CELEBRATING THE FEAST OF ST DOMINIC DE GUZMAN

In Gratitude for my Dominican formation as a student and a teacher

"The Best of Times, The Worst of Times" by Dominican Friar Timothy Radcliffe

• Thank you Father Peter-John, Sr Francis, Sr Rosemary and Sr Kathy for a meaningful time of prayer and reflection. ‘Unbinding Lazarus…” that is an image that will be with me forever from this day forward. The pain of past injustices will need to be ‘unbound’ by us all, together in fellowship. A deeply compassionate, careful and courageous unbinding of each other, so we can be free to live IN FELLOWSHIP, and sit at the table together. ~Mrs Sarah du Toit

• I attended the Healing Service that was organised and hosted by the Springfield Dominican Sisters and management. I was most encouraged by the message that was shared by Father Peter-John. Fr Peter-John did his teaching on one of the famous stories in the Bible where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead; particularly John chapter 11 verse 38 - 40. Jesus tells Martha to remove the stone that was laid across the entrance of the grave so that Lazarus could come out. This is the point where we were invited to identify the stones that we need to remove from our lives so that we can see God’s glory. Sometimes we need to identify what it is that is blocking us from achieving what we need to achieve and thus releasing God’s light to shine over us or the situations that challenge us. It is not always easy to admit that there are stones we need to remove because we are too scared of the odours that may come out. We just need to take God at His word when He says that ALL things work together for the good of those who love him. ~Ms Monei Pudumo-Roos

• What a wonderful meditation from Fr PJ….he is always an inspiration. And he has a heart for Springfield. “Our differences will become our strength” Amen

• Tonight was a Beautiful Experience...Reflective, insightful and filled with the Presence of the Holy Spirit. I will never think of the story of Lazarus in the same way after Fr Peter-John’s Meaningful and Relevant interpretation.

• Absolutely agree. What a way to consider the next phase of our journey together at Springfield.

• I have to pinch myself at the reality that it happened at all. Having gone to a non-religious government school myself, I could hardly believe that I was able to attend a prayer meeting organised by my daughter’s school. The first in 3 years we have been at the school. The meeting itself was an answer to prayer. How incredible it will be to have a termly or monthly prayer meeting for parents.

It was lovely to come together as a community and to hear what Father Peter-John had to say. After all the anxiety and uncertainty experienced over the last few weeks it was good to pause and reflect on where we have come from and where we are heading. Father Peter-John's analogy of Lazarus's resurrection and our Springfield journey was aptly chosen and encouraging. We both enjoyed the reference to a table of hospitality which speaks of inclusivity and sharing. The evening felt like the beginning of a healing process and we look forward to more prayerful encounters with parents, staff, students and sisters.

~Nicky and Tim Hughes

On Thursday evening I took up the Dominican Council’s offer of a time of quiet and reflection as a community. Father Peter-John led the reflection reading from John 11, the death of Lazarus. He drew several meaningful parallels between recent events in the community and the events surrounding the death of Lazarus.

I loved the following point: death or a moment of impasse is not the whole story, not the whole gospel truth. The gospel or good news of God is unequivocal – death is the beginning of new life. What appears to be ‘the end’ is in fact, quite the opposite. ‘The end’ is not the whole story.

I love this idea because it reminds me of a Plane tree that I can see from my bedroom window. In summer it is beautifully leafy and green, as autumn sets in the leaves turn brown and eventually it stands without a single leaf, just stark branches which appear to be without life or hope of life. But what appears as dead and hopeless is in fact quite the opposite. Below the surface God is at work - the tree is being fed and strengthened so it can flourish. Come spring the new shoots will begin and by November the tree, with all its leafy green beauty, will be back. And so, it is with Jesus, as Father Peter John said: ‘He calls forth new life’. If there is anything the gospel of God is clear about it is that sadness and despair are not the end. Out of what appears an impossible situation God calls forth new life, and this is our hope as a community and in life.

Let us, “stand around with the Lord and ask for something new to happen.”

~Gill Sutton

Father Peter-John emphasised the absolute necessity to "roll the stone away". Lazarus could only let go of the darkness and suffering of his past and step into the bright light of a new life with the help of God. Everyone in Lazarus' community had to be prepared to roll the stone away and deal with the stench of suffering and sin. In the same way, we must resist the temptation to bury the ugliness of the hurts inflicted on members of our school community. To bring light, we have to have the courage to face the dark. We have to be prepared to have uncomfortable conversations, deal with our own complicity in hurting others and make a commitment to positive change. "Veritas" is not just a pretty motto. It has never been easy to translate into life. Speaking our truth can be brutal and painful but when combined with compassion, it is the ultimate healing gift.

~Nikki Going

When you take the time to draw on your listening-imagination, you will begin to hear this gentle voice at the heart of your life. It is deeper and surer than all the other voices of disappointment, unease, self-criticism and bleakness. All holiness is about learning to hear the voice of your own soul. It is always there and the more deeply you learn to listen, the greater surprises and discoveries that will unfold. To enter into the gentleness of your own soul changes the tone and quality of your life. Your life is no longer consumed by hunger for the next event, experience or achievement. You learn to come down from the treadmill and walk on the earth. You gain a new respect for yourself and others and you learn to see how wonderfully precious this one life is. You begin to see through the enchanting veils of illusion that you had taken for reality. You no longer squander yourself on things and situations that deplete your essence. You know now that your true source is not outside you. Your soul is your true source and a new energy and passion awakens in you.

JOHN O'DONOHUE