Good Shepherd News

No. 185 March 2006

NO TO WAR

Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd

New Cardinal visits the Generalate

His Eminence Gaudencio B. Cardi-nal Rosales, archbishop of Manila, visited the Generalate on March 28, 2006. Cardinal Rosales was one of the 15 cardinals installed by Pope Benedict XVI during a public consistory at St. Peter’s Square on March 24. While still in Manila, then Cardinal- elect Rosales asked that his sched-ule in Rome include a visit to the Good Shepherd Generalate, which he visited several times in the past

Good Shepherd Sisters join women from various religious congregations and groups during a rally in Rome supporting peace and calling for an end to the war in Iraq. The rally was held on March 8, International Women’s Day. Shown in photo, from left to right are Srs. Evelina Coronel RGS, Ann Schoch SSND, Ethna McDermott RGS, Maureen Marr SND and Shalini Podimattam RGS.

Cardinal Rosales gradu-ated from St. Bridget’s College, grade school department, in Batangas. (Continued on page 2)

Ongoing formation in Asia

Contemplative wellspring for mission The ongoing formation session of the Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd in Asia – “Contemplative Wellspring for Mission” 2006, held in Sri Lanka from March 15-30 was a spring of grace that originated from a suggestion by CGS rep-resentatives at their meetings in regional level during the General Assembly 2003 which was unanimously accepted by their provincials. It was a time for the CGS of the Asia Region to reflect more deeply on their lifestyle and particularly on the “Essential Elements” of their contemplative life.

15th March 2006, 4.30 p.m. was the ceremonial opening of this spirit-filled event. Thirty partici-pants from 5 regions – India/Nepal, Philippines, East Asia, Sri Lanka/Pakistan, and Japan, including 4 Unit leaders – Sr.

Bridget Paily, Sr. Ramani was replaced by Sr. Theresa Song, Sr. Anita Fernando and Sr.

Agnes Yamamoto Keiko, and the resource persons – Sr. So-corro Galvez, Sr. Fe de Paz, Sr. Patricia Perera, (Sr. Susan Chia will join the group later) were welcomed by the Good

(Continued on page 3)

but would like to visit again after his elevation to the College of Car-dinals.

The members of the Generalate community welcomed him and sev-

CARDINAL... (From page 1)

eral priests of the archdiocese of Manila who are in Rome for stud-ies. The Cardinal, the sisters and priests had a lively conversation during lunch. He also met the lay staff of the Generalate. At the time of the visit, the members of the Congregational Leadership Team were in Latin America.

As a young boy, Cardinal Rosales studied at St. Bridget ‘s College, grade school department, in Batan-gas City, Philippines. Batangas became the first foundation of the Good Shepherd Sisters in the Phil-ippines as a response to the re-quest of the Archbishop of Lipa (in Batangas) for a Catholic school in Batangas. Four Irish sisters, Sis-ters Mary Alphonsus Liguori Burke, Cyra O’Kane, Clare Morrissey and Gabrielle Zunino, who came from the mission in Burma arrived in the Philippines on October 4, 1912 and reached Batangas on October 12, 1912. The community was then under the Generalate. The follow-ing year, St. Bridget’s Academy

was opened. The Cardinal said, his mother Remedios, was six years old at that time and was one of the first pupils of the newly opened school.

Cardinal Rosales entered the seminary and was ordained priest on March 23, 1958. He was a priest in the archdiocese of Lipa and was appointed by Pope Paul VI on August 12, 1974 to become auxiliary bishop of Manila.

In 1982, he was transferred to the Diocese of Malaybalay in Min-danao, Philippines. Ten years later on December 30, 1992, he was elevated Archbishop of Lipa, the archdiocese where he began his priestly ministry.

With the retirement of Jaime L. Cardinal Sin as archbishop of Ma-nila, Pope John Paul II appointed Rosales to become the archbishop of Manila. He was installed archbishop of Manila on November 21, 2003 at the Manila Cathedral.

