Franciscan on Sister Water

Sometimes we don’t notice the most wonderful gestures of care that people around us give.  As Rick and I have been wondering through Northern Europe we have been treated with such kindness and love by many people we have met.  Being new to the area we are like “Babes in the Woods”.  Many times we didn’t know how to get things we needed or where to go to find things.  Like all explorers we found out everything through talking to people, discovering the workings of things and sometimes through the aid of others who wished us well and wanted us to enjoy our visit in their country.

I started thinking about this and was reminded that this is what our attitude should be towards each other, wishing people the best in their lives and helping them along with what they are called to do.  I think I will always remember the attitude of a person I met who saw our difficulty in finding a van (there were none available to rent) to help us to pick up our shipment of goods from Rotterdam.  He knew a friend who would help us, and his friend very kindly drove us to get our things and it was a very difficult time we had getting there.  Another time when we needed some basic things like warm bedding, since we were not from the northern climates, a gentleman offered us warm bedding and other things that we needed, because he saw our need and wanted to help.  There are many of these moments in our lives and we need to be more conscious of them and in so doing become more conscious of the needs of others that come in contact with us.

At one of the marinas on the way, I asked the harbor master if he had laundry facilities.  He told me,” no”.  However, later on that day he came back and said that there was a washing machine at the yard across the way that I could use.  So, I took my clothes over there and washed them.  Then he told me that I could hang them in the loft with clothes pins (which he provided), if I wanted to.  He didn’t have to do any of that, but he saw my need and he asked others if I could use the washer and volunteered the space for me to dry my clothes.  This was a good lesson, to remind me to listen to the needs of people around me.   Another time, I went to Mass and afterwards people gathered for coffee and cookies.  I decided to go since I didn’t know anyone and I was curious about what this parish was doing for hospitality for it’s parishioners.  I met a woman there from Romania and the pastor brought in a lady from Spain.  Well, we had one very international table, speaking of course several languages.  The two ladies were in the country alone.  Their families were back in their homelands.  So, this was a great opportunity for them to meet and create a new friendship.  Some beautiful moments can occur when not even expecting anything.   I’m sure there are many more little incidents like this and I will be paying more attention to them and learning more about caring for the needs of others.  I am grateful and thankful for the graciousness of others.  For this to me is God working in the world.

While traveling through Iceland and parts of Netherlands, I have visited many RK churches (Roman Catholic), and others looking for Sunday Mass.   One would think that this would be an easy thing to do, but not so.  Apparently, Northern Holland does not have many priests to celebrate Mass.  There are Catholics, but few to serve them.

There are very many beautiful churches to see.  While looking for Mass in Reykjevik, Iceland, I came across a most beautiful old church named Christ the King Cathedral.  Mass is celebrated there on Saturday evening (in the Icelandic language) and Sunday morning ( in English).   A Scottish priest was there to say Mass on Saturday in Icelandic, with the readings and homily in both Icelandic and English.  I was very surprised to see this, for I was under the impression that there were few Catholics in Iceland (3% I think).  This is to get even more interesting as I traveled to the Netherlands.

Christ the King Cathedral, Reykjevic, Iceland

Christ the King Cathedral, Reykjavic, Iceland

When we arrived in Stavoren, I found that there weren’t any RK churches there, however, I knew of a church in Workum, which I could reach by train.  I went their for two weeks and they did not have Mass on Sunday, however, they had a communion service.   Some times one has to adjust and accept.  I went back for two more weeks, but all seemed to have dried up and no one was there on Sunday.  Maybe, church services rotated from church to church, but I wasn’t privy to this.   So, it all became a great mystery.   How to find a Mass in Netherlands.  The church I attended in Workum is named St. Werenfrid Church and it had communion service at 9:30am, but this is “iffy”.  Some Sundays there is no one there. Read the rest of this entry »

While visiting Reykjavik in Iceland and Frysland in the Netherlands, we have come across some interesting celebrations that communities have initiated.   This makes me wonder about the cultures and what are their values, which determines what is honored and celebrated.  Sister water is very much a part of both these countries.

During the first weekend in June the people of Iceland  celebrate life on the sea and honor those who make a living on the sea.  Rick and I just happened to stumble upon this celebration down near the Viking Museum which commemorates the days of commercial trawling.  There were many booths set up from commercial enterprises of the area, many deep sea fish displayed on ice and people were welcomed to come aboard ships whose crew worked and live on the sea.

Viking Museum and Fair Booths

Deep Sea Fish

These kinds of fish I remember seeing in a book when I was a kid from National Geographic.  I never thought I would see one up close.  There were many of these deep water fish on ice on display for people to view.  As well as fish on view, people were welcome to visit the Icelandic Coast Guard Vessel “Odin” and step aboard a Traditional Sailing Vessel. Read the rest of this entry »

To get to Stavoren, where our boat was, we had to take two buses, one airplane, two trains, one ferry and then our boat dealer picked us up by car to travel the last half mile with our luggage.   We are now in Stavoren, Holland  (it is an old port and was inhabited as early as 331 BC) in the northern part called Friesland.  When we got here the boat was on the hard, or in other words on land, so we could do any repairs or work on it that we needed.  We replaced a few things, painted her bottom and launched “Orca” into the water on June 10.  Since then we have been getting acclimated to her, finding our way around town and getting to know where the essentials can be found.  We took her out on a maiden sailing on the canals and on some of the smaller lakes.

The Dutch People love their boats.  They have a wonderful canal system that connects most cities, so you don’t have to go out into rough seas.  When Rick and I took “Orca” out on the water, we found there were many families that go out and sail together.  We went out Sunday afternoon for our maiden voyage and there were many people out enjoy sailing with their families and having a great time.  It is almost always breezy here so to sail is no problem in finding wind.  Sometimes there is more than you need.  I took a picture of one of the small lakes around the canals and one picture of a family with the kids having a great time playing on the foredeck.

