BROTHERS CMM 1/18
| TWO BY TWO ON THE ROAD IN BRAZIL | OYUGIS INTEGRATED PROJECT: A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE YEAR | NEW FEATURE: IN THE SPOTLIGHT | HISTORY OF THE CROSS
CONTENTS
CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL
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CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS
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COLOPHON Mission statement Mercy belongs to all times and places. Mercy is at the centre 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.
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 Editorial Board: Nathalie Bastiaansen (executive editor and chief editor), Brother Edward Gresnigt, Brother Ad de Kok Translation: Nathalie Bastiaansen, Brother Edward Gresnigt, Peter Huybers, Father Jan van der Kaa AA, Tony Verhallen Original design and layout: Heldergroen (www.heldergroen.nl) Printing: Franciscan Kolbe Press, Limuru, Kenya, press@ofmconvkenya.org Contact: Brothers CMM, Rhapta Road, P.O.Box 14916 Nairobi, Westlands 00800, Kenya. Email: Brother Leo van de Weijer: brotherleo42@gmail.com Contact: Brothers CMM, P.O.Box 89, Windhoek, Namibia. E-mail: Brother Athanasius Onyoni: atonyoni@gmail.com E-mail: magazine@cmmbrothers.nl Website: 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: Summer camp at the estate Sparrenhof, Tilburg (photo: ZOKA Breda).
The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt.
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Photograph back cover: ‘The Last Supper’ by Brother Humberto Wouters (photo: Brother Ad de Kok).
ON THE ROAD IN BRAZIL
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
FROM THE EDITORIAL BOARD At the end of 2017, executive editor Peter van Zoest said goodbye to the editorial board: he is ready for a well-deserved retirement. The editorial board is grateful for the pleasant cooperation in recent years and wishes Peter well. Time changes, and also the life of faith shares in these changes. The brothers and associates always try to understand the signs of the times and they see it as their task to help build a more humane world. On the pages 6-7 Brother Rosario de Jesus Martins writes about how religious people continually rebuild their Church by, among other things, being present in the community. OIP is also working at the development of society towards the future; read more about this on the pages 1012. New is the series ‘In the spotlight’. Brother Ad de Swart has organized already more than 70 exhibitions on hobbies of the brothers at Joannes Zwijsen residential care facility. Brothers in the other countries also have unexpected creative talents. ‘In the spotlight’ will be presenting a selection from this work. In 2017, Brother Paul Onyisi participated in the summer course ‘CMM: History, Heritage and Archives’. He noticed in the archives that there is a remarkable difference in the cross presented to the brothers entering the novitiate nowadays and the cross that the brothers received and wore in the past. He decided to find out why, and you can read about it on page 13. This time, ‘images of Apostolate’ shows pictures of Sparrenhof. Initially this was a farm providing food supply for the brothers, currently it is a holiday farm for young people.
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OIP IN 2017
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THE RELIGIOUS CROSS
IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE
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NEWS IN BRIEF
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IN MEMORIAM
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‘SEE MY PEOPLE’
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CONVERSATION WITH THE SUPERIOR GENERAL
“Times are changing and religious life as well shares in these changes” (pp. 6-7). Brother Rosario de Jesus Martins writes about changes in the way we communicate with each other. The dialogue from person to person remains the perfect way to do this. But we are also living in a time in which other means of communication are available to us. Everywhere around us, in the streets, in train and bus and at home, there is the reality of internet, social media, and mobile phones. The question is not whether we should use these resources; they are already embedded in the reality of our daily lives. Our Constitutions do not see it as negative either: “Science and technology can be a support in our endeavour to achieve greater efficiency and a well-founded method of working” (I, 225). In what way can we learn how to use these tools of communication in a proper way? Three words are important in this question: learn, use, communicate.
The above questions are not only relevant for brothers, but for everyone who lives today. As brothers we can fill in these questions even more specifically. As a member of the Congregation, what can I achieve with these new technological developments? As religious brothers, we have a role modelling function, whether we are working in education or elsewhere. In what way can I be an example to others in this world? As a religious, how do I act in a respectful and responsible way in the world of social media? When is my mobile phone an efficient means of communication, and when does it distract me from things that deserve more attention at that moment, such as prayer in the chapel, meals with my fellow brothers and community life? What do I, as an individual brother or as member of the Congregation, wish to communicate? What is my message?
