Christmas, 2024
May the narrative that is ours to write with our lives be one that celebrates life, and not destroy it, one that invites us to hold the newborn child of our dreams in a world of justice, inclusiveness and peace. We join the angels that proclaimed the birth of Jesus asking the world, “Would you like to hold Him?”
The Prophetic Jewish, Interfaith & Secular Voice to Heal and Transform the World
Tikkun uplifts Jewish, interfaith, and secular prophetic voices of hope that contribute to universal liberation. A catalyst for long-term social change Tikkun empowers people and communities to heal the world by embracing revolutionary love, compassion, and empathy. Tikkun promotes a caring society that protects the life support system of the planet and celebrates the Earth and the universe with awe and radical amazement.
A Moonlight Speech, October 11, 1962
Sixty years ago, the first night of the Second Vatican Council, Pope John XXIII came out on a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square and gave his impromptu remarks now called "the moonlight speech.” I remember it well, making its way into the world via the news media.
Shem Center Programs
Shem Center offers experiences of the prayer, meditation, rituals, and the wisdom of the peoples of the world. In doing so, each takes a place at the table with others whose spiritual tradition may be similar to or different from one’s own.
Martin Luther King Jr.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity."
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. (1929-1968)
An Interfaith Greeting of Peace
SHALOM - SHLAMA - SALAAM
These three words in Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic are used in turn as greetings of peace by Jews, Christians and Muslims, the followers of the three Abrahamic religions.
Inter-Spirituality
Recognizing that the Divine Reality is not limited to any one expression of our journey with God, Shem Center takes its place with many others committed to the task of bringing peace into the world through understanding, respect and friendship.
News
A letter from my religious order, the Dominicans in Ukraine
Dear sisters, dear brothers,
“If we truly trust God, then maybe this most stupid war in the world will come to an end. I came because the Pope wanted me to be with you during this Christmas time,” said Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, while in Fastiv the day before Christmas Eve. This was already his second visit to Fastiv since the beginning of the full-scale war. This time we celebrated together with the people from the refugee house, the members of the Dominican family, and the volunteers and friends from the St. Martin de Porres Center. “I want to share with you joy because God is born, and he brings peace. Let’s hope that this is the last Christmas of wartime.”
Read MoreA Moonlight Speech, October 11, 1962
Sixty years ago, the first night of the Second Vatican Council, Pope John XXIII came out on a balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square and gave his impromptu remarks now called “the moonlight speech.” I remember it well, making its way into the world via the news media.
Looking out over the crowd and smiling the Pope said,
“Here all the world is represented. One might even say that the moon rushed here this evening – Look at her high up there – to behold this spectacle.”
Read MorePope Francis opens a major Vatican summit pleading for a church where ‘each person feels welcomed’
Pope Francis on Oct. 2 opened the final session of a closely watched Vatican summit on the future of Catholicism, encouraging participants not to use the monthlong meeting to push individual agendas, but to seek unity in diversity in the church so “each person feels welcomed.”
“Let us be careful not to see our contributions as points to defend at all costs or agendas to be imposed,” Francis said during his homily for the opening Mass of the synod on synodality.
Read MoreWelcome to Shem Center. Contact Us!
Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
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