And Off To Brisbane
Fr Prior, in company with Fr John, just spent several days in Hobart to oversee preparations for foundation day. It was Fr John’s first time to Tasmania. Unfortunately the time was limited, and he did not get very far (just up to the top of Mount Wellington! See photo). But we hope he shall return. […]
And Yet Another Grace-Filled Retreat
The fourth and final Hartzer Park retreat has just ended, with 43 ladies participating. It was a fitting conclusion to an intense month for us, with many joys and many challenges. We offer thanks to Our Lady for leading us at each step and for helping us share something of what we have received with […]
An American’s First Australia Day
My first Australia day was spent with Fr John and a fine group of 33 retreatants in Hartzer Park. Every retreat reminds us that an authentic conversion to the truly Christian way of life incites us to rise from the ashes of past sins, and move forward on the path to eternal life. Many of […]
If Thou Wilt, Thou Canst…
Today’s Gospel reminds us of one of the most fundamentally consoling truths of our faith: it is enough for Jesus to will our conversion and sanctification for it to be done, provided we ask Him sincerely to do so. “If Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean”, prayed the leper. The Lord willed, and the […]
Refreshments In The Heart
Yesterday, a group of 29 men finished a five-day retreat at Hartzer Park centre. The heat was excessive the first couple days, but during confessions on the second afternoon, the temperature went down suddenly about 20 degrees. Coincidence? Perhaps. But I couldn’t refrain from reminding the group that we pray to the Holy Spirit in […]
Our Lady Of Cana And Her Daughters
Today we complete our first three-day retreat for ladies here at Hartzer Park, Bowral, NSW. Divine Providence has so willed that this retreat coincide with the patronal feast of Notre Dame Priory. We give thanks to her for all the many graces received over the last few days, and we entrust to her maternal protection […]
Monks And Wine
Every now and then when I meet someone and we speak of the new foundation in Tasmania, I am asked if the monks will make wine. The pragmatic answer is something like: “Who knows? Possibly. Tasmania produces some excellent quality wines, and it might be worth looking into”. The enigmatic answer would be more like: […]
The Holy Name Of Jesus
The Octave of the Nativity, which is also the day of the Circumcision, is the day on which the Name of Jesus was pronounced for the first time: And His Name was called Jesus, the name He had received from the Angel before He was conceived in the womb (Lk 2:21). Joseph is the one who […]
A New Year Of Grace
As I write these words, we here in Australia have already entered the New Year of Grace 2017. We wish to give thanks to Almighty God for all the graces of the past year, and to invoke HIs blessings upon all our undertakings in the year to come. Our gratitude extends to all those who […]