Buenos Dias,

 

Thank you for inviting me to participate in your National Congress. It has been such a joy to spend these special days with you, learning about EXASAC, and some of the traditions, history and customs of Mexico; getting to know you, hearing your concerns, and sharing your vision for AMASC.

 

May I preface my remarks by congratulating Rosario for four years of outstanding leadership with her team?

Congratulations, also, to the Mexican Association Presidents who presented such informative reports at the Presidents' Meeting, yesterday. Thank you for all that you do for so many!

 

Prior to coming to San Luis Potosi, I enjoyed two wonderful days sightseeing and touring many places of interest in Monterrey. My delightful companions and guides were Rosario, Yolanda, Patricia, Sr. Guadalupe and Conty. I am most grateful to them for their many kindnesses and for their wonderful input concerning our World Association.

 

Your AMASC team has been working hard this summer getting organized for the business of the next four years.

Last weekend we had an executive committee Retreat in New Orleans with the 2006 Congress and Study Plan chairs. Our vice - president, Maryliz deVito Lincoln, from San Francisco, was able to be with us. Maryliz reminisced with the team about the early days of AMASC. Her message to you, is the following:

 

"As I sit with Olga and her new AMASC team, I recall the years when AMASC came to the United States for the first time. It was 1978; Miriam Gray was elected President in Dublin, Ireland. Miriam asked me to be her Secretary- General. I had been to only one AMASC meeting; it was in 1974 in Mexico City. When we returned to the United States, our first mission was to explain AMASC to the country, as this was so new to the United States. During that time, AMASC published a newsletter. It was my job to see that it was sent to the National Presidents in their language of choice: English, French or Spanish. I well remember typing the newsletter on a typewriter; no computers in those days! Not only no computers, but we had to rely on communications between

the countries and AMASC, via letter; no email; no fax! All of this had to be done on a VERY strict budget, as the AMASC dues were then 10 cents per member!!!

 

For many of you, this must sound like at least 100 hundred years ago, but it was actually only 24 years; less than a quarter of a century.

 

How blessed we are today to be able to communicate instantly, via the internet. How fortunate we are to be in touch with our AMASC Presidency whenever we desire, and know that Olga is here to answer our needs and

concerns.

 

I have always believed that AMASC is really a blessing for us all! It is an international family bond, of which we are truly blessed to be a part; I know that my Sacred Heart family---locally, nationally and internationally---has been such a source of strength to me at so many times in my life. I always thank Miriam for having made me a part of this beautiful family and now Olga has asked me to again take an active part. How lucky to again be a part of the AMASC team in this new age of technology!" Love in the Sacred Heart, Maryliz

 

It seems providential that we are here today. San Luis Potosi is very close to my heart. It was here, in April,1998, that you placed your confidence in me, by electing me to serve as an AMASC Advisor. Although many alumnae came from the United States, I traveled alone from New Orleans. Many of my companions had just returned from another major conference and could not leave their families and businesses so soon, again. I was somewhat apprehensive; however, my love for AMASC had grown so strong over the years, I was determined to make the trip. Prior to my departure for Mexico, Sr. Mary Blish, rscj, moderator of the New Orleans Children of Mary

Sodality, surprised me with a FAX from the RSCJ Archives in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A. It stated that my great-aunt, Mother Clemence Nicaud, rscj, had been assigned to San Luis Potosi in the late 19th century. Mother Nicaud now rests in peace, at the cemetery for the Religious at Grand Coteau, Louisiana. Having learned of Mother Nicaud's stay in San Luis Potosi, I felt very strengthened and certain that my journey here was going to be one of the most spiritually enriching and memorable experiences of my life; it truly was! The AMASC Congress was magnificent and you are to be congratulated on its overwhelming success! The consciousness raising address of Teresa Porcile will be etched in our hearts forever.

