More about The Haven

My dear Friends
I thought I would like to tell you a little more about The Haven, where I live. And what I do there. Well, sometimes I receive people in need and hopefully they feel a warm and calm presence in the flat, not just me I assure you! And one of the things I enjoy doing most is inviting people for a Shabbat meal, the traditional Friday night supper of the Jewish people.

This goes right back into my Jewish childhhood, where I learned early on that the presence of God infuses all of our lives, including weekdays. But the Shabbat is indeed special. I usually invite Christians or people who have never experienced a Shabbat meal before and are interested in participating in this time-honoured ritual with the candles and the wine and the braided bread.Occasionally someone comes, (like my friend from the monastery I spoke about in a previous entry on the blog),who was brought up as a Jew and is familiar with the proceedings. But it is always a JOY.

As for the rest of the week, first thing in the morning I pray the Divine Office, a collection of the Psalms arranged daily by the Catholic Church. Sometimes I pray them in English and from time to times in Hebrew or French. Then, when I come home at the end of the day, I pray the Psalms from the Evening Prayer. This recitation consecrates my day, gives me a framework of prayer and 'binds' the two ends of the day.The great thing about the Divine Office is that all day, every day, the Psalms are being prayed all over the world in an unceasing rhythm of prayer and you feel united with the whole Church, unsleeping, East and West.

So-another little glimspse into my life at The Haven.
Shalom for now
Sister Gila