General Chapter 2008

Remembering

2008-05-30T14:53:00.002+02:00

Remembering

2008-05-28T11:42:00.004+02:00

Remembering

2008-05-27T12:01:00.005+02:00

Remembering

2008-05-27T10:38:00.000+02:00

Congratulation to Margaret for her reelection

2008-05-23T09:48:00.000+02:00

2008-05-23T08:24:00.004+02:00

Well, well … the Chapter has given us a surprise at the last moment. Remember we told you that tomorrow we would have the closing Eucharist… but it didn’t work out like that. At the end of this evening we had a celebration to close the Chapter. What happened before? Well, here’s what happened.

We returned to the Chapter hall at 15.15 and Micheline invited the capitulants to share some of what they had experienced during these days (moments of greater trust, search together, respect, listening, openness to a wider vision of the gift received by Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, greater sense of Holy Family identity…

Then, an evaluation sheet was distributed which capitulants were asked to hand in either during the evening or the following morning

The following step is more delicate: how was the Chapter to be transmitted to the Sisters? The answer of course is that it depends on the different realities. However some creative ideas were shared which would involve all the sisters.

A very emotional moment followed. Margaret made some important announcements. She thanked Mary Loughran and Mercedes Mendiguchia for all the work that they did during the last years in the General Administration – 17 and 18 respectively. Strong emotions as you can see from the photos!

Margaret, in her closing words, invited us all to go forth, to come out of our caves (an allusion to the prophet Eljah and to hear God’s whisper in the small seemingly insignificant things of every day. We have the capacity and the desire to be open to change and we have the strength to incarnate our Charism in our world today.
She emphasised how much she valued the participation of the whole Institute in the preparation for the Chapter and how all the members of our family followed the daily events through the website (21000 visits to the blog) and through the flashes which were sent out daily.
Her desire: that we all commit ourselves to communicate this vision, together with the great enthusiasm that has been felt by all during these days.
Then came a long list of thanks – thanks also to all of you who have read of all the proceedings each day, because you too have participated in this Chapter with he responses to the work that had been sent prior to the Chapter. Thanks also to all the members of the Family who have demonstrated their closeness by the many communications received.

Now comes the final moving moment – THE CLOSING CELEBRATION.
The tree of life that had been decorated on the first day of the Chapter, and the ribbons which were with us all during our daily Eucharists were brought into the Chapter room.
In the middle of the room was the clay pot in which seeds brought from all parts of the world had been planted. These seeds had now grown into fresh green shoots. Around the pot, three sisters presented symbols of the other groups in our family – bread (Secular institute), a lighted candle (Lay Associates) and a Bible (Priest Associates). The entire Family accompanies us.
A hymn of hope was then sung followed by a prayer of thanksgiving as we held the ribbons in our hands. In conclusion these were gathered up and given to Margaret.
“Share with them all the dangers of the journey”… “ May the love with which you have love me be in them, so that the world may believe” resounds in the hall.
Finally each one received a very beautiful clay pot (see the photos)
These were passed from one to the other until each sister held a pot in her hands - round, made of three different colours … (the gift received is to be passed on) We raised them high and Margaret said the following blessing:

May you be blessed with the strength of Heaven
The light of the sun and the radiance of the moon
The splendour of fire, the speed of lightning
the depths of the sea, the swiftness of wind
the stability of earth and firmness of rock

And so… everything comes to an end.. or rather it is only beginning … Bye!

2008-05-22T11:49:00.004+02:00

In the centre of the Chapter Room, and inviting us to prayer this morning, was the earthenware pot which received the earth and the seeds that each one brought from her place of mission three weeks ago. Now it stands, bursting with life, brimming with little plants which promise much for the future. The seeds had to be hidden in the earth, and given time; they had to be touched by the sun, and moistened by the rain… This pot can be seen as a symbol of what we have lived during this time: its message is that we need to allow ourselves to be transformed, in order to grow towards the light of the future. The little shoots are straining towards a new vision.
During this time of intensely quiet and deep prayer, we were invited to take a contemplative look at our Chapter journey – to recall what we have lived, perhaps a call perceived through a document, an intervention, a translation… This was a moment when each one looked within, to bring to mind moments full of life, of emotion, of searching.
The seeds have been transformed into bearers of life inviting us, once more, to "choose life".

Afterwards – down to practicalities! Françoise Aubin reminded us that the end of the Chapter is near, making announcements regarding departures, meals etc… Micheline gave us the program for the day: a time for reading of the Chapter Texts, and then putting them to the vote; then a personal time for reviewing the whole of the Chapter experience; the Eucharistic celebration at 12.15. In the afternnon, we will take a look at possible means of transmitting the Chapter in our P/N/D/V, and the closing rites (Signing the Acts of the Chapter…Margaret's closing address… votes of thanks…)
The Closing Eucharist will take place tomorrow. More later!

2008-05-22T11:41:00.001+02:00

Just as we told you yesterday morning, the rest of the day was given over to reading texts, making notes, and amendments… We would just like to let you know that yesterday afternoon, there was an open forum on Basic Formation. It was a time for sharing hopes and concerns.
This morning offers us the chance of a final appraisal of the texts presented for the approval of the Chapter. We will tell you more later, because perhaps this afternoon, depending on how things go, we may be able to have the "closing rites"!

2008-05-21T12:47:00.003+02:00

Our morning prayer today reminded us that God is the Potter, who moulds and shapes us, the clay. On the first day of the Chapter, we brought the four elements needed to make clay pots: earth, fire, air and water..
On our journey so far, we have had to mix the water with the clay, shape it, dry it in the air, then allow it to be fired, in order to form the pot we want.
"Go down to the potter's house, and there I will tell you what I have to say… You are clay in my hands, like the clay in his… (Jer 18).

We are making progress, even if it does not seem so! Once again, we looked at the document, "Direction for the Future". In general, there was satisfaction with the text.
The whole morning will proceed along these lines, so that the final version of all the Chapter documents can be written this afternoon, and voted upon tomorrow. (Hopefully!)

What is this?

2008-05-21T12:40:00.002+02:00

Click

2008-05-20T21:52:00.000+02:00

At the centre of our day was the Eucharist, coloured by a deep sense of inclusion manifested in a symbolic ritual. Before the celebration, the whole assembly was invited to go to the nearby "Tent of the Excluded", where each one would choose an object from the exhibition representing a specific type of exclusion which had special significance for her. We left the chapel singing "a light within the world" –a call to bear witness to the inclusive light of Christ, in the darkness around us. Then we came back to the chapel, bearing a photograph or an object in our hands, and left it around the foot of the altar. This emptied the "Tent of the Excluded", and yet again we were living the Dream of our Founder. Various groups of the excluded became members of the Family of the Children of God, gathered around the first-born of a Family of brothers and sisters, and they took their place on the common "tree", enriching it with new colour and new songs.

2008-05-20T18:56:00.001+02:00

This afternoon, there was a new face in the Chapter Room: Silvia Correale. Who is she? The new Postulator for the Cause of the Founder.
Born in Argentina 46 years ago, Silvia also holds Italian nationality. She is a lawyer by profession, and a Doctor in Canon Law. She is already working on various causes for beatification, including the Catalan architect, Gaudi, and the Vietnamese Cardinal François-Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan. Dr. Correale is the first woman to be asked by a Pontifical Dicastery to defend a cause of canonization. She spent an hour with us, explaining the theological basis for a beatification, and clarifying certain matters brought up in the assembly.
The Sister who will be in contact with her is M. Carmen Leach, and we will be sending her the accounts of all the graces received through the intercession of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, and other matters relating to the Founder's Cause.
We take the opportunity to thank Sr. Paulette TAUDIÈRE for all the work she has done on the Cause for the last eleven years. Thank you, Paulette!

