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Simona Zabukovec
Roman Union Exchange 2010, Billings, Montana, USA West
September, 2010- December, 2010
The Roman Union Exchange 2010 has been for me an opportunity to go ‘beyond our borders,’ to experience the diversity of our international Institute and help in the ministry.
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From September to early December 2010, I had the privilege of sharing life with the sisters from Billings, Montana in the Western Province of the United States. Sr.Mary Dostal, a native of Montana (of Czech and Irish descent) generously opened her house and hands for us: Sr.Frances Oakley from Great Britain, Sr.Emilia Villareal (a Hispanic American from Texas), and Mrs. Anna DeCrane (a member of the Crow Indian Nation) and I have been an interesting combination of cultures: Czech, English, Spanish, Native American and Slovenian.
Twelve years ago, Sr. Pat Funderhide (who is currently on sabbatical) and Sr. Mary opened Angela's Piazza, a center for women, with the desire to help women at risk.
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Since then they have developed a large number of programs - from support groups for victims of domestic violence, rape and incest; Medicine Wheel and 12 Steps for Native American women (a 12 Step program incorporating Native American culture and spirituality into the 12 Steps); counseling for parents; 'Daughters of Tradition' for Indian girls from 8 to 16 years which focuses on their values to help them resist drugs and alcohol; child care; preparation of “Kateri’ Masses (named for Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha); various forms of spiritual and medical assistance; an ecumenical faith-sharing group; preparation of celebrations; summer Bible camp for children, and much more. Angela's Piazza has become a place of hope and connection.
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In this multitude of programs every pair of hands comes in handy. My job has been different every day: helping in the kitchen, answering phones, distributing food, playing football with children, gardening, and doing various other small jobs. In particular, I try to emerge into and understand a different culture. The sisters have a keen sense of social justice, for women in society and in the Church. These two areas have been a fresh challenge for me because at home I do not reflect nor act on them enough.
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But there are also other interesting new things, e.g. turning right on the red lights, the sign prohibiting the entry of weapons into the hospital, listening to a CD instead of singing the entrance hymn at morning prayer, hearing football results at the end of the Mass, not meeting anyone in a religious habit, experiencing the Indian smudging ceremony with sage, Halloween trick or treating, watching professional rodeo, pre-election advertisements in front of each house, full churches even on weekdays, when visiting the Yellowstone National Park meeting a coyote who is not a bit scared of people and much more. The American way of life is very different from what I’ve seen in the movies. Nicer and more peaceful. And as Sr. Frances would say: Americans are naturally friendly people. I am grateful to the sisters of the Western Province and our Roman Union for this enriching experience. |
