Rosh Hashanah - We Were Invited !!

"Spreading the word... Everyone welcome at our children's services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur (Sept. 5 and 14, 9:30-10:15).  Open to the whole community too. At Temple Emanu-El Beth Sholom."

So, RHOTO went!!  Jewish New Year

What a NEAT service!!  Lots of singing--Hebrew and English.  The Rabbi carried the Torah around the pews...  with small children dancing & bouncing behind her.  The shofar was blown--of course.  Children were blessed by their parents.

Apples dipped in honey was shared and eaten at home...

The ten (10) days begin..  A time of reflection:  what does one need to improve in one's life?  Any apologies or mending need to be done to others?  What is one's goal to better serve humanity?...

RHOTO will be back for Yom Kipper--to embrace the diversity of our community :D

RHOTO 

RHOTO's 10th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

RHOTO's 10th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY !
 (August 9, 2003)

TONY/TOON and I went to "my retreat" Bed & Breakfast for several days/night ;D There's no place nicer to explore and enjoy than our "home" town, Montreal, eh!! 


We did a LOT of walking!!  Tony ate 1/2 of my food ;D  We went aniversary shopping...  Let's see:  Traditional "tin" or Modern "Diamond Jewelry" ??  We picked my favourite, Swavorski's for earrings.


We went to Church in a Cathedral that has a fabulous, professional choir and organ.

We came home Happy and ready to rest...  We'll re-visit the Museum another day ;D

RHOTO

Josh Groban - You Are Loved [Don't Give Up]

Muslim Prayer Room Visit

RHOTO attended another Sacred Site visit today at Concordia University.  This time, we only had to go to a set of rooms on-site.  There, we were greeted by Muslim female students and a male student.
TOny was invited into the Brother Room and I, RHOnda, to the Sister Room.
There, I was instructed in the process of Wudu . "Wudu is the Islamic act of washing parts of the body using water. Muslims are required to be clean in preparation for ritual prayers. The Qur'an says "For Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean." - Wikipedia
Then we entered into the actual prayer room.  There, I put on a covering for my head, hair, shoulders, top of body and to my wrists.  Also a skirt covering that went to the floor.  Although we non-Muslims did not recite prayers, we did make the body gestures/postures, just to experience how they felt".  Twas a sense of meditation and yoga together...
The Muslim women were very warm and friendly.  They enjoyed sharing their faith.  Afterwards, we visiting females gathered outside the room and asked questions of our hosts.  Very interesting.  Lots of similarities with Judaism (legalism) and Catholicism (similar to praying the Rosary)...
When we separated, I, TOny, went with the others to the Brothers Room.  I was instructed to remove my shoes.  I noted how very bare the room was, without decorations or mats.  Only small bookcases and a lectern for the Iman.  I was also struck by the serenity and the sincerity of the believers present.  This was not an official service; it was one of the five calls to prayer during the day--calls to prayer that also exist in Orthodox Judaism and liturgical Christianity.   Here, people could come in and come closer to Allah (God in Arabic).  Several men were already in familiar praying positions (i.e., feet, knees, elbows, hand and forehead in the floor).  Also sitting on the floor, leaving against the wall with a book, studying.  I, TOny, was also struck that this manifestation of their devotions is like a type of meditation.  I had a feeling of the world totally disappearing.  I was in that environment, with myself and God.  Here was a place to feel more at ease, more satisfied, to forget one's problems.
I found my shoes back and afterwards we had a group discussion about the Muslim religion.  I was particularly interested in music...  There are occasions of  "chanting" the Qur'an--the Holy Book--.  Also there is a call to prayer heard from every mosque five times per day.
There are true believing, practicing Muslims.  Just as there are true believing, practicing Christians, etc.  And there are thousands of Muslin students at Concordia University.  Also, Quebec has opened the immigration gates to countries where French is spoken.  Our new neighbours are oftentimes Muslim/Arab.  We--RHOTO--want to welcome them warmly.  With some understanding of our similarities and differences.  In a sense of embracing diversities.
Let the conversational exchanges begin...  and continue...  May we love one another in the name of Our Creator.

