“And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.’” (Lk 1:38)

I can reflect on this phrase quite often throughout my time here in the mission. How was I thinking before coming

to Liberia? How did I receive the call of the Holy Spirit? Was there an interior struggle? Well, for me, I cannot say that I ever felt the call for the missions during my walk. In fact, I probably would’ve said that it was an absurd idea for me to go. How we are “called” is a mystery I think.

The first time I felt this “calling,” it was strong. I remember. Before this like I said, I had completely no interest in going to the missions. It was while we were praying the walking rosary up on the hill at the Mother house in Saluzzo in the cold winter. That was when I first heard of the Ebola epidemic in Liberia. I heard of how close it was to our mission there and the situation seemed pretty grim. I remember in the houses all throughout Italy the intention for the 4th Joyful mystery in the morning was to pray for this mission during this Ebola crisis that was unfolding. We had newspaper clippings posted up all over the walls outside the office about the information on this story, and it seemed like a pretty serious situation. Inside I was like, “I don’t think that these people are going to make it out of this one alive.” Another part of me was like, “I want to be there right now. I want to go there.” Can you imagine? And so we prayed everyday for them

for a year. I let it go and thought, “It’s too dangerous for the Community to send missionaries there now anyway.” Then a few months later the Community sent two missionaries to help out on the medical side, one of them being Dr. Marlon who is still at the mission continuing to serve.

At this time in my Community journey, I was playing the drums in the choir for about 3 years, and I was already planning on going back to America to finish and exit somehow, so when this call started coming it was completely contrary to what my plans were, but the desire started to grow. Sitting behind the drums at the First Saturday gatherings in Envie, I was able to hear many testimonies, some being from missionaries. Every time I heard one of these testimonies it was like the Holy Spirit

Here I Am; I Have Come To Do Your Will. (Heb 10:9)

SEPTEMBER 2017

CenacoloA Hope Reborn

from the darkness to the Light

Our Lady of Hope Mary Immaculate St. Maria Goretti Our Lady of Joyful Hope

1050 Talleyrand Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32206 www.hopereborn.org

Joe, Liberia, Africa David, Liberia, Africa

On my knees, before the Blessed Sacrament, I learned to silence myself. The silence enabled me to listen to the voice of the Lord. His voice was calling me to love, to love someone other than myself.

tugging at my heart saying, “Do it! Go! Ask!” So this desire grew, and grew fast, in a short period of time. I knew of many people that wanted to go to the missions, and many I heard wanted to go to Africa. I thought there was no way this would work out realistically. People need to write letters to the priests and wait sometimes years before they are accepted to go to the missions. So many times I would just let it go. Forget about it. But later I remember sharing with someone about it. He told one of our priests of my interest in going to Africa and so, long story short, HERE I AM.

I’ve been here in Liberia almost 2 years living out this “yes” to God’s will. Many times it is not easy, and I struggle to hold it together, but I still remain unshaken on my original decision to come here. In the end, it was me who had to make the step to ask our priests if I could come here, and “yes” something which I thought was impossible was actually possible with God’s help. Saying “yes” to Liberia was also saying “yes” to the possibility to malaria, typhoid, Ebola, and or some civil war to break out at any given time. But so far so good and thank God nothing serious like that has happened yet, and for the most part, I feel in this country a whole lot of peace and healing.

As for what is in my heart while living out this “yes” is a strong desire to work. I am always very busy here and continually multi-tasking with the different works that God has given me day to day. I see His providence, and I am very grateful for it. The children also help me to grow and to change day to day and always for the better.

For what is in the future, I have my desires, and I put them in Gods hands. For how they will turn out, there is a Liberian song that simply sums it all up, “Only God knows.” Only in faith and confidence I continually kneel before the Holy Eucharist every evening and say, “Jesus, I trust in you.” –Joe, Liberia, Africa

My call to the missions was discovered in silence, the silence of prayer. On my knees, before the Blessed Sacrament, I learned to silence myself. The silence enabled me to hear and, after some time, to listen to the voice of the Lord. His voice was calling me to love, to love someone other than myself.

My time in Community has brought me to many different, strange, and unfamiliar places, where I have encountered many difficulties, especially that of myself--all full of pride and selfishness. In order for me to overcome my struggles and to understand myself, there had to be silence. And that silence found me by taking me away from everything I knew, even my

language, which left me so to speak without a voice, and my only resort was prayer. Through my darkest and loneliest times, Christ was ever drawing me closer, opening my heart so that I could listen to his voice, a voice telling me: “David, everything will be okay, because I Love You! You must Love in return!”

I responded to that voice by giving the only thing I have to give—myself. All my entire life I took and took, giving very little or nothing in return. Now, I’ve made a decision as I’d never made before—for somebody else, for another person. Today, I can choose freely to live for myself or, like Christ, live for another.

