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News from the English Province
Some reflections on what God is revealing to us today through Creation.
Sr. Bridget Pritchard from the English Province, is a member of both the Ty Croeso Retreat Centre team and the Province’s JPIC Commission. She also works with various parish and school groups and with Christians of other denominations. During the last two years she has shared her insights on Creation Spirituality by posting several articles on Facebook. Here are two of these reflections of what God is revealing to us in Creation.
The locust
As a pupil in school I became quite alarmed one day to find the locusts in the cage hanging from their branches, dead. I was assured that they were not dead but what I perceived to be a dead animal was in fact its empty shell that it had outgrown.
It seems that locusts have an exoskeleton. Unlike us, locusts have their skeletons on the outside and wear it like protective armour. There is an obvious advantage to this, though there is also a definite disadvantage.
Living inside this hardened case means that
growth becomes difficult. In order for the animal to grow it has to shed this armour. This leaves the animal very vulnerable to predators until its new shell has hardened. The animal has to let go of its security if it wishes to grow. In fact, there is no choice- it’s ‘grow or die’.
For me, this speaks of my image of God. I can hold on to the image I had as a child even though it is no longer helpful, no longer fits with what I knownow. I need the courage to let it go. This leaves me feeling vulnerable
A thought
In Laudato Si Pope Francis says....
“……If we want to bring about deep change, we need to realize that certain mind sets really do influence our behaviour. Our efforts at education will be inadequate and ineffectual unless we strive to promote a new way of thinking about human beings, life, society and our relationship with nature.” (L Si 215)
This calls me to step out into the unknown. To let go and let the new emerge.It feels like attempting to walk on water and trusting that God is there.And God is there. This is the certainty amongst all the uncertainties, the unchanging amongst all the changes. God is the good parent – supporting me in my growth. This is my security. I listen to the words, “Do not be afraid”. This enables me to let go and feel the vulnerability. This feeds my relationship with God and others. This is where I am alive, this is where I grow.
How does this speak to you today?
Caterpillars and Butterflies
Most people know that caterpillars become butterflies. I taught this for many years and I would try and imagine which bit of the caterpillar became the equivalent part of the butterfly. I would never have imagined what is coming to light now.
We are told that as the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly begins, all structures disintegrate to make a kind of creative soup in the chrysalis. New and different cells emerge in this soup. These are known as imaginal cells because they hold an image of what the butterfly – the new life, will be like.
To begin with, the caterpillar cells regard the new cells as aliens, intruders and destroy them. But the new cells continue to appear in greater and greater numbers until they overwhelm the defence system of the caterpillar. The old order is gone and the butterfly emerges triumphant. This change from caterpillar to a butterfly is a powerful metaphor for the transformation of society.
Some people in society are like these imaginal cells. They see the possibility of something new and wonderful happening. They carry in them a vision or image of a better world.
Initially they are seen as a problem, disturbers of the present, destroyers of the old society which had always been seen as ‘the good life’ even though it no longer works and was never ‘good’ for everyone. The immune response of the old society is to get rid of them. But the imaginal individuals keep coming. They get together in groups as they find this is a more efficient way of bringing the new life.
A thought
I can see chaos around me but how do I respond?
I can complain and become dis-empowered with a sense of hopelessness or I can see this as a symptom that the old order is collapsing and waiting to be transformed into new life.
One of the most powerful ways to help bring about change is to identify the imaginal individuals in society and support them. If I want to be a part of a different world where love and compassion are paramount then I am an imaginal cell too.
To be part of this life giving movement I need to…
ü really want it;
ü believe that it will happen;
ü make choices that will bring the idea to birth.,
ü use my intelligence and all my other gifts to bring it about.
A sure sign of something good is happening when results are achieved against all the odds.
We are part of Gods ongoing creation and God is waiting to work through us. All over the world people are having similar thoughts, desires wanting to make a difference and we can make links and support them.
There will be real change when we know in our hearts that we are one, and everythought, feeling, word and deed affect the whole. I am one part of a sacred web of interconnection and creativity.
What am I waiting for?
Where do I see the signs of new life and how do I support it?
What transformation is waiting to happen in me?
Prayer of becoming
Godof new creation
On the journey from caterpillar to butterfly
keep us faithful to that soupy stage
when structures fall apart.
When we have lost sight of who we were
and cannot yet grasp
who we are to become,
give us courage to keep going.
