The international religious Dominican order to which the Shem Center Director belongs receives an occasional letter informing its members regarding the brothers and sisters in Ukraine who have chosen to remain with the people during this war-torn time. These first hand accounts add citizen perspectives to the news reports we receive in the media. These members of the Dominican Order of both men and women date from the 13th century, its world wide membership having been formed in its spirit and purpose in very similar ways. We consider ourselves a “family” living within a tradition of many noteworthy theologians, artists, itinerant preachers and those serving God’s people in many different ministries.
The Full Transcript of Biden’s Speech on Ending His Run for Re-election, From The New York Times, July 24, 2024
President Biden delivered remarks from the Oval Office on Wednesday on his decision to abandon his bid for re-election. The following is a transcript of his speech, as recorded by The New York Times.
This message was sent to me as a member of my religious Order, the Dominicans. Our shield shown above sates our motto, Praise, Bless and Preach, that is, preach the Good News of God’s unconditional love for all people and all of creation. We consider ourselves to be “family,” loving and supporting one another and the people they serve. I share this letter with you, the friends of Shem Center.
As many of you know, I belong to an international religious order of men and women, vowed religious and laypeople whose mission is to provide for the spiritual needs of people in virtually all parts of the world. We call ourselves The Dominican Family working to bring the good news of God’s love for us to all peoples everywhere no matter their religious beliefs.
News of my Dominican family in Ukraine come to me by way of a Dominican friar who serves in a leadership position there.
Dates: July 8th to July 10th, 2024 (Monday to Wednesday)
Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Age Group: 7 to 13 years old
Through fun and interactive activities, your child will develop essential skills for managing stress and fostering emotional well-being. Enroll them today and give them the gift of mindfulness, confidence, and joy!
Terry Kinsey, the secretary for the Shem Center Board of Directors, founded the Mindful Reflection Community of Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation. It is a lay-led organization. It is open to all members and friends of Unity Temple who are interested in exploring meditation, mindfulness, and Buddhist teachings. We do not follow one traditional Buddhist lineage but are interested in all lineages as well as Unitarian-Universalist/ secular/liberal/western/modern interpretations of Buddhism.
On January 28, 1985, some of America’s top-selling pop musicians including Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner, Billy Joel, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson, Al Jarreau, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry, Daryl Hall, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, Kim Carnes, Bob Dylan and Ray Charles arrived at the A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood, CA and recorded “USA For Africa – We Are The World.”
After the morning Mass, I asked the Missionaries of Charity Sisters how they look at the future. “I was thinking about that a couple of times,” said Sister Immaculata. “But the only response that comes to mind is to trust God every day and do what we can. Love Him and love our neighbor. And live. He knows best what is awaiting us and what is good for us.”
We’ve reached the second anniversary of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, although perhaps it would be more correct for me to write that it is the tenth year of war. Everything started in 2014 with the Russian occupation of Crimea and the fighting in the Donbas. A couple of months earlier, the Revolution of Dignity had begun, which saw President Viktor Yanukovych removed from office. Millions of Ukrainians had gathered for demonstrations to show that they wanted to bind their future with the free and democratic Europe.
“Offer your dry, hypocritical, agnostic prayer to God, for God in his mercy accepts bad coin.”— Jalal al-Din Rumi In the midst of grief over thousands of deaths among both Jews and Palestinians, the children of Gaza are still capable of smiles after weeks of waiting while bargaining to exchange hostages for prisoners bring hope to…
“The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”― Dietrich Bonhoeffer A holiday message that ignores the injustice and pain of today’s world is difficult to put into words. The “good news” of the birth of Jesus, the one we call, “Savior,” is stifled by the…
Shem Center for Interfaith Spirituality
708 North Harvey Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 427-9905
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.
