Staying connected is important.

Transcription

1 Generalate Sisters Nirmala and Bimla are completing visits to the Indian houses during September, October and November. In late August the CLT held a Zoom meeting. This worked well with Jane in the public library in Southbury, Connecticut and the other members in Brussels and India. Bernadette was in Goma representing the general government at the Profession and Jubilees of Sisters. During her visit to the US, Jane visited the United Nations and has replenished the collection of books on the UN. Feel Peace is the main concern of the UN free to request material from the Generalate library for use in the classroom in French and English. Staying connected is important. We will strive for better communication at all levels of our communal lives Gen Chap Direction Statement 2014 The role of the general government is to serve as a focal point of unity. (153) If you haven t visited lately, you ll be surprised to see the video of the Jubilee Liturgy in Scherpenheuvel April 30 a truly historical event marking the Jubilee year of 200 years of our Ursuline foundation. Every month ENEWS is the way we spread news of what s happening in all the Provinces so we stay connected. In order to have input from your Province, we are always in need of short concise pieces of information. Each Province has appointed a contact person to communicate the news to us in the Generalate for ENEWS. What kind of news about our sisters in each Province do you like to read? What touches your heart and brings hope? Please take a minute and your reply. I ll try to accommodate your wishes. Thank you quinlanosu@aol.com Ursuline Sisters, Generalate, Rue Musin 1, 1210 Brussels 1

2 Ambikapur We were blessed with 9 Candidates who entered the Novitiate on the 28 th of July. Belgium An outing together On September 6 th, the entire Belgian provincial administration went on a trip to the Ardennes to La Roche-en-Ardenne. There was a lot of road work on the highway causing delays. After arriving we were ready for a nice cup of coffee and refreshments. After that we visit St. Nicholas Church of La Roche, which is on the road to Santiago de Compostela. La Roche-en-Ardenne was totally flattened from the bombing during World War II. The Church is actually the only building still standing. It has beautiful bright stained-glass windows, inviting admiration and meditation. Behind the altar are scenes from the Gospel and on the door of the l-r front row Srs Hildegarde, Ghislaine, back row Lislotte, Christina, Mieke, Lea, Mieke s husband Freddy Pypops Tabernacle one sees the Easter lamb and the Pelican, and the four evangelists. Another altar piece shows a triptych of St. Joseph the Carpenter, the flight into Egypt and a St. Joseph on his deathbed which is one of a kind. The stone pulpit is an Alabaster sculpture. The oak Calvary scene, although damaged by fire, shows an image of Jesus which invites all to prayer and sympathy. The fantastic organ weighs 14 tons and is equipped with 4,300 organ pipes measuring 12 meters. This adds an elegant and majestic presence in the Church. In the afternoon after enjoying a meal of fresh water trout, a specialty of the region, we visited the ruins of a feudal castle dating back to the 9th century. We explored the picturesque town with a stroll along the Ourthe River. In Nisramont, part of the municipality of La Roche, we met our associate member, Mieke and her husband. After a pleasant conversation we shared supper together and then we returned home. We enjoyed spending the day together. Mieke Veugelen Ursuline Sisters, Generalate, Rue Musin 1, 1210 Brussels 2

3 DRCongo The celebration of the Bicentenary in the Vice Province The Bicentennial year celebration was culminated with a Liturgy of the Eucharist in Goma on August 11, During the year there were two retreats of 8 days each, which brought together all the sisters of the Vice Province as a spiritual preparation for the Bicentenary with the theme: "No one comes to the Father unless the l-r Srs. Esperance Hamuli Casta Nsengiyumva, Pascasie Furaha, Anuarite Masika, Isabelle Matabaro, Françoise Kika, Bernadette Mwavita Father draws him." This was a moment of profound intimacy with God that brought us back to the meaning of our consecration, to the sense and meaning of our history as a Congregation. We were fortunate to have a one day session on St. Mary of the Incarnation animated by Sr. Bernadette Mwavita. This session helped us to deepen the richness of the life of St. Mary of the Incarnation and was connected with the theme of our 2014 General Chapter: "Live Contemplative Spirituality for Mission today. The celebration of the Jubilee was crowned by the final vows of Sr. Anuarite Masika and Sr Pascasie Furaha and the silver Jubilee of Sisters Casta Nsengiyumva, Sr. Françoise Kika, and Sr. Isabelle Matabaro. A colorful Eucharistic celebration was animated by Bishop Kaboy Ruboneka, of the Diocese of Goma. After Mass, the guests were invited to visit the exhibition that was prepared about the history of the Ursulines while admiring the diversity of cultural dances. It was a moment of encounter, of reunion, of being together during which our bonds became more solidified through the living of the mystery of our vocation. Ursuline Sisters, Generalate, Rue Musin 1, 1210 Brussels 3

