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| V o l u m e T h r e e - N u m b e r S i x - O c t o b e r 1 9 9 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sanctuary of HopeInner 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) |
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Welcome to the Season of Thanksgiving to God for the harvest and all our blessings. I want to thank all of you who sent cards and prayers to me on my birthday and to Bernadine Asher when she was recovering from having her pacemaker installed. I’m a year older and Bernadine is doing much better ("ticking away"). Sister Mary Eugenia is looking very stylish and several pounds lighter with her new glasses. May God reward each of you for your generosity. Our thanks to all our workers, our prayer warriors, our volunteers for the many needed services at SOH. You have all gone the extra mile and God is pleased. Our taco dinner was a grand success, we cleared over $900, Wow! We thank all of our immediate neighbors for trusting that Sanctuary of Hope would be a place they would be proud of and it would become a place of prayer and retreat. Groups and individuals have been using it for the last two years and we have served thousands of people with bookings into April of 2000. Wow and Praise the Lord!
Our thanks to all our professionals who have also gone beyond the call of duty, to Ralph Pruente, Robert Walker, Dennis Deere, Steve and Hal Kurz, Terry Gruenewald, Al and Christine Rossi, Mike Forsythe and Associates, Mike Walberg, Mike Sharpe, Bill and Carol Loechler, George Steinberger, Lois Partlow, Maudella Hall, Mike Maderak, Luke Kush, Jesus Casas, Sr., Tom Grace, Dave Faltermeier, Ed Bechelmayr, Jay and Irene Narvaez, Bob and Gene Pemberton, Leanna Harding, George and Trish Miller, Barbara Jaskot, Jim and Barb Beatty, JR Electric, Uriel and Esther Alvarado, Pat and Dave Gibson, Jim Randall, Tom Gilbert, Tom Thorpe, Lyle Johnson, Jerry Verheaghe, Pat McAnany, Board of Public Utilities Personnel, Marty Thoennes, Mark and Beth Schulte, Ken Gates, Mike and Connie Fern, Eugene Lipscomb, Tom Kowalski, Gary Schumann, Bryan Dobbels, Jim Hilliard, Pat Wise, Dave Kendrick, Bill Harper, John Crutcher, ATD Business Systems, Protection Systems, Delmarie Cleland, Sadie Espinoza, Genaro and Mary Ann Rangel, Paula Graves, Donna Cermak, Tom Korb, Ron McCorkle, Theresa Best, Jane LaPlante, Dr. Arnulfo and Shirley Sulit, Elliott Teters, Leah Mullins, Mayme Brumskine, Liz Litfin, Willie Etta Jennings, Laurie Oswald, Fr. Matt Horvat, Sr. Mary Eugenia Floersch, SCL., Bernadine Asher, Jeff Seib, Kelly Ashton, Steven Seib and many more.
More and more people are forming small faith communities. These small circles of love, faith and sharing help each individual develop their full potential and know God’s love more intimately for them. Jeff, Kelly and Steven have done exactly this by becoming live-ins at Sanctuary of Hope. We are all truly blest by them, their two dogs, Solomon and Sophie and their willingness to care; even, my dog, Sheba, has felt their warm presence.
Hope to see all of you on October 23rd, Saturday, at 10 AM. Sister Teresa Elias will give a workshop on "Dreams." You don’t want to miss it. Don’t forget, we are having a potluck, Eve of All Saints Party at SOH, on October 31st, from 6 PM on. We ask that you come dressed as your favorite saint, or just come as you are. I understand some goolish creatures will be lurking about.
Even if your name isn’t mentioned above, know we deeply appreciate each labor of love, each prayer, each thought you send our way, especially for all our guests and those most in need of a thankful heart.
Love and Prayers,
Fr. Dennis Wait
Spiritual Director
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Our Journey to Sanctuary of Hope By Kelly Ashton and Jeff Seib
"We’re here!!!!", we shouted, joyfully, as we drove through the gate at Sanctuary of Hope on August 14, 1999. With a truckload of beds, clothing, personal effects, etc., we prepared to spend our first night as "live-ins" at SOH. Though the physical journey of 12 or so miles from our previous home in Overland Park was short, the spiritual journey we have traveled as we prepared for our move into SOH has been quite long, spanning many years of maturing in our faith. We know we have been called by God to this mission of SOH. We’re sure He has been calling us much longer than we have actually been aware of His call. His call started with little whispers and tugs here and there - feeling a need and desire to DO something of service. But, we were quite busy at the time, and it was easy to ignore Him. As the months passed, He called a little louder and a bit more frequently. He was getting harder to ignore. His call was becoming louder in our ears and hearts. Often, we’d reply with, "What do you want of us???????? We’re busy! We have more on our plates than we can handle. We’re barely keeping our heads above water as it is. How can we do more?????????"
His answer, "HAVE FAITH. COME AND FOLLOW ME." We were becoming more convinced. "OK., Lord, but give us a hint? What are we supposed to be doing?" Enter Fr. Dennis Wait and his dream called Sanctuary of Hope. Fr. Dennis described to us his vision of a prayer and retreat center in the inner-city, available to persons of all denominations, all faiths. A place where one could come and contemplate the gift of life - to "be still and know that I AM GOD"; a place where those who are searching could meet God; a place where persons could come for an hour, a day, several days...to explore their relationship with their Creator; a place where persons who did not feel acceptance anywhere else would be accepted; a place where persons would be met "where they are" and know that they are loved by God. We were intrigued. We were interested. But, we were very busy. Was there time for one more thing? By now, God was shouting, " THIS IS WHERE YOU ARE TO BE. MINISTER TO OTHERS. LOOK TO ME FOR GUIDANCE - I WILL NOT LEAD YOU ASTRAY. COME FOLLOW ME." God is difficult to ignore when He yells!
