The prayer created the right environment to face the day’s work, arduous perhaps, but necessary to continue with the work begun yesterday.
Two quotations from our documents to guide and give meaning to the work that is to follow:
MONDAY, 30
 

 
 
 
 
Topic: Guidelines for preparing the Report for the General Chapter of 2014.
 
 
 
 
 
The prayer created the right environment to face the day’s work, arduous perhaps, but necessary to continue with the work begun yesterday.
 
Two quotations from our documents to guide and give meaning to the work that is to follow:
 
Material goods are gifts from God destined for all. We accept them gratefully, use them moderately and simply, and are careful to share them. (Const. Art. 26)
 
Reclaiming our connectedness of interdependence to nature can convert us to live caringly and responsibly, and with particular and active concern for those deprived of their just share of its resources. This motivates us to live the ethic of ‘enough’, to take a courageous stand to denounce war, human violence, and all forms of destruction of life on our planet. We cannot live a vowed life without being actively involved in the sustainability of our Mother Earth. (Vowed for Mission)
 
A slide show entitled, “Song of Creation”, an invitation to give praise for everything, expressed the group’s response to the purpose of the day.
The song of creation is a song from the Spirit of God.For everything that lives and breathes on earthwe will sing praise to our God
The depths of the earth, the top of the mountains,sing the song of creation,The wonders of God, the glory of God,sing creation, sing!
The darkness of the night, the morning lightsing the song of creation.The splendour of God, the beauty of God,sing creation, sing!
The mind that seeks, the heart that lovessing the song of creation.The mystery of God, the wisdom of Godsing creation, sing!
 
 
 
 

The aim of the day was to enable the participants to reach a common understanding of the criteria to be used in dealing with projects and the administration of goods.
They approached these topics in the context of the Holy Family Mission with reference to the document, Guidelines for the Administration of Goods (2007).
Saturday, 28 September
 
Topic:    Projects and Administration of Goods in the Holy Family
 
The aim of the day was to enable the participants to reach a common understanding of the criteria to be used in dealing with projects and the administration of goods.
 
They approached these topics in the context of the Holy Family Mission with reference to the document, Guidelines for the Administration of Goods (2007).
 
The Corporate Commitment, one of the steps to help us “move forward together in our consecrated life for mission”, has this to say:
 
Moved by our passion for God’s reign, to discern the calls of the Spirit in the signs of the times,    especially:
In the voice of the poor by committing ourselves with courage and daring to seek with them conditions of life that ensure dignity for all
By being alert to all that destroys and threatens the life of our planet, to work as a body, in close collaboration with the members of our Family and with others to ensure sustainability
By taking action, locally and globally, for the transformation of situations and structures that hinder communion.
We believe these are urgent commitments in our following of Jesus today.
 
Another text that enlightened the reflection was that of José Cristo Rey Carcia Paredes:
 
“The most important characteristic of a religious superior is to be possessed by the missionary passion of God for the world. We do not need managers of institutions and enterprises but authentic prophets who feel God’s love for his people. A religious service of authority touched with this missionary spirit will be able to fire with enthusiasm all the members of the community … The service of authority in the religious community must build consciousness and awareness that we are co-partners with Jesus in his dream for the future of the world. As Evangeli Nuntiandi said, the religious resources and institutions in which we cannot perceive strong missionary inspiration have no reason to be. A service of authority from this perspective of mission is not afraid; it takes risks in searching and finding new paths for mission.”
 
 
 
 
 

THURSDAY 26
During the course of the day, through the reports presented from the different Units, the assembly was enabled to become more aware of the reality of each Unit.  Then in reflection and dialogue the participants as a group took on the responsibility of the Institute as a WHOLE. Therefore the calls that were heard throughout the day were calls from the Institute, for the Institute. 
The day ended with a prayer of thanksgiving for the lights received and the reading of a text from Xavier QUINZA indicating ways forward for the group.
At this time the situation of religious congregations is much compromised.  We are faced with the challenge of institutional restructuring which is necessary and inevitable.  And in facing this challenge we need to take a lucid and generous stance which will move the process forward with courage and discernment because there are no short – term solutions.  We ought not to fix on immediate solutions; the journey is long term.
With this conviction preparing the future involves concentrating on two goals: one long term and the other short term.  But we need to choose between managing present hardship and preparing the future.  The two things cannot be done at the same time.  The future is always new, unforeseen and comes from God.  That future is the long term goal.  But there is also the short term goal towards which we have to aim each day because it is important to think of and imagine what is new in order to be able to fit that which we are now into it.

