Food –
a sustainable future!
(November 22 home AIAF)

Reader 1: 2014 has been declared the International Year of Family Farming. The General Assembly of the United Nations decided this at the end of last year, under pressure from 360 non-government organisations from more than 60 countries.  
There is a vast movement of public opinion against the amassing of land by the multi-national agriculture industry, and against the difficulty for small farmers and agricultural producers to obtain reasonable prices for maintaining their productive resources (earth, water, quality seed, equipment).
Family Farming is the keystone in the struggle against hunger and poverty, and knowing that the farming population in developing countries comprises between 50% and 80% of the total population, it is obviously crucial to talk about investing in farming at a family level.
 
Full Prayer : Food – a sustainable future!
 
 

GLOBAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS “WELCOME THE OTHER”
The 9th World Assembly of Religions for Peace
will bring Religious Leaders together to collaborate for Peace
On November 20th, the 9th World Assembly of Religions for Peace will convene in Vienna, Austria. The 9th World Assembly of Religions for Peace will bring together over 600 religious leaders, representing all historic faith traditions and every region of the world, to address rising hostility toward the ”other” worldwide.

“Welcoming the Other:
Action for Human Dignity,
Citizenship and
Shared Well-being”

Assembly delegates come from the Religions for Peace network of ninety national inter-religious councils and groups, five regional councils, one world council and global networks of religious women and religious youth. Assembly delegates include Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Indigenous, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Shinto, and Zoroastrian religious leaders.
“Each of our diverse faith traditions calls for people of faith to ‘welcome the other’,” said Dr. William Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace. “This Assembly is an opportunity for diverse religious communities to work together to confront rising social hostility toward the ‘other,’ which takes the form of intolerance, and too often violence.”
Since 1970, Religions for Peace World Assemblies have addressed common threats to Peace and advanced multi-religious cooperation. At the 9th World Assembly, Religions for Peace will identify ways religious communities can “welcome the other” by advancing human dignity, shared well-being, and a more robust notion of citizenship.

TYPHOON “HAIYAN”; HELP PHILIPPINE
 
Haiyan first hit Samar and Leyte, about 600km southeast of the Philippine capital Manila, early on Friday morning. In all, it made six landfalls across the central part of the country, known as the Visayas region. A lot of people lost their homes.
On Monday, three days into the disaster, hundreds of thousands of homeless families are still left dazed, trying to absorb the enormity of the typhoon that killed thousands of people and destroyed entire villages.
After surviving the 300km per hour winds, many victims are now struggling to find food, water and medicine, with the government unable to deliver immediate help in some areas.
 
“I saw a girl drying her books outside. She said her house is gone, and all she has left are her school books.” – Sandra Bulling, Care International
Rescue workers were trying to reach towns and villages on Tuesday that have been cut off, which could reveal the full extent of the loss of life and devastation from the disaster.
Here we give you an email message that Bernie sent to Margret – 
My dear Margaret,
Sorry about the delay in giving you any information. Only today I had the access to internet.
Yes, Sorsogon was affected by the typhoon but not like in Leite and other places. But our people were prepared. We too had very strong winds and rain. And sea was very rough. Our people around the coast evacuated in our Multipurpose hall.
We didn’t have electricity for two days. No buses moved for Manila for two days. We were supposed to go to Manila… Luckily we didn’t travel. God always protect us. Now we heard that there is another typhoon.
Typhoon affected area is terrible. Some sisters shared there experiences and they say still they don’t know whether their family members are living or…very sad. I am just thinking and praying how we can support them, if they request for people to relief support… may be we can… They said some areas are really destroyed no houses or buildings to be seen. Imagine how we can find people there.
Please, pray for all what’s happening due to all natural calamities.
God bless you.
Bernie
More News   =>    JPIC 

Pope Francis’ Prayer for the Families of the World
(Here is the translation of the Holy Father’s prayer for the Pilgrimage of Families of the World for the Year of Faith).

