CONGREGATIONAL NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 M I S S I O N A R Y S I S T E R S O F T H E S A C R E D H E A R T O F J E S U S CONGREGATIONAL NEWSLETTER ISSUE NO /July THANK YOU Inside this issue: THANK YOU 1 PROVINCE / DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT ASPAN MEETING 3 FORMATION COMMITTEE INTERNATIONAL COURSE TRI-GENERALATE 3 SEDOS PLANNED TRIPS 4 JPIC CALENDAR 5 JPIC EVENTS Dear Sisters, It is already several weeks ago, that I celebrated my 60th birthday together with our community in Sutri, but accompanied by so many of you who sent their congratulations, good wishes, gifts and prayers. Thank you very much for all these expressions of appreciation! The day was beautiful: Celebration of the Eucharist with Fr. Mark McDonald, MSC; a nice meal with sunshine on the terrazza, several phone calls, many s, etc. I am grateful for my life in our congregation of which I could discover and learn so much over the past years! I thank you once more and remain united in the Heart of Christ with each one of you, dear Sisters! - Sr. Mechthild Schnieder, MSC - PROVINCE / DISTRICT / COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROVINCE LATINA On June 15, 2012, the Feast of the Sacred Heart, the Solemn Mass for all the members of the Chevalier Family in Lima was celebrated by Bishop Juan Carlos Vera, MSC, Bishop of Caravelí. In the afternoon the sisters celebrated a special liturgy during which the Province Latina was formally established and the new leadership team took over responsibility from Sr. Mathilde Vossmöller and her council. Offertory procession: Sr. Fabiana, PNG (left) and Sr. Marie Clara, Korea (right); background: Bishop Juan Carlos Vera, MSC, Caravelí and Fr. Dario Ircash, MSC, Regional Superior Peru The Leadership Team of the Province Latina (from left to right: Sr. Herlinda, Sr. Maria Esther, Sr. Juana, Sr. Leila, and Sr. Vilma)

2 2 In front of the altar in the chapel, two circles represented the Peruvian Province and the District of Spain Central America and a burning candle for each country was placed in the respective circles. In gratitude for the many years of life and mission of the Peruvian Province and the District of Spain Central America, Srs. Mathilde and Mercedes respectively presented some highlights and Sr. Herlinda recalled the many steps which led to the creation of the Province Latina. Representatives of each country carried the burning candles in a procession to the meeting room, followed by all sisters. Poster of the Unification Process with the candles of the different countries (decorated with their flags) and the candle of Province Latina in the centre. Sr. Mechthild symbolically took the fire from each candle in order to enlighten the new candle which represented the Province Latina. All candles were placed on a banner with the symbol which has inspired the unification process over the past two years. Though there was sadness about the giving up and letting go, there was joy and gratitude for the newness which hopefully will strengthen the missionary spirit of all the members. The second part of this service was the introduction of Sr. Maria Esther and her councillors to their office as Province Leadership Team. The sisters were aware of the great challenge to continue the unification process and to find new ways for communication and collaboration. The day ended with a joyful celebration in which sisters from 7 different countries could reflect the diversity and richness of their cultures. On the following day, the sisters shared about their ministries in the different countries and it was encouraging to hear what is done in the different communities sometime in spite of great difficulties. At the end of these days I felt that it is very true that mission motivates and unites us; my hope and prayer is that this experience nurtures the steps which need to be done now. - Sr. Mechthild Schnieder, MSC - Sisters of the Province Latina

3 3 ASPAN MEETING IN INDIA A meeting of our Leaders from the Asia-Pacific region and Namibia is scheduled to take place from November 7-19, 2012 in Bangalore, India. The aim of the meeting is dialogue and to foster better understanding of the realities of life and challenges of mission which our sisters are facing. We also will look at the topic of formation for mission. This gathering will be a time to listen, to find ways to support and collaborate with one another, and to share our visions about the future of the congregation. We are grateful to the sisters of the Indian District for hosting this gathering. Let us accompany the Sisters participating in this meeting with our prayers. FORMATION COMMITTEE (CIFC) Our General Chapter of 2008 explicitly stated that formation on all levels of membership within the congregation is a congregational priority. As a missionary congregation we need to continue in this spirit. As you are aware, the Congregational International Formation Committee was established in 2009 and visits were made by committee members to some units within the Congregation. We are grateful for all that was done, especially by Srs. Tess Veenker and Hanni Rolfes. The committee discontinued its visits for various reasons. Through dialogue at our June/ July 2011 meetings in Sutri, we the CLT and the PD leaders agreed that the CIFC committee should be re-organized so as to complete the visits. We have asked Sr. Nicola Sprenger (Manila) together with Sr. Nathanael Lee (Korea) to do the visit to the Namibian Province from August 1-20, We thank these Sisters for accepting this challenging task and also for the Namibian province in preparing for their coming. Let us accompany them with our prayers. An evaluation meeting by the CIFC was intended when the visits of all provinces/districts were completed. This meeting will be held in Manila from November 20-30, Participants will be the remaining members of the CIFC; namely, Sr. Dorothy Patiu (PNG), Sr. Vilma Poma (Peru), and Sr. Nathanael Lee (Korea). We have asked Sr. Nicola to assist in this meeting too, but we also would like to involve a few other sisters who currently are doing formation work; namely, Sr. Veronika Iita (Namibia) and Sr. Susan Magoinga (PNG). In this meeting we aim to evaluate the feedback from the visits of the CIFC to the PDs and prepare recommendations regarding Formation for Mission. Sr. Christina Jo and Sr. Helena Amwaandangi will represent the CLT at this meeting. - Sr. Helena Amwaandangi - INTERNATIONAL COURSE From July 1 28, 2012, members of the Chevalier Family will attend the course of Spirituality of the Heart: Yesterday, Today Towards the Future in Issoudun, France. The following sisters from the Korean Province, PNG Province and Indian District will attend the course. India: Sr. Shiji Mathew, MSC Korea: Sr. Bernarda, Myung Hwa An, MSC Sr. Jeremia, Myong Hee Han, MSC Sr. Amata, Eun Sil Lim, MSC Sr. Elisah, Jeong Ae Suh, MSC Sr. Madeleine, Young Mi Hong, MSC Sr. Monika, Sun Hee Kim, MSC PNG: Sr. Rose Noah, MSC Sr. Anne Voke, MSC Sister Josefina Oh, of the German Province and Sr. Nathanael Lee, of the Korean Province will serve as translators during the course for Korean Sisters. During their stay in Europe, the Sisters will visit the Generalate in Sutri and the Motherhouse in Hiltrup. TRI-GENERALATE Official Opening in the Archdiocese of Bourges of the inquiry, towards the beatification and canonization of the Servant of God Jules Jean Chevalier, MSC On Friday, May 25 th, 2012, Archbishop Armand Maillard, Archbishop of the Diocese of Bourges in France, presided over the ceremony to mark the official diocesan opening of the process of investigation, towards the beatification and canonization of

