Good Shepherd News. No. 193 November Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd

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1 Good Shepherd News No. 193 November 2006 Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd Good Shepherd NGO marks 10 years at the UN gation has been granted special consultative status by the Economic Social Council of the United Nations. The Good Shepherd congregation marks its 10th year anniversary as a non governmental organization at the United Nations. It was on November 19, 1996 that Sr. Liliane Tauvette, superior general, received the official notification that our congre- The following month, Sr. Clare Nolan began her part time responsibility of representing the Congregation at the United Nations in New York. The NGO office has published a booklet of the activities, movement and initiatives that the office has done during the (Continued on page 13) Clare Nolan at the UN Office in New York Asia-Pacific Leadership program held in Malaysia 17 October- 22 November Sabah, East Malaysia For seven weeks last year, the Asia-Pacific group composed of seven provinces including Egypt-Sudan sent their respective delegates to participate in a leadership program spearheaded by Sr. Susan Chia, Provincial of Singapore-Malaysia. On October 16, 2006 thirty two (32) participants from Asia Pacific Share your views Good Shepherd NGO 10 years at the UN including Sudan and Mauritius came to continue the program. Nine Province Leaders and three from the Congregational Leadership Team (Sabina Pathrose, Elaine Basinger and Armelle Dehennault) also came to join two (Continued on page 6) WHAT S INSIDE? Jubilee in Hungary Page 2 Contemplative Corner Page 4 Good Shepherd Sisters during the leadership training program Venezuela: Golden Jubilee of Novitiate Page 9 Icon painting in Austria Pages 10 11

2 ter Erdo. Cardinal Erdo is the Primate of Hungary and the Archbishop of Budapest- Estergom. He gave this statement in 2004 when describing the obstacles to evangelization in a post-communist Hungarian society which has become liberal and highly secularized. It is with this background that Budapest will welcome the International Congress for the New Evangelization in Scene from Hungary Hungary Jubilee Year in preparation for The New Evangelization Congress The Congress was organized by five European capitals in five successive mission according to programs adapted to each city: the first in Vienna in 2003, the second in Paris in 2004, the third in Lisbon, 2005, the fourth in Brussels, 2006 and in 2007 it will be in Budapest. The Church of Hungary is preparing actively to celebrate the forthcoming Congress on the New Evangelization in The Congress preparation begins within the framework of the celebration of the 50 th anniversary of the Budapest Revolution ( ) Msgr. Andras Veres has also announced three other jubilees: the 8 th Centenary of the birth of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, the 550 th anniversary of the victory of Janos Hunyadi over the Turks (on this occasion, the church bells will ring for a long time on July 22, 2007) and the one thousand years since the birth of St. Emericus or Henry the young prince who died at the age of 24 ( ), son of the saintly king Stephen of Hungary. According to a report by ACD (Aid to Church in Distress, france.org/ observatoire/pays.php?id=24) the church of Hungary is searching for adequate instruments of evangelization in a largely secularized society. During the communist regime, it was difficult to be a Christian, now it has become more complicated, declared Cardinal Pe- «I will give you a future with hope» Good Shepherd Sisters, Hungary Will be the theme of the International Convention for a New Evangelization to be held in Budapest, September 16-22, It is taken from God's word: «For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.» (Jeremiah 29, 11) For more information to see: / Budapest 2007 (only in French) Try our new friendly links! Visitar:

3 A little bit of history Good Shepherd Sisters in Hungary In 1892, the first Good Shepherd Sisters arrived in Hungary and lived in Óbuda. Later on, they opened two other communities, one in Ikervár and another in Kecskemét. In 1950, religious congregations were dissolved; 180 Sisters of the Good Shepherd had to leave their communities. The Hungarian state took over religious houses. The sisters were dispersed; they looked for work and apartment; others found shelter at the Homes for the Aged. Yet, they maintained contact with one another secretly; they were reunited and helped one another sustain their community life. In 1990, after the fall of communism, they began again their community life and their apostolic service. Today, the Congregation has two communities in Hungary: one in Budapest and another in Gyöngyösoroszi. In Óbudan, there are two Maternal Homes, where Sisters welcomed each year about 40 people in the homes where mothers with their children stay; and in Gyöngyösoroszi, a Social Center for Gypsies, where a semi-boarding school helps the community s adolescents. Gilma Maria Muñoz Hungary Try our new friendly links! Visit: November 16 is International Day of Tolerance Sisters meet to plan RIMOA-Europe intercontinental assembly in Angers Sisters from the continental groupings RIMOA and Europe met in August in Angers to discuss preparations for the 2008 intercontinental assembly to be held at the Mother House. RIMOA or the Network of Africa, The Isles and Middle East and Europe are scheduled to hold the intercontinental assembly from October 17-31, Photo from left to right, Srs. Noha Mikady, Sudan; Flora Nyawira, Kenya; Antoinette Assaf, Lebanon/Syria; Nirmala Abeyasingha, The Isles; and Noreen O Shea, of Ireland representing Europe. 3

