May – September 2016 Bulletin of the Ursulines of the Roman Union

May – September 2016
Generalate
Ursuline Meeting at the Generalate
Caribbean
Holy week Missions in Venezuela
1
3
Indonesia
International Eucharistic Congress in the Philippines
7
Southern Africa
Life in St Lucia
Jubilees – Professions
10
Bulletin of the Ursulines
of the Roman Union
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Generalate
URSULINE MEETING AT THE GENERALATE
E
very three years the UISG (International
Union of General Superiors) holds a plenary assembly which is attended by between
800 and 900 General Superiors from Rome
and from around the world.
Cecilia took the opportunity to invite
those Ursuline Superiors attending
the Assembly to stay at the Generalate and
to meet together on Sunday 8 May.
I
T
M
he Ursulines present at this meeting,
together with M Cecilia and some of
her Councillors, were:
Sr Cäcilia Fernholz, President of the German-speaking Federation,
and Sr Brigitte Werr;
Sr Cécile Dionne, Canadian Union,
Sr Theresa Campeau, Chatham,
Sr Anne Lewans, Prelate,
Sr Sandra Sherman, Toledo, USA,
Sr Janet Marie Peterworth, Louisville, USA,
Sr Anne-Marie Cauvas, USAM – Malet,
France,
Sr Anne Spilberg, Brentwood, England,
Sr Mary McHugh, Irish Ursuline Union,
Sr Bimla Minj, Congregation of Tildonk,
M Paola Paganoni, Ursulines of St Charles,
Italy.
nformation including the talks and events
can be found on the UISG web site:
www.internationalunionsuperiorsgeneral.org
The theme of the meeting this year is Weaving Global Solidarity for Life. “We want to
expand this theme from different angles,
which include: Care of the Planet; World Issues; Religious Life; Solidarity as we would
like to live it. During this Assembly we will
celebrate the Golden Jubilee of UISG. We
will review important moments in our history
and look forward to the future as we report on
the Strategic Plan.” The meeting is taking
place from 9 – 13 May.
1
A
fter some refreshments, we gathered
together. In her introduction, M Cecilia reminded us of the presence of Angela among us (I shall always be in your
midst, helping your prayers), of her promises to us and of her assurance that she is
our “faithful friend.” Each one then shared
some of their recent developments.
munication among us so that we can have
stronger links and be a greater support to
one another.
T
he Ursulines of Tildonk in Congo are
also an important sign of peace in the
midst of war.
S
everal sisters mentioned that in their
Chapters the question has been: what is
the Lord asking from us today?
M
any are concerned with falling numbers, but there were also many signs
of new life. M Paola Paganoni spoke about
the house that the Ursulines of St Charles
have opened in Jerusalem. 491 years ago
Angela went there on pilgrimage and this
foundation is like an extension of her presence. It is also a prophetic sign, at this time
when the Middle East is in such turmoil, of
peace and support to those who are suffering.
F
or some, it is a restructuring concerning their large or old buildings; for
some, it is closer collaboration with the laity or the development of associates programmes. In some places groups of Associates have sprung up from among the laity
even without the initiative coming from the
sisters – a sign of the life of Angela’s charism, which, as one sister said, does not belong only to us, but is something greater.
M
Paola has invited Ursulines of other
congregations to join the sisters
there for a short or long stay.
T
ime is always too short but it was an
afternoon of open sharing of concerns,
ideas, new ventures, a getting to know one
another better.
M
Paola also encouraged us to build
up greater and more frequent com-
Statue of Saint Angela, Brescia House, Province of Southern Africa
2
Caribbean
HOLY WEEK MISSIONS IN VENEZUELA
Sr Bogusława Kalinowska accompanied the group from Academia Merici, Caracas, to La
Mora.
T
his year we started a new mission in
La Mora, close to Colonia Tovar, a
beautiful place in the mountains, which in
the past was colonized by Germany. They
are mainly farmers there who plant fruit
trees (peaches or apricots), strawberries,
blackberries (“mora”) vegetables, etc.
The missionaries
W
e went to La Mora on the Saturday
before Palm Sunday and returned to
Academia Merici, Caracas on Easter Sunday to celebrate Mass with the other two
groups of missionaries, in Sr. Carmelita
Hall at 2:30 pm.
