SEDER AT KING'S COLLEGE – CENTER FOR CATHOLIC JEWISH LEARNING

On April 5, Sr. Marge Zdunich and Sr. Audrey Gerwing attended the interfaith Seder at the Centre for Catholic Jewish Learning at King's College in London, Ontario. The centre began largely through the efforts of Father Murray Watson, a priest of the Diocese of London. Marge is Sion's liaison with this Centre.

The Seder recounts and re-lives by symbols, story telling, eating of the ritual foods and by hearing the account of the freedom of the Jewish people from Egypt. The night was full of depth, learning and meaning for all, many of whom had never attended a Seder before. The questions and the enthusiasm of 180 people including some present and past teachers of Theology, History and Religious Studies and many friends “ made us once again feel the import of Sion's charism for the Church and the world,” said Audrey.

Rabbi Ammos Chorny officiated and all felt personally led out of slavery to freedom. It was the beginning of a new and deeper understanding of what Passover means to the Jewish people and how Christians are intricately connected to the Jewish people and their history. When everyone shouted, “Next year in Jerusalem,” Audrey shared that “it had a sharper meaning” for her because of her experiences in Jerusalem.

Next Year in Jerusalem – the gathering hoped and prayed for peace and reconciliation, renewed efforts for world peace and respectful acceptance of each other, and that they may be part of ensuring that next year in Jerusalem all may be one.

SION-PAULIST-ATONEMENT PARTNERSHIP

Sr. Audrey Doetzel continues to be active In Sion's partnership with the Paulists and the Sisters and Friars of the Atonement. On May 17-20, Audrey will be one of the course leaders at the 2009 Ecumenical Institute Formation for Leadership. This Institute, which is held at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center in Garrison, NY, is co-sponsored by the Sion-Paulist-Atonement partnership along with the Massachusetts Council of Churches. In addition to leading the group in ecumenical prayer, Audrey will lecture and facilitate discussion on the theme, From Ecumenism to Interfaith Relations: Judaism and Christianity. The Ecumenical Institute program can be viewed at www.masscouncilofchurches.org.

SCARBORO MISSION SOCIETY, Toronto: Interfaith Department

Recently Sister Lucy Thorson joined the staff at Scarboro to help them focus on their efforts in Catholic- Jewish relations. They have recently sent packages of information to parishes and educators on their adult-faith-education topics that can be given such as: Jewish/Catholic issues since Vatican 11, Jewish roots, context of Jesus prayer life, appreciation of the Sabbath and Jewish annual feasts, the Hebrew Scriptures, written and oral tradition. The Scarboro sessions include Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and other faiths. Also teaching materials are being developed. The Director of the Interfaith Department, Paul McKenna has a publication on multi-faith prayer.

See - www.scarboromissions.ca/Interfaithdialogueprayer

Recently the Catholic Register and the Prairie Messenger have had an article on Lucy's ministry entitled: “Christians need to know, understand Jewish Roots”. Lucy is also part of the Christian-Jewish Dialogue of Toronto planning group. She is giving a spring workshop at St. Michael's College as well as a seminar at Oakmount.

CENTER FOR CATHOLIC-JEWISH LEARNING, King's College, London, ON

Sister Marge Zdunich reported that at the November board meeting Father Michael Bechard and Rabbi Ammos Chorny presented an update of initiatives of the CCJL for the next year. There is a possibility of Sion being involved in two of them which will be discussed with the Sisters in the Toronto area. Marge is on a task force with different Catholic communities including school boards to explore possibilities for CCJL involvement in the region. Disappointedly two projects have been tabled because of the Gaza crisis such as an interfaith Holy Land experience and an interfaith visit to Congregation Or Shalom. However, Rabbi Chorny will lead a
Seder meal on April 5.