Visit to Sisters of Nazarareth Convent

This past weekend I attended a Sisters of Mercy retreat at the Sisters of Nazareth Convent somewhere in Kentucky. What a beautiful campus. Then we went to the Trapest monestary where we got to see the monks chant-- of course we had to be very quiet. In the gift shop they sell items made by the monks and I bought some yummy peanut brittle and some bourbon fudge. I don't think the fudge cooked out, or maybe they added it after it was cooked. I think I had a little buzz after eating the fudge...

At any rate, I learned more about the pupose of the Sisters of Mercy and their worldwide and domestic activities. Very similar to the goals of the Bahai's.

TN Bahai School

I just got out of two incredible sessions. They both referred to books I want to read (God Passes By and Reflections of Growth), but can only read so many books at one time. Passes by is suggested reading for pilgrimage, so I'll read it first.

The first session was One Comon Faith by Michael Sours Rohani. He made a good point about how the winning the Cold War would bring about peace. How something that was economic and politacal would make way for peace. However we now realize that is not how. We are in a sea of change which makes way for a new opportunity. Through spirituality and religion we are trying to see how we can really change this predicament.

People are not seekin religion outside of their culture, are not seeking it on a global scale. It is time for all religious leaders to step up to the plage to talk about love and unity, not conflict. Bahai's believe that through a spirit of kindness and fellowship , we as a community can be the light that can illumine the whole world

Visit to McCaulley House

Hopefully on my way to Haifa, Israel I can vist Dublin, Ireland and see the house of Catherine McCaulley (founder of the Sisters of Mercy). For more information on the Sister's of Mercy see blog on Mercy Associate below.

The Baha'i Faith

I became a Baha'i about 4 years ago, converting from Presbyterian. Growing up I had a wonderful experience with my faith, but as I got older I started to explore a more universal religion. Thanks to the internet I found the Baha'i faith, which has deepened my knowledge of Christianity, Judiasm, Islam, Zorastrism, to name a few. It is a fairly new religion but very widespread over the world.

From http://www.bahai.org/ But First, Unity

Is unity a distant ideal to be achieved only after the other great problems of our time have been resolved?

Bahá’u’lláh says the opposite is the case. The disease of our time is disunity. Only after humanity has overcome it will our social, economic, political, and other problems find solution.
Today, several million people around the world are discovering what He means. We invite you to explore His message with us.

Mercy Associate

8/25/06
I'm in the process of becoming a Mercy Associate, which is not limited to a particular faith. The Sisters of Mercy was started by Sister Catherine MaCaulley in Ireland.

Mercy Association is a mutually enriching relationship between Sisters of Mercy of the Americas and women and men who seek to respond to the universal call to Gospel holiness through sharing in the spirit and mission of Mercy.

Associates make a commitment to Mercy through a formal covenant. Each Associate extends the mission of Mercy, while maintaining an independent lifestyle. Associates participate in service to the poor, sick and uneducated. Associates share mutual opportunities for friendship, prayer, hospitality and celebration with the Sisters of Mercy. They also nurture the Associate community by sharing time, talent, treasure and presence with each other.

For more information about the Sisters of Mercy visit http://www.sistersofmercy.org/

Pilgrimage to Israel

8/25/2007
I just got my notice that I will be able to go to Haifa, Israel for pilgrimage and I cannotwait. From the world center, "The mail purpose of all Baha'is who visit the Holy Land is to pray and meditate in the Sacred Shrines of Baha'u'llah, the Bab and "abdu'l-Baha. To receive this bounty of visiting the Holy Places at the Baha'i World Centre is an inestimable privilege, infintely precious to every Baha'i pigrim." The Baha'i World Centere has reccommended a couple of books to prepare for the trip. On is God Passes By and the other is the Door of Hope. I'll keep you informed about the readings.

Needless to say my family is nervous about me going to Israel at this time. Hopefully my wireless card will work and I can keep them updated via this blog. Plus, my cell phone will work in Israel.