Congregación de las Hermanas de San José de Carondelet

Transcription

1 Congregación de las Hermanas de San José de Carondelet Jr. Talara 344 Jesús María, Lima 11, Perú Tel. Oficina Casa Apartado Jesús María, Lima, Perú Dear Sisters, NOTICIERO DE ENERO 2019 Greetings from your sisters of the Vice Province Leadership Team. We hope that this beginning of 2019 be for everyone the beginning of the new, an adding and not a subtracting, a continuation of looking for better ways of responding to the Calls to Communion. We still have present in our minds and hearts our sharing together in the retreat, the opportunity that it gave us to share the trajectory of our history of transformation, fruit of our community prayer, as well as time for personal prayer and contemplation. Thank you, Sally, for helping us live this retreat! Your way of guiding us was excellent! Sisters, that this time enriched by the Lord of life continue inspiring us to always be open to transformation in both our community life and ministry, and especially in our preparation for the Congregational Chapter Also, during the Assembly, we had the opportunity to analyze our reality using See-Judge-Act with the help of the sociologist Pilar Arroyo. This surely helped us to widen our horizon in order to respond to the new challenges que call us to respond to this complex reality in the light of our charism. We hope that the theme of this year as a Vice Province: Walking in communion for the life of the world be an inspiration for each step of our lives. That God may continue to inspire our being Sisters of St. Joseph! With affection, Gloria, Zaida y Maritza VICE PROVINCIAL ASSEMBLY 2019 (January 2-8) Back row: Ruth Matos, Sally Harper, Teresa Ponce, Mauricia Carcasi, Zaida Pérez, Anne Davis, Peg Murphy; Middle row: Mariana Leininger (ELC), Gloria Zapata, María Schuh, Betty Conrad, María Dolores Muñoz, Geno Herrera, María Inés Gutiérrez, María Vásquez, Rosa Orellana; Front row: Mary Luz Salazar, Agripina Morales, Maritza Jarro, María Elena Cáceres, Yolanda Arribasplata. CSJ Spiritual Retreat (January 2-5) 1

2 The sisters of the Vice Province began their annual Assembly with a spiritual retreat of three days. The objective was to enter into a time and space full of silence in order to be able to have time for personal meditation and sharing in community without the concerns of domestic chores. There was wonderful contact with nature due to the ocean being so close and the lovely garden. The retreat house, which belongs to the Missionaries of St. James the Apostol, offered us all the conditions to makes these days so special. Sally Harper was our guide during these days. We enjoyed a climate both affective and effective for the purpose of the retreat. Sally invited us to express our creative genius for which there were diverse materials with which we could express our creations each day. The prayer of the Congregational Chapter was the thread that unified the retreat. The reading material that was prepared by Sally for each day helped us enter more deeply in prayer and contemplation about our communion with God, with ourselves, with our sisters in community and with the dear neighbor in our ministry. Each sister developed a time-line of her ministry. In groups (formed by different decades of life as a CSJ), we remembered our history as a vice province. The final day we prayed about our history, our CSJ identity, and we reflected about our today with the question: Where are we now in community, with the dear neighbor, according to the demographics, with our identity as a unit, and as part of the congregation? We shared suggestions, observations and important ideas that demonstrated the richness of these retreat days. We expressed our gratitude to God, to Sally for this service, and to each sister for her participation. 2

