Dear Friends, greetings again this day of Our Lord August the Fifth. Summer goes quickly for me. Hope your summer is renewing and restful. Yet the world we live in does not seem to wish to slow down. War, famine and dangerous events are the reports of news day in and day out. In this highly charged atmosphere one of my most consoling and favorite spiritual readings occurs this weekend in the midst of driven times. The reading is from the "First Book of Kings: 19:9a, 11-13." In the background to the reading we see Elijah the prophet under great stress and feeling abandoned by God in terms of both his life and mission: "Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter..." The Lord tells the weary holy man to stand out side on the mountain because the Lord will be passing by. In the scene which rivals Hollywood special effects there occur: wind, fire and earth quake. Yet the Lord is no where to be found. Finally when Elijah is at the end of his ability to wait and endure the writer takes both Elijah and you and I into Holy Mystery: "After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and stood at the entrance of the cave." God finally comes in the gentle splendid silence.

Friends this same God bids us come out of the caves of our lives and wait in silence for the Lord who comes in the "tiny whispering sounds" around, within and among us. Preparing to preach this text for mission appeal this weekend I reflect on the tiny whispering sounds in my life rather than the wind, fire and earthquakes. My thoughts take me to many people of incredible wisdom and beauty. Of the many people I would like to recall just one to share with you: Felmar Holt of St. Louis. Ms Holt was a member of St. Bridget of Erin Church in inner city St. Louis where I had the honor and joy of living for 5 years. Working till she was 81 Felmar held down two jobs, took care of many people and lived a vital church life in Christ. Exhausted at 81 Felmar began a graced retirement which lasted for about 8 years until God called her home. Her humor and passion for life made me look forward to bring her communion or picking her up for Sunday liturgy. Felmar became a Catholic because she felt so welcome and wanted at St. Bridget of Erin. As our friendship developed she recounted years of faith in Christian churches throughout St. Louis. One final story I recall is Felmar's memory of an Easter celebration at a Baptist church 40 years ago. The minister asked all in the church who had song birds to bring them in their cages for Easter. At a certain point he asked for the members to walk up the aisle and place the cages in the sanctuary. Then he asked everyone to get quiet and listen to the birds sing Easter praise to God. As Felmar told the story I cried tears of joy and remembrance with her. Felmar Holt graced woman of God thank you for being one of the tiny whispering voices of God in the pilgrimage of my life.

Friends may all of us take time this week to listen to the tiny whispering voices of God in the people we meet, the world around and within us. Many blessings!

Friends I ask some special prayers this week for our web master Josef JordanJr., who travels to Germany with other students for the World Youth Day with Pope Benedict XVI. I am asking Josef to share pictures and words with us on his return. Also the pictures of the week this week on the web site are those of our Advisory Board President, Gabriel Hulsey and his wife Becky visiting Hand of Help advisory board member David Howenstein in Japan. David directs Jumbo a center for voluntarism, ecology and community home based in Tokyo and affiliated with Hand of Help. In the fall I am asking David to share a spiritual email with you along with more pictures.

Blessings to all of you from the community of Hand of Help at Holy Trinity Monastery, Father Henri Capdeville OSB, Prior, Brother Fred Buerman ob.OSB, Mrs. Mary McCarthy ob.OSB administrative associate, Gabriel Hulsey, President Advisory Board, Josef Jordan Jr.and Victor Valdez, Communications Team.