Following is the text of Cardinal Rosales’ message to the Good Shepherd Sisters:

I could not remember how many times I visited this place, but this time I visit again the Generalate of the Good Shepherd Sisters in Rome. As I see the pictures, as I see the sisters here in Rome, my thoughts go back to my young childhood in Batangas City where I first came to know consecrated life in the presence of those Irish and American missionaries in the little town of Batangas. And as I visited the sisters; I can only recall the happy days I had in their school, in their campus and more than I would say on friendship that I have with the sisters, I would say their maternal care. When I say

maternal, some would say, mater-nal towards students. Today, it might be considered an over-exaggerated term. My mother was orphaned at an early age and I was told that the Good Shepherd Sisters took care of her. I remem-ber “Ma Mere” (Sr. Gabrielle Zunino) and all the sisters were telling me that “your mother, Remedios, was taken care of by the Sisters.” And no wonder my mother made it a rule, a tradition in our family that all of us, all her chil-dren, all seven of us would study from kinder… upwards at St. Bridget’s. So when I say maternal, I am not exaggerating, it is true in more than one sense. They took care of us. And I remember my parents, during the war, they took care of the foreign sisters when they were threatened. My father and my brother took the sisters to the barrios and took care of them. And so in coming here to the home of the Good Shepherd Sisters all over the world, I would say, I am happy to dig back into our past, our family’s past and my vocation’s beginning.

So to all the Sisters, please give love to everything you do, that is exactly what I learned from the Sisters. Put love in what you do, not just zeal and I suppose that’s what St. Mary Euphrasia’s gift to the Church— she gave the Sisters the special charism to care for those who are abandoned, aban-doned women at the time, but of course, also for people like us, who in our tender youth would need the maternal guidance of someone, like sisters. Thank you. God bless.

(Please listen to his message in English: http://www.buonpastoreint.org/www/audio/CardinalRosales06.03.28.wma)

Our gift: a basket of lemons from our garden. Cardinal Rosales and the Good Shepherd Sisters of the Generalate.

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Shepherd Girls' school eastern Band and accompanied into the conference hall. The traditional oil lamp was lit as a symbol of enlightenment; a representative from each re-gion lit their own lamps from this flame and placed it near the map of their own country. After this the blessings of the Spirit were implored through prayer and a prayer dance. Sr. Anita Fernando, the Unit leader of the hosting country –Sri Lanka/Pakistan, welcomed the gathering. She led the group to reflect on the roots of the contemplative way of life which was a burning desire of St. Mary Euphrasia. Quoting Fr. Le Dore she said that St. Mary Euphrasia considered the founding of the sisters of St. Magdalen as the perfection of the grace of her vocation, not a subsidiary work in her life but on the contrary, a summit of the grace of her vocation, a sign of the creative and salvific tender-ness of God. Sister invited the group to cast into the deep

Contemplative Corner

A cultural welcome by the girls of St. Euphrasia’s Home and the chil-dren of St. Joseph’s Cottage.

TOPICS

The topics discussed by the four resource persons were: W eaving the Essent ia l Elements, Article One & Constitutional enclosure – by Sr. Socorro Galvez;Creative re-s t r u c t u r i n g f o r t h e contemplative sisters – Sr. Fe de Paz;How can we be Life bearers with and for the poor’ as contemplative sisters of the Good Shepherd, Srs. Socorro & Fe; and Good Shepherd Spirituality, Apostolate of prayer, Sr. Patricia Perera;The Contemplative Wellspring – Life within, Life in community for mission – Sr. Susan Chia.

