BELFAST

Sr Therese Fitzgerald
My work in Belfast is around the themes of reconciliation, dialogue and understanding. I do this work in a variety of ways with individuals coming to terms with their own lives and its impact on others and with groups where people are trying to reach out to each other.
I work as a counsellor in Belfast with people from a wide variety of backgrounds and from different traditions. Many of these have been affected by a cancer diagnosis. My work regularly involves delivering training and giving talks. I am treasurer of the Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ) in Belfast. Among other things this involves applying for funding from sources such as Belfast City Council's Good Relations Fund. I established and facilitate an ongoing conversation group that explores how our spirituality transforms our lives. We pay particular attention to how our relationship with God and our reading of the Bible affects our capacity to do justice. I organise a prayer evening in our house once a month. I am involved with an interchurch group (through Clonard) trying to promote greater understanding and respect between people from different church traditions. I am also involved in an Interfaith Forum and with an organisation called Embrace that works with asylum seekers and migrant workers.
All of this work is both interesting and rewarding. It is a· privilege to be able to live our Sion charism in this rapidly changing and challenging context.