community and foundation for Peace

My dear Friends

Here is a little more information about The Little Sisters of Joy. Founded by myself, with the help of a Friend, Maryvonne, in the South of France and Cambridge, England in 1998-1999, it started life as a women's religious community within the Church. The aim has always been Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation. and praise- as Maryvonne once said!

On the 1st December 2004, it took a new turn and, under the same name of The Little Sisters of Joy, has become also a foundation for Peace and Reconciliation. It embraces 600 Friends from, at the moment, 22 countries, most of whom I have just talked to 'along the way' in the last 8 years. They include Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus and just about everyone from every religion and culture. Among those I treasure are the people who support us in Friendship with no formal beliefs, but with a strong desire for peace, for goodness springs from the divine source into the heart of every person. Others also support us in prayer.

The original vision remains, and soon I will on my way to set up a religious community for Peace and Reconciliation in Toronto. This is where God is calling me. One person will join me shortly after, and together we will eat and pray together, working alongside our fellow Canadians in the wider community, trying to live by the Rule of Life and Constitutions that I have written over the last years. The Archbisop of Toronto, His Grace Thomas Collins, whom I had the privilege of meeting last March, has said that he is happy for us to come and see how it develops.

I hope to get some Classical Hebrew students ; hopefully it should not be too difficult, as our community will be based in The Annexe, in the heart of the city and the university neighbourhood. And I am sure that I WILL SING ON THE STREET!

The question I am most often asked is:'When are you going?' At the moment only the One who created us knows the answer! This is a real test of my patience, but it will surely all be the more worthwhile when I get there. It may be Christmas, maybe next year,there is an appointed hour.

In the meantime I enjoy the hot summer in Cambridge, and rest up for my trip to Tunde in Hungary on 22nd August.

Love and Shalom
Sister Gila xx