Holy Cross Retreat Letter 25 (August 14th) A time for Encouragement Florence Littauer was a well know American Christian public speaker and author. One day she attended church and the minister noted her presence and invited her to say a few words adding, ‘Why don’t we get Florence to give the children’s sermon?” She quickly thought of a verse of scripture and announced it to the children. The verse she read was from St Paul, ‘Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, according to the need so that your words may give grace to those who hear.’ (Ephesians 4:29) Florence asked the children what this text meant and they quickly identified: a) Don’t use bad words like swearing, being nasty, critical, or hurtful b) Build up by encouraging others always using good words. c) Speak to others as if you are giving them a present Florence shared these insights at a Conference the following day and reflected that her father had always encouraged her and spoken to her positively. He used to sing to her ‘Home, home on the range; where the deer and the antelope play. Where never is heard a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day’. She mused about what a different world it would be if ‘never was heard a discouraging word’. What if people spoke affirmingly of others and spoke to them as if they were offering a present? It seems to me at this time, when so many people feel discouraged that we could refer to this text and commit ourselves to be women and men of encouragement. Home on the Range: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3za2tJ6JYns Chiara Offreduccio Chiara Offreduccio was born on July 16th 1194, in Assisi, Italy. She was the well- to-do daughter of Favorino Sciffi, Count of Sasso-Rosso and his wife Ortolana. At age 18, she heard Francis speaking at a Lenten service. Soon after she entered a Benedictine convent, under Francis’ guidance. Following his advice she relocated and was joined by one of her sisters and others who wanted to live a simple and poor life under Francis’ guidance. At age 22, Clare as we know her, became abbess. She was looked upon as ‘the female Francis’. After her death her Order became known as the “Poor Clare sisters”.
Transcript
Holy Cross Retreat
Letter 25 (August 14th)
A time for Encouragement Florence Littauer was a well know American Christian public speaker and author. One day she attended church and the minister noted her presence and invited her to say a few words adding, ‘Why don’t we get Florence to give the children’s sermon?” She quickly thought of a verse of scripture and announced it to the children. The verse she read was from St Paul, ‘Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, according to the need so that your words may give grace to those who hear.’ (Ephesians 4:29) Florence asked the children what this text meant and they quickly identified:
a) Don’t use bad words like swearing, being nasty, critical, or hurtful b) Build up by encouraging others always using good words. c) Speak to others as if you are giving them a present
Florence shared these insights at a Conference the following day and reflected that her father had always encouraged her and spoken to her positively. He used to sing to her ‘Home, home on the range; where the deer and the antelope play. Where never is heard a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day’. She mused about what a different world it would be if ‘never was heard a discouraging word’. What if people spoke affirmingly of others and spoke to them as if they were offering a present? It seems to me at this time, when so many people feel discouraged that we could refer to this text and commit ourselves to be women and men of encouragement.
Home on the Range: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3za2tJ6JYns
Chiara Offreduccio
Chiara Offreduccio was born on July 16th 1194, in Assisi, Italy. She was the well-
to-do daughter of Favorino Sciffi, Count of Sasso-Rosso and his wife Ortolana. At
age 18, she heard Francis speaking at a Lenten service. Soon after she entered a
Benedictine convent, under Francis’ guidance. Following his advice she relocated
and was joined by one of her sisters and others who wanted to live a simple and
poor life under Francis’ guidance. At age 22, Clare as we know her, became abbess.
She was looked upon as ‘the female Francis’. After her death her Order became
Tuesday was the feast of St Clare which the community celebrated. Chris shared a simple yet profound quote of hers: “We become what we love and who we love shapes what we become”.
Getting above things It is common and not surprising to hear people expressing frustration that lockdown is ‘going on and on’. There are also people frustrated by the high number of new cases and deaths each day. At such times it can be difficult to stay positive and to avoid seeing the same negative perspective. In every crisis the seeds for change and something new are being sown, even though we may not see them. Religious people have always valued a retreat from everyday life to see things anew. A few weeks ago, Chris used his drone to take a look on a foggy morning at what things looked like above the fog. https://vimeo.com/433436566. I suggest you have a look and draw your own spiritual conclusion in the light of COVID-19 and our restrictions. Although spring officially begins in two and a half weeks, there are signs of its beginning everywhere, and that always lifts our spirits and reminds us that new life beckons. Jerome spotted the first blossom on our Manchurian Pears and Chris captured it for us.
