Dynamic Movement of the - Sisters of Our Lady of Sion

Canada/USA Province
Communications #23
Dynamic Movement of the
Winter/Spring 2009
www.sistersofsion.net
Spirit
We will nourish the spiritual life of the Province
(with others) through the study of our Biblical, Foundational,
Jewish and Church sources.
- Provincial Mandate 2008
THE MAGNIFICENT SION LIGHT DEVELOPS EMMANUELLE'S CRY
Louise Humann - Forerunner of Sion Celebrated!
TO THE WORLD –
YALLAH – LET'S GO!
S
r.Emmanuelle's Charism Story – On
October 20, our Sister Emmanuelle,
the well known sister of the rag
pickers of Cairo, died a few weeks before
her 100th birthday. She was immediately
praised by the Vatican for her work
among the poor. There were 100th
anniversary plans for great celebrations
scheduled for Paris, among them, she was
to be decorated by the French President at
Elysee Palace. Emmanuelle 'chose the
A
gathering of Sisters and friends
took place at Oakmount to
celebrate Sion's Feast Day,
January 20th. Sr. Elizabeth Losinski
re-told the story but particularly
brought to the fore the influence of
Louise Humann on Sion's charism.
As we know Sion congregation was
founded on a threefold commitment:
to the Church, to the Jewish people
and to a world of justice, peace and
love.
Such a unique vision came to be
through a Jewish man, Theodore
Ratisbonne, born in Strasbourg ,
France in 1802. His family believed
deeply in education and established a
school in that town and Theodore was
its principal.
Meanwhile his own studies led him to
study Philosophy with a group of
young men. Interestingly, they were
guided spiritually by a very wise and
learned Catholic woman, Louise
Humann. She led him to an in-depth
reading of both Jewish and Christian
scriptures. Through her, he saw with
continued on pg 4
In this issue:
Recent Events.........page 4
Partnerships...........page 3
In Memoriams........page 6
Easter Triduum.......page 8
better part' and went instead at the
beckoning of her Beloved to meet 'the One
whom her heart loved' while the Elysee
invited us all to Notre Dame to pay
homage to this fragile old woman of such
incredible strength, who challenged youth
and politicians alike to act for the poor.
story continued on page 3
Dynamic Movement of the Spirit | Canada/USA Province
Page 2
OAKMOUNT: HOUSE OF WELCOME,
BLESSING AND GATHERING
S
haring Sion's vision to witness to God's faithful love as revealed in Hebrew
and Christian Scriptures and to work and pray for a world of justice, peace
and love.
Oakmount in Toronto is becoming known as a House of Welcome, Blessing and
Gathering. Sion's spirituality, rooted in the Word of God, is at its core.
Participants listen to the Word in one's heart and to encounter God's Word in
others.
Programs recently included: Advent reflection retreats, the Jewish prayer of
Jesus, the four women Matthew wrote into Jesus' genealogy, the visit of Mary to
Elizabeth, the Gospel of Mark for year B in the Church's liturgy and its
significance as the first Gospel written.
Being a House of Hospitality , Oakmount opens its doors to Sion Sisters'
activities and visitors who attend various meetings as well as individual days of
retreat. Some general comments: “ a grace filled day”, “ an oasis of peace”, an
awesome day”, I'd appreciate knowing about future days and programs”.
BIBLICAL PROGRAMS AND SIGNS OF HOPE IN JERUSALEM
A
t Ecce Homo in Jerusalem, Sion recently added the Spanish Biblical
Program. The latest, a one month program, brings together some
twenty participants, mainly from Brazil and Central America. Brother
Elio, a Religious of Our Lady of Sion, is its director.
The English- language program continues with both long three month sessions
and a one month session. The latter is drawing a more varied public with more lay
people.
In the French-language program, “tutorials” have been added to regular courses
for those who want to stay longer or come in advance. It also added “a la carte”
programs given in various Institutes in Jerusalem, together with the Brothers of
Sion. Also there are themes following the Jewish and Christian liturgical year.
