Liturgies

Heather spoke at SMX about how the modern Australian celebration of Mother’s day grew out of calls for peace and anti-war campaigns following the American Civil war ( 1861-65). In 1870, American writer and women’s rights activist, Julia Ward Howe appealed to women to unite and bring peace throughout the world. Heather invites us to revive this invitation to all by Julia to be peace makers and to be lights that shine in the darkness.

Michael Tansky explores the topic of keeping ourselves resilient. Inviting each of us to ask ourselves what keeps us going, what are the things we do and need to continue to do in order to thrive.

Robert speaks about how communities gather around their stories and are held together by them. His hope is that stories will always reign and remain at the heart of St Marys In Exile.

Tracey summaries beautifully why the Enneagram can make a difference to your life. She explores the notion that understanding your particular personality type can generate greater compassion for yourself. And in going further by understanding other people personality types a greater compassion for them.

In listening to a series of readings from David Eagleman’s book on the Brain we hear about this amazing organ. Locked in the silence and darkness of your skull, your brain fashions the rich narratives of your reality and your identity. Peter Kennedy reflects on how the mystics throughout the ages have learned many of new discoveries about the brain that scientists are only now discovering.

In this homily Terry speaks of the Gospel invitation to die to the separate notion of self. It’s the separate notion of self which is the source of much of our suffering. In letting it go which we are invited into the freedom it offers as we merge into ONENESS, which is our true nature

Joan Mooney speaks about the power of meditation. In developing a regular practice she speaks of how it can overflow into every aspect of our lives. Bringing great peace and serenity to our existence.

Kon Karapanagiotidis CEO and Founder of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) shared a little about what he does and what motivates and keeps him going. In particular he spoke of how his commitment to social justice comes from his parents’ experiences of discrimination and exploitation and his own personal experiences of racism whilst growing up.

Maurice Whelan speaks about the American poet Emily Dickinson. He describes her poems as lyrical meditations. Emily writes "Beauty – be not caused – It is – Chase it, and it ceases – Chase it not, and it abides".

A central message of Jesus was that the Kingdom, Reign, presence of God, is close at hand it is very near to you. Actually all is sacred, all is divine. When we truly take this understanding on board it changes everything.