Post-Capitular Chapter in Köln, Germany
The participants in the Europe post-capitular chapter in Köln, Germany. Sr. Gosia Popławska of the General Council was present as well as the two leaders; Sr. Jeanne d’Arc Ouattara of the General Council and Sr. Marcelline Nemeyitora, new leader for Europe participated on Zoom. It was a great joy for all of us, coming from so many different parts of Europe (Spain, Italy, Poland, Germany, England, France) to meet in the beautiful setting of the diocesan centre in Siegburg, just outside of Köln, to experience this special time of the post-capitular chapter. After a good night’s rest, we began the meeting with a time of recollection. We were invited to allow ourselves to be transformed, to rise to new life (Ez 37:1-14: The dry bones) and to trust, even in the midst of the storm by fearlessly facing and accepting our vulnerabilities (Mk 4:35-41: the storm calmed). The…
Indeed, nothing is impossible with God!
The participants in the ECA post-capitular chapter in Kampala, Uganda with the Sisters of the General Council, Sr. Jeanne d’Arc Ouattara and Sr. Gosia Popławska, the general bursar Sr. Marie-Alice Terrattaz and the facilitators, Sr. Selina Wavinya, Sister of Mercy, and Fr. Yago Abeledo M.Afr. From Sr. Anna Apolinary Massawe, from the chapter venue Our ECA post-capitular chapter took place in Lourdel House in Kampala, Uganda, from 27th October to 2nd November 2023. This event brought together sisters from the different communities and our Entity and Congregation leaders. Encountering one another as sisters of the same family was enriching and life giving. During the opening mass Fr. Richard Nnyombi, M.Afr., reminded us that we were gathered together to look with gratitude into the way we lived our mission in the past years and to look forward into the future with courage. He also said that we might have been…
A young sister delegate to the NOUA Post-Chapter
From Sr. Xaverine Mukansinga, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso It is with gratitude that I write this text to share my experience of the post-chapter of the North and West Africa Entity (NOUA) from November 26 to December 3, 2023. I had the chance to participate as a delegate of the sisters of temporary vows. It was a very good experience for me. It was with deep joy and enthusiasm that I began the chapter among my older sisters. We were like sisters animated by a spirit of unity and the joy of meeting one another. A feeling of pride in being a MSOLA increased in my heart. The chapter took place in Ouagadougou in the John Paul II Spiritual Center. All NOUA communities were represented. We were 32 people including two members of the General Council: Sr. Angela Kapitingana and Sr. Leticia Garduño Mejia; the spiritual father of the chapter,…
Echo of the post-capitular chapter – America
From our sister, Gratienne Ndizeye It is with a heart full of gratitude that we come to share with you a quick word about the post-capitular Chapter which took place from October 13 to 20, 2023, at Carrefour Providence in Montreal. The first surprise and novelty was the invitation to all the sisters who wanted and could participate. So, we were 25 sisters and Ms. Mélanie our coordinator. The chapter was led by Sr. Micheline Trembley, a Holy Cross Sister. We were accompanied in prayer by all our sisters who first took part in the preparation through sharing their reflection on the 2023 Capitular Acts. The hall in the house of Cartierville had been arranged to welcome the chapter participants. The Sisters formed small communities of disciples at round tables. The second surprise was the joy of welcoming freshness from the General Council who accompanied us throughout the…
A M.Afr at a MSOLA Chapter
From Fr. Dave Sullivan M.Afr., spiritual companion at the MSOLA chapter On one of the first days of the chapter I spoke in a homily about my first experience of going to a dance where boys and girls danced together. At that time I had no experience of dancing. The girls that I danced with taught me that in order to dance it is necessary to listen to the rhythm of the music and then to move to that rhythm. This lesson is true not only on dancing but also of all aspects of life. We are to listen to the rhythm that God is playing in our lives and then we are to dance to that tune. During the first days of the MSOLA chapter I had the impression that God was playing a different tune in my life. It was a more “feminine” tune, a tune that…
Sharing from a temporary professed sister
Sharing from Sr. Magdalena Orczykowska The event of the General Chapter was for me an experience of deep listening on all levels, an experience of contemplative listening in which all the voices counted, were heard and welcomed. Myself, as a temporary professed sister, I felt welcomed, loved and free to share, despite my little experience of the life of the Congregation. I recognized the presence of God among us and I was deeply touched by the participants’ openness, availability and docility to the Holy Spirit who thus was allowed to guide us, together, in this transforming journey. It was for me a time in which God helped us to look closely at our weaknesses and vulnerability, but with God’s own eyes that do not condemn but love unconditionally and accept. Far from being discouraged by the wounds we carry as congregation, my love for our religious family increased and was…
A transformative service
From Sister Anafrida Biro, of our Gumo Community in Ghana When I think of our 26th Chapter, I feel very grateful for the experience lived. The Lord surprised me like the servants of the last hour. I did not expect to attend the Chapter. But one day I was asked to come and assure the service of translation (French to English). Fraterna Domus where we had our meeting, was a very conducive place for the work of the Chapter favouring one’s full presence. Simplicity seemed to be key: A simple convocation of the Holy Spirit, simplicity of our facilitators, our spiritual companion, a Marist brother who guided us in a recollection, Carol’s apostolic witness… I quickly noticed how God uses the simple ones to do great things! The language mostly used was English, so there were moments when I – from my place – could enter into reflections or…
The story of the bird
From Sr. Càrol Garcia Murillo, Spain I still remember when a few months ago, Sr. Carmen Sammut invited me to participate in our General Chapter. I couldn’t believe what this offered to me and, at the same time, I was invaded by a big emotion. It was not easy to negotiate with the doctor to be able to spend three weeks in Rome, but I managed no less than eight days! Although I would have preferred it to be more, I was happy and very grateful. Many of you were able to see it. However, I’ll be honest with you: due to my physical fragility, I don’t think I would have been able to stay in Sacrofano for three full weeks, following your intense and fruitful pace of work, which I undoubtedly admired. The days before my departure I felt great uncertainty, fear of the unknown, excitement for…
Impressions from the General Chapter 2023
From Sr. Margret Tovar, in Trier in Germany On April 29, I arrived in Rome knowing that I would be the oldest delegate at the General Chapter. I felt hesitation, a little fear and a certain insecurity. From the beginning, I tried to remember the names of my younger sisters, unfortunately without much success. At the opening of the Chapter, each was invited to a commitment, and mine was to listen with all my being, all my intelligence, all my heart. I experienced day by day a transformation in myself and in all of us through respect and true and deep sharing. The times of silence, the fact of letting emotions come and appear without embarrassment, helped us to go further and to experience this transformation. Working and sharing in a group favored this journey as well as the prayers and Eucharists so well prepared. “At my age”, I am…
How we experienced union with the capitulants at the General Chapter
By our sister Birgitta Gremm in Nairobi, Kenya During our 26th General Chapter we lived in deep union with our sisters gathered at Sacrofano. This deeply lived union had begun already with the Convocation Letter, written on 2nd January 2023: “It is with a grateful heart that we call on each sister and each community to continue the road, which leads to our next General Chapter.” And it was with a grateful heart from our side having received this invitation and we answered it with gratitude and joy. Our union continued to be strengthened during our sharing about the questions asked in the Convocation Letter and in the sharing among the sisters of ECA Entity. The day came 28th of April, our first two sisters were ready to go to the airport and we waited for the other two sisters to leave later. When the suitcases had been loaded…