[email protected]
Recently Sr. Anne Catherine took a group to a Jewish family to light the candles
for the eighth day of Hanukkah.”The tragic situation in the country was present
to everyone and the suffering of people on both sides was discretely mentioned.
You could feel the weight of it. And at the same time, together we were able to
rejoice to light these candles, signs of love and hope.”
“In the framework of the biblical program, I ( Anne Catherine) invited a
Palestinian, Eyad Hallaq, a clinical psychologist from Jerusalem to speak. He
takes part in many colloquia on peace in France and with Israeli friends, he has
founded three centers for Jewish and Arab children who are traumatized by the situation in which they live. I discoved that years
ago, his father was a barber opposite Ecce Homo and our Sister Myriam had arranged for Eyad for a scholarship to study medicine
in France.”
Dynamic Movement of the Spirit | Canada/USA Province
PARTNERSHIPS
Page 3
story continued from cover page
SCARBORO MISSION SOCIETY,
Toronto: Interfaith Department
R
ecently Sister Lucy Thorson joined
the staff at Scarboro to help them
focus on their efforts in CatholicJewish relations. They have recently sent
packages of information to parishes and
educators on their adult-faith-education
topics that can be given
such as:
Jewish/Catholic issues since Vatican 11,
Jewish roots, context of Jesus prayer life,
appreciation of the Sabbath and Jewish
annual feasts, the Hebrew Scriptures,
written and oral tradition. The Scarboro
sessions include Christians, Jews, Muslims,
Hindus and other faiths. Also teaching
materials are being developed. The Director
of the Interfaith Department, Paul
McKenna has a publication on multi-faith
prayer.
See - www.scarboromissions.ca/Interfaithdialogueprayer
Recently the Catholic Register and the Prairie Messenger have had an article on
Lucy's ministry entitled: “Christians need to know, understand Jewish Roots”. Lucy
is also part of the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto planning group. She is giving
a spring workshop at St. Michael's College as well as a seminar at Oakmount.
CENTER FOR CATHOLIC-JEWISH
LEARNING, King's College, London, ON
S
ister Marge Zdunich reported that at the November board meeting Father
Michael Bechard and Rabbi Ammos Chorny presented an update of initiatives
of the CCJL for the next year. There is a possibility of Sion being involved in two
of them which will be discussed with the Sisters in the Toronto area. Marge is on a
task force with different Catholic communities including school boards to explore
possibilities for CCJL involvement in the region. Disappointedly two projects have
been tabled because of the Gaza crisis such as an interfaith Holy Land experience and
an interfaith visit to Congregation Or Shalom. However, Rabbi Chorny will lead a
Seder meal on April 5.
The longer I live the more convinced I am that
the work of Sion is a work of the present day.
Father Theodore Ratisbonne, March 15, 1859
F r o m h e r S p i r i t u a l Te s t a m e n t ,
Emmanuelle wrote: “ We know that Love
is stronger than Death, the bond of deep
friendship that we formed with one
another in joy has joyful eternal value. I
want to tell you a thank you that is
leaping with gratitude for what you have
done and I know you still do for our
thousands of children throughout the
world who are in difficulty. Yalla!
Forward! To live loving is marvelous! “
Your Emmanuelle
Sr. Darlene DeMong says, “A book by
Emmanuelle Confessions d'une
Religieuse was released at her death
according to her plan. On reading her
book and having known Emmanuelle
for years, the overwhelming feeling I
had was how little I knew her. May all of
you who read her life find that they too
have been blessed in knowing her, a great
woman of Sion. Yalla.. Let's go .. in
Arabic, which has become Emmanuelle's
'password' in a special way..as we journey
together “up to the mountain of the
Lord, to the house of God of Jacob”.
Her book will be translated into English,
Korean, Spanish and Arabic shortly.
Copies of the Mediterranean Province
newsletter on Emmanuelle in English
and French can be obtained from: Agnes
Perrin [email protected]
Dynamic Movement of the Spirit | Canada/USA Province
continued from cover page
great clarity the link between the two
s a c r e d t e x t s . A l w a y s a f t e r, h e
proclaimed that the Old and New
Testaments formed one continuous
expression of God's continued
faithfulness and love. Together they
reveal God's all embracing love and the
biblical call to act to bring about God's
reign.