D
uring our mission we visited families
almost every morning, sharing with
them our faith, inviting them for our activities in the school where we had been
lodged, and trying to find out what their
needs were: material help, different family
problems, preparation for sacraments, etc.
I
n the afternoons we usually prepared activities for children (like making rosaries
or illustrating the Way of the Cross), for
youth (presentations about drugs, the importance of the Eucharist), and some talks
for adults (eg. the Message of Divine Mercy).
The beauty of La Mora
I
n our group there were 14 persons: 4
students of 5th year the “Bachillerato”, 8
past students, one preschool teacher and
myself. We were working together with 2
sisters of the Confraternity of the Sacred
Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of
Mary, who have worked in this mission for
the past 6 months. So for all of us it was
the first Holy Week in La Mora.
I
n the evenings we participated in the
celebrations of Holy Week, including a
special Venezuelan celebration such as the
procession of the “Nazareno” (the statue of
Christ dressed in purple and sometimes a
person dressed the same way and carrying
a cross during the procession). In our procession many persons, including the one
dressed as “Nazareno”, were walking bare3
foot as a sign of repentance and as an offering to God of some personal petitions.
strengthen it and to give a new impulse to
their lives. Of course, the presence of
young and enthusiastic girls attracted other
youngsters and created an atmosphere of
joy and a lot of energy. My attention was
drawn more this year to the moral poverty
which we saw, and to the closed mentality
of some which does not allow education
for their children in order to change the life
style of their community for the future.
O
ur whole group of missionaries expressed the desire to come back here
with more sharing and help, not only during this special event of Holy Week but
more frequently during the year. The missionaries also reflected how we must be
thankful to God for all that we have in our
everyday life and share whatever we can
with those in need, especially the need of
God´s Mercy and reconciliation.
Procession of the Nazareno
T
he local community welcomed us with
open arms and hearts, and every day
one of the families prepared meals for us.
They either brought them to school or invited us to their homes, so we could share
the meals with the whole family. In this
place we did not find many persons who
did not have faith but we saw a need to
“Let the little ones come….”
Sr Bogusława Kalinowska and one of the little ones
*****
4
Sr Brenda Ferreira went to Maturín with group of 18 students (including 4 past pupils) a
teacher and a parent, two doctors and a couple.
T
he journey east from Caracas by road
takes from 8 – 10 hours, depending on
traffic, into one of the wealthiest states (for
its oil reserves). However, its wealth is not
visible, as there are the same queues of
people as outside any shopping area in the
city wanting to buy whatever is available.
they can move to overcoming the prejudices between them, by playing together.
S
an José de Buja is an hour´s drive outside the city of Maturín. There, two
communities, one criollo, the other indigenous Warao, live side by side without too
much by way of mutual understanding,
communication or interaction. In addition,
and perhaps worst of all, the Church is not
present. There is a building, in better physical condition than in previous years, but,
as with the dispensary in the town, without
resources or personnel.
L
ater we visited the indigenous families
(mostly women and children) along
the banks of the river. There is poverty but
even more malnutrition. Children eat cassava bread once a day. If they say they are
hungry at night they are told to go to bed.
They drink water straight from the river –
the same river in which everyone bathes,
washes etc.; hence the skin rashes and diarrhoea. Children ask for soap since all they
have to wash with is detergent. A three
year old can appear to be no more than one
year, with protruding bones and flabby
skin, evidence of lice in her hair – with not
enough energy even to drink the water that
is held to her lips.
T
here is no lack of children. Easily between 100 and 150 turn up each morning and absorb whatever teaching or activity is presented to them. In the afternoons
there is time for games and crafts that at
least try to bridge the gap between the
children of this separated community.
From not wanting to hold hands in a circle
5
T
hose on mission looked on in awe and
grief. Our students could compare
what they enjoy at home with what they
were experiencing in another part of their
own country, a short distance away. Their
rapport and involvement with the children
was spectacular. Each evening they prepared what they would do, in teams, and
they worked tirelessly next day to carry it
out, in the draining heat. Their enthusiasm
was spontaneous and their devotion touching.
the nearest child. Another adult who was to
read the Gospel at our sharing of the Word,
apologized that he was too upset to read
that day.
