Donkey Bells and a soft bed for Jesus

Posted in Advent, Advent bells, donkey, Jesus lying in manager on December 2nd, 2011 by vicki – 2 Comments
Denny and Joanie’s donkey




Another tradition that Nazareth House Apostolate continues during Advent is that of pinning a tiny silver bell (one that actually rings) in the sleeve of the left arm of our clothing (the left arm because it is closer to the heart).  

Vicki’s Advent Bell pinned in her sleeve




The bell represents the bell on the donkey that Mary rode into Bethlehem, ringing with every step the donkey takes.   

Joanie and Denny’s donkey



With the bell hidden in the sleeve, every time we move our arm we hear it’s tiny tinkling ring.  Every ring reminds us that this is Advent and Jesus is coming.  The bell has a very gentle non-offensive sound and can be worn all day, wherever you are. 


There are other traditions from around the world. Catherine Doherty is well known for reviving many holy Christian Traditions.   Nazareth House Apostolate recommends her book:  “Donkey Bells” 




In Seraphim’s family, an empty creche was placed in the living room.  A box filled with 2 inch strands of golden yarn sat next to it.  


Every time a family member performed a good deed during Advent, they took a strand of yarn (representing hay) and placed it into the manager creating a soft bed for the Child Jesus to lie in.  In other words, the place that Christ comes to rest in is our good deeds.


They were encouraged that the good deed and the placing of the yarn (hay) into the creche should be done in secret. “That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.”- Matthew 6:4

THE ADVENT WREATH

Posted in Advent, Advent wreath, Nazareth house apostolate, Sierra Leone, St Simeon Skete on November 30th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
In Sierra Leone, James and family are making their way back to Kabala after spending a week in Freetown, 


braving the busyness of the city to seek medical attention for Roo, 

receive packages from the post and stock up on supplies.  They are excited to return to the peacefulness of Kabala, especially as they prepare their hearts during this penitential season of Advent. 

As I type this post, the rain is falling hard and Seraphim is outside rebuilding and repairing the newly developed ditches in the gravel road at the skete.  He is drenched. 
In order to prepare for the cold Winter, we are filling the gas tanks for the buildings in use at the Skete. 


Preventative measures and preparedness are imperative to maintain our buildings, our properties and daily life.  Advent calls to attention the fact that as we give attention to the physical preparations – things that are temporary, it is even more important that we prepare our hearts and souls which are eternal.  


Nazareth House Apostolate began the Advent Season as we begin everything – in prayer.  


As the first Advent candle was lit in The Chapel of the Presentation, the Liturgy began.  It is the custom of NHA at St. Simeon Skete to place the Nativity Scene in the chapel on the first Sunday of Advent, highlighting the empty creche – signifying the Season’s reason for preparation and expectation -  the coming of Christ.  

The Wisemen are placed far to the East in the Chapel … journeying closer each Sunday of Advent, finally making their way to the site of our Lord’s Nativity after Christmas.  

After the Liturgy on this first Sunday in Advent, 



we had a wonderful time of fellowship 



at Anna House, 



a sharing and celebration as we begin the fasting and penitential observations the next day.  


The materialistic “Santa Season” serves to distract us from having a meaningful, preparatory Advent.   Consumerism, Self indulgence, Keeping up with the ‘Jones’ (people haven’t realized that the “Jones”  aren’t happy, but they still want to be like them), mammon illness – all these things take away from having a real Christmas.   There are many traditions and customs that help us to ignore these distractions and put them in proper perspective.  



One tradition, the Advent Wreath, serves to keep us focused on The Important. Each night at the dinner table one candle for each week of Advent is lit, ending with all four candles lit by the week leading into Christmas.  Usually the youngest child of the family lights the first candle.   There are many prayers that can be found on the internet search engines to be said at the lighting of the candle, but it can be more personal and meaningful (especially to the children) to incorporate your own prayers. 

The first candle is the candle of Hope (expectation). This points attention to the anticipation of the coming of Christ.  As God’s people were exploited by power hungry kings, led astray by self-centered prophets, and assuaged into apathy by half-hearted religious leaders, people began to crave a new king who would teach them how to be people of God and not of the world. They longed for the return of God in their midst. 
So, God revealed to some of the prophets that He would not leave His flock without a true Shepherd. While they expected a new earthly king, their expectations fell far short of God’s revelation of Himself in Christ. The world continues to be lead by dominative powers.  We remain in expectation, with hope, for the coming of Christ.  Our hope starts with the birthing of Christ in our own hearts.  

