Creating Something New by Fr. Garry Richmeier, c. pp. s., Kansas City, Missouri
As we are discussing creating something new as a community, or redefining ourselves, it might be good to look back at how we have described ourselves in the past.
In simple( simplistic) outline form, we used to describe ourselves as:
• A religious community of priests and brothers
• United in the Bond of Charity
• Engaged mainly in parish ministry
We basically identified with ordained ministry and religious life. Most of our“ recruitment” involved inviting young men to become priests or brothers. Our vocation personnel regularly wore the distinctive cassock and mission cross to symbolize the ministry / life young men could choose.
At some point, more and more young men began choosing vocations other than the religious life. This was probably one thing that prompted us to define ourselves a little differently.
More recently, we’ ve described ourselves as:
• A religious community of priests and brothers
• Companions
• Bond of charity
• Mostly parish ministry
• c. pp. s. Spirituality
• Ministry of the Word for the renewal of the Church
• Charisms of reconciliation and care for the marginalized
I purposefully did not include Companions on the first line of this description. If we really believed that we are a community of priests, brothers, and Companions, Companions would have the right to vote in community matters, would be part of continued on page 14
October 2018 • The New Wine Press • 13