W
e came away deeply affected by the
reality of this dire situation, each
one planning what more could be done to
help our brothers and sisters in their need:
those with medical contacts to see what
medicines could be collected from friends.
Another thought to salvage whatever is left
of toiletries in hotels. “Whatever you do
for the least of my brothers or sisters, you
do to Me”. This is the year of Mercy and
Pope Francis wants us “to smell of the
sheep”. How else can we be the hands,
feet, eyes and voice of the Lord?
T
he adults were even more affected.
Doctors who came with us had tears in
their eyes. The first day they saved a baby
from dying of dehydration. They could not
eat their sandwich lunch but shared it with
W
e found this child sitting on the
ground, beside an adult who was not
really responsible for her. She had been left
in the care of her 6 year old brother and the
mother had gone off (maybe to fish - no one
really knew!) The doctors with us tried to
get her to drink water, out of a bottle top, but
she would not. Later, she ate a bit of bread
and then drank. She could barely stand,
much less walk. The next day the doctors
took some milk and it gave to the brother to
drink. He wanted to take it home for his sister and would only drink it when they
showed him another bottle they had prepared
for her. These are the human experiences
that break your heart and do wonders for our
students who, even though their lives are
more limited now, still have over and beyond
what they really need.
Three year old malnourished child
6
Indonesia
INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS IN THE PHILIPPINES
Sr Emmanuela Gunanto shares her experience of the Eucharistic Congress.
W
T
hen Estrella, my Philippine friend,
informed me that the International
Eucharistic Congress (IEC) would be held
in Cebu, January 24-31, 2016, I thought,
"This is my chance. Now or never. When
will it be held again in Asia, in a neighboring country?"
he Cardinal certainly knows how to
touch the people's hearts: "You are a
great nation, the light to Asia. Your light
has shown in every part of the world
through your sons and daughters, whose
exemplary faith has been for ages, the beacon of evangelization. In some parts of the
world, Catholicism means a Philippine
presence. Every migrant working from the
Philippines is a Paul of Tarsus in the more
than 120 countries where they serve."
T
he IEC is held about once in four
years. The first was in 1881 in Lille
France, the next will be in Budapest, Hungary in 2020. Cebu was rightly chosen to
host this 51st IEC, to commemorate 500
years of Christianity in Asia. More than 80
percent of the people of the Philippines are
baptized in the Faith.
H
e continued with these encouraging
words: "God gave you a nation of unparalleled beauty, but sadly challenged
with the frequent natural disasters. May
this 51st IEC be the moment of healing the
earth and healing the graceful people of
this country and everyone gathered here."
Then the Cardinal mentioned three dimensions of the Eucharist:
T
he Congress opened on Sunday with a
solemn Mass presided by Cardinal Bo
at the Plaza Independencia, attended by
about 350.000 people. Pope Francis visited
the Philippines a year ago, so, for this
event, he sent Cardinal Bo, the archbishop
of Myanmar as the Papal Legate. Cardinal
Bo addressed the faithful in English, with
some sentences in Cibuano, welcomed by
the local people with cheers. "Ako ay masaya na makarating dito sa Cebu! I stand
on this holy ground, full of gratitude and
joy, bringing the message of hope and joy
from the prophet of the millennium, our
dear Holy Father Francis. Pope Francis
loves you very much!"
7
1. From Eucharistic Celebration to Eucharistic Commitment to Mission
Adoration alone may make us good devotees. But being a devotee is one of the easiest things. The Mass of the devotee ends
in an hour. But the Mass of the disciple is
unending. The Eucharist of the devotee is
confined to the clean, decorated altars of
the church. The Eucharist of the disciple
continues with the streets as altar. Christ
died in the street, dragged along the streets,
proclaimed his good news on the streets,
and affirmed the human dignity in the
streets. His altar was the world, He broke
the bread of healing, He broke the bread of
feeding, He broke the bread of reconciling,
He broke the bread of Good News. His
disciples carried on the task. The very act
of Eucharistic assembly was revolutionary
in the Act of the Apostles. The first disciples were martyred for the act of coming
together and breaking of the bread.
day. 'Take the cup; this is my blood' are
not just Eucharistic words. They are true in
the lives of many Christians today. Not only Christians; the country I come from
faced war and conflict for the last sixty
years. The world is fragmented. Humanity
is soaked in tears and blood today. Christianity offers a new version of humanity
through Eucharist. The Eucharist remains a
sign of hope for humanity. The community
life of the first Christians was such an inspiring fellowship. (Acts 2 and 4) Breaking
of the bread was a spiritual experience, but
it was also a political statement in a colonized, fragmented Israel. Paul could boast
'In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentiles,
neither slave nor free, nor there is male and
female, for you are all one in Christ' (Gal:
2:28).
