My dear Friends
Just to wish you all a very happy and blessed New year full of good things. May it also bring you good health and a fulfillment of all your dreams.
Apart from the concert in Starbucks, soon to be upon us, I am looking forward to a little gathering of some friends to celebrate the 11th anniversary of the founding of The Little Sisters of Joy, which started around this time in 1998 in Provence. Hard to believe that 11 years have gone by! the greatest thing to happen is that the foundation is becoming a registered charity, still in the pipeline, bur hopefully to be concluded in 2010.
I really value the contact with you all. If Andres is out there (he left a comment on the blog), I have Maryvonne's email address for you as she would like to be in touch.Maryvonne le Goanvic is the person who started The Little Sisters of Joy officially with me all those years ago in the upper room of Benigna's house at 22 Newton Road, Cambridge. The date was 7th March 1999. This date some years before, was apparently when some new Torah scrolls were delivered to the Synagogue in Cambridge, so an auspicious date.
I will be bringing the new year in at the Red Lion public house in Grantchester, a village on the outskirts of Cambridge, with a beautiful stretch of the river Cam and swans and ducks. So it will be a case of The Moving Swan! (title of my first book of memoirs). I have nearly finished the second edition of my life story to be called 'Under the silver trees,' a reference to the silver birch that is the emblem of the foundation, for its beauty and grace.
And so a Happy New Year once more!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Thursday, 31 December 2009
Wednesday, 23 December 2009
Christmas greetings
My dear Friends
Christmas is now upon us and so I wish you all every blessing at this special time. I wonder what you are all doing on Christmas day-I am spending it with my professional dog walking friend in the south of Cambridge where she has a lovely house. For sure there will be dogs to walk and cats to feed and this is part of the fun. One year we 'babysat' the local gallery in King Street in Cambridge and we had four dogs over lunch.
Caroline was living in with the doggies and we had the run of the place. The sitting room in the gallery overlooks Jesus Green and it is a beautiful view. We took photos of the doggies in paper hats and I supplied the crackers as I always do. We gave them a long walk and around 5pm I cycled home in a deserted Cambridge-not white that year though!
I am sure that those of you in Canada will already have had some snow and anticipating an even whiter Christmas. Britain has been covered with snow in the last week but, as usual, we can't cope and there have been many accidents. I myself fell in the snow when carrying my shopping home late at night and damaged the index finger of my right hand, meaning that practice on my guitar was not possible for a f ew days. but its getting better now.
Whatever you do, and wherever you are, be well and warm!
The Christ child is almost here bringing you love, peace and joy.
May 2010 be a year of peace and good things
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Christmas is now upon us and so I wish you all every blessing at this special time. I wonder what you are all doing on Christmas day-I am spending it with my professional dog walking friend in the south of Cambridge where she has a lovely house. For sure there will be dogs to walk and cats to feed and this is part of the fun. One year we 'babysat' the local gallery in King Street in Cambridge and we had four dogs over lunch.
Caroline was living in with the doggies and we had the run of the place. The sitting room in the gallery overlooks Jesus Green and it is a beautiful view. We took photos of the doggies in paper hats and I supplied the crackers as I always do. We gave them a long walk and around 5pm I cycled home in a deserted Cambridge-not white that year though!
I am sure that those of you in Canada will already have had some snow and anticipating an even whiter Christmas. Britain has been covered with snow in the last week but, as usual, we can't cope and there have been many accidents. I myself fell in the snow when carrying my shopping home late at night and damaged the index finger of my right hand, meaning that practice on my guitar was not possible for a f ew days. but its getting better now.
Whatever you do, and wherever you are, be well and warm!
The Christ child is almost here bringing you love, peace and joy.
May 2010 be a year of peace and good things
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Monday, 14 December 2009
Concert at Starbucks
My dear Friends
As a New Year rolls out, another one rolls in. And so it is with life. The first event that I am planning for 2010 is a little concert in Starbucks, this time in the market square. And the lovely thing is that my friend, Cate Williams, wlll also be singing. Cate is a regular busker on the Cambridge scene and sings some beautiful melodies, to which she accompanies herself on the guitar.
I will be singing my usual mix of folk songs, songs of the 60's and Jewish music, both folk songs and liturgical. They seem to go down well. To prepare myself for the event I thought I would take my guitar and go busking in Cambridge-I don't know how lucrative it will be, but there will be all the Christmas shoppers.But I am not doing it for the money, more for the experience.
I first started busking in the 60's with a friend.We busked in London and Glasgow and even busked in Paris, in the metro. One day we were sitting there and 2 men approached us. 'We would like you to do a demo disc in the hope of possibly offering you a recording contract with Polydor,' they said. We did the demo disc, but I was young (only 16) and frightened and in the end it didn't come to anything. I sometimes wonder if I missed my big chance...
But no, I am happy with my life and the way I do my music now. Its a far cry from the professional classical singing I did when I first came to Cambridge, but in a funny kind of way I feel it reaches more people. And I do so enjoy it.
So if you are around in Cambridge on the 16th of January, from about 6.30 pm, do drop in to Starbucks in the market square and join in the singing. I look forward to seeing you!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
As a New Year rolls out, another one rolls in. And so it is with life. The first event that I am planning for 2010 is a little concert in Starbucks, this time in the market square. And the lovely thing is that my friend, Cate Williams, wlll also be singing. Cate is a regular busker on the Cambridge scene and sings some beautiful melodies, to which she accompanies herself on the guitar.
I will be singing my usual mix of folk songs, songs of the 60's and Jewish music, both folk songs and liturgical. They seem to go down well. To prepare myself for the event I thought I would take my guitar and go busking in Cambridge-I don't know how lucrative it will be, but there will be all the Christmas shoppers.But I am not doing it for the money, more for the experience.
I first started busking in the 60's with a friend.We busked in London and Glasgow and even busked in Paris, in the metro. One day we were sitting there and 2 men approached us. 'We would like you to do a demo disc in the hope of possibly offering you a recording contract with Polydor,' they said. We did the demo disc, but I was young (only 16) and frightened and in the end it didn't come to anything. I sometimes wonder if I missed my big chance...
But no, I am happy with my life and the way I do my music now. Its a far cry from the professional classical singing I did when I first came to Cambridge, but in a funny kind of way I feel it reaches more people. And I do so enjoy it.
So if you are around in Cambridge on the 16th of January, from about 6.30 pm, do drop in to Starbucks in the market square and join in the singing. I look forward to seeing you!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Saturday, 5 December 2009
Advent and Chanukah greetings
My dear Friends
In some ways Advent is more interesting than Christmas because we have the JOY of waiting, in expectation for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ child. And we are waiting for something else too-the end of our present age and the advent of the next one. These reflections are called eschatological in the Church.
'What we are waiting for is what He has promised, a place where righteousness may be at home.'
How much we long for that! No wonder Advent is one of the penitential seasons with Lent, as we prepare ourselves carefully for this event. The readings at Mass are all about end time and looking forward to the perfect age when there really wil be a kingdom of justice and peace on earth.
'The Virgin will bear a child and you call His name Emanuel, which means God with us.'
This prophecy is taken from the book of Isaiah which, if examined carefully, contains a lot of hidden references to the coming of Christ. It was the scroll of Isaiah that Jesus read in the Synagogue at Nazareth, telling the congregation that the prophecy was being fulfilled befroe their very eyes, i.e in His person.
Christmas is very special but let us not forget this 'waiting' time in which we must hold ourselves ready and alert for the coming of the Kingdom. Time takes on a special meaning at the moment and is charged with the expectancy of the birth of Jesus, in the end so humbly.
The Light coming into the world is also reflected in a Jewish Feast -Chanukah, the 8 day Feast of lights. It too is a time of miracles: the Romans sacked the Temple and Judas Macabeus and his followers went to see if they could restore it. They found that the ner tamid, the everlasting lamp above the ark had gone out and there was only enough oil to last one day. Then God made a miracle and it lasted for 8 days until they could get replenishments. So the light was preserved.
I wish you a time of grace and light
Shalom from
Sister Gila
In some ways Advent is more interesting than Christmas because we have the JOY of waiting, in expectation for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ child. And we are waiting for something else too-the end of our present age and the advent of the next one. These reflections are called eschatological in the Church.
'What we are waiting for is what He has promised, a place where righteousness may be at home.'
How much we long for that! No wonder Advent is one of the penitential seasons with Lent, as we prepare ourselves carefully for this event. The readings at Mass are all about end time and looking forward to the perfect age when there really wil be a kingdom of justice and peace on earth.
'The Virgin will bear a child and you call His name Emanuel, which means God with us.'
This prophecy is taken from the book of Isaiah which, if examined carefully, contains a lot of hidden references to the coming of Christ. It was the scroll of Isaiah that Jesus read in the Synagogue at Nazareth, telling the congregation that the prophecy was being fulfilled befroe their very eyes, i.e in His person.
Christmas is very special but let us not forget this 'waiting' time in which we must hold ourselves ready and alert for the coming of the Kingdom. Time takes on a special meaning at the moment and is charged with the expectancy of the birth of Jesus, in the end so humbly.
The Light coming into the world is also reflected in a Jewish Feast -Chanukah, the 8 day Feast of lights. It too is a time of miracles: the Romans sacked the Temple and Judas Macabeus and his followers went to see if they could restore it. They found that the ner tamid, the everlasting lamp above the ark had gone out and there was only enough oil to last one day. Then God made a miracle and it lasted for 8 days until they could get replenishments. So the light was preserved.
I wish you a time of grace and light
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
Back to work
My dear Friends
After my little nervous breakdown its back to work. I have started checking the manuscript that I have done so far on the second part of my memoirs, 'With open shirt and tinkling guitar.' I am about to give the 25,000 or so words I have written to a close friend to read and make comments. I am not as confident with this manuscript as the last one, 'The Moving Swan,' as I don't think it flows as well, as I have interspersed the narrative with descriptions of the mission and so on. But I intend to make a proper book out of it in the end.
As for normal daily life, well Cambridge is very cold and it s back to scarves, gloves and woolly hats. But its a beautiful town and sometimes looks its best in the frost. Yesterday I went to the university to the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies to watch a film in Hebrew. With subtitles in English of course! It was a documentary centred round a language class in basic Hebrew for 'Olem Chadashim,' New Immigrants and followed closely the lives of about five people in the class.
They were from all different backgrounds: Chinese, Russian, Peruvian and elsewhere. The stories were very poignant as was the story of the teacher herself who was separated from her husband with a small child and was having problems. We followed the class in their highs and lows, their struggles and their successes; there were even clips of them dancing for joy!
Tonight I am going to Cambourne to the little group of Christians I spoke to about the Jewish festivals in October. Thery are having three meditations for Advent, which I wil speak about on the next Blog. In the meantime
Happy Advent
Shalom from
Sister Gila
After my little nervous breakdown its back to work. I have started checking the manuscript that I have done so far on the second part of my memoirs, 'With open shirt and tinkling guitar.' I am about to give the 25,000 or so words I have written to a close friend to read and make comments. I am not as confident with this manuscript as the last one, 'The Moving Swan,' as I don't think it flows as well, as I have interspersed the narrative with descriptions of the mission and so on. But I intend to make a proper book out of it in the end.
As for normal daily life, well Cambridge is very cold and it s back to scarves, gloves and woolly hats. But its a beautiful town and sometimes looks its best in the frost. Yesterday I went to the university to the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies to watch a film in Hebrew. With subtitles in English of course! It was a documentary centred round a language class in basic Hebrew for 'Olem Chadashim,' New Immigrants and followed closely the lives of about five people in the class.
They were from all different backgrounds: Chinese, Russian, Peruvian and elsewhere. The stories were very poignant as was the story of the teacher herself who was separated from her husband with a small child and was having problems. We followed the class in their highs and lows, their struggles and their successes; there were even clips of them dancing for joy!
Tonight I am going to Cambourne to the little group of Christians I spoke to about the Jewish festivals in October. Thery are having three meditations for Advent, which I wil speak about on the next Blog. In the meantime
Happy Advent
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Thursday, 19 November 2009
'The harvest of righteousness shall be sown in peaced by those who make peace' (James)
FRIENDS OF THE LITTLE SISTERS OF JOY
an ecumenical foundation of Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation.
Newsletter no 12
Autumn 2009
My dear Friends
I am writing to you from Ferns, County Wexford, in the Republic of Ireland, where I am on a retreat cum holiday. I have been visiting my dear friend Sister Christina, who used to live in Cambridge with her community, The Sisters of Adoration. Now, high up in the countryside, 45 minutes drive from Wexford, they continue to pray in a special way for others and for reconciliation in a troubled world.
