On 13 December, seven Sisters from the Generalate attended a Eucharistic Celebration to mark the opening of the Leadership Programme for Women Religious, at the Rome branch of Duquesne University, based at the Generalate of the Holy Family of Nazareth. The main Celebrant was Cardinal Francis Arinze.
The Leadership Programme for Women Religious

On 13 December, seven Sisters from the Generalate attended  a Eucharistic Celebration to mark the opening of the Leadership Programme for Women Religious, at the Rome branch ofDuquesneUniversity,  based at the Generalate of the Holy Family of  Nazareth. The main Celebrant was Cardinal Francis Arinze. In his homily he insisted that leaders should draw people to the Lord, and not to themselves; they should empower others so that they themselves become dispensable; they need to know how to guide the community and how to deal with complicated situations with wisdom and compassion. The Mass was coloured by various cultural contributions.  

The Leaders of the Mission Project Management Board welcomed the students to the Programme: Master of Science in Community Leadership. Twenty five sisters, drawn from thirteen religious congregations across the four continents, have been selected for admission to the programme. Their countries of origin or of apostolic ministry are: Bangladesh, Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Uganda and Vietnam. Sisters Colleen Moore, Kumudini Dassanayake, Shanthi Simon, Deepa Fernando, Jeevamalar Philip and Monica Perera are participants from our Institute. Let us support and encourage them by our prayers and by our Founder’s word… “Go forward! There is nothing now that can check your course.”

I bear the seeds of life within me, but a few have
taken possession of me; they want to take more from
me than I am able to give.

Do you remember the seed that we sow in theGeneral Chapter?
Beginning of the Chapter 
 
  At the end of the Chapter
             

 
I bear the seeds of life within me, but a few havetaken possession of me; they want to take more from me than I am able to give. (Ez. 36,28)
 

Today …..
        
 
Since then many seeds died but there are some that chose to produce fruits. Let us bring the seed of our life to God and drink water from the eternal source. Then we can flourish in God’s garden.

“The love of God revitalizes us… He has engraved us on the palm of his hand… Our fidelity is supported / held by the fiedelity of God”.

A “yes” always

 
“The love of God revitalizes us… He has engraved us on the palm of his hand… Our fidelity is supported / held by the fiedelity of God”.  

This was expressed by Otilia and Karina during the lived experience of their preparation for Perpetual Profession in Peru. 

Otilia Franki made her Perpetual Profession on the 1st November in the parish of Quitilipi (Argentine Chaco). Karina Miranda will make her’s on the 13 December in the district of Commas where she lives and works.
 

“Inter-Congregations of North and South of Sri Lanka” consisting of 18 women and men members set out for an exposure programme to the existing refugee camps in Vanuniya and Mannar areas. It was planned for 15th–20th Sept. 2008, organized by RJPR

We received this information from the members of an Inter-congregational group from the  North and South of Sri Lanka who have visited these areas.  

“Inter-Congregations of North and South of Sri Lanka” consisting of 18 women and men members set out for an exposure programme to the existing refugee camps in Vanuniya and Mannar areas. It was planned for 15th–20th Sept. 2008, organized by RJPR (Religious for Justice Peace and Reconciliation).
In fact the main motivation for organizing this outreach was hearing the media release by the Government that the people of Vanni (LTTE-controlled area) would be crossing over to Vavuniya. (Government controlled area) and that preparations were being made to accommodate them. On their arrival in Vavuniya the said group was shocked to realize that what they had heard and read were mere propaganda. Still the members divided into two groups and went their way to the existing refugee camps in Vavuniya and Mannar.
The people in each camp have their own unique stories. A group living in a place known as Thandikulam on the outskirts of Vavuniya related their story, which goes back 50 years. They were driven from Colombo,Kandy, Matara and Kegalle during the 1958 riots. Eventually all these IDP (Internallly Displaced People) were given plots of land to settle on. The sad part is they still do not own the deeds to such lands nor possess any other authorized document. Since their ownership has not been validated they continue to worry about their children’s future. Another group of IDP in this area has lived in huts since 2002.
The people in Sithamparapuram too tell a similar story. While the group was there, two priests and a nun arrived from Vanni where there had been heavy shelling and bombing. The group was touched by one of the experiences related by the nun. She had to come to Vavuniya with the van which had been damaged in an accident (in which thankfully nobody was seriously hurt). Before she set out, the community members, three of them, held each other’s hands and prayed for a safe journey. Knowing the situation of the country and the frightening journey which lay ahead of them, the unspoken words and feelings arose from the possibility that they might never meet each other again. Their trust in God’s providence and in one another was great.
The visit to the refugee camps in Mannar area caused the group to ponder. They were heartbroken to see the set-up of the camps which are the new residences for IDP. Most of the people who live in these so-called camps have come from the Vanni area. These camps look more like open prisons than residences, as they are situated behind barbed wire. The people are kept inside under military control. The IDP have no freedom of movement. The priests, religious and relatives are seldom given permission to visit them. The group was not even given permission to visit one of the camps. There are no words to describe the inhumanity of the condition of these people. They are even frightened of being abducted within the camp itself. The all-important question is, who is responsible for the welfare of these people? To whom will they go to plead for Justice? Is there any response to the cries of our sisters and brothers in distress?
The Lord Yahweh said, “I have seen the misery and heard the cry of my people…” Moses responded to the call of Yahweh.
It is time for us to wake up and respond as Moses did. The Lord is with the Suffering. The Lord Himself knows what it means to be displaced. He is calling for more and more “MOSES” to set our people free!