4 Contemplative Corner Good Shepherd Contemplatives: 175 years The mustard seed has grown. Today, the Contemplatives are in 25 countries and in 57 communities. The number of members has gone down, but God continues to send vocation to keep the contemplative way of life in the Good Shepherd Congregation alive. To remember faithfully is to thank with love. My heart is full of thanksgiving for His faithfulness, down through the 175 years. Not only did God inspire St. M. Euphrasia to begin the Contemplative community, on the 28th of August 1831, God also promised to send vocations to keep it alive. This is a sign of God s faithfulness to us. As we try to find ways to live creative fidelity, I see that we have changed our name, from Magdalen to Contemplative Sisters of the Good Shepherd, from brown robe or habit to white robe, etc Is that all? No, we have found ways and means to live our contemplative way of life and to be faithful to the charism, which St. M. Euphrasia handed down to us. She realized that the lives of prayer and reparation the Contemplative Sisters would also bring spiritual fruitfulness to the apostolate of the Congregation. We have opened our chapels to lay persons to share our life of prayer with them. We have taken responsibilities over our communities and the formation of our young sisters. We have gone as missionaries to other countries, answering a call within the call. What about our relationship with the Sisters in the active ministry? The deep bond that St. M. Euphrasia had with our first Sisters is continuing in the Congregation today. Wherever the Good Shepherd Sisters Contemplative Sisters during the 2003 General Assembly founded a house of an active ministry, and when they were well settled they tried to begin a Contemplative community. So, together, but each in our own way of life we work for the salvation of souls. Those Sisters who were in the general leadership found ways to gather Contemplative Sisters from different countries, so, as to give us a chance to share our own experiences and to enrich one another. Coming for meetings with active and Contemplative Sisters together, gave us a deep understanding of one another. We realize that the same spirituality, the same charism nourishes us and pushes us forward in our common mission for the salvation of persons. My thoughts go to the aspiration of St. M. Euphrasia. When she said, May the food of my life be to work without ceasing. Jesus said, My food is to do the will of the Father. Imitating Jesus the Good Shepherd St. M. Euphrasia said, May the food of my life be... Food is something that we need in order to live. People work hard to earn a living. Whatever I do, wherever I go, may the most important thing for me be the salvation of souls. Salvation of souls and the glory of God should be the intention in all my actions. Thus St. M. Euphrasia lived and breathed and worked in an active apostolate. We, the Contemplative Sisters are invited to follow her in our hidden apostolate of prayer. Living our life day in and day out, faithfully living the Essential Elements, we fulfill our apostolate of prayer. In this apostolate we are not alone. We are united with our Sisters in the active ministry. As Good Shepherd Sisters, whether we are contemplative or apostolic, we have a flock to take care of; for the Apostolic Sisters those who are under their care in their active ministry. For us Contemplative Sisters our flock are all those who have been entrusted to our prayers. Apostolic Sisters speak to people about God s mercy, through their active ministry. We speak to God about people and their needs through our life of prayer. We support our Apostolic Sisters through our prayers and encouragement. They help us to fulfill our apostolate of prayer by asking our prayers and sharing with us the needs of the apostolate. Our apostolate of prayer becomes fruitful through the active ministry of our Apostolic Sisters. At a time when religious vocations are becoming less, I find consolation in the letter that Sr. Thomas Aquinas Lee wrote to the Congregation, Christmas 1971: Will religious life die out? If we reflect on the Scriptures we find that, God does not need great numbers to establish His Kingdom. A handful of Sisters living out their vocation whole heartedly, humbly, even if prevented from pursuing an external apostolate, would be formidable influence for good and would be living for the salvation of souls. I like to apply this thought to our Contemplative life. May we become that handful of Sisters. May St. M. Euphrasia continue to help us, to be faithful to the treasure that she handed down us. May she obtain many vocations for us, so, that we may pass on this treasure to future generations. Sr. Patricia Perera East Asia Province, Korea sector 4

