Vol. XXXVII, No. 11 USA–Aug-Sept 2015
Autumn is one of my favorite season of the year. I love the beautiful colors of yellow, gold, rust and sometimes crimson… I think you would agree with me that every season has its own beauty and unlikeable moments. So, what is your favorite time of the year?... As we journey these autumn days, I invite you to enjoy excerpts of a beautiful poem by Joyce Rupp in her book the Circle of Life. O Season full of remembering, Come! Come with your golden shawl. Come scattering the beauty of well-aged leaves. Strengthen us for changing our old patterns. Give us memories that sustain our dreams. O Come!
O seeds sprung loose from dying plants, Come! Come teach us to be generative. Carry us to places where we can take root. Encourage the seed of our love to fall freely. Gift us with the grace of surrender. O Come! O harvester of wisdom, Come! Come fill us with the waters of wisdom. Show us the beauty of aging with grace. Prepare us for the long, dark nights. Gather from our lives all that has potential. O Come! O rustling leaves falling from the trees, Come! Come live inside our aching goodbyes. Teach us the truth of life’s impermanence. Empty us of all that does not bless others. Draw us into the waiting soil of wintertime. O Come!
Welcome Back!
Welcome! Sr. Helen Saldanha, SSpS, from India arrived in the States on September 11. She joined our community in New York and will be part of the Executive Team of VIVAT International for the period 2015 – 2018.
Last August, Srs. Theresa Tawiah and Sr. Monica Zhang, returned from their home visits. Sr. Theresa saw her friends and relatives in Ghana and Sr. Monica visited the Far East. Sr. Mónica Patricia Darrichón, also arrived from her home leave to Argentina last September 12. We hope you all had a wonderful visit with your loved ones and welcome back!
Letter from Clara My year as a lay missionary (MaZ) in Chicago is over, so I want to take this chance to say thank you. This year has been a great experience for me and I am very grateful to have had this opportunity. I really enjoyed staying with the Sisters at Rogers Park, my ministry at the Life Learning Center, also helping at Little Mexico sometimes, and being with the youth group of St. Jerome. There was so much to learn about God, about the people I met and about myself. Thanks for all the support in prayer or in personal contact. Back in Germany, I will be studying environmental science in Berlin. I hope I will have the chance to visit again soon! May God bless you all! Clara Mersh
MaZ Volunteer, Clara Mersch
Ricarda Bodlak, MaZ Volunteer In Austria they told me it would not be easy be a volunteer in a country I do not usually know. This is true. Because when I arrived I had a kind of culture shock. Everything was new and so different for me (food, language, lifestyle…) Thank God that Sr. Julita looks so Ricarda at the airport kindly after me. She showed me St. Kitts and after a time I met new people. They are friendly, polite, and they welcomed me so nicely to St. Kitts so that it feels like home today.
Every day I am better able to speak their language so that I am able to talk to the people now. I feel that I need to take time to listen and to talk to them to make the people happy. Even though I have to learn a lot of things, I know that with my being prayerful I can help people. Also at the Preschool I will be helping Teacher Vashney in teaching the children. Therefore I can bring in all my kindergarten teaching experiences. I think God sent me to the right place. Thank you! Ricarda Bodlak
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Echoes from St. Kitts We, St. Kitts community, are blest with the presence of Ricarda Bodlak a MaZ volunteer. She is from Austria. Ricarda is the second volunteer for our community. She joined our community on 20th August 2015 and will stay with us for one year. It is always a privilege for us to open our community and welcome volunteers to journey with us to spread the Good News of God’s love here in St. Kitts especially in Molineux. Her main mission during her volunteer year will be as an assistance teacher at our Holy Spirit Catholic Preschool. On behalf of the community and the preschool, I would like to thank the Paraclete Province, MaZ, and Ricarda’s parents in making her this volunteer program a reality. Also a newly married couple, Rachel Gilman and Chris Keeney express their intention to volunteer and join our mission in St. Kitts. They visited our community in Molineux for a week to see our ministries and the possibilities of them being involved in our ministries here with the people of St. Kitts. For all of the blessing of new friends and collaborators, we thank God. Let us, journey and network together with God’s love, in create a world of peace and love. Sr. Julita Bele Bau, SSpS
Children welcoming our volunteers, Rachel and Chris
I am Vashney Williams, teacher at Holy Spirit Preschool. As we carry out the spirituality of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters through this institution, we are exposed and invited to one of their core charism; internationality living. The benefit of having a MaZ volunteer is that I get to learn new skills, gain a friend, boost my social skills, broaden our network, expose myself to people with a common mission and interest. So far they are a positive impact on the community. I am more than happy to work with Ricarda Bodlak as my partner in giving the best we can for our preschool’s children and their families. Sisters, thank you for your endless support of the staff and the preschool. God Bless you all. Mrs. Vashney Williams Mrs. Vashney Williams is a teacher at our St. Kitts preschool. She also worked closely with Kathrin Pahlizch, our first Maz volunteer.
