Welcome to the new millennium, the Jubilee year of 2000, Wow! I am grateful to
the Lord for allowing me and those I love to be living at this time. When I
entered the seminary in 1966 with the advent of Vatican II, I felt like I was a
part of a great transition in our Church. I saw myself as a “bridge” between the
older ways of prayer and the newer ones (really our Church was reviving some
of the more ancient ways of prayer, especially biblical ones, that we had gotten
away from, since the period of the Reformation). Today I sense that I am part of
another transition. I sense that people want to have a more intimate walk with
the Lord. There is an inner hunger for truth and a longing for relationship with
God. Hopefully this century will be a time when all of us can appreciate the
signs and wonders of our God, and take some quality time to develop our
interior lives.
We have mastered a great deal in the material world, but need to ground
ourselves in a listening posture to the Voice of the Holy Spirit. If God could
become my “Councilor,” especially in the decisions that affect my life, those
close to me, and those I serve; what a society we would enjoy!
A pastor from Houston, Texas, Rev. Dr. Michael Patrick Williams, at the Martin
Luther King, Jr. Celebration in KCKS, called us all to see the power in the very
name of Jesus. He said that not even slavery could break the spirit of the Black
Community in America, but today, the targeting of Black males by demonic
forces is breaking the spirit of the whole human community placing more men,
especially Black men, in prisons, than in colleges. He said that politicians will
cut programs like “Head Start” and other helpful programs to empower people,
but find it easy to get money to build more prisons. To me this is why Psalms 54
and 55 are next to each other. It is in calling deeply upon the name of God that
we can defeat such evil in our own lives and the communities in which we live.
“O God, by your name save me and by your might defend my cause.” (Psalm
54:3) “Cast your care upon the Lord and He will support you.” (Psalm 55:23)
Families, Neighborhoods, whole Communities are crying out for people who
have a deep love for the Lord, walk by His wisdom and truth and care for others.
What really is the reason for one’s success in life? For me, it’s finding that
wonderful Lord who helps me take the next step in my own growth and the
caring individuals who support me in deepening my friendship with God and my
care for others. I even ask Sheba, my trusted dog, if she prayed today. Her
silence tells me that she also is happy being herself and responding to God as
the creature that she is. Remember that even the trees clap their hands and the
mountains and hills ring out justice and the flowers of the fields are clothed in
such beauty. As Jesus says: “How much more important are you, than these!”
(Luke 12:24)
At Sanctuary of Hope, it is our mission to help people make solid transitions in
their lives and with those they love. They say if we fail to cover all the areas of
growth, then we will repeat the ones we miss. So if I fail to listen to my inner
self and fail to hear God speaking to my heart of hearts, then I may miss those
most important truths which guide my actions, my decisions, my values, my
joys and my sorrows.
Lord, help me to be still and know that you are God!
I close with a quote from my Deacon year (the year before I was ordained a
priest): “There is nothing so strong as gentleness; nothing so gentle as real
strength.”
The Joy of the Lord is my strength,
Love and Prayers,
Fr. Dennis Wait,
Spiritual Director
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Meditation in Music and Movement By Trish Miller
The Third Annual Meditation in Music and Movement will be presented Sunday,
February 27 at 2:00 P.M. in the Sanctuary of Hope chapel followed by a High
Tea in the dining room. “Old friends” and some new performers will share their
gifts of song, music, story and dance as we join to praise God. Space is limited,
call early to reserve your seats. Your tax-deductible donation for this event is
appreciated and will be used for continued renovation and operating expenses
of SOH. A $10 donation is suggested.
When asked why Meditation in Music and Movement? Marilynn Connolly,
chairperson for the SoH public relations committee, says that after seeing
Rochelle Fields perform at an early SOH concert, “The idea for the first
Meditation in Music and Movement just came to me whole, plop.” Rochelle will
dance before the Lord again this year when she presents two interpretations of
Scripture in mime. Rochelle who has always been involved in the arts, did not
start dancing until she attended a session on mime at a worship workshop
about 13 years ago. Of her present ministry she says, “It is out of my personal
prayer, it must be real there first.”
Jessamine Guislain also is performing for the third time this year. Jessamine
has been playing piano most of her life and has her degree in organ
performance and sacred music. Of playing for SOH she says, “For me music is
another way to praise God. Whether just playing for myself, accompanying
others or as part of my work in churches.” Jessamine and her husband Serge
are both associates of Sanctuary of Hope.
Sister Gloria Solomons, SCL tells us that music is her ministry, and she tries to
share it anyway she can. Sister Gloria is musician and liturgist for St Charles
parish in Gladstone. It was while she was taking drum lessons as a child that
she became interested in the marimba. Sister will play both secular and sacred
music on the marimba for Meditation in Music and Movement.
The young Sinag Tala Filipino Dancers celebrate the goodness and joy of life,
sharing the exotic and fascinating culture of the Philippines with the
community. This seemed to the planning committee to be very much in keeping
with the intent of Meditation in Music and Movement.
