Beginning a New Way.

It was 1993 in London, Ontario, a chilly Hallowe'en night. Dead leaves skittered across the damp dark streets, the atmosphere speaking more of death than new life and new beginnings. A special gathering of Catholics was to take place that night at St. Andrew's Parish on the north east end of the city. It wasn't a party and many thought it was to be a retreat of some sort...All Saint's vigil.

Fr. Dominic Borg, the Carmelite pastor and participant in the Neocatechumenal Way for many years, had invited a group from Quebec to come to the parish and introduce "the Way". A priest, a young man, and a married couple comprised the presenting team.

Phil Arnsby recalls: "We had previously said to Fr. Borg that he should advertise to really sell it, but he said it was better not to. He didn't give us many details. 'Just have faith. Come and see. Come and experience it,' he urged. He simply called it a faith journey. He didn't build it up or advertise it widely. It didn't make much sense to me at the time, but I went. Forty people came out to this first meeting.

"My faith had hit an all-time low. I never missed Mass, but I felt like my heart had gone cold and I was just going through the motions. As I was examining my conscience, I had asked God to help me.

"At the first meeting a young man played some Spanish-type songs with his guitar and had us join in. The priest said a few words and then the older man gave a talk. That evening something touched me. I'd never heard the Word like that before coming from a layman and a priest." People were invited to come back to more sessions twice a week.

The participants heard the words of Scripture presented in a straightforward and authentic way that boldly invited them to live the Gospel with courage and conviction. "Some people couldn't take that," said Phil, and just as when Jesus taught, they walked away as if to say, "This is intolerable language. How could anyone accept it?"

It was impressive that the team from Quebec had sacrificed their vacation time to come and give these teachings. At the conclusion of the initial sessions there was a retreat and everyone was invited to form a permanent group. Today, fifteen members are still meeting faithfully, receiving teaching and formation. Phil concludes warmheartedly, "I have no doubt that this was God's response to my prayer."