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December 20, 2024Last month, San Alfonso Retreat House in Long Branch, New Jersey, hosted the first of four gatherings in preparation for the upcoming unification of the Baltimore, Denver, and Mexico provinces, as well as the Extra Patriam vice-province. “(The gathering) was a good first step in bringing confreres from the different units together and for getting to know each other on a deeper level,” said Br. Ken Stigner, C.Ss.R. Subsequent meetings are scheduled to take place in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin; Mexico City, Mexico; and Tucson, Arizona. Each gathering will host up to 15 confreres from each unit.
The gathering at San Alfonso spanned three full days. The first full day began with morning prayer followed by a special opening address by M. Rev. Rogerio Gomes, C.Ss.R., Superior General of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. The morning session included a brief introduction to the theme of Redemptorist Identity by Fr. Kevin O’Neil, C.Ss.R., followed by a presentation on the process for the morning by Br. Ken Stigner. This process included small group discussion and time for personal reflection. The afternoon offered an opportunity for everyone to gather together to share the fruit of the morning reflections. There was also time for rest, exercise, and informal sharing, culminating in a communal liturgy, supper, and evening recreation which included Redemptorist trivia.
Day two began with morning prayer and a presentation by Fr. Paul Vu, C.Ss.R. on Redemptorist and Religious Life. Fr. Joseph Lee, C.Ss.R. introduced the process for the morning. Small group discussions and silent reflection remained key features, emphasizing the importance of contemplative dialogue and interpersonal sharing. Many of the attendees took an afternoon trip to The National Shrine of St. John Neumann in Philadelphia.
Day three started just as the previous two did. After morning prayer there was a presentation on Our Redemptorist Mission by Fr. Binh Ta, C.Ss.R. Fr. Patrick Keyes, C.Ss.R. introduced the process to be followed for the morning session. A plenary session on day three was very enlightening for everyone. “The highlight (of the gathering) for me was in the plenary session on the final day in which confreres had the opportunity to share their questions and concerns regarding community life as the process of unification continues,” Br. Ken Stigner, C.Ss.R. reflected. “The brief presentations about each of the provinces were helpful in learning more about the types of ministries that units are involved in.” The rest of the final day balanced reflective practices with communal meals, rest, and sharing. A celebratory supper capped the gathering, signifying the success of the initial step toward unification.
The unification gatherings were designed with the mission of the Redemptorists in mind—serving the poor and most abandoned. Prayer, reflection, presentations, and discussions asked confreres to engage deeply with their shared Redemptorist identity, while communal liturgies, meals and recreation fostered fellowship and mutual understanding.
The unification of these four proud Redemptorist units is an ambitious undertaking, requiring thoughtful collaboration. The commitment displayed by the Redemptorists in attendance at San Alfonso Retreat House demonstrated the readiness of the Redemptorist community to embrace this challenge with open hearts and minds. The gatherings symbolize a journey toward greater unity, ensuring that the Redemptorist mission continues to thrive for decades, or better yet, centuries to come! †