4 Gumla New Mission in Samastipur-Muzaffarpur Be in peace and be sure that nothing happens without God s will; the mission is His work, there is no doubt of this, and He will make it succeed. Fr. Lambertz A long awaited dream of Rev. Bishop Cajetan Osta, has come true as the assuring words of our founder with a new mission in Samastipur, Muzaffarpur Diocese on May 31, Three of our dear sisters Sr. Sarita Tirkey, Sr. Anupa Tete and Sr. Usha Minj are the first pioneers to work there. They were accompanied to their new mission by Sr. Maria Swaranlata Kujur, Sr. Anna Minj and Sr. Anita Jyoti Lakra and were warmly welcomed by Rev. Bishop Cajetan Osta and Rev.Fr. Vikas parish priest of Samastipur. On June 3 after Holy Mass, the sisters were welcomed by the parishioners. Entrance of the Candidates We are delighted to welcome 21 young, energetic, and generous candidates who sacrificed their colorful life and decided to follow Jesus by joining the Ursulines. On the day of their arrival they were welcomed by the Sisters at Merici Niwas, Provincialate, Gumla. After staying there one day, they proceeded to the Formation House, Sitagargha and their entrance ceremony was on July 10. Teachers Seminar Around two hundred teachers from different schools of the Gumla Province gathered at Ursuline Convent, Gumla from June for a teachers seminar. The seminar started with an inspiring prayer service, led by the Sisters of Gumla Community. Sr. Maria Swarnlata Kujur delivered a powerful message on education. Dr. Sr. Mary Grace Toppo, Ranchi Province, conducted the concluding session. She challenged the teachers and filled them with zeal and enthusiasm towards their duties as a teacher. The most basic qualities, a teacher must possess: Deep knowledge one must master the knowledge of her/his own subject, Good communication skills Loud, clear commanding voice, Great explaining power to stating the same thing in different ways, Punctuality. She concluded with, To the world, you may be just a teacher but to your students you are a hero. Ranchi Final Profession On Sept. 15th, the feast of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows, 10 of our juniors committed themselves for life to the service of God s people. Ursuline Sisters, Generalate, Rue Musin 1, 1210 Brussels 4

5 The Newly elected Archbishop of Ranchi Archdiocese, Rt. Rev. Felix Toppo S.J. presided over the Solemn Thanksgiving Eucharistic Celebration. A big number of family members of the Sisters, Priests, Religious and faithful witnessed this great event. We all congratulate our young, generous, energetic and daring women and pray that in the midst of modern challenges they may be able to live out their motto: You are my witnesses Is. 45:10. Their names are as follows l-r: Sr. Sanjukta Nayak, Sr. Meena Teresa Hansda, Sr. Urmila Topno, Sr. Shanti Sabina Samad, Sr. Kumudini Baa, Sr. Suchita Xalxo (Provincial), Sr. Punit Lakra, Sr. Jyoti Ranjita Bodra, Sr. Jyoti Sanga, Sr. Lalita Kerketta, Sr. Sarita Kujur Tezpur New opening Sr. Clara Bara joined the college Sonabhil St. Xavier s College teaching staff on May 12th and on June 14th Sr. Olive Toppo joined the teaching staff. Let us pray that this mission of ours will be a success. We are happy that we have become collaborators with the Jesuits New Foundation Rt. Rev, Bishop Joseph Aind always dreamed of having Sisters in his home parish of Lakwa. He had been knocking at many doors including ours for some years asking for Sisters to work in his parish. At last on December 8, 2017 at Gutlong he managed to make us accept his invitation. Thus our new convent at Lakwa was opened on July 17 th, The pioneers are Sr. Agnes Bading Superior, Sr. Melani Horo Asst. Teacher in the school Sr. Cecelia Chowgthu Headmistress in the school. Ursuline Sisters, Generalate, Rue Musin 1, 1210 Brussels 5

6 National CRI meeting The CRI (Conference of Religious India) was held at Chennai in SRM University. It is a huge complex with all sorts of educational facilities. It was the first time I have ever attended a National CRI. After the meeting a pilgrimage was arranged to go to Velankani. We left on May 30th late in the evening and reached Velankani in the morning. The whole morning we prayed and in the late afternoon we left for Chennai. Gratitude Thank you dear sisters for all the prayers you offered for the repose of the soul of my mother and for the consolation of all of my family members. Sister Lucienne USA The Annual Assembly of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious was held August 7-10 in St. Louis, Missouri. Approximately 800 participants pondered the theme of "Being the Presence of Love: The Power of Communion." Sisters Joanne Callahan and Mary Ellen Theriault attended from the Leadership Team and Sister Margaret O'Brien was one of a number of facilitators present this year. The energy of the gathered community was electric! The assembly focused on the urgent need to foster communion and connection in a world plagued by polarization, division and fractures of communion. In her presidential address, Sister Teresa Maya, reminded us, "We will be lighter and itinerant, we will be fewer. However, we will be enough; we will be what God needs today." The participants demonstrated their commitment to Stand Against Racism, by standing in silent prayer on the steps of the Old Courthouse (where Dredd Scott sued for his freedom in 1846) facing the St. Louis Arch. It was a moving and powerful moment! Ursuline Sisters, Generalate, Rue Musin 1, 1210 Brussels 6