This year’s World Communications Day falls on Sunday 24 May 2009. The theme is New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.
This year’s World Communications Day falls on Sunday 24 May 2009. The theme is New Technologies, New Relationships. Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship.
Here is an extract of Benedict XVI’s message for the 43th World Communications Day.
 “The desire for connectedness and the instinct for communication that are so obvious in contemporary culture are best understood as modern manifestations of the basic and enduring propensity of humans to reach beyond themselves and to seek communion with others. In reality, when we open ourselves to others, we are fulfilling our deepest need and becoming more fully human. Loving is, in fact, what we are designed for by our Creator. Naturally, I am not talking about fleeting, shallow relationships, I am talking about the real love that is at the very heart of Jesus’ moral teaching: “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” and “You must love your neighbour as yourself” (cf. Mk 12:30-31). In this light, reflecting on the significance of the new technologies, it is important to focus not just on their undoubted capacity to foster contact between people, but on the quality of the content that is put into circulation using these means. I would encourage all people of good will who are active in the emerging environment of digital communication to commit themselves to promoting a culture of respect, dialogue and friendship.”

If you want to read the entire message:

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/messages/communications/documents/hf_ben-xvi_mes_20090124_43rd-world-communications-day_en.html

An historic event for the Holy Family took place on our continent on the 25th and 26th April. In Resistencia (Argentina) there was an assembly of 46 Sisters, two of them contemplatives. In this meeting we launched the Holy Family Network of Latin America. Many Sisters and Councils sent their good wishes and prayers, expressing their union and affection.

HOLY FAMILY NETWORK IN LATIN AMERICA

An historic event for the Holy Family took place on our continent on the 25th and 26th April.  In Resistencia (Argentina) there was an assembly of 46 Sisters, two of them contemplatives.  In this meeting we launched the Holy Family Network of Latin America.  Many Sisters and Councils sent their good wishes and prayers, expressing their union and affection.  During the meeting we remembered sisters who were absent or who have died – sisters who had strong links toLatin America. Some of the sisters who participated in this meeting give us their impressions of this important event.  

…At the beginning of the assembly, some questions arose for us:
How is a network formed? What desires and feelings well up within us at this moment?  What gives us life for which we wish to give thanks?  We, ourselves began formulating answers:
A Network is formed: with simple attitudes of love, forgiveness, availability, collaboration, relating, and co-responsibility…

In the presence of this event we experience feelings of trust, joy, peace and hope.  But also we feel the challenge of opening ourselves up to the wider whole and to be available for all. 
This is why we wish to remain in an attitude of discernment, dialogue and openness.   We hope that this union will enable us to live our Holy Family charism, giving it a Latin American “face”.  May this new beginning be life giving!  May we journey together rooting ourselves in what is fundamental without imposing on one another! May we all feel equally valued in this process and may there be no exclusions; may we grow more and more in a sense of our own identity and with a sense of responsibility not as isolated members but as a community.   Faith in God Alone gives us confidence and hope for the future.  We wish to move forward as members of the Holy Family inLatin America.  We do not wish to be held back.  We are convinced that the Holy Spirit is leading us to life, in spite of differences.  This is a new way of living the spirit of God Alone. 

We give thanks for God’s action in our history during these past 100 years of presence inLatin America as a religious family.  We give thanks for the richness of each country, which fosters the mission; for the whole Apostolic Family, which, with its life makes the prologue to the Constitutions a reality; for the work we do together to build authentic relationships; for the many tasks carried out in humility; for the sacrifices and joys of so many sisters.  The two contemplative sisters said: “ There is one Holy Family monastery in Latin America situated in Argentina. We are always very present during important events in the life of the Family and we keep everyone constantly in our prayers.  We feel very much inserted in this Latin American reality.”

