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I N T E R C O M M U N I T Y P E A C E & J U S T I C E C E N T E R

This issue: Mystical & Prophetic No. 95 Summer 2012 & Prophecy Flow Together Fr. Terrence J. Moran

t the heart of the well-known Levite pass by the potentially de- Divine Spouse. But investigate aparable of the Good Samaritan filing body of the wounded man deeper and discover that her lies a riddle that is a clue to its deep- out of respect for liturgical law. experience of mystical marriage Fr. Terrence J. est meaning. We are told that the The Samaritan weaves impelled Catherine out of her Moran, an associate Samaritan, moved with compassion and life into one seamless whole hermit’s cell into prophetic action of the Sisters at the sight of the wounded man in the world. Traveling of St. Joseph of by the roadside, provides first aid Europe with her bella Peace, is a spiritual by pouring “oil and wine,” (Luke brigata, her “delightful director and retreat 10:34) into the wound. As anyone gang” of disciples, she leader and an who has worked for a Scouting first denounced Pope and activist for peace, aid badge would know, this is poor Emperor and stood up sustainability and procedure. A wound should first to lynch mobs. She ac- immigrant rights.

be disinfected—by the wine—and ©Bob Fitch, www.bobfitchphoto.com companied to the scaf- then soothed by an ointment—like fold a man condemned the oil. The fact that the Samaritan to death for political reverses the order is a jarring detail protest and assured him meant to provoke our attention. It that he would be waiting is a reference to the fact that animal for her in heaven. in the Temple in Jerusalem What kind of person were accompanied by a libation, a do you think of when you pouring out, first of oil and then hear the word ? of wine. Perhaps Dorothy Day is not merely saying the gazing up with steely yet Samaritan is kind. He is saying peaceful determination something far more radical – that at armed police on the the Samaritan treats the body of Dorothy Day faces off with police at a United United Farmworkers’ the wounded man as if it were a Farmworker picket line, 1973 picket line in her 75th sacred object. The Samaritan, and becomes the very model of year. But investigate deeper and who would be prohibited from Christian discipleship. Mysticism discover Dorothy the contempla- entering the Temple, tends bro- and prophecy flow together from tive who never missed an annual ken humanity with a gesture that one sacred wellspring. retreat and spent long hours in is liturgical. The and the silence and holy reading. The Mystic & Prophet One person we almost certainly But the wild and subversive spirit of What image comes to mind don’t think about when we hear when you hear the word mys- cups hands around our lives and the words mystic or prophet is tic? Perhaps Catherine of Siena ourselves. The words seem too breathes over us, fanning us into flame. swept up in ecstasy, experienc- extreme, pretentious even, to ing a mystical wedding with her describe our own more modest 1 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center • 206.223.1138 • www.ipjc.org AMOS Summer 2012: Mystical & Prophetic ambitions in life. Prophecy and your deepest desire and what are to persevere through the dark night mysticism seem to allure us into you doing about it? How are you of resistance to evil which seems to dangerous territory. As one Irish making your dearest for the have the upper hand. monsignor is alleged to have re- world not a vague hope for some- Mystics and accept the marked, “Ah, mysticism. It begins day but a for today? daily discipline of letting go and in mist and ends in !” And The mysticism and prophecy of know the truth of the words of Meis- so we dampen the mystic spark in everyday life invite us to three prac- ter Eckhart—the life of the spirit our hearts, the prophetic fire in is more about subtraction our voices. We settle for so little … to such a delightfully daunting than addition. The mystics for ourselves and for the world. of every tradition often seem God has called us. But the wild and subversive spirit subversive because they call of God cups hands around our us not to make idols of our lives and breathes over us, fan- tices: radical amazement, letting go, cherished images of God and to ning us into flame. Because God healing and resistance.1 expect many shatterings of idols as passionately desires intimacy with Mystics and prophets are both the God beyond all names draws every person without exception, captivated by the wholeness and near to us. Prophets know the pain- we can name the human journey beauty at the heart of reality, at the ful process of letting go of as mystic. Because God’s justice divine radiance that shines from of easy success and instant change. is relentless until all creation en- creation. They are willing to gaze In contemplation prophets find the joys God’s gift of shalom, the task contemplatively at any reality until courage to confront the violence in of every human life is prophetic. they perceive it rightly and name themselves. They know that failure The deeper we are drawn into it truthfully. They are tireless in to do so will make them the unwit- mysticism or prophecy, the more pouring healing balm on broken- ting instruments of the oppressive we discover they are at their heart ness, confronting injustice until structures they denounce. one path. As the great African- wholeness and beauty is restored. Genuine prophets and mystics American prophet and mystic, They practice radical amazement, are never Lone Rangers but archi- Howard Thurman, often said: go confident that if they plunge them- tects of communities of healing deep into who you are and you selves into the heart of any real- and resistance. Taking the come out smack dab in the middle ity, delightful or painfully broken, necessary for relationships of depth; of your brothers and sisters. they will meet the Holy One. The cooking and enjoying a healthy prophet without a meal with lively conversation long There comes a time when humanity is called to life of deep con- into the night; singing, -making, shift to a new level of , a time when templation can playing: all these are prophetic acts we have to shed our fear and give hope to each become a joy- of resistance to our dysfunctional, less critic, shrill consumer