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THE HOLY MOUNTAIN — FINDING HEALING Most of the country has been experiencing a cold winter and I, like many, start to long for warmer weather and green trees. One bright spot for me in this bitter cold month of February is the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on February 11th. There is a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes at the foot of Graymoor’s hill and I often recall my two visits to that wonderful shrine in France. I especially recall my second visit over 25 years ago when I was part of a team that took over 30 patients by train from London across the channel down through France to Our Blessed Mother’s Shrine. The arduous journey took its toll on the patients and we were all exhausted by the time we reached the shrine. But slowly as we attended the Mass, the Blessing of the Sick, the candlelight procession and took our sick patients to be dipped in the waters of the shrine, we began to change. All of us felt a peace and a serenity we had not experienced since we left London. The return trip was a totally different experience. There were many smiles, many thank-you’s and as one of the doctors on the trip said – none of our patients received a cure for their illness, but they were all healed – including the staff. And that was true. Healing is not curing. Not all of us need to be cured of something, but most of us need to be healed – healed of a past hurt, a past memory or relationship. We may seek out a person or place to help us in the healing process. Such a place is Graymoor. Time and time again, I am amazed at the change in a man who comes to St. Christopher’s Inn ready and willing to enter the program. Slowly, but perceptibly you see him change as he starts to heal. Also, at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center thousands of people attend retreats throughout the year and many leave spiritually renewed and refreshed. People drive up this mountain for many reasons – to attend prayer meetings, HIV/AIDS support groups, AA and NA meetings — or just to walk the grounds and enjoy/experience the special Spirit of Graymoor. Many will say that this is where they find healing. I have noticed over the years that after their second or third visit, they do not refer to this place as Graymoor but rather "The Holy Mountain." Yours in Christ, Special, joyous services celebrating the Word of God were held in three Graymoor locations – at St. Christopher’s Inn for homeless men addicted to alcohol and drugs whose choir was the highlight of the evening; at the Sisters’ St. Francis Convent Chapel, where Msgr. Patrick Keenan, Pastor Emeritus of St. Columbanus Parish in Cortlandt Manor, NY, preached, and again at the Friars’ St. Theresa Little Flower Chapel, where the Rev. Paul Johnsen, Pastor of St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Yorktown Heights, NY, preached. The XXXII Paul Wattson Lecture will be held on February 21, 5:00 p.m. at Saint Ignatius Church in San Francisco (Corner of Fulton Street and Parker Avenue). All are Invited. The lecture will be delivered by His Eminence Walter Cardinal Kasper, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. His lecture is entitled: "Hope for the Future of Ecumenism." The Paul Wattson Lectures honor the memory of the Rev. Paul James Francis Wattson, S.A. (1863–1940), founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and pioneer for the cause of Christian Unity Learn About the Paul Wattson Lectures >> The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement are hosting a weekend retreat for men from Friday, March 11 through Sunday, March 13 at their motherhouse in Graymoor, Garrison, New York. The Come & See Weekend is for men between the ages of 18 and 40 years old, who are exploring a call to Franciscan religious life and service to others. There are so many things, both big and small, that we want to be able to share with you about the work of the Friars. With that thought in mind, we have created a new section on our website called "Bell Tower Notes" where we will be sharing with you timely information of interest. We are sure you are aware, so pardon us for reminding you, that the Friars hold several special events including: Benefactor Appreciation Days - held around the country and several times each year here at Graymoor (next date Thursday, April 14th), Heritage Day at Graymoor (Friday, June 10th), and Sponsor Day at Graymoor (Wednesday, September 7). We also hold other special events as fundraisers, such as: Graymoor Golf Classic (Monday, June 6th) and Sharing Hope Celebration Dinner (Friday, September 30th). We look forward to sharing these times with you — as it is you ... that make them special for us! Upcoming Benefactor Appreciation Days: Friday, February 18th – Phoenix, AZ For more information, contact Lisa Koesling at (845) 424-2137, lkoesling@atonementfriars.org Did you know there are ways to support The Franciscan Friars of the Atonement that don't affect your current lifestyle or your family's security? Some even give you money back! |
Franciscan Friars of the Atonement
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Atonement Friars eNews is the monthly e-newsletter of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement | |||||
