The first mission appointments were given at the end of April 1894, if I am not mistaken, on the feast of Our Lady of Good Counsel. The writer [Sr. Andrea] was the gardener at the time. Sr. Superior, later our Mother Josepha [it must have been M. Maria] had her called from the garden and told to go the reception room, to Rev. Fr. Wegener, representative of our founder. When Sr. Andrea asked what she was to do for Fr. Wegener, Mother Josepha replied, you will see that when you go there. I prepared inwardly for anything and everything. When I went to the reception room, we were still in St. Gregory’s, the Rev. Father read out my mission appointment, as first sister and sister-in-charge for Argentina. Along with me Sisters Gregoria and Barbara were also appointed for that mission. We were to travel at the end of summer or in autumn of 1894. There must have been some difficulties or other conditions that prevented it, because in summer or autumn the founder called for me and said he was repealing my mission appointment. As you know, on the feast of St. Gregory 1895 the Training Course began. In summer the founder called for me on Sunday evening, 14 July 1895. He told me that he had kept my former mission appointment for Argentina and that we were to travel in a few months time. He also appointed Sr. Scholastica, Sr. Xaveria, a young teacher, and later still Sr. Agatha. Sr. Scholastica and I were students in the Course that began in March 1895.
When the first mission appointments of sisters were given in early 1894, the joy of the other sisters was truly great. When the founder withdrew the mission appointments, the enthusiasm for the missions was somewhat dampened. When the new appointments came in spring and summer, however, the sisters’ joy knew no bounds. Our founder was delighted with the mission fever of his spiritual daughters. Then we also had to see that the four sisters appointed for the mission were provided with all that was necessary. The boxes had to be packed, etc. Rev. Fr. auf der Heide took care of that, assisted by the sisters who would be travelling and by Sr. Gregoria. Alongside that we still had to attend the classes of the Training Course; we had to take exams. Various discussions took place, among other things how we would have the mission cross ceremony. Our founder decided that the prospective missionary sisters would hand in their profession crosses before they began their retreat, and after the retreat they would receive them as their mission cross at the altar from the retreat master or highest superior, as given by Fr. Superior General. Our retreat master at that time was Rev. Fr. Superior General himself.
As far as I remember, at the beginning of September 1895 there was a retreat for teachers which we joined. The founder gave some special, pertinent talks for us, however, and also gave us some special instructions and admonitions for our dealings with the rev. fathers and brothers on the ship.
In the meantime the definitive arrangements for the ship had also been made; in the beginning our founder had not been able to make up his mind about which ship’s company. First we were to depart on this day, then that, until finally we were to travel with the English steamer Oropessa. That meant we had to invite our relatives for the departure celebrations at various different times because, as stated, the day of departure was continually changed. Our sisters also still had a great deal of work to prepare a small, community programme, a festivity; we learnt the song “Mary my hope”, which we all liked very much. If I am not mistaken, we received our mission cross in the presence of our superiors and sisters and relatives on 11 September 1895 around 11 a.m; there was a very nice, appropriate sermon; it was a modest mission departure celebration. At 12 o’clock there was a festive meal. After that the big hall was prepared. The farewell celebration began around 2:30 p.m. At the end of it we sang the Ave Maris Stella. At 3 p.m. the coach of the Basten-Batenberg family drew up in front of St. Gregory’s, ready to take us to the station in Tegelen. Mother Maria and Mother Josepha accompanied us. As Sr. Agatha’s appointment had been made later, we had to take her boxes, etc. with us as passenger baggage until we reached the steamer.
The founder had prepared our journey well. He had written out the whole list: when our train would arrive in such and such a place, and when it left again; then, too, all the places where we were to stop over, and so on. We were even allowed to stay with the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in Paris and visit the big Sacred Heart Basilica in Montmartre. If I am not mistaken, Rev. Fr. Riette [?], who was still a minor seminarian in Steyl then, had a sister with the Sisters of Charity there. He had written a letter that we were to give to her. Mother Maria passed the letter to me. As I was rather distracted, I opened the letter but soon realized that it was not for me; I ran to Mother Maria and told her that I had mistakenly opened the letter; she consoled me, saying it was not so bad, the seminarian could write the address once more and the matter would be settled; unfortunately he forgot to write down the street and number, etc. as we discovered later during our journey.