5 Province of Venezuela Years of hard but gratifying work. Unemployed youth or adolescents in high-risk situations are enabled to attain skills and receive training and spiritual value formation. The efforts of the sisters, trainors and participants, as well as the financial help of the business enterprises of the sector made it possible for the youth to enter the job market and mainstream society the way of dignity and solidarity, useful to themselves, 25 th Anniversary of the Good Shepherd Professional Formation Center The youth in our center GOLDEN JUBILEE OF VENEZUELAN NOVITIATE the poor with our beautiful charism of mercy and reconciliation. their family and the country. With a religious cultural and sports program, 200 apprentices, personnel of the administrative and teaching staff, religious of the Good Shepherd, friends and families of the youth, we celebrated this very special event. Between 10 teams of apprentices: accounting analysts I & II, administrative assistants I & II, there was a drawing of lots for the Volleyball Cup. The players were cheered by their respective sponsors. Songs, dances and colorful costumes gave much joy and an unforgettable touch to the festivities. Our province rejoiced in celebrating the 50 years of light and shadows of our Novitiate in Caracas. The Annals state: Returning from her visitation of Costa Rica, Sister Provincial came to Caracas wit the sisters destined for the Novitiate in Venezuela. They were: Sr. Ascension Rodriguez, mistress of novices, Ofelia Elisondo and Isaura Rojas (novices) and Aura Lila Morraz (postulant). Called by the Lord, other young Venezuelans and women from other Latin American countries came to give the best of themselves to the mission work. With much enthusiasm they made the presence of Jesus the Good Shepherd felt among Today, with the dynamic operation of our interprovincial NE T- WORK, the novices experience the living out of internationality in the Novitiate in Ecuador. We continue to pray the Lord of the Harvest to send new workers to His field. Sr. Martha Villegas Venezuela 5

6 Province of Singapore-Malaysia The First Asian Mission Congress The First Asian Mission Congress was held from October in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The Asian Mission Congress (AMC) organizers invited the Melaka-Johor Diocese for a Faith-Sharer, to present the Family Concerns as Experienced in the Basic Ecclesial Community and to share a theological reflection on it. As a Good Shepherd Sister working full-time in the Diocese of Melaka-Johor, MALAYSIA, I represented the Basic Ecclesial Communities (BECs) at the AMC, since I am in charge of the BEC desk at diocesanlevel. The Faith-Sharers were encouraged to present their given topics in 20 minutes, either through drama, videodocumentation using powerpoint or through songs and sound, with the remaining 10 minutes for the theological reflection. Therefore, I chose to involve six lay persons from two BECs in my preparation of work. These are people who have been generous in their contribution towards community life as BEC / Church, and as FAMILY persons who are still making great efforts in these aspects of their faith-life. However, mainly due to the timelimit allotted to the Faith- Sharers, I went to the AMC with only three persons from the BEC members I worked with. The remaining 14 Faith- Sharers addressed the topics on: the Elderly, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Indian Tribals (by Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo), Consumerism, Media, Migrants, Youth, Interreligious Dialogue (by a husband and wife team), and Thai Tribals. There were over 1,000 participants at this Congress. According to figures released at the time of the Congress, the participants included 5 Cardinals, 18 Archbishops, 51 Bishops, 330 Priests, 1 Deacon, 170 Religious Sisters, 20 Religious Brothers and 396 lay persons (of whom 205 were women and 191 were men). Ten missiologists were among those present at this First Asian Mission Congress that was organized by the Federation of Asian Bishops Conference. The delegates to the AMC came from: Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Sri Lanka, India, Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, East Timor, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Mongolia, ASIA-PACIFIC... (Continued from page 1) weeks of the program. The whole program is designed to finish in five weeks. This leadership program is in response to the call of the 28th General Chapter Directive Statement which the Cor Commission clearly describe as The transition from and South Korea. Some of the observers were from Australia, New Zealand, Oceania, Canada, U.K., USA, Italy, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Spain, Lebanon, and Poland. The theme of the AMC 2006 was, The Story of Jesus in Asia: A Celebration of Faith and Life. The aim of the Congress included the sharing of our faith in Jesus Christ, celebrating Asian ways of MISSION through WITNESS in the midst of our life realities, deepening our awareness as Church in Asia and in our understanding of mission ad gentes, focusing (Continued on page 13) hierarchical forms of leadership to models which are circular and participative requires formation and preparation. It calls for personal responsibility of each member of the Congregation. From Good Shepherd Link November 2006 The participants 6