First of all there is the question of learning: how does it work? What can you do with it? What can’t you do with it? The second question is: how do I use it, and for what purpose? In what way do I enter the world of social media in a responsible way? When is my mobile phone an efficient means of communication, and when does it distract me from things that deserve more attention? The third question deals with communication. What do I want to communicate, and for what purpose? Should everything I experience or any thought I have immediately be shared with the whole world? For whom is my message meant and in what way do I reach that specific person or group?
I invite you to think about these questions and discuss them with each other, so that together we can learn how to use these means of communication in a good way.
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Brother Lawrence Obiko in an interview with Nathalie Bastiaansen
CONCERNING BROTHER ANDREAS
GENTLE OF HEART Given the fact that many brothers worked in education, it was remarkable that their rule of life forbade them from becoming angry. In practice, it was impossible to keep order in the classroom without occasionally exposing the children to anger.
Acting forcefully ánd remaining patient, just like in this pen drawing of Federico Zuccaro, ‘Allegories in strength (fortitudo) and patience (patientia)’, 1595, Getty Museum. Or as Joannes Zwijsen put it in his coat of arms: mansuete et fortiter (gentle and strong). At times even Brother Andreas was angry, in his own way. He knew well what the brothers’ rule said about it: ‘The brothers have to make a serious effort to follow the example and commandment of the Lord, to be gentle of heart, that is: to develop a gentle disposition. Therefore, they not only have to be careful in expressing anger and for expressions of rage, but they also have to diligently dedicate themselves to combat and root out any interior wrath, every inner drift and inclination to anger. The school children also knew these regulations and at times they abused them. They loved to try out how far they could go with Brother Andreas. One of his students said: ‘When he had to take action, he was usually angry and turned red. But he always remained in control.’ And: ‘If one of the boys really got out of hand, behaved shamelessly, then the friendly face of Brother Andreas suddenly became serious - sometimes discolouring - and it seemed as if he was violently suppressing the upsurges of anger. In such instances I cannot remember that he ever said an indelicate word.’
The times when Brother Andreas did express his anger therefore, were significant. Another pupil remembers: ‘We were walking with a group of students, together with Brother Andreas, when we met a man who walked in a peculiar way. We thought that this man was drunk and started to imitate and laugh at him. But Brother Andreas got angry: “Maybe that man has painful feet and perhaps that is the reason he can’t walk well.” He forbade us to laugh with it.’ Even so, Brother Andreas ‘almost always’ managed to suppress his anger. ‘He also almost always managed to keep his peace and equanimity, and he would make his comments or remarks with a smile. During a walk, when speaking French was mandatory, we heard him at times laughingly say: “mes amis, mes oreilles me font mal”, - “my friends, my ears hurt”.’ Charles van Leeuwen
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BRAZIL
TWO BY TWO ON THE ROAD IN BRAZIL The brothers in Brazil regularly go into the back country to see if they can do something for the local population. From 13 to 16 July 2017, the Brothers Rosario de Jesus Martins, Pascoal Soares Madeira and Domingos da Costa participated in a missionary vocation week in the Saint Therese parish in Patos de Minas, Brazil. Brother Rosario wrote a report. participate in this mission week, and so the Brothers Rosario de Jesus Martins, Pascoal Soares Madeira, and Domingos da Costa went to Patos de Minas. Other participants were the Sisters of the Congregation of Servants of the Holy Spirit, a candidate of the Fathers SVD, and some Daughters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus who live in the city and work in the parish.
Two by two
Two by two on the road in Saint Terezia parish in Patos de Minas, Brazil.
The group was sent in the same way Jesus sent out his apostles in the gospel: ‘Jesus called his disciples and sent them out, two by two’. And so the missionaries went through the streets of the neighbourhood in pairs to visit families. During these visits the participants spoke with the people about the way they live their faith, there was a prayer for the family and a blessing
The times are changing and the world does not stay the same, nothing lasts forever. Religious life also shares in these changes. Whether the changes are beneficial or bad, depends at times on the point of view. People who choose a Christian way of life try to build up the Church for future generations, and they believe God will help them in doing so.