Wednesday – Thursday: 25-26
Days dedicated to the presentation of the financial reports of the respective units.
Some desires expressed in the prayer ANNOUNCED the day’s theme and gave it meaning and depth.
“Jesus sends us with what is necessary for the journey. We need nothing to witness to what is essential. We want to be free and unfettered, always available, without settling in, and trusting in the power of the Gospel. ”
Holy Spirit, Spirit of Jesus … come like fireA fire that brings out the best in each sister and uses it to serve the communityA fire that purifies us of so many things that surround us 
A fire that drives us to take risks and assume our historic challenge. ”
 _______________________________________________________________
The bursers had already sent the reports which they were to make in response to these questions:
Give an overview of the context of their unit
Its financial situation
Share some considerations arising from the whole report
The sharing of the assembly was not focused on each unit separately, but on the Institute considered as a unified whole.

       
 
The question posed to the group after having heard the sharing of each continent was:
What is the Institute hearing from Asia, Africa, America and Europe, respectively, to enable us to achieve greater effectiveness in the mission?
In the ECHOES to be published once the session is over there will be more about this. For now we are briefly noting the contents of each day.
 
 

International Bursars’ Session
 
24 September 2013
A few words from Margaret at the opening of the session will indicate to us the main aims of the Session as well as the profound content of this first day:
“From the point of view of God’s universe we live in a gift economy and not an ownership economy, everything is there for the common good of the whole and not just we humans. When we try to hold on to what we don’t need, when we have an attitude of possessing, when we consume more than we need, when we see earth and all life on it as objects for our own use and benefit we go against God’s way – and the consequences are destructive of life and sustainability. All that we have – including our gifts, time, energy and talents are at the service of mission – and are to be shared so that all of life can flourish. It is so easy to fall into the way of “ownership” “possessions” “having,” of seeking “more”, seeking wealth and power … trends which are so prevalent in society today and which create division, conflict, wars, more and more people living in poverty, earth being abused, limited resources being used for greed, exclusion, exploitation with little concern for social responsibility, transparency and accountability …
Through our vows we proclaim that an alternative world is possible; by our vow of poverty we show that we recognise that all is gift, and that all people are equal and all have a basic human right to what they need; that it is possible to have a circulation of goods for the well being of all, to live with an non-possessive attitude towards material goods, to contribute to the common good by sharing our talents, the fruit of our work, to live simply, to have compassion and to respect all life on earth and to protect and safeguard it. Earth too has rights. We are drawn into solidarity with the poor, the weak and the vulnerable… He calls humanity to move away from the “globalisation of indifference” to compassion for and solidarity with the struggles of people. A key value our way of life promotes is right relationships expressed in acceptance of diversity, uniqueness and inter-dependence/communion. “that all may have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10) Whether we focus on one vow or the three vows we are ultimately speaking of Love, of that Love that is in the heart of the universe, in all of life and within each one of us and invites us to be co-creators with our God of Love for a new way of being and living as members of Earth community.

 
 
R
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 A WINDOW ON LIFE
 

We have just had a wonderful experience with young people from different parishes, at a summer youth camp for the newly confirmed (11- 16 years ) from 7 –  12 July 2013. This excursion, which in reality was a lovely time of relaxation for our youth, took place within the framework of the objectives our community has decided on to further our ministry. To this end, Jolanta and I were an integral part of the group, through our presence and our contributions to some pastoral activities with the youth.
We would also like to point out that this pastoral activity was organized by Fr. Pierre Labossiere, curate of the parish of St. Charles in which we work.
In all,22 young people, both boys and girls, participated activelyandwith great joyinthe campalong withsevenmonitors,including 3men and 4women.
Three major events struck me personally on which I would like to give my point of view. They are actually my impressions that I want to share with you, namely:
Fr. Pierre’sconcern, despite his advanced age(81 years), toput togetherseveralyoung peoplefrom different backgrounds, so that they might have anew life experience together devoid of any complexes.Thus,in the words ofthe ApostlePaul, there isneither Jew norGentile, black nor white, rich norpoor,because all aresonsand daughters of thesame Fatherwho is in heaven.

A bilateral openness from our youth as well as their instructors in an atmosphere of mutual trust, a clear sign of the joy of living together. This could be observed by a kind of integration of newcomers into the group, but also by their openness to listening to the Spirit of God during times of prayer, growing in confidence in themselves and in others.
The life testimonyof a Quebecwoman of 49 years, a catechistin the parish, for whom this timewas one ofmutual exchange, of totalrelease, of discovery of theactive presenceof God and God’s mercy and forgiveness that is constantly with us.. But mostlyshe appreciatedour witnessof a life given for others andexpresseda desire tocontinue to meet us and discussour lives as fokllowers of Christ.
All in all, the last point of my observation has taught me that we are a multitude seeking God and living by the Divine life, but also the certainty that in Jesus, communion and cooperation are possible.
Finally, I can speak withsatisfaction of my joyin havingbeenpart of thisfirst pastoralexperience, andI trustthat, with Jesus, in ashared commitment toprogress,we can liveandbe his witnessesin this Quebecenvironment.

