Lorraine Murphy ocds as told to Deb Warrier
My faith is a love relationship with the One whom I know loves me. I try to live out His beatitudes – the attitudes to life that are revealed in the Gospels. My prayers are: Liturgical eg Eucharist and The Divine Office in regard to Morning, Evening and Night Prayer; and Meditation on Sacred Scripture using Lectio Divina. I am mindful of my Lord’s Presence, resting in His love.
I attend Mass at my parish church in North Rocks, NSW and the Liturgy of Hours at home unless with my Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites Community. Many years ago, my husband Peter and I spent a Contemplative Meditation Weekend with the Discalced Carmelites. We knew we had found our spiritual base.
My favourite spots to pray are in my rocking chair at home or out in nature. I pray whilst waiting for a bus or train. I find quietly fingering prayer beads in my pocket useful at these times. Mentally breathing a mantra helps too.
I could never have coped in life without the knowledge that the power of the Spirit is at work. I believe that “wherever two or three are gathered” in Jesus’ name, He is there through His Spirit to guide and enable. I know that it isn’t my strength but His.
When one of our daughters introduced us to her future husband (who is Muslim), I was concerned that he was not Catholic. Then we met Sister Trish Madigan OP who was the Catholic Chaplain at Macquarie University. She asked after our daughter and we explained what had occurred. Trish was the Ecumenical & Interfaith Officer for the Sydney Catholic Diocese. She introduced us to Sr Pauline Rae SMSM (Marist Missionary Sister) who worked for the Columbans Centre re Christian Muslim Dialogue in Strathfield. Peter, our daughter and I proceeded to participate in a course aimed at improving relations between the two faiths at the Gallipoli Mosque, Auburn. Being Secular Carmelites was of great assistance.
Consequently, I was invited to be involved in the Home Encounters Network [HENS] where Christians and Muslims meet in their homes to discuss the tenets of our faith eg scriptures, fasting, almsgiving, pilgrimage etc.
In 2006, I was invited onto the Parramatta Catholic Diocese’s Ecumenical & Interfaith Dialogue Commission and, in 2007, I was appointed Chairperson of that same Commission by Bishop Kevin Manning. Bishop Manning proceeded to nominate me to the Executive of the NSW Ecumenical Council Inc, recently renamed Churches Together NSW ACT.
I am a member of our local Hills Interfaith Dialogue Group plus the core group of WIN [Women’s Interfaith Network.] that meets monthly in the NSW State Parliament House. I have found listening to and expressing our beliefs an enriching experience. We have friendships built on respect, understanding and trust. I believe this is one way of living the mandate of the Gospels.
A scripture scholar once prayed: “Forgive me, Lord, for I have made of your book a study and missed You in the turning of the pages.”
This reminds me that the purpose of study is to have a living relationship with one’s Lord and the need to spend time with Him – to ponder and converse. I have been blessed with a great hunger for wanting to know more. Knowledge and reflection leads me to a loving response.