In 2002, ACT inspired Junipero Serra Franciscan Center for Mercy and Reconciliation to join the ranks of those ACT apostolic centers. These centers carry on the Mission and Vision of ACT to proclaim the Lordship of Jesus in the healing professions. The Mission of the Mercy and Reconciliation Center is to engage in the corporal and spiritual works of Mercy here and abroad.
At the present moment our Center is offering training to a major Roman Catholic Seminary in Kenya in areas of their spiritual formation and ministerial preparedness. The Mercy Center website www.junipero-serra-franciscan.org offers outreaches to the Native American by means of wisdom circle discussions on various topics that carry on the Native American legacy. Use of poetry and visual images together with sound tracks backing various presentations are proving to be effective means for carrying on the vision of an ACT apostolic center.
By apostolic center I refer the ACT member to the original prophecies concerning the mission of ACT that Barbara Shlemon-Ryan reiterated at the 20th Anniversary of the birth of ACT. Perhaps one of the reasons why the early founders of ACT saw apostolic centers emerging in the movement of the Holy Spirit was because they saw ACT members, doctors, nurses, therapists, pastors and ministers of all Christian denominations uncovering a foundational charisma of healing given to the Church at Pentecost. To this extent, ACT apostolic centers would then teach a spirituality of Pentecost for our times and our day. The Junipero Serra Franciscan Center for Mercy and Reconciliation does this by fostering a spirit of pilgrimage in the hearts of people on a journey through the specific lens of the inspiring lives of both St. Francis and St. Clare.
During the month of May (2005) both the Mercy Center in San Juan Capistrano and certain Anglican centers in Australia and England will collaborate in four retreats in the city of Assisi, each five days long. The theme of the retreat will center around the call to be peace makers in the Franciscan tradition.
The Mercy Center also collaborates with the larger Third Order Regular Franciscan Federation. This July (2005) (see dates and place on www.franfed.org the theme "Return to the Mission" will be unpacked in a five day Gathering at the Sheraton Four Pointe Hotel in San Diego.
The director of the Center is long time ACT member and former ACT President, Fr. Joe Scerbo S.A.,Ph.D. missionfriar@sbcglobal.net.
A NEW VENTURE FOR A NEW ACT!!!
Franciscan Sister of the Poor and long time ACT member Sister Betty Igo SFP, has agreed with the fine help of ACT member from Idaho Helen Churchill, to accept the position of
LISTENING CHAIR
SISTER BETTY will take any question regarding her uniquely articulated
PRINCIPLES OF INNER HEALING.
Over the years Sister Betty has been faithful to following the direction of the Holy Spirit and for many years has collaborated with the Institute for Christian healing in Narberth, PA. founded by deceased ACT member Bill Carr and our present shaper of ACT’s Primer, Doug Schoeninger Ph.D.
These principles are faith distillations and deserve some precious time for profound reflections.
Joe Scerbo S.A.Ph. D. Chair of Publications and ACT
Ambassador to Italy, Mexico, Canada and Kenya.
