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Welcome to spring, the Easter Season and this month dedicated to Our Lady. We rejoice that we have two new live-in members with us at SOH. Their names are Alain Simplice Nteikeu from Cameroon, Africa, and Robert Nowlin from Central California, USA. Alain is a student working toward his MB at Avila University and Robert is attending the Nazarene Theological Seminary, both Institutes are in Kansas City MO. Alain speaks Italian and French and is rapidly learning English. Robert is versed in Spanish. As I walk down the halls of SOH, I feel we are blest to have our own “united nations.” Both these young men are dedicated to their Faith in Christ and very sincere in their compassion toward others. We now have seven live-in staff; six commuter staff and forty Associates Members. Not to mention the countless other volunteers that help us out everyday of the year. Our mailing roster is now at 2,400! Praise God!
When I reflect on the beauties of nature; the awesome God that we all know in some unique way and people who have inspired me in my own spiritual walk; I sense that I am but a small part of the whole mystery of Life. I am like a speck in eternity. But I always like to add: “but what a speck!” Having had my first parish mission in Marietta, Georgia, two months ago, completing another Cursillo in our Archdiocese of KCK as a team member last month, and seeing the movie, “Into Great Silence;” I am more convinced that the path to wholeness is paved with healing and forgiveness. I will never forget the people in Georgia coming up to the altar to be prayed over by the permanent deacon and myself. The evening was to end at 9 PM, but I didn’t get over to the rectory until 11 PM. I remember going before the Blessed Sacrament and giving all the requests to Jesus. I was exhausted, but so happy. People making a Cursillo weekend are given an opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation and every time we celebrate this Sacrament I sense burdens being lifted by God from each person. After confessions, I wanted to go to bed, but I was so excited to get to end the day praying with the team. I have always enjoyed watching a good movie, but the above movie confirmed in me that true love, true wholeness and forgiveness happen best in stillness. Dennis, just be still and know that I am God! We have many things to do and countless guests to be welcomed at ole SOH. The details are endless! I know that I will never get it all done. There are on-going events to tend to like the upcoming 5 K Race/Walk in June and the Hope Benefit in October. Our inner city people whom we serve and many outside the inner city come also seeking peace and renewal. I want to end my reflection with a story about a woman who taught her Son to be still. Her name is Mary. One of her special titles is: “Gentle Woman.” Many world religions, spiritual paths do have a feminine image. It is the creative and birthing side of God! One of my favorite stories of Mary, Our Lady, is her response to the birth of Jesus. She too was buffeted with deep sorrow, uncertainty, demands from all directions, being a mother for the first time, seeking peace. “All who heard it were amazed by what had been told them by the shepherds. And Mary kept all these things, pondering on them in her heart.” Luke 2:19. Mary remained silent and open to God in the midst of such demand. When Jesus needed a nudge from his mother to begin his public ministry; it was Mary who said: “Do whatever He tells you.” But it was the same mother who taught Him to speak not a word when his enemies were trying to kill Him at the end and it was Mary’s gentle example that led Jesus to spend many hours in prayer quietly with His Father. Her assertiveness was just as strong as her gentleness: “How can this be, since I do not know man?” Luke 1:34. When Jesus came asking a similar question that Mary asked the angel: “How can this be mother...that your son will one day walk on water, cause the blind to see, redeem you?” “How can this be?” This gentle woman said: “Ad sum,” “Here I am.” Her Son said: “I AM is here.” “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:11 Dios te bendiga siempre, God bless you always,
L
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