A message sent by Margaret, SuperiorGeneral to the Holy Family Sisters inLatin America expresses the main thrust of this meeting: “…Today marks the beginning of a new way of being Holy Family in Latin America; 69 Sisters from four countries meet together to form a community, a group, a network.  They come from very different cultures and countries, with different experiences and histories.  What makes this network possible? There is no doubt that the answer to this question is a commitment to follow Jesus in the Holy Family.  “ Our religious consecration bears witness that God is the foundation of all life.  It is a sign of Christ’s covenant with his Church and anticipates the time when the whole human race will be one in God” (Constitutions Art. 10)
We have responded to the call to follow Jesus and he invites us to “seek and love God Alone in all things”.  United in mind and heart, we live the same spirituality, which gives us the necessary strength and inspiration to journey together in truth and love.
Second we are committed to the mission, the same mission that unites all the members of the Family all over the world.  The mission is our raison d’ệtre; it calls us to put aside all differences in our world.  It invites us to live unity in diversity.  The gift of diversity and communion in a group such as ours is a great witness for our world today”. 
As we reflect on these words, we hear calls that lead us to interrelatedness, to an appreciation of plurality of cultures, to interdependence and new relationships characterised by forgiveness and a desire for integration.  We are called also to grow in responsibility as members which gives us a greater sense of belonging.  We need to accept our fundamental responsibility to promote life with a new cosmic vision and to move forward together, step-by-step, day-by-day along the paschal path.
We formulated some possible responses, responses that are quite concrete, and centred very much in the present.  These responses focus on mutual relationships, community life for mission, the new cosmic vision, the promotion of life and choosing life in very specific ways.  The atmosphere in the meeting was one of simplicity and truth.  As responsible members at the service of the common mission of communion, each one expressed what she hoped to offer to enable us all to go forward as Holy Family inLatin America. The assembly ended with a Eucharist within which the installation of the council of the Holy Family Network inLatin America took place.  Lay Associates, Contemplative and Apostolic Sisters were present at the Eucharist. 

Despite the enormous difficulties and challenges presented by the war situation in the North and East of Sri Lanka, every effort seems to be made to “choose life” and not postpone important events.
Despite the enormous difficulties and challenges presented by the war situation in the North and East of Sri Lanka, every effort seems to be made to “choose life” and not postpone important events.

Our Sister, Jesumary Arulappan, made her final Profession in Cheddikulam, near Vavuniya on 13th April.

Jesumary comes from Keerisuddan, Madhu, but for some time now, her parents and family members have been refugees in a displacement camp in Cheddikulam. Their movement is very restricted, so they could not attend her Profession in any of the places where there is a Holy Family Convent. Fortunately, when the Provincial Council decided that the Profession could take place in Cheddikulam, permission was granted for the Catholics in the camp to attend. Here, Yolande Mathias Provincial of Jaffna gives us a brief account.

“By the grace of God the Final Vows celebrations went on very well, just as we had planned. It was a simple but meaningful celebration. The parents and family members of Jesumary were given permission to participate in the celebration. Our thanks to the Security Officers who made it possible. All the Catholic families at the camp too were allowed to attend the Eucharist. Their presence added a special meaning to the celebration. Bishop of Mannar Rt. Rev. R. Joseph, who knows her family, was happy to be the main celebrant, and in his homily he mentioned that he too was happy about the way it was done. Jesumary’s sister’s child, a baby of 6 months, is in Vavuniya hospital, so sister’s family was absent. Her other two younger sisters who were at Ilavalai Hostel (near Jaffna, a considerable distance away) were able to come with one of our Holy Family Sisters. It was the first time they had seen their parents in four years. More than 60 Sisters were able to be present. The parish priest and his two assistants were at our beck and call to do the necessary arrangements, and the community of Charity sisters who are stationed at Cheddikulam, very close to the camp, was very helpful as we had no community close by. For two days before the Profession, the weather was very bad, but thankfully the day itself was fine.   God’s ways are wonderful. We felt God’s providential care in everything.

We were happy to provide food parcels to all the people who came from the camp. We also gave a picture of the Holy Family with a prayer and rosaries to each family. We could witness their happiness mingled with sadness.

We felt your prayers and your oneness with us in our joys and sorrows. May the peace and joy of the Risen Christ fill your heart and remain with you forever.

The situation of the people trapped in the Vanni Region of Sri Lanka, caught in the crossfire, and then herded into displacement camps in and around Vavuniya (central Sri Lanka), has been very much in the news over the past weeks.

Introduction

The situation of the people trapped in the Vanni Region of Sri Lanka, caught in the crossfire, and then herded into displacement camps in and around Vavuniya (central Sri Lanka), has been very much in the news over the past weeks.

