That’s what we were on Sunday… serene and available for a trip to Jamberoo to visit the Benedictine Abbey. Almost a two hour drive from Sydney, including a winding, narrow mountain road, the Abbey is fairly secluded and very quiet. The nuns there are beautiful, peaceful women and were lovely hosts to us and a few other of the international volunteers. Our day was equally secluded and quiet… we enjoyed a talk from Sr. Hildegard (she’s the one who spoke about serene availability… it doesn’t mean rushing around, making appointments, slotting people in and implying they should be grateful for your time but rather being available to wherever God calls you to be in the moment), went on a bushwalk, lingered in their beautiful candle shop, and attended midday prayer. And made friends with a cow. A really good day to help us gear up for what’s ahead (World Youth Day… that’s what’s ahead).
On the Abbey grounds and surrounded by cow pasture, apparently the oldest fig tree in Australia.
A sunny team picture in this beautiful place.
A beautiful lily ... but not as bee-yoo-tiful as Lily-pie.
The wonderful and fun Sr. Mary Rachel in the shop displaying the candles so beautifully hand-crafted and painted by the sisters.
This is a friendly cow. I was hanging out by the fence taking pictures when she decided to come find out what I was up to. Slowly, slowly, she walked up to me and started licking my hand, all the while with Dr. Mary Rachel (a big fan of cows) yelling from behind me, “Pet the cow! Pet the cow!). It was a beautiful bonding moment, until the Abbey dog Oliver Osama bin Laden (yes, that’s his full name) ran up to us and scared the cows away.
A sunny team picture in this beautiful place.
A beautiful lily ... but not as bee-yoo-tiful as Lily-pie.
The wonderful and fun Sr. Mary Rachel in the shop displaying the candles so beautifully hand-crafted and painted by the sisters.
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