Wednesday, June 27, 2007

#66 - What's your sign?

Astrology. Whether you believe in it or not, it's a pretty interesting subject. Nearly a religion to some; an object of scorn to others. A rich topic. What do you think of it? And if you're so inclined, what's your sign and what does that mean (or not mean) to you?

1. elspeth
2. miss iyer
3. xegbp
4. rubyslippers
5. arboleda
6. pacian
7. cz
8. thefirecat
9. the empty vessel
10. mommy2angels
11. raymond pert
12. thunkful
13. lucy
14. clair
15. e_journeys
16. nonizamboni
17. ian russell
18. terina
19. myrtle beached whale
20. ~minutechaser~
21. gautami tripathy
22. karen travels
23. rob kistner
24. izzy
25. megnificent!
26. leigh in atlanta
27. tricia stirling
28. moonlight nimi
29. lissa
30. cheryl
31. pigeon
32. redness
33. betty c.
34. lacithecat
35. rethabile
36. clockworkchris
37. marcy
38. greenishlady
39. becca
40. regina clare jane
41. onion
42. dana
43. luzie
44. herb urban
45. novel nymph
46. kara
47. tammy
48. shelby
49. frances
50. jill terry
51. clare
52. sian
53. strauss
54. jemima
55. sonya
56. kamsin
57. verilion
58. blah blah woof woof
59. poppy fields
60. january
61. jennifer hicks
62. smtwngrl
63. gill
64. dani
65. wendy
66. cynthia e. bagley
67. wordsmithgrrl
68. jane poe (aka deborah)
69. sister ae
70. dahlia and balu
71. jacqueline
72. mks
73. lisrobbe
74. cynthia
75. gogo
76. viviane
77. sundaycynce
78. karina
79. roswellgray
80. bug
81. remiman
82. megan
83. sarala
84. j. matthew saunders
85.
86.

Our family grows!

Today on the feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour, Rev Br Martin Mary of the Crown of Thorns, C.SS.R. from Oxford, UK, pronounced his first vows.

"Ab illo benedicaris, in cuius honorem, cremaberis."
Rev Br Martin Mary, C.SS.R. pronounces his vows before Our Blessed Lord in the Holy Eucharist.
Here Rev Br Martin Mary, C.SS.R. is pictured with his family, who came all the way from Oxford to be present for this event. From left to right is pictured: Mr Julian Griffiths, Br Martin Mary, C.SS.R., Mrs. Helen Griffiths, Nicholas Griffiths and Billy Griffiths.

Mr Julian Griffiths lights our annual "Bon Fire".

Very Rev Fr Michael Mary, C.SS.R. blesses the fire.
O Lord God, almighty Father, unfailing Light! Thou art the Maker of every light. Do thou sanctify + this new fire, and grant that after the darkness of this world, we may come with pure hearts to thee Who art perpetual Light. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

Eucharistic Heart of Jesus - source of life and sanctity


ACT OF ANTONEMENT TO JESUS IN THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT
O most loving Jesus, Humbly prostrate before Thee in Thy Sacrament of love, we acknowledge Thee for our Lord and God, and we adore Thee with Thy Angels and Saints.
How great is Thy love for us! How great our ingratitude towards Thee! It pains us to see Thee so despised, forgotten and unknown. Before Thee, sinful and sorrowful, we acknowledge our sins and make reparation. For all the insults, irreverences, and outrages ever offered Thee in the Blessed Sacrament, we make reparation. For all the Masses neglected on Sundays and Holydays, for the Easter duty not made, and above all for the sacrilegious Communions ever received, we make reparation. For all our distractions, our coldness and our want of reverence at Holy Mass, at Communion and Benediction, we are sorry and we make reparation.
Give us, O dearest Jesus, the grace to know, to love and to serve Thee better. For the future, let our faith, our reverence and adoration be more worthy of Thee. Bless us, sweet Lord: forgive us every sin and fault; dismiss us with Thy peace in our hearts, and grant us the supreme happiness of one day seeing Thee face to face and possessing Thee together with Thy Holy Mother Mary and all Thy Angels and Saints forever in heaven. Amen.

