These final days of June have been wonderful, as I had the chance to plant the seeds of new Bible Circles in the two parishes we have in New York, USA — Annunciation, in Manhattan, and St. Helena, in the Bronx. This invitation came from our Provincial, Fr. Francisco Anaya, during my journey from Guatemala.
In the parish of St. James the Apostle in Cabricán, we currently run this beautiful initiative in 18 villages, praying and sharing in community around the Word of God. After our annual spiritual exercises, I spoke with the community at Annunciation to propose the creation of Bible Circles. On Monday 23rd, we had a first gathering in the parish hall. As there were many participants, we decided to form three separate Bible Circles on a different day of the week, each guided by two coordinators selected during that first meeting. The experience was truly blessed, and everyone could share the Gospel from their own life experience.
Later, in St. Helena’s parish, in the Bronx, we held the first Bible Circle meeting after Mass. The number of attendees was ideal for a circle, and we were able to follow the proposed methodology. At the end, we appointed three coordinators: a married couple and another person. We agreed to meet every Thursday after Mass. As at Annunciation, we were deeply moved by gestures of tenderness and fraternal closeness, ending with a moment of prayer — the Our Father and Hail Mary prayed hand in hand, and then embracing one another at the close.
I thank God with all my heart for allowing me to be an apostle and missionary of the Word, bringing the Gospel and building community, so that a new Pentecost may flourish in our parishes and schools.
Brother Cristian, Sch. P.