The sequence of lighting the candles for the remaining Sundays of Advent are that of Love, Joy, and Peace.  

And so this is Advent

Posted in Athens Georgia, Holy Trinity Kellia, milagro, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA, Sierra Leone, St Simeon Skete on November 28th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
Today begins the preparatory Season of Advent.



Advent wreath at table in Holy Trinity Kellia, St. Simeon Skete



The Gospel for 1st Sunday of Advent
St. Matthew xxi. 1.

WHEN they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples, saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me. And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them. All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass. And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name ‘of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest. And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this? And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee. And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of them that sold doves, and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 

Jesus tells His disciples to go into the city  AND He tells them to find a tethered colt that no one had ridden.   


Think about that image:  ”a tethered colt which no one has ridden…”

Young mule of Denny & Joanie Markwell,  members of St. Simeon Skete



Of course the people are waiting for a dominative, powerful, substantive image – a King, A Ruler who is going to change everything from the outside (the surface).  

But Jesus says “I’m not going to come in on a horse, in triumph but …as Zechariah 9:9 prophesied… I’m coming in on a donkey to redefine what power is, worth is, strength is, trust is…



This colt/donkey, THIS powerless image is a tethered colt, its been tied up in all of history.  No one’s ever wanted to use it, no one’s ridden this kind before but Jesus is going to ride it into the city to show the world a different way, a new way, the way of trust, the way of vulnerability, the way of powerlessness.  



When your generosity has been tied up, loosen it and when greed rises up and asks “what are you doing?”, say, “The Lord has need of it”  When your humility is tied up, loosen it and when pride questions you, say “The Lord has need of it.”  When your forgiveness is tied up, untie it and when mercilessness asks you “why?,  say “The Lord has need of it.” 

As Jesus rides into the city in this “different way” the people wonder “Who is this?”  ”What is this new way?”  Jesus upsets the system and says: “its prayer”. 


Jeremy Lopez, in prayer before his Confirmation.  Nazareth House Apostolate, Athens, Georgia



Of all the battles that God has with human consciousness, the battle to get rid of those things (furniture) that keep us from making our souls a house of prayer must be God’s most difficult battle.   Culture wants to rearrange the “furniture” by dominative power – the ability to influence others through coercion, hiring and firing, punishing, threatening, lawsuits, money, position.  This will rearrange the “furniture” and most will respond to it.  But at best, this is all we can do: re-arrange the “furniture”.   But Jesus doesn’t re-arrange the furniture, He pitches it – throws it out – opting for a House of Prayer!  Anything in your life that is keeping you from prayer needs to be pitched! 

As the Holiday Season approaches many will be re-arranging their living rooms to prepare for Holiday guests or give a new look but only PRAYER can change the living room into a LIVING room.  


Personal milagro of Seraphim, housed where he hangs his prayer beads



Advent Collect

ALMIGHTY God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal, through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and ever. Amen. 

Our Supporters

Posted in C.S. Lewis Center, Cathedral of the Epiphany, Columbia SC, fr paul sterne, Groundnut soup, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA, st theodore chapel on November 18th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
Nazareth House Apostolate is blessed to have friends that support the work all over the world.  We remain small in number but HUGE in heart and spirit. 

As this post is being published, there are many outlets of Nazareth House busily working together to pray and provide beyond themselves.   We are most grateful.   The needs increase daily and we are thankful for the continued support.  You are all named daily in the prayers at St. Simeon Skete .

Today we feature our chapter housed in the C.S. Lewis Student Center & St. Theodore’s Chapel located on campus of University of South Carolina in Columbia. 
Seraphim and I recently made a trip to visit the C S Lewis Center and we are amazed by their care and support for the work and the love they show for NHA and the people of Sierra Leone and us.   
Tonight they will be doing a FAST to raise awareness and funding for the work of Nazareth House Apostolate.   If you are able, join them in the fast and/or donate to NHA for the cause. 

