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Simply put, prayer is the ministry of Lebh Shomea. The name itself means“a listening heart” in Hebrew. Lebh Shomea provides an opportunity for communion with God in silence and solitude within a vast ecological wilderness of astounding beauty and creative possibilities. Everyone at Lebh Shomea, located near the town of Sarita, Texas, participates in the contemplative life of the community. There are even hermits living in permanent hermitages at remote sites on the property. Up to 25 guests at a time can share the desert silence for indefinite periods. With the exception of meals and the celebration of the Eucharist each day, there is no predetermined schedule, no imposed structure, only the freedom and creativity of solitude. The staff is always available to listen to anyone seeking spiritual direction. “We describe our mission this way: Responding to the call of Jesus Christ heard through people's need for a place to which they can go off in order to be alone with God, we are a "community," a"house" and a "school" of prayer,” said Fr. Kelly Nemeck, O.M.I. Co-Director of Lebh Shomea. At Lebh Shomea the Oblates focus their attention on the needs of people who are drawn to deepen their communion with God. Above all, the house of prayer offers intense silence and solitude. Guests are afforded the support of a praying community and competent spiritual direction, together with the possibility of in-depth study and research in both Eastern and Western spirituality. People come to the House of
Prayer from great distances. Some are “We are ecumenical in our appeal,
prophetic in our stance and holistic in As urban sprawl eats up more
open spaces and natural habitats, as the world wide web inundates
people with megainformation,
more people Thus, today and into the future, Lebh Shomea will become more valued, more needed, more a gift of God to the Christian community. To learn more about the Lebh Shomea House of Prayer, visit their website at www.lebhshomea.org. | ||
Something special is blowing in the wind at Lebh Shomea House of Prayer. Turning in the Texas breeze are 84 wind turbines that power the first wind farm on the state’s coast. The turbines can produce enough energy for more than 70,000 homes. Lebh Shomea is a place of quiet, contemplative prayer run by the Missionary Oblates in the small town of Sarita. Nature is an important aspect of the Lebh Shomea experience and harvesting the wind to provide power ideally fits into the mission of the house of prayer. Known as the Penascal Wind Power Project, the wind farm was located at Lebh Shomea through the cooperation of Iberdrola Renewables and the John G. Kenedy Jr. Charitable Trust. “The coastal wind that powers this project is especially valuable,” said Barry Smitherman, Chairman of the Public Utility Commission of Texas. “It blows during the late afternoon when electricity is needed most for air conditioning during the hottest hours of the day.” The Kenedy family owned large tracks of land in the area and the Kenedy Ranch was an integral part of the Oblates’ work in Texas dating back to the 1850s. At that time the Oblate missionaries road horseback to preach the Gospel. In 1961 the estate was willed to the Oblates to be used for a religious purpose. Dividends from the operation of the wind power project will go to the Oblates to support their missionary work around the world. Officials with the Kenedy Charitable Trust noted that, “The
Penascal Wind Power Project will help ensure the stated purpose of
Mrs. Elena Suess Kenedy, as
expressed in her last Will and
Testament, to preserve the
continued operations of the Kenedy
Ranch for the benefit of future The Oblates are active in
efforts to promote renewable
energy in the United States and
around the world. Part of the
mission of the Oblates’ Justice,
Peace and Integrity of Creation
Office is to protect the earth’s |
