Lent 2012

The Saint John Community met on March 1st, 2012 and we read Pope Benedict's message for Lent 2012. It was a great meeting, we thank the Wojnars for their hospitality!

I also shared with everyone the idea that we have of incorporating the SJC to the upcoming preparation for Quest I in Portland (the adult version of Fragua). We would love to have all of you and also encourage you to invite people you know. This is the excitement moment many of you have been waiting for for years! Learn more details in the talk. We are planning to start our preparations for Quest I on Wednesday March 28th, 2012, 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick's church (1623 Nw 19th Avenue, Portland, OR).

Click here to download the audio of the talk.

Fr. Lucas

16. Offering of the heart I

This was the September 2011 Talk for the Saint John Community on the offering of the heart, first part. We will be switching our meeting days to Thursdays (2nd and 4th of the month). Our next meeting will be on September 29th, 7:00 p.m., location TBA.

On another note, the Freedom in Christ retreat was moved to January 2012. Fr. Ivan Pertine, General Director of the SSJ will preach those, on Jan 21-22 for men and on Jan 28-29 for women.

http://www.archive.org/details/SaintJohnCommunity-OfferingOfTheHeartI

15. Offering of the mouth

After the first PDX Fragua, we resumed our meetings for the Saint John Community / Academy. We are preparing to renew the Commitment with Jesus the Master in the Freedom in Christ retreat (October 22 - 23, 2011). SAVE THE DATE!

Here is the link to the talk for the offering of the mouth, given by Fr. Lucas on August 9th, 2011. We ran out of memory towards the end (sorry!). You'll get the idea though. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday August 23rd, 6:30 p.m. at the Wojnar's.

http://www.archive.org/details/Sjc-OfferingOfTheMouth

14. Good and evil

This talk was given on February 13, 2010, for the Saint John Community in Portland. The theme for this month helps us to develop a Christian view of the world, created by a God that is Goodness itself. Therefore, it leads us to a positive view of reality, of life and of ourselves. How do we understand then the fact that there is evil in this world and that it seems to be so prevalent? How do we attain a balanced and accurate view in this regard? We encourage you to listen, to reflect and to pray about it, so you can come to a personal understanding of this issues and you can attempt a response to these questions.

13. Relationship to God the Father

This talk unfolds one of the experiences of the new life in Christ: a personal, trusting relationship to God the Father and its implications. Given by Fr. Lucas Laborde on January 9, 2010.

12. Agents of change

Fr. Ignacio Llorente based his talk on John 1:35-51. He presented the first encounter of these disciples with Christ as the cornerstone to understand our identity as lay people in the world. Jesus calls us to be agents of change. But to become such, we must first be transformed by an authentic relationship with Him. Click on the title to listen to audio.

11. Historical perspective on the St. John Community

We resume our talks for the 2009-2010 year. This talks invites us to take a look at the spirituality and style of the St. John Community in the light of the different models of evangelization that were implemented through history. The historical background helps us to be more aware of who we are and why we gather, pray, live and evangelize the way we do.

Our next meeting will be in Corvallis, December 5, 2009, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Talk on the Maxim 10 - Christian Charity

This is the talk on Maxim 10 of the St. John Society's spirituality: the Christian is the one who loves God and others from the heart of Christ. Given by Fr. Lucas Laborde on June 6, 2009. Click on the title to access the audio files.

Talk on the Maxim 9 - Positive view of reality

This is the talk on Maxim 9 of the St. John Society's spirituality: we have a positive view of reality and, according to our own vocation, we strive to improve it. Given by Fr. Lucas Laborde on May 9, 2009.
Click on the title to access the audio files.
(Audio is in 2 parts. The player will automatically continue with the second part upon finishing the first)

Talk on the Maxim 8 - Unity of Life

This is the talk on Maxim 8 of the St. John Society's spirituality: we are persons that are unified in Christ. Given by Dn. Ignacio Llorente on April 4, 2009.
Click on the title to access the audio files.

St. John Community Preparation Talk 7 - Intellectual Formation

This is the seventh talk in preparation for the St. John Community on Intellectual Formation. Given by Federico Dundas on March 14, 2009.

The quotes in the recording are from "The Idea of a University" by Cardinal John Henry Newman. Click here to see the quotations.

Supplementary reading for talk on Maxim 6

• Josef Pieper, Fortitude

This is a lecture given by Catholic philosopher Josef Pieper on the virtue of fortitude. My talk is largely based on his insights. I highly recommend this reading, though you may find it more challenging than the previous ones.

Talk on the Maxim 6 - Fortitude and Sacrifice

This is the talk on Maxim 6 of the St. John Society's spirituality: we are capable of sacrifice, strong and solid Christians... Given by Fr. Lucas Laborde on February 14, 2009.

Click on the title to access the audio files.

Supplementary reading for talk on Maxim 5

• J. H. Newman, The power of God's grace
  

This text by Cardinal Newman shows the courage that great saints displayed in their apostolic endeavors trusting in the power of grace. It is an inspiring and epic text - one of those you don't want to miss!

St. John Community Preparation Talk 5 - Apostolate

This is a talk on the Maxim 5 of the St. John Community, on the theme of apostolate. Given by Maximo Stock in January, 2009.

St. John Community Preparation Talk 4 - The law of the maximum

This talk is a commentary on the fourth Maxim of the Saint John Society spirituality: the Law of the Maximum. In the Parable of the talents, Christ encourages us to have holy ambitions, to make the most of our talents in order to build His Kingdom. Given by Dn. Matías Constanzó on December 13, 2008.

Suggested reading for Talk 3

We suggest the follow reading to further the topic of formation in human virtues:

• Card. Newman, St. Paul's characteristic gift
  
• Card. Newman, On Liberal Education
  The first text is a sermon in which Newman describes St. Paul's holiness as an enhancement of his human gifts through the action of divine grace. The second text is part of the book 'Idea of a University'. It explains the importance of education beyond professional usefulness. The formation of the person as a father, mother, friend, spouse, neighbor, is what is really at stake.

St. John Community Preparation Talk 3 - Human virtue the foundation for Christian life

This talk is a commentary on the third Maxim of the Saint John Society spirituality: "Since grace is founded upon nature, we cultivate human virtue, especially those of responsibility, good demeanor, generosity, effective time management and good character". Given by Fr. Lucas Laborde on November 8, 2008.

Follow the link in the title to listen to the talk. Your comments are appreciated.

Suggested reading for Talk 2

We suggest the following texts in order to delve into the reality of prayer.

• Card. Newman, The invisible world.
• Tanquerey, How we can transform our actions into prayers.
• St. Francis de Sales, About prayer and meditation.

Cardinal Newman's sermon on the invisible world raises our awareness of the invisible realities: God's presence, the power of the sacraments, of prayer, of divine grace... Only a faith-filled view can discover the true significance of all these. Tanquerey's text is a brief explanation of the different means of prayer that we can utilize to be united to Christ throughout the day. St. Francis de Sales gives very helpful guidelines for the morning meditation.

Saint John Community Preparation Talk 2 - Prayer Life

Here is the second preparation talk for the Saint John Community, given by Deacon Ignacio Llorente. It explains the second maxim of the St. John Society spirituality on the means

You can follow the link in the title of this post and click on the play button of the audio player in the upper right corner, or click on the link under the audio player of your choice (Windows Media, etc.)