There are times in the life of a community when life seems to have a deeper, more intense quality. Such was the case on Saturday 18th October…

104 years… HAPPY BIRTHDAY ,
Marie-Hélène
                                     

There are times in the life of a community when life seems to have a deeper, more intense quality.  Such was the case on Saturday 18th October…

This was truly a deep sharing of memories.  Old age does not necessarily mean loss of memory but rather it can be a ceaseless spring up of life within us.
A joyful event took place in the community of the Sablonnat     
on Saturday the 18th of October 2008. 
Sister Marie Hélène Meridier celebrated 104 years of age!!

                                                       1904-2008. She sat, happy and smiling in her wheel chair.  Sisters Marie Dominique, Mickael, Marie Laurent, Marguerite were also there in spite of deafness and blindness in the case of some.  The community room was beautifully decorated with bouquets of flowers.

Marie Jose wished Sr. Marie Hélène a very happy birthday as we all sang in unison:  “Happy Birthday Marie Hélène”.  She smiled and said thank you and suddenly the telephone rang!  It was a former pupil, Corine, who now lives in America.  They had a short conversation and we were all very moved at this affectionate gesture on the part of her former pupil whom she knew from the age of 12 years.

We continued our sisterly meeting with a much appreciated meal and we were united in celebrating with great joy such a momentous occasion.

At the end, together with Marie Hélène, we prayed together and sang the Ave Maria.
Sablonat Community (Bordeaux)
Marie Helene, we know that up until recently, you loved to listen to extracts from Maurice Zundel’s book.
As a gift for your 104th birthday, we wish to re-read with you some texts that express your deepest convictions.
‘The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Gospel of that complete liberty which can only be realised in total liberation. To be free means that I will be free from myself; I will no longer be turned in on myself; I will no longer be a slave of my possessions; rather I can create a limitless space where the entire universe can be welcomed.
We are on really solid ground when we affirm that freedom makes no sense unless it includes liberation – an infinite, creative requirement. This creative requirement is within us when we come face to face with the presence of ‘that beauty ever ancient, ever new’, which so delighted the heart of St. Augustine.’
Maurice Zundel Un autre regard sur l’homme (Fayard)

To Know Marie-Hélène, read her testimony in Agape N°34

Today however, it seems that the time is right to respond to the wish of Monsignor Misago to open a Holy Family community in his diocese and specifically in the cathedral parish of Gikongoro.

*/

For quite some time, a second community in Rwanda was being considered.  The Sisters have been in Rushaki in the diocese of Byumba for ten years and it was thought that we needed to open ourselves up to other realities.  There were sufficient sisters to open another mission but the demands of formation and of studies did not permit the early realisation of this dream of opening another community.
Today however, it seems that the time is right to respond to the wish of Monsignor Misago to open a Holy Family community in his diocese and specifically in the cathedral parish of Gikongoro.
The Bishop wrote the following to us in December 2007: “ I would like this dream of a new community to be realised as soon as possible.  Up till now, in fact, in the town of Gikongoro, which is where the Bishop resides, there is as yet no religious community, which is engaged in pastoral work among the local population.  Your project to move outwards towards Gikongoro is very opportune.   This initiative makes me very happy and gives me great comfort.
The Sisters of the Holy Family will be very welcome in Gikongoro.  They will have plenty of pastoral opportunities and their presence will be very welcome to the Christian community here, as well as to all people of good will.  When they are settled they will discover different needs among the people, and there will be many calls to be answered according to the charism of the Congregation”
In February, the objectives were set and the project of a new community became reality.The new community is a community of insertion, close to the people.  We have not gone there to found new works, but rather to collaborate with others.The community will take responsibility for the formation of the pre-novices who will benefit from the formation taking place at Butare.
Joaquina, Agueda, Christine, Scholastique will be members of the new community.For the moment, the sisters will live in property belonging to the diocese.It is quite a coincidence that the Cathedral is dedicated to the Holy Family.
So the Sisters have been in Gikongoro since September 14th.  Communicating with Rwanda is not easy and we hope for more extensive information about the beginnings of this new community in the future.
 