Being present by serving One of the ways in which the building up of the Church occurs is by being present and serve in a community. That is exactly what Sister Maria Gislaine Pereira, of the Mission Congregation of Servants of the Holy Spirit, had in mind when she celebrated her 25th anniversary of religious life in the community of Christ the Redeemer, of the Saint Terezia parish in Patos de Minas, Brazil.
Missionary vocation week On the occasion of her jubilee she organized a missionary vocation week from 13 to 16 July 2017, together with the parish priest Father Romero da Silva. The Brothers CMM in Brazil were also invited to 6
Painting: Janet Brooks-Gerloff, ‘On the road to Emmaus’ (1992).
of the house. These were moments of closeness with these people, and especially with the sick among them. The visits were highly appreciated and people felt strengthened by it.
Visit to the school The missionaries also visited the school ‘Adelaide Maciel’, where in the past Sister Gislaine had started her studies. The main purpose of this visit was to give a positive message along for the life of the students and to encourage them to look with a critical eye at the world around them. Together with the children of the primary school the missionaries had lunch, and shared in delightful conversations.
A listening ear There was also an opportunity to visit the retirement home for the elderly. The residents who often have a lot of life experience feel isolated sometimes, and it was obvious that they wanted to meet others and find a listening ear for their many stories. They still have so much to offer to younger generations!
Meetings In addition to the home visits, several meetings were organized in the parish: for young people, for catechists and their students, and also for the leaders of the pastoral services. These were moments of reflection and dynamic exchange about life and work in Church and in the community.
Participants in the missionary vocations’ week.
Message from the Pope The three brothers who participated in the missionary vocation week remembered the words of the Pope about the missionary activity of the Church. “During our mission we experienced how much this is needed. In this time when computer apps, global communication and social media are available everywhere, people are in danger of getting lost in noise and triviality. Pope Francis is concerned about information overload and the neglect of human relationships. It puts an end to dialogue in the family, as well as in the community, that form the central focal point of development and human growth. After all, humans are social creatures.
From one person to another The Pope’s message is an invitation to dialogue, to speak and listen; only in this way we can lead a happy life. In the other we see God and can meet Him, since He created us from the beginning according to his image and likeness (Genesis 1:26). And also by following the commandments of Christ: ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second one is this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these two’ (Mark 12:30-31). He who loves looks for the other, shares with him, engages in conversation and listens.” Brother Rosario de Jesus Martins
Singing together with the elderly in a care facility.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
SKETCHES OF BROTHER HEIN
“Dr. Haddock.”
“Laughing is healthy.” Since the opening of the Joannes Zwijsen residential care facility in Tilburg in 2008, there is a small alternating exhibition on the fourth floor showing some hobby work of brothers that live there, such as collections, paintings, drawings or calligraphy. It gives a different, sometimes unknown view on the makers. Some brothers in other countries also have unexpected creative talents. This feature will put a selection from this work in the spotlight.
Still of pine cones.
Part 1 of this new feature presents sketches by Brother Hein van der Zande (1919-2017). Brother Hein was a quiet and diligent worker, first as a tailor and later as a cook. After his death, many drawings and sketches of his hand were discovered, which he might have imagined while stirring in the porridge. Apparently he has drawn a lot in the silence of the evening hours, but nobody knew anything about it. It is not professional art, but the drawings are beautiful in their simplicity, and often with a comic touch. Brother Ad de Swart
“Frozen fish.”
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“Lady Amherst’s pheasant.”
“On the frog path.”
A self-portrait? What would he read, write, or… draw?
“It’s a sprout!”
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KENYA
OYUGIS INTEGRATED PROJECT: A BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF THE YEAR
In Oyugis (Kenya), aids is the number one enemy of the people. The disease claims new victims every day. Since 1996 the Brothers CMM manage the Oyugis Integrated Project (OIP). The work at OIP is done with the so-called ‘cluster groups’. The most important goal of the cluster groups is to promote self-reliance. There are cluster groups in the department of social work, and in the agricultural department. The November 2017 OIP Newsletter reported on the activities that took place during the past year.
