PROVINCIAL CHAPTER – FRANCE

APRIL 18 - “As a community, we remain connected to the “troubled” world with the creative courage of St. Joseph”. 

We began the Chapter with prayer. We used the Word of God (Jn 21: 1-3, 10-18) and our Constitutions (p. 3, 5, 14) for the prayer. A symbol representing the theme of the Chapter was made and the young sisters invoked the Spirit of God on the assembly through a dance. Sr. Jona Chinnappan, the Provincial superior of France, highlighted in her opening words:

 "Despite the significant decrease in the number of sisters in our Province, the number of deliberative members has remained almost the same".

Due to the Pandemic, the question arose, whether to postpone this Chapter or not? Therefore, we invited the professionals to study our civil statutes. The dates have been reserved. And where will we be in a few months?

God works through our poverty and fragility. He says to each one, "I need you". May St.  Joseph help us “to transform a problem into an opportunity, with creative courage”, as Pope Francis says.

We were very happy to welcome Sr. Sally Hodgdon and the translators who joined us through zoom platform.   Sr. Sally, after speaking about the sisters of the General Council, expressed her strong desire to be personally with us. She invited us to contemplate on Mary Magdalene at Jesus' tomb. She recognized him by the way He called her name. But Jesus did not let her withhold him.  "Get up, there is work for you".

 We visited the tomb of every dead member of the Province in the last three years. Joys and trials. And now, how can we leave this tomb as we are called like Mary, “you are called and must proclaim the Gospel to the people of today? To leave the tomb, takes "the creative courage of Joseph"; Joseph’s FIAT, like that of Mary and Jesus costed them a lot. We too, in all realities such as numbers, age, the pandemic and the projects with Europe, give our "yes" to a possible future. Let us be courageous and persevering like Joseph! "

After the rich inaugural address and the practical guide lines of the Chapter, the re-reading of the action plan of the triennium 2018-2021 was done.

Life and mission in the Province was animated in these three years by meetings of Provincial council, inter-community and groups such as Administration, Retreats, Liturgies, Sisters and Laypeople, Communication and “Future”.

The re-reading highlighted:

- The participation and involvement of many sisters even those who were 86 years of age!

- The missionary zeal waskept alive. Creativity in monthly retreats, liturgies and communication.

We all live through the consequences brought by the covid-19. Confinement for more than a year, face-to-face meetings are not possible, however, it strengthened our creativity!

 In small groups we thought, we made proposals regarding teams and commissions for the next three years.

The day ended with a Eucharistic celebration presided over by Father René Pichon, Episcopal Delegate for Consecrated Religious Life.

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Testimony:

"Thank you Lord, and thanks to the Provincial Council and to all the sisters who organized this event. Thanks for the contact and fraternal friendship. The portrait of Joseph presented by Sr. Sally, helps us to meditate on today and tomorrow. Thank you "(Sr. Claire)

"This day was marked by the joy of the reunion after several months of confinement. It was a meeting with the benevolent gaze of our good father St. Joseph, who always trusted in the will of God. His daily yes encourages us to move forward through storms and sunshine, in our daily life.” (Sr. Elisabet)

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