My dear Friends
After all the drama of the liturgical year, Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost, the Church has moved into what is known as Ordinary Time. And yet it is still pierced with Feasts-this Sunday is Trinity Sunday, one of my favourites, then Corpus Christi and so on.
I have been leading such an exciting life that it is quite a relief to calm down for a while. In the corner of my room I have created a little 'nest' of shelves with my Hebrew books, and have placed my big red chair facing them and away from the window, which at other times I enjoy looking out of.
I was sitting having breakfast yesterday and looking out of the window when I saw,right in the middle of the silver birch tree, a bird. He moved around and was making the tree and several of its branches his own. It is the first time I have ever seen a bird in the tree and it seemed a sign for the future that, before too long, The Little Sisters of Joy would be at home in Toronto. And there are plenty of beautiful trees near the 'Motherhouse' over there.
God still speaks, even in Ordinary Time, perhaps even more so when there is less noise. After all, Elijah was told quite firmly (! Kings, 19) that God was not in the fire, nor in the earthquake, nor in the thunder, but in the still small voice. This phrase in the original Hebrew is actually untranslatable, nearest is a thin voice of silence.
I invite you in Ordinary time to listen in the stillness with me, that you may be touched by His Peace.
Shabbat Shalom
Sister Gila
Friday, 16 May 2008
Saturday, 10 May 2008
Benigna's 90th Birthday
My dear Friends
Today is the 90th birthday of Benigna Lehmann, my friend of 26 years and my landlady for 16 years. We met in the first week of my coming to Cambridge in August 1982. A talented pianist and accompanist, she was hosting a musical rehearsal in her lovely Cambridge home.
Many people from all over the world have received her hospitality. Her Italian name means kindness and her kindly light has helped to lead me along the way. It was in the upper room of her home that I founded The Little Sisters of Joy, with the help of Maryvonne le Goanvic, on the 7th March 1999. Together Benigna and I began the series of Concerts for Peace and Reconciliation, which I have continued with my guitar.
Only a few months ago I discovered a new talent of Benigna's which I would like to share with you: writing childrens' stories. Composed for a little girl from an Indian family who moved in with her parents to share her house,Benigna wrote the following:
The Lady and her Adventures
Once upon a time when the world was young, a beautiful lady lived alone in a small house in the middle of large fields. Her name was Mystery Lady. She was polite and friendly to other people she met, but no-one knew her well and people wondered why she lived so far from anyone and what she did during the long days.
If they had looked up to the sky at night, they would have seen her among the stars and dancing across a dark sky until she flew onto the edge of the moon. Here she stopped and for a time danced with the moon fairies before flying to the secret moon gardens, all bright gold or silver.
She had many friends here and a tiny room of her own made from moon and star beams. She hoped to stay there for a long time, but the head of the moon people said: "No, dear lady, you must float to earth again and tell the people there that they must dress and have airlungs and come and live with us - go now, dear lady, and come back again, bringing them with you. This she did and there was Perfect Peace.
(Story written by Benigna Lehmann)
A very happy and blessed birthday, dear Benigna!
Love and shalom from Sister Gila
Today is the 90th birthday of Benigna Lehmann, my friend of 26 years and my landlady for 16 years. We met in the first week of my coming to Cambridge in August 1982. A talented pianist and accompanist, she was hosting a musical rehearsal in her lovely Cambridge home.
Many people from all over the world have received her hospitality. Her Italian name means kindness and her kindly light has helped to lead me along the way. It was in the upper room of her home that I founded The Little Sisters of Joy, with the help of Maryvonne le Goanvic, on the 7th March 1999. Together Benigna and I began the series of Concerts for Peace and Reconciliation, which I have continued with my guitar.
