“I am Mee. It means ‘beautiful’ but I don’t feel beautiful now. For four years I’ve been working in this place, sewing trainers…

International Women’s Day
A Reflection

“I am Mee. It means ‘beautiful’ but I don’t feel beautiful now.  For four years I’ve been working in this place, sewing trainers for someone our bosses call NIKE. Fifty of us, all women – young and not so young – work from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and sometimes longer if they’re not satisfied with what we produce. The work is hard. My eyes hurt and my head aches because the light is bad and the air is stale. My neck is stiff from bending over the work bench and my fingers are rough and sore from the needle. The pay is little, barely enough to feed my son and me.
We live with my mother who tries to get some money washing for the people in the big houses. Yesterday she said the women who live there were excited about something they call ‘international women’s day’. But we are always too tired to think of anything and my son is always sad.
Maybe I should have gone with Lien. She begged me to go with her. She was so happy to be going to Europe with that woman who became her friend. She said she would work in a hotel and earn a lot of money to help her family and educate her two children.  I could not go and leave my son. That was four years ago. We have not heard from Lien since. How could she forget her children?”
*****
“I am Irma. I am an educated European woman. I have a successful and fulfilling career. I work on an equal footing with male and female colleagues. I am grateful to my feminist foremothers whose tenacity, courage, creativity and resourcefulness have made it possible for me to do this. On International Women’s Day I celebrate the achievements of women worldwide.
But, I remind myself, it is not enough that women in the west have gained some concessions from the system. There is scarcely a country, not even in the so-called North or West, where women’s rights are fully acknowledged in any sphere of life, and most glaringly in the Church. So, I must not let myself be complacent. The struggle is not over.”
*****
“I am a Holy Family vowed woman. On International Women’s Day I can rejoice in the countless everyday heroines who, with quiet courage, are making progress in all aspects of social, political, economic and church life around the globe, most often against great odds. But, having recently read the shocking statistic that a woman worker in China making trainers for NIKE would have to work 15 hours per day, 7 days a week for 7 centuries to earn what the CEO of NIKE earns in one year, I can’t help asking whether this day is more a time for deep sadness and grave concern than one for celebration and rejoicing. So the day is a reminder of the urgent need for global collective action in asserting women’s rights and working to achieve gender equality. My inspiration to action comes from our 2008 Chapter commitment to ‘Choose Life’. I am committed to seeking ‘with courage and determination conditions of life that will ensure dignity for all’ – for exploited Mee, trafficked Lien and liberated Irma.
Síle McGowan

The sisters of the Holy Family work for the promotion and liberation of women. This work forms part of our common mission and our option for life. There is no better way to describe our work than by sharing these photographs with you.

8 March – Women’s World Day

The sisters of the Holy Family work for the promotion and liberation of women.  This work forms part of our common mission and our option for life. There is no better way to describe our work than by sharing these photographs with you. 

 
 
In Argentina, Zulema leads Bible study groups contributing to the growth in faith of these women.

Here inParaguay Selva, with her background in psychology, guides this group of young women.

 
 
 
In Paraguay, Mercedes and Juanita meet up with a group of women to perfect the art of Ñanduti, typicalParaguayan embroidery.  The production and sale of this work helps women to sustain their families.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo Winie, works with a group of women equipping them with the skills they need to improve their lives.

 
 
“…bringing out all our feminine potential to choose and promote life… 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 taking action, locally and globally, for the transformation of situations and structures that hinder communion.”  (Corporate Commitment)

A centre for the formation of the visually impaired was recently opened in the parish of Mokolo Mboua in the North of Cameroon. The centre is for children and adults from the ages of 7 to 35 and is open to people of all faiths.
THE BLIND SEE

A centre for the formation of the visually impaired was recently opened in the parish of Mokolo Mboua in the North of Cameroon.  The centre is for children and adults from the ages of 7 to 35 and is open to people of all faiths.  It has been functioning for the past two years and there are 22 pupils in the first and second years of formation. The students learn to read and write using Braille and they also learn to do handcrafts such as basket making, embroidery and furniture making.

The director is called Emmanuel.  He is visually impaired himself; is married to Angele and has a daughter called Stephanie.  He always says to me: “I call my wife “light” because she really brought light with her when she came to my house”.

