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Volume Eight
Number One
Spring 2007
in this issue
a voice from zimbabwe . . . . . 2
Rosemary Mwagarezano, RSHM
a voice from south korea . . 3
Sr. Maria Paulita, SND
a voice from nairobi . . . . . . 3
Beatrice Auma, SNDdeN
a voice from westernkenya . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Praxides Awino, SNDdeN
a voice from nairobi . . . . . . 5
Jane Nyaga
a voice from kenya . . . . . . . .
Judy Lihavi, SNDdeN
a voice from peru . . . . . . . . .
Juana Jacqueline Castillo-Salvador, SNDdeN
a voice from hungary . . . . . .
Rita Berecz, RSCJ
third giving voice nationalconference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8upcoming issues . . . . . . . . . . . 8
 global conversations on religious life 
listening to global voices
Dear Subscribers,When I think of the impact that thefounders and foundresses of religiouscommunities have had around the world,it causes me to stop and think aboutwhat the world would look like todaywithout their gospel commitment, theirpassion, and their vision. The world hasbeen shaped and changed in countlessplaces and in innumerable ways throughthe sparks of courageous witness thatcharisms have ignited down through thecenturies.We can easily take for granted the many structures and institutions that make up oursocieties. But the fact of the matter is the catechetical models we use, the health caresystems we interact with, the parochial school system, the existence of colleges anduniversities, the libraries that house great books, the social work initiatives and muchmore, all find their roots in the work of these visionary founders and foundresses.Today in our times we still face many of the same pressing needs as they did in theirtimes. Today the Spirit continues to dare us to respond to those most in need – to gowhere others cannot and will not. We are still called to provide a space within us thatis empty enough for God to enter in and posses us entirely, body, mind, and soul. Weare still called to be free enough in each present moment that we allow the Spirit toguide and direct our life’s work and energy step by step. It is a tremendously excitingtime, as well as an excruciatingly difficult time to be part of religious life.One unique difference and opportunity in living religious life today is the ability ofits members to engage technology to foster communication and promote deeperconnections that make the world a much smaller place. Today with the rise of tech-nology and dynamics of globalization, we can catch a glimpse of the global reachof an astoundingly diverse set of charisms and can catch inklings of the impact ofreligious life around the world.The focus of this issue is to explore a global conversation on religious life. It is ourhope that as you read and reflect on the voices in this newsletter, you will have adeeper appreciation of the global dimensions of the life we lead and the opportunitythat is ours in linking the local to the global.Enjoy,Sr. Katherine Feely, SND
Newsletter Editor 
 
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A
S A
Z
IMBABWEAN
I face a lot of challenges as I try to live outmy Religious Life today. It is hard to see so many peopleout of work and even those who have good jobs are paidvery little. This is mainly because of a number of selfishpeople in government where corruption is rampant.Because of this corruption, people are living in fear andtheir health and freedom and sense of purpose are greatlydiminished. It is even a greater challenge to realize thatthe church is also crippled in this situation and the leadersseem totally unable to speak out with one voice for thepoor and the voiceless.In September 2006 a document entitled:
The ZimbabweWe Want
was launched by the churches in Zimbabwe. Thisdocument was prepared by The Zimbabwe CatholicBishops Conference, The Evangelical Fellowship ofZimbabwe and The Zimbabwe Council of Churches. Thehope is to engender discussion about the terrible situationwhich exists in Zimbabwe at the present time. But becauseof fear and repression, it seems that people are paralyzedabout speaking out. Many of their friends are in prison orhave disappeared for speaking their minds. Yet we keepon hoping that this document may be a vehicle throughwhich change will eventually take place. We know theZimbabwe we want, the one we do not have, the one wegrew up in where freedom reigned, but there is no free-dom today. The motto of my own congregation:
That AllMay Have Life and Have it to the Full
(Jn. 10:10) chal-lenges me to action on behalf of justice, and especially itencourages me to do what I can for women and childrenwho are suffering untold hardships. The reality of the situ-ation here in Zimbabwe is that the quality of life hasdiminished unbelievably over the past few years.When I look back on Church History I am challenged bythe realization that so many wonderful people have livedReligious Life to the full. Many have been courageous andhave suffered much and have even died for their Faith. Iam in great admiration of these men and women whohave taken up their crosses every day and lived the Gospelin an authentic way. Their example challenges me andmake me ask myself, “What am I doing for Christ today?”Or again “What would Jesus do in this situation?”Living the vows faithfully each day and with a happy heartis truly a gift from God. I pray and trust that God will helpme live them in a way that is meaningful and life giving.I trust that by my life I may give hope to those in despair;that I might bring smiles to the faces of the needy andmost importantly that by my faith in Jesus, the peoplearound me will know that God is near and that God’s loveis everlasting.International, Intercultural Living is a gift from God andit brings with it many challenges concerning language,customs and ways of being. Differences in nationalities,personalities and age are quite interesting and these callme to greater love of God in and through the peoplewith whom I live. Because of all these opportunities Ihave hope in God, in myself, in the people I live withand in the country at large.Living in the situation in which I find myself, I believethat God has called me to be a Religious of the SacredHeart of Mary and God is faithful. I am happy that Ishare this journey with others and the little I am able todo for love of God and of neighbor is enough for me. Iam grateful for the gifts that God has given me for theservice of my brothers and sisters. I continue to do mybest to share the appreciation of God’s creation andGod’s love for allMy heart is uplifted with hope when I wake up in themorning and hear the birds singing. As I pray my favoriteprayer; “Good morning, God, thank you for ushering inanother day untouched and freshly new” I know thathope is alive and it is a special gift from God. Anotherreason for hope is the realization of the simple gifts Godhas given to us; gifts of laughter and song and the abilityto communicate with others each day. I trust God is pres-ent in our lives and in our surroundings. Personal andcommunity prayer help to see me through each day witha smile on my face and a song in my heart.Having the opportunity of living in a multi cultural com-munity is a great blessing and knowing that I am notalone gives me renewed courage. Being a younger sister,it is most important for me to know that I have my com-munity behind me. Knowing of their support and lovemean a great deal to me, as I daily seek God’s will in mylife. God’s unconditional love and the love of my sistersin community are the underlying blessings that are lifegiving and that keep me on the road with Jesus who hascome so
That All May Have Life and Have it to the Full
.