Ricarda with Rachel and Chris Gilman
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Youth Workshop in Memphis The Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters invited youth from churches throughout Memphis, TN to participate in a workshop to share on the topic of Christian Vocation. Over 50 youth came to this one-day workshop, which took place on Saturday, August 22nd at Blessed Sacrament Church in Memphis. We began the day with prayer, music, and ice breakers. Srs. Monica Mabel Bal-
buena and Angelica Oyarzo Chavol gave talks on what vocation is, what religious life is like, and who the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters are. Srs. Odila Ganzer and Paola Benitez also helped throughout the day. The youth ended the workshop with a small group activity where they read a Bible passage, answered questions on Jesus’ call to religious life and then presented their findings to the other groups. The youth were so great to work with – they participated in all of the activities and really listened to what the Sisters had to say. When asked what their favorite part of the day was, most of them said they really enjoyed all the singing and dancing. The choir did a great job interacting with the youth and playing some great music. The day was a success! Virginia Rivera, Communications Specialist
Sewing Project in Jamaica On October 13, 2014 Sister Monica Mabel came to Jamaica and gave an 8-day class on basic sewing skills. The project was addressed to the women who have low income backgrounds, single mothers, and are ready to share their skills with others. In the beginning we had six women who started attending the classes. Currently, we have four women participating in the program and a volunteer teacher, Mrs. Facey. We offer the classes three times per week. A month ago they started to sew uniforms for schools. It gives joy and hope to work together with our school. One of the students from the sewing class has started a new sewing center in her community, Land Top. Nonetheless, with the good side there are also challenges which we need to face many times. Our sewing machines often do not work well. We are waiting for new ones which are on the way to us. The Province with St. Norbert
Parishioners are sending ten new sewing machines. Other challenges are time and commitment. But we are working on them and we continue to do our best. We are so grateful to the Province and all who support our this project. Sr. Barbara Miensopust, SSpS
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Off to Jamaica
OFF to JAMAICA
Recent reconnections with the Parish Community of St. Norbert, Northbrook, IL resulted in the shipment of a truckload of “goodies” for our mission in Jamaica. A year ago, some women of the parish learned of the early history of the parish and school, founded in the early 1900’s by the SVD and SSpS. They also had the opportunity to meet and hear the stories of Sr. Theresa Tawiah, Sr. Barbara Miensopust, and Sr. Rosalia Galmin from our mission in Jamaica. “InterConnections” were formed and enthusiastic interest and support developed! On hearing that the “Food for the Poor” Organization would supply a truck and cover the shipping expenses of materials to Jamaica, the women went to work with guidance from our Sisters about some of the needs in the mission. Within six weeks, the women helped to gather mattresses, chairs, household items, playground and sports equipment, school materials and learning aids, literacy materials and library books, clothing and shoes, bikes and children’s toys, sewing machines and material, school desks and church pews, rain barrels, medical supplies. Enough to fill the 40x10 sq ft container!
Then came the sorting and packing! Once again the women from St. Norbert’s rolled up their sleeves and set to work! On August 12th, the truck was loaded and ready to go!