Only a few months ago I discovered a new talent of Benigna's which I would like to share with you: writing childrens' stories. Composed for a little girl from an Indian family who moved in with her parents to share her house,Benigna wrote the following:
The Lady and her Adventures
Once upon a time when the world was young, a beautiful lady lived alone in a small house in the middle of large fields. Her name was Mystery Lady. She was polite and friendly to other people she met, but no-one knew her well and people wondered why she lived so far from anyone and what she did during the long days.
If they had looked up to the sky at night, they would have seen her among the stars and dancing across a dark sky until she flew onto the edge of the moon. Here she stopped and for a time danced with the moon fairies before flying to the secret moon gardens, all bright gold or silver.
She had many friends here and a tiny room of her own made from moon and star beams. She hoped to stay there for a long time, but the head of the moon people said: "No, dear lady, you must float to earth again and tell the people there that they must dress and have airlungs and come and live with us - go now, dear lady, and come back again, bringing them with you. This she did and there was Perfect Peace.
(Story written by Benigna Lehmann)
A very happy and blessed birthday, dear Benigna!
Love and shalom from Sister Gila
Friday, 9 May 2008
Post Paris
My dear Friends
Paris was everything I expected, and more. And the unexpected happened too: for example I was staying in a busy neighbourhood and it was noisy at night. I have got used to it over the various visits as a nice change from Cambridge, but I was unprepared for the commotion last Friday night around midnight. Gazing over the balcony, I saw 100 people on roller skates!Apparently Friday night in Paris is roller skating night, and they happen to arrive in my neighbourhood around midnight. Following in the wake of the last roller, were three large police wagons to ensure that everyone was alright on the unpredictable roads.
Alexia took me to the Bois de Vincennes, a beautiful park not far from my hotel. The lake was a little like Regents Park, a lone swan hovered over the water and a sole Canadian goose (looking for its partner?) while runners, young and old passed us sitting idly on a park bench. Alexia counted at least 5 laps for a middle-aged man who still went round happliy! Alexia is trying to encourage me to take up a sport, but my maxim at the moment is Mark Twain's:
'whenever I feel the urge to exercise coming on, lie down until it goes away again!'
A bientot!
Sister Gila
Paris was everything I expected, and more. And the unexpected happened too: for example I was staying in a busy neighbourhood and it was noisy at night. I have got used to it over the various visits as a nice change from Cambridge, but I was unprepared for the commotion last Friday night around midnight. Gazing over the balcony, I saw 100 people on roller skates!Apparently Friday night in Paris is roller skating night, and they happen to arrive in my neighbourhood around midnight. Following in the wake of the last roller, were three large police wagons to ensure that everyone was alright on the unpredictable roads.
Alexia took me to the Bois de Vincennes, a beautiful park not far from my hotel. The lake was a little like Regents Park, a lone swan hovered over the water and a sole Canadian goose (looking for its partner?) while runners, young and old passed us sitting idly on a park bench. Alexia counted at least 5 laps for a middle-aged man who still went round happliy! Alexia is trying to encourage me to take up a sport, but my maxim at the moment is Mark Twain's:
'whenever I feel the urge to exercise coming on, lie down until it goes away again!'
A bientot!
Sister Gila
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Countdown to Paris in the Spring
My dear Friends
I can't remember if, even in my wild youth, I was ever in Paris in the Spring. Now I will finally make it, and I am in the enviable position of making this my 3rd trip to Paris in the last six months. As you know, my work knows no bounds, as I chat to people wherever I go, on buses, trains, planes and especially in the street. So it is difficult to separate 'work' from 'play' or 'holiday' but I think I really will try.
And I just received an email from Phyllis, my friend and mentor in Toronto, to tell me to do just that!I will see a lot of Alexia, but there will also be time on my own to just wander. Only trouble about Paris is that I always get lost! I always like to joke that the good Lord gave me quite a few gifts when I was created, but definitely no sense of direction! But it only makes me find more people to chat to and hopefully find my way.
