October 2011 - Page 6 of 7

12/09/2009

18 October 2011
by SEED

We began our third day here in the Philippines with a very meaningful Eucharistic Celebration. Our three Indian sisters, who animated the Liturgy, marked our foreheads with the tilak and kumkum, the third eye of the human being, which looks inward and brings every aspect of the person into harmony. The arati (doxology) was accompanied by flowers, incense and flame.

It was an excellent beginning to the program of the day, during which the General Councilors and Bursar General took the floor to offer us many points on which to reflect and many provocations to help us re-examine the various dimensions of our life so as to discern the new paths opening before us. Their talks covered the areas of spirituality, pastoral work for vocations, formation, community life, mission, the sharing of our charism with the laity, and our economy. Afterward, we took time out to reflect on all this input, followed by a comparison of ideas in the assembly.

At the end of the day, during evening prayer, an Indian hymn and dance helped us present the Lord with everything we experienced today.

In thanking him, we did not fail to mention how grateful we also are for the presence of the many sisters who continue to send us their greetings and best wishes, reinforcing the power of the communion that binds us together.

Informations

18 October 2011
by SEED

13/09/2009

18 October 2011
by SEED

In keeping with our program, today we continued our rapid and lively review of the situations of the countries in which we are present. The members of the assembly all opened their hearts to listen to what our sisters of Japan, Korea, Pakistan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore and Vietnam had to tell us. Many needs, challenges and hopes emerged. We were energized by what we heard and felt in our hearts the echo of our Founders words: Where are the many peoples of immense Asia and promising Oceania heading?

The information our sisters shared with us has given us a glimpse of very different situations and is helping us build a common platform of knowledge that will be very useful in our work of redesigning, which is the goal of this meeting. We are already asking ourselves how to tackle the challenge of keeping in step with our always up-to-date apostolate and also the challenge of how to cross paths with young people so as to dialogue with them about lifes values.

Sr. Antonieta Bruscato urged us to participate to the maximum in this journeyto take a quality step forward in our creativity and apostolic passion.

Before ending this news flash, we want to also say how grateful we are for the exquisite Asian hospitality that has been shown to us. In contrast to the rain of these days, our sisters of the PMPT Province shine like the sun through the delicate forethought, service and warm welcome they are so generously lavishing upon us.

09-10/09/2009

18 October 2011
by SEED

Upon our arrival from different parts of Asia and Australia, we were warmly and joyously welcomed by our sisters of the Philippines-Malaysia-Papua New Guinea-Thailand Province, who accompanied their greetings with colorful local pageantry. Together with the rain (very abundant in this season), we have also been showered with messages from FSPs and friends all over the world, assuring us of their communion and prayers for us.

The two beautiful Eucharistic Celebrations we participated in were rich in symbolism, angelically sung and danced, and created just the right atmosphere for the Superior Generals opening greeting on 10 September, followed by her challenging conference on the redesigning of our presences throughout the Congregation. Sr. Antonieta invited us to look not only at our concrete resources but also at the different spheres of our life that need revitalization, suggesting that in the coming days we cultivate the attitudes of listening to the Spirit and a readiness to work together.

In this spirit, we spent the afternoon listening to one another and comparing our particular situations with the trends emerging in the societal-cultural-religious-communications contexts in which we live and work. Tomorrow we will continue this work.

Meanwhile, our evening was enlivened by our sisters of the PMPT Province who, with extraordinary creativity, presented us with the beauties of their culture and the spirit of celebration and welcome characteristic of it.