Archives

We Have Family in Ukraine

Letter from Ukaraine, August 18, 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / August 24, 2022

Dear Sisters, Dear Brothers,

I have to admit that Saint Hyacinth becomes closer and closer to me every year. I see my ministry in Ukraine as a realization of his desire to preach the Gospel on the shores of the Dnieper. I had the great joy of visiting Rome on Holy Saturday this year, when I went to the Basilica of Santa Sabina, accompanied by Father Alain, the socius to the Master of the Order, and I could see its fresco depicting the vestition of Saint Hyacinth. These days, many people visiting this Dominican church on Aventine are praying for Ukraine, often using special prayers provided by the brothers.

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Joseph Kilikevice, OP, Director of Shem Center and Gerard Francisco Timoner, OP, Master of the Order of Preachers

Dominican Order of Friars Chicago Assembly 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / August 24, 2022

An Assembly of some 150 Dominican Friars of the Central USA Province of the international Order of Preachers gathered in Chicago August 8-11, 2022. Matters of common concern are considered periodically by members of the Order to examine, evaluate, update and improve the life and mission of our religious order.

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The Last Tisha B'Av

The Last Tisha B’Av: A Tale of New Temples

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / August 14, 2022

By Rabbis Arthur Waskow & Phyllis Berman
From The Shalom Report, The Shalom Center

In the Abuhav synagogue in Tz’fat (Safed) there is actually on the ceiling a painting of the Dome of the Rock, built by Muslims in that extraordinary place that both Muslims and Jews view as holy above the rock where Isaac or Ishmael was bound for offering; above the rock from which Muhammad began his mystical ascent to Heaven.

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We Have Family in Ukraine

Letter from Ukaraine, July 26, 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / July 29, 2022

Dear Sisters, Dear Brothers,

I wrote the last letter from Ukraine over a month ago. That’s a long time. Since life in Kyiv has become calmer and more normal, it’s harder to force yourself to write. Routine, weariness of repeated air alarms, beginning each day with checking the phone to see where bombs fell overnight and how many casualties, the fear of repeating what everyone already knows… all this contributed to my procrastination in writing.

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2022 American Digital Design Awards

Shem Center For Interfaith Spirituality is in Great Company!

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / July 7, 2022

Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality website was awarded a 2022 American Digital Design Award for excellence in design and user experience on June 30, 2022. Each year Graphic Design USA sponsors a curated contest for American graphic designers who submit their work for consideration of recognition. This year, from a record 2400 entries, only a small handful of design projects — including the Shem Center website — were selected as winners.

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We Have Family in Ukraine

Letter From Ukraine, June 27, 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / June 29, 2022

Dear Sisters, Dear Brothers,

It’s been over two weeks since my last letter from Ukraine. This longer period between correspondences might give the impression of a return to normalcy. If one of you arrived now in Kyiv or Lviv not knowing a war has been going on for over four months, you might not see at first glance that not all is in order. Obviously apart from the sight of many women and men in military uniforms on the streets, everyday life seems to be following its normal course. But this is just an illusion.

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We Have Family in Ukraine

Letter From Ukraine, June 11, 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / June 13, 2022

Dear Sisters, Dear Brothers,

Today I made a phone call to an older woman whose son fights on the frontlines. “Good morning, this is Father Jarosław…” On the other end: silence. I introduced myself again and explained why I’m calling. After a while, she told me that the unfamiliar male voice in the receiver had surprised and frightened her. How true; during wartime a phone call like this could have brought bad news about her son. Mrs. Nadia isn’t the only mother though, or wife or daughter, who picks up the phone with apprehension. 

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We Have Family in Ukraine

Letter From Ukraine, May 16, 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / May 31, 2022

Dear Friends of Shem Center, Here is another letter received from my Dominican brother in Ukraine. Fr. Jaroslaw Krawiec, OP, the Vicar Provincial from Poland ministering in Ukraine. His account of life there reports on details not seen on our news accounts. Should you feel moved to support his work in Ukraine with those displaced…

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Kyiv before the war

Notes from Ukraine, Sunday, May 22, 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / May 27, 2022

PICTURED ABOVE: The City of Kyiv before the invasion by Putin.

I received this latest letter from my Dominican Brother Jarosław and share it here with the friends of Shem Center. He writes about what ordinary life is like for them in Kyiv and also includes some news of particular interest to the Dominican family of Brothers and Sisters throughout the world.

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We Have Family in Ukraine

Letter from Ukraine, May 11, 2022

By Joseph Kilikevice O.P. / May 26, 2022

I just received another letter from my Dominican brother in Ukraine, Fr. Jarosław Krawiec OP with an account of life in Kyiv. I am struck by the seeming ordinariness of how they are facing the challenges and disappointments of living within a war that is causing so much loss and pain. The courage and commitment to life among the people is inspiring.

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Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
708 North Harvey Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302

(708) 848-1095
shemcenter1993@gmail.com

Photo Credits: Emory Mead, Stephen B. Starr, Joseph Kilikevice

The Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality website is awarded a 2022 American Digital Design Award for excellence in design and user experience.

2022 American Digital Design Awards