culture. All these are other. That time is now. and empty. The mystical acts through which we are Wangari Maathai mystic without a energized by the God who inhabits Mysticism & Prophecy in passion for heal- the intimacies of the atom and the Everyday Life ing the broken can mistake escape swirling immensities of the galaxies. from the world as a journey into God Teresa of Avila says that her Mysticism and prophecy share and become an addict of what life- model of a Christian is someone a common focus in practice. They long peace activist Daniel Berrigan who falls into ecstasy while frying compel us to serious contempla- names “a terrible kind of drug called an egg and doesn’t spill a drop of oil. tion of two books – our check contemplation.” Radical amaze- To be the mystic and the prophet – book and our date book. Time and ment allows mystics to find God in passionate and practical, witty and money are energies we choose to attention to something as common wise, earthy and ecstatic – to such release into the world. Mysticism and as close as their breath. It em- a delightfully daunting destiny God and prophecy equally invite us out powers them to persevere through has called us. of the seductive world of thought the dark nights when God seems and rhetoric and ask us: what is 1 Soelle, Dorothee, The Silent Cry: Mysticism absent. It strengthens the prophet and Resistance (Fortress Press, 2001) 2 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center • 206.223.1138 • www.ipjc.org AMOS Summer 2012: Mystical & Prophetic Lisa Dennison Family Life: Chaos, Contemplation and Justice is Training Lisa Dennison Coordinator for that gave me permission to care for life in solitude and with my Cabrini Ministry erhaps it was not a coinci- my spirit’s needs—“God be with community, I must say that 3 of and a Director in pdence that I received the the mother. As she carried her the greatest teachers on my pil- the SEEL retreat in invitation to write this article when child may she carry her .”2 I grim path are my husband and Seattle. I was on a pilgrimage to Spain joined several women’s groups that 2 daughters. Though Karl is a where my husband and I joined met monthly for sacred and non-believer, he shows me un- 32 others in following in the foot- deep sharing. conditional love and unwavering steps of St. Ignatius of Loyola. He When my youngest daughter support for all that sustains my was a proud Basque who, after a was born, I experienced the Spiri- spiritual journey. Many ask me profound conversion experience, tual Exercises in Everyday Life how it is to be married to someone left a life of nobility to begin a who does not share my faith pilgrim’s journey of discover- and I acknowledge that it is ing God’s call for his life. The difficult at . But when more I learned about St. Igna- I reflect on Karl’s values and tius, the more I identified my behavior, I see God’s light and spiritual life as one of a pilgrim. grace moving in him, even if The poet Macrina Weiderkuhr he doesn’t name it as such. describes a pilgrim as one “on Because Karl doesn’t at- the move slowly, to notice your tend church, our daughters luggage becoming lighter… always had the option of stay- seeking for treasures that do ing home from church which not rust, to be comfortable Lisa Dennison lights a candle on Ignatian they sometimes did. But when with your heart’s questions.”1 pilgrimage in Spain they started to receive invita- Reflecting on how to live out the (SEEL) which slowly but radically tions to participate in mass at St. call to be prophetic and walk the changed my life. During this 9 Patrick’s in Seattle—a Vatican II way of the mystic in the midst of month retreat, my spiritual direc- parish honoring the gifts of the the chaos of family life, the words tor wisely told me that my laity—they began to see that that come to me are community practice while caring for a new- their contributions were valued and invitation. Without commu- born and a toddler was likely to be and appreciated. Betsey Beckman nity to nourish, challenge, and very different than when I was a leads our youth in liturgical dance, occasionally carry our family, we Jesuit Volunteer in my early twen- and each of my daughters had the would not have the foundation ties. As I explored other forms experience of embodying their of faith that moves us to reflect of prayer I discovered a number faith in new and sacred ways. As a of ways to deepen result of their involvement at St. my relationship to Patrick’s, a subtle but important … in the midst of the chaos of family God, including the shift occurred. It was no longer life, the words that come to me are use of imagination “Mom’s church” but theirs as community and invitation. with Scripture (in well. Other caring adults affirmed the Ignatian tradi- my daughters and called them to tion). In addition, find their own prophetic path of deeply and act with gratitude and reading poetry from mystics such service. After learning about our compassion. as Rumi, Hafiz, St. Teresa of sister parish in El Salvador, both Many years ago as a new Avila, and Mary Oliver brings me girls clamored to go on a delega- mother, I learned that if I wanted into the Mystery that Fr. Richard tion to visit. So in the summer to cultivate our family , Rohr likes to call presence which is of 2008, our entire family went I needed to start by tending to my “experienced as a moment of deep on a delegation down to Nueva own spirit. When my two girls inner connection.”3 Trinidad. Sarah and Theresa—15 were small, I came across a prayer While I enjoy my prayer continued on page 9 3 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center • 206.223.1138 • www.ipjc.org AMOS Summer 2012: Mystical & Prophetic Listening to Our Hearts’ Longing Elaine Prevallet, SL must expand, become universal. is shot through the whole creation, ur human worldview has Are we aware of our singular role then our love of God cannot be ochanged with astonishing in the evolution of our spe- separated from our love for, and speed, from an Earth-centered cies? Do our lifestyles, attitudes, responsibility to, Earth and all its Elaine Prevallet, frame to an awareness of cosmos use of “resources,” including our inhabitants. A desire for God is SL lives at Loretto with no boundaries. We are spin- life energies, align themselves traditionally the central motiva- Motherhouse, ning