Here we share with you an extract from a letter written to Sr. Yolande  (Holy Family Provincial, Jaffna)  by Sr. Theophane Croos, who had volunteered to help at the Government hospital in Vavuniya that was struggling to cope with the number of patients from the Displacement Camps struck down by chickenpox, and isolated in one hospital.
GovernmentHospital, Poovarasankulam, Vavuniya
28.03.2009
After two weeks I am happy to write you my experiences in a few words. From the time I leftColombo on the 13th March I have been very happy to do something for our people. I have experienced God’s help and support in each incident and even in small events.
On the March 14 I received permission to go toPoovarasankulamHospital, where they were dealing with a chickenpox epidemic among the displaced people. On March 16 we started to journey with our struggling people. They are from all camps. Even small babies have been infected. The small ones come and hold our hands. The men and women come very close to say or to ask something privately. They cannot clean their place. So we do the outside cleaning in the morning. Sometimes they feel sorry for us. But we happily advise them. Some who are bystanders come and help in the cleaning. Mostly we Sisters do it. Two Good Shepherds Sisters (Sinhalese) and two Holy Cross Sisters were there with me. The Holy Cross Sisters sometimes went to their community, and we stayed with the Good Shepherd Sisters in their convent. After few days a couple happily offered their house to us for 3 months. Sr. Concepta – Our Sister Regina’s sister, helped us to find this couple and their house. I was so happy to see their willingness and generosity to offer their house with a big garden without any conditions. We cleaned it up with the help of the boarders from the Good Shepherd convent. CARITAS provided some money for our food expenses.  On 17th evening we arranged things and prepared noodles for the night. Three Apostolic Carmelites Sisters joined us in the new house on the first day itself. We were six, and the next week one Holy Cross Sister stayed with us. Three Salvatorian Sisters visited with two young Sisters. Now we are eight here in this house and two Holy Cross Sisters come from another place to work. Now there are more to share the housekeeping chores. We try to cook for noon and with one family’s help we manage morning and night.
We go to the hospital at 8.a.m and come home after 12 or 12.30, usually under a scorching sun. Again we leave the house at 4.30 /5.00pm and come back  8.30 or 9.00. We take it in turns to stay in twos from7.30-10.30 p.m. At the beginning we found it tiring but now we are used to it. Our Intercongregational community was visited by the Jesuit Refugee Services Director and two SJ priests. One priest came with a group of people and offered 25,000/- for the people. Valvothayam (Mannar) and JRS are providing things to be distributed to them. We share them according to the needs.
Two weeks ago the number of the patients was 1,200. This week it is nearly 700. Hopefully by the end of April it may go down. Nowadays the patients are coming from Omanthai- straight from the Vanni area.  Each one has his/her own story – pathetic stories to relate. They are coming in terrible conditions. As they share, they have to deal with very difficult feelings. Some say “It is a miracle that I am alive.” Most of them said that half of the people who came with them had died “but God protected and saved us!”
We bring all of these stories to our prayer. The feeling of helplessness is very strong. The Government workers are so depressed. We also keep them in our prayers. Some worry about the past, and some worry about the future; others are worrying about their dear ones who are still inside Vanni. It is very hard to hear their stories. It is very painful to see them crying and begging. But God helps me to be a courageous woman to be with them, and to listen to their pain. I am very glad to be here; I am keeping well and am happy to carry out this ministry. Thank you very much for allowing me to share my love with the least, for giving me this great and wonderful opportunity to be with our broken-hearted people.. I am so grateful to you dear Sisters.
Sr.Theophane Croos

What Kind of religious life are we formining for? This was the main theme of a meeting of temporary professed of Latin America which took place in Peru last January. We hope that what follows may give you an idea of the experience of our Sisters at this meeting.
This was the main theme of a meeting of temporary professed of Latin America which took place in Peru last January. We hope that what follows may give you an idea of the experience of our Sisters at this meeting.
The meeting of junior professed sisters of Latin America provided an excellent opportunity for the six Holy Family temporary professed sisters fromLatin America to meet up. The majority of us had made our Novitiate together.
On the first day, we shared our experiences. On the second day we got to work. The main theme was “What kind of Religious Life are we forming ourselves for?”
Two sisters from other congregations, one of them the President of the Conference of Religious of Peru, helped us in our reflection.
Both interventions helped us to become more aware of the situation of the world today, how we place ourselves in that world and the causes of the present crisis in religious life.
Another important point that we reflected on during this meeting was: how modern culture penetrates our communities and influences the way we live our lives. The rhythm of change is very rapid and we cannot always assimilate everything that is presented to us. The following of Jesus is a process, and numerous, rapid changes can sometimes interrupt this process. We find it difficult to discern, both at community level as well as at a personal level and at times we do not know how to face up to life’s difficulties. The cause of this is that we are formed for post modernity, which is very much characterised by individualism, a centring on oneself and onone’s own pleasure. The body is very much overvalued. However there are also positive values in today’s culture, which can enrich us: gratitude, solidarity, collaboration with others, the value of democratisation and globalisation.
During the second part of the meeting we concentrated on what is specifically our own way of living religious life. The texts that helped us to reflect were “Creating new relationships”, and “Role of the member: sense of belonging to the Holy Family. We met –Selva Encina from Paraguay, Adela Fernandez andTere Beck from Argentina and Vanda and Maria from Brazil and we shared at a deep level on our images of God; how these images are formed in us; what traces remain in us at the present time and what helps and hinders us in our relationship with God. We also looked at how important it is to feel ourselves to be true members of the Family and how we can carry out our responsibility as members.
We reflected on fidelity and we realise that it is very important to be very clear about our reasons for entering Religious Life. We realise that the society that surrounds us has very different ideas about fidelity and we felt invited to ask ourselves: How do I perceive fidelity?
During those days we had the opportunity to spend an evening with the lay associates and with the sisters of the Delegation of Peru and we felt very much in family. We had a very pleasant evening together.
On ending we have to say that this meeting was extremely profitable to us in our formation. We wish to thank very sincerely all the sisters who made it possible for us toparticipate.
(Source: Article written by Luciana in “Informando”, the news bulletin of Brazil)

