BROTHERS CMM 1/15
| EXPERIENCING BROTHERHOOD AND MERCY | IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE BROTHERS | SANT’EGIDIO ANTWERP | FORMATION IN MERCY | UNITY IN DIVERSITY
CONTENTS
CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL
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CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS
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MISSION STATEMENT
COLOPHON
Mercy belongs to all times and places.
Brothers CMM {formerly Ontmoetingen (Encounters)} is a quarterly publication of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy (Brothers CMM). A subscription is free of charge (available on request at the address below). ISSN 1877-6256
Mercy is at the center of all world religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The movement of mercy has left traces throughout history. The various forms in which mercy appears, are expressions of the society in which it arose, and of the spirituality that carries it. The Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy, is rooted in Christian mercy.
Editorial Board: Mr. Rien Vissers (editor in chief), Br. Edward Gresnigt, Br. Ad de Kok, Ms. Nathalie Bastiaansen, Mr. Peter van Zoest (executive editor) Translation: Mr. Bas van Alphen, Br. Edward Gresnigt, Mr. Peter Huybers, Fr. Jan van der Kaa AA, Mr. Tony Verhallen Original design and layout: Heldergroen www.heldergroen.nl Printing: Franciscan Kolbe Press, Limuru, Kenya, press@ofmconvkenya.org Contact: E-mail: Website:
Brothers CMM, Rhapta Road, P.O.Box 14916 Nairobi, Westlands 00800, Kenya magazine@cmmbrothers.nl www.cmmbrothers.org
A voluntary contribution to meet the costs of the magazine is appreciated: ING Bank Account 106 85 17 for Fraters CMM Tilburg. For international transfer, please use: IBAN: NL30INGB0001068517 BIC: INGBNL2A Photograph front cover: Mary Mboya (medical nurse), Gretty Fokker, Jacqueline Awino (secretary), Christine Atieno (pharmacist) and her daughter at Oyugis Integrated Project in Kenya. See page 6-8. The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt Photograph back cover: Clouds in the evening sky, Limoges, France (photo: Brother Ad de Kok). 2
EXPERIENCING BROTHERHOOD AND MERCY
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IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE BROTHERS
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SANT’EGIDIO ANTWERP
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FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD If you have not made your vacation plans yet, you ought to take a quick look at page 9. It is now possible to make an ‘inspirational journey’ to Kenya in October, centered on the theme: ‘Works of Mercy: In the Footsteps of the Brothers of Tilburg’. This unique fourteen day journey through this African country is organized by the Catholic Travel Agency VNB. It was triggered by the experiences of Gretty Fokker, who worked for three months at the Oyugis Integrated Project of the Brothers CMM in Kenya. She reports extensively on her experiences. This edition starts with a new feature: ‘Symbols’. During the general chapter of 2014 all participants were asked to present a symbol that reflected their view of the future of the Congregation, their mission, or their personal religious life. This resulted in fascinating stories which may serve as an inspiration for those who feel attracted by the charism of the Brothers CMM. Someone who was personally deeply inspired by the spirituality and the work of the brothers is Joris de Wit. For his internship he spent time with De Vuurhaard in Udenhout, a place where refugees find temporary shelter. The word ‘mercy’, a concept the brothers treasure greatly, took on a deeper meaning for him. In the center of this issue he reports about his findings. A number of associates gained extra inspiration in the Sant’Egidio community in Antwerp, as one may read in the account of Christianne van de Wal. In short: this issue of Brothers CMM may rightly be called ‘inspiring’.
FORMATION IN MERCY
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IMAGES OF HEADQUARTERS
UNITY IN DIVERSITY
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JOY!
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SYMBOLS
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NEWS IN BRIEF
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IN MEMORIAM
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‘HIS GRACE IS NEAR’
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CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL
During my visits to various places where our Congregation is active, I meet fellow brothers who witness to a profound spirituality. They are living icons of brotherhood and mercy. I also notice how younger brothers leave us. Therefore I ask myself: how do you live your vows in good days and in bad? How to deepen that experience? How to keep going when things get tough? A good spiritual foundation is necessary.
Young brothers are looking for a home in the Congregation, especially a home in the spiritual sense of the word. When they do not find that home, they leave. In their search spirituality needs to be continually the focus of attention. Not only are the good intentions of the young brothers of vital importance, but also the quality of the formation and guidance is crucial. All of this needs to be embedded in a deeply joyful life! Joy in all that you experience. To this we are invited by Scripture: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose hope is the Lord. He is like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It fears not the heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; in the year of drought it shows no distress, but still bears fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). How do we remain faithful to our vocation when we go through a difficult time? Fortunately there are inspiring people, far away and nearby, whose lifestyle can be an example and support to us. Recently I experienced this myself with our fellow brother Brother Cristino Gemen, who died in Belo Horizonte on January 4, at the age of 78. I spent a few weeks in Brazil at the end of last year. I visited him daily. Brother Cristino was a very sick man, but till the very
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end he remained committed and full of joy. Though close to death, he filled me with energy! In the previous edition of Brothers CMM I spoke about the importance of community life. When we support one another as brothers, community life develops which witnesses to the Gospel and benefits the brothers themselves and the surroundings in which they live and work. Our Rule of Life offers inspiring words for the formation of young brothers in the community. I invite all brothers to allow themselves to be continually inspired by them. Ultimately formation is a life long process. “Participation in the ordinary daily life of a community offers special possibilities for spiritual growth and for making oneself personally familiar with the way of life in our community. The attitude to life of those with whom the candidate lives is of great importance for the brother in the process of formation. In his fellow brothers he should be able to experience something of what authentic faith and evangelical inspiration means for the realization of his ideals” (Const. I, 353-355). Interview Rien Vissers
CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS
THE HOTHEAD Not all the brothers at Ruwenberg were as patient and gentle as Brother Andreas. Take for instance Brother Alexius Jansen, a few years older than Andreas. He was known to be hot-tempered and was often teased about it by his fellow brothers. The chronicles of the brother house contain a neat description of his personality written by Brother Amatus Hosemans.
