Batch gathering on 3rd and 4th September 2019 - "GUIDING RAYS"

3-4th September 2019

The morning was fresh and enthusiastic in Archana, Provincial house on 3rd September. The colourful and prayerful gathering of 6 to 10 batches of sisters of Indian Province from various states of India started their meetings with the Holy Mass. We 20 sisters including the Provincial Superior were present for this seminar. 3 of us were absent for various reasons.

The rays of the rising sun from the east orbit broke into our hearts and invited each one of us for a discernment and decision. The very first day of the gathering has been begun with an inaugural address of our vice Provincial, Rev. Sr. Suni, at 8.30 and introduced the day. There was a brief sharing session for refreshment. We started the seminar on midlife spirituality by Rev. Sr. Christal SD at 9 am. She underlined the following points.

• Life is a process of becoming; it is not a finished product.

• Formation is a lifelong process.

• Guidelines for a renewed life in the next half of our life. How can we become creative, generative and caring etc.

• The classes concluded at 4o’clock. The classes remind that light and darkness are parts of our life but we have to make them colorful.

• The day concluded with a solemn prayer service conducted by the sisters of the community.

Batch gathering on 3rd and 4th September 2019 - "GUIDING RAYS"

The second day of our gathering invited us to think and reflect on the apostolic exhortation “ Christus vivit”( Christ is alive). Rev. Sr. Biji Mulackal, the Provincial Superior guided the hour emphasizing the peak points from the apostolic exaltation.

Throughout the exhortation, he constantly invites the young to an encounter and friendship with Jesus. As the Holy Father pastorally states, “No matter how much you live the experiences of these years of your youth, you will never know their deepest and fullest meaning unless you encounter each day your best friend, the friend who is Jesus” (CV, §150).

The inexhaustible spiritual riches preserved by the Church in the witness of her saints and the teaching of the great spiritual masters . . . we cannot fail to invite young people to drink from these wellsprings of new life. We have no right to deprive them of this great good.

After the discussion on the encyclical, the sisters gathered in two groups for the sharing of their life experiences. Since Keralites were ready to celebrate their national festival, the superior of the community and sisters did not forget to bring us all into the aroma of Onam. We had delicious onam sadya with various curries and payasam. We express our gratitude!

Afternoon all the participants gathered for a sharing on given Gospel passage St. Lk 14, 25-31 and Revelation chap1and 2. Everybody shared their views and also their life experiences in light of the passages given to them.

At the end the Provincial Superior, Sr Biji Mulackal underlined the need of reciprocal supports. The seminar wound up with a vote of thanks and prayer.

We were really enriched by these two days of programme. The seminar ended up showering happiness all over like droplets poured from clouds. We extend our deeper debt of gratitude to the provincial and team for their encouragements and supports. A special thanks to the community of Archana for their hospitality and concern.

Yours in Sacred Heart Sisters