on a miniscule planet, smaller with this much broader frame? tion of spiritual search—a drawing Nerinx, KY, where than we ever imagined, a tiny part Re-imaging will require serious toward Something transcendent, she does retreat of an enormous evolutionary pro- contemplative time and intense an indefinable SomeOne More. work, spiritual cess of emergence going back as conversation so that we change But communion with an infinite, direction and some far as the beginning, connecting together, or co-evolve, to say it in unfathomable Love will always writing. us in kinship with all other species. fancy terms. We seek, as we have outstrip anything humans can Even though we now know—at always sought, an ever-deepening imagine. The more deeply we least with our heads—our deep love and union with God, but search, the more the horizon and delicate dependence upon God incarnate in and through this opens! the rest of creation as our life- marvelous world God is holding in Might it be that the oneness, support system, being. Morewood point- the communion we seek is really Our self-understanding nevertheless we edly asks: is your God everywhere communion with everything—or, humans have fool- and our love must expand, or elsewhere? Are there prophets that communion with God in- ishly depleted and who discern the presence of God cludes everything? Our desire for become universal. despoiled it. Each in the whole creation, and name God is neither separate from, nor of us can recite a for us our gross failure to fulfill our exactly identical with, a desire to list of human attitudes and behav- human role and destiny on Earth? know the unity of everything in the iors that contribute to this spolia- Our species has the capac- fullness of God. The reign of God, tion, but we—collectively—either ity for consciousness, for love, our hearts’ deepest longing for a cannot or simply do not will to turn for choice. it around. We can de- We must admit that Chris- cide to act on tianity has contributed to this im- compassionate passe. By locating God out there, cues or choose in heaven, in the sky, we have suc- to serve our ceeded in de-sacralizing creation. o w n e g o . © NASA/Creative Commons 3.0 Commons © NASA/Creative Even though the central motif of Precisely this our tradition is incarnation, we capacity for have virtually limited God’s pres- compassion- ence by locating it solely in the ate, creative figure of Jesus Christ. Christian- action may ity’s biggest task at present is to be the linch- re-discover the presence of God pin that could within this world. Shouldn’t that unify and hold be the role of Christians who pro- the world to- Sunburst over Earth/NASA fess an incarnate God? gether. We are co-laboring with God, focusing world of peace and justice: our Re-Imaging Together our energies on cooperating, con- passion is for all life to radiate a Our hearts and minds need necting, repairing, healing, and harmonious relationship of justice, to change. Our God is too small, sharing. “The reign of God” is peace, equity. But this thirst, this our faith too narrowly framed. Our no longer just peace and justice longing is in fact the self-understanding and our love among humans. If God’s presence of Wisdom nudging and draw- 6 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center • 206.223.1138 • www.ipjc.org AMOS Summer 2012: Mystical & Prophetic ing us in and through creation, longing to create heaven on Earth. healing, and compassionate. toward communion with God in He must be prepared to risk, as We see the reign of God far and through creation. Our desire Jesus risked, his reputation, his more broadly than before, em- for God is God’s desire working in self-image, his security. There are a bracing the purview of the planet, us to unify creation. When “mys- thousand facets to the hard rock of the reign of God for the whole of tics” have an experience of God our egos; and there are a thousand this Earth-creation. “God’s Will” they inevitably experience that ways to scrub the rock to release is that all creation thrive. This is everything is united, everything is the radiant Love of an entirely new con- One. Mystics will carry the heart’s the God Within. That text, a for the … mystics will see the passion; prophets will see—and is to say, there are a human species and announce—the path. Or, mystics thousand ways to die Oneness, prophets planet Earth. It is for will see the Oneness, prophets the to ourselves. But we the lack thereof. the prophet, among lack thereof. They join on the path cannot do it alone. We us and in each of us, of self-emptying love. need others to help us honestly see to keep ex-posing us, jolting us ourselves and to bolster our hope out of our blind lethargy, to help Self-Knowledge, Self- and courage. Spiritual paths must us glimpse the outlines of a new Emptying be engaged in exploring both the creation. It is for the mystic, in our What does it mean to be a fol- inner and outer, the solitary and midst and in each of us, to ground lower of Jesus? There is a single the social dimensions of our be- our hope in love. pattern—Wisdom’s own dynamism ing – they are inextricably related. Paul saw the whole of of dying/rising, our participation Each must discern, with the help creation, and us humans as well, in the paschal mystery, lives spent of others, his or her own path. “groaning in labor pains,” long- in selfless service. The on-going The Spirit has already set the ing with the longing of God to be process of self-knowledge and table for us. Access to a variety of drawn forward toward transforma- self-emptying is tailored to each religious practices are available tion into a communion of love. As individual life. A prophet must be to us, providing ways to clear our we share that painful longing, we a “mystic” to see the world clearly, energies of distraction and attach- hear the call to commit ourselves, as it were through the eyes of God. ment in prayer and . We each in our own ways, and all She must be ready to stand aside can choose whichever practices together, to put our lives in the from her own opinions, projec- will best help us ground and di- service of the Larger Life. Can tions, biases, and internalize as her rect the intentionality of our life’s that inspire us, can it sustain own motivation God’s passionate energies toward what is positive, our hope?