St Aloysius Gonzaga - Patron of Redemptorist Students


Today we celebrate the feast of St Aloysius Gonzaga - patron of our Redemptorist students: Br Jean Marie, C.SS.R., Br Yousef Marie, C.SS.R., Br Magdala Maria, C.SS.R., Br Ivan Maria, C.SS.R. We wish them many graces from Our Mother of Perpetual Succour and their Holy Patron and assuring them of our prayers.

St Cormac - 21st June

Feast of St Cormac 575 AD

  • The Acta Sanctorum records his feast on 21st June adding that he became abbot of Dormagensis. In the life of Saint Columba, founder of the monastery of Iona, Saint Adaman writes:

  • "At another time, a soldier of Jesus Christ, named Cormac, ... made a second attempt to discover in the ocean. He had sailed far from the land over the boundless ocean, when St Colomba, who was then staying in Drum Alban, recommended him in the following terms to the chief of the Orkney Isles, in presence of king Brude: 'Some of our brethren have lately set sail to discover a desert in the pathless sea; should they happen after many wanderings to come to the Orkneys, direct this chief, whose hostages are in your hands, to take measures that no evil shall befall them.' The saint recommended this precaution, because he knew that after a few months Cormac would arrive at the Orkneys. And so it came to pass, and to this timely recommendation of our saint, Cormac owed his escape from impending death.

  • "After a few months, whilst the saint was remaining in Hy [Iona], Cormac's name was mentioned in his presence by some persons in conversation, who were observing that it was not yet known whether the voyage of Cormac had been successful or otherwise. Upon hearing Cormac's name mentioned, the saint said: 'You will see Cormac about whom you are speaking, arriving here today.'

  • After about an hour, wonderful to relate, Cormac arrived and proceed to the Oratory, whilst all expressed their admiration and gave thanks to God for his safe return."

The 12th century Chapel dedicated to St Cormac (d.640)

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

#65 - I have a secret...

This week's prompt for Sunday Scribblings is:

"I have a secret..."

Have a wonderful weekend!

1. nia
2. karen travels
3. dreamer girl
4. *clair
5. cz
6. herb urban
7. tiel aisha ansari
8. xegbp
9. megnificent!
10. arboleda
11. thefirecat
12. thunkful
13. rob kistner
14. tongue in cheek
15. awareness
16. ally bean
17. tori
18. matthew
19. ian russell
20. simon chase
21. liza's eyeview
22. kiah
23. autrice deldrago
23. raymond pert
24. lacithecat
25. dailypanic
26. jennifer
27. stacy
28. clockworkchris
29. tangerine
30. dahlia and balu
31. elizabeth
32. j. matthew saunders
33. bongga mom
34. ~minutechaser~
35. betty c.
36. beaman
37. gautami tripathy
38. regina clare jane
39. annie
40. paris parfait
41. colleen
42. khambagirl
43. herb urban
44. lucy
45. sistr ae
46. brian
47. patois
48. myrtle beached whale
49. eb
50. lulubunny
51. djpare
52. lissa
53. linleyshea
54. january
55. leigh in atlanta
56. jacqueline
57. kate i
58. gill
59. verilion
60. sonya
61. giggles
62. write from karen
63. remiman
64. kel x
65. lisa sullivan
66. shelby
67. ~amber~
68. megan
69. poppy fields
70. jill terry
71. pacian
72. inlandempiregirl
73. jennifer hicks
74. sundaycynce
75. footpad
76. lisrobbe
77. deirdre
78. the doll
79. becca
80. boliyou
81. rose
82. pixiedust
83. stacie
84. ra
85. roswellgray
86. e_journeys
87. wendy
88. jane poe (aka deborah)
89. amber (naptime writer)
90. jone
91. ampersand
92. daisies
93. dandelion
94. moonlight nimi
95. mommy2angels
96. karina
97. j.s. peyton
98. frances
99. marcy
100.spacedlaw

