| What`s New 2008 Gathering/25th |
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25th Anniversary, Ground Breaking, and Annual Gathering of the Brothers and Sisters of Charity Chapter of "Tents"There Was Great Love!Peace and Good in Christ! SPECIFICSThe week began with domestics, family, and friends arriving early to help with the many preparations for this very full agenda. The grounds were manicured, a huge tent was set up, and outdoor stages were arranged. We were surrounded by great love from everyone. There Was Great Love!  Left to right: Martin Pratka and Martin Hurley  Sharon Pratka decorating one of the candelabras on loan to us from local businesses The 25th started with a concert at the Berryville Arkansas First Assembly of God Church with our friends Pastor Keith Butler and his wife, Carol. I was overwhelmed at the outpouring of love during this concert. The audience was filled with faithful community members and friends from the local area that filled the church with the love of God. The kids did a wonderfully funny and inspiring rendition of Walk with Jesus from Monk Rock. I was also presented with two beautiful quilt banners of all 51 of my recordings. There Was Great Love!  Monk Rock Kids performing, "All Life Long"   Two surprise quilt banners bearing my 51 albums and made by domestic member Denise Berndt, BSCD were presented at the concert.  Pastor Keith and Carol Butler, and Viola and me at Berryville First Assembly of God Church October 4th began with rain that threatened to put a damper on all the festivities. But the great tent served to house Morning Prayer, Temporary Professions, the reception of one Novice, and my teaching, or faith sharing about the terrible fire of April 28th and the great hopefulness with which we are now moving forward. There Was Great Love!   Fr. John Mittlestadt, OFM, BSCD joined John Michael Talbot before giving us his blessing on the Feast Day of St. Francis. During a beautiful Tea open to the public the local radio station interviewed me and visiting dignitaries and community members. Of special significance is my good friend Steve Grant from KY3 in Springfield, MO.  Steve Grant being interviewed by Linda Boyer of KTHS Radio. Afterward there was a reading of moving proclamations from Bryan King, our State Representative (pictured below with Fr. Bob Dombrowski our chaplain and me), our local mayors from Berryville and Eureka Springs, and Senator Randy Laverty. It was most touching to hear such appreciation from our local community.  Representative Bryan King reading proclamation Next came the actual blessing and ground breaking for the new building. I opened by emphasizing that this is not "our "building. It is everyone's building. And most especially it is God's building. I welcomed all and invited everyone to come to the beautiful and peaceful grounds of the monastery to pray, rest, and contemplate. I also welcomed their prayer requests at any time. Fr. Bob blessed the ground, and joined by the General Council and our architects, Albert and Lisa Skiles, Viola and I stepped together onto the silver shovel to formally break open the earth for this new building. Photos clicked from every side in great abundance. There Was Great Love!  Left to right: Caroline Shepler, Lisa Skiles, Sr. Mary Rose, Clay and Madeleine Colbert, Albert Skiles, Viola and John Michael Talbot  Viola leads the way on the ground breaking  Lisa and Albert Skiles We then returned to the tent to receive Albert and Lisa Skiles' excellent presentation of the new building plans and they were welcomed as family by all. Their talents are obvious, and their help is greatly appreciated. They have donated much of their time to help us get rebuilding. The new building promises to be simple, beautiful, and environmentally "green." There Was Great Love!  Albert Skiles showing features of the new design The weather cleared for a truly spectacular outdoor Mass, celebrated by Abbot Jerome Kodell, OSB, from Subiaco Abbey in Arkansas and our Visitator from Bishop Anthony Taylor of Little Rock. Abbot Jerome spoke to us of withstanding the "test of time," after 25 years, which was most heartening for theolder members of the community. We received four permanent professions from cherished domestic members, and baptized the newest addition to one of our family monastic expression families, Juan Pablo Lloveras, who was only four days old at the time! There Was Great Love!  Permanently Professed members left to right, Sharon Berry, Clare Walker, Debbie Moss and Joe Moss.  Left to right: Deacon Manny Robles, Abbot Jerome Kodell, Mark and Caroline Shepler, Godparents (standing), Francisco and son Juan Pablo and Marisol Lloveras. Finally, there was a huge banquet in the great tent after the Liturgy. During the meal letters of blessing and congratulations were read from The Abbot Primate of the Benedictine family, Abbot Primate Notker Wolfe, OSB, Andrew McDonald, Bishop Emeritus of Little Rock and our founding bishop, and Dan O'Neill of Mercy Corps. The meal featured our own Monastery Farm free-range chickens, and tasty side dishes from the Green Grill. Beautiful decorations and seating were donated by local businesses and ministries such as The Inn of the Ozarks,Wal-Mart, Nelson’s Funeral Home, Donna Lee Florist, and The Great Passion play donated beautiful decorations and seating.  Left to right: John Michael Talbot, Abbot Jerome Kodell, Fr. Robert Dombrowski and John Puleo, BSCD.  Family, friends, and community members did the behind the scene work, and the Shepherd's Field Choir jumped right in to help with serving the meals to the banqueters. There Was Great Love! After the General Gathering Viola, John Cotton, and I were off to Ireland for a seven-concert tour. We left utterly exhausted, but the benefits far outweighed the sacrifice. We were well surrounded by the love of God through community, family, and friends. There Was Great Love! In Jesus, John Michael Talbot Founder, and Spiritual Father |
