TexLaMex   August 2003  Page Two: Now you'll know the rest of the story!!!!

The committee then began a “mini retiro” a mini retreat based on the 4-day retreat of the Valley Missionary Program.  The retreat was developed by Father Jose Pawlicki CSC (dec) and is based on discovering the special relationship and special love and regard Christ has for each person.  Father Pawlicki believed that this discovery of the unconditional love of God needed to precede any catechesis, service or other aspects of parish life. The spirit of Jose Pawlicki very much permeates the VMP and he lives very presently in the lives of persons he served.   

Persons who make the retreats are ‘misioneros” –they continue the spirit of the experience through their weekly “communidade de base” –base community meetings—during which they share how they meet Jesus in their daily lives, pray and reflect on the scriptures.  There are 108 such communities in the VMP and the program is overseen primarily by laypersons working with Father Pepe Martelli CSC.  They have carried the retreats to other parts of California and Mexico.  The VMP program and its roots in spirituality are described in a recent book by Dan Groody CSC, Border of Death, Valley of Life.   

 In the mini retiro, each meal had a different theme—a ranchito in Mexico, a circus, and many more—all planned by the team.  The celebration of the gift of the moment included music, gifts, song, dimanicas (small dramas to illustrate a point), dancing and many other beautiful sights, sounds, surprises and decorations.  The persons of Coachella shared all they had to give with Holy Cross.  The next meeting will be in the Midwest and will be in South Bend—dates and details to be announced.

 The new officers of the committee are Holy Cross Brothers Joe Esparza, CSC and Carlos Parilla CSC who serve as chairs.   Father John Korcsmar CSC is the treasurer and Charlotte (Carlotta) Le Boeuf MSC is the secretary. The committee elected its first lay membership, Aniceto Armendariz who works with Holy Cross Ministries of Utah and who is a deacon candidate for the diocese of Salt Lake.  Aniceto’s wife Alma was in attendance and also works for Holy Cross Ministries. The committee also expressed interest in supporting the exploration of a common lay associates program, a project being worked on by Brother Carl Sternberg CSC.

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