Gerard Renna

YouTube - ChurchofScientology\'s Channel

2008-10-12T18:56:00.001-05:00

YouTube - ChurchofScientology's Channel

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Scientology Today: International Youth Summit Demands Governments Restore Fundamental Human Rights

2008-09-21T08:00:00.002-05:00

Scientology Today: International Youth Summit Demands Governments Restore Fundamental Human Rights

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Church of Scientology of Boston :: Beginning Books

2008-09-19T21:39:00.000-05:00

Church of Scientology of Boston :: Beginning Books

New Dianetics Book Site Launched By The Church of Scientology

2008-07-05T07:46:00.001-05:00

The new Dianetics Online Book Site at www.dianetics.org provides a rich media driven information and online video based overview of L. Ron Hubbard's Dianetics, the self improvement book and New York Times bestseller, Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.

Dianetics The Modern Science of Mental Health

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) June 17, 2008 -- In celebration of the 58th anniversary of the release of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health, the Church of Scientology has now launched a new and interactive portal at http://www.Dianetics.org for access to testimonials, videos, excerpts, home extension courses, and all information regarding Dianetics. The launch is also supported by a national television advertising campaign. By doing so, the Church of Scientology is able to provide expansive and enlightening information to those who have questions about Dianetics.

Dianetics.org

What is Dianetics?
The culmination of decades of research, L. Ron Hubbard's "Dianetics The Modern Science of Mental Health" was released on May 9, 1950. The Dianetics book was an immediate best seller, hitting the NY Times Best Seller List where it remained for 26 consecutive weeks. It sparked a movement which today spans the globe. Further, the principals and techniques of Dianetics laid the groundwork for the Scientology religion.

Dianetics Definition:
Dianetics brought forth new discoveries in the field of the mind, revealing the hidden source of man's fears, upsets and insecurities--the reactive mind. Most importantly, the Dianetics book contains a means that any person can use to free himself of the negative effects of the reactive mind. Dianetics provides an introduction to the spiritual beliefs that one can derive from Dianetics.

This new web site at Dianetics Auditing in their area, and up-to-date news of Dianetics' rapidly growing worldwide popularity. There is also a selection of excerpts from the Dianetics audio book edition.

Dianetics.org includes an interactive online bookstore featuring four titles on the subject of Dianetics. Visitors can read multiple excerpts from L. Ron Hubbard works, listen to audio excerpts, and purchase Dianetics books and/or the home study extension course. They can also request a free Dianetics excerpt, a never before available, 80-page sampler from the book "Dianetics The Modern Science of Mental Health", or order one of the titles and discover for themselves how they can use Dianetics to improve their lives.

The Church of Scientology encourages anyone looking for effective answers for themselves or to assist a friend or loved one, to visit the new web site at http://www.Dianetics.org.

The Church has always considered the Internet a vital resource for providing accurate information and answering frequently asked questions. The Dianetics website is the latest step in the Church's commitment to share information with the public.

For more information, contact:
Karin Pouw
(323) 960-3500
mediarelations @ scientology.net

A Brave and Startling Truth

2008-06-27T19:57:00.002-05:00



1.		Dianetics: The Original Thesis by L. Ron Hubbard (Paperback) 304 pages Price: $15.00 Here is L. Ron Hubbard’s first description of Dianetics. Find out what started it all—with the book that holds the bedrock foundation of Dianetic discoveries. Other Editions: Hardback, Audiobook

2.		Dianetics: The Evolution of a Science by L. Ron Hubbard (Paperback) 224 pages Price: $15.00 The story of how L. Ron Hubbard discovered the reactive mind and developed the procedures to get rid of it—the scientific methodology to unravel the mysteries and problems of the human mind that has become a worldwide phenomenon:Dianetics. Other Editions: Hardback, Audiobook

3.		Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health by L. Ron Hubbard (Paperback) 704 pages Price: $20.00 It’s the all-time bestseller on the human mind and contains the discovery and full description of the source of your nightmares, unreasonablefears, upsets and insecurities—the Reactive Mind. Other Editions: Hardback, Audiobook

4.		Self Analysis by L. Ron Hubbard (Paperback) 384 pages Price: $15.00 Learn to know yourself—not just a shadow of yourself. Self Analysis takes you through your past, through your potentials, your life. Other Editions: Hardback