“He was but short in stature and an English saying applied to him: ‘A little pot is soon hot’. Hot-tempered in his work, spirited in his speaking, easily set alight when work stagnated or when something rubbed him up the wrong way. He was well aware of it himself and after an outburst of his quick temper – when we laughed with him – he was the one who laughed the loudest. He once said: ‘I do not understand how you can be with children all day without getting hot-tempered.’ Repairing the Lourdes Grotto, Brother Prudentius, the director, had ordered a sheep’s head sticking out of the rock. It was totally out of place, according to Brother
Alexius. Like most of us he went to the grotto every morning to dedicate his day’s work to Mary, but that sheep’s head really annoyed him. One morning I saw him going to the grotto. He could not see me. In his right hand he held his rosary beads. That was normal. But in his left hand he held something hidden under his cassock. Once he arrived at the grotto he had a good look around. Nobody could see him, he thought. Out from under his cassock comes an axe, with both hands he grabs it, swings it high and … the sheep’s head flies down to the ground. … We teased him a lot about this, especially when a few days later the head had grown back again.”
“Old man, you are in heaven now, while we are having a good laugh. May we fight our main weakness as diligently as you have fought yours”, sighs the writer of the chronicles. Nearly forty years Brother Andreas and Brother Alexius lived together in the same community. They were in competition with each other in fighting against their faults. How did the ‘holy brother’ and the ‘hothead’ get on together?
Charles van Leeuwen
Lourdesgrot Ruwenberg.
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KENYA
EXPERIENCING BROTHERHOOD AND MERCY Gretty Fokker (28), one of the ‘Ambassadors of a Worldwide Brotherhood’, the Youth Movement of CMM, left at the end of September in 2014 for Oyugis, Kenya, to work for a few months as a volunteer at OIP (Oyugis Integrated Project) of the Brothers CMM. The project aims to prevent HIV/AIDS infection and to provide care and support to people who are suffering from the effects of it. Gretty is training to become a general practitioner. She worked at the healthcare center of OIP, which offers accessible healthcare to people. Mid-December 2014 she returned to the Netherlands. How did she experience her time in Kenya?
developed in 2008 continued to grow and new contacts were formed.
Feeling connected In 2014 I was heavily involved in my doctor’s study. A moment of reflection … in 18 months time I would have completed my studies and I could begin to settle as a general practitioner. But the idea that started me off on my medical career was still there … I also would have loved to work in Africa, or at least I wanted to experience once what it would be like. After speaking with the Superior General Brother Huitema at the time, I knew what to do: I would to go Oyugis in Kenya to join the team at the health center of the Brothers CMM. Gretty Fokker. In 2007 I joined the ‘Ambassadors’, firstly for a very special journey to the World Youth Days in Sydney the following year. But this movement promised to have so much more on its program. The preparations were intense, instructive, spiritually deepening and motivating and the journey itself was fabulous. In a period of three weeks a close feeling of brotherhood developed with people from the whole world (Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, Namibia, and the Netherlands). Strong friendships grew with young people we first of all didn’t even know what they would look like. We celebrated, we sang, we talked and laughed. Those friendship bonds continued after the journey. We keep in touch through email and Facebook. Since that time I have been to Kenya a couple of times, but no more than a few weeks at a time. The friendships that
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The OIP building.
Mary Mboya (medical nurse), Gretty Fokker, Jacqueline Awino (secretary), Christine Atieno (pharmacist) and her daughter at OIP. I arrived at Nairobi Airport on September 22 and was welcomed by a brother and three ambassadors. The feeling of being connected returned immediately and in the weeks that followed it would only increase. After a week of special and warm meetings with ambassadors I travelled on to Oyugis and familiarized myself with the project. I was amazed at the variety of activities: dressmaking, school fund, and library, support of the people in many different ways, and of course the medical department. I was to work there for almost three months.
Health care The medical center caters largely for those infected by HIV. Seventeen percent of the population is HIV-positive. At OIP people can undergo tests, receive HIV information and when they are infected they can participate in the treatment program. They receive regular tests, personal attention and free medication. They are first screened by a nurse, and then visit the doctor who gives them the prescription and if necessary decides to do a medical examination. Then there is the outpatients’ department, the place where I have worked, where anyone can apply for medical care. I notice how the patients find the treatment here pleasant and affordable. A whole
range of complaints and illnesses passes the review: malaria, typhoid, influenza, headaches, asthma, high blood pressure, HIV, and large open wounds that take months to heal; I could continue. Healthcare in Kenya is quite different from that in the Netherlands. There is hardly any medical insurance, and so every visit to the doctor, every laboratory test, every medication has to be paid for. But many patients simply do not have the money. Nearly every patient is sent to the laboratory, usually to be tested for malaria and typhoid. These tests are not all that reliable, but there is nothing we can do about it. Very few physical examinations are performed and almost every patient is given antibiotics for bacterial infections or to prevent them. The resistance (to antibiotics) which may result from this – and which we are very scared of in the Netherlands – is not discerned in Kenya. From one point of view this is quite understandable because the people here are much more susceptible to infections due to the overall living conditions. You do not easily ask people to come back the next day to find out how they are getting on. But sometimes it was very frustrating and stirred up the inevitable discussions. I learned a great deal from it and hopefully my discussion partners did likewise.
