Report from the weekend meeting: 8-9 May 1999

At the invitation of ANASC Belgium, Sacré-Cœur Europe met at Lindhout on the 8^th and 9^th of May. Teachers and Principals came from Malta, Italy, Austria, France, Scotland, Belgium, Ireland, England, Germany, Holland and Spain (11 countries, 45 participants) to meet, reflect together, define the objectives and outline the programme for "Bicentenaire S.C. 2000.

Saturday 8 May: Most of the participants were accommodated by families and were delighted by the welcome they received. The head of the Scholastic Centre at Lindhout, Mme Crockaert, as well as the Provincial, Sœur Thibaut, placed the Castel and buildings of Lindhout at our disposal: gothic yet practical at the same time. A setting of the highest standard, beginning with the delicious lunch served at the commencement of the meeting in the "grands salons" of the Castel. After coffee, in superb warm weather, work progressed with great enthusiasm in small groups and in plenary session.

The main items of the "2000" programme are in place:

1. ;A survey of the international S.C. network. A team of students and teachers from Jette will present the results of a study of this theme which will then be sent to S.C. schools internationally. Objective: to make current students conscious that their school is part of an educational network with educational aims specifically oriented towards the future. Also that this aim has a secular origin and that the educational project of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat has always had an international dimension. Interviews of current students and alumnae, personal accounts, contacts between generations, differences and similarities between countries, etc.

2. Presentation of a theatrical performance, composed of different "scenes" played by young people from various countries. Under the co-ordination of Philippe Dartois, teacher at the S.C. school in Bondues, France. This performance will be in two acts: the first recounting the foundation of the congregation and the work of St Madeleine Sophie Barat. The second part will be contemporary, showing how the young of today live and their responses to problems. The plan for production is to use few words and to use easily comprehensible scenes and movement. A musical accompaniment will support the scenes. Each school will be responsible for their own scenario. A general rehearsal will be held in 2000.

3. A video of the S.C. network in Europe. Each European school will present itself on this video to all the others. A series of "visiting cards", visual, short and harmonious. Basically a presentation of the network of contacts which exist or to come in future...existing between the S.C. European schools.

4. An internet site for "S.C. 2000". Today, to speak of contacts is to speak of the Internet. Thus an Internet site. This will be created (and this won't be a small undertaking) by the multimedia centre at the S.C. school in Amiens. atAll schools, alumnae associations and religious can find all they need to know about "Bicentennaire 2000" on this site from September 1999. In brief: a unique form of communication and information, in real time, beyond frontiers.

With these good resolutions, the group split up and returned to their host families or the hotel. That evening, there was also a visit to "Brussels by night" for the most courageous.

Sunday 9 May: The morning began at the "collège St Michel". Firstly, mass was celebrated by Father Pattyn at the college chapel. Breakfast followed in the Fathers' refectory. Then there was a visit to the new hall of the "Theatre St Michel" where some of the Bicentenary celebrations will take place. Return to Lindhout to continue work on the programme. Thérèse Solé, Yolande Boucquey and Jacqueline de Montjoye presented the "academic" part of the Bicentenary celebrations: the conferences and sessions which will be organised and in which youth, alumnae and alumni will be invited to express their ideas, experiences, projects, desires, etc...) in the presence of several experts.

The morning ended with a delicious cold buffet prepared by several alumnae whom we have never thanked enough.

The 45 participants separated with renewed confidence, convinced that now, the "S.C. 2000" project is no longer a mirage but a tangible reality. Although 85% of the work remains to be done, with the help of the right authorities (the Sacred Heart and the Saint above all) this will not pose many problems. This at least was our conviction as a result of this inspiring weekend.