THE BIG PUSH

My boss Catherine is gone for a few days, but that does not mean the "mice" are playing! We're working on flyers and drafting a letter to the Ecuadoran Ambassador to see if he will participate in a side event that UNANIMA is sponsoring next week at the Commission on Sustainable Development--CSD. (Will tell you more about this later--it's the reason that UNANIMA sponsored me for an extra month).

Side Events are educational events that feature a theme that someone (usually an NGO) is trying to push. I think I told you that the Commission on the Status of Women featured hundreds of side events. So you see, regardless of what's going on in the main meetings, the "side shows" are very interesting and worthwhile.

Actually we are doing TWO side events: one on "fracking"--a controversial way of extracting natural gas from shale deposits. In states like Colorado and Pennsylvania, where they've done a lot of fracking, whole herds of cattle have died from drinking water contaminated by the chemicals used, and people can actually light the water coming out of their taps (see picture).

The other side event is on "The RIGHT Green Economy." The topic Green Economy is generating tons of words at the UN, as we prepare for the Rio+20 conference next year, and it certainly relates to the conversations coming up in the CSD. A "Green" Economy is one that stays within the bounds of the planet's resources, and links its decisions to both social and environmental needs. It is an economy that does not favor one political perspective over another. It can't be just a "greenwash" over Business As Usual, so it will require a new way of thinking, strong leadership, and education of the public to adopt new lifestyles, new patterns of production and consumption. Our side event is going to feature some people we know have some interesting perspectives on this, including the Ecuadoran Ambassador. Your prayers for the success of our events will be appreciated!

Easter is a season of joy!

Easter joy lingers, in fact for 50 days, we rejoice in this hopeful season. Why is it that worries like the quickly approaching flood waters get center stage? Why is joy a neglected part of our days? My days are filled with complaints and beseeching of God's help when things don't go my way. How do I discover and hold on to a balance in my day? One way that someone suggested is to nurture a spirit of gladness, end each day with a moment of remembrance. Each day before closing your eyes for rest, look back over the day that is ending. No matter how troublesome the day may have been, recover and grasp a taste of joy by asking, "What is one thing in this day for which I can rejoice?"

I hope that you are not like me in that sometimes I discover in remembrance that I missed the day's joyful moments because I was overly focused on just one thing that didn't go as I planned.

May we never let a day go by without glimpsing a touch of joy and rejoicing in God's goodness. Alleluia!

MORE NYC WEEKENDS

The clock is ticking down, the calender moves toward May 14, the day of my return to Kentucky, so I'd better see everything on my list. High on any former biology teacher's list would be the exhibit BODIES. Many are horrified at the thought of going to an exhibit of dissected humans and human parts, but it was beautifully done and respectfully displayed. This is not a morbid experience, and there were no snickers from the teenagers. Every system of the body is explored, with emphasis on the elegance of form and function, and on health. Life-like poses displayed the layers and layers of interacting muscle, ligaments, bone, nerves, and blood vessels. There was one display that showed all the ways orthopedic surgeons can put us back together, with pins, screws, plates, rods, and artificial joints. In the respiratory system exhibit, there was a display of a smoker's lung with a big bin of cigarette packs and a sign -- "throw in your cigarettes and kick the habit!" My very favorites were the preparations that showed all the tiny blood vessels of the kidney and placenta...this is really ART, as well as science. As I walked home I thought of all those little bones in my foot, acting as little levers, and then locking when I stand still. "I thank You that I am fearfully, wonderfully made!"

My sidekick, Sister Jan, left on Palm Sunday (I still feel like I have forgotten something when I get on the subway alone!) The day before that we had time for one last adventure, and I let her pick it out. Our Ursuline New York native, Sister Nancy, always asked me if I had seen The Cloisters when I went to NYC for meetings; well, this time I did. The Cloisters is a medieval monastery with cloisters, chapels, chapter room and courtyard gardens, all brought over stone by stone from various European monasteries, mostly in France and Spain. It houses the Metropolitan Art Museum's Medieval Art exhibits, and is set in a park on a hill overlooking the Hudson River. John D. Rockefeller donated the land, thoughtfully adding a good sized chunk on the opposite New Jersey shore, so nobody could ruin the view by building a McDonalds or Walmart. It was a lovely collection--a real religious experience.

