St. Meinrad Archabbey - Southern Indiana

Click HERE for history and information.  Sometimes the best way to present such a place is to simply let the pictures do the talking.

Meditation - Two Sermons

March 6th - the Thursday after Ash Wednesday

Charity

Pope Leo the Great,  in a sermon, encouraged us to always but especially during Lent, to enter into ourselves and reflect and evaluate the attitudes of our minds and hearts.  Where we find the fruits of love - charity - we find God's presence within us.  The greater our acts of charity, the more room we create for God in our heart and presence in our life.

No act of devotion, like works of mercy and charity, gladdens the heart of the Lord more.  Where He finds charity, He finds his own fatherly care.

And never fear for a lack of means to show charity.  Paul tells us "He who provides seed for the sower will also provide bread for eating; he will provide you with more seed, and will increase the harvest of your goodness."

March 7th - the Friday after Ash Wednesday

Repentance

In a letter from Maximus the Confessor, we are reminded that God's will is to save us and nothing pleases Him more than our true repentance.

We are told that repeatedly down through the ages in stories and parables in the Bible:

• The Good Samaritan who comforted and cared for the man who was beaten and robbed on the road;
• The forgiveness of a father for a returning and  repentant profligate son;
• The one sheep that was lost and the shepherd who sought him out to save him;
• The many times God called out to His people, heard their calls as they strayed and then cried out for forgiveness and saving;

God always forgives.  He never turns His back on us though we may turn our backs on Him.

God calls us to reconciliation and forgiveness.  By accepting His yoke, we discover that our burdens are not heavier but are made lighter.

Mission Report - #32

We have been confined by snow yet again.  Our week started out with handling matters within the house that would be distributed and/or sent to Mother's House later.  Yesterday, we were able to leave the house, thank you, God, for good neighbors, and made our way to Mother's House.  Impossible it was to enter there.  The snow was plowed so deeply and fully, we could not even find our driveway.  Since a ditch lay on either side of the entrance, guessing our way in was not to be considered.

So our week of work became a week of meditation, patience and prayerfulness.  Wednesday night we were able to conduct a Communion Service and disburse Ashes in the church hall.  Father was confined to his parish in New Madrid.  Highway travel was impossible.  

This morning, the Friday after Ash Wednesday, we are cautiously free to travel.  Sister is on the road and Don will be out taking care of some personal tasks today.  I am in and will enjoy the quiet, finish this week's bible study chapter, and start work on a surprise for our daughter, Krista.

Psalm 51: 3-4

3  Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love; in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.  4  Thoroughly wash away my guilt;and from my sin cleanse me.

Ash Wednesday

We have entered into our third day of being housebound by the weather.  We tried to dig our cars out from the snow drifts but no success.  The only vehicles I see on the road at our front door are pick up trucks, high riding SUVs, and work/service vehicles.  I see the very occasional sedan braving these uncleared roads and they creep very slowly.  Intersections are a particular challenge as the driver must first determine where the turning point is and then MAKE the turn.  So far, so good.  At least on our t-bone corner.


We don't have a priest assigned to our parish so Father handles duties at his parish in New Madrid as well as driving down here at least three days a week to serve the needs of the people here.  Because of road conditions (on the highway and in towns) Adoration at 3 p.m. today has already be cancelled.  Father cannot make the drive to get to us.  It is still unknown if Father will be able to get here by 6 p.m. for Mass.  If he can get here, we will have ashes.  If he can't, we have a Plan B.  But at this time, even that is still uncertain. So, today I quietly and prayerfully await the possibilities to unfold.

This morning I read a sermon from St. Peter Chrysologus, one of the early Doctors of the Church.  He was born in Italy in 406 and was an adult convert to Catholicism.  He was Bishop of Ravenna from about 433 A.D. until his death in 450 A.D.  During his life, he was well known for his fine homilies.

In his sermon on the hallmarks of Lent, he tells us that there are three to observe - prayer, fasting, and mercy.  Prayer knocks at the door, fasting obtains, and mercy receives.  Fasting is the soul of prayer, mercy is the lifeblood of fasting.  They cannot be separated from each other.  One line, in particular, stood out for me as I read this short sermon: "If you ask for yourself what you deny to others, your asking is a mockery."  

My thoughts have been turning to reconciliation this week, and like the uncertain vehicles approaching the crossroad, approaching the object of my desire has not been a smooth road.  I had decided to make my confession with Fr. Jarek this week but weather being what it is, that may not happen in the immediate future.  Perhaps in the next week or so but like receiving Ashes today, that may be a bit delayed.  

St. Chrysologus' words, highlighted above, underscored my own private meditations on a major lesson I am learning during this mission experience.  S0, I tell myself and I share with you 

If you pray, fast

If you fast, show mercy

If you want your petitions to be heard, hear the petitions of others.  If you hear the needs of others, God's ears will hear yours.