Aldégonde MBALANDA
Montréal Quesnel Canada  

WISHES FOR A NEIGHBOURHOOD
 
For some years now in France, the ANRU (National Development for Urban Renewal) has been at work in our neighbourhoods demolishing and rebuilding to give these areas a new look. It seemed like a good idea to re-plan them so that they are more human.
Yet, it does not happen smoothly; people have the impression that their neighborhood is being taken from them: “They’re taking everything away from us!” “We want to stay in our neighborhood!”
Change is primarily the feeling of losingsomething. You lose your neighbours because of demolition; you lose the neighbourhood you have known and where your roots are. You lose the crèche that is only a 100 metres away.
How, with this sense of loss, can you be open to building a new life? Losing in order to gain is, for me, the way of any mutation. Our neighbourhood, which has become a ghetto, has everything to gain by opening itself to the outside, inventing new ways and another way of life.
For now, there is a reactionary movement, a defensive attitude being expressed and organised. To be involved in collaboration with the M.J.C. of the adjoining neighbourhood is seen as a danger: “We are going to disappear.”
To commit oneself to new ways is an Easter path. For me today, it means walking with the people of the neighbourhood. Losing what one knows so as to go towards another way of life, to a neighbourhood no longer turned in on itself but one that dares to share with other neighbourhoods, that dares to create another way of living together.
For us at Basseau, Easter is to awaken this desire to live in another way, to open ourselves to a wider life. In every demolition, there is a key to be discovered.
Françoise CHEDOZEAU
Angoulême Community             
 
 
 

On the feast of the Sacred Heart our two Sisters Séverine Kandolo and Solange Boma made their final commitment during the Eucharist celebrated by His Lordship José Moko Ekanga the bishop of Idiofa at which twenty priests and three deacons concelebrated.
OUR SITERS MAKE PERPETUAL VOWS AT IDIOFA
 

 
On the feast of the Sacred Heart our two Sisters Séverine Kandolo and Solange Boma made their final commitment during the Eucharist celebrated by His Lordship José Moko Ekanga the bishop of Idiofa at which twenty priests and three deacons concelebrated.
 
In his homily, the chief celebrant took ‘the human heart’ as his theme comparing the differences in attitudes between a good hearted person and an evil hearted one. He invited the assembly to imitate the qualities of the heart of Jesus:  goodness, tenderness, compassion, gentleness, love, patience… inviting our two Sisters to live their consecration in the same way.
 
We availed of this opportunity to make known once again the story of our religious family and charism to the entire assembly and to share how distressed we were about events which happened to our community at Gungu.
 
  
 Christine FENE FENE
 
 

“I present this to the authorities presented here in all the organizations represented here, very much. And our thanks go to the people of brazil and their president. Thank you also goes to the United Nations.
EASTERN REPUBLIC OF URGUGUAY TO ADDRESS THE CONFERENCE, 
MR. JOSE MUJIC

 
A – “I present this to the authorities presented here in all the organizations represented here, very much.
And our thanks go to the people of brazil and their president. Thank you also goes to the United Nations. 
 
As all speakers I think have spoken before me have said, they as well have expressed their willingness as 
governments to assist all of these agreements that we subscribe to. But having said that, I think we need to 
do some thinking out loud and ask ourselves some questions.
 
All afternoon we have been  talking about sustainable development. And we have been talking about 
bringing huge numbers of people, huge amounts of people out of poverty.
 
So what are we thinking about in all of this?
Patterns of productions and Consumption that we have at the moment are those of the rich societies. 
 
Now, what would happen to this planet, I ask myself if the Hindus were to have the same numbers 
of cars per family as the Germans do? 
 
How much oxygen would be left to breathe?
The world has today the material elements that it needs for people to … Does it have the resources 
to be able to spend as much resources as the rich societies spend and use or not?
 
We need to have a discussion about this. Our civilization has to do with competition and the market. 
Material an expressive process but the market has produced market societies. 
 
Explosive and it’s led to this global globalization.  Which now gives us a planetary wide view of events,
but are we governing globalization or is it governing us? 
 
Can we talk about solidarity and that we are all pulling in the same direction when you have 
economies based on unfair competition?
 
Is that really all about fraternity? Now, I am not saying any of that to deny the importance of 
this event, don’t get me wrong on the con vary. The challenge that we have before us is so huge, 
so encloses colossal.  The great process is political man does not govern today…
 
Does not govern, is not master of the forces they have… man has released. It’s the other  way 
around. Those forces are governing man and life because we didn’t come to the planet to develop 
ourselves in general terms. We came in … we were given life to be happy because life transitory. 
It’s very short. Life is what is fundamental. But, if I … if life is going to run away from me, if all 
I am doing is working to but things to get more if society of consumption is the energy of everything, 
where does this go. If consumption is stopped or reduced, then the economy slows down.  And if the 
economy slows down, then there is stagnation. But consumption is the very thing that is consuming 
the planet.
 
