Visitors for the week

Even those who devote their entire lives to living in holiness soon discover that complete integration of energies is impossible while we are still “in the body.” This inner conflict means that we remain permanently imperfect and we will pass into eternity imperfect. Our only hope is to rely on the mercy of God. In a sense, this necessary transition from self-reliance to ultimate dependence on God is the meaning and purpose of the struggle. Victory over our vices is an illusory ideal. If our sins are the only things that make us rely on God, then it seems unwise to get rid of them too quickly.

Fully Human, Fully Divine: An Interactive Christology

M. Casey

Week 2 began with the arrival of visitors for the week. Seventeen members of the Society of Mary representing five different regions/areas joined us for the topic of human formation, psychosexual development, trauma, and safeguarding vulnerable persons. Not a light week! More on that later... 

The 17 visitors are here because they serve on their provincial council in the office of religious life, work at the Marianist seminary in Rome, serve as novice directors, or work in vocations. Five of the 17 are from the United States - Bro. Dennis (Dayton), Bro. Mark (San Antonio), Fr. Tim (St. Louis), Fr. Danny (Long Island, NY), and Fr. Peter (Long Island, NY). It's been good to spend time with them!  

The larger group...

In the randomly assigned seats,
we just happened to be seated together...

 

I mentioned in my last blog that we were planning to visit the Giraffe Centre here on the outskirts of Nairobi. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but the place was much smaller than I imagined. But it was cool. I fed an adult giraffe and a baby giraffe. One of the Brothers was teasing me because he said I was frightened. Not true. If you know me at all you know that I HATE being licked by animals. And giraffes have really long, sloppy, thick tongues. I was NOT having that animal lick me! LOL. And you could tell by the way I held out my little bowl of giraffe food. 😉

Of the dozens of pictures we took, there is not one
in which everyone is looking at the camera.

One thing I didn't know before coming (one thing among many) is that the Dimesse Sisters' property is in a place outside of Nairobi called Karen. It is named for Karen Blixen... the woman about whom the movie Out of Africa is based. Karen Blixen was a Danish author who started a coffee plantation here in the early 1900s. It was huge.  So, the land she owned bears her name. 

We watched Out of Africa last weekend - well, it was optional. It's a long movie, so not everyone stayed up. We watched in English with French subtitles. 

Crazy hair, don't care... Movie time!

Okay, now on to the topics for the week. We started the week reflecting on different models of formation... and moving towards a model of integration. It was a long day with a lot of information, but it will definitely stick with me. It's from this day that I drew the quote at the beginning of this blog. 

Models of Formation

Then we were joined by Tina Campbell - a laywoman from Scottland who has worked with many religious congregations on safeguarding vulnerable persons. She is a therapist (although, not practicing these days) and consultant. 

 

       

And although this has been a heavy week, we also had light-hearted moments. We celebrated another birthday, which was fun!

And we had significant moments of prayer. In fact... at Mass a couple of nights ago, our Brothers from Eastern Africa sang a communion meditation song in Swahili... with 4 part harmony... amazingly beautiful. I wish I would have recorded it. 

This weekend, we will have an excursion to a place called Tribal Village (I think). At this place, we will be able to learn how each tribal group lived prior to colonization... and about traditional practices, dress, and dances. Not sure what I think, honestly. I am guessing that it is a little similar to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii. We'll see... 

Okay. That's enough for now. Eventually, I will share with you about the food. But, that'll come later.

Mutual prayers!

Nicole, FMI