Hello, Brothers and Sisters of Mary and Martha (and special
friends, too)!
This week’s letter about what’s happening at Bethany House
is going to be a little different (and longer) than usual. In addition to what I usually share, I have
several updates to share with you about various things that are happening. I also want to share one or two more videos
with you regarding the testimonies of men and women in religious life (that is,
men and women who have consecrated their themselves to lives of prayer and
service). So, let’s get started!
First, with regard to the possibility of moving Mass from
Sunday morning to Saturday evening, let me share what’s likely to happen with
my schedule in the Chaplain’s Office at the prison and how that may affect
us. It may be worth noting that I have
very little control over any of this. As
Father Tim prepares to leave for Michigan and we search for a new Chaplain to
work with me, it is likely that I will required to work both Saturdays and
Sundays (my current work week is Tuesday through Saturday, and Father Tim’s is
Sunday through Thursday).
We are required – given the large size of our inmate
population – to have seven day per week coverage by the two Chaplains. This is largely due to the requirements
surrounding emergency and death notices coming in to us from inmate family
members. We only have a 24 hour window
in which to notify inmates of such emergencies – and, to be truthful, we like
to notify them as quickly as possible.
In my ten years at the prison, I can attest to the fact that most of the
emergency and death notices come in between Thursday and Sunday. With Father Tim’s departure, I’m fairly
certain that the Warden will want me there during those days.
Hence, I may not have a choice – for an extended period of
time, at least – as to whether I can be with you on Sunday mornings. Even so, this may be a blessing in disguise
for us. Here’s why: It may force us to
think outside the box when it comes to our ministry to each other and our
outreach to the community beyond Bethany House.
Whether we are forced to worship on Saturday evenings or simply choose
to do so, the following opportunities will present themselves…
1. Current members of MAMA Church, for whom Sunday mornings
are difficult to attend, will be much more likely to be able to join us.
2. Individuals and families who are interested in MAMA
Church but not yet ready to make any “jump” from their current Church home (of
whom there are quite a few) could join us more easily on Saturday evenings.
3. Individuals and families who are interested in MAMA
Church and in taking part in our worship and some of our ministries (but who do
not intend on leaving their home Church) could join us more easily on Saturday
evenings.
4. Celebrating Mass on Saturday evenings would allow much
greater flexibility in facilitating “Sunday School” and/or community meals (to
which we would invite the community beyond Bethany House) follow Mass. It’s worth noting, that for many individuals
Saturday evenings are the loneliest time of the week. Celebrating Mass and offering post-Mass
activities on Saturday evening could prove to be an immense blessing to such
folks.
5. Celebrating Mass on Saturday evenings would free me up to
celebrate Mass with the EKCC inmates on Sundays. Not only that, it would be an opportunity to
revive the work I had begun in 2009/10 of creating a quasi-monastic community
behind the walls of the prison – The Fellowship of Saint Joseph.
6. Celebrating Mass on Saturday evenings would give me a
two-day weekend. Even though I am highly
energized to do the work God has given me and I’m excited about seeing what
Bethany House can become, I need more than a one-day weekend in which to rest, be
quiet, and prepare for the week ahead.
Please pray about this.
As I noted, we may not have a choice.
The lapse of time between the departure of Father Tim’s predecessor in
the Chaplain’s Office and Father Tim’s arrival was nearly eight months – eight
months in which I had to care for 1,700 inmates’ spiritual needs on my
own. I anticipate having to do likewise
this time – the only difference is that EKCC now houses just under 2,000
inmates. I am going to need all the
support and help I can get from you!!
Now, on to the issues surrounding the creation of a monastic
community at Bethany House! I’ve known since
July 29, 2010 – at Morning Prayer on that Feast of Saints Mary and Martha –
that the founding of a Anglican parish in Mt. Sterling would be something very
different than just another Church. As I
wrestled with the Lord over why yet another Church should be founded here – and
as I honed the sense of call and had to meet with the approval of two bishops –
I knew, and still know, that MAMA Church is to be some kind of monastic
community. This is why, through the
years, I have laid such emphasis on our participation in the Daily Office. This is why I have asked us to be highly intentional
about our daily study of sacred Scripture.
So, what is the difference between a monastic community and
a normal parish Church? (By the way, let
me say this before starting down the road of explanation – a monastery or abbey
can simultaneously serve as the home for a monastic community and also as the
home of a parish Church – not all the parishioners will choose to live
according to monastic vows, and that is quite okay!) The first difference is obvious: The members
of a monastic community take vows relating to the mission of the community,
while members of a parish Church do not.
Members of a parish Church are highly encouraged to engage in the
practices of the spiritual life, but they do not make vows to that effect. And for those among us who choose not to make
monastic vows, nothing will change for them at Bethany House. They will be able to pick and choose what
they participate in and how often.
For those, however, who do choose to make vows in a monastic
community at Bethany House, there will be self-imposed requirements of prayer
(the Daily Office), worship (Mass), and service (especially in the area of evangelism
and the works of mercy). They will wear
a certain kind of cross that will serve as the “habit” for the community and
will seek to give themselves over as completely as possible to God. Once a Rule of Life is written and adopted by
the community, it will become the way of life for us.
We who are interested in making this commitment must
remember two things:
1. The requirements will be realistic and take into account
the range of busy schedules in our midst.
Essentially, our Rule of Life will be very similar to what is expected
of an Oblate – someone who “obligates” themselves to living in similar fashion
to a monk or nun, but in the world rather than in a monastery. In this sense, Bethany House will be the “mother
house” and our individual homes will be like “daughter houses”. As vowed members of a religious community we
will engage in the mission of the community (as the Lord leads us and as we
decide as a community), but we will also engage in our own separate missions or
“apostolates” that are centered in our own homes, lives, and vocations.
2. Also, members of the monastic community need not be
members of MAMA Church! So long as they
are Baptized believers (having been Baptized with water in the Name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit) who are in good standing with
their home Church, they may fully participate in the life of the monastic
community. And, given that the community’s
main mission will be something (perhaps a ministry to expecting mothers who are
at risk for considering abortion) that transcends doctrinal issues, we would gladly
welcome sturdy believers who have a desire to take their prayer and worship and
service life to a new level!
If you would, please take some time this week to view this
wonderful video about monastic life at Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey in Wrentham,
Massachusetts. Pay special attention to
the testimonies of the sisters! Hear
their hearts for God. Listen carefully as
they explain what led them to a life of prayer.
And notice the peace that pervades both the words of their testimonies
(about their relationship with Jesus) and their countenances! What God has done in them he can do in us,
too!
As you think about your life with Jesus in the week ahead,
please consider making room for the Daily Office, the reading of sacred Scripture,
and attendance at Bible study this Thursday (our Life of Jesus Study continues
with John 4:1-26 – Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well). Bible study begins at 6:30pm and we try to
wrap up by 8:00pm. Come and join us!!
If you would like a copy of this week’s “Our Life Together”, just send us an e-mail. Everything you need for daily prayer
(Morning, Noonday, Evening, and Compline) is contained in it. And everything you need for daily Bible
reading is also contained in it!
If you weren’t able to attend Mass on Sunday, you can see
video of the entire Mass or just the sermon on our Bethany House Youtube
Channel, on our Saints Mary & Martha Church at Bethany House Facebook page,
or at our website – MAMA.church.
Praised be Jesus Christ!
Father Todd