Now that I’ve said “yes” to Christ and I am living in the missions, I can see how much more I need to still grow in love and humility. I can no longer keep anything for myself, if I want to be free and happy. If I hold on to anything, even to my ideas, I will not grow in love and humility. The struggle is the same as always: who to choose? Myself, or those around me? –David, Liberia, Africa

From the beginning of my walk in the Community, I always

had an interest in the missionary houses. The idea of going to serve poor and abandoned children in a far off country, seemed like something so radically different than what I was already doing in my life that it couldn’t be an option for me. As my Community journey continued, this interest in the missions kept coming back, and I started to put it into prayer. During my time in the Community house in Ars, France, my faith grew, and I felt pulled to be more active in my faith. I came in contact with many different people from all over the world, including those in Community and also many friends of the Community, seminarians, and clergy at the Sanctuary of St. Jean Marie Vianney in Ars. All of these people encouraged me in my walk of faith. I started to believe in myself more and also in the

teachings of the Community. Mother Elvira speaks of the importance to say “yes” at every opportunity God gives us to serve and to love. In the Community I have felt this love and service given to me freely, and when I am able to serve and to love in my simple, everyday activities, I feel closer to the Lord. I shared my interest in the missions with some priests and different friends and, along with prayer, I felt that maybe God was calling me to serve the children in the mission houses. Through all this, there was still fear and insecurity within myself. Thoughts about my future and my capacity to handle such an intense commitment definitely blocked me from committing to go. I am only 23 years old, but seeing my sisters and friends finishing school, marrying and starting families, made me feel like I was behind and that maybe I wasn’t willing to give another couple of years.

While I was at home for a few weeks, I was given the opportunity to serve in a mission outside of the Community, and I felt it was God’s answer to all I was living. When I returned to Community in Florida, the Community also purposed that I go to the mission in Liberia. I felt very blessed, and I was sure that it was God’s will. I needed go to live with the children in the missions, but I still had to choose where. After some prayer and with the support of my family, I came to the decision to stay in the missions of Community Cenacolo and go to Liberia. I have spent 3 years in this Community and feel so much hope and joy serving here every day. It feels like I am with my second family in the Community, and I want to give as much as I can because the Community has given me so much.

Now I have been in Liberia for a little while, and I am so grateful that God has given me the gift to come here. It is a huge adjustment and shock coming to a place with such poverty, but seeing the faces of the children and getting to

know the people here gives me motivation and assurance that I am in the right place, working for good. I see that the people here can teach me so much on how to live simply and joyfully without all the material things that I can be so attached to. It has been a little overwhelming at times, but I feel security in the prayer and in the charism of the Community. I have a lot to learn from the missionaries who are already here, and I know that if God has called me here, He will give me the strength and peace to be able to serve and to share His love with the children and friends I meet. I thank God for the support of the Community and

my family in my “yes” to come here. –John Paul, Liberia, Africa

My name is Christine, and I have been in Liberia, Africa, for over 2 months. The call from the Holy Spirit to spend time in the missions came to me during my time at Lourdes, France. I was blessed to be able to pray regularly at the grotto in front of Our Lady. It was there that Mary helped me to heal and see many things inside of me. I believe it was Our Lady who placed the strong desire in my heart to serve and give my life in the missions in Africa. There were many temptations not to listen, to turn off my conscience and say “no.” I was very afraid of what was being asked of me, and I kept this call to myself. I was tempted to finish my walk in Community, to choose a life outside, to go back to my family, all things which I also desired. After much prayer, deep inside of me I knew that God was calling me to something greater. He was asking me to give my life and follow Him by serving the children in the missions. He was speaking to my heart, and it was something that I could not ignore. At that moment I placed my trust in Him and in prayer, feeling that if it was truly His will He would make it happen. Shortly after, I had great peace and serenity which overcame all fear that was inside of me. I understand that He had given me the grace to pursue what He was asking of me.

In the missions every day is a new day full of so much life, and each child is precious in his own way. They allow me to look deep inside myself and overcome many new challenges. In my heart I feel the children are teaching me to love, to be patient, simple and forgiving, taking each day with its ups and downs as a gift from God. I hope to live out this time in the missions with humility and trust, as I embrace the culture and the life with the children. In Community I have learned to love myself and have

found a true joy within me. I hope to be able to give back just a little of what I have received up until now. By serving in the missions, it is my desire to continue to live out this “yes” to His will for me and hopefully be an instrument of love and light for those who are around me by saying, “Here I Am, Lord.”–Christine, Liberia, Africa

I have always felt the calling to do something extraordinary in my life, to do something good. When I was younger, I always wanted to do some kind of mission work, but as I got older it looked unattainable because of what society was telling me, so I gave up on it. The problem I always had to face was to say “yes,” or to even respond “yes” or “no.” I was the guy that would look away because the anxiety of choosing “yes” or “no” was always too great.

