano’s sister and her new born son Matthias take the parts of Mary and the infant Jesus, in our play. Everything went well and our hearts were full of joy. A lot of effort had gone into organizing the day but it was worth it and those who attended enjoyed the opportunity to join the Community for one day.
Cenacolo UK 