7 Province of Australia/Aotearoa/New Zealand Pitch your tents on distant shores Don t be afraid to pitch your tents on distant shores if sheep are there to lead to the fold sheep from Italy, Bavaria and all Europe; from America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Bring them all in! - St Mary Euphrasia Pelletier You can t get much further from France and Ireland than Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti! It s a long way to go to pitch a tent! But a group of 4 Irish women did it, sent by Mary Euphrasia and arriving in Melbourne in 1863; and another group travelled to New Zealand from Melbourne, Australia in They were joined in 1887 by 4 Irish sisters who came from Angers via the USA! And in another century, another group set out for Tahiti in 1967, after having been expelled from Burma (now Myanmar) in most vulnerable in our society and offer them the opportunity to reclaim their human dignity and care for their families. The book, written by Catherine Kovesi, tells the story of the first women and their courage and tenacity in the face of great challenges. And it tells the story of the sisters commitment to the girls and women in their care over the years. One of the book s strengths is the social commentary and analysis Catherine provides throughout the story, setting in context the work of the sisters as the decades rolled on and times began to change. It is with great pleasure that the Sisters of the Province of Australia and Aotearoa/New Ze a- land share with you the story of their history and their journey within Good Shepherd. If you are interested in a copy of the book, please contact the Provincialate: Kate@goodshep.com. au Caroline Price, RGS Communications Province of Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand The Province of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand celebrated the launch of its history on 11 th October The book, titled: Pitch Your Tents on Distant Shores A History of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd in Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand and Tahiti was launched in fitting style, in the old Convent of the Good Shepherd at Abbotsford, where the first four sisters came to pitch their tents. And now over 143 years later Sisters in Australia and New Zealand and collaborators, coworkers, volunteers are pitching their tents in a variety of ways. The first sisters came to Australia and New Zealand in response to the chaotic time of new settlements and gold rushes to care for women who were living in poverty and abandoned on the streets by the society of the time. The programs now in place also meet the needs of those who are November 21: Presentation of Mary Mary responded in openness to the Spirit giving herself totally to the person and mission of Jesus. (Const 9) I confirm and renew with my whole heart : these are the words that we pronounce aloud on the Feast of the Presentation, in union with Mary s self offering. This is not merely an outward ceremony: it is an act of the heart, sincere and without limits... - St. Mary Euphrasia, Conference 17 Try the new friendly links! For the Province of Australia/Aotearoa/New Zealand Find out yours! Visit: 7

8 From the Eudists Ave Cor in the Philippines St. John Eudes 405th birth anniversary November 14, 2006 At the corner of Smokey Hill Drive and 11 th Airborne Street in Maharlika Village East, Tagaytay City stands a blue house, simple but attractive, fenced in by pillars of the same color, alternating with white iron grilles. The protective grille is surrounded by a discreet slope from which rise bromeliad plants. At an angle of the grille, a dark wooden signboard stands out conspicuously and on it one can read a name so well known and loved by the sons and daughters of St. John Eudes: AVE COR. It is the first house of the Eudists in the Philippine. In the language of St. John Eudes, this house belongs to Jesus and Mary and is destined to be a school of holiness for all who live in it. How did the Eudists acquire this dwelling? The house was built by Carmen and Mario Soriano on a lot which the couple had bought in this village. According to Carmen, the land used to have many herbal plants as well as rubble; they had planted some vegetables. When they decided to build, Mario prepared a design which he gave to an architect to make the plan. The resulting edifice was solidly built, of 2 stories, and with a finished terrace. The house is spacious, comfortable, functional; it is located near the turnpike connecting the provinces of Cavite and Batangas, thus all kinds of vehicles flow in its traffic. The pioneers of the Eudist mission in the Philippines (Fr. Ron Bagley and the undersigned) had been going around looking for a property or a house in Tagaytay which would be near the Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol, the theologate of the Diocese of Imus where the Eudists work. With the help of the Good Fr. Ron Bagley Shepherd Sisters we had looked over some possible sites. Finally, Sr. Becky Jameiro, who had offered us every support, informed us that Mario and Carmen wanted to sell their house. After several dialogues with them and consultations with the North American Province, we reached an agreement to purchase the Soriano house. All the necessary negotiations were made, always aided by our sisters, the R.G.S., and the legal advice of a lawyer. The Sorianos gave us their house after we paid half the selling price, the other half to be paid within the next few months. Mrs. Lilian Musni, sister of Sr. Becky, and an expert in landscaping and interior decoration, took charge of outfitting the house and provided a beautiful garden with a fountain, flowering plants and decorative stones. She added a gazebo (kiosk) and a covered structure in the terrace. Fr. Ron and the Jameiro sisters went through several home furnishing stores in Manila to buy things for the house. Between Sept. 16 and 17, we left the PIME Seminary and moved to our new home. On Sunday, the 17 th, after our pastoral work, we said evening prayer, then we went out to get a pizza for our first supper at Ave Cor. The following days were devoted to the detailed organizing of the house. On the 21 st, we welcomed Fr. Pierre Good Shepherd Sisters and those from other congregations Bishop Chito Tagle of the Diocese of Imus Marchand, who arrived with his French accent and a great willingness to work. He found a furnished house prepared but lacking some pieces of furniture. Our bishop, Luis Antonio Tagle (known as Chito ) offered to bless the house. After his trip to Rome and other European cities he came on Oct. 13 for the blessing. We had a beautiful celebration in the house over which he presided. We were joined by various priests, many sisters (more than 30 Good Shepherd Sisters among whom was Sr. Carmelita Cruz, the Provincial), seminarians of the Imus Diocese and the PIME as (Continued on page 9) 8

