Happy Feast Day- St Dominic.

 FEAST DAY OF ST DOMINIC.

Many of us have our favourite saint.  My favourite saint is St Dominic, who has a very special place in my heart. His feast day is today- 7 August in Australia, whilst the universal church celebrates it on 8th August. You might wonder why his feast day is different from the universal church. Mary McKillop's feast day falls on the 8th August in Australia.

So when it comes to books about St Dominic, I have to say that I am always keen to have a read.  I never tire of learning and discovering more about my favourite saint.

The authoress Catherine Beebe has presented the life of St Dominic in the popular Vision Books series of saints.  The key story about this wonderful saint which is often told in Dominican parishes is that Dominic as a young priest sat all night at a wooden table in a village tavern, and preached the truths of the Church to an embittered inn-keeper. The next day, the inn-keeper was converted and St Dominic joyfully received him into the Faith.
Of course, it is important to understand the times that St Dominic lived and worked since heresies were rife. It is in this context that St Dominic was able to bring the Church to the people and preach the truths of the Church

This charming paperback book of 161 pages is a delightful read, not only to those who may be unaware of the life of St Dominic and wish to glean a picture of his life, but also to those like myself who are familiar with the story of his life. I always enjoy reading something more about my favourite saint, and this book certainly energizes my novena to St Dominic.  There are other charming books to read as well which I have read and nurtured my faith.

St Dominic is also strongly connected with the Rosary. Tradition tells us that our Blessed Mother Mary, presented St Dominic with the Rosary, and since that time, the Rosary has been part of the Dominican way of life.  In my parish church, the stain glass window depicts magnificently St Dominic receiving the rosary from Our Lady.

Perhaps if you were looking for a precious gift, these beautiful items shown would be warmly received delighting both the giver and the receiver.

May we all continue to grow in our faith and like St Dominic teach the truths of the Church by the way we live and act.

16th Sunday of Year A- Collect ( Opening Prayer)

COLLECT SERIES

COLLECT

The Mass: Collect Series Icon

The Collect for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time reads as follows:

Be gracious, Lord, to us who serve You

and in Your kindness, increase your gifts of grace within us:

so that fervent in faith, hope and love

we may be ever on the watch 

and persevere in doing what You command.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

In making this prayer tangible the following questions emerged:

1. What does a ''Gracious Lord'' mean to me?

2. What area/s of my life do I desire the graciousness of my God this coming week?

3. How will I serve God this coming week?

4.What gifts of grace would like to receive?

5. What is my understanding of faith, hope and love?

6. What does being ever on the watch mean to me?

7. What does God command me to do this coming week?( Name it)

8. How will I persevere in doing what God commands me this coming week? (Name at least one action or make a small list).

Previously I have written a series on the Virtue series, of which faith, hope and love are the theological graces.  You may find reading this series helpful as further thought on the Virtues. You will find it under the label of Faith nurturing (2010).

The Hand of God on the feast of Sacred Heart

Sacred Heart of Jesus .

I was interstate this past w/end for solemn profession and ordination and first Mass of some Dominican students, whom I know through the parish in which I live.

Last Friday evening heading off to go to the Solemn Profession Mass of 2 of Dominican students, I was in a taxi with my friend.  The taxi driver despite our best intentions of trying to explain it to him could not understand the location of where we wanted to go.  It did not matter how many times we tried to tell him that his spelling in the GPS was inaccurate and how many times we spelt it for him, it made not a note of difference.

Still stuck in the George St- the main street in Sydney for 35 minutes going nowhere, the taxi driver got out of the lane past 6 buses banked up one after the other so that he could turn and take us to where he thought we were going.  At that very instant, along came a police car speeding down his side of the road without his siren on.

I said a very quick act of contrition as I thought "' this is it- this is going to be a head on collision"' I am about to meet God in Heaven- well actually more like time in Purgatory, but I only had time in my mind to think about meeting God.

