TELLING THE STORY OF JESUS IN SRI LANKA

From 22^nd-25^th of July 2019 I attended a seminar on the above said title telling the story of Jesus in Sri Lanka; where several priests, religious and lay attended from different dioceses of the country. To grace this seminar two bishops: the president of the Sri Lankan Bishops’ Conference and the Bishop responsible of inter-faith dialogue in Sri Lanka were present too. This was organized as a joint event by Movimento San Francesco Saverio from Italy and the Conference of Major Religious Superiors (CMRS) in Sri Lanka.  

The content of these four days on relating Jesus’ story in the multifaith context of Sri Lanka is very timely after the brutal Easter Sunday attack on the Christians. As part of the program we had opportunities to converse with some Muslim and Buddhist religious leaders and at the same time expressing our concerns. Also, made a visit to one of the bomb attacked churches and cemetery of the blast victims which was very emotional and a painful recalling for all of us.

Several speakers from Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and Italy enlightened the participants including some lay and students who enriched us with their sharing of God experience.

We ended these four days with desire of bringing hope to the society coined with peace and justice. Unless we know the art of telling HIS story in the multi-ethnic, and multi-religious Sri Lanka, we cannot bring a transformation in the society; therefore, only a life lived and experienced in the Prince of peace - CHRIST can heal and renew our lives.

                                                                                                                                                                                                       Geraldine S. E. rmi

EVOKING ... WALKING

We make the pilgrimage of María Antonia and Anthony Mary Claret, evoking the framework of their personal and vocational history, Vallmoll and Tarragona to Sallent and Fussimanya; their life and existence, which we have read and deepened, are given more meaning and beauty when we step on their footsteps and look at their places and backgrounds which they lived their childhood and adolescence.

In this stage of evoking, Yolanda Kafka accompanies us as the guide and the companion of the way.  We review and prove the beauty of these Catalan lands evoking the glorious and suffering past of the people visited by God in their triumphs and sufferings, configuring the culture of His people and giving the shape to the personality of Antonia and Antonio.

Walking these paths, we deepen the experience of our Founders, their human, relational and Christian life. They illuminate also our personal experiences we touch and give them new meanings.

We entrust ourselves to them, so that, being women of our time with the struggles and successes, we can abandon ourselves into the hands of God and continue to spread the Gospel to the world.

INTERCULTURALITY CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES.

The whole is greater than the part… it is the polyhedron, which reflects the convergence of all its parts, each of which preserves its distinctiveness. (Pope Francis)

The workshop has been done at the house of "Casa la Salle" (Roma) from July 16-20, 2019.

It has been open to all consecrated persons who have an interest in the topics of interculturality and conflict resolution in religious communities.

On these days, in addition to the deepening of the topics by experts, the collaboration between the congregations and the exchange of experience in the spirit of communion and mutual enrichment,has been fostered. Priscilla, the prefect general of apostolic mission participated in the workshop.

INTERWEAVING THE REALITIES OF OUR CLARETIAN LIFE

The trip to Congo this year (JUNE 26, July 12) was to prepare the summer 2020 experience of missionary volunteers in the dispensary of MPASA, offering assistance to the neediest in the health field. It has been an opportunity to share, deepen, celebrate at all levels and to accompany the training processes.

 On the 28th, with the whole educational community of our school complex María Inmaculada de MPASA (Lay and Claretian), it has been deepened around "The charismatic roots of our educational mission." We have had spaces for prayer, presentation of the vision and mission of the congregation, and a sharing about the notes of the Claretian pedagogy and about the Claretian school that we dream about and want to promote.

On the 29th, the students of the primary school who have obtained the first prize as best students from the entire Kinshasa area, participated in an evaluation organized by the State search office.

On day 1 with all the personnel (lay and Claretian) of the Maria Antonia Paris hospital of MPASA, the theme was: "Our reason for being in the Church is that God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is known and loved by all". A space has been made for prayer around the text of the Good Samaritan, reflection on the Pope's message for the world day of the sick and in depth on aspects of the Claretian charism in the social sphere.

On day 2 we enjoyed the closing celebration of the school year with students, parents and all school staff, in a festive atmosphere and in appreciation for everything that was done during the school year.

From days 4 to 7, reflection and sharing on the theme of Interculturality, evangelical relations and media, with sisters in perpetual vows.

Together with the sisters of the council of the Provincial Mission of Africa, the organization of the Missionary 2020 experience has been defined.

 These coordinated activities, from the general prefecture of apostolic mission and shared with the general prefecture of formation have been an opportunity to make ACCOMPANYING a reality as a motive that interweaves all the realities of our Claretian life, throughout this year 2019. (CfSG3 / 19).

We thank our sisters from the Congo and the laity with whom we have shared these days for the joyful experience of deepening together in the Claretian charism.