One day I was asked to give religious lessons in the centre. I asked myself how I was to do this.  This was a totally new experience for me.  However in spite of fears, I began the task.  We began by introducing ourselves and then I asked them: Who is God for us? No one has ever seen God, not even those who are sighted.  In this sense we are all equal.  We can only imagine who God is and each one has his/her own experience of God.  God is the One who loves us and has created us in God’s own image.  We see God with the eyes of the heart.  Our hearts need to be enlightened in order to know God’s love.  And God loves us just as we are.

Our first meeting was good and I marvelled at the intelligence and insight of my pupils.  At the end of the year when we did the evaluation, one of them said to me:   

 “Sister what has stayed with me is the thought that even though I cannot see, nevertheless I can see and meet God with the eyes of my heart”.

This was a beautiful, profound experience, which has been engraved on my heart.

Mary Ranee

Community of Nazaret

How is the refurbishment of Martillac progressing? This question has been frequently asked by many people and not only by the sisters and we can give the following optimistic response.

How is the refurbishment of Martillac progressing?
This question has been frequently asked by many people and not only by the sisters and we can give the following optimistic response. Françoise says : ” Yes, the work has begun well and great progress is being made…windows have been converted into doors; the building site is like a cloister and we have been able to enter the “cloister” and see how the work is going.  The project manager is quite proud of the fact that “the building work will bring the apostolic and contemplative groups together.  He is working for the benefit of the Family”, he says.  Huge heavy vehicles arrive by day and by night.  Pavillon Notre Dame is completely cut off.  The plumber is quite happy with this interesting site where “you have to really search among the miles of piping to find the ones you need!”  Anyway everything is going well…”,

For three days during the month of January, the heating had to be turned off and 8 of our contemplative sisters had to move for three days to the Bordeaux communities of Camille Godard and Caudéran. This was a joyful occasion for both the contemplative sisters and the members of the communities – the joy of sharing community life, of getting to know one another better, of praying together and even of attending a parish meeting where participants were studying the Acts of the Apostles. We thought that other cuts might be forthcoming but then, the sun began to shine and the weather became milder…
 

The Holy Family Sisters arrived in Embilipitiya on the 17th of February 1985. Embilipitiya which belongs to the Galle Diocese was then a fast growing town due to the development of irrigation of agriculture as well as industries such as the paper corporation and river valley development board.

A  SHORT SKETCH OF EMBILIPITIYA AS THEY CELEBRATE

25 YEARS OF HOLY FAMILY PRESENCE

The Holy Family Sisters arrived in Embilipitiya on the 17th of February 1985. Embilipitiya which belongs to the Galle Diocese was then a fast growing town due to the development of irrigation of agriculture as well as industries such as the paper corporation and river valley development board.

The Holy Family Sisters were invited by Bishop Sylvester during the time of sister Josephine Mendis the then Provincial Superior. The main purpose of the presence of the Holy Family Sisters was to provide a sound religious education to the children of the Catholic families which numbered 62 family unites at the time. At the beginning, the sisters travelled from Brawakubukka community 17 Kilo meters away from Embilipitiya. Due to difficulties of travelling and the non- availability of facilities the sisters were unable to fulfil the expectations of the parish mission.

With the approval of Sr. Josephine Mendis the Parish Priest under took to build the convent which was blessed by Bishop Sylvester. Three Sisters, Arcadia, Odile and Marie Paul formed the first community. Sr. Odile was given an appointment in Udagama Maha Vidyalaya (College). Sr. Marie Paul helped in the Parish. A pre – school was started by Sr. Arcadia in 1985- 1989 at the request of Buddhist parents. It was conducted in the parish garage until the present pre-school was ready. The pre-school consisting 69 children and 9 teachers was registered under the Provincial act of Sabaragamua. Later due to the religious conflicts parents refused to send their children to the pre-school. The situation however is now changed with the renewal of relationship to the village and visiting families. At present the total number of students has increased to 60.

A Catholic movement for children of all religions known as LAKRIVI was begun in the parish, this is flourishing today.  Here children are formed to improve their talents and abilities; to care for the environment and to work together in harmony. 

