[The Grail]

In this Issue:

1. Gumbo
2. Council Election Results
3. Proposal to Take a Stand
4. Migration Matters Hard Copy Request
5. UN’s Commission for Social Development
6. Request for Prayers
7. Member Updates
8. In Loving Memory
9. Member List Changes
10. Grail on the Internet
11. National Calendar
Attachment: Grail International Newsletter #39, November 2011
International Grail Publication 2011: Migration Matters**
Gumbo
December Gumbo https://www.grail-us.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/GUMBO-12-2011.pdf
Articles: Occupy Wall Street; Taking a Stand; Why I Fell In Love; Grail Forums, Take 2; Spirituality and Science; Preparing for CSW; Member Birthdays; Grail Link to the UN; What Can I Do; Attend CSW; Living Grail: Judy Markle; Why Give to the Grail?; Member Giving
Past Gumbos (with complete index) are available in the member area of the Grail website; click “Gumbo” in the Quick Links Box on the member area menu page. See below for log-in.
Council Election Results Noreen Willhelm
The election results for the 2012 Council have given us a special gift – an opportunity to slightly enlarge the Council. We ended up with a tie, so the Council has decided that rather than hold a run-off or other means of elimination, we should add one more member to the Council. The Grail’s bylaws permit the Council to include up to nine members; this would bring the total to just eight. So, I’m pleased to report that Mary Farrell and Carol Siemering have been re-elected and Loretta Rokey has been elected to the Grail Council for three-year terms, beginning January 1. The Council also wishes to thank Penny Carr and Renee Wormack-Keels who also graciously stood for election and the Call to Leadership Committee which has been actively seeking and finding emerging leaders among Grail members.
Proposal to Take A Stand Jackie DiSalvo has proposed that the Grail take a stand in support of the Occupy Wall Street movement and her recommendation is included in this month’s Gumbo. According to Grail policies, any proposal to take a stand must be published in Gumbo, circulated for discussion among members and then voted on. Over the next several weeks, you are encouraged to weigh in on this proposal and to respond when asked to vote.
** Migration Matters Hard Copy Request due to the length of the attached International Grail Publication, the National office is asking that anyone who would like to receive it in hard copy to please send their request to the office at office@www.grail-us.org
UN’s Commission for Social Development Mary Kay Louchart
The 50th session of the UN’s Commission for Social Development (CSocD) will take place from February 1-10, 2012 at the United Nations North Lawn Building (NLB) in New York. The Priority Theme of the session is “Poverty Eradication”. In addition to the priority theme, the session will include review of relevant United Nations plans and programs of action pertaining to the situation of social groups such as: disabled persons, youth, aging, and the family. For more information, visit the Commission’s website, http://social.un.org/index/CommissionforSocialDevelopment/Sessions/2012.aspx. If you are interested in attending, contact Mary Kay Louchart, Grail-IPT@juno.com.
Request for Prayers:
§ Carol Siemering, who writes that her sister Nancy has advanced stage lung cancer and must go into the hospital to see if she has fibrous tissue clogging her chemo port. She is now in her third round of chemo. Her husband (and beloved since she was 13 years old, 53 years now) has pretty severe Alzheimer’s and her son-in-law, who has already lost one leg to diabetes, has to have two toes removed from the other foot. Carol will be going to Florida tomorrow to help out. Carol’s whole family could use some extra light and prayers.
§ Alice Dougan, who continues to suffer repercussions from her stroke in October.
Member Updates:
§ Gloria Boudreaux writes a heartfelt thank you for all the prayers and energy sent to her during her surgery on Nov. 11th. The operation was a success and she spent 7 days in a rehabilitation unit. Now she has been referred to a home health agency that will concentrate on physical therapy. This is where there the hard works begins and it will determine, to some extent, the outcome of the whole procedure. It will not be easy but she is determined to pour every ounce of energy to make it successful.
§ Ruth Chisholm Kate Twohy
Ruth Chisholm is now at Valley View Center, Goshen NY for rehab but we are finding that the staff does not open and read cards to her. It is better that Kate take them to Ruth and read them. (Cards sent to Mt Alverno have also been forwarded to Kate by their receptionist.). Ruth is not yet in her permanent residence and we expect that to be decided in a few weeks. Pray that we can achieve the best placement to skilled nursing. I visited her December 1 and observed her in therapy for an hour. She worked very cooperatively with the physical therapist and was gaining some strength in her left leg. Her comments were lighthearted. Alice and Cay were in good spirits as well at Mt. Alverno. For greetings and cards to Ruth, please write to:
Kate Twohy
260 65th Street
Apt 9K
Brooklyn, NY 11220
§ Carolyn Gratton Joyce Minkler
We have heard good news from Carolyn Gratton’s friends in Canada. Carolyn has moved into an apartment to “test her strength” before making decisions about returning to her own home. Carolyn has had great support from Canadian Grail members and a host of friends during her rehab time. She is getting stronger and we are grateful! This is the latest news from her friend Elyse: “I’m sorry I have been so slow in updating all of you since last Thursday when Carolyn moved into 4 Teddington Park. Carolyn has been planning to write her own note so that I could send it to you but she hasn’t had a chance yet… The move went very smoothly. Carolyn was delighted to leave Providence Healthcare, after hugs and warm goodbyes to her three roommates and many of the staff. She seemed pleased with her room, and especially its quiet, at 4 Teddington Park…Carolyn has had a number of visitors since last Thursday and is of course pleased to see everyone. She is not yet ready to give out her phone number. My sense is that she is quite tired after her long stay at Providence which, being a hospital, is not the most restful place.”
§ Simonetta Romano and Sharon Thomson were married last Sunday, Nov. 27th….thanks to the great State of New York and Rev. Lucy Jones who officiated. It was a beautiful and simple ceremony at the Cornwall Grail Labyrinth in the woods.
§ Jada Semidey is pleased to announce her marriage to Calvin Allan Green on Tuesday, November 22, 2011.
In Loving Memory
§ Trees van Voorst tot Voorst, January 6, 1921 – November 28, 2011, a Grail Nucleus member from the Netherlands. Josette Kerster writes: “All who ever visited the Tiltenberg will remember her as the vivid, cheerful, witty, ever-busy woman, concerned about people’s welfare and wishing to share her faith and inspiration. This is how we shall always gratefully remember Trees.” Services were today, December 2, at De Mantel nursing home where she spent these last months. She will be buried at the “Oosterbegraafplaats” Rodelaan in Voorburg.
§ Corinna de Martini, December 3, 1921 – October 24, 2011, a Grail Nucleus member from Switzerland who spent many years working for the Roman Curia of the Secretariat (later Pontifical Council) for Promoting Christian Unity in Rome with Josette Kerster, who writes that while their work often kept them isolated from Grail activities, “in fact hospitality was our contribution to the international Grail and hospitality was one of Corinna´s strong sides. Depending so much on each other created a special bond.” Her funeral was October 28 in Corinna’s hometown of Brig, Switzerland.
Member List Changes:
§ Carolyn Gratton, new address is 4 Teddington Park Ave. TORONTO, ON M4N 2C3
§ The Johannesburg Grail Centre has changed its email address to grailjoburg@thegrail.co.za
§ Marilyn Aitken (South Africa), new email address is maitken@wltp.co.za
§ Bep Caminada, new address is De Savornin Lohmanlaan 202, 2566 AW Den Haag, The Netherlands

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