Bishop Misago

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
the house where our sisters live

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Christine and Joaquina in the cathedral

We gathered in the prayer room at 5.45 pm where the picture of the Founder had been decorated. The General Council led us prayerfully in the celebration.
Let us celebrate…

We gathered in the prayer room at 5.45 pm where the picture of the Founder had been decorated. TheGeneral Council led us prayerfully in the celebration. As we informed you earlier, the celebration had a triple purpose:

Ø     TO WELCOME EACH OTHER as a community. Together we form a sacred community of life whose source is our Trinitarian God, who is Love-Communion.
Ø     TO CELEBRATE the start of our journey together in the service of the mission entrusted to us.
Ø     TO RECEIVE the crosses which remind us that we inherit a common story, written day by day, which has roots deep in the Paschal Mystery.

 The M. Carmen Vilardell drew our attention to the theme of
                          I am who  I alone am.
The Mystery of God in our lives, in history, in the whole of Creation was reflected in an inspiring Powerpoint presentation.
Creation is ceaselessly in the process of becoming, and in this becoming, our Planet Earth holds within it “all the potential necessary to become our home, our house, a global village, a place of relationships and alliances.” (José Cristo Rey Paredes, CMF, La Vida Consagrada en perspectiva ecológica)
After the reflection, a symbolic new invitation was given to enter into the dance of relationships, celebrating the beginning of a new stage. That means we are not starting from scratch, because our life and our story are connected to the life and the story of those who have gone before us.
“A CALL WHICH DYNAMIZES US AND INSPIRES US TO MOVE OUT”

Life is not static. It changes, and it changes us; it shifts, and compels us to shift. Our life-story is marked by the changes which oblige us to “move out” from the known and open us to what is new. We are always on the move.

The word of God:
“Yahweh said to Abraham: Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you… So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him… and they set forth to go to theland ofCanaan.”

DECIDING TO SET OUT, AND TO TRUST IN GOD
Once more, we were invited to walk in faith, to free ourselves from our chains, trusting in a God who is faithful and who fulfils his promises, who accompanies us on our way and renews our strength.
In their desire to be faithful to our roots, like Abraham, like Pierre Bienvenu Noailles, and following his example, the Early Mothers and all those who have gone before us trusted God at every moment, and in every circumstance. They relied on GOD ALONE, their only rock, the source of their strength. The word: I AM THE One who is … there is only I who am … I will be with you always…
LEAVING IN ORDER TO FOLLOW JESUS, AND TO BE SENT OUT BY HIM
We have not undertaken this journey for our own sakes; our way is indicated by the voice of the One who says: “Follow me!” inviting us to walk with him…

The newGeneral Council received the Crosses which have been passed down from Council to Council throughout the history of our Family. The Crosses were presented to each one by Françoise AUBIN, who symbolised in her person the previousGeneral Council and all those to whom the crosses had been confided for the duration of their mandate.
The meaning of the Cross is the offering of a life, an act of love. Jesus gives himself totally, out of love for the Father, and love for the whole of Creation. It is from this gift of self-offering in love, even unto death, that LIFE is born.

The Cross brings us right to the heart of our own Consecration. Like Jesus, we are consecrated, because all of creation is holy. In this covenant mystery,
“We live out the offering of our whole being by letting ourselves be transformed and renewed by the love of God and of our brothers and sisters. With Jesus, Mary and Joseph, we learn to live no longer for ourselves, but for God Alone in the service of the Kingdom. We rely on God’s faithfulness sure of his love, his light and his strength” (Constitutions 9)
Response of the Council members:“The Cross we receive today makes us a community on mission; it invites us to go forward, and to put all our energy into carrying out the mission entrusted to us.”

