Central to today’s Morning Prayer was the Lorica of St. Patrick.
A Lorica is a prayer of protection popular in Celtic countries.
I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity
Through belief in the threeness
Through confession of the Oneness
Towards the creator.
Through belief in the threeness
Through confession of the Oneness
Towards the creator.
The words from the gospel of John, also spoke to the heart:
...the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
Whom the Father will send in my name,
Will teach you everything
And remind you of all I have said to you. Jn. 14, 26
Whom the Father will send in my name,
Will teach you everything
And remind you of all I have said to you. Jn. 14, 26
Agenda for the day
There is flexibility in the Chapter which means the order as set out in
the morning does not have to be strictly adhered to. Additional topics of
conversation can arise and be given time.
Vote for the number of Apostolic Councillors
The time for discussion over, it was the moment to vote on the question:
Who is in favour of having four (4) rather than five (5) Apostolic
Councillors?
The delegates voted by raising their green cards if they were in favour
and their red cards if not. A majority voted for four.
Feedback from GLT and Vicariate Reports
Having re-read the Reports, the Capitulants raised a number of issues for
further information and clarification. Among those that engendered most
discussion were:
The term Unit is used in the document and has become current in the Institute. What
is behind this?
One reason is that it eliminates the clumsiness involved in the constant
repetition of Provinces/Delegations/Networks when we are speaking of our
organisation. A more important reason is that it eliminates any feeling of
inequality that might exist between these entities. Delegations and Provinces
have the same mission and their leadership teams have the same work.
Networks and how they function was another point of interest. There are three: Europe, the first to be
established; Latin America, grouping all the countries where we are present; South
Africa, the newest grouping South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda. Although Europe was
the first they agree they are still finding their way like the others. The
cultural and language diversity in all is both a challenge and a source of
richness and growth. They foster the idea of belonging to an Institute rather
than a country.
The Guidelines for safeguarding children and
vulnerable adults, received by all,
were widely used to sensitise both sisters and co-workers on the matter. This
issue has to work on two levels, (i) of what we do and (ii) of our ethical
code. All that needs to be said is that the Code must be fully implemented in
every country, in each Unit. The Holy
Family can also play a part in seeing that dioceses and parishes where they
are present have a commission for this purpose, if they do not already have one.
Care of Senior/Elderly Sisters: This topic was raised by Christine who spoke of them as the “wisdom of
the Institute”. In all Units there is a care system in place, managed entirely by the
sisters themselves in some cases, in others
with the help of lay staff, and in others the care is entirely the
responsibility of lay staff. In all, the sisters see to the pastoral needs of
their senior sisters and provide resources for leisure activities.
International Novitiates was a topic of interest. There is one in South Africa, the D.R.Congo,
Latin America and the Philippines. The experience has been largely positive and
enriching in all places despite the differences of language and culture. They
learn new cultures and, in some cases, have the opportunity to meet with other
novices in inter-congregational meetings
and seminars.
2nd Draft of the basic Chapter Document
The Document was ready for presentation to the assembly at about 3.30 pm.
This was the crucial moment of the day, the event for which everyone was
waiting.
The document sets out the direction the Institute is taking for the
next six years.
Final drafters
Colleen, Teresa and Gemma
The Capitulants need to know this as it will influence their choice of General Leader and the Councillors who will form her team.
Suffice it to say that the Draft Document, with amendments, was accepted
by the Chapter.
____________________________
Tomorrow morning, the Capitulants are free They will assemble in the
Chapter room at 4 pm to begin a time of retreat before the elections.
____________________________________________
Jenny Burton, South Africa
ReplyDeleteI believe that "In the light of the vision of the Institute" a VERY important issue to be raised at the Chapter is:
• ON~GOING FORMATION at all 'levels' i.e. in all circles ...in depth assistance/animation for us all to help ourselves and each other in moving forward in the Emerging Cosmic Story and Faith view out of which:-
• we will recognise/HEAR/discern NEW CALLS to Ministry in the interests of ALL the members/'subjects' of our Earth Community - especially the most violated and impoverished members
• this type of On-going Formation for which EACH is, and ALL are, responsible- means 'learning a New Language'...finding the MORE in and beyond what we have always known in Scripture, the theology of our youth/adulthood/Formation! Not an easy task/process given the fact that we are an Aging Group looking at our statistics...BUT, the " Elderly" as most of us are, ARE Wisdom Figures and are called to be the Story Tellers in one way or another!!! Let us not be afraid to use our ageing PROPHETICALLY in the birthing of New Life and Nurturing it in places where it is already starting to shoot and grow!(As seen in the Reports sent for the Chapter)
This is an ISSUE about which I feel PASSIONATE - a means of "Extending and Strengthening Faith" as PBN would say, into which I commit the remaining years of my life in the Holy Family.....
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