Notes from December 2007 Dialogue Other 1 Group Conference Call
Notes: Chapter Acts Implementation Conference Call, "Dialogue Other" Group 1
Date: December 3, 2007
Participants: Barbara Boudreau, Mary Boys, Jane Ellen Burns, Fran Kearney, Gail
Milholland, Mollie Reavis.
Prayer: December Table Graces, Earth Charter Principles (copy at end of report) including prayers for Japan on the feast of St. Francis Xavier, and for the Christians in Iraq who have been persecuted and driven from their homes. Fran
Faith and Reason Bill Moyers DVD with Mary Gordon and Colin Mc Ginn has been viewed by Jane Ellen, Rosemarie, Mollie and Fran. Forwarded to Barbara and on to Gail and Ann Marie for return to Mary.
2008 Provincial Chapter Preparation
1) Notes from Dialogue Groups 2, 3, and 4 on www.snjmusontario.org Web Site. We found no common thread; focus seems attentiveness to each person’s own area of interest and dialogue involvement.
2) We confirmed Gail as our representative to the Chapter
3) Fran has received only two responses to "What Difference has Vatican II made in our lives?" posed in Connections. The Heritage Center’s invitation for items for an exhibit during the Chapter will certainly support our interest in increasing people’s awareness of the impact of the Council on individual/communal living, prayer and ministry.
[Advent/December issue of Voyage with Mary’s article, "The Christ Who Is To Come," and the Theological Resource Committee invitation to reflect on SNJM Constitutions both seem to support our original question.]
A Common Word Between Us and You
Mollie led discussion on the letter "A Common Word between Us and You," written by Muslim Scholars to the Christian community (10/13/07). It stressed:
1) The need to communicate with one another
2) To show where they find themselves now
3) To find a sense of direction
4) To determine if this is a need to respond to.
The New York Times had a full page response, written by four Yale professors with almost 300 co-signers of various denominations, entitled "Loving God and Neighbor Together".
Both letters and responses can be found at www.acommonword.com
A response from Pope Benedict came through Cardinal Bertone, and Mollie found this hopeful. It included an invitation for a meeting of a small group with Pope Benedict as well as for joint meetings between some of the Muslim groups with some of the Vatican groups. She remarked that the Vatican responds more diplomatically than theologically. John Borelli also wrote a response in The Tablet. Also, both the Canadian and the US bishops replied to this bid for understanding.
Mollie encouraged the group members to be alert to gatherings being scheduled within their respective regions and to possible co-sponsorship and/or publicity support by our Province or other local groups.
Mary stated that Chapter evenings may be free for groups to gather informally. Possibly, the Dialogue Group(s) Action could be to prepare a packet with some of the significant statements from various groups. Mary suggested 3 possible resources for this packet.
Mary will give a lecture at Wake Forest University. There will be a panel with a scholar of Judaism, a scholar of Christianity, and two scholars of Islam
Mollie encouraged interaction between groups when opportunities present themselves so as to be supportive and get other people involved in the dialogue.
Expanding Dialogue with Orthodox Community
America magazine for Dec. 3 has an article on Orthodox and Catholic relations, stressing our likenesses rather than our differences.
Current Challenge
Mollie brought up the plight of two communities of Dominican Sisters in Iraq (not Iran), one native Iraqi and one French group. Rome is now aware of the situation which developed after Pope Benedict's address at Regensburg.
Next meeting: January 2nd
December Table Graces
Earth Charter Principles
Light Prayer Candle
Winter calls us to our own life-giving darkness.
It is time to discover the fire of star dust within us and
within all beings.
This fire reflects the sacred light and love of everyone
here around this table.
We are charged with great grandeur.
Holy are we!
Blessed are we!
Monday Come into our hearts. Make us fully present to one
another in our One Sacred Community of Life.
Saturday Energize us as we move forward into the new year invigorated with hope and your promise of Peace on Earth.
As our candle passes on holy light and surrenders itself as it burns, may we burn with love, be transformed by love, and with grateful hearts sing of your love throughout all creation. Amen
Table Graces, December
Janice Welle, OSF, Ansgar Holmberg, CSJ
www.ministryofthearts.org