5.		Handbook for Preclears by L. Ron Hubbard (Paperback) 446 pages Price: $15.00 Discover why behavior patterns, habits and decisions of long ago still affect one so strongly; why past negative experiences still exert so much power over one today; and what an ideal state of being truly comprises. Other Editions: Hardback

6.		Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought by L. Ron Hubbard (Paperback) 256 pages Price: $15.00 Here is the Book One of Scientology—a concise, yet broad description of Scientology’s most fundamental principles. Because it is possible to know about the spirit, the mind and life. Other Editions: Hardback, Audiobook

7.		The Problems of Work–Scientology Applied to the Workaday World by L. Ron Hubbard (Paperback) 208 pages Price: $15.00 The Problems of Work contains technology no one can live without, practical solutions that can immediately be applied by anyone in any endeavor—including the answers to Exhaustion and the Secret of Efficiency. Other Editions: Hardback, Audiobook

8.		Scientology: A New Slant on Life by L. Ron Hubbard (Paperback) 384 pages Price: $15.00 This book sets forth the basic principles of the Scientology religion and answers that can be applied in the here and now. Here in this timeless selection of L.Ron Hubbard’s writings are truths to consult again and again. Other Editions: Hardback, Audiobook

9.		The Way to Happiness by L. Ron Hubbard (Paperback) 256 pages Price: $15.00 True joy and happiness are valuable. If one does not survive, no joy and no happiness are obtainable. Trying to survive in a chaotic, dishonest and generally immoral society is difficult. Other Editions: Hardback, Booklets Bundle, Audiobook

10.		The Way to Happiness by L. Ron Hubbard (Booklets Bundle) 64 pages Price: $18.00 True joy and happiness are valuable. If one does not survive, no joy and no happiness are obtainable. Trying to survive in a chaotic, dishonest and generally immoral society is difficult. Other Editions:

Urban Art -Boston Scientologists Transforming South End Urban Landscape into a Work of Art

2008-06-04T21:20:00.004-05:00

On a sunny day in May, 2008, Boston Scientologists teamed up with the New England chapter of Artists for a Better World to transform the wall of one of their new properties into a work of urban art.
The Church of Scientology of Boston purchased two buildings in January--once restored and renovated they will be the new headquarters for Scientologists in New England. But before the Church acquired them, the buildings stood vacant for years, and local Scientologists did not want to wait till the planning for these buildings was completed to begin upgrading the neighborhood. So, on a sunny day in May, 2008, they teamed up with the New England chapter of Artists for a Better World to transform the wall of one of their new properties into a work of urban art.

The group enlisted the talent of children's book illustrator Trish Rouelle, who created the basic design and outline for the neighborhood project and helped the children and adults who came to contribute their time and talents to creating the mural. Families also enjoyed music provided by musician and songwriter, Kelly Riley, and kids of all ages rounded out the afternoon by learning how to create balloon animals.

Although the Church of Scientology of Boston is located at 448 Beacon Street, Scientologists have been involved in projects in the South End Lower Roxbury neighborhoods for the past several years. In fact, one of their main projects, the Boston Volunteer Ministry, is housed in a storefront facility just a few doors down from the new property the Church just purchased.

The story of their presence in this neighborhood is simple. In 2004, tired of hearing about the crime and violence in their city, a group of Boston Scientologists decided to do something about it personally. They knew that people who can't study are often unable to get or hold down jobs. Hopeless, demoralized and feeling disenfranchised, such people often seek solace in drugs and alcohol and resort to crime to support their habits or just to get by. So, to do something effective to help the community, they opened the Boston Volunteer Ministry in Dorchester, MA and in 2006 moved the project to larger premises in the South End/Lower Roxbury. But this Volunteer Ministry was not an entirely new concept. In fact, Boston Scientologists have been providing community service through the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program for the past thirty years.

The Boston Scientology Volunteer Ministry is manned entirely by volunteers who tackle the problem of illiteracy with free tutoring and phonics classes, not only for children, but for people of all ages. The ministry also participates in community projects. For example, in 2006 they got 1000 guns off the streets of Boston by volunteering to be an official drop-off point in the police department's Boston Gun BuyBack Program called "Aim for Peace."

