A Place For People Of All Faiths
To Connect With The Divine???

Today we answer the burning question, "For a non-denominational effort, why does the Casa de Santa Maria feel so - so Christian?" That includes our newsletter as well as the Casa website.

For starters, to create this sacred space, in May of 2005, Jesus picked two people who happen to be raised Fundamentalist Christians. We understandably view our spirituality and religious beliefs through that prism.

I will say this though, because of our surrender to God's Will in our lives over thirteen years ago, many old beliefs were exposed as illusions, and God's Truth of Love and service to mankind were revealed. As a result, Susan and I have grown spiritually, developing a strong love and openness for all faiths, firmly believing, whatever your choice of paths, all roads lead to God.

Our religion has become the religion of love!

The challenge for us has been, striking a balance with the Casa website and newsletter, that will be meaningful and attracting to people of all faiths. We're very conscious that just about 99.5% of those who now subscribe to our Casa newsletter consider themselves Christian.

Although we're not remotely satisfied with our success in reaching an ecumenical flavor or balance to date, there's still a tendency to play to that majority audience. Since the commission to create the Casa de Santa Maria was given by Jesus with the loving statement — "It's for My mother!" Jesus' and Mary's fingerprints will always be all over this effort.

The whole point there is, although we've grown up with the concept they are restricted to, and representative of the Christian faith, Jesus and His mother Mary are universal beings, not belonging to, nor limited to a single religion. That's the major message in a nutshell. Their love and caring extends to all who would avail themselves.

Jesus wasn't a Christian, He was Jewish. Mother Mary is the quintessential Jewish Mother.

Now, when we were raised in the Christian church, we were taught early on that Christianity was the only way, the truth, and the light — and no one could reach God any other way. We were also taught, Catholics were idol worshipers — statues, saints, Mother Mary as an intercessor, and all that "blasphemy."

My Catholic street-buddies shared they were taught similar disdain for non-Catholics. Visit MY church? No way they wanted to go to hell!

We knew Mary was a revered woman, but never knew how or if she fit into our daily lives. Since then, we've learned she is not Catholic, (she told us so:-), but is the Divine Feminine expression of God, given to the world as the mother to all who would accept her in that role.

Who can't make use of a non-judgmental mother's love and caring, whenever it's needed. That Divine feminine being is known by many names in different religions. Mother Mary, Quan Yin, (Buddhist), Hathor, (Egyptian), Lakshmi, (Hindu), Green Tara, (Tibetan Buddhist), White Buffalo Calf Woman, (Native American) to name a few.

We're looking for your help in adding the balance and flavor of all major religions to our Casa website and newsletter. If you are a non-christian, share with us information you'd like to share with others. We'd love to have a featured story in each newsletter relating to other religions. (As well as welcoming tidbits on our Casa website.)

We want everyone to find peace, love, open arms and the Divine here at the Casa de Santa Maria. That's the plan. Your suggestions to achieve that goal will be welcome and valued.

Greetings My Beloved Ones...

I bestow to each and every one of you my love.
For each of you are worthy of love… each of you are love.

Did you know that love surrounds you each moment of every day?
Love is in the colors of the flowers, in their aroma.
The flowers were created to show you, you are loved.

The animals were created to show you, you are loved.
They are your companions to help you along the way.
They dance the dance of love with you,
touching the places of love within your soul.
They were created for you, as an aspect of you,
for the animals are you, and the flowers are you.

Yes indeed, my children, you are one with all things…
the birds that fly, the rain that falls, the wind in your face.
These are all aspect of yourself.
You are creating every moment, every experience,
and it is all love.

Dance the dance with all things,
knowing that love is at work in all things.
It is present in all things, and in every moment.

You, my children, are the voice of love.
You are the voice of God, and indeed you are my voice of love,
and the children of my heart. Know the day is coming when you all will see your own glory, and you all will see love is You.

Mother Mary

Through her messenger
Susan Sanderford
July 9, 2007

To Jeff Nordahl of California, for following through on creating his own Casa Excess Change Jar. Jeff's first month's pocket change donation to the Casa, $39.99, Way to go Jeff! (If you'd like to join our Excess Change Brigade, check out our last Casa-Gram)

To Deborah Finley of Texas, for her donation of pounds and pounds of high quality rocky mountain flower seeds, over $150 worth. All we need to do is work the ground for proper planting -- acres and acres of it! Can beauty be far behind?

To Susan Waller of Florida for her donation of 24 beautifully hand crafted stained glass dragonflies.

To Laura O'Hara of New Jersey, for her donation of over 30 new children's books, many of which were given to Casa area homeless kids this past week.

We are here to awaken from the illusion
of our separateness.
Thich Nhat Hanh

Thanks also to all our Casa Angels who give to the Casa on a monthly basis. And, to those who so generously contributed to both the Casa Fund and the construction of Mother Mary's Garden. You are welcome to join the effort.

To contribute by check please mail to:

Casa de Santa Maria
P.O. Box 64
San Luis, CO 81152

To contribute by credit card visit:

www.casadesantamaria.org/donate.html

To become a Casa Angel and donate on a monthly basis please visit:

www.casadesantamaria.org/angelwings.html

We always love hearing from you!
Please feel free to email us with your comments, suggestions or requests.

casadesantamaria@mac.com