Called to be transformed into the image of Christ. . .
(2 Cor 3,18)

Growing in the Spirit: Bringing the Cistercian Charism Home

New Melleray Abbey / Mississippi Abbey
(Dubuque, Iowa) USA

Clarke University
May 21 - 28, 2011

Visit New Melleray Abbey
Visit Mississippi Abbey

Welcome to Clarke College

Mary Josita Hall

Wahlert Atrium Building

Wahlert Atrium Building

Wahlert Atrium Building

Wahlert Atrium Building

Atrium Building at night

Sacred Heart Chapel

Sacred Heart Chapel

Sacred Heart Chapel

Mary Josita Hall

Nicholas J. Schrup Library

Mary Frances Hall

Kehl Student Center

Terrance Donaghoe Hall

A quiet moment...

...and the colors of autumn

Cathedral and Julien Dubuque Bridge

Julien Dubuque Bridge to Illinois

Ice Harbor

Illinois Rail Road Bridge over the Mississippi

Five Flags Center

4th Street Trolley

Mississippi Paddle Wheeler

Julien Dubuque Monument near the
Mines of Spain

Dubuque at night

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At our 2011 meeting in Dubuque next year, we have the following goals:

• 1. Reflect on and share the relationships that our Lay Communities have with the monastery with which they are associated.
• 2. As we decided in Huerta in 2008, establish a permanent Association of Lay Cistercian Communities.
• 3. Reflect on and share what formation means.

Letter of Invitation

July 15, 2010

To all Lay Cistercian Communities:

The Steering Committee of the International Association of Lay Cistercian Communities is pleased to invite you to your 5th International Meeting in Dubuque, Iowa, from May 21-28, 2011. This International Meeting finds its root in the work we completed at Huerta in 2008 and it is a natural outgrowth of the Identity Document that was approved there.

In 2008, the General Chapters (OCSO) overwhelmingly passed a resolution that recognized Lay Cistercians as an expression of the Cistercian Charism: "We recognize the existence of a lay expression of our Cistercian Charism in the lived experience of the groups of lay persons associated with a number of the monasteries of our Order." After our hard work in Huerta in 2008, it is hard to imagine a more positive outcome.

The Steering Committee has completed plans for the 2011 International Meeting, and we would like to tell you about it. First of all, note that the date of the Meeting has been changed: it is now May 21-28, 2011.

A second vote at the 2008 General Chapters asked each of the 13 Regions of the Order to discuss the Identity Document that we produced together in Huerta. These regional discussions have been completed and the Central Commission has prepared the agenda concerning the Lay Cistercians that will be discussed at the 2011 General Chapters. In addition, Dom Armand Veilleux has been asked to prepare a document on what was said by all the Regions on the subject of the Lay Cistercians. This presentation will take into account not only the votes of the Regions, but what was actually said during their discussions. At the 2011 General Chapters, the Lay Cistercian question will be discussed by what is called "Ordinary Procedure". That is, it will be discussed by four Mixed Commissions, and then votes will be prepared taking into account the recommendations of those Commissions. In addition, it was mentioned that for the last four General Chapters, the Chapters were asked to answer a message coming from the Lay Cistercians or to react to some move on the Lay Cistercian's part. It was felt that, this time the Order should take the initiative-that is, the Order should take the initiative of telling the Lay Cistercians its desires or expectations, and then ask for their reaction.

As is apparent, the up-coming General Chapters will be very important for the Lay Cistercians, and it is additionally important for us that we prepare carefully for them in Dubuque.

At our meeting in Dubuque next year, we have the following goals:

• 1) Reflect on and share the relationships that our Lay Communities have with the monastery with which they are associated.
• 2) As we decided in Huerta in 2008, establish a permanent Association of Lay Cistercian Communities.
• 3) Reflect on and share what formation means for Lay Cistercians.

In order to address the first goal of the meeting, we would like to ask each of your communities to respond to a few questions about its relationship with its monastery. At our meeting in Dubuque, we would like to develop a summary document that addresses the issue of the relationships between Lay Communities and their monasteries that we can share with the General Chapters in 2011. Please answer these questions before the end of the year and send your response to me.

• --Please describe how the Identity Document developed at Huerta helps you, individually and as a community, embody your vocation as a Lay Cistercian.
• --Please describe your relationship with your monastery including a reflection on the strengths and weaknesses of that relationship. (Focus on relationships only, please.)
• --Has your relationship with your monastery changed since our meeting at Huerta? If so, please describe.

I will continue to send you additional information about the 2011 International Meeting over the next few months. If you have any questions, please send them to me, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.

As in the meeting at Huerta, a maximum of two lay Cistercian from each community accompanied by a monastic liaison may attend. It is very important to choose the delegates who will represent you at the meeting. We suggested that the delegates be senior members of your community and that they have the ability to work intensely and in groups to make important decisions. In the various votes at the meeting, each community will have a single vote.

We are very excited about the International Meeting in Dubuque. I look forward to hearing from you over the next few weeks and months. Please acknowledge the receipt of this e-mail so that I am assured that you received it.

Sincerely in Christ,
Dennis Day
dmday@dayxday.org

Additional Information about the 2011 Meeting

A Brief History of Dubuque

Dubuque was founded in the 18th century by Julien Dubuque, a French explorer born in Quebec. He married the daughter of Peosta, the chief of a local Indian tribe. He chose this spot on the Mississippi River, then owned by the French, to make his settlement in order to mine lead ore to sell to the Spanish.

Clarke University

Clarke University is a "small" University situated in the heart of Dubuque, Iowa, on one of the many bluffs above the Mississippi River. Clarke will provide a Chapel for our prayers together, room and board for all participants, an amphitheater for plenary sessions, and comfortable small rooms for language group discussion. In addition, Clarke has a gift store, a walking track, exercise facilities, free wi-fi throughout the facility, and many public computers. There is no need to bring linens or towels, but bath facilities will be shared in a central area on each floor. The temperature in Dubuque in the spring is usually very mild, but occasionally, the weather can be chilly and wet. For this reason, we suggest that you bring a jacket or a coat.

Mass and Offices

Each day, Lauds and Vespers will be prayed in English from booklets provided. Terce each day will be prayed in Spanish, Sext in English and None in French from booklets provided. Masses during the week will alternate between English, Spanish and French.

Travel

Dubuque, Iowa, is a medium-sized community situated on the Mississippi River on the eastern border of the State of Iowa. It is served by a small airport with three flights each day from O'Hare International Airport in Chicago (the nearest international airport). We suggest that you make your flight reservations early in order to insure that you have a place on one of the flights into Dubuque. If you are unable to make connections that get you to Dubuque on May 20, 2011, please contact us as soon as possible. See the ILC website in October for the Registration Form and more information about making travel plans.

The Registration Fee and Registration Process

The Registration Fee for the meeting has not as yet been finalized. However, we realize that it is very expensive to attend an International Meeting such as this one. For that reason, we have tried very hard to find adequate facilities at a low cost and to reduce the budget for the meeting as much as possible. With the help of many generous supporters, we hope to be able to reduce the Registration Fee to $750.00 or 570.00€ for each person. We ask that all Lay Communities use the on-line Registration Form. Registration will begin in October 2010 and will close March 1, 2011. In case of financial hardship, the Steering Committee will consider all cases individually.

Calendar of Events