Ecumenist and a Person of Dialogue and of Great Heart, Fr. Frederick Bliss, SM, died in his native country
Fr. Frederick
Bliss, SM, longtime director of the Ecumenical Section at the
 Angelicum, has been called home to the Lord, on 15 February, in his native New Zealand.
For many of the Russell Berrie Alumni, Fr. Frederick served as tesina director, academic advisor, professor and friend. He was one of the most prolific Anglophone ecumenists in Rome, and was instrumental in bringing the Russell Berrie Fellowship to the Angelicum as well. Fr. Bliss retired from the Angelicum in 2014, after about 25 years in Rome.
If you wish to send your condolences, thoughts and prayers to Fr. Frederick's family; please write his nephew: Kevin Pearcey, 27 Main Street, Hospital Hill, Napier 4110, New Zealand or email Jack Warn, Provincial Secretary, Society of Mary (Marist) Province Centre, at [email protected]
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Updates on the Russell Berrie Alumni Grant Program - Round 1
One of the
winning projects of the Alumni Grant Program Round 1 is an initiative of
Lidiia Batig
(Cohort VIII, Ukraine): "School of Inter-Religious Journalism." It consists of a series of lectures (a mini-course in a training style format) offered to religious journalists and young professionals writing on religious themes in Ukraine. The main goal of this  project is to equip journalists with skills and tools in covering interfaith issues, promoting dialogue and fighting propaganda and fakes in the media. In the time of war and conflict in Ukraine, this project stands out as a much needed, innovative and timely initiative to consolidate the society in the times of crisis and unrest.
Lidiia received over 40 applications from people wishing to participate in the project. Most of the applicants are young journalists (some are still students at the State University or the Ukrainian Catholic University in Lviv).
During their first meeting, two lectures were presented: one on Nostra Aetate (by Lidiia Batig) and the second lecture (by Yuliana Lavrysh) was dedicated to various ways that the Church/es can communicate with one another, with other religions and with society in general.
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Israel Study Tour 2017
One of the highlights of the Russell Berrie Interfaith Program is an annual trip to Israel. From January 23, 2017 to February 1, 2017 the Fellows of Cohort IX traveled to the Holy Land. For the group it is an intense time of study, touring and reflection on interreligious dialogue in Israel and beyond.
Our alumna from Ukraine, Lidiia Batig
(Cohort VIII), has interviewed the Berrie Fellows and asked them to share their thoughts and experiences about the Israel Study Tour. Below are reflections and thoughts of our students.
LB: After a few months of studying interreligious dialogue at the Angelicum in Rome and after your study tour to Israel, what has changed in your perception/understanding of interfaith dialogue?
Sr. Anie Deepa (India):
The study of interreligious dialogue has helped me to broaden my perception about Judaism and Jews. The study tour was an eye-opener for me and I could experience the warmth in the relationship which I never thought about before. Now I am able to understand more clearly the need of interfaith dialogue and reading the history together for healing the wounds.
Lynda Middleton (U.S.A.):
Through study at the Shalom Hartman Institute and speaking with leaders in interreligious dialogue we learned about what work is being done and how much
more there is left to do. Visits to the Old City of Jerusalem, various pilgrimage sites and museums enriched our experience and learning. Rabbi Hartman told us that to be a Rabbinic Jew is to be a learning person- to make yourself a heart of many rooms. The Jerusalem Seminar opened me and some more rooms in my heart for the other. I am grateful to the Berrie Foundation and all of those who made this experience possible.
To continue reading the interview, please click here.
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Interfaith Dialogue as one of priorities of the Dominican Order
During the Congress for the Mission of the Dominican Order held in Rome, 17-21 January 2017, interfaith dialogue was chosen as one of sub-themes of daily workshops. The event brought together Dominicans from various regions of the world and from different cultural and ecclesial contexts to reflect and share experiences around the mission of preaching of the Order today. The  Congress aimed to promote and illuminate the mission of the Order through a theological and pastoral reflection on issues that are central to the Dominican preaching today.