Wexford has had a traumatic history, with the massacre of Catholics by Cromwell in the 17th century: the memories linger on, although there are now peacemaking groups dedicated to healing those memories of conflict in both Southern and Northern Ireland. But apparently Wexford has a beautiful opera house and I intend to make a visit in the coming week.
Speaking of reconciliation, on July 26th, The Little Sisters of Joy hosted a talk called 'Jewish Christian reconciliation in the post war period.' The talk was given by an Orthodox Jewish friend of mine, Jonathan Gorsky. Jonathan has a wealth of experience in Jewish-Christian relations, having worked for the Council of Christians and Jews for many years. He is now a lecturer at Heythrop College in the University of London and has helped to devise a unique undergraduate degree in the Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The talk was both a brief overview of the conflictual relations between Jews and Christians over the centuries and a summary of the very real progress since the Second World War. Vatican II, the Council of the Catholic Church which reformed many things, published a document called Nostra Aetate (In our Age) in which the Church officially refuted the position that the Jews were collectively responsible for the Crucifixion. It also laid down guidelines for better relations between Catholics and Jews, emphasising that the Old Testament is the valid matrix of the New.
By the time you read this, three of the great Jewish Festivals will have been celebrated, Rosh Hashanah, the New year, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. It is a time of great rejoicing, as well as a time of deep reflection on our lives as well as the state of our world. A special time to reflect on the eternal and not simply the temporal and a time when the individual and communal prayer and atonement of a whole people moves the the whole world on to a different plane where we are nearer our heavenly home.
Which is exactly what they are doing here in Ferns in Ireland. Snug in my little cosy hermitage in the grounds of the monastery, I also wander up to the beautiful chapel, where there is an opportunity for peace and prayer almost 24 hours a day.Or pop to one of the many local pubs for the best Guiness I have ever tasted and then take a walk in the countryside.
If you fancy doing the same, ring or fax Sister Christina at St Aidans Monastery on
00353539366634 staidansferns@eircom.net http://www.staidans-ferns.org/
May you be inscribed in the Book of Life
for a sweet and Happy New Year, Shalom
Sister Gila
Closure
My dear Friends
Yesterday the hospital discharged me. I look forward to a bright future. I am now going to publish the Newsletter I wrote last September, on my trip to Ireland. Enjoy!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Yesterday the hospital discharged me. I look forward to a bright future. I am now going to publish the Newsletter I wrote last September, on my trip to Ireland. Enjoy!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Saturday, 14 November 2009
4 nights leave
My dear Friends
I am halfway through a leave of 4 nights, quite a relief. On Thursday I left the hospital about 10am and went home to meet a visitor who popped in just before lunch. Then I went to the local library to see if I could put the latest Newsletter (actually from September) on the Blog but the nice little guy who helps me wasn't there so it will have to wait.
Popped into town around 4pm and decided on the spur of the moment to go to the cinema, where something nice was showing at that very moment-a film about the poet Keats, his life and romances in Hampstead in London, which is where I was born! Anyhow it made for very nice, easy viewing, as I sipped a large coke in the cinema. It was showing in the Arts Picturehouse, where all the trendy films are shown,and there is a nice bar where you can just hang out and enjoy a coffee or a beer.
Back home I spent a quiet evening. In the morning I went to the Arundel House Hotel for some coffee and a read of a French novel I picked up. Then I proceeded to church and ended up being a sponsor for a little travelling girl's confirmation today. She is part of a large family of travellers, just back from Italy and in between times they visit St Laurence's, our local church, to be baptised or confirmed or take their first Holy Communion.
Mass at 12.30 then a sandwich and on to the Science library in town, where I can access my university library account. I actully wrtoe 500 words on the sequel to my autobiography. The title to this one is 'With open shirt and tinkling guitar' and is a quote from a WH Auden poem, which I will quote to you another day.
On to see my CPN in Starbucks, where we dicussed my progress over a scone and a large latte coffee. Quite enough for one day, so I traipsed home, tired, to bring in the Shabbat with some lovely white candles.
See you soon
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
In t
I am halfway through a leave of 4 nights, quite a relief. On Thursday I left the hospital about 10am and went home to meet a visitor who popped in just before lunch. Then I went to the local library to see if I could put the latest Newsletter (actually from September) on the Blog but the nice little guy who helps me wasn't there so it will have to wait.
Popped into town around 4pm and decided on the spur of the moment to go to the cinema, where something nice was showing at that very moment-a film about the poet Keats, his life and romances in Hampstead in London, which is where I was born! Anyhow it made for very nice, easy viewing, as I sipped a large coke in the cinema. It was showing in the Arts Picturehouse, where all the trendy films are shown,and there is a nice bar where you can just hang out and enjoy a coffee or a beer.
Back home I spent a quiet evening. In the morning I went to the Arundel House Hotel for some coffee and a read of a French novel I picked up. Then I proceeded to church and ended up being a sponsor for a little travelling girl's confirmation today. She is part of a large family of travellers, just back from Italy and in between times they visit St Laurence's, our local church, to be baptised or confirmed or take their first Holy Communion.
Mass at 12.30 then a sandwich and on to the Science library in town, where I can access my university library account. I actully wrtoe 500 words on the sequel to my autobiography. The title to this one is 'With open shirt and tinkling guitar' and is a quote from a WH Auden poem, which I will quote to you another day.
On to see my CPN in Starbucks, where we dicussed my progress over a scone and a large latte coffee. Quite enough for one day, so I traipsed home, tired, to bring in the Shabbat with some lovely white candles.
See you soon
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
In t
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
More of the Haven
My dear Friends
I must be improving as I spent last Saturday night at home, and am in the middle of spending 2 more nights there now. I got to church on Sunday for a vibrant service to commemorate Remembrance Sunday, which in our church took the form of a Requiem Mass. Then on to lunch to Anoshka, my Polish and best friend in Cambridge-she did us proud with chicken soup, turkey escalope and all the trimings with a glass of red wine and a sorbet to finish.
Now as I write this in the university library, I am halfway through my latest leave. Last night Clare came round and we dined on homous, olives, fetta cheese, tomatoes and pitta bread and also a glass of wine, this time white! We talked of many things, how I am still needing some confidence but how other things are slowly coming back. I told how of my plans for next year, perhaps a bit ambitious at the moment, but how I am hoping to go to Provence to see a friend in the Spring and then maybe Toronto in the summer. She pointed out that I needn't worry about Provence as flights were easily booked at the last moment, so perhaps I should take it easy. but how I long to see Canada once more!
Tonight I am going to the Graduate Centre, a university building where they serve food amongst other things and my dear elderly friend James is escorting me. He has been very faithful and came to the hospital several times to see me.At times like these such friends are very precious. He has just published a book entitled.'Toward no Valuation' which, as the title suggests is both fascinating and challenging in the times we live. Let's hope for a great success!
So-onward and upward
Until the next time
Shalom from
Sister Gila
I must be improving as I spent last Saturday night at home, and am in the middle of spending 2 more nights there now. I got to church on Sunday for a vibrant service to commemorate Remembrance Sunday, which in our church took the form of a Requiem Mass. Then on to lunch to Anoshka, my Polish and best friend in Cambridge-she did us proud with chicken soup, turkey escalope and all the trimings with a glass of red wine and a sorbet to finish.
Now as I write this in the university library, I am halfway through my latest leave. Last night Clare came round and we dined on homous, olives, fetta cheese, tomatoes and pitta bread and also a glass of wine, this time white! We talked of many things, how I am still needing some confidence but how other things are slowly coming back. I told how of my plans for next year, perhaps a bit ambitious at the moment, but how I am hoping to go to Provence to see a friend in the Spring and then maybe Toronto in the summer. She pointed out that I needn't worry about Provence as flights were easily booked at the last moment, so perhaps I should take it easy. but how I long to see Canada once more!
Tonight I am going to the Graduate Centre, a university building where they serve food amongst other things and my dear elderly friend James is escorting me. He has been very faithful and came to the hospital several times to see me.At times like these such friends are very precious. He has just published a book entitled.'Toward no Valuation' which, as the title suggests is both fascinating and challenging in the times we live. Let's hope for a great success!
So-onward and upward
Until the next time
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
The Haven
My dear Friends
I am happy to tell you that I made an overnight stay at my flat last Monday. As soon as I opened the door I felt warm and cosy and set about making it a good evening. I cooked myself a thre course meal, soup, chicken kiev and some homemade fruit salad, which I really enjoyed. Unfortunately I forgot the wine!
All the while I had some gentle music playing, including some North American masterpieces including Samuel Barber's famous Adagio for strings, the haunting violin piece which was recorded, as far as I know, high up in the mountains. I even put on a little dance music.
All evening I had my companion-the lovely brown pussy cat who came to make his home with me some months ago and who is being looked after by my nice neighbour. He doesn't purr but he sat on my lap quite contentedly and roamed around the flat from time to time. Needless to say it was lovely to have him there.
Popped into Tim, my neighbour for a cup of tea and a chat and that was nice. Made a couple of calls and decided to have a bath and go to bed-my own for a change! After making myself comfy I had quite a good night's sleep if feeling a little strange in the morning, perhaps because I had not been there for a while. But polished off the fruit salad from the previous evening and caught the bus into town, to see my CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) whom I now meet in Starbucks.
More later
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
I am happy to tell you that I made an overnight stay at my flat last Monday. As soon as I opened the door I felt warm and cosy and set about making it a good evening. I cooked myself a thre course meal, soup, chicken kiev and some homemade fruit salad, which I really enjoyed. Unfortunately I forgot the wine!
All the while I had some gentle music playing, including some North American masterpieces including Samuel Barber's famous Adagio for strings, the haunting violin piece which was recorded, as far as I know, high up in the mountains. I even put on a little dance music.
All evening I had my companion-the lovely brown pussy cat who came to make his home with me some months ago and who is being looked after by my nice neighbour. He doesn't purr but he sat on my lap quite contentedly and roamed around the flat from time to time. Needless to say it was lovely to have him there.
Popped into Tim, my neighbour for a cup of tea and a chat and that was nice. Made a couple of calls and decided to have a bath and go to bed-my own for a change! After making myself comfy I had quite a good night's sleep if feeling a little strange in the morning, perhaps because I had not been there for a while. But polished off the fruit salad from the previous evening and caught the bus into town, to see my CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse) whom I now meet in Starbucks.
More later
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Autumn
My dear Friends
Autmn leaves have been falling in abundance here. Outside is a real carpet of reds and golds. Taking a walk through the grounds is a real delight adn oftern there are four or five of us. The grounds are extensive, with wooden blocks as 'play' areas designed for walking or climbing.
Recovery is a slow processs but there are hopeful signs, with strength returning day by day. The regular round of meals helps and the food is good.I guess there will be a real improvent very soon.
Bye for now
Sister Gila
Autmn leaves have been falling in abundance here. Outside is a real carpet of reds and golds. Taking a walk through the grounds is a real delight adn oftern there are four or five of us. The grounds are extensive, with wooden blocks as 'play' areas designed for walking or climbing.
Recovery is a slow processs but there are hopeful signs, with strength returning day by day. The regular round of meals helps and the food is good.I guess there will be a real improvent very soon.
Bye for now
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 20 October 2009
Creative wrting
My dear Friend
Life goes on here, with the end not yet in sight. Participated in a creative wrtitng class this morning and wrote some poems about colours and the autumn. This afternoon we had an art class with some modelling clay, not that I am very creative with it but it is fun.
The population keeps changing with new people coming and going always room for Friendship.
Bye for now
Sister Gila
Life goes on here, with the end not yet in sight. Participated in a creative wrtitng class this morning and wrote some poems about colours and the autumn. This afternoon we had an art class with some modelling clay, not that I am very creative with it but it is fun.
The population keeps changing with new people coming and going always room for Friendship.
Bye for now
Sister Gila
Thursday, 15 October 2009
Friends
My dear Friends
One of the most comforting things at the moment is the capacity for Friendship amongst the people here, obviuosly to greater or lesser degrees. There is mainly a kind of camaraderie amongst the patients,usually in the garden round the smokers table! But people look out for each other and that helps the staff too.
One of my greatest friends was an English Muslim, with whom I used to pray sometimes in the day or evening. He was a a bright exuberatnt chap, now gone from the ward and missed by me .One fo the great things he did was to bring in his guitar and we would spend hours playing and singing together.The other patients seemed to enjoy it too. Now the guitar has gone , but at least there is a piano.
Bye for now
Sister Gila
One of the most comforting things at the moment is the capacity for Friendship amongst the people here, obviuosly to greater or lesser degrees. There is mainly a kind of camaraderie amongst the patients,usually in the garden round the smokers table! But people look out for each other and that helps the staff too.
One of my greatest friends was an English Muslim, with whom I used to pray sometimes in the day or evening. He was a a bright exuberatnt chap, now gone from the ward and missed by me .One fo the great things he did was to bring in his guitar and we would spend hours playing and singing together.The other patients seemed to enjoy it too. Now the guitar has gone , but at least there is a piano.