They had two days’ exposure visiting the tsunami affected areas. 27th and 28th March were set aside for an outing to the cool hillsides of Kandy and Nuwara Eliya. With a free day following their return they will spend the last day of their session with evaluation, closing liturgy and a cultural evening.

while having the same senti-ments of St. Mary Euphrasia and to explore the contempla-tive wellspring for mission. This was followed by the read-ing of the message of Sr. Brigid Lawlor – Congregational Leader to the participants. Led by Sr. Socorro the group pon-dered on this message and came up with their reflections. They realized that God was calling them: • to a creative fidelity. • to bring about newness • to be open to the Spirit of

God. • to bring to reality God’s

dream for humanity Before closing the day’s pro-

gramme the sisters introduced themselves according to their respective countries. This was followed by a discussion in fix-ing times for the daily schedule and groupings for various ac-tivities. Considering prayer as the wellspring for mission – the participants ended a Spirit filled joyous day. During the Assembly, the CGS of the Asia Region reflected more deeply on their lifestyle and particularly on the Essen-tial elements of their contem-plative life. Sr. Roshanti Ranwatta

ONGOING FORMATION... (Continued from page 1)

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Province of France-Belgium

A weekend in the « Big Family » The first inter - novitiate week-end was held January 21/22, 2006! Novices of the Good Shepherd and Seminarans of the Eudists gathered in Angers for two days of meeting and formation; with the theme: “The Missions of John Eudes and the Zeal of Mary Euphrasia.'' Present were: Good Shepherd Congregation, Sr.Marie-France Retailleau, responsible for for-mation; Marie Cantegrit, 2nd year novice who is on apostolic experience in Pau in a home for teenagers; Emmanuelle Goineau, 1st year novice in An-gers and is involved in apos-tolic activity at the Catholic Ser-vices; Nathalie Champ, 1st year novice in Angers, who is helping in the apostolic work of ATD Fourth World Movement. For the Congregation of Jesus and Marie (the Eudists): Fr. Laurent Tournier, responsible for formation and in the parish in Douvres the Délivrance( which is near Caën; Roman Drouaud, in pastoral immersion in Brétigny –sur-Orge in the Val d’Oise and is a student at the Catholic University of Paris; Bernard Héraut, in pastoral im-mersion in the parish of the St Eprit (Paris 12nd) and to the seminary in Orleans. Olivier Michalet, in pastoral immersion in Versailles, at the St. John Eudes high school studying at the Catholic University of Paris. Bertrand Plault, in pastoral in-sertion in Redon – La Roche du Theil and at the seminary in Rennes. On Friday evening when all gathered in Angers, we started with praying vespers together. A festive and happy meal followed. It was a time where each and every one in-troduced herself or himself, sharing news and what she or he has lived. For certain partici-

pants, it was a time of reunion.

On Saturday morning, after having said Lauds together, we had a talk on " missions of John Eudes " by Bernard. We

had small groupsharing from the texts of John Eudes and we shared on today's missions in relation with the talk presented. One example was; How faith is shared or introduced to to the young people (in the chap-laincy)? At midday Mass was cele-brated at the oratory of St. Mary Euphrasia (formerly her room and office.) Lunch was served at the Mother House. There was free time after lunch and the group was divided in two: one group took a walk, via the tunnel, to the Abbey St. Nicolas and the park of the Garenne, while the other group visited the Mother House. In the early afternoon, the seminarians spent time among themselves, an important activ-ity for them since they do not

Theme of the meeting of the Good Shepherd novices and the Eudist seminarians : « The

Missions of John Eudes and the Zeal of Mary Euphrasia.»

live in the same community. At four in the afternoon, we met for a talk prepared by Srs. Marie France, Emmanuelle and Nathalie, on " the Zeal of Mary Euphrasia ". A time for ques-tions, debate and answers fol-lowed. The evening was spent at the Formation community to have a meeting with the sisters. The day ended with a prayer in four m o v e m e n t s ( W e l c o m e , Thanksgiving, Forgiveness and Giving of oneself). On Sunday morning, the group gathered for the Eucharist at the chapel of the international community of the Mother House. After the Mass we shared from a text (Lectionary n° 41: Missionary until the end of the world. The questions posed were: " For you, what is

your end of the world? " and " Why did you choose to enter in the Congregation of the Good Shepherd or Congregation of Jesus and Mary ?” It was an interesting time to listen to the sharing why we had chosen the Good Shepherd or the Commu-nity of Jesus and Mary. To hear the other, to share what touched us or what captured our hearts was a great mo-ment.