Mystical & Prophetic Resources Websites Reflection Guides on Mysticism and Prophetic Ethics http://tiny.cc/mysticalpropheticreflect Center for Action & Contemplation From Baylor University’s Center for Christian Ethics http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/ Online resources, webcasts, and events for contemplation and Books & Music action rooted in the Gospels. Brown, Monica. Be Still & Know … God is Here: Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue & Prayer for Children. CD & Book. Emmaus http://www.engagingimpasse.org Productions (2011). Reflects, analyzes and acts on critical issues of church and society through a process of contemplation and dialogue. Soelle, Dorothee. The Silent Cry: Mysticism & Resistance. Fortress Press (2001). International Union of Superiors General—2010 Plenary http://tiny.cc/uisgmysticalprophetic Wind, Renate. Dorothee Soelle: Mystic & Rebel. Fortress Talks on Mysticism and the Prophetic from the 2010 Press (2012) international conference of women religious leaders. 7 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center • 206.223.1138 • www.ipjc.org AMOS Summer 2012: Mystical & Prophetic Contemplating Violence, Acting for Peace Cat Willett decided to move from Portland, had always felt a deep craving for ou may remember the news OR—one of my favorite places on community living, radical action, ystory. On September 24th, Earth—to Chicago, a city where I and true vocation. My first year in 2009, a young man in Chicago, IL knew no one and had no idea what Chicago, I found all three. was killed in a brutal melee on his Cat Willett received lay ahead. I was convinced that I The local church I attended dual Masters way home from school. Derrion would never be as connected to a housed a young adult community Degrees in Social Albert, 16. The trig- social issue here as I was in Port- in the former convent. This com- Work and Social gered a new look at youth violence land. I expected to live in Chicago munity, Open Hands, was the cata- Justice this Spring around the nation. I thought a lot as a temporary guest. But then lyst and connector for the large from Loyola about Derrion—and his killers— Derrion Albert was killed. community of radical Christian University in over the next few months. I found For the next three years, I fo- activists I now call home. Five of Chicago. it hard to believe that us live together, sharing the young men in- finances and meals, and volved were psycho- I always felt a deep craving for community have ministries with the paths or cold-blooded church next door. We all living, radical action, and true vocation. killers. That seemed share a common commit- too easy. There must ment to justice work and be something beyond have informal connections that. And there must be some cused all of my schooling on two with several other communities way of addressing the systems questions. “What makes kids kill nearby. Our communities have that clearly impacted these kill- kids?” and “How can I help stop housed survivors of torture, held ings. Racism. Poverty. School it.” I found a community of mutual many conversations on various Closures. A society that condones support that listened to me talk issues of justice, planned prayer violence as a solution. The inabil- about violence in our communi- services outside the gates of Fort ity to recognize the beautiful gifts ties, affirmed my desire to stop Benning and in the streets of that youth of color offer our world. relying solely on the police force Chicago, and fed each other in I kept asking myself, “What would to address violence, and accom- multiple ways. have helped?” panied me to sites of community We hold two questions at the violence to pray and center of our collective efforts. to mourn. In return, I First, “What does love require?” have accompanied oth- Second, “What can we do together ers on their spiritual that we cannot do alone?” These and emotional journey two questions are lived out, im- towards vocation. I perfectly, day by day. They are learned about Afghani why we feed the hungry, house the struggles for peace; homeless, work with gang mem- the plight of those re- bers, pray at the sites of murder, maining in Guanta- and travel to Afghanistan and the namo Bay; the Catholic Mexico border to offer assistance. Worker movement; This work would be impossible Cat Willett and friends participate in a protest to bring and the importance without room for the spirit. I am, attention to plight of Guantanamo Bay prisoners of doula care for low- at best, a reluctant prophet and no income women. real mystic. I have always thought Derrion’s death happened What started out as a temporary of spiritual practices as less nec- a month after I embarked on a move across the country for school essary than concrete action. But journey covering thousands of turned into a semi-permanent I followed an instinct and signed miles and about as many emo- move into the life I always wanted up to do the Ignatian Spiritual Ex- tions. In the summer of 2009, I yet did not know how to build. I ercises during my first year here. 8 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center • 206.223.1138 • www.ipjc.org AMOS Summer 2012: Mystical & Prophetic draw on a number of spiritual re- stayed where I was. This journey sources, many of which were new has been challenging, disturbing, This work would be to me. Our extended community sad, but also filled with God’s impossible without of friends offers opportunities to presence and a community of wit- room for the spirit. engage in prophetic witness, nesses that have offered support informed by spiritual practice. and witness along the way. This Carving out an hour of prayer a Every January, members of our journey towards the life I always day was a struggle but it allowed community engage in a 10-day wanted has transformed me in me to delve deeply into my newly- fast to bring attention to the men unimaginable ways and affirms discovered passion around youth at Guantanamo Bay. Our fast is the words of Anne Lamott – “God violence. The visions I found in also a public witness, with daily loves us exactly the way we are, prayer allowed me to grapple with vigils outside the halls of power. and God loves us too much to let the sin of gun violence and offered Additionally, we have planned us stay exactly the way we are.” me an opportunity to connect to annual for the School of the Spirit which enlivens our col- the Americas protest and hosted lective struggle for a world without informal gatherings around Ad- A prophet combines a very violence. vent and Lent to grow deeper in deep love, a very powerful Our community prioritizes our faith and witness. dissent, a powerful resolve with communal spiritual experiences. My work with youth impacted We meet weekly for an hour of by violence has caused me to ask envisioning hope. communal prayer. Through the questions I never thought of be- Rabbi Heschel diverse spiritual practices of our fore and to walk alongside people community, I have been able to I might never have met if I had

