NICE TO MEET YOU

It’s the last day of the Chapter today and on this last day, we would like to feature the sisters at the back of the Chapter room, busy with their computers, recording the proceedings of the Chapter…the secretaries!  There are three and one of them is Sr. Lee Davison . Lee who is originally from Victoria, Australia is currently living and working in South Africa.  She works in Tzaneen, a part if Limpopo Province which is three hours away from the Zimbabwe border.  Under the KURISANANI (a local word which means “we help each other to grow”) project of the diocese, Lee coordinates three clinics that serve HIV and AIDS victims.  Lee shares that it is a very challenging mission given the prevalence of HIV in South Africa and the devastating effect of this on family and community life.  At the same time, it is a rewarding mission especially when she sees those who have been very ill get well.  It is Lee’s first time to be in a General Chapter and she feels really “privileged and grateful.”  For her, the Chapter is an experience of “reconnecting with our sisters around the world” and with them “re-enkindling the charism” recognizing that this fire tends to get lost in our daily struggles.  As we come to the end of the Chapter, Lee is challenged and filled with HOPE!  To you, our blog followers, Lee is grateful because as you link into the blog, you assure us of your thoughts and prayers. We experience through this blog the unique unifying effect of technology.  Thank you for your active participation!

Secretaries

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Sr. Mary’s closing address formally put into an end the sessions in the Chapter floor.  This was followed by words of gratitude and gift giving.  The closing Eucharistic Celebration was in the afternoon and it was attended not only by the Chapter delegates and assistants but also by representatives of the Chevalier family: Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart and DOLSH Associates.  It was a great celebration of life! … the life passed on by our sisters who have gone before us…the life that we now enjoy… and the life we are passing on to the generations of Daughters after us!

Here are some photos of the last day…for your viewing pleasure!

IN OUR AGENDA

Tomorrow, 13 of us are flying out of Manila, most will fly out on the 4th, and a few remnants will fly out on the 5^th, 6^th and the 11^th.  Please pray for our safe return home.  See you very soon!!!

GOODBYE

Dear blog followers…thank you so much for faithfully accompanying us with your interest and prayers.  We got more than 7000 hits! This Chapter is as much your Chapter as it is ours.  As we leave Tagaytay tomorrow, we echo Rita Cleuren’s words…Renewed, let us go forth…TOGETHER!

We, the Chapter members and the whole Congregation, congratulate and welcome the newly elected General Councillors: 

Sr Dain Mary from Australia

Sr Renisa from Brazil

Sr Merle from The Philippines

Sr Laurentia from Indonesia   

We are very grateful to the outgoing Council, specially Sr Relida and Sr Kateia, who have had two terms on the General Council, faithfully and generously serving the Congregation for 12 years.  We acknowledge their efforts to promote unity among us and pray that they will find their future apostolates very fulfilling.

NICE TO MEET YOU

On the day of the election of the Superior General, two of our delegates did for us the” Irish jig.”  One of our “jiggers” was Sr. Mairead Kelleher.   Mairead is from Middletown, Co. Cork, Ireland and she is currently a missionary in South Africa working in the HIV and Aids ministry in Nzhelele, Diocese of Tzaneen, Limpopo, South Africa.  At their mission station, the Sacred Heart Mission of Nzhelele, the missionaries reach out to all victims of HIV and Aids, set up support groups for the patients, offer counseling, take care of orphans, educate the youth and organize home based care programs.  Sr. Mairead’s role is to manage and coordinate all these activities.  It is Sister’s first time to attend a General Chapter and for her “it has been a great experience so far” and she is “amazed at the warmth and hospitality” all have received. The Chapter for her is a very open, free and inspirational Chapter.  She says “regards to all who follow our blog, you are wonderful FDNSCs…Renewed, let us go forth!” Mairead adds “I love the Philippines and its people!” 

Delegates from Ireland

   

WHAT’S GOING ON?

After days of hard work on our Constitutions, the Chapter Assembly voted on and approved the revised text today.  We also continued our conversations on the congregation’s mission and apostolic priorities.

Again, here are some photos of the HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHAPTER.  