3 Work of the Assembly (January 7-8) * On Jan. 8th sociologist Pilar Arroyo led us through the practice of a method used to analyze the current reality. She began with the words of Pope Francis which say that one has to analyze the place where the existence of people is played out. The scenes that are around us influence our way of seeing life, of feeling and of acting. With the analysis of this reality we refer to what is happening in real time. The intention is to locate the elements in order to decide how to act and with whom. We recognize that the analysis that we do is of a certain place (geographic place, social-economic place) and from a certain identity (marked by race, gender, ethnic group, etc.). For that reason, we value the same fact, but oftentimes with an interpretation that is different from that of the other person. The practice in small groups after each step of the analysis helped us to know and value it as an instrument that can help us in the analysis of our life and ministry. * The Vice Province Plan Commission has helped us in the implementation of the Act of the Congregational Chapter every year since They directed us in sharing, in dynamic and creative ways, the fruits of our life in community. In this first semester of 2019, we will concentrate on preparation for the vice provincial and congregational chapters with the material that we have and those which will arrive from the Election and Chapter Planning Commissions. * The Election Commission directed us in the election of new members for the permanent commissions that will have three-year terms, until * The Vocation Promotion Commission asked each local community to share their efforts in in this area during the year. Considering this information, they asked groups to 3

4 brainstorm about what we could do during the coming year in the area of vocation promotion in the local communities. In the plenary session each group shared their idea and decided that each local community would adapt these ideas to it local reality. It was suggested that in our meeting in August we share what is being done personally and in local communities. * At the suggestion of Anne Davis, we discussed the wondering of some former CSJ s about initiating a group of Companions in the Charism (a possible name). Again, the sisters worked in small groups to brainstorm and then share with the larger group. The Assembly asked that this be carried forward in the local communities, sharing about this new idea of inviting women who have the desire to know and share our charism in their lives and in service to others. * We finished the Assembly with the sending forth ritual of the sisters to their local communities and also those who would travel to the Kakehashi meeting. WELCOME, SISTERS * Sister Sean Peters (A) visited us from the 23rd of December 2018 until the 9th of January of She spent time with us during Christmas, the new year, the retreat and assembly. Thank you so much for sharing this time with us and for the efforts made to learn and practice Spanish. We appreciate your perseverance, joy, and simplicity. (In the photo Sean is with Samy, the daughter of our friend Lucero). 4

5 * Sr. Rosa Orellana was with us to celebrate Christmas, the new year and the first part of the Assembly which was the retreat. We enjoyed her sharing about her experiences in Puerto Rico. * Mariana Leininger, member of the CLT, visited us from December 28th until January 9th. Her input was enlightening for our life in the Vice Province. Again, we will enjoy her presence during the VP Chapter in April. Hasta pronto! SABABATICAL OF TERESA PONCE Teresa Ponce accompanied us during the second part of the VP Assembly because she was at the half-way part of her sabbatical. We are grateful for her service and willingness to help with several projects in the Center House. From January 28th until June 3rd Teresa will be in the Guatemala in ICE CEFAS, a formation program directed by the Jesuits. We hope that this time of new experiences and integral renovation will strengthen the joy of continuing to share her life with us and the dear neighbor. Enjoy this time, Teresa! TRIBUTE TO OUR SISTER MARÍA DOLORES (Dolo/Dolito) The 6th of January we had the opportunity to give thanks to God for the 53 years of presence of our sister Dolo. We had a very special Mass presided by Father Robert Hoffman MM, a friend of Dolo since her time in Puno. Many friends of Dolo were present. Afterwards we shared a delicious dinner which honored of the culinary routes of Dolo s missions in Peru. 5

6 There was much affection among those present. We gave thanks for Dolo s testimony among us and the dear neighbor. Although we had a mix of emotions for her departure, we trust that we will continue sharing our friendship and affection in a new ways. Sending of the VP sisters Dolo traveled very well accompanied-by 7 sisters! (going to Kakehashi) On leaving I only want to give thanks for the 53 years that I have enjoyed living among the Holy People of Peru. Let us pray for one another. You are in my heart. Recieve an embrace from your sister who loves you very much. Dolo VISIT TO OUR SISTERS IN HOLY FAMILY (by María Elena Cáceres) Before our meeting of Kakehashi, we participated in a meeting with the sisters of Holy Family. It was very meaningful because it let us see in our sisters their testimony of faithfulness and giving of self for the love of God and the dear neighbor. This experience motivates us to continue in our vocation as CSJ s. Also, in the meeting and sharing with our older sisters, we had the opportunity to share our feelings about the return of our sister Dolo to her home province. It was very moving to see Dolo among the sister and how they received her with such affection. PARTICIPATION IN KAKEHASHI 2019 (LOS ANGELES) 6

