Jerusalem, Israel

My name is Sr. Rita Kammermayer, nds, a Canadian and I am now living in Jerusalem at Ecce Homo Convent. I arrived here in August, 1997. Our primary ministry here in this house is one of welcome and hospitality to our guests, visitors and participants of the three Biblical Programs. Our staff are all Palestinians, Muslim and Christian. One area of my ministry is working with the volunteers who come here for three months from all over the world to assist us in our work. Living here truly one sees the world! Shalom/Salem.

 

 

I am a Canadian, born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a relatively small city on the Canadian prairies. I am the fourth child in a family of six and I came from a very loving and supportive family. My schooling consisted of attending St. Joseph’s School and Sion Academy and in both places I had the Sisters of Sion teaching me. We were blessed to have such wonderful teachers. There, I first heard the story of Theodore and Alphonse and of course January 20th took on a meaning for all of us that affected the rest of our lives. Sion Academy prepared us well to face the future. Certainly the motto was – you have received, now you give! It was in grade 11 that I thought seriously about religious life and on August 2nd. 1958 I entered Sion with ten others. After my profession on September 3rd, 1960 I attended Teacher’s College. This was a dream come true! I loved teaching and taught in Saskatoon, Moose Jaw and Winnipeg. When in Winnipeg we, as a community chose to live with the Native People/First Nations in the core area of the city. This work was most needed and it expressed a very important aspect of our charism. I completed my B.Ed., B.A., and a Masters in Pastoral Studies. It was in 1971-72 that I spent a year in Israel which I thoroughly enjoyed. Over the years I was on various teams, worked in Finances and was on the Provincial Council. It was also at this time that we were living through Vatican II and trying to find our way in the midst of change. In one sense it was a glorious time and yet we were on unchartered ground. It was a scene where Sion played a very important role in keeping the focus on the Church’s understanding of Judaism and of Jewish Christian relations. We had to readjust our thinking and rethink our charism. After teaching for 30 years I spent a year and a half caring for my Mother who was ill. In August, 1997 I was asked to come to Ecce Homo and I have been here since. I feel that it is a wonderful experience to be living in Jerusalem – it is truly the heart in so many ways! I’ve discovered that in life you take in all that will help you to grow, to be alive, to live worthwhile and contributing lives. In many ways Sion, in its simplicity and grounded in scripture, has built on a solid foundation. A deep faith in God is what has sustained us. It is with deep gratitude that we remember the sisters who have gone before us for we reap much of what they had sowed. God was present in both the joys and in the harder moments of my life. Scripture has for me been a rock and a refuge. No matter what the struggle, obstacle or mood. I found that scripture spoke to me. I celebrated my 50th Jubilee as a Sister of Sion in 2010 and as I reflected on these years I realized the richness that has filled my life in Sion and I certainly can see God’s Hand in the events of my life.