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Week 25: Markets for this Week

Wednesday 20th June
CERES Organic Market

Thursday 21st June
Casey Farmers' Market

Saturday 23rd June
Bayswater Farmers' Market
Berwick/Casey Farmers' Market
CERES Organic Market
Churchill Island Farmers' Market
Essendon Farmers' Market
Healesville Organic Farmers' Market
Lancefield and District Farmers' Market
Slow Food Farmers' Market
Traralgon Farmers' Market
Yarraville Farmers' Market


Sunday 24th June
Tyabb Farmers' Market
Yarra Valley Fresh
Yarrunga Farmers' Market

Solemnity of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour

On the Sunday before the Feast of St John the Baptist, Redemptorists solemnise the feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Succour. The origin of this practice is not immediately evident, but it lies in the Solemn Coronation of the miraculous image, the 140th anniversary of which we celebrate this year. (1867-2007)
As the coronation must be done with unusual pomp, the venerable Chapter of the Vatican takes the ceremony upon itself. Thus on Sunday, 23 June (the Sunday before the Feast of St John the Baptist), 1867, the Latin Patriarch of Constantinople and Dean of the Chapter, Mgr, later Cardinal, Ruggero Luigi Antici-Mattei, after having sung Pontifical High Mass and intoned the Te Deum, placed two gold crowns studded with pearls and other precious stones, one on the head of the Divine Infant and the other on that of His Mother. The bells of the church and canon fire announced to the people of Rome, among them more than 500 bishops who were in the Eternal City for the 18th Centenary of St Peter and Paul, that the sacred act had been accomplished. These numerous visitors later carried the devotion to the far corners of the world, where she is known today. They were instrumental in assisting the Redemptorists to fulfill the command of the great Pope Pius IX to: “Make Her known.”


Saturday, June 16, 2007

"Stronsay Footprints" seen on Papa Stronsay


Today the local walking group from Stronsay visited Papa Stronsay to see the historical sites on the island and to receive a tour of the monastery.

Friday, June 15, 2007

#64 - Eccentricity

Eccentricity is fun & tempting -- for this Sunday Scribbling I'd like you to:

a) admit any eccentricities you may have, or wish you had, or any you might choose to cultivate;
b) write about eccentric people you know or have heard or read about;

or, the most fun:

c) devise a bunch of eccentricities for yourself, for fun -- either for your old age, or now. Imagine you've inherited a mansion and a fortune, and now it's your job to become an eccentric. You know, like having a pet pot-bellied pig that goes with you everywhere, and always wearing jodhpurs and riding boots (I had a boss that did that, though he owned a restaurant and didn't ride horses; he looked like a male Yoko Ono in riding attire).

Have fun! Invent your weirdest self.

1. xegbp
2. karen travels
3. gautami tripathy
4. autrice deldrago
5. kay
6. arboleda
7. herb urban
8. shelley
9. tiel aisha ansari
10. spacedlaw
11. jennifer
12. bohemian mom
13. thefirecat
14. tricia stirling
15. myrtle beached whale
16. ~minutechaser~
17. clockworkchris
18. awareness
19. lucy
20. regina clare jane
21. janie hickok siess, esq.
22. pip
23. betty c.
24. kamsin
25. colleen
26. dailypanic
27. melissa
28. matthew
29. stacy
30. megnificent!
31. tag
32. [a}
33. liza's eyeview
34. annie
35. bongga mom
36. lisa
37. becca (I) and (II)
38. marcy
39. jill terry
40. sister ae
41. patois
42. kg
43. e_journeys
44. mardougrrl
45. leigh in atlanta
46. j. matthew saunders
47. sonya
48. gill
49. strauss
50. tori
51. kikare
52. self taught artist
53. ~amber~
54. lisa
55. mks
56. write from karen
57. annie mahoney
58. bella
59. jessie
60. remiman
61. raymond pert
62. wendy
63. deirdre
64. djpare
65. ampersand
66. kara
67. mandi
68. sentient marrow
69. pinehurst in my dreams
70. cynthia e. bagley
71. boliyou
72. inlandempiregirl
73. roswellgray
74. lisrobbe
75. ell
76. jennifer hicks
77. vanessa
78. thunkful
79. tracy
80. rose
81. forgetfulone
82. tania
83. sundaycynce
84. daisies
85. frances
86. gigergal
87. hanulf
88. kerstin
89. rob kistner
90. molly
91. cz
92. sage
93. kate i
94. martie
95. giggles

