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- I RECOMMEND KINDNESS IN YOUR LEADERSHIP
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- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on YOU MUST BE A FATHER TO YOUR NOVICES, YOU MUST BE CLOSE TO THEM IN THEIR DIFFICULTIES AND ENCOURAGE THEM
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- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on THE NEED FOR SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
- Eleanor Rabnett, Lay Oblate Associate on I RECOMMEND KINDNESS IN YOUR LEADERSHIP
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“A father’s communication with his many children… that is one of the most agreeable occupations of my life” 1857
Joy this morning as we see Duclaux sharing his experience of God with Eugene who is by then a priest for four years and is living in Aix. Duclaux ends his letter with the words “I embrace you with all my heart and am with all my heart entirely yours.” This is how Eugene himself ended so many of his letters to his sons around the world: “I embrace you with all of my heart…”. He sent them with this love no matter the content of the letters.
“The fact is this holy man was filled with the sprit of God to the supreme degree.” I quote Eugene’s words about Duclaux to describe Eugene. And then his many his sons and daughters, until I arrive at the now with this family, community. It is not only the Mazenodian Family, but many others and their families. Being led, guided, mentored and taught, loved and walked with and I sneak a quick peak at myself – for these are the ones that I have learned from and who become models for me in how I share the same love and spirit.
“I am a part of all that I have met…”
I sit here and my own heart is filled with love and gratitude that wants to overtake me, and I find myself singing a line from the Magnificat: “…For you, the Almighty, have done great things for me, and holy is your Name.”
It is like that image that I speak of so often: that image of the flaming hearts being shared back and forth, inwards, and outwards, never ending. “It is like…” How often do we try to express the love in our hearts, beginning with these three words, only because there are no words adequate to fully describe what is in my heart.
This morning again I look and give thanks to the many who have been and continue to be companions, teachers, guides, sources of love and encouragement and inspiration within my life. These are the faces of love who have touched in great and small ways and whom I love dearly. I remember Eugene saying that he loved those who loved him and wondering about that. I love only because God has loved me – that first breath of life breathed into me and to which I responded and returned. And the circle continues to grow.