September 7th

Free Day !!!!

At the end of the first week time to re-group, some off to Rome, others up the hill to Frascati or wandering around Grotta, then the home birds .....

September 5th and 6th

Evaluation

The first step in this evaluation is to take a look at the journey of the Provinces over the past six years. But first of all a little celebration, one of the September birthdays......

 Christiane greets Narelle Skeers

We followed the journey of the Provinces in groups according to Continents although every continent has its diversity Europe perhaps leads the way in that respect. In addition to the usual differences we also followed the formation of the new Province of Central Europe.

        Elizabeth Daniel (Pakistan) Mary Kpiebaare (Ghana) Ramona Iribar (Spain)                            Maria Teresa Spychalska (Central Europe)

The second challenge in the evaluation is to bring the statistics to life. Considering the enormous work which has gone into compiling them perhaps the least we can do! Above all there is a gradual awareness that the answers to the emerging concerns must be found in to-days world.

September 4th

Feast of St. Rose.... Grotta's Comunity Feast

The workload for to-day included approving the Chapter Plan and Time Table. There are four main Chapter Objectives starting with the Evaluation of the past six years, through a study of how to live the kenosis of Christ and 'pronouncing' on the Constitutions, not forgetting the all important elections. So once again we gathered in the Sala Pia to vote on the Plan before breaking into language groups to elect the Steering Committee.

Some familiar faces.... Evelyn chats with Gemma Xavier and Mary Donlon

By the end of the day we had elected those who would take up the heavy task of steering the Chapter through the coming weeks.

Sisters, Isabel Arbide, Evelyn Delicata (delegate and provincial East Africa) Ana Ines Facal (delegate Argentina) Elizabeth Houssay (Provincial France Suisse, Francoise Massy and Sue Philips(General Council) Pushpa Joseph Panayalil (delegate India Bangalore)

September 3rd

Processes and Procedures

Now that we are more familiar with our large working group having spent yesterday relaxing together it is now time to take stock and start.

Sr. Celestine from Congo leads the way

Assembling in the Sala Pia

September 2nd

'Getting to know you....'

You will recall our reference to 115 Chapter members, well add 40 odd who are helping with translations, editing, documentation, liturgy and see the enormity of to-day's task.... So we had some fun, met in groups and stretched our memories as regards whose who.....

Sisters involved in health ministry in Ethiopia, Lybia, Brazil, USA, France (from left to right)

We also gathered according to birthdays !!

Some of the September group from Congo, Brazil and Italy (left to right)

'June' on the steps of the big Chapel

September 1st

Welcome to Grotta

Preparations are over, welcomes complete now we are ready to open our Chapter

Join 115 Chapter members, 44 nationalities

'Franciscan women called to live the kenosis of Christ in creative fidelity

and solidarity with our suffering world'

Father General OFM presided at the opening of the Chapter introducing us to an ever deeper understanding of kenosis. The importance of minority, the determining value because it gives colour and taste to all the other Franciscan values.

A few more photos, then link to Institute web site for more details

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Welcome to our Province 'Chapter Link'

The Chapter opens on Sept 1st - . Participate from home and share your views.

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The journey so far...

‘God in his goodness has raised up our Institute for purposes
 which are already vast, but are not yet entirely known to us.’
Mary of the Passion

Province Preparation

a - Modifications to the Constitutions - report sent to Rome in June

b - Working paper - report to Chapter with Joan and Marie

Expectation

All sisters will participate as fully as possible at every stage of the Chapter walking together in ‘uncharted territory as Franciscan women called to live the kenosis of Christ in creative fidelity and solidarity with our suffering world’.