To all Members of the Society of the Catholic Apostolate:
Dear Confreres,With this New Year's celebration we enter into a time of particular significance for the whole Church of Christ.. The time of preliminary preparations for the third millennium ends and the immediate preparation (Second Phase, 197-1999) begins.
A hallmark of St. Vincent's life was his love for the life of the Church. The Charism we have received is a gift in and for the life of the Church. As members of the one Mystical Body, we are called upon to offer our own contribution to the Jubilee celebrations.
The Church is not lived on the universal level alone. We live ecclesial communion where we find ourselves and with the concrete persons and structures that surround us. Each Province, Region, and local community ought to discern about its participation in the events proposed by the local Dioceses. Where we can, it would be good to take the initiative and propose activities for which we will be largely responsible, while involving as many others as possible in both their planning and execution.
I think we will find that the priorities of particular churches will also generate priorities for us in our ongoing journey of a dynamic fidelity to our charism. Our participation in local initiatives may clarify for our Society our specific contribution to the celebration of the year 2000.
The theme for 1997 is already made clear in Pope John Paul's Apostolic Letter. "The first year, 1997, will thus be devoted to reflection on Christ Christ, the Word of God, made man by the power of the Holy Spirit. The distincly Christological character of the Jubilee needs to be emphasized, for it will celebrate the Incarnation and coming into the world of the Son of God, the mystery of salvation for all humankind. The general theme proposed . . . for this year is: "Jesus Christ, the one Saviour of the world, yesterday, today, and for ever" (cf. Heb 13:8)." (Tertio Millennio Adveniente, n. 40).
An opportunity is offered to us, by means of the richness and meaning of our charism, to give expression to our belonging to the Church and our dedication to its life and service. I encourage every member and group of the Society to participate with joy and devotion in the events of the Jubilee and thereafter to reflect on their meaning for us in local and Provincial/Regional Assemblies.
May Mary, Queen of Apostles and Mother of the Church, assist us and all Christians with her prayers.
Séamus Freeman, SAC
Rector General