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This year the Teresian Sisters of the Province of St. Francis de Sales met for Society Days to deepen in our understanding of and commitment to our Six-Year Plan that had been developed from the challenges of the XV General Chapter. We began with team meetings on July 21 and July 22. The sisters who had signed up for various teams such as Development, Social Concerns, Formation, Ministry, and Associates got together to study those aspects of the Plan that directly impacted each theme, and further concretized ways to implement the challenges of the Chapter. In our larger group, over the next two days, we shared all the workings of the teams, together with reports of each area of ministry of the Province. It was, as always, astounding and humbling to see how much is being done with our limited resources, for which we can only thank God. One topic of great interest was the issue of our presence in New Orleans and the rebuilding of the convent at Mirabeau. The desire to remain present in New Orleans is very strong, and we remain open to how the Lord will continue to lead us in the specifics of this issue.
In keeping with one of the Chapter directives to focus on our communities, Sr. Joan Murray, a Sinsinawa Dominican, gave us a two-day workshop entitled “Community Building and Communication Skills”, centering on specific skills needed to help us become better communities. For the last day, July 28, Monsignor William Bilinsky led us in a day of reflection on the theology of imperfection, helping us to see our need to own our imperfections as part of our relationship with God. Each day we began with an hour of prayer, and each morning session also began with about 15 minutes of creative prayer, using music, painting, and even Play-Dough to express our hopes and longings without words. The Eucharist was celebrated at the center of each day, bringing us back to the One in whose name we had gathered. At Mass on July 24, the feast of Blessed Mercedes Prat, Sr. Maruchi Palomo renewed her vows, and on July 27, the Teresian Associates of the area came to celebrate with us, and welcome a new member, Karla Sampson. Of course we continued breaking bread in the many wonderful meals that were prepared for us, as well as in the recreation offered in the evenings. This year’s Society Days were a wonderful expression of our care for each other and our deepening desire to live our All for Jesus. May the many gifts we have received continue to bear fruit in our lives.
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Page last modified:
07/29/2008 |
