Newsletter Part B

Sr. Monica
This wonderful woman on the left is Eileen and my Year 11 teacher. She inspires us, is joyful, loving, caring, and truly a beautiful person. Sister Monica is a Presentation Sister and took the order to Thailand where she worked teaching English mainly to young seminarians. Through her connection with our family in around 1990 she asked whether the family would host exchange students from Thailand so that they could come to Australia in their summer holidays and learn English and experience the Australian lifestyle. In 1994 a group of us went to Thailand to visit the students and teachers who had stayed in Australia and it was then that I purchased the statue.

About 8 weeks ago Sr. Monica was flown home from Thailand as they found that she has Pancreatic Cancer. Please would you please pray with us through the intercession of Our Lady of Eternal Grace if it is the Will of God that Sr. Monica be healed. Sr. Monica feels that she still has work to do in Thailand.

We thank you all for the love and support that you show to Eileen and I. I am sorry if sometimes it takes a while for us to answer letters and e mails.
The House of Prayer is still very busy. We have just dug up my back yard and replaced it with raised vegetable beds. We have purchased another 4 chooks which brings our poultry numbers to 8. We have 4 living at Bethany and 4 living at St. Michael’s. St. Michael’s is another house that friends have bought and allow us to use for pilgrims. We also have vegetables growing at St. Michael’s.
We had full houses before and after WYD. We had 4 priests and 4 men stay before WYD and then the whole group of 20 from French speaking Gabon stayed on their way home. We had a lovely e mail from Fr. Pedro saying how much they all enjoyed the visit to the House of Prayer. We have also had 3 pilgrims from United States staying with a priest also.
We lost majority of our fences during a recent mini tornado. God is so good as we also lost the aviary but found it under a neighbours patio and by the end of the day had recovered nearly all the birds. We still have one half of a fence to be replaced. It was such a blessing that the house was not touched as people near lost roofs and extensive damage. I was praying at the time in the Shrine and in about 30 secs my fences etc were gone. We also thank God that no one was injured during this time.
People still visit the Shrine of the Weeping Madonna from all over the world. Even though Our Lady stopped weeping last February people comment that the face changes. We still have the prayer vigil on the first Saturday to pray against
abortion. We also now come back after 8.30am Mass to the Shrine and say a rosary for the same intention.
The Days of Prayer this year have been particularly special. We decorate the altar with flowers and say The Servants of the Little Way prayers followed by Midday Prayers and then lunch. There is such a feeling of love on these days.