many graces and blessings each day of the new year! peace...

Many graces and blessings each day of the New Year! Peace and Joy!

Editorial

IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial 1

Here in Rome 2

Vicariate 4

Africa 9

America 13

Asia 19

Europe 26

Last page 29

Interconnections is published by the Holy Family of

Bordeaux International Communications Service.

Editors

M. Lourdes de la Fuente Maristella Soosaipillai

Translators

Marie Paule Chauvin (Bordeaux)

Gemma Corbett (Ireland) E-mail;[email protected]

[email protected] Website: www.sfb.pcn.net

December 2010

Suore della Santa Famiglia di Bordeaux, Via dei Casali Santovetti 58, 00165 Roma, Italia

No: 31

Advent, Christmas - times of hope, of optimism and deep joy. A time to believe that other attitudes, another world, other kinds of relating, another society is possible. It is a time to believe that that we can change. It is a time to give and receive life. We are all capable of doing this, no matter what our age or state in life. We are all capable of hoping, believing, loving, giving and receiving. Because: “In Him was life and that life was the light of humankind. The light shines in the darkness…from the fullness of his grace we have all received, one blessing after another. ” (Jn 1, 4-5.16) Each article of this publication Is an affirmation of that truth. From his fullness we have all received That is why, we the conscious part of the universe, have the power to change, to realise the promises, filling empty spaces with compassion, denouncing with our lives and our actions those situations where the dignity of creation and the value of life in all its manifestations are trampled on. “Reality makes us more aware, awakens us To the need to live our lives in a new way”

(General Council’s letter, December 2010)

“A new world view is opening before us. We are being led by love into new spiritual depth through openness to the whole universe story. The signs of the times invite us into the challenges and the promises that this presents.”

“An Invitation to celebrate”

P.B .N. 150 anniversary of his death Rome – November 2010

Many graces and blessings each day of the New Year! Peace and Joy! 2

In recent months 3 sisters from Spain who did not know Rome, came to visit us and expressed their feelings about their experience during the time they spent with us. They said the following: “I have been longing for this experience for several years. Words fail me as I try to express all that I felt in Rome. I contemplated and really loved St Peter’s square which was crowded with people all

seeking and believing in the same God. We met people whose faces were filled with all sorts of emotions – suffering, joy ....We lived some very intense days and we shared so much with the sisters in the community here in Rome. We prayed a long time before our Good Father’s heart asking for his blessing on all the members of his great Family. We asked him to give us his spirit and help us to go forward in spite of difficulties and to continue to work for God alone.”

Sister. Egipciaca Álvarez vega

“The Lord has been good to us and we are glad”. It is not easy for me to write down my thoughts as my feelings go very deep. As I knelt by our Good Father’s heart, I felt that our charism - to be and build family - is alive and relevant for today. Jesus encourages us to bring our charism to life in the moments and circumstances in which we live, to model our lives on him and on the first followers of Jesus, Peter, Paul and the first Christians who carried out their mission as did our Good Father. Now it is up to me – to all of us who have received the gift of the charism - to carry out this mission. All that I experienced here in these days gives me a great impetus. I have experienced such feelings of joy and peace. It is so beautiful to feel this sense of belonging to a great Family like ours. I wish to thank all those who have made these days possible. Thanks also to those who have contributed to making our stay at the General House so wonderful.

María Muñoz

“We feel very much at home with you. It has been a real grace…the audience with the Pope whom we saw up close and the sense of the universality of the Church. We appreciated also the visit to the Sistine Chapel and marvelled at the God’s beauty revealed through the gifts of great painters; we loved our visits to the various basilicas. In the basilica of St Paul, I marvelled at the life of Paul, a prisoner for the Gospel, an apostle whose love for Christ translated into a great passion for the spread of the Gospel.

One of the Spanish sisters who visited Rome.


From the 3 to the 13 November, we received with great joy the Councils of Europe. These were very intense days of sisterly communion. The emphasis during these days was the Mission as Margaret expressed in her opening words: “…Our raison d’être is the mission...that is what gives meaning to our lives and motivates us...All aspects of our lives – prayer, community, individual gifts, the resources of the Institute as well as our work are at the service of the mission …” During the past few months we received visits from members of our families and friends and we received them with great joy. At present we are preparing to receive the members of the Lay Associates Committees and the members of the Council of the Family. As you know these meetings will take place after Christmas from 13 to 18 January 2011. From Rome, we wish all of you a very Happy Christmas and every blessing in the New Year! Thank you for the many good wishes for Christmas and the New Year that you have sent us.


THE CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM THE VICARIATE COMMUNITY

We have taken these news from The Christmas Letter from the Vicariate Community which is an

communication instrument goes around to the members of the Holy Family and to close friends every year. It is a review of the principal events which marked

the daily life of the sisters of Nagoda, Oteiza, La Solitude and Posadas.

N A G O D A — S R I LA N K A “Every good gift comes from the Father of light. May God grant you every grace and blessing and keep you safe throughout the coming year.”

Call heard and responded… God continues to call young persons to join with us to continue the ministry of prayer in the midst of God’s People. Each one of these young women adds a new note of love to the song of praise of our life together in community for the glory of God and the good of God’s People. Formation of the young which is a priority concern of the Contemplative Group is ensured both within and outside the community. Thank you, Lord, for the precious gift that you offer us in them. Family links… The sense of our being Family is sharpened through the visits of our Apostolic Sisters, the monthly meetings of the Lay Associates held in our house and through other forms of contact with members of the other Vocations. At the end of the Asian Continental Meeting, we had a visit from the new members of the General Council: Srs. Marian, Kumudini, Anna Maria and Michelline. We are happy that now we know all the members of the General Council. Another visit was from the new members of the leadership team of the Delegation of India, Srs. Latha, Shanthi and Punitha. We are grateful to Sr.Eithne Hughes for keeping us informed of JPIC issues. It helps us to be united with and support those who are actively engaged in dealing with them. This is one way of living our Corporate Commitment of the General Chapter 2008. Revived, Refreshed… Our annual community retreat, animated by a priest of the Blessed Sacrament Congregation, gave us a strong impetus to recognise anew the beauty of the vocation the Lord has given us, and to recommit ourselves to live our ministry in the Church with greater enthusiasm and joy.

VIC

AR

IAT

E


An anniversary to celebrate... 16 November marked 25 years of the establishment of our community at Nagoda. As some of you would remember, there was a time when we had no stable residence, but moved from one place to another. Since 1985, our house has seen several re-adjustments in order to provide for new needs, such as initial formation, caring for the sick and elderly. On 9 November, we had a simple, joyful celebration of Thanksgiving presided over by the Archbishop Emeritus of Colombo, His Grace Nicholas Marcus Fernando. It was he who blessed our house and celebrated the first Eucharist 25 years ago. 21 November, we welcomed with joy Sr. Mary SLAVEN. She is here to share with us the riches of our HF Spirituality. The 3 weeks' session with her will certainly give a new impetus to our life. Thank you, Mary, for your generous availability. We're enjoying your work. Your old friends too are delighted to see you again. CHRISTMAS is the celebration of the greatest and deepest sharing, when the Son of God comes to be with us to share in what we are and to enable us to share in what he is. May our sharing in Jesus’ love lead us to embrace all our brothers and sisters, and all beings in God’s creation in ONE FAMILY of LOVE! This is our prayer for you all as we wish you.