Cluster groups social work The sector social work has been busy visiting and guiding cluster groups within this sector. Some groups got actively involved and presented a budget as well as a plan of action. Their plans were welcomed by the authorities and they received financial means to execute them. In the future OIP wants to assist more groups on their road to self-reliance and autonomy.
Material assistance Although by now some cluster groups have become reasonably self-reliant, other groups still need a lot of help. This help arrives, e.g. from the ‘Lenten Action Heusden’ and Cordaid. In 2017, several houses were renovated with new walls of clay and with corrugated iron roofs. Some agriculture groups received fertilizer. As a result fewer people from these groups came to ask for food. Blankets and matrasses were handed
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out to members of these cluster groups. These are indispensable in the draughty huts, especially during the rainy season and cold nights. A good night’s sleep and a healthy disposition make it easier for people to commit themselves to their future. Food was offered to clients and members of cluster groups that were bedridden and therefore not capable to provide for their own food. Clothing is regularly given out to the elderly and to orphans. There is plenty of second-hand clothing on the local market, but for many the costs are still too high.
Orphans In 2017, eight members of cluster groups died. The orphans that remained are eligible for OIP assistance. The members of the cluster groups make their contributions to the best of their ability, but usually they cannot take on the entire care for the orphans.
maize to OIP. This gift was used to help the elderly who cannot work on the land themselves. The good outcome is also a result of the workshops organized by OIP in 2017 and of the guidance the farmers received on their land.
A goat as a gift
Home in Oyugis, the roof of this hut was in need of repair.
Education In 2017, 20 students completed their fourth year in various public secondary schools with the assistance of OIP. In the brothers’ schools, 18 students obtained their diploma and 11 students completed their secondyear in technical training. Social workers visited these students at their schools to discuss their school results with them and to assess their problems. It would be good if they are able to continue their studies or work.
Challenges in education The number of orphans needing support for their education is high, and OIP supported graduates were not always admitted to continue their education at colleges and universities. At this moment OIP supports 512 orphans in primary education, 361 orphans in secondary education and 192 in higher education. A total of 1065. Besides these there are almost 600 ‘half-orphans’ (missing one of their parents) who also need support from OIP.
Tailoring In 2017 tailors manufactured school uniforms for orphans of 18 cluster groups within the social department, for four cluster groups of the agricultural department and for 22 other orphans; in total for some 640 pupils. The caretakers make a contribution of 100 Kenyan shilling (less than one euro). On account of the fact that almost all prices increase monthly, it is often difficult for many orphans’ caretakers to pay their part of the contribution.
In 2017 the workers of OIP visited farmers who had received an animal, such as a milk cow, a milk goat, an ox or a donkey. It is a good custom for farmers who receive a milk cow or a milk goat to donate the first born young animal to someone else who really needs it. This always happens within a festive and official group event. Two such meetings had been planned for 2017, but due to the volatile political situation only one such gathering took place. That was in Kodera, where four young animals ended up with a new owner.
Greenhouse Not only are the farmers trained to improve the proceeds of their land, but also to lift their business to a higher level. One way is to spread the risk level by moving away from mono-culture and to concentrate on the production of several kinds of crops. A Dutch sponsor has set up a greenhouse. Here the farmers learn how to manage and use a greenhouse, and they acquire technological knowledge on horticulture and modern agricultural techniques.
Challenges in the agricultural groups For the time being, the farmers still remain dependent on the guidance and contributions of the agricultural sector of OIP. The climatological circumstances are sometimes hard to predict and cause huge problems with the harvest. The agricultural sector still lacks sufficient experts, relative to the vastness of the work area.
Cluster groups agriculture and cattle farming The harvest was good in 2017. The rains were adequate and came at the right time. For the cattle, therefore, there was plenty of feed and water. Compared to 2016 there was a slight increase in the milk production and likewise of the harvest in the fields. The cluster groups of the agricultural department donated a full bag of
After a walk from Oyugis one reaches OIP.