Family Life, continued from page 3 and 12 years old at the time—were pilgrimage of community support foster kittens. I am more comfort- so moved by their experience that and numerous invitations. The able with my heart’s questions that they returned again last summer mystic’s call to slow down, pay surface in life’s messiness inviting with another parish delegation. attention and live with gratitude, me out of the prison of my ego into As my girls matured, I began along with the prophet’s summons the liberating dance with Spirit. to invite them to experience some to discern new ways to be instru- Teilhard de Chardin once of the prophets of our time such ments of healing and justice have wrote that the Divine is not far as Edwina Gately, Sr. Joan Chit- from us, that in fact “we live tister, Sr. Helen Prejean, and Fr. steeped in its burning layers." Bill Bischel. Once, I took both … whether we are changing When I live more fully into that Sarah and Theresa out of school diapers, changing our lives or truth I glimpse the way of the to attend the 2009 NW Catholic changing the world. mystic and prophet that we are all Women’s Convocation that IPJC invited to—whether we are chang- hosted which proved to be a pow- ing diapers, changing our lives or erful catalyst for them to explore enriched our entire family. On changing the world. their own faith and justice issues. this pilgrim’s path, I have noticed 1 Weiderkuhr, Macrina, "Tourist or Pilgrim" My girls gushed over what they my luggage becoming lighter, let- from Seasons of Your Heart (HarperCol- had seen and learned from the ting go of judgments (of myself lins, 1991) powerful presenters and wanted to and others), fear and the need for 2 Leunig, Michael, When I Talk to You: A know why there wasn’t a Convoca- perfection. I treasure our simple Cartoonist Talks to God (Andrew McNeel tion every year! family traditions of daily meals Pub, 2006) Thus, these 20 years of together, serving at our parish, and 3 Rohr, Richard, The Naked Now: Learning to family life have been a grace-filled offering hospitality to friends and See as The Mystics See (Crossroad, 2009) 9 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center • 206.223.1138 • www.ipjc.org AMOS Summer 2012: Mystical & Prophetic intercommunity