LA SOLITUDE – MARTILLAC, FRANCE 15th February, Marie Constantine NYAMVURA, came back again from Rwanda and began her novitiate in our contemplative life on the 29th April. 13th April, Sr. Teresa McElhone was appointed novice mistress. 15th October, it was the turn of Sylverie NTUMBA of R.D. of Congo to begin the novitiate. Sr. Gisèle KWE NBOYO, also from R.D. of Congo, a temporary professed apostolic religious, began the period of discernment of the call to contemplative life.

Sylverie and Gisèle, after a period of 6 months in our community had gone back to their country with the intention of returning at the end of September. Sr Odette UWIMANA has begun her doctrinal formation in the Bey-Berland Institute, Bordeaux. She stays for a couple of days each week with our sisters of the apostolic community of rue Camille Godard.

Community Formation: Fr Maximillien-Marie Barrié, a Carmelite priest from le Broussey, gave us several conferences on Prayer. Once a month, with Mrs Marie-Jo LAROCHE, we read the Gospel of St Mark. A chapter is read aloud each time. We stay close to the text to listen, hear and discover the word that is addressed to us here and now, rather than seeking to understand. The theme of the session in October with Father Jean-Luc Védrine - Sulpicien and lecturer in a seminary in Paris was: “The Eucharist”, a unique treasure of the Church received from the thrice holy God.


Other significant events: We celebrated the memory of the Eucharistic Miracle of 3rd February 1822 but this year, because of the construction work we had to limit our invitations to an afternoon. Father Jean Louis Despaux, a priest associate, gave a conference on “P.B. Noailles, Priest”. This was our way of marking the Year of the Priest celebrated by the whole Church. This year we made the Holy Family pilgrimage on the Island of Our Lady of All Graces. For Father Noailles, the Island was an ex-voto offered to God’s Mother to thank her for all the graces he had received through her intercession. During the month of April the Vicariate Council held its annual work session, a time of reflection and decision making, here in La Solitude. Since Sr Teresa McElhone has been appointed novice mistress, Sr Thérèse Demeyere was installed as superior of the community on 25th April. Our Vicar, Sr Bernadette, introduced the community to the 2nd stage of the process of discernment drawn up by the Vicariate Council. This decision to begin this process was taken by the Vicariate Chapter of 2009 in view of the future of each of our four communities. During this year the communities were invited to make a pilgrimage of confidence, a time of grace paving the way for availability and openness to the Spirit, for the common good of the Vicariate of today and tomorrow.

POSADAS –MISIONES, ARGENTINA

From 28 to 31 January, three sisters of the community participated in the 4th Meeting of the Family in Resistencia (Chaco). For those who do not know, it is a Meeting that takes place every 5 years and is addressed to the members of the 4 Vocations of the Family present in Argentina. The theme was: "Deepen the roots and Open out the wings". Among the many good moments we lived, we underline the Pilgrimage of the Holy Family, prayer made while going from one station to another, making all the meditations proposed by our Founder, Pierre Bienvenu Noailles. At the closing Mass, 4 new Associates made their Commitment. In February, we accompanied through prayer and with joy the three new priests, Gervasio, Alonso and Julio. They are the first to have made their entire formation in the Seminary Saint Cure of Ars in Posadas. They are also the first to have made the 30-day retreat in our Monastery. These are calls to us, especially at the end of this Year of Priests, to continue our intercession and thanksgiving for them.


We welcome the moment the Lord gives us to form a community, not only on a natural, inter-cultural sense with sisters of various countries and continents, but also a community that wants to be sign of the supernatural gift of Communion that "the Eucharist renews each day" (Constitutions nº 194); it is in this diversity that we live the call to Communion as contemplatives of the Holy Family. This is possible through our search for God Unique and Triune who unites us, and through the daily experience of the Paschal Mystery. The two sisters of the community who have come from Sri Lanka, Asia, are getting more deeply into the study of Spanish while another is doing the same in the sphere of music. The ongoing formation of the of Sisters of the community and a healthy balance of life conducive to contemplative life are the realities that have led us to the decision to give up the work of making altar bread, work we have been doing since our arrival in the diocese of Posadas. We now need to look for another type of work more adapted to our present possibilities. The members of the Holy Family and friends – whom we thank – have helped us to look for someone in our diocese who could assume the work of making hosts. Our deep gratitude goes to the benefactors who provided us with this work that we did in a modest way but with a lot of love, all along these years in the monastery. To those that take up this work today, we wish that they benefit from its fruits, especially from the spiritual ones. Through our prayer, we accompanied our Apostolic Sisters at the Continental Meeting of the Councils of Canada and the Network of Latin America, with the General Council. This meeting took place in Quebec, Canada. In November we receive the visit of Sr Adela Vanaclocha, Apostolic sister of the Holy Family, member of the Community-team of "La Solitude", Bordeaux - France, mother house of the Holy Family. Inter-personal Relationships – will be the theme for ongoing formation that we will be sharing on. We are delighted to see her again and thank her for this opportunity and for her sisterly availability. The world and the Church events, far and near, such as the Bi-Centenary that several countries of Latin America celebrate this year, call us to humble prayer, persevering in confidence, making us live in solidarity - from within - with the joys and pains of the human Family that God in his love has visited in his Son Jesus, in order to save it.

OTEIZA DE BERRIOPLANO, NAVARRA - SPAIN

Today peace descends from heaven: Today there shines a new light. A child is born to us; a Son is given to us; heaven sings with the earth the salvation of our God!

With joy we come to you with our good wishes for these joyful feasts, and to share with you a little of what we have lived during the year 2010.


