"Oh... we're halfway there! Oh-oh living on a prayer!"

“Focus on the journey, not the destination.

Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.”

Greg Anderson

It really is hard to believe that we've reached the halfway point in our program. In some ways, it feels like we've been here a really long time (so many experiences, conversations, reflections, etc.), and in other ways, it feels like we haven't been here that long - there are still people with whom I haven't talked much at all. But... here we are. 

This past week has been different. The SM and the FMI spent Monday - Friday in separate meetings. The Brothers spent the week learning about formation in their history - reading many documents and in conversation about current formation. At least, that's what I understand about what they were up to. As for the FMI... we were working on the revision of our congregational Guide to Formation.

This document, which is in the process of being revised, establishes the framework, contents, methods, and resources for the formation of new Sisters. Each day we read and looked at the guide from a different perspective (with the help of certain documents). We'd spend time in individual reflection followed by discussion in language groups and finally deciding as a group on our recommendations for edits to the guide. It was hard work, to be honest. We worked without a translator. So, we translated for each other. And while I'm the only one for whom English is her first language, we did most of our work in English (with side conversations in Spanish and French). Once we finished, the two of us who served as secretaries for the week worked on a synthesis document which the group approved, and we will submit it to our General Administration for the next stage of the updating process. 

Secretaries hard at work on the document.
I loved the fact that we were both wearing purple.
She didn't notice until I said something. 

The FMIs at work

One day, the FMIs decided to sit together at lunch. You would think we were doing something terrible with the response we received from the Brothers. So much grief! But, all in good fun...

Even with all the work, we were still smiling.

This morning, Saturday, we are back with the SM for our morning session. We're taking a look at what our recent General Chapters have to teach us about formation. 

We are free for the rest of the weekend (except for communal prayer and meals). Although, I think we have a social planned for this evening. We do not have an outing planned for this afternoon or tomorrow. So, laundry day for me, maybe? And maybe I can read something...? Or sleep?? All good options. We'll see what happens. 😊

At this point in our time here, I am reflecting on lessons I'm learning outside of our sessions. I'm learning a lot in terms of content. This is true. But there are many other things not included in our sessions. Here are a few things (in no particular order):

• The higher the cotton content of clothing, the easier it is to wash by hand, the faster it dries, and the softer it is when dry. Why I brought so many things with polyester and spandex is an annoying mystery to me.
• Speaking a common language does not guarantee a connection. A common language does not necessarily indicate a similar sense of humor, perspective on life, or value system. Building a connection takes work and can be exhausting.
• My social awkwardness, which is a normal fact of life, is magnified when I'm in an unfamiliar context. It's off the charts without others who share my home context.
• Singing in a different language is a lot easier than reading that same language out loud or understanding someone speaking. I've learned I can sing in a few languages and understand what I'm singing. But don't ask me to read the same words out loud... It's so much harder! 🤔 Why can't I use my signing brain at other times?
• I know so little about the history of different countries on the African continent. 
• The sun is more intense when you're closer to the equator. I know that. But I've experienced it in new ways.
• The narratives we play in our minds make a huge difference in terms of attitude and behavior... and can either build bridges or walls between people. There is a choice involved. 

That's all for now. Now I'm off to embrace a free afternoon.

Many blessings,

Sr. N

Tell me... what does commitment look like to you?

The Lord’s call – let it be said at the outset – is not as clear-cut as any of those things 

we can hear, see or touch in our daily experience. God comes silently and discreetly, 

without imposing on our freedom. Thus it can happen that his voice 

is drowned out by the many worries and concerns 

that fill our minds and hearts.

We need, then, to learn how to listen carefully to his word 

and the story of his life, 

but also to be attentive to the details of our own daily lives, 

in order to learn how to view things 

with the eyes of faith, and to keep ourselves open to the surprises of the Spirit.

Pope Francis

Message for the 55th World Day of Vocations

2018

Recap of the week...