Strengthen our confidence,
that the new thing
you desire to do in us
and through us will be full of your glory. Amen
(Rachel Parkinson, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury District Chair)
- the Methodist equivalent of Bishop
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Tribute to Sister Raymonde Marie
Dear Celebrant and dear Priests,
Dear Religious
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Jesus Christ,
In front of us you see an icon of the Trinity! Indeed, the lived, spiritual experience of the Sisters of St. Joseph has its source in the mystery of the Love of Trinity for the world.As our Constitutions say: "The Sister of St Joseph is to receive the gift of ‘pure and perfect love’, to live by it herself and by her consecrated presence in the world, to pass it on to others in the simplicity of ordinary everyday relationships. In this way she is to glorify the Blessed Trinity in imitation of Jesus, Mary and Joseph". This is what Sr. Raymonde Marie, whom we celebrate this evening, has chosen to live for 52 years of religious life and about forty years of missionary life in Senegal.SoI’m sure you'll agree with me that it is no easy task, insuch a short time, to talk about themissionof a woman whose deep impulse is similar to that of the giants of our history.Looking at the missionary life of Sr. Raymonde, it's obvious that her experience helps us see how much God chooses to be part of our history, even to the point of "coming down to earth” for us.
After the first decade of the presence of the Sisters of St Joseph of Annecy in Senegal, a decade dedicated to laying the foundations of the mission, one could say,Sr Raymonde, that you managed, during theyears you have given, to consolidate and develop the apostolic action through education, the formation of catechists, the catechism of adults, liturgical animation, women's promotion, and presence in neighbourhoods and bush villages. It's 1972.You're only 26! Anyone who knows you testifies that you are a courageous woman, a "valiant soul" from head to toe.
In Father Medaille’s maxims 65 and 66, we find four essential (and demanding) qualities that make upthe strong, active womenourfounder desired for his Little Design: care, diligence, courage and commitment. The mission on Senegalese soil requires these essential qualities. With these qualities, you followed in the footsteps of those who preceded you. We recognize these qualities in you. You are a role model.Thank you, thank you.And, one wonders, how did you survive these years, despite the great heat and difficulties of all kinds? Only you can answer in the right way. Your intimacy with God, your desire to serve Him and His infinite love foryou have certainly sustained your journey and your fidelity. However, doesn't the answer also come fromScripture? "Those who hope in Yavhé renew theirstrength,they spread their wings like eagles, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired. (Is 40, 31)
Sr. Raymonde, you chose the invincible hope that "hopes for everything, believes everything, undergoes everything, endures everything". Following Mary, the apostles and our first sisters, you have expanded your tent to accommodate children, young people, and menand women whatever their status, culture or religion - and to pass on to them the best ofyourlove andyourgoodness. In whatever you were asked to do, you have been kept watch and given yourself completely.
From 1972 to 1974, you were at La Colline. In 1974, you opened the community of Goudiry with Sr Anne-Gertrude. On the very day of your arrival, the whole house was consumed by fire. All that was left was the hot seat.You went back to Tambawith onlythe clothes you were wearing. That destructive fire has died out, but the one that burns in your heart iseven hotter. After rebuilding the house, you went back to Goudiry and with the locals and had a perfect grasp of the language. You stayed there until 1979.
From September 1979 to September 1988, you were sent to Kédougou. Your mission to the children of the boarding school and the young people of the Catholic mission helped them develop their talents in acting, mime and board games. You trained the first people to accompany the church youth movement.You trained them in commitment to the end, confidence and self-esteem. From 1988 to 1999, you returned to Tambato supervise and train the juvenists. You were aware that you were training future sisters of St Joseph or future women of integrity in society. Here too, you were tenacious in transmitting the values of faith, courage, endurance and lifelong commitment.
From 1999 to 2004 you were back in Kédougou, still showing the same dedication to the boarders, the young people of the parish and to catechesis. In 2004, health problems caused you to return to France. Knowing you, the wait to return to Senegal must have seemed an eternity: eight years! That's a lot. In 2012, with the greatest joy, you returned to Dakarand stayed there untilOctober 2018 when you came back to La Colline.
Sr. Raymonde,wherever you've been, people have seen you walking to visit families. Family is important to you. The Bulloz family is so similar to our great African families where hospitality, sharing, solidarity and the importance of the other are valued. Dear people, if you know the Sr Raymonde’s family, you will know what we are talking about.
