Author: David Ellis

Don: As we all know, Alice’s daughter died on Wednesday. It is perhaps ironical to see, playing out in our own small community (that is, this class), the subjects we have been discussing: Community and individualism. Harry’s comments on the Maureen Dowd article we have been discussing in emails are also relevant to the topic….

by Robin Tessier January 3, 2013 I’ve had this unannounced experience of seeing faith in action, recently. Something that actually demonstrates what Scripture defines as faith, according to Hebrews chapter 11, verse 1:  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” In this world, the tangible, so-called proven…

Date:    January 2, 2013 From:   David To:        Everyone Don just told me that Alice texted him at 4:30 with the news that Fay had died peacefully. May God bless Alice and her family and console them in their grief. Don asked me to let you all know. David

Community vs. Individualism Don: Our discussion of community and individualism gives us an opportunity to reach out and help Alice and her family deal with the blows life is delivering to them, in whatever way we can. I feel as though part of the problem with the community vs. individualism discussion has to do with…

I thought this was very relevant to our current discussion, and would share it with you.   December 25, 2012 Why, God? By MAUREEN DOWD WASHINGTON When my friend Robin was dying, she asked me if I knew a priest she could talk to who would not be, as she put it, “too judgmental.” I…

Individual vs. Community  or United vs. Untied (thanks to Eb for the anagrammatic suggestion!) Before the meeting began, the participants expressed their concern for Fay, and for Alice, Ghada and Rimon. We admired the depth of Fay’s “self-awareness” and above all her demonstration of faith, which we thought must be an enormous comfort. David reiterated…

From: Faten Date: December 17, 2012 Re: Notes from December 15 Hello everyone, First, I’d like to thank you all again for your kindness. Secondly, just wanted to share a few thoughts. Actually, just a few questions that came to mind, to contemplate… On “Evil” Yes, the Newtown shooting was/is oh so so sooo sad!…

Evil Don: This has been an emotional week. I was impressed and deeply moved by Faten’s response to last week’s discussion. It was a lusty, full-throated defense of her faith and of God, and I found it incredibly inspiring. The only thing I disagreed with was her worry that she might be embarrassing her mother…

Hello everyone, This is Fay D’Anna, Alice Rihani’s daughter. I just read this, as I read all your beautiful thoughts and words that have been such a blessing to me in these past months since my beloved mother has been sharing these wonderful emails with me. Even though I don’t see you all or know…