E
ach day started with morning prayers.
Every morning one or two conferences
were given on various topics by prominent
speakers, including Cardinal Dolan, Cardinal Gracias, Dr Tamara Grdzelidze, an Orthodox theologian and former staff member of the World Council of Churches, now
Georgia’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Dr
Josefina Manabat, Fr Timothy Radcliffe
OP, Cardinal Tagle and Cardinal Turkson.
2. Eucharist and the Poor
The Eucharist and the poor are inseparable.
Today you have gathered from various
backgrounds, but when you approach the
altar, the Eucharist strips you of all your
social status. You are just an equal among
equals. In an unequal and uncaring world,
the Eucharist steadfastly remains the beacon of human equality. The Eucharist calls
us to justice. The Eucharist calls for a third
world war, a third world war against poverty. The Eucharist will remain a revolutionary flag hoisted everyday on millions
of altars, crying for justice like the prophets of old. This biggest Catholic country in
Asia needs to declare a war that fights for
thousands who are still in poverty and
forces them to unsafe migration. This is the
clarion call to mission today for all of us
who attended this congress. Another world
is possible. Until that happens, the Eucharist will continue to be challenged. Our
mission remains incomplete.
E
ach conference was followed by a testimony on the related topic. One very
beautiful and moving testimony was given
by Ms Sarindhom Mativachranon, a Thai
woman, alumni of Mater Dei, our Ursuline
school in Bangkok. She told us how she
survived and succeeded in life despite grim
circumstances because of the power of forgiveness. After her talk many women
flocked around her hugging and kissing
her: "Sarindhom, we love you!" I too was
among them and proudly introduced myself, "I'm an Ursuline!"
T
he Holy Eucharist was the peak point
during this Congress. On the fourth
day seven parishes opened their doors for
the participants for Holy Mass, faith sharing with the faithful, dinner and a cultural
show.
3. Eucharist as the healing Power for
Unity
We are journeying through uneasy times.
Hatred based on religion and culture is expanding. Being Christian is such a risk to8
A
T
W
H
I
D
he other image which the Lord offers
us at the Last Supper is the washing of
feet. On the eve of his passion, Jesus
washed the feet of his disciples as a sign of
humble service, of the unconditional love
with which he gave his life on the Cross
for the salvation of the world. The Eucharist is a school of humble service. It teaches us readiness to be there for others. This
too is at the heart of missionary discipleship.
very solemn Mass presided by Cardinal Bo marked the closing of the
Congress. At the end of Mass the Pope appeared on the screen and gave us the final
message in English and his blessing.
"As you now prepare to 'go forth' at the
end of this Eucharistic Congress, there are
two gestures of Jesus at the Last Supper
which I would ask you to reflect on. Both
have to do with the missionary dimension
of the Eucharist. They are table fellowship
and the washing of feet.
ere I think of the aftermath of the typhoon. It brought immense devastation to the Philippines, yet it also brought
in its wake an immense outpouring of solidarity, generosity and goodness. People set
about rebuilding not just homes, but lives.
The Eucharist speaks to us of that power,
which flows from the Cross and constantly
brings new life. It changes hearts. It enables us to be caring, to protect the poor and
the vulnerable, and to be sensitive to the
cry of our brothers and sisters in need. It
teaches us to act with integrity and to reject
the injustice and corruption which poison
the roots of society.
e know how important it was for Jesus to share meals with his disciples, but also, and especially, with sinners
and the outcast. Sitting at table, Jesus was
able to listen to others, to hear their stories,
to appreciate their hopes and aspirations,
and to speak to them of the Father's love.