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Poverty Every working day I would be available for consultation together with a nurse. This way it was easy to exchange experiences and knowledge. I hope that a number of things I suggested will be adopted. I definitely take home a lot of what I have learned. The most difficult thing was poverty. It is painful to hear
Children from the neighbourhood. that patients cannot pay for their medication or cannot afford one euro for a laboratory test. You saw patients coming back who did not go to hospital because of the costs, even though we had referred them to hospital for treatment or examination. And then you try and treat them yourself as best as possible. However, after I had visited the local hospital myself, it seemed better to refer as few people as possible to hospital because of the miserable conditions there.
Learned a great deal OIP really is a great help to the population of Oyugis as the project is aimed at an integral approach and supports people over a whole range of areas. Those who work at OIP encourage the people to become
self-reliant and they try to form networks among the population for mutual support. The project makes an important contribution to the improvement of the health care. The health care center is a true relief for the people when compared to the miserable and overcrowded district hospital or the more expensive alternatives in the area. I have learned a great deal both medically but also at the personal level. I have gained a better understanding of Kenya and her cultures. I have seen how people deal with poverty, how they have to struggle hard to get sufficient food on the table, how strong they can be in difficult circumstances and how people cope with suffering. I have also seen plenty of beautiful things: people who genuinely enjoy life and live their faith with joy. My stay with the brothers also meant a great deal to me. I was allowed to celebrate with them: the Eucharist in the morning, the evening prayer at night. I have been able to share their life for a few months. This has given me firmer roots in my faith and made me stronger as a person. They really made me feel at home in their house. For a week I was able to share my experiences in Kenya with my parents. In one week they visited all the projects of the Brothers CMM in Kenya, a journey that left a deep impression on them. Following our experiences the VNB (Vereniging Nationale Bedevaarten – National Association for Pilgrimages) is organizing for October 2015 an ‘inspirational journey’ to Kenya with the theme: ‘Works of Mercy: In the Footsteps of the Brothers of Tilburg’. During this journey many projects of the brothers will be visited, including OIP. You can write about an experience in words, or talk about it, but to live the experience is so much more effective. Gretty Fokker
End-of-the-year meeting of the ambassadors at the novitiate of the Brothers CMM at Sigona, Kenya. 8
KENYA
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE BROTHERS The Catholic travel agency, VNB (Vereniging Nationale Bedevaarten, {National Association for Pilgrimages}) is organizing a ‘journey of inspiration’ to Kenya, from October 9 through 23, 2015 with the theme: ‘Works of Mercy: In the Footsteps of the Brothers of Tilburg’. Gretty Fokker’s experiences triggered this event. Gretty was one of the ‘Ambassadors for a Worldwide Brotherhood’, the youth movement of the Brothers CMM. Last year she did volunteer work for the Oyugis Integrated Project (OIP) of the Congregation in Kenya (see pages 6-8).
“Get acquainted with Kenya in a very special way”, reads a VNB brochure. “Make a journey that pays particular attention to the works of mercy in an African country. It is a country with magnificent scenery, a colourful culture, and one that continues to develop in a dynamic way. The trip is more than a safari; we will experience how Kenyans celebrate their faith, what local life is like, and how projects help the country to move forward.”
‘Special experiences’ Participants will visit communities and various projects of the Brothers CMM. “We will celebrate life with the brothers and the local population”, declares the VNB. The trip includes visits to elementary and secondary schools, a health project, a tea plantation, and people’s
Selling bananas near the cars. homes and neighbourhoods. We will also speak with brothers who work in Kenyan prisons and go to local shrines and Kenyan cities. It will be a meaningful trip, filled with unique experiences!” You will travel by bus through Kenya and on occasion by minibus. Nights will be spent in simple hotels and in brother houses. During the first three days, for instance, the participants will stay in the noviciate of the Congregation in Sigona, not far from the capital of Nairobi. In Oyugis the group will become acquainted with the congregational health project. From there they continue to travel to the brothers’ schools in Mosocho and Sikri. The program includes, besides tourist excursions, visits among others to the communities of the brothers in Molo and Nakuru. One can find more information at www.vnb.nl, ‘onze reizen’, ‘inspiratiereizen’. Peter van Zoest
A page of the VNB travel brochure. 9
NETHERLANDS
Entrance to the former convent of the White Sisters in the Kammenstraat in Antwerp, where the Community of Sant’Egidio is located.
A LOOK INTO THE ‘KITCHEN’ OF SANT’EGIDIO ANTWERP Associate members Frits Aarts, Betty Karhof, Henk and Trudy Mutsaers, Lex van der Poel, Nelleke Verstijnen and Henk and Christianne van de Wal, accompanied by Brother Niek Hanckmann of the general board paid a visit to the Sant’Egidio community in Antwerp on November 22, 2014. Christianne van de Wal reports on it. Brother Niek Hanckmann knows several volunteers of this organization and thus got in touch with them before our visit. Filip Wieers, a co-worker of Sant’Egidio from the very beginning, welcomed us most cordially in the guest room of this magnificent facility. He spoke about the history of this building: an old convent of the White Sisters in Kammenstraat, which has been used for many purposes, among others as a center for the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This society still has a small section of the building for its use. However, Filip entertained us especially with a fascinating account of the beginnings of Sant’Egidio in Belgium.
Lay community The community of Sant’Egidio is a Christian lay community of 60,000 members, spread out over more than 70 countries on all continents. They meet for prayer and for creating ties of friendship with the poorest of their own city. Worldwide Sant’Egidio is committed to dialogue between religions and the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The community was founded in Rome in 1968. Its name is derived from the small church of Sant’Egidio in the Trastevere neighbourhood, where the headquarters of the community are still located. Antwerp is the center for the Low Countries and there are communities in Amsterdam, Apeldoorn, Nijmegen and Utrecht. As a young student Filip Wieers accompanied Hilde 10
Kieboom, foundress of the Sant’Egidio branch in Belgium, and other interested persons to Rome in order to visit the community there. Moved by what he saw and experienced in the church with young people from all over the world who dedicated themselves to the poor, created in him and seven other enthusiastic people the desire to start looking for the marginalized persons in their city of Antwerp. The pioneers met many children who were abandoned and unkempt in the harbour area of their city and visited dilapidated buildings where lonely older people were left totally to their own fate. Filip referred to the many homeless as “the lepers of today”, and spoke about the large number of nationalities and all the problems they face.
