And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour (Lk 2:52).

During our recent Advent retreat a retreatant spotted a huge flower in the centre of the large sago cycad just outside the dining room. The size of a soccer ball, cream coloured with green seeds just visible inside, it truly was a wonderful sight to behold. The flower will gradually die and over the next year the seeds will mature and turn dark red before being ready for propagation. I was amazed at its beauty and even more so at the fact that it must have been there for many months. I would have walked past that cycad many times a day and never stopped to look inside and see the flower emerging.

What a tumultuous year – 2020!  What words or sentiments can express where we have been and who we are now in light of where our world is as we live into the 21^st Century ‘20’s’.

I believe that the Beatitudes can help us to capture where are hearts are now and where I hope we can be invited to deepen our heart’s adventure into grace.

‘A lawyer asked Jesus a question to test him. “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:35-40)

During this season of Spring we can catch glimpses of amazing wildflowers growing everywhere. Taking a walk or simply going outdoors, they can be seen in their full beauty showing off their many varieties of colour, shape, size and height. When I see such beauty, I experience an involuntary movement of joy within me which arises from wonder with creation, and a deep sense of awe of the Creator who gives each flower and plant its own unique design, even to the very tiniest of them.

As I write this reflection, I am conscious it is the first day of Spring. During our first retreat since March, and which concluded yesterday, we experienced some beautiful, sunny days and those on retreat remained in good health. The pond and dams are full. The grass is lush. Ducks with new ducklings are paddling gently on the pond and cattle with their calves graze the paddocks, while wildflowers abound in the bush. Signs of new life and hope abound.

It is four months now since we began these weekly reflections as a means to keep in touch during the first Covid-19 lockdown. On behalf of the retreat team, I thank you for your support and encouragement during this difficult time. Next week, we are hoping to begin a staged re-opening of the retreat centre. Please keep an eye on the website calendar to check on activities. From August, we will continue the reflections as a monthly item, and members of the team will continue to pray daily for you and your intentions, and our world, at midday in the Trinity Prayer Room.

In one of the Gospel accounts this week from Matthew (Mt 13:10-17)  Jesus speaks about prophets and righteous people living in ages past who, “…..longed to see what you see but did not see it and to hear what you hear but did not hear it….” (Mt 13: 17)

During these uncertain times we can become overwhelmed by anxieties, fears, a feeling of foreboding amongst lockdowns and restrictions placed upon us.  These can veil the reality of what Jesus is speaking of in the Gospel story. We don’t live in ages past; we live in the here and now.  We see and we hear all that Jesus has to reveal – if we chose to!

I often go to Parramatta Lake for a walk. One particular afternoon, my eyes were captured in delight by the reflection of the sunset on the lake.  I sat down and watched it glimmering on the surface.

Whilst the sun was setting, the colours of the reflection kept changing. Gradually the sun sank gently and peacefully, and no matter how much I wished the reflection to remain with its beauty and colourful shimmering, it faded away. Perhaps you have had this experience, too. Holding onto something precious and wanting it to last.

I was attracted to the readings for today, Thursday 9^th July, for this reflection. As Jesus sent his disciples to preach the nearness of the Kingdom, he sent them also to be uncluttered in their ministry.  They were to give freely of what they, themselves, had received. They were also to take nothing extraneous.

Welcome! We are pleased to be able to conduct our retreats with Covid-Safe arrangements in place – and we need your help to make it work!

In order to keep our resident community, staff and all visitors safe during retreat time, we have a number of procedures in place. You will be fully briefed on these arrangements at the welcome meeting upon your arrival. We thank you in advance for your co-operation to keep St. Mary’s Towers Retreat Centre a safe and healthy place.

In keeping with government advice, retreatants classified as vulnerable per AHPPC guidelines are encouraged not to attend physically. Retreatants need to assess their own vulnerability in deciding whether or not to attend a retreat.

While we follow all Government guidelines and adhere to all cleaning requirements, it is your personal responsibility to attend to your own hygiene, wear a mask as required by Public Health Orders and maintain the appropriate physical distancing during your stay.

It is highly recommended that all visitors to the Retreat Centre be up to date with their flu and COVID vaccinations. We ask that you please take a RAT test in the 24 hours prior to arriving on retreat. Please note that if you become ill on retreat with suspected COVID-19, cold or flu symptoms, we will assist you in organising your immediate departure home. For all visitors, including interstate and overseas you will need to be able to fund and organize your own departure either home or to other accommodation if required. Unfortunately, if you become ill we are unable to provide transport or long term isolation at this time. Please note that this could change at any time in the future as we monitor the situation and adhere to public health orders.

WEARING OF FACE MASKS

Our aim is to provide a safe retreat environment where we do our best to maintain everyone’s wellbeing in the current situation. Please have masks available if required during your retreat.

REGISTRATION

As per current Government requirements, we have a “Service NSW” QR code so please download the Service NSW app to your phone or tablet before you come, as this will help streamline your arrival and daily registration. For those without a mobile phone our COVID Monitor will register your details digitally. We are required to register your details and keep them for a period of 4 weeks and provide the information to health authorities, if requested. The information will be kept securely and only used for this purpose.

TRANSPORT

We strongly encourage you to arrange your own private transport to St Mary’s Towers. We can provide only limited train pick-ups. Please bring and wear a mask if you are travelling by train and will need a pick-up.

HYGIENE

You will notice an increase in cleaning activity around the Retreat Centre along with appropriate supplies of hand sanitisers available in all areas for your use. Please use good hand hygiene at all times.

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

We are limiting the number of retreatants for the time being to assist in this area. Current physical distancing requirements mean that the number of people inside a building must never exceed the limits detailed in the latest Public Health Order. For this reason all seating in public areas will be spaced and we ask you to ensure that you maintain the 1.5m distance at all times. Please refrain from physical greetings such as shaking hands, hugging or kissing.

YOUR HEALTH

People who feel unwell, who have flu/ respiratory symptoms, elevated body temperatures or who have been in contact in the previous 14 days with people suspected to have or who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are not permitted to attend. If any of these symptoms arise while you are on your retreat, please advise the office or the Director immediately. You will be asked to follow our Leave Plan for Suspected COVID 19 Cases and assisted in your return home with your nominated support person.

MEALS

There are new arrangements and restrictions regarding the provision of meals. It will be possible to cater for only a very limited number of diets for medical reasons at this time.

LITURGY

There will be some changes in the way in which we celebrate Mass and these will be advised on arrival. All music and hymns will be listened to in a reflective manner and communion will be distributed under one kind, the Host.

We are grateful for your understanding of these new arrangements and would like to note that apart from gathering for Eucharist and meals, much of the remainder of our retreats will remain the same as we pray together in the silence.

As our capacity for visitors and retreatants remains limited at this time, all appointments and visits need to be booked through the Administrator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or ph: (02) 4630 0233.