REFLECTING WITH US

Having spent a long time reviewing our constitutions. The sisters of our Chapter felt renewed and energised. Here some comments from the sisters: (a contribution of Sr Philippa)

"Perjalanan kami selama empat hari ini dalam kapitel adalah membahas Draft Ke-empat Konstitusi dan Direktorium.  Satu hal yang sangat menyentuh kami adalah pembaharuan dalam kehidupan religius.  Konstitusi yang merupakan basic law dalam hidup bakti menjadi salah satu sarana dalam pembaharuan ini.  Berani membaharui diri berarti berani keluar dari kemapanan dan kenyamanan diri demi sesuatu yang lebih bernilai yang hendak dikejar, oleh karena itu pembaharuan juga kadang menuntut 'korban' dalam diri.  Untuk bisa membaharui diri, kami perlu memohon kepada Dia yang Empunya segalanya untuk memberikan rahmat-Nya agar kami membuka diri untuk pembaharuan ini.  Pembaharuan atau perubahan adalah 'hadiah' atau anugerah dari Dia yang empunya segalanya itu." Bersama ini saya sertakan satu doa yang cukup menyentuh kami :

"Lord and Source of all gifts, we rejoice in the fullness of your holy generosity.  We thank you especially now for the gift of change, that gift of newness that opens doors closed by habit and routine.  We bless You and thank you as well, for that which is stable and unchange, for the ancient and traditional, which gives meaning to the new and different.....May our hearts be ever-changing, ever in growth, as we journey to You, our Mysterious Source, you who are forever fresh and new, yet forever the same, blessed are You, Lord our God."

Doa ini berjudul "Psalm of Change"

 Sr. Laurentia Piranti  Indonesia

“The days were heavy going but I have been very happy to work on the constitutions; it has been enriching because the constitutions are our life and joy. Sr Moya has been outstanding and so knowledgeable she has helped us understand the constitutions. “

Sr Kateia  Kiribati

“The work prior to the chapter, done by the sisters and the General Council , has been impressive and has allowed us to move efficiently through the document of the constitutions  with a great consensus of opinion.”

Sr Dain Inglis  African Union

“ O processo todo de Revisão de nossas Constituições foi árduo, mas agora durante o Capítulo Geral vemos o quanto foi um processo bem feito porque tivemos somente poucos pontos para discussão. Rendamos Graças a Deus pela aprovação do texto das nossas Constituições!”

Ir. Renisa

“Discussing the constitutions has been a renewal for us all and the experience leads us to an openness for the future.”

Sr Clotilde   African Union.

“The process was open, I felt we were given every opportunity to express any difficulties we had with the text.

Moya gave exceptional explanations of the judicial articles relating to Canon Law and I received a great understanding of these.”

Sr Tess Ward Australia

IN OUR AGENDA

Tomorrow, the Chapter closes with a Eucharistic Celebration.  Looking back, we can only say “What a journey it has been!”  Dear sisters, thank you for journeying with us, all the way!

See you soon!

NICE TO MEET YOU

Today we want to introduce Sr Margaret Bob to you.  She is from Manus, Papua New Guinea and has been in our Congregation for 27 years.  Sister is a member of the Provincial Council and this is her second mandate.  Since she is trained as a nurse, she is also working part-time with the government in the area of health.  As a nurse, she worked for many years in various parts of PNG.  This is the first time that she has participated in a General Chapter and is enjoying it.

Sr Margaret says “I hope that this blog will inspire many young people to hear God’s call to religious life and be challenged to follow that call as a Daughter of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.”

PNG Delegates

WHAT’S GOING ON

Today we had enriching and interesting discussion on various items on our agenda.  This afternoon most of the delegates met together in their inter-continental groups and their sharing brought life to the members.

LOOKING BACK WITH US

Here below is the final article on the topic of previous General Chapters.

THIRTEENTH GENERAL CHAPTER

Rome, 2 August - 1 September 1981

In her opening address M. Gerarda set the tone for this Chapter:

“This is a unique occasion. We are gathered here from many different countries to carry out the important mission entrusted to us. For the first time in our history, we have been asked by the Church to revise our Constitutions in a major way… From the beginning we have realised that the aim of the Church was not merely to rewrite the text of our Constitutions, but to renew our lives according to our particular vocation in the Church.

The work on the first seven chapters of the Constitutions and Directory was finished by 21 August. The prepared text on Formation took the following two days and Authority and Government was the last Chapter to be discussed.

On Sunday 30 August, foundation day of our Congregation, M. Gerarda opened the ‘Year of Mother Marie Louise’ (100 years since her entrance), a year in which the Congregation would pay special attention to this courageous woman of faith, to whom it owes so much.

The important moment for the voting on the new texts of the Constitutions and Directory had now arrived. This was done chapter by chapter; for the Constitutions an absolute majority was required, and for the Directory a relative majority.

Mother Gerarda made a formal proposal:

“I propose to the Assembly that we abrogate our 1969 Constitutions by machine vote.”

After unanimous acceptation, she continued:

“I propose that we accept the new texts of the Constitutions, with the amendments.

This also was unanimously accepted. After singing the Magnificat and the Ametur the session closed. In the evening all the participants celebrated the birthday of the Congregation with a festive meal and then sat down in the garden in the cool of the evening, enjoying a program of singing and dancing performed by the various Provinces.

