Jerusalem, Israel

Sou da Austrália e agora faço parte da província do Mediterrâneo. Sinto-me privilegiada e depois de quase 15 anos, eu ainda estou apaixonado pelo fato de estar aqui no Ecce Homo, em Jerusalém, onde tenho a sorte de muitas e variadas formas viver a minha vocação como uma irmã de Nossa Senhora de Sion nesta cidade tão especial e complexa. Me uno a vocês todos dizendo continuamente: "Venha a paz sobre ti, Jerusalém". (Sl 122)

 

 

Born in Holland and moving to Australia in 1953 with my family, we settled in Victoria where I did my secondary schooling with the Sisters of Our Lady of Sion. My call to Sion has been rich and blessed in every way, and one where God constantly reached out with more and more invitations. I started as a primary teacher and loved the involvement in parish life. Being part of leadership teams and involved in initial formation provided many challenges as well as opportunities. Going back to study to do psychology and sociology gave me more skills to walk with people and assist in many ways. In 1996 I was called to minister in Jerusalem as director of the house of Ecce Homo. A rather daunting task, and extremely difficult in the beginning. Now I can say I feel very privileged and fortunate to be living in Jerusalem .To be faced with the challenge to try to live the charism in a place of much conflict and lack of acceptance of the “different”. To work together with many to be peace builders in our own small ways. To have so many opportunities to articulate and speak about our charism and our life, to guests in Ecce Homo, with students who are here for periods of time, in Inter Faith settings ,as well as numerous other times we are asked to speak to outside groups about Sion , our Charism and our ministry in Interfaith dialogue. As well as being part of the Provincial Leadership Team I am involved in different aspects of formation for the province. In first formation, as well as walking with those sisters who come here to study in “the land.” In Initial formation I assist in the formation house, and this takes me to Egypt for several months each year. It is a privilege as well as a challenge to work with these newer members. In Jerusalem I find it challenging to be involved in the Inter-Religious Coordinating Council of Israel, the Union of sister Religious as well as other groups. These Involvements give me the opportunity to be in relation with Jews, Muslims and Christians. What I also treasure is the involvement and the relations with the Palestinian staff, their families and the wider Palestinian community. I praise and thank God for this call and I continue to hear the voice behind me saying ”this is the way, walk in it.” Is. 30:21)