Services - Spiritual Care

Contact details:
Fr. Peter Hansen
Ph:     (03) 9459 6144
Fax:    (03) 0459 6166
Email: phansen@maryofthecross.org.au

In acknowledgement of the spiritual dimension of addiction and the spiritual origins of the Centre some specific activities to provide spiritual assistance are available to those who come to the Centre. In the face of difficulties associated with drug abuse people can be overwhelmed by a sense of darkness and abandonment. It is at the heart of the work of Mary of the Cross Centre that people so affected regain hope, strength and interior peace.

"Being whole has a lot to do with acknowledging the spiritual part of our natures."

Jan Karon

Spiritual activities at the Centre include:

• The provision of a small but well appointed chapel as a place of quiet and meditation.
  

• The provision of spiritual direction both within the Centre and by referral to other qualified spiritual directors.
  

• Opportunities to join others in prayer and meditation.
  

• Availability of books and other reading materials for personal reflection.
  

• Mass is offered in the chapel every Friday at 8:30am.

The following prayers may be of inspiration to you....

Psalm 27
Hear my voice when I call, O Lord;
Be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says to you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me,
Do not turn your servant away in anger;
You have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my saviour.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
The Lord will receive me.

Grounding in Me

  When you feel most afraid
And your trust's being assailed
Pull over a while and spend a little time
With Me

Let the world rush by as you slow inside
And become one with your ebb and flow.

Relax into the quiet...

Let go into the stillness...

And feel yourself strong

 At ease

   Grounding in Me

Noel Davis "Love finds a Way" 
Copyright 2000 Shekinah Creative Centre

Prayer of Hope

Lord Jesus, I pray this day for strength,
because there are times
when things get tough
and I feel like quitting.
Lord Jesus, I ask this day for the comforting
reassurance of Your love, because
there are times when people fail me,
and I am tempted to lose hope.
Lord Jesus, I seek this day for Your light
to guide my steps, because there
are times when life is confusing
and difficult, and I lose my way.
Help me, O Lord, to pick up the pieces,
wipe my tears, face the sun, and
start over again, for all is possible
when I place my faith and trust
in You, my Saving God. Amen.

                                                    -Capuchin Franciscan Friars

Evening Prayer

God as this day is coming to an end, I turn
my thoughts to you again.
Thankyou for the care and protection you have
given me this day.
Forgive me if at times I have failed to
believe in your presence.
I pray once again for the healing of my body
and spirit, and ask for the blessing of a restful night.
I hand over all my worries to you and commit
myself into your peaceful care.
Amen.

A Taize Prayer

O Christ,
You take upon yourself all our burdens
So that freed of all that weighs us down,
We can constantly begin anew to walk
With lightened step,
From worry towards trusting,
From the shadows towards the clear flowing water,
From our own will towards the vision of the coming Kingdom.
And then we know,
Though we had hardly dared hope for it,
That you offer to make every human being
A reflection of your face.

Taize Community, 2001.