INFORMATION

No.136 October 2001
IN SOLIDARITY The terrorist attack of September 11 shook the whole world and was for us too a time to share in the pain of the people and of our sisters in the United States, and in the solidarity of so many people of good will. We are also united with all the countries who lost a significant number of citizens in this violence. As citizens of our wounded world, let us identify with the words of Paul: "It is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts..." (2 Cor. 1,21-22). We have felt our Cor Unum in the many messages we have received, and we are united in solidarity and hope.

We also express our Cor Unum with the Province of France, especially the community of Toulouse in the aftermath of the explosion that took place there on September 21, in a factory close to the town. Though our sisters themselves were not hurt, the house suffered considerable damage to windows, ceilings and walls, and these will be difficult and costly to repair. We are united in thanksgiving with them because the children of the school that occupies a part of the house were, at the time of the explosion, at recess, and that saved their lives since the classrooms were very damaged.

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NOMINATIONS Ilsemarie Weiffen has been named provincial of Germany/Sweden for a second mandate.

Margaret Phelan (USA) will replace Anne Leonard as General Archivist in the early months of 2003. She will come to Rome once the move of her province’s archives has been completed. In the meantime, Anne will continue this service; we are grateful for her generosity, her interest and her efficiency during this extended period.

Marina di Polto (BRA) will arrive at the motherhouse in December to replace Carolyn Siy in the General Treasury.

Carolyn will work with her for a few months.

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INFORMATION FROM SOME REGIONS We think it is important to let the whole Society know about some inter-provincial efforts around the world. This is one way of being aware of the life that gives energy to our journey and to our search for better ways to be of service. We will, from now on, share this type of information with you.

The Forum 2000, a gathering of young people of Europe took place in Placeres (ESS), Spain July 23-31. The theme was, "Choose life." 48 young people, (aged 20 to 28), and 31 RSCJ from 14 countries (Sweden, Hungary, Ukraine, Poland, Russia, Greece, Italy, Austria, Spain, Belgium, Holland, England, Ireland, France) took part. The participants were invited to share the reality of their own countries in order to contribute to the building of Europe. They reflected on social justice, globalization, spirituality of the heart and the ethical challenges of our day.

A meeting of the young professed of Europe and those responsible for them was held in Santiago de Compostela (ESS) August 2-8. 46 young professed and 9 of those charged with them attended including a probanist from Venezuela and two from the Congo. During the three days, the group walked part of the pilgrimage to Santiago (almost 70 km) in the mornings, and in the afternoons, they rested and shared the experience. Once they returned to the residence in Santiago, their sharing centred around "the challenges of interculturality."

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COUNCIL’S Clare Pratt and Son In Sook will go to Korea on September 30, to Japan on

AGENDA October 9, to Taiwan on October 16, to Indonesia on October 21. They will return to Rome on October 28.

Mariado Górriz will leave for Argentina on October 1 and on October 4 she will attend a meeting on formal education. She will be in Buenos Aires and Paraguay October 11-18. On October 20 she will go to Cuba, to Haiti on the 28th and to Puerto Rico on the 31st until November 10.

Marisa Sacerdote will go to Argentina on October 1 and will attend the meeting on formal education on the 4th. She will be on vacation October 11-18, and she will go to Cuba on the 20th, to Haiti on the 28th and Puerto Rico on the 31st until November 10.

Jane Maltby will remain in Rome.

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  • WE SHARE OUR REFLECTION The events of September 11 were a strong jolt for us as for the rest of the world. As an international community from 11 countries, we are a microcosm of the Society. Our internationality is a privilege. We have felt so strongly the closeness and the caring of all the communities that we want to share our reflections with you. These were colored by each one's nationality and therefore by different understandings of the facts. In a spirit of mutual respect we were able to express openly and in trust not only the words, but also the reality from which each one spoke; we were able to touch upon strong and delicate issues, the feelings of some countries toward others, own our differences, and that which was in our hearts. For some, violence is a daily occurrence in their countries, and for others a totally new one. Something very profound united us and urged us to take the time to share from our different histories.

    Our feelings were mixed: horror, incredulity, pain, sorrow, anger, outrage, fear, anxiety, powerlessness, despair and hope. Our thoughts were confused: the "whys" are complex. We differentiated between U.S. citizens and their government’s foreign policy which often provokes our indignation. We felt immense pain and sorrow for the people of the US for the loss and the suffering of so many. We admired the generosity of so many people who came to the rescue, the solidarity and unity within the country and internationally.

    We considered once more the power and the force of evil, and the fact that violence has become institutionalized in our world, not only through terrorism, but also because of its root causes: a globalized system of exclusion. This brought us to touch upon deeper levels, and made us more conscious of our own violence; to discover our innate tendencies to react, sometimes with anger; to discover that my violence is linked to all violence; that power that is not at the service of others perpetuates the chain of power that crushes.