2008-05-20T13:04:00.000+02:00

2008-05-20T12:45:00.001+02:00

Last evening we had a great party, where each one contributed the best of herself to help us have some fun or enjoy some beautiful culturally diverse items. What an amount of creativity, resourcefulness, and laughs!
Today, as every day, we began by praying together. This morning, we brought before the Lord the suffering due to natural disasters and war, and particularly the attacks against immigrants that have taken place in S. Africa. This particular prayer was full of symbols: the seven flames which represent the God of Light, of the Word, of hunger and thirst, of passion, of music…
Then, on to the following Chapter Proposals:
· coordination of Basic Formation
· Martillac
· experimental structures
· the composition of the next General Chapter

Today, the Eucharist is at 12-15. We will be with you there!

2008-05-20T10:57:00.001+02:00

2008-05-19T20:08:00.000+02:00

Sorry not to be able to tell you anything new, but the morning began with discussion of the proposals which came out of last week's reports, and the same process continued all day until it was time for the Eucharist at 6.30.
Perhaps the only thing we can share with you is that there was a proposal that the Chapter express its reaction to the conflict in Sri Lanka.
We hope to be able to tell you something more tomorrow.
We know that you are still with us. Thank you.

2008-05-19T20:06:00.000+02:00

Colleen has arrived!

BERNADETTE TAURINYA

2008-05-19T12:12:00.006+02:00

Born in the South of France, on 16 May 1947.

Studied economics, then entered the Holy Family in 1970. In 1974, just after her Temporary Profession, she joined the Contemplative Group.
Her ongoing formation includes one year course in Biblical Studies in Jerusalem, and more recently, one year course in Spiritual Accompaniment in Quebec, Canada.
She resides in the contemplative community at Martillac, and has served the Vicariate as Councillor (3 mandates) and Bursar.
Bernadette speaks Spanish as well as her native French.

2008-05-19T12:12:00.004+02:00

This morning, the disciples of Emmaus led us into the new territory we have to cross: the Chapter texts. "Lord, may we listen to your voice."

The Drafting Committee, represented by Clare Fernando, presented the assembly with the text “Vision-Direction for the Future” Time was given for personal reading, with a guide question: Is this the direction we wish to take as an Institute? There followed on-the-spot sharing in linguistic groups.
This would seem to be the pattern for today: reading of texts…group work…clarifications….

2008-05-19T07:05:00.000+02:00

As Saturday drew to a close, we gathered to celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity at a Eucharist marked by a diversity of taste, and a variety of cultural gifts shared, along with the emotional impact of the election process which had just concluded.
Sunday was a free day, and today, Monday, we are preparing to face some more hard work. There still remain several documents to be drafted , studied, amended, voted upon… During the day, we will be telling you more about what is happening.
Thanks for your company!

MARGARET MULDOON

2008-05-19T07:00:00.000+02:00

Superior General of the Holy Family of Bourdeaux

Born on Jan 1, 1946 in the North of Ireland.

A past pupil of the Holy Family Convent School in Magherafelt, Co. Derry.

She entered the Holy Family on 2nd. August, 1966.

During her early years in the Province of Britain and Ireland, she was a primary school teacher.

Part of her ministry involved work with the Lay Associates in her Province.

She was the Provincial in Britain and Ireland for two terms, before being named as General Councillor in the 1993 General Chapter. On the death of Joy SMITH in 2001, she assumed the leadership of the Institute in her capacity as Assistant General, until the Chapter of 2002, when she was elected Superior General in her own right.

2008-05-18T09:46:00.003+02:00

Happy Feast of the Holy Trinity to all of us!

2008-05-17T23:05:00.002+02:00

2008-05-17T21:05:00.000+02:00

Today, three young women are beginning their pre-novitiate in the Philippines.

We pray for them, and send them our greetings and best wishes.

2008-05-17T17:38:00.009+02:00

The names of the Apostolics Councillors are:

Mª Carmen Vilardell (Spain)

GENERAL ASSISTANT

Born on 22/12/1948 in Spain

General Councillor in Rome

Ana Mª Alcalde

Born on 24/11/1946 in Spain

Missionary in Brazil

Kumudini Dassanayake (Sri Lanka-Colombo) -Not a capitulant-

Born on 15/2/1952 in Colombo -Sri Lanka-

Micheline Kenda (R.D.Congo) -Not a capitulant-

Born on 10/2/1966 in R.D.Congo

Colleen Moore (S.Africa) -Not a capitulant-

Born on 17/6/1947 in S. Africa

2008-05-17T12:32:00.000+02:00

Unite us in your spirit, Lord!
You are here, Lord, so this is holy ground.
Where your Spirit is, there is peace.

Today is another very important day. At 3.15, the election of the General Councillors will be taking place. They will be helping and supporting Margaret during the next six years. You will be able to see the procedure for the elections in Art. 66 of our Constitutions.

After the introductory prayer, Margaret informed us of the decisions of those who came up yesterday on the list of names proposed, and who are not present at the Chapter. All of them had been contacted. Then, time was given for those present at the Chapter who were on the said list, to speak to the assembly if they so wished. Then, a time of information and prayer with the names remaining on the list, so that at 11am the Chapter can proceed to an indicative vote.
Based on the indicative vote, another list will be drawn up, which the capitulants can collect at noon, so they will therefore have another hour for prayer and discernment before lunch.
Keep tuned in, because soon we will be able to see the light!!

QUALITIES NECESSARY FOR THE GENERAL COUNCILLORS

2008-05-17T12:05:00.001+02:00

Women capable of:
* Working in a multicultural team, animating, discerning, listening and adapting themselves to different realities
* Reflection, and collaboration with the Superior General, helping her in her task of administration.
* Assuming the common mission, utilizing all the talents available.

Persons who:
* are centred, singlehearted.
* are open, interested in and concerned for the whole Family; who have a sense that we are one body; who seek the common good, and know how to animate for relationship.
* can work in complementarity and with a team spirit
* can collaborate and reflect with others, and express the fruit of their reflection; who can be creative in an international setting
* are ready to try what is new
* sensitive to different contexts, with a capacity to animate and to accompany others.

2008-05-16T19:17:00.000+02:00

Today, we congratulate Bernadette Taurinya twice over, for today is also her birthday! After the applause, the greetings, the embraces… in the Chapter Room, we continued the afternoon gathering up the papers on which the Apostolic Capitulants had written the five names of those they suggest as General Councillors. A list will be drawn up of those names, set out in alphabetical order, which they can then collect at 5pm outside the door of the Chapel.
As you can see, the discernment continues.
We ended the day with the Eucharist, which will take place at 6.30pm.
Tomorrow we will continue to update you. For today… more than enough!

Margaret speaks...

2008-05-16T18:41:00.003+02:00

2008-05-16T16:19:00.004+02:00

BERNADETTE TAURINYA

New Vicar of the Contemplatives

2008-05-16T12:55:00.001+02:00

We gathered once more in the Chapter Room. Micheline (the Moderator) made two announcements:
· The election of the Vicar for the Contemplatives will take place at 3.15pm
· The list of those suggested as Apostolic Councillors (over 50 of them!) was distributed.

In the meantime, the Contemplative Sisters will continue their discernment for the election of the Vicar, and the Apostolic delegates begin the phase of suggesting names for the Council. Using the list which they have received, (with the names proposed by the Apostolic Sisters in our Provinces, Delegations and network ) they are asked to choose five names. The results of this first round will be published in a new list, set out in alphabetical order.

2008-05-16T11:45:00.003+02:00

The work of the Spirit continues and after a short time of celebration…at 10:30, the capitulants go into the chapel where the list of names of the sisters who have been proposed as Vicar for the Contemplatives has been placed.

The election will take place at 12 o’clock.