Last week - week 5 - was quite the week. The topic was consecrated life, which is rather broad. We looked at each of the vows. We looked at what makes religious life "radical" in our world today. We read parts of Vatican documents on consecrated life and our own Rules of Life. We spent time meditating on beautiful pieces of art each morning. We also had group presentations. Thank you to our facilitator for the week, our own Bro. Tim from New York. 

The real "meat" of the week, though, came from our group discussions about cultural context and the challenges we face in living committed lives. I heard from some of our SMs about being held at gunpoint - churches being bombed - fear of extremists - religious women being raped (not our FMIs, but women they know). Priests who have been jailed for nothing more than baptizing someone without government permission. We talked about challenges to the vow of poverty when the religious live better than the candidates' families. We shared about family and societal expectations of adult children. We talked about clericalism, the sins of the Church, and how religious are misunderstood around the world - regardless of context. 

No doubt, a heavy week. But so, so good. I have learned a great deal. And understand in a more complete way (although, not completely) what a commitment to Marianist life means for our Brothers and Sisters in different parts of the world. I will be unpacking those conversations for a while.

Weekend...

Saturday was a relaxing day. The afternoon was free, so I went to the mall across the street with two of our Brothers and had a lovely fruit smoothie. Then that evening we had a social with lots of dancing. 

On Sunday we had another excursion. This time to Lake Naivasha. What a fun day - after the heaviness of the week, it was good to be outside, laugh, walk alongside someone and chat for a bit. 

The Great Rift Valley and Lake Naivasha

The lake is about a 2.5-hour drive from our retreat center. We left Sunday after breakfast and returned about an hour before evening prayer. 

About midway through the drive, we stopped at a scenic overlook. From this point, you see a beautiful view of the Great Rift Valley. This rift extends from Jordan along eastern Africa to Mozambique. According to Brittanica.com, the "East African Rift System, also called Afro-Arabian Rift Valley, one of the most extensive rifts on Earth’s surface, extending from Jordan in southwestern Asia southward through eastern Africa to Mozambique. The system is some 4,000 miles (6,400 km) long and averages 30–40 miles (48–64 km) wide."

Because of the fossils found in the Great Rift Valley, it is believed that this area is the birthplace of humanity. Let that soak in for a minute...

If this video loads, you'll see the panorama.

With Joel, SM and Jinu, SM

With Sisters Terese and Prudence

Stunning views

With Terese

So, also there were these very aggressive vendors
at the overlook. Fr. Pablo and I resisted very well!

Crescent Island

When we arrived at Lake Naivasha we took boats out to Crescent Island. 

There are a lot of dead trees in and
near the water. We were told that it's 
because of too much rainfall -
roots were unable to get enough O2.

Cows on the shore before boarded 
the boats.

7 people per boat for the 10-minute ride

Another view of the trees

All aboard!

Another Marianist boat

 

My first time seeing pelicans in person (you'll see them, too, if this video ever loads)...

On Crescent Island...

Lots and lots of cactus

If you look closely, you can see a monkey in this tree... Super cute!

The ostriches are used to people and
not as mean as others

Antelope

Wildebeasts... Our guide called them one of the "ugly 5."
They're not what I would call cute...

More wildebeasts... We saw zebras
and impalas, too but no pics...

Return to the mainland... and hippos!

If you look closely, you can see 2 eagles.
They look a lot like the American bald eagle,
but they are African Fish Eagles

Of course, I don't know the name of this mountain

We saw many hippos... some from the island and more from the boats

I was pretty proud of the timing of this pic

Hippos, although vegetarians, can be aggressive if you get too close.
So... we were feeling just a little nervous.

Once we made it back to the mainland, we had a wonderful buffet lunch - I was so happy to have baked chicken and mashed potatoes! And then it was back to get ready for another week.

Thanks for reading this long (and delayed) blog.

Many blessings!

Sr. N

Sometimes the most important lessons happen outside the classroom...

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.