4 4 Father Jules Chevalier. The Archdiocese of Bourges, of course, includes the town of Issoudun, where Fr. Chevalier founded the MSC and FDNSC congregations and where he lived and ministered for over 50 years of his life. Present at the ceremony were the official members of the tribunal as well as the Postulator Fr. Jean- Jules Chassem, MSC, Assistant Postulators Frs. Raymond Dossman, MSC, and Fr. Pierre Bally, MSC, the provincial superiors of both the MSC and FDNSC, Fr. P. François-Xavier Wahyudi, MSC from the MSC General Council in Rome, as well as the rector of the Basilica, MSC and FDNSC local communities, the Cor Novum community and a large number of laity. This diocesan investigation is but the first step, which will consist of collecting any proofs that can be authenticated, regarding the sanctity of the Servant of God, Jules Chevalier. These proofs are of two kinds: documented proofs and proofs given by the testimony of witnesses. These documented proofs consist of the published and unpublished writing of the Servant of God. The published writings have already been meticulously examined by theological censors who have given their report to the Archbishop. As for the unpublished works, these have been examined by a historical commission which has, as well, given its report to the Archbishop. On May 25 th, 2012, Fr. Jean-Jules Chassem, MSC, the present Postulator for the Cause, presented the list of witnesses, who will be heard by a tribunal constituted by the Archbishop. The following are a few photos of the ceremony which took place in the Basilica of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart in Issoudun. SEDOS Display of the cover and back page of the Ceremony Booklet. SEDOS SEMINAR MAY 8-12, 2012 ON LATIN AMERICA From May 8-12, 2012 Sisters Helena and Gratia participated at the 2012 SEDOS Residential Seminar in Nemi, Rome. (See attachment) PLANNED TRIPS From July 19 - August 24, 2012, Sr. Barbara will be in USA for holidays, medical appointments, and retreat. From August 9-12, 2012, Sr. Helena will attend a Meeting of the Tri-Generalate Formation Committee with the Cor Novum Team in Munich, Germany. From August 26 - September 1, 2012, Sr. Gratia, together with Sr. Lucie Schmahl and Sr. Britto from Germany, will attend a Meeting on The Future of the Chevalier Family in Issoudun. On September 11, 2012 Sisters Mechthild and Christina and on September 20, 2012 Sr. Barbara will travel to Korea. The Visitation of the Korean Province will be from September 12 October 28, From September 15-20, 2012, Sr. Mechthild with Sr. Bonaventura Kim will visit our Sisters in Vietnam. Postulator, Fr. Jean-Jules Chassem, MSC, presenting the list of witnesses to the tribunal. Your prayers for safety when traveling and for a fruitful outcome of the different meetings are deeply appreciated.

5 5 JPIC CALENDAR U E P V C E O N M T I S N G July 09 International Small Arms Destruction Day 11 World Population Day (UN) 16 World Day of Men and Women of the Sea August 09 International Day of the World s Indigenous People (UN) 12 International Youth Day (UN) 13 Commemoration of the Baining Martyrs (1904) 30 Foundation Day of Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (1874) 31 International Solidarity Day September 08 International Literacy Day (UN) 21 International Day of Peace (UN) JPIC EVENTS WORLD POPULATION DAY JULY 11, 2012 World Population Day was instituted in 1989 as an outgrowth of the Day of Five Billion, marked on July 11, The UN authorized the event as a vehicle to build an awareness of population issues and the impact they have on development and the environment. Since then, with the United Nations Population Fund's (UNFPA) encouragement, governments, nongovernmental organizations, institutions and individuals organize various educational activities to celebrate the annual event. There are now 7 billion people in the world, and there will probably be 8 billion by INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY AUGUST 12, 2012 "The international community must continue to work together to expand the horizons of opportunity for these young women and men and answer their legitimate demands for dignity, development and decent work. Failing to invest in our youth is a false economy. Investments in young people will pay great dividends in a better future for all." Young South Sudanese celebrated the birth of their country in July (UN Photo) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon - We should search for the obstacles that prevent us profiting from the many graces that the love of Jesus offers us at every moment. (Jules Chevalier, Méditations I. p. 292)