At each Eucharist, the table of the Lord's
Supper, we should be inspired to follow his
example, by reaching out to others, in a
spirit of respect and openness, in order to
share with them the gift we ourselves have
received.
n Asia, where the Church is committed
to respectful dialogue with the followers
of other religions, this prophetic witness
most often takes place, as we know,
through the dialogue of life. Through the
testimony of lives transformed by God's
love, we best proclaim the Kingdom's
promise of reconciliation, justice and unity
for the human family. Our example can
open hearts to the grace of the Holy Spirit,
who leads them to Christ the Savior.
ear friends, may this Eucharistic
Congress strengthen you in your love
of Christ present in the Eucharist. May it
enable you, as missionary disciples, to
bring this great experience of ecclesial
communion and missionary outreach to
your families, your parishes and communities, and your local Churches. May it be a
leaven of reconciliation and peace for the
entire world."
9
Southern Africa
LIFE IN SAINT LUCIA
Some extracts from the letter of 25 February 2016 from Sr Elisabeth Marie Ansart, Province
of France/Belgium/Spain, on interprovincial service in Saint Lucia.
A
s the summer season comes to an end,
too little rain quenches the land of
Kwazulu-Natal. Drought, which afflicts the
country, also affects the starving cattle and
an already indebted country has to buy
maize and wheat abroad. Personally, I'm
glad to see Autumn approaching step by
step because the hot and humid climate of
recent months is really very hot and very
humid: 80% moisture in the air that increases the sensation of heat (30° to 35 ° C
feels 5° to 10° more!); stormy weather to
which we owe some beautiful rainbows…..
Grammar, syntax, vocabulary... I appreciate the courses. They help us to understand
how the language works. I use it as much
as I can with what I learn from the Retreat
Center staff and the people from the village. Only a few short sentences or words,
for the moment, but they give a recognition
to the persons to whom they are addressed…..
I
n the “Retreat and Training Centre”
(RTC hereafter), I took on the necessary
organisation to make it more welcoming
(the dining room and bedrooms), to find a
place for a laundry, to have some indoor
and outdoor plants ... The place is becoming more lively and warm. I discovered
new talents which I try to use for the best.
O
f course, all this is not done without
difficulty and some impatience ...
There is a nuance in the local vocabulary
of the “near future”: when you are told that
it will come “tomorrow” that does not
mean “tomorrow” but “later, in the weeks
to come”!
E
ach Saturday morning the pupils of the
first grade are helped in maths by Sister Timothy and in science by John. Before
Christmas, Nathi wanted to bring me his
year-end report book. He was so proud that
he had progressed. Because we took the
time to listen to his request and to find
ways to respond to it, now he is grateful
and says that he feels that he is someone!....
S
ince December, at the RTC, we have
had the Sisters of Mercy for a week’s
session, a group of nursing students from
Swaziland, two students from Germany
doing humanitarian service with the Marist
Brothers in Johannesburg, priests and a
family, friends of the Bishop of Swaziland,
a White Father (who will return for a 30day retreat in July 2017 with the novices)
and his friends, the priests of the diocese
for a time of retreat. And in late May, we
are booked for a 5 day retreat with a Benedictine monk.
S
ister Catherine and I have also gone
back to school: as Father Declan, Servant of Mary, and an octogenarian, promised us Zulu courses which began in late
January. We are a group of a dozen adults
who meet twice a week in St Lucia for a
methodical study of this Bantu language.
A
ll this does not stop me from continuing some visits to Khula village for
news of friends: Gogo Massinga has a new
10
baby to look after since one of her grandsons left his newborn baby with her as a
gift .... Every time I am struck by her courage and her smile as she has so much to
bear.
Peace Prize winner and author of an “ubuntu” theology of reconciliation: “Someone who has “ubuntu” is open and available to others, devoted to others, does not
feel threatened because others are able and
good; he or she has their own self-esteem
which comes from the knowledge that he
or she belongs to something bigger - and
that he or she is diminished when others
are diminished or humiliated, when others
are tortured or oppressed.” Could not the
whole world take advantage of this feature
of Zulu culture?
I
also like to join the group of women
who meet 3 times a week at the “Skill
Centre” directed by Sr. Catherine Mutezi.
At the moment we are making rosaries in
different forms (decades, necklaces, bracelets, ...). We received a large order from
our school in Krugersdorp!