Bye for now
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Walking in the countryside
My dear Friends
I have passed the weekend successfully in my new surroundings. Yesterday we went for a lovely walk in the grounds and saw the nature. I had several visitors over the weekend including my Christian 'brother' James who is also my Hebrew student.
One of the patients also suggested that we go to Jerusalem together in the month of November, to make a pilgrimage.
More later
Sister Gila
I have passed the weekend successfully in my new surroundings. Yesterday we went for a lovely walk in the grounds and saw the nature. I had several visitors over the weekend including my Christian 'brother' James who is also my Hebrew student.
One of the patients also suggested that we go to Jerusalem together in the month of November, to make a pilgrimage.
More later
Sister Gila
Friday, 9 October 2009
Change of plan
My dear Friends
Sometimes things do not go quite according to plan. I have suffered a slight nervous breakdown and am in a hospital on the outskirts of Cambridge. Even here there are large grounds and an expanse of sky, and plenty of activites to do during the day, such as drawing, painting and making music. Today someone brought in a guitar and I sang all the old songs, folk and Jewish and of the sixties.
I will give you an update as the days go on.
Always Shalom
Sister Gila
Sometimes things do not go quite according to plan. I have suffered a slight nervous breakdown and am in a hospital on the outskirts of Cambridge. Even here there are large grounds and an expanse of sky, and plenty of activites to do during the day, such as drawing, painting and making music. Today someone brought in a guitar and I sang all the old songs, folk and Jewish and of the sixties.
I will give you an update as the days go on.
Always Shalom
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 29 September 2009
Back home
My dear Friends
I have now been back for more than a week.Here in Cambridge the sun is shining and I am sitting in the UL, which is the university library. I am going to write up the second part of my little book, which as you know was published three years ago. The book goes from 1999 which is when I finished the last part. It is taking a little more time than the last one, but if I persever I am sure it will be finished.
Here the university term is beginning again, and I have an invitation to one of the colleges for dinner. I will also be returning to my own college, Lucy Cavendish, a woman's college, where I studied Hebrew between 1988 and 1992. It was a beautiful experience.
I have started teaching some Hebrew and some things about the festivals to a group of Christians in Cambourne, a village outside Cambridge. It has been the Jewish festivals of the New Year and the Day of Atonement and it is coming up to the Feast of Tabernacles. All these I celebrated in my Jewish childhood and they are beautiful feasts.
Till next time
Shalom from
Sister Gila
I have now been back for more than a week.Here in Cambridge the sun is shining and I am sitting in the UL, which is the university library. I am going to write up the second part of my little book, which as you know was published three years ago. The book goes from 1999 which is when I finished the last part. It is taking a little more time than the last one, but if I persever I am sure it will be finished.
Here the university term is beginning again, and I have an invitation to one of the colleges for dinner. I will also be returning to my own college, Lucy Cavendish, a woman's college, where I studied Hebrew between 1988 and 1992. It was a beautiful experience.
I have started teaching some Hebrew and some things about the festivals to a group of Christians in Cambourne, a village outside Cambridge. It has been the Jewish festivals of the New Year and the Day of Atonement and it is coming up to the Feast of Tabernacles. All these I celebrated in my Jewish childhood and they are beautiful feasts.
Till next time
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Wednesday, 23 September 2009
Ireland
My dear Friends
This time last week I was in the air above Dublin and flying back to Stansted. I had been in the Republic for a week and had an absolutely wonderful time! I had been to Co Galway before, three times in fact, but this was the first time I was in the south-east. Of course the whole thing was made better because I went to an old friend, a Religious Sister, Sr Christina, whom I had known over the years in her little community in Cambridge. So we go back a long way...
The place of their community is called Ferns, and is a village on the Dublin -Wexford road which takes about two hours to get to by bus. I had not realisd it is an old monastic foundation, dating back to the first Bishop, St Aidan, who live around 635AD. His traces were everywhere and I had the feeling he was following me around...
I spent the week in a little hermitage in the grounds of the monastery, praying, cooking, thinking, writing, and in between going to the mountains and the sea. I got rather fond of my little hermitage, fully equipped with its own kitchen, bedroom cum sitting room and bathroom. and the garden faced on to a famous hill whose name escapes me, anyway I couldn't pronounce the Gaelic which is delightfully everywhere.
I explored the castle with the help of Connor, one of the staff at the visitor centre, which was opened by Mary Macaleese, the President of Ireland. Several women of the village of Ferns got together and made 26 tapestries depicting the history of Ferns up to the Norman Invasion and the Vikings. I used to drop in for tea there and chat and felt sad to leave them even after only a week.
More tomorrow
Shalom from
Sister Gila
This time last week I was in the air above Dublin and flying back to Stansted. I had been in the Republic for a week and had an absolutely wonderful time! I had been to Co Galway before, three times in fact, but this was the first time I was in the south-east. Of course the whole thing was made better because I went to an old friend, a Religious Sister, Sr Christina, whom I had known over the years in her little community in Cambridge. So we go back a long way...
The place of their community is called Ferns, and is a village on the Dublin -Wexford road which takes about two hours to get to by bus. I had not realisd it is an old monastic foundation, dating back to the first Bishop, St Aidan, who live around 635AD. His traces were everywhere and I had the feeling he was following me around...
I spent the week in a little hermitage in the grounds of the monastery, praying, cooking, thinking, writing, and in between going to the mountains and the sea. I got rather fond of my little hermitage, fully equipped with its own kitchen, bedroom cum sitting room and bathroom. and the garden faced on to a famous hill whose name escapes me, anyway I couldn't pronounce the Gaelic which is delightfully everywhere.
I explored the castle with the help of Connor, one of the staff at the visitor centre, which was opened by Mary Macaleese, the President of Ireland. Several women of the village of Ferns got together and made 26 tapestries depicting the history of Ferns up to the Norman Invasion and the Vikings. I used to drop in for tea there and chat and felt sad to leave them even after only a week.
More tomorrow
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Friday, 18 September 2009
Rosh Hashanah
My dear Friends
Tonight is the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. I will be celebrating with apples and honey, the traditional way of wishing people a happy and sweet New Year. In my childhood there was great excitement and anticipation leading up to this Festival, with new clothes and visits to the Synagogue.
On this Festival people ask to be inscribed in the Book of Life and begin the prayers asking for their sins to be forgiven, individually and communally. Thus the Synagogue liturgy is very solemn, with haunting and beautiful music, usually in the minor key. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah people go down to the river and symbolically throw their sins into the river.
Rosh Hashanah literally means the head of the year and I have a rather poignant story about this. I was asked to visit a lady who was totally paralysed and on the second occasion I sang to her at her bedside. She particularly enjoyed the Jewish music.I explained to her that I would not see her over the weekend as it was the Jewish New Year. 'When did you say the head of the year was, Gila' she asked. I had not mentioned the word head so it must have come straight up from her subconscious.
She died before I could see her again and I sang Jerusalem of Gold in Hebrew at her funeral.
More later
A very peaceful, happy and sweet New Year to you all
Sister Gila
Tonight is the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. I will be celebrating with apples and honey, the traditional way of wishing people a happy and sweet New Year. In my childhood there was great excitement and anticipation leading up to this Festival, with new clothes and visits to the Synagogue.
On this Festival people ask to be inscribed in the Book of Life and begin the prayers asking for their sins to be forgiven, individually and communally. Thus the Synagogue liturgy is very solemn, with haunting and beautiful music, usually in the minor key. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah people go down to the river and symbolically throw their sins into the river.
Rosh Hashanah literally means the head of the year and I have a rather poignant story about this. I was asked to visit a lady who was totally paralysed and on the second occasion I sang to her at her bedside. She particularly enjoyed the Jewish music.I explained to her that I would not see her over the weekend as it was the Jewish New Year. 'When did you say the head of the year was, Gila' she asked. I had not mentioned the word head so it must have come straight up from her subconscious.
She died before I could see her again and I sang Jerusalem of Gold in Hebrew at her funeral.
More later
A very peaceful, happy and sweet New Year to you all
Sister Gila
Monday, 7 September 2009
Dumiyah
My dear Friends
To continue the story of Father Bruno in Neve Shalom. He decided once the community was up and running that, although ostensibly it was a secular group, there should be a religious dimension. So he and the community built the House of Dumiyah-Deep Silence. This name comes from a quotation of the first line of Psalm 65. (Unfortunately not in all the translations)
To continue the story of Father Bruno in Neve Shalom. He decided once the community was up and running that, although ostensibly it was a secular group, there should be a religious dimension. So he and the community built the House of Dumiyah-Deep Silence. This name comes from a quotation of the first line of Psalm 65. (Unfortunately not in all the translations)
To you, deep silence and praise is due in Zion.
Father Bruno built a round structure in the valley below the community. Members of the community, although not religious themselves, carried huge flagstones down the steep sides of the valley and laid them by hand in the House of Dumiyah. The roof was a huge white Dome. It was Father Bruno's intention that it should be a House of Deep Silence, where people could pray together. When I visited him, he invited me to visit the building. Standing facing him in the interior of the dome shaped building, the House of Deep Silence and also of Peace, I felt I had come home.
I am having a holiday and retreat in Ireland from 9th - 16th of this month, September, and so will be off-line from now. I feel very privileged to be going away for a quiet time in the build up to Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, which falls on September 19th and will chat about this on my return.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Friday, 4 September 2009
Oasis of Peace
My dear Friends
Neve Shalom/Wahaat al Salaam is a community of Israelis and Palestinians living together. They live in the Ayalon valley, famous in the Bible for the sun and moon standing still when Joshua was fighting a battle. It was also the site of a fierce battle in the 1948 War of Independence. The story of its origins is quite intriguing.
There was a priest called Fr Bruno Hussar, French of Egyptian Jewish parents, who had a message from God to build a community of peace between Jews and Arabs. A tall order, thought Fr Bruno, but being obedient to his divine Master he felt he must go ahead with it. So he bought the land on the Ayalon Valley for a token shekel from the monastery of Latrun nearby. The only poeple to come and help him were a group of hippies. So Bruno said to God: 'If you don't send a family of Jews and a family of Palestinians in the next week, I'm quitting! And so within the next week God sent the families Bruno had asked for.
When I went in 1989 there were 75 families and a School for Peace. That was built by someone else, a Jewish businessman who eventually came to live in Neve Shalom with his wife. In the school the children learn Hebrew and Arabic together. There are also workshops for Jewish and Arab teenagers who come to the community and confront the 'other' whom they have never previously met.
More next time
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
Neve Shalom/Wahaat al Salaam is a community of Israelis and Palestinians living together. They live in the Ayalon valley, famous in the Bible for the sun and moon standing still when Joshua was fighting a battle. It was also the site of a fierce battle in the 1948 War of Independence. The story of its origins is quite intriguing.
There was a priest called Fr Bruno Hussar, French of Egyptian Jewish parents, who had a message from God to build a community of peace between Jews and Arabs. A tall order, thought Fr Bruno, but being obedient to his divine Master he felt he must go ahead with it. So he bought the land on the Ayalon Valley for a token shekel from the monastery of Latrun nearby. The only poeple to come and help him were a group of hippies. So Bruno said to God: 'If you don't send a family of Jews and a family of Palestinians in the next week, I'm quitting! And so within the next week God sent the families Bruno had asked for.
When I went in 1989 there were 75 families and a School for Peace. That was built by someone else, a Jewish businessman who eventually came to live in Neve Shalom with his wife. In the school the children learn Hebrew and Arabic together. There are also workshops for Jewish and Arab teenagers who come to the community and confront the 'other' whom they have never previously met.
More next time
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Jerusalem the Golden
My dear Friends
I think it is very important to remember how complex the situation in Israel/Palestine is. We must not forget that in November 1995 Yitzchak Rabin, the premier, was assassinated and the devastating effect this had on the population, particularly the Jews. 'A house divided cannot stand' - it was an Orthodox Jew who murdered Rabin when he was at a peace rally in Tel Aviv on a Saturday night. I was in Israel at the time with my Indian friend and we were staying in the convent of The Sisters of Sion in Ein Kerem, near Jerusalem.
All Saturday night an Israeli woman had been pacing up and down as if there was something terribly wrong. I woke up early on Sunday morning, intending to go to Mass. I was very tired so my friend suggested I missed it. I went out in the sunshine to have my breakfast. 'Lovely day' I said to a woman sitting on a wall opposite me.'How can you say it's a lovely day when our Prime Minister has just been assassinated,' she replied.
