EGC 2016 Immersion Experiences  immersion

 

The sisters taking part in the immersion experience shared their concepts, comments, questions and interests…see some of these.

 

We have something we need to hold in common – our relationship with each other

                         We could participate in prayer

                                        Each time we met people it was like standing on Holy Ground

                                                  The wind was like a wild beast – (Taiwan hurricane)

                                                            The culture was like a mountain range

                                                                          How do we work with the differences?

My heart was burning when the Iraqi refugee shared his deep faith, courage and message: “Tell your government about our situation.”

 

An Interfaith Centre speaks about faith–not about interreligious dialogue…
we all share faith and we respect that in each other

                          A warm Ursuline welcome when we came through the arrival gate!

                                      Please remember do not judge Muslims by what you read about them

                                                       The Church was built in the Javanese style-no doors or windows

                                                                           Our faiths are different but we will be buried in the same cemetery 

 IMG 6394

A visit to St Ursula's College, Toowoomba
IMG 1771

 

IMG 6321

Sisters experiencing Alice Springs, Australia
 Sisters Regina and Samuela visiting Brisbane

 “Live in harmony, united together in one mind, one heart and one will”… These words of Angela that come to mind as I reflect on my immersion experience among the Muslim people who also have this same desire for all.

Thirty years ago visiting Australia I felt ‘at home’ and I have experienced the same feeling throughout this visit only it is deeper day by day.

I visited Indonesia. This was my first visit to a country where Christians are in the minority. With a focus on interreligious dialogue we spent time with Muslim people, Buddhists monks, and when in Bali in a Hindu environment. The words of Jesus come to my mind that in the Kingdom of God people will come from the East and West Lk.13:29 because in the Father’s house there are many rooms. Jn.14:2 The past days made me more open for the people who are different to me and I feel I have created more space for acceptance of those who hold different beliefs.       

armida maru maria maria immersion

  

My first impression of Australia is it is a multicultural country. I experienced people being both united and diverse. There are many social situations; rich and poor, different cultures and several expressions of faith. In Alice Springs I noticed the ground is red and orange and the desert is both flat and has some hills. There are not many trees and very little surface water. We need to use these resources carefully and respect this environment.

One of the important things I have learned is to take time to get to know people and to listen to the other. We often think we are too busy so we find solutions to people’s problems without consulting them. My experience also taught me that we are all called to have great respect for the land-it is ‘our mother’.

 

 "My immersion experience in Indonesia began with an interfaith encounter in which I discovered a simple and human reality, which respects the difference and builds some bridges to dialogue. We are living in the common home so let us keep hope for the common good."

 

 Alice Springs Agath Linda