 
 
 
 
Jesus, Mary and Joseph
to you, Holy Family of Nazareth,
today we turn our gaze
with admiration and confidence;
in you we contemplate
the beauty of communion in true love;
to you we commend our families,
so that in them marvels of grace be renewed.
 
Holy Family of Nazareth,
alluring school of the Gospel:
teach us to imitate your virtues
with a wise spiritual discipline,
grant us a clear vision
that recognizes the work of Providence
in the daily realities of life.
 
Holy Family of Nazareth,
faithful custodian of the mystery of salvation:
help us to regain an appreciation for silence,
make our families cenacles of prayer
and transform them into little domestic Churches,
renew the desire for sanctity,
sustain the noble toil of work, of education,
of listening, of mutual understanding and of forgiveness.
 
Holy Family of Nazareth,
reawaken in our society the consciousness
of the sacred and inviolable character of the family,
an inestimable and irreplaceable good.
May every family be a place where goodness and peace are welcomed
for children and for the elderly,
for those who are sick and alone,
for those who are poor and needy.
Jesus, Mary and Joseph,
we pray to you with confidence, we entrust ourselves to you with joy.
[Translation by Joseph Trabbic]
 
 

It is probable that Fr. Noailles meant by that what the French School called the virtue of religion, that is to say, the determination to see God above all else, in everything, to make everything depend absolutely on Him,
A Spirit of Radicality – Pierre Bienvenu Noailles  
 

It is probable that Fr. Noailles meant by that what the French School called the virtue of religion, that is to say, the determination to see God above all else, in everything, to make everything depend absolutely on Him, to situate human beings and action in dependence on Him, a doctrine which is found expressed, in his own way, by Boudon. But nothing could be more erroneous than to see here a doctrine which was simply learned and reproduced. It was a profound, personal, fundamental experience which gave direction to his life.1 Fr. Noailles was a convert, in the broad meaning of the word. In his personal journey, he made an absolute choice of God, and he saw that only He could satisfy the longings of his heart. From then on all else became, not useless, but secondary. He expressed this very well in his personal notes: “I sought among creatures what can only be found in You alone; it is in You, in You alone that one finds this life of the soul which is immortality, this life of the heart which is an immense love… You are the Way; you alone are the Truth. You alone are Life and happiness.
 
“O abyss of love!… O Jesus, how could I fail to love you. Take my heart since you want it. Make of it what you will… may it beat only for you. Be everything for me.” “I propose with the grace of God, to renounce everything on this earth so as to love only my adorable Saviour or to love nothing except in Him”… “May I no longer see anything but you, may I no longer live except in you, O my Lord, my King, only joy of my soul.”
 
This attitude of total gift is perfectly clear and explicit in an article of the Rule of 1844 which we would like to cite here in its entirety: “Following the example of these perfect models (the Holy Family) and to conform themselves to these words of the Gospel, ‘Seek first the Kingdom of God and his justice and all these things will be added unto you’, they will seek above all, to establish in themselves the reign of Jesus Christ; and not only will they always prefer supernatural gifts to temporal advantages, the salvation of their souls to the wellbeing of their bodies, and the glory of their divine master to the esteem of creatures, but they will be firmly resolved to bear all the privations of poverty, all injustices, all persecutions and even death itself, if need be, rather than separate themselves from their divine spouse, the sole treasure of their hearts, the only object of their thoughts. To establish and maintain themselves in these holy dispositions, they will strive daily to detach themselves from all creatures and particularly from themselves; they will accustom themselves to refer all things to God alone and to have only Him in mind in all that relates to their works or to themselves”.
 
This total detachment from themselves is paradoxically the source of great freedom. “In detaching themselves from all that is transient, they will appreciate more the freedom of the children of God and the unalterable peace experienced by those who are attached to Him alone”.
 
And this freedom renders them available, dynamic for the Kingdom of God:
“Good Master, inspire me with this absolute detachment from all things so that I may put myself entirely into your hands. It is then I shall be happy because my happiness will rest in You alone, and nothing on earth will separate me from You. It is then I shall do much good and that I shall save these souls you have redeemed at the price of your blood, because You will their salvation, and that I shall put no obstacle to this holy will”.
 