7 From the 11th to the 14th of January sisters Anne, Yolanda, María Elena, Agripina, Mary Luz, Maritza, Mauricia and Robertina participated in the meeting of Kakehashi in Los Angeles. We had the opportunity of conversing about different aspects of our reality, including personal, community and congregational. The most important thing in our encounter has been our relationships. We discovered that now we are more comfortable with one another. In the process, the respect and affection that exist among us is evident. In the process of translation, we are learning to speak more slowly because que want to hear one another and to understand. The meeting of the Kakehashi group offers spaces for interaction in different moments. For example, in the dining room, we relate with one another without taking into account which language is spoken. This lets us grow in bonds of affection and trust; the distances become shorter which results with a greater facility for sharing and interchanging ideas. We value our diverse ways of being, respecting uniqueness. We have moved from being strangers to being sisters and we are happy for these encounters. We will continue with this bonding by initiating and nurturing them through virtual resources. We will continue participating in the conversations that the congregation is offering in preparation for Chapter. Some testimonies The meeting of Kakehashi is a blessing from God in my life because it nurtures and broadens the special spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph that God has given us and unites us. I have grown in affection and recognition of each sister who attends these meetings. I recognize that the language and the culture can make communication more difficult, but, with the charism of the daughter of the one father who unites us, there are no differences among us, but rather the desire to continue growing in the one love that unites us in Christ to which we have been invited and we respond from where we are. Thank you to all those who helped to make this a reality. (Agripina Morales) 7

8 A new dawn, a new vision, a new way of being Kakehashi. In the meeting I experienced that there is vision, wisdom, opportunities, experiences, hopes to opt for right relationships, for the mission with new eyes, and to take a risk for the new. I am very grateful for knowing new places of ministry, new faces of our sisters and the dear neighbor and, above all, the hospitality and affection of each one of them and the joy and enthusiasm of my sisters, companions on the journey. For all these things I give thanks to God with the words of the psalm: The right hand of the Lord brings about marvels! Many thanks to all the sister that did so much to make this possible and that our good God of Life continues blessing us. (Mary Luz Salazar) VISIT OF OUR SISTER TO SAN FRANCISCO After our meeting of Kakehashi we went to San Francisco to know the ministries of our sisters who live in that area. To intuit, believe, reach out and see from the heart at times is not that simple; many times it requires going through a long process of life and to let the kindness and joy emerge as we contemplate and help others (Rober, Mauricia, Ma Elena, Yoli, Ma Luz, Maritza, Pina) so that they can experience and know the unknown. In this case, our experience was expressed from the love of God in our sister Anne who introduced us to our sisters and their diverse ministries. Our encounter with all the sisters was a special joy. We admire their gift of hospitality as each one of them awaited us with affection and joy. Our heart and our eyes contemplated every detail (the smiles, hugs, bedrooms prepared for us, the delicious food). Everything spoke of our BEING ONE. Our encounter with our sisters in the different missions in San Francisco represent and give witness that a CSJ can opt for life, accompanying the dear neighbor without distinction in order to help them have a life with the dignity they have as sons and daughters of God. To be with the sisters in the diverse ministries where life calls out was an experience of a deeper, more human connection that allows us to grow and deepen our bonds in a more extended way without distinction.. In addition, we shared our lives at the table, in the kitchen which allowed us to enter and share our life as Sisters of St. Joseph. All of this also helped us learn to love one another even more. Many thanks to our congregation, our Vice Province and to Anne for make it possible to extend our love and bonds without frontiers. 8

