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 /October PERSONNEL FIRST VOWS PNG: The following sisters celebrated their first profession on June 29, 2013: Sister Diana Sefo Sister Adolfa Kanga Sister Bernadette Vitus Sister Alfreda Mesulam Inside this issue: PERSONNEL 1 GENERALATE 1 PROVINCE / DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT CONGRATULATIONS 5 PLANNED TRIPS 5 JPIC EVENTS 5 2 FINAL VOWS KOREA: The following sisters celebrated their final profession on October 7, 2013: Sister Hanna, In-Kyoung Kang Sister Maria, Gil-Hee Lee Sister Michaela, Seon-Yong Kim Sister Theresa, Eun-Jeong Lee PNG: Sister Faustina Siftele will celebrate her final profession on November 30, We thank the Lord for the gift of these young women to our community and we pray for God s continued blessing upon them. JPIC CALENDAR 6 GENERALATE SUTRI COMMUNITY On November 16, 2013, Sister Rosa Franz, a member of our community in the generalate for the past 7 years will be returning to Germany. During her time in Sutri, Sister Rosa has been a true missionary, always ready and available to be at service to others and showing great flexibility in learning the Italian language and adapting to a new environment amidst many challenges. We have learned much about Rome from Sister Rosa who having a great love for Rome and its history has explored new places over the years. She has shared her insights and adventures with us. Sister Rosa has generously given her time and service to the generalate community, the many visitors to the generalate and also to the parish in Sutri where she related to and came to know many people. Faithfully bringing weekly communion to the homebound, Sister also participated in the events of the local parish community and was involved in the outreach efforts of Caritas in the community. Deeply grateful to Sister Rosa for her presence, her witness and generosity of heart, we wish her abundant blessings and a peace-filled transition as she returns to Germany. Through her may the heart of Christ be known and loved.

2 2 PROVINCE / DISTRICT / COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INDIA: BELLARY CONVENT The Bishop blessed the foundation stone and Fr. Julius Kumar MSC, the rector of the MSC Major seminary laid the foundation stone. Then we had a short felicitation program in which the children from our School danced and the people who labored were honored. Though the majority of the invites were non-christians (Hindus and Muslims) they were all happy and joyful in the participation of the celebration. After the solemn celebration all those who came for the function had a fellowship meal. GERMANY: ST. ELISABETH HOUSE IN MÜNSTER-GIEVENBECK On 31st August, 2013 our dream came true. It was a joyful and memorable day for the Indian District, of course for the MSC Sisters - the Blessing of the new convent in Kurugodu, Bellary took place. At 10 am we began the celebration with Holy Eucharist. The Bishop of Bellary, Rev. Bishop Henry D'Souza, Fr. Julius Kumar MSC, 12 priests from the diocese of Bellary, Sisters from different congregations, parents, teachers, children and people of the locality witnessed the celebration. During the Holy Mass the Bishop blessed the house and Sr. Ancy inaugurated the house by cutting the ribbon. After the solemn Mass we proceeded to the School ground to lay the foundation stone for the school. On September 11, 2013, after two years of construction work, we were able to solemnly bless our home for the elderly, St. Elisabeth in Münster-Gievenbeck. After 35 years, it had become necessary to renovate and modernize the building; the standard no longer met the requirements laid down by the various management authorities. However, for us as a Province, the most important reason for making this decision was that we were concerned that the elderly people who, over the years, had built up a trusting relationship with the institution, the Sisters and the workers, could find a "home" where they would spend their final phase of life in a dignified manner and with trust in God. The atmosphere of the whole ceremony was marked with this fundamental concern and was clearly expressed in the speeches both in the chapel and in the subsequent ceremony. - Srs at the entrance of the newly blessed house -