Later, he will again insist on this radical choice necessary for admission into the Association. In the beginning of the chapter, The spirit proper to the Association of the Holy Family, in the 1851 Rules, he takes up again the text already found in the 1844 Rules7 but here it is preceded by some new words which are particularly emphatic: “What should be especially characteristic of the vocation, not only of the Daughters of God Alone, but of all the Associates or Sisters of the Holy Family is a spirit of zeal and detachment verging on heroism – it is the spirit of God Alone”.
 
Raymond Darricau
Bernard Peyrous
Father Noailles and the Association of the Holy Family
The Story of a Charism
A Spirit of Radicality – Pierre Bienvenu Noailles
 
 

The hamlet of Marawila was blessed with religious faith in 1644, with a crowd of 600 Catholics and 50 school children, who gathered around the first church that was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier.
FOOTPRINTS OF 125 YEARS – SRI LANKA
 

 
The hamlet of Marawila was blessed with religious faith in 1644, with a crowd of 600 Catholics and 50 school children, who gathered around the first church that was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier.
 
The sisters of the Holy Family made their new foundation in Marawila on the 10th of June 1888. Under the direction of Rev. Mother Celeste from Wennappuwa, the four pioneer sisters, Marie du Carmel, M. Xavier, Bernard, and Del la Croix settled down in a part of a house which belonged to a benefactor.
 
For 18 years they had to depend on the generosity of benefactors in the village. Teaching work began under a huge mango tree. Both boys and girls attended their classes in language and religion. The girls received special instruction in needlework, child-care, and cookery.
 
The permanent building was completed in 1929, and then the number of children increased to about 500. By this time a new need had cropped up in the parish. Rev. Fr. Roland Perer, who was the parish priest, asked the Holy Family Sisters to start an English school. Rev. Mother Sacred Heart gave a positive response to this in 1943. There were 18 children to begin with and as there was no proper building, the Kindergarten classes and two special classes, prioritising the teaching of English, were conducted in the convent quarters. By the end of the year 1943 the number had gone up to 36.
 
Srs. Alphonseni, Regina and Loyola served in this school until 1964 and they had 125 pupils by then.
In 1947 the lower classes were dropped and there were classes from FORM 1 to SENIOR.
 
The historical journey of the school took a major turn in 1968 with the reorganisation after the schools takeover. The school was standardised as a Maha Vidyalaya (College) and Home-Science (H.S.C) forms were introduced with facilities to teach Arts, Commerce and Home Science. These were nearly 300 students, and a qualified staff of 13 including two sisters.
 
Today, after 125 years, the Holy Family Sisters have journeyed a long way in their mission, responding to the signs of the times in Marawila and in the country.
 
The main apostolic activity undertaken by the community is education, which is done at various levels. We reach out to the small children in the Nursery who are marking time for a long march in their academic achievements. They also provide an effective entry point to reach out to their families, which is beneficial to guide them in a meaningful Christian life, thus building up the family.
 
The primary school and the collegiate school have gone through a series of transformations and changes in their structure and service. In accordance with the new orientations given by the ministry of Education, our sisters and the staff commit themselves to a ministry of education in order to build up their spiritual life and personality formation through various seminars, retreats, workshops and leadership projects. The heritage of the missionary sisters of the past is preserved with gratitude in these institutions that go under the banner of the Holy Family – thus enthusiastically devoting life and time to make the Good Father’s dream relevant to our times, in our land. It is at these activities that we try to introduce the values of simplicity, generosity and hard work that prevailed in the Home of Nazareth and lay the foundation for a sound spirituality on the new vision introduced by the general chapter – an all-inclusive cosmic vision. At the same time we make efforts to develop their talents – especially aesthetic potentialities, in which they excel.
 