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

A recent visit to the Ukraine

The Monastery Garden of 7 Vechirnia Street, Lviv
Our Basilian Sisters have done a lot to preserve this garden which was used by Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky during the last years of his life. The statue of the Immaculate Conception was erected and blessed in 1998. The brick wall surrounding the property was finished in 2003 and gives the monastery an enclosure and privacy from the busy street.

On 2nd June we accompanied the Sisters on their visit to a high security prison to visit one of the inmates whom they were especially asked to help by the prison Govenor. Both the Govenor and the prisoner were delighted to see the sisters.


Before leaving the prison we were photographed
outside the Church built by the prisoners
The body of Blessed Nicholas Charnetsky has been relocated to the Redemptorist church of St Josaphat in Lviv.
Above is the monastery complex of
Our Lady of Pochaiv
The monastery was founded in the 13th century by Catholic Eastern monks who fled the Tartar invasion. In 1713 the monastery became a center of the Basilian monastic order. Our Lady appeared in Pochaiv and nearby on the Holy Mount (Svyata Hora) leaving a spring of holy water near the impression of Her footprint.

The Shrine of Our Lady's Footprint inside the Pochaiv monastery Cathedral
We took our handpainted icon of Our Lady of Pochaiv from the monastery to the Holy Mount. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who went before us to the Holy Mount had left colourful ribbons on the trees that mark the path through the forest to the top of the mount.

Sviata Hora

The Holy Mount

The top of the Holy Mount is a pleasant contrast to the hustle and bussle of the monastery. The only structure on the mount is the canopy covering the holy well. The atmosphere of silence and nature easily lends itself to prayer and is like a very early morning at the grotto of Lourdes when there is hardly anyone present. We blessed our icon here.
Another Holy Spring
This holy spring in honour of the Mother of God is constantly frequented. It is situated on the road between Lviv and Ternopil. There had previously been a church near the site but it was destroyed by the communists in 1962. Ukraine has many holy wells and springs in honour of the Mother of God.

Saturday, June 9, 2007

St. Columba

On the feast of St. Columba, the great apostle of the Picts, we would like to share with you two excerpts from his life written by Adamnan, ninth abbot of Iona...




On another occasion also, when the blessed man was living for some days in the province of the Picts, he was obliged to cross the river Nesa (the Ness); and when he reached the bank of the river, he saw some of the inhabitants burying an unfortunate man, who, according to the account of those who were burying him, was a short time before seized, as he was swimming, and bitten most severely by a monster that lived in the water; his wretched body was, though too late, taken out with a hook by those who came to his assistance in a boat. The blessed man, on hearing this, was so far from being dismayed, that he directed one of his companions to swim over and row across the coble that was moored at the farther bank. And Lugne Mocumin, hearing the command of the excellent man, obeyed without the least delay, taking off all his clothes, except his tunic, and leap­ing into the water. But the monster, which, so far from being satiated, was only roused for more prey, was lying at the bottom of the stream, and when it felt the water disturbed above by the man swimming, suddenly rushed out, and, giving an awful roar, darted after him, with its mouth wide open, as the man swam in the middle of the stream. Then the blessed man observing this, raised his holy hand, while all the rest, brethren as well as strangers, were stupefied with terror, and, invoking the name of God, formed the saving sign of the cross in the air, and com­manded the ferocious monster, saying, “Thou shalt go no further, nor touch the man; go back with all speed.” Then at the voice of the saint, the monster was terrified, and fled more quickly than if it had been pulled back with ropes, though it had just got so near to Lugne, as he swam, that there was not more than the length of a spear-staff between the man and the beast. Then the brethren seeing that the monster had gone back, and that their comrade Lugne returned to them in the boat safe and sound, were struck with admiration, and gave glory to God in the blessed man. And even the barbarous heathens, who were present, were forced by the greatness of this miracle, which they themselves had seen, to magnify the God of the Christians.







