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Dear Parents

Last week I attended a professional learning day about Interreligious Dialogue. We were addressed by two orthodox Rabbis and Margaret Hepworth from ‘Together for Humanity’, an organisation that works with schools and their communities to combat prejudice and advance belonging and inclusion, and Mark Walsh and Sr Mary from the Sisters of Sion.

The following are some of the quotes used throughout the day from the different religions, you might notice some similarities.

“Interreligious dialogue is not a luxury, it is essential - especially now!”

“Religious wisdom, particularly indigenous, has much to offer in caring for our environment. Inspired by our faith traditions, and guided by the best available science, we will work together to care for and protect our common home and to promote a sustainable lifestyle.” The Sydney Statement

“Dialogue is the art of conversation across boundaries of difference” Sr(Dr) Mary Boys SNJM

“For dialogue to be fruitful, we need to live deeply our own tradition and, at the same time, listen deeply to others. Through the practice of deep listening, we become free, able to see the beauty and values in our own and others' traditions” Thich Nhat Hanh , Living Buddha, Living Christ.

“If you believe that one of you must lose, you will either avoid participating in dialogue or you will try to win, which will prevent successful dialogue. Dialogue isn't about winning. It's about understanding.” Tania Israel, Beyond Your Bubble

“The glory of the created world is its astonishing multiplicity: the thousands of languages spoken by mankind (sic), the hundred of faiths, the proliferation of cultures, the sheer variety of the imaginative expressions of the human spirit, in most of which, if we listen carefully we will hear the voice of God telling us something we need to know. That is what is meant by the dignity of difference” Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

“Approaching, speaking, listening, looking at, coming to know and understand one another, and to find common ground: all these thighs are summed up in the one word ’Dialogue’. If we want to encounter and help one another, we have to dialogue.” Pope Francis 2020

“Communication with others, listening to another’s point of view, however different from our own, widens our horizons. We thereby become more aware of our limited vision and blind spots and learn to recognise the inherent dignity and equality of each other human person.”Patricia Watson NDS, Spaces of Dialogue

“Dialogue is not an attempt to impose our views upon others. What it demands of us is that holding to what we believe, we listen respectfully to one another, seek to discern all that is good and holy in each other's teachings, and cooperate in supporting everything that favours mutual understanding and peace” Pope John Paul 11, Address at Jerusalem Interreligious Meeting, 2000

“We are looking for a spirituality not predefines but within which we can ask questions and learn from one another. My spiritual language is Christian, but I also believe that God is much bigger than my own vocabulary. I hope to continue learning from others who have experienced God in ways that I may not have words for yet”. Condy S.Lede, Our informing

“O humanity! Indeed, we created you from a male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may get to know one another” Qur’an 49:13 ( Muslim Sacred Text)

Keep smiling

Cathy

EASTER MASS TIMES

Holy Thursday 28th March 7:30pm-St Mary's Cowes
Good Friday 29th March Stations of the Cross 10am-St Mary's Cowes & Our Lady Star of the Sea, San Remo, 9:30am St Joseph's Bass
Good Friday 29th March Celebration of the Lord's Passion 3pm- St Mary's Cowes
Easter Saturday 30th March Easter Vigil 7:30pm-St Mary's Cowes
Easter Sunday 31st March 9am-St Mary's Cowes, 11am- Our Lady Star of the Sea, San Remo

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