Bearing Witness

Despite the fact that I have 8,000 things to do in preparation for my long departure from my home (first I'll be heading to PA/MD to see my parents, attend a longtime friend's wedding, enjoy my nephew, and spend time with my sister THEN, I'll be heading to FL to relax on the beach with hubby and the in-laws), I am having a bit of a slow start to my day. I'm recovering from 3 days of intensity and learning. The past 3 days I attended a conference for Catholic School Teachers called Bearing Witness sponsored by the Anti Defamation League.

I wish I had the ability to fully explain the incredible amount of information and understanding that was pounded into me in the course of those 3 days. While I was there, I couldn't help thinking that I wished my husband or mother or sister.. or SOMEONE that I loved and cared about could be sharing this experience with me. Because, that's what it was... an experience.

Rather than coming out with facts & statistics.. I have come out with a deep understanding of the anti-semitic problem in the world and in the Catholic church. Deep understanding is correct, because it is all so much deeper than probably anyone can possibly imagine (it is certainly deeper than I had ever considered..and I DO consider myself to have always been very sensitive to these things). And, now, I face the difficult task of somehow passing that UNDERSTANDING on to my students. Task is probably the wrong word... responsibility is what it is. Now that I have an understanding, I have an absolute RESPONSIBILITY to live what I know.. and to pass it on to my students..

The first two days were not spent educating us on the problem of anti-semitism. In fact, they were simply spent informing us about the Jewish Religion and the Catholic Religion. During this portion of the conference I met my new inspiration. His name is Father McManus and he is by far the most inspirational and captivating teacher I have ever had the opportunity to meet and learn from. When he spoke, I actually found myself sitting on the very edge of my seat.. with my mouth hanging open.. ready to ingest the pearls of wisdom he was sending my way. He was amazing, and if for any reason you ever have the opportunity to hear him speak, I insist that you go.

I signed up for Bearing Witness thinking that I would learn a lot. But, Bearing Witness was so much more than knowledge and information. Bearing witness was a life changing event in my life that I hope I will never forget.