Cherished memories

By Sr. Mary Gauthier, O.L.M.
May/June 2011

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It was difficult to believe that it was my last evening in Cagayan de Oro, Philippines. The next day my journey to Canada would begin. Many smiling faces flash through my mind as I recall that evening sitting out under the stars. We were grateful that the rains held off. It was the culmination of our celebration of Mindanao Week of Peace and also the culmina-tion of a significant part of my life.

Sister Lorie and I, along with other members of the Interfaith Forum for Peace, Harmony, and Solidarity had helped to organize this event. Each year different activities are planned with the hope that we are deepening our relationshi ps, appreciating our differences, and living out our different faith beliefs.

Joan Gairan

I felt the preciousness, the sacredness, as I listened to the stories of a young Muslim teacher gently, bravely sharing his experience of prejudice and biases from Christians and from his own people. He was grateful for this opportunity to help us become more aware of his situation. A beautiful Indigenous woman, Joan Gairan proudly reminded us of the sacred-ness of her culture and their love and care for the Earth. I was impressed by a Christian youth who expressed his desire that justice, truth, and caring for the poor be lived out by newly elected and re-elected politicians in his country.

The fruitful evening of stories left me with a grateful heart. It did not end there; our Bishop Tony Ledesma invited members of our group to join in sharing a delicious meal with him at his residence. It was a joyous despidita (farewell party). I will always cherish these memories in my heart.

Friends gather with Archbishop Tony Ledesma, S.J., Sr. Mary Gauthier (2nd from right), and Srs. Lorie Nuñez and Christine Gebel (5th and 6th from right).

These words help me to deepen my appreciation of the experience:

To honour all relationships as sacred,
to live in peace and in balance with
all living things.
And acknowledge the sacredness of
every path,
albeit different from your own;
That you may reverence
the Great Mystery
and the wonder of life!
Remember always to offer
grateful hearts
in thanksgiving to the One
who lives among us.
Excerpt from Psalm 107, Psalms For Praying: An Invitation to Wholeness by Nan C. Merrill

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