Madeleine Sophie Barat: Relationship Builder

Madeleine Sophie Barat - A Life by Phil Kiroy, RSCJ
to order a copy

"As a 19th century woman, Sophie Barat found her way out of a private life into a public role with a public profile; and she did this with her colleagues because she had a public service to offer which met a need in society and in the church. However, another inner narrative was taking place at the same time, one that informed the outer and gave the impulse and energy to sustain so much activity. While she was engaged in the founding and consolidation of the Society of the Sacred Heart, Sophie made an inner, spiritual journey in the course of which she continually strove to transform her image of a severe, harsh God into one of warmth and love and vulnerability. Though her exterior success was the focus of her fame in the 19th century and beyond, her inner achievement had greater, long term consequences for the image of the divine, of the holy in our time. Sophie was endowed with a remarkable capacity for human relationships, a gift she used to good effect in her leadership of the Society of the Sacred Heart."   

The quote above is from the book Madeleine Sophie Barat A Life by Phil Kilroy

I have posted the following homily by Fr. Frank Buckley, SJ before (see Blog post - July 20, 2013)  however, today on the eve of Sophie's Feast Day which will be celebrated tomorrow and marks the 150th anniversary of her death, I feel the need to share Fr. Frank's homily again.  Believe me it is well worth the time to watch this all the way to the end.  If you should wish to jump to the part about Saint Madeleine Sophie Barat and her life you should advance the video to the 11 minute mark but trust me you will have missed most of the message: "Who is my neighbor?" 

In full disclosure I should tell you that I first met Fr. Frank at Oakwood (the RSCJ retirement community in Atherton, CA) when he said mass for the 2013 Feast Day of St. MSB.  After his homily which was fabulous we were introduced.  So naturally when I learned he would be the presider at the last mass hosted during the 2013 Society of the Sacred Heart Spirituality Forum I made certain to have my camera ready to video tape his homily. 

"Red Wood Tree" A Poem by Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Photo taken July 2013 during the Society of the Sacred Heart Spirituality Forum hosted at
Sacred Heart Schools ~ Atherton, Calf near Oakwood, the RSCJ Retirement Community

RED WOOD TREE

The rustic bark
compresses under my fingertips
as my hands slide into the 
crevices of the frayed protective layer.
The environment and wind have taken their toll
as they anxiously try to hug
this magnificent entity.

Surrounded by redwood trees,
my vision blurs.
My head spins,
deep green pines,
calming blue-gray sky,
red bark,
then stillness

Looking up, the scent of evergreens
descends into my nose,
the cannons of bark stretching out above me.
I am walking up that ladder
of branches,
slowly floating higher
and higher
to that ever present warmth, comfort, and serenity,
until every thought is dissolved.
I have reached my inner peace.

~ Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, National Poetry Month is now held every April to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture.  If you have a favorite poem written by an alum or RSCJ that you would like to share, please send to AASH PAST PRESIDENT MER 

"Olive Tree" A Poem by Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Photos taken July 2013 during the Society of the Sacred Heart Spirituality Forum hosted at
Sacred Heart Schools ~ Atherton, Calf  near Oakwood, the RSCJ Retirement Community

Olive Tree

Some friendly souls

stretched out in a line before me.

I stepped to the side,

so that I could see every outline

of the olive trees.

The hint of metal on 

their leaves,

like the moon's silvery reflection

on the deep and dark lake waters,

differentiated

from the lush greens

I was used to.

The smooth covering of sky

peeking through the leaves

only added to my longing

to capture this individualism

in a jar

to try to save it for later.

I want to save the bird rehearsing on

the top branch,

the feeling of antiquity

and simple joy

as I step on the fallen olives.

I wanted to save it

for a dull day of inquiring beauty.

~ Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Note:  Olive Harvest at Sacred Heart Schools - Over 50 heritage olive trees estimated to be more than 100 years old line the campus along its western border on Elena Avenue.  Since 2009, the School community has come together in early November to harvest the olives from the trees.  The fruit is then pressed into a premium olive oil, bottled and sold as a fundraiser.  Dr. Stewart Slafter oversees the organic management practices of the grove so that the trees produce healthy fruit in time for the harvest.  The education of learning how to manage the trees, produce a high quality olive oil, discover what makes an olive oil extra virgin and what factors affect its taste are all part of the lessons learned for both the students and adults to appreciate the entire process from tree to table.  

"Coast Live Oak" A Poem by Danielle Moragne, SHP'13

Photo taken July 2013 on the grounds of Sacred Heart Schools ~ Atherton, Calf
near Oakwood, the RSCJ Retirement Community

Coast Live Oak

A trunk
massive, contorted, and gnarled
splits and cuts its way into the sky,
demanding its place in the earth by spreading its roots.
Thick at first, then wean away,
like capillaries.

Though native only to the
Golden Coast,
the wide canopy,
dark leaves, and grand stature 
forge the confidence of a continent,
reminding us that we must respect
what we cannot change, and
that we must praise
that which is
greater
than we.

~ Danielle Moragne, SHP '13