Gospel The community started in Belgium in 1994 and pretty soon an important component was established: ‘Kamiano’, the restaurant, where twice a week the poor are invited to a warm meal. ‘Kamiano’ is the name given to Father Damian by the people of Molokai, one of the Hawaiian Islands where he worked among the lepers. The restaurant is open for the many homeless and poor on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 4:30 pm till 7:30 pm. An amazing 300 to 400 people are welcomed over and over by the volunteers, who try their best to please the guests. In addition they have introduced a ‘Kamiano Welcome Center’, an open house, where homeless people can find a place for a
shower, a cup of coffee or a chat on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday morning. There they make a noble effort to get the marginalized back on track by giving them at least a sense that someone stands by them. There is a prayer service in the evening in the Carolus Borromeus church, for the gospel is completely woven into the fabric of the service to the needy. Additionally, a welcome center for senior citizens has been established in Antwerp in a section of the building on Kammenstraat, called ‘Simon and Hanna’. There eight single seniors enjoy the quiet, the attention and the realization that they are allowed to fill the last years of their lives with their hobbies, with their own space and possessions, with good meals and with contacts in their neighbourhood.
Volunteers Filip gave us a guided tour of the building and we were greatly impressed with the spirit and with the way in which the hospitality has been organized. The twinkle in the eyes, the smiles, and the good cheer of the seniors who are present confirmed the charm of this project. There are really about a thousand volunteers involved with this work. They work in ‘Kamiano’ but also at the ‘Schools of Peace’, where children are welcomed after school to get help with their homework and where all kinds of activities are organized for them. Filip shared numerous stories and anecdotes and we were spellbound when he explained how things were structured especially during the Christmas season. Those days are truly the high points of the year for the homeless. Hundreds (700 to 800!) are invited for a meal at the beautifully decorated tables in a church in Antwerp. But also the prisoners are visited: eighty volunteers turn the prison cafeteria magically into a Christmas hall where the incarcerated are invited once a year for this special meal. Filip made it clear that the community is able to manage their financial situation through the numerous gifts from institutions, orders and congregations of religious (e.g. the Brothers CMM), a grant from the city of Antwerp (one euro per meal) and the ‘Godparent Initiative’: one can be a godfather or godmother by means of a monthly donation for the meals.
Rolling up your sleeves After the fascinating explanation by Filip it was now Pascale Bemelmans’ turn to explain to us and a group of theology students from Nijmegen how the ‘Kamiano’ was organized and how the meals were provided. He
Rolling up their sleeves: preparing blankets for the homeless. From left to right: Betty Karhof, Trudy Mutsaers, Lex van der Poel, Henk Mutsaers, Brother Niek Hanckmann. also informed us how we ourselves had to roll up our sleeves and get down to business. First however, he led us through the chapel of the complex where besides a few icons on a wall we also saw a table full of crosses from all over the world and a book in which the names and the personal qualities of the deceased homeless and lonely are recorded. The fact that attention is being paid, that they are not forgotten, is valued by the many lonely people. On the first of November the names of the deceased of the previous year are commemorated and this remembrance is each year again an emotional moment. Now came the time for action. First we were asked to put blankets in bags in the storage facility. These bags will be given to the homeless and poor as Christmas presents. Then we were paired off in the ‘Kamiano’ in order to serve meals, sort the refuse, clean up, and socialize with those present. The tables were set again and again for the constantly changing guests. Soup was served, with lasagna and a dessert. This work was the highlight of the day and each one of us was inspired by the unique and welcoming presence of the leaders and the charm of Sant’Egidio! If they ever start a satellite in Tilburg we know what to do!!
Grateful After the impressive afternoon we returned home. Following a short break and a warm snack in St. Job in ’t Goor, we continued our trip to the Generalate in Tilburg where we joined in welcoming the Indonesian members of the general board. It goes without saying that we are truly grateful to Brother Niek Hanckmann, each other and Sant’Egidio for this exceptional experience. Christianne van de Wal
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NETHERLANDS
Joris de Wit (right) with a refugee from Benin and volunteer Yvonne Boers in De Vuurhaard.
FORMATION IN MERCY Joris de Wit, a student at Fontys College in Tilburg, interns since last November at the refugee shelter of the De Vuurhaard community in Udenhout. He was also involved with the ‘pop-in lunch’ program of the Elim community of the brothers in Tilburg. What was his reason for doing this and how did he feel about this ‘formation in mercy’? In December 2012 I turned 29, had a fine job, and no reasons to complain. Yet, I missed something and this feeling kept gnawing at me; what do I want to do with my life? The well-known ‘dilemma of the thirties’. I have always had a keen interest in religion and everything related to religion as well as a desire to be of service for people who truly need help. When I discovered the study program philosophical consultancy at Fontys College in Tilburg, I knew that this would put me on the right path. The study program is not exclusively oriented towards the Catholic faith, but it also deals with other religions and philosophies fitting our modern multi-religious society.