Seeking Peace & Reconciliation Caroline Osborne

y dream is to work for black and white solution. As I heard each new mhuman rights, to help voice, I was left reeling, nearly overwhelmed resolve conflicts and advance by the diversity of viewpoints. I finally under- peace. My first steps toward stood that this situation is many little conflicts this goal include volunteering at wrapped up into a big political package. IPJC and studying International When my class was in Beit Sahour, a town Studies at American University on the West Bank, we stayed in host families In front of the Western/Wailing Wall in The Old next year. with girls our age. I became friends with some City of Jerusalem I had the opportunity to travel to Israel of the girls, and we stay connected on Face- Thank You and Palestine earlier this year with my Peace book. Caroline Osborne! & Reconciliation Class. In country, I was fortu- Now, when I get excited about going to col- nate to hear the opinions of a variety of people lege a couple thousand miles away, or about go- A senior at Forest Ridge High impacted by the ongoing crisis in that region: ing to the movies, my host sister is always in the School, Caroline volunteered Jewish settlers, Arab Christians, peace activ- back of my mind. It may be a cliché, but living weekly at IPJC. At right, she tells ists, teachers, business people, former Israeli with this family, even for a night, changed the us about her class trip to Israel soldiers, and refugees. Never before had I seen way I think about my everyday activities. Now & Palestine. an issue with more sides to it. I entered the as I make my way—slowly but surely—towards Pray—Participate—Fund class pretty confident that there was a wrong my dream of working for peace, I take my fam- IPJC side and a right one, and that there had to be a ily in the West Bank with me. Susan Francois, CSJP Gratitude and Blessings to Our IPJC Interns Leaves for Graduate School Anja Helmon is an intern from the School of Sister Susan did her formation years and Ministry at Seattle University, in ministry at IPJC and will begin preparing for in the Lutheran graduate studies at the Chicago . Anja assisted in coordinating IPJC's Theological Union this fall. Church, Temple and Mosque experiences Congratulations and Interfaith Book Groups; and facilitated Susan on receiving a Women's Justice Circles and Immigration Cardinal Bernadin Workshops. scholarship for studies in Ethics and Reconciliation and Peacemaking. Holy Spirit Lutheran, Kirkland Susan edits her last Griselda Aguilar is completing her Masters issue of A Matter of of Social Work degree from the University Spirit with this Summer issue. We thank of Washington. Griselda facilitated Spanish her for her leadership in coordinating our and English Justice Circles, assisted with Human Trafficking work and our Young Catholic Advocacy Day organizing and Adult Justice Cafés. assisted with the Fall 2011 Latina Women's Conference. peace & justice center

Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center Announcing! Women's

In early June you will receive a letter with the details of the upcoming Women's Convocation. We are counting on your Convocation V involvement & support to make Convocation V another grand event! Grace on the Margins April 12-13, 2013 for Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) We hold the leadership of our sponsoring communities in prayer One God, at this time of the Doctrinal Assessment of LCWR. Three We thank all of you for your affirmations of our sisters and our Spring Interfaith Series & ministries. Book Groups Successful! One way you can support us is to support our ministries. Please stay tuned for more interfaith events! Go to Thank you for your support of IPJC! www.ipjc.org for information and news from IPJC.

