Community News

Finally I have a moment to share what’s happening in Cenacolo life. There is just so much that is difficult to explain everything. I was to Italy for Mother Elvira`s birthday. This is a big Community celebration every year. There is a whole day for the guys, girls, and friends. There is a day just for the girls, and there is a day just for the guys. There is always Mass, Adoration, and rosary, plus lots of testimonies, singing, and very funny skits. Also every house presents gifts they have made to Mother Elvira. These aren’t the normal gifts people get for their birthday! Every house of Community presents their gifts, which are usually things made for the different Community houses. Some are clever. Some are beautiful. Some are useful. Some are ugly and funny, but the house that made it doesn’t think so!
This year her birthday is the big number 75, which every year gets bigger and bigger. There is so much joy in everybody’s heart. We all want to express what Mother Elvira has done for all of us who know her. Every year there is a theme that will accompany the Community for the whole year. Last year was Divine Providence, and this year is True Friendship. So many skits were made using the theme. The guys and girls did some very great skits on the Guardian Angel in Community. In many testimonies guys expressed that Mother Elvira had been a true friend because she has never been afraid to challenge us, telling us the truth and loving us infinitely.
The first day was for all the guys and girls and friends of the Community, and we met in Caramagna, a small town close to Saluzzo. I had a chance to see a bunch of guys who are over in Europe. Pretty much almost everyone was there. It is like a big family reunion in Christ! I was impressed, because I saw pretty much everyone doing pretty good, and no one begged me to come back to the states. That’s always a plus, and it means that some of them are “choosing the uncomfortable” and growing in their journey. It make very happy just to see this. The day ended with a big cake that was 6 feet by 6 feet! Think—24 square feet! It was huge, and in a very short time it was all gone!
The next big event it was in Envie for the guys in Community. All the houses made gifts for her and then presented their gift to her. Again the day it was full of the Holy Spirit with a beautiful time of adoration and then Mass. Then we had the presentation of the presents, with some beautiful art work made with a lot of love.
This year our Community in the states did a couple of videos, one from the girls and one from the guys. We showed them on the two different days, and I introduced those to everyone there. It was great because the guys’ video told pretty much the story of Cenacolo in the States, and it was in Italian and English. Everyone had a chance to see our Community houses here in the states. The length was 15 minutes. We will show it during our retreat Palm Sunday weekend.
Another day was for the girls, and over 200 girls were together in Envie. We had the same schedule as the guys, and then in the afternoon they showed all the gifts to Mother Elvira. They did all kind of skits and dances, and it was just great. Mother Elvira was so happy!

We transferred some guys and one girl from the States to Europe: Jacob (Casaleggio), Joe G. and Louis (Medjugorje), Kevin L (Saluzzo), John W. (Loreto), Thomas H (Alessandria), Matt M. (Casaleggio), Zef (Santo Stefano), Olivia (Spinetta). Stephen E came back to OLOH in Florida.
Also we have a few guys that are on verifica now: John Y, Brian H., James G., Dan D., David T., Andrew A., Ryan M., Matt R. Please keep everyone in your prayers.
About the community here in the States, things are going ok with our up and downs. We hope and pray that the guys integrate prayer in their lives, because it is the only thing that can save us! We had few enter: Tim (IL) and John (MI) and Emily (MS) Veronica (GA). Three guys exited: Teddy (FL) Tim (WI) and Victor (TN). Please pray for them.
Grazie
Ciao