RHOTO

Sacred Sites -Grey Nuns Mother House

So, RHOTO went on another Sacred Site visit with the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy group...  This time to the Grey Nuns Mother House, located in Downtown Montreal.
We were sooo warmly greeted by the Mother Superior who was very enthusiastic about giving us a tour.  If you've ever been in a Monastery or Convent, the 1st impression you may have is, "This place is UNBELIEVABLY clean!!"  Yup!!  And 90% of the people we encountered were cleaning staff...
Off we went...  Through the halls to the Centre of the House.  Open the door...  WOW Y!!  A humongous, beautiful Chapel--larger than most churches!!  Mother, a very young 93-years old, lit up as she explained the architecture, the paintings, the alters.  And the story of Saint Marguerite d'Youville, foundress of the Order of Sisters of Charity of Montreal, whose bones rest inside the main Alter.
Of we went, again...  To the catacombs!!  RHOnda's "kinda stuff" ;)...  Poor photo, but a very interesting place!!  There are two (2), mass graves; the others are individual plots dating back to the mid-1800's.

 At it's high peak, 300 nuns lived in this Mother House.  Now there are 150, many of whom are elderly and/or ill.  The House is too large and expensive to sustain.  Therefore, like many wonderful, religious  institutions, it will change hands shortly.  RHOTO's own Concordia University will be the owner; the nuns will move on...  This agreement contained a promise that the Chapel will remain untouched.  (Can be used for concerts, graduations, etc.).  Saint Marguerite d'Youville's relics will move with the Sisters.  And the bones in the basement?  Unfortunately, these nuns cannot be moved.  Four (4) of the women died of contagious diseases--although their remains are mere dust, the "bug" remains.  So, the graveyard will be covered with cement, further interring the humanity of these women.  But, their hearts will continue to beat in the Grey nuns who serve the poor & the community now.

RHOnda

Sacred Sites II - Multi-Faith Chaplaincy

Continuing with our Sacred Sites visits...

Chabad NDG
This time to Chabad*  NDG, a Hasidic center located in the popular student neighbourhood of NDG in Montreal.  There was a need for somewhere for young Jews and questioners to come.  "My Rabbi" Yisroel Benath welcomes--with a warm heart and warm arms--everyone who comes.
And, RHOTO went with the Chaplaincy group.  The simple room IS the synagogue.  It is often PACKED with students.  Lots of classes are offered:  Hebrew, French, Cooking, Marriage Prep.  And "My Rabbi"'s "favourite" activity?  Matchmaking, of course!!  (Three marriages, so far ;)
We asked questions, we saw a real, hand-written Torah scroll, the songbook in Hebrew.  We shared, we laughed, we felt at home... ;)

RHOnda

*Chabad is a large missionary Hasidic movement known for their hospitality, technological expertise, optimism and emphasis on religious study 

Queer Spirituality
RHOTO attended this Chaplaincy visit to the Gay Village of Montreal.  A Village filled with restaurants, cafes and EVERYONE walking around, just enjoying themselves--gay and straight.
There is a beautiful, huge Church of St. Peter the Apostle that is directed by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate (since 1848).  Oblates are laypersons or clerical members of the Catholic Church, not professed monks or nuns.  They do not constitute a religious order--and are not, therefore, under the laws/rules of the Montreal Diocese.
This church is the spiritual hub for the Gay population in Montreal.  There is a very touching chapel inside--The Chapel of Hope.  It has bronze plaques for every man in the Community who has died from AIDS.  There is also a painting of Saint Damien, the unofficial patron saint of people with AIDS.  As the Saint to the untouchables--the lepers---, the Gay community feels that Damien could also identify with them.
In another area is the "Chapel of Non-Violence", consecrated to victims of violence of all sorts.
This magnificent church stays open and accessible to the public.
All of our Concordia group who joined us on this Site visit are openly Gay.  Our host is a Gay professor of Religion at Concordia.  We stopped and had a refreshment and shared/listened.   I, RHOnda, asked why none of the Gay couples walking by were holding hands--in this Gay Village, in 2010.  She replied, "Oh, Rhonda, it's a hassle.  People look at you, and then look again."
As "My Rabbi" * said (when asked about Judaism's stance on homosexuality), "Well, there IS the Law and the Law speaks clearly about homosexuality.  But, it is PEOPLE first...  Always PEOPLE before the Law!"
Amen.


Edited to include Kay Y's comment/correction:  "Hi Rhonda - the Oblates of Mary Immaculate are a religious Order within the Roman Catholic church. You're right that they are not subject to diocesan control; their head reports directly to Rome as I understand it. Most Oblates are ordained brothers or priests. I learned too much about the Oblates when working on the Indian Residential School file - the majority of these schools (more than 60%) were run by the Oblates. Nice. Not." 



Thanks, Kay!!  Next visit:  The Grey Nun's Mother house...


RHOnda


* See our visit with "My Rabbi" above...
 
(The opinions expressed here are only ours--RHOTO'S RAG is a journal of our lives together that we have chosen to share with our friends...)