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From left: U.S. ICE participants Sisters Nancy Sell, Kathy Braun and Sylvia Leonardi

ICE participants and coordinators

This reflection was written by Sister Kathleen Braun, a participant in the 2009 International Community Experience held at St. Joseph Center in Milwaukee in July.

I expected the International Community Experience (ICE) to be rich and beneficial, but what surprised me were the emotional connections I made with my sisters (both the participants as well as the sisters with whom we interacted this month) and with our foundresses. 

These words come to mind with the ICE program: relationships created and nurtured; knowing ourfoundresses;faith sharing; taking time to intentionally share what matters to us; Francis andClare;exploring our Charism and strengths; strength in diversity; laughter; liturgies of various cultures; the warmth of our sisters welcoming and mentoring us;mandalas; leadership formation and the mini-General Assembly; international dinner; blessing each presenter; morning prayers in three languages and using symbols; cultural night of fun and more laughter.

What impacted me most were the relationships created. How did this happen? It happened by hearing each one’s story and struggles, their commitment to community life and ministry, and dedication to their faith life and spiritual practices. It happened in hearing of the sacrifices made due to physical conditions and being inserted with people, which at times involves living with discrimination and risk taking. 

One transformative moment for me occurred during our mini-General Assembly in which we reflected on the letters sent by each Province. As we began we were invited to hold these letters in our hands, to bring to mind all of our sisters in each Province who worked on them. I was moved to tears as I held these papers – I felt privileged to be given this opportunity and to feel our sisters present.

Sister Kathleen Braun
El Paso, Texas