A Youth Club was also begun. Youth are motivated to participate in different competitions to improve their abilities. They are taught good behaviour by this organisation.  Youth are trained to organize the morning services and functions. Sometimes there was a lack of participation as some of the homes were far away from the parish.

Social Services too took to a prominent place. Sewing machines and chairs were provided in order to organize training programmes for the young generation, with the assistance of Fr. Sunil Paul and a welfare organisation known as ‘CARITAS’. Buddhist priests also gave their fullest co-operation to develop the rural villages. As a result of the economical downfall of the families the youth were motivated to go for jobs in the garment industry.  

Women’s Clubs were also begun.  In Thorakolayaya, a rural village in Embilipitiya, have 25 members in this club (“Diriya Matha” -Courageous Women). The main purpose of this club is to encourage women to take their due place in the home and in society.  These projects were helped by “SEDEC”, an organisation to help the poor and the needy.  Monthly meetings are held with the sisters and the women are taught the value of co-operation and helping others.  The meetings were conducted in one of the homes of the members. Some of these gatherings last as much as three hours.

These services still continue in the mission. The sisters have been very happy working in this faraway parish where they bear witness of the Catholic faith to a majority Buddhist population. The mission is a model where we can work with all types of religions to uplift the masses and to alleviate poverty.  As we complete 25 years of presence we say   “Thanks be to God for His Mercies.” 

Sr. Thresa Perera, the delegate of Pakistan sent us an email giving us the situation of the country. We share with you the information sent on 7 February:
 
 
NEWS FROM PAKISTAN

Sr. Thresa Perera, the delegate of Pakistan sent us an email giving us the situation of the country. We share with you the information sent on 7 February:

The situation in Karachi is very tense. We were able to take part in the funeral service of the victims of the bomb blast. Our assistant parish priest’s only sister, husband, three daughters and sister in law were laid to rest last evening. One daughter who did not go to visit the sick person in the hospital was saved. She is about 13 years. She is lost and is very quiet. May the Good Lord be her refuge. Life is very cheap and no human values. What is the Lord is asking us? Please keep us in your prayers.

Thresa Perera.

In 1880 Mother Josephine Batide went with some Sisters to Wennappuwa in search of a place for Foundation. It took them a week to go from Kurunegala to Wennappuwa. In September that same year Mother Josephine was transferred to Jaffna and Mother Celeste Marchal took her place.
 125TH JUBILEE OF HOLY FAMILY CONVENT, WENNAPPUWA

In 1880 Mother Josephine Batide went with some Sisters to Wennappuwa in search of a place for Foundation. It took them a week to go from Kurunegala to Wennappuwa. In September that same year Mother Josephine was transferred to Jaffna and Mother Celeste Marchal took her place. She was a dynamic character, ready to do and draw everything from Christ. The following year was disastrous for kurunegala owing to a virulent outbreak of Malaria. This convinced her and the sisters that the Novitiate for the sisters of St. Peter should be transferred to a more healthy place like Wennappuwa. In 1884 October Mother Angel and five Sisters of St. Peter move to Wennappuwa on the 24th where they began a Convent. The five sisters were pious maidens of Wennappuwa area to work later they entered the Novitiate at Kurunegala. They had some experience in teaching and serve as the nucleus for the educational apostolate of the new group of Sisters.  Out of the five two sisters were sent to Katuneriya for apostolic services from Monday to Friday. Mother Celeste was in charge of all the sisters who resided at Wennappuwa.

The sisters took charge of the Girl’sVernacularSchool from January 1885, with 150 pupils. TheEnglishSchool at Wennappuwa began in 1929, under the able administration of Rev. Mother Mary Sacred Heart. The school was well provided with workshops, laboratories and reading rooms and gradually staffed with efficient teachers. In 1932, the school had, 78 pupils, but in a few years it rose to a first rate Institution, with a music department, and boarding facilities.

In 1956, the primary school which was begun as a feeder for the college known as “Santa Maria”. On the same premises, there was the largeSinhalaSchool, which had been run by the sisters, since 1885. To avoid the discrimination between the rich and poor, and in keeping with the new orientations of the Holy Family Association, and also the educational trends in the country, the two private schools were handed over to the government in January 1971, and all were amalgamated with the vernacular school to form two schools, one Primary and the other a Maha Vidyalaya.