Yitzchak Rabin had been a fighter in the War of Independence and had become a peacemaker, so it was all the more poignant, and some say it has never been the same since. All the great men seem to go..Martin Luther King, Kennedy, Rabin and many more. When I told my Indian friend what had happened he said: 'Maybe we were meant to share the grief as well as the joy of this land.'
The nuns in the convent were weeping as the body was brought back from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. My friend Sat had a visa which expired that night. So we made our way to the airport in Tel Aviv.After a heavy interrogation we were let onto the plane, which was the last to fly out before they closed the airport for the funeral.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
I think it is very important to remember how complex the situation in Israel/Palestine is. We must not forget that in November 1995 Yitzchak Rabin, the premier, was assassinated and the devastating effect this had on the population, particularly the Jews. 'A house divided cannot stand' - it was an Orthodox Jew who murdered Rabin when he was at a peace rally in Tel Aviv on a Saturday night. I was in Israel at the time with my Indian friend and we were staying in the convent of The Sisters of Sion in Ein Kerem, near Jerusalem.
All Saturday night an Israeli woman had been pacing up and down as if there was something terribly wrong. I woke up early on Sunday morning, intending to go to Mass. I was very tired so my friend suggested I missed it. I went out in the sunshine to have my breakfast. 'Lovely day' I said to a woman sitting on a wall opposite me.'How can you say it's a lovely day when our Prime Minister has just been assassinated,' she replied.
Yitzchak Rabin had been a fighter in the War of Independence and had become a peacemaker, so it was all the more poignant, and some say it has never been the same since. All the great men seem to go..Martin Luther King, Kennedy, Rabin and many more. When I told my Indian friend what had happened he said: 'Maybe we were meant to share the grief as well as the joy of this land.'
The nuns in the convent were weeping as the body was brought back from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. My friend Sat had a visa which expired that night. So we made our way to the airport in Tel Aviv.After a heavy interrogation we were let onto the plane, which was the last to fly out before they closed the airport for the funeral.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Friday, 21 August 2009
The other side of Israel
My dear Friends
'The other side of Israel' is the title of a book by Susan Nathan, a Jewish woman who, after settling in Tel Aviv under the Law of Return, goes to live in Tamra, an Arab-Israeli town of some 25,000 Muslims. Her intention is to show people that it is possible to live together, but, in the course of doing so, she loses all her Jewish friends.
It is a courageous book - we learn throughout of the injustices the Arabs have suffered, how 400 villages were appropriated(and most destroyed) in 1948, during the War of Independence, when the Arabs were driven out to other Arab countries, some of whom welcomed them and some of whom did not.
The main thrust of the book centres on how Arab Israelis, supposedly part of Israel and who can claim rights to citizenship, are treated as second class citizens today. Some are living in what have been termed 'illegal villages' and therefore have no rights to running water and electricity.
Susan Nathan describes the 'Zionist myth', Israel as a land of milk and honey where actually injustice is perpetrated and the Arabs are also being stripped of their history, culture and sense of personal identity. The solution is to face up to the 'Nakba', the disaster that befell them in 1948, and to get the Jewish community to do the same. She also describes the cruel treatment the Palestinians are suffering at the hands of the Israeli army in the occuppied territories, a situation where some young Israelis are refusing to serve.
For me the religious dimension was not given any credibility, the concept that God has been gathering in the exiles in a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, a concept which Susan Nathan feels has been exploited by religious Jews and others. The concept is not meant to mean that people who have been on the land for centuries should have their land stolen amongst other things, as this betrays the concept of justice, which pervades the Old Testament on which the Jewish religion is based. And there have been periods in the Land in which Jews, Christians and Muslims have lived in harmony.
In 1989 I returned to Israel after an absence of 21 years to do a summer programme at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. On the course I met an Arab girl living in the US and we spent a day together in the Old City. It was the beginning of the Intifada. As we sat together high up on the old walls, we could hear gunfire in the background. Suddenly she turned to me and said: 'I believe you have a right to this land.'
Susan Nathan mentions the community of Neve Shalom/Wahaat al Salaam (Oasis of Peace) in which Arabs and Jews live together on land given by the Catholic Church. I visited the community in 1989 and had the privlege of meeting Fr Bruno Hussar, the Catholic priest from an Egyptian Jewish family, who founded it. He described how the Jews were being brought back to the Land and then said 'I'm a Catholic priest, and a Jew and I love the Arabs, so we must wear our labels lightly.'
Susan Nathan skilfully and movingly describes other complexities in Israel, for example amongst the different Jewish groupings and makes it very clear that she retains a love for her fellow Jews, although she has made new family ties in the Arab village in which she now lives. I take a more objective approach to both sides, but then I don't live in the Land and I am a Christian, unlike Susan. With the love of God as the dynamic for resolution, hopefully The Little Sisters of Joy can one day spread the peace of Christ that Pope John Paul II did on his visit to Israel/Palestine some years ago.
Shalom/Salaam
Sister Gila
Fr Bruno Hussar's autobiography is published under the title of 'Quand la nuee se leve' or 'When the cloud rises'
'The other side of Israel' is the title of a book by Susan Nathan, a Jewish woman who, after settling in Tel Aviv under the Law of Return, goes to live in Tamra, an Arab-Israeli town of some 25,000 Muslims. Her intention is to show people that it is possible to live together, but, in the course of doing so, she loses all her Jewish friends.
It is a courageous book - we learn throughout of the injustices the Arabs have suffered, how 400 villages were appropriated(and most destroyed) in 1948, during the War of Independence, when the Arabs were driven out to other Arab countries, some of whom welcomed them and some of whom did not.
The main thrust of the book centres on how Arab Israelis, supposedly part of Israel and who can claim rights to citizenship, are treated as second class citizens today. Some are living in what have been termed 'illegal villages' and therefore have no rights to running water and electricity.
Susan Nathan describes the 'Zionist myth', Israel as a land of milk and honey where actually injustice is perpetrated and the Arabs are also being stripped of their history, culture and sense of personal identity. The solution is to face up to the 'Nakba', the disaster that befell them in 1948, and to get the Jewish community to do the same. She also describes the cruel treatment the Palestinians are suffering at the hands of the Israeli army in the occuppied territories, a situation where some young Israelis are refusing to serve.
For me the religious dimension was not given any credibility, the concept that God has been gathering in the exiles in a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, a concept which Susan Nathan feels has been exploited by religious Jews and others. The concept is not meant to mean that people who have been on the land for centuries should have their land stolen amongst other things, as this betrays the concept of justice, which pervades the Old Testament on which the Jewish religion is based. And there have been periods in the Land in which Jews, Christians and Muslims have lived in harmony.
In 1989 I returned to Israel after an absence of 21 years to do a summer programme at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. On the course I met an Arab girl living in the US and we spent a day together in the Old City. It was the beginning of the Intifada. As we sat together high up on the old walls, we could hear gunfire in the background. Suddenly she turned to me and said: 'I believe you have a right to this land.'
Susan Nathan mentions the community of Neve Shalom/Wahaat al Salaam (Oasis of Peace) in which Arabs and Jews live together on land given by the Catholic Church. I visited the community in 1989 and had the privlege of meeting Fr Bruno Hussar, the Catholic priest from an Egyptian Jewish family, who founded it. He described how the Jews were being brought back to the Land and then said 'I'm a Catholic priest, and a Jew and I love the Arabs, so we must wear our labels lightly.'
Susan Nathan skilfully and movingly describes other complexities in Israel, for example amongst the different Jewish groupings and makes it very clear that she retains a love for her fellow Jews, although she has made new family ties in the Arab village in which she now lives. I take a more objective approach to both sides, but then I don't live in the Land and I am a Christian, unlike Susan. With the love of God as the dynamic for resolution, hopefully The Little Sisters of Joy can one day spread the peace of Christ that Pope John Paul II did on his visit to Israel/Palestine some years ago.
Shalom/Salaam
Sister Gila
Fr Bruno Hussar's autobiography is published under the title of 'Quand la nuee se leve' or 'When the cloud rises'
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Last day in Glasgow
My dear Friends
I spent my last in Glasgow with my friend Kelda. We go back nearly 30 years and we met singing in a choir together-it was called The Good Shepherd Chorus and the conductor was Robert Burns! I went to Kelda's lovely flat not far from the Hostel and after some refreshments she gave me a much needed singing lesson. As well being a singing teacher she is a viola player.She said that my voice was in good shape and took me up to a high Ab! She described the technique of singing in some detail, and how to have a natural loose sound.
After the lesson we went to a lovely cafe for a proper meal and a lovely chat and I invited her down to Cambridge. She said she would like to see the Hostel so she walked me back and I gave her a guided tour; she could see how much hostels have changed over the years.
I met two lovely people during my stay there: one man was a professional clown in New York and a juggler also and there was a Frenchwoman of Tunisian background who was the head teacher of a school for deprived children in Paris.
I left Glasgow on Saturday morning with a really good feeling.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
I spent my last in Glasgow with my friend Kelda. We go back nearly 30 years and we met singing in a choir together-it was called The Good Shepherd Chorus and the conductor was Robert Burns! I went to Kelda's lovely flat not far from the Hostel and after some refreshments she gave me a much needed singing lesson. As well being a singing teacher she is a viola player.She said that my voice was in good shape and took me up to a high Ab! She described the technique of singing in some detail, and how to have a natural loose sound.
After the lesson we went to a lovely cafe for a proper meal and a lovely chat and I invited her down to Cambridge. She said she would like to see the Hostel so she walked me back and I gave her a guided tour; she could see how much hostels have changed over the years.
I met two lovely people during my stay there: one man was a professional clown in New York and a juggler also and there was a Frenchwoman of Tunisian background who was the head teacher of a school for deprived children in Paris.
I left Glasgow on Saturday morning with a really good feeling.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
St Aloysius
My dear Friends
After I left the art school in Glasgow I headed round the corner to the Jesuit church of St Aloysius (hope I have spelled it correctly.) I reflected that in my days at the Glasgow High School for Girls we Jewish girls used to have special school dinners in the Synagogue. On the way we used to see the boys from St Aloysius! Little did I think where my own path would lead.
Now I went into this beautiful church for Mass on the Feast of the Transfiguration and met a very nice lady from Glasgow who was interested in my Project. the Feast of the Transfiguration is the one where Moses and Elijah appear on the mountain with Jesus, whose clothes and face are shining. And finally he is the only one left. God speaks and says He is the one with whom He is well pleased.
After the Mass I chatted to the nice lady and then went down Sauchiehall Street to meet my first cousin Frieda and her granddaughter Morgan. We went and had kentucky fried chicken and chatted for about two hours, beginning and ending in George Square, with its rather beautiful flowers and monuments.
Final installment tomorrow!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
After I left the art school in Glasgow I headed round the corner to the Jesuit church of St Aloysius (hope I have spelled it correctly.) I reflected that in my days at the Glasgow High School for Girls we Jewish girls used to have special school dinners in the Synagogue. On the way we used to see the boys from St Aloysius! Little did I think where my own path would lead.
Now I went into this beautiful church for Mass on the Feast of the Transfiguration and met a very nice lady from Glasgow who was interested in my Project. the Feast of the Transfiguration is the one where Moses and Elijah appear on the mountain with Jesus, whose clothes and face are shining. And finally he is the only one left. God speaks and says He is the one with whom He is well pleased.
After the Mass I chatted to the nice lady and then went down Sauchiehall Street to meet my first cousin Frieda and her granddaughter Morgan. We went and had kentucky fried chicken and chatted for about two hours, beginning and ending in George Square, with its rather beautiful flowers and monuments.
Final installment tomorrow!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Friday, 7 August 2009
The city of Glasgow
My dear Friends
After I left the art gallery, I took a bus into the centre of town. This was a little like walking down memory lane, as Sauchiehall Stree has several hills off it. Up the first hilly street, Garnet Street, was my old school, the Glasgow High School for Girls, so I stood at the bottom of the hill and reminisced. In the same area is Garnethill Synagogue, the oldest Synagogue in Glasgow and the one my grandfather helped to found. It is a listed building and apparently it is possible to see the beautiful interior. I didn't go this time but I hope to on the next. It is where my father came up on business from London and attended the service. His eyes strayed and he looked at the ladies gallery and saw my mother!
I took a few photos of the streets, as my Eleanor has never been and had asked me to. This part of Sauchiehall Street has become a pedestrian precinct, and the streedt was full of people walking to and fro and looking at the shops.
More next time
Shalom from
Sister Gila
After I left the art gallery, I took a bus into the centre of town. This was a little like walking down memory lane, as Sauchiehall Stree has several hills off it. Up the first hilly street, Garnet Street, was my old school, the Glasgow High School for Girls, so I stood at the bottom of the hill and reminisced. In the same area is Garnethill Synagogue, the oldest Synagogue in Glasgow and the one my grandfather helped to found. It is a listed building and apparently it is possible to see the beautiful interior. I didn't go this time but I hope to on the next. It is where my father came up on business from London and attended the service. His eyes strayed and he looked at the ladies gallery and saw my mother!