And going from the sublime to the ridiculous: on the way there, we had to walk several blocks to change buses. As we walked by a Dunkin' Donuts shop, a naked (i.e. no feathers) live chicken ran out of the store, to the delight of passersby, who cheered for the chicken. Do you suppose this is related to the fact that Dunkin' D is advertising "fresh chicken sandwiches?" ( I think it must have wandered in from the ethnic grocery shop next door.) NYC is full of surprises!

And in case you have been wondering about the escaped cobra, she was found in the Reptile House only about 100 feet from her cage. Now, from being a humble young teenage cobra kept in a back room, she has become a celebrity, on special exhibit at the zoo...and she has a name. From tens of thousands of submissions, "Mia" was chosen, for "Missing In Action." One of the runner-up names was "Cleopatra," so my entry of "Cleo" was not too far off base. And that's the latest update on wildlife in NYC...

SIDE SHOWS, U.N. STYLE

Besides the programs, panels, films, and speakers over in the meeting rooms, there are always other things going on in the lobby of the public part of the U.N. building. The other day, in front of the lovely blue Chagall stained glass window in the lobby, there was a memorial service for the 44 United Nations staff members killed in various parts of the world over a period of just 10 days recently. It really reminded us that there are two United Nations--the one in New York where all the talking goes on, and the one out there "on the ground," keeping peace, bringing food, medicine, and school supplies, training teachers...and being vulnerable in the hot spots of the world. Well, I take that back: there are actually THREE U.N.s--there's a headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland also, where there is less talk and more work (they are very focused there on getting tasks done, and have less need for national posturing).

There is always some art or artifact exhibit in the lobby as well: a beautiful photography exhibit of pictures from Antarctica; one on the Holocaust that featured the writings of a very "Anne Frank" type of girl; a very moving combination of pictures, poetry, historical artifacts, and art on the topic of the Trans-Atlantic slave trade; and a sobering art and artifact exhibit that featured land mines--what they do to people, what they look like (they had "land mines" embedded in the floor that I actually hesitated to step on), and what the U.N. is doing about them.

But last week was the most unique: a "living culture" exhibit featuring the New Zealand Rugby Team. They did a very intimidating haka, or Maori war dance, and sang the New Zealand anthem. General Secretary Ban Ki Moon spoke to them, and (commenting on his own small stature) said that he would never be able to be a Prop, a Front Line Forward, or (regretfully) "or even a Hooker." He brought down the house.

Happy Holy Week to all, and in case I don't write again until the weekend, Happy Easter! I hope to see some LANDSCAPE over the weekend--hence the picture.

SMORGASBORD WEEKS

These past two weeks have not had a single "theme," but have offered a real smorgasbord of interesting things--pretty typical of some of the topics the U.N. deals with. While the Security Council has been meeting every day on topics like Libya, the Ivory Coast, and Sudan, other U.N. and NGO groups have been immersed in other topics.

Just in the past two weeks, I've been to sessions on Oceans and the Law of the Sea, Decent Work in the Least Developed Countries, The Rule of Law in Violent Situations, and a Commission on Population and Development; have attended U.N. special events noting Autism Week, HIV/ AIDS, and World Health Week (with a whole day on Psychology and Education); and attended committee meetings on Mining and Indigenous People, Trafficking, a UNICEF meeting on children with HIV/ AIDS, a committee on Sustainable Development, a working group on Climate Change, a meeting of RUN (Religious at the U.N.) and attended educational film / discussion sessions on fracking and on the future of nuclear energy.