The closing down of the novitiate, and the amalgamation of the schools together with the present preference for “small communities”, called for a decentralizing of the large community. Three small communities Retreat House, teaching community and Santha Samaya – elderly sisters home were formed according to the services rendered.

Today, part of this building is used for girls who aspire to embrace Religious Life and who needed help to complete their formal education. The school provide them with educational facilities. Those who have completed their education are given an intensive Course in English to prepare them for the next step.

To meet a crying need of the times, the premises ofSanta MariaSchool, were converted to a Home for poor abandoned, destitute elderly persons. This is one of the gratuitous services of the Province. At present there are 38 such ladies, at “Meth Nivasa” and a community of 6 sisters is in charge looking after and taking care of them.

The former Novitiate premises are now a Home for our elderly sisters.  It is known as “Santha Samaya”. There are 21 sisters growing old gracefully, and peacefully being looked after by the 03 sisters from the Retreat House Community.

The Retreat House is the main convent at Wennappuwa. Sisters are at the service of the people of different categories, young and old, irrespective of caste or religion, national and international levels who came for various meetings and seminars. Their spiritual needs are met with here through retreats – seminars – renewals. The needs of the sisters in the Province too are met by the different celebrations and gatherings throughout the year. It is a Welcome Home for all purposes.

The sisters also serve the parish needs, when teaching catechism to children, and help in the parish apostolate such as teach converts. In this case the elderly sisters take that responsibility and they are very much committed to it.

“Guru Nivasa”, now known as “Suhada Sevana” is the place, where the teaching sisters serving in the two schools reside. There are 5 sisters in the community, out of which 3 are involved in the teaching apostolate. Two are principals in the two schools.

There are 1105 students in the Primary School, and a staff of 31, for the education of the young children. The apostolic aim of the two schools is to animate the students, with the Holy Family Spirit, moulding them into simple, united, loving students and providing them a sure, steady foundation for their future lives. They are provided with leadership camps, and  a variety of programmes, to build their personality, they have been awarded  many scholarships, and have received awards, for sports – dancing , dramas, speech competitions, English day etc.

There are 2270 students, in the College with 79 teachers who are united by the same aim of the school. Good discipline is maintained, and the staff and students try to develop in them, the Spirit of the Holy Family mainly unity in diversity. As earlier, it continues to be one of the best schools in the Diocese, with satisfactory results, at the Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations. There are many doctors, lawyers, engineers and Religious all over theIsland, who have been moulded by the Holy Family Sisters, and the committed staff of the school.

On this occasion, the 125th Jubilee, we join with them to thank God, for the many blessings over us during the past long years.  What the Holy Family has achieved is nothing but God’s work, we humbly say at this moment –

“GLORY BE TO GOD ALONE – THROUGH MARY AND JOSEPH”

« The Eucharist is not an object; it is a Person. It is the Saviour – Christ himself in the very act of saving us » – (Eucharistic Congress, Seville, 1993, 11 Basic Text)

COMMEMORATION OF THE MIRACLE

« The Eucharist is not an object; it is a Person.  It is the Saviour – Christ himself in the very act of saving us » – (Eucharistic Congress, Seville, 1993, 11 Basic Text)

« On the day of the miracle, you came to us as Master and Lord.  You appeared to the Holy Family and you manifested your glory in a blinding light.  You came, just as you appeared to the apostles after your resurrection, and with your hand, you showed us your heart as the source of peace and all goodness… » (P.Lemius)

When God makes God’s self known, God can be seen and heard.  On the occasion of the miracle, Milady Peychaud did not see but she heard.  Father Levinas wrote: “The Word is like a face”.  He also said: “the Word comes from on high” and should be received as a revelation.  Words have no real existence in themselves.  Words gain significance when they are used, pronounced and exchanged with others.

On the 3 February, 1822, Milady Peychaud heard the Lord say to her:

« Honours and the esteem of creatures are like smoke and I am who am and there is only I who am.  Their friendship is like dust and I am who am and there is only I who am.  Richness and pleasures are but mud and I am who am and there is only I who am. »

« I am » in the Scriptures means “God saves”; it is one of God’s names.