I took a few photos of the streets, as my Eleanor has never been and had asked me to. This part of Sauchiehall Street has become a pedestrian precinct, and the streedt was full of people walking to and fro and looking at the shops.
More next time
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Art in Glasgow
My dear Friends
After I left my cousin on the first day of my stay in Glasgow, I made my way to the University to visit the Hunterian Museum just off University Avenue. I have a lot of difficult memories of the University, where I spent my wild youth, but it was good to see the broad sweeping avenue and the beautiful quadrangles and the trees.
I had never been to this museum before, which is on campus, and it was very interesting. They had a visiting exhibition of Edvard Munch's paintings ( the most famous of which is the Scream); the lithographs, mainly in black and white are both brilliant and depressing at the same time, dealing with themes of human isolation and death. Even the ones on love are pretty depressing! But they were a great privilege to see.
Downstairs they had a variety of paintings, including a whole collection of the American artist Whistler and his portraits of young women in different costumes, quite colourful. And quite a few of his amazing landscapes. The artist's wife bequeathed the paintings to the Hunterian museum.
More next time!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
After I left my cousin on the first day of my stay in Glasgow, I made my way to the University to visit the Hunterian Museum just off University Avenue. I have a lot of difficult memories of the University, where I spent my wild youth, but it was good to see the broad sweeping avenue and the beautiful quadrangles and the trees.
I had never been to this museum before, which is on campus, and it was very interesting. They had a visiting exhibition of Edvard Munch's paintings ( the most famous of which is the Scream); the lithographs, mainly in black and white are both brilliant and depressing at the same time, dealing with themes of human isolation and death. Even the ones on love are pretty depressing! But they were a great privilege to see.
Downstairs they had a variety of paintings, including a whole collection of the American artist Whistler and his portraits of young women in different costumes, quite colourful. And quite a few of his amazing landscapes. The artist's wife bequeathed the paintings to the Hunterian museum.
More next time!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Wednesday, 5 August 2009
First bulletin from Glasgow
My dear Friends
I arrived at the Glasgow Youth Hostel after a very long all day journey by bus from Cambridge. The hostel used to be a hotel, is a very nice old building and overlooks a beautiful park in the west end of Glasgow, near one of the areas in which I used to live in my wild youth. Best of all there was a very friendly welcome at the hostel and a nice dinner to be had in their basement cafe.
I slept quite well and there were some nice girls in the room with me. Had a great breakfast, of croissants, orange juice yoghurt grapefruit segments (my favourite) and tea so felt well stoked up for the morning. I waited for my cousin who collected me in a taxi at ten o'clock and then we drove to Sandyford Henderson Memorial Church, where my cousin is a member, as another Jewish Christian. As we entered the church we met another Jewish lady who spoke to me in Hebrew!
More later
Shalom from
Sister Gila
I arrived at the Glasgow Youth Hostel after a very long all day journey by bus from Cambridge. The hostel used to be a hotel, is a very nice old building and overlooks a beautiful park in the west end of Glasgow, near one of the areas in which I used to live in my wild youth. Best of all there was a very friendly welcome at the hostel and a nice dinner to be had in their basement cafe.
I slept quite well and there were some nice girls in the room with me. Had a great breakfast, of croissants, orange juice yoghurt grapefruit segments (my favourite) and tea so felt well stoked up for the morning. I waited for my cousin who collected me in a taxi at ten o'clock and then we drove to Sandyford Henderson Memorial Church, where my cousin is a member, as another Jewish Christian. As we entered the church we met another Jewish lady who spoke to me in Hebrew!
More later
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Saturday, 1 August 2009
I belong to Glasgow
My dear Friends
Iam going to see my family in Glasgow on Tuesday 4th August and won't be back until Sunday the 9th. So I am signing off temporarily, unless I get a chance to use the computer in the Youth Hostel.
Be well until then!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Iam going to see my family in Glasgow on Tuesday 4th August and won't be back until Sunday the 9th. So I am signing off temporarily, unless I get a chance to use the computer in the Youth Hostel.
Be well until then!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Monday, 27 July 2009
Lecture on Jewish Christian Reconciliation
My dear Friends
Here is an account of yesterday's lecture, which went well.
Jewish Christian Reconciliation in the post-war period
A lecture was held on the above topic in the Old Library, Darwin College, Cambridge, on Sunday 26th July. The speaker was Jonathan Gorsky, lecturer in Heythrop College, University of London, who has helped to devise a unique undergraduate degree in the 3 Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The lecture was both a brief historical account of the difficult and conflictual relations between Jews and Christians over the centuries and an overview of the very real progress in Jewish Christian relations since the Second World War.
While, for example, collective guilt for the Crucifixion has been attributed to the Jews over the centuries, Nostra Aetate (In our Age)and other documents of the Church during the reforms of Vatican II in the 1960's refuted this position. It also laid down guidelines for a proper relationship with the Jewish people and recognised officially that the Old Testament is the matrix of the New.
Encounters between Jews and Christians through organisations such as the Council for Christians and Jews and a move, especially among young people to get to know the 'other' as fellow human beings through dicussion and Friendship have also been ways of breaking down barriers.
The lecture was hosted by The Little Sisters of Joy, an ecumenical foundation of Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation and was well attended by a variety of people from diverse backgrounds. A lively question and answer session followed this thought-provoking and moving lecture.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Here is an account of yesterday's lecture, which went well.
Jewish Christian Reconciliation in the post-war period
A lecture was held on the above topic in the Old Library, Darwin College, Cambridge, on Sunday 26th July. The speaker was Jonathan Gorsky, lecturer in Heythrop College, University of London, who has helped to devise a unique undergraduate degree in the 3 Abrahamic faiths of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
The lecture was both a brief historical account of the difficult and conflictual relations between Jews and Christians over the centuries and an overview of the very real progress in Jewish Christian relations since the Second World War.
While, for example, collective guilt for the Crucifixion has been attributed to the Jews over the centuries, Nostra Aetate (In our Age)and other documents of the Church during the reforms of Vatican II in the 1960's refuted this position. It also laid down guidelines for a proper relationship with the Jewish people and recognised officially that the Old Testament is the matrix of the New.
Encounters between Jews and Christians through organisations such as the Council for Christians and Jews and a move, especially among young people to get to know the 'other' as fellow human beings through dicussion and Friendship have also been ways of breaking down barriers.
The lecture was hosted by The Little Sisters of Joy, an ecumenical foundation of Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation and was well attended by a variety of people from diverse backgrounds. A lively question and answer session followed this thought-provoking and moving lecture.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Carmel
My dear Friends
I really had fun yesterday. I went to see my friends in a Carmelite monastery about 25 miles from here and I decided to hire a car. Fortunately I have done this before and know where to get the cheapest option, so I bowled along in a Nissan Micra, with the radio blaring at Radio 3, the classical music programme.There wasn't too much sun but it was very sticky and I was glad I had dressed lightly.
Arriving at the monastery on the hill just before 10, I was greeted very warmly by one of the Sisters who is actually the Prioress. I had an hour before the Mass, so I went for a lovely walk in the surrounding countryside, where I saw fields of sheep and horses. I reflected on how little exercise I get these days so it was good to stretch my legs and just take in the scenery.
I got back just before 11am and went into the chapel, where a nice man recognised me from the last time and the previous times I had been to that lovely holy place. The elderly priest was just robing up for the Mass and he too greeted me very warmly: I felt like an old friend. It was the Feast of St Mary Magdalen and in the sermon he reflected whether she was the same woman who had poured oil over the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair. And was she the prostitute? She was certainly a woman Jesus loved, as he entrusted to her the message at His resurrection that He had risen.
After the Mass I was given a lovely 3 course lunch in a private room overlooking the front of the monastery.I think there was going to be wine, but when I said I had driven there it was mysteriously removed!But the food was delicious, chicken soup, nut roast and raspberries from the garden.
For the next two and a half hours I talked to my special friend, one of the other Sisters. We had a lot of catching up to do, but catch up we did and she gave me some good advice about how to approach the retreat I will be making in Ireland on 9th September.
I drove home, feeling very refreshed in mind and body. And woke up a litle depressed this morning, as I had had such a good day!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
I really had fun yesterday. I went to see my friends in a Carmelite monastery about 25 miles from here and I decided to hire a car. Fortunately I have done this before and know where to get the cheapest option, so I bowled along in a Nissan Micra, with the radio blaring at Radio 3, the classical music programme.There wasn't too much sun but it was very sticky and I was glad I had dressed lightly.
Arriving at the monastery on the hill just before 10, I was greeted very warmly by one of the Sisters who is actually the Prioress. I had an hour before the Mass, so I went for a lovely walk in the surrounding countryside, where I saw fields of sheep and horses. I reflected on how little exercise I get these days so it was good to stretch my legs and just take in the scenery.
I got back just before 11am and went into the chapel, where a nice man recognised me from the last time and the previous times I had been to that lovely holy place. The elderly priest was just robing up for the Mass and he too greeted me very warmly: I felt like an old friend. It was the Feast of St Mary Magdalen and in the sermon he reflected whether she was the same woman who had poured oil over the feet of Jesus and wiped them with her hair. And was she the prostitute? She was certainly a woman Jesus loved, as he entrusted to her the message at His resurrection that He had risen.
After the Mass I was given a lovely 3 course lunch in a private room overlooking the front of the monastery.I think there was going to be wine, but when I said I had driven there it was mysteriously removed!But the food was delicious, chicken soup, nut roast and raspberries from the garden.
For the next two and a half hours I talked to my special friend, one of the other Sisters. We had a lot of catching up to do, but catch up we did and she gave me some good advice about how to approach the retreat I will be making in Ireland on 9th September.
I drove home, feeling very refreshed in mind and body. And woke up a litle depressed this morning, as I had had such a good day!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Monday, 13 July 2009
Busking
My dear Friends
I hadn't exercised my vocal chords for a while, so I thought I would take my guitar and go busking in the town. I also took a little stool to sit on and the African bowl someone had given me for my 50th birthday for the punters to put money in.
And quite a few punters there were! It was Saturday and I chose a good spot, just in the shadow of a wall of one of the market churches, so the sound was good. I kept my coat on initially as there were a few spots of rain, but mercifully it didn't get any heavier.
I launched into Blowing in the Wind and immediately a lady on my left tipped a whole bunch of change into my bowl. A good start! I'd no sooner finished singing when a couple of friends from church appeared and gave me much encouragment. And some loose change! I didn't want to be greedy but I had decided to keep anything I earned as pocket money. In the end I earned about £7 in less than an hour.
I continued my repertoire with The Carnival is Over, The Water is Wide, Yesterday and Oh what a morning, a song about the end of days based on some verses from the Book of Revelation. One or two kind people gave me 50p each, but I think they just enjoyed the music. I also got some bemused looks from some of the passers by, but there is no doubt that I would do it again. OLA!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
I hadn't exercised my vocal chords for a while, so I thought I would take my guitar and go busking in the town. I also took a little stool to sit on and the African bowl someone had given me for my 50th birthday for the punters to put money in.
And quite a few punters there were! It was Saturday and I chose a good spot, just in the shadow of a wall of one of the market churches, so the sound was good. I kept my coat on initially as there were a few spots of rain, but mercifully it didn't get any heavier.
I launched into Blowing in the Wind and immediately a lady on my left tipped a whole bunch of change into my bowl. A good start! I'd no sooner finished singing when a couple of friends from church appeared and gave me much encouragment. And some loose change! I didn't want to be greedy but I had decided to keep anything I earned as pocket money. In the end I earned about £7 in less than an hour.
I continued my repertoire with The Carnival is Over, The Water is Wide, Yesterday and Oh what a morning, a song about the end of days based on some verses from the Book of Revelation. One or two kind people gave me 50p each, but I think they just enjoyed the music. I also got some bemused looks from some of the passers by, but there is no doubt that I would do it again. OLA!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Women at prayer
My dear Friends
The Women's World Day of Prayer has now been going for over a humdred years. Every year, around March, women all over the world gather to hold a special service of prayer, centred round a particular country. This year it was Papua New Guinea and a few years ago I was invited to speak at the one for Poland.I talked about my Jewish and Catholic experiences there, with a little about Auschwitz and how we must be positive for the future.
It is great to gather for these services and feel in solidarity with women round the world. The services are often very musical with sometimes music from the country and this is great too.
Yesterday we had another service and meeting in Cambridge, all part of The Women's World Day of Prayer but held at a later date, called the 'summer meeting.' About 30 of us gathered in Westminster College, the United Reformed College in Cambridge, where they train people for ministry. After a brief business meeting, we went to the chapel where our theme was 'blessing.'