A time of evaluation concluded our days and, we wished to have another experience of this kind. The weekend, appreci-ated by all, allowed us to know ourselves better, to make the links between the founders St. John Eudes and St. Mary Eu-phrasia), to share our experi-ences, what we live, and for some, to discover the Mother House of the Good Shepherd. Nathalie Champ (novice) France

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In Paris, the Hospital Center for Social Readaptation at Nanterre CHRS is the mission area of Sr. Annie Golas, RGS , who shares her apostolate with us.)

Our specific work at CHRS Long-Term is to welcome men and women who are highly an-tisocial: vagrants, usually physi-cally, psychologically and so-cially disfigured.

To be a social worker at CHRS Long-Term demands a peda-gogy that centers on persons who are in situations of great social suffering, so marginal-ized that social ties are rup-tured. This means that those we admit must be taken care of totally; both medical and social plans must be adapted. Such a method enables the social worker to attend to each indi-vidual’s personal and family history and his life journey. It creates a dynamic, which per-mits the person to invest him-self or herself in a possible fu-ture.

To recognize each individual as a unique person with all his dig-nity is the basis of our work of accompaniment: a very person-alized work which enables us to discover unsuspected riches and buried potentials just ask-ing to emerge. Despite appear-ances, we discover persons who are thirsting to be listened to and recognized, manifesting by their behavior, which are sometimes clumsy or tactless, their desire to move out of their situation to a better well-being.

The accompaniment is lived out of profound conviction and in my total faith. It is this depth that lets me stand the daily grind and to endure despite the difficulties encountered on the way.

There are also the simple joys: a relationship of trust that slowly develops, a hello, a

thank you; an outing, family ties revived, hands extended; confi-dences shared; accompani-ment till the very end; residents who ask to meet with the chap-laincy team, to participate in a week-end of prayer and reflec-tion, to go on pilgrimage to Lourdes…these are also signs of a spiritual thirst.

Having been at Nanterre since 1997, I can say that those years have been a great en-richment for me. They have made me discover more the value of life and the worth of every person. At Nanterre the hope is -a regard for each person as of infinite value -a welcome freely given to each one

-a word that encourages -an encounter, many encoun-ters -words heard perhaps a hun-dred times which finally make sense, -the little pluses and minuses of every day living -to be an “awakener” for those who no longer hope in anything or anyone. My hope today It is to tell them through the humdrum of everyday that all life is important, that their life is priceless, and that together we can advance towards the King-dom of Love! It is to believe that the other, whoever he or she is, speaks to me of Christ! It is to believe that each en-counter is an invitation to make me discover something about Him because the other is at my side and speaks to me of Christ.

Sr. Annie Golas, RGS, Paris

Province of France-Belgium

« YOU ARE PRECIOUS IN MY EYES AND I LOVE YOU»

We had a cocktail party cele-bration commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the opening of Dar MerhbabIk. This was held on 20th June 2005 at the Capua Palace. The president Dr. Edward Fenech Adami and his wife, minister of Social Pol-icy Dolores Cristina and a num-ber of personalities and other friends attended the activity. For this occasion, original paintings were donated for auc-tion.

On that day, Sr. Rosalinda was interviewed on the problem of

domestic violence. In giving in-terviews the aim is always to raise awareness on this social reality and to give support to the women suffering from this problem.

A fund- raising dinner to help Dar MerhbabiK was again or-ganized by Jessie Xuereb at Verdala Mansions. Prime min-ister Lawrence Gonzi and his wife Kate attended the August 6, 2005 activity. It was a beauti-ful evening. We received LM7,000.00 which will go to the new project.