Lapsing - A Reflection

One of the pleasures of mission is the quiet moment that you carve out for yourself to celebrate your connection to God.  My habit, since picking up a copy of The Upper Room at the Little Rock Air Base, was to read daily it and enter the focus, prayer, and suggested readings.

This week though, my reading and writing lapsed and I found myself with a blank in my journal that went from February 26th to today.  Of course, when I picked up my devotional booklet, I immediately realized it was March and I now had NO devotional for March/April.  Being as we live in the age of the Internet, not having a devotional is a temporary matter and when we return home, I'll subscribe to The Upper Room.  There just isn't anything quite like holding the Word of God in your hands, in a BOOK.  But . . . I digress.  Back to that lapse and what we were doing.

Thursday night we drove up to the GlenMary Center in Owensboro, KY.  Meeting some of the other Sisters was such a joy.  Izzy, Sr. Darlene's mini-Schnauzer, made a bee-line for Sr. Bernadette, the convent's 92 years young, doyen.  Izzy makes her place with Sr. B. whenever she visits.  Tucked in at her side, Sr. Bernadette  crochets away her time, making scarves and prayer shawls for distribution to the various mission centers.   Cathy, the lay member of the group, cook and all around general factotum, is a bright light that welcomes any and all who walk through the front door.  When she is not watching over Sr. B, she is finding ways of making life run smoothly for the very busy women of the GlenMary Center.

After a morning of prayer, breakfast, and errands, we all met again to attend noon Mass at St. Stephen's Cathedral.  

The Gospels overhead as you enter

Holy Family side altar

Stained Glass Reflection

The Tabernacle of Our Lord

Peace to All Who Enter Here

Main Altar and Side Altars

Enter - All Are Welcome

After lunch we set out for a one hour drive to southern Indiana to the little town of St. Meinrad where is found the St. Meinrad Archabbey a thriving community of 90 Benedictine monks who pray, work, and live together.  Serving as a retreat center and fully enrolled seminary, the grounds are open for visitors who are welcome to join the monks in prayer - particularly at morning and evening prayer.  There will be a separate post celebrating the beauty of St. Meinrad Archabbey so please be sure to return.

It was on our way home that my lapse in reflection was cast for the immediate future.  An ice storm was bearing down on us and with our arrival home Saturday, we hurried over to the church hall to prepare the hall to receive guests if shelter was needed.  We deep cleaned the kitchen, bathrooms, and hall in preparation for the possible delivery of 40 cots and supplies that would be needed for sheltering.

Fortunately, only the smaller shelter at the local Baptist church needed to be opened but we had been prepared to be awakened throughout the night for a possible call to service.  Sunday afternoon found us holding firm at home after morning Mass and by mid-afternoon, we were getting rain, snow, and sleet, each taking its turn to plague us.  And let's not even talk about the wind.  By Monday morning we were awakened to a snowy world covering about five inches of ice.  We were going nowhere.

But, we had much work today and after prayer and a quick breakfast, we started our work as we kept one ear bent to the phone lest we get a call and have to hurry out after all.  Clothes sorting for Mother's House and for the Clothes Closet in Steele made headway.  Blankets were washed (the fruits of Sr. Bernadette's busy hands), and hygiene packets prepared for distribution to various agencies.  It is the simple things like a fresh toothbrush and toothpaste and a bar a soap that can make such a huge difference in some one's life.

In between these activities, I fit in my Bible study and Vespers and so ended our day.  Now I easy back into my usual routine and see what this day - Tuesday - will bring.  Still being housebound (the cars are trapped in ice), we rely on the kindness of friends with trucks to get us around if need be.  Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and all plans for Father being able to travel to our parish, are on hold.  Sister and two friends (who picked her up) are at church changing out altar coverings for Lent and burning last year's palms to make this year's ashes.  
On days like today, when stillness is over the land, I can't help but think of this:

Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations,

 I will be exalted in the earth.”

Mission Report #31 - Hospitality Part II

Hebrews 13:2  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

When I think of hospitality, I automatically think of food and drink offered to a drop in visitor.  Today, as always, the offering of even a small portion of a small cache of food, can speak volumes about the person doing the giving.  A thank you and a small taste is enough to convey appreciation and respect, as much for the offering as for the person offering.  Saturday's gift of food to us, though offered not from one's want, was nevertheless, the same kind offering that conveys friendship and hospitality.

It was time for Jane, Brenda, and I to return home from our trip to Charlene's (see Part I) and a stop in Dyersburg for a quick meal was in order before we arrived home in time to get to evening Mass.  Rachel, Wes' wife, had walked us outside and as I thanked her yet again for the extra care she had provided for us, she then offered to reopen the cafe (though it was long passed closed).  She could offer a simple sandwich and chips and beverages.  