Enormously complicated In 2013 I started with the part-time alternative and combined this with a part-time job. In my internship at De Vuurhaard I want to discover what it means to work from a Catholic perspective and calling. Additionally I gain experience in working with a target group which I 12
hold dear. Before starting my study I travelled through the Middle East. In Iraq and Israel I learned a lot about the prevailing problems. When I entered the world of De Vuurhaard I was initially shocked by the circumstances in which many of the refugees whose legal processes are exhausted are living in the Netherlands. These people, who often fled war-torn regions, have gone through so much turmoil, are left to their own fate and a life on the streets in a prosperous country like the Netherlands. It is too simplistic to blame the bureaucracy and the endless red tape, for during the past months I have discovered that the refugee problem is enormously complicated. An easy solution is not readily available. Fortunately there are temporary safe houses for the refugees like De Vuurhaard. Here the refugees have the opportunity to catch their breath and prepare themselves for the next step: start a new appeal procedure or return to their homeland. I also discovered that this noble work is not always easy for the brothers and the volunteers.
Dilemma Refugee care takes place in cooperation with the Refugee Organization and clear cut arrangements are made about the duration of the stay at De Vuurhaard. However, what happens when someone overstays his allotted time and is unable to find another place? What to do when someone has to leave and has nowhere to go, partially due to his negligence for his own future? It is snowing outside and somewhere the refugee got totally lost in the Dutch bureaucracy; what now? These are tough dilemmas, but at the same time occasions where I discovered how the spirituality of the brothers plays a role in their work. Do we dare to make the decision to put the young person out on the street so that he is forced to assume responsibility for his own predicament? Maybe that is just the push he needs. Or do we accept that we are dealing with a lost soul who cannot manage his own life at the moment and needs a helping hand? By looking at the dilemma in this way I think we do justice to the person in question. The discussion centers on what is best for him. It takes time and courage to make the tough decisions. These two qualities are often lacking in our modern society and this is what sets the work of the brothers apart.
it is experienced by people. According to me, living and working while being inspired by mercy is exactly what can provide that meaning.
Short stories I have been greatly inspired and motivated by the mercy and passion I see by the brothers of De Vuurhaard and the Elim community, but also by the refugees and visitors of the ‘pop-in lunch’. There is for instance, the refugee who is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps and confront the injustice in his native country. Not through armed force but through political action. Also inspiring is the visitor of the ‘pop-in lunch’ who agitates against the closure of ‘De Pollepel’ in Tilburg. During lunch he got up and pleaded passionately with his fellow visitors for their support preventing the shutting down of ‘their restaurant for everyone’. I think that these short stories are capable of rousing society again and are able to inspire people to provide meaning to their lives. I try to place these kind of stories in the newsletter which I put together bi-weekly for De Vuurhaard.
Mercy Besides my internship at De Vuurhaard I was also involved with the ‘pop-in lunch’ program of the Elim community in Tilburg. I discovered another parallel world in the Netherlands: one of poverty and loneliness. The brothers of the Elim, in cooperation with the Peerke Donders parish have a caring eye for these people, who are otherwise ignored. Just recently I dare to place the label of ‘mercy’ on this work. A word I knew before but never really understood. Every Thursday the brothers, refugees, and volunteers put a dinner together at De Vuurhaard. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the exotic dishes prepared by the refugees, brothers and volunteers. After the meal the guests receive a presentation from Brother Ad de Kok. He speaks about refugee issues and the lives of the brothers. By using three words he explains at the same time what is meant by mercy: to see, to be moved, and to get into action. This explanation was a real eye-opener for me and highly instructive in the context of my study. Great attention is given in the study to the struggle for meaning (or lack thereof) in life, the way
Banner of the ‘pop-in lunch’ in front of the Elim community in Tilburg.
The future The conversations and meetings I have had up to now with a number of brothers assisted me enormously to find my own way as a philosophical consultant. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and hope that after me and in addition to me many others will allow themselves to be inspired by the spirituality which is the foundation of the work of the Brothers CMM. Joris de Wit
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IMAGES OF HEADQUARTERS
EAST TIMOR: REGIONAL HOUSE The next two pages show pictures of the brother house in Dili. The region of East Timor is administered from this house. This is the fifth installment of the feature that started in 2013 and highlights congregational headquarters in the various countries where the brothers work.
Statue of Mary in the chapel.
Courtyard garden.
Conference room. 14
Boardroom.
The brother house in Dili.
Library.
Courtyard garden.
Refectory.
Chapel. 15
KENYA
Brother James Ochwangi Nyakundi.
UNITY IN DIVERSITY ‘That we all may be one’. That theme reflected the province days in Kenya. They were held from December 28 till 30, 2014. Brothers from the whole country came together in Nakuru to meet one another and to find new inspiration. Brother James Ochwangi Nyakundi was appointed provincial superior for Kenya in August 2014. He spoke on the closing day of the gathering and expressed his gratitude for the large amount of work done by his predecessors: the Brothers Leo van de Weijer, Athanasius Onyoni and Andrea Sifuna. He pointed out: “Your inspiring leadership strengthened our province and enabled it to confront recent problems head-on.” Next the provincial referred to the meeting’s theme and underscored how important it is to have congregational solidarity among the brothers in Kenya. “We cannot manage without one another. We need unity and collaboration to remain strong.” He pointed out that the stability of this province of CMM experiences challenges and pressures resulting from brothers who too often go their own way. As a result they undermine mutual brotherhood. Adopting ‘unity in
diversity’ as a basic guide brings a solution according to him to confront and solve the problems that developed. “We’re not all the same. We have different colours and different cultures. We are all different but the key to achieve unity can be found when we look at these differences, respect them, learn about them, and grow because of these differences.”
Community life In a lecture on community life, Father Angelus Njagi CM also emphasized the crucial importance of unity for the brothers. He argued: “The life of a brother in community unites all members with one another as a unique family in Christ. One could describe it as a family of mutual support for each individually, which helps him fulfill his own unique vocation”.
Celebration in the chapel of the brother house in Nakuru during the province days.