3 3 We began in the chapel of the old people's home with the residents, relatives and guests from different areas connected with the home. In her address of welcome Sister Irmgard also thanked the Sisters, who at the start of the construction work had moved to Hiltrup in order to facilitate the progress of work. We celebrated the Eucharist in a chapel filled with men and women; their singing of the well -known hymns from Gotteslob sounded like a large mixed choir which gave the festivities a special character. The Vicar General of the Diocese Muenster, N. Kleyboldt, was the main celebrant and mentioned his connection with the house from its beginning. After Mass the concelebrants went through the house with a small group, to bless the premises. As the priest was blessing the house it was impressive to notice how residents repeatedly asked him to bless their rooms. During the subsequent ceremony the coordinator and architect, Mr. W. Reher, gave an insight and an overview of the development of the entire construction period of two years. USA: CIRCUS MINISTRY MINISTRY TO ITINERANT COMMUNITIES IN THE USA - By Sr. Dorothy Fabritze, MSC - May all your days be circus days! It never occurred to me that this common expression would become a reality in my life. In October, 1996 while attending the annual conference of the United States Catholic Mission Association, I became aware of a need for pastoral ministers to the itinerant community which we usually call circus people. At that time there were some circuses which crisscross the USA providing family entertainment. These circuses can be small (40 staff) or large (350 staff), tented or working in an arena, culturally diverse, economically feasible or floundering. With their constant movement from town to town (most travel to a new town every day), there was little or no connection to a parish community though according to statistics the majority of the people claimed to be Catholic. In her expression of thanks Sister Josefia addressed all in the management who contributed to the success of the new and beautiful building. She thanked especially the employees, from whom much was asked and who managed their work with such dedication during the construction time. But she also addressed in a special way the home residents and their relatives; because "this house was built for you so that it will become and remain a home for you." - Sr. Bernardis Overkamp & Sr. Dorothy Fabritze - After the ceremony, all the guests enjoyed the prepared buffet and a lively interaction followed. - By Sr. Irmgard Lahmann, MSC - This seemed to be prime missionary territory because in the year 2000 there were two Little Sisters of Jesus (ministering full time), one circus chaplain, and a loose network of priests and religious men and women who would visit the circus as it traveled to their locale. In January, 2000 Sr. Bernard and I drove off from our motherhouse community driving a pickup truck towing a 30 foot travel trailer and headed for a lifestyle of which we knew so little but with a charism which calls us to identify those in need and respond with the Love of God. To be accepted in this subculture of the American culture we first needed to experience life as the

4 4 circus people lived it. We joined the Roberts Brothers Circus. This band of 40 people presented a tented, three ring circus from March until October of each year, moving to a new town every day for these 8 months, pitching a circus tent, presenting two one and a half hour shows, and dismantling the tent before resting overnight in their trailers. We had circus jobs for these first two years: pitching the tent, selling tickets, taking tickets, etc. We ate meals in the circus cook house which was no more than an open tent (rain or shine). We virtually worked in all kinds of elements witnessing sunshine, rain storms of all kinds, and even a tornado sky. BUT we learned the circus way of life. Those first years we were able to bring two adults into the Catholic Church and prepared one boy for First Eucharist. But more importantly we were a witness to living the circus life with love and devotion. This was not lost on the people who experienced and knew us as one of their own. We prayed with and for the people. This pattern of living, working, and serving the people continued onto Circus Chimera (2 years) and Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus (7 years). With each change of circus the group of people we serviced increased in number (from 40 to 100 to 350). The time we spent in one town increased Circus Chimera moved three times a week and Ringling Brothers Circus moved once a week. The work was much the same: selling souvenirs, maintaining and sewing costumes, teaching school for the circus children, working props for the show, etc. The religious presence and the pastoral care continued. Every year we were able to prepare adults, children and teens for the sacraments they requested: First Reconciliation, First Eucharist, Confirmation, and Matrimony. The circus chaplain, assigned by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, visited periodically to administer these sacraments. We were part of ecumenical Bible Sharing groups. We invited priests from the local areas to come backstage and celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist for the circus people. We rejoiced with the circus people when children were born, when their circus accomplishments were acknowledged, and at various celebrations. We grieved with this people during tragedies and loss of life. We continue to be one with this people whom we began to love as family and as parish community. Eight years into this process we became aware that God was calling some of these people into Christian service. Some among them requested to be able to share their faith with others on the show. It seemed that they were discerning a vocation to be catechists for the circus community. In January, 2012 we began a project within the circus ministry which we call SPEC Show People s Evangelization of Catechists. The stated goal is to identify, educate, place, and supervise catechists for the various circuses. Following the Pauline model we now visit a circus for three months before moving on to another show. We no longer hold circus jobs but are sustained with the local communities donations, Mission Appeals, and a trust in Divine Providence which has not failed us. There are now five circuses on the SPEC route with eight lay leaders. These catechists are involved in the deepening of their own spiritual lives which is the very foundation of a vibrant witness to the message of Jesus Christ and consequently to discipleship. This training is done by presence on the show or by skyping when we are not physically on the show. Upon this foundation of faith and prayer is built the growing communities of faith on the circus. Lay leaders have initiated Bible Study and have identified those requesting sacramental preparation. These same lay leaders greet the clergy when they come for the liturgy. This is an ambitious project which continues to show progress. In addition to the assigned Circus Chaplain we now have a retired priest from the Toledo, OH diocese who travels in a truck and trailer and who does circus ministry in addition to cruise ship ministry and visits to the migrant farm workers. Another parish priest from the Charlotte, NC diocese is increasingly more involved with

