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“...Your heart consciousness and intention for good is more powerful than you realize. God is inviting you to step into that knowing. Each time you shift your expression of fear or worry into an emotion of trust and hope, you are raising the vibration of the whole planet. You are doing global service work. You have all the skills and abilities as a master of transformation. These are exciting times to hold the vision of the best possible outcome of all that is unfolding. Bless all the world leaders, so that they are inspired to act with integrity and for the well being of all.
January, 2010 Blessings of the new year be with you. As the opening excerpt st ates, we have the opportunity on a daily basis to receive and give blessings and healing energy which effects the whole world. I don't think we realize how deeply we are connected to one another. The energy we carry, positive or negative, ripples out, effecting those close to us and those at a distance. Incarnation means that we carry the energy of God within us. It's up to us t0 pay attention. Meditation is one of the most effective ways to be in touch with that energy, to allow it to transform us and the world. As we begin this new decade, I invite you to make an effort to be aware of how God's energy touches you each day. It is truly amazing. I want to thank Sr. Joan Prohaska for allowing me to share her Christmas letter with you. Joan, a Dominican Sister and long time friend, has dedicated her life to various ways of healing including healing touch, massage, energy medicine to name a few of her gifts. If you want to know more, visit her website: www.sacredhealingop.org May this deca Ède be one of increased peace and healing, personally and globally. Thank you for your gifts, cards, and e-mails celebrating Christmas. What a gift in itself that Hesed is a truly loving and inspiring community. 2010 marks the beginning of our 29th year. May we continue to be blessings for one another. Much love,
FUTURE OF HESED MEETING On October 31st (Halloween!), about 40 of us met with Sr. Helene Mercier,OSB, from St. Benedict Monastery in Minnesota, to reflect on “Leadership in the Rule of Benedict.” We began with a presentation to the whole group, folowed by individual reflection, followed by small group sharings - all focused on Hesed; how we are Benedictine, what future leadership might look like, what, if anything needs to be changed. As we look forward, planning for the future is imperative (of course in tandem with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.) Here is a reflection that Sr, Helene wrote in St. Benedict's Oblate Newsletter: In Oakland, Calif., it is easy to miss a small jewel in the hectic pace of life and distractions in the Bay Area. One can find it only if one is seeking silence and contemplative prayer. “Hesed,” the Hebrew word for “God's faithful love,” is also the name of an urban, non-residential Benedictine community that teaches and practices Christian Meditation as taught by Dom John Main, OSB, and since his death in 1982, by Laurence Freeman, OSB. The community is made up of Benedictine Oblates, Family Brothers and Sisters and others who choose to join them for prayer. Hesed was founded in 1981 by Barbara Hazzard, OSB, who has been its director since the very beginning. I have known Barbara for almost as long as the community has existed and have had the privilege of joining them in California on three occasions in recent years. My most recent trip was in late October. Barbara and the community had invited me to give a presentation on leadership in the Rule of Benedict and to facilitate a conversation about a transition they are undergoing. I came away from the experience filled with hope and heartened by the community's commitment to living the Benedictine way. Hesed is a jewel and also an oasis. Since my return home, I have reflected on how wonderful it would be if some of our own Oblates at St. Benedict's could have a reciprocal relationship with Hesed. For now, the idea must germinate. and if and when the time is right, we will take steps to move this idea forward.
ANNUAL HESED CELEBRATION The first Sunday of May was our annual Hesed celebration. Because different groups come to Hesed at different times, we have two gatherings each year to which all are invited as an opportunity to recognize new members and get to know one another. At the most recent Celebration, Kevin Lucid made his oblation, Robert Guiang was welcomed as a “transitonal” Oblate. This is a new category for us. Robert had made his oblation with another Benedictine Community, and now wants to be an Oblate of Hesed. So, he will have a year of transition as he gets to know our Community and what it means to be an Oblate of Hesed. Finally, we welcomed David Hahn as a Family Brother. Here is an e xcerpt from Adele Hanson's reflection. Ten years ago when I “found” Hesed this was certainly what I was seeking. My heart ached for God, and I felt I had completely lost my way. As I began Meditation, I heard in my mind and soul, “Be Still!”, and I sensed this was the path God wanted me to take. I am still a Beginner on this pathway, but I know the daily practice of Meditation has grounded me in a way nothing else does: it keeps me aware that I am tethered to God, that God is always, always lovingly present within me and around me, NOW. “Prayers with words” are still a part of my life, and always will be, but contemplative prayer is what my heart longs for. I know that this is the experience that many of you share. The next gift I and all of you share is the gift of Community. A friend shared with me in a recent e-mail her need for “companions along the Way”, as she was contemplating becoming an Oblate. We all need this: our very lives depend upon human companionship. Hesed has become for me my Spiritual Home, even more than my beloved Parish to whom I have belonged for 60 years! You ARE my brothers and sisters!! My dear husband Hobart felt this kinship as well: he looked forward to Hesed gatherings so much, and felt your love so profoundly. (Hobart, Adele's husband for over 60 years, and a Family Brother of Hesed, went to God on Dec.31 2008.)
FROM AN INMATE AT SOLEDAD PRISON WHERE TOM LEHMKUHL, As we approach the end of our first full year together, I am again reminded of what a blessing you are to us. You will probably never know what it means for us to be able to spend this precious time with you. I will al ways treasure our time together in the retreat and look forward with anticipation to our next one. I am sure I speak for the rest of us when I say that this time of silence is the highlight of our week. Your dedication and tender care for those of us who live in the margins of society are a source of great hope and strength. As we continue to spend more time with you, I am learning that it is not enough to simply remain recipients of such blessings. We are to learn from your example of selfless faith -- - and practice it in our lives here and beyond. I pray for that chance for all of us.
IT'S YOUR MONEY Thank you for your continued financial support of Hesed. Even in this economic downturn, we have been able to pay our bills and purchase what is essential for the maintenance of our meditation center. This year, our appeal letter and pledge card were mailed later then usual. Consequently, it got mixed in with Christmas mail and other appeals. AND we neglected to include a return envelope. So, once again, you have the wonderful opportunity to join our “financial support club.” Some of our donors have to lower their pledges so, if you can pledge something for each month of 2010, this is a worthwhile cause. As a member of this “club,” you receive the prayers of the community.
Love and blessings. |
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