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District of Malta

25th Anniversary “Dar Merhbabik”

Home for women who are victims of domestic violence

What experience can a Lay As-sociate of the Good Shepherd who makes weekly visits to the biggest prison in the Republic of Uruguay share with you? Well, actually, there is much to tell. In the first place there’s the location, Montevideo, on the state boundary, far from the city. It is in open country, near a little town called Santiago Vasquez.

In the second place, the char-acteristics: double wire fence, with watchtowers where army soldiers, fully armed, keep watch that no one gets too near the perimeter surrounding the prison. Inside are the buildings where the prisoners are bil-leted. There are six in all, be-sides the administrative offices, a first aid center, the kitchen and a bakery. They were built to accommodate 900 prisoners but now 3,000 are incarcerated! The great majority are youth 18 to 28 years old.

Why do I go to visit those in prison? The Good Shepherd Sisters were witnesses to the

call of the Lord. Each one of them in different moments, helped me not to lose the im-pulse and filled me with confi-dence. I am not alone. My two companions are Vicentino and the other is a member of the Neo cathecumenate. Quite of-ten, too, a priest goes with us. It is here that one can apply with good reason the words of

our Lord: “The harvest is great but the laborers are few.” The flock is great, the weaker ones unprotected from the stronger, malnourished and almost totally lacking in spiritual guidance.

Province of Argentina/Uruguay

A Good Shepherd lay associate recounts his experience of prison ministry

The means we use to try to help them open their hearts to Christ, even behind those bars are cramped by their fear, and ignorance and requires the strongest efforts on our post.

« The Good Shepherd Sisters were witnesses to the call of the Lord. Each one of them in different moments, helped me not to lose the impulse and filled me with confidence.… The flock is great, the weaker ones unprotected from the stronger, malnourished and almost totally lacking in Spiritual guidance. The means we use to try to help them open their hearts to Christ even behind those bars are cramped by their fear... »

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To remove from their minds be-ing given over to their lower passions, is another aspect of our work.

We teach them that with the help of grace, they can conquer their character so that the love of Christ can be born in them, a love present in each of their companions, and that in every heart there is a void, which only

God can fill.

The discovery of this ignored part of their self, which is filled with nothing, void of everything, liberates them from the oppres-sion of idleness, and develops a spiritual activity which is new and comforting. We have two ears and only one mouth and by this we understand that we need to listen twice as much as

we speak. In every meeting we try to leave ideas that will help us in succeeding visits to con-tinue the way that will lead to their salvation.

We must not forget to mention the most opportune visit of our Archbishop, Don Nicolas Con-tugno Fanizzi, who celebrated mass in the prison a few days before Christmas. Around 50 prisoners attended the mass. Happily, the borrowed better clothes from their companions to be well-dressed for the occa-sion. At the end of each visiting day at the prison, the Lay Asso-ciates of the Good Shepherd leave full of joy and giving thanks to God for being in-serted in a work at the very heart of our charism. How much reason our Mother St. Euphrasia had when she said, “A PERSON IS OF MORE VALUE THAN A WORLD.”

Carlos Alvarez, Lay Associate of the Good Shepherd

Province d’Argentina/Uruguay

MISSIONS IN ARGENTINA Go out to the whole world and proclaim the Good News to all creation. -Mark 16:15

From January 21 to 30, the missionary work of the Good Shepherd Mission Family was inaugurated in Yacochuya, de-partment of Cafayate, Salta Province.

Four sisters of the Good Shep-herd, together with lay people from various church move-ments composed a heteroge-nous group of 25 persons, aged 11 to 87 years old. They were heterogenous not only because of differing formation, gifts and charisms but also from their place of ori-gin: Cafayate, Salta – Capital, La Rioja, all of Argentina and of Antofagasta (Chile). All this diversity, all these verify the words of scripture:

Now, you together are Christ’s body; but each of you is a dif-ferent part of it. -1 Cor 12:27 This account of the work done by the Lord in the mission can therefore be continued (and completed) only in the very words of the missionaries themselves because:

We cannot promise to stop pro-claiming what we have seen and heard. - Acts 4:20

On January 21st we began the Good Shepherd mission with the participation of the volun-teers from Salta, Cafayate, La Rioja and Antofagasta. Then we went to Yacochuya to situ-ate ourselves and get to know each other. On Sunday the task were divided and groups were formed to go to the as-signed areas. We then spent

time in prayer to recommend ourselves to God and place ourselves in His hands.

