Cross

OneWordSunday: Cross

St Joseph’s Church, Perenjori, Wheatbelt region, Western Australia

I find the symbolism of a cross interesting. It unites or divides. I’ll focus more on the positive symbolism. Let me explain.

Years ago I was wandering around in Japan, as tourists do, when I came across a Catholic church. I felt the irrepressible urge to go inside for a few moments of quiet. There was just one other worshiper inside, a local, I presumed. As she was leaving, she spotted me. Our eyes met and we smiled. Our ethnicity could not have been more different, yet, there was a moment of silent shared understanding of common faith that resonated with both, I’m sure.

I’ve visited many beautiful churches around the world, from the Vatican, to St Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, where, sadly, I felt, there was more interest in the architectural beauty of the churches, than the beauty of being there as one.

But there is one church that pulls at my heartstrings.

This church is simply named, “Mass Rock” and is off an unsealed dirt road. It is one of many designed and built by Monsignor John Hawes, an English architect who became a Catholic priest. He served the community for a couple of decades in the early part of the 1900s. His signature is everywhere in the Wheatbelt and Midwest regions of Western Australia. He soon understood in a small town, the indigenous people were reluctant to attend Mass indoors. But, that was not going to be a barrier to his mission.

I stood there in quiet reflection and felt the presence of his congregation in-between the whispers of the breeze in the gum tree and could almost hear his quoted words:

Mass Rock, Mullewa, Western Australia

“Yes, that’s lovely Mollie – put your flowers on that side over there, and leave room for the pretty stones that little Joseph has found. And for my prayer book and chalice of course!”

Into a rock face, Monsignor Hawes chiselled an altar

Choosing an area where shaded by tree, he rang a bell loudly for the local indigenous people to gather for prayer.

This has to be one of the most memorable places I’ve travelled to in the area.

I never knew the man who left behind this gift that I visit in quiet contemplation. A place created for peace and unity of people and spirit and … without a cross in sight.

May your day be blessed with peace and a sense of oneness.

Until next time

As always

a dawn bird