When Theodore chose to be baptized by
Louise in 1827 he had to relinquish his
role as principal and experienced a
separation from his family. Further
study prepared him to be ordained a
priest in 1830 and along with the other
young men in his group taught near
Strasbourg. In 1840, he moved to Paris
and his reputation as a preacher and as a
sound spiritual director of women grew.
His thoughts and words were grounded
in the Scriptures, a practice that was not
so common at the time. He was so
steeped in the Word of God that his own
vocabulary was biblical in tone and
values. Many of the women he guided
spiritually urged him to form a religious
community but he was hesitant until an
event of January 20, 1842.
His youngest brother, Alphonse, visiting
Rome, had an experience of the Blessed
Virgin Mary which he simply called
'light'. It led him to be baptized within 12
days and later become a priest. This was
a sign for Theodore to form a
community of religious women. Both
brothers, henceforth shared a vision to
'journey by the light of the Word of God
and Mary'.
At the time of Theodore's death in 1884,
the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion were
established equally in three distinct
areas, one third in each of Muslim
countries, in Orthodox countries and in
Catholic Europe. Theodore insisted we
have hearts “ bigger than the world”.
Page 4
RECENT EVENTS
Sister Kay MacDonald received the St. Thomas More
Distinguised Graduate Award in late fall, 2008 in Saskatoon. This
award is determined by the President and the alumni association. It is given for a
combination of academic achievement and/or service to the Church and community.
It was presented by Father George Smith OSB at the annual Corporation Gala for Sr.
Kay's service to the Church and religious life on both the Canadian and International
frontier. Sr. Kay was accompanied by her brother, Cy, a niece, friends and Sisters of
Sion.
Sisters Mary Ellen Coombe & Celia Deutsch at
Kansas City Sion School
Sr. Celia and Sr. Mary Ellen spent a week at Notre Dame
de Sion in Kansas City. They had an amazing time at both
campuses visiting with students and teachers.
Monday evening would find them in the bleachers
cheering for Sion Storm in their annual basketball game
against St. Teresa's. They had a “screaming” good time
and Sion won as well.
At the high school, Celia and Mary Ellen visited religion
and peer ministry classes to talk about religious life and
the Sisters of Sion – sharing stories of their life and God's
call. As Sr. Celia said – it is her most favorite thing in the
world to talk about. The girls responded with both
warmth and curiosity.
At the grade school, they joined the Holy Ground religion classes as they celebrated
“Founders Day”. The littlest ones presented them with “doves” that they made and
the older children, a play about January 20th. Later they even joined a 5th grade
music class and tried their hand at “drumming.”
On Friday morning, “we joined the
faculty from both campuses in an in-service
morning on the internationality of Sion.
Small groups armed with the Sion Status,
computers, and of course, the two of us as
resources, worked to learn all they could
about Sion – sisters, schools, brothers –
around the world. The desire to get
connected is strong and there are some
interesting projects brewing.”
Celia and Mary Ellen went back to
Brooklyn and Chicago energized and inspired by the sharing of Sion's mission and
look forward to going back next year.
Dynamic Movement of the Spirit | Canada/USA Province
Page 5
SION MINI REUNION
at Society of Biblical Literature in Boston
FRIENDS RESPOND
TO US:
F
a r y a n n e To m a s h e w s k i ,
writes that she spent time
with her 97 year old mother
planting and harvesting potatoes and
setting up home care for her Mom. She
attended the 150th anniversary of the
Paulists held on the USA east coast.
She attended workshops, talks and
liturgies. “It was good to be present in
the milieu of priests and laity
(associates) on an almost equal basis”.
ive Sion Sisters: Marge Zdunich, Mary Reaburn ( Australia), Celia Deutsch,
Phyllis Kapuscinski, Audrey Doetzel had an unplanned delightful reunion at
this conference in November. They shared Sionian news, sessions and books.
Marge and Phyllis had the pleasure of attending Celia's presentation: “The
Interpreter of Intertext: Origen's First Homily on the Canticle of Canticles.” They
were impressed both with Celia's lecture and with her responses to her colleagues'
questions.