9 Sisters of Our Lady of Charity visit Generalate; attend celebration of OLC jubilee in Loreto OLC, RGS and Generalate Staff Good Shepherd Sisters and Sisters of Our Lady of Charity Sisters of the Our Lady of Charity from the Province of France visited the Generalate recently. The Sisters arrived on October 27 on their way to Loreto to attend the 150th year of foundation of the OLC community in the city the next day. The Sisters spent the night at the Generalate and proceeded to Loreto the next day for the celebrations. The visit was an occasion to meet the sisters of the Generalate, the lay staff, students and visiting sisters from different provinces like Sr. Caridad Tamayo, former Good Shepherd general councillor. The Sisters talked also about the joint community endeavors of RGS and OLC. The OLC group was led by Sr. Cecile Lionnet provincial of the OLC in France. St. John Eudes AVE COR... (Continued from page 8) A way to pray Saint John Eudes has left us his way of praying. It consists in 4 movements. Adoring: Contemplating, marvelling, admiring, Giving Thanks: recognizing God s gifts, showing appreciation for them. Asking for forgiveness. Recognizing the distance that exists between one s life and the marvels of God s love. Giving oneself to Jesus: give oneself to bear witness, give oneself for the Mission. From Praying with John Eudes Centre de Spiritualité Eudiste well as a few from OLP (Our Lady of the Pillar), and lay friends. In his homily Bishop Chito made an apt parallelism between the spirituality of the heart (loob) of the Filipino and the spirituality of St. John Eudes. After the blessing, and thanks to the support of many friends, we were able to share a grand merienda (a Filipino tradition) with everybody in the gazebo. Thus did we inaugurate the Eudist House Ave Cor in the Philippines. It was a great day for us. Blessed be God our Father who orders all things for our good. Fr. Amadeo P. Pedroza, CJM From left to right, Sr. Brigid Lawlor with the Eudist missionaries, Frs. Pierre Marchand of France, Amadeo Pedroza of Colombia and Fr. Ron Bagley of the United States, during the Eudists visit in October 2005 at the Good Shepherd Generalate. (Photo by Regina Kuizon) 9