A Reflection from Rabbi Josef Kanefsky (living with Covid-19) (Printed in ‘The Nathanial report’ New Zealand, Match 17th, 2020)
Two of the brand-new terms that have entered our daily conversation is "social distancing" and “self-isolation”. These are shorthand, as we know very well, for the practical physical precautions that we all need to and must take in order to protect ourselves and others. I'd humbly suggest though, that
we use the terms sparingly, if at all. Language is a powerful shaper of thinking. And the very last thing we need right now, is a mindset of mutual distancing. We actually need to be thinking in the exact opposite way.
Every hand that we don't shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.
It is obvious that "distancing", if misplaced or misunderstood, will take its toll not
only upon our community's strength and resiliency, but upon the very integrity and
meaning of our spiritual commitment. And who knows if it was for this time that we
have committed ourselves to walk in God's ways.
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Let's stay safe. let's draw one another closer in a way that we've never done before." Every hand that we don't shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.
A picture paints a thousand words!
OK, I shouldn’t have done it. ------------- You ‘ve got to be kidding!
The Peace Garden at Holy Cross I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. You can tell Pastor has been hard at work again paining the rocks, painting the stands, laying the pebbles (with help from the students) and weeding.
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The area above was previously overgrown and unattractive. It has taken a lot of work to remove what was there, then collect, carry and place the pebbles, collect, carry and paint the rocks and then put them. In position. Then the stand with the fibre- glass statue required painting. It was put in place and a day later relocated as you can see in the photo below. Certainly there is room for encouraging words!
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Every morning on his way to the dam, Chris feeds a variety of birds. Dalset captured two lorikeets and a pigeon sharing a meal. (see the next page)
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Sandy Concannon News came to us that Sandy Concannon, the 98 years old much loved Dad of Andrew and his four brothers, passed on to his well-earned new life. The funeral was celebrated in Robe, South Australia, by a retired Dominican sister who is a family friend with just the five brothers present. Prior to interment, an Australian flag was draped over Sandy’s coffin and an RAAF Officers hat. The Ode was read and as three sons departed, the Last Post and Reveille was played. Andrew rejoiced in the plentiful blooming wattles at Robe and some were used to cover Sandy’s coffin as a last farewell. A blooming wattle will remain a living testament and fond memory of the bond and deep love Sandy and his boys share. May he rest in peace. Feast of the Assumption Tomorrow we celebrate the feast of the Assumption. Cau invited me to share his video in which he plays the flute, accompanying a song titled “Our Lady of Vinh Diocese” which he has dedicated to the Passionist Congregation, all our families, benefactors, relatives and friends in this time of trial and testing. It is quite long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jE3lSJevGMA&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR22lzNebU70FOQSf4dgTJgggzBZBw4OsKYhwe7MMCiy5pmEvx0Bwj4NUF4
The labyrinth On Wednesday the PNG students got to work for a few hours and lay the gravel to complete the internal section of the labyrinth. In a few places the surrounding area needs draining and there is some tidying up to be done to complete what Luke first undertook towards the end of last year. When complete this will be a valuable asset for those who come to Holy Cross for retreats or to pray in this unique way.
I’ve taken up speed reading. I can read “War and Peace” in twenty seconds. It’s only three
words, but it’s a start.
A ghost walks into a bar and orders a shot of vodka. The bartender says “sorry, we don’t serve
spirits here.”
How may tickles does it take to make an Octopus laugh? Ten-tickles.
My teacher told me I’d never amount to much because I procrastinate so much. I told them,
just you wait!.
What’s a balloon’s least favourite type of music? Pop.
I went into a store to buy some books about turtles. “hardbacks?” Asked the shopkeeper.” Yes,
I replied.” And they have little heads, too.”
What does the world’s top dentist get? A little plaque.
Why were they called the Dark Ages? Because there were lots of knights.
I couldn’t figure out why the baseball kept getting bigger. Then it hit me.
