Parish News
On a cold and bright winter’s day in Buninyong on July 19, Dr Susie Hii led thirty-four of us in a day of reflection, titled “Examen-ing Life”. We spent the day gathered in the beautiful church, which has astonishing floor to ceiling stained glass windows devoted to the lives of Saints Peter and Paul. The church looks out over bushland on the edge of a creek.
We began the day by joining with the local Buninyong community in Mass, celebrated by Fr Justin Driscoll. Using the Examen, Susie led us in looking back at our lives with God, to savour and heal them, and to look forward with hope to what God has in store for us. The Examen is a reflective prayer at the heart of the spirituality of St Ignatius of Loyola. It invites us to find God in all the people and events of our lives, and in all around us. Susie’s gift was to show us how to see Jesus present in every moment of our lives. During the day there was time for silence, journalling and small group sharing and listening for those who wanted.
It was clear as the day went on that this reminiscence with God gave us a sense of wonder, with feelings of love, joy and peace. It gave healing and a sense of ease in finding meaning and purpose in our lives.
Susie is a geriatrician, a wife, a mother of two young adult children, and a friend. She has a Masters in Spirituality, is a spiritual director, and leads a Scripture reflection group and a Christian meditation group in her parish; and she has been a Christian Life Community (CLC) member for many years. She is a contemplative in action. This shines through her desire to share her faith through the wisdom gained from her own experiences, and from her knowledge of spirituality and of science, particularly in her area of medicine.
Some comments from the evaluations say best how blessed we were with the day and with Susie’s generosity of spirit.
‘The simplicity of presentations even though it was profound. The overarching theme of trusting in God’s love.’ Veronica
‘Lifting of burdens. Moments of sudden clarity. Peace. Beauty. Joy and Gratitude.’ Mary W
‘The simplicity. Abundance of helpful quotes. Uncomplicated, natural unfolding of the love of God. This experience I will treasure in my heart enabling me to live in hope.’ Millie
‘ To forget that I have forgiven.’ Jude
‘A wonderful day with lots of thoughts and readings to take with you.’ Trudie
‘Thinking about life differently. Living in the moment like a child with total trust.’
‘The enthusiasm of participants. The preparedness to share at a deep level.’
‘Taking time out in such a beautiful setting such as this sacred space is a very special experience. Being with people with similar interests.’ Margaret
‘Beautiful music and prayers. Inspirational.’ Jenny D
‘Susie’s gentle guidance. Silence. Susie and Mary working together as a very thoughtful team.’ Jenny M
‘The attentiveness of people as they listened – I noticed how quiet it was. The Spirit was with us’. Doreen
Above all, it is as Doreen said, there was a strong sense of the Spirit with us as a small community that day. As I left the Church of Saints Peter and Paul at the end of the day and turned onto the highway towards home, the most enormous billowing golden glowing cloud rose ahead of me coming up from behind Mount Buninyong. It was extraordinary. And I knew it was God’s immense joy in the day and in us. Thank you.
I had asked Susie to come and give this day in Ballarat, after being at a similar day with her last year. I am very grateful she said yes. I’m also grateful for the support of Doreen Roache and members of our local Christian Life Community (CLC) groups who provided morning tea and a nourishing lunch of soup and rolls, as well as leading small group sharing during the day. Many who attended were from the Ballarat East Ministry District, which includes having eight church communities stretching from St Alipius to Ballan. Others were from local ‘Friends of CLC’ and those who heard by word of mouth. Justin, Cathy Prunty, Jason Fletcher and John White were very generous with their time, support and encouragement in enabling the day to happen in Buninyong.
Mary Wade