The General Chapters in the History of the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart

Sr Immaculata van Wijngaarden

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHAPTER

IN OUR AGENDA

Tomorrow our discussions will centre around Mission and Ministry and we will vote on the Revised Constitutions.  We hope that you will accompany us in your prayers.

NICE TO MEET YOU

Today we meet Sr. Filomena Mastrogiorgio from Italy.  Born in Santo Elia A Pianisi, Campobasso, Italy, Sister is a teacher and worked in a primary school for many years especially in Toscana, Doganella and Terni.  Next year, she will be celebrating 60 years of Religious Profession already.  This is Sister’s second time to attend a General Chapter and to you our dear blog followers, she wants you to know that she prays that all may become close to God because God is the one who will never disappoint us.

Italian Delegates

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Three of our Lay Associates from the Philippines were with us today and they shared to us how they see themselves in the future and what support they need from us.  Anching Fajardo is the coordinator of our DOLSH Associates in Manila.  She was blessed to have attended the International Meeting of Lay Associates of the Chevalier Family in the Dominican Republic in 2008.  Dory Ogan is a principal in one of the public elementary schools here in Manila and she is an active member of our DOLSHA in Manila.  Debbie Melijor is a Lay MSC and she is from Cebu.  Debbie is the National Coordinator of the Chevalier Family Lay Associates in the Philippines.

DREAMING WITH US…

Remember the sentence completion exercise we suggested the other day?  Well, here are some of the responses you sent:  Renewed, let us go forth….

Renewed, we will go forth …together !

Rita

Renouvelées, allons de l’avant...

d’abord, il suffit d’y croire

en nous informant, nous ouvrant à ce qui se passe autour de nous

en acceptant de nous renouveler dans nos différents engagements

en nous rappelant que Dieu est le Maitre de l’impossible et qu’il peut faire surgir la vie de ce qui parait mort

en vivant dans l’espérance, la confiance: “c’est maintenant le temps favorable”

.... sans oublier”nos canes”!!!

Les sœurs de  la communauté de Clamart

 “ O que significa para mim NOVOS HORIZONTES”?- Primeiramente, a pessoa deve ter-se nas mãos, muita unida a Jesus, amiga de Maria nossa Mãe.- Estar consciente de si e de tudo o que a envolve.- estar disposta a deixar-se  amar e a tocar pela ação de Deus, que age a cada instante.- Na primavera deste novo tempo, temos que caminhar com a Igreja ainda mais. Expandindo o Reino, o amor de Deus; pelo testemunho, pela tecnologia.-Acredibilidade entre nós, as delicadezas, devem crescer.NOVOS HORIZONTES é abrir o coração e abraçar  as  novas realidades, novos desafios e assumindo novas fronteira com coragem e amor.- Com pés no chão, coração,mente em Deus;mãos dadas com os irmãos,corpo saudável,olhos abertos e cheios de fé, ouvidos atentos e esperançosos., boca que proclame os louvores do Criador.- Ser que expresse gratidão, alegria, harmonia,ou seja os sentimentos do coração de Jesus. Que é a nossa bandeira maior “Ser o Amor” remédio para todos os males do mundo.- O entusiasmo, alegria deve-nos levar para frente! Somos chamadas,escolhidas e enviadas a ser no mundo o sonho de nosso Fundador.- A nossa divisa: AMADO SEJA POR TODA PARTE O SAGRADO CORAÇÃO DE JESUS nos leva a ver longe;bem como nos leva a entrar dentro de nós e nos a desafiar, a mudar  de vida.-Não podemos ser pessoas medrosas, medíocres, vazias, cheias de si. O Amor nos impele a sermos diferentes, a ser solidários!, a sermos pessoas apaixonadas.-NOVOS HORIZONTES –avistamos caminhos novos,não precisamos pisar nos outros,ou menos prezá-los para chegar os nossos sonhos. Basta ter coragem para amar e agir segundo a vontade de Deus. Fazendo bem todas as coisas que nos foram confiadas.
Maria da Paricida

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE CHAPTER

IN OUR AGENDA

We continued today with our Agenda Items and discussed about our Mission and Apostolic Priorities. We know you continue to pray for the Chapter everyday sisters so we thank you!

NICE TO MEET YOU

In this Chapter, the youngest delegate comes from our biggest Province, Indonesia - Sr. Laurentia Piranti! Sr. Laurentia comes from Central Java and she is involved in the health ministry. She is also a part of the Indonesian Provincial Council. It is her first time to attend a General Chapter and for her, it is an amazing experience. The process of reflecting on our life as a whole Congregation, especially the revision of our Constitutions, is an expression of the renewal of our life. Indeed, the Holy Spirit works…before…now…and forever.