Gerard Renna, President of the Church of Scientology of Boston said, "We enjoy working with other community groups, the Boston Police Department and the Mayor's office to help improve the quality of life in our City."

In the mid-1970s, L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Scientology religion, concerned about the rise in immorality and an increase in crime, created the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program. He wrote, "If one is going to find fault with something, it implies that he wishes to do something about it and would if he could. If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance." These Boston Scientologists have taken his advice to heart, and are serving their city through their volunteer activities.

Author:
Linda Wieland
www.scientologytoday.org

Earthquake in China - Disaster Repsonse

2008-05-24T08:30:00.005-05:00

Scientology Disaster Response
The International Volunteer Ministers Coordinator has put out a call for volunteers and donations to help in the disaster relief effort. The most urgent relief needed at this point is the providing of food and supplies, particularly for those left homeless or in shelters.

Find Out How You Can Help >>

Scientology Today

2008-05-06T17:16:00.000-05:00

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS MOST COMMONLY ASKED BY MEDIA

* BASIC FACTS ABOUT SCIENTOLOGY

* THE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF SCIENTOLOGY

* SCIENTOLOGY IN SOCIETY

* MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT SCIENTOLOGY

* L. RON HUBBARD

New Scientology Video Channel

2008-04-18T20:12:00.001-05:00

Religious Beliefs

2008-02-26T09:39:00.002-05:00

Click here to view other Public Service Announcements

New role awaits a historic eyesore

2008-01-30T11:17:00.000-05:00

Church of Scientology buys former Alexandra Hotel

By Thomas C. Palmer Jr.
Globe Staff / January 30, 2008

The Church of Scientology of Boston Inc. has bought the historic Alexandra Hotel building at Washington Street and Massachusetts Avenue in the South End and plans to relocate its local headquarters from the Back Bay, following extensive renovations.

The sales price of the Alexandra - ravaged by fire in the 1993, decayed, empty, and recently eluding City Hall's hopes that it would become residences - was not disclosed by the Rev. Gerard Renna, the top Scientology representative in Boston.

The church, founded by L. Ron Hubbard and counting among its members actors Tom Cruise and John Travolta, "pledges to transform the hotel to its original grace and elegance," it said in a news release.

Advised by Staubach Co. of New England LLC, the church bought the former 50-room hotel, at 1759-1769 Washington St., and an adjacent building on Washington. The church already has a storefront presence a few doors down on Washington.

City officials said the seller was Macedonia Realty Trust, which had owned the building for several years and had presented several plans to renovate the building and create condominiums.

Built in 1875, the Alexandra was a luxuriously appointed hotel in Ruskinian Gothic style. It faded in prominence when the elevated transit line was built along Washington Street in 1900. It closed in the 1960s and then was gutted by a fire in 1993.

The city had worked hard to get the prominent structure redeveloped, especially since the MBTA's Orange Line was relocated in the 1980s.

"The city's been tortured with this eyesore for so long," said Renna, who has been with the Church of Scientology in Boston since before it opened its current headquarters on Beacon Street in 1974.

Randi Lathrop, the Boston Redevelopment Authority's director of community planning and former head of the Mayor's Washington Street Improvement Task Force, said that as of a few weeks ago the city thought the building's former owners might redevelop it into condominiums, with extensive ground-floor retail space.

Because the building is so prominent, situated at a major intersection, City Hall wanted shops opened there to generate street-level business activity for the neighborhood. It is not yet clear what the church will install on the first floor, but after searching for a new home in Boston for three years, church officials clearly liked the visible location.

"This is a very prominent building - it's one of the criteria. They've found it with this," said Brian Smallman, vice president of Staubach of New England.

Staubach has done other work for the church around the country and will be project manager on the design and redevelopment.

"It could be an absolutely gorgeous building by the time they're done with it, and they do everything first rate," Smallman said.

The building had been for sale in recent years, at one point with a price tag of $3.5 million, said Lathrop, but the sales have always fallen through.

The city at one point went to court to have a receiver appointed for the property, because it had languished and rotted for so long, but later relented.

The building is not itself designated as a Boston Landmark by the city Landmarks Commission, but it is part of the South End district, which does have landmark designation. Any changes to the exterior of the building would need advance approval.

The project will also need approval under the BRA's small-project development process, which is expected to take months.

