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1. Ms Harmer suggests that we devise a devotion for the beginning of public events that express our happiness at being together. We already have them; they're called &prayers.

   Posted By: Jeremy Wilson, Wodonga 3690

2. The beauty of Wendy's experience is that she received the message the ritual was meant to give. She was open to it. Her children we growing up and this was a celebration of that and she took some pride in it; and we can take some pride in our ritual.
   With the reference to Tony Abbot deriding the welcoming to country ceremonies, we see somebody who was not open to the message.
   Rituals depend on an readiness to engage the message. It's a dialogue. If you go to the funeral of a young person, pop music is likely to be included.
   I might think such music is not church music; but if only church music was played, the young people might think this was not their friend's funeral and certainly not their church.
   Like any dialogue, you don't get the whole message, you just get the part you can connect with.
   Wendy heard the message that there is value in belonging to a community that celebrates the milestones of life. The challenge for her is to contribute her presence to that community on a regular basis. The challenge for the community is to speak a message she can engage with.

   Posted By: Martin Nicol Sydney

3. 'Maybe it could be something as simple as silence'. I think prayer springs to mind, Wendy.

   Posted By: Peter Street, Singleton

4. An atheist contemplating the infinite in a ritual of silence... keep going Wendy, you're getting very warm!

   Posted By: PEI - Wide Bay

5. I am personally very delighted to hear of your admiration of Catholic ritual. We will pray for you that you too, will receive Holy Communion as your children have. - Morley, Western Australia

   Posted By: Collin Michael Nunis

6. 'Something as simple as silence' is a space virtually non-existent within and without churches.
   Most people desperately need the assurance of noise, distraction, and clutter in its various forms. They keep the shock of God at a reassuring distance.

   Posted By: MJ, Camperdown.

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