No. 7 April 2005
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It was an auspicious occasion - one week after the death of Pope John Paul II. Fergal McLoughlin, National Co-ordinator, referred to John Paul's II's last message as an inspiration for meditators:
"It is love which converts hearts and gives peace to all humanity, which today seems so lost and dominated by the power of evil selfishness and fear: Our Resurrected Lord gives us His love, which forgives, reconciles and re-opens the soul of hope."
The meeting was also auspicious in that there are 8 new Co-ordinators in Ireland whose role is to assist individuals and groups throughout the country on their meditation journey. The full list of Co-ordinators can be seen on our web-site: www.wccmireland.org The present list of groups in Ireland will be up-dated on the web-site over the coming months. The theme of the meeting was also a quote from the late Pope: "Rise, and let us be on our way." A number of initiatives have been put in place to provide meditators with materials/events to help them on their way.
Key among these are:
*1236 groups in 114 countries.
The first CD consists of 8 talks ranging from "How to Meditate" to "The Basic Theology of Meditation." This can be used for your weekly group.
The CD's will be distributed via the local Co-ordinators. The mailing list is not as yet complete, and it will take some time to build up.
A free copy of the brochure "Christian Meditation Resources" is also being sent to you for your information. This catalogue, published by Medio Media, the publishing and communications centre of The World Community for Christian Meditation, gives you details of the vast array of modern resources available for meditators. This includes books, audio tapes etc by John Main, Laurence Freeman, Paul Harris, Bede Griffiths and previous leaders of the John Main Seminar, such as President Mary McAleese, The Dalai Lama and Archbishop Rowan Williams.
You can also access this information on our web-site www.wccmireland.org by going to "Books, CD's and tapes" click on "Visit the Christian Meditation Bookstore."
For the present it is better to order directly from London - Tel. 00 44 207 278 2070.
You can continue to order books, tapes etc from: William Main Christian Meditation Centre, Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry - details are also on the web-site.
On the Thursday preceding Holy Thursday, the Waterford Meditation Group celebrated the Last Supper with a Passover meal which was held in the home of one of our members. Fifteen people attended and the arrangement of tables and food provided was in keeping with the Passover as celebrated by the Jewish people. As we sat around the table we shared the Old Testament readings about the Jewish Exodus, as is the Jewish custom, and we ended this part of the reflection with New Testament readings of Jesus' blessing and breaking of bread, and blessing of wine. We had a lovely enjoyable meal together and ended with song and music (guitar).
Pamplets explaining the details can be obtained by contacting the Waterford Meditation Group leader:
Rose Roche,
7 Ferndale,
Waterford
Tel. 051-875528
Fr.Pat is a well known spiritual director. He is a teacher and practitioner of Christian Meditation with a particular interest in how meditation can help one's personal growth. He is a source of inspiration for meditators. A list of his courses for 2005 is being sent with this Newsletter.
Mary Garry, 223 Seapark, Malahide, Co. Dublin is the contact person for bookings.
A 2-day School for Meditators will be held in Dublin on 2nd & 3rd July 2005 with Kim Nataraja from London. She will look at key aspects of meditation, from the Desert Fathers, John Cassian, John Main up to the present day. It is designed for those who wish to share the teaching of meditation with others.
Now let us be united in prayer for Pope Benedict XVI, that he may be strengthened for this great task of leading the church at this time by the power of the Holy Spirit. And may all of us in this communion of saints be of support to him and
he to us.
"There is nothing more powerful than a person praying well."
St John Chrysostom
(AD347-407)
"NO MOVEMENT IN RELIGIOUS LIFE HAS ANY VALUE UNLESS IT ALSO A MOVEMENT TO THE STILL CENTRE OF YOUR EXISTENCE WHERE CHRIST IS. IT IS NOT WHAT YOU DO THAT IS IMPORTANT BUT WHAT YOU ARE."
Pope John Paul II,
speaking to Priests and Religious in Maynooth. 2 Oct.1979
"WE NEED TO PROGRESS FROM THE EXPERIENCE OF LITURGICAL SILENCE TO THE SPIRITUALITY OF SILENCE---
TO LIFE'S CONTEMPLATIVE DIMENSION"
Pope John Paul II
Mane Nobiscum Domine
"EASTERN SPIRITUALITY MAKES A SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTION TO AUTHENTIC KNOWLEDGE BY INSISTING ON THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE HEART"
Pope John Paul II
29 Sept. 1996
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