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The
Marist Sisters inaugurate
a
new congregational structure for life and mission!
"...by
God’s grace and your collaboration with us, we are here!
Around
the congregation we have engaged
in
moving and beautiful rituals and liturgies
celebrating
our past with gratitude,
our
present in peace and joy,
looking
to our future with confidence and hope.
Together,
we have pledged ourselves
to
live this ‘new moment’ in the life of the congregation
as
true daughters of Jeanne-
Marie
Chavoin..."
(Monica
O'Brien, Congregational Leader - 2 February 2006) |
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Our sisters in Fiji were
the first to mark the occasion - beginning on New Year's Eve and moving
through to sunrise on New Year's Day.
"Just
as each stone in a building is of vital importance
so
we thank God for each Sister in the Congregation and pray that each one of
us may with heart and soul contribute to the development of this new
structure...
as
a symbol of the unity
that
will always exist among the Sisters,
we
place a Multicultural salusalu (floral wreath)
beside our stones
at
the feet of Mary."
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Our sisters in the Philippines
gave thanks for their short but grace-filled history which has led to the
profession of a local sister and the reception of several young women.
Here
one of the pioneers anoints
the
hands of a candidate.
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 Our
Australian
sisters celebrated the Eucharist together and later browsed through a
magnificent historical display mounted for the occasion.
Inspired
by the words of our founder and foundress, as well as those of Jesus
"Put out into the deep",
the
sisters gave thanks for the past,
expressed
peace and joy in the present and look forward to the future
with
confidence and hope. |
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In
England
our sisters celebrated at two venues - this is the group at Nympsfield.
For
all that has been, thanks!
For
all that is to come, Yes! |
 
It
was a colourful occasion and a family occasion, too,
with
Marist Bishop Tom Burns officiating. |
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Stones,
representing each sister, and photos of the new leadership teams were
placed at before a statue of Mary.
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In France
there were a number of celebrations - from the community at Saint
Prix, one sister wrote:
"
suivi
de la Messe dans la paroisse d'Eaubonne
célébrée
par notre Evèque
en
cette journée de la vie religieuse."
Jesus
Christ himself is our foundation,
we,
the living stones, have been formed as your temple
in
this place over many years...
Take
what we have, bless it,
and
remain with us
as
we strive together to
build anew.
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 In
Venezuela,
our
little community of sisters was joined by
an
enthusiastic group of Marist Laity who prayed around a simple, but
meaningful focal point:
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a candle,
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a statue of Mary,
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a globe of the world and
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the names of the three new regions in our congregation. |
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 In
West Africa
our sisters remembered with gratitude all the blessings of the past, and
the sisters who served in both Senegal
and the Gambia.
Let
us celebrate our future with confidence and hope!
Together
let us commit ourselves to accomplish Mary's Work! |
Memories
were expressed creatively.
Here
in a role play the sisters recall
the
beginnings of the congregation in the Gambia. |
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A
doubly significant moment occurred in Mexico
when
the new Sector Leader took up her position and at the same time welcomed
the Leadership Team
for
the whole Region of Atlantica
whose
residence is in Guadalajara, Mexico.
May
Christ be our Light as we move forward
with
confidence and hope! |
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In
taking "another step in a
living pilgrimage of faith",
our sisters in Aotearoa-New
Zealand
had
the opportunity to greet the new leader
of
the whole Asia-Pacific Region
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Through
incorporating
its Christian and Marist heritage -
featured
were the ponga,
kete
and cloth
of
Aotearoa-New Zealand.
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