The new procedure for this election has been addted by the Chapter.
Only the Superior General and the Contemplatives will vote, butthis vote will take place in the chapter hall and will be ratified by the whole chapter body.
In the same way, only the apostolics will vote for the election of the Apostolic Councillors in the presence of the contemplatives.

2008-05-16T09:30:00.006+02:00

Margaret Muldoon!!

2008-05-16T08:27:00.002+02:00

2008-05-15T22:41:00.002+02:00

2008-05-15T19:15:00.002+02:00

As we enter the Chapter Room tomorrow morning, as our gathering prayer, we will sing, "Veni Creator Spiritus" … Fr. Guillermo Steckling, OMI (Superior General), will be present – a simple, brotherly presence, symbolising the relationship that exists between our two religious families.
The definitive vote for the election of the Superior General will take place, and the scrutiny will be carried out publicly by Maura and Beata, the youngest of the Capitulants. The person elected will be asked if she accepts; the Superior General will say a few words, and then the delegates will welcome and greet her one by one. The Chapter Room will be closed during the election. When the result is known the doors will be opened, and the members of the local community at the Generalate will enter.

Tomorrow we will be giving you the great news! Not much longer to wait!

2008-05-15T17:04:00.005+02:00

Back once more in the Chapter Room. A time for INFORMATION. The persons whose names were on the list distributed this morning, now had a chance to speak to the rest of the Capitulants if they so wished. Then, time was allotted to gather information about the names proposed. This information could be shared person-to person, or in spontaneous groupings, etc. Obviously, the more information one has for the discernment, the better.

Then back to the chapter room for an indicative vote, before an hour's Adoration in the Chapel, where the Capitulants receive a paper with the names of those proposed as Superior General.

Today, supper is eaten in silence, to assure an atmosphere of recollection in keeping with the seriousness of the matter in hand: first thing tomorrow morning, we move to the election of the Superior General. We know you are with us.

2008-05-15T15:10:00.000+02:00

Much unity was expressed when articulating the qualities needed in a Superior General.

* She needs to have the ability to listen, relate to others, delegate, collaborate, dialogue, challenge. She should be someone who is decisive, capable of animating and encouraging; a person who is compassionate, discerning and able to take risks while inspiring others with confidence. She should have great passion for the Reign of God having a broad vision of the Church and the world, and able to interpret the signs of the times. She needs to have the human capacity to accept responsibility and co-responsibility centred on the God of life, allowing herself to be led by him with the vitality and energy of a Holy Family apostle.

* A woman:
Of faith
Of interior strength
Of vision
Who is open to the new; aware of present-day problems
Who breathes life
Who creates life
Who encourages life
Who can work in a team
Who has a vision of the whole
Open to different cultures
With a centred heart
With experience
Rooted in Holy Family spirituality
Experiences and encourages healthy relationships
* Capable of promoting the new vision of our consecrated life
* Capable of living shared leadership with firmness and gentleness
* With clear vision and an openness to the Family, which with the other vocations she cares for, animates, encourages and guides in the spirit of Holy Family comunion.

2008-05-15T11:41:00.004+02:00

We realise that at this time, you are with us more closely than ever; all of us are waiting expectantly for the process of election of the Superior General.

After the previous stage, we have moved into the phase of discernment. At 8.30, we were all in the Chapter room, where the background music contributed to an atmosphere of recollection. For more than five minutes, "Veni Sancte Spiritus" resounded in the hall and in our hearts. This is an intense moment of the Chapter, difficult and delicate at the same time, but we are invited to go within, to allow ourselves to be led, to be recollected.

Lord, at this moment of our history, what is your desire for this apostolic body of which we are a part?
See our sincere wish to know your will, to seek the Reign of God and God's justice, and not our own interests. You who act in each one of us, help us not to be closed in our own views, but rather to be open to your will for us, so that we may choose life, that life which you offer to us in abundance. (our prayer, this morning…)

The result of yesterday's reflection on the challenges for the new Council, the qualities necessary for the Superior General, and the characteristics of the General Council of the Apostolic Group (we will be sharing some of this with you during the day). Together with this document the Capitulants were given a list of the names most frequently mentioned in the consultation sent in by the sisters from our Provinces, Delegations, Network and Vicariate, set out in alphabetical order.

The Capitulants have time up to 10.30 to pray and reflect about the three persons they think would be capable of being Superior General. They will write these names on a piece of paper and leave it in a basket placed in the Chapter Room for that purpose. This is a straw vote. By 11-30, the scrutiny will have finished and a new list prepared. Silence everywhere.
A climate of prayer and recollection will be maintained until the Eucharist at 12.15. During this time, any of the sisters whose names appear on the list, who wish to say something to the Chapter, will communicate this to the Moderator, and time will be allotted to them during the Assembly at 3-15pm.

2008-05-15T07:00:00.001+02:00

From yesterday`s reading:

"They pray:

Lord, you know the heart of all;

show us the one you have chosen

for this apostolic ministry".

2008-05-14T21:20:00.001+02:00

2008-05-14T20:12:00.003+02:00

This afternoon, there is a change in the atmosphere. As we entered the Chapter Room, we became aware of the music that was playing, inviting us to serenity, silence, peace…
Following the process as planned, we were invited to reflect first on the challenges that the General Council will have to face in the next six years, rather than focusing on persons, in case we might pre-empt the discernment.

The process to follow was the following:
• Identify three challenges the next General Council will have to face
• Write three qualities I would like to see in the Superior General
• Three or four characteristics I would like to see in the next General Council.

How is the time to be divided?
1. Personal reflection, during which I allow myself to become aware of my inner reality as I begin this process of the elections.
I name my difficulties, resistances, fears, anxieties, hopes…..
I talk to the Lord about all that is happening within me, and I open myself to the action of the Spirit with complete confidence, allowing myself to be led by the Spirit.
2. Meeting in language groups to share what we have reflected on with regard to the Superior General and the Council
3. General Assembly, to share the results of the reflection. This material will gathered together in a document which all the Capitulants will have at their disposal tomorrow.
It was stressed that these reports should not be too long, and that the number requested of challenges, qualities and characteristics be respected.
4. At 6.30pm, our day ends with the Eucharistic celebration. You continue to be present with us.

boomp3.com

2008-05-14T18:28:00.000+02:00

2008-05-14T16:58:00.001+02:00

The linguistic groups are formed as follows:
English: 30 Sisters
French: 15 Sisters
Spanish: 16 Sisters

2008-05-14T16:41:00.000+02:00

We continue our paschal journey, as this morning's prayer recalled, because we believe in a God who is mysteriously present in all creation.
We continue in an atmosphere of discernment, with confidence that the Spirit of God is in our midst. The morning's work gave priority to listening, to try to be aware of all the necessary elements, before entering into the process of the election of the Superior General, the Vicar, and the Apostolic Councillors.
The first session was dedicated to reading and commenting on the text on the vision for the future presented by the Drafting Committee, and the second part of the morning the eight language groups presented the results of their reflection on

• Coordination of Basic Formation
• The responsibility of the member
• JPIC: How to move ahead?
• Experimentation with better-adapted structures
• Sisters in irregular situations
• Situation of Sri Lanka.

The afternoon will be different because we are entering into a new phase of the Chapter. The Reflection "Towards the future" and the points that have already been brought up will be put on hold for now, for the new phase is the presentation of the process of election for the Superior General, with clarifications and questions.

We will tell you more at the end of the day. Thank you for your patience.

2008-05-13T19:07:00.000+02:00

This is how some of us ended the day!