 

It is hard to believe that four years have passed so quickly. The AMASC Congress in Australia and its challenges, are still fresh in our minds. When Rosario contacted me, she suggested that I include the following in my message to the assembly:

 

1. Commitments made in Australia;

 

2. Expectations that AMASC has for your Mexican association-EXASAC;

 

3. What AMASC can offer to all Sacred Heart alumnae/i around the world."

 

 

First, the "commitments" or " directional statements" of the 12th AMASC Congress are prefaced by the remark that, " We are ordinary people who can change the world, remembering that the longest journey begins with the first step."

 How do we proceed in taking that "first step"?

  

A. We must make a personal commitment to emphasize social justice issues and champion women

and children's causes in collaboration with the RSCJ. Certain AMASC administrative councilors

have been charged with the responsibility of maintaining communication with Sr. Clare Pratt. Our

RSCJ Superior General, is identifying and prioritizing the projects for us to pursue. Among these

is the primary school in Uganda. At the National Presidents' meeting in Sydney, the proposal for

AMASC to assist in this area was adopted unanimously. We are awaiting further direction

concerning exactly how this is to be done. We'll pass the information on to all of our members for

implementation as soon as it is received.

 

B. As we stated in Sydney, we all have our ideals and values and we should never compromise them. However, we must listen to one other with open minds, never being critical or judgmental but being kind and compassionate. We must always be aware that there are different opinions, different ways of thinking, and pray that "our" ways are "God's" ways! Let us work through our problems and eradicate cruelty and insensitivity; let us celebrate our likenesses and respect our differences.

 

C. By exercising prudence and justice in our business and professional lives, while balancing family and career commitments.

 

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Concerning the second point, AMASC's expectations of all our associations,

 

We ask:

 A. That all of our members become personally committed and actively involved in AMASC's

projects and activities, in collaboration with the RSCJ.

B. That they strengthen collaboration, through active participation, with other organizations to

which AMASC belongs, such as WUCWO (World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations)

and OMAEC (an organization comprised of former pupils of Catholic education.) We will be

sending representatives to these meetings, and will keep you informed of ongoing projects in

which you can participate.

 C. That all become actively involved in addressing social justice issues as we become aware of the

most desperate needs.

 D. That all become involved in addressing moral issues, especially those that affect the children.

Perhaps the most serious, is the immorality in the media.

E. That all associations encourage their members to work toward greater participation for women in

the Church; (a proposal has been formulated for our consideration to be presented to the Holy

See). We will be sending a copy to all of the National Presidents, as soon as it is sent to us.

F. That every association participate in our new project, "Each One, Bring One"; this is a movement

to encourage each member of every association to invite one other Sacred Heart alumna or

alumnus, to join it's ranks. This would, of course, be done on a local level, thus automatically

increasing the numbers in our national and international associations. We all know that there is

strength in numbers!

G. That every alumnae/i association, elect or appoint an AMASC Representative to its board. That way, the members can be better informed of the projects and activities of our world association and,

hopefully, become more actively involved. We especially encourage the involvement of young alumnae and alumni; they are our future! the young bring new ideas, energy and enthusiasm; the others bring maturity and experience. If AMASC is to continue to grow and flourish, we must have both!

H. That each Association make a serious commitment to participate in the study plan for the 2006

AMASC Congress. Kathleen Simon, our study plan coordinator, has sent us a summary of her

comments and remarks made at the AMASC Executive Committee meeting September 20, 2002.

The following are quoted excerpts from Kathleen's message:

 

 

" The theme of the XIII AMASC Congress in 2006 is:

 

 'Collaboration For a Transformed World'.

As we journey into the Third Millennium, we are reminded that the General Chapter, 2000, of The Religious of the Sacred Heart, reexamined the education mission of the Society and sought new articulation of sacred heart educational

 

Philosophy.

 

Sacred Heart schools are still called to provide students with

an Education that transforms. Beyond formal education, the Society continues to extend its mission, in the ministries of pastoral work, popular education, work with women and children, and health and human development programs.

 

Rooted in the spirit of internationality and currently present in more than 44 countries, the Society seeks a global perspective in inter-cultural awareness. This desire to understand, respect and be enriched by other cultures, shapes the work of the RSCJ in intercultural ministries abroad. It is essential to the mission of the Society that there be lay collaboration. The Study Plan for the XIII World Congress will build upon the Study Plan of Reconciliation and move us towards Collaboration for a Transformed World."