The home for homeless children in Marawila is also worthy of mention. Three of our sisters who are in this home, devote all their time to their welfare, which includes educational, spiritual and social development. The sisters take lot of care and concern to give them the security and shelter that they have lost in their life. There are 38 children here in our care and while helping them to develop their physical talents, we offer them various opportunities for a spiritual experience of God in their own life, in nature and in all the events and circumstances that they go through. We help them to relive the Founder’s dream in their lives, because we know that our Good Father had a special place in his heart for the orphans who were in his care.
Another important outreach is our availability to the mission in the neighboring parish at Mudukatuwa, which is a new upcoming Catholic community. The sister works in close collaboration with the parish priest. Her mission includes parish catechism, services extended to school-leavers, formation of the Christian community in worship and liturgy, education in Biblical studies and proclamation. Much of her time is spent building BASIC CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES and all the spiritual animation involved in this apostolate.  The insights that she gives to the people in simple living, peace, sharing, unity and other values and attitudes of the Holy Family, have brought her close to the people, becoming one of them in all situation of human life – deaths, marriages, youth, senior citizens and to the poor and the needy through the St. Vincent de Paul society.
 
As we count the blessings of the Lord over the past 125 years, we make this a wonderful opportunity of Praise and Thanksgiving for “Mirabilium Dei”. With heartfelt gratitude we can sing “Magnificat” with our early mothers who laid this foundation for the Glory of God Alone; they will join unceasingly with us from Heaven.
 
Marawila Community
Sri Lanka
 
 
 
 
 
 

To continue the work begun at the Pastoral Care of Vocations Session for Europe and Canada last April in Martillac (see ECHOES, 5 April 2013), the team consisting of:
Maria CROWLEY (Britain and Ireland)
Rosi GARCIA (Spain)
Lorette LAFFARGUE (France)
Maria Adela VANACLOCHA (Martillac)
Pastoral Care of Vocations – Europe and Canada
 

 
To continue the work begun at the Pastoral Care of Vocations Session for Europe and Canada last April in Martillac (see ECHOES, 5 April 2013), the team consisting of:
Maria CROWLEY (Britain and Ireland)Rosi GARCIA (Spain)Lorette LAFFARGUE (France)Maria Adela VANACLOCHA (Martillac)
 
will meet again on 5 – 7 October in order to:
• look at the steps taken since the Session in Martillac• prepare a meeting of young people with whom we are in contact, for a reflection process,• see how to move forward with the pastoral care of vocations in Europe and Canada involving the
   whole family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles,• explore new opportunities for contacts and relationships with young people through the social media.
Let us recall some of the words of Margaret, at the opening of the Martillac session:
 
The world is changing very rapidly and the way we live our different vocations is changing – a good deal more slowly – however we need to be aware that as we make our Charism known we must also be open to the fact that others who feel drawn to live this Charism today will need to have the freedom to live it in new ways and we must be ready to “let go” and be open to living with trust and faith, willing to facilitate the evolving of the “new” in response to the reality of our time.
 
“Vocation brings two strands together: the needs of society and the needs of our own inner being. Vocation is often an unfolding process where one step taken leads to another and another with possibilities revealed at each step. Vocational clarity brings with it a life mission, a life work that takes our whole life.
 
 
 

A few introductory words helped us to gather the fruits and deep convictions of the session:
“We have come from different realities and contexts but we are sent on the same misión. We did not come with empty hands nor do we go away with them empty.”
Thursday, 3 October
 
Closing prayer
 

 
A  few  introductory words helped us to gather the fruits and deep convictions of the session:
 
“We have come from different realities and contexts but we are sent on the same misión. We did not come with empty hands nor do we go away with them empty.”
 
Opening the session, Margaret said to us, “When we look at our story from a cosmic perspective we see that everything is gift”. She also said, “the story of the universe reveals three important values that are essential for the on-going process of life – interiority, diversity and communion, this is the way that God is and the way we are called to be”. At the end of the session, let us , trust in the power of Love-Presence acting at the center of our lives. Let us be attracted by love … may its fire transmit an energy that transforms us because love is the most creative power of nature.
 
In this climate of prayer, a question to the participants:
 
What has happened to me during this session? What personal calls have I received for the mission?
 