When I was a child, my parents took me to a Jewish hotel in Ayr, on the coast near Glasgow. We were walking around the local neighbourhood when a lady asked my father for directions to a certain street. With great aplomb and confidence my father directed the lady, first right, then second left, right again and so on. When I told him afterwards that I was very impressed with his directions, my father answered:
'Well, actually, I had no clue where the street was, but I thought it better to tell the lady something rather than nothing!'
I am definitely my father's daughter!
Love and shalom from
Sister Gila
I can't remember if, even in my wild youth, I was ever in Paris in the Spring. Now I will finally make it, and I am in the enviable position of making this my 3rd trip to Paris in the last six months. As you know, my work knows no bounds, as I chat to people wherever I go, on buses, trains, planes and especially in the street. So it is difficult to separate 'work' from 'play' or 'holiday' but I think I really will try.
And I just received an email from Phyllis, my friend and mentor in Toronto, to tell me to do just that!I will see a lot of Alexia, but there will also be time on my own to just wander. Only trouble about Paris is that I always get lost! I always like to joke that the good Lord gave me quite a few gifts when I was created, but definitely no sense of direction! But it only makes me find more people to chat to and hopefully find my way.
When I was a child, my parents took me to a Jewish hotel in Ayr, on the coast near Glasgow. We were walking around the local neighbourhood when a lady asked my father for directions to a certain street. With great aplomb and confidence my father directed the lady, first right, then second left, right again and so on. When I told him afterwards that I was very impressed with his directions, my father answered:
'Well, actually, I had no clue where the street was, but I thought it better to tell the lady something rather than nothing!'
I am definitely my father's daughter!
Love and shalom from
Sister Gila
Thursday, 24 April 2008
Polish Passover
My dear Friends
This is Passover Week. Passover is an eight day Festival and, along with the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement, the most important. Passover is the herald of Spring and full of Joy. Celebrating the Exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt and their flight through the Red Sea, it is full of meaning and connected to the Paschal Mystery celebrated at Easter.
This Passover is a little unusual as the Jewish and Christian Festivals usually co-incide. but there is an extra month, like a leap year, in the Jewish calendar this year, and so it is a 'month ahead.' Someone told me that this will not occur again for another 150 years. The cycles of the moon are indeed complicated!
My own personal celebration of Seder night, the commemoration of the Exodus, was at the home of my Polish friend, Ania, in Cambridge. From a beautiful silver candlebra we lit the candles to begin the celebration, the three of us, myself, Ania and Asha covering our heads in the traditional Jewish way, according to the custom of many centuries. I sang the blessing in Hebrew. We had wine, including laying out a large glass for Elijah the prophet. Elijah is the herald of the Messiah and at a certain point the door is opened to allow the Messiah to come in.What we can't see with our eyes, we believe in faith!
When Father Piotr, the Polish priest came in, not realising that he was joining a Seder meal, I recounted for the second time a vivid memory from my childhood. Looking at Elijah's glass, filled with wine, with my eyes of a five year-old, I suddenly saw the level of the wine in the glass go down. I shouted 'It's a miracle!' Only then did I notice a very tiny hole in the bottom of the glass, but it remains a miracle in my mind to this day.
Ania, our hostess, was struck by the similarity of traditions, and we reflected how they had 'come apart' in the minds of both Jews and Christians up to the present day. Asha said how happy she was to sit round the table with people from different religions and traditions-isn't this how it should be?
On Monday morning I went to the Synagogue in Thompson's Lane in Cambridge and enjoyed the very beautiful and joyful liturgy . One of the readings described how, if you are a farmer, you must leave the 'corners of the field for the poor to glean.' I will describe this more in my next Blog, as here is a profound connection to the Logo of The Little Sisters of Joy.
Chag Sameach lePesach!
Happy Passover Feast!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
This is Passover Week. Passover is an eight day Festival and, along with the Jewish New Year and the Day of Atonement, the most important. Passover is the herald of Spring and full of Joy. Celebrating the Exodus of the Children of Israel from Egypt and their flight through the Red Sea, it is full of meaning and connected to the Paschal Mystery celebrated at Easter.
