A day with Mother Veronica

Sister Lancia highlighted the theme in all the prayers that she conducted: Morning prayer, Prayers before sessions and Evening prayer. It rekindled in us the love and admiration for our Foundress, Mother Veronica, a woman of faith and zealous action.

The sessions started with a panel discussion.  The panelists were:  Sisters Lily D’Souza, Julie Ann, Vimala Paul, Sujaya, Deepani and Maria Nancy.

They shared the influence of Mother Veronica in their personal lives.  The sharing of each panelist was touching and inspirational.

Later in our groups, all of us shared the same point: The influence of Mother Veronica  in our personal lives.

The afternoon was devoted to the study of our charism.  Once again, in our groups, we tried to describe the charism in a simpler way.  The General session saw us trying to collate the work of groups and bring out a simple statement of our charism. 

Sunday with a difference

To-day, we had a marathon session from 9.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m.  We took up the points on ‘Juniorate’ and ‘ongoing Formation’.  We took sufficient time to discuss, discern and decide on what would be helpful to have a healthy climate in our communities.

We were happy to have a free afternoon even though some committees worked  non- stop even after lunch.

We had an enjoyable evening as we witnessed the dance drama on St. Teresa’s life, depicting the Interior castle and stages of prayer leading to union with God.  It was composed and choreographed by Sister Clarice A.C., the Principal of D.Ed college and enacted by her students. They had already performed this during the Mission Congress of Carmelite Family on the occasion of 5^th Centenary of St. Teresa’s birth.

8 February

Today we welcomed a new set of Participants and Observers.  While Sister Gladys Mary and Marcella continued to be with us as Participants, Sisters Maria Kirthi and Christy Maria also joined as Participants.  

The Observers are: Sisters Maria Sujyothi, Maria Monica, Carolina and Rosarina Crasto. 

The liturgy conducted by Sister Dipasha was joyful and festive because it was the Birthday and Feastday of Sister Sukanya.  

We devoted the Chapter Sessions to the study of Proposals and suggestions on Constitutions, Statutes and Directories sent by the Provinces and Communities.  We thank all the communities who made the study of the Constitutions and sent the proposals to the Provincial Chapters.  May God bless all of you.

You must not miss the Computer experts: Sisters Roseema, Nithanjali, Sofia and Assumpta Crasta.  If they did not type and print out the materials required for each day, the Chapter would have come to a standstill. Neither would this blog reach you.

Formation continued

Formation continued

Sister Maria Rashmi conducted the prayers of the day in a meaningful way, keeping in mind the theme of  Formation.

At 9.a.m we assembled in the Chapter Hall. Sister Lira Morais, the General Councillor for  Formation gave us a glimpse into the problems and challenges the formators face in the initial stages of Formation. She said that she is presenting these facts not based on any theory written in books but from her own experience of dealing with the juniors and Tertians of past 6-7 years.  The facts she presented was an eye opener for most of   us.

After refreshments, we got into our discussion groups.  The main point of the discussion was how to recruit vocations.  The decline in vocation in all our provinces was the major concern.  The discussion included definitely the problems and challenges of initial and ongoing formation.

The day was really long as the general sessions ended only at 7.p.m 

A day of Reflection on Formation

The topic for today was Formation.  Sister Sukanya incorporated this theme into the morning prayer, Mass and other prayers of the day.

Fr. Paulson Thaliyath CMI, the General Formation Coordinator of their Congregation was the first resource person  to address us.  He gave us insights into the many complexities of the situation from which the present day formees come to religious life. So the formators face plenty of challenges and problems in their work of formation.  Fr. Paulson also spoke about the differences between traditional and modern approaches to formation.  He gave us a very good graphic exposition of the qualities needed for a formator.  The afternoon was devoted to group discussions followed by a general session. 

After tea,  Dony Peter Chacko, a member of ‘Jesus Youth ’ gave us a practical and systematic analysis of why we fail in our effort at vocation promotion.  He wanted us to know that problem was not so much with youth but with us because we fail to be “advertisement” for Jesus.  The young girls do not see the burning love of Jesus transforming our lives and that of others.