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YEAR OF CONSECRATED LIFE
JOY! In mid-January the brothers and associate members of the Congregation received the first mailing of reflection materials for the Year of Consecrated Life. In the course of the year the Congregation intends to offer a new presentation every two months. The first installment of ‘Joy’, which is the title for the series, appeared on the World Day of Consecrated Life, on February 2, 2015.
In an accompanying letter Brother Lawrence Obiko wrote: “We, as members of the Congregation, want to pay particular attention to Pope Francis’ appeal to recognize still more explicitly our unique religious call to our mission of brotherhood and mercy.” The Congregation uses a special logo for this year of the religious, which incorporates its own unique design. The top displays the word ‘Joy’, which refers to the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, The Joy of the Gospel, through which the brothers will find inspiration throughout the year. The inspirational material will be published in Dutch, English, Indonesian, and Portuguese and can be found on the Congregation’s website (www.cmmbrothers.org).
The worldwide Catholic Church celebrates the ‘Year of Consecrated Life’ from November 29, 2014 through February 2, 2016. Pope Francis announced this special year on November 29, 2013 during a meeting with religious in Rome. He called upon religious orders and congregations to reflect on their significance for church and society. The Brothers CMM also will reflect on their call and mission during this ‘year of religious’.
citations from some Old Testament books that focus on joy. Eight passages from the apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium take center stage. The reader gets asked to read these quotations very closely and continue to underline two sentences that appeal to him the most. One then can get into a conversation with someone who has done the same. The reflection material includes the following ‘questions for meditation and exchange’ of insights: “1. Reflect on the sources of joy in your personal life. What makes your life joyful? 2. Can you mention some instances in which you have experienced in a special way the joy of the Gospel? 3. How do you share your joy with fellow brothers and sisters? How do they share their joy with you? 4. “God loves a cheerful giver. What are the joys you experience in your work and apostolate?” Peter van Zoest
Quotations The first edition of Joy! opens with four striking quotations. “I want to say one word to you and this word is joy. Wherever consecrated people are, there is always joy!” (Pope Francis). “Be very joyful in the Lord” (Vincent). “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (Constitutions CMM, I, 183). “I have told you this so that my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete” (John 15:11). Next it gives
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SYMBOLS
BROTHER THEO ADAMS’ GLASSES The general chapter of 2014 asked all members of the chapter to present a symbol that expressed their vision of the Congregation’s future, their own mission, or one of their own personal religious life. This yielded a number of fascinating stories. ‘Brothers CMM’ will publish selections of them in future issues. This issue presents Brother Theo Adams’ contribution. He participated in the chapter as deputy regional superior for Brazil.
Visually impaired people know the crucial importance of glasses. To be able to see, particularly in darker places, they need more light than healthy people. One can apply this to a spiritual perspective: “The Word came to us. In the Word was life and the life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” I did not exactly think of this when, as a six year old boy, I got my first glasses. Many more glasses followed. I had strong glasses: -6 on one side and -9 on the other. Finally it ended up with -14 and -18. In 1969, while studying at the university, I decided to take contact lenses. They caused me to cry and tear up until I got used to them. Often I lost them. Twenty years ago I quit driving because I almost caused several accidents. A short time later I underwent an eye operation, which improved my long distance vision. I now use reading glasses for reading.
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But Jesus helped me, not only to see; he brought me light; he sent me to Siloam; he washed my eyes and I began to see. He also taught me discernment; to look at things from all sides. He taught me how to see with my heart, even with my rather blind eyes. He gave me a family, which provided me with glasses and a Congregation that gave me contact lenses. He provided a family for me that taught me how to love and a Congregation that helped me to see and discern mercy. Glasses can break and contact lenses can get lost. I try to increasingly understand and practice love and mercy, toward myself, my family, my Congregation, for the poor, and for the orphaned children. In that way I attempt to follow Jesus, Mary and Vincent and see them as my teachers. Brother Theo Adams
NEWS IN SHORT
MERCY IN BLONGKO The students of the Frater Don Bosco Elementary School of Manado, Indonesia, were in Blongko on September 27, 2014, feast day of St. Vincent de Paul. While there they visited St. Mary Station School. Brother Stefanus Lau conducted a prayer service with the theme: ‘Be merciful as St. Vincent de Paul was merciful’. After the service Brother Yasintus Seran, the school’s principal, gave a speech. In it he expressed his gratitude for the brotherly meeting of the students. He stated: “By getting to know one another here we can strengthen mutual brotherhood. Building up brotherhood is quite difficult nowadays. But we can learn from Vincent de Paul. He totally committed himself to build up brotherhood among rich and poor.” After the service each family in Blongko received two
boxes of rice, cooking oil, soap and other products. The mission station also received 4,000,000 Rupiahs (€ 283) to contribute to the building of the church. It was a concrete gesture of care for the wellbeing of the mission station. The pastor of the Resurrection of Christ parish, Fion Dianomo, told how thankful he was for this visit to his parishioners in Blongko. He said: “It was a good choice to visit the parishioners of this mission station because they truly need attention and assistance. The Blongko parishioners sustain themselves by fishing. We are grateful, feel positive, and hope that through your care and friendliness hearts of others will be touched and that they too will give assistance.” Once the gifts and the donation were given the ‘get-together’ continued in a more informal manner.
TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GENERAL BOARD The tasks and responsibilities for each of the members of the general board were defined at a meeting on November 10, 2014. Brother Lawrence Obiko, as superior general, is chairman of the general board. He will coordinate issues related to general board matters and takes care of contacts with provincial and regional superiors, with individual brothers and associate members, co-workers, advisors, and sponsors. He also coordinates all developments related to the Congregation’s spirituality. Brother Benyamin Tunggu is deputy superior general and procurator. He coordinates flights, applications for visas that are required for work visits, and international meetings. He has also the responsibility to coordinate all aspects of the brothers’ religious and professional formation. Coordinating the annual Vincentian pilgrimage belongs to his task as well. Brother Rofinus Banunaek is the general board’s secretary. He is responsible to record important data. Brother Rofinus is editor in chief of the information bulletin Information of the General Board. Board member Brother Niek Hanckmann takes care of the archives of the general board and the archives of the members of the Congregation. He too coordinates international meetings. Brother John H. Grever is the general bursar. He is accountable for the general financial management of the material assets of the Congregation. The general board. From left to right: Niek Hanckmann, Lawrence Obiko, Benyamin Tunggu, Rofinus Banunaek.
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NEWS IN BRIEF
Farewell to Trees Versteegen On January 11, 2015 Trees Versteegen took leave of her parishioners. For more than seven years she has been a pastoral worker in the Brother Andreas parish in Tilburg. In conjunction with her pastoral duties she did a lot of leadership work. The farewell celebration in the parish church St. Lucas was well attended. Many parishioners came to thank her and wish her all the best in her new work: supporting diaconal projects in the Archdiocese of Utrecht. Trees was and still is closely involved with the Brothers CMM. For example, for a few years she was pastorally active in the community of Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg. In close collaboration with the brothers of the Elim community she organized diaconal work in Tilburg. An important example is the ‘pop-in lunch’ of this community. She is still involved as a consultant in the vocation project of the Dutch province of CMM.
The Provincial Superior of the Netherlands, Brother Jan Koppens, bids farewell to Trees Versteegen.
Policy MEETING General Board and staff On December 16, 2014 and January 20, 2015 members of the general board and staff workers were together in respectively Poppel, Belgium and the Generalate in Tilburg for a policy meeting. After an introduction on ‘Hope’ by study secretary spirituality Charles van Leeuwen, the Superior General, Brother Lawrence Obiko spoke in Poppel of his deep desire that the motto of the 2014 General Chapter: ‘Hopeful and Faithful on the Way of Brotherhood and Mercy’, will become the main theme of the board’s term from 2014 until 2020. Participants studied the recommendations of the general chapter for the coming six years. Spirituality and formation were central to the meeting in Poppel. International meetings, training programs, summer courses and
Picture of the meeting in Poppel. 20
materials for reflection are important to focus all the attention on the congregational charism of brotherhood and mercy. In addition it was determined to be crucial that the Gospel be lived courageously, that brothers work with passion on their mission and that they share generously their spirituality with fellow brothers, associates and employees. Three special events will take place during the board’s term: 2015: The ‘Year of Consecrated Life’, in which religious vocations and the vows are central; 2017: The commemoration of the life and death of Brother Andreas van den Boer (1917); 2019: The 175th anniversary of the Congregation. The main topic of the policy meeting at the Generalate was a discussion of the financial recommendations made by the general chapter and the members of the Financial Economic Committee of the general board. The latter consists of Brother John H. Grever, Brother Paul Damen, Mr. Jan Oerlemans, Mr. Jean Ramijsen and Mr. Jos van Oss. A major decision of the meeting was to continue to provide financial support for the core projects of the Congregation, such as the Oyugis Integrated Project Kenya, the Movement of Mercy, the Worldwide Brotherhood and Kloosterhotel ZIN in Vught. Because of the decreasing revenues of the Congregation, there was a discussion about the way provinces and regions can become financially self-supporting and about the way to make use of grants and fundraising.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Incentive AWARD for De Vuurhaard On January 14, 2015, for the fourth time, the ‘Golden Peerke’ was awarded in Tilburg. The CMM community De Vuurhaard (The Fireplace) in Udenhout was one of the three nominees. The prize was established in 2010 and is awarded annually to citizens’ initiatives that are committed to the seven works of mercy. This time the jury had chosen: ‘Feed the hungry’. In De Vuurhaard refugees can find temporary shelter. Every Thursday the house turns into a restaurant and seats up to forty guests. The refugees prepare a sumptuous meal using recipes from the countries where they come from. Guests eat together with the brothers and the refugees; information is exchanged and contacts are made. The ‘Golden Peerke 2015’ eventually went to the Tilburg food project ‘No hunger in the neighbourhood’, an initiative of the Brother Andreas parish which supports people who do not have Brother Ad de Kok from De Vuurhaard enough money to buy food. In the Peerke Donders Pavilion receives the incentive prize. in North Tilburg the initiators of this project received a check for a thousand euros. De Vuurhaard and ‘Het Kookpunt’ (The Boiling Point) in Biest-Houtakker, also nominated, were given an incentive prize in the form of a check worth 250 euros.
GOODBYE to Lourdes Nelleke Verstijnen, associate member of the Congregation, went for nearly a quarter of a century several times a year with a group of volunteers to Lourdes, to accompany sick and disabled people. Her husband Piet went along for fourteen years. The trips were made possible by health insurer VGZ who presented the clients with the opportunity to make a pilgrimage to this Marian shrine in France at much reduced rates. That has now come to an end. “Last September, my husband and I went along for the last time”, Nelleke says. “In 1993 I wrote a short piece in the ‘Lourdes Book’ that every pilgrim and volunteer received after the trip. My feelings and also those of Piet have remained the same and have become even stronger!” The text of her contribution is as follows: “Again I went to Lourdes to assist the pilgrims. And like previous years, I was deeply moved by all the togetherness, friendliness and gratitude. As early as the start, a bond begins to develop which becomes increasingly more firm in the course of the week. Praying together, singing together, crying, laughing and talking to each other. Then together to the cave ... to Mary ... close to each other, speechless. And then something happens inside of you ... pilgrims say it ... ‘I have become a different person. I’m still sick, but I can bear it now. I have been able to entrust my cares to Her. I can handle it again for years.’” Nelleke sighs. “It is a pity, it is a great Nelleke Verstijnen lights a candle at the pilgrimage site of pity that VGZ stopped these beautiful trips to Mary in Lourdes, France. Lourdes! My heart cries!” 21
MEMORIAM
BROTHER
BROTHER
Jan (J-B.A.) Damen
Cristino (H.J.F.) Gemen
He was born in Amsterdam on January 13, 1929 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy in Tilburg on August 29, 1949. He made his profession for life on August 15, 1954. He died on January 2, 2015 in the community of Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg and was buried at the brothers’ cemetery at the Estate Steenwijk in Vught, the Netherlands.
