By Tim Dewane, Central Pacific Province Shalom-JPIC Office
Every two to three years a Shalom International Meeting is held for the purposes of dialogue, planning and evaluation. This year's meeting was held in Munich, Germany, in October. Participants included Sisters Kathy Schmittgens (International Shalom Coordinator), Julie Lattner (General Council liaison), Eileen Reilly (UN-NGO Office Director), Francine Perez (Asia and Oceania branch), Rosa Maria Trochez (Latin American branch), Helen Galadima (African branch), Maria-Theresia Knippschild (European branch) and myself (North American branch). Sister Bernardine Fontanez (Puerto Rico) served as our English/Spanish interpreter.
Sister Julie Lattner provided an overview of the realities our congregation is facing and reviewed the 2018-2024 vision and priorities of the General Council. She shared seeds of hope and spoke of Shalom as a fundamental aspect of SSND life and ministry. Sisters Kathy Schmittgens and Eileen Reilly not only provided updates about the functioning and engagements of the UN-NGO Office and the Shalom International Network, but also led us in a wonderful reflection on our theme, “The Triune God impels us into the heart of the world to be women of peace, hope and love” (Love Gives Everything) using this tool.
Each of the five branch representatives provided an overview of the realities facing the countries of their branch, noting key justice, peace and integrity of creation concerns. We heard about violence in Nigeria, violence and political corruption in Latin America and concerns over nuclear weapons and the military in Japan/Guam. We also heard concerns about the growing gap between the rich and poor and the challenges associated with a diversity of cultures, religions and nationalities. You can read my North American branch report here.
While there were many common issues identified across the branches, two in particular stood out: 1) human dignity concerns, with an emphasis on migration and refugees, and 2) care of creation concerns, with an emphasis on climate change. Touched by all we heard and experienced, inspired by the spirits of Blessed Theresa and Mother Caroline, and guided by You Are Sent, our Directional Statement Love Gives Everything and Catholic social teaching, we agreed upon these common focus and commitments for the International Shalom Network for 2018-20.
The meeting also included two very special excursions. The first was to the Dachau Concentration Camp for a guided tour, followed by prayer and dialogue with the sisters of Carmel Dachau the Non (see photos). The second excursion was a Foundation Day visit to the birthplace of Blessed Theresa that included a visit to a very Shalom-oriented junior high school in Regensburg and prayer at the grave of Bishop Michael Witman (see photos).
You can read more about the International Shalom meeting in a summary from Sister Kathy Schmittgens on the Gerhardinger site.