Sr. Marge Boyle in St. Paul, MN. is a volunteer at Wellstone Action,
founded 5 years ago after Paul Wellstone, US Senator, his wife, daughter and
campaign friends died in a plane crash. Paul was strongly committed to economic and
social justice.
Wellstone Action is a unique method of community organizing by giving training to
people of all backgrounds, walks of life, students to be better advocates on issues of
economic and social justice. Thousands have been trained and now serve in many
areas of leadership and also in government.
Sr. Connie Caron –
gives clowning workshops to children and adults.
In becoming a clown, one takes on a new identity and each step of the way in face and
dress become meaningful to oneself after much thought and reflection. Connie
recently wrote about the “Sacred and the Whimsical” as a clown and sent a poem
about a clown ( not hers): “The clown is always in the middle of things, between the
acts, stumbling through props, looking like a failure, but in that very act, being at
one's best… Dying and Rising, the clown is in the middle, dancing between the
tension of both intimately in touch with both, joining them together…Entering our
grief the clown walks with us towards joy!”
SHARING WITH OUR SION CONTEMPLATIVES
F
rom October 23 -31, Sion contemplative sisters
met in Ein Karem, in Jeruslaem during the year of
renewal. Representatives came from Brazil,
France, Israel and Romania where contemplatives are
located. Some time during their meetings, they met with
some Sion apostolic sisters and brothers. Among the
exchanges that were made: “ the contemplative sisters
remind us that the vocation of each one of us is
essentially contemplative - to contemplate the mystery of
the salvation of the Jews and Gentiles, the mission of the
election, the particular and the universal , finally the
mystery of God and love for humanity and it is
fathomless” (Anne Catherine), “ we are part of the same
seed: the contemplatives carry the world in their hearts.
Our apostolic life has a strong contemplative dimension and we feel supported by the
prayer of our sisters.” ( Sr. Colette), “ the Church has integrated what at the
beginning we were alone. Let us take a step further together. Sion is placed in
contemplation of the Mystery created by the Christ event, Israel so loved by God and
the Nations, mystery mentioned by Paul that still remains a mystery. Sion must
inhabit this Mystery” Brother Elio “ Could we propose contemplative retreats.. and
in Israel work at speaking Hebrew?” Brother Pierre
M
Gail Marks spent some time recently
in Jerusalem “looking for initiatives
there”. It was just a week and she was
in touch with most Sisters of Sion
there. Gail came back and looked up the
Provincial Website “having been out of
touch for years. I had no idea of your
activities but it sure sounds like you are
alive and well with many initiatives.”
Gail works in the Financial Assistance
Office at Sacred Heart University in
Fairfield, Connecticut where they have
a Center for Ch ristian-Jewish
Understanding.
LINKING JEWISH AND
ABORIGINAL RIGHTS
J
ews pay tribute to Aboriginal
Elder – Jewish Daily News ,
December 11
William Cooper, an aboriginal elder in
Australia, raised his voice in 1940 to
protest the 'oppression of Hitlerism'.
He wrote Prime Minister Robert
Menzies 1940
and in 1938 the
Australian Institute of Aboriginals
protested. It was quite “remarkable” as
no Jews were involved, also considering
that “nobody in the so called Western
civilized world raised their voices at
that time. It was not until 1967 that the
Aboriginals were recognized as
Australian citizens.. Seventy trees will
be planted in Martrys forest near
Jerusalem in honor of the protest.
Dynamic Movement of the Spirit | Canada/USA Province
Page 6
IN MEMORIAM
Remember Sr. Mariette at Sion, Saskatoon
Sr. Mariette ( Daniela Hauptmann), at Sion 76 years, died on the
feast of Father Theodore, November 9, 2008. Tributes came from
around the world. As a young Sister, she spent 25 years in
Western Canada “where she was very much loved by all our girls
in the boarding schools” Another testimony states: “ I have
wonderful memories of her as infirmarian at Mayfair. What a
pleasure it was to be sick when she took care of you-like a
holiday!” Penetrated by a deep love of Sion, Daniela was “a
valiant woman who influenced many of us” A confidante and counselor, she guided
many and Massimiliana writes, “she had a heart of a mother, a sister”.Encouraged by
Daniela, Massimiliana co-founded a Christian-Jewish friendship group ( Amicizia) in
northern Italy.
