Each year we arrange a day of Prayer with an appropriate theme for us.  This is an opportunity for each of us to come apart from the normal routine of our lives and spend a day in quiet and reflection. In the past we have visited Hartzer Park in Bowral, the Retreat Centre at St. Marys and the Christian Brothers Centre in Mulgoa.  This year we are planning a day at the Edmund Rice Centre, Mulgoa Road, Mulgoa on Tuesday, 9th October.  Full details are in the Coming Events.

Once again we journeyed to St. Clement's Retreat Centre in Galong.  Galong is in the centre of a rich wheat growing area which has been experiencing severe drought conditions for several years.  Each time we visit we hope that this year we will see green fields and rich pastures.  Alas, not his year.  Despite this, our retreat was an enriching experience and Fr. Leo Coffey centred his words on the Honesty of Jesus.  He pointed out that it is very hard to be a Christian, a follower of Christ - in today's world.  There is so much working against Christian principles of life, so much violence in our world, so much intolerance and disrespect between peoples and nations, so much insensitivity to others.  However Fr. Leo told us not to be worrying about the future, but to live in the here and now, in the present, and do the Will of God today.

The labrynth is a circle of stones laid out in a similiar form to labrynths found in many major European cathedrals, e.g. Chartres in France.  While meditating the retreatant walks around the labrynth in silent prayer.  It is a wonderfully reflective prayer and most of the retreatants at Galong spend some time there during their days at the Monastery.   It is situated under the lovely oak trees, with gently sloping hills in the background and sheep grazing peacefully nearby.

Sister Patricial attended the Conference of Life Ascending International at Lourdes, France, from 25th to 29th October in 2006.  The Theme of the Conference was "The Elderly, a Symbol of Hope in the Modern World".  Bishop Daloz, the ecclesiastical assistant of the Movement, spoke of being a Christian in the modern world, stressing we are being invited ot live our faith, as seniors, and witnesses in the world.  Quoting the Pope's "Deus Caritas Est", the Bishop challenged those present to translate the Good News into words, into actions, into love.

Father Geoffrey Plant, Spiritual Advisor
Sr Patricia Nichols, National Co-ordinator
Mrs Pat Smith, Secretary
Mr. Noel Smith, Treasurer
Mr. Graham Sievers
Mrs. June Roebuck
Mrs. Shirley Carroll
Mr. Alan de Saram.

Groups

Beverly Hills       Sr. Pat Nichols             02 9554 3227
                          Mrs June Roebuck       02 9759 2698

                          Mrs Cheryl Wilkins       02 9502 1013

Revesby             Mrs Shirley Carroll       02 9773 3218
                          Mr. Phillip Gill              02 9773 6673

Lurnea                Mrs. Laura Andary      02 9602 3118

Georges Hall       Mrs. Pam Raymont     02 9602 8841   
 

Strathfield           Sr Shirley King           02 9715 5695

Oatley                 Ray Byers                 02 9570 3507

Gymea                Kay Weston              02 9521 4728

Glenmore Park    Anne Hardy               02 4733 1828

Gympie Qld        Phyllis Haines