No architect has been selected, Smallman said; officials at church headquarters in Los Angeles will be involved in the process and have many decisions to make about the final configuration.

"The city and the mayor, especially, have focused on this as his pride corner," Lathrop said, referring to Mayor Thomas M. Menino. "It's a very important building to the district. The good news is the church will spend millions of dollars on the building."

The Church of Scientology is based on what followers call founder Hubbard's "technology" and its ability to help them understand more about themselves and others. The church acknowledges the controversy it creates on its own extensive website. "As Scientologists have openly and effectively advocated social reform causes, they have become the target of attacks," the site says. The church has battled with the media, the Internal Revenue Service, and supporters of certain psychiatric drugs and treatment.

Renna said he answers "ecclesiastically" to the mother church in Los Angeles.

Thomas C. Palmer Jr. can be reached at tpalmer@globe.com.

© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.

Tom Cruise biography

2008-01-19T10:22:00.000-05:00

Church of Scientology statement

Response to Andrew Morton's unauthorized Tom Cruise biography

"The Church of Scientology issued this statement to the TODAY show on Jan. 14, 2008 in advance of author Andrew Morton's appearance on the show today. We have reprinted the text of the 15-page statement in its entirety." MSNBC.COM
You can read the completed statement on MSNBC.COM or if you are a news outlet contact
CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
6331 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90028 USA
Telephone: (323) 960-3500 – Fax: (323) 960-3508
For further information contact:
Karin Pouw, Public Affairs Director
(323) 960-3500
Click here for more Scientology News
or visit the Official Scientology Website

Scientology Congress

2008-01-09T02:38:00.001-05:00

Church of Scientology

448 Beacon Street

Boston, MA 02115

For more details contact:

Anita at 617-266-9500
9:30 am -6:00 pm

James
evenings and weekends

email: boston@scientology.net

BOOK REVIEW

2007-11-20T00:29:00.000-05:00

Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health
by L. Ron Hubbard

A hidden part of the human mind is at the root of our problems of stress, unhappiness, self-doubt and paralyzing anxiety, said the author of Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.

Author L. Ron Hubbard said past painful experiences are stored as memories just below the level of conscious thought in what he called the “reactive mind,” where they can be triggered in the present to work destructively against you. It works like this: through years of research on hundreds of cases, Hubbard discovered two parts to the human mind. First there is the analytical mind, the mind that rationalizes, calculates, dreams, solves and creates. This is the part of the mind that we want to be working at 100% capacity, 100% of the time. What hinders achieving this 100% level of operation is called the reactive mind.

The reactive mind is the subconscious part of our mind that acts without our permission. It takes control on a stimulus-response basis, acting as a self-defense mechanism gone awry. The reactive mind thinks in identities, that is to say it cannot differentiate between a current situation and a past painful experience. It collapses the two, giving us commands to operate off of that have little or no basis in current reality.

The analytical mind goes through existence recording diligently until something happens that causes the reactive mind to take over. The cause could be an accident, heavy drowsiness, emotional shock or many other combinations of painful experiences. Suddenly the reactive mind begins recording everything that is occurring around you during the painful incident: all sounds, scents, sights and feelings.

Later in life, when you encounter a situation similar to the original recording made, the reactive mind once again takes over and begins to feed you data about how to act and respond -- based on information from a totally different incident in the past!

In the opening pages of Dianetics, L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “Dianetics is no solemn adventure. For all that it has to do with suffering and loss, its end is always laughter, so foolish, so misinterpreted were the things which caused the woe.”

Herein lies the crux of Dianetics’ success. According to Dianetics practitioners, those things that hold you back, the feeling that you just can’t shake, the mistakes that you can’t help but make again and again -- the simple reasons for these and answers to many other mysteries about yourself and your mind can be discovered through the use of Dianetics technology.

Through years of research Hubbard discovered the source of personal stress, anxiety and depression and then developed carefully tested procedures to desensitize and erase the negative content stored in the reactive mind -- thus freeing up your ability to act solely in the here and now and off of good data stored in the analytical mind, free from the chains of stress.
In reality, the only way to realize Dianetics’ workability is to use it -- pair up with someone and apply the techniques. It’s easy. Hubbard’s bestseller has helped millions, and it should be read and used by all who are searching for a true understanding of the mind and a solution to such problems as self-doubt, stress, anxiety and depression. Dianetics is available in bookstores everywhere or visit www.dianetics.org for more information.

Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Boston will be presenting a free workshop for Dianetics Readers on December 8, 2007 at 1:00. Guest who have not read Dianetics can still attend the worskshop and learn more about what Dianetics is really about.

Call 617-266-9500 or visit www.dianeticsboston.org to find out more about the upcoming workshop.

21st Century Religion: L. Ron Hubbard's Own Philosophy

2007-11-07T23:34:00.000-05:00

21st Century Religion: L. Ron Hubbard's Own Philosophy

Found this great blog and I thought I would share it.

2 Nov 2007 — National Church of Scientology Recognized in Spain

2007-11-05T09:14:00.000-05:00

Today, the National Court in Madrid issued a landmark decision affirming the right to religious freedom in Spain by recognizing that the National Church of Scientology of Spain should be entered in the Registry of Religious Entities.

"This recognition marks the end of an era in which Spanish Scientologists were forced to fight for their rights to religious freedom. It vindicates the Church of Scientology and is a new beginning for all Spanish Scientologists," said Ivan Arjona, spokesperson for the National Church of Scientology in Spain.

The National Court thoroughly examined the Church's formative documents and aims and purposes to unequivocally determine that the National Church of Scientology of Spain has the right to be registered as a religion under Spanish law.

In reaching this decision, the National Court also relied on decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, most notably the Human Rights Court's unanimous decision of April 2007 affirming that the Church of Scientology is entitled to the rights and protections of religious freedom that flow to religious organizations pursuant to Article 9 of the European Human Rights Convention. The principles enunciated in that decision upheld the religious freedom of Scientologists and their religious associations and apply throughout the forty-seven member states that have signed and ratified the European Human Rights Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

"This is the culmination of a series of landmark victories for the Church of Scientology in Europe. Thanks to this recognition, we are now able to devote all our effort and attention to making our community and our country the best it can be, for all its people. The National Court's decision is extremely significant because it constitutes the latest official recognition of the Church of Scientology as a religious organization in Europe. It mandates that Scientologists and their religious associations be afforded the same rights and privileges as members of other registered religious organizations throughout the European Community and in the European Union." Arjona said.

In September 2004, the National Church of Scientology of Spain opened grand new premises in the heart of Madrid. That new Scientology church represents not only a house of worship for the thousands of Scientologists in the country, but a resource to the community and nation at large. The Church's social betterment programs reach millions of people every year.

The Scientology religion was founded by L. Ron Hubbard. The first church was established in the United States in 1954. Since then, it has grown to more than 7,500 churches, missions and groups and ten million members in 163 nations.

Scientology first came to Spain in the late 1960s.

For more information about Scientology, visit
www.scientology.org or contact:

In SPAIN:
Church of Scientology of Spain
Ivan Arjona
+34 912 092170

In EUROPE:
Church of Scientology
European Office of Public Affairs
Fabio Amicarelli
+32 22311596

In the US:
Karin Pouw
Church of Scientology International
+1 (323) 960-3500

Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Touring Exhibit

2007-09-16T08:18:00.001-05:00

Grand Opening
6:00 pm
Tuesday, September 18th
Roxbury Community College
1234 Columbus Ave., Boston
September 19-20 10:00am-6:00pm
Sept. 21 10:00am-3:00pm

Improve Your LIfe and Others for FREE - Scientology Basics Revealed

2007-09-02T16:58:00.000-05:00

Most people would logically jump at the opportunity to find out how to improve their abilities to study, to raise their I.Q. (That's right. you can actually raise I.Q.), to better understand and communicate with others and to simply have the knowledge to create a better life. The jump for awareness often isn't made though, as so many times the promises of help are very limited in value if helpful at all. This help can also be expensive as in the tens of thousands of dollars poured into universities that often leads to requirements of classes that the student doesn't find interesting. In the case of the Church of Scientology, most people have heard
testimonials from friends, acquaintences or celebrities in how it helped them in life, but may not want to lay out any money to see how the works of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard could be useful to them. The solution is www.scientologyhandbook.org .