2008-05-13T18:37:00.001+02:00

OK…. we wanted to tell you something else. Back to the Chapter Room in the afternoon, then the work continued in small groups in order to clarify certain matters…

There seem to be two definite "working blocs": one has the task of drafting a Chapter Document, which can contain the main thrusts chosen by the Chapter for the next six years; there is still much to be polished, but the work has been confided to the Drafting Committee, which will present its first effort tomorrow morning for comments and suggestions. This team, composed of Clare Fernando, Marie Power and Jacquie Dormehl is now hard at work.

They have a really difficult task, but we are sure that they will accomplish it very well. By this evening, they will meet with two representatives each of the French and Spanish-speaking groups, so that translation of their work can be assured for tomorrow.

And the other "bloc"? The rest of the Capitulants are meeting in small groups to discuss matters which have come up in the various assemblies, and which need to be set out clearly in order to decide what decisions should be taken about them by the Chapter.

The afternoon is like the morning – grey and rainy. There is no sun, but we can sense that the Spirit is moving amongst us.

2008-05-13T16:34:00.004+02:00

A NEW VISION

2008-05-13T16:07:00.003+02:00

Chapter Secretary

Julia SANCHEZ
Typist
Mª Pilar GONZALEZ

Translators

Pascale IRIGOYEN
Kathleen ELSLANDER
Mary SLAVEN
Gemma CORBETT
Daniela PERSIA
Teresa CABO

Secretariat

Mary LOUGHRAN
Monica ALEXANDER
Eithne HUGHES
Mª Carmen LEACH
Mercedes MENDIGUCHIA
Martine POTTELET
Puvana THURAISAMY

Information

Maribel CORTÉS
Marie Madeleine FEDRIGO

Stella SOOSAIPILLAI

2008-05-13T15:08:00.001+02:00

If yesterday was intense, today does not promise to be any less so! We began in great rhythm, with the song "Es tarde, pero es nuestra hora" (It's late, but it is our time), then a poem by Pedro Casaldaliga (priest-poet in Central America), aware of the presence of Jesus, who came to be one of us…

The three linguistic groups and the Contemplatives presented the syntheses to the Assembly. Time was given for personal reading, clarifications, comments in small groups on the spot, and discussion in the Assembly. A heavy, leaden day outside, cloud-covered and rainy. It is not easy to give shape to what we want to live in the next six years, and express it briefly, without too many words!

We took a half-hour break, and came back to the Chapter Room to continue the discussion. Thankfully, the Mass today is at 12-15, so the morning will be a little lighter than yesterday. Practically, this is the programme for today. We cannot tell you much more than this, because as you will understand, there is nothing definite to share, and to avoid confusion there are some things that it is better not to publish until they have taken their final form.

We hope that at the end of the day, everyone will take a good, well-earned walk around the house or in the garden, if the weather permits…

2008-05-12T21:22:00.001+02:00

“The best way to predict the future
is to invent it”
(Alan Kay)

2008-05-12T21:03:00.002+02:00

Six English-speaking groups and three groups each of Spanish and French speakers spent the second part of the morning "Looking towards the future", then came back to the Chapter Room at 3-15pm after a well-earned rest. The secretaries of each group then gathered together according to language, and drew up a careful synthesis, before bringing it to the Secretariat for translation in order that the whole Assembly will have access to all the reports tomorrow.

In the afternoon session, the Moderator took up once more the method of election of the Superior General, General Councillors and the Vicar, and the assembly put these to the vote so that there would be no loose ends when the time comes for the Election proper. The Capitulants were also asked to study in their language groups a series of questions which have come up during the deliberations so far, in order that the Chapter may be able to decide how it wants to address them.

Space was left after the group work for some personal time, and then we gathered for the Eucharist, at 6.30. As always, we are reminded of your presence with us by means of the ribbons which symbolised you all, and which we explained to you previously.
Things are now getting really serious. Discernment is very definitely in the air.
More tomorrow!!

2008-05-12T16:35:00.000+02:00

Yesterday gifted us with a wonderful trip to Assisi, where in the Autumn of 1225, St. Francis is said to have written his "Canticle of the Creatures" in San Damiano, which surely must have been for him the fruit of a strong cosmological experience. Today, we are ready to get going again, full of the sights and sounds of a springtime bursting forth all around us, and in awe at the beauty of the same landscape that Francis contemplated. Be praised, My Lord…

The readings for yesterday's liturgical celebration of Pentecost now echo differently within us, and today's morning prayer continued to draw us into contemplation of creation by means of a presentation which brought before us the story of God in colour! You can imagine, then, how much colour awakened us this morning, and opened our eyes….

Micheline then took the chair, presenting us with the plan for the work awaiting us today. The aim is to see what we want to do in order to choose life in the years to come.
What form would the work take? We began with a Powerpoint introduction presented by M. Carmen Vilardell: "The Power of a Vision" based on the book by Joel Barker.

The reference documents which will be used by the Capitulants to broaden their regard towards the future and choose life will be: Margaret's Opening Address; "Replies to the last question" (the question being the one at the end of each evaluation booklet on the Chapter Decrees and the Corporate Commitment…); "Looking at the future"; and the Messages coming from the Sisters with Temporary Vows, and the Lay and Priest Associates..

One-and-a-half hours of personal work, which could seem a long time to choose just two or three priorities, but Micheline insisted on the need for discernment and personal responsibility, and careful drafting of the priorities at this stage, in order to face the future, to move ahead, to create, to deepen our commitment and dynamism.

Then came an hour or more in small linguistic groups, in order to share the fruits of each one's reflection and reach a group consensus on two or three points, stating what each particular priority meant to the group, and why they had chosen it.

What a very full, but very important day…!

2008-05-12T16:25:00.001+02:00

2008-05-12T11:10:00.003+02:00

As you can see, the "Tent of the Excluded" is filling up with more and more news items, drawing our attention to more and more actual situations. It is a constant reminder of the suffering and hope that resides in so many people in our world who are going through painful and difficult times. May their cries – which are sometimes silent – accompany and challenge us…..

2008-05-11T07:00:00.000+02:00

We wish you every blessing on this Feast of Pentecost!

2008-05-10T20:56:00.004+02:00

What was going on this morning? Well, just what we told you: deepening the study and reflection on the document presented yesterday by the "Vows for Mission" Team. This work was inspired by the morning prayer based on Teilhard de Chardin's "Mass on the World". Today, we worked for two hours in language groups, and then in the assembly, and shared the elements that each group thought should be modified, clarified, added, or left out of the document, concentrating on the content rather than on the writing style, or particular expressions.

Now the Drafting Committee needs to integrate the necessary modifications in order to present the revised document to the Capitulants.

At three p.m. we were with Colleen in the Chapter Room once again, and we had a brainstorming session on how to transmit the "new cosmology" to the Sisters. There were several convergences, but we won't tell you too much, so that we won't spoil the surprise!

The next step was in the hands of our moderator, Micheline, who explained the process of election for the General Councillors, the Superior General and the Vicar. But do not get too excited, it was an explanation of the process only, so that everything would be clear for all concerned. The moment of the elections has not yet come!

During this session, Margaret shared with us the elements she considers integral to the role of a General Councillor: to love leadership as service and mission, to help and support the Superior General, to be open and interested in the life of the whole Institute, to learn a second language when necessary… and a long etcetera!

Capitulants: 10 Contemplatives, 51 members of the Apostolic Group.

(Tomorrow, Sunday, is a free day; some will be going on pilgrimage to Assisi , others will be visiting the city of Rome, and yet others will just stay here and relax.)

We will be in touch!

A gift

2008-05-10T09:42:00.002+02:00

2008-05-10T09:41:00.000+02:00

Two faces of the Network... (Andrée and Marie Françoise)

2008-05-10T07:00:00.000+02:00

Colleen spoke of the work in progress as a lump of clay in our hands: we knead it, mould it, and then little by little give it shape… after a very welcome massage which we gave one another at the beginning of the afternoon session, we continued the fascinating cosmological vision of our spirituality and the Vows. It was evident that in general we were comfortable with the new language and the new vision, but there was a sense that the clay still needs to be worked in order to give it the form that will satisfy everyone. Today, we are going ever deeper into what refers directly to the vows.