The Eucharistic Miracle of 3 February 1822 plunges us into the mystery of salvation.  The Jesus who blesses is the God who saves.  To listen to the Lord is to walk in the light of his Word; it is to choose life!

The Father’s gift has been given to us through Jesus who blesses us, our prayer also comes through him.  Jesus’ word fills our lives and we can offer ourselves with him to the Father.  As we commemorate the event of the past, Jesus’ words, heard by Milady Peychaud, can give us direction for our present and open up the future for us.

In the miraculous benediction of 3 February 1822, it is the Lord Jesus who speaks to us and calls for a response from us, a response of praise.  His appearance cannot be adequately described since it is beyond all human discourse. “It cannot be described but it should never be discounted”.  (J.L Marion)

« It would be beyond us to try to explain the reasons for this miracle and the details surrounding it; It is not for us to try to fathom God’s plans; we should revere them even when we are not able to grasp them fully. » (P.B.Noailles)

“To commemorate is to go progressively deeper into the mystery of the event one commemorates”, writes Marcel Jousse.  This demands contemplation.  To commemorate the miracle of the 3 February 1822 is to respond to the giver of gifts; it means to praise God by loving God, by thanking God and doing God’s will.  Our praise comes from the gratitude we feel in our hearts towards the Lord who has showered us with gifts beyond all our expectations.

We praise you God Alone! You spoke through the burning bush; you gave the same message during your appearance on the 3 February: I am who am and there is only I who am!  We believe in you and we proclaim that all is vanity that you alone are being, power, wisdom, love and infinite perfection.  We praise you, God Alone (P.Lemius).

The Eucharistic Miracle invites us to value what we have received in all simplicity and humility, joy and love.  We give thanks and confess our radical dependence on God Alone.  This dependence, which leads us to thanksgiving, is at the heart of all our Holy Family celebrations.

When God acts, God’s actions are always and forever. They are eternally present and each moment speaks of God’s favour and God’s passing.  Each moment is filled with God’s grace, given to us in all its richness.  The Lord came to bless the spiritual family of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles and gift it with happiness and peace, to encourage it to go forward and to witness that communion is possible.
« We are your family, your heritage, continue to bless us!  You blessed us with the miraculous benediction…you have never ceased to bless us and this blessing has brought an abundance of graces and miracles into our lives… » (P.Lemius)
The Solitude community 
 

The Holy Family Sisters began working in Katuneriya in the year 1885. In the year 1870, when Sri Lanka was still under British governance, permission was given to open Government Assisted Schools.

Holy  Family Convent, Katuneriya  Reaches the 125th  Milepost
 

The Holy Family Sisters began working in Katuneriya in the year 1885.  In the year 1870, when Sri Lanka was still under British governance, permission was given to open Government Assisted Schools. That is how formal education began in the Parish of Katuneriya with about 181 students of whom 73 were girls and 108 were boys. During that time the present convent premises and the parish church premises were all on one ground. The public road separating the premises came into existence later.

In 1886, the Holy Family Sisters who were already in Wennappuwa, began a formal educational institute for girls in Katuneriya. In 1900 there were 245 girls being educated in this school. Today, the school is state- owned and no sisters teach there. But 110 years ago a well established and flourishing school was managed by the Holy Family Sisters. History records that from 1926 to 1932 the school was managed by Sr. Lucilla.  The level of education imparted was of a very high standard. The students had increased by about 360.  Sr. Caitan who was the Principal from 1932 to 1940 had maintained very high standards. The cadjan sheds which were there when the school began gave way to two spacious buildings. There were 14 on the teaching staff.  The parish priest at the time, Fr. Romuald, gave immense help for the development of the school.

1940 to 1943 saw Sr. Antonia as the Principal.  Up to this time there were classes only up to Grade 8. In 1944 classes were begun up to Grade 11.  Permission was given to open up senior classes and thus the school became aSeniorSecondary School. Sr. Emmanuel was the Principal.  In the 1950s the school won many a title at Sports and at Netball.  A science section was also opened in the school. During these years the school was run as anAssistedSchool and managed by the Sisters.  The state took over the school in 1961.  In 1971, the boys and the girl’s schools were amalgamated.  The sisters were no longer working in these schools.