Remember Rabbi Dr. Michael Signer
Rabbi Dr. Michael Signer wil be sadly missed for his outstanding
leadership in Jewish Christian understanding. He served since
1992 at the Univerity of Notre Dame as the Abrams Chair of
Jewish Thought and Culture and Director of the Holocaust
Project. Prior to that he was Professor of Jewish History at
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Los
Angeles.
He was instrumental in helping found St. John's/Hebrew Union College academic
exchange and taught in universities abroad. Rabbi Signer was among the founders
of the Council of Centers in Jewish-Christian Relations (CCJR). In 2008, the CCJR
passed a resolution honoring him for his many contributions.
He has for decades inspired thousands of students to promote understanding
between Jews and Christians and has significantly advanced Jewish-Christian dialog
through his courageous work in Debru Emet. Sr. Celia said, “ not only was he a
brilliant scholar but he was a warm and welcoming presence, whose utter goodness,
encouraging spirit and delight in life bore witness to the presence of God he served so
well”.
Mourning the Death of Rabbi Leon Klenicki
Rabbi Leon Klenicki was a long time Director of the Anti-Defamation League. He was
a renowned scholar, theologian, an interfaith pioneer and author of hundreds of
books. For his interfaith work, he was made a Papal Knight of St. Gregory the Great
by Pope Benedicet XVI. Among his many awards, he received recognition for his
lifetime dedication of service to the League in interfaith affairs and to the Jewish
community. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops recommended to all bishops to
use the liturgy prepared by Rabbi Klenicki and Eugene Fisher when observing the
Holocaust Day. He will be greatly missed.
JUBILEE YEAR
DEDICATED TO
ST. PAUL
P
ope Benedict proclaimed the
Pauline Holy Year on the eve of
St. Peter and Paul, June 29, 2008
to June 29th 2009. “ The apostle wants
us not to simply admire the
accomplishment of Christ, but rather
swim in it, participate in it”, Father
Robert Barron.
Readers were invited to give a reflection
on a quote of St. Paul: Sr. Teresita
Kameitz, Scripture teacher in the
diocese of Saskatoon responded, taking
the quote: “I live now, not I, but Christ
lives in me.” (Gal. 2:20)
“This quotation holds special meaning
for me. Not only has it kept me in touch
with a gentle but profound religious
experience with which I was gifted at the
age of sixteen, but it has also over the
years nurtured my intimacy with the
Beloved, the Risen Christ. Paul's words
have sustained me in every circumstance
of life, teaching me Who is in charge and
showing me how to live with trust and
joyful freedom. The awareness of
Christ's indwelling has been the
mainstay of my life as a vowed religious
grounding my personal identity,
empowering my prayer life and
energizing my ministry.”
Dynamic Movement of the Spirit | Canada/USA Province
WINNIPEG
COMMUNITY HOSTS
ANA MARGARITA
C
an you imagine going from plus 30
degrees to minus 30 degrees in
one day? Picture yourself seeing
snow, donning a whole list of strange
apparel ( boots, parka, long underwear,
mitts, toque, several layers of socks and
snow pants) and living in English, all for
the first time! That's what happened to
Margareta coming from El Salvador to
Winnipeg. A few days later the wind chill
was 50 degrees, colder than the north
and south poles. Margarita has been
amazingly resilient. In her note, she tells
about her adventures going with the Wi
Wabigooni School students to winter
camp.
Helen Leswick, a friend of the
community and an ESL teacher,
volunteers to teach English to Margarita
every day. A great gift of time and talent!
Margarita then spends time with the
students and even cooks for the
teenagers at Rossbrook House on
Fridays. It is wonderful to have her as
part of our community bringing the
Province of Central America and the
whole Congregation closer. She brings an
openness of spirit that is sheer gift and
her English is improving.