Then, when coming into Community, the opportunity arose but I was scared to seize it. I did what I always did; I dabbled with the idea in my head but eventually let it go because I didn’t think it was possible. Then came along Nick M., fresh from the mission and on fire with the spirit. He told me about Africa and everything it has to offer. It was inspiring and in that moment I had an overwhelming urge to say “YES!” without looking back. Unfortunately I cannot say there wasn’t any temptation to say “no.”

When I said “yes” to myself, I started to think about all the sacrifices I will be making. Looking at my future and thinking to myself “another two or three years. What am I doing?!” Not seeing my family for a long time, wanting to get started with my life like everyone else has been doing for the last two years. These were the things I had to think and pray about while taking on the daily struggles of Community. At times I would reject the idea of going. Luckily I had friends I could confide in who kept me grounded and hopeful and, more importantly, helped me to believe in myself and to stick to my “yes.”

The most difficult temptation was still to come though. The moment that made me consider saying “no” was after the Parents Retreat. Two of my best friends told me that they will probably be getting married within the time period I am in the missions. And on top of that, my sister will be getting married in a year and was asking me to

be a groomsman. I didn’t know how to respond. I already said “yes” to the missions, but now I wanted to say “no” because I didn’t want to disappoint them by saying, “I don’t think I can make it.” I was torn inside. To miss out on more “once in a life time moments” was a major slap in the face. I wanted to revert back to my old ways and ignore what was in front of me, but it was too late for that now. I had to make the decision.

In the moment it was an overwhelming weight put upon me but looking back, it was very simple. I followed my heart, the heart that was inspired to say “yes” from the beginning. To be

Chris, Liberia, Africa

Christine, Liberia, Africa

I see that the people here can teach me so much on how to live simply and joyfully without all the material things that I can be so attached to.

John Paul, Liberia, Africa

there for the children who feel abandon and let them know that they are loved. To give my life to them because they deserve so much more. I had to accept that I will miss more events in the future, but I will gain much more.

Now that I have been in the missions for a while, I feel in my heart I made the right decision. At times it can be difficult, but I am truly happy. Happy to be with the kids. Happy with being in the missions. Happy with my “yes”. I am growing substantially stronger as a person while realizing what pains and trouble I put my parents through! This is the right path for me and I do not regret the “yes” it took. –Chris, Liberia, Africa

“Here I am, Lord. I come to do your will.”

I have always felt a strong calling from the Holy Spirit to go to the missions, even as a child. I never lived a temptation during my walk in the Community not to go to the missions. I knew clearly that God wanted me to heal the wounds I received as a child, in serving children who are abandoned in the streets. I had questions in my heart how I would heal and I was a little afraid, but I said my “yes” anyway to the Lord.

In the beginning was not easy with the language and trying to enter into my new house. With my pride and feelings of inferiority, I felt like a failure. I remember living this strongly because I felt provoked with feelings of being unloved and unwanted. Through prayer, God helped me to see that I needed to heal exactly that…my feelings of being unloved and unwanted! These children feel the same way, because they don´t have a mom or a dad. I see that I am the mom for them, so I try my best to love them the best I can. I see that as I am giving and loving them, I am received and given more! Their love, simply through a hug, kiss, or a smile is super sincere, and I feel really embraced, loved and accepted. In this I feel healing, and I feel so much joy and freedom in my heart.

These two years serving in the missions has been the best two years of my walk in the

Community. Saying “yes” to the missions is like saying “yes” to life. There are children of all ages from babies to teenagers. They were the first ones to show me that life is a gift. They are so full of life and hope, even if they come from painful situations. One day I was talking to a girl that grew up in the missions. At age 15 she lost her mother, so she had to leave her home behind to come to the missions with her little brother and sister. She was 15 the first time she saw Mother Elvira. Mother Elvira knew her pain, but instead of pitying her she told the girl, “Keep going forward!” And they do keep going forward! They are examples for me! In seeing this, I love my life even more, and I see it as a gift.