As always, we will be keeping you up to date…

2008-05-09T22:38:00.004+02:00

“Today our way of looking at our Holy Family contribution in the world must take account of evolving world views. With Vatican 2’s ‘Constitution in the Modern World,’ (Gaudium et Spes) a consciousness - shift happened in the mind of the church that opened up an expanded horizon for discernment regarding reading the “signs of the times”. World views and the research of scientists, theologians and many others continue to expand our horizons. Very recently Pope Benedict has called for "a moral awakening in favour of the earth". Vatican City, November 27, 2007 (ZENIT)

(Vowed for Mission 2.1)

Little by little, we are beginning to understand what this "cosmology thing" is about, perhaps because we are putting into action what Colleen proposed to us at the start:
to use all the "resurrection power" that is in us in order to choose life.
It has been an intense kind of day, made a little lighter by the little aperitif we had before lunch, to celebrate Europe Day!

Some points we would like to share with you:
Our life demands a continual process of death leading to life. The call to let go, so that others may live.
A need to broaden and open up our image of God, which can sometimes be very limited.
To work against all forms of injustice and exploitation in our world is one way of showing God's love from a cosmic perspective.
We need to be incarnated in the human family with the aim of participating in efforts to save the earth
All of creation is interconnected
Listen to the wisdom that comes from the traditions of the people. We have grown up with the idea that industrialization and development were good; now we are aware that this is not always the case.
What is emerging is calling us to a change of mentality, and this is a grace. Seeing the Vows in this way is more credible in our world, eg. Poverty which renounces, in order to give and to respect life…

The Founder's Dream echoes within us as a "cosmological call".

(We will continue to keep you informed)

2008-05-09T17:41:00.001+02:00

2008-05-09T15:10:00.003+02:00

As you can see, the vari-coloured ribbons used in the Opening Celebration are still with us at the Eucharist, beside the tree of life. These ribbons are symbols of your presence, since they were those used by each of the Provinces and Delegations, by the Vicariate, and the Network.

2008-05-09T14:29:00.004+02:00

Yesterday was centred the day on "the new cosmology" (you will be able to access the documents); time was allotted for the "Cosmic Walk" in the grounds, the theme of the Eucharist was creation, and at night time, in the Tent of Reunion, the DVD of Al Gore's "Inconvenient Truth" was shown. Today the day began with a morning prayer on the theme of creation. As women, we are called to consider ourselves responsible for the care of the earth, and to live as part of it... strenghten the ecological balance... these were some of the phrases which we heard. We would like to share with you this part of the prayer:

On the sixth day God created WOMAN,
And GOD said to her: “I will give you
A heart filled with compassion,
A free spirit to fly like the birds,
Wisdom to know great truths,
Courage to come out of oppression,
Strength to move mountains
Tenderness to kiss the earth,
Passion to set the world on fire,
Vision to respect the earth that I have created,
A playful nature to dance with children,
Laughter to fill the valleys,
Tears to wash away pain,
Hands to work and love,
Intuition to know the unknown,
Desire to be what you were created for.”
And God said to her:
“WOMAN, I HAVE CREATED YOU IN MY IMAGE AND LIKENESS.
You are good and you are called
To give life and to humanise this world.”

We also remember that today, May 9, is Europe Day, which invites us to deeper attitudes or peace and reconciliation.

Geneviève Bessières, Adela Vanaclocha, Marian Murcia and Colleen Moore then presented the reflection document prepared by the "Vows for Mission" team. This is still a draft document, and so time was given for a first Reading, and for clarifications.

"Vowed for Mission" presents deep convictions such as the following:
· At the heart of our Charism is the love of God for the World, expressed in the 21st. Century as a choice for life.
· We need to remember that no document can do anything unless the convictions are owned by each one of us.
· We are living now at the beginning of a new era, and we are invited to attune our spirituality to all that forms part of today's consciousness.
· The document offers no answers, but it raises questions for our discernment as a body. It gives some pointers for our future choices.
· It is a vision of God which is open, unlimited…

We will be sharing with you some of the points that arise during the day.

2008-05-09T14:12:00.002+02:00

The sister shortest and the tallest (Jacquie and Thresa)

(Click)

2008-05-09T13:15:00.001+02:00

Attention!

2008-05-09T08:42:00.003+02:00

We have committed a mistake : we have put on Web a document on the Vows which was not totally finished. We ask you, please, not to send it. Thanks

2008-05-08T17:24:00.001+02:00

This morning's prayer began with a contemplative touch: "The Beatitudes in our Constitutions" which awakened in us the thirst and the will to move on to the next phase.

Colleen Moore presented the process she would be following, but first recalled for the benefit of the assembly the steps taken in the past two years by the Team named to study the Vows, called: "Vows for Mission"
This Team was created to help the Institute to reflect on the Vows: its first task was to draw up a text on the subject, based on contemporary authors, which was presented to the last Enlarged General Council for their suggestions and input. The third step was to present the text to the General Chapter.

What method of work did Colleen use for this big number? 11 linguistic groups were formed in the Chapter room itself; they read, discussed, and then shared with the Assembly the salient points of the documents which were given to them to work on. Each group worked on a different text, which helped the Chapter to cover a lot of ground in a short time.
In this way, the groups began with the contribution from the communities of the Institute in the reflection on "Our context"
What difference can we make in the world?
Concerns about Holy Family Vowed Life for Mission
What elements need to be emphasized in the living of our Vows for mission today?
What prevents us from being available for mission?
What makes us more available for mission?

Next, ten different texts on the Consecrated Life were distributed among the groups. 15 minutes were spent in personal reading, then together, the group members chose a point which they considered vital to Consecrated Life.

We paused for half an hour, and then Colleen introduced us to the fascinating reality of the Cosmos of which we are a living, breathing part, and for which we share the responsibility. This information was developed with the help of a DVD (the Awakening Universe) which we watched together. During the next three days, we are invited to take the "cosmic walk" set out for us around the Garden…

(Here, we offer you some of the documentation which the capitulants had in hand before they came – Click on the word documents)

2008-05-08T11:20:00.003+02:00

Just to tell you that during the next three days,

Sr. Colleen Moore, HFB (S. Africa)

will guide our reflection on "a new Vision of the vows".

Don't worry – we will be sharing it with you as it happens!

2008-05-07T22:51:00.003+02:00

2008-05-07T21:35:00.000+02:00

Brilliant sunshine greeted us in St. Peter's Square this morning.
As a Chapter we wanted to join the thousands of pilgrims from all over the world, in order to signify our attachment to the Church, and to render the Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles visible during this historic time for the Institute.
It was a deeply symbolic act, which expressed, after the example of our Founder, the depth of our communion in the faith received from the Apostles, and our identity as disciples on mission.
We took this step at an audience that had a particularly ecumenical flavour, for today, Benedict XVl received Karekine II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of all Armenians, and the Delegation which accompanied him.

"The Feast of Pentecost, which we are getting ready to celebrate, renews our hope for full unity among Christians, and urges us to advance on the road of ecumenism, with the help of the Holy Spirit and the efforts of all. We are certain that the Lord will never abandon us in our search for unity".

We were particularly moved by the words addressed by the Patriarch to the Holy Father, which touch our chief concerns as capitulants.

"In spite of the fact that, down through history, we have taken different paths and lived different spiritual experiences, we are children of the one God, and all are sisters and brothers in God's holy love. In our diversity lies the unity of our love, which bears authentic witness to the fact that we are God's children".

We continue on our way, more aware then ever of our union with the Universal Church.

In an external niche of St. Peter's Basilica, there is a fine statue of St. Gregory the Illuminator, founder of the Armenian Church. It serves to remind us of the sever persecutions suffered by Armenian Christians, especially during the last century. Armenia's many martyrs are a sign of the power of the Holy Spirit working in times of darkness, and a pledge of hope for Christians everywhere.

2008-05-07T11:25:00.000+02:00

For the first time, the Chapter members made use of the "Tent of Reunion" the other evening. What for? To help us to get to know the reality of the Congo with the help of a video, and wide-ranging information from the sisters, especially regarding the effects of HIV AIDS in their context.
The "Tent of the Continents" Left many of us with a thirst for more, and thanks to encounters such as these, that thirst can be quenched.

2008-05-07T00:06:00.000+02:00

2008-05-06T22:09:00.002+02:00

Every day brings something new! To-day it is the audience with the Holy Father. We are going “Piazza” Saint Peter for 10.30. It is a Public Audience during which Benedict XVI will name the different groups present. When He will name the Holy Family of Bordeaux, we will all stand ... ( at this moment we will try to take a photo). Coming back to you soon!

2008-05-06T22:00:00.000+02:00

The youngest Sister is Beata Malecka
The eldest Sister is Françoise Aubin

2008-05-06T15:31:00.000+02:00

2008-05-06T14:34:00.002+02:00

Yesterday the Tent of the Continents was opened, and today we continued to add colour, to fill it with different flavours and perfumes, and to initiate conversations with those who presented their corner of the world, in order to deepen what had been shared previously in the assembly, and to get to know even better their reality their communities.
Today it is the turn of the Vicariate, Asia, the Generalate, and Latin America. We will help you to visit the Tent by means of our photos…

2008-05-05T21:33:00.001+02:00

The presence of the different symbolic "tents"

"Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitation be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes; for you will spread out to the right and to the left" (Isaiah 54,2-3)

The Tent of Encounter: the Word and the Eucharist – source of strength and dynamism for the Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles; eternal presence blessing and sustaining its journey, its life and its mission.
The Tent of Reunion: a place for dialogue and sharing among Sisters, who are invited to intensify and deepen their listening, their sharing, their communion and their intercultural experience.
The Tent of the Excluded: a permanent reminder of the reality of suffering and hope residing in so many people who are experiencing painful situations in our world. May their cry – so often silent – accompany and challenge us… The Tent of the Continents

2008-05-05T14:12:00.002+02:00

The aim of the Tent of the Continents is to help one another to get to know the Vicariate/Provinces/Delegations/Network. Here, we can encounter a little of the context in which they are inserted and their mission. You can imagine that this requires plenty of space, so the Tent has been set up on a big terrace on the rooftop. It’s the space for Africa and Europe, which you can see here:

2008-05-05T10:21:00.001+02:00

From the first day, we could see various places in the house set up symbolically as FOUR "TENTS", which remind us of the people of God wandering in the desert in search of the Promised Land; a style of life which helped the Hebrew people to keep always in mind the fact that they were essentially pilgrims, so should not become too settled, since they had to seek a better land.
This symbol can help us to understand that Consecrated Life demands that our pilgrimage, our exodus is never-ending: we cannot allow ourselves to become too settled and well-established…
The celebration of the Chapter is a continuous beginning again, setting out once more with renewed energy, thrusting our Holy Family consecrated life towards new frontiers and new challenges.
Do we want to build houses, or knock in stakes to put up tents?
Roll up the canvas and strike camp, or become rooted in the same place?
These tents are intended to be strong, provocative symbols throughout our stay here.
(Ana Maria Alcalde, in her introduction)

Little by little, we will be introducing you to these four tents:
The tent of Encounter
The tent of Reunion
The tent of the Excluded
The tent of the Continents.

The first three have been set up in the house, and could be used since the first day. The fourth is a tent which is to make its first appearance today. More details later!

2008-05-04T18:18:00.003+02:00

Micheline Tremblay, CSC.

Micheline is a Sister of the Holy Cross. The founder of their congregation (Basil Moreau, beatified last year) lived in France around the same time as our Founder, so it is possible that they may have known each other. Basil Moreau also had great devotion to the Holy Family. The Holy Cross is an Association of religious, priests and lay associates.
Micheline speaks English, French and Italian, and has worked as Moderator in 37 General Chapters. Many Sisters already know her from the 2002 General chapter.

2008-05-03T22:15:00.001+02:00

2008-05-03T21:19:00.003+02:00

At 3.15pm we were once more preparing to listen, after the Eucharist, and our lunch. The presentation of the Reports continued, and this time, it was the turn of the Vicariate. We have already received the full Report in our communities). We would just like to let you know that there are at present 45 Perpetually Professed Contemplative sisters, 5 Temporary Professed, and 3 Novices in four communities.

After some questions and clarifications in an open forum, it was the turn of Françoise Aubin (General Bursar) to take the floor with the Financial Report, which brought her congratulations at the end, for the clear and uncomplicated way it was presented. The spirit of the document was expressed in the following texts:

"The whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no-one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common…" Acts 4, 32-33

"All the Works mutually support one another. The richest contribute to the upkeep of the poorest; the abundance which could become harmful is removed from some to preserve others from a distress which could bring about their ruin; thus all receive the help they need. In this wise distribution, all find the means of doing the good they are called to do and

of guarding the spirit which is proper to them. "
(P.B.Noailles Source 5 F 411)

"You will have the necessary resources of the Association at your service for this work, but always subject to the general rule, whose aim is to destroy the "mine" and the "yours" in what should be "ours", so that we really form but one single Family"
P.B. Noailles.

"The Administration of Goods requires that we look at the future – we need to analyse and foresee today how to respond to the future needs of the whole" Françoise said at one point, and then concluded with a touch of humour, hoping that that the capitulants would not end up like the child in this photo:

2008-05-03T15:06:00.005+02:00

After the peaceful serenity of yesterday, and a prayer which helped to sharpen our awareness of the reality of our world and of the holy ground which we tread, at 9am the Reports begin. The General Council is the first to take the floor, with a Powerpoint presentation giving us a synthesis of our life over the past six years (2002-2008) The Council's report has already reached our communities, and so the information we are sharing with you now refers principally to statistics.

2008-05-02T15:42:00.002+02:00

Today was different from all the others, and so we also gathered at a different time. At 9am we met in the chapter Room to pray together. There was an invitation to dance freely to the accompaniment of a song to the Holy Spirit, but evidently our bodies must have been still sleepy or embarrassed, since we have only been together for a short time. We seemed to be stuck to the floor!

"Allow yourselves to be led by the Spirit", says St. Paul. We were encouraged to be attentive to the will of God, to let ourselves be instruments of the Holy Spirit. This can happen if we cultivate in ourselves:
Indifference, or interior freedom: a deep desire to know what God is asking
Faith in the action of the Spirit in ourselves and in others
Personal prayer, attentive to what is moving within us.
The capacity to share what we have experienced in prayer.

We were invited to begin our journey together. In the face of our preoccupied and fearful anxiety with regard to the future, God calls us to the serene daring of trust. It is the God of life who is encouraging us to "choose life".

Readings: Psalm 5, 2-9, 12-13
Roms 8, 26-28

A period dedicated to spontaneous prayers of petition and thanksgiving was fairly long, but quite peaceful: the expression of the Spirit moving within and among us.

Hearing the Our Father prayed in so many different voices, so many different words, but all with the same meaning, was once again very moving.

