I am the Vine May 14

St. Vincent de Paul, Presente!
St. Vincent Strambi, Presente!
St. Vincent Pallotti, Presente!
St. Vincent Saragossa, Presente!
St. Vincent Diem, Presente!
St. Vincent Ferrer, Presente!
St. Vincentia Maria Lopez Y Vicuna, Presente!
St. Vincent Kadlubek, Presente!
St. Vincent Kaun, Presente!
St. Vincent the Deacon, Presente!
St. Vincent Yen, Presente!
St. Vincent Mikolainus, Presente!
Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Presente!

Study

“He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem,and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 9:28-29)

“I am the vine, you are the branches.Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

Vince Mikolainus, teacher, friend, sponsor, team member and strong presence in our Cursillo movement, joined the communion of saints Saturday, May 13, 2006.

This first time I saw Vince was when I was on my weekend. There he stood…across the driveway at Missionhurst in his rainbow colored shirt and funny hat at Mananita. His long grey-white beard and longish hair gave him the appearance that he was counter-culture.

When I got to talking to Vince at closing that afternoon at Holy Spirit Church in Fairfax, I found out that he was indeed counter cultural. Counter to the culture but committed to the commandments and Christ.

Vince amazed and inspired those who encountered him on their journey with his multi-lingual capabilities and deep knowledge of scripture in English, Greek and Hebrew and in his strong spirituality and prayer life. He was truly a branch that bore much fruit. In recent months, his health slowed him down as he was pruned. But throughout his journey, Jesus remained in him until the very end. He was certainly a disciples who could move about freely in Jerusalem or Jersey City, Long Island or Langley.

When she called Beth and I with the news, Mary Clark said that one of Vince's last requests of her was to bring him his spiritual reading – Vince was committed to piety, study and action right until his body gave out. Vince knew that he could do nothing if he wasn’t on the Vine. He gave Mary the gift of accompaniment -- being with him right to the very threshold of this life.

We miss you already. Vince, you sang this so many times. Your life exemplified our Mananita song:

On the day that you were born, all the flowers came into bloom

And at the Baptismal font, all the saints brought forth their song.

I am sure the saints are singing again now that you have joined our Cloud of Witnesses. Please remember the part about drilling the hole to pull us through!

Vince Mikolainus! Presente!

Action

Take part in a procession to Mary.

Bring some flowers to your Mother.

Please watch www.arlingtoncursillo.org for details on funeral arrangements for Vince. Join us if you can. Pray for Vince and all who encountered him in life. May they continue to bear much fruit.