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KENYA
Medical department The medical department offers services to the clients of OIP and to patients from the outside. The department has the following facilities at its disposal: treatment rooms, a laboratory, a pharmacy and a store room. The personnel consists of three government doctors, five nurses, two persons in administration, two home-care workers, two laboratory workers, three assistants for HIV-tests, one chemist, one chemistassistant and two volunteers. Important aspects of the work are emergency aid, treatment of TB, wound care, blood tests (including HIV/aids), prevention of HIVcontagion of the unborn child, and chronical diseases.
country itself. This occurs, e.g. through cooperation with KARP. It is OIP’s wish to continue delivering high quality services. The ultimate goal for the people is the ability to become self-reliant. From: the Dutch OIP Newsletter, nº 216, December 2017. Henk van de Wal
More than 6000 people have been tested in the clinic for HIV/aids, almost 3000 of whom are now under extended medical care. The medical department of OIP is supervised by the Kenyan authorities and is guided by KARP (Kenya AIDS Response Programme). There are frequent checks which assures the quality of care and allow new developments to be pursued.
Home care programme There are some 100 volunteers in the home care programme. In their own surroundings they visit bedridden patients. These volunteers not only keep in touch with OIP nurses concerning the weal and woe of these patients, but they also deal with other health aspects within the community. In their own environment volunteers are the ears and eyes of OIP.
A tailor manufacturing school uniforms.
With an eye on the future By means of the Brothers CMM and the Foundation OIP Netherlands, sponsors in the Netherlands and in Belgium support the Oyugis Integrated Project. A considerable amount of money was made available in 2016 through the ‘Lenten Action Heusden’ in partnership with Cordaid. Of late more and more support (financial or otherwise) is sought in the
A greenhouse of the agricultural cluster. 12
Elderly being offered a meal during a workshop, a special meal with ugali, vegetables AND meat.
Market in Oyugis with second-hand clothing.
INTERNATIONAL
HISTORY OF THE CROSS One of the six brothers who participated in 2017 in the programme of the Summer School ‘CMM: History, Heritage and Archives’, remarked that there is a striking difference in the religious cross that is presented to the brothers entering the noviciate nowadays and the cross the brothers received and wore in the past. He decided to find out what happened.
From Kevelaer to Indonesia In a conversation with Brother Pieter-Jan van Lierop at the Generalate of Tilburg, Brother Paul Onyango Onyisi (missionary in Namibia) learned that in the early 1970s, the Brothers Emericus Goossens and Angelo Megens, on pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of the Virgin Mary in Kevelaer (Germany), had bought a number of crosses for the growing number of brothers.
The new cross The cross from Kevelaer was much smaller than the traditional cross used since the beginning of the Congregation. However, the cross of Kevelaer was so popular in Indonesia that some time later as many as a hundred crosses were ordered. These were presented to the brothers who entered the novitiate of the Brothers CMM in Indonesia.
Spread A few years later, when the brothers from Indonesia wore their new cross at an international meeting, other brothers were immediately fascinated by the beautiful and simple design. What perhaps also played a part was that the new cross was a lot smaller and lighter, and therefore more comfortable to wear during work. The result was that this cross quickly found its way to almost all the brothers in the different parts of the world.
Symbol When a postulant enters the novitiate today, declaring that he wants to become a member of the Congregation and lead a life in accordance with the Constitutions, he receives three important items that symbolize the beginning of his religious life: the Constitutions of the Congregation, the cassock, and the Kevelaer cross. This cross is for the brother the symbol of his union with Christ and his desire to follow
On the left the old cross, on the right the new one. Him better. At the same time, wearing this cross unites the brother with all the brothers in the Congregation. It can be worn with either the cassock or with ordinary clothes. It is this cross that identifies the person as a brother of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy.
Brother Paul Onyango Onyisi
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IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE
Sparrenhof.
SPARRENHOF Worldwide the Congregation is being confronted with all sorts of material and spiritual needs. The brothers, together with others, are trying to alleviate these. The ninth episode of this feature showcases the estate Sparrenhof. Sparrenhof is situated just outside Tilburg.
The brothers became owners of the Sparrenhof estate in the beginning of the twentieth century. Initially they used it like a monastery farm. Many mouths had to be fed: brothers, students, and orphans. The farm grew vegetables and fruit. Cows provided milk and meat. Very early Sparrenhof also became an attractive destination for the outings of the brothers and their students. Later, when fewer brothers lived in Tilburg, the need to provide food for them became less important. From 1983, the terrain served as a holiday farm for young people. Many working-class families lived in the Tilburg area. For them going on vacation was not a given. The new program wanted (and still wants) to provide a fun vacation for their children. The Sparrenhof Foundation exists almost 35 years now and some 2,500 young people stay there annually. Often other organizations participate, like Stichting Zomerkampen Breda (ZOKA) (Breda Summer Camps Foundation), which use the Sparrenhof facilities.
