Images from Triennial

The Rio Grande delegation arrived at Midway, UT on Friday. Bertie, Andrea, Deborah, and Toni also represented the diocese. Part of us are staying at the Homestead part and part up the hill at Zermott.

 Maddy the bear, wearing a DoK scarf and cross welcomed guests to Zermott while an adorable frog...name unknown greets guests at Homestead, decked in a cross, too.

Cindy is at Homestead and climbed the 72 steps to the top of the Homestead Crater. She was rewarded with a fabulous 360 degree view of the valley and a nice look at Zermott.

The provincial dinners were on Friday night and your delegation presented highlights of the Rio Grande in a song loosely based on "America" from West Side Story. Imelda even dressed in a chili costume!

Day one of Triennial was packed with activities. We started with the entry of the Triennial torch and Eucharist. Bishops Romero, Skilton, and Hyashi con-celebrated. Romero 's sermon reminded us that as Daughters we shine light into the darkness.

After approval of the previous triennial minutes, finance reports, and other basic business, 19 nominee for National council were introduced. Each woman had 2 minutes to answer the question "how do we take the DoK into the 21st century and what gifts do you have for that task?"

Canon Andrew White from Baghdad spoke after lunch. He shared stories of how the children of Iraq won't deny their Jesus.

After the International dinner, everyone marched and sang to the hall for international sharing.
Remember the meeting on Saturday, June 27 to learn more about the fun and workshops and even the new online dues payments

Holy Saturday leads to Happy Easter

From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday

The Lord's descent into the underworld

Something strange is happening – there is a great silence on earth today, a great silence and stillness. The whole earth keeps silence because the King is asleep. The earth trembled and is still because God has fallen asleep in the flesh and he has raised up all who have slept ever since the world began. God has died in the flesh and hell trembles with fear.

He has gone to search for our first parent, as for a lost sheep. Greatly desiring to visit those who live in darkness and in the shadow of death, he has gone to free from sorrow the captives Adam and Eve, he who is both God and the son of Eve. The Lord approached them bearing the cross, the weapon that had won him the victory. At the sight of him Adam, the first man he had created, struck his breast in terror and cried out to everyone: “My Lord be with you all.” Christ answered him: “And with your spirit.” He took him by the hand and raised him up, saying: “Awake, O sleeper, and rise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

I am your God, who for your sake have become your son. Out of love for you and for your descendants I now by my own authority command all who are held in bondage to come forth, all who are in darkness to be enlightened, all who are sleeping to arise. I order you, O sleeper, to awake. I did not create you to be held a prisoner in hell. Rise from the dead, for I am the life of the dead. Rise up, work of my hands, you who were created in my image. Rise, let us leave this place, for you are in me and I am in you; together we form only one person and we cannot be separated. For your sake I, your God, became your son; I, the Lord, took the form of a slave; I, whose home is above the heavens, descended to the earth and beneath the earth. For your sake, for the sake of man, I became like a man without help, free among the dead. For the sake of you, who left a garden, I was betrayed to the Jews in a garden, and I was crucified in a garden.

See on my face the spittle I received in order to restore to you the life I once breathed into you. See there the marks of the blows I received in order to refashion your warped nature in my image. On my back see the marks of the scourging I endured to remove the burden of sin that weighs upon your back. See my hands, nailed firmly to a tree, for you who once wickedly stretched out your hand to a tree.

I slept on the cross and a sword pierced my side for you who slept in paradise and brought forth Eve from your side. My side has healed the pain in yours. My sleep will rouse you from your sleep in hell. The sword that pierced me has sheathed the sword that was turned against you.

Rise, let us leave this place. The enemy led you out of the earthly paradise. I will not restore you to that paradise, but I will enthrone you in heaven. I forbade you the tree that was only a symbol of life, but see, I who am life itself am now one with you. I appointed cherubim to guard you as slaves are guarded, but now I make them worship you as God. The throne formed by cherubim awaits you, its bearers swift and eager. The bridal chamber is adorned, the banquet is ready, the eternal dwelling places are prepared, the treasure houses of all good things lie open. The kingdom of heaven has been prepared for you from all eternity.

(from Facebook John Michael Talbot page)