Happy birthday

My dear Friends
We have just celebrated 13 years since the foundation of The little Sisters of Joy. The original concept was of a Catholic women's community of Prayer, Peace and Reconciliation. Also to be a community of praise. The name has stayed the same but, following on from the starting of an Association of Friends, in 2004 it evolved into an international foundation, with the same aims of Prayer, peace and Reconcilation.

The Friends comprise nearly 700 in 22 countries, including 3 Arab ones, Jordan, United Arab Emirates and Pakistan. Most of the Associates live in the UK but the Newsletters, published twice a year, travel as far as Australia and South Africa.

Yesterday in the Regent family hotel in Cambridge we were only six but we celebrated in style with good food and conversation. 2 of our Jewish Associates were with us and we covered many things.In my Jewish primary school on this Feast i would bring in as many different kinds of fruits as possible.

One of my mentors, who died a few years ago, but feels still very much with us celebrated this Feast in his childhood, and wanted me to keep the anniversary on this date. His name was Cardinal Jean-Marie Lustiger, and i had the privilege of meeting him in Paris in 1999, when he was the Archbishop. He was a Jewish Christian like me and gave me some good advice when the Project was just beginning.

I also owe a great debt to the late Risa Domb,my modern Hebrew teacher at university and who told me to never be afraid of confrontation to get to resolution. That there would be difficulties and hostility along the way but that it had to be done.

At the moment there is much JOY for which I am very grateful.

With all good wishes
Gila