I saw a movie about how ships are put together. It was riveting.
What do you call a bear with no ears? B ( think about it).
I waited and stayed up all night and tried to figure out where the sun had gone. Then it
dawned on me.
What did Alexander the Great and Winnie the Pooh have in common? The same middle
name.
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Those who are unwell I recall an American Passionist telling us a few years ago of his mixed emotions when he was in hospital and received a visit from a doctor who broke the news to him that he had inoperable cancer. After the doctor left, he sat there alone and tried to take in what he had just been told. An hour later, the doctor revisited him and as before pulled a curtain around the bed. The doctor apologised profusely that the diagnosis belonged to someone else, not him. He asked the doctor, ‘who is the other person?’ The doctor quietly pointed to the adjacent bed. After the doctor left, he could only feel terrible sadness because he had a profound sense now of what it was like to be told such difficult news. That sadness outweighed the joy of his own good news. Surely, these sorts of feelings are evoked in us as we hear good news about some of our friends, and not such good news about others. We remember all of those struggling with illness, and appreciate that many of them have been hospitalized or unwell for many weeks and without family visits. It is not appropriate to say ‘everything’ about individual’s conditions or experience, but the common experiences are that those who have spent long periods in hospital have sometimes felt flat and lonely, but they appreciative the concern of others and the prayers offered for them. Michael Doyle has returned home as reported last week and is ‘feeling good’. John Lazzari is also home after more than five weeks in hospital and unexpected complications. He is doing rehab at home and slowly improving. John is not aiming to represent at Tokyo next year, but he has managed to walk 50 metres in six minutes! This is an example of the trials and struggles of so many people. Barry Hanrahan has also returned home after more than five weeks in hospital. His prognosis is far better than when he entered hospital and he is happy about that! Don Bertram is home from hospital and making encouraging progress. Pat Stubbings has been in hospital for just on two weeks. The good news is that her surgery went well and she is looking forward to going home next week. John Chubb has now spent ten weeks in hospital and the loss of mobility and being unable to see Carmel and his daughters, is a big cross for him. Carmel has been his full time carer, and that work goes on even when he is in hospital. It is natural for us
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to express concern for the one who is sick, but the carers and family members also need our care and prayers. Patricia Keeghan is in the Victorian Rehabilitation Centre in Glen Waverley and will be there for a further eight days. Maurice Valmorbida, is in good spirits but declining health. He has Alida and a very loving family supporting him.
Gerry Bond continues to struggle with constant pain and discomfort from leg ulcers. He is delighted to acknowledge that his wife Pat celebrates her 85th birthday this Sunday August 16th. “Happy Birthday, Pat”
Kathleen Jordan is in Ashby nursing home in Lower Templestowe. One staff member tested positive for COVID-19 recently, but everyone else has tested negative. The home remains in total lockdown. The restrictions are tough on visitors and patients but also for the staff who have to put on new protective gear every time they enter a patient’s room. Jim Monaghan (Chris’ Dad) remains in lockdown in his nursing home. Having poor hearing, a conversation for Jim can be a challenge via an ipad. Unfortunately Bernadette Owen requires more radical surgery which is a challenging setback for her and for Peter Mary Jones is still having physiotherapy and recovering from injuries (broken sternum and ribs and partially collapsed lung) and ongoing pain incurred in a motor accident months ago. Sergio Mattioli informed us that he has a serious cancer diagnosis. We remember he and Silvania and the family in our prayers at this challenging time for them. We are also remembering Cathy Petrocco (fibromyalgia), Maeve Reardon (an incredibly long and brave battle with cancer), Pam Storey and Errol Lovett (recovering well from surgery and both living alone) Maria Coburn, Bronwyn Burke and Michael O’Callaghan (of very sound mind but ailing body). Jerome Dunn has had another setback with his treatment and will require a catheter for a further three weeks. Toan is being treated for a troublesome infection and is improving.
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Whatever our struggles, disappointments and sorrows, it helps sometimes to laugh. It’s not hard to imagine Greg’s disappointment!
The link for Sunday’s Mass will be available tomorrow afternoon Enjoy the weekend For the community, Brian
“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity”.