*********************************************************************************
Their flyer reads: 

What: Fast for Africa 
When: 6:00 p.m., Friday, Nov. 18, to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19 
Where: C. S. Lewis Student Center and on your own 
C. S. Lewis Student Center & St. Theodore’s Anglican Chapel
1730 College St, Columbia, SC 29201

Why: To raise funds and awareness for Nazareth House Apostolate, Sierra Leone, and to pray for their ministry
GRACE is inviting you to be involved in the ministry of Nazareth House Apostolate in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Many of you met Fr. Seraphim and Vicki Hicks, founders of Nazareth House, last month during their visit to Columbia. This Fast for Africa will allow you to participate in the ministry you heard them speak of.
Nazareth House Apostolate is especially called to pray in areas that have been abandoned and forgotten by the rest of the world. During the horrific ten-year civil war in Sierra Leone, Nazareth House went there to pray and and share God’s love. Today, Nazareth House operates a free school in Kabala, Sierra Leone (along with one meal a day to students) as well as providing medical help to those who fall between the cracks. All of this started simply with prayer! Read more at www.NazarethHouseAP .org.

Attached is a sheet for supporters to pledge a certain amount for each hour you fast. At the bottom of this page is a handy table to compute several different levels of giving, but any amount helps, and donors are free to choose their own. Ordinarily, you should collect the gifts after you have finished the fast (no fair accepting funds, and then not following through on the fast). Check off the right column when you collect the donation. If you have medical issues that preclude you from a total fasting from solid food, just do as much as you can, but be upfront with your donors. The normal fast would mean only consuming water during the 24-hour period, but if you need to adjust it to your own situation, then do as much as you can. It really only means missing two meals (breakfast and lunch on Saturday, assuming you eat just prior to the 6:00 p.m. start on Friday), and very few people have ever had to be rushed to the hospital for missing two meals! You may also choose to fast from something besides food, but it should be a real sacrifice of something you ordinarily partake of (tv, computer, etc.).
As with any fast, use the hunger pains as an opportunity to remind yourself that your hunger for God is more important than any physical hunger you may experience. When your stomach grumbles, turn it into a prayer. You may want to use the following prayer, which is recited by the students daily at the Nazareth House School:
“Merciful God, receive the prayers we offer for our anxious and troubled world. Send thy light into our darkness and guide the nations as one family into the ways of peace. We, together on the earth, belong to you. May we see one another as you see us. Help us to love one another, teach us to understand each other, just as you understand us. Make us as fresh as the morning, make our hearts free of fear. May we forgive each other and forget the past. Strengthen in us, day by day, the desire for you. Amen.”
You will be able to participate in the fast completely on your own, but we will have group activities at the beginning and end of the fast, if you would like to participate. Friday, we will start with Evening Prayer at 6:00, praying especially for Nazarath House, and our efforts in this fast. We will follow that by a screening at 6:45 of Blood Diamond, the 2006 film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou, which tells the story of Sierra Leone’s brutal civil war (Location TBA).
Saturday, we will end the fast with Evening Prayer at 5:30, followed by an African supper at 6:00.
(Help us support Nazareth House Apostolate in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Please download this sheet for more information: http://www.sttheodoresc.org/fortnight/Fast%20for%20Africa%2011-11.pdf)

*********************************************************************************During our visit,  The C.S. Lewis Center offered a Taste of Africa dinner to raise awareness and support.  
Groundnut Soup with Rice as well as the cucumber and smoked fish dish were big hits with everyone – the students at USC


 and at the subsequentTaste of Africa dinner at the Cathedral of the Epiphany Church in Columbia, SC.   
What a welcome we received!  
The fellowship was wonderful.  
The “Freetown Fridge” remains (drinks are offered for a donation to NHA) in place at the C.S. Lewis Center. 

It has been raising awareness and funding for Nazareth House for many years now. 

One of my favorite events of the visit was the High Tea 


on the porch of the Center.  

We enjoyed great togetherness and mutual support.  
We were quite pleased at the brilliance of the students 
and their eagerness to help those in need.   
If you find yourself in the Columbia area, look the C.S. Lewis Center  and/or the Cathedral of Epiphany up – you are sure to find a gracious welcome. 


