What is your story today? If you had to write your own gospel or life story, what would it be? Thomas Moore, author of "Care of the Soul," says that authority comes from the root word, "author." Do you see that you are the author of your own authority? Authority means increase. So what are we doing to increase the vitality of the Holy Spirit in our own lives? Sure we have the Holy Trinity dwelling in us; we have the teachings of Jesus and the Church Family; we have our own religions, culture, history and backgrounds; but what am I dreaming about as far as my own story? If you look at your fantasies, be aware of them (don’t act upon them) , they will lead you to the very fire of the Holy Spirit. Jeremiah says that God has written God’s Law in every heart so we will know God clearly and not have to be taught by others. Wow! Jesus has come to bring us life and life most abundantly. This is the increase that the Savior promises us. Do we take hold of this richness or do we let others handle our authority for us? I sense so many have the "golden fleece," but don’t know this themselves. Especially at this holy season, the Lord is near to all, but so many feel that God is miles away, especially from me. This is so sad to see. Don’t be afraid to look at what attracts you, what gives you vitality, what gives you the energy to climb the mountain or to walk on water. Please do walk on the water!

So come on out into the wilderness. Edwina Gately, author of "The Mystical Heart," says the wilderness is always a place of healing. In this wilderness, Edwina says that God will never give up seducing us. She says that you don’t know something is true, until it changes your life. What is changing my life? What is my own truth? As Edwina says, embracing what is "falling apart," is what brings life! Wow!

We invite you to come to the sacred wilderness of Sanctuary of Hope. This is the place that God has set aside for the people of this community. Here one can begin to look at what is vital to them; where God ignites the embers of God’s love in a heart not afraid to author their own story...costing not less than everything. We have space now for twenty-five people to stay overnight and can accommodate day groups up to 60 people at one time. Some rooms have double and king size beds. Bring a friend, bring your family...stop by there is always an extra potato or bowl of soup...and the "cookie monster" is not stingy with the cookies.

I close with a quote from Bishop Samuel Ruiz of Chiapas, Mexico: "The Holy Spirit is already present in the indigenous people of the world. It is our job to listen to that Spirit in them and in our own selves...then to go forward from this point."

Merry Christmas and an Incredible New Year,
Fr. Dennis Wait
Spiritual Director

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What is the difference between "following a fantasy" and "acting out" one.
Here is what Fr. Dennis wrote to expand on his cryptic statement:
"be aware of them (don't act upon them)"

Scouting the Sanctuary of Hope By Trish Miller

It is not unusual to see Scout troops at Sanctuary of Hope. Nine Scout Eagle projects including building nature trails, replacing the screens and painting the garden house, roofing and painting the garages, clearing brush, and refurbishing the St. Joseph shrine have been done. Many troops have come out for workdays and special service projects. November 13th, for the second year, Sanctuary of Hope was the site of Troop 295’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner. This fall camp-out is planned to provide older Scouts an opportunity for fellowship with younger boys, especially the Cub Scouts. Because the boys, and leaders, fix and serve Thanksgiving Dinner to their families, it is also a time for fellowship among the parents. One mom shared, "Now that my sons are older, I don’t get to see these people very often. There never seems to be the time to just stop and visit. It is good to come and renew old friendships, to slow down for awhile to enjoy each other."

While some of the leaders and older boys came out on Friday to get things set-up, the camp-out began for most boys on Saturday morning. A core part of the Thanksgiving camp-out has always been a service project. This year the boys spread mulch on existing walking trails. When asked how he felt about the service project, Bradley said, "It’s kind of fun to do something good." Patrick Miller said of his work on the nature trails: "I kind-of feel close to God in nature and the trails give people a place get away and take a long walk." Scout Master, Paul Cast says, "The boys feel good about themselves when they help. Oh, they gripe about the hard work and whine, but they are proud of what they do and they like it." Of the boys’ work, Bernadine Asher, associate director of SOH said, "They work well together, the area around the west gate was cleaned-up before we even asked. They filled a dumpster with trash."

After the morning’s work, the boys joined other volunteers for lunch. As they witnessed the involvement of other volunteers, the boys, without even knowing it, were learning how important serving others is, not just for their "service project" but as a part of their lives as Christians.

Then the cooking began. The smoker was filled with turkeys, potatoes were peeled and Paul started making the pies. The noise of 30 boys playing English Bull Dog, building a rope bridge – several times – playing horse shoes with their dads, and cutting fire wood might not seem to be relaxing to the adult observer, but as one Scout said "I don’t have to worry about anything." By about 4PM parents, siblings and guests begin to arrive. Nearly a hundred people gathered in the sunshine for dinner. Often comments where heard about how peaceful it was, how "far from all the hassles" it seemed. A few parents toured Sanctuary of Hope’s main building while others took advantage of the nature trails their sons had been mulching.

After dinner many families lingered to join the boys for candle light vespers. As the families came together in a circle near the campfire, the younger Scouts lit the candles as we sang "This is holy ground, we are standing on holy ground." It was hard to see the words of the Psalm, yet the words of praise and thanksgiving were clear in the silence of the night. A reading from Philippians 4:8-9 called to mind the Scout oath the boys had recited at the morning flag ceremony, a promise to be honorable and truthful, to do their best to serve God and country.

"Finally, my brothers, your thoughts should be wholly directed to all that is true, all that deserves respect, all that is honest, pure, admirable, decent, virtuous, or worthy of praise. Live according to what you have learned and accepted, what you have heard me say and seen me do. Then will the God of peace be with you."

Philippians 4:8-9

We joined hands for the Our Father. The boys faces showed that this was a meaningful experience for them, maybe not one they could put into words, but one that would remain in their memories. One dad reflected: "It reminds me of the Masses we use to have when I went on camp-outs; it was very special." Preparing to write this article, I went around humming the song, "Holy Ground" for two or three days. It just lingered in my mind. It was good!

As the last of the guests left and the boys settled in for the night, Bernadine described the scene from SOH’s kitchen window. "You could see the boys around the main campfire and their lights dotting the field. The smell of the food still lingered mixing with the smoke. And, you could hear the ring of the horse shoes hitting the post as they played a final game."

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Meditation & Movement February 27th 2000
by Marilyn Connolly

Meditation in Music and Movement will be held for the third year on February 27 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel at Sanctuary of Hope.

Tours to see improvements to the building and High Tea will follow.

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Sanctuary of Hope Cookbook Fund Raiser
Taste of Heaven

The Sanctuary of Hope Cookbook IS available! 
To ensure delivery before Christmas, you should pre-order as soon as possible! 
The cookbook price is $10 if you are able to pick it up without shipping charges.
If shipping is required please add $2 for the cost of wrapping and postage.
To order please send checks payable to Sanctuary of Hope to either:

Mary Ann Rangel                                            or                                        Bernie Gasparovich
6123 W. 76th Place                                                                                    15803 W. 128th
Prairie Village, KS 66208                                                                            Olathe, KS 66062
(913)649-0391                                                                                            (913)397-6875

Sanctuary of Hope appreciates your support.                                                        God Bless you!

Thank God for these 4 and 12 other
groups who have stayed at SOH this
past month: