Moving On

Today was my last of ministry at Catholic Charities. Tonight is my last night in Jersey City. I honestly cannot believe how quickly the time has flown!

One thing is for sure ... I'm a bit tired of moving. You see, for the first 18 years of my life I lived in the same house. I then moved a bit during my college years, and then lived in the same apartment for 11 years. Moving around is not my natural state of being. For one thing, I HATE sorting through things, packing and lugging them around. (Note to self: what better reason to spend more time simplifying this summer so next time there's less to move!). But I think there's also something I've always liked about being settled in one place.

Then I entered a religious community! An apostolic religious community at that. During my year of candidacy I drove four hours from Portland to Seattle to live in community every other weekend. Then I was sent 3,000 miles away to Englewood Cliffs, NJ for my canonical novitiate year. Last Fall I flew another 3,000 miles to London for my first ministry experience. Then back to Englewood Cliffs for a month and a half at the Novitiate House. Then 45 minutes south to Jersey City for my second ministry experience. Now back to the Novitiate House for the summer and then back to Seattle for (hopefully) a more extended time as I begin full time ministry in the Fall. Whew!

But you know what .... a funny thing has happened. I still don't particularly like moving around, but I'm also realizing that home is more centered in the heart than in the place. When it comes right down to it, I have felt at home in Seattle and Englewood and London and now Jersey City. I was musing about this in an e-mail to one of my wise friends today ...

It's always hard to leave someplace that feels like home - whether its Portland or London or now Jersey City. But its also good to know that I can feel at home in such different environments! That's been one major area of growth/change during this novitiate time. I've found a freedom and at home-ness in the community and in God that isn't necessarily tied to one place. Of course I'm also thrilled to be returning to the Northwest in the near-ish future. But over my lifetime, I have a feeling I'll probably spend some time in all 3 of our regions. That's a good thing to know as I begin more serious vows discernment in the coming weeks.

Well, I should sign off here. Aside from my task of packing, we're also having a goodbye pizza party (or maybe I should say see you later party) with the Sisters next door. I'm going to be away from the computer for a few days. When I leave here tomorrow and before I head back to the Novitiate Monday, I'm going to be spending the weekend with my brother's family. My niece is being confirmed on Sunday, and she asked me to be her confirmation sponsor!!! It was so nice to be asked, and even nicer that the community is letting me be away for a few days so I can be there in person on the big day.

So, bye for now! Have a great weekend everyone!

our extraterrestrial brothers and sisters

Both my brother and bloggy friend Garpu pointed out this tidbit:

Believing that the universe may contain alien life does not contradict a faith in God, the Vatican's chief astronomer said in an interview published Tuesday.

The Rev. Jose Gabriel Funes, the Jesuit director of the Vatican Observatory, was quoted as saying the vastness of the universe means it is possible there could be other forms of life outside Earth, even intelligent ones.

"How can we rule out that life may have developed elsewhere?" Funes said. "Just as we consider earthly creatures as 'a brother,' and 'sister,' why should we not talk about an 'extraterrestrial brother'? It would still be part of creation."

I was reminded of the time my 4 & 5 year old Sunday School class devolved into a discussion of space aliens.

... another little boy told me that his dad believed in Aliens. The class was heavy on the boys, and so conversation took a GIANT detour into the realm of the space alien, whether they existed, and if so if God loved them too. Heavy science fiction theology for the age group. I was struggling with trying to figure out how to get us back to planet earth and human beings - since I knew for sure both of those existed. It was tough going. As they say, resistance is futile. And of course, this is just when my pastor walked into the room. He looked at me, smirked and raised an eyebrow, and headed out the back door. He was just using our room as a shortcut.

I wish I'd had this bit of theology to impart. Hopefully the little boy who brought up the topic (who is probably 14 or 15 by now) reads this story!

By the way, did you know that the UN has an office for Outer Space Affairs?

stories

Today was my last day of ministry at the domestic violence program. I was struck by how quickly the past three months have flown by. I was also struck by something quite profound ... how privileged I have been to be entrusted with the stories of the clients I have worked with these three months.

I haven't written much about my ministry here, mostly because it's a challenge to write about the work without writing about the clients, and my concern for confidentiality causes me to use caution. But essentially what I was doing at the domestic violence program was journeying with women (and a few men) as they navigated the restraining order process. We explained the court process to them, gave them information about community and legal resources, and if they requested we could accompany them to the actual trial and sit next to them before the judge. This part of the experience was very powerful - sitting quietly next to the client, offering them my moral support, even though I couldn't say anything. It was an amazing example of the ministry of presence - of being rather than doing.

I've been reflecting on my time with the domestic violence program, and even though I think I have been able to provide some assistance in understanding the legal process and support through court accompaniment, I think the main gift I was able to give was being a listening ear. Upon further reflection though, I realized that this gift goes both ways. While I was there to listen, the clients were there to share their stories with me. Sometimes I'm sure they were tired of sharing their business with strangers. Other times perhaps it was helpful to speak the words to another human being. But in either case, as the receiver it was really a sacred moment.

A few years ago we organized a community conversations program at our parish. The idea was a simple one. Each participant would talk for half an hour with two other parishioners that they did not know. It was a community building exercise, and as one of the organizers we had fun pairing different conversation partners together trying to make for interesting conversations. But really, the magic wasn't in the planning or in what we thought would happen. Rather, the magic was in the sacred moment of two people intentionally sitting down and sharing their stories. Now of course in my ministry situation, I wasn't sharing my story with the clients so it was a bit different. But there was something special there all the same, and I for one feel very blessed.

Tomorrow it's back to my other ministry placement for two more days. Then this spring ministry experience will be officially over. Looking around my room I'm realizing I need to start packing (again!). I am getting a little tired of moving ....

marching on in formation

As I wind down my time here in Jersey City and prepare to return to the Novitiate for the "home stretch," I thought I'd let my itunes pick some songs at random and see if there's a message that comes out (this is a favorite bloggy exercise of mine).

Song # 1 ~ Walking on the Moon by the Police (listen/watch on YouTube)

Some may say
I'm wishing my days away, no way
And if it's the price I pay, some say
Tomorrow's another day, you'll stay
I might as well play

Song # 2 ~ True Faith by New Order (listen/watch on YouTube)

I feel so extraordinary
Something's got a hold on me
I get this feeling I'm in motion
A sudden sense of liberty

Song # 3 ~ Everyday is a Winding Road by Cheryl Crow (listen/watch on YouTube)

Everyday is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer

Song # 4 ~ Peace Train by 10000 Maniacs (listen/watch on YouTube)

Now I've been happy lately, thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be, something good has begun

Song # 5 - My Eyes by Travis (listen/watch on YouTube)

As each day goes by, it makes way for another,
We discover that we're not alone
And each day we try, the best we can to recover,
All the feelings that we left below

Song # 6 - Sky Blue Sky by Wilco (listen/watch on YouTube)

Oh, the band marched on in formation
The brass was phasing tunes I couldn't place
Windows open and raining in
Maroon, yellow, blue, gold and gray

And what is the message? There's a definite theme of journey in these songs, but also a message of staying in the present. It's important to savor each moment, even as the days slip away. To remember to play, to savor the extraordinary feeling of rightness on the journey. To live into the future, in the company of community, dreaming the dreams God dreams together. As I prepare to return to the Novitiate House to discern/prepare for vows, my participation in our formation program continues. But as our Constitutions say:

Formation is a life-long process of creative growth as we participate in the mission of Jesus Christ through the vowed life. We believe that the Spirit leads each of us to an integrity of life expressive of the wholeness of peace.

And so, with my loving God and my community I continue on the journey ...

time

It seems like just yesterday (and not three months ago) that I was getting ready to leave the Novitiate House and start my spring ministry experience in Jersey City. Well, believe it or not the three months is up. Next Monday I'll be back at the Novitiate House for the "home stretch" - discernment/preparation for vows and some more in house workshops/classes.

I was at the UN last week, so it's a bit odd to be going back to work this week knowing it's also my last week. It's been a great overall experience. God is certainly good!

Well, on that note, it's time to head off to work!

peaceful mother's day

In honor of my mother (who inspired me by her love and concern for all God's creatures) I continue my bloggy mother's day tradition with this re-post.

How many of you know about the original pre-hallmark meaning of the day? Read Julia Ward Howe's Original Mother's Day Proclamation from 1870. Here's a teaser:

"Arise, then, women of this day! Arise all women who have hearts, whether our baptism be that of water or of fears! ... We women of one country will be too tender of those of another country to allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs. From the bosom of the devastated earth a voice goes up with our own. It says "Disarm, Disarm! The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."

So, I'm spending some time in prayer this Mother's Day in thanksgiving for my own mother who rests in eternal peace, but also in solidarity and love with mothers in war torn countries and the mothers of those serving in the military. Seems an appropriate way to mark the day.

Peace,
Susan

PS - You might want to visit this website to redisover the original meaning of mother's day.

Religious at the UN

As part of my spring ministry experience, I was incredibly lucky to be able to tag along for a week at the UN with one of our Sisters who is one of our Congregation's NGO representatives. Our main task was to attend the 16th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (more on that later). For me, it was also an eye opening first hand exposure to the role of religious communities at the UN. It turns out that there was a front page article in the Tablet last month on exactly this topic! I'm going to quote the article to give some background if you don't mind:

Hundreds of Catholic organisations, lay and Religious, from all over the world are accredited to the United Nations systems in New York, Geneva, Paris, Vienna and Nairobi. ... Catholic organisations are very vibrant at the moment," says Sr Dorothy Farley, a Dominican who has headed the International Catholic Organisation Information Centre for the past 13 years.

Her office provides Catholic agencies at the UN with accreditation details, advises them about whom to talk to on what issues, and sets up briefings with national Catholic staff and experts on health, education, environment, development and poverty matters, often in dialogue with diplomats and UN executives. …

NGOs are accredited to the department of public information or to the Economic and Social Council, or to both. "Catholic NGOs at the UN have been active advocates on the alleviation of poverty, access to primary education, empowerment of women and climate change," says Isolda Oca, information officer at the Department of Public Information. "They are effective. They come to conferences, briefings, workshops, and high-level meetings at the General Assembly." …

The nuts and bolts of being a representative mean submitting briefings to UN committees, attending NGO working groups, meeting General Assembly and Security Council members and, most significantly, giving them off-the-record briefings. Achieving change can at times seem a slow, laborious process, but this has borne fruit in the past. Caritas representatives at Special Sessions on HIV and Aids at the UN General Assembly have helped to lobby governments to increase funding and commit to providing universal access to prevention, treatment and care. Their words have been incorporated in final declarations.

The key to success is not being part of a Catholic ghetto, but working in partnership with other colleagues across the NGO spectrum. Catholic NGOs stress that they are not part of a bloc, but are there to represent the issues that are vital to their organisations on the ground. However, they do bring an important moral dimension to their work.

So, that's why we were there - the "nuts and bolts" of having NGO status. The Sister I was with focuses on environmental issues, and in particular water. Our Congregation Justice & Peace Coordinator also represents us at the UN - we actually ran into her in the UN cafeteria one day. They publish a periodical called UN Update that shares their work at the UN with the Congregation at large.

It was an amazing (if somewhat overwhelming) experience. On Wednesday I went to a meeting at the International Catholic Organization Information Center mentioned in the article. It was a monthly gathering of different men and women religious at the UN to share information and network. It helped me to put together some of the puzzle pieces of this very important ministry.

I have loads more to share over the coming days, but that gives you some of the context.

hello again

Just a quick note to let you know I'm back on the other side of the Hudson in Jersey City. My first UN experience was incredible. So much to process. I hope to share more in the coming days, but for now just a big hello.

Visiting my alter ego

Many moons ago I took a silly blog quiz to discover what country I most resemble and learned I am no country ...

You're the United Nations!
Most people think you're ineffective, but you are trying to completely save the world from itself, so there's always going to be a long way to go. You're always the one trying to get friends to talk to each other, enemies to talk to each other, anyone who can to just talk instead of beating each other about the head and torso. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, and you get very schizophrenic as a result. But your heart is in the right place, and sometimes also in New York.

Well, tomorrow afternoon I am going to the United Nations headquarters in New York for the first time! I'm going to be there all week in fact, attending the meetings of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development with Sr. Suzanne, our UN NGO representative. How cool is that??


The UN Commission on Sustainable Development was established in 1992 to ensure follow-up on the Earth Summit. The CSD meets every year in New York to focus on clusters of issues. This year's meeting will focus on the following thematic issues: Agriculture, Rural development, Land, Drought, Desertification and Africa. The CSD has opened its sessions to broad participation from both governmental and non-governmental actors (which is why our NGO rep is going and I get to tag along as part of my ministry experience -- again, how cool is that??).

As a result, I'm going to be away from the blog this week. I'll be back home Friday night. Until then .... Peace!

being Catholic - a fabric of voices

A few weeks ago I wrote here about how the public radio show Speaking of Faith was soliciting stories from real everyday Catholics. Well, not only can you hear the voices of a few Catholics on the show this week, but they've set up a website with hundreds of stories: The Beauty and Challenge of Being Catholic: Hearing the Faithful.

We received hundreds of essays in response to our query about what anchors and unsettles our Catholic audience. So we asked some of you to speak about your tradition. The moving reflections we heard prompted us to depart from our usual format and bring you a fabric of voices from the Church itself.

The website has an interactive map where you can see where the different story tellers live, as well as sorts responses under the particular themes of The Changing Face of Catholicism, Community in the Sacraments, Finding Stability in a Moored Tradition, Seeing the Church Anew, and Wrestling with the Church.

Definitely worth a listen and a visit!