Carroll Henning, Marybeth Reckamp, Connie Zinkula, Sr. Mary sorting and packing school and reading materials
With a special prayer and blessing given by Fr. Robert Heinz, Pastor of St. Norbert Parish and with much gratitude to ALL who helped to make this challenging venture a reality, the journey to Jamaica began. Sr. Mary Miller, SSpS
Mark Kelly preparing the church pews for shipment
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Sr. Sara’s Renewal of vows
Sr. Sara Guardado
On Sunday, August 23rd Sr. Sara Guardado renewed her third vows. The ceremony took place at Blessed Sacrament Church in Memphis, TN. Sr. Sara, along with Srs. Monica Mabel Balbuena, Paola Benitez, Angelica Oyarzo Chavol, Odila Ganzer, Rose Martin Glenn, and Rose Therese Nolta processed down the church with Fr. Edward Fisher, pastor of Blessed Sacrament. Fr. Fisher during the homily highlighted what it means to be a Holy Spirit Missionary Sister and how significant are the three religious vows. After that Sr. Sara renewed her vows in front of the congregation. At the end of the Eucharistic Celebration, Sr. Sara gave a wonderful speech thanking everyone for supporting her in her Religious Life. After Mass we had a reception in Blessed Sacrament’s gym, where parishioners graciously prepared and served the food. The lovely and talented church choir got many of the Sisters onto the dance floor! It was wonderful to see everyone laughing and having fun together while celebrating the renewal of Sr. Sara’s vows. Virginia Rivera, Communications Specialist
Sisters Angelica, Paola, Sara, Rose Martin, Odilia, Rose Therese, and Mónica Mabel
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My Renewal of vows On Sunday, August 30th, I renewed my third vows at the St. Clement’s Parish in Bankston, Iowa. The celebration of the Mass began at 10:00 am, Fr. Tim Lenchak, SVD, was the main celebrant and several other SVD’s as co-celebrants. Many parishioners who Sr. Rebecca C. David with Sr. Mónica Mabel came for the Mass expressed their gratefulness for question arose in my heart, the beautiful celebration and “Why can I not become a Sister the honor to have me renew like these Sisters? I’d like to my vows in their Parish. After help those in need like the SisMass, light refreshments were ters did.” At that time I decidserved right in front of the ed to become a Sister to serve Church. It was a great oppor- God and people with my life. tunity for all our Sisters and As a refugee life was not SVD brothers to share with the easy, and still the desire of bepeople and with one another. coming a Sister grew stronger We returned to the commu- in my heart. When I came to nity for a lunch with about 40 the US, my vocation became people. Some of the SVD’s, clearer. After I spent some time seminarians, and friends joined with the Holy Spirit Missionus to enjoy the good food and ary Sisters, my wish became the company. Sr. Paula with true. the help of the Sisters prepared I went for my mission expelunch. Thank you!!! rience to Antigua. There I My vocation story began in learned that being in mission is 1991, when I was in a displaced a great blessing. Working with area of South Sudan. I came to know a group of Ugandan Sisters who were our neighbors. They served the marginalized and us in that area. I admired them, because of their way of life. I saw that they were doing the things that I love to do. I called them God’s children. They were nice, humble and prayed together. Sometimes they fed us... From that time a
the marginalized brings me deep into the root of God’s love. I also have had the opportunity of working with children in the South of U.S. A., the disabled in Misericordia and now I am studying nursing and working as a CNA in Manor Care in Dubuque. Even though today I have made vows for only one year, I feel in my heart that I have already vowed to God forever. Like Abraham called to go to an unknown land, I am ready to go wherever I will be sent after I finish my training and make my vows forever. I am grateful and joyful in my vocation. Sr. Rebecca Chaan David, SSpS
SVD’s with the SSpS Sisters
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Sr. Uloma Akpa’s Renewal of vows
Sr. Uloma Akpa and Sr. Mónica Mabel Balbuena
As we are celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life, we, Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit would like to express the Love of God. We have several junior Sisters who are involved in different ministries at different parishes in different places.