Now, either you are REALLY envious or else bored out of your skull at the very thought of all this...so I will end by telling you about what the two weekends were like! Two weeks ago we went to the Museum of Modern Art, to see a special exhibit on women's photography...and then I worked all the next day on minutes, reports... This last weekend Jessica (our Executive Assistant) gave us a walking tour of a tiny piece of Brooklyn. My favorite parts were the chocolate factory and the little park with a great view of the Manhattan skyline. We ended at the Highline Park, an old elevated railroad bed in downtown Manhattan,which has been recycled into what is probably the longest and skinniest city park anywhere. Beneath the place where a bridge goes over the park there is an "auditory sculpture" where every minute some different kind of bell rings--bicycle, fire, church--and on the hour, all 60 ring out at once, in a symphony of city sounds.

The next day we went to Macy's to see the spring flower show. We agreed that from now on if we want to see flowers we will go to the Botanical Garden...too many people at Macy's!

You weren't worried about my getting bored, were you?

Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus, a friend, dead, buried and demanded, "Take the stone away!"

Many are the names of deadness in each of us. Many are the risings that need to take place. Today, I ask that the Risen Voice resurrect in me the deadness that needs to be raised up. Resurrect in me all that lies in deadness and give it an entrance into light. Push back the stone and restore my Spirit and become the Center of all I am and all I do.

SHADOWS AND SUNSHINE

Being in a large city for Holy Week has been a rich experience. St. Agnes church (near Grand Central Station) where I stop in sometimes for daily Mass has a number of more traditional practices; the statues were covered with purple drapes this week. On Wednesday we attended a "Tenebrae" (from a Latin word meaning "darkness" or "shadow") service at our Franciscan parish church here on 96th Street. I had never attended one, but it was a moving service of prayer and meditation with music...they have wonderful music here, with talented organists and soloists worthy of the Met...and lectors who are in theater.

One of the characteristic features of the Tenebrae service is the gradual extinguishing of candles and dimming of the lights, until only a single candle (considered a symbol of Christ) remains. Near the end of the service, the candle is carried out of the church with great solemnity, and all is dark while we reflect on the mystery of Christ's death and the apparent victory of darkness and evil in our lives. Then a huge noise (the "strepitus"), done with organ and other assorted noise makers, symbolizes the earthquake / resurrection--and the Christ candle is brought back into church.

Holy Thursday was remarkable for the seamless use of English, Spanish, and French in most parts of the Mass, and for the lovely foot-washing ritual that was completely integrated into the reading of the Gospel. Liturgical drama at its finest. On Good Friday I went downtown to another Fransciscan church for a celebration of the Seven Last Words at noon, then returned home for the Good Friday service at 3.

Holy Saturday evening in our parish church was also memorable. Instead of reading all the long readings, they did a "collage" of all the readings, again using the three parish languages. All the Old Testament readings were done in the dark, and the lights came on when we got to the New Testament. About eight adults were baptized, standing in a depressed basin next to the fount, and they were BAPTIZED, with the water poured over them. They went to the sacristy to change to long white garments, and came out to stand in front of us to be confirmed. It was very moving; many tears of joy both from them and from us. The children are baptized at the Masses on Easter Sunday...which was also glorious.

May the hope and joy of the Risen Jesus be with you all!

THE NEW LEPROSY

Well, we finally made it: Friday we spoke on the floor of the General Assembly hall of the United Nations--that's Sister Jan on the left and me on the right. (We were talking to each other, so we could say "we spoke on the floor of the UN!"--Jan was telling me to stand where I would look short, while she stood where she would look tall). The occasion was a civil society hearing on the world HIV / AIDS problem. A "civil society hearing" gives the delegates from member states and governments an opportunity to hear input from people "on the ground" as well as from NGOs working in an area.