Congratulations! Temple B’nai , Bellevue Video Contest Winners Transformation in a Time 1st Place: Saint Mary’s Academy, Winnipeg – Not For Sale of Uncertainty 2nd Place: High School, Los Angeles – In Your Hands September 29th, 2012 Stuart Hall High School, San Francisco – Our World, Our  Explore these contemporary times in light of our spirituality Responsibility and faith. 3rd Place: Ramona Convent Secondary School, Alhambra – Stop  Listen, speak and pray with a contemplative heart. Human Trafficking  Explore the invitation to new places of understanding and Honorable Mentions: Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, action rooted in contemplative spaciousness. Bellevue – Stop the Slavery  Become part of a movement for transformation in this time Holy Names Academy, Seattle – Trafficked of uncertainty. Ramona convent Secondary School, Alhambra – Immigration A one-day program sponsored by IPJC and presented by and the DREAM Act Nancy Sylvester, IHM View the videos at www.ipjc.org Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center 1216 NE 65th Street Seattle, WA 98115-6724 return service requested

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A Matter of Spirit — is a publication of the Reflection In the Company of Mystics & Prophets Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center © 2012 Invite a small group for contemplation on the Reader: “O God, we are one with You. You have made Sponsoring Communities mystical and prophetic. us one with You. You have taught us that if we are Adrian Dominican Sisters open to one another, You dwell in us.” Oregon Province Jesuits Set Up: Arrange chairs around a small table. Put on Sisters of the Holy Names the table a cloth, a large candle and enough small Reader: Oscar Romero of Jesus and Mary, U.S. candles for each participant. Ontario Province All: Tell us, what do you see? Sisters of Providence, Music: Instrumental Music, Ground of All Being, or Mother Joseph Province Open My Eyes. Reader: “When the church hears the cry of the Sisters of St. Francis oppressed it cannot but denounce the social structures of Philadelphia Facilitator: Today we are in the that give rise to and perpetuate the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace company of mystics and prophets. misery from which the cry arises.” Tacoma Dominicans They invite us to seek God in prayerful Affiliate Communities contemplation. They call on us to be Facilitator: Let’s take time for communal quiet. During the quiet, I Benedictine Sisters of prophets of hope for our broken world. Cottonwood, Idaho invite you to reflect on one way you Let us name these women and men. Benedictine Sisters of Lacey are drawn to reveal God’s presence Let us ask of them, what do you see? Benedictine Sisters of more fully to your family, community Mt. Angel

Reader: Catherine of Siena 2.0 Commons © Megapixx/Creative or world. OR One call you hear Religious of the Sacred personally or communally on behalf of Heart All: Tell us, what do you see? justice in our church and world. Sinsinawa Dominicans Sisters of Charity of the Reader: “O immeasurably tender love! Sharing: Each person is invited to Blessed Virgin Mary Who would not be set afire with such light a candle as they share their Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet love? What heart could keep from reflection. breaking?” Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon  One way you can reveal God’s presence more Ursuline Sisters of the Roman Union Reader: Dorothy Day fully, or Editorial Board All: Tell us, what do you see?  One call you hear personally or communally Gretchen Gundrum, PhD Linda Haydock, SNJM Reader: “The greatest challenge of the day is: how Closing: Light of my life, I believe that you are Vince Herberholt Kathy McFaul to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution indwelling within me. Draw me closer to you, so that which has to start with each one of us?” Nick Mele I may know the warmth of your love. Inspire me to Kathy Morefield share light with others in love and hope. Maria Ochoa Reader: Thomas Merton Editor: Susan Francois, CSJP All: Tell us, what do you see? (Adapted from Stand Up Sisters by Judy Byron, OP, Linda Haydock, SNJM and Chris Hillman) Layout: Justin Almeida

12 Intercommunity Peace & Justice Center • 206.223.1138 • www.ipjc.org AMOS Summer 2012: Mystical & Prophetic