It was a beautiful celebration of Sr. Uloma Akpa’s renewal of her fifth vows at Immaculate Conception Church of Most Blessed Trinity Parish in Waukegan on September 6th. Those who were able to participate witnessed Sr. Uloma committing herself to God. We are very grateful that some of our Sisters from Northfield, Rogers Park, Grayslake and Waukegan (her own community) were present. The Eucharistic Celebration was presided by Fr. Jacque Beltran, Pastor of Most Blessed Trinity Parish and Fr. Dennis Lyle, co-celebrant. At the end of the Mass, Sr. Uloma expressed her gratitude to all those who have supported her in her following of Christ. Following the Mass, we all celebrated this wonderful event with a reception in the gym of the parish school. Sr. Edel Deong presented a very powerful and meaningful power point about our Congregation and a video - One Heart, Many Faces. After the reception, we continued our celebration in Waukegan community. Sr. Monica, Zhang, SSpS
(L to R) Sisters Yina, Gertrude, Skolastika, Uloma, Maria Tarsisia, Sr. Uloma’s friend, Sr. Arnolda, and another friend of Sr. Uloma
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Cultural Orientation Workshop 2015
From the 2nd to 7th of August 2015, Sr. Margaret Ada and I had the privilege of joining seven SVD missionaries in the annual cultural orientation workshop organized for newly assigned missionaries to the United States which took place at Techny Towers. The workshop started in the evening with an opening prayer prepared and led by the Superior Delegate of the SVDs, Fr. Lukas Batmomolin, director of COW and assisted by Sr. Mary Miller, SSpS, Mission Secretary, after which we were welcomed
by Sr. Mónica M Balbuena, SSpS provincial leader who shared her personal experience of being in a new country with us. Fr. Thomas Ascheman, SVD, provincial Superior also shared his experience in Mexico. Each day’s activities started with a morning prayer and ended with the Eucharist. There were different presentations and discussions on topics including enculturation, money and power, legal issues and immigration, sexual abuse prevention and the history of the two communities in the US.
We were also happy to have the opportunity to visit several places such as the Botanical Gardens, Baha’i Temple, having a boat ride on the Chicago River and Lake Michigan with t he be a ut iful v i e w o f Chicago. It was also interesting to get to know the history of Chicago as a city. It was a joy visiting and dining with our senior Sisters and Brothers in both the SSpS and SVD Provincial houses and the St. Anselm Parish community. It was an enlightening experience getting to know the traditions of the country, some of the “do’s and don’ts” sounded scary especially the policy on children, but I pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to be conscious at all times in order to reach out and draw souls to Him. I am grateful to our facilitators and all who helped us to know what it takes to stay and work in the United States of America. God bless them. Sr. Gertrude Ahegbebu, SSpS
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Meeting with the Youth in Waukegan On Wednesday evening, September 2, 2015 , we had a youth gathering in Waukegan at the Holy Trinity Church, as a part of our vocation promotion before Sr. Uloma Akpa renewed her vows on September 6, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Church. More than 35 young people showed up for the evening. I was very grateful that seven of our Sisters from Rogers Park, Northfield and Waukegan joined me for the night. We began our gathering with the song, Let’s Set the World On Fire and continued with a brief presentation about the year of Consecrated Life and how the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters live out this call. The youth and Sisters shared on the following questions: What do you understand about Vocation and mission? What would be your answer if God calls you to the religious missionary life?
