Speaking Truth to Power: Confronting the Role of the
U.S. in Supporting Acts of Torture Around the Globe - Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU
Saturday, May 6, 2006
10am- 12 noon
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Student Center
Drake Newman Community
1150 28th St.
Des Moines, Iowa
515-271-4747
After making her final vows as an Ursuline nun, Sister Dianna Ortiz became a missionary in Guatemala in 1987 and dedicated herself to teaching the Mayan children of San Miguel Acatan. This simple decision would place Dianna in the heart of unforeseen and incredible danger and alter the course of her life.
In Guatemala, while working with people who had been victimized by one of the most oppressive regimes of Latin America, she received warning to stop her work and to leave the country. She did not heed the warning. As a result, on November 2, 1989, she was abducted and forced to endure unspeakable horrors of torture. While under torture Sr. Dianna made a promise to those whose screams of pain she heard: "If I survive, I will never forget you. I will tell the world what I have seen and heard."
Despite grave personal suffering, Sr. Dianna did not succumb to her daily nightmares and flashbacks. Neither did she forsake the vow she had made in solidarity with the thousands of innocent Mayans and other Guatemalans who had suffered torture and murder. She has confronted her ordeal by speaking out against torture and seeking the truth about the extent of torture and murder, its perpetrators and the role of governments, both of Guatemala and the United States, by filing lawsuits, giving interviews, and testifying at length before investigators of multiple United States government agencies. In 2002, her courage and determination resulted in the publication of her memoir, _The Blindfold's Eyes: My Journey from Torture to Truth_. This enormously difficult task required reliving her nightmares to detail the shattering effects of torture on her life, and the lives of other victims, her long slow journey towards healing, and her efforts to bring her perpetrators to justice, while the governments of Guatemala and the United States sought to protect them.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Workshop at St. Joseph Educational Center Next Weekend!
Program on Sacramental Healing
Saturday, April 29th
The St Joseph's Educational Center is pleased to present Fr. Bruce Morrill, S.J., of Boston College, on Saturday, April 29th, in the media center (library) of Dowling Catholic High School, 1400 Buffalo Road, West Des Moines. Fr. Morrill will be giving five, one-hour lectures on "Divine Worship and Human Healing.' The lectures begin at 9:00 a.m. There is a break for lunch (noon to 1:30), and the lectures resume from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend any or all of the lectures. Lunch is not provided. It is not necessary to pre-register; simply show up the day of the lectures. There is a suggested donation of $20, but no one will be turned away.
The gospels portray Jesus as a teacher and healer, two crucial activities entwined in his prophetic mission. Empowered by the Spirit of the Risen Christ, the Church continues the mission of glorifying God by witnessing to the paschal mystery revealed in the life-stories of human brokenness and healing-the very heart of the Christian liturgy. Divine Worship and Human Healing theologically unfolds how the people's pastoral-liturgical work of healing and reconciliation discloses God's love and mercy amidst the community of faith. Engaging such concerns as forgiveness, illness, grieving, and death, the class explores the type of knowledge about God and the human condition that emerges in practicing the Rite of Penance, Pastoral Care of the Sick, and Order of Christian Funerals.
Saturday, April 29th
The St Joseph's Educational Center is pleased to present Fr. Bruce Morrill, S.J., of Boston College, on Saturday, April 29th, in the media center (library) of Dowling Catholic High School, 1400 Buffalo Road, West Des Moines. Fr. Morrill will be giving five, one-hour lectures on "Divine Worship and Human Healing.' The lectures begin at 9:00 a.m. There is a break for lunch (noon to 1:30), and the lectures resume from 1:30-3:30 p.m. The public is welcome to attend any or all of the lectures. Lunch is not provided. It is not necessary to pre-register; simply show up the day of the lectures. There is a suggested donation of $20, but no one will be turned away.
The gospels portray Jesus as a teacher and healer, two crucial activities entwined in his prophetic mission. Empowered by the Spirit of the Risen Christ, the Church continues the mission of glorifying God by witnessing to the paschal mystery revealed in the life-stories of human brokenness and healing-the very heart of the Christian liturgy. Divine Worship and Human Healing theologically unfolds how the people's pastoral-liturgical work of healing and reconciliation discloses God's love and mercy amidst the community of faith. Engaging such concerns as forgiveness, illness, grieving, and death, the class explores the type of knowledge about God and the human condition that emerges in practicing the Rite of Penance, Pastoral Care of the Sick, and Order of Christian Funerals.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Triduum and Easter Blessings
Praying that you, your families and your faith communities know the blessings of God in real and profound ways this season. As a friend and colleague of mine in Madison, Wisconsin said in an email today, "Let us claim the resurrection!"
Blessings
Cheryl
Blessings
Cheryl
You're Invited!
You are invited to participate in an Easter retreat day, "Many gifts, but the same Spirit." Sponsored by the Diocese, this retreat day is especially for people engaged in pastoral ministries and leadership with their parish communities.
The retreat day will be held Saturday, April 29, at Creighton Retreat Center, near Griswold. There will be hospitality from 8:30 a.m., opening prayer at 9:30 a.m., and the day will conclude by 3:00 p.m.
The retreat day will be led by Marie Hilton, director of liturgical ministry and formation at Creighton University, Originally from Shenandoah, Marie was pastoral minister at Queen of Apostles parish, Council Bluffs, before joining the campus ministry staff at Creighton.
Pre register by April 21, by email (formation@dmdiocese.org) or by telephone (515/237-5058). There is no fee for the retreat day; a donation for lunch will be accepted.
A flyer about the retreat day is available on the diocesan web site: Go to www.dmdiocese.org, then click "Faith Formation." For more information, contact the Office of Lay Ministry Formation (515/237-5058).
The retreat day will be held Saturday, April 29, at Creighton Retreat Center, near Griswold. There will be hospitality from 8:30 a.m., opening prayer at 9:30 a.m., and the day will conclude by 3:00 p.m.
The retreat day will be led by Marie Hilton, director of liturgical ministry and formation at Creighton University, Originally from Shenandoah, Marie was pastoral minister at Queen of Apostles parish, Council Bluffs, before joining the campus ministry staff at Creighton.
Pre register by April 21, by email (formation@dmdiocese.org) or by telephone (515/237-5058). There is no fee for the retreat day; a donation for lunch will be accepted.
A flyer about the retreat day is available on the diocesan web site: Go to www.dmdiocese.org, then click "Faith Formation." For more information, contact the Office of Lay Ministry Formation (515/237-5058).
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