Our speaker took as her Bible readings the blessing of Abram in Genesis as he left his home to journey to a country he knew not, blessed to be a great nation, and the reading in Luke which are like the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 'Blessed are you who mourn, you shall be comforted' and 'Blessed are those who are persecuted for the cause of right, for great is your reward in Heaven.'
This last demonsrates a 'mixed blessing' - how it is not always through the good things that we are blessed. We sang several hymns about blessing and then went in for tea. This gave us all a chance to chat and get to know each other. A lovely way to spend a summer afternoon!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
The Women's World Day of Prayer has now been going for over a humdred years. Every year, around March, women all over the world gather to hold a special service of prayer, centred round a particular country. This year it was Papua New Guinea and a few years ago I was invited to speak at the one for Poland.I talked about my Jewish and Catholic experiences there, with a little about Auschwitz and how we must be positive for the future.
It is great to gather for these services and feel in solidarity with women round the world. The services are often very musical with sometimes music from the country and this is great too.
Yesterday we had another service and meeting in Cambridge, all part of The Women's World Day of Prayer but held at a later date, called the 'summer meeting.' About 30 of us gathered in Westminster College, the United Reformed College in Cambridge, where they train people for ministry. After a brief business meeting, we went to the chapel where our theme was 'blessing.'
Our speaker took as her Bible readings the blessing of Abram in Genesis as he left his home to journey to a country he knew not, blessed to be a great nation, and the reading in Luke which are like the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 'Blessed are you who mourn, you shall be comforted' and 'Blessed are those who are persecuted for the cause of right, for great is your reward in Heaven.'
This last demonsrates a 'mixed blessing' - how it is not always through the good things that we are blessed. We sang several hymns about blessing and then went in for tea. This gave us all a chance to chat and get to know each other. A lovely way to spend a summer afternoon!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Friday, 26 June 2009
Clare Priory (second part)
My dear Friends
During the afternoon I popped into the Church in the grounds. Although the Priory has an oratory, this Church serves the local Parish. It is austere and very still, with a rich atmosphere of Christ. I sat near the tabernacle in the utter silence, just reciting within over and over again 'Amo te, Domine,' 'I love you, Lord!'
Out into the blazing sushine again and down into Clare Country Park, where I came across my friend Michael. I invited him to sit by the river with and we watched some ducks with a brood of 8 ducklings, the most I had ever seen.
'Now it is evening, time to cease from labour.'
It was a beautiful evening, the birds were flying everywhere and the rose garden looked particularly attractive. Supper was very congenial and I went into the oratory afterwards to find a small group discussing Sunday's Gospel so I joined them in prayer.This little chapel means a great deal to me, as I came here twenty years ago a week before I was baptised in Newmarket.One of the priests then, Fr Billy Baldwin, showed me how to just contemplate and be still in an atmosphere of love and silence.
For my last morning I went to the Anglican Church, very spacious and lovely and an old lady doing the flowers called me Sister Delia.(She couldn't pronounce the G.) At noon I went to the Swan Inn and drank a half of guiness, which I have just discovered.
Back for prayers and lunch and saying goodbyes - it's been a good visit!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
During the afternoon I popped into the Church in the grounds. Although the Priory has an oratory, this Church serves the local Parish. It is austere and very still, with a rich atmosphere of Christ. I sat near the tabernacle in the utter silence, just reciting within over and over again 'Amo te, Domine,' 'I love you, Lord!'
Out into the blazing sushine again and down into Clare Country Park, where I came across my friend Michael. I invited him to sit by the river with and we watched some ducks with a brood of 8 ducklings, the most I had ever seen.
'Now it is evening, time to cease from labour.'
It was a beautiful evening, the birds were flying everywhere and the rose garden looked particularly attractive. Supper was very congenial and I went into the oratory afterwards to find a small group discussing Sunday's Gospel so I joined them in prayer.This little chapel means a great deal to me, as I came here twenty years ago a week before I was baptised in Newmarket.One of the priests then, Fr Billy Baldwin, showed me how to just contemplate and be still in an atmosphere of love and silence.
For my last morning I went to the Anglican Church, very spacious and lovely and an old lady doing the flowers called me Sister Delia.(She couldn't pronounce the G.) At noon I went to the Swan Inn and drank a half of guiness, which I have just discovered.
Back for prayers and lunch and saying goodbyes - it's been a good visit!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Thursday, 25 June 2009
Visit to Clare Priory
My dear Friends
It was with great delight and pleasure that I made my way down to Suffolk on Tuesday. Waiting at the other end for me was one of my favourite places: Clare Priory, an Augustinian foundation going back some 750 years.
Going on 2 buses was a bit of an adventure, but I no longer have the luxury of a car. But yes, there was a bus to Clare from Haverhill and that part of the journey only took me 20 minutes.
Clare is a lovely long village with quaint houses and shops, and a huge Anglican church (I met a lovely elderly lady doing the flowers there), high and spacious with a tremendous feeling of light.But my main objective was the Priory, where I was to spend one night. On the second bus I had met a fellow pilgrim, Michael, who was heading for the Priory too and on the way we stopped at the local hostelrie and had a drink and a chat.
Finally at the Priory we were made to feel very welcome and I felt especially privileged as they had given me a room in the Priory itself rather than in the guesthouse. My room, which had 3 beds in it(!) overlooked the front lawn with its beautiful trees all round with a short walk up to the river.The river is very special at this time of year, as 2 swans had just had a family of 6 grey fluffy cygnets and the ducklings were out in abundance too.
More tomorrow!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
It was with great delight and pleasure that I made my way down to Suffolk on Tuesday. Waiting at the other end for me was one of my favourite places: Clare Priory, an Augustinian foundation going back some 750 years.
Going on 2 buses was a bit of an adventure, but I no longer have the luxury of a car. But yes, there was a bus to Clare from Haverhill and that part of the journey only took me 20 minutes.
Clare is a lovely long village with quaint houses and shops, and a huge Anglican church (I met a lovely elderly lady doing the flowers there), high and spacious with a tremendous feeling of light.But my main objective was the Priory, where I was to spend one night. On the second bus I had met a fellow pilgrim, Michael, who was heading for the Priory too and on the way we stopped at the local hostelrie and had a drink and a chat.
Finally at the Priory we were made to feel very welcome and I felt especially privileged as they had given me a room in the Priory itself rather than in the guesthouse. My room, which had 3 beds in it(!) overlooked the front lawn with its beautiful trees all round with a short walk up to the river.The river is very special at this time of year, as 2 swans had just had a family of 6 grey fluffy cygnets and the ducklings were out in abundance too.
More tomorrow!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Friday, 19 June 2009
Carnivals
My dear Friends
Do you like carnivals? We had the Arbury carnival last Saturday, Arbury being the neighbourhood in which I live. The carnival was set up very close to where I live.
There were plenty of stands, one of them being Cam-Mind, a mental health charity. I bought myself some summer clothes from this stand and took one of their leaflets on the very good work they are doing. We agreed that we still need to heighten awareness of people with mental health problems, about 1 in 4 in this country.
But carnivals are really about food and fun, and I ate myself silly with French crepes, crisps and the like. I am too old to go on any of the rides but the children were having a ball. And this particular carnival was about community spirit, as I am sure that most of those who attended were locals.
The very next day I wandered down to Parkers Piece, a beautiful green space in the heart of Cambridge and there was another carnival! This time an Australian was exercising his ducks and dogs in the middle of a field and he showed how well trained they were by putting them through their paces. It was quite amusing and I spent a good hour there before leaving for Church at 5pm and the folk Mass.
Have you been to any good carnivals lately?
Shalom from
Sister Gila
All the fun of the fair! And lots of tombolas
Do you like carnivals? We had the Arbury carnival last Saturday, Arbury being the neighbourhood in which I live. The carnival was set up very close to where I live.
There were plenty of stands, one of them being Cam-Mind, a mental health charity. I bought myself some summer clothes from this stand and took one of their leaflets on the very good work they are doing. We agreed that we still need to heighten awareness of people with mental health problems, about 1 in 4 in this country.
But carnivals are really about food and fun, and I ate myself silly with French crepes, crisps and the like. I am too old to go on any of the rides but the children were having a ball. And this particular carnival was about community spirit, as I am sure that most of those who attended were locals.
The very next day I wandered down to Parkers Piece, a beautiful green space in the heart of Cambridge and there was another carnival! This time an Australian was exercising his ducks and dogs in the middle of a field and he showed how well trained they were by putting them through their paces. It was quite amusing and I spent a good hour there before leaving for Church at 5pm and the folk Mass.
Have you been to any good carnivals lately?
Shalom from
Sister Gila
All the fun of the fair! And lots of tombolas
Saturday, 13 June 2009
The Fitzwilliam Museum
My dear Friends
Here in Cambridge we are very fortunate to have the Fitzwilliam Museum. It is quite a large collection of continental art, and ancient antiquites from Egypt, as well as porcelain. And the museum is free. It is a beautiful building to wander round, with a tea room and a shop, and I often go there on weekdays or Sunday afternoons.
There is quite an extensive religious section, with some beautiful icons of the Annunciation amongst other things, but I actually have a favourite painting. It's called St Roch and the Angel. I have no idea who the artist is, but I was very drawn to it the moment I saw it. In it an old man is dying by the wayside, and this is St Roch. Holding him is a beautiful angel with a broad face and a very serene smile.
The first time I saw this painting was when it was hanging under a skylight and the sun was streaming down upon the face of the angel.Unfortunately when it is not on the walls (the Museum removes the paintings from time to time) no-one seems to have heard of it!
There is also a little library in the Museum which one can access on weekdays. It looks out onto a garden of silver birch trees,which as you know are my favourite.
I wish you happy times of looking round museums yourselves.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Here in Cambridge we are very fortunate to have the Fitzwilliam Museum. It is quite a large collection of continental art, and ancient antiquites from Egypt, as well as porcelain. And the museum is free. It is a beautiful building to wander round, with a tea room and a shop, and I often go there on weekdays or Sunday afternoons.
There is quite an extensive religious section, with some beautiful icons of the Annunciation amongst other things, but I actually have a favourite painting. It's called St Roch and the Angel. I have no idea who the artist is, but I was very drawn to it the moment I saw it. In it an old man is dying by the wayside, and this is St Roch. Holding him is a beautiful angel with a broad face and a very serene smile.
The first time I saw this painting was when it was hanging under a skylight and the sun was streaming down upon the face of the angel.Unfortunately when it is not on the walls (the Museum removes the paintings from time to time) no-one seems to have heard of it!
There is also a little library in the Museum which one can access on weekdays. It looks out onto a garden of silver birch trees,which as you know are my favourite.
I wish you happy times of looking round museums yourselves.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
The Trinity
My dear Friends
Last Sunday was the Feast of the Holy Trinity. The mystery of the Trinity is at the heart of the Christian faith, and yet remains a difficult one to explain: Three in One and One in Three. Three undivided Persons, totally united in love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
'In the Father you see me,' says Jesus in the gospel of John and tells HIs disciples that He will send a comforter, an advocate to be with them, an advocate who will impart all the words Jesus has told them. The spirit is their very breath and life and He will speak through them even on the very day they are accused and have to defend themselves.
I was staying with Benigna one year when it was Trinity Sunday. I was in the little bedroom upstairs and just outside the window was a tree. Suddenly 3 fat pigeons came to roost in the tree. The birds looked identical and it was obvious they were part of one family. They looked very natural and completely at home with each other. From time to time one of them would fly off, on a 'mission' as it were, and then return. I found myself pondering that this was like the Trinity: the Father would send the Son and the Spirit off on a mission and then they would return to the nest.
A homely image but perhaps it helps.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Last Sunday was the Feast of the Holy Trinity. The mystery of the Trinity is at the heart of the Christian faith, and yet remains a difficult one to explain: Three in One and One in Three. Three undivided Persons, totally united in love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
'In the Father you see me,' says Jesus in the gospel of John and tells HIs disciples that He will send a comforter, an advocate to be with them, an advocate who will impart all the words Jesus has told them. The spirit is their very breath and life and He will speak through them even on the very day they are accused and have to defend themselves.
I was staying with Benigna one year when it was Trinity Sunday. I was in the little bedroom upstairs and just outside the window was a tree. Suddenly 3 fat pigeons came to roost in the tree. The birds looked identical and it was obvious they were part of one family. They looked very natural and completely at home with each other. From time to time one of them would fly off, on a 'mission' as it were, and then return. I found myself pondering that this was like the Trinity: the Father would send the Son and the Spirit off on a mission and then they would return to the nest.
A homely image but perhaps it helps.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Friday, 5 June 2009
A little Spanish flavour
My dear Friends
The language story goes on as I have decided to add a little Spanish to the mix.I have the opportunity to chat to a nice lady one-to-one and she is a Spanish speaker,who wants some English in return for the Spanish. So I have been reflecting...