This Passover is a little unusual as the Jewish and Christian Festivals usually co-incide. but there is an extra month, like a leap year, in the Jewish calendar this year, and so it is a 'month ahead.' Someone told me that this will not occur again for another 150 years. The cycles of the moon are indeed complicated!
My own personal celebration of Seder night, the commemoration of the Exodus, was at the home of my Polish friend, Ania, in Cambridge. From a beautiful silver candlebra we lit the candles to begin the celebration, the three of us, myself, Ania and Asha covering our heads in the traditional Jewish way, according to the custom of many centuries. I sang the blessing in Hebrew. We had wine, including laying out a large glass for Elijah the prophet. Elijah is the herald of the Messiah and at a certain point the door is opened to allow the Messiah to come in.What we can't see with our eyes, we believe in faith!
When Father Piotr, the Polish priest came in, not realising that he was joining a Seder meal, I recounted for the second time a vivid memory from my childhood. Looking at Elijah's glass, filled with wine, with my eyes of a five year-old, I suddenly saw the level of the wine in the glass go down. I shouted 'It's a miracle!' Only then did I notice a very tiny hole in the bottom of the glass, but it remains a miracle in my mind to this day.
Ania, our hostess, was struck by the similarity of traditions, and we reflected how they had 'come apart' in the minds of both Jews and Christians up to the present day. Asha said how happy she was to sit round the table with people from different religions and traditions-isn't this how it should be?
On Monday morning I went to the Synagogue in Thompson's Lane in Cambridge and enjoyed the very beautiful and joyful liturgy . One of the readings described how, if you are a farmer, you must leave the 'corners of the field for the poor to glean.' I will describe this more in my next Blog, as here is a profound connection to the Logo of The Little Sisters of Joy.
Chag Sameach lePesach!
Happy Passover Feast!
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Monday, 14 April 2008
Spring in England
My dear Friends
I am slowly readjusting to the weather, and finally admitting that it is Spring in Cambridge. From the tearoom window of the university Library, you can just about see a row of beautiful cherry trees; I remember one year, as I was passing them outside, a Japanese lady gazing at them told me that it reminded her very much of Japan, where they grow in abundance. You can always find connections in life!
Despite my yearning for Canada, it has been a time of reunions and people seem pleased to see me. Today I had lunch with a gentleman who had been married to someone I knew who was a distinguished Hebrew teacher for many years, and who died after a life of much suffering and much bravery. Carol was a Catholic, but like so many people had a 'Jewish soul', expressed in her teaching of Hebrew and in many other ways. I can remember clearly that David, her husband, brought her over to Benigna's house long ago, and that we all had lunch together.
I am nonetheless finally, in my middle years, acquiring a sense of detachment about places, which I feel will help me to make the last push 'over the pond'. I think I started aquiring a new sense of confidence at the beginning of this year, almost imperceptibly, and the Concert helped.
I am really looking forward to seeing Alexia again, and other members of my 'family' in Paris, when I take the Eurostar for the 3rd time in 6 months on April 30th. In a funny kind of way, I feel it is a present from God for all the hard work in Toronto. I can't remember if I have ever been to Paris in the Springtime, of course it will be beautiful and enhanced by going to people I love.
And it will be one of my favourite religious Feasts-the Feast of the Ascension, really the final part of the story which begins with the Annunciation and Birth of Christ. But the story never ends; just repeats itself in an endless cycle of Birth, Death and Resurrection. It is the time of the lambing in the North of Scotland and I have many happy memories there.
The Lark ascending.. this is a beautiful of English music, and quite an apt metaphor when we think of Christ ascending to the Father.
