FAREWELL AND WELCOME, MOVEMENTS OF THE SPIRIT

 "Beyond the confines of our local community, we are members of a province, region and mission and of an international congregation. The apostolic nature of our congregation requires sisters and communities to answer calls to mission. Each community must, therefore, be ready both to have members leave and to accept others." (Const. p.15)

In response to this call of God and Congregation, the Province of Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery in Brazil celebrated the farewell ceremony of S. Eliza Fatima Zuanazzi who is going on a mission to serve the congregation as a General Councillor and welcomed Sr. Arzila Pertile who will assume the responsibility as Provincial Councillor.

Many sisters from nearby communities were able to participate in the Eucharistic celebration which took place in St. Joseph convent chapel, in Curitiba. Elisa, in a symbolic gesture, passed the flame of her mission in Brazil to Sr. Arzila and received a globe, symbolizing her new mission of leadership in the General Council of the congregation.

BLESSED WOMEN

Sr. Katia Rejane Sassi, Provincial superior said "Sr. Arzila gave her YES as an alternate in the Provincial Chapter of 2019 in the light of faith and today, she renewed her YES by accepting to be a member of the Provincial Council. She will leave her mission in Rio Grande/ RS as she is widening the tent of her heart to welcome and serve all the sisters of the Province of Brazil. In the name of the 413 Sisters we welcome you with joy to the Provincial Council.

She added emphatically addressing Sr. Elisa: "We are grateful to you, Sr. Elisa for your life-giving and humble service in the leadership of the Province for about six years. Your generous YES in the General Chapter of 2021 has set you on move to leave oneself, family, Province and Brazil to embrace the mission of General Councillor for 8 years, together with her Sisters Dolores, Cristina and Celine. All of us will continue to pray for you. Your YES to service is accompanied with the divine blessings and graces to face the unknown, the challenges of language, cultures and continental realities."

Thereafter, the whole community blessed the sisters by singing the prayer of the ancient Irish Blessing: " May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand." Sr. Elisa will travel to Rome on Feb. 15.

May St. Joseph, the guardian of Jesus and Mary, protect our Srs. Elisa and Arzila, the blessed women, in these inner, geographical and missionary crossings.