Peggy Walls says “Everyone is a storyteller and everybody has a story to tell. It
is by telling our stories that we pass on our culture, our values and our faith.”
Peggy convinced her friend Bea Smith to attend a workshop with her and they
now frequently tell stories together. Bea and Peggy see their ministry of story
telling as one “to teach, to encourage, to help people look at things in a
different way.”
About 3 years ago, Dave Benton was choir director for Judson Baptist Church
and thought it would be nice to have a men’s quartet for use in their Sunday
worship. He recruited Fred Jones, Bill Brame and Rickey Wilson to join him.
Soon the group, called One Voice, began to receive invitations to sing at other
churches and events. Dave says “We like to go into the community anyway we
can. Singing has allowed us, as a group, to share our faith with others in a way
we wouldn’t have alone.” Ruth Clark will accompany them.
Because Meditation in Music and Movement is a prayer
experience, those who participate in the assembly are an
important part of the afternoon. We hope you will join in this
unique opportunity to share with the performers and each other.
Following the performance, there will be time for fellowship at the
tea served in SOH dining room, and tours will be provided so all
may see the progress being made in refurbishing the building.
Space is limited and reservations are encouraged. If you are
unable to attend, but wish to support this project, your donation is
always appreciated.
Visit the [Meditations] page to see pictures. Don't
forget to come back...
Run the Good Race by Jack Connolly
We all know that SOH is not about money, but we also know that if we had more we could do more. The
SOH finance committee, under the leadership of Paula Graves, began meeting regularly again in September,
1999. Our duties are largely the creation and implementation of fund raising proposals and activities. In that
context I suggested some months ago that SOH should sponsor a road race. The committee membership
agreed and we have proceeded.
In case you are not familiar with this kind of activity, typically participants range from wheel chair athletes
to serious, competitive runners to recreational runners to people who just want to walk. The number of
participants in this part of the world range from the 3500 who participated at the last Thanksgiving event
sponsored by Sprint to the 60 or so who braved the rain and cold last October at the Log Cabin Run in
Harrisonville, MO. Participants range in age from children to septuagenarians (really). Normally a few prizes
are given to the overall winner and to the first few finishers in various age and gender groups. There are no
losers however because these are really social events to support worthy causes.
The SOH event is entitled "Run the Good Race". It will be 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) long, starting and
finishing at SOH, and will begin at 8AM on April 15, 2000. There will be a pancake breakfast as well which
will begin as soon as the first (hungry) runners finish. An entry form and waiver are included in the
newsletter. The course map is available on the SOH web page.
We are just beginning to advertise the event. Father Dennis and I met with Mayor Marinovich to inform her
of what we are doing. We have contacted the National Guard Armory and they have expressed interest in
helping and participating. Fliers will be distributed at two major road races, the Ground Hog Run in February
and the Irish Jig and Jog in March. Also I am making arrangements to advertise at UMKC and several other
area schools and colleges. A. C. Printing is doing the fliers for free and I got a very good price on the race T
shirts from Nill Bros. My good friend, Frank Viscek, has supplied me with a list of potential sponsors and
they will be contacted shortly. It appears that the event is developing some momentum but it is too early to
tell.
The main purpose of this article is simply to inform, but we can certainly use help. We are looking for
participants, helpers, and sponsors. The application form is available in this newsletter, otherwise I can be
reached by phone at 913 236 9528 or by email at connollyj@umkc.edu. Please note that any group or
organization that provides 25 or more entrants by April 1, can have their name or logo on the race T shirt.
Finally, PLEASE pray for the success of this event.
An Announcement:
Meditation in Music and Movement
and Run the Good Race events
By Fr Dennis Wait
A good way to begin one’s transition is to experience a sacred action. Therefore with the
staff of Sanctuary of Hope, we all invite you to attend our “Meditation in Music and
Movement Concert.” It will be held here on Sunday, Feb. 27th at 2 PM. Do invite a friend,
purchase your tickets and come. Most life transitions involve others and serve as “actual”
graces for God to move in us. If you like to run and/or walk, we invite you to our first 5K
Race/Walk at 8 AM on Saturday, April 15th. The definition of wisdom is “walking with
God.” We invite you not only to walk, but run with God and one another also. The theme
of our 5K Race/Walk event is “Run the Good Race.” Wow, what a privilege to win the
race of life and know that God is so pleased with my taking a risk!
S O H "Wish List"
Large, Deep Plastic Containers
for Art Supply Storage
Small Refrigerator
for Day Room
Heavy Duty Canister
Vacuum Sweeper
Items for Guests & Retreatants:
Mirrors
of all sizes
Large Pictures
Volunteer Professionals:
Librarian to shelve books
and assemble Card File
Craftsman to finish
Chapel Oak Baseboard
Craftsman to install
Communion Rail Gates
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