NICE TO MEET YOU!

INTRODUCING SOME MEMBERS

Sr. Micheline Tremblay, CSC (Holy Cross Sisters), is the facilitator of our General Chapter.  Sister was the facilitator at our previous General Chapter and at the two subsequent General Conferences.  Sr. Micheline has been a General Councilor of her Congregation and is a Canon Lawyer.  She is constantly in demand by many Congregations as a facilitator of General Chapters.  She is fluent in French and English. With Sr. Micheline facilitating, we know we are in good hands.

WHAT’S GOING ON?

Blue and black bags with the Chapter logo were given to each of the delegates to help them organize the materials they received. Pencils, pens, post it note pads, notebooks and paper...everything that is needed for the Chapter is there.  They even got Philippine post cards! Special thanks to Lita McBride (the former Sr. Rosalie Taguinod) who gave the bags and the pens.

Yesterday’s rain denied the delegates a good look at the venue but with the sun up and shining today, we are enjoying the lush green garden, the cozy dining hall and the really spacious conference hall. The provinces and regions have even started putting up their displays.  After electing the scrutineers and the Chapter Secretary, the Assembly listened attentively to the Superior General’s report. Sr. Mary highlighted the change in the demograpic nature of the congregation.  Whereas in the past, more than 50% of the sisters came from Europe and Australia, today this has gone down to only 42%.  More and more, the sisters are coming from Africa and Asia.

LOOKING BACK WITH US:

We had the oportunity to watch a power point about the First FDNSC General Chapter.

Have a look at some hightlights of this Chapter:

SOME INTERESTING FACTS FROM PREVIOUS GENERAL CHAPTERS.

FIRST GENERAL CHAPTER

Thuin, 8-13 September 1908

      In 1891 Mother Marie Louise was appointed Superior General. Her mandate was twice renewed. She died during her third mandate on 22 February 1908, in Thuin. So, she did not participate in the First General Chapter.

      The members were: the three General Councillors; the Superiors of Australia and of the three Mission Regions (M. Isabelle from the Gilbert Islands was prevented from coming); in addition, one elected delegate for Australia and two for Europe. These delegates were chosen by all the finally professed sisters. In total there were 9 Sisters.

      The Chapter began with the election of a Superior General. Already in the first ballot Mother Eugenie Girardin was chosen unanimously.

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

Sr Immaculata van Wijngaarden

IN OUR AGENDA:

Today, after the General’s and Bursar’s Report, we began listening to the Province and Region Reports starting with Australia and the Philippines.  Tomorrow, we shall be listening to the other Provincials and Regionals.