From July 15–20, 2007, Rev. Olvin Veigas, S.J., an S.T.L. student, participated in the 19th International Congress of Jesuit Ecumenists, held in Lviv, Ukraine. His paper, “Ecumenism in Russia: The Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Catholic Church — Present Realities and Future Prospects,” has just appeared in the proceedings of the congress, Ecumenism East and West: Jesuits in Dialogue. Olvin belongs to the Russian region of the Society of Jesus.
INTERVIEW
Meet Our Students: Zoe Bernatsky, S.S.M.I. (M.T.S. 2008) Meredith MacDonald (M.Div. 2008) Zoe Bernatsky, S.S.M.I., joined
the New Directions Sabbatical Program in January 2007 after working for several years in health care. Coming from Winnipeg, Manitoba, she sought a break from the fast-paced world of health care, and time to reflect and pray. Shortly after her arrival in Berkeley, she deci ded to pursue a Master of Theological Studies with a focus on ethics and spirituality and in the fall of 2007, she enrolled in this program. What drew Zoe to the New Directions Sabbatical Program at the Jesuit School of Theology? “I wanted something containing an academic component that would challenge my world view, my view of God and myself, and invite me to new possibilities. Something that wasn’t too structured and would allow me time for prayer and reflection,” she offers. “The prayer life here is so enriching, especially the programs and retreats offered by George Murphy, S.J., and the access to great spiritual directors.” Zoe’s community is the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (S.S.M.I.), a Byzantine-Ukrainian Rite community located mostly in Europe, Brazil, Argentina and
North America. Established in 1892, the order was founded as an apostolic women’s group to support parish life. The initial provision of informal health care, care for children, and encouraging the spiritual life of the people, led to offering education, health care, and parish ministry for Slavic people in locations far and wide. The Sisters followed the Ukrainian people as they immigrated, seeking a better life and an opportunity to express their faith, after experiencing great hardship particularly during the Communist regime. Zoe began as a registered nurse working in intensive care. Over the years, she has served in hospitals in rural settings, specializing in
Zoe’s experience in health care led her to focus her studies on ethics and spirituality. “Particularly in Catholic health care, it is important to reflect on how God is leading us as organi zations and to facilitate people within those organizations to notice how God is working in their lives. As a staff and a board, we are not
Theological reflection offers ... an opportunity to see where God has been in experiences and where God is calling me. labor and delivery, and emergency, and most recently in long-term care. Her experience in health care administration at a long-term care facility allowed her to work with a diverse group of people and establish connections with local parishes. Volunteers nearly doubled the staff, creating a great environment for mutual enrichment for all.
always focused on how we are moving towards the Kingdom of God. How we frame the questions we are living is so important. Theological reflec tion offers such important tools in people’s lives, and for me it has been an opportunity to see where God has been in experiences and where God is calling me.”
BRIDGE spring 2008
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