The saint continued his prophecy thus: “This day in the Holy Scriptures is called the Sabbath, which means rest. And this day is indeed a Sabbath to me, for it is the last day of my present laborious life, and on it I rest after the fatigues of my labours; and this night at midnight, which commenceth the solemn Lord's Day, I shall, according to the sayings of Scripture, go the way of our fathers. For already my Lord Jesus Christ deigneth to invite me; and to Him, I say, in the middle of this night shall I depart, at His invitation. For so it hath been revealed to me by the Lord himself.” The attendant hearing these sad words began to weep bitterly, and the saint endeavoured to console him as well as he could.After this the saint left the barn, and in going back to the monastery, rested half way at a place where a cross, which was afterwards erected, and is standing to this day, fixed into a mill­stone, may be observed on the roadside. While the saint, as I have said, bowed down with old age, sat there to rest a little, behold, there came up to him a white pack-horse, the same that used, as a willing servant, to carry the milk-vessels from the cow­shed to the monastery. It came up to the saint and, strange to say, laid its head on his bosom inspired, I believe, by God to do so, as each animal is gifted with the knowledge of things according to the will of the Creator; and knowing that its master was soon about to leave it, and that it would see him no more, began to utter plaintive cries, and like a human being, to shed copious tears on the saint's bosom, foaming and greatly wailing. The attendant seeing this, began to drive the weeping mourner away, but the saint forbade him, saying: “Let it alone, as it is so fond of me. - let it pour out its bitter grief into my bosom. Lo! thou, as thou art, a man, and hast a rational soul, canst know nothing of my departure hence, except what I myself have just told you; but to this brute beast, devoid of reason, the Creator Himself hath evidently in some way made it known that its master is going to leave it.” And saying this the saint blessed the work-horse, which turned away from him in sadness.

Friday, June 8, 2007

#63 - Spicy

This week's topic is: spicy. Spicy can be used to describe: food, language, sensuality, literature, recipes, personalities, smells, or just the Bloody Mary you drink by the pool. Whatever flavour you choose to share, make sure you add a little spice to our lives (sorry, couldn't resist!)

Happy Scribbling!

1. kikare
2. xegbp
3. shelley
4. jennifer
5. liza's eyeview
6. lucy
7. jennifer (humble opinion)
8. autrice deldrago
9. rose dewy knickers
10. kamsin
11. myrtle beached whale
12. sentient marrow
13. kay
14. amber
15. ~minutechaser~
16. marcy
17. matthew
18. regina clare jane
19. tiel aisha ansari
20. rob kistner & rob kistner
21. gautami tripathy
22. ally bean
23. leigh
24. tori
25. clockworkchris
26. lissa
27. raymond pert
28. paris parfait
29. skyelarke
30. tammy
31. inlandempiregirl
32. colleen
33. m.o.m.
34. awareness
35. nonizamboni
36. stacy
37. e_journeys
38. shelby
39. kerstin
40. pip
41. kg
42. herb urban
43. melba
44. frances
45. jacqueline
46. janie hickok siess, esq.
47. betty c.
48. sognatrice
49. sister ae
50. sonya
51. gill
52. lisrobbe
53. bella
54. cynthia e. bagley
55. chad simpson
56. djpare
57. linleyshea
58. karina
59. rubyslippers
60. poppy fields
61. tinker
62. kim
63. mks
64. wendy
65. remiman
66. annie
67. onion
68. abzdragon
69. thunkful
70. roswellgray
71. chelle
72. jennifer hicks
73. tania
74. becca
75. rose
76. jane poe (aka deborah)
77.
78.
79.
80.

