will initially be posted in the original language in which they are written.
Translation will follow soon.
seront affichées provisoirement dans la langue dans laquelle elles sont écrites.
La traduction suivra bientôt.
Bernadette Porter rscj
Bodo took us through the Central Team's current process of action in relation to the calls of Chapter 2016, leading to the Chapter of 2024. This was presented using the U theory schema, as can be seen in this photo. It puts the informal visits, begun in this past year, in the context of the journey to the next Chapter. Discernment in the Provinces and the regions will help us to see what we need to let go of, how we arrive at deep common intentions and towards a sense of 'new horizons' in the light of the calls of Chapter 2016. We welcomed the Central Team's presentation in its integrative style, and we dialogued about many of the implications for us all.
Brigitte Combier rscj
We have entered into a new stage of our formation : how to organise ourselves for the future. This was a very good time of sharing and getting to know each other better. Two very interesting Power Points allowed us to find out more about :
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The organisation of our General Secretariat with Anne Corry, Canonical Secretary, and Cuca Maset, Executive Secretary. We got to know the faces of Stephane and Francesca, in photos : they are the members of the Secretariat team who have been working with us from Rome during this fortnight.
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The importance of the Archives, presented by Margaret Phelan, Archivist General. We got a pleasant surprise as we were able to have a virtual tour of her domain, getting to know her team and being able to look at the Archives Museum.
We finished the day with Eucharist in the Church of St Thibault, celebrated by Mgr Hervé Giraud, Archbishop of Sens- Auxerre with the participation of the two priests responsible for Joigny Parish, and several parishioners ; this was followed by a most enjoyable meal.
Laura Moosbrugger rscj
Lourdes Velazquez rscj
Celebrating life with the parish of Saint Francis Xavier this Sunday was an experience of feeling at home. At the beginning of the celebration, the church community welcomed us by naming each country present and extending an invitation to pray for strength and courage that we might live out our mission.
Afterwards, we had a get-together around the table with the Lowendal community. It was an opportunity to come to know and appreciate the apostolic works of our sisters.
In joy and with deep affection for our history, we walked the gardens of the Hotel Biron (now the Rodin museum).
We also had the opportunity to visit places of personal interest.
Lastly, we visited the church of Saint Medard which, in its day, was the parish church of the community from which Madeleine Sophie sent Philippine to new frontiers.
Marta Nuñez rscj
We looked at behaviors that are not helpful in accompanying communities and the province.
Sheila Hammond rscj
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Look at time in the vertical moment in which we live, paying attention to and being aware of the present moment. Lyn contrasted this with the horizontal continuum, and suggested that we take a deep breath and connect with NOW. (Breathing is a vertical action!)
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Name the reality of today honestly. It is a time of disruption and rapid change. Several questions emerge -- What needs to die? What is coming to birth?
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Practice the art of paying attention to the opportunities of the moment, and develop a sense for the future that is emerging.
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On a personal level, consider: Who am I called to be? Who have I learned to be that I must let go of?
Lynette Toohey rscj
Later in the day, we were joined by Skype by Sheila Smith in New York, who shared her work at the United Nations. Sheila spoke of our consultative status to the Economic and Social Council, and highlighted that the objectives of the Society and the UN parallel one another. We engaged in lively dialogue.
Anne Corry, the International Coordinator for Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation explained the JPIC logo and spoke of the call from the 2016 General Chapter for a Society gathering on this topic. An international meeting on JPIC will be held in the Philippines in November 2018. I was struck by Anne’s comment that “JPIC is not the Society, but a vital expression of the Society’s charism and mission....It is a question of how and why. A significant ‘why’ is JPIC and the ‘how’ is community of goods.” Anne also spoke of the significant work of establishing the database for Society JPIC work throughout the world.

Each provincial shared the reality of her context and how JPIC is lived. This was deeply moving, and the overall impression I have been left with is how JPIC, UN involvement, and Community of Goods can all come together as means of discovering and making known the heart of our God in the heart of our world.
We were blessed to conclude our day with Mass celebrated by Fr Antoine Paumard SJ, Director of Jesuit Refugee Service in France who had travelled from Paris to be with us.
Maruja Hernandez rscj
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Following our Constitutions, we delved into the challenges, concerns, and hopes that accompany our service.
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With the help of visual presentations that we had prepared beforehand, we shared our experiences in relation to our work with our leadership team, province, region, and the Society.
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Finally, desiring to learn together how to work as a team and to take decisions, we engaged in a reflection about discernment.
Fernanda Vacas rscj