Sr. Bernadette for the Community
Page 7
SR. SYLVIA'S CHARISM
STORY
S
A
na Margarita Murillo from the
Central American Province has
been named as the new
International Coordinator of
UNANIMA. She and Maria Vigna will
attend the UNANIMA meeting in New
York in March. Prior to that Ana
Margarita will spend January and
February in Winnipeg to work on her
English before going.
Read about the Counter-Trafficking
Project at the National (USA) Immigrant
Justice Center website:
www.immigrantjustice.org.
ylvia was spirited from Central
America to New York ( Brooklyn)
just a year ago. She is working in a
trilingual parish in a poor neighborhood
and exclaims “ It's equal to a crosscultural experience in mission land. My
pastor's own words express it well, ' It's
like being a stranger in your own land!'”
Now I realize there is so much to learn
and marvel about people's way to God.
Building unity among our Caribbean
English, Haitian and diverse Spanish
congregants is an integral part of parish
worship. That remains a challenge
throughout the whole liturgical year. For
instance,there are 20 to 30 Baptisms a
month. Sr. Celia, with whom I live, is a
rich resource in navigating these deep
waters. She has been the Interfaith
Coordinator for over ten years as a
volunteer. My knowledge of French and
Spanish have been so helpful.
SR. ANA
MARGARITA
MURILLO IN
SNOWY COLD
WINNIPEG
M
y name is Ana Margarita
Murillo, I am from El Salvador.
I arrived in Canada on January
09 and this has been a very nice
experience. The sisters' hospitality is
excellent. They prepared for me a
schedule in which I have time for very
many things, including going to the
camp, I had opportunity to learn skiing,
skating (only put on the skates!), sliding,
fishing in the cold water under the ice.
Here is one little story to share.110 folks
from Our Lady of Refuge and East
Midwood Synagogue (our neighbors up
the street) gathered in October and spent
the entire day walking in the shoes of our
ancesters at the historical Ellis Island
Immigration Port which functioned from
1892 – 1948. Fifty of our parish group
were immigrants from many Latin
American countries. They commented on
how similar their own struggles are now
in 2008.
The central reason of this experience is
to learn that to know another language is
important for all sisters of Sion, because
it permits us “acercarnos más” and to
share more deeply our mission. It is not
easy. I want to speak well, but to “When I was a stranger, you welcomed
assimilate all new things requires much me”. I experienced this at Our Lady of
Refuge.
patience, so I am on the road.
Dynamic Movement of the Spirit | Canada/USA Province
Page 8
Sacred Journey
Easter Triduum 2009
According to some scripture scholars/writers, there are three epiphanies in the Gospel of Mark.
Epiphany is about manifestations. We are well aware of the major epiphany moments in Mark.
The first is in Mark 1:11, the baptism of Jesus, when Jesus descends into the waters and he himself experiences the voice of
assurance, “You are my beloved Son, on you my favour rests.”
The second is Jesus' transfiguration told in Mark 9:7. The voice of God once again discloses Jesus' identity, “This is my Son, my
beloved. Listen to him”.
The third epiphany is the entrance into Jerusalem, the cross and the Resurrection and all the in between events. Through his
prayer, his encounters with the poor, the sick, the sceptical, the disciples, women and men, Jesus grows into and embraces the
words: 'This is my Son, my beloved” as shown in his proclamation to the Sanhedrin when asked: 'Are you the Messiah, the Son of
the blessed one.” Mk 14:61.
“I Am”
The Liturgies of this week offer an opportunity to reflect on the life of Jesus and our lives.
Palm Sunday: Acclamations or Shema? (Hear/Listen). What helped Jesus to be a person of courage and a person of risk? As we
welcome Jesus, on this Palm Sunday, can we Hear/Listen to what inspired him and gave him courage?
Holy Thursday: Wash the feet, Eat the Bread, Drink the wine with those who desire to pray, play, and be in our midst.” Eat the
Bread, Drink the wine”, with those who are marginalized. With those who can not embrace the vision of the Sisters of Sion.
Dynamic Movement of the Spirit | Canada/USA Province
Page 9
Good Friday: We all stand at the foot of the cross. We stand with Mary and Mary Magdalene. Perhaps we feel too helpless with the
chaos in our world, our families, our communities. Is there a message from the two Mary's and Jesus for all of us in our own reality?
