Contemplative and Missionary – A Timely Encounter
Today, June 29th, on the Solemnity of St Peter and Paul, the Mill Hill Missionary community at St Jozefhuis played host to the monastic community of Trappist Nuns living next door.
It is more than a decade ago now that the Abbey of Koningsoord relocated to the site of what used to be the Mill Hill Brothers’ training facility in Oosterbeek/Arnhem.
So, we’ve been neighbours for well over a decade, but astonishingly this was the first time for the two communities to meet face to face. The word ‘timely’ comes to mind – or maybe ‘long overdue’ better fits the bill!
We celebrated the festive Eucharist together singing in tentative harmony. Our Regional, Ben Engelbertink, inspired us with a reflection on St Peter and Paul, two very different personalities who complement each other. Church and Mission.
In true Dutch fashion we continued the encounter in our common room where, over a cup of coffee combined with a delicious assortment of cakes provided by the Sisters, we made first, c.q deepened existing, acquaintance of each other.
It certainly felt like an experience to be repeated!
Fons Eppink MHM