It is this rich experience of missionary life that we are celebrating tonight. We thank God for giving us Sr. Raymonde and thank you, dear sister, for all the little girls who saw you around and wanted to become sistersjust like you.Some of them are sisters of Saint Joseph.Thank you for your tireless zeal, your dedication and commitment to the end. Thank you for giving your life in service. Thank you to the province of France, now a delegation, for contributing to the development of the mission in Senegambia. Thank you very much to your biological family who supported you. Thank you to all the missionaries who have worked in the Region. Thank you also Sr. Ailbe and Sr. Fidelma for the testimony you continue to give us.
We conclude our remarks by quoting Pope Francis who recalls that we are all invited to go out as missionary disciples, each putting at the service of others his own talents, his own creativity, his own wisdom and his own experience with regard to the proclamation of the message of God's tenderness and compassion to the whole human family....
Sr. Raymonde, the Lord who called you for Senegal's mission, calls you today to France to serve and love his people there.Be happy to answer his call. Have a good and fruitful mission! May the Lord bless you! But if you leave your heart here, you'll have to come and get it. TheRegion will always be happy to welcome you.
Sr Raymonde, go with the force that animates you now (cf Jg 6, 14)
The feast of St. Joseph at the novitiate in Nianing
March 19 and 24, 2019
This event began when our novice mistress told us that the feast of St Joseph was going to be celebrated in community. This surprised us as the novices have often been to Casamancefor this feast.
After receiving this news, there was a community meeting to organise the spiritual and party preparations.
On the spiritual level, we made a novena from March 10 to 18, either at morning or evening prayer, depending on the day. We took a prayer or a text about Joseph, or a message written by our Superiors to mark the feast; or some days we took a prayer for vocations, or a reading from "One Month with St Joseph". Each of us took our turn to prepare and lead the prayer. We also had a community recollection led by Sister Michelle, with sharing during the evening prayer.
On the morning of the 19th, the community celebrations began, starting with Morning Prayer, well animated – there was even dancing with the final song. by the young people in the parish. It ended around 6 p.m.
Also in the spiritual context, on Sunday 17th, the priest invited the parishioners to join our feast on the 19th, during the Eucharistic celebration of 6:30 p.m. animated by the novitiate. We had some intense rehearsals with the whole community and a few youngpeople from the parish, who are our associates and who helped us with the organ. The celebration began with an entrance procession (the servers, the community, and the priests), a grandiose, beautiful, and prayerful celebration where the songs were accompanied by the pianist and the tam-tam drummers. The celebration was so beautiful that the last song never ended.
We were surrounded and supported by the large, fraternal presenceof the parish community of Nianing and at the end of Mass they greeted us and wishedus well for our celebration.
At the festive level, invitations had been extended to pastoral agents, priests, brothers of the Sacred Heart and nuns. Many were able to come for the Mass and forthe meal in community; there were about thirty of us.
As with all parties in community, we had shared the tasks of preparing of the meal, the cleaning andthe decorating. Each of us was involved in ensuring the success of the party.
We, "The St Joseph 2017-2019 Group", welcomed our guests warmlywith a song, then served the aperitif, and the rest...
On the menu, there was a variety of dishes (attieké, tô, fries, small vegetables, chicken, pork, fish, fruit salad), representing the various nationalities present at the novitiate. Our guests all expressed their enjoyment.
Between each dish, there was entertainment led by the Group: music, ‘the news’, games, skits, etc.
The evening had to end at midnight because the next day was a working day...
The party did not in fact end on March 19. For us, the octave extended to Sunday, March 24 with our associates, our friends and all those who couldcomeafter Mass for an aperitif, a meal and singing and dancing under the trees in the garden.
It was a very pleasant and agreeable day We have all the memories of this party, because everything was filmed - the preparations, the cooking, the Mass, the afternoon - by the great cameraman Brother Marcel.
We give thanks to God because this feast was beautiful, even very beautiful and we celebrated it with simplicity, joy, and brotherhood.
St Joseph's Group in Nianing
Song of the 2017-2019 Group, lyrics and tunes composed by a novice.
Refrain: We salute the sisters of Saint-Joseph, Africa and Europe,
We novices of 2017-2019, want to mark this great day
In honour of St. Joseph.
1- We want to walk together,
with you towards the silent St. Joseph.
2- This day is forus and for you (3 times)
Simply to wish you happy St. Joseph’s day.