And people want to sell more and more. An electric light bulb can’t last more than a thousand hours. 
Some of them. But there are … we could have lights that could last for longer but they would cost so 
much we couldn’t afford them.  And so we are in this vicious circle of the throwaway society. These 
are political issues. We need to fight for another kind of culture. We don’t want to go back to a 
caveman existence we need to be governed by the market. We need to govern the market itself. 
That’s where I say the problem is really a political problem. And in my humble opinion, I would say 
that the thinkers of old, I’d be curious, Seneca said that a poor person is not someone who doesn’t 
have very much but the person who really is poor is the person that continues to need more and more 
and more and desires more and more and more. 
 
So it’s a cultural concept. So I salute the efforts that have been made here and the agreements that have
been concluded. Some may not be popular but we have to be aware of these issues. 
 
The water  – 
 
The water crisis for example degradation of the environment these aren’t  causes the cause is our model
of civilization that we ourselves have set up and what we have to revise is our own way of living: my 
country has three million inhabitants. Little more. 3,200,000. But we have some of the best cattle herds 
in the world and sheep herds. The best in the world. My country exports meat and milk. 
 
Milk products. L. almost 80% of Uruguay has land that can be used for farming. My brother workers 
were formerly working 8 hours, now they only work 6 hours. But they … then they have to have two
jobs so they end up working more than before because they have to pay for all of the things that they 
have bought, the cars, and other objects. It’s like rheumatism that’s taking over the body and taking 
away the life. Is that … is this the destiny of human life? Development cannot fly in the face of 
happiness, it should promote human happiness, love, human relations, relationships between parents 
and children and friends life is the most important treasure we have and when we fight for 
environment, the first element of the environment si human happiness. That’s what it’s called. 
 
Thank you.    

When the women were rejected by the society Jesus had a special concern towards them, especially to those women who were oppressed by the society. He raised them up and helped them to live in dignity.

COMPASSIONATE JESUS SPEAKS TO WOMEN

 
 
 
 
“Do not weep for me: weep rather for yourselves and for your children” Lk. 23:28
 
 
 
 
When the women were rejected by the society Jesus had a special concern towards them, especially to those women who were oppressed by the society. He raised them up and helped them to live in dignity.
 
Recently I had a chance to visit some of the islands in Kalpitiya. I met a young girl who has a child from her own brother, and they live together. Also there was another woman with eight children from many men. They woman was about 37 years old but looked as if she is 70. No birth certificates available to any of the eight children and, when I inquired about the name of the father, to be included in the birth certificates, she said, “Sister you put the name of the last man as the father to all”. All these women are Catholics. There was a twelve year old girl who was sold to a man, who has abused her many times. She was sold for 250 rupees (less than 2 Euros). A girl who is 18 years old, but still in grade 6, told me her desire to study. She does not have any chance of receiving education in this island. Some of the women help their husbands to clear the fishing nets for long hours but the middle men earn the profit out of their labour. There was a woman who was hiding away with her six children from the husband’s beatings.
 
In a rehabilitation centre, I have contacts of twenty young girls between thirteen to sixteen years of age who are pregnant. When I approached them, they told me how they were raped by their boyfriends and mostly by their family members or close relatives. After the delivery, most of them leave this place of shelter. There was a thirteen-year-old girl, whose pregnancy is seven months. She could not stand with the heavy load she was carrying. She is still in a shock but spoke very slowly with a heavy heart. Some babies were not normal, being born of the same blood. Many of the girls were ignorant of their future. Some said that they were abandoned by their families because of the shame they encountered.
 
I have been visiting the female prison every Sunday. There are so many pathetic stories I hear from women. I meet nearly sixty to seventy women who come for Sunday Mass. After Mass I am allowed to stay about an hour. Some women are imprisoned for murder, especially murdering their husbands and there are many for selling drugs. Others have come due to illegal foreign agency issues. Many sex workers can be seen in the prison.
 
I have met women in the North, especially at Mullikulam. They are war widows. To find a living for survival has become a difficult task for them.
 
I met a group of women in a village at Embilipitiya working in the fields with immense courage to earn their living. “The government statistics have revealed that violence against women has increased by 98% and child abuse has increased by 168% between 2000 and 2013.”
 
My experience speaks loud in the depths of my heart. The words of Jesus echo in me when I see them. “Do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children.”
 
What is our response towards these vulnerable women in our society?
 
Sr. Deepa Fernando