 

There will be two phases;

 

Phase I will be: A Time of Reflection, joining alumnae and alumni around the world to reflect upon the incredible gifts we have been given, through our associations with the Religious of the Sacred Heart and through our Sacred Heart education and traditions. This may be done in whatever way each Association chooses to participate.

 

 

Phase II will focus on the aims of AMASC and compel us to action. Our values and our faith, combined with the unique cultural view of the many tens of thousands of alumnae and alumni in this international family, will play a vital role in fostering the work and spirit of the Society throughout the world. 

Each Association will examine it's own gifts and talents and determine the best course of action to take in its community. We of AMASC will then meet the challenge of expressing our christian values which impel to actions of personal growth, in an atmosphere wise freedom.

 

One suggestion that we plan to implement, is to involve high school students ( grades 8-12), in the Study Plan; to bring them into the fold prior to their graduation.

 

Every association will receive an outline which can be used as a guideline for implementing the Study Plan.

  

We recommend that Phase One be completed over the first two years, (2002-2003 and 2003-2004), and that Phase Two be completed by the end of the third year (2005). This will give the committee time to collate the information prior to the 2006 AMASC Congress.

 

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The third and final point addresses what we, as AMASC, can do for you.

 

A. We all agree that communication is of the utmost importance. We are doing all that we can to keep in touch with you and to help all of our alumnae/i keep in touch with one another. We are delighted that Anne de Broglio has agreed to continue to be the Webmaster, for our term of office. Anne ha redesigned and updated the website and we encourage you to log on to: www.amasc-sacrecoeur.org .You will find a list of board members, with their email addresses, and their responsibilities. All of them would be happy to hear from you and to assist you in any way possible. There is also a new category fo young alumnae/i and a guest book for your personal messages. We encourage you to sign in and shar your thoughts with us; your input is always welcome!

 

B. We maintain very close ties with the Superior General of the Society of the Sacred Heart. We are in constant touch with Sr. Clare Pratt and will continue to be for the duration of our term. We will always be happy to communicate with Sister on behalf of any of our Associations.

 

 

 C. Through our Hospitality Program we assist, in a variety of ways, those alumnae/i traveling in foreign countries.

 

 

D. As you know, there are countries in which our Sacred Heart schools no longer exist. Belonging to AMASC, is a means of maintaining contact and participation with alumnae, alumni, and Religious

throughout the world.

 

E. AMASC World Congresses unite our international alumnae and alumni.

Those who cannot attend can log on to our Website and follow the Congress daily with us.

 

Finally, but most importantly, is the realm of spiritual enrichment;

 

A. We pray and sing together when alumnae/i are gathered, as we participate in liturgies in the languages of AMASC; thus celebrating the commonality of our prayer experiences.

  

B. We encourage our members to strengthen their faith through participation in prayer/study groups and to keep themselves informed by reading current publications and other Church documents.

 

C. As members of AMASC, children of the Sacred Heart, we place great emphasis on studying, learning, understanding and appreciating the cultures, values and religions of the world. For we know, that we must do so, if we are ever to find peace in this troubled world.

 

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Now that we have presented the aforementioned challenges, my team and I extend an invitation to you to join us in New Orleans in the spring of 2006. Come enjoy beautiful Liturgies, a broad spectrum of music from classical to jazz, delicious Cajun and Creole delicacies, festive celebrations and great camaraderie!

 

We will spend a glorious day at the Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau, Louisiana, retracing the footsteps of our beloved Philippine Duchesne! We are going to do everything we can to make the Congress affordable . Wendy Hills, our Congress Chair, and her committee, are working diligently to ensure that we have a productive, spiritually enriching, fun filled and memorable experience!

 

In closing, I would like to congratulate Charo and her EXASAC Congress team for the excellent

Congress. Please know how grateful I am to each of you for all that you've done and continue to do for me and for AMASC.

 

As I leave you, today, please remember, "You never really leave a place you love, a part of it you take

with you, leaving a part of yourself behind."

 

Gratias!