Click here and get many of the basics of Scientology that can be immediately read and used to better you own life and the lives of those around you. If you want to understand and deal with the reactions of others, look under the emotional tone scale "Ups and Downs in Life" . If you want to understand how to help your children become more ethical and competent, there's data to be applied for this. If you want to "assist" others who may be suffering from pain or sickness, just look under that section and help this person. There's no cost or guess work.
You just read the simple instructions on how to improve various areas of life and do it. It won't hurt. It will cost you nothing. Go ahead and click.

About Church of Scientology - Boston
Scientology addresses man as a spiritual being and gives people tools they can apply to their lives to improve conditions. Among these are the techniques for
alleviating spiritual trauma contained in the book Dianetics, by L. Ron Hubbard.
Community Programs include: “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life” Campaign Human Rights Programs including Youth for Human Rights International and our
local Boston Scientology Volunteer Ministry serving the inner-city of Boston and traveling the world to assist in disaster relief efforts.

Contact Information
Community Services
Church of Scientology - Boston
http://www.bostonvolunteerministers.org
617-266-3841

Basics - L. Ron Hubbard’s Books and Lectures

2007-07-29T18:54:00.001-05:00

Click image to view catalog

National Night Out Boston 2007

2007-07-22T14:18:00.001-05:00

National Night Out Boston 2007 is the 24th annual citywide celebration to unify our communities throughout the City of Boston. This program cultivates and strengthens partnerships between the community, youth, police, city agencies and community-based organizations. National Night Out also acknowledges the remarkable contributions of Neighborhood Crime Watch groups, and seeks to increase participation in crime watch programs among local residents.

National Night Boston 2007
“Unity Through Community”

The Boston Scientology Ministry invites the community for our National Night Out Boston 2007 Block Party.

On Tuesday, August 7th, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm at 1783 Washington Street in Lower Roxbury, the Boston Scientology Ministry will host a National Night Out Boston 2007 Block Party.

The Ministry will present information and lectures on education and other social reform issues. Children will be deputized as official Drug Free Marshals after taking the pledge to be drug-free.

The Boston Scientology Ministry was established three years ago to assist the community in the eradication of crime and violence by handling the issues that underlie crime and violence. One of the Ministry’s most successful programs is the Reading and Study Skills program for all ages. For more information on the ministry and the Church’s programs visit www.bostonvolunteerministers.org.

For more information regarding the Ministry contact:
Rev. Robert Castagna
(617) 927-2247
rwcastagna@yahoo.com

For more information about National Night Out Boston please go to www.BostonCrimeWatch.com or call the Neighborhood Crime Watch Unit of the Boston Police Department at 617-343-4345

www.BostonCrimeWatch.com
617-343-4345

Mistakes?

2007-06-20T12:29:00.000-05:00

Mistakes, Regrets, Barriers, Stress
There is a single source to the complexities of life. Find out what it is. Read Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health

The Church of Scientology comes to town

2007-06-16T22:13:00.000-05:00

By Chet Williamson
Worcester Magazine

For the past week, they set up big yellow tents with three snow-cone points and little flags on top on the Common right behind City Hall. From a distance you’d have thought that the circus had come to town. It didn’t. It was the Church of Scientology’s International Volunteer Minister Pioneer Cavalcade, a kind of roving revival tent show to spread the word of church founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Emblazed across the front of the tents were the words: “Do Something About it,” a reference to an old Hubbard writing: “If one is going to find fault with something, it implies that he wishes to do something about it and would if he could. If one does not like the crime, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by insisting into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance.”

According to its official Web site, the word Scientology means “the study of truth.” “Scientology is the study and handling of the spirit in relationship to itself, others and all of life. The Scientology religion comprises a body of knowledge extending from certain fundamental truths.”

Last week, volunteer ministers traveled in from Boston for the Worcester cavalcade. One such minister is Rev. Nanette Ciano, who has been working with Scientology for more than 30 years. She remembers when the church had a storefront across from the common on Front Street. “I keep in touch with many members from that group,” she says. “They are in Boston.”

By design, these traveling cavalcades will be coming to another city near you. Each month the church plans to visit major cities and communities around the world. The hope is to reach “thousands at a time.”

