V o l u m e   T h r e e	N u m b e r   O n e  -   J a n u a r y   1 9 9 9
Advancing Dawn Commissioning Ceremony Meditation and Movement Taize Prayer Other Newsletters Sanctuary of Hope Inner City Inter Faith Retreat Center Father Dennis Wait Sanctuary of Hope 2601 Ridge Ave. Kansas City KS 66102-4617 Weekly Prayers 10 AM Tuesdays Phone (913) 321-HOPE(4673)	The Advancing Dawn Will we turn away from our sins and live the Good News? Commissioning Ceremony Will you keep the three-fold vow of loving service and prayer? "I will with the help of God. Meditation and Movement. Valentine Sunday Agape to repeat last year's great entertainment and pleasant afternoon. Taize Prayer chants in many languages foster communion with God and continue afterwards in one's heart. Tom Gilbert - Editor E: Mail: TMGilbert@SanctuaryOfHope.org

 

In the Season of Epiphany, when the love of God is revealed to both Gentiles and Jews, we find ourselves approaching Valentine’s Day, a time to share this love with one another. “Will you be my Valentine?” is the phrase echoed in many hearts. In this New Year of 1999, dedicated to God as Father in the Catholic tradition and in Wyandotte County, I also hear the Father asking all of us will we obey God’s command to lay down our lives in service to others. “Do you love me...Lord you know everything. You know well that I love you...Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17). In a couple of days the Holy Season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday. Will we turn away from our sins and live the Good News? It’s easy to blame others for my conduct or lack of it. A story is told of a person who wanted to test the Lord. The person took a bird to Jesus and held it covered in his hands. The person asked Jesus if the bird was dead or alive. If Jesus said the bird was dead, then the person would open his hands and let the bird go free. If Jesus said the bird was alive, then the person would squeeze the bird to death. When asked the question, Jesus answered by saying: “The decision is in your hands.” God calls us all to responsible love. This means that we must let go and trust the Lord, when outcomes don’t happen according to our plans and agendas. When I surrender, it is then that God can work the miracle for me and those I love. Lord help us to trust you as we feed your sheep! Sr. Mary Eugenia Floersch, SCL, Bernadine Asher and I want to thank you for the many cards, prayers and gifts you sent. May the Christ of Epiphany reward each of you for your kindness. On behalf of the community of Sanctuary of Hope, I want to thank our donors, volunteer workers and prayer warriors for all your generous gifts of time, talent and treasure. May Jesus and Our Lady of Perpetual Help bless you for helping to feed God’s People through the ministry of Sanctuary of Hope. There is a slight change in our Post Office Box number. The new address is: Sanctuary of Hope, PO Box 172018, Kansas City, KS 66117-1018. The last four extended zip code numeric digits were “0018.” Remember to send all donations to the PO Box address above. All personal mail and business correspondence is to be sent to Sanctuary of Hope, 2601 Ridge Ave., Kansas City, KS 66102-4617. This address for personal and business matters is for Bernadine Asher, Sr. Mary Eugenia and me. We invite you to join the Live-ins for daily prayer at 7 AM and 5 PM during the week and for the Eucharist at 7:30 AM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Our Community Prayer Group meets every Tuesday from 10 AM to about noon. Do come and bring a friend. We thank the Lord for hearing our prayers throughout the year and for His continued favor upon us all. We look forward to seeing you at the Music and Meditation Concert on Sunday, Feb. 14th, Valentine’s Day from 2-5 PM. Bring your family and loved ones. Love and Prayers, Fr. Dennis Wait, Spiritual Director Return to Table of Contents

December Associate Commissioning Ceremony -- by Donna Cermak

On December 19th, Willie Etta Jennings addressed the Brothers and Sisters of Hope as follows:

We the “Gathering Committee” are so happy
to welcome you, our volunteers - “Brothers and Sisters
of Hope” to this Commissioning Ceremony.