Of what we lived in January, we wish to underline the arrival to our community of Amélia Alexander, an Apostolic Sister of the Holy Family, who introduced us to “the art” of bookbinding in a “craftsmanship” manner. We profit from this precious work which is very appropriate to the contemplative way of life. As usual, on 3rd February we celebrated the memory of the Miraculous Blessing. It is usually in the setting of this celebration that news becomes “public”: Aurora Burgui, who comes to the Monastery as a volunteer to attend on our sick sisters, began her formation as a Lay Associate of the Holy Family. This happy news was welcomed with great applause and joy by the participants. The Holy Family missionary Sisters in Congo, Peru, Argentina and Paraguay paid us visits during their vacation in Spain. Our sharing with them was a blessing, a grace where we perceive the complementarity of our respective Vocations and the need we have of one another. Mission is contemplation and Contemplation is mission; the two need each other and are united, so that all of us become witnesses in the Church, to God's love revealed in Jesus Christ, for the world and for the whole Cosmos. A Secular of the Holy Family of Paraguay, Mirta Fleitas, made us a brief visit during her stopover on her way to Rome. These are privileged moments that make us feel in a palpable way the unity in diversity of the Family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles. We had a visit from the new Provincial Council of Spain too; in a happy sisterly climate, they shared some of their plans for this new stage of their service; they asked us to keep them present in our prayer as we have always done. 1st October there was a meeting with the Diocesan Delegation of the Missions of Pamplona. We reproduce here the poster of convocation: Mission and Contemplation. Mission and Contemplation The Delegation of the Missions invites you to celebrate the day of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, Patroness of Missions, in the Monastery of the Holy Family in Oteiza, on 1st October 2010. With this initiative we seek to create a day of Mission and Contemplation that we would like to celebrate each year, coinciding with the feast of Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, as being done in all the Delegations of Missions of Spain. We invite you to take part in this initiative. As community, we welcome with joy and gratitude this opportunity for mutual sharing out of our lived experiences, of something central to Christian life: Contemplation and Mission that make fruitful the life of the Church. It was a very happy meeting. Many individuals and groups come to the Monastery. The places reserved for welcome and the benches of the chapel "know" much of the pain and suffering of those who come to look into their broken, crucified lives away from their normal setting; these same places know also the joys and thanksgiving for all the good received. Among the people who come to the Monastery are those who desire to pray and take part especially in the community Liturgy, and those who are seeking their vocation or the meaning of their life. The Commission of the Family in Spain pursues its march in a very dynamic way. A member of each Vocation ensures the inter-vocational dimension. Even though the greater part of the work is done through electronic mail, some meetings are programmed from time to time where "Being and making Family" is palpable. In this same line, a Family Blog keeps us in continual relationship. This Blog is also ensured by the “link” members of the four Vocations present in Spain.


CAMEROON – CHAD The Sisters of the parish of Oliga in the Cameroon organised a meeting for young people who were in contact with them and who wanted to know more about the Holy Family. The theme of these days was “Who Am I?” The young people who took part write in our news bulletin about their joy at getting to know themselves better.

“During those days, God was present to me in a special way through the talks. I received the light of the Spirit which enkindled in me the flame which enflames my desire to give myself to God in the service of others. Previously, I was afraid of everything but in getting to know myself better I feel that my fears are gradually disappearing. I would like to be able to say to other young people, ‘Don’t be afraid. Allow Christ who loves you to gaze on you’. I have to work in faith and transmit his love to other”.

Sophie Sandrine “ … This theme enabled me to have a beautiful experience in the house of the Sisters with whom I am a candidate; getting to know myself so as to be able to make a discernment about my life choice in a free and responsible way; getting to know my qualities and limitations. St. Paul says, ‘If I have not love in all I do … I am nothing, I am good for nothing. I am only a clashing cymbal’. (1 Corinthians 13) In one of the exercises that we did, I discovered that the initial letter of my name stands for a quality which I live out daily and which will motivate my actions in the future – the word, ‘ wet nurse’.* I want to be the one who nourishes the world with whatever gives life; I want to be the eyes, the lips, the arms and the feet of Christ to bring to the world the news of all that he is doing. I will go to the well, which is Christ to draw living water and quench the thirst of the world. The road I must travel is long but Jesus says to me, ‘I am who am and it is only I who am’”.

Nguiko Nadège

“ … This meeting helped me to feel the joy which is deep inside me. Each day I used to listen to the Lord’s call, to give myself to his service, but I didn’t know if it were really he. God’s silence shows his patience with me. The joy which I feel now is the sign of his response. I have discovered how to speak to God one-to-one. A phrase of the liturgy impressed me deeply, ‘The Lord called his beloved and led her into the desert to speak to her heart’. (Hosea 2:16) I am going to carry the joy of this discovery with me all the days of my life so as to be able to respond to his call. Sisters, please continue to organise these meetings which enable us to get to know God and how he acts in us”.

Huguette

“I was impressed by the Sisters’ welcome and smile. I liked this meeting about self appreciation very much. I went deep inside myself: I looked at my past and saw what meaning I could give my life today. I liked the meal-times and the sharing through which I experienced peace, unity and love. I am very grateful to the Sisters who took this initiative. May the Lord increase our faith and give us the grace to love him alone. May he give us the grace to serve not only in word but in spirit and in truth”.

Angèle Fchangoue Sijcheu

AFR

ICA


SOUTH AFRICA

PROVINCE MEETING: HARTBEESPOORT Our Province Meeting took place at Good Shepherd Retreat Centre, Hartbeespoort. On arrival, there we were very happy to see, again, the Sisters whom we have met and lived with, in different communities and from different ministries and places, over the years. There were Sisters among us who had recently arrived as missionaries and others who had been a long time in the field. The diversity of languages and manners of dress, did not in any way take from the reality of the unity among the Sisters. Proceedings began at 4 p.m with an Opening Ritual and the information that we needed, to enjoy a week of communication, reflection and sharing. Each morning there was a different Prayer focus point, set out in the centre of the Conference room and each time we were struck by the creativity and ingenuity that was displayed in these arrangements. The theme of Africa was introduced at the very beginning by the outline of Africa traced, by the use of an African cloth, suitably folded. The much awaited World Cup Soccer Contest, that was taking place in South Africa, just then, concentrated our minds and hearts even more on our beautiful but suffering continent. The first Session helped us to realise the difference between Mission and Maintenance in our planning for the future of our Province. Rediscovering our Evangelical Distinctiveness, under the guidance of Bishop Kevin Dowling CSSR we renewed our awareness of the suffering of so many people in such a rich continent and his talk helped to focus our minds and hearts on the disparities between the rich and poor. Through reflection and group discussions, we sought to deepen our commitment and our role in alleviating this problem. Our Opening Mass was celebrated by the Bishop of Johannesburg, Archbishop Buti Thlagale OMI, who reminded us of some of our calls as Religious. The next day our Prayer focused on the theme – butterflies, reminding us of our mission as people of Hope in Africa. Fr. Efram Tresoldi MCCJ urged us to study and absorb the findings of the African Synod. The exercise demanded all our concentration and broadened our understanding of Africa, socially, politically and economically. We were further challenged to study the Catholic Social Teachings and educate others on them, through our various ministries and formation of our Holy Family groups. Fr. Efram celebrated our Mass at the end of the day. The Wednesday Morning Prayer focus was again on the outline of Africa. This time brightly, coloured cloths marked the outline of the continent and the places where our Province is found, were marked with lighted candles.