Join in the love of Nazareth House Apostolate…

Follow us on our Facebook Page
See us in action on our Youtube Channel;   www.youtube.com/SaloneNHA



Posted in Uncategorized on November 15th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment

 We received a lab report on Roo and it showed he was severely anemic.  Everything else seemed okay and no malaria showed in the blood.

 From these photos we can see he is thin and doesn’t feel well.   We are starting him on iron vitamins as we do not trust the blood supply for transfusions.

Thank you for your prayers for Roo and the work in Sierra Leone by Nazareth House Apostolate.  Its not easy, but we don’t give up.

Eleven. Eleven. Eleven. Updates: bits & pieces

Posted in Uncategorized on November 11th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
In the spirit of Eleven, we give thanksgiving for the Eleven Patronal Saints of St. Simeon Skete and NHA. 

  1. Holy Prophet, Elijah, who heard God in the stillness
  2. Holy Simeon, the God Receiver & Confessor, who found God to be enough
  3. John the Baptist, Forerunner & Baptizer of Jesus in the Jordan River where Heaven opened
  4. Saint Mary of Bethany, who chose the better part
  5. Saint John the Beloved who with Mary Magdalene & Mary, the mother of our Lord, bore witness at the foot of the cross
  6. Saint Paul,  the Apostle, who showed us the Way of the Name
  7. Saint Pachomius of the Rule who gave us the Angel’s holy Rule of Prayer
  8. Saint Arsenius, who fled, found solitude and prayed always
  9. Saint Mary of Egypt, for whom repentance was enough
  10. Saint Isaac the Syrian, who showed us the beyond to be in our midst
  11. Saint Gregory of Sinai, who stayed with the prayer
“Lord, Jesus Christ our God,  by the prayers of your saints, have mercy upon us and save us.”



Today’s blog post will be a bit of a “catch up” on recent events.  


At this writing James and Kadijah are tending to Roo who is experiencing a very high fever of 104.  Please keep him in your prayers. 


The NHA Matching Fund campaign has ended and was a success.  We have now received the matching funds to match all the donations.   Thank you so very much for all the support.  You’ll be hearing more about this very soon.


Nazareth House Apostolate has purchased 100 worm pills ($319) and they are on their way to Sierra Leone along with medications received from the Anglican Church Women of St. Augustine Church in Chico, California.



We want to send our love and congratulations to Mohammad Sanu and his family.  



His wife gave birth (successfully) to their youngest child. 





 Last year they lost a child at birth – it was too premature.  



Sanu has joined the NHA team and works with James to provide and do the work of Nazareth House in Kabala.  


James reports after Sanu’s wife’s surgery – c-section (thanks to NHA’s provision) that he met up with an adorable little dog sporting only three legs.   



“Old school is this dog’s name. Some say he suffered the amputation during the war, some say he was hit by a car but no matter what his history is, he is the sweetiest dog I have ever met in my life. Whilst trying to help Sanu out as he struggle to get his wife out of the hospital after her operation, we met Old School. I was so worn out but was so moved to play with him and  there he comes wagging his tale as if I was his owner. He did make my day and every one told me so much good stories of him. Old School, as he is called, living his life as a Freetonian and had no choice but to keep his three legs going and making life happen as it is. No complain at all…….  To me he represents a lot of my people, they have nothing, many times not even their limbs, but they smile, they are genuinely happy and they make life go on as if they were richest of the world” -James Mansaray


After prayerful consideration and much research, we have decided to transfer Lucy to a Boarding School in Freetown.   



Lucy, (James daughter) plans on being a doctor and with the scarcity of that vocation in Kabala we felt it was our duty to see that she gets the adequate education and training without delay.   Our NHA School in Kabala provides very qualified education however, we are just now growing into the high school level that Lucy has already obtained, therefore we didn’t want to hold her back. We tried the excellent homeschooling but since the internet in Sierra Leone is so intermittent these days, her learning was not consistent.  The boarding school tuition, room and board (including food) is right at $3,000 a year.  We have provided $500 of that as a downpayment and this has allowed her to begin school.  The school has asked that we pay $1100 this month and the rest within the next month.   We are taking donations for this cause.  If you wish to give please indicate “Lucy” on your contribution. 


Nazareth House again paid the yearly rent for Marianna Barrie, the wife of the late sufi saint, Pa Barrie.  

