June 19, 2017

 

Our journey began with a moment of prayer. The sisters were invited to admire the diversity of cultures, races and values present in the European Community. Then Sisters Lila and Jaya shared about the missions in Sweden and the Czech Republic. 

 

The mission in Sweden is based fundamentally on being present to the people.  Sisters Lila and Beatrice are Brazilian, and they devote their lives to the service of immigrants, refugees and Christians who gather in different communities in the parish of Sundsval. Sisters Lila and Beatrice are the only reference for religious life in north-central Sweden. They are assisted in their mission by several lay men and women who are like an extension of their arms, their legs, and their voices. 

 

Sister Jaya presented the reality of mission in the Czech Republic. There are three sisters of Saint Joseph in that country. Sisters Celine and Gisela are educators and Sister Jaya is a nurse. Unlike Sweden, which hosts migrants and refugees, the Czech Republic does not welcome them. In addition to the professional involvement, the sisters work in the area of evangelization among youth and adults.

 

According to the program and gathered in groups, the sisters began to reflect on ways of cooperation as a European unit. The suggestions the groups were very specific and plausible, given the reality of the sisters. The areas seen as essential at this time were: common forms of prayer, spirituality, missionary experiences, work with young people, and the establishment of a formation team for the European continent. This particular endeavor has a coordinating team of sisters: Marianne Bode, Denmark, Maria Cristina Gavazzi, Italy, and Jona Chinnappan, France. To meet the demands of the International Communication Commission, two sisters were chosen. They will be the contact persons for the four provinces, the region and the two missions of the European continent.
 

At the end of the day, despite the fatigue and intense heat, the sisters celebrated their achievements.