9 Visit to San Luis Obispo. Program of "Restorative Partners" with former prisoners. Srs. Milda Avila y Theresa Harpin Visit with Sr. Rosheen Visit with Madi, ex Jesuit volunteer who worked in Peru with Sr. Kathleen O Shea. Visit with Srs. Dorothy and Anne M, 4 CSJ associates and Sr. Brandon (La Salle). Thanks Sisters Mary Ann, Joy, Theresa, Loraine y Mary for your hospitality and affection! VISIT TO THE FAMILIA DE SAN JOSE (CHILE) Gloria made her annual visit to the Familia de San José from the 11th to the 15 th of January. Her visit was the cause for joy of her presence and her sharing of congregational experiences. It also allowed us to know how the Familia in Talca and Curepto are doing. Familia de San José in Curepto Familia de San José in Talca NEWS OF THE CENTER HOUSE ST. JOSEPH (JESÚS MARÍA) 9

10 Gloria, Teresa, Geno, María Inés, María Schuh, Mauricia, María Vásquez, Betty, Ruth y Peg will continue sharing life and mission in Jesús María. The 9th of January Sr. Dolores Muñoz traveled to Los Angeles to join her province of origin after 53 years of presence and service in the Vice Province of Peru. We accompany her with our prayers in this time of transition. We are grateful for the visit of Sr. Sean Peters of the Albany Province. She returned to the States on January 9th. Mauricia traveled to Los Angeles the 9th of January to Los Angeles to participate in Kakehachi. She returned on the 19th very happy for the meeting with the sisters and very grateful for the opportunity to know the different ministries of the sisters in San Francisco. Sisters Marie Schuh y Genoveva Herrera made their annual retreat in Chaclacayo. They returned very content from their vacation with Jesus. Sr. María Inés Gutiérrez took one week of vacation with the family of her brother in Piura. She is very grateful for the opportunity to be with her brother and see his recuperation. Also, we had the visit of Hannah y Chris on their way home to the States after two years as Jesuit volunteers in Tacna. We are very grateful to Hannah for her service in our Faith and Joy School in Tacna. María Inés and Gloria continue supporting and accompanying our neighbors Cecilia and Edith, in their recuperation from high risk surgeries. NEWS FROM THE COMMUNITY OF THE GREAT LOVE OF GOD (CANTO CHICO) 10

11 María Elena, Anne and Yoli will continue sharing life and mission in Canto Chico (SJL). The ministry in the after- school program finished with the end of the school year in December It included the final preparations for the Day of Successes and with a celebration for Christmas. This celebration was great fun because there were games, dynamics, the sharing of food and a raffle of some gifts for the children. It was a very special afternoon where both the children and the young people who work with them enjoyed themselves. Also, our sisters Anne Davis and Maria Schuh, together with their team of Prison Ministry finished the year celebrating Christmas and sending Fr. Nicolai to his new mission. Also, from December 15th to 23rd the neighborhood of Canto Chico celebrated the Posadas de Navidad with the goal of reflecting and preparing our hearts and homes to receive Jesus. It was a special experience as we enjoyed visiting the families, singing Christmas carols with the children, and contemplating and reflecting with our neighbors the mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus. The children were very enthusiastic about the Christmas carols; they sang as a choir in our chapel of St. Paul and they did a fine job. Some even gave us Christmas presents. It is so admirable to see how our neighbors, who from their simplicity and poverty, share something with all who are gathered in their homes for these events. 11

12 The Christmas activities ended on December 23rd with the party and hot chocolate organized by a group of Friends of Sr. María Inés. We are very grateful for their kindness and generosity who look for ways to brighten the lives of the families and children who have the greatest needs. December 28th we had the visit of our sister Dolo and we enjoyed, not only a delicious dinner, but also her beautiful presence among us in community. That afternoon friends of Dolo from the Canto Chico neighborhood came to say farewell before her return to her province of origen, Los Angeles. It was a very special afternoon as Dolo remembered and shared with enthusiasm and details some of her lived experiences in different parts of Peru. We thank God for the testimony of her life, her love and friendship that have nurtured the Vice Province of Peru. 12

