EDITOR'S MESSAGE
To all our Sacre Coeur Alumnae around the world:
Thank you for joining us on the Web for this second issue of our
Newsletter.
In my first editorial, I wrote that it was an honour and a
privilege to serve as Editor of the AMASC Web Site. Now, some
months later, I feel even more strongly that this is so. Already,
we have achieved so much communication and received so much
support, and this is developing into one of the most challenging
and fulfilling experiences of my life.
There is so much to do and to learn. I am trying to turn into a
better linguist, as my emails and faxes arrive in a variety of
languages. So far, I am managing to read, communicate, edit, do
some of the translations into English and trying to think
multilingually!
I cannot praise my translators enough - Dominique and Cristina -
they work with so much skill and commitment and I have learnt a
great deal about some of the finer refinements of style and
expression in their languages. Some of these refinements become
even more refined at 4 o'clock in the morning! This commitment is
also evident in our contributors. Maria Franca Migone sent me the
text of her tribute to Filomena Luciani in two languages, along
with accompanying photographs already scanned into the computer.
Almost every day, I receive yet another "labour of
love".
We are also developing friendships as we work - I hope with all
my heart that these bonds will remain strong, that the
friendships will endure, and that even in a small way we can live
up to the AMASC ideal which Denise Peeters writes of in her
tribute to both Filomena Luciani and Marguerite Nyst-Seigneur.
These pioneers, she said, "worked and fought so hard for the
building of a better world". If we can even begin to follow
their example, then all the hours of work will be worth it.
Please - if you have not already - participate with us in this
process. The draft Study Plan, which is included in this issue
and has already been sent to all National Associations, is a
template for a process of personal and communal development and
action which I hope many of you will join us in over the next few
years.
I have also written about some related ideas in an Open Letter
inviting contributions for this issue, which I will keep within
the contents for the time being, for those who have not already
read it.
I am trying to build closer ties with the editorial team of the
WUCWO Newsletter, so that they will share relevant material with
us and develop means of disseminating communications and
publications between our two organisations. Camille Farell, our
AMASC Representative to WUCWO, does a splendid job of being our
spokesperson at their forums. She has written an article on WUCWO
for this issue, and also provided the text of a speech she
delivered at an international congress. If you are interested in
WUCWO's work and would like to communicate with her, she includes
her contact details in the article.
With this issue, I am also inaugurating a Book Review Page, as I
was inspired by the interesting and erudite reviews the French
Association publish in their newsletter, some of which I
reproduce for you here. This is another excellent way for us to
share ideas with each other. There are now so many ways of
obtaining books internationally, in a variety of languages,
including "virtual bookshops" on the Internet. I'm sure
we can all help each other find that rare or elusive volume.
Already I have had people offering to send me books from across
the world, and asking me to send them some in turn.
I am also beginning to publish some personal messages which I
have received which I feel will be of interest to others (with
the authors' permission of course!). In time, I hope to have a
really lively messages section, where people can genuinely
"meet" and exchange views. If you see a message that
interests you, you might wish to contact that person and (again
with their permission), we could give you their contact details.
This is yet one more way we can build closer ties within our
international family. Please note - this page will be for
communication - it won't be intended as a "notices"
page, although there is a possibility of including those later -
if this typist's wrists survive!
One of the greatest gifts of this job is laughter - thank you to
all the people who have shared their humour, joy and affection
with me.
Please feel free to contact me at any time. My email address can
be accessed directly from the Newsletter masthead - just click on
my name where it is highlighted. My fax number can be obtained by
contacting the AMASC Secretariat.
With my love and best wishes to you all,
Josephine