MACC Fortieth Anniversary, July 2007
On July 24, 2007, at Mt. St. Alphonsus Retreat Center in Esopus, New York, several members from the Metropolitan Association of Contemplative Communities (MACC) gathered to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of its foundation.  It was a beautiful day with the sharing of memories.

The morning began with a Prayer Reflection on each of the member communities.  We were reminded of the richness of each of the communities’ charisms  and what a gift we have been for each other.  After each of the little reflections we responded: God in Heaven be thanked.

Fr. Kinnan, Vicar for Religious from Hartford, CT, gave a very inspiring homily on being ‘Friends with God, Friends of Jesus, and Friends of One Another’ at the Liturgy. 

After a delicious dinner, and a pilgrimage to the Center’s Gift Shop, we returned for Sr. Helen Coldrick, RDC, Vicar for Religious from New York, who gave a presentation on the gift of the Contemplative Communities to the Archdiocese of New York.  She gave the MACC many praises and much encouragement to continue being the support for each other, as well as for the faithful whom we are in daily contact.

Then Sr. Lilla Hull, MM, one of the founding members of MACC, gave a poignant sharing.  Several other Sisters gave reminisces of their experiences of MACC and what it has meant to them.  New members who were present said the sharing gave them the opportunity to come to an understanding of how wonderful experience of what MACC has been to us over the 40 years.

Also, on display in the Conference Room were many photographs from our different meetings and workshops.  To everyone it brought back many happy memories, and some proof that some of us have gotten older! 

Each member left the day with a renewed appreciation of what MACC has been for us and with many hopes for continuing enrichment in the future.  Our deepest gratitude and prayers for the Sisters who had the initial vision and who helped to make MACC the treasure it is for us today.