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The Classical Liberal Arts Academy operates
from Monroe, North Carolina, a rural yet growing community in the
central Piedmont of North Carolina. God brought us to Monroe in
2005 for what seemed to be affordable land, good weather and proximity
to a major city (Charlotte). We saw the location as ideal for
raising a family, leading a life of tranquility and devotion and for
starting the Classical Liberal Arts Academy.
However, in God's strange providence, the
Missionaries of the Poor
chose to establish their first American monastery right here--10 minutes
from our office.
Having now developed a warm friendship with the MOPs we have welcomed the opportunity to help our
brothers serving the poorest of the poor--here and around the
world:
1. We donate 5% of our revenue to M.O.P
2. We provide free support services and
consultation for the MOP formation program. See pictures from our
July 2009 visit.
3. We are funding and maintaining the
M.O.P.'s new official website (see below).
4. We are organizing group pilgrimages to
MOP missions to help the brothers and serve the poor with our own hands.
Thus, when you study in the CLAA, you share
in a unique opportunity to seek the Lord in the highest of studies, but
also among the lowest of our poor brothers and sisters.
Above: The CLAA provided the Missionaries of the Poor with a new
and more powerful website in September 2009! Check it out online
at:
www.missionariesofthepoor.org.
WHY WE MUST HELP
The problems faced by Catholic families in
modern society come from within--not from the Church, the media or
society at large. By not embracing the lifestyle
and focus Christ taught us, we have become lukewarm and this condition
negatively effects every area of our lives.
Christians pretend to be pious in ironing
out questions about the morality of Harry Potter books, Hollywood
movies, vacations, contraception, abortion, the language of the Mass,
women's head-coverings, etc., while neglecting the heart of
Christ's teaching and failing to address the venial sins that lie
beneath the surface of their externally religious life.
For example, Our Lord taught us, "You who
have two tunics, give to Him who has none.". Yet, we find 1,001
ways to ignore this clear command in our own lives. When these
commands are ignored we live in sin, however secretly and the graces we
have received are withdrawn and new graces withheld. As a result,
pious practices become unfruitful and they are slowly abandoned as being
"unproductive" or unpleasant.
We must courageously answer Christ's
commands and begin where He often did: with the care of the poor.
We need not be theologians or philosophers. We simply must make
sure our brothers and sisters are clothed, fed, sheltered and educated
before we multiply clothing, food, houses and college degrees to
ourselves--and our own children. The M.O.P. provides the bridge we
need to turn our good intentions into realities. |
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Mr. Michael spent two weeks with the MOPs
in Jamaica in July 2009, helping with the accreditation of their
formation program. Here, he is pictured with the seniors at Prince of
Peace Monastery after an evening lecture. |
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ABOUT THE MOPs
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The
Missionaries of the Poor is an international monastic order of
Brothers dedicated to "Joyful Service with Christ on the Cross"
to serve the poorest of the poor. The order was started in 1981
by Father Richard HoLung (see below) and has now grown to over
500 brothers.
They
have free missions around the globe. Their main home is in
Kingston, Jamaica, where they maintain six mission homes. The
Brothers also serve the Lord with their acts of mercy in India,
the Philippines (Naga City & Cebu), Haiti, Uganda & Kenya.
The services of the Missionaries of the Poor are offered at no
cost whatever to the needy men, women and children they serve.
The Brothers receive no salary or payment for their work, vowing
free-service to the poor. |
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TO LEARN MORE
There are innumerable ways you can support the
amazing work of the Missionaries of the Poor. Whether you wish to
send financial support or work yourself as an MOP volunteer, there is a
way for you to serve Christ in the poor. To learn more about
their missions, visit the MOP website:
www.missionariesofthepoor.org
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CHRIST & THE POOR
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"I was hungry and you gave
me not to eat: I was thirsty and you gave me not to drink. I was a
stranger and you took me not in: naked and you covered me not: sick and
in prison and you did not visit me.' Then they also shall
answer him, saying: 'Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a
stranger or naked or sick or in prison and did not minister to thee?'
Then he shall answer them, saying: 'Amen: I say to you, as long as you
did it not to one of these least, neither did you do it to me'."
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Gospel of
St. Matthew, ch. 25 |
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Above: An MOP
brother in India teaches a young girl to pray. To learn more about
the MOP's work around the world, visit:
www.missionariesofthepoor.org. |
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