10 Province of Austria/Swtizerland/Czech Republic About icon painting Icon painting in Austria In 1989 when we had to give up our apostolate in Salzburg and I - as it were - became a pensioner (60 years old) I began to paint icons. This is an activity which requires special openness to the guidance of the Holy Spirit according to the old tradition icon painters are the pencil of the Holy Spirit and write the icons from dictation of the Holy Spirit. More and more I felt I had to pass on everything that was given to me in this work to pass it on to all who were sent my way. Ever more people came and I divided them into groups of 10 participants for courses. During the year we had about 11 courses in our house, in parishes or in conference centers. I also was able to give courses to our Sisters in Germany. For me as a Good Shepherd Sister our apostolate is always the most important aspect. Most of the people who come are searching for some spiritual meaning in their lives in today s world. In their searching they often find healing and peace Sr. Roswitha Oberlechner through the language of the icon. Time and again young pregnant women would come to attend the course. Word has gotten around that the child in the womb of the mother who is painting an icon is totally relaxed and that the birth then becomes easy. Also children are coming 7-14 year- old ones because the heart becomes so happy or because Jesus comes so close or the patron saint comes close. Always the father (of these children) is absent and the mother had to work the whole day. For two children, the mother came first and wanted to paint a large sized God-Father from the Trinity icon in order pray in front of it at night with the children and to fill the gap. While writing these few lines I was interrupted by a visitor: a policeman who a year ago did a course after having had panic attacks. At that time for the first two days he cried again and again and excused himself. In the clinic where he had been for treatment he was told that it would be good for him to cry. Gradually he felt better and in the end he did not need medication anymore. A doctor who also painted an icon accompanied him. Today he came to say thanks. He can fully do his job again. About 60% of the participants of the courses have lost contact with the church or they belong to another religious denomination. Some say, I don t believe in God. Then they paint an (Continued on page 11) 10

11 Province of Germany Sisters, lay collaborators and staff hold formation program at the Mother House Good Shepherd Sister, friends and lay staff from Germany. Good Shepherd Sisters, 27 lay collaborators and staff from the Province of Germany attended a week-long formation program at the Mother House recently. The October 30-November 8 sessions were organized to implement the program that had been developed in the province: Forming our collaborators in the pastoral leadership of the Good Shepherd, which includes St. Mary Euphrasia and her holy work. We began with key collaborators from all the bigger houses, and wanted them to catch the fire. Therefore, we have chosen Angers as venue of the program. Sr.M. Christophora Eckl had prepared the sessions. She based the topics on her doctoral thesis, Pastoral Leadership of the Good Shepherd. Sr. Christophora has been for years responsible for the ongoing formation of our sisters, staff and Good Shepherd friends. This was the first session in the united province (the Provinces of Norddeutsche and Suddeutsche were united in April this year), and therefore it was for us very important. We are going to work on it within the next two years. Good Shepherd friends and staff helped facilitate the sessions. All were very grateful for the very good and intensive program. Sr. Ingrid Schimansky AUSTRIA... (Continued from page 10) angel as symbol of the good in this world. However soon they discover from the symbolism of the picture that everything in this angel points to God. It points to the God who is searching for his wounded and lost children and whose loving heart cannot forget anyone. Through the icon he wants to be with each one and accompany her/ him. Sr. Roswitha with twins whose mother joined the icon painting retreat when she was pregnant. A woman, 60 years of age, once painted a Christ icon, brought him after the blessing (of the icon) into her beautifully decorated house and stayed praying until midnight. I want him to be at home in my house with me, she said the next day to me. Some weeks later I received the news that she had been found dead - sitting in front of the icon. Thus the course and the icon had become for her the preparation for her hour, for her coming home. An icon is also called a look into eternity. This report is only a tiny fraction of many experiences. Great is the gratitude of the course participants for the bridge to God, for everything that is given to them through the icons. I am aware that it is the prayers of my Sisters, their interest that opens up hearts for the work of the Holy Spirit which is continuing this apostolate. Sr. Roswitha Oberlechner, RGS, Salzburg 11

12 Province of Mexico A profound joy Visit of Brigid Lawlor, September, 21-29, With profound joy, the Unit of Mexico welcomed Sr. Brigid. While she was with us, Sr. Brigid had many opportunities to visit with the Lay Associates, Contemplative and Apostolic Sisters, benefactors, friends and acquaintances of this Good Shepherd Province. At her first gathering, Sr. Brigid met with the Good Shepherd Family in order to present a global and international view of the Good Shepherd mission. This was a strong motivation to continue to share the charism between the lay associates and our sisters in all of our projects. Afterward, Sr. Brigid presented a list of important congregational matters and she invited us to dialogue regarding these, emphasizing our concerns and doubts regarding each one of these matters. Among these items were: Contemplative Sisters, re-structuring, link language, laity, missionary experience, etc. There were brief presentations by region of our reality as a province, and there was time to share with the Contemplative Sisters, sisters in formation and teams of the provincial leadership. She also visited some of our community projects in León, Guanajuato and in México City. Associates - México During her visit we could not pass up the opportunity to share with her our rich and joyous culture. We had an afternoon in which we shared in a Mexican Fiesta with songs, poetry, folk dances, theatre, delicious appetizers and joyful Mariachi music. Sr. Brigid s last day was the 29 th. We appreciated her presence among us, her closeness and her simplicity. She shared City of Guanajuato Sisters in formation Symbol used at the welcome celebration for Brigid her hope-filled message and the invitation to continue to weave a network of compassion and reconciliation in global solidarity. Thank you, Brigid! Good Shepherd Sisters, Mexico Brigid with the children of the kindergarten Brigid and the Contemplative Sisters: Herminia y Ernestina Presentation on the Congregation Brigid Srs. Brigid and Alejandra, Provincial leader 12