The taxi driver turned just as the police car sped past- how we did not come to grief was indeed God's hand at work.

Sadly, we were late for the start of Mass, but we arrived just as the Gospel was being read.  We had not missed the Solemn Profession ceremony of the 2 Dominican students which is held just after the homily. I never was so very thankful for arriving and not missing the solemn profession ceremony and actually for still being alive, even though as the Mass went on, my body kept shaking.

We found out later that there had been a fire on the bridge and had brought the city to gridlock.

God indeed showed me His love on His feast- the feast of the Sacred Heart.

The hand of God!!

THE HAND OF GOD  

I know I have not written for a while.  I have got out of the routine of writing as well as not actually feeling well enough emotionally to share.

However, I have some good news to share at last.  I had been unemployed for 2 years and 3 months and as an older person who had not previously been in the paid work force for 11 years, since I cared for my parents, I was totally beginning to wonder whether I would ever get a job again.  I had to attend Centrelink (social security) which is a painful process as well as attend courses that they recommended- ones that I could have presented better myself.  So, it has not been a happy time for me.

Anyway, I had been sent to do a course for 3 months- I completed the first week and on the start of the second week, I, with a few others were pulled out of the course.  Three cheers- that indeed was a miracle- God's hand actually.  There is more though...

That same afternoon, I received a phone call asking me whether I would be interested in attending an interview- it was a job that I had not applied for, did not even know it existed actually, but another organisation had recommended me.  So, I went for the interview, did not hear anything for another week- in the meantime, I had decided it was another no.  Then I get a call for a second interview a week later, went for the interview (lasted 2 days) and at the end of the 2 days I was supposed to find out. more waiting until the afternoon of the following day... Then I was offered the position.

I have now started the position and been there a fortnight.  I am physically and mentally exhausted from it but I know it is what God wants me to do for some reason.  After all, I did not apply for the job, the job came to me and one lady decided to believe in me and give me a chance. It was all I needed.

So now I face the challenge of the job on a number of levels but I know it was a God given job that God has given me to do. It fits me so perfectly- it uses all my creative skills, my organisation, teaching skills, counselling and caring skills.  It is like a perfect present given to me by God wrapped with a lovely pink bow to complete it.  I have to unwrap the present a little at a time. After all it is only a fortnight since i have started. It is so close to home as well as another bonus.

I have waited a long time for this gift from God so I want to encourage you all to persevere and have courage in the difficult times. God will deliver His gift to you but it will be IN HIS OWN TIMING.

It was the lesson that I had to learn- God's timing not mine. 

Waiting is not easy especially when finances were low and I lacked financial security.  However, throughout that time, I have learnt to make the little money I had go around.  Some people have helped me along the way too, just at the right time also. I have learnt how society treats the unemployed and the lack of respect they give these people despite obvious talent and experience (especially for older people like myself). However, I have survived and have learnt to be resourceful. I have learnt to accept help when it is offered, swallow my pride and be gracious when other people helped me.

I am hoping that my experience may lift up someone who is unemployed and help them to realise that God is on their side. God will act in HIS timing and find the right job for you- trust Him and He will act. Don’t lose hope in God - I nearly did on countless occasions when the tunnel of life is so dark and you can’t see a way forward.  God was there listening and being with me in my tears and frustration, helping me work towards the present that He was preparing to give me.  When it came, it was out of the blue- so unexpected, and yet it is so very perfect- it has to be- God prepared the present.

Ask God to prepare the present for you.    I pray that the hand of God, whatever your circumstances will be there for your lives, especially during Lent.

May the hand of God act in your life today and throughout this coming week.

Reflection for the Feast of the Epiphany

We Three Kings.

REFLECTION ON THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY

The star guided the 3 Wise Men from the East to Jesus and as both scripture and the carols say

'stopped right over the place where Jesus lay'.

The wise men did Him homage. These wise men were highly intelligent and knew from their studies about astronomy and stars.  They knew that this star was different- important and special. We too need to be aware of the signs given in our life.