It was a very pleasant evening. Everyone seemed to enjoy each others company. Thank you to the youth coordinator for her willingness and openness to allow us to share about our life as missionary. Let’s together, “WAKE UP THE WORLD” in our actions of love, peace and care. Sr. Edel Deong, SSpS
Srs. Dominika Rotua Senga and Uloma Akpa with the youth
Youth Assembly Under the theme of “Blessed are the Pure in Heart,” the Catholic Church in Antigua hosted about 400 youth and young adults from the wider Caribbean region for the fifth AEC Youth Assembly from 11 July to 20 July 2015. During this week each delegation presented a synthesis of the encyclical Casti Connubi from Pope Pius XII which addressed the place of marriage and the role of the church in society. Most of the young people firmly believe that marriage is the basis of family life. As our families are, so is our society. When the family is strong, society is strong. When the family is weak, society is weak. In his document for the Year of Consecrated Life Pope Francis states that the future of our Church depends on youth responding generously to God’s invitation. Therefore, each day a
priest and a religious Sister shared their experience and their vocation story with the youth. Time was also taken to discuss problems related to the environment, for example relating to water, pollution, and climate change. It was a week where young people came to reflect, pray, encourage each other, share their cultures and faith. It was also a time for fun and work, to make friends and share experiences. The conference concluded with an island-side Mass at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium presided by His Excellency Bishop Kenneth Richards. I was happy to be able to help-out as a French/English translator for the participants for the French speaking islands of Guadeloupe and French Guyana. Sr. Tarsisia Lou Kothan helped with liturgy preparation and together we availed ourselves of the opportunity to do some vocation promotion for our congregation. Marie Eunide Voltaire (Pre-Novice in Antigua)
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The Annual Assembly of LCWR The Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) conference was held in Houston, TX from August 11-14, 2015. I and Sr. Xaveriana Ngene participated along with 800 other participants. We discussed some of the essential considerations facing religious life under the theme “Springs of the Great Deep Burst Forth: Meeting the Thirsts of the World” — what is being accessed from the Great Deep by the Women religious as well as what may be drawn from it to meet the many urgent thirsts experienced throughout the world. Sr. Sharon Holland I.H.M., president of LCWR, welcomed the assembly and the members of each region. She introduced Cardinal Daniel Dinardo, who briefly shared with us the work and challenges of the Sisters in Texas. He gave emphasis on immigration issues: Immigration matters! Borders matters! Sr. Janet Mock, CSJ, former executive director of LCWR, set the context of the assembly acknowledging the suffering endured by people locally and around the world throughout the past year. She presented a
keynote entitled “Surprised by Joy: Springs from the Great Deep, Illuminating Religious Life.” Sr. Janet named some of the realities that religious communities are facing. She stated that the times call for partnerships and companions in mission: “What you must offer, however, is your charism and the wisdom that has come from the years your Sisters have practiced the congregational virtues that shape your charism.” Sr. Sharon Holland, IHM also gave insights on the experience of working through the Doctrinal Assessment of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith. She focused on the
The LCWR has nearly 1,400 members who are elected leaders of their religious orders. There are approximately 50,000 Religious Catholic Sisters in the United States.
concept of “Cultural Chasm” which she defined as a gap in understanding which comes from familiar unexamined practices or thought patterns. She also stated that ‘Bridging Chasms’ is more difficult when you do not expect the chasm, assume there isn’t one and/or believe that there shouldn’t be. We have made progress in checking our assumptions by asking questions and inviting them.” She finished with the the following questions: “What do we wish to focus on, to empower as we go forward?” “By what ‘attitudes of heart and mind’ do we wish to be characterized?” Fr. Stephen Bevans, SVD was also one of the keynote speakers and he spoke of thirst as a grace — as a yearning for something more. According to him there are four thirsts, the thirst for: The water of integrity The wine of hope The nectar of justice The elixir of beauty Fr. Stephen also states that only the Church that serves the cause of people who are poor or suffering can be considered the true church of Christ...and the true church strives for integrity, offers hope, and practices and cherishes beauty. Sr. Mónica M. Balbuena, SSpS
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Prayers
October - Birthdays
Let us keep in prayer our Elderly Sisters, those who are having some health concerns, and the relatives of our Sisters who are sick, especially the brother of Sr. Vincent and the Sister -in -law of Sr. Marie Louise and Sr. Judy’s brothers and nephew.
We thank God for the gift of you! 5 Marie Eunide Voltaire 10 Sr. Maria Cristina - CLT Sr. Judith Marie Vallimont 12 Sr. Miriam Altenhofen - CLT 14 Sr. Rose Therese Nolta 18 Sr. Yuliana Meno 23 Sr. Maria Agnes Petersmann 26 Sr. Mary Joseph Hofschulte
More Good News!
The CLT has approved our request to make Grayslake community an independent community!