13 Summer activities in St. Joseph s Sala Not all the children of our neighborhood have the possibility of attending the workshops that are offered during the summer, so our community is offering a variety of activities during the summer: Arts and Crafts, Learning math through play, puszzles and memory, etc. These activities are offered in order to strengthen the capacities of the children, especially those with the greatest need so that they don t lose the discipline of study during the summer. Also, the 23rd of January we had the lovely visit of our sister Lois Barton and of Mary Jean Tucci from Albany. It was a beautiful experience to share with them in our community of Canto Chico. Even though it was a short visit, we had some very special moments to strengthen our bonds as sisters. We also enjoy sharing experiencies in our Congregation. At the same time, Lois and Mary Jean, as one can see in the photos, participated in an activity with the children. We thank them for their friendship and their generosity in sharing candy with the children. 13

14 NEWS OF THE COMMUNITY LITTLE DESIGN (LAS BRISAS DE VILLA) Mary Luz, Agripina y Maritza will continue sharing life and mission in Las Brisas de Villa. We have a new pastor and we have assisted at some of the meetings of formation offered to the faithful of the parish. We also visited a neighbor who invited us to celebrate her birthday. These bonds with the dear neighbor strengthen us and animate us to continue giving witness to our being Sisters of St. Joseph. NEWS OF THE COMMUNITY OF THE TRINITY (TACNA) Sally y Zaida Will continue accompanying the educational community of St. Joseph-Faith and Joy in Tacna that this year celebrates 30 years of life. The principal, Hernán Chiri Pérez and Zaida, will participate in the annual meeting of principals and promoters (mission effectiveness persons) of the Faith and Joy network from the 19th to the 22 nd of February in Lima. The theme of the meeting is: Education as a public good. Fr. Miguel Cruzado SJ, general director of the Faith and Joy network in Peru, in his letter says: As well as reuniting us as the Faith and Joy Family and sharing about our lives in 2018, we want to reflect together around our commitment to quality education as a good for all and the right of every person. In Faith and Joy we understand the public as the place where everyone is involved, not only the government, but also society in general. We hope to work on our relationship with the government their norms, demands, the difficulties, but within the frame of our mission to promote a quality education as a responsibility and right of everyone who attends, especially the most vulnerable of society Zaida says: I return to these annual meetings after 18 years, with a great desire to continue contributing to this important work. Sally returned to Tacna to dedicate her time to several activities in the organization of the school. Her contribution to Campus Ministry and the accompaniment of the Administrative Team with Zaida is greatly appreciated by the Faith and Joy family in Tacna. We hope that our sisters have a good year in their valuable labor with the students, their families and the teachers and workers in the school. 14

15 Zaida shared with us about her new ministry in spiritual direction: With gratitude to God and the team of sisters who accompany retreats for religious, I have initiated this new ministry in the month of January. It was an experience that was very enriching personally. To witness what God is doing in the person, is very edifying. I enjoy work working with Sr. Mary Elizabeth Kirke who attends to the details of the activities. I am learning a lot about this service. WE JOIN IN PRAYER: * For the health of Blair Harper, sister of Sally. * For the health of Sr. German Cáceres, father of María Elena. * For the health of Sr. Pedro, brother of María Inés. * For the recuperation of the nephew of Menche, Familia de San José de Chile. * For the the mothers of Mary Luz and Agripina. We give thanks for the lives of our sisters and the Familia de San José-Chile Enero Febrero 03 Maureen Freeman 13 Yolanda Arribasplata 04 Ester Abusto (FSJ- Chile) 14 Patricia VandenBergh 08 Ida Robertine 23 Ruth Matos 10 Ketty Segura (FSJ- Chile) 19 Jorge Vladés (FSJ- Chile) 23 Alma Jones 24 Martha Oliva (FSJ- Chile) 26 Esmeralda Mejias (FSJ- Chile) 28 Mariana Leininger 29 Sandra Straub 15