HIV remains the only global public health issue to be the subject of a UN Security Council resolution, and has elevated global health issues to a new prominence on foreign policy agendas around the world. Some of the achievements of this effort have been the institution of UNAIDS, as well as a global fund to fight AIDS, and PEPFAR, the largest bilateral global health initiative in U.S. history. Sometimes I'm embarrassed by lack of U.S. response in some areas of concern, but I'm proud of the U.S. leadership and contributions to the global fight against AIDS, with its implications for global human rights, women's issues, health, and minorities. While the spread of AIDS has been slowed in most countries, and the number of deaths decreased, the number of infections is still rising (2.5 million new cases every year). In many countries the majority of poor people with HIV still do not have access to treatment. The testimonies from people on the panels and from the floor were just heartbreaking stories of suffering, discrimination, and stigmatization...like a new leprosy.

The day before, we went to the UNICEF building for a working session on children with HIV / AIDS. The group of NGOs and other interested parties are getting ready for a high level meeting (that means that heads of state will be there) in June, working on their "message development." Some of the areas of greatest concern seem to be issues like children who can't get tested because their parents are ashamed that there is HIV in the family; and adolescents who come out of excellent pediatric treatment programs, only to fall prey to reinfection because of lack of adequate sex / HIV education programs. It will be important to watch what is going on in Washington right now--will we balance the budget on the backs of the poor?

The work of waiting

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord." Psalm 27: 14 When I find myself waiting for answers or waiting for God to respond, it would be advisable to view this work of waiting as necessary preparation to receive the answer. It is not always easy to wait as I strain against my natural instincts to know now. Nevertheless, at times to wait is all that God asks of me. In God's wisdom I do believe this is an opportunity for me to grow in faith and learn to respond with trust and hope in God's faithfulness rather than on my own need for gratification. God as I wait help me to discover the value and gift discovered only through waiting.

Settle my heart

This week I have been speaking with two different women who are searching for answers. One comment was, " I really want to be in two different places. Both places are equally attractive. How do I know what God is asking of me?" Haven't we all had that same question arise in our lives once, twice, perhaps numerous times. I found myself smiling and responded. " I think it might be helpful to continue to ask that question of God while at prayer." Isn't it true that when we are able to place our questions, our desires, even our life in the hand of God, we can be at peace. I know I can rest in the knowledge that God's intention for me is always good. However, I must remember and acknowledge that special gift that makes us unique as God's creation--free choice! God, settle my heart and assure me that I can rest in the hope that one day my questions will be answered.I choose again this day to surrender to your plan for me. Enlighten and guide the searching of the women who are seeking you and your plan in their lives.

OLD FRIENDS, NEW FRIENDS

Many of you will recognize these old friends: that's Sisters Clara, Michele, and CJ in front of Macy's, near Herald Square ("Tell all the gang at 42nd Street that we will soon be there...") CJ and Clara were on their way to the Holy Land, with a couple of days off in NYC for good behavior. We got together on Sunday for Mass at St. Patricks Cathedral and brunch in the food court of Grand Central Station. Such a warm fuzzy, to see some Kentucky Ursulines on the sidewalks of New York!

And today (April 5) I met one more "old" friend and one new one. We NGOs have a special meeting once a month of all the Religious at the UN (RUN), for support and mutual inspiration. There are usually about 30 of us there, all from different religious communities of men and women. When we introduced ourselves I saw a ripple of interest down the table when I introduced myself as Ursuline--to find that the interested parties later introduced themselves as Ursulines. We met for lunch in the UNICEF cafeteria later to compare notes. The "old" friend was Sister Jane Quinlan, known to several sisters in our community from Ursuline leadership gatherings, and the new friend was Soeur Deodata Bunzigiye from Goma, the DRCongo. Both are Tildonk Ursulines (with motherhouse in Belgium). Daodata works in the education of street children, refugees, and child soldiers, as well as with trafficked women; she was invited by the UN to come and present information to several groups. Jane is still teaching part-time here in this area, but also represents their community as a UN NGO. I didn't know there was an Ursuline presence here at the UN, or I would have connected before now.