We might like to offer the following prayer or a spontaneous one of our own on the theme of the star of Bethlehem. 

EPIPHANY CAROLS

We might even like to sing the Carol ' the first Nowell' and/or 'We three Kings' 

Jesus, in this season of Christmastide, help us to be a star- 

a light shining the way to You for others in our family, friends, neighbourhood and parish. 

Help us to be like the Wise men of the East

and give You fitting homage.

Thank you God.

REFLECTION AND PRAYER SERIES.

Thank you God.

My reflection and prayer series is about sharing reflections and Prayers which have impacted upon me and have provided food for thought. I hope that they will also nurture your soul and spirit.

Light to our prayer: Reflection and Prayer series Icon.

My post is called:

                                                              THANK YOU GOD.

 

Thank you for filling my past and my present 
with Your love and Your grace and Your mercy.  
Thank You for the promise 
that I will spend all my tomorrows with You.

 May our hearts be continued to be filled with gratitude during this coming week.

reflection on the Gospel for Feast of Holy Family

 REFLECTION ON THE GOSPEL FOR FEAST OF HOLY FAMILY

In Chapter 2, there are 4 stories interwoven into the chapter namely 1. The Visit of the Magi, 2. The flight into Egypt, 3. The Massacre of the Innocents and 4. The return from Egypt.

The Magi were probably wise men who studied astrology, but later tradition portrays them as kings, who because of their knowledge knew that the star that appeared for them was something they had to follow. Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh symbolised Christ’s royalty, divinity and passion.

They listened to what Herod had to say to them, giving him respect, but were not drawn into his dishonest behaviour, since they seemingly seemed aware of his insincerity and fear.

It is interesting to note the reaction of Herod who was governed by power and who

• felt threatened at the possibility there may be another king (someone to threaten his job),
• played the game pretending he wanted to worship also (sought out information about the threat and how he might overcome the enemy).

The Magi however stayed focused on what they came to seek- they were guided by the star, which filled them with delight because it helped them find what they came to seek- Jesus, Mary and Joseph in the manger. They were able to do him homage and offer their gifts.

We then encounter the flight into Egypt. Joseph is not a procrastinator.  He does what the angel tells him without delay ' He got up and taking the child and his mother with him left that night for Egypt. ‘One senses the urgency and the worry and the fear of knowing that Herod wanted Jesus killed- not the type of start to being the foster father of Jesus that Joseph may have hoped for.  Yet, Joseph as we know was a man of faith and believed in God's providence towards him and Mary. His faith and obedience to God sustained him in this difficult journey.

The wise men and Joseph’s fear of Herod are justified, as we read the next phase of chapter 2 where Herod has all male children up to the age of 2 killed since he was outwitted by the wise men. He took revenge because he did not get his own way and made as many people suffer because of it.

Then in the final section of this chapter is the story of Joseph returning with Mary and the baby from Egypt after Herod’s death back to the land of Israel.  However, as Herod’s son had succeeded Herod, Joseph was warned in a dream not to go there but settled in the region of Galilee- at Nazareth.

What can we learn for our lives from these 4 connecting stories in this chapter?

ACTION PLAN FROM CHAPTER 2

This week as we reflect on chapter 2, we may wish to:

• Stay focused and to give the Christ child homage, by bending our knees and offering our gifts to Him. We need to place God first in our lives at all times
• Be guided by the light of the star of faith just as the wise men followed the signs given to them. God gives us signs to follow through the church and the sacraments.
• Be attentive to what God is telling us to do. We need to be pro-active and responsive as Joseph. Spend some time in reflection to hear what God is speaking to us.
• Have compassion for parents who suffer and grieve through loss of a baby/child either through miscarriage, abortion or tragedy. We may wish to learn more about the issue of abortion
• Be alert and listen to the stirrings of God within us, since He desires the best path for us.