Border Crossings

This Sunday I along with other Grail women will be facilitating a reflection day for young women at “Avila,” the Sydney Grail Centre at North Sydney.   The reflection day is entitled “Your Wild and Precious Life” taken from the famous poem “The Summer Day” by Mary Oliver [1] (who died in January 2019).   As part of the reflection day we are introducing the participants to the Japanese concept of Ikigai [2] which can be translated into “reason for being.” While I have been preparing for this reflection day, as part of a 9 month Retreat in Daily Life, the 20 th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius, I have been reflecting on “The Principle and Foundation” which is fundamental to the Spiritual Exercises.   Or should I say grappling with making sense of “The Principle and Foundation.” The Principle and Foundation, written by St Ignatius in the 1500’s, in a particular place and context.     It tells of the purpose of our life in God and how we’re supposed

Photos: Grail Women at Stirring the Waters - Australian Catholic Women’s Colloquium Strathalbyn in the Adelaide Hills Michael arrives home Budgerigars painted by Liz Some wedding snaps Oh where have the days and weeks gone?  How can one be so busy, so quickly after returning from sabbatical and not returning to paid full-time employment? Well, the photos above may in part explain.  A fortnight ago, I along with 3 other women represented The Grail at the Australian Catholic Women's Colloquium and I followed this with a relaxing few extra days in the Adelaide Hills enjoying the company of a friend.  Soon after my return to Sydney we began offering hospitality.  First in the form of our twice-yearly apartment block drinks and nibbles evening where the residents of our 19-block apartment are invited to gather on the oval adjoining the apartments.  My commitment to fostering community in my local area has increased since my return.  Then we met our daught