JULIAN TENISON WOODSBorn: In London 15th Nov 1832

Died: In Sydney 7th October 1889

AUSTRALIA BOUND• Bound for Hobart

Town• Arrived in Van

Dieman’s Land early 1855

• Later joined his brother James in Adelaide

• Journalist in Adelaide

• Ordination: Bishop Murphy

• Connections with science and life made through his observations after a bushfire.

Looking through the eyes of

Julian Tenison Woods:Mission preacher;

Co-founder;Scientist;ecologist

‘Julian Tenison Woods was truly filled with the fire of his love of God’. This God he found, not only in the Church and the people he served, but in the very rocks,

trees, skies, plants and animals of our world ... the whole of creation’.

Symphony of Life

‘Julian reminds us that:• we have a responsibility to cherish the sacredness of all

creation.

• we don’t merely live on the earth ... We are part of this planet, creations of the earth.

• we need to be nurturers and healers of creation, not destroyers of the earth.

• We search for the divine mystery in every aspect of life and creation.

Symphomy of Life

Activity 2: Small Group Discussion • What particular

aspects of creation bring about an appreciation of God’s work as Creator in me?

Activity 1: Garden walk • Experience the wonder of God. • Allow yourself to be sensitive with your

eyes, heart and ears to the presence of God.

Activity 3: Journal In what ways am I a nurturer and a healer of creation?

What is my biggest challenge as I strive to nourish and care for the earth?How do we begin to address some of these issues?

The Glory of the Heavens

“The brilliant stars which strew the skies on a still clear night, and look like so many diamonds set in ebony; the remote clouds of nebulae, whose very distance is as much amarvel to us as their nature and purpose; the universe, such as we know it, may all have been unfolding its grand destiny in the mysterious epoch, darkly alluded to in the Hebrew as ‘beginning’.

(JTW, Modern Science and Ancient Records, Southern Cross and Catholic Herald, 29th November 1867),

“The presence of God does not consist of thinking of God but in a sense of the presence of God in every” thing.

Prayer-Chats with Julian

“Such observations held a life-lesson for me: if we are in harmony with nature and the way God wishes us to live we “will find full happiness and purpose. I urged the Sisters not to waste what they used, ‘for it is not yours, it is our Lord’s’. All the beauties of this world and the glories of the next world I used to say, ‘are lost to those whose lives are out of harmony with the design of the Creator’”.

Symphony of Life

There is an echo in the harmonies of nature which penetrates the soul, and lures it on like the sound of distant music, until it has no eye or ear for aught except the works of its Creator.”

Prayer Chats with Julian

Julian’s reverence for the beauty and mystery of creation drew from his pen detailed and reflective descriptions.

Activity 4: JournalThrough writing, drawing, poetry …..Give your thanks for all the wonders of the universe

Activity 5: Rainbow Group TaskUsing different bright colours, draw a large rainbow of all the ways you see yourselves as prophets. Each colour represents an aspect of Creation.

Activity 6:You are invited to choose one element of creation … soil, wood, flower [earth]; rain, ice [water]; breeze, your breath [air]; flame, sun [fire].

Sketch or draw the symbolic element you have chosen .

How can you reverence this element of creation in your everyday life?

“Beneath the soil, carpeted by various flowers which herald forth the beauty of a world to come, are secrets which are only known to us in part. But these revelations, small as they are, stretch far beyond our comprehension. We learn that the dust we tread upon was once alive, that the rock on which we stand has lived and died – has been a thing of life, and is now a stone: and this is a time which reaches so far back as only to be understood by the One who was from eternity …”

JTW 1862 Geological Observation in South Australia.

Activity 7: Back at school explore the approaches of: • Ian Kiernan • Mollison • Diarmuid O’Murchu• Joan ChittisterBring your findings to our next gathering. Be prepared to share your findings.

‘He spent many hours exploring, examining and explaining the wondrous world he had made his home’.

•What can Julian teach me about putting dreams into action?• In my own life, right

now, what are my dreams?•What gifts do I have that

I can use for others?•What action do I feel

called to? Symphony of Life

We conclude by making a gesture, physically or in the heart of your being [upraised hands, deep bow, a turn to the four directions of the earth]… as a recognition of the sacred mystery at the centre of all creation [including human].

Acknowledgements:

Symphony of Life Julian Tenison Woods Sisters of St Joseph [Federation and Central]

Prayer – Chats with Julian Sr Mary Cresp rsj

Images: courtesy: Sr Mary Ryan rsj Google