After all the concentration of the previous day, we felt we had earned our ‘Half-day Holiday’. Fr. Mike Morrissey OMI said our Mass just before we had our midday meal so that the afternoon was completely free, for the expeditions. Some of the group visited Margaret Roberts’ Herb Garden and were fortunate enough to meet Margaret Roberts herself and receive an invitation to tea. Others went to the Flea Market nearby and were disappointed that the prices being charged were not in the ‘Flea’ category and were aimed at the overseas visitors. The next morning, yet another version of the continent, for our Prayers focus, was strewn with paper money, and roused instant interest. It was a vivid reminder, both of our desire to possess more of it and of Africa’s economic woes. We had an amusing morning illustrating, with drama, the evolution of methods of Formation to the Religious life, down the years. The Mass in the evening, with Fr. Mike Bracken OMI was a moving experience as he expressed his devotion to Jesus, in all the stages of the Mass and helped us to share in that devotion. Friday, our last day, the time for rounding up. This time the outline of Africa was skilfully done using dried leaves collected from the garden. The Masunga, Bontswana community performed a sketch on the Disciples who met Jesus on the road to Emmaus and gave us plenty of food for thought on how often we miss seeing Jesus in our lives, because we are not looking for him. Recalling all we had absorbed during the week we grouped ourselves according to issues wished to discuss for the future. We shared our ideas on Retirement and Old Age, and the desire to be in Mixed Communities, composed of old and young together, with the aged and frail contributing to the Mission and life of the Community, according to their capacity. Frail Care would be provided, where and when necessary. We listened to the plans that the Leadership Team was considering for communities, in the Cape, and considered the question of a more convenient Provincial House. We were happy to hear the thinking of the Leadership Team, on these subjects. We offered our views and expressed our thoughts on subjects that needed communal discussion.

We spent time filling in our personal ‘Compasses’ and in the evening came together as communities and filled in our Community ‘Compass’. The Mass was celebrated again by Fr. Mike Bracken. Saturday morning was the time for Evaluation and the celebration of special birthdays and Jubilees. We celebrated birthdays for those who had turned 80, 70,

60, 40, 30, down to 21 years. After the presentation of gifts and congratulations, Fr. Mike Morrissey celebrated Mass, congratulating Sr. Marie Bergin on her 75th Jubilee as a Holy Family Sister. She was feted at lunch, with joy and much singing and dancing by all those present with the added touch of Basuto and Sri Lankan nation dances. A huge cake, much noise, a big lunch and even a Vuvuzela brought our week in Hartebeespoort to an end.

Sr. Denise Boardman


RWANDA

HOLY FATHER, KEEP IN YOUR NAME THOSE WHOM YOU HAVE GIVEN ME THAT THEY MAY ALL BE ONE

(JN.17,11) The Family Face of the Church

After a time of formation in the Delegation of Cameroon-Chad, I was sent to the Delegation of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to make my preparation for final vows with the sisters of our great religious Family. I left for Kinshasa on 15 May 2010 and I arrived the following day at about 11 o’clock. I was warmly welcomed by the community there. It was Ascension Day and together we praised God, like the disciples did in the temple. On the 19 we took the bus for Kikwit. The next day we arrived in Idiofa where we received a warm welcome from the communities of the Delegation and the Novitiate. I felt great joy and I was reminded of Jesus’ words before his ascension into heaven: « That they may be one as we are one ». I was truly amazed to see our wonderful Family. On the 16 June we left for Banda to participate in a course to deepen the spirit of our Family. I was very impressed by the welcome we received from the community and the girls in the Social Centre. We were also welcomed by the priest and the Christian community. Joyfully and generously, they shared the fruits of their work with us: maize, manioc...I was really touched although not surprised since I have already experienced these traits of our Family. At Ngoso I experienced the same joy at the welcome I received, the attentiveness of the Parish community, the pre-novices, and the aspirants – all revealed to me the family face of the Church. I learnt that the theme of the session I was about to follow was: « Discover my values, find meaning in life and offer my contribution for the mission of Christ today ». On 7 August we left for Kipalu II to follow an inter-congregational session. We had to leave our Holy Family communities. I was amazed by the landscape, the cleanliness, the silence. I thought of Jesus who withdrew to a solitary place in order to pray. Sister Francoise was waiting for us and gave us an explanation of how the session was to go. We were 27 religious men and women from 9 different congregations. We felt very united but did not lose our own identity, that of our own charism. This experience completed the session we had on the deepening of our consecrated life, our following of Jesus, who had asked the Father: that all may be one as He and the Father are one. In this way we prepared ourselves well for the mission in the Church.

Sr Vicentia YIRAKAMONDO


BRAZIL “TO CHOOSE LIFE” OPENS US UP

TO A CHANGE OF MENTALITY

María de Fátima is a Brazilian sister who does social work with the Sisters of St. Vincent de Paul, who care for 708 at risk children

ranging in age from 0 to 14 years. She looks after 60 children and in this article she shares her experience with us.

Two years ago, I began working with children from 8 to 10 years of age. These children have had a childhood characterised by the lack of even the most basic necessities, not to mention love, understanding and education in Christian values.

In the midst of the violence that characterises the lives of adolescents and young people, we can see signs that they are seeking life for themselves and for their families, which includes parents and siblings. These little people are victims of families that have been destroyed by drugs. In the face of this reality, I often ask myself. How can one speak of values such as freedom and respect when they are living in an environment where it is the person who consumes most drugs that demands esteem and respect? These are the children that I am drawn to help so that they might recover their dignity. These young people are just beginning their lives. I also work with the families especially with the mothers who are a reference point for the children. They ask us for help in saving their children from violence. I often feel powerless, not knowing what to do because the sons and husbands of these women are dependent on drugs and are also drug traffickers.

What consoles me a little is the fact that the children are not in this environment all the time because they are in our care. Through my work I try to put our corporate commitment into practice. I have now been called to form part of another community in a new foundation. I am so sorry to be leaving this valuable work but on the other hand I thank God for having given me the opportunity to have this experience of work. The children have taught me a lot.

And now God is offering me a new experience of mission. I am happy to accept this new commitment although I feel rather fearful when faced with something new and challenging. Nevertheless that is to be expected and I face the future with much hope.