13 2006 Good Shepherd News While each unit is encouraged to send articles anytime during the year, we have planned that there are specific issues when each unit is asked to submit an article so that at the end of the year all the units have been part of the Good Shepherd News. Please send articles by the 5th of each month. Here is the suggested schedule: January COR Commission, Committee for the Planning of the General Chapter, RIMOA meeting, other News February Japan, Portugal/Angola, Malta, Recife, Chile March Argentina/Uruguay, Sri Lanka/ Pakistan, France/Belgium, Bolivia April Egypt/Sudan, Netherlands, Bogota, Mid North America May Australia/Aotearoa/NZ, Mozambique, Medellin, Great Britain, Kenya, Belo Horizonte June East Asia, South Africa, Paraguay, Central America July India, Senegal, Germany, Lebanon/Syria August Indonesia, Ireland/Ethiopia, Peru, September Philippines, Les Isles, Italy, New York., Mexico October China District, Spain, Ecuador November Singapore/Malaysia, Hungary, Venezuela December Canada, Austria/Switzerland/ Republique Tcheque, CLT Invitation Please send articles, photos with captions for Good Shepherd News to: REGINA KUIZON Casa Generalizia, Suore del Buon Pastore Via Raffaello Sardiello Roma, Italia 10 YEARS AT THE UN... (Continued from page 1) past 10 years. The booklet serves as a resource for Good Shepherd Sisters worldwide as they seek to be lifebearers, living in compassion and reconciliation, contributing to a world of justice and peace. FIRST ASIAN MISSION... (Continued from page 6) on a renewed mission animation. The programme consisted of faith-sharings and workshops, followed by a reflective theological synthesis of the day s topics. The AMC engaged in Storytelling or the narrative method as part of the reflection process. Hence, our BEC members shared on Family Concerns and their on-going joys and struggles between FAITH and LIFE, which is their faith and commitment to Jesus in their daily life-situations. They told their story using real-life examples that is also true for people in other parts of Asia. My reflection paper was based on these stories. Of significance to me as a Good Shepherd Sister, is that the Message of the First Asian Mission Congress in Telling the Story of Jesus in Asia recalled the experience of the first disciples, whose fear and disappointment, trauma and devastation became faith and rejoicing as they proclaimed: I have seen the Lord (Jn 20:18); It is the Lord (Jn 21:7); It is true: The Lord has risen (Lk 24:34); My Lord and my God (Jn 20:28), The NGO office also pays tribute to Srs. Barbara Davis, Ligia Constante de Silva and Christine Tan who all contributed to the congregation s work for justice and peace. Clare Nolan, as NGO representative acknowledged that the process of attaining NGO status spanned three General Leadership Teams. and how Jesus comes personally to his followers and calls them by name. The AMC in offering the Mission Orientations to us as contemporary disciples of Jesus, included among the priorities for our missionary work in Asia, which I choose to highlight here: Fostering the attitudes and values of humility and openness before the mystery of God at work in the peoples of Asia especially in.the poor, the marginalized, migrant workers, women and children Promoting the participation of the laity, especially the youth who are the future of the Church in Asia Form families to grow in openness and a humble attitude to the mystery of God at work in other religions especially with the involvement of Basic Ecclesial Communities Offer more effective pastoral care for those in mixed marriages and other interreligious situations Make BECs an effective instrument of evangelization inculturation and interreligious dialogue. Margaret Pereira RGS Good Shepherd News Special thanks to the following for the translation: Srs. Karla Bernabé, Marta Ceballos, Evelina Coronel, Armelle Dehennault, Marie Establier, Magdalena Franciscus, Charlotte Gill, Gisèle Lalonde, Rosario Ortiz, Adriana Perez, Delia Rodriguez, Ana Lucia Sanabria, Mary James Wilson, Ms. Claire Alessandri 13