A simple sharing:
• Openness, change of mentality, hope• Growth in the awareness of interdependence• The mission must become my reference in making decisions and in which not drink.
• The mission should occupy the first place in my mind.• Increased awareness that I am part of a whole.• Increased knowledge that goods are meant for everyone, not just for the Institute, and our mission is
   to see they circulate.• Appreciation for all that we received. Thanks to each and every one of those who have made this
   possible.
 

 
 
 
The assembly processed into the hall.  The first verse of a hymn spoke of an atmosphere of serene joy and trust.
 
“Together singing the joy,of seeing us united in faith and love.Together, feeling in our lives the joyful presence of the Lord.”
 
 
 
 

 
 
After a moment of silence, each of the participants presented a symbol representing her service as bursar. The symbols spoke for themselves: an open book, a sheet of paper, flowers and branches that talk about diversity, lighted candles, life-giving water …
 
The final hymn expressed each  one’s desires their wishes for one another:
May vision and truth companion you
May beauty be in your eyes
May peace fill your being
Love hold you close
Earth give you guidance
Stars give you hope
Blessings of life to you.
 

Aim: To continue the work begun the day before and to evaluate the different documents paying particular attention to “Pooling and Sharing”
2 October 2013
 
Aim:  To continue the work begun the day before and to evaluate the different documents paying particular attention to “Pooling and Sharing” (2011)
 
Morning Prayer centred on happiness.  Where do we find happiness?
 
“Happiness does not come from outside ourselves, from things that we possess, from the power of our group; rather happiness comes from within, from that sacred space within each of us.  We neither are the centre of the world nor are we totally worthless.  Happiness consists in accepting ourselves as we are and choosing life.  Happiness comes when we choose to be what we are; when we accept ourselves as we are here and now and when we choose life as it is with all its joys, sufferings and conflicts.  Happiness consists in living and seeking the truth with others, in community; in taking responsibility for our lives and the lives of others.  It consists in accepting the fact that we are limited but that we can enter into relationship with the infinite and discover the universal truth that transcends all cultures.  Each person is unique and sacred.”
 
Margaret’s words of introduction to the session shed light on the themes to be worked on during the session.
 
“We live in an economy of gift and not in an economy where we are owners….”
 
The group then reflected specifically on:
-The role of the bursar
-The role of the Administration of Goods Team in the different units and at General Level.
 
Some guidelines emerged after the sharing of the group.  These concrete orientations fulfilled the objective of the session: move towards common orientations with regard to the administration of goods.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

This was a day of practical work, continuing the work done the day before on the report that is to be presented to the Chapter. It was centred on the specifics of the reality of each unity.
 
TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER
 

 
This was a day of practical work, continuing the work done the day before on the report that is to be presented to the Chapter.  It was centred on the specifics of the reality of each unity.
 
Concepts such as “change of mentality, “conversion” were mentioned during morning prayer which took the form of a parable that invited us to reflect deeply on our attitudes and draw conclusions for our lives.  Here is the parable:
 
There is a certain kind of crab which lives in a shell, but not the same shell for life. As the crab grows it must discard the old shell which it has out grown or it will die. Changing shell is not easy, for the crab becomes very vulnerable until the new one has grown. When the crab’s shell becomes too thick, too tough to crack open, the crab cannot grow anymore. That is when it dies.
 
Our shells are not as visible as the crab’s, but they are real. Ours are formed by years of habit, shells developed to protect us against others, shells that are shaped by the roles we play. Life is all the time inviting us to change our shell, to risk being vulnerable when, in order to grow, we had to shed one. The alternative is that we hold on to our shell until it becomes so thick that we cannot crack it or grow within it. We may be dead long before we die.
 
The crab shells which we must shed are the false ideas about love, leader ship, authority, about God and on ourselves that we owe to past influence. These ideas have deep fruits in us and are very real for us. If God reveals something about God’s self or ourselves that is different from these ingrained ideas, we are likely to resist or reject it. If we discover new structures we may reject them too because the old ones feel more comfortable.
 
If we wish to change, to become transformed tan renunciation is inevitable.