We ended with this prayer:

Spirit of love, Spirit of life, Spirit of God! Enliven our hearts. You urge us to begin the way. You invite us to open our hearts and minds to receive from you the light which will transform us and give us energy. Make us receptive so that we may welcome the action of your love in our lives and those of our neighbours. We trust in the power of your presence in us throughout these days and all the days of our life. AMEN

M. Dolores Sanzberro (Vicariate), then gave an orientation for this Retreat Day. If you wish to share it with us, you can access the complete texts. (click on the word, "Retreat")

Opening Eucharist

2008-05-01T22:56:00.003+02:00

Mass was celebrate by P. Guillermo Steckling, OMI. (General Superior)

"Let us walk in the light" was the Entrance song chosen for the opening Eucharist, followed by the Penitential Rite, in which the Assembly prayed together:

 Loving God, at the dawn of Creation you said, "Let there be life" Because we have not been faithful to respecting all of life – Lord, have mercy

 Loving God, because we have not been faithful to sharing the fruits of the earth with those who are hungry – Christ, have mercy

 Loving God, because we have not been aware of the dignity of human labour – Lord, have mercy.

Readings:
Gen 1, 26 - 2,3 (Creation of Man and Woman)
Psalm 89 (Give success to the work of our hands)
Alleluia
Mt 13, 54-58 (Is he not the son of the Carpenter? … and he did not work many miracles among them, because of their lack of faith)

The Our Father, an explosion in different languages, resounded powerfully….

And we ended with Alleluia, a song of praise for all of creation.

2008-05-01T17:50:00.002+02:00

There are 16 capitulants who participate in the Chapter for the first time.

Opening General Chapter

2008-05-01T17:27:00.002+02:00

Margaret began the Opening Address of the 18th. General Chapter by inviting the delegates to be aware of the rapidly changing times in which we live, and alluding to the document “Looking towards the Future” to which we all contributed, and in which we express a desire for a religious life that promotes alternative values, that is not closed in on itself, but is other-centred and favours the poor and suffering people of our world; a religious life that is open to new ways of understanding our world and is not afraid to share its Charism.

Only those institutions that are attentive to the signs of the times and adapt accordingly will survive. This adaptation must come from a deep level of faith, as the writer to the Hebrews says: we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who leads us in our faith (Heb 12,2). Our Founder too, aware of the great changes taking place in the society of his time urged us constantly to love, seek and desire God alone in all things, following the example of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Inherent in this was not only a call to be attentive to the context, but to keep our focus on God and so be able to discern the response the Spirit invites us to make.

Margaret alludes to the lack of vitality in some members of the Institute, but also speaks of the courage and daring of others, and the need expressed by many Sisters to go more deeply into our spirituality, to drink from our own wells, and so allow this to transform our way of living our apostolic and contemplative vocations.

We cannot see clearly where we are going, or what our future may be, but we know and believe that our Charism has something to say to our society. If we truly want to "choose life", then we need to struggle against mediocrity and superficiality and renew our deep desire to live our vocation with passion.
As we all know a weakening of the faith element, a loss of the initial enthusiasm that led to the choice for religious life can be a cause of great suffering for individual members, and have a strong impact on community living and mission. (here Margaret points out various aspects, which can be read in the full text)

Faced with our reality, we have a choice: that of listening to, and responding to the movement of the Spirit in religious life today, in our Institute and in our world, or
of closing in on ourselves…knowing that this leads to sterility and loss of meaning.

Margaret then mentions certain elements of vulnerability that are present in our communities on each of the four continents.

To "choose life" is to be open to transformation, which is not only about structure, but about purpose, mission, the why of our existence. When sisters lose sight of the why, they lose meaning, and apathy, negativity, seeking compensation or activism take over. Our future and our credibility will depend on how we can name and face the challenges of today in a spirit of discernment.

She draws attention to the fact that we are growing in our understanding that we are part of the Institute/Family, and it is the Institute/Family that determines the very existence of each entity, and goes on to mention some points that can help us to grow even more.

She invites us not to be discouraged when we look at our context, to be aware that just as we are influenced by it, we also are an influence. According to Leonardo Boff, we are in a new ecological age, with a new civilization, and for this to be a reality we need to change our way of thinking and our relationships with the whole world. As Albert Nolan says, "the universe is one interconnected whole..".

There is a need to "awaken" in all of us a desire to be informed and to be open to the transforming power of the Spirit working in and through the new discoveries of today.

These calls are some of the signs of the times that we need to listen to, and to respond with the trust that when we surrender ourselves to God, God fills our heart and makes our life bear fruit in the service of the Kingdom (Art. 21, and cf art. 11, Constitutions)

In conclusion, Margaret reminds us that underpinning all is the importance of discernment (…) an attitude to which she invites us during these days, to be co-creators with God in God's great plan - that all humanity and all creation be one.

The address ends with a quotation from the Prayer in Preparation for the Chapter:
May we know how to listen to your voice,
and allow ourselves to be transformed by your love,
so that we may discern what is essential.
May Jesus, Mary and Joseph be with us.

(More information on our website, in the section "General Chapter Documents".

2008-05-01T16:16:00.003+02:00

Morning Prayer began at 8.30 in the Chapter Room. The opening song, with its refrain "joyful the morning which speaks to us of you" expressed our delight at the first glimpse of the new day, and an introduction recalled the place St. Joseph the Worker (whose feast we celebrate) holds in God's plan – for into his hands, as into the hands of the women and men of today, God entrusted his creative work.

What are we doing with creation?

Water speaks:
(A Sister approaches and puts water in a container)
Life begins and ends with me, I am transparent and simple, but contamination is increasing, and a third of the world's population has no access to drinking water. (Jn 7,38)

The earth speaks:
I bear the seeds of life within me, but a few have taken possession of me; they want to take more from me than I am able to give. (Ez. 36,28) (the sisters place the seeds and the earth that they have brought from their respective countries)

Fire speaks:
(A sister lights a small fire in the centre of the Room)
I was created to five light, to purify… Around me, confidences are shared, conversation takes place, light glows… but today I am feared. I am being used to destroy forests.. (Ex. 3,2)

"God saw all that He had made, and indeed it was very good" Gen 1,31

Psalm 103, a hymn to God the Creator, was read in various languages, interspersed with the antiphon "Send forth your Spirit, Oh Lord…"

We concluded with the following prayer..

We thank you Lord, Creator of the Universe,
for the wonders of your creation
In your Providence, you have entrusted us
with the care of the natura;l world.
Grant that we may use created things with gratitude
aware that they are a gift from you.
May we know how to share them with justice and love
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

What happened after the Opening Address?

2008-05-01T10:00:00.000+02:00

A roll call. As Margaret calls each one by name, she stands, and answering "yes", accepts the call to participate in the Chapter. There follows a moment of deep silence.
Presentation of the Moderator. Margaret introduces Micheline Tremblay, CSC. A woman with vast experience in this field: this is the 37th. General Chapter she has facilitated, and the third this year. Of these three, this is the second in which the theme of the Vows has been studied.
Micheline explains some of the points of the Chapter Directory (which sets out the way of functioning of the Chapter: the President, the Committees, working groups, procedure for general assemblies, persons with special responsibilities, voting, remarks…)
Time is given to reflect on Margaret's Opening Address (You can find the full text of this on the Web)
Margaret presents the method of work of the Pre-Chapter Commission, and acknowledges the enormous amount of work carried out by Monica (the Secretary of the Commission)
Margaret presents the members of the Secretariat, the Information Team, the Chapter Secretary and her assistant.
The Moderator presents the plan of the Chapter, which divides up as follows:
Time for getting to know one another
New vision on the Vows
Challenges for the next General Council
Elections
Drafting and approval of Chapter Texts

After lunch, we return to the Chapter Room at 3.15.
The moderator presents the petition made by various groups that the Sister who represents Rwanda, invited to the chapter by the Superior General, should have the right to vote. This is accepted unanimously.
the Capitulants meet in linguistic groups, Vicariate group, and the General Council, in order to name a representative to form part of the Steering Committee. (To help in the running of the Chapter).
We return to the Chapter Room. Following the guidelines laid down in the Directory, the two youngest Sisters were named as scrutineers for the whole Chapter. In this case they were:
Beata Malecka (Poland), and Maura Zavala (Peru).
The persons named to form the Steering Committee are:
Margaret Muldoon (By right of office)
English speaking: Àine Hayde
French speaking: Violette Bouffard
Spanish speaking: Ana Maria Alcalde
Vicariate: Bernadette Taurinya
General council: M. Carmen Vilardell.