He fed them with the fat of wheat


On the 7th June we kept the great feast of Corpus Christi, with the customary procession in honour of our Divine Lord held prisoner in the Most Blessed Sacrament. A reduced community size, due to various absences, was made up for by increased love and devotion.



The procession sets out from the chapel.

The procession pauses at the shrine of Saint John Vianney. The Tantum Ergo is sung and the benediction given.

Our Lady's Garden also receieves a visit from our Divine Redeemer.


Br. Roman Prepared the ground with flowers.


The community then accompanies our Lord back to the chapel.

We thank Our Lord and God Jesus Christ for the many blessings He as given us, and ask Him to continue to bless us for the future, so that we may one day join Him in eternal happiness.

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

A 'flying' visit to Papa Stronsay

Papa Stronsay's lighthouse is checked every now and again by the Northern Lighthouse Board. Usually they come out to the island by boat, however somethimes they come by helicopter. Today they flew in for a routine check on the Papa Stronsay Lighthouse.
The lighthouse team approach in the helicopter and make a circle of the landing site to check that everything's OK.

The helicopter prepares to land. The Papa Stronsay Lighthouse can be seen in the background

The Pilot, Jim Moseley, stands next to his aircraft,
talking with Rev. Fr Anthony Mary, C.SS.R.



The team work hard maintaining the lighthouse. The visit lasted for one hour .
There is no time to waste! After the hour's up, they all climb back into the helicopter, and they're off to the next job on Eday Calf

Friday, June 1, 2007

#62 - The Town Mouse & the Country Mouse

Okay, okay. How about just: town & country. Are you a city person or a country person or both or neither? Feelings about town and country?

{Sorry for the delay again this week. Totally sorry -- internet disruption. Have a great weekend!}

1. spacedlaw
2. crafty green poet
3. betty c.
4. rose dewy knickers
5. kay
6. carter-ann
7. awareness
8. shelley
9. rob kistner
10. tongue in cheek
11. deb g
12. clockworkchris
13. karen travels
14. kikare
15. simon chase
16. ~minutechaser~
17. stacy
18. annie mahoney
19. matthew
20. rubyslippers
21. gautami tripathy
22. regina clare jane
23. tracy
24. liza's eyeview
25. raymond pert
26. myrtle beached whale
27. mike mc
28. cmm
29. jeannine
30. novel nymph
31. tricia stirling
32. herb urban
33. jules
34. rena
35. sister ae
36. lisa
37. e_journeys
38. bug
39. becca
40. clare
41. catherine
42. ~kathryn~
43. patois
44. patois
45. both ways
46. igoddess
47. leigh
48. forgetfulone
49. jellyjules
50. inconsequential
51. tiel aisha ansari
52. mardougrrl
53. bonnie ann
54. greenishlady
55. maryam in marrakesh
56. january
57. shelby
58. frida
59. self taught artist
60. ra
61. inlandempiregirl
62. sognatrice
63. jennifer hicks
64. lucy
65. kamsin
66. sarala
67. sage
68. kerstin
69. mandi
70. cynthia
71. janie hickok siess, esq.
72. thunkful
73. tammy
74. poppy fields
75. cynthia e. bagley
76. jane poe (aka deborah)
77. remiman
78. kara
79. kristine
80. rethabile
81. arboleda
82. sentient marrow
83. thefirecat
84. abzdragon
85. chelle
86. strauss
87. brittany
88. molly
89. sundaycynce
90. rose
91. gautami tripathy
92. tania
93. giggles
94. jennifer/ the word cellar
95. jessie
96. jone
97. silver valley girl
98. khambagirl
99. frances
100. tag
101. deirdre
102. scott
103. xegbp
104. a
105. roswellgray
106. nia
107. jacqueline
108. tinker