Resurrection: Theodore was a hope filled man and desired that we as a Congregation would also live in hope .As Mary went to the
TOMB in her grief, let us go to the Tomb, yes, with our hesitations, our failures and with our joys and hopes.
Perhaps a small excerpt between Jesus and Mary from Margaret Silf ( Roots and Wings: The Human Journey from a Speck of
Stardust to a Spark of God) will be an encouragement , an inspiration in our conversations with Jesus during this Sacred Journey.
'He called me 'Mary', right from the word go.
My heart just flooded. Here he was. And the whole thing on Friday had been a bad dream. We
could forget the nightmare and go back to where we were as if nothing had happened. I wanted to fall
at his feet and hold fast, and tell him how much I loved him.
He stopped me.
'Mary' he said. 'We can't ever go back. The way leads forward. Don't hang on to the past,
however good it as for us. The future draws us on. The future has such gifts for us, but we can't receive
them unless we move on with empty hands.’
'Are you asking me to let you go, now that I've found you?' I whispered.
I'm inviting you to travel with me,' he replied,' to a future we are shaping together. The paths to
that future are not found but made, and the making of those pathways changes both the traveller and
the destination.'
Are you coming, or staying where you are?
How the tale continues is up to you.
Sr. Joyce Sinnett
CHARISM
WORKSHOP FOR
SION SCHOOL
PERSONELLE IN
STRASBOURG
The first Internationl meeting of Sion
School representatives, will be held
in Strasbourg, France from July 11 –
14, 2009. It will focus on Sion's
Charism. There will be
representatives from Sion School in
Kansas City and Ecole Bilingue in St.
Laurent, Quebec
who will be
attending.
News, Suggestions, Responses: Send to Sr. Stephanie Schmidts
6322 N. Wayne | Chicago, IL. 60660 | [email protected]
STATEMENT OF TORONTO AREA SISTERS OF SION
W
e, a group of women religious in the Roman Catholic Church, The Congregation of the Sisters Our Lady of Sion,
whose charism is to remind the Church that we are inextricably linked with the Jewish People and to foster
reconciliation and peacemaking, are writing regarding the decision of Pope Benedict to revoke the excommunication
of the bishops of the Society of St. Pius X.
We are saddened by the Pope's decision to revoke this excommunication of these bishops since they also reject the tenets and
beliefs of the Second Vatican Council, which include the most important documents around the Church's relationship with
the Jewish People and peoples of other faiths. To deny the Shoah, whether that be numbers or the horrific events
surrounding their deaths and incarceration, and the denial of the gas chambers, is for us, a source of sadness and pain; first
to the Jewish People themselves who have borne the horror of these massacres and deaths and then to the wider world.
Unity seems to be the issue at stake in this situation; but unity at what cost? The reversal of the excommunication of these
people has badly eroded faith in the Church's stated solidarity with the Jewish People; we see this loss of faith as regrettable
and immoral. For this, we ask forgiveness of the Jewish community around our insular way of behaving and ask and
support the Church's demand for this group to recant publicly their egregious offence to the Jewish world. We ask
forgiveness of the Jewish people around this sad incident.
Pope John XXIII had a great love for the Jewish People as did John Paul II. To reverse this relationship between the Church
and the Jewish People would call into question and jeopardize decades of Jewish-Christian healing and friendship. It is,
however, a source of hope for us that other groups within our Church have also spoken publicly regarding this concern.
On February 12, 2009, Pope Benedict met with a group of American Jewish leaders at the Vatican where he repeated the
words of a historic prayer which Pope John Paul II had offered in the year 2000 in Jerusalem. The text of that prayer which
Pope Benedict says he 'now makes his own' reads: “God of our Fathers, you chose Abraham and his descendants to bring your
Name to the Nations; we are deeply saddened by the behaviour of those who in the course of history have caused these
children of yours to suffer, and asking your forgiveness we wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the People
of the Covenant” (March 26, 2000 Jerusalem). This prayer is also our hope.