2008-04-30T23:38:00.000+02:00

2008-04-30T23:08:00.001+02:00

2008-04-30T20:58:00.007+02:00

The celebration of the official opening began with a slow dance, which brought us from the hall, where we had been getting to know one another, to the chapel.
There was a tree to welcome us, as we entered, and someone asked us what did it symbolise … only one answer was possible: THE TREE OF NEW LIFE, reminding us of our desire TO CHOOSE LIFE.
The tree calls to mind the dream of the prophet Daniel and the dream of Pierre Bienvenu.

Both texts were read, but after the Founder’s Dream, we heard part of the Preface to the General rules of 1851. Then, as evocative music was played, we approached the tree, and placed on it birds, fruits, flowers and leaves…
A voice was heard, saying, “Martin Luther King also had a dream.

Jesus also shared his own dream, his vision with his disciples in the Beatitudes: Mt 5:3-7

Once more, a voice questioned the assembly, and an important dialogue ensued:
Why have you come? We have come with our dreams of new life, we have come to reflect together, and to elect the leaders who will guide us.

. How are we going to dothis ?

Together we will create a positive and clear vision of the future, a vision that will be the results of our dreams and actions.
This vision will provide guidelines for us as we articulate what we want to achieve.
Our vision is to create a future that will inspire, motivate and engage us.
We will be committed to this vision, we want to make a reality
We have a hunger to live our lives with deep meaning. We have a longing to choose life afresh for ourselves and for our world.
We do this in a spirit of discernment, realising that the Holy Spirit is with us always, a spirit that never abandons our world and its people. The Spirit that gives vision, enthusiasm and wisdom to go forward.

We invoked the Spirit with the Taizé chant (Veni Sancte Spiritus), and fell into profound silence, which ended with the final prayer:

Closing Prayer:

God our loving Father/ Mother, as we are entering into this great event of our General Chapter, we ask you to open us to a new vision for the future. Enlighten, guide and direct us where you want us to go. Give us a listening heart and a discerning spirit so that we can choose life for ourselves and for our world. In all that we do may our common mission inspire us. Together we desire to bring life, promote life, share life, care for life, preserve life, and protect life.
We want to promote and offer this life to our brothers and sisters, to the whole of creation and to the reality around us. Make us agents of life, of love, of justice and peace, integrity and freedom.

May Jesus, Mary and Joseph journey with us

these days as we search as a Family. Amen

2008-04-30T14:23:00.002+02:00

We start at 16:00

2008-03-23T20:11:00.007+01:00

In the light of all that we have lived and experienced, we discerned the theme

of the Chapter to be:

CHOOSE LIFE

The Scripture text that inspires this theme is

from Deuteronomy Chapter 30: 19-20

"Choose life that you and your descendants may live,

loving Yahweh, listening to his voice,

and being one with him".

These words were addressed to the Hebrew people after they had made the journey out of Egypt and across the desert. Many times during the journey they were tempted to lose hope and to return to the place of slavery and even as they approached the Promised Land they were once again confronted with their own fear – fear of taking the risk, of crossing over into the unknown land and some of them wanted to turn back to the security of the familiar.

It is at this moment that the Word of God is addressed to the Hebrew people, it is strong and direct; a call to choose between life and death, to chose between the path that leads to fruitfulness and to greater intimacy with God and the one that will lead to a return to slavery and death. The call is clear – if they want to pass on their spirit to future generations, if they want to live as a people, they must risk the choice for life, and no one else can do it for them. God desires to make a covenant with them but God needs their free response. It is a call away from the false gods that they are attached to.

We can find echoes of this in our own lives – we have travelled far in the process of renewal of religious life, we have made many choices for life along the way, we have also had our desert moments and sometimes we fear the next step on the journey. We can find ourselves in a similar place to the Hebrew people: when we want to settle down and resist change; when we look back with nostalgia at the way things were in the past; when we don’t want to move forward in the shaping of religious life for today; when we would rather stay with the status quo; when we close our eyes to the decisions we need to make today for the sake of the future; when we ignore the call to be immersed in our spirituality and live for mission; when we remain blocked in our own lives by attachments to security, by unhealed hurts, by our individualism or the many other “isms” that may control or influence us.

It is here in the midst of our vulnerability that God’s compassionate Spirit is most active. It is at this moment when we experience many difficulties and challenges in the living of our Holy Family consecrated life for mission that the choice for life is put before us. It is not by our own strength that we will respond but by listening to the Spirit alive and active within us and among us. It is a call to live in depth, to rediscover our priorities, the essentials of our lives, not to fear new paths, for once we are rooted in what is essential we can respond to newness with trust, because we are clear about our identity and mission. It is a call to identify and name the blocks that are within us and within our communities, within our Institute that prevent us from choosing life. It is equally an invitation to acknowledge and celebrate the choices for life that we are making.

In these months leading up to the Chapter we are invited to discern what this call to “Choose life” means for us on a personal level in the reality of our own lives, whatever our circumstances may be, in the context of our world, of religious life, and what it means for us as an Institute. It requires that we be willing to live in an attitude of discernment; that we trust that God meets us there where we are, and journeys gently with us, in compassion and love. We pray for the grace of light and strength to respond with greater openness to the abundant life that God wills for all people. Jesus says: I came that you may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10: 10)
There are many other Scripture texts that we can use to deepen our understanding of our Chapter theme. I mention a few of them for your reflection.
1 Kings 17: 10-16; John 4: 10-14, Romans 6: 4-6; John 14: 6;
Luke 4: 18-19; John 11:25-26, John 15: 1-8, Eph. 3: 14-19; Rev. 2:1-5a

When we look back to previous General Chapters we can see that we are on the same journey, however it is not one that is linear but more like a spiral that continues to travel the same path while going further, wider and deeper. The difference is that there is urgency about this call now that we cannot ignore if we are to be faithful to the Spirit of God who inspires this desire for a deep renewal of Holy Family consecrated life for the sake of our mission in the church and the world today. It is our path of life.

Margaret Muldoon

General Superior

Circular 314

The Chapter will be held here

2008-02-25T11:22:00.006+01:00

Casa de Acogida y Espiritualidad
Casa di Accoglienza e Spiritualità
Casa de Acolhimento e de Espiritualidade

A Retreat and Conference Centre
Maison d'Accueil et Retraite Spirituelle

Via Val Cannuta, 134 - 00166 Roma. Tel. 06 / 662.1542 - Fax 06 / 665.15.672
E-mail c.acog.eo@pcn.net

Espacio y silencio a dos pasos del centro de Roma

Spazio e silenzio a due passi dal cuore di Roma
Espaço e silêncio a dois passos do centro de Roma

A quiet setting not far from the centre of Rome
Un lieu calme près du centre de Rome

Dirigida por las hermanas de la Compañía de Santa Teresa de Jesús
Gestita dalle Religiose della Compagnia di Santa Teresa di Gesù

Dirigido pelas Irmãs da Companhia de Santa Teresa de Jesus
Cared for by the Religious of the Society of Saint Teresa of Jesus

Dirigée par les Religieuses de la Compagnie de Sainte Thérèse de Jésus

Click here to find out more

Participants

2008-02-23T15:51:00.007+01:00

(Click on the photo)