AM

ER

ICA


ARGENTINA The Social Forum of the Americas (SFA) is part of the World Social Forum (WSF) which was begun in 2002. Its watchword is: “Another world is possible”. The World Social Forum was proposed initially as an adjunct to the World Economic Forum, which, since 1971 had gathered together the neoliberal elite in Davos, Switzerland. The World Social Forum, in the space it provides and the process of solidarity it envisages, is a kind of melting pot of a diversity of networks, movements, peoples

and individuals who meet together and share their projects and vision for global change The great strength of the World Social Forum lies in its new development: to be an initiative of the emerging civil, planetary society, which seeks to value the struggles and participation of people in different societies and to give a global dimension to the proposals that come from them. In this sense, it is a great reservoir of ideas which is fed by the diversity of human possibilities, rather than by a single dominant idea or philosophy.

www.forosocialamericas.org/que-es-el-foro-social-de-las-americas The 4th Social Forum of the Americas took place in Asunción, Paraguay, under the watchword: “Another America is possible”. Some of our sisters participated in it – among them Zulema Frank from Argentina who now shares her experience with us. The 4th Social Forum of the Americas began with music, cultural events and a procession of 10.000 participants from about 550 social organizations. There were 4 intense days of common reflection, exchange of experiences, meetings and celebrations. The Forum proposed alternatives for another possible world; it advocated other models of society; it defended the sovereignty of the peoples of America; it resolutely affirmed their identities, while remaining open to other identities; it defended the ethic of the “good life” , which constitutes a revolution in ethics, a

challenge and call to different Western moral philosophies. Feminist and ecological movements play a fundamental role and are key in the search for a different future based on “living well” rather than “living better” which is always at the cost of others. Among the many beautiful experience I have had, what touched me most was the speech given by the Chancellor of Bolivia when he spoke of the “paradigm of the good life “ He said: “We all wish to live well, not necessarily better because better living may lead to competition. On the contrary leading a good life leads us to share. We need to recover and re-learn a

The Social Forum of the Americas (SFA)


whole series of principles. For us, what is of most important is life...” In the same vein, Magdalena Leon from the Council of Ecuador said: “Living well, taken from our ancestral point of view which is linked to nature itself and to a concept of life that is universal, means to live in community, to ensure that all have access to the basic necessities of life – health, education, equality of culture – and that there is a balance with nature and a respect for nature. This is the task of Government and this will mean significant changes so that social inequality will be eliminated.” Speaking of democracy, the President of Uruguay referred to “a type of aggressive Western civilisation which favours a certain model of democracy” and he warned that “we will have to struggle for many democratic models, as many as the people who will adhere to these models...and the real struggle is to learn to live without aggressing others...because

freedom cannot be in conflict with diversity”. The President of Paraguay, speaking of the Forum said: “it is a reflection of the deep changes that are taking place on the Continent, a sign of a solidarity that goes beyond our geographical frontiers. It is a space where the Latin-American nation is being constructed”. In his turn the President of Bolivia referred to the Forum as a school for new generations. He warned against capitalism where the only interest is the accumulation of capital. And he ended by saying: “We have arrived at the conclusion that in this new millennium the most important task before us is to defend the rights of Mother Earth in Latin American and the world”. Many of the experiences I had in the Forum spoke to me of Jesus and his project and many of the events during the days I spent at the Forum connected me to our Holy Family option to “Choose Life”.


PARAGUAY

CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE

In many Latin American countries, the bicentenary celebrations of independence are being held. It is really beautiful to see the preparations and celebrations; to remember our story, to affirm our identity, to give thanks for all that has been lived and to learn from the mistakes that have been made in the past. We are all aware of the importance of this historic event – it is part of the story that has formed and shaped us and by opening ourselves up to it, learning from it and giving thanks for it, we will gradually mature in our sense of identity and freedom. But, as we remember Independence Day and the freedom achieved, the question arises - is this true freedom? We know that it is not easy to achieve freedom, neither as individuals nor as nations. Did God make us truly free? Or rather did God create beings who were interrelational, interdependent, in solidarity with one another and in communion? .We think that both truths complement one another and we are called to live these truths and we have the responsibility to make them a reality in our lives. We are called to be attached to our roots, to our deep identity and this is what will help us to be people who are open to all creatures in this immense and beautiful creation. What I would like to celebrate most of all in this bicentenary of Independence is a

united Latin America that is truly free and independent, respectful of the different ethnic groups, languages and cultures and sincerely seeking the good of all. May all the natural and human resources in our different countries be at the disposal of all the inhabitants of these beautiful, fertile lands. I would like to see the disappearance of the gulfs between rich and poor since we know that there is enough for all if only there was a more just sharing of resources. This is the great sin and the immense pain existing in our countries – the fact that we continue to be slaves of corruption and that there still exists injustice at all levels. That is why some people say that we have nothing to celebrate since nothing has changed. There are efforts on the part of some to bring about change but our selfishness enslaves us and we lack the audacity of the prophets, the love of the saints and the courage of true leaders to stand up for and accompany those who are still oppressed by unjust structures. All people have a right to dignity and freedom and we are all called to communion. We will never be truly free until we are all living as sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters of one another. That is why in the midst of all these celebrations we feel a tinge of pain and we continue to hear the call to continue on the road to freedom, solidarity and growth in maturity as a free united people.

Amelia Fernández

Paraguay


PERU COUNTRY WOMEN ORGANISE AN ELECTORAL

FORUM IN JIMBE

In order to enable women to be more informed before voting in the Municipal and Regional Elections, the Central Assembly of Women’s Organisations in the district took the initiative to bring together women in the area for an evening of training and information. At the same time they invited the 6 candidates for election to present their plan for Government. As part of the planning they secured food and accommodation for the leaders who were to come from outlying districts; they sought the support of the sisters and the direction of the event was put in the hands of the lawyer of the Social Justice Commission of the Bishopric of Chimbote. Sixty women participated. The first part of the evening was dedicated to the criteria necessary for a responsible election. In the second part, some of the candidates from the Mayor’s office presented their proposals for Government. A panel of

women asked them specific questions such as: How do you propose to support the people’s organisations in general and women’s organisations in particular? How do you propose to achieve the project of “The Women’s Shelter”, which has been promised since 2009? Can you make more specific, your plans for integral health care and secondary and university education? What is your commitment to caring for the earth, the management of water resources and agricultural production? Some candidates responded with more vision and responsibility than others. They appeared to be quite affected by the fact that their audience consisted only of women. The evaluation showed that it was an extremely profitable evening. The women’s organisations showed a real sense of public awareness and responsibility. The new Government knows that it can count on the participation of women in the projects that are for the benefit of all.

Regina Gossens

CANADA

A HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Many of you are, perhaps, wondering what I am doing since my return from Africa. After I had some time to rest, a lady from the parish invited me to go to Pharillon from 1pm to 8pm each Wednesday. A priest, Christian Beaulieu, founded this not-for-profit organisation which is

supported by the government. It is a house of hospitality for young people who want to free themselves from addiction to drugs or alcohol. The Pharillon clients come to the centre voluntarily and stay for seven or eight


months depending on their needs. Therapy is available to them. Those who stay long enough, succeed in getting off their addiction, are encouraged by their progress and, in general, are determined not to return to their former slavery. Some few return to their addiction. These are accepted back in the centre a second time and receive the help they need. I like working there and meeting the young people who are having treatment. I am

able to help them with a smile or words of encouragement and, above all, by praying for them. My main job is washing and preparing the fruit and vegetables which we receive from the Moisson Montreal, an organisation which distributes food that has almost reached its sell-by date and which it receives from the supermarkets. I invite you to pray for these young people who want to rebuild their lives even at the price of great sacrifices.

