| |
ST. LOUIS BRIDGES PROGRAM
THE STORY
The history of the Bridges Program has two strong roots: one in St. Louis with Marie Schimelfening and Tom Swift, SJ, and the other from Canada with Jim and Joan Felling.
Early St. Louis History — Marie Schimelfening and Tom Swift, SJ
The BRIDGES
PROGRAM began at the National Christian Life Community Center in 1983 and continued for five years ending in 1987. The co-founders and directors of the program were Tom Swift, S.J. and Marie A. Schimelfening. During those years the design of the program had its roots in the World CLC Course II done in Manila, Philippines in 1976 prior to the World Assembly. Marie was part of the experience in the Philippines and therefore had an experience of the dimensions offered in the BRIDGES PROGRAM.
The course was centered on mission and service – a program of experience and reflection. For approximately 10 days the participants from over 40 countries met together each day for input on spirituality, community or mission/justice. During that week for approximately three days each person was sent out with a diverse group for an insertion experience in various parts of Manila and its outskirts. The purpose was to be with the people and to talk and share with them their living and working situation in the Philippines. This was during the time of the Marcos regime so a curfew was set for 9 p.m. every evening. After the course of the day, all participants returned to the place of our gathering and shared through prayer the experience of the day. Presentations were then given on justice, mission, discernment and other relevant topics. After this experience the participants then entered into a 10 day individually directed Ignatian retreat.
In the early 80’s there was a great emphasis on introducing the 19th annotation – the retreat in daily life to many people. If memory serves me correctly, the then Provincial of the Missouri, Fr. Dave Fleming was eager to have the Jesuits also enter this experience. It was also a time where we in CLC were encouraging our members to enter into the experience of the 19th annotation and more because it is the Spirituality of CLC.
Coupled with introducing the 19th annotation to CLCers in the St. Louis area and other people, we also wanted to have participants be more aware of our mission of justice. While studying the materials of the CLC course from the Philippines it was apparent and a challenge for us to develop it into a 19th annotation format. During our five-year period of presenting BRIDGES over 50 people participated in the program.
Every Wednesday from September – May, participants would gather at the National CLC Center in St. Louis on Westminster Place from 7:30 – 9:30 to meet with their director for one hour or so. In between the times they could either pray in the chapel, listen to a tape on the Spiritual Exercises in another room or gather in the kitchen for refreshments and visit with other retreatants. At the end of the evening all were called to the chapel for closing prayer. |
|
 |
|
|
 |
| During
the period of time
from September – May the following group
events were held
for all directors
and retreatants
in addition to their
weekly meeting. |
| A
general introduction
and overview
of the BRIDGES
PROGRAM; |
| • |
A
Faith Experience
Weekend |
| • |
Presentation
on the World
Situation Insertion
Experiences:
Being with and
learning from
the poor in the
area ** |
| • |
Presentation
on World Hunger
with a hunger
meal |
| • |
Market Place
Ministries Program — A
weekend presented
by John Milan
from the Guelph
Center of Spirituality |
| • |
Presentation
on Justice in
Worship |
| • |
Presentation
on Possibilities
for the Future |
| • |
Shared Evaluation |
| • |
Closing Celebration:
Faith Sharing,
Liturgy and Pot
Luck Dinner |
| • |
All were encouraged
to also take
a Day of Solitude
during the course
of the year. |
|
| **
The Insertion Experience
was on a Saturday
and began at the
CLC Center with liturgy
of the Word. Participants
were then invited
to make a brown bag
lunch and were then
driven to the place
of the insertion.
In the late afternoon
they returned to
the Center and were
given one hour of
private reflection
on their day. Small
group sharing followed
and the day ended
with the Liturgy
of the Eucharist. |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