We promised Pa Barrie that  we would take care of his widow and we have kept our promise.   







Thanks be to God. 





Back at St. Simeon Skete, we are preparing for Winter.   The skies have been as colorful as the changing leaves.  Finally, the grass mowing is over until Spring.





   There is over 17 acres of grass to cut on the property and Seraphim has been keeping up with it.





   When time came for Louisville Tractor to come and take away the lawn mower for Winterizing,



 Seraphim was like a boy having his toy taken away.  


He explained to me that the Cheetah (Scags Zero Turn) was the best working tool he’s had in a long time.  ”Its a fine machine”  He is very thankful for it, especially with this much grass to cut. 


And as they drove off with it, Seraphim watched it to the very end of the road.   Men and their tools.   …smile…




We cannot stress enough that Nazareth House Apostolate relies totally on God as he expresses Himself through our supporters’ prayers, compassion and generosity.  Through this assistance we are able to reach hundreds (families and individuals, doctors and hospitals,  teachers and students).   Join us, today.

donations should be made through the Paypal button on our website 
or 
mailed to
NHA
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville,  KY 40071

The Wailing Wall at St. Simeon Skete

Posted in Jerusalem, Kentucky, Prayer, Prayer Wall., skete, St Simeon Skete, Taylorsville, Wailing Wall on November 7th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
As Autumn settles in at St. Simeon Skete, 



we’ve now completed a full year in Taylorsville, Kentucky.  


Much has been accomplished in establishing this space of prayer, yet; there is still much yet to do.
Upon purchasing the property, there was (and still is) many physical projects necessary to aesthetically conform the grounds to the atmosphere necessary for a skete.  That is … an atmosphere of prayer.  


We are working on these projects one at a time as funding, labor and weather permits.   
It cannot be said too often, or stressed enough that St. Simeon Skete is about prayer, everything we do stems, circulates and grows from that prayer.


 It is the heart of Nazareth House Apostolate which enables the blood to circulate through the body.  


Without the work at the Skete, the mission work in Sierra Leone could not continue.  


That work, the ongoing prayer, has been going on way before we relocated to Taylorsville, there has been no change in that, only the location is different.  It is at this new setting that we hope to expand that prayer with vocations.  Those who will give up all of the world to come and live this life of prayer at the Skete.  


There was a time when people believed that prayer at this level was necessary and vocations were plentiful.  As the world became more materialistic, vocations began to drop.  


At Nazareth House Apostolate we believe that it is the lack of places such as St. Simeon Skete, that the world is in such decline.  


People need to know that there is somewhere in the world where people are praying.  

When they are stuck in traffic, already late for work and suddenly their car overheats 


- people need to know that in the midst of their struggle there are those who are praying for them at the skete. 

On Sunday, November 6th, we officially opened the Wailing Wall of St. Simeon Skete.  


The Wall, containing a shrine with pieces of mortar from the original Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, lies hidden beyond the fencing 


overlooking Taylorsville Lake.  
Yesterday, it  was blessed and the first prayers were inserted into the cracks.  
The Notice on the Wailing Wall at St. Simeon Skete reads: 

“This wall is inspired by another wall, the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. 


Here generations have cried and prayed out their needs before God.  


Indeed to this day little pieces of paper with prayers and petitions are rolled up and inserted in the broken mortar between the bricks of the wall.



This wall serves the same purpose. 


It is here in order that needs, prayers and petitions may be stuck in the crevices that as they’re seen they will be prayed for.  


Also, you may take a petition from the wall, keep it for a week and pray for the unknown writer whose heart may be broken.  


Then you might initial and date it and put it back again so that the person who put it there originally may know that he or she is not alone; that someone gave comfort, sympathy and concern.
In any case, the Wailing Wall stands here as a shrine, a special place at St. Simeon Skete 


where we stand with deep devotion with you as we raise our hearts and minds to God with longing, tears and confidence. 
Feel free to stick your needs in the cracks and look over other’s needs.  


Most of all, stand, kneel or prostrate here with reverence, faith and quiet that deep sympathy and mercy always demands of us.  


Jesus Mercy dear friend.