The strong earthquake in Italy, more specifically in the Abruzzo area, happened just at Eastertide, the time when we were celebrating the resurrection of the Lord who brings us new life. It was a catastrophe of immense proportions: 294 people dead,
The strong earthquake in Italy
It has been a time of contrasts in Italy – a time that is really testing our faith. The strong earthquake in Italy, more specifically in the Abruzzo area, happened just at Eastertide, the time when we were celebrating the resurrection of the Lord who brings us new life.  It was a catastrophe of immense proportions: 294 people dead, more than 1500 wounded and several thousand families left homeless and penniless. 

In spite of the continuing tremors and the ongoing threat of more deaths, life triumphed in the many gestures of solidarity from all corners of Italy and from the very people who were witnesses of the tragedy.  In spite of everything people look towards the future; to the rebuilding of dwellings and to getting up and moving forward, to live again, even though for many it will be starting from zero. 

These events, which touch us deeply help us to understand and to become more close to people in other lands, who are living in the midst of war or who are suffering the effects of natural disasters which claim lives and leave hundreds of thousands of people without homes or possessions. 

Through this web page, we wish to enter into solidarity with them, with all those people who live in temporary dwellings and in very precarious conditions; with those who have lost dear ones and yet have the courage to continue living.  We wish to contribute in some small way to ensure that life continues to grow and flourish, even in conditions where death seems to hold sway.  It is evident that Life conquers death.  Christ has truly risen and shows himself to us here and now!

Today we wish to share something of our life with you. Moved by the desire to choose life, several sisters have committed themselves to doing some voluntary work according to their possibilities

Choose life, create life

The community of Villa Elvira, a community of retired sisters has sent us this article.
Today we wish to share something of our life with you.  Moved by the desire to choose life, several sisters have committed themselves to doing some voluntary work according to their possibilities.

There is a residence for retired people near our house.  It is called “Aita Eche” and two of our sisters visit there on a regular basis.  Their presence is greatly valued.  One of them prepares the room with everything that is necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist with the residents on Saturday evenings.

Another sister entertains the residents with games …and everyone has a very good time.

Not far away there is a centre for people with mental health problems.  It is called “Gizalde”.  The residents here need specialised care and a good deal of attention and one of our sisters gives several hours of service here.

In a nearby parish, another sister works with an organisation called “Manos Unidas

Our house is open to groups.  In winter the large chapel is used as a dormitory where a team of volunteers welcome the homeless.  The homeless are served with hot soup before resting for the night.  A sister sees that they have clean clothing and another sister works with the volunteers when it is her turn.  The same sister also works in two other centres of Caritas.

This, for us is Choosing Life and Creating Life

For a long time now, the Council has contemplated adapting our archives to the new technologies in order to make them more accessible.
For a long time now, the Council has contemplated adapting our archives to the new technologies in order to make them more accessible. This is why they contacted a group of experts on the subject, called “Mnemotique”. This group started in Maredsous Abbey in Belgium and its founder was a monk. Today it is made up of lay people who are highly specialised in history, romance and classical philology and computer and archivist engineering. Two members of the group stayed 3 days in the General House working in the archives especially on historical documents and some particularly unique and valuable documents. They congratulated us on how well our archives were classified and preserved. And here we remember and give thanks to the many sisters who worked in the archives. It is thanks to them that we can continue a work that is endless. These sisters have begun a work which, as you will understand, cannot be done in a day or two. It is a work of years and it is very important that we continue to protect, preserve and keep up-todate our patrimonial treasure.

