A long awaited Day of Reflection for Presentation Associates/Friends
By Maria Owen
A Saturday in early June marked our first proper Presentation Associates/Friends of Nano Gathering since pre- Covid times. As we prepared the Hall at Matlock Convent, there was discussion as to how many chairs would be needed. We had received some acceptance replies and some apologies but… imagine our delight when over 50 people sat down to listen to Sr Anne Lyons PBVM, as she led us through a Reflection entitled: ‘An Enduring Heart’.
Sr Anne Lyons PBVM
Her soft accent and measured pace of speaking gave us time for thought and understanding as she led us via stories of an older brother being introduced to his newborn baby brother - When told that the baby has come from God he asks the baby: ‘What’s God like? I'm beginning to forget?’
An Enduring Heart speaks of an enduring love. God who has called us is our source – the heart of holy mystery. This calls us to have a heart of constant reflection and desire – to be partners and to journey together; a lifelong task of a journey of transformation to become the person God wants me to be - “God’s self in the world” (R. Rohr). Each of us is unique, irreplaceable and the delight of God’s heart.
Mary of the Immaculate Heart shows us the Human Face of the God of Love… a Love that is not measured by the Enduring Heart of Jesus but is unlimited and given freely…
After a short break we settled down for a gentle meditative encounter with the Sacred Heart of Jesus. As we broke for lunch we carried a question in our hearts: 'Who has God put in my heart today?’. Regretfully we did not record the thought-provoking input from Sr Anne especially as she went ‘off script’ and allowed the Spirit to speak.
After lunch there was the opportunity to join short workshops : Update on the Cause of Venerable Nano Nagle - Sr Anne Lyons, Presentation Sisters’ Postulator for Venerable Nano Nagle’s Cause for Sainthood; Visit to the Heritage Centre - Sr Susan Richert; Creative Art – Ann Marie Pearson & Information on the Friends of Nano and International Presentation Association (IPA) – Maria Owen and Catherine Tompkin - plus the option to take some quiet time in the chapel and/or the garden.
Sr Susan Richert in the Heritage Centre
Although the majority of attendees were Presentation Associates/Friends of Nano, there were a number of people who came because they wanted to learn more. We will be contacting them individually to see how we can answer their needs. And we have already started to plan next year’s Gathering.
Some thoughts from attendees:
Thank you for a wonderful day. God bless you all
Brilliant day! Really enjoyed the Nano talk re venerable and visiting the heritage centre
Thank you – this gathering wa what we need in this troubled world. Please can we do it again
Everything – could have listened to Sr Anne forever! Nano would have been happy
Very interesting; speakers excellent; well run; friendly and welcoming
We had a beautiful day, thank you so much. Inspiring, meditative and wonderfully serene
Truly reflective, contemplative day; food for the spirit totally and encouragement to live from the heart.
Thank you for the warm welcome and for hosting us a. Wonderful. Sr Anne needs to make a recording of her beautiful talk and pop it on spotify.
Excellent day, very informative and interesting
Lovely, peaceful day; lovely to meet up with old friends and sisters known for many years. God bless you all.
Thought provoking
I have loved every minute – the fellowship, the inspiration, the sharing the love. Thank you
Wonderful day; very inspirational and thought provoking; entwined hearts and how the love of god gives us the strength we need to share and love others
It was lovely to meet so many friends of Nano