Now it is time to go into the marketplace, do so with this commission: “…go ye and learn…I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” -St. Matthew 9:13”


The Wailing Wall at St. Simeon Skete

Posted in Jerusalem, Kentucky, Prayer, Prayer Wall., skete, St Simeon Skete, Taylorsville, Wailing Wall on November 7th, 2011 by vicki – 1 Comment
As Autumn settles in at St. Simeon Skete,

 



we’ve now completed a full year in Taylorsville, Kentucky.


Much has been accomplished in establishing this space of prayer, yet; there is still much yet to do.
Upon purchasing the property, there was (and still is) many physical projects necessary to aesthetically conform the grounds to the atmosphere necessary for a skete.  That is … an atmosphere of prayer.


We are working on these projects one at a time as funding, labor and weather permits.
It cannot be said too often, or stressed enough that St. Simeon Skete is about prayer, everything we do stems, circulates and grows from that prayer.


It is the heart of Nazareth House Apostolate which enables the blood to circulate through the body.


Without the work at the Skete, the mission work in Sierra Leone could not continue.


That work, the ongoing prayer, has been going on way before we relocated to Taylorsville, there has been no change in that, only the location is different.  It is at this new setting that we hope to expand that prayer with vocations.  Those who will give up all of the world to come and live this life of prayer at the Skete.


There was a time when people believed that prayer at this level was necessary and vocations were plentiful.  As the world became more materialistic, vocations began to drop.


At Nazareth House Apostolate we believe that it is the lack of places such as St. Simeon Skete, that the world is in such decline.


People need to know that there is somewhere in the world where people are praying.

When they are stuck in traffic, already late for work and suddenly their car overheats


- people need to know that in the midst of their struggle there are those who are praying for them at the skete.
On Sunday, November 6th, we officially opened the Wailing Wall of St. Simeon Skete.


The Wall, containing a shrine with pieces of mortar from the original Wailing Wall in Jerusalem, lies hidden beyond the fencing


overlooking Taylorsville Lake.
Yesterday, it  was blessed and the first prayers were inserted into the cracks.
The Notice on the Wailing Wall at St. Simeon Skete reads:

“This wall is inspired by another wall, the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem.


Here generations have cried and prayed out their needs before God.


Indeed to this day little pieces of paper with prayers and petitions are rolled up and inserted in the broken mortar between the bricks of the wall.



This wall serves the same purpose.


It is here in order that needs, prayers and petitions may be stuck in the crevices that as they’re seen they will be prayed for.


Also, you may take a petition from the wall, keep it for a week and pray for the unknown writer whose heart may be broken.


Then you might initial and date it and put it back again so that the person who put it there originally may know that he or she is not alone; that someone gave comfort, sympathy and concern.
In any case, the Wailing Wall stands here as a shrine, a special place at St. Simeon Skete


where we stand with deep devotion with you as we raise our hearts and minds to God with longing, tears and confidence.
Feel free to stick your needs in the cracks and look over other’s needs.


Most of all, stand, kneel or prostrate here with reverence, faith and quiet that deep sympathy and mercy always demands of us.


Jesus Mercy dear friend.

Now it is time to go into the marketplace, do so with this commission: “…go ye and learn…I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.” -St. Matthew 9:13”


NHA School, Ismaia Road, Kabala

Posted in africa, Kabala, NHA school, school uniform, Sierra Leone, St Simeon Skete on November 4th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
Last year when James visited St. Simeon Skete in Taylorsville, Kentucky he was presented with a large sign for the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala. 
During the Summer Break the school building was painted and the sign was framed and placed prominently for all to see.  
There is much to do to keep the school in Kabala and the Skete in Taylorsville  up to date, both administratively and in the way of building maintenance.  The weather presents harsh extremes on a building and we must tend to them accordingly. We count on your donations and support to do this. 

We have nearly 300 students in need of uniforms.  Unlike most schools in Sierra Leone, we provide our students with uniforms without charging their parents.

 This enables parents to send their children for an education without placing a financial hardship on the family.  We do not want a child kept from school because of lack of money or clothing.   The Children pictured above on the NHA School porch represent those uniforms we’ve been able to afford to have made so far.

We have a long way to go to fit them all in new uniforms.  Some of the children continue to make do with the old uniforms, although most are beginning to show much wear.