I was fortunate when God blessed me with parents who loved me very much and embraced me into their family

the day that I was adopted. Today and every day I look at life as a gift. I am able to let go and keep moving forward from my wounds and the pain of never receiving the love that I needed from my birth parents as a child—not to pity myself, but look at my life as a gift!! My heart is so full of gratitude for all that God has done and continues to give me! I am able to live well and happy, even when I am faced with my difficulties, inner struggles and situations—I keep moving forward. I am not afraid to face my poverties and difficulties because I know that I

am loved and fully accepted. So I thank God for calling me here

to the missions. It is a gift because here there are the most special, humble, loving creatures that God had created, who are examples for us in the world on how to love, live and serve Him…the abandoned children in the missions. Thank you, Mother Elvira, for your “yes” to the Holy Spirit when the missions were opened, and thank you for believing in us, believing that we young guys and girls in the Community have the capacity to love and say our “yes!” More importantly, I give thanks to God for the gift of the lives of all these children and for His grand plans for me, especially in coming to the missions. I also give thanks to Him because in saying my “yes” I have discovered and experienced that I am loved so immensely by Him!!!–Kayla, Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru

I felt in my heart the desire to give back to the community for all it has done for me. I realize now that I’m receiving so much more than what I have to offer. Before saying my “yes,” I was living temptations for the other desires I had in my heart: to go back to school, spending more time with my family, maybe exiting the community. But then I said, “Why not.” Without any plans, I said “yes.” I said yes to the missions, not knowing what was ahead of me. How beautiful is it when we take risks in life, to throw ourselves in, to make a difference, to give in the smallest ways. I know if I didn’t say my “yes” I would feel like I’ve been missing out on something big in my life.

I say “yes” to Community because it has guided my walk, and today I feel risen. “Yes” to waking up at 3am to give milk to a baby who’s crying. “Yes” to doing a charity for another instead of doing something for myself. “Yes” to love and smile even when I suffer. “Yes” even when it’s hard to say “yes.”

When I came I was shocked to see the poverty. Many people here live with almost nothing. This has opened my eyes to see a different reality from New York. I am grateful for all I have and the family I was raised in. I realize how my true happiness comes from giving more of myself. Here in the missions I’m learning to have more mercy, to be patient, not to put any limits on myself. A lot of days I don’t have time to think about myself, but being with the abandoned children who have a great need to be loved and taken care of, helps me to fight my selfishness to give the little that I have. I’m learning from the Sisters and the children how to love, to not fear sacrificing, and to grow in responsibility of the lives of others. Every day there’s so many moments where I have to say “yes.” “Yes” to God´s will for me. Whatever His will is, I trust it’s good. Today I’m happy to be here living each day for what it is, always a surprise. Thank you. –Nooshin, Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru

ECCOMI! AQUI ESTOY! HERE I AM! Hi, My name is Emily, and I´ve been serving in our mission in Peru for 6 months now. I first felt called to the missions when I was only a couple months in Community. I remember my guardian angel showing me pictures of Peru and speaking about the missions. There I was at 19 years old, lost, having no idea where I wanted to take my life, but in that moment something in my heart jumped. I remember feeling so sure I wanted to go to the mission. I prayed about it, and my desire always grew stronger. I never forgot about it. I fought with myself not to ask because I was waiting for a sign to fall from the sky saying EMILY, THIS IS YOUR CALL. But I realized that God was speaking to my heart through this desire, in a simple and quiet way, and He was waiting for ME to say “yes.” And so I did. I worked the courage to ask

and write about my desire, and then I waited. Finally on January 18th 2017, I said goodbye to the Community in Florida, my family, friends, all my comforts, and my mission began!

Now living here in the mission I´m learning every day how to give of myself more. Life is full and unexpected. I have to be ready for anything. Always open to say “yes” to whatever God puts in front of me that day. I work with seven two year olds in the morning. They are always running around, playing, laughing, screaming, and full of life. At first I was so intimidated by their never ending energy and my lack of experience. But in the end I realized that all they want is love. They want my “yes.” Every little moment I say “yes” I have more peace inside. “Yes” to the chaos, “yes” to being tired, “yes” to putting the other person before myself. I´m learning every day to say “yes” to the beautiful things but also “yes” to the cross, and this is really where I learn to love more. It´s not always easy, but when it´s difficult I think, these children in front of me don’t have a family. They don’t have anything that I did. This pushes me to choose to give in every moment. Every day in the mission is a huge gift, and I’m grateful to be here living out my “yes.” –Emily, Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru

We pray for you and all those you love,Comunita Cenacolo America

Emily, Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru

Nooshin, Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru

I’m learning to have more mercy, to be patient, to not put any limits on myself. I don’t have time to think about myself, but being with the abandoned children who have a great need to be loved and taken care of, helps me to fight my selfishness and to give the little that I have.

The abandoned children are the most special, humble, loving creatures that God has created, who are examples for us in the world on how to love and live.

Kayla, Villa El Salvador, Lima, Peru

COME JOIN US!

Parents & Families Retreatand Festival of Life“Here I Am; I Have Come to Do Your Will.”

Friday, Nov. 3, 8:30 AMto Sun, Nov 5, 4 PM

Mary Immaculate300 Godwin RoadSt. Augustine, FL