Yolande Allard

Provincial House


SRI - LANKA

WE SAW, HEARD, TOUCHED… AND IS DISTURBED…

I have seen the miserable state of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cry to be free of their slave drivers. Yes I

am well aware of their suffering, I mean to deliver them out of the hand of their oppressors is our inspirational

word of God from Ex. 3:7-9. We had a great opportunity to leave our normal routine life of the Novitiate for two weeks and was enriched very much by been in touch with the suffering people and been formed in the reality of life at our exposure programme. We would like to share some experiences, which shook us, disturbed us and made us to rethink our life and mission. Our first exposure programme was in Mahiyanganaya – a very remote village in Badulla district, majority people Buddhist, with a few Catholic families. Each family is very distant from another. The occupation of most of them were paddy cultivation. Still a jungle area, the people are harassed by the wild elephants. They stealthily come to the village, destroy all their corps, their little huts and even kill people. When we were there one young woman was killed early morning while she was coming after a bath in the lake. The villages say, even if electric wires are drawn, the elephants bring huge logs, place it on electric wires, break the barriers and come to the village. The elephants are angry with people as people had cleared the jungle and settle in their homeland the forest. We are reminded “when man/woman destroy nature, the nature destroy man/woman”. The families are mostly poor. They face many problems – social, economic, family disputes… since it is predominately a

Buddhist area, Buddhist - Catholic. The church is far from their home. Financially they go through difficulties but we experienced their beautiful quality of hospitality and simplicity of life. Due to mix marriages, often where father is a Catholic, mother Buddhist – the children had no religion. In Michael’s family, there are two young sons, 16, 18 years of age Michael says, my sons do not practice any religion but they live good life…? A young mother 22 years old poured out her heart. I married Kasun, without the blessings of my parents. He is a drunkard and comes fully drunk at night, beats me and chases me out of the house… I live for the sake of my two kids. We questioned ourselves… for whose sake are we living… In mahiyanganaya where Catholics live are in very remote areas where there is no bus service. Even if there is transport, it is very expensive for the whole family to attend mass on Sunday. We felt that today the church must go to the people. The priests and sisters have a great mission. We met an old woman 75 years of age. Every Sunday she starts her journey from home at 5 am to attend mass at 9 am. Walking slowly to the church she challenged to review how we take for

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granted and our appreciation of all the uncountable blessings. Next, we visited the North where resettlements are going on. We stayed at Arokiyapuram – Killinochchi district. We visited Arokiyapuram and Akkarayam Schools. The children and teachers were settling down to start schooling. Children who had lived a free relaxed life in the camps had to get back to a disciplined time table is not easy. Most of them have gone through the trauma of war, one or more members of the family missing … dead… parents dead… which is reflected in their fearful faces. The day we visited Akkarayan was a rainy, stormy day. The principal was a lady she also lived in a tent – she said all her clothed were wet due to heavy rain. For the previous night’s rain, the saree she wore was still wet. The life is hard to begin all over again is not easy. We visited the families, almost all were Hindu families except eight Catholic families had different feelings of anxiety, anger… but most of them were amazed at how God protected their lives, and how they are alive today. They have not given up hope and have the courage to start again… We met a family; the father is an English teacher, mother and three young girls in the family. The elder girl is 19 years old. Her dream was to be a dance teacher. At the age of 17 she was taken by the LTTE and during the war her left leg was badly

wounded. It is short now and she walks with difficulty. Since she was wounded her younger sister was taken for war but she had escaped. Now both of them are studying for Advanced Level. We admired the courage of the two young girls their determination to start anew. Some are feeling guilty that during the war, they had left their old parents. A young mother with two kids, one 7 year old is a deformed child and the other one old. They had to run to a safety place in order to escape from the shower of shells falling. Now that they have returned to their own place, they do not know what happened to the old people left behind, whether they are living or dead. Some are still searching for their loved ones. One young woman was so happy that after two years she had come to know that her husband is living in a camp and the day we visited, she was preparing food to take to him. A happy reunion of husband and wife. Our Reflection God has disturbed us … to review our life… for a radical conversion… why are we becoming Religious Sisters of the Holy Family … what is our response for our vocation … What changes do I need to make in my own life … what risks … and newness we want to bring to our society.

The 2nd year Novices of Sri Lanka.


SRI LANKA - COLOMBO

CIRCULATION OF RESOURCES WITHIN THE INSTITUTE

There is a thought that is going on in my mind during the last few months. I was wondering what I should do with it. Then while going through the old documents, I came across the letter of the General Council dated 30 April 2010. It asks ‘Can we speak the truth in love to each other as an Institute?” Encouraged by this question I thought, the most loving thing to do with my thought is to share it with others, and here I am. One aspect of the Holy Family life within our Institute that I appreciate very much is the circulation of goods. While almost all the congregations have their goods in common, the way they manage them is very different. In an inter-congregational context when we share this aspect of life, I have always heard others saying “Your way of doing it is very good, very meaningful etc”. I feel proud to think, that this aspect has been there from the time of our Founder. For Fr.Noailles this was one aspect that was not negotiable. We can see this clearly in the conflict he had with Fr.Malet, after the foundation of the first community in Paris. Fr.Malet wanted “the postulants who entered Paris to remain there and the funds acquired in Paris to remain there…” (A Good Man has Passed this Way, p.70) Fr.Noailles could not accept this. For him “ all the works, all the members of the Association, however different in appearance, according to diverse congregations which they formed part, placed in a single case, the funds which they contribute”. (A Good Man. p.72)Yet Fr.Malet “kept on harping on the injustice of taking girls from Paris to Bordeaux and of putting money in a

general case” (Ibid). The final outcome of this conflict was the separation of the house of Paris. This pained Fr.Noailles yet he was not prepared to change his position which was so fundamental to the Family he founded. Today we follow faithfully the circulation of material resources. Everything belongs to all. Material resources are distributed according to the needs. There are no rich and poor among us. No Holy Family sister is deprived of her necessities, due to lack of resources. I believe that this system can work only when all the members follow all the rules of the game, or all the members try to live the true spirit of the game. I see that there is a need to deepen our spirit of discerning the needs. Yet this is not the issue that I am considering just now. For me the major issue is the circulation of human resources. In the conflict with Fr.Malet it is clear that both these aspects were in question. He did not want to get girls from Paris and the money from Paris to be sent to the centre in order to be distributed according to the needs. Where are we today with regard to the distribution of human resources? In Asia I can sit in a community which is larger than many of our Delegations, serving a whole country or even two. Many missionaries after serving in the mission countries for many years have reached their old age and return to their countries of origin. They are sad because there is no one to replace them. While no one in the Institute suffers due to lack of material resources, the communities are being closed even in the neediest places, due to lack of personnel. There is certainly a lack of conviction and


enthusiasm with regard to ad-extra missionary spirit. Young members hesitate to move out and they do not get sufficient

encouragement from the older members. Why? I have got many answers but they are all questionable.