It costs NHA $25 to provide two (2) uniforms per student.  For  many students this is their only complete outfit they have to wear.   If you would like to provide a set of uniforms for a student (or more) you may do so by sending your donation of $25 to NHA, 185 Captains Cove Dr, Taylorsville, KY 40071 or via the Paypal donation link on our website.  And with the Holiday Season coming up, giving a new uniform triples the gift as it enables the proprietor that sells us the material to keep his Material Shop operating (stimulating the local economy), it allows the seamstress to make some money to buy her family a meal or two with every uniform she sews and a student receives new school clothing.  What a great gift!

This year we hope that you consider Nazareth House Apostolate for your Christmas Gift giving.  For the person who has everything, rather than buying more of what they don’t need, make a real difference in the life of someone in need by donating in the name of that person.  NHA will acknowledge your gift to them in a nice card along with a follow up and photo of how that gift was used.

Today is the Feast Day of St. Charles Borromeo.  
(After the death of his uncle, Pius IV (1566), Borromeo contributed materially to suppressing the cabals of the conclave. Subsequently he devoted himself wholly to the reformation of his diocese. It had deteriorated in practice owing to the 80-year absence of previous archbishops.  Borromeo made numerous pastoral visits, and restored dignity to divine service.  Turning his priests and people towards deeper and deeper prayer.

In conformity with the decrees of the Council of Trent, which suggested simplifying church interiors, Borromeo cleared the cathedral of ornate tombs, rich ornaments, banners, and arms. He did not even spare the monuments of his own relatives. 
He extended his reforms to the collegiate churches, monasteries and even to the Confraternities of Penitents, particularly that of St. John the Baptist. This group was to attend to prisoners and those condemned to death, to give them help and support.
Borromeo believed that abuses in the church arose from clergy ignorance. Among his most important actions, he established seminaries, colleges and communities for the education of candidates for holy orders. His emphasis on Catholic learning greatly increased the preparation of men for priesthood and benefited their congregations.
In addition, Borromeo founded the fraternity of Oblates of St. Ambrose, a society of secular men who did not take orders, but devoted themselves to the church and followed a discipline of monastic prayers and study. They provided assistance to parishes where ordered by the church.
n 1576, when Milan suffered an epidemic of the bubonic plague, Borromeo led efforts to accommodate the sick and bury the dead. He avoided no danger and spared no expense. He visited all the parishes where the contagion raged, distributing money, providing accommodation for the sick, and punishing those, especially the clergy, who were remiss in discharging their duties.
Borromeo met with much opposition to his reforms. The governor of the province, and many of the senators, addressed complaints to the courts of Rome and Madrid. They were apprehensive that the cardinal’s ordinances would encroach upon the civil jurisdiction.
Borromeo also faced staunch opposition of several religious orders, particularly that of the Humiliati (Brothers of Humility). Some members of that society formed a conspiracy against his life, and a shot was fired at him in the archiepiscopal chapel. His survival was considered miraculous. (Brothers of Humility tried to have him murdered – how humble of them…wow)
He successfully attacked his Jesuit confessor, Giovanni Battista Ribera who, with other members of the college of Milan, was found to be guilty of unnatural offenses. This action increased Borromeo’s enemies within the church.
Borromeo’s manifold labors and austerities appear to have shortened his life. He was seized with an intermittent fever, and died at Milan on 3 November 1584. He was canonized in 1610, and his feast is celebrated on 4 November each year in the Roman Catholic Rite.)

A Rosary Geographic

Posted in Life of Christ, Monte Cassino, Nazareth house apostolate, Rosary, Rosary Convocation, St Meinrad Archabbey, St Simeon Skete on November 1st, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
October is a very important month in the life at St. Simeon Skete and this past month proved to be especially significant.

Early in the month (7th of October), Nazareth House Apostolate celebrates the Feast of the Holy Rosary with an Annual Rosary Convocation.  This year the theme for the event was “A Rosary Geographic” – 3 days devoted to praying the Life of Christ.

The Nazareth House Prayer Rope consists of three strands (“A three-stranded rope isn’t easily broken”- Ecc.4:12).  

 In the first strand we pray the Way of Jesus,

 the second we pray the Life of Jesus (Rosary),

and the the third strand we pray the Name of Jesus (Jesus beads).

