Extended Council: A Time for Reflection

A characteristic of the Extended Council is that the Sisters who coordinate and represent the Provinces, Regions and Missions are invited to reflect on the diverse situations which touch the life and ministries of the entire Congregation, to perceive the calls, expectations, hopes and activities which need a response. In their sharing and considerations, the focus is always from the perspective of those frontiers which need to be surpassed and which lead to joint growth. Among the topics discussed the following stood out:

Translators. The service of translation for international meetings is fundamental to guarantee both written and verbal communication. The need to prepare Sisters for this area of service is urgent.  Sisters Marie Pierre Ruche, Margherita Corsino, Monica Sammartano, Joyce Baker, Odila Queiroz, Ivani Maria Gandini, Maria Elisabete Reis, Marie Kristin Riosianu and Barbara Bozak fulfill this service with competence and dedication. The Congregation is very grateful for all they do, but we must think about the need to renew this group, making an investment in members who have the gift for learning other languages and offering this service of translating. The leadership continues to reflect on this and hopes to identify sisters who have the ability to become proficient and also to prepare them for translation.

Meeting for Newer members. The possibility of a meeting for Sisters having made their final vows within the past 10 years was raised. It would be held in Le Puy, France in 2013 and would be for 15 days.  The themes would be the History, Charism and Spirituality of the Congregation. The criteria for participation include: understanding of English or Portuguese, the length of time from Final Profession and non-participation in the Newer Members Meeting held in Garibaldi, Brazil, in 2006. The suggestion for the number of participants is: two Sisters from each Province in India, one from each province or Region in Brazil, two from Pakistan, one each from Bolivia, Italy, Denmark, Norway and the USA. The question was raised regarding Sisters from the mission areas.

Spirituality Session. The discussion around the importance of a Spirituality session was very intense. The participants spoke to the difficulty of having this session during the mandate of the present General Council. The considerations included the relevance and necessity of these international encounters to help promote growth as a Congregational Body. The conversation concerning whether or not to have a spirituality session will continue in the next few days.

Partnerships and Collaboration. The frontiers that were considered during this time provoked the broadening of spaces and possibilities as well as looking for partnerships and collaboration. Two appeals for collaboration have come to the Province of France/ Belgium. One has come from the Superior of the Sisters of Notre Dame de la Croix asking about the possibility of help and integration between the Congregations.  After listening to Sr. Maria Clara, provincial of the French Province, the participants reacted positively. They are on the journey. The other request came from a group of Sisters of St. Joseph in China and founded in 1989. There are about 40 sisters and they are asking for help in the formation of their members and the possibility to be integrated into the Congregation of the CSJ’s of Chambery. The leadership of these groups is in dialogue and the Congregations are united as they discern the action of the Spirit in this collaborative process.

The General House. S. Sally Hodgden, Superior General, informed the Sisters of the negotiations regarding the former Generalate, situated on Via Calandrelli, in Rome. They are in process and it is taking a long time. She thanked the Sisters for their prayers and asked that they continue to pray for the success of the process. As new information is available we will be informed.

Missionary Presence if France. During the General Chapter of 2009, the Sisters were challenged to consider the presence of the Congregation in Savoy, France. Sr. Maria Clara Penha Vieira, Provincial of France/Belgium, situated the topic and spoke to the steps taken together with the General Council. The process has included meetings of the Superior General and the General Council with Sr. Maria Clara and her Council, as well as with the Sisters of the Province and a meeting with the Bishop of Savoy.  It is clear that the presence of the Sisters in this area is known, appreciated and desired by the people, the Church and the Sisters. Conscious that the continued missionary presence or not of the Sisters in France should be a Congregational discernment, the Provincials, Regionals and Mission coordinators will continue the reflections with the Sisters in each of these areas.

By Sr. Andréia Pires

Add a comment

Name:[*]
Email:[*]
Website:
Comment[*]
Security code:
Confirm security code:
[*] Required