Indonesian Delegates

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Inspired and challenged by yesterday’s conferences on prophecy and mysticism given by Sr. Judette Gallares, RC, we embarked on today’s work with energy. We started with the first of our Agenda items: Formation. This is an important area, not only for today but for the future of our Congregation.

THE SISTERS BEHIND THE BLOG

Srs Merle and Renisa

We are on the last week of the Chapter and we decided introduce ourselves to you our dear followers before we run out of days: Sr. Renisa from the General Council (the thinker) and Sr. Merle from the Philippine Region (the writer); Sr. Philippa from Australia and Sr. Marisa from Brazil (special collaborators) and Sr. Reine from France, Sr. Immaculata from the Netherlands, Sr. Luciani from Indonesia and Sr. Glacidalva from Brazil (translators). We also acknowledge the many Chapter members and assistants who have been taking and contributing pictures for the blog.

LOOKING BACK WITH US…
Here is part 3 of the History of FDNSC General Chapters:

TENTH GENERAL CHAPTER

Rome, 26 April - 10 May 1963

In 1937 the General Administration had already bought a property in Rome, on Via Casale di San Pio V, in view of the transfer of the Generalate. However, it would be almost 25 years before this came about. It took place on 21 October 1961.

Poverty was one of the topics to be discussed. One of the decisions was that sisters who had a camera, a typewriter, a tape recorder, scooter, etc. would not consider these as their personal property, but as belonging to the community.

At this Chapter much attention was given to formation at all levels. The delegates decided on a new formation program for the Novitiate. In the second year there would be possibilities for secular studies and professional formation, but no examinations were allowed.

A pamphlet on our spirituality and mission would be prepared for people interested in our Congregation. Every Province could contribute ideas for this pamphlet.

Furthermore, the Chapter delegates discussed the possibility of a Juniorate of at least two years, in order to give the newly professed not only a good intellectual and technical formation, but also a better doctrinal and spiritual basis.

An important task is still ahead: the revision of the Rules which will take five days to complete! Later a small committee will, under the supervision of the General Council, be responsible for writing the text in a more positive style!

To remind us of the highlights of our Chapter, starting today, we will be posting a few photos … through these pictures, let us together remember the FDNSC 18th General Chapter!

IN OUR AGENDA
Tomorrow, 29th of November, we shall be welcoming three Lay Associates of the Chevalier Family to the Chapter. This is an important day for us and for them, we again solicit your prayers.

NICE TO MEET YOU

We now travel to the Pacific and meet our delegates from Kiribati.  Sr. Beneteta Ione is the incoming Provincial Leader of Kiribati and she is from Tarawa, the main island.  Sister is a spiritual and retreat director not only to our sisters but also to religious from other congregations as well as lay people.  Sister was also a delegate in the 2005 General Chapter in Issoudun.  At that time, she said, everything was just new.  In this Chapter, sister feels more at home and therefore owns it more.  She now has a stronger sense of belonging.  Dear Sisters who are following the blog, Sr. Beneteta would like you to know that your prayers are really much needed and appreciated.  This Chapter is for you, it is your Chapter.  Sister hopes that as you read the blog daily, you will know what is happening here, and when we return home to share to you the fruits of the Chapter, you will be ready to accept these fruits.  So please continue praying for us who are here.  

Chapter Delegates from Kiribati

  

WHAT’S GOING ON?
We have entered the final week of the Chapter today, as the universal Church begins a new liturgical year.  Sr. Judette Gallares, a Religious of the Cenacle from the Philippines, was with us challenging us with her conference entitled “Opening the Heart to Listen: Becoming Mystics and Prophets Today.”  Sister Judette is involved in the ministry of retreats and spiritual direction. She has also worked for many years in formation both in her congregation and also in the inter-congregational religious formation programs. At present she is professor of Spirituality at the Institute for Consecrated Life in Asia and a visiting professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Santo Tomas (Philippines). She is the editor of Religious Life Asia Magazine and an author of several books and articles on Women in the Bible, Spirituality and formation.

WALKING THE EARTH WITH US…

Yesterday, 26^th of November, we had our second outing.  This time, we visited CELL (Center for Ecozoic Living and Learning), an ecological center founded and managed by the Columban Missionaries.  Half of the group went in the morning while the other half went in the afternoon for a three-hour “earth walk” around the Center.  It was a little way by which we heed the call to love and heal Mother Earth! Here are some of our pictures…

IN OUR AGENDA

As we celebrated the first Sunday of Advent and opened a new liturgical year, we started to look towards the future.  Tomorrow, we will begin discussing the answers to our pre-chapter reflection questions.

We invite you our readers to join us in looking toward the future of our Congregation by completing this sentence: RENEWED, LET US GO FORTH….  Send us your answers and together, let us pave the road ahead!  

CONTACT US

generalchapter2011@gmail.com