Evidence of a Divine Plan

Our walk in the desert is over! After eight years of living the life of Love, we commit to reaching the next stage in our evolution!  Please see the attached letter from our presiding minister and bishop. The text of the letter can be found below the image.  Our June 2012 annual meeting will be of great value and importance to our path towards resurrection!

New formation material will be distributed after the June gathering. Bishop has asked that all reference to sacrifice be removed from your local training materials.  If you have any questions, contact me directly at OPDcommunications@live.com
-Br. John M, OPD 

May 21, 2012

Brothers and Sisters,

We have heard it said that it is the Word of God that brings light to the heart. Word, in our tradition is not just important, but Divine. It is because of this idea that today we change our words to more closely mirror the image of the Divine. Our Community has been known as the Order of Penance of Saint Dominic because we came out from the Order formed by the idea of Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Order of Preachers of the Roman way. This year marks the eighth year of our inception. Like our founder, symbolized by the eight-pointed star, we represent oneness, peace, and divinity in the world. The idea of penance is foreign to us although we chose the title Order of Penance as homage to our founder and to the generations of men and women who gave their lives to perpetuate the mission of the preacher of Love.

In these last few years we have listened closely to the Voice of Love and followed the path of Love as we have continued to do the work of evolution…putting out into the deep of Life so that we may return to our source with Love unbound, ready for the next stage of existence. We are ready now to stand firmly on the foundation of Love. We are ready now to come into our own.

We reject the idea that suffering is of value. We reject the idea that a Loving Divinity would ask us to suffer. We reject the idea that a Loving Divinity would ask its own creation to suffer in order to gain eternal life. We repent of our former belief in a God that permits His own Son to suffer unjustly for the failings of others. No loving parent would permit this. Therefore no loving Divinity can abide in this idea.

Today we pronounce with the power of God’s own voice a new name for our Community and with it freedom from suffering and penance. We have walked the path set out for us in all humility. Now we walk our own path of oneness, peace, and divinity. We lay down the idea of penance and take up the idea of Peace. We are the OPD. We stand for Oneness, Peace, Divinity.

By the authority of my voice and by my own seal, I am,

+Tomas Martin Bell, OpD

Bishop and Presiding Minister of the

Ecumenical Brothers and Sisters of OPD

Tranquil Oasis Holistic Living Community Chapter Opens!

We are pleased to announce that our newest satellite chapter has begun serving the community at large. Our own Presiding Minister and Prior General, Br. Tomas Martin Bell, OPD is providing one-on-one Spiritual conferences through the Tranquil Oasis chapter.  We look forward to seeing all of the wonderful programs offered by Tranquil Oasis Holistic Living Community! Click here to see the new information site.

Welcoming a new branch of the Community

Ecumenical Brothers and Sisters, 

May unconditional Love and Peace be with you.  After speaking with Br. Tomas Martin Bell, OPD, DD I am happy to announce the Ecumenical OPD Community will establish our two newest chapters in February and March.  

The Tranquil Oasis Chapter based in the Delaware Valley will serve New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.  The chapter's mission is to provide holistic healing services to those in need.  The chapter will coordinate healing services for the Body, Mind , and Spirit.  

Service provider, Eden Kantrowitz, has attained a degree of Master in healing Arts: Usui Reiki and Karuna.  Eden is expected to complete a second Masters in 2012.  She has also been nationally certified in therapeutic bodywork and has completed well over 1000 hours of practical training along with the countless hours she has spent in private practice as a healing practitioner.  Eden has established A Word Apart, LLC a family-owned business that is a non-denominational center for spiritual oneness, welcoming all who seek a path to the Divine.

Over the last decade Eden, has used her education and skills to provide healing services for countless people and animals! Eden's undergraduate degree in Equestrian  Science has helped her design a healing program for horses that has produced impressive results.  Now that Eden has brought her knowledge and desire to serve to the OPD!  

The Tranquil Oasis Chapter will begin to provide healing services to the community at large in February. More information on the services available from the chapter will follow in the weeks to come.  Our Bishop Tomas Martin Bell, OPD will officially establish the Tranquil Oasis Chapter on February 22.  

