You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
affor<strong>de</strong>d by an environment of beauty, quiet, andreverence for all life. Th<strong>at</strong> document still givesdirection to the annual planning of the ministry.In addition to the mission st<strong>at</strong>ement, theinitial process of discernment also yiel<strong>de</strong>d a namefor the ministry: <strong>Ruah</strong>. The Hebrew word for bre<strong>at</strong>hor wind of God,<strong>Ruah</strong>, is firstmentioned inGenesis: Theearth was aformless voidand darknesscovered the faceof the <strong>de</strong>ep,while a windfrom God sweptover the face ofthe w<strong>at</strong>ers. Wein <strong>Ruah</strong> <strong>Center</strong>continue tocapitalize on the rich meaning of this Hebrew word,as we welcome people who come here. We continueto invite them to be intentional about listening forthe bre<strong>at</strong>h, the touch, the gentle healing of God’slove in their hearts. The chaos of their everyday livesgradually retre<strong>at</strong>s as the experience of solitu<strong>de</strong> andsilence supports their faith filled seeking.<strong>Ruah</strong> officially opened on January 1, 1988, theSolemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God. On the25th anniversary of the opening, January 1, 2013,the Congreg<strong>at</strong>ion will celebr<strong>at</strong>e Solemn Vespers ofth<strong>at</strong> feast in the <strong>Villa</strong> Chapel, and pray th<strong>at</strong> Marywill continue to inspire us to grow in openness tothe Spirit’s work as we aspire to become, with others,extensions of Incarn<strong>at</strong>e Love in our situ<strong>at</strong>ions.Silence – a Touchstone forAdmitting Groups to <strong>Ruah</strong>The group involved in conceiving <strong>Ruah</strong> had discernedthe need for a place of prayer in this areawhich would, as it were, specialize in encouragingand guarding silence as a gift and a disciplinenecessary for discernment. Th<strong>at</strong> meant th<strong>at</strong> wewould not offer seminars or team building workshopssince other centers do th<strong>at</strong> well. It would havebeen easy to slip into th<strong>at</strong> mo<strong>de</strong>, but we have heldfast, and guests seeking to spend time here, eitherpersonally or as groups, have been called to embracethe discipline of silence.Over the ensuing years, <strong>Ruah</strong> has been quietlydrawing people from the Houston communityand beyond, and it is now known as a place withan intentional focus on silence and as a place ofcompassion<strong>at</strong>e listening for the Word Incarn<strong>at</strong>e,who Himself nee<strong>de</strong>d to go away to quiet places. Wecan assert th<strong>at</strong> the direction discerned by th<strong>at</strong> initialgroup has borne fruit. <strong>Ruah</strong> has led people to theirhearts where they learn to rest in God’s presencewithin, and the same Bre<strong>at</strong>h of God has sent themout to confi<strong>de</strong>ntly re-echo the News of God’s Loveon the streets of their lives. Many, in varied ways,have given us the message th<strong>at</strong> in<strong>de</strong>ed silence is aremedy for the ills of society.Hospitality and Generosity ofthe Congreg<strong>at</strong>ionL<strong>at</strong>ely one of our Spanish speaking guests, whois learning English, wrote: “Thank you Sister foropening door.” It touched my heart and remin<strong>de</strong>dme of so many who over the years have given us
Change language