For nearly a century, 97 years to be exact, a direct line of communication connected the Carmelite community in Schaarsbergen with the Mill Hill Missionaries in Oosterbeek. The daily celebration of the Eucharist, constant prayers, personal friendships and accompaniment, constituted the mainstay of this mutually highly beneficial and much appreciated relationship.
But times change. The Carmelite community has aged and shrunk over the years and the current accommodation at the monastery in Schaarsbergen is no longer fit for purpose. So, it was decided to move house. The current residents, a mix of Dutch and Indonesian sisters, is set to move to more appropriate accommodation in a convent-cum-care-home in Oirschot later this year.
And so it happened that today, Wednesday 28th May, a delegation of Mill Hill Missionaries – our community too is aging and shrinking – was invited to the monastery for a formal farewell celebration.
After a joyful Eucharistic celebration we all gathered in the library for a delightfully relaxed get-together exchanging cherished memories and generally enjoying each other’s company. The prioress, Sr Lucia, spoke a word of appreciation and expressed the hope of continuing, even if less frequent and at a distance, meaningful contacts. ‘We’re all pilgrims of hope!’. Our Regional, Ben Engelbertink, presented the Sisters with a beautiful self-made dot painting of the prophet Elijah sheltering in the cave on Mount Horeb – the iconic soft breeze, inaudible sigh, scene.
A few beautifully harmonised songs delivered by the Indonesian sisters and, of course, loads of photographs, concluded this memorable farewell.
We will miss you!!!
Fons Eppink MHM