5 5 visits, liturgies, and sacraments for the circus community. We trust that the Sacred Heart of Jesus will continue to increase our ministerial personnel including priests, religious, and lay leaders which will make possible our prayer that the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved now and forever. CONGRATULATIONS PNG- QUEEN S JUBILEE MEDAL This past year, Sister Friederika Ahlers, MSC from the PNG Province was honored to receive the Queen s Jubilee Medal which was created to mark the 60 th Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II s succession to the throne of England. The Queen s Jubilee Medal has been given to those who with outstanding dedication and service have made positive contributions to society. The recipients of this award were selected throughout the commonwealth countries and Sister Friederika was one of the many recipients, a diverse and exceptional group of citizens who have helped to build a better society for all. For over 30 years Sister Friederika gave her energy and love to help others through her dedicated service as a teacher and administrator at various levels. She has educated many young people, especially in New Ireland. Today she is still promoting better life conditions for women in difficult situations. Many people who have learned from her are serving today in various capacities in different parts of the country. This award shows that Sister Friederika s selfless work is recognized and it expresses appreciation for her and her dedicated service to the church, the community and people of Papua New Guinea. It is a great honor for Sister Friederika to be chosen for this award and a proud moment for all the members of the PNG Province and our congregation. We too, the MSC sisters, thank her for her life as a Missionary Sister of the Sacred Heart, knowing that her commitment is finally being rewarded by the One who called her into His service. May the Lord continue to bless Sister Friederika and her efforts, especially in situations where she is touching the limitations of human service, trusting that God s hand will always reach far beyond our human efforts. PLANNED TRIPS From November 17 - December 14, Srs. Mechthild and Christina will visit our Sisters in PNG and also attend the Province Chapter. From November 25 December 13, Sr. Barbara will visit our Sisters in Namibia and also attend the Province Chapter. From December 22 - January 12, 2014, Sr. Helena will visit our Sisters in India doing Consultation for Leadership and also attend the District Assembly. From January 13 22, 2014, Sr. Blanca will visit our Sisters in Peru and also attend the first Chapter of Province Latina. Your prayers for safety when traveling and for a fruitful outcome of the meetings are appreciated. JPIC EVENTS NOVEMBER 16, 2013: INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR TOLERANCE In 1995 at the initiative of UNESCO, the United Nations launched of a worldwide campaign for tolerance and non-violence. Building tolerance and trust in diverse communities is not done overnight, but takes time and commitment. Intolerance is often rooted in ignorance and fear: of the unknown, and of the "other", such as other cultures, religions and nations. Intolerance is also closely linked to an exaggerated sense of self -worth and pride: notions taught and learned at an early age. An International Day for Tolerance can serve as an annual occasion for tolerance education as well as for wider social and political reflection and debate on local and global problems of intolerance. It is a moment to take stock of the progress made during the year and to propose fresh policies to close remaining gaps. - Source: UNESCO -

6 6 DECEMBER 2, 2013: INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY The United Nations is committed to fighting against slavery and considers bonded labour, forced labour, the worst forms of child labour and trafficking people as modern forms of slavery. Some sources say that more than one million children are trafficked each year for cheap labour or sexual exploitation. These types of slavery are global problems and certainly can be classified as one of the great evils of our times. JPIC CALENDAR U E P V C E O N M T I S N G November 03 Day for Justice 06 International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict 12 World Day for the Homeless 16 International Day of Tolerance (UN) 20 Universal Children s Day/Africa Industrialization Day (UN) 25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women / World no-shopping Day December 01 World AIDS Day 02 International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (UN) 03 International Day of Disabled People (UN) 05 International Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development (UN) 08 Foundation Day of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (1854) 09 International Anti-corruption Day 10 Human Rights Day (UN) 18 International Migrants Day (UN) Boat carrying migrants arrives in the Italian port of Lampedusa... God wills love with all the strength with which he wills his own existence for he is the model and source of all love. Jules Chevalier, Le Sacré-Coeur, p. 347.