From Fr Greg's Desk: Sunday 22nd August

From Fr Greg’s Desk

Hi Everyone!

Front Gardens at SCB Church

I thought I’d share with you a few photos this week of how the gardens look up at the SCB Church now that the beautiful weather is bringing out the flowers! These photos 'showcase' the entrance off Victoria Road to SCB Church, and the lovely flower beds beginning to bloom against the backdrop of the new sandstone pavement in the middle, and the lush green of the lawns behind them. Pretty cool!

 

By the way, at some stage in the future we hope to create little circular gardens around the two large trees in the centre of the front lawns at SCB to add to the natural beauty seen there. And we have in mind a little rockery on the Charles Street side of the front lawn, meeting up with the brick retaining wall that fronts onto the corner of Charles Street and Victoria Road. 

 The ‘rose garden’ surrounding the sandstone crosses at the back of SCB Church is also in the process of a makeover. Over the next couple of months, COVID restrictions permitting, new plants will be introduced in a similar way to how the front gardens are organised, to compliment the historic crosses standing there. Thanks to our volunteer team of gardeners for all your creative efforts!!

 'Home Altars' and 'Prayer Corners'

Speaking of creativity, now that we are all going to be 'stuck at home' in lockdown, at least up until the end of September, this could be a great opportunity for you to create a little 'prayer corner' in the house, or set up a mini 'altar' somewhere, or even create a little 'grotto' outside in the garden somewhere. 

 I think everyone should mark out some sort of little space reserved for saying a prayer or two to our Good Lord, in among all the cupboards, trinkets and souvenirs we tend to accumulate in our homes. especially during these challenging times of pandemics. I mean, we all have lounge rooms, dining rooms,  pantries, work dens, bedrooms and perhaps even garages or garden sheds; why couldn’t we put a little grotto into our gardens or create a little 'prayer corner' in some part of the house or apartment? 

 I know that some of you have already done this, and we’d like to hear about how you've creatively added in some 'God space', in among your homes and gardens, for it shows how important the Lord is in your lives. Some parishioners have converted their garage into a chapel of sorts, and have placed a little battery operated candle there, or an open bible on a stand, which could be just a little stool with a pretty cloth draped over it, a picture depicting Mother Mary, a crucifix. 

 How about sending in a few photos of your 'prayer corners', which we will put up on our webpage to give you all some ideas for those who haven't' thought of doing this before? I look forward to seeing your creativity and inventiveness in action!

 Frs. Greg, Dan, Steve, Alfredo and Daniele's Own 'Prayer Corner'

One of the first things we did when we Verbum Dei Missionaries first came to the Ryde Gladesville Parish was to set up our own “prayer space" in the Presbytery for talking with the Lord each day in prayer. We, your priests, recognise how important it is to not only “make time” for the Lord in our busy daily routines, but also to “make space" for the Lord as well! I have included a photo to show what ours is like. 

 The front of the Chapel is in the form of a map of the world shaped like a vine, with the tabernacle (where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved) lit up in the centre. The branches spread out from there to all parts of the world, to remind us that we are part of the one vine, with Jesus at the centre, nurturing us through the Eucharist. Hence the little quote we've painted onto the wall: “I am the vine, and you are the branches". (John 15,3)

 You will notice that the tabernacle light is placed right where Ryde Gladesville  is situated on the map, to show all of you as “light for light for world” around us (Matt 5, 14). Actually, even within the borders of our parish we have people from all over the world living alongside. 

 The image of Mary is from the face of Mary of Guadalupe, on the “tilma" or Mexican poncho Saint Juan Diego was wearing when he met her back in 1591 on the hill called Tepeyac in Mexico City. The 'leaves' of the vine were made from discarded cardboard boxes, and the three dimensional grapes from 'foam bricks' used for flower arrangements. All cleverly fused together and painted by our resident artist, Fr. Alfredo!

 And, yes, Australia is a little bigger in the picture to what it would normally be in a world map, but that’s because our nation is our first area of mission and the world is a backdrop for it. 

 

 Anyway, until next week, that's about all for now. 

Your brother in Christ's service, as always,

Fr Greg