And on a personal note, this coming Sunday I'm connecting with Sharon, one of just two cousins on my father's side of the family. She lives in New Jersey, and this will be only the third time we have met as adults. The other time I remember seeing her was when we were 10 years old, when my mother and I came by train from New Mexico to NYC for Christmas. BIG Christmas: I met my grandma and grandpa, and we kids all got bicycles.

All this goes to show that you always have to behave, because you never know when you're going to run into someone you know. "Make new friends, but keep the old: one is silver and the other's gold."

WOMEN ARE BUFFALO

So much happens all at once at the UN, it's impossible to keep up, let alone tell you all about things as they occur. So, periodically I will "unpack" something from an earlier time. During the two-week Commission on the Status of Women, I was struck by the title of a side event, and went just to see what it was about. "Men Are Human, Women Are Buffalo" was the title of a short documentary film on abused and / or trafficked women in Thailand. The name came from an actual law (now defunct) describing the legal status of people there...men having the status of human beings, and women considered property, to be bought and sold like water buffalo.

We know the law can change (this one did) but unconscious societal attitudes and customs change slowly. Think how long it is taking in our country for us not to classify someone with a different skin color as inferior. And if women were indeed only property, then domestic abuse, trafficking, and using rape as a weapon of war might make "sense." We may not have called them "buffalo," but as originally written, our own U.S. Constitution did not recognize women and slaves as "persons" with a full set of rights.

In almost every U.N. discussion on the eradication of poverty, one of the delegates says "The best way to alleviate poverty is to educate women" or at least improve their status. In some countries, women farmers grow 70% of the food, yet they cannot own land or buy seeds (all that has to be done in the name of the husband). Laws that would let a woman own her own land, or even take classes in farming, would work toward easing food shortages in some parts of Africa. Even delegates from countries that don't practice this are (on the floor of the U.N.) paying lip service to the idea, even if only because they are succumbing to peer pressure! And if they say it often enough--maybe they will start believing it.

As I examine my own unconscious attitudes about people who are "different," maybe if I could be honest enough to see I am calling them "buffalo," then I would have taken the first step toward healing my little part of the world.

SSSSNAKE AND THE CITY

Another charming thing about New York City is how much fun New Yorkers can have over the strangest things. The week-long absence of an adolescent (20 inches, 3 ounces) Egyptian Cobra from its cage in the Bronx Zoo occasioned more merriment than terror. A twitter account was set up in the snake's name, and it reported back from the Art Museum (10 a.m.), the Empire State Building (3 p.m.), Ray's Pizza (5 p.m.) and Wall Street (8 p.m.). It was tweeted by the Mayor, and Ellen Degeneres welcomed it to NYC, but told it to stay away from Times Square "which" she said, "is a zoo!" Finally it was found in a dark corner of the reptile house, not 100 feet from its cage. Our heroine is now going from back-room obscurity to Special Attraction, and a naming contest is going on. I'm going to submit "Slyther Lynn" and "Cleo" (one of her famous ancestors killed Cleopatra).

Often-seen subway rats are another cause for dark humor, and of course, rampant speculation. The subway news has it that there is going to be a massive population explosion this summer, which might be true, as 75% of the city exterminators were laid off. I took Jan's picture in front of a giant (20 foot?) rat on Wall Street -- not what you are thinking -- someone told me that unions put it in front of non-union businesses. Well, I guess that could apply to Wall Street, too.

Bedbugs are also back in the news; landlords are going to be required to spray ALL the apartments near an infested unit: up, down, right, and left. People are being careful about where they buy their clothes and "fleamarkets" are less popular right now. But New Yorkers seem to take a perverse pride in their wildlife, except for pigeons. It's the non-wild life I worry about. How can those BIG dogs live in such tiny apartments?

I was really mystified about what picture to choose for this; finally decided that the terror factor of an Egyptian Cobra was outweighed by the gross-you-out vision of a highly-magnified bedbug, or up-close Rattus rattus rattus. (At last: I knew someday I would get to use the official name of that rat!) Sweet dreams, everyone.