S
oon, weaving classes will begin. Unfortunately up till now, Sr Catherine
too has to face up to the “tomorrow” of
several carpenters repairing the weaving
equipment.
G
ogo Gumbi who was almost dying on
her return from the hospital is now
well recuperated. She is always very happy
to receive Communion which we bring her
and now she adds her voice to the songs of
the celebration!.......
I
am pleased
also to find
ways to share
the clothes and
food received
from our school
and the group of
Associates
in
Bryanston, as
well as equipment for nurseries provided by
our
schools
Krugersdorp
and the Marist
Brothers of Johannesburg. It is
always a highlight when those
in need receive such treasures ... here it
needs little to make people happy.
O
ften members of the Catholic community of Khula join us to visit the
sick or people in need. There is a real sense
of community, of extended family, here
called “ubuntu”. In Zulu, “ubuntu” could
be translated as “humanity”, but it has a
broader meaning. According to the Anglican Archbishop, Desmond Tutu, Nobel
11
JUBILEES
August -- December 2016
August
2
5
6
15
24
28
BOGUSZ Sebastiana
HUBCZUK Ludgarda
PACOCHA Bartłomieja
de SÉDOUY Marie de la Trinité
BRZUSZKIEWICZ Tekla
IMACH Maria Henryka
KAWA Grażyna
PANASIUK Lidia
PIETNOCZKO Ewa
SOBOLEWSKA Alodia
ZARZYCKA Agnes
JAWORSKA Maria
ŁACIAK Jadwiga
MAĆKOWIAK Blanka
ŻURAWSKA Margarita
BIZJAK Raphaela
LEKO M. Ksenija
BRAVO RAMÍREZ Ignacia
RODRÍGUEZ MEJIA F.Margarita
VASS Andrea
STANULLA GRABIS Erika
Poznań, Pokrzywno
Nałęczów
Poznań, Provincial Infirmary
Bayonne
Siercza
Salzburg
Tarnów
Tarnów
Kraków
Częstochowa
Tarnów
Rome, Generalate Community
Rybnik
Poznań
Tarnów
Salzburg
Slavonski Brod
Tabasco
Tepoztlán
Salzburg
Lima, Santa Ursula
POLAND
POLAND
POLAND
FRANCE/BELGIUM/SPAIN
POLAND
SLOVENIA
POLAND
POLAND
POLAND
POLAND
POLAND
GENERALATE
POLAND
POLAND
POLAND
SLOVENIA
CROATIA
MEXICO
MEXICO
SLOVENIA
PERU/CHILE
60
60
60
60
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
25
25
25
25
60
25
25
25
70
50
Saint Saulve, Merici
Bayonne
Ribeirão Preto
Trnava
Saint Malo
FRANCE/BELGIUM/SPAIN
FRANCE/BELGIUM/SPAIN
BRAZIL
SLOVAKIA
FRANCE/BELGIUM/SPAIN
70
70
50
25
75
Georgetown, Guyana
Kaohsiung
Taipei
Kraków
Taipei
Salvador, N.S. da Soledade
Taipei
Capriolo
CARIBBEAN
CHINA
CHINA
POLAND
CHINA
BRAZIL
CHINA
ITALY
25
60
60
60
60
60
60
70
Galliate
ITALY
50
September
8
12
15
16
DÉSIRE Thérèse de la Vierge
LATAILLADE St.Jacques
COSTA Maria da Conceição
SÚSEDKOVÁ Faustina
THOMAS Marie-Thérèse
October
6
7
21
JONES Claudiet
HSU Dorothy
KAO Marian
KOBIAŁKA Agata
LEE Marie-Claire
de MATOS Maria Auxiliadora
SIAO Marie de Lourdes
GUIDUCCI Angela
December
28
TALLONE Michelina
12
PROFESSIONS
HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO PERPETUAL PROFESSIONS:
Grace Kathrin Santoso
Maria Wilfrida Meli Amatnua
Diana Novak
Mojca Cafuta
Julia Musioł
Katarzyna Wróblewska
Mária Anna Bartošová
Indonesia
Indonesia
Slovenia
Slovenia
Poland
Poland
Slovakia
13
14-03-2016
14-03-2016
14-03-2016
14-03-2016
18-03-2016
18-03-2016
18-03-2016