However the apostolic involvements of the sisters continued as Katuneriya was a highly populated area with a catholic population of 15000 people. They worked in the parish helping the catechetic and other commitment of the parish. Sisters services were not limited to the parish only but to the surburm remote places too. Various movements such as ASIPA (community based formation) continue in the parish and our sisters too help.  Adult catechesis also takes an important place.  Adult catechetic and House visiting was done as an essential apostolates.

In 2005 the Provincial Leadership Team decided to close down Katuneriya as there were no teaching sisters in the school and as the access to the teaching profession is difficult. The apostolic services however could continue from Wennappuwa as it is within easy reach. At present two sisters are still residing at Katuneriya and continue the parish ministry till a suitable solution is found regarding the sale of this property.

We are grateful to God for the many blessings that we have received during this 125 years of this existing of its existence and selfless commitment of our sisters.

“GLORY BE TO GOD IN JESUS CHRIST”

Olga Sacoccio is an Italian sister and a member of the Holy Family. She has been working for years with refugees, immigrants and travelling people.

INVISIBLE WOUNDS
 
Olga Sacoccio is an Italian sister and a member of the Holy Family.  She has been working for years with refugees, immigrants and travelling people.  She tells us   about her work and how she experiences her mission

June 20 is a day for reflecting on and becoming more aware of the complex and difficult problems posed by immigration and political refugees.  This is a global reality that is common to all countries and touches us all deeply.  We cannot be indifferent to the suffering of so many young people especially women.

During the voyage, many people die as a result of violence, ill treatment, sickness and hunger.   Women in an advanced stage of pregnancy arrive at the reception centres, exhausted and ill.  

Young people who have lost everything desperately hope to find the work that they were promised but… what work? What house? What future?  Sometimes they do not have the necessary documents, they can speak no other language but the language of their country and obviously this makes communication impossible.   There are “cultural mediators” who are in contact with the consulates of the different countries. But waiting time for these services is long and the suffering and the feeling that they have no one to help them kills their hope and enthusiasm. 

What can they do? When I became aware of all this, I began to work with organisations in Rome, in the Astalli Refugee Centre, run by the Jesuit Fathers.   The aim of the centre is to welcome foreigners and offer them help and support.  Above all the Centre aims to help people keep their dignity as free persons.

Groups of volunteers commit themselves to social work and health care in the centre.  I form part of the local health service, offering first aid to the refugees especially to the women.  

It is not easy to listen to the experiences of these people, to their personal tragedies and moral dilemmas.  Months, even years will be needed before their hidden wounds are healed.

I have also been working for the past few years in a camp for travelling people.  The camp is situated on the banks of theTiber about 4 kilometres from St. Peter’s.   Again it is not easy to work with this group.   It is difficult to enter into and to understand their culture.  Every Saturday I go to the camp to listen to their problems and give them information about the social and health-care facilities that they can access inItaly.  I concern myself mainly with women and young people.  Some young girls have been promised in marriage from the age of 12.  The majority of them have no possibility of choosing their life partner.  Sometimes they have only a day together to see whether or not they like each other and then afterwards the parents of the couple get together to draw up a marriage contract by which the woman becomes the property of her future husband and loses all contact with her original family.   When the young girls have no dowry they are sent out to steal in order to make up for the money they should have brought to the marriage.

Huge work has to be done to help women to be active protagonists in the family and society.  Some women have found work as gardeners in a co-operative; others sell things on the street and others collect used garments and repair them.

The travelling woman is a reference point for the whole clan.  I meet up with the women and we work together to get the children integrated into schools and to access and make use of all the national public services available to them.  

I have established real professional relationships with the travelling families and we have also created true bonds of friendship among us.  Sometimes they invite me to their family celebrations and their traditional nomadic religious festivals.  The simplicity of their relationships and the affection they show are a sign that they feel respected and loved even though they have a different lifestyle from the rest of society.

Sister Olga Sacoccio

Community of Montenevoso