k
The contact address is R.S.H.M. Sisters, 8 Lauchlan Avenue, MeyrickPark, Mabelreign, Harare, Zimbabwe.Rosemary’s email is srrose-maryrshm@yahoo.com
a voice from zimbabwe
Sr. Rosemary Mwagarezano, RSHM
is a Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary from Harare, Zimbabwe. She is presently involved in parish ministry. She professed first vows three years ago and is a young professed or a junior  sister in her community. The charism of the community is centered on giving life from John 10:10 where Jesus says,“Ï have come that all may have life and have it to the full.”
Hopes and Challenges in Religious Life Today
 
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Giving Voice
is a newsletter in which the articles are writtenby women religious under 50. The primary purpose of
GivingVoice
is to promote networking, dialogue and support amongthis generation of sisters. The secondary purpose is to promoteintergenerational dialogue. We welcome subscriptions andcomments from sisters over 50 who wish to support anddialogue with their younger members.
Publication Information
Giving Voice: The Voices of Younger Women Religious
is nor-mally published two times per year. Our publication scheduleextends from January 1 to December 31. Back issues of
GivingVoice
from the current subscription year will be mailed toindividuals who subscribe after the first issue has been mailed.
Subscriptions
The price of a yearly subscription is $20.00 in the United Statesand $25.00 (U.S. dollars) for international residents, there arespecial rates available to congregations wanting multiple sub-scriptions. Please check our website for details. Checks shouldbe made out to
Giving Voice
and sent to:
Giving Voice
Kristin Matthes, SNDdeN207 Hampshire StreetLawrence, MA 01841 U.S.A.Email: Kristin@giving-voice.org
Database Changes
We don’t want to lose you! Please submit your address andother database changes to Kristin Matthes at the aboveaddress.
Editorial Policies
Items for publication can be submitted via mail or email. Theauthor’s name, congregational initials, birth year, and city/ state/country of residence must also be included. Include anemail address if available. Please also indicate whether it is per-missible to publish your email in
Giving Voice
so our readerscan network with you if they wish to do so. The Editorial Teamreserves the right to edit letters and articles for length andappropriateness. Some items may not be published due tospace limitations. Whenever possible, these articles will beposted on the
Giving Voice
web site,www.giving-voice.org. Ifthe author wishes to have her work returned, the letter or arti-cle must be submitted with a stamped, self-addressed enve-lope. Items for publication must be received by the deadline tobe included in a particular issue of
Giving Voice
. Submit itemsfor publication to:
Giving Voice
Kristin Matthes, SNDdeN207 Hampshire StreetLawrence, MA 01841 U.S.A.Email: Kristin@giving-voice.org
Giving Voice
Core Team
Maria Cimperman, OSU Katherine Feely, SNDKristin Matthes, SNDdeN Mary Stanco, HMLisa Buscher, RSCJ
Layout and Design
Beth Ponticello, Center for Educational Design andCommunication, www.cedc.org
Volume Eight
Number One
Spring 2007
a voice from south korea
Sr. Marie Paulita
is a Sister of Notre Dame (Coesfeld)who has been working at the youth department of Suweon Diocese in South Korea for three years. She iscurrently studying for an advanced degree in Theology.Her hometown is Daegu, in the Southern area of Korea.
What gives you hope? What challengesyou most in living this life today?
When I see people who love each other or have a pas-sion for others, I realize the presence of God in them.This gives me hope for the reign of God in the world.Society today is moving towards more individualism andmaterialism. The most challenging thing for us as vowedreligious is to avoid “falling into the trap” of the anti-gospel phenomena; especially for me is to live as a reli-gious to live according to Gospel values and not accord-ing to secular values.
k
Sister Marie Paulita, SND | email: paulita@ndec.org
a voice from nairobi
Beatrice Auma
is a teacher at an elementary school inNairobi. She lives in the Racecourse community near Kariokor Market. She is originally from Western Kenyaand also has lived in Lodwar.
What Community Means to Me...
Community is a place where I feel welcome, accepted andI can fulfill a role… a place where I feel at home and I amable to be who I am truly…a place where I am empow-ered and challenged to grow for the better of all, as wellas where I can empower others and challenge them alsoto grow.
k
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