He was born in ’s-Hertogenbosch on April 27, 1936 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy in Tilburg on August 29, 1954. He made his profession for life on August 15, 1960. He died on January 4, 2015 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil and was buried there at the cemetery Parque da Colina.
The cradle of Brother Jan stood in Amsterdam. Early on as a child, he showed a love for music. He liked to crawl behind a piano to enjoy the sounds he could elicit. A vocation to the religious life started to develop. In 1949 he left Amsterdam and joined up with the Brothers CMM. Brother Jan really felt at home in a community of brothers. He was there to serve. He was allowed to develop his musical talents. He earned several diplomas and certificates, which enabled him to teach piano and recorder lessons. He specialized in organ playing and was able to serve in the chapel of his community or parish churches. His life was not free of dissonance. Several times he had to go through episodes of dark nights. He would feel himself supported by many in those periods. The last years of his life, which he spent in residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg, he tried to participate as much as possible in the life of the community. He enjoyed the moments with fellow brothers and associates. In peace and surrender, in gratitude and confidence he eventually gave his life back to the Merciful One.
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Harrie was born in ’s-Hertogenbosch. There his vocation to the religious life grew. In 1954 as a novice, he took the religious name Cristino. After earning his teaching diploma he worked at various schools in Tilburg. He was a born teacher. His enthusiasm must have been noticed by the superior general, who invited him in 1960 to go to Brazil as one of the pioneers. He did a language study: Portuguese, studied geography and became a teacher in various cities. In Belo Horizonte he fell in love with Colégio Padre Eustáquio. He paid attention to the education of young people, was active in extracurricular activities such as soccer, drama and choral singing. Brother Cristino was also active within faith communities in the wider area. He loved the Brazilians, their celebrations and their expressions of faith. He paid special attention to the weak, the outcast and the needy. The Congregation asked him in 2002 to become the regional superior. He held that assignment for twelve years. For a considerable amount of time Brother Cristino was seriously ill. Doctors and nurses did their utmost and fellow brothers and friends were always around him. Eventually he had to surrender his life. He died as he had lived: full of trust in God and grateful to all who were close to him. We may know now that he is with the Merciful One.
‘HIS GRACE IS NEAR’ (From the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)
The road you have taken About man’s development of life much is written. Certainly about the phases or stages that can be distinguished on that road. By and large, one obtains the following division: childhood young adulthood - maturity - change of life (transition period) - middle age - late maturity - early and late old age. You can attach dates, but they will be different for each person anyway.
The best known is undoubtedly the transition period around forty. Even if all goes well, the questions are: Is this all there is? Who am I really? What is it really all about? That can be a rough period with a lot of uncertainty, lack of clarity, loss of youth. We do not speak for nothing about the midlife crisis. Fortunately, it is usually a crisis of growth. But there are people who remain stuck here. They lose the desire, the taste for life. You can also see it as a journey, being on the road, arriving and then going further again. As you go, the view is sometimes clear and sometimes you’re in a fog. Sometimes you see the goal clearly in your mind and sometimes you roam around. Sometimes you have travel companions and sometimes you are alone. You can’t do your life over again. But you do take it along, especially your childhood. One thing is certain: the road is not straight and you will be damaged. You can also partition your life on the basis of moments that have defined your journey: an encounter, a crisis, a deep experience, a choice that turned your life around, an illness or accident, death of loved ones, the birth of your first child. Highs and lows. Often the path chooses you. People and circumstances come your way. And then there is, underneath the time line which you can mark with facts and encounters and choices, a barely visible development: you grow up psychologically and spiritually. Of these, you only see the fruits in somebody’s life: gentleness, peace, compassion and inner freedom.
Several years ago I withdrew for a month to an abbey. I felt that it was necessary to look back and forward at my life. Every day I took a long walk through the beautiful woods around the monastery. Often, I took a period of my life under review: who played a role in it; what do I remember most of all, how did I do, what had a great influence on me during that time? It struck me that some stages in my life were short, but had a great impact on the course of my life. For example I worked for only three years at Henricus, the Institute for the Blind in Grave. A short time; this was very significant in my life. Not in the least because of the encounter with Brother Theophaan Verhoeven, director of Henricus. For me being twenty-three years old, he was an example. Every week I took a walk with him. I can recommend to you to stand still and contemplate the road you have traveled. Old people have a need to talk about their lives to someone who understands it and really listens. It also helps to come to terms with unfinished business. And we have not even spoken about what has kept you going through all these stages of life and what assisted you through difficult times. The Elim Prayer of the Elim community is dear to me because it indeed helps you to keep going with confidence on the road: “Source of life. Source of love. Source of commitment. Source of comfort. Source of joy and mercy. Source of repentance. Source of hope. Source of wakefulness. Source of sharing. Source of silence and being. Direct our search, may you carry us with your blessed name: I’LL BE THERE.” Brother Wim Verschuren 23
AS A COMMUNITY WE BELONG IN THE MIDST OF THE REALITY AND THE CURRENTS OF THE WORLD. THERE THE LORD IS WAITING FOR US. HIS GRACE IS NEAR: HIDDEN BUT ACTIVE. (from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM)
Magazine of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Merc