The Circle of Angels Chapter will be established in March.  This chapter will serve the "friends of the OPD" as an affiliate chapter.  More information on the Circle of Angels Chapter will follow in the weeks to come. 

-Br. John Matsya, OPD

OPD Communications Coordinator

Father Martin on Contemplation

Watch Father Martin Laird on Contemplation on PBS. See more from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.

Karl Rahner once said, "The Christian of the future will be a mystic or he will not exist at all." The core truth of this statement is comes from a spiritual deep. The video presented here features Father Martin, OSA from a PBS Special on Religion. As it concludes, Fr. Martin points us in the direction of the same core truth that produced Rahner's quote about the Christians of the future. We hope this presentation illuminates your spirit.

from the Progressive Catholic Voice...

(Note: first posted in the Progressive Catholic Voice, click here for the post)

Thursday, December 8, 2011

"Your Heart Will Be Deeply Moved by What You Hear"

In an open letter published in today's Star Tribune, Retired Lutheran Bishop Herbert W. Chilstrom tells the Roman Catholic Bishops of Minnesota that they are making a "significant mistake" in backing the so-called marriage protection amendment. He also challenges them to take the time to meet with and listen to gay and lesbian persons.

"Hear as they tell you what it means to be a child of God and a faithful member of your church, persons who happen to be gay or lesbian through no choice of their own," Chilstrom writes. "I can promise you, based on my experience, that your heart will be deeply moved by what you hear."

Bishop Chilstrom's letter is reprinted in its entirety below.

___________________________

To My Brothers – The Catholic Bishops of Minnesota:

In 1976 I was elected a Lutheran bishop in Minnesota – one of seven such Lutheran leaders in the state. Over the next years one of the highlights of my time in office was the annual noon-to-noon retreat with our eight Catholic counterparts in the state.

The bond that developed between us was deep and respectful. We shared our differences; we celebrated our likenesses. My friendship with Archbishop John Roach and Bishop Raymond Lucker, in particular, is a blessing I will treasure as long as I live.

May I share a word with all of you who now lead the Roman Catholic community of faith in Minnesota?

First, I would go to the wall to defend your right to work for the adoption of the so-called marriage protection amendment. Having said that, I must tell you that I believe you are making a significant mistake.

Over my 35 years as an active and retired bishop I have come to know hundreds of gay and lesbian persons. I have yet to meet even one who is opposed to the marriage of one man and one woman. After all, they are the daughters and sons of such unions.

What they cannot understand is why church leaders would oppose their fundamental desire and right to be in partnership with someone they love and respect who happens to be of the same gender and sexual orientation. They don't understand why they should not enjoy all the rights and privileges their straight counterparts take for granted.

More than a half century ago Father Francis Gilligan spoke out for equality for African American citizens of Minnesota. Though many argued on the basis of the Bible that these neighbors were inferior to others, Gilligan fought tirelessly for justice for these brothers and sisters.

In our generation homosexual persons are subject to the same discrimination. Their detractors often use the Bible and tradition as weapons of choice.

Is it not time for religious leaders, walking in the footsteps of Father Gilligan, to do the same for another minority, neighbors who are as responsible as our African American sisters and brothers?

I also suggest that you ask yourselves an important question: If the amendment is passed, will it make one particle of difference in our common culture in Minnesota? I don't think so.

Responsible lesbian and gay persons will continue to seek companionship with those they love. This law will only work to drive many of them deeper into closets of anonymity.

Instead, why not welcome them into our communities of faith where they can work side by side with us as equal partners?

Let me put out a challenge to each of you brothers. Invite 15 gay and lesbian persons from your respective areas, one at a time, to spend two hours with you.

Thirty hours are a pittance compared to the time you are investing to promote adoption of the marriage amendment. Use the time, not for confession, but to listen to them describe what it is like to live in our culture in Minnesota.

Hear as they tell you what it means to be a child of God and a faithful member of your church, persons who happen to be gay or lesbian through no choice of their own. I can promise you, based on my experience, that your heart will be deeply moved by what you hear.

When you have finished your time with these sisters and brothers in Christ, spend a quiet hour reflecting on a single question: "As I understand the heart of my Savior Jesus, how would he treat these sons and daughters of my church?"


Herbert W. Chilstrom is former presiding bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.