Grant Allen

(Often attributed to Mark Twain)

What a week. We have focused in our sessions on the French School of Spirituality, Mariology (the study of Mary), and the spirituality of St. Joseph in the writings of Blessed Chaminade. This has all been good... but the gem moments of the week - the ones that will stick with me into the future - have been away from our meeting room... hence the quote from Grant Allen.

Last weekend we didn't have any official excursions. But we had optional outings on both Saturday and Sunday. Saturday we went into Nairobi. We visited Holy Family Basilica, a market downtown (no pics), and a local cultural center (I didn't write down the name... so, I don't remember anymore what it was called.

Here are a few pics from last Saturday (Sept. 2)...

The FMIs at the Bascilica

            

You'll notice, that I had on an Ohio t-shirt. Needless to say, this made me a bit of a target for vendors at the street market who thought they could sell wooden spoons to me for the equivalent of $110... I may be American, but I know what the Kenyan shillings are worth in US dollars... Next time, I won't wear a shirt that screams "Tourist!" lol

Here are a few pics from the cultural center we visited:

      

Yes... I am taller than the majority of Marianists gathered here...

On Sunday, we visited a place called Resurrection Gardens. This large property is a place for prayer and retreat. There is a retreat center on the property as well as what looked like hermitages, but I couldn't see them very clearly. It was so beautiful and peaceful. The paths were lined with large bronze sculptures of the Stations of the Cross... larger-than-life-sized colorful mosaics of images depicting Scripture passages... quotes from the Psalms or Gospel parables... There were multiple chapels (with seating for about 50), and benches on which to sit. There were signs everywhere reminding people to remain silent on the grounds, so all you could hear was the breeze moving through the trees. There were people praying and reading - in the chapels, under trees, on various benches, etc. Our time there was definitely time well spent. Unfortunately... along with the signs reminding folks to keep silent, there are signs that ask people not to take pictures. So, once you pass through the entrance, that's it. No more pictures. But here are pics from the entrance and the parking lot. 😊  

  

This weekend has also been very full. On Friday, Sept. 8, the Feast of the Nativity of Mary,  we had a very full day... I could have written a blog just about this one day. 

We spent most of the day visiting Our Lady of Nazareth Primary School, the UJAMAA Family Center, and IMANI (Incentive from the Marianists to Assist the Needy to be Independent). These ministries of the Society of Mary are located in one of the largest slums in Nairobi. You can learn more about these places on the Brothers' website: https://www.marianist.com/africa-ministries

The school has a student population of 2550 ages 3 years old to around 13. When we arrived, about 1/3 of the school was seated outside waiting for us. After words of welcome from the head of school and chaplain, some students danced and entertained us for a little while. Then we had a small tour, and 6 of us were pulled aside to help serve lunch to the 3 year-olds. I am so glad that I was one of those 6. The children... so well behaved and bright-eyed... Their teacher would say, "Class, how are you?" and they would reply, "Fine teacher, how are you?" Anyway, the students receive breakfast and lunch each day. We missed serving breakfast, which is a cup of Kenyan porridge called uji. A very nutritious soup, kind of purple-ish in color, made from millet. We have it each day at the retreat center, too. I like it. It tastes a little like grits to me, but thinner. Anyway, for lunch the little ones have rice and beans. The older children have beans and corn (called maize here). 

              .          

After, we toured some more and then had another set of children perform for us and give us gifts. Each of us received a piece of artwork created by a child. The child artist gave it to the person. 

.             

Then we toured the UJAMAA Family Center and IMANI. These ministries work with the families of the students at Our Lady of Nazareth (adult literacy, etc.) and with other adults (both from the slum and from other areas) in skill development (catering, metalwork, textile work, cosmetology, etc.). This is where we had lunch - catered by the young adults at IMANI. I took no pictures, but I'll carry the images and conversations in my heart.

Since Friday was the Nativity of Mary, we had a celebration for her birthday once we returned to the retreat center... Mass, dinner, dessert, and a social complete with dancing. I've tried to post videos here, but they are just too large. 