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Foundation ZOKA (Summer Camps Breda) uses the terrain since 1998.
The woods near Sparrenhof.
Sparrenhof in the past: motherhouse junior high St. Paul soccer team (1922).
Foundation board Sparrenhof, left to right: Frank van Loon, Brother Ad de Kok (chairman), Christel O’Prinsen, George Hamel.
Hans Wirken, the terrain’s administrator.
Foundation ZOKA’s tent camp.
Playground equipment.
Dancing in the courtyard.
Games. 15
IMAGES OF APOSTOLATE
Clothing and props for theater plays.
The old stable is now used as dormitory.
Ambassadors WWB, the international youth movement of the brothers. They stayed at Sparrenhof several times during their international meetings in the Netherlands.
Sports and games: volleyball.
WWB Ambassadors in the dining room.
A presentation by the WWB Ambassadors from Namibia during the international WWB meeting in 2016.
Doing the dishes is part of the work.
The kitchen often requires a lot of work.
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NEWS IN BRIEF
‘AMBASSADORS OF A WORLDWIDE BROTHERHOOD’ TO WORLD YOUTH DAYS 2019 IN PANAMA From 13 till 31 January 2019, another international meeting of the youth movement, the Ambassadors of a Worldwide Brotherhood (WWB) will be held, again with young people from Indonesia, East Timor, Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Brazil and the Netherlands. This time the meeting is within the framework of the World Youth Days in Panama.
BLESSING AND INSTALLATION RELIC VINCENT DE PAUL In 2017, during the celebration of ‘400 Years of Vincentian Charism’ in Rome, Superior General Lawrence Obiko CMM, received from the hands of the Superior General of the Vincentian priest Tomaž Mavri , a first-degree relic of Saint Vincent de Paul. On Thursday, 25 January 2018, this special relic was installed and blessed in the chapel of the Generalate of the Brothers CMM. The relic is symbolic of the concrete and contemporary presence of Saint Vincent de Paul worldwide, and of the brothers’ connection with the Vincentian Family worldwide. Father Frank Lemmens blesses the relic.
VFEC MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA From 16 to 18 January 2018 there was a meeting of the VFEC (Vincentian Family Executive Committee), the board of the worldwide Vincentian Family. The meeting took place in Philadelphia (United States), at the Vincentian Family headquarters. Superior General Brother Lawrence Obiko attended the meeting. Unfortunately Brother Broer Huitema could not be present. The board members looked back on a successful anniversary year of ‘400 Years Vincentian Charism’. Tomaž Mavri , Superior General of the Vincentians, expressed the hope that the fire of the Vincentian Family he had experienced during the symposium in Rome (October 2017) would continue to burn in the members of this worldwide family. The VFEC has many ideas for projects. In order to coordinate and realize all plans from the Vincentian Family’s international headquarters, a sound financial plan is also needed. Brother Broer Huitema and two other committee members had made a proposal to
obtain the necessary resources. The proposal was well received and will be implemented. Another item on the agenda was the ‘Homeless Alliance’, a megaproject aimed at homeless people all over the world. The board of the worldwide Vincentian Family is in the process of making an inventory of the various local projects for homeless people. The aim is that by working together on a worldwide scale and in a structured way the suffering of homeless people could be alleviated. The progress of the upcoming film festival ‘Finding Vince 400’ (FV400) was also discussed. This festival will take place in Rome in November 2018. The competition for the FV400 film festival is open to everyone. Storytellers and filmmakers worldwide are challenged to make a short film that changes our perspective on poverty in society.