Words do not have the power to impart our true sentiments
of appreciation for all the love, the work, the concern,
the caring and sharing that you, our volunteers have
exhibited and expressed during the beginning and growth
of Sanctuary of Hope.

Many times the problems you encountered seemed
insurmountable but we learned that if adversity
is faced with FAITH and with HOPE, these problems
become smaller in scope.

You are to have bestowed upon you the Franciscan Cross
which will be an identity that you have been commissioned
to wear as a Brother or Sister of Hope. As you accept this
honor, Look back and praise Him; Look up and trust Him;
Look around you and sense Him; Look ahead and expect Him.

As I call your name, would you please come forward.
Father Dennis will commission you and Donna and I will
place the Franciscan Cross around your neck. God Bless You.

As each was commissioned, their oath was sealed with the simple vow:

“I will with the help of God.”

And, all 43 of us are certain that we will!

Associates receive Commissioning Crosses from Father Dennis in December ceremony.

Brothers and Sisters of Hope listen intently as Willie Etta outlines ceremony procedures.

 

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Meditation and Movement Agape

-- by Marilyn Connolly

Meditation in Movement and Music, February 14 at 2:00 p.m. will include a variety of inspirational performances—mime, theater, piano and several other musical instruments. “High Tea” will be served in the dining room. Rochelle Fields has performed as a mime twice before at Sanctuary of Hope and been greatly appreciated. Rochelle studied at the Kansas City Art Institute and performed on KYFC-TV. She began her study of mime with Randall Bane. Since then her live appearances have taken her into churches of all denominations throughout the United States. She and her husband have 2 sons. Gerry Kinerk studied music at Avila College and theater at UMKC. She sings and dances with the Entertainers, part of the Senior Barn Players. Gerry has performed and/or written several one woman plays—Julian of Norwich, Angela Mereci and Therese of Avila, and written and directed plays for the Senior Barn Players. She will do a shortened version of Therese for us. Gerry and Ed have six grown children and five grandchildren. Jess Guislain grew up in Prairie Village where she now resides. She studied piano all through school, majoring in music. She also studied in Belgium where she met and married Serge Guislain. They returned to Prairie Village to live. They have 4 daughters and 6 grandchildren. Jess has played piano and organ in churches all over town and accompanied many choral groups. Cathy Jennings has traveled, lived and worked in Japan and learned much of the culture. She will play the Okoto (Japanese harp) for us. Kathy studied at UMKC and now teaches English as a Second Language at Penn Valley Community College. Gerald Trimble plays the viola de gamba, the lute, and several stringed instruments. He plays a variety of Celtic and Eastern and Middle Eastern music, much that he learned by traveling around the world, including Turkey and the former Soviet Union. Gerald’s three records try to show the connection of all people through music. Because seating in the chapel is limited, we are asking everyone to obtain a ticket from an associate of Sanctuary of Hope or by calling 321-HOPE (4673). A donation of $10 is suggested. Parking will again be in the City Park lot on Park Drive just West of 26th Street. Shuttle service between the lot and SOH will be available. All of the Brothers and Sisters of Hope as well as the Brothers and Sisters of Peace look forward to your attendance! Return to Table of Contents

Taize Prayer by Bernadine Asher

On Friday evening, March 19th, at 7 PM, Sanctuary of Hope will offer Prayer in the Taize’
tradition. It will include chants, Psalms and silent prayer by candlelight.

The Community of Taize’ was founded near the ancient monastery of Cluny in the
Burgundy District of France. Its mission was to bring peace and reconciliation to people
after the devastation of World War II in the 1940’s.

Taize’ chants are translated in many languages now and are sung all over the world. The
repetition of the chants fosters communion with God and continues afterwards in the
silence of one’s heart.

Please join us for this devotion. Barbara Harrison will provide music and Worship
Leaders will be Rick and Penny Torretto. There will be a free will offering and
refreshments provided afterwards. Do bring a friend too.

Peace, Bernadine Asher

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