The solemn closing of the celebrations, marking the centenary of the Holy Family in Brazil, took place on the 6th of September 2008.  Don Tarcisco Scaramussa , auxiliary Bishop of the region of Sao Paulo presided over the ceremony and he was accompanied by three priests and a permanent Deacon. 
About 500 people, from the parishes where we worked in the past or where we are working at the moment in Sao Paulo and other states, participated with us in the ceremony together with many old and new friends, pupils, ex-pupils, member of our families and civil servants.  
There was also a good representation from members of the Holy Family from other Latin American countries: Peru, Argentina and Paraguay and from the different vocations within our Family: Lay Associates, Consecrated Seculars and Apostolic Religious.  At the same time the Consecrated Seculars celebrated their very first Latin American Assembly.  Who knows?  Perhaps we will have the joy of having in our country the other vocations of the Holy Family – Contemplatives and Priest Associates
It was a celebration that was well attended and it was truly beautiful.  At the end there was a sharing of food and drink – a fraternal agape that always marked the meetings of the first Christian communities whose attitudes we wished to emulate.  We are sure that the Holy Family of Nazareth also offered some refreshment to any friends who visited them! 
Together we raised the Good Father’s tree – symbol of his inspiration and his dream.  In his dream, he saw a leafy tree with many branches laden with flowers and fruits of all the different seasons, fruits from different countries and of different qualities.  He saw a tree where, birds from the entire world, birds of every kind and colour came to nest in its branches – a real festival of colour, sound and perfume.  Each bird sang its own special song and together in unison and in perfect, beautiful harmony, they sang: Glory to God!  This was a very moving moment for all present. 
A mural was put up illustrating the last hundred years of life, showing where the Holy Family exercised its mission and where it sowed everywhere ‘the seeds of good works and the sweet perfume of Jesus Christ’.
There was also an ongoing visual showing something of our life throughout the century – a life in which so many people participated and now many of them have gone to receive their reward in the arms of the Father.
We pinned up the dozens and dozens of messages of love and communion, which we received from our friends from everywhere as well as from the members of our Holy Family from all over the world.  

More than 26 million people world wide suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and, according to the latest estimates, this number could quadruple by the year 2050. This is something that concerns us all.
More than 26 million people world wide suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and, according to the latest estimates, this number could quadruple by the year 2050.  This is something that concerns us all.
World Alzheimer’s Day took place on the 21st September.  It has been commemorated for the fifteenth time in numerous countries where huge efforts are being made to find solutions and to help sufferers and their families to confront this illness.
This day may have passed unnoticed by many of us, in spite of the fact that Alzheimer’s affects us closely.  Members of our families as well a good number of our Sisters are affected.
This illness can turn families upside down and adversely affect relationships within the family.  It can reverse established roles in the family, turning children into carers.  Often both sufferers and carers feel very isolated.
Alzheimer’s also affects our religious communities.  Here we would like to share with you the experience of our Contemplative Sisters in Martillac who are lovingly accompanying  Sister Felicity in her illness.
 
A BELOVED SISTER

Felicity was born on March 30th 1924 at Polvorosa de Valdavia, near León in Spain.
She entered the Novitiate in Oharriz on the 21st February 1942 when she was barely 18 years old.  She made her final vows on the 26th September 1946 and worked in the convent kitchen, first of all in the community at San Sebastian as assistant cook and later, as cook, in France in the community of the Contemplative Sisters at St. Helene, Bordeaux.
She continued her work in the kitchen, which she regarded as her mission.  She was always available to everyone and to do anything.  That is the outstanding characteristic of this sister during more than 50 years of her hidden life.

However gradually the community noticed that her ability and her strength had begun to diminish: she began to need constant help and accompaniment and it was discovered that she was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.  It became urgent to take a decision to place her in a residence where she would receive adequate and specialised care.  This was a very difficult decision for the community but it was one that was taken together and accepted by all.

A retirement home – run by the Sisters of St. Joseph – have part of their building specially designed for Alzheimer’s sufferers.  Sr. Felicity was accepted.  To begin with we accompanied her to the day – care facility.  Then gradually she became inserted as a permanent resident.  This was very difficult for all of us, but in hindsight, we know it is the best thing for her.  She is very happy there now.

The European Associates’ Assembly in Ariccia, (Roma), was very encouraging, inspiring and hopefully will be very fruitful. The theme was “Share life”.
The European Associates’ Assembly in Ariccia, (Roma), was very encouraging, inspiring and hopefully will be very fruitful. The theme was “Share life”.
Thanks to Bert for his untiring efforts as Leader and great dedication to the Holy Family, and also to Antonio Garrido for accepting to become the new European Leader. We wish him every success and blessing in his new role. For more information click on the photo