Mission Effectiveness

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.

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.

Italians (with Eric of France)

Brazilians

English speakers from Canada, India, and the USA

Simone translates French for Eric

Italians listen intently.

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. 

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!

Henrique

Edson

Vinicius

Rosella

       

Mission Effectiveness -- Closing Ritual and Good-bye

The week had been an intense and powerful experience and the sharings were honest, sincere, and heart-felt. Participants were largely confirmed in their own work as they realized they were a part of the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. They were clearly determined to continue the mission of the sisters. 

For the closing ritual, each person was invited to light a candle signifying their presence and then to express how they were touched during the week. Participants listened intently.

Water is a sign of the presence of God and a renewal of the Spirit, which is common in many religions. As they touched the water, each participant was invited to express his or her commitment to being one with God and others in expanding unity in our world.

                                     

                             

 

                        

In the final moments, everyone tenderly hugged and thanked each other for the incredible week. It was a true experience of international unity and love, something to carry forward with them and to remember as they returned to their countries. 

Good-byes

The Brazilians and Italians, who were from the Chambéry Congregation, left together on a bus headed for Chambéry where they would spend a day before they left France. For many, it would be their first time visiting the city.

Others returned home in their cars or on the train while some made stops in Europe before going home. However, for all the participants, the bitter-sweet ending of the long but rich week of new friendships and new insights into their connections to the Sisters of St. Joseph had truly inspired them to continue "to move always towards profound love of God and love of neighbor without distinction...in order to achieve unity...through works of charity in humility–the spirit of the Incarnate Word."

Carolina

Henrique and Vinicius

Dolores and Angelina

Cristina tells Dolores and Angelina one last story

Renée and Rita lead a song:  "One people, one world, one Spirit, all we need is love." 

New friends Henrique, Raj, and Edson pose for one last photo

Henrique reminds everyone to stay in touch

Ivani and Daniel wave a final good-bye