Saturday a small group of us traveled to the Nairobi National Museum. 

And there you have it. Today, Sunday, Sept. 10, has been a rather low-key day. We did have some visitors, though. Fr. Michael Chiuri, SM is a Marianist in Los Angeles and a member of the US Province. He was born in Nairobi, though, and his immediate family is still here. Today his brother, sister-in-law, and their two children came over for Mass and lunch. I hadn't seen them since 2016, so it was nice to visit with them again.

Now, off to sleep to get ready for week 5!

Many blessings,

Sr. N

The paradox of long days and short weeks

"Time moves slowly but passes quickly." 

Alice Walker,  The Color Purple

Here we are at the end of week 3. How did that happen? It really does seem that the days go by fairly slowly... We have 2 sessions each day - 3.5 hours in the morning and 2.5 hours in the afternoon. During the sessions, there are lectures, small group conversations, sharing in pairs, coffee breaks... mostly sitting. By 4 or 4:30 PM I feel ready to take a nap or take a walk or read something mindless. 

But, it's amazing to me how quickly the weeks are going by. Yesterday, which was Friday, Sept. 1, I kept thinking, "How did it get to be Friday already? Wasn't it just Tuesday?" And yet, here we are. Crazy.

The focus of week 3 has been the "Life of Faith." We've looked at the Marianist founders - their teachings on faith and prayer, the history of spiritual movements in the Church and where the Marianists fit, various forms of prayer and methods of discernment, sharing our faith journeys, and teaching people to pray. A full week. We heard from the current SM superior general, Fr. Andre... two former superior generals via Zoom (Sr. Marie Joelle Bec and Fr. Quentin Hakenewerth), and also Fr. Sebastian Abolado (via Zoom) and Fr. Marty Solma. 

You might recall that on weekends we have excursions (well, on Saturday morning we start with a session). Sunday of last week was a very full day. What a day!

We traveled to the Brothers' scholasticate community. This is the community for Brothers who have professed 1st vows and are students at the university. We joined the community for a joy-filled Mass and a very large lunch. What a joy!!!

Chatting before lunch

With 2 scholastics and the SM Superior General, Andre Fetis

FMI smiles

The artwork around the Brothers' community - in and around their chapel and just around the house - BEAUTIFUL!

A carved image of Pentecost on the back wall of the chapel.
Each of the pictures shows the ministries the
SMs have in the region.

The ambo in the chapel.

Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well - 
This is outside the chapel

Jesus heals the blind man, Bartimaeus. 

Lovely fireplace with Adele and Marie Therese

The Last Supper

Madonna and Child

The Chapel doors - the story of Jesus' birth

Then, we traveled to Bomas of Kenya. According to the website, Bomas is run by the Tourism Finance Corporation which, "was established to Preserve, Maintain and Promote the Rich Diverse cultural values of various ethnic groups of Kenya and to act as a tourist attraction centre thus Bomas of Kenya is expected to preserve the authenticity of Kenya’s Cultural values and to portray them in the pure form."

Here, we saw various dances, acrobats, and we toured traditional dwellings of various ethnic tribes. We had a great time! And we saw warthogs and baboons!! 

Not the best picture I've ever taken...

Carmen, FMI invited to dance

More dancing FMIs (Prudence and Annick)

"When I was a young warthog..." 
IYKYK

Brothers outside an example 1st wife's hut

Me and the baboons

So, last Sunday was a long day, but so full of laughter and joy!

Don't misunderstand, though. Not every day is easy or full of joy. Some moments are difficult - not sharing a common language with folks with whom I want to communicate, unfamiliar foods/missing my typical foods, being the only participant from the US (so, my cultural background is very different from everyone's), and being shy/insecure/introverted doesn't help. But... this is not the predominant experience. Joy, openness, and growth are the predominant experiences.

There are more outings planned for this afternoon (Saturday) and tomorrow... And then week 4!

Many blessings,

Sr. N