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IN MEMORIAM
RENEWED WEBSITE ONLINE IN FOUR LANGUAGES The renewed website www.cmmbrothers.org was launched in October 2017 (the English and Dutch pages), and in December 2017 also the Indonesian and Portuguese pages went online. Not only the appearance of the website has changed; the content has also been partially modified. The informative texts of the pages ‘history’, ‘brothers worldwide’ (formerly ‘communities’) and ‘spirituality’ have been rewritten. In addition, two new pages have been added to the menu: ‘apostolate’ (about what we do) and ‘vocation’. The website represents the Congregation of the Brothers CMM worldwide. The news feed is regularly updated with articles about what is happening worldwide in the Congregation and what the brothers are doing.
BROTHER
Piet (P.A.M.) van Leeuwarden Piet was born in ’s-Hertogenbosch, the Netherlands, on 8 September 1934 and entered the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy on 29 August 1953. He made his profession for life on 15 August 1959. He passed away on 26 October 2017 at the community of Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg, the Netherlands. He was buried in the cemetery at the estate Steenwijk of the brothers in Vught, the Netherlands. At a young age Piet felt called to become a brother. After obtaining his ULO (junior high school) degree he moved to the Teacher Training College of the Brothers CMM in Tilburg. In 1953 he became a novice in the Congregation of the Brothers CMM. He obtained his teaching and headmaster’s certificate. Brother Piet taught at several primary schools in the Netherlands. In Deurne he became the director of the Holy Spirit Primary School in 1970. Brother Piet gave shape and substance to his life’s path in a personal way. He preferred to control everything himself. It was very difficult for him that during his last years he had to relinquish control of his life. The support of neighbours and care institutions meant that he was able to live relatively independently until the beginning of 2017. When this was no longer possible, he moved to the residential care facility Joannes Zwijsen in Tilburg. He became a member of the brothers’ community and was lovingly cared for by the staff. Brother Piet was not spared suffering. It had an impact on his life, psychologically and physically, and that for many years. We believe that Brother Piet is now safe in the hands of the Merciful One. We entrust him to God who dries all tears, removes all pain, and turns loneliness into warm love.
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‘SEE MY PEOPLE’
TRACES OF GOD Mercy and brotherhood are two key concepts in the charism of the Brothers CMM. Beautiful words. But what happens in the reality of the everyday life of the brothers? That’s what is highlighted in this feature ‘See my People’ (cf. Matthew 9:35-38).
Brother Pieter-Jan van Lierop makes a striking presence in the Generalate in Tilburg, the Netherlands, where he has lived since 2007. He entered religious life as a brother when he was 20. After his education he worked as a teacher in, among other places, the Jordaan district of Amsterdam. The Congregation sent him to Indonesia in 1979. He worked there for nearly 30 years. I had a conversation with him in his room where, in his comfortable chair and a view to the world outside, he related what brotherhood means for him. The little table next to his chair had a stack of books he was reading at that time. During all the years he has been a brother, he spents daily a couple of hours reading and studying. Pieter-Jan describes the meaning of brotherhood as the searching and finding of the divine in the other. He points out that in every relational encounter we can find traces of God. “Those ‘God traces’ can be anything: a smile, an expression of thankfulness, a gesture, or a word. The other does not necessarily have to be a friend; he or she can be completely foreign to you, it even may be someone you don’t like. Yet, you may be able to see something of the mystery of God’s presence in that other person. And that divine presence motivates us to treat one another with mercy.” Brother Pieter-Jan stresses how important it is to spend time meditating and reflecting so that you learn to detect ‘God traces’ in the other. “Your reflection enables you to look back on experiences and encounters. You can create a private spot, a ‘sanctuary’, into which you can withdraw and open up to God.” Pieter-Jan finds that place at the chair in his room. There he can think, reflect, and pray.
He explains to me that experiences can be divided into three major categories: physical, emotional-rational, and spiritual. In this last category we see a glimpse of the divine, hints that point us to the mystery that is all around us and within us. “We have to learn to see this and recognize this. Ultimately all our experiences in life, the people we meet, and the ‘God traces’ we discover in the other are a gift of God’s grace.” Marian Veenker (former secretary of the General Board)
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CHRIST’S SELF-GIFT AND THE GIFT OF OURSELVES TO HIM KEEP ALIVE IN US THE EXPECTATION THAT HIS KINGDOM OF PEACE AND LOVE WILL COME. (from the Rule of Life of the Brothers CMM) Magazine of the Congregation of the Brothers of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy