Monks to Stay in California
Friends: although we must move from Newberry Springs, we have decided to stay in Southern California. Our attempts to move to the East Coast have simply not been succesful. The money is not there, which is to say that the Lord wishes us to do something else! We are so grateful to everyone who has tried to make the big move possible, especially the Brothers of the Sacred Heart in New York and New Jersey. But it is not to be.
What is to be? Hearing of our difficulties in consumating the move to New Jersey, a group of our friends and supporters in Southern California have rallied around us and convinced us that we can, and should, commit to remaining in this area. Their enthusiasm and the resources of this region really do seem to make this a logical decision. And where there is logic, there is the Logos!
One of the really wonderful things about this long, two-year process of discernment is that it has helped us to really define what it is that we can do, our vision and mission if you like. We have still to find the property to house this mission, but we are well on the way.
What follows is the text of our new fundraising brochure, setting out our vision and mission statement and why it is we believe it is good for faithful people to support us. Please consider the text, and please consider supporting us, even in this difficult time, with whatever contribution you make. If you wish your donation to be specifically dedicated to finding and developing a home in Southern California for the monks, please note that the donation is for "capital." These restricted donations will be administered by a lay board of directors, in consultation with the monks, for the specific purpose of acquiring, managing and developing a suitable property.
VISION of Holy Resurrection Monastery
The Kingdom of God built up in the hearts and in the actions of monks, and their associates, faithful to the Lord's call to total consecration of life by worship, asceticism, care for others and practical ecumenical witness in service to the unity of Catholic and Orthodox Christians.
MISSION of Holy Resurrection Monastery
The mission of the Brotherhood of Holy Resurrection Monastery comprises five essential pillars, namely to be:
1. Coenobitic: To live in community the liturgical and ascetical traditions of Christian monasticism.
2. Byzantine: To be faithful to the liturgical typikon and spiritual ethos of Byzantine monasticism generally and the Romanian tradition especially.
3. Hospitable: To receive guests in order to sharing our monastic life with new vocations and retreatants.
4. Liturgical: To open our liturgical services to as wide an extended community as possible.
5. Ecclesial: To be prepared to go out to speak, give retreats, workshops and in other ways to promote and proclaim this vision of life, especially through our work, the Anastasis Project.
WHY should I be interested in this mission?
This is what Pope John Paul the Great wrote in his seminal Apostolic Letter, Orientale Lumen, “Light of the East,” the inspiration for the formation and work of Holy Resurrection Monastery:
Since, in fact, we believe that the venerable and ancient tradition of the Eastern Churches is an integral part of the heritage of Christ's Church, the first need for Catholics is to be familiar with that tradition, so as to be nourished by it and to encourage the process of unity in the best way possible for each.
Our Eastern Catholic brothers and sisters are very conscious of being the living bearers of this tradition, together with our Orthodox brothers and sisters. The members of the Catholic Church of the Latin tradition must also be fully acquainted with this treasure and thus feel, with the Pope, a passionate longing that the full manifestation of the Church's catholicity be restored to the Church and to the world, expressed not by a single tradition, and still less by one community in opposition to the other; and that we too may be granted a full taste of the divinely revealed and undivided heritage of the universal Church which is preserved and grows in the life of the Churches of the East as in those of the West.
—Orientale Lumen, par. 1
HOW does a monastery serve this mission?
In addition to knowledge, I feel that meeting one another regularly is very important. In this regard, I hope that monasteries will make a particular effort, precisely because of the unique role played by monastic life within the Churches and because of the many unifying aspects of the monastic experience, and therefore of spiritual awareness, in the East and in the West.
—Orientale Lumen, par. 25
SHOULD I SUPPORT and Eastern Catholic Monastery?
With regard to monasticism, in consideration of its Importance in Eastern Christianity, we would like it to flourish once more in the Eastern Catholic Churches, and that support be given to all those who feel called to work for its revitalization. In fact, in the East an intrinsic link exists between liturgical prayer, spiritual tradition and the monastic life, For this reason precisely, a well - trained and motivated renewal of monastic life could mean true ecclesial fruitfulness for them as well. Nor should it be thought that this would diminish the effectiveness of the pastoral ministry which in fact will be strengthened by such a vigorous spirituality, and thus will find once more its ideal place. This hope also concerns the territories of the Eastern diaspora, where the presence of Eastern monasteries would give greater stability to the Eastern Churches in those countries, and would make a valuable contribution to the religious life of Western Christians.
—Orientale Lumen, par. 27
MISSION of the HOLY RESURRECTION FOUNDATION
The mission of the Holy Resurrection Foundation is to collaborate with the Brotherhood of Holy Resurrection Monastery to fund and manage the acquisition and development of a property within Southern California suitable for the realization of the vision and mission of Monastery.
NEW HOME?
Holy Resurrection Monastery began in 1995, the same year as Pope John Paul II wrote Orientale Lumen. The monks have lived for most of this time in a small monastery in Newberry Springs, a tiny settlement in the Mojave Desert of Southern California.
In 2007 the community decided that in order to really commit to the five pillars of the Brotherhood’s mission it was necessary to move from this remote location. The monks first sought a new home in the Midwest or East Coast in order to be closer to larger groups of Eastern Catholic parishes. In the Fall of 2008, however, responding to a groundswell of local support, the monks committed to remaining in Southern California and to find somewhere in this region a home suitable to their mission.
Corresponding to the five pillars, the new home should provide the following amenities:
1. Coenobitic: Be adequate in size and natural beauty.
2. Byzantine: Provide suitable space for a monastery church in the Byzantine tradition.
3. Hospitable: Be capable of accommodating guests, both overnight retreatants and day visitors.
4. Liturgical: Be zoned for a public church.
5. Ecclesial: Be accessible by road and air (preferably within an hour’s drive of a major airport).
The Southern Californian region, especially the Inland Empire, provides considerable scope for finding suitable properties in the price range of $1 million.
Our greatest needs are for:
Cash donations to provide capital for purchase and development of suitable properties.
Pledges of ongoing financial support, both large and small.
All donations made to the Holy Resurrection Foundation will be used to provide a home for the monks. The Foundation will be administered by a lay board in consultation with the monks to ensure an efficient division of labor and proper transparency and accountability.
The monks will remember all donors, both to Holy Resurrection Monastery and to the Holy Resurrection Foundation, in their daily prayers and liturgies.
Please support Holy Resurrection Monastery with your prayers and financial gifts. Donations can be made on a one-time basis, or as part of a regular pledge.
All donations to the Monastery are tax deductible under U.S. law. Please specify if you wish donations to be used specifically for the capital needs of the Monastery by indicating that the donation for "capital."