Notes from June 2007 Dialogue-Other 1 Group Conference Call

Notes: Chapter Acts Implementation Conference Call, “Dialogue-Other” Group 1
Date: June 13, 2007

Participants: Barbara Boudreau, Mary Boys, Jane Ellen Burns, Ann Marie Joyner, Fran Kearney, Gail Millholland, Mollie Reavis

Opening Prayer: Fran Kearney: Reflection “Are we open to voices of new life?” So Much is in Bud, LCWR (Full reflection at end of notes)

Summer/Fall Group Meeting
Meeting in 2007 seems too premature for our Dialogue Group. There is a need to clarify the purpose of a meeting as well as the direction in which our group is moving. A pro for meeting is to get to know one another better and to go deeper into topics. A con is that 2007 is too soon to try to work together without more preparation for the gathering.

Gail suggested that we respond to the 2008 Gathering Input Invitation by asking for time for our group to meet as well as to meet with the other 3 dialogue groups if they so wish.

Experience of Christianity within Asian Cultures
Jane Ellen introduced two concepts she experienced while living among the Japanese community during her ministry in Japan. Asian cultures respond differently to some of the accepted Western notions of God and Christ, e.g., the Japanese notion of father is more a severe authoritarian one compared to the loving, watchful one expressed in the prayer, “Our Father.” A second difference is the tradition of honoring the ancestors on Sunday with family gatherings and visits to the cemeteries which may or may not include participating in Sunday Mass.

Mary recommended keeping abreast of the Asian Bishops' Conference in which they seem to be pushing boundaries which are bringing life and movement to the Church.

Mollie referred the group to the June 8 NCR which includes Pope Benedict's re-establishment of the Council for Inter-religious Dialogue.

Gail mentioned John Dear, S.J., and articles he has posted on NCR website regarding differing point of view regarding direction of Church movement and energy.

Jane Ellen observed that it is very different to be a Catholic in Asia. Mary suggested that, since there is such a high concentration of Asians on the West Coast that we might want to focus on Jane Ellen's question for a couple of months.

After discussion about the challenges of integrating/expressing Christianity within one's own culture and traditions the group recommended that we consult with our sisters with such experience -- Yurita Son (OR), Makiko (WA), Prisca (OR), Terese (OR) and Sophia Park (CA). People will also speak with folks about their experience of being Asian/Asian American in relation to the Christian/Catholic traditions.

Mary will look into information on the Federation of Asian Bishops.

What do we from the West need to know about Asian Christian experiences in order to deepen our understanding of both Asian traditions and Christianity?

· What are elements of culture within the traditions?
· What things drew them to Catholicism and what is difficult in our version of Catholicism?
· What is the relationship of culture to the faith community . . . e.g. devotional practice?
· What is the indigenous response to Christianity?
· What is the essence of Christian and how does it get translated?

Ann Marie concluded our call by sharing her experience of growing up in Puerto Rico where within her home she and her family followed French and Irish Catholic traditions and within her church community the Spanish Catholic tradition. When she moved to the northeastern US she found a very different music ministry, one greatly impacted by Vatican II changes. There were good points about both styles of worship but the transition was very difficult. Given the importance of the Church offering hospitality to its members world wide, how do we manage such differences?

Next Conference Call: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 5:30 pm PDT/8:30 pm EST Prayer: Rosemarie
Opening Prayer “Are we open to voices of new life?"

“The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” William James

"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single grain, but if it dies, it yields a rich harvest.” John 12:24

The air is still warm from the arrival of the Spirit on Pentecost! The disciples, once discouraged, confused, and fearful are “ignited” and renewed by the Spirit. These companions of Jesus, changed by his vision of a just and compassionate society, are now confirmed in their commitment to create a different future.
We, too, must allow the Spirit's energy to enflame our passion for Gospel-living as we vision and walk into a future that, though sometimes hazy, is filled with possibilities. With each step, we are invited to offer hope to the disillusioned, to create opportunities where buds of new life can be nurtured and blossom. We may not see this future we are helping to create But, as John reminds us, we are called to let go and nurture the soil with our lives, so that the future may be rich.

Are we open to voices of new life around and within us, or are we trying to control this future harvest? Can we celebrate that which is ripe and blossoming in our communities and society, trust that, if nurtured with selfless, inclusive love, unopened buds will blossom into the future God desires?

Sally M. Hodgdon, CSJ
West Hartford, Connecticut
May 28, 2007
So Much is in Bud,
Daily Reflections on Dwelling in the Realm of Possibility
LCWR