I hope your Ascension day is full of joy and transcendence.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
I am slowly readjusting to the weather, and finally admitting that it is Spring in Cambridge. From the tearoom window of the university Library, you can just about see a row of beautiful cherry trees; I remember one year, as I was passing them outside, a Japanese lady gazing at them told me that it reminded her very much of Japan, where they grow in abundance. You can always find connections in life!
Despite my yearning for Canada, it has been a time of reunions and people seem pleased to see me. Today I had lunch with a gentleman who had been married to someone I knew who was a distinguished Hebrew teacher for many years, and who died after a life of much suffering and much bravery. Carol was a Catholic, but like so many people had a 'Jewish soul', expressed in her teaching of Hebrew and in many other ways. I can remember clearly that David, her husband, brought her over to Benigna's house long ago, and that we all had lunch together.
I am nonetheless finally, in my middle years, acquiring a sense of detachment about places, which I feel will help me to make the last push 'over the pond'. I think I started aquiring a new sense of confidence at the beginning of this year, almost imperceptibly, and the Concert helped.
I am really looking forward to seeing Alexia again, and other members of my 'family' in Paris, when I take the Eurostar for the 3rd time in 6 months on April 30th. In a funny kind of way, I feel it is a present from God for all the hard work in Toronto. I can't remember if I have ever been to Paris in the Springtime, of course it will be beautiful and enhanced by going to people I love.
And it will be one of my favourite religious Feasts-the Feast of the Ascension, really the final part of the story which begins with the Annunciation and Birth of Christ. But the story never ends; just repeats itself in an endless cycle of Birth, Death and Resurrection. It is the time of the lambing in the North of Scotland and I have many happy memories there.
The Lark ascending.. this is a beautiful of English music, and quite an apt metaphor when we think of Christ ascending to the Father.
I hope your Ascension day is full of joy and transcendence.
Shalom from
Sister Gila
Sunday, 6 April 2008
The Path of Waiting
My dear Friends
I came back over the pond (Atlantic) safely and to Terminal 4, so avoided all the chaos. Returning has been difficult, some jet lag and trying to find a routine; last night in the middle of the night I got back to my writing.
At the end of 2004, after a very distressing period, and just before the 'call' to go to Canada, a friend gave me a little book entitled 'The Path of Waiting.' This little spiritual gem was written by Henri Nouwen, a Dutch priest, unusual and creative, who lived for a time in Toronto in a l'Arche community. Founded by Jena Vanier,in these communities able people live alongside people with physical and other disabilities.
The Path of Waiting is a whole art in itself; for me it means that the most important thing at the moment is not the 'goal' of emigration, but the consecration of my life along the way, with all the encounters, activities, gifts etc. It is the art of living in the moment, always difficult for one who was born a planner!
My elderly and very wise friend James said to me over lunch in this lovely place that he is glad that we don't know the future-it would take all the excitement out of living.
So the tension, and the challenge, remain.
Have a good Sunday, wherever you may be
Shalom from
Sister Gila
I came back over the pond (Atlantic) safely and to Terminal 4, so avoided all the chaos. Returning has been difficult, some jet lag and trying to find a routine; last night in the middle of the night I got back to my writing.
At the end of 2004, after a very distressing period, and just before the 'call' to go to Canada, a friend gave me a little book entitled 'The Path of Waiting.' This little spiritual gem was written by Henri Nouwen, a Dutch priest, unusual and creative, who lived for a time in Toronto in a l'Arche community. Founded by Jena Vanier,in these communities able people live alongside people with physical and other disabilities.
The Path of Waiting is a whole art in itself; for me it means that the most important thing at the moment is not the 'goal' of emigration, but the consecration of my life along the way, with all the encounters, activities, gifts etc. It is the art of living in the moment, always difficult for one who was born a planner!
My elderly and very wise friend James said to me over lunch in this lovely place that he is glad that we don't know the future-it would take all the excitement out of living.
So the tension, and the challenge, remain.
Have a good Sunday, wherever you may be
Shalom from
Sister Gila
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