Before we left our dear Motherhouse, we had to go once more briefly to the founder in the sacristy. He gave us his blessing once more, laying his hand on my head; something he had never done before; it touched me very much. Then we quickly boarded the coach. After some clapping we were off and away. At the station in Tegelen we met a few Sisters of St. Joseph whom we knew, including Sr. Judula. After we had spoken for a while with Mother Maria and Mother Josepha, our train soon came in. It did not take long before we were in Roermond. We left Sr. Agatha’s boxes at the station, but took our hand baggage with us to where we were staying, namely with the Sisters of the Child Jesus. These sisters were very kind to us. In the evening the Reverend Mother came to us and told us about our good founder, how he had spoken with her at the station in Venlo for a long time because they both had to wait for their trains, and when she realized that she did not have enough money for the journey, he had given it to her. This superior could not find enough words of admiration for the kindness, friendliness and charity of our late founder. When we told the Reverend Mother that we were the first sisters to be travelling to Argentina, she said in that case we must pay the Bishop a visit.
Source:
Remembering Mother Andrea, Gertrud Hegemann, 2007 – Compiled and Translated by Jacqueline Mulberge SSpS
L to R: Sr. Rosalinda, Sr. Mary Genevieve, Bro. Damien, Sr. Tarcisia and Sr. Vilma
The idea for a Global Catholic AIDS Network was first emerged at a meeting convened in Geneva in 2006 and attended by Catholic organizations with major engagement in the global response to AIDS. The need for such network was stressed again at several meetings, such as, the International AIDS Conference in Mexico City in 2008, and ICAAP in Bali , Indonesia in August 2009.
Realizing the need for network and facts on HIV/AIDS challenges, the Catholic Committee on HIV/AIDS (CCA) – in which 38 local church organizations working closely together, in collaboration with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) took this idea seriously and together called for the first workshop of Asia-Pacific Catholic HIV/AIDS Network held from 12 to 15 May 2010 at Camillian Pastoral Care Center (CPCC), Lat Krabang, Thailand.
The theme chosen for the Workshop: “The Challenge of the HIV and AIDS to the Catholic Church is Asia and Pacific”, clearly identifies HIV/AIDS as a critical challenge to faith communities: a challenge that evokes their serious commitment more than ever before, and, in addressing this complex problem of AIDS, calls for both a multi-dimensional approach and sustained united action of all those dedicated to this important pastoral activity”.
In the opening Eucharist presided by Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to the Kingdom of Thailand, Cambodia and Republic of Singapore, he read the message from the Holy Father: The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI was pleased to learn that the Workshop of Asia-Pacific Catholic HIV and AIDS Network will be held at the Camillian Pastoral Center in Bangkok , from 12 to 16 May 2010. He cordially sends warm greetings to all the participants and prays that the Holy Spirit will guide you in your work and discussions regarding your noble mission of rolling back the spread of HIV/AID and being close to those who suffer to give the care, comfort and hope.
Fr. Giovanni Contarin, CCA Chairperson presented the workshop objectives: (1) To sharpen the response to HIV/AIDS of Catholic Church in Asia and Pacific, (2) To exchange and dialogue on AIDS Ministry between Catholic organizations in Asia and Pacific, (3) To build close relationship and cooperation among Catholic organizations in Asia and Pacific, (4) To promote and sustain the spiritual strength of Catholic individuals and organizations involved in the ministry to persons living with HIV and AIDS, and (5) To dialogue and promote concerted efforts to reduce the new HIV infections in collaboration with other religions, belief and government policies.
Fr. Mathew Perumpil, MI spoke on the “Theology of Caring.” He gave the Good Shepherd as the Model for caring and the story of the Good Samaritan as model for strategies in caring. The good Samaritan saw the wounded, approached him and asked the help of an innkeeper to continue to care for the wounded man. Our care starts with our head, takes a journey to the heart and to the hands to move into action and get other people involved.
Dr. Rabia Mathai, Senior Regional Representative Asia-Pacific Catholic Medical Mission Board (CMMB), spoke on “New Challenges on Education to Prevention and Protection”. The CMMB vision is “a world in which every human life is valued and quality healthcare is available to all.” Its mission is “Founded in 1928 and rooted in the healing ministry of Jesus, CMMB works collaboratively to provide quality healthcare programs and services, without discrimination, to people in need around the world.”
The participants came from 15 countries, including Australia, India, Japan, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Korea, Timor Leste and Vietnam. Our sisters (SSpS) were among them.
During the meeting, the participants also met up with their funding partners such as Caritas, Catholic Relief Services and CAFOD.
The participants said they look forward to working with one another.