On the Hegemeer (small lake near Heeg)

Family Fun on Traditional Boat

We have had a daily routine of walking into Stavoren from the Marina where our boat is.  On these walks we have had a lot of delights.  While sitting down for a coffee we had a begging animal, not a dog or cat, but a duck.  Do you think you could resist those eyes?

Begging Duck

There are many boats all around Stavoren and one can travel all along the canals and dock overnight for a fee.  There are bathrooms with showers available and Stavoren has washers and dryers for your clothes, so people can travel by boat and stop there comfortably and shop for their necessities.

Stavoren Canals

Some people have set up permanent homes with their boats in town.  It was very interesting to see flowering plants and decorations around their  boat/homes.

Permanent Liveaboards

We will be traveling to Sneek ( a larger city up north)  next week to get a truck to pick up our belongings in Rotterdam.  We will then discover how little we can really carry on this boat or how very much.  So, we will be here for a few more weeks.   We seem to be the only Americans here so we are a novelty.  There are many Germans here and a few English and a few Dutch who are not Freysian.  And they are all into soccer.  Hup! Hup! Hup! as they root on the Netherlands Team.

The power of nature is amazing and beautiful.  We can only observe and wonder at it’s workings.  We visited the rift between the North American Plate and European Plate in the Pingvillir National Park.   This is an awesome split of  nature.  This had been a traditional site for gatherings of the tribes of Iceland.

Tectonic Plates Meet

One of the most visited waterfalls is Gullfloss.  She is powerful and most useful.

Gullfloss Waterfall

Gullfoss is fed by a glacier in a mountain range northwest of it.  About 5 miles away can be seen a large area of geysers.  Geyser being an Icelandic word for the phenomena.  The original geyser is not flowing, but is still steaming away.  However, the geyser called “Strokkur” explodes about every few minutes.  One can get very “up close” to these geysers.

"Strokkur" Geyser

There are many other hot pots that are potential geysers in this area.  They develop as tubes full of hot water.   The pressure within them builds up and eventually releases with incredible force.

Hot Pot

Sister Water is most powerful, useful and a beautiful gift to behold.

We have arrived in Iceland where the summer sun always shines.   It is very volcanic in nature here.  Coming in from the airport one sees a lava filled terrain.  Reykjavik the  capitol is quite green, however, with trees, flowers and about 1700 people.  We enjoyed a great day walking around the town.  This is a very modern town with modern shopping and great restaurants.  There are local natural geothermal pools in the city, which we will visit today.  The people are very welcoming and friendly.  We needed to repair our camera, but decided to buy a new one, so I’ll be sending some pictures, later.  We hope to see some of the natural features of the area tomorrow.

St. Clare in her own time was an amazing inspiration to the people around her.  In the records of those who knew her and benefited from her presence there are many accounts of tenderness, healing and great love.  It is recorded that she attended to her sisters’ physical needs when they were sick or tired and needed encouragement.  She also gave spiritual uplifting to them and healing.   Her words are recorded in her letters to St. Agnes of Prague, to her sisters and she even gave encouragement to St. Francis and his brothers.  Clare gave comfort to those around her in her community and to all who came to her.

While reading Br. Benet Fonck’s book “To Cling with All Her Heart to Him”, the source of this love and care seems easier to comprehend.  As the author states, “Contemplation for Clare is that intimate and all encompassing encounter with the person of Christ”.  I think this is inspirational for us all.  Through contemplating Christ’s love and how this translates into our daily lives, we may as Clare grow to know greater love and understanding in all the situations that we encounter.

Since I will be leaving my Franciscan community and many other dear groups, friends and family: I realize how precious these relationships are and how they have become opportunities to love, following the example of Christ, Francis and Clare.  My wish for you is that through contemplating these examples of great love you may experience that great  joy and peace that we have been promised.

Dear Friends:

I have included here a picture of our new boat.  It is a Westerly Berwick, a 31 ft. twin keeled sailboat.  It is in Holland at the moment and we should be flying soon to settle in.  Much thanks for your well wishes and prayers.  God bless!  Mary

"Orca"

Recently, I read the book, “The Different Drum” by M. Scott Peck.  This book has been around for a while, however, I think it is one that needs reading for our times and may become a classic.  The author talks about his many experiences with groups attempting to become communities.  Not just groups with a common interest or goal, but groups that  welcome each others gifts and unique contributions.  The author states that true communities are invariably contemplative, becoming self aware of all the individuals as a whole.  They must reassess what they are doing and what their needs are.  Each individual must empty themselves for the wellbeing of the whole.  Does this sound like tribalism?  I guess in some ways it is.  However, I think the message is a spiritual one and one that Franciscans and other groups would find uplifting and helpful when gathering in fraternities and other community settings.

Our Rule #14 states, “As the Father sees in every person the features of his Son , the first-born of many brothers and sisters, so the Secular Franciscans with a gentle and courteous spirit accept all people as a gift of the Lord and an image of Christ.  A sense of community will make them joyful and ready to place themselves on an equal basis with all people, especially with the lowly for whom they shall strive to create conditions of life worthy of people redeemed by Christ”.   As a fellow Franciscan I wish  you a sense of this joyfulness in your gatherings and may you see Christ in all your wanderings.    Peace and All Good!   Mary

Very soon I will be moving from my familiar comfortable home and  SFO community and venture onto a sailboat in Holland.  From there I have some ideas of where I will be wondering, however, there are many alternative moves that can be made.  I will try to keep all abreast of what transpires and what inspires.  Wishing you all a most inspiring Spring.  Life is indeed abundant.  Peace!   Mary