Second Year Novices Arockia Mary, Vimala Kumari, Salomi, Shireesha, Philomina and Princy were to go to North East for their Missionary Experience.
Second Year Novices Arockia Mary, Vimala Kumari, Salomi, Shireesha, Philomina and Princy were to go to North East for their Missionary Experience. They were placed in different parishes at – Mariani inAssam, Khonoma in Nagaland, Borduria in Arunachal Pradesh. Here are the impressions, experiences and calls of two novices Salomi and Shireesha.
We are happy to share our experiences inMarianiParish, Assam. We were under the guidance of Fr. Ceasar, the Parish Priest. In Mariani Parish there are 15 villages and these villages are surrounded by tea Estates. The people (Adivasis or Tribals) have come from different States of India in search of employment and they are kept as slaves by the Estate Owners. They receive daily wages and lead a hand to mouth existence and are not in a position either to take care of their children or to educate them. Though they live a hard life they are happy, generous in sharing what they have. Whenever we visited their houses, they received us warmly saying ‘Jai Jesu’. According to their custom they washed our hands and served what was available in their houses.
We felt that these people need the service of the committed people in order to lift them up from their primitive mode of life. We spent there about a month, mingling with the children in the nursery school and teaching them. In the evenings we visited families and they openly shared their joys and difficulties. Whenever we visited them we were reminded of the words of St Peter “I have no money at all, but I give you what I have. In the name of Jesus….”. The promise of Jesus “I am with you” was our strength. On Sundays we went to a particular village to conduct Sunday service and to preach the Gospel where the Parish Priest could not go. In this situation we placed our trust in the providence of God and stood firm in our faith. People encouraged us and accepted us and our message. In this manner we came to know people faster.
In another village we participated in the blessing of a new Church. Together with the Holy Cross Sisters we taught hymns to the children and the opening ceremony went on very well. We found that the people were open and very cooperative. We were happy to be in this Parish for Christmas and New Year. With the people we also joined in their singing and dancing and enjoyed the Christmas celebration. We like to say that our Gospel Ministry among these people was a challenging one. When we look back and examine all that had taken place we feel that God had carried us and helped us to do our best in an unfamiliar ground, among unknown people. We are convinced that God needs us to reach out to His people and He will use us as His Messengers in the way He chooses. We need to prepare ourselves to opt for a challenging missionary life. We are grateful for the opportunity given to us.

A group of Greeks, probably pagans, approached the disciples with an admirable request: “We would like to see Jesus.” On hearing this request, Jesus responded with a vibrant discourse in which he summarized the profound destiny of his life. The hour has come. Everyone, Jews and Greeks, will soon understand the mystery of his life and death: “When I am lifted from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself.”
DRAWN TO THE CROSS

March 29. 20095 Lent (B)
John 12, 20-33

A group of Greeks, probably pagans, approached the disciples with an admirable request: “We would like to see Jesus.” On hearing this request, Jesus responded with a vibrant discourse in which he summarized the profound destiny of his life. The hour has come. Everyone, Jews and Greeks, will soon understand the mystery of his life and death: “When I am lifted from the earth, I shall draw all men to myself.”

When Jesus is lifted upon a cross and appears crucified onGolgotha, everyone will understand God’s inscrutable love; they will understand that God is love and only love towards all people. They will feel the attraction towards the Crucified. In Jesus they will understand the ultimate manifestation of God’s mystery.

To reach such state, naturally, one must have heard much more than the doctrine of Redemption, and much more than following the services of Holy Week. We have to concentrate our interior eyes upon Jesus, allowing ourselves to be moved by the final gestures of the Crucified, as he surrendered his life for a better world for all; a world that finds salvation in God.

Probably, however, we shall discover the real Jesus only when we are drawn to him, as he surrenders to his Father, and delivers his life in order to suffer and die so that others may have a better life. It was then that we heard Jesus say: “If a man serves me, he must follow me, wherever I am, my servant will be there, too.”

Everything starts from the desire to serve Jesus, collaborate in his task, living only for his project, and follow him in his footsteps, in order to imitate his gestures and the various ways in which God loves us. It will be only then that we shall become his followers.

In other words, we must share in his life and destiny: “wherever I am, my servant will be there, too.”  To be a Christian, one has to be where Jesus was, be occupied in the things Jesus did, achieve what he achieved, and hang from the cross as he did, and later be at the right hand of his Father.

What would the Church look like if it were attracted by the Crucified, motivated by the desire to serve Him alone, and be occupied in the things that kept him always occupied? What kind of a Church would be able to attract all people to Jesus?

Author: Jose Antonio Pagola