News from the Mission Territory
We are delighted to say that in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda there are many young women who are interested in becoming Sisters of St. Joseph of Annecy and so we have had to plan for, and build, extra accommodation in order to cater for all who are asking to join us. As you know, there is just one community in Kenya at Ejinja and the Sisters are living in a house which belongs to the Diocese. However, the Bishop has kindly given us permission to add on some extra rooms to accommodate the Candidates and visitors.
At the moment the Dar Es Salaam Community is also the Formation House but it is too small for our present needs as there are two Pre Novices and six “Intensive” Candidates already living there. In 2018 we were invited to open a community and small primary school in Chemba, an area of Tanzania which is developing very fast. Earlier this year the foundations were laid and the building work begun. In the future this would be an ideal place to open a bigger Formation House. Since 2015 the number of communities in the Mission Territory has increased from two to five.
Chemba School in Progress Ejinja house for candidates
Sr. Sunita (Link Sister) has sent the following message from the two Pre Novices and six Candidates:
From the Postulants and Intensive Candidates of East Africa, Mission Territory who want to express a few words to our outgoing General Team, Sr. Pauline, Sr. Maria Goretti, Sr. Margaret, Sr. Marietta, and Sr. Amala,
Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude;
gratitude is the completion of thankfulness.
Thankfulness may consist merely of words, gratitude is shown in acts.
We say ASANTE MUNGU (Thank God) for you and your Team, for giving us this great opportunity by accepting us as Candidates and Postulants to start our Formation in this Congregation of Greatest Love and thus providing us with a chance to learn about the silent saints like St. Joseph, Fr. Medaille, and Mother St. John and the about our rich Charism.
We thank God for you and each time we pray for you, we pray with joy.
Pray for us kindly that we may become instruments of peace, joy and love for our brothers and sisters- wherever we are sent- and that we persevere in our vocation.
Once again ASANTE SANA MA SISTA.
FROM- Goudencia & Evelyn (Postulants)
Slivy, Jesca, Angela, Nedges, Philomina, & Jacklin. (Intensive Candidates)
Expérience du Tabor
Centre Mizprah, Attapadi –Kérala
« Louez le Seigneur du haut des cieux, louez-le dans les hauteurs. » psaume 148, chant de joie des Professes temporaires pour tous les bienfaits et les merveilles accomplis par le Seigneur dans leur vie.
Nous avons souvent entendu cette exhortation : immergez-vous dans l’océan d’Amour de Dieu. C’est ce que nous avons expérimenté pendant la retraite de 30 jours, du 25 avril au 25 mai 2019 à Attapadi, Kérala, unique Centre pour le renouveau et l’éveil spirituel. Le Programme de la retraite nous a centrées sur l’expérience de l’Amour inconditionnel de Dieu, sa Compassion, sa Miséricorde et son Pardon.
Le programme incluait un apprentissage sur la transmission de la Parole, ainsi que des cours sur la vie de prière, les vœux et l’évangélisation. Le tout était intercalé avec des séances de guérison intérieure dont nous avons profité au maximum. Nous éprouvons maintenant la joie intérieure et la liberté des enfants de Dieu. Nous sommes intimement convaincues que Dieu nous a choisies spécialement et qu’il a un plan d’amour pour chacune de nous. Nous ressentons la nécessité de mettre un frein à nos paroles – jugements, critiques, propos oiseux etc. - et de prier le rosaire, le chapelet de la Miséricorde, de semer des invocations au cours de la journée et de méditer la Parole de Dieu. Nous avons compris la nécessité du jeûne et de la prière tout au long de notre vie. Plus nous renonçons à nous-mêmes, pratiquons l’humilité et l’obéissance, plus nous marchons sous la mouvance de l’Esprit Saint. « En ces jours-là, Marie partit et se rendit en hâte vers le Haut Pays » Lc : 1, 39 Remplies du même esprit que Marie, nous décidons de vivre selon la Parole de Dieu et nous nous engageons à l’annoncer avec courage et conviction, d’abord dans nos communautés mais aussi sur nos lieux d’apostolat et avec toute personne rencontrée. Nous espérons et nous prions que cette joie nouvelle et que notre amour du Christ persistera dans nos vies et nous renouvellera personnellement et communautairement.
Notre gratitude à Sr Vianney pour cette retraite d’un mois qui nous a apporté un renouvellement à notre vie spirituelle. Qu’elle nous aide à vivre nos vœux plus radicalement !
Les professes temporaires, Visakhapatnam