Spanish is the language of the great Teresa of Avila, who reformed the Carmelite Order, She was quite a personality and wrote several spiritual books,including the Interior Castle. She was a great friend of St John of the Cross, who is one of the Patron Saints of The Little Sisters of Joy. St John wrote several mystical poems of Christ, and I have always longed to read them in the original. So perhaps this is my chance. Watch this space!
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
The language story goes on as I have decided to add a little Spanish to the mix.I have the opportunity to chat to a nice lady one-to-one and she is a Spanish speaker,who wants some English in return for the Spanish. So I have been reflecting...
Spanish is the language of the great Teresa of Avila, who reformed the Carmelite Order, She was quite a personality and wrote several spiritual books,including the Interior Castle. She was a great friend of St John of the Cross, who is one of the Patron Saints of The Little Sisters of Joy. St John wrote several mystical poems of Christ, and I have always longed to read them in the original. So perhaps this is my chance. Watch this space!
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
Sunday, 31 May 2009
Pilgrimage to Stone
My dear Friends
As part of my new summer programme, I made a pilgrimage to Stone, home of the Dominican Sisters, yesterday. Stone is a little town in Staffordshire, and 11 of us piled into the little minibus which left from the Dominican Priory in Cambridge at 7.30 in the morning. It was a glorious day, very auspicious, and we arrived in Stone at about 10.15.
The pilgrimage was all centred round Our Lady and after tea and coffee we had a talk on the history of the Rosary, a wonderful healing prayer of the Church, and how it all came together over the centuries. Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you.
Afterwards while the others were having a tour of the Order's treasures, in the church and other places, I wandered round the grounds of the school (they have a school and an old people's home)and lazed on the grass and watched the canal boats passing, as the school is alongside the river.Lunch was served in the canteen, and I had a little practice on my guitar, as I was to accompany some of the Hebrew music on the actual pilgrimage itself.
Then at 2.30 we all gathered and prayed the last 5 Glorious mysteries of the Rosary, complete with banners(made 150 years ago by the nuns)meditations and music. Everyone sang! We prrocessed round five different points in the garden, and really made our devotions ring! The afternoon ended with Mass in the church, which was particularly joyful as today is the Feast of Pentecost.
Tired but happy, we arrived back in Cambridge around 9 o'clock. A great day!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
As part of my new summer programme, I made a pilgrimage to Stone, home of the Dominican Sisters, yesterday. Stone is a little town in Staffordshire, and 11 of us piled into the little minibus which left from the Dominican Priory in Cambridge at 7.30 in the morning. It was a glorious day, very auspicious, and we arrived in Stone at about 10.15.
The pilgrimage was all centred round Our Lady and after tea and coffee we had a talk on the history of the Rosary, a wonderful healing prayer of the Church, and how it all came together over the centuries. Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you.
Afterwards while the others were having a tour of the Order's treasures, in the church and other places, I wandered round the grounds of the school (they have a school and an old people's home)and lazed on the grass and watched the canal boats passing, as the school is alongside the river.Lunch was served in the canteen, and I had a little practice on my guitar, as I was to accompany some of the Hebrew music on the actual pilgrimage itself.
Then at 2.30 we all gathered and prayed the last 5 Glorious mysteries of the Rosary, complete with banners(made 150 years ago by the nuns)meditations and music. Everyone sang! We prrocessed round five different points in the garden, and really made our devotions ring! The afternoon ended with Mass in the church, which was particularly joyful as today is the Feast of Pentecost.
Tired but happy, we arrived back in Cambridge around 9 o'clock. A great day!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Monday, 25 May 2009
Summer holidays
My dear Friends
Sometimes in life one has to put up with disappointments. So it is with me-I was due to fly to Toronto on Monday and have had to cancel due to not feeling very well. Naturally I am disappointed as Toronto is such a beautiful city, but I hope to share with you the news from Cambridge as the summer evolves.
Wherever you are, I wish you much joy and happy holidays.
LOve and Shalom
Sister Gila
Sometimes in life one has to put up with disappointments. So it is with me-I was due to fly to Toronto on Monday and have had to cancel due to not feeling very well. Naturally I am disappointed as Toronto is such a beautiful city, but I hope to share with you the news from Cambridge as the summer evolves.
Wherever you are, I wish you much joy and happy holidays.
LOve and Shalom
Sister Gila
Monday, 18 May 2009
Walsingham again
My dear Friends
Walsingham is one of the loveliest places I know. The chapel of reconciliation at 5pm is quiet and dark, with sometimes the Blessed Sacrament being exposed, bringing the light of the world to this little village in Norfolk. There are many places to pray and pilgrims stay in the Pilgrim Bureau or some of the bed and breakfasts in the neighbourhood.
The lovely thing about it is the ordinariness and extraordinary quality at the same time. Sometimes there are large pilgrimages and sometimes quite small groups of people all converging on the same place. There is something for everyone in this place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary. Mary revealed herself to a woman in the 19th century and asked her to build a house of Nazareth, and in the morning it was built!
The Holy Ghost Chapel is where you can light candles and say a prayer and it is wonderful to see all the candles which have been lit from people from all over the world.
I suggest you make a visit!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Walsingham is one of the loveliest places I know. The chapel of reconciliation at 5pm is quiet and dark, with sometimes the Blessed Sacrament being exposed, bringing the light of the world to this little village in Norfolk. There are many places to pray and pilgrims stay in the Pilgrim Bureau or some of the bed and breakfasts in the neighbourhood.
The lovely thing about it is the ordinariness and extraordinary quality at the same time. Sometimes there are large pilgrimages and sometimes quite small groups of people all converging on the same place. There is something for everyone in this place of pilgrimage dedicated to Mary. Mary revealed herself to a woman in the 19th century and asked her to build a house of Nazareth, and in the morning it was built!
The Holy Ghost Chapel is where you can light candles and say a prayer and it is wonderful to see all the candles which have been lit from people from all over the world.
I suggest you make a visit!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Walsingham
My dear Friends
Today I had the chance to go down to Walsingham, our national shrine. It is a place in the middle of nowhere in the Norfolk countryside, with a lovely meandering stream along the 'Holy Mile' where pilgrims walk and pray the Rosary. It also house the Chapel of Reconciliation, the Catholic shrine, and a lovely Anglican church, which looks like an Italian Catholic church from the Middle Ages. Both are conducive to prayer.
I have friends there called The Little Sisters of Jesus, with whom I went to lunch and who have influenced my Project a great deal. Three of them live in a little house, with a beautiful chapel attached. Their lifestyle is very simple, the seed that dies in the ground, and thereby bringing the Gospel to others.
More about Walsingham next time!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Today I had the chance to go down to Walsingham, our national shrine. It is a place in the middle of nowhere in the Norfolk countryside, with a lovely meandering stream along the 'Holy Mile' where pilgrims walk and pray the Rosary. It also house the Chapel of Reconciliation, the Catholic shrine, and a lovely Anglican church, which looks like an Italian Catholic church from the Middle Ages. Both are conducive to prayer.
I have friends there called The Little Sisters of Jesus, with whom I went to lunch and who have influenced my Project a great deal. Three of them live in a little house, with a beautiful chapel attached. Their lifestyle is very simple, the seed that dies in the ground, and thereby bringing the Gospel to others.
More about Walsingham next time!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Italian and other things
My dear Friends
Springtime is the time also to learn a new language-I started with Hindi and have now moved on the very different world of Italian. The first is obviously more of a challenge than the second, although I believe Italian grammar can be quite tough!
The Italian society has come up with some interesting events lately: a famous reporter speaking about his life and times and an Italian poet who spoke in Italian - I was unable to be present anyway at that one. At the first one all around me were speaking Italian but it didn't matter, the chat was so vibrant that it made you feel cheerful.
India is a very different world -quite fascinating and full of unusual sights and sounds. The national language is Hindi but there are many other languages there too, too much for any one lifetime. I wonder what impressions you have of the two cultures? Or have you been in India or Italy? I was last in Italy in 1998, for an important meeting and I would like to go back to Rome. A priest once said to a friend of mine 'All roads lead to Rome' to which she replied:'With all due respect, Father, some of us think they lead to Jeruslaem!'
Happy holidays!
Sister Gila
Springtime is the time also to learn a new language-I started with Hindi and have now moved on the very different world of Italian. The first is obviously more of a challenge than the second, although I believe Italian grammar can be quite tough!
The Italian society has come up with some interesting events lately: a famous reporter speaking about his life and times and an Italian poet who spoke in Italian - I was unable to be present anyway at that one. At the first one all around me were speaking Italian but it didn't matter, the chat was so vibrant that it made you feel cheerful.
India is a very different world -quite fascinating and full of unusual sights and sounds. The national language is Hindi but there are many other languages there too, too much for any one lifetime. I wonder what impressions you have of the two cultures? Or have you been in India or Italy? I was last in Italy in 1998, for an important meeting and I would like to go back to Rome. A priest once said to a friend of mine 'All roads lead to Rome' to which she replied:'With all due respect, Father, some of us think they lead to Jeruslaem!'
Happy holidays!
Sister Gila
Thursday, 7 May 2009
The tree and the Sabbath
My dear Friends
I thought I would show you pictures of two important things in my life-the silver birch tree in the garden and the Sabbath table (at bottom of Blog.) I think I mentioned earlier that the silver birch tree is the natural symbol of The Little Sisters of Joy. Tall, mysterious and elegant, we planted the first one in January 2000 on the Jewish New year for Trees, to commemorate the birth of the Foundation and the new life of Benigna's son-in-law, the composer Latif Freedman. It is now a very tall tree and beautifully moves in the breeze.
This second one, in my garden in the Arbury, was planted in 2004 and I have lived with it ever since. It gives me much joy to gaze at it from the living room window and it is growing really tall as well.I would love to see the forests in Russia and Scandinavia.There is a connection with Toronto too as there is an avenue of silver birches near the Criminology department of the university, as there is here in Cambridge.
The second picture is of my Shabbat table. You can see the braided bread and the wine; there is usually a white cloth with the Hebrew word shabbat over the bread , but its kinda nice to see the loaves. The candles are important too; the mother of the house lights them and sings the song of the angels to herald the Shabbat. I hope you can see I was trying to prepare a nice meal!
Anyway, just two things I wanted to share with you.
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
I thought I would show you pictures of two important things in my life-the silver birch tree in the garden and the Sabbath table (at bottom of Blog.) I think I mentioned earlier that the silver birch tree is the natural symbol of The Little Sisters of Joy. Tall, mysterious and elegant, we planted the first one in January 2000 on the Jewish New year for Trees, to commemorate the birth of the Foundation and the new life of Benigna's son-in-law, the composer Latif Freedman. It is now a very tall tree and beautifully moves in the breeze.
This second one, in my garden in the Arbury, was planted in 2004 and I have lived with it ever since. It gives me much joy to gaze at it from the living room window and it is growing really tall as well.I would love to see the forests in Russia and Scandinavia.There is a connection with Toronto too as there is an avenue of silver birches near the Criminology department of the university, as there is here in Cambridge.
The second picture is of my Shabbat table. You can see the braided bread and the wine; there is usually a white cloth with the Hebrew word shabbat over the bread , but its kinda nice to see the loaves. The candles are important too; the mother of the house lights them and sings the song of the angels to herald the Shabbat. I hope you can see I was trying to prepare a nice meal!
Anyway, just two things I wanted to share with you.
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Friday, 1 May 2009
Paris again
My dear Friends
I forgot to tell you a few things about my trip-I hope you are interested. When I was alone on the Monday (Alexia was working) I went to the Eiffel Tower for the first time, and it was a nice sunny day, if a bit windy. The structure down below is absolutely incredible, with its four 'feet' and I climbed in the elevator to the second floor. Needless to say there was an amazing view over Paris, especially the Seine river- truly magnificent. The white buildings look all of a piece and very beautiful. To my right was a golden dome, which I couldn't identify but which gleamed in the sunshine.
I then took the Metro and landed up in the Jewish quarter,the Rue des Rosiers, with its Synagogues and felafel stands. I had been there before but it was well worth a second visit, with its winding alleys, bookstores and all. There were a few blackhats (Orthodox Jews) walking in the neighbourhood-I imagine there are more so on the Sabbath.
I was just coming away when I ran into a nun from the Monastic Community of Jerusalem in Paris. I have heard of them, they live a simple life of silence and hospitality at the same time and they have a beautiful Church called Saint Gervaise, which the Sister showed me. Lots of beautiful colourful stain glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible and reminding me of the Jewish Russian painter called Chagall, who painted in bold colours. I prayed for a while and actually returned there at 6am the next morning for their morning prayer. Members of the community were kneeling and praying at the front in Silence before the service began.
