Dear Friends,
Here at Dominican Center Marywood we lean into the coming days before Advent begins, and recognize the power and necessity of a Holy pause. May you allow for an opening into the quiet spaces of your heart as you make time to rest and reconnect with family, friends and those who give meaning to your life experiences.
For many of us, the months of November and December bring with them a memory of loss and grief for what was or what might have been. Holidays can provide a stressful combination of mixed emotions. I find such solace in Jan Richardson’s “Blessing in the Chaos”, and hope that you are met with a sense of contentment and ease throughout the coming “holy” days.
Please know how grateful we are that you have joined us in our programs, retreats and prayer experiences this past year, we value your presence and participation!
In-joy,
Mindy
Blessing in the Chaos
To all that is chaotic
in you,
let there come silence.
Let there be
a calming
of the clamoring,
a stilling
of the voices that
have laid their claim
on you,
that have made their
home in you,
that go with you
even to the
holy places
but will not
let you rest,
will not let you
hear your life
with wholeness
or feel the grace
that fashioned you.
Let what distracts you
cease.
Let what divides you
cease.
Let there come an end
to what diminishes
and demeans,
and let depart
all that keeps you
in its cage.
Let there be
an opening
into the quiet
that lies beneath
the chaos,
where you find
the peace
you did not think
possible
and see what shimmers
within the storm.
— Jan Richardson
Jan is an artist, a poet, an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, and a person of incredible depth. Wherever you are today, may this blessing help you find a moment of peace.