Source : Sr. Rosalinda Argosino SSpS, ECHO, June 2010
Friday is the day during which everybody is supposed to wear the official yellow t-shirt of “Bafana Bafana” or “Boys Boys”, which is the national soccer team. The t-shirt can be bought almost in every shop and on every street, including the main street of our village. Needless to say, not each shirt bears the official Fifa logo. It is almost an official directive that on Fridays everything in South Africa should be yellow and national… cars drive with little national flags attached to them, at the post office all clerks are dressed in yellow… on the streets many people are wearing yellow… The whole country wants to support its national soccer team! Everybody wants the Boys to win… Today in all the churches across the country special prayer services will be held on the intention of the successful World Cup… in the country which has one of the highest crime rites in the world, where everything can happen… where security becomes one of the most contentious issues… perhaps waiting for the cup is not that exciting any more…
New and grand stadiums have been built in the major cities. The largest and the most beautiful one in Johannesburg, yet in a very impoverished part of that city. Next to the modern stadium and luxurious hotels, people live in a shanty town, without running water and sewerage, without electricity, in small and improvised houses… but everybody is happy… perhaps they there are the most happy people of all, because they will see the foreigners… and maybe somebody will offer them a good job, better Life… perhaps the dwellers of shanty towns are the most happy people of all. South Africa is the country of striking contrasts… modernity and luxury exists side by side with poverty and misery. South Africa is a beautiful country filled with natural wonders of landscapes, rivers, and forests teeming with wildlife. Yet at the same time, the mortality rate of its citizens constantly grows at an alarming rate due to the AIDS pandemic, even though it is already the highest in the world. The number of orphans also beats most of the world statistics, and tuberculosis, together with AIDS, has become the major problem of the country. Ironically enough, prostitution is a booming business, especially as a part of the preparation for the tournament, and many women are brought into the country, especially from other African countries. They are offered jobs in luxurious hotels, where they are supposed to entertain the football fans. The money isn’t great either, yet for many women coming from very poor backgrounds the temptation of glamorous life of hotels and rich clients is just too much. The risk is forgotten, only now and here counts, the future and consequences don’t matter… During the cup there will be winners and losers… in the real life too…
Today all churches of South Africa will be full of prayers and supplications for “Bafana Bafana,” I will also pray… to show the world that Africa can… in spite of everything… Africa can accept with a smile what the life brings…victories and defeats… riches and poverty… joy of a birth of each child which is seen as a sign of blessing, and sorrow of each death with bold faith that the ancestors live on… Africa can in spite of sickness and pain forgive the past, forgive all those who had failed to understand that Africa wants to be respected and treated equally with any other nation and country in the world… Africa can forgive and open up a new chapter, a better one, based on the faith in its team and all the people from all over the world who will visit the country and will watch it from their homes on the TV screens… Let’s this time will the time of BLESSING for Africa…
( Ventanas- Los Ríos ) – En el Día Mundial del Medio Ambiente, con el deseo de concientizar a la población, nuestra comunidad de la Parroquia Virgen de Guadalupe se propuso realizar un gesto concreto: salir por el barrio y recoger basura tirada en las calles, tal como papeles, latas, botellas, vasos y bolsas de plástico.
El Domingo 30-05, después de la Misa, para sensibilizar a los presentes, se realizo una proyección sobre la creación, regalo entregado a nuestra responsabilidad, y sobre reciclaje de basura. En los días siguientes se prepararon carteleras y una pequeña presentación teatral sobre el uso consciente del agua.
El día sábado 05-06, después de una pequeña motivación, niños de catequesis, los catequistas, otros adultos de la comunidad, las hermanas y el Párroco, en total alrededor de 70 personas, salimos con entusiasmo y disponibilidad a realizar nuestra manifestación. Unos llevando los carteles, otros bolsas recolectaras, otros con sus manos protegidas con bolsas pequeñas o guantes estaban prontos para recoger la basura tirada. Mientras avanzábamos llamábamos la atención de la gente con pitos y alto parlantes, invitando a que colaboren con la limpieza del barrio. Nuestra manifestación despertó curiosidad e interés. Sentimos una buena acogida.
Después de una hora y media de recolección nos encontramos en el salón parroquial, para descansar, tomar un refrigerio, observar la presentación teatral sobre el uso del agua y finalmente hacer una evolución sobre lo realizado. Todos salimos contentos y con la esperanza de que lo que hicimos traerá sus frutos.
I have had various experiences during my life. Of course, not all of them made me happy but anyhow every experience is a good teacher; through that I can find value, hope and joy. One precious experience is my involvement with street rugby boys.
They are such nice, cute boys. They are still very young but they look much older than their age. Every day about 15 rugby boys and 30 elderly persons come to Balay Samaritano Sa Sugbo, a feeding program center. The first aim of the program is feeding and Bible sharing for the elderly.
This time I want to share how I was touched by the presence of a boy named Raffy. He has courage to face his life. He is a good boy and so simple about his reality. Let’s hear his sharing:
“I am Raffy Ybanez Sanchez, Seventeen years old, now in 3rd year high school. I am the fourth of nine children in our family. As far as I can remember, every time I woke up in the morning I could not even stretch out my arms and legs since our house is very small. Furthermore, during the rainy season we get all wet. This situation inspires me that someday I will get out of this situation (poverty).