I was very glad to have made this contact in the light of my own plans and came away in the early morning with a feeling of holiness.
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
I forgot to tell you a few things about my trip-I hope you are interested. When I was alone on the Monday (Alexia was working) I went to the Eiffel Tower for the first time, and it was a nice sunny day, if a bit windy. The structure down below is absolutely incredible, with its four 'feet' and I climbed in the elevator to the second floor. Needless to say there was an amazing view over Paris, especially the Seine river- truly magnificent. The white buildings look all of a piece and very beautiful. To my right was a golden dome, which I couldn't identify but which gleamed in the sunshine.
I then took the Metro and landed up in the Jewish quarter,the Rue des Rosiers, with its Synagogues and felafel stands. I had been there before but it was well worth a second visit, with its winding alleys, bookstores and all. There were a few blackhats (Orthodox Jews) walking in the neighbourhood-I imagine there are more so on the Sabbath.
I was just coming away when I ran into a nun from the Monastic Community of Jerusalem in Paris. I have heard of them, they live a simple life of silence and hospitality at the same time and they have a beautiful Church called Saint Gervaise, which the Sister showed me. Lots of beautiful colourful stain glass windows depicting scenes from the Bible and reminding me of the Jewish Russian painter called Chagall, who painted in bold colours. I prayed for a while and actually returned there at 6am the next morning for their morning prayer. Members of the community were kneeling and praying at the front in Silence before the service began.
I was very glad to have made this contact in the light of my own plans and came away in the early morning with a feeling of holiness.
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
Wednesday, 29 April 2009
Paris in the Spring
My dear Friends
I had a really wonderful time in Paris, the first day was very hot, then we had rain and cloud, but I was having such a good time it didn't matter. I spent the time with Alexia mainly at the weekend, and yes, we did get to the Pere la chaise cemetery and made a long pilgrimage to find the grave of Edith Piaf at the top. It was a simple stone, with moving words, but the main cemetery was very old with huge gravestones and tombs, some from way back when.
The Opera House is superb, with mirrors and chandeliers everywhere. Unfortunately there were rehearsals in the auditorium area, so we couldn't see the stage, unlike the last time when I sang from a box in three languages! We sat on the sides, on plush seats, while Alexia reflected how much she would like to go to her first opera.
Just being in Paris was delightful. We walked for hours, had Japanese soup in a restaurant (followed by an Indian meal at night) and looked at the closed-roofs shopping arcades off the street. Then on the Sunday we went to Mass together and then to the Jardin des Plantes with its beautiful flowers and a zoo! The Chinese flamingoes who made a racket while they stood on one leg were my favourites. And their colour of rose pink was absolutely gorgeous!
I was able to practise my French to a gentleman in the Gare du Nord, just before leaving, sadly, for England. But here's to the next time!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
I had a really wonderful time in Paris, the first day was very hot, then we had rain and cloud, but I was having such a good time it didn't matter. I spent the time with Alexia mainly at the weekend, and yes, we did get to the Pere la chaise cemetery and made a long pilgrimage to find the grave of Edith Piaf at the top. It was a simple stone, with moving words, but the main cemetery was very old with huge gravestones and tombs, some from way back when.
The Opera House is superb, with mirrors and chandeliers everywhere. Unfortunately there were rehearsals in the auditorium area, so we couldn't see the stage, unlike the last time when I sang from a box in three languages! We sat on the sides, on plush seats, while Alexia reflected how much she would like to go to her first opera.
Just being in Paris was delightful. We walked for hours, had Japanese soup in a restaurant (followed by an Indian meal at night) and looked at the closed-roofs shopping arcades off the street. Then on the Sunday we went to Mass together and then to the Jardin des Plantes with its beautiful flowers and a zoo! The Chinese flamingoes who made a racket while they stood on one leg were my favourites. And their colour of rose pink was absolutely gorgeous!
I was able to practise my French to a gentleman in the Gare du Nord, just before leaving, sadly, for England. But here's to the next time!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
Trip to Paris
My dear Friends
Tomorrow I am travelling by Eurostar to Paris, to have a holiday and to see Alexia. I hope to visit the old Opera House and the Pere la chaise cemetery (hope I have spelled it correctly) where people like Edith Piaf are buried. I will stay in the little Hotel Cosy, in the Picpus neighbourhood near Nation, at the other end of the line from Charles de Gaulle Etoile.
So I will be off the air for a week, and will let you know how I got on on my return.
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Tomorrow I am travelling by Eurostar to Paris, to have a holiday and to see Alexia. I hope to visit the old Opera House and the Pere la chaise cemetery (hope I have spelled it correctly) where people like Edith Piaf are buried. I will stay in the little Hotel Cosy, in the Picpus neighbourhood near Nation, at the other end of the line from Charles de Gaulle Etoile.
So I will be off the air for a week, and will let you know how I got on on my return.
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Monday, 20 April 2009
Visit to the Synagogue
My dear Friends
Thompson's Lane is a small street off Bridge Street in Cambridge. Tucked away behind St Clements Church is the Orthodox Synagogue.Last Shabbat the Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor Mike Dixon, did the Jewish community and myself the honour of attending.
It all started some Mayors ago when I discovered that the Guildhall used to be a Synagogue. Also that the Jewish community in the Middle Ages, before they were expelled from England in the 13th century, lived between the Guildhall and the Round Church.
The Synagogue service was moving and uplifting. We had the extra bonus of a cantor, who sang beautifully and whose French wife guided my friend through the service. (Men and women sit separately.) The central part of the liturgy is the taking out of the Torah scrolls and returning them to the ark, while the portion is read.
It was an interesting one this week; from the book of Leviticus, dealing with the disobedient sons of Aaron the High Priest and the different animals which can be eaten under the laws of Kashrut.
After the service, which I believe the Mayor found moving, there was a Kiddush, some wine and cake. It was also a chance for the Mayor to talk to some members of the Jewish community.
All in all, a wonderful experience!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Thompson's Lane is a small street off Bridge Street in Cambridge. Tucked away behind St Clements Church is the Orthodox Synagogue.Last Shabbat the Mayor of Cambridge, Councillor Mike Dixon, did the Jewish community and myself the honour of attending.
It all started some Mayors ago when I discovered that the Guildhall used to be a Synagogue. Also that the Jewish community in the Middle Ages, before they were expelled from England in the 13th century, lived between the Guildhall and the Round Church.
The Synagogue service was moving and uplifting. We had the extra bonus of a cantor, who sang beautifully and whose French wife guided my friend through the service. (Men and women sit separately.) The central part of the liturgy is the taking out of the Torah scrolls and returning them to the ark, while the portion is read.
It was an interesting one this week; from the book of Leviticus, dealing with the disobedient sons of Aaron the High Priest and the different animals which can be eaten under the laws of Kashrut.
After the service, which I believe the Mayor found moving, there was a Kiddush, some wine and cake. It was also a chance for the Mayor to talk to some members of the Jewish community.
All in all, a wonderful experience!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Thursday, 16 April 2009
Website
My dear Friends
A friend has helped me create a basic website for The Little Sisters of Joy. It still needs the Logo to be put on, but if you would like to visit it, the web address is:
www.ourchurch.com/member/s/sistersofjoy
Do have a look!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
A friend has helped me create a basic website for The Little Sisters of Joy. It still needs the Logo to be put on, but if you would like to visit it, the web address is:
www.ourchurch.com/member/s/sistersofjoy
Do have a look!
Love and Shalom
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 14 April 2009
Eastertide
My dear Friends
Once again a happy and blessed Easter! We are now into Eastertide, those 40 days when Christ appeared in Galilee to the disciples before He ascended into heaven to be with the Father. To be followed by Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit.
A friend of mine has just returned from Israel/Palestine. It was her first time there. The group stayed in Bethlehem, which as you know is a very troubled area, with the wall and checkpoints everywhere. But she experienced the peace which passeth all understanding in Galilee and she said it was quite incredible.
I went back after 21 years in 1989 and felt the same. I stayed in Tiberias and visited the Synagogue there and was very close to the lake. At 5 o'clock in the morning I went swimming which was an amazing feeling; the water just shimmers. You can just imagine the feet of Jesus circumventing this lake, shaped like a harp and therefore called in Hebrew kinneret.Across the lake on the other side is a Kibbutz, which is very interesting to visit.
I have many stories to tell of this time and will save some for the next Blog, including the time I met a party of handicapped children swimming in an offshoot of the lake. It was near the Mountain of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and taught the disciples the Our Father prayer.
Isn't it wonderful that there is this haven of peace amidst all the conflict?
Shalom for now
Sister Gila
Once again a happy and blessed Easter! We are now into Eastertide, those 40 days when Christ appeared in Galilee to the disciples before He ascended into heaven to be with the Father. To be followed by Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit.
A friend of mine has just returned from Israel/Palestine. It was her first time there. The group stayed in Bethlehem, which as you know is a very troubled area, with the wall and checkpoints everywhere. But she experienced the peace which passeth all understanding in Galilee and she said it was quite incredible.
I went back after 21 years in 1989 and felt the same. I stayed in Tiberias and visited the Synagogue there and was very close to the lake. At 5 o'clock in the morning I went swimming which was an amazing feeling; the water just shimmers. You can just imagine the feet of Jesus circumventing this lake, shaped like a harp and therefore called in Hebrew kinneret.Across the lake on the other side is a Kibbutz, which is very interesting to visit.
I have many stories to tell of this time and will save some for the next Blog, including the time I met a party of handicapped children swimming in an offshoot of the lake. It was near the Mountain of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount and taught the disciples the Our Father prayer.
Isn't it wonderful that there is this haven of peace amidst all the conflict?
Shalom for now
Sister Gila
Monday, 6 April 2009
Newsletter no 11
'The harvest of righteousness shall be sown in peace
by those who make peace'
(Letter of St James)
FRIENDS OF THE LITTLE SISTERS OF JOY
an ecumenical foundation of Prayer, Peace and Reconcilation
My dear Friends
As we move towards Easter, I wish you a Happy Feast! For those of you waiting for Passover, I wish you Chag Sameach!
Some of you may have wondered what has happened to The Little Sisters of Joy - well, the Foundation is alive and well and on the way to becoming a registered charity.
I contiune to do my music and recently did a musical evening in Starbucks coffee shop near the Grafton Centre in Cambridge. I was invited by the Israeli manager to perform some Hebrew music for Peace and Reconciliation. It was a great evening, with the gathering adding its own Hebrew and Yiddish songs. At the end we even danced a Horah! In between the Jewish music I interspersed some songs of the 60's and some traditional folk songs. I have been asked to do it again for a larger gathering in the same place, which reminds me of my wild youth and hence where I feel comfortable!
I shall be conducting the Seder meal once again in Holy week-the Passover supper relating the story of the Exodus. Always a very moving occasion. again the liturgy is interspersed with Hebrew music, while the gathering participated in the elaborate ritual. This consists of the narrative of the Exodus and the different foods which represent the slavery in Egypt and the 4 cups of wine of liberation, with an extra cup at the end for Elijah the Prophet, heralding the Messiah.
For a break, I had a marvellous trip to Suffolk at the home of one of our Associates and visited some beautiful mediaeval Churches as well as attending Evensong in the Cathedral in Bury St Edmunds.
I am also writing to ask you if you have any feedback as to how the foundation is running and also any ideas to make it run more efficiently and interstingly. Your contributions would be very welcom and if you are able to offer any time or support I would be grateful for that also. Please let me have your email addresses as that seems an obvious way forward for the future, to run the Newsletter and to keep in touch. Any donations would be gratefully accepted, mad payable to 'The Little Sisters of Joy' to help meet the cost of expenses and to build up some proper funding required by the Charities Commission. My little autobiography, The Moving Swan, is still also available. These are exciting times!
Summer event Sunday 26th July 2009 in the Old Library, Darwin College,Cambridge 2-4pm
Jewish - Christian reconcilaition in the postwar period
Jonathan Gorsky will give a talk on the above theme. Jonathan is an expert on Jewish-Christain relations, having worked for the Council of Christians and Jews. He now works for Heythrop College in the University of London, lecturing for a B.A. degree he heloped to devise, based on the 3 Abrahamic faiths, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
I am making another trip to Toronto in June, after which I should have some more exciting news. Due to a recent illness I have decided not to emigrate as planned, but to consolidate the contacts on both sides of the Pond.
It has been a strange spring, with the snow, but, as we await the Resurrection, the daffodils and crocuses are now coming up in the earth. I wish you a peaceful transition from spring into summer.
United in prayer for the peace of our troubled world
and always Shalom
Sister Gila
The Little Sisters of Joy
The Haven
61 Edgecombe
Cambridge
CB4 2LW
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