1. There is so much to be done in my own country.

If our first missionaries had said the same thing nobody would have moved out of France till today, since there is still so much to be done in France.

2. My Province needs me.

Didn’t many of us leave our own families when they needed us?

3. Missionary life is very difficult.

Is it to have an easy life that we have consecrated ourselves to God in the Holy Family?

4. Some of those who had gone to the missions before, have come back and this

discourages us.

From where did you find the courage to join religious life when so many before you had joined and left?

5. I am afraid, because in those countries there is AIDS

AIDS is not a sickness that will jump into you on its own. All you need is a bit of information regarding how to take care of you while you are with the sick. In your own country you may be living with the HIV positive without knowing it. After all we die one day of one cause or the other. In joining religious life didn’t we offer ourselves totally to God?

I am sorry for being so blunt instead of offering deep spiritual motivations. For spiritual motivations we need only to read the Gospels and the Constitutions. Many young sisters have said “I do not feel like offering myself to God but if I am asked I will go”. If you are ready to go when you asked, why don’t you offer yourself freely? No one answered that question. Perhaps some can be asked to go. After all when we made our vows we agreed to this. (Const. Art.88) I feel very strongly that urgent action is needed so that our precious human resources can circulate within the Institute, and together we can be faithful to the mission that is entrusted to us.

Winifreda Wasalathanthrige


SRI LANKA - JAFFNA

JOURNEY OF MR. LINUS MANUELTHAMBY

LATE ASIAN LEADER OF

LAY ASSOCIATE 01. 09. 1929 – …….. 11. 07. 2010

Mr. Linus Manueltham by was born to Mariapillai Manuelthamby as the youngest child in the family on the 1st of September 1929 in Kayts. He was blessed with two sisters who were older to him. The parents brought up their children in deep faith and piety. After their education and been trained as teachers, his two sisters joined the Holy Family Apostolic Group. They were given the name Sr. Benigna and Sr. Valentine. Their aunt Sr. Dorothy was the Holy Family Sisters from the island. Mr. Linus after finishing his studies joined the Labour Department and was the Chief Clerk until his retirement. His work enabled him to work in many places. In 1953, he was married and he lived a happy family life God blessed him in many ways. He was blessed with 5 sons and 3 daughters. As he was enjoying the benefits of a happy family life, like Abraham he had to face many trials and sorrow in his life. His eldest son Aloysius Prisline was working as an Engineer. In December 1984 in Semadhuvil was shot to death. He was not even given the body of his son. Aloysius was registered to be married and he was looking forward to his wedding. Mr. Linus had to accept the double pain of loss and disappointment. That same year another son Theepan got very ill and died. His daughter Clarice Shanthi was with him when he was working in Kalmunai – Batticaloa and doing her studies. In 1978

during the cyclone, she fell ill and died. In 1990, he lost his son Jude Ruban. His daughter Rohinni died when she was 5 years old. After losing his 5 children he continued his life with the remaining 3 children without being frustrated he witnessed to life of deep faith. In 1978, he joined the Holy Family Lay Associates and in 1987, he and his wife committed themselves as members of the Holy Family Lay Associates. In 1993, he was appointed as National Leader of the Lay Associates, in 2002 he was appointed as Leader of the other countries and in 2003 as Asian Leader and he has successful accomplished his mission with the 3 General Leaders, 3 Provincial Leaders. The springs that nourished his life were the Holy Eucharist, Holy Communion, Word of God, Rosary and we can witness that he was strengthened by these spiritual gifts. In he was displaced and was living in Vanni, he used to go on his bicycle to Uruthirapuram, Veravil, Mulankavil, Madhu, Pandivirchchan to meet the Lay Associates and he formed them. He had the full knowledge of our Family and we realize we have lost the most important person. In 2003 he celebrated in a special way his 50th wedding anniversary, 75th birthday


and 25th anniversary of his commitment in the Holy Family. As we participate in his final journey in this earthy life, we want to express our thanks for his life and we can proudly acclaim that we saw our Good Father in him. We can never forget the service he had rendered to the formation, life and growth the Lay Associates. “Well! Well! Good and Faithful servant, you have been responsible in little things, today, I will make you responsible/leader of greater things”. The

Lord has today called him to Himself. Mr. Linus was like father, sister/brother, friend and he looked on his mission as spiritual guide and social service, we with grateful hearts place him into the hands of God. For all whom mourn over his loss especially his loving wife, son, daughters, his sons-in-law, grandchildren, kith and kin, the Lay Associates, to our Mother General Sr. Margaret Muldoon, our Provincial Sr. Yolande Mathias and our sisters in the name of all we express our deepest sympathies and we assure you all of our prayers.

Sr. Elizabeth – Jaffna Province

INDIA

OUR 10TH FOUNDATION IN AMARDAKKI

Holy Family Sisters in India has chosen to live with in a remote village to enrich the people in education and in God.

Amaradakki is one of the interior villages in the diocese of Thanjavur. This parish was a substation under the administration of Avudaiyarkoil parish priest. In the year 2004, on June 18th Amaradakki was

erected as a parish and Fr. James, a zealous, people, and mission oriented priest was appointed as the first parish priest of this Church which is dedicated to Archangel Michael. Amaradakki is also

Last journey with his own family, Lay Associates and Apostolic Sisters.

One is Regina Ramalingam delivering the appreciation on the life of Linus and Priest Associate Michael


called kasiyarmadam, because people still believe that a Hindu Sanyasi who lived long ago in this area and they considered him as a prophet who fore-told the future and lived a life that was an edification to them. Mimisal is a commercial and shopping centre and a coastal area that add importance to Amaradakki Village. There is no shortage for sea food. A high way runs through Amaradakki from Mimisal that gives access to reach Chennai quite quickly. Amaradakki lies on the boarder of Sivagangai diocese. The distance between Amaradakki and Thanjur is 150 kms. About 500 catholic families live in 18 substations. There is another little church (which is under construction) which is dedicated to St. Anne, a pilgrimage spot where thousands of other religious denominations flock on every Saturday to pray and they receive their intercessions through the mediation of St. Anne. On 18th June 2004 was indeed a ‘Red Letter’ day for the village folks. The completion of six years under one parish priest was an achievement for them. So they persuaded the Bishop and the Parish to invite the Holy Family on this auspicious day to mark the 6th anniversary celebrations. Even though we planned to go there on the 29th of June, we agreed to their proposal and Sr. Latha and Council hurriedly did all the necessary preparations and went there along with our sisters who came from other communities to support the new community to begin their life on 18th June 2010, at 6 pm. Holy mass was offered by Rt. Rev. Dr. Devadass

