The Companionship of the Dead . . . Henri Nouwen

Monday August 29, 2011                      The Companionship of the Dead  As we grow older we have more and more people to remember,  people who have died before us.  It is very important to remember  those who have loved us and those we have loved.  Remembering them means letting their spirits inspire us in our daily lives.  They can become part of our spiritual communities and gently help us as we make decisions on our journeys.   Parents, spouses, children,  and friends can become true spiritual companions after they have died.  Sometimes they can become even more intimate to us after death than when they were with us in life.  Remembering the dead is choosing their ongoing companionship.

Change our Words and Change our World

Change our Words and Change our World

Blessed Mother Teresa pray for us . . .

Blessed Mother Teresa Pray for Us 

Saint Augustine on Falling in Love

Saint Augustine of Hippo 354 - 430


To fall in Love with GOD is the greatest of all romances;
to seek Him, the greatest adventure;
To find Him the greatest human achievement." 

JOY AND SORROW SHARED

Joy and Sorrow Shared

Written to Friends a Year after Tom went Home May 14, 2006

Grief knits two hearts in closer bonds
than happiness ever can;
and common sufferings
are far stronger links
than common joys.
Alphonse de Lamartine
1790-1869

Dear Friends,

Because so many of you have shared the grief in the Fenwick/Roehm family this summer, I thought of all of you when I read these words. Surely there is a Bible verse that says the above but this poet is new to me and I loved his words. They are lovely.

A week or two ago our Pastor, Fr. John, said, "Joy shared is multiplied, a Sorrow shared is divided." He also commented that, "Abundance doesn't happen automatically, we pass it around . . . as in the loaves and fishes." I feel there has been abundant love and care happening in our family because of all of you - as you shared some of the Joy of Tom not having a lot of pain or having to be a stay-a-bed patient. He went so beautifully. He went after a fun weekend and feeling well. He went as a much loved man who gave much love. He went as a man who openly loved his God. Again I say, "If I had TIVOed Tom's leaving, I would have played the program daily as it was so beautiful."

Then the sorrow? Well you all came and took a share or two from me - many of you at exactly the right time - and left me almost sorrow-less. If there is not such a word, I declare it so this year of our Lord 2006. Sorrow-less meaning, "Almost no tears and a heart that heals daily because of a Great God and the comfort and love of great friends."

I still have a dining table covered with beautiful cards and notes filled with words of love and caring - also Mass Cards, beautiful flower gift cards, as well as food and I plan to write to you about all of them. When I do, I shall include a picture of Tom from the Memorial Mass and a word or two from a grateful heart of a comforted widow who lives in Half Moon Bay.

You are much appreciated! You have brought me great JOY. Thanks for multiplying my Joy and dividing my sorrow into very small pieces.

Love in the Lamb, Terry Fenwick

My heart overflows with a good theme;
I address my verses to the King;
My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Psalm 45:1

YOUCAT

If any one says,
“I love God,” and
hates his brother, he is a
liar; for he who does not
love his brother whom
he has seen, cannot love
God whom he has not
seen.

1 Jn 4:20

Death in Baptism - Pope Benedict XVI

In Baptism, in the company of Christ, we have 

already made that cosmic journey to the very abyss 

of death. At his side and, indeed, drawn up in his

love, we are freed from fear. He enfolds us and 

carries us wherever we may go – he who is Life 

itself.

Homily

Easter Vigil

St. Peter's Basilica

7 April 2007

                                                     

" . . . then you are free." Blessed Mother Teresa

Blessed Mother Teresa speaks: 

            "Total surrender is to accept whatever he gives and give whatever it takes with a big smile. It is to accept to be cut to pieces and yet every piece to belong only to him. We must accept emptiness, accept being broken to pieces, accept success and failure. To give whatever it takes -- if it takes your good name or your health -- that is surrender and then you are free."

Mother Teresa: a complete authorized biography
By Kathryn Spink pg. 244.

The Last Dogma - We All Call Her Blessed

The Assumption of Mary
by Kilian John Healy
The Last Dogma - We All Call Her Blessed

"For all that God created is sacred and loved. Where Mary is, all the elect will be. Whoever contemplates this mystery learns much about God, Christ, Mary, the Church and oneself.The Virgin Mary is one who walked in the darkness of faith and never despaired, one who obeyed and never deserted, one who loved and was never unfaithful. She is an example of the perfect disciple. Mary was Jesus' first and the most perfect disciple of Christ. The Virgin Mary, taken up into heaven after her earthly life, remains for us the symbol of all that we should be, and of all that we will be, if only we are faithful to Christ. She is the woman in the life of Christ and the woman in the life of all who follow him.On earth Mary was the mother of Jesus and his wholehearted companion, his comfort and joy. Now in heaven close to Jesus, she watches over us with a mother's care and intercedes for us. She is our life, our sweetness and our hope. She is our shining example. Where she is, we shall be."


Kilian John Healy, author

Purpose of Life . . . Pope Benedict XVI

"What must I do in order not to fall, not to squander my life in meaninglessness? This is precisely the question which every man and woman must ask and one which remains valid at every moment of one’s life. How much darkness surrounds this question in our own day! We are constantly reminded of the words of Jesus, who felt compassion for the crowds because they were like a flock without a shepherd. Lord, have mercy on us too! Show us the way! From the Gospel we know this much: he is himself the way. Living with Christ, following him – this means finding the right way, so that our lives can be meaningful and so that one day we might say: “Yes, it was good to have lived”.  


Homily
Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
St. Peter's Square
11 June 2010