    We spoke about the desire to be PEACEMAKERS, to help bring about compassion and justice. Our security is not assured by amassing more arms but through building more solidarity.

    We raised some questions for our own continued reflection. Perhaps they can be a help to others:

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    · At this time of increasing global insecurity, where do we find our own security?

    · How can we become better informed about Islam: to understand its true values? to try to fathom the logic of the fundamentalism of some its minority groups?

    · How does God look upon these events? To what does God invite us? How do we live Jesus’ most difficult command: to love our enemies?

    · The events of September 11th have repercussions for the whole world. What challenges does this present to us as responsible citizens of our world?

    Community of the Mother House

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    HOW DO WE EXPRESS OUR COMMUNION? HOW DO WE DESCRIBE OUR AFRICAN IDENTITY?

    This was the title for the meeting of provincials and newly professed of Africa in which Clare and I participated with delight. I will try to share with you the experience of those 11 days, through the images of "space" and "journey".

    We were welcomed into the beautiful space of Kenya and our immersion in nature brought out the best in us... an environment where daily life is imbued with music and dance…our sisters are full of nature’s wisdom! Could this not be one of the aspects of the "new language" that we so longed for at the Chapter?

    We were able to create a magical space of trusting relationships among ourselves simply by sharing stories of our countries and of our provinces.

    An especially moving moment came when our sisters from Uganda asked pardon of our Congolese sisters for their government’s participation in the war. There were stories filled with gratitude toward our sisters from other countries who have made it possible for our presence in that continent today to be a truly "African presence." In that context our sisters from Chad expressed strongly that they need help from the other provinces so that their first vocations might be rooted, from the start, in their own land.

    It was a prayerful space to which each culture and province brought the richness and celebration of its faith.

    It was a dynamic space in which the group of young professed overcame the obstacles of their different languages (Polish, French and English), gave many hours of extra work, energy and humor to get us started in the process.

    The journey began with the vitality, joy and responsibility of knowing that "the fate of the Society in Africa is in African hands." We were certain too that the whole Society is accompanying this process of growth, not only by giving support but also expectant and open to the promise of new life for our international community.

    It was a journey of communion with their people, of feeling deeply the challenges facing the Church in Africa today: "The missionary Church is giving way to the Church in mission," seeking to combine evangelization and justice, and calling religious life to inculturate the gospel with the best from their traditional cultures: hospitality, solidarity, welcome, family spirit.

    This journey began with an analysis of the socio-economic and religious situations of their countries, and demanded of them a response of oneness with so many African women who bring life to birth, care for it and nourish it, many times against all hope…

    It was a journey walked in the midst of their people, with pain and hope, using all their creativity, their commitment and the best of our educational tradition to bring about the transformation of persons and societies.

    On the last day the space was filled with joy and energy drawn from the vibrant communication and support which they had experienced. With strong conviction the provinces decided to connect among themselves in order to proceed with fresh vision on the journey of the Society in Africa. They want to make this journey with the whole Society. They are grateful to Madeleine Sophie and are ready to deepen and live our charism as the best gift that they can offer to their people and to the international Society.

  • We leave the last word to the symbol which accompanied us throughout the meeting and to Hilda Bamwine, provincial of Uganda/Kenya:

    This is a symbol of four figures representing the four African provinces. I invite you to enter into the sacredness of this symbol. Look at it, contemplate it and try to become a part of it. That is what we should be for each other.

    Together we stand, divided we fall. Indeed, the fate of the Society in Africa is in our hands." May this invitation echo in our hearts as together we create our own story.

  • Mariado Górriz
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    FINANCIAL PROJECTS OFAFRICA At the meeting in Kenya, with the provincials of Africa we looked at theprojects most in need of financial assistance. We communicate this information to you so that you can share it with other interested individuals or groups.

    D.R. of Congo

    The province’s purchase of a large field

    - This can be a viable investment for them and can help them to become self- supporting.

    - They believe that this would provide work for some families and also be a source of income.

    - Income from this would be applied to the schools (teacher salaries, scholarships, food for the boarding school).

    - This would be an evolving project of community development: over and above the usual workers, the religious and teachers in our schools would also work there on weekends and during holidays.

    - The cost: approximately US $111,000.

    Uganda/Kenya

    Construction of a primary and boarding school in Uganda

    - The country is giving priority to education but is not able to take care of all the needs. It is the norm to have 120 children in one classroom with very poor conditions.

    - The majority of RSCJ work in the diocese, in government-owned secondary schools, often in administrative positions. While this is a valuable service, it is important to meet the needs of the younger children in an institution having our educational philosophy.

    - This school would also provide an opportunity for teacher training.

    - The cost: approximately US $2,300,000. Funding has been obtained for the first phase of the construction, but much is still needed.

    We give priority to these two projects because they need to get underway. We also want to let you know that Egypt has an educational project for the physically and mentally handicapped, and Chad has a creative project of agricultural schools.

    If you want more information or would like to send funds, please contact each of the provinces directly.

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