Whatever strand you are praying, it is termed, “the Prayer Rope”,  as any one strand contains the other two.

“The Rosary is a sojourn, a walking with Christ in union with Mary, but it is also a place, that has no goal but depth.”

“The rhythm of the Prayer Rope measures time at St. Simeon Skete, it pervades it and forms it. “

As is custom at St. Simeon Skete,  on the Saturday nearest to the Rosary Feast Day (Oct 7), we go on pilgrimage – A Rosary Pilgrimage – to area Shrines.   On the day of the Rosary Pilgrimage this year, we began at St. Simeon Skete, first with Lauds, followed by the Holy Liturgy.

The preparatory prayers of the Rosary were said as the sun rises and lights up the Chapel.

As the fog rolls over the lake and envelopes St. Simeon Skete, we begin our journey.

The Autumn leaves were just starting to change colors

making the pilgrimage drive absolutely beautiful.

Our first stop was at one of our favorite churches to visit, St. Augustine in Leopold, Indiana.

We especially like this church in this quaint little town because the doors are always open for you to come in and pray.


What today has become a novelty (finding a church door open at any time during the day) used to be a matter of normality.  Change is not always for the better.

St. Augustine’s Parish is rich in history

and we are thankful for their welcoming hospitality.

 Here, Fr. Seraphim led us in the first set of Mysteries – The Joyful which are about the mysteries of being human.  ”-Jesus your life is living in me”

From Leopold, it is on to the Shrine of St. Joseph for the next set of Mysteries.  It is on this route to the St. Joseph Shrine that we pass the Peacock Farm.  We always marvel at the splendor of this bird.

Upon arriving at St. Joseph Shrine, Seraphim takes time to share a surprise with Denny and Joanie as this is their first pilgrimage with Nazareth House Apostolate.

As you walk up the steps to the shrine, you are taken aback by the enormity of the carved wooden statue of St. Joseph and the boy Jesus.

 Seraphim stands with Denny and Joanie as they take it in.   But there is more.

Seraphim faces them in the opposite direction to feast their eyes on yet another amazing sight.

It is the view from the St. Joseph Shrine of St. Meinrad Archabbey.

At first glimpse of St. Meinrad Archabbey  you the feel as though you’ve been carried away to Europe.  

Fr. Tim Butler leads us

in the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary (the mysteries about the Kingdom) at the beloved carpenter’s shrine.  ”Jesus your life is living in me”

St Meinrad Archabbey is a stop on our pilgrimage but first we travel through dusty roads to the Shrine Chapel of Our Lady of Monte Cassino.  
 This chapel is our (Seraphim and my) favorite chapel.  
It has been our place of refuge – seeking its stillness and simple beauty (again a house of prayer with an unlocked door) …
we’ve spent many hours, deepening the prayer in this chapel through the years.   
Inside the chapel, 
amidst the hand painted Frescos
Fr. Butler shares with us what the rosary means to him 
and how it works in, around and through his life.  
We pray the third set of mysteries, The Sorrowful Mysteries 
- about the mystery of suffering.  ”Jesus your life is living in me” 

The chapel is dark inside, as a church should be – like a womb forming and shaping you
 in the likeness of Christ so you can be birthed out as light in the world. 
After the mysteries are said, its time for a picnic lunch on the grounds of this wonderful chapel.  
A time for refreshment and 
fellowship
before the pilgrimage 
makes its next Rosary Stop.
The journey continues
The final set of mysteries, 
the Glorious Mysteries – the mysteries of faith, we say on our own in the Sanctuary of the St. Meinrad Archabbey. 
 Quietly we complete the rosary, some sitting
some walking. “Jesus your life is living in me” 

while at the archabbey, 
we take time to visit 
the beautiful gardens 
  
and the Abbey Press Book and Gift Store.   Then its back to St. Simeon Skete where we end the day with a campfire 
and enjoy 
a night of fellowship.   
Praying the Life of Christ together bonds us as it brings radiance to our hearts.  And each time it is prayed, with each bead fingered, every moment of our Lord’s life shared – that glow resident within our hearts shines brighter.
If you want to get the rosary its simple: Its praying the Life of Christ. If you want to understand Mary relative to the rosary, that is simply also – its saying “YES” to that life.  
« Older Entries
Newer Entries »