The CLT also studied and accepted the Acts of the 27th Provincial Chapter of the Paraclete Province. Therefore, we received confirmation on the following: a) Methods of Election / Appointment:
Election of the Provincial Leadership Team
Method 2
Election of Delegates to the Provincial Chapter Method B
Election / Appointment of Community Leaders Method B
Participation of Sisters in temporary vows in the Provincial Chapter from 4th vows onwards
b) Province Manual
Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters: in the United States and in the Caribbean Northfield, IL Waukegan, IL
Grayslake, IL Chicago, IL
Epworth, IA Memphis, TN New York, NY
Antigua Jamaica St. Kitts
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JPIC Corner — September, 2015 Fostering Forgiveness, Reconciliation and Restorative Justice In 2005, with the Center for Human Rights and Popular Education, I worked on the national campaign of information in the referendum about arms sales. When I realized that there was nothing more to save in the referendum I started speaking about the necessity of forgiveness. I used the Jewish philosopher Hannah Arendt to affirm the worthiness of the possibility of forgiveness in everyone’s life. “Forgiveness is the exact opposite of vengeance, which acts in the form of re-acting against an original wrong and far from putting an end to the conSr. Nelly Boonen (middle) working with the Resequences of the first misdeed, everybody remains storative Justice Program, along with Srs. Helena bound to the process, causing the chain reaction conChristo and Martina Gonzalez. tained in every action to take its unhindered course.” At the end of one meeting, a man came to me and said: “Today you prevented a great evil.” I replied, “How?” He continued, “For a long time I have been preparing myself to kill someone and I was supposed to do that this evening. And you, with your words about forgiveness made me change my mind. Thank you!” Very moved, he shook my hand and disappeared before I could recover my breath to talk with him. I was highly impressed by this meeting, with which I later identified as an Angel of God. It was, and continues to be, a confirmation of the need and urgency of placing the issues of forgiveness, reconciliation and restorative justice on the agenda for ordinary people in ordinary places. Since that day, many things have happened. Our team was Sr. Nelly Boonen working with teachers in trained in the methodology of the Foundation for ReconcilNortheastern Brazil. iation of Bogotá, Colombia and in restorative justice practices used in the U.S. In 2011, I finished my doctoral thesis in Sociology of Education on Restorative Justice. We began to work with a center where children stayed after class and were skilled by their educators in these methodologies. We collaborated in partnership with the National Prison Ministry and taught 450 volunteers throughout Brazil about the process of forgiveness and reconciliation.
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Fostering Forgiveness... (continued) Besides the work with prisons, we started community groups in São Paulo which gathered around themes like the reality of Afro-Brazilian women, youth on the periphery and violence in schools. These groups deepen the possibilities to respond to these challenges in the way of restorative justice instead of seeking revenge, punishment, and retribution. The question is how to step out of the cycle of the reproduction of violence.
Retreat with the Conference for Religious in São Paulo, Brazil; coordinated by Sr. Nelly Boonen SSpS, Sr. Helena Christo SSpS and Sr. Barbara Kiener MC.
In the last 2 years we gave a workshop-retreat in cooperation with the Conference for Religious in the state of São Paulo, in which lay people also participated. We also offered workshops to give skills to community leaders to deal with everyday conflicts in a restorative way and thereby avoid an escalation into violence.
In 2014 we gave a course on “Forgiveness” and this year on “Restorative Justice” to the priests of our Diocese in São Paulo. In 2015, 45 of our diocesan priests ended the 80 hours of formation and some are using these skills with family and youth ministry.
Resources:
Slowly the good news spread and we received invitations to give workshops and conferences to organizations and movements in Bra- Just and Necessary zil, Bolivia, Honduras, Colombia, Peru, Uruguay, Portugal and Arhttps://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=eb9xoNEeXrI gentina.
The Spiral of Injustice For myself, this mission helps me to overcome my own helplesshttps://www.youtube.com/ ness in face of the different situations of violence and conflict. It also lead me to spiritual growth. Sometimes people tease me that I, watch?v=JnSUy-yU7Kk as a so-called expert in conflict management, should be able to have A World without Prisons a life without conflicts. Since this is not so, I confirm my hope that https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=Qcm12fzzuHU the external work I am doing slowly becomes a mirror of internal transformation to be able to deal with conflicts in a peaceful way. From my understanding, conflicts are an essential part of living in community and it doesn't make sense to avoid them or try to eliminate them from our lives. I consider it a must to learn how to deal with them, since they are, undoubtedly a source of growth, if we are able to welcome them. Sr. Nelly Boonen, SSpS
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