What else could we do? We said, "Yes,
Lord!
Count us in. We’re relying on You to make the time!"
As the vision of Sanctuary of Hope became more
clear - we were led to a building. The building He gave us was massive. And
filthy. Filled with many challenges - and many bugs. Plaster cracks. Odors.
Prayers. Tears. Love. Charity. Hope. "There is SO much to do, Lord. How
can anyone live here? It will take forever to get this building in
shape!" "HAVE FAITH." There were many willing volunteers. We
came together and prayed, worked, and prayed some more. We pulled vines from
trees, cleared fallen branches, found a grotto, found poison ivy, and
discovered saints in both statue and human form. Things began to take shape;
miracles were happening...
In 1996, another portion of the vision was presented to us: a "bed & breakfast" within SOH as part of the fundraising arm of the mission. This would provide a place where retreatants and others could stay, assured of a comfortable place to lay their heads and a hot meal to fill their stomachs, surrounded by the love of God in an environment which invites prayer, contemplation, praise, worship - even to those who may come without intending to be involved with such things. The SOH mission could be met, even in this fundraising venture because everyone who enters the grounds of SOH will be ministered to. For, we are all called to minister to one another - to everyone we meet. The ministry of SOH, coupled with the "bed and breakfast" aspect of SOH was really exciting to us. We began our married life "bed & breakfasting", and we had dreamed of, one day, being "bed and breakfast hosts". God provided us with that opportunity through SOH. We prayed about the opportunity that presented itself. We talked about it, slept on it, talked and prayed some more. Again, God said, " HAVE FAITH. COME AND FOLLOW ME." We said, "OK, God. We’ll do it!"
We knew the task we had accepted would require us living at SOH. We had no idea at that time how long it might be before we would be moving in. We wanted it to be NOW. Impatience plagued us. However, as always, God’s plan was much better than our own. He said, " HAVE FAITH. I WILL LEAD YOU. THIS WILL HAPPEN IN MY TIME. JUST KEEP FOLLOWING ME."
Hundreds of persons have come to help over the past 3+ years. The progress of this building couldn’t have happened without them. Miraculous changes have happened. Transformations have occurred - some on the building and grounds, some on the persons in the building and on the grounds. Rooms were cleaned. Tile and miniblinds were donated. Plans were made. Floor tiles were placed. Plaster was patched. Jim stayed in the building as our watchman. Walls were painted. Floors were buffed. Grease was removed. Bugs disappeared. Lights were repaired. Bernadine was the first of the "live-ins" to arrive. More cleaning, buffing, painting. Soon, Father Dennis moved in. Then, Sr. Eugenia. "When is it our time, Lord? When will we be able to move in?" "HAVE FAITH. FOLLOW ME. IT WILL HAPPEN IN MY TIME."
"OK, Lord. We’re getting the message. We’ll try to be patient. It may be years before we can move in, but whenever you deem it time, Lord, we’ll be ready." Submission.......... Incredible peace.
God said, "THAT’S WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR.
NOW, WATCH ME WORK." Another miracle! Volunteers and donations came forth
to renovate a space for us to live. Incredible donations of time, talent,
treasure. Ralph. Terry. Mike. Many, many others. Walls came down. Walls went
up. Plaster. Paint. Doors. Cabinets. Bathtub. Amazing!!! And God said,
"IT’S TIME! MOVE IN." "Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!"
We put our house on the market. We had an offer in 8 days.
Barely a month passed from the time our house was placed on the market until
the sale closed. When God says "IT’S TIME", he’s not fooling
around!!!!!!!!
So, we’re here. There are still boxes to be unpacked, but we’re home! We have had a tremendously positive response to the news of our move. We have received many calls and comments from family, friends, parishioners - all wishing us well; praying for us. We’re grateful for those prayers!!! We have also heard many interesting comments such as: "You must be very religious/holy." I wouldn’t classify us as "very religious" at all. We are traveling our faith journey, the same as everyone else. As much as we sometimes tried, we couldn’t ignore God’s call. He led us to do this. We just finally agreed. Holy? Every one of God’s children are all called to holiness. We try to live as He commands. Some days, with God’s grace, we do pretty well. Other days, by our "humanness", we fail miserably. We just keep trying.
"You are very special people to do such a thing." Are we "very special"? No more so than any other child of God.
"You gave up your home?!?!?!" No. Home is wherever we are together with our family and loved ones. That is why SOH has always felt like home to us. We have always been surrounded by the love of family and friends, and by the love of God. By living at SOH, we feel as though we’ve come home after a long journey. Which, we believe, we have.
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Workshop on Dreams by Marilyn Connolly
All are invited to join our Associate
meeting, Sat. October 23 from ten a.m. to one p.m. Through our dreams God works with us to be
our real selves because dreams come from the mysterious place where God's
Spirit meets ours.
The Sanctuary of Hope Cookbook will be available December 1, 1999.
Mary Ann
Rangel
Sanctuary of Hope appreciates your support.
God Bless you!
Back by popular demand! Sister Therese
Elias, O.S.B. will give an informational workshop on listening to God
through our dreams.
Sanctuary of Hope Cookbook Fund Raiser
Taste of Heaven
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 $3 for the cost of wrapping and postage.
To order please send checks payable to Sanctuary of Hope to either:
6123 W. 76th
Place
Prairie Village, KS
66208
(913)649-0391
or
Bernie Gasparovich
15803 W. 128th
Olathe, KS 66062
(913)397-6875
Wishing Will Make It SoMany bedroom furnishings have been donated
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Here is the current
Ceiling Fans w/light kits |
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