On the last day of the Congress, the participants took part in the celebration presided by Pope Francis at the Basilica of Saint John the Lateran.
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Webinar with
Professor Marshall Breger - "The legal and political situation at the Holy Places today"
On January 20, 2017, IIE hosted the 5th webinar for the
 Fellows and Alumni of the Russell Berrie Program at the Angelicum. Prof. Breger presented a historical overview of the complexities in the Holy Land and the present state of things from legal, religious and historical perspectives.
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Russell Berrie Interfaith Program Courses at the Angelicum
One of the courses that Berrie Fellows attended during
 their year-long program in Rome is a course taught by Professor Israel Knohl:
"Chapters in the Book of Isaiah." The course was very well appreciated by the Fellows who share some of their thoughts about the content of the lectures and about the lecturer himself:
- "The Chapters in the Book of Isiah" is an enlightening course for any Christian who wishes to go deep into the scriptures. Our professor was very active and joyful in his presentation and his classes stimulated me to read more biblical works.
- Professor Knohl is incredibly knowledgeable in dealing with the passages of Isaiah, with his commentary and references, shifted my perspective on the Hebrew Bible and especially on the Prophets and the idea of "prophethood," entirely.
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Rev.
Thangaraj Michael
(Cohort III, India) appointed Regional Secretary for
 Ecumenism and Interfaith Dialogue in Tamil Nadu, India.
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Alumni Activities: BANGLADESH
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Bangladesh: Interfaith Seminar "Mother Teresa declared a Saint: Sign of a great kindness, compassion & loving service to humanity"
Berrie Alumni,
Pascalina Purobi (Cohort VIII), took part in an interfaith event honoring Mother Teresa.
 The seminar was organized by the Episcopal Commission for Christian Unity and Interreligious dialogue, at CBCB center, Dhaka, on the 29th September, 2016. The theme of the seminar was chosen as "Mother Teresa declared a Saint: Sign of a great kindness, compassion & loving service to humanity." At CBCB center,
 Dhaka, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian leaders, religious men & women, College & University students, took part in an interfaith dialogue seminar to discuss the above mentioned specific topic in detail within the context of 'Inter faith dialogue of service' in Bangladesh. Total number of participants resent at the seminar was about 120 people. The seminar was lead by Mr. Nirmol Rozario, Chairperson of the Central Association of Christian Cooperatives.
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One of the most active alumna of the Russell Berrie Program in Interreligious Studies is
Elena Dini (Cohort
 VI, Italy). In November of 2014 she wrote an article titled
"Processing Experiences Within an Academic Framework: A Challenge for Interfaith Education." It appeared on the
The website of the Journal of Interreligious Studies, which is a good resource for interfaith studies. In this issue, we are sharing an article
"The Meanings of Dialogue in Interreligious Teaching and Learning Today." This piece, posted on April 19th, 2016, is a response by Sheryl Kujawa-Holbrook to
Elena Dini's article. It builds on the various meanings of "dialogue" within the growing field of interreligious education, and updates the discussion from the original article. Noted here is the history of the term "dialogue" itself, the range of
 understandings of the term within the literature today, and the relational applications of dialogue within interreligious engagement. Also, specific applications of the use of dialogue within interreligious hospitality, youth work, and peace-building are noted. A brief discussion of the "next steps" for interreligious dialogue within student teaching and learning is offered in conclusion.
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We would like to hear from you! If you would like to share your interfaith activities or publications, please contact us!
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Please send us your feedback about the Alumni Newsletter!
Taras Dzyubanskyy | Alumni Coordinator | +380 67 88 32 009 |
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Spread the word!!
On behalf of the Russell Berrie Foundation, IIE is pleased to announce the tenth consecutive year of the Russell Berrie Fellowship in Interreligious Studies, arranged at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum).
The aim of the Fellowship Program is to build bridges between Christian, Jewish, and other religious traditions by providing the next generation of religious leaders with a comprehensive understanding of and dedication to interfaith issues.
Please click
here to share this call with your friends!
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About the Russell Berrie Alumni Network
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