Sixteen lay people and three translators participated in the Mission Effectiveness program, directed by Sr. Dolores Clerico. The participants hailed from Brazil, Canada, France, India, Italy, and the United States. The translators included Sr. Ivani Maria Gandini (Portuguese), Sr. Maria Cristina Gavazzi (Italian), and Sr. Simone Saugues (French).
The Mission Effectiveness program offers a pilgrimage for lay partners in mission and provides an immersion experience into the original spirit and global dimension of the charism and spiritual tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph. It includes people who are associated with one of the ministries founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph as administrators, staff persons, board members, or supporters. It is designed to deepen participants' learning, nourish their imagination and strengthen their conviction in participating in a world-wide movement that fosters union with God in drawing all into one. The week-long experience offers a rhythm of in-put sessions, interactive participation, prayer, and visits to historic sites in Le Puy-en-Velay and a day trip to Lyon.
Sisters Eluiza and Rita prepared sumptuous repasts during the pilgrimage. Sr. Rita filled in for Olga, who participated the program.
The group began each day with prayer and reflection in the Community Room.
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| Vinicius and Daniel provide an accompaniment to a Brazilian song of praise. |
The participants met in four language groups (English, French, Italian, and Portuguese) to learn about the history and spirituality of the Sisters of St. Joseph and to discuss their role in the mission.
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| Italians (with Eric of France) |
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| Brazilians |
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| English speakers from Canada, India, and the USA |
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| Simone translates French for Eric |
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| Italians listen intently. |
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Eric describes his ministry as a volunteer administrator
and board member of a nursing home in Annecy, France. |
As part of their preparation assignment, participants shared some information about their ministries with the Sisters of St. Joseph institutions. The objective of the assignment was to witness the similarities with the sisters' mission in schools, social services, and health care.
The major advantage of the Mission Effectiveness program is the experience of Le Puy. To walk the same streets that the founding sisters walked made a profound impression on the participants.
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| Posing with the fountain at the foot of the 300-step walk up to the Cathedral on the Rue des Tables. |
Participants ate their meals at the Centre. However, on the next to last night of the program, they all went to the Old City of Le Puy to share a meal at Marco Polo, a local French-Italian restaurant.
Angelina shows Marykutty how to twirl pasta. It's all in the wrist.
Cristina can eat pasta anytime. In fact, she made a pasta dinner one night at the Centre. However, at the Marco Polo Italian restaurant she went all-American with a hamburger and fries. Hmm-good!
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| Henrique |
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| Edson |
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| Vinicius |
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| Rosella |
Congratulations to the International center for organizing such a wonderful program.
ReplyDeletethank you. This was an extraordinary group!!
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