Main Room - Click to make me bigger

Not to put too fine a point on it but, I was stunned.  Rachel's offer was so generous and so completely surprising.  I think, at some point, I had to lift my jaw to close my mouth.  But, she is drawing me along, claiming it's not trouble at all to put together some sandwiches and soon Jane and Brenda were following us in.  

What a treat as we not only enjoyed a delicious chicken salad sandwich but I also enjoyed the best fruit tea I've ever had.  I decided if the recipe was in the cafe cook book, I was buying a copy of that book.  And, it was.  There was also the divine chicken salad recipe and innumerable other luscious goodies to explore and make.  

As we ate, Rachel told us the story of the building that houses the cafe, a one time church that was moved to the property.  The Hales Point Baptist Church was originally on the Mississippi River, holding its first service in 1950.  Sunday school rooms were added in 1952.  In 1998, Ronnie and Charlene Roberts purchased the building and moved it to its current location.  It was moved in three section and transformed by a year of renovation, many gallons of paints and hard work.  The kitchen was added as part of the renovation and the old church was recreated and became Just Divine Tea Room.  I think this is an apt name.

Banquet Room - Click to make me bigger

The beautiful space, above, used to be a garden area producing not only flowers, but all the vegetables they used.  As awareness of their business grew, special event parties just naturally evolved.  The garden area was eventually converted into this beautiful banquet room.

Rachel and Wes (and by extension, their whole family) were the epitome of hospitality and were a fountain of information about the history of the area.  For anyone in southwest Tennessee, be sure to treat yourself to a lovely couple of hours enjoying the grounds, the cafe (open til 2 pm), and kind hospitality.

Hosts Rachel and Wes Cunningham

Other Postcard from Paradise, such as this one, can be found HERE.

Mission Report #31 - Hospitality Part I

We've all heard of Southern Hospitality (SH).  But, how many of us, who have not experienced the South, really have an understanding of what this means?  I thought I did but discovered that my knowledge of SH was a very shallow thing.

Coming as a stranger to Caruthersville, I entertained the idea of working with Sister, reading a lot on my down time, and taking the occasional excursion with Don.  What I got were warm greetings, people introducing themselves at church, strangers coming up to say hello and to learn about us, chatting at the church door, invitations to dinner, invitations to ladies meetings, coffee's-on-me moments, remembrances of those I knew were sick and people letting me know prayers were still being offered. 

There have also been phone calls offering company and a desire to show me around and seek out the special places, the little gems, that are hidden in an area that has fallen on hard times. In Luke 11:33  No man, when he hath lighted a lamp, putteth it in a cellar, neither under the bushel, but on the stand, that they which enter in may see the light. And there are, indeed, some lights hiding under the bushels of this county.   

Seeing some of these places reminds me that in a time of great economic difficulty, people still yearn for and strive for beauty.  Whether it is an antique shop that is more like grandma's attic or a quilting shop at a dusty four-way stop on a very rural road, beauty and creativity stays alive.

On Saturday, my new friend, Jane (and friend from Don's youth) , called to invited me for a drive over to Tennessee with  her and her friend, Brenda.  Objective:  Visit Charlene's Colony of Shops.  Add one part antiques, one part dramatic home decor in any style you might seek, a comfortable women's clothing store, and a cafe open to only 2 p.m.  We arrived after 2 p.m. so no luck there.

Our first treat was to meet Wes Cunningham, who is married to the owner's daughter, (Rachel).  He followed us through the antique shop, pointing out this and that, talking about his wife's enjoyment of photography (yes, my camera was out), and his failure at blogging.  Wes would rather be out in a canoe and I can hardly blame him.  There are times when a canoe sounds like a real good idea to me, as well.  Lucky Wes has made it part of his lifestyle.

Several people have tried to identify the piece of furniture he is standing next to but so far no one has any idea of what it is meant to be used for (including Wes).  If it weren't for the door, it would look, for all the world, like a fireplace mantel.  The interior is lined and backed with a light weight metal.  It's a mystery.  I decided that it was used as a Priest Hole which had magically found its way from a 16th C English manor house to the tiny town of Hall, TN. Jane thought I had a hyperactive imagination.  She's probably right. 

 

Charlene's Antique Shop

Some friendly lions

When I'm antiquing, I can never resist looking behind a curtained doorway or a semi-closed door.  You never know what treasures you might spot.  

More treasures waiting to see the light of day

A quick stop at the clothing stored freed me from a bit of money since I'm a sucker for earrings, and especially Cross earrings.  Forgive the bad picture.  I can't do selfies worth a darn.

. . . and then it was on to the main event.

Walk into Charlene's and after a few minutes, you will think that you have fallen down Alice's rabbit hole.  This place is just one enormous surprise.  If there is a decor style to be sought, you will find it here - in its own little room. 

No space is wasted.  Even the Ladies and the Gentlemen have their role to play in the decorating and sales themes.

Here are a few more treasures

Part II will be posted tomorrow.  This quote from Hebrews will tantalize you.

Hebrews 13:2  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.