The Musings of Reverend Catherine Harrington
November, 2011

It is an overcast and chilly morning in Krakow, and I‘m sitting in a lovely cafe with a steaming pot of tea enjoying the first leisurely day of my study leave. I arrived yesterday afternoon after an almost 24-hour journey from the West shore of Michigan to the former capital city of Poland. I have five days to see the sites and most of all, visit the wonderful old churches and museums in Krakow before going to Auschwitz for a five-day retreat with a group led by the Zen Peacemakers founder, Bernie Glassman.

When someone asked me why I was going to Auschwitz, I had difficulty answering the question though I knew in my gut that there was no question that it was what I had to do. I have thought about it a lot ever since. Here‘s what I know thus far:

First; I‘ve known of Bernie Glassman since my first semester of seminary when I read his book as a text for the Bearing Witness class taught by the Rev. Kay Jorgensen and Sr Carmen Barsody, co-founders of the Faithful Fools. This class and my continued involvement with the Faithful Fools have been pivotal in my ministerial formation. Their important ministry and influ-ence has continued for over a decade, shaping and informing my understanding of the systemic injustice and inequities in our society. I also had the privilege of taking a class (Clowning Your Zen) with Bernie at the San Francisco Zen Center last March while on sabbatical.

Second; after the murder of my daughter, Leslie, in 2004, this understanding has provided me with insights and guidance as I‘ve navigated my way through the difficult journey of healing and reconciliation. When the opportunity arose to accompany Bernie and a group of people from around the world from diverse religious backgrounds, I knew that I had to go. It has been a part of my personal healing ritual since Leslie‘s death to tend to her life and to my grief by going on spiritual retreat on the anniversary of her death. This is one important reason, but as I have prepared for this particularly difficult retreat by reading and watching films and documentaries about the Holocaust, I have begun to understand that this stage of my grief process is different from other years.

I have cried a lot of tears, my own tears, and I‘ve found compassion where I never expected to find it, but what I believe is different for me now and what I am ready to do, is to "taste the tears" of others. Most of each day will be spent sitting by the train tracks at Birkenau, both in silence and in chanting the names of the dead. There will be time to walk through the vast camps, do vigils inside women‘s and children‘s barracks, and attend memorial services. Prayer Services from various religious traditions will be offered daily. Participants will meet daily in small Council groups designed to create a safe place for people to share their inner experiences. The whole group meet together in the evenings to bear witness to oneness in diversity. I go in faith, in hope and in love.
I look forward to sharing what I discover with all of you upon my return. In the meantime, I carry you with me in my thoughts and prayers each day.

In faith and love, Cathy

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