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!