Cenacolo UK

Tony attended the Knock Open Day in Ireland held on Saturday 21st January 2017 where he gave the following testimony. He was one of a number of former Cenacolo members who regularly visit the Cenacolo House in Knock, Ireland to give their support to the lads of the house. This support is greatly appreciated by the lads as it gives huge encouragement and sets an example of achievement that they all aspire to obtain. Tony and all the other past members are to be congratulated for their effort in supporting Cenacolo, even after many years of exiting the community.

My name is Tony. I am 50 years old . This is my daughter Harriet, aged 8.  When Harriet was born, I was addicted to heroin.  I tried rehab and AA meetings but it didn’t work.
I entered Community in 2010.  I lived at the house in Kendal for eighteen months.  I also spent one year in the house in Ireland. The community gave me the discipline of prayer.  It gave me the confidence to open myself up to those around me. It made me stronger and able to stand up for myself.
Today, thanks to Jesus and his Holy Mother, thanks to Mother Elvira and Community Cenacolo, I am living life to the full.  I am clean and sober and have little Harriet back in my life.  I want to say thank you to Our Lady of Martyrs and a big Hello to my friends in the Prayer Groups in the UK.

An 80th Birthday celebration is a high point in anyone’s life and would generally be celebrated with family and friends. And so it was for the celebration of M Elvira’s 80th birthday but with a difference, her birthday was celebrated in many venues across the world by those who hold M Elvira in great affection, respect and love for all that she has done as God’s instrument in helping many thousands of young (and not-so-young) people walk from the darkness to the light.

Just one of those celebrations was held at the UK Cenacolo House at Dodding Green in Cumbria. The Fraternity of Our Lady Queen of Martyr’s held a celebratory Mass in thanksgiving for M Elvira as requested only a few days earlier by the leaders of the Community in Italy. It was a small celebration by some standards, but non-the-less heartfelt. Some of the lads of the Community had gone to Italy for the celebration there, some of the Friends of the Community had gone to the House in Ireland to celebrate there.

At Dodding Green the Mass of St Agnes was offered and the scripture for the saint could have been chosen for M Elvira; we heard how God choses what the world would dismiss and overlook to fulfil his plans. After Holy Mass a ‘bun fight’ was held with good conversation and memories of M Elvira shared.

My name is Leanne and I am 36 years old. I come from Liverpool and I am proud to say that I have been part of this Cenacolo family for just over 2 years.

Today I can tell you that Cenacolo has saved my life, changed my life and given me a deep peace, joy and happiness that I never knew existed. I arrived in Italy 2 years ago as a lost, broken little girl as an absolute last resort. I had tried every other option to stop drinking – doctors, psychologists, medicine, 3 different rehab programs but I was worse than ever.

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Report on Cenacolo Retreat Day, Maryvale Institute, Birmingham

Saturday 15 th October 2016

The retreat day this year was attended by 40 supporters representing groups in Liverpool, and which was great to see. The number was much higher than we feared with many apologies having been received this year. Nonetheless, the day was a great success and very much appreciated by everyone that came.

Maryvale again provided a beautiful and very spiritual setting for the day and during the afternoon we all processed together through the ‘Door of Mercy’ and with 3 Priests hearing Confession everyone was able to obtain the plenary indulgence in this holy year.

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On Feast of St Teresa of Avila, Saturday 15th October 2016, Massimo Poldo will be ordained as priest in Saluzzo.

Many friends and supporters of Cenacolo will know Massimo either from visits to The Festival of Life or from attending the Open Days at Dodding Green – Massimo has visited and helped to lead a couple of the more recent celebrations.

Massimo has been in community for over 30 years – in his own testimony he speaks of his life being ‘a mess’ through drugs and he was tired and wanted something different. He had heard of Cenacolo and in his own mind had prepared what he needed to do to enter community.

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The Cenacolo community have a big feast each year 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.

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Alan , a dedicated supporter of Cenacolo,  sadly passed away in June 2016.  He and Pauline have contributed so much to the house in Kendal , regularly attending Open Days and giving their time generously to help in any way they could.

He is greatly missed by Pauline, their two daughters and families, and all who knew him from Cenacolo, especially the Liverpool Support  Group

Alan’s funeral and requiem Mass was  held on the 23rd June 2016 at  St Martin de Porres, Murdishaw , followed by cremation at Walton Lea Crematorium.

May he rest in peace.

Ten years ago I heard of Cenacolo for the first time.
Soon after I started the Carfin  Cenacolo meeting . Seems like yesterday in some ways. Since then Scotland has various other groups meeting to pray for addicts and to sign post them to the Carfin meeting place.

In those ten years I have saw people and spoken to people from all walks of life.
Everyone having the same thing in common  addiction .

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