AMBROSE, Bishop of Thanjavur, in the presence of Fr. James-parish priest, Priests, Religious Sisters from neighbouring parishes and communities. The church premise was filled with people, and well wishes who invoked God’s blessing upon our Family. Bishop appreciated our Congregation in the presence of a large gathering, expressed his happiness and welcomed the Holy Family to his Diocese and assured his support to us. He also mentioned that many other Congregations opted to come to this place but after seeing it they showed no interest to take up this mission. The poor economic conditions of the people made them to withdrew and they also did not find anything satisfactory to start a community there. But the Holy Family sisters have proved that they are different from others. So Bishop as well as people congratulated, wished and

honoured sisters Peter, Jeya Mary, Vimala , Jancy, Jeraldine who were missioned to live and make the Holy Family known and loved through their simple presence and hard work. Sisters reside in the sacristy – a spacious room, adjacent to the

church and they are also given an other small house to do their cooking and dinning purposes. They have started their mission of Evangelisation, Education, social work, health ministry. We entrust our Sisters under the watchful care of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and remain close to them in our sisterly love and concern.

Delegation of India


SPAIN

THE CHARISM OF PIERRE BIENVENU NOAILLES STILL

LIVES

The community of Ventilla (Madrid), in this account, affirms that our Charism is still alive.

They share their experience with us.

Carmen Urrutiais a Peruvian woman has been living in community with us for the past 10 days. A sociologist from “Pueblos Unidos”, a Non Governmental Organization run by the Jesuits asked us to welcome Carmen into our community. Five months ago Carmen arrived from Peru and her situation was critical. She was 5 months pregnant, her relationship with her husband had broken down and she could not return to her own country before seeing a doctor. We studied the situation in community and after weighing up the pros and cons we decided that she should come and live with us. We prepared a room for her and made everything as welcoming as possible. Carmen is s very timid person and not very communicative. She found it difficult to relate to us. However little by little she began to open up as she gained confidence. From the first day, she had her meals with us and shared in the tasks of washing up and house cleaning. Carmen is a very observant woman and discreet; she never

stayed on her own in the house but accompanied us to Mass or other outings. She noticed the way we lived and she expressed it in this way: “How you help one another! You get on with the jobs without worrying whose job it is!. You share everything. You have helped me cope with my situation. I have been very happy here with you. I have lived days of great peace!” She kept thanking us for all we had done for her and for the wonderful experience she had with us. Before leaving us she left some wool and patterns for making things and she left some bags that she had made saying: “These are for you – you have shared everything with me” The sociologist, who usually meets with immigrants, invited Carmen to one of the meetings. She noticed the great change that had taken place in Carmen and told us: “Carmen now speaks with great confidence – she did not do this before What good one can do by simply offering a

warm welcome to someone!

EU

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BELGIUM

A MISSION FOR OUR TIME Human beings and nature are bound up in God's plan. They are interdependent and should not be separated. Human beings and nature We are called to fill the empty spaces of compassion and solidarity in order to show the way to the fullness of life. Every human being is created in the image of God:

God blesses those people who face a life filled with painful memories and suffering.

God blesses those who suffer disappointments and endure the violation of their being. God blesses all those who never had hope, who experienced death in their soul, who died before reaching maturity.

God asks us to have a preference for those who have no voice, the innocent and vulnerable who are the objects of brutality.

Let us make these calls our own, and be bearers of hope and freedom in all our relationships and actions. Let us live with respect and dignity, united with the suffering and wounds caused to humans and to all creation throughout the world.

A sister of the community of Boomgaardstraat

Antwerp-Belgium

ITALY My new mission in Campobasso and the month of October being dedicated to the missions

made me feel the need to turn to Our Lady, Queen of the Missions. “Mary, I entrust to you the Church, the city of Campobasso, families, the innocence of children, the future of young people, vocations, the sick, the marginalised, the poor and prisoners, those who struggle for justice and peace in the world especially in the country where you lived. Grant that, each day, we may live community life in the light of the Gospel, that we may be able to live faithfully a life of relationships which opens our hearts to a world without hope. Make us attentive to our sisters and brothers whom we meet. Make us instruments of your goodness and friendship. Teach us how to sing together in this land where your Son calls us to live out together the song that you alone know. O Mary, gather into one single family the scattered children of God.”

Tonina Ferrau Campobasso community.


FRANCE

A CRY IN THE NIGHT This summer a great exhibition was held in La Rochelle. It was great because of the large number of works displayed, but, most of all, because of the nobility of the artist’s intention. Discovering Ernest Pignon-Ernest is a shock to the system. His intention is to become involved wherever human beings are downtrodden. How does he do this? Ernest Pignon-Ernest paints life-size portraits. He makes copies of these and, at night, like a bill-sticker, decorates the walls of towns. He is a painter who could well be forgotten, his works torn up or covered over - a painter destined to disappear. But he is a cry in the night of selfishness and profit and his work survives only because it is photographed … This artist is firmly on the side of those who are despised and his work depicts them in the very places where they are downtrodden. He is sensitive to the hardships of all, gives prominence to those who are marginalised or exiled and raises our awareness about all these situations. Through his painting, he instils meaning

into places; he almost makes them speak, giving them a voice. For example, in Montmartre, at the time of the election of the members of the local Commune, he displayed images of celebrities on the steps leading up to the Basilica obliging people going into the Basilica to step over them. Another example is that of the picture of Christ being taken down from the Cross. The artist paints the Christ on a wall in Naples in a street where there are mounds of garbage.… Christ in solidarity with the poorest people of our society. Another example shows a man pinned against the wall of a factory that is defaced with graffiti spelling out the word “Misery”. This man is a magnificent painter whose inspiration is Michelangelo or Caravaggio. He can be associated with many great people who have dared to speak out against obscurantism or political oppression. Unfortunately the passers-by in the streets look stop or … see nothing. Pignon-Ernest gives us a lesson in how to look at life critically and how to carry out one’s chosen mission with courage.

Sr. Michèle Biraben

The Community of Angoulême.


We wish you

a very Happy

Christmas

and a Prosperous

New Year

Last Page A Note…

Your contributions and appreciation are a real support for our mission in Rome. We thank you for your response to our requests and for taking time to read Interconnections and other publications. We really appreciate the changes you have made to improve your service, and your exploring new ways of ensuring that the Communication Service reaches everyone in your Provinces, Delegations, Networks, and also the members of the Family. We would like to request that you attach two or three suitable photos (in JPG image file) to the articles you send us, with a caption or a way of identifying the persons. Thank you. Communication Service in Rome.

Together we form a sacred community of life (CC)

many graces and blessings each day of the new year! peace...

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