My father used to repair and clean shoes; my mother doesn’t have any permanent work. She earns some money by washing clothes for other people, if there is chance. On February 24, 2010 one of my brothers died because of asthma and since we didn’t have money, we had never taken him to the hospital. The sufferings brought me to the decision to leave my family and look for a job. But my searching ended up in nothing. So now I’m one of the scavengers on the street, begging people for food or something. In this place, I meet a lot of friends and people from different places. Some got married early and some have vices. In spite of being a scavenger, I don’t lose my hope and still have the guts to move forward. My dream is to finish my study, to help my family and someday, help the street children.
Life is too short to be wasted on this matter. What is important is that if we fail, we can bounce back and learn from the experience. See the light, feel the light, become the light of today’s dawn.
Above all, thank be to God for all the blessings.”
There is hope and shining life in the twilight of street children’s life. It’s not a hope without meaning in the midst of a thousand or more street children. They’re still fighting in their situation without schooling, housing or parental guidance. The story of this simple boy inspired me to gain a new perspective on life and with more courage.
On the 8th May Sr Dolorina Murphy celebrated 65 years in religious life, Sr Judith Vallimont 50 years and Sr Adelina Tao-ing 25 years. (Sr Judith is in our Region to conduct a Visitation.) It was a joyous occasion for the parish of St Joan – Farnham. “Never before have we seen 20 nuns pronouncing their vows” one parishioner commented. Sr Adel was full of enthusiasm and she prepared the liturgy and 11 different nationalities of SSpS carried something meaningful in the offertory procession. Time stood still. The parish priest, Fr Paul, had battled through the Icelandic ‘Ash’ to get to the celebration making a pathway for our sisters from Ireland to get there too. We were almost all the Region present on that day. How wonderful to think of it. God be praised.
A word for the rest of the Farnham community who carried the catering responsibility and with the help of our sisters, parishioners from Farnham and HSMA from as far as Wroughton parish in our last home in Wiltshire the tables were well and truly filled up with good things to eat.
The jubilee celebrations preceded the Regional Chapter and what better way than to pronounce our vows altogether. It definitely set the tone.
The Regional Chapter was a blessed occasion and I must say that Sr Judith Vallimont who sat slightly on the outskirts of our circle with her head down most of the time – missed nothing – and at the end of the Chapter I was convinced that she was psychic! She was a great help to us all.
Thanks be to God. Also thanks to each Sister in the Region for the contribution each made.
“Consecrated men and women working in the media have a special responsibility for opening the door to new forms of encounter, maintaining the quality of human interaction, and showing concern for individuals and their genuine spiritual needs.” (Benedict XVI, Message of His Holiness for the 44th World Communications Day, May 16, 2010)
Today, as we celebrate the World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVIth’s words further affirm and encourage us to continue “proclaiming our personal encounters with the Risen Lord” to people, especially to the young in a language they understand and through a medium they are familiar with.
Like our 13th General Chapter Icon, Mary Magdalene, we hasten to share the compelling message of hope and joy in Jesus Christ. We leave behind our doubts and feelings of inadequacies in handling innovative technologies in communication, our preoccupations against abuses in using these. We harness the power these technologies offer for the service of the Good News.
The essential message remains: God’s unconditional love for each and every person. And this message comes from our own personal experience of the Triune God.
Sr. Maria Elizabeth Ello, SSpS,
SSpS Communication Coordinator
“I know the fountain well which flows and runs…though it is night”.
It is on this theme that representatives of Women Religious are gathered in Rome from May 7 – 11, 2010.
Eight hundred Superiors General, coming from all over the world are convened by a search posing a common question to the different congregational and geographic situations: what is the Spirit saying to religious life in this moment of history that it may realize its fundamental mission of being a sign.
From whence come these religious women who lead so many Congregations? Almost half of them come from about twenty European countries especially from Rome, France, Spain, where they have their General Curia. Twenty percent come from the American nations, with USA and Canada leading with eighty six participants. Africa comes next with twelve percent coming from twenty four countries among which is the Democratic Republic of Congo with twenty six Superiors General present. From Oceania fifteen Superiors General have come.
The Assembly is oriented as a discernment process within a mystical-prophetic journey. Three more languages were added to the five official languages of UISG (Italian, English, French, Spanish and German). These other three languages are added for the simultaneous translations: Portuguese, Japanese and Korean. After listening to the Conferences, the participants, divided into groups of ten according to languages will gather the echoes and the concerns to allow the Word of the Spirit to take form and renew this historical moment.