Ciano was accompanied by fellow ministers John Franczak, who was busy securing the tents and Pobporn Leurchakittikul, who sat at a front table as the curious stopped by. One gentleman with a shaved head and tattoos snaking up his arm approached the group shouting in a classic Worcester accent, “Hey, what have we going on here?” The trio greeted him with some free pamphlets. He sized them up, and quietly left.

Inside the tents were large banners displaying such catchphrases as “Respect For Self and Others” and “Integrity and Honesty.” There were a series of tables with books and literature written Hubbard. In another area there was a collection of chairs, waiting for a group of people to show up, at which time a spontaneous lecture would be given by one of the ministers.

In another corner were three massage tables. That’s where you could learn how to “heal one self.” Reading from one of the banners, Ciano says, “Communication with the body lessens when one is ill or injured.” She then points to a booklet called, Assists for Illnesses and Injuries. From the chapter, “Helping an Individual Heal Himself,” she reads: “Injuries, operations, delivery of babies, severe illnesses and periods of intense emotional shock all deserve to be handled with thorough and complete assists.” The booklet sells for $5.

Church of Scientology representatives (from left) John Franczak, Rev. Nanette Ciano and Pobporn Leurchakittikul set up shop on Worcester Common.

Ciano says a woman stopped by from a local drug rehabilitation center. After hearing that she gives lectures such as “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life,” the woman invited Ciano to the halfway house to speak.

After speaking at length with the trio of ministers they directed further inquiries to Rev. Gerard Renna of the Church of Scientology in Boston. “The worldwide cavalcade goes to remote areas where there are no churches,” he says. When asked about the former Worcester storefront, Renna says, “It was at 16 Front St. In fact, we actually started on Main Street. We opened it up in 1974.”

Thinking it was the Worcester of old, Renna says the Worcester visit was not what he expected. After a few days in town, he asked his ministers how it was going. “You must have hundreds of people.” he enthused. “They said, ‘No, it’s quiet.’ I said, ‘What about the mall?’ They said, ‘It’s not here any more.’”

Obviously disappointed, Renna adds, “You open up a place and the community runs it. I think most of the Scientologists come to Boston now. What it is, is: People like to know about Scientology. You give them the opportunity for them to actually find out for themselves.”

Next stop for the cavalcade is a two-day visit to Portland, Maine.

http://www.worcestermagazine.com

Reduce Stress & Anxiety

2007-06-09T14:07:00.000-05:00

Dianetics Workshop at Zevents

Attend a One Day Dianetics® Workshop based on the book DIANETICS: THE MODERN SCIENCE OF MENTAL HEALTH by L. RON HUBBARD. The New York times and International bestseller about the human mind.

June 23, 2007
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
$50.00

James or Anita
Hubbard Dianetics Foundation of Boston
448 Beacon Street
Boston, MA 02115
Tel: 617-266-9500
Brookline, MA 02446

International Volunteer Minister Cavalcade

2007-06-06T08:58:00.000-05:00

Worcester, MA June 6-13, 2007

The Scientology International
Volunteer Minister Cavalcade
will be on Worcester Common,
next to Worcester City Hall
opening on June 6th.

Driven by the purpose to truly
Do Something About It,

Volunteer Ministers reach out with traveling Volunteer Minister Cavalcades, taking real help into major cities and communities throughout the world. Visiting a new city each month, these Cavalcades contact thousands at a time. National leaders, mayors, Members of Parliament and city officials welcome these Cavalcades, cutting ribbons to announce their arrival and embracing the campaign with proclamations declaring, “Something Can Be Done About It!” Inside the familiar yellow tents, anyone can get one-on-one assistance to address whatever troubles they might be facing. Displays clearly show visitors the solutions they can learn, and seminars are available so they understand how to apply these answers to their own lives and, in turn, to the lives of those around them. Volunteer Ministers also reach into their local communities as a permanent ongoing program, training thousands to help others and bringing positive change to towns and cities all around the world. And to make those same solutions available to all, Pioneer Cavalcades reach out into remote locations, everywhere and anywhere.

Come to Worcester Commons to find out more about Scientology and the International Volunteer program.

"If one is going to find fault with something, it implies that he wishes to do something about it and would if he could. If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance."

L. Ron Hubbard

MAP
Worcester Common
City Hall Plaza

2007-05-29T11:58:00.000-05:00

Gerard Renna