Monday the 23rd , our work commenced. In Yacochuya we visited the families to explain the Mass. We also listened to the peoples’ stories of their daily lives.

Our reception was very nice: they welcomed us frater-nally and affectionately, offering us all their best. The next day, Tuesday, the children were in-vited to participate in various games held in the school, fol-lowed by afternoon tea. We saw the great enjoyment of the children.

We also visited the banks of the Arriba, an experience that we enjoyed as well as feared. We experienced both tiredness and bravery. At times we were discouraged but al-ways found strength in the youngsters.

On Wednesday we divided into new groups to walk up to the hill. On this march we discov-ered the values of the local people which fortified our de-sire to complete the mis-sion. There were some minor difficulties of course, like fa-tigue and tripping or falling, as well as the swelling of the river at its crossing. But it was worth it all and the memories are en-graved in our hearts. Some groups spent the vigil in the hill, others returned by day. The local folks were so generous despite their poverty offering us the produce of their land. In this experience we felt it was they who evangelized us, as we saw their humility, sincerity and joy.

On Friday, we met with the chil-dren of San Luis and played games and sang songs with them. A delicious merienda

with gifts concluded the ses-sion. From them we learned that a smile never fails.

Maximiliano, Samuel, Silvia & Silvina Jesus called us, giving each one of us the opportunity to come here, some with the heart unprepared but with a good dis-position to do and to give what is best.

My mission experience here went very well, much better than with my previous mis-sions. Above all, I shared, my personal thoughts more, thanks to the action of the Holy Spirit, which Jesus imparted to me as I entered each home. Thus I was able to speak on the “Holy Eucharist” convincingly, the topic I had to communicate to each one.

I felt very happy and fulfilled as I climbed the hill and met the families, seeing how they wel-comed us, and how they dem-onstrated their faith. I also felt we could become better per-sons with the humility and sim-plicity of heart like theirs. Those great qualities which we ourselves find difficult to have, as well as their attitudes and actions left an indelible mark which I will carry all my life. To know that on the other side of the hill there are such good

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people waiting for us with great simplicity and hearts full of love to listen to all that the Holy Spirit has sent us to say, THANK YOU.

My experience is based on the spiritual aspects of this mission. I had so much interior peace despite not being able to share the more powerful moments of the long journeys to bring the Word of God. But in its turn, I felt in those moments the deep need for prayer to remain close to my brothers and sisters.

For me, this resulted in the need for more personal prayer to be near God and my broth-ers. Thank you. - Guille

I, Pedro, a lay associate of the Contemplatives of the Good Shepherd of the province of Rioja, give thanks to the Blessed Virgin for her good-ness in allowing me to partici-pate in this mission to beautiful Yacochuya together with my brother Saltenos.

As a small group, we went with our dear Shepherdess – Juliana. From the moment we started, I felt the presence of the Lord and His Holy Mother Mary, walking the pathways and rivers full of joy and hope. We looked forward to fill with the same hope and joy the homes of the dear families of Yacochuya and share with them the words of Jesus. All the families we visited, par-ents, children and grandchil-dren, received us with affection

and joy, sharing the word of God with the promise of a bet-ter tomorrow with Jesus be-cause He will always be at our side, together with our Blessed Mother. So we felt strength-ened and protected. Glory to you, Lord, and thank you dear Mother, for the gift you have given me. I leave in this beautiful place a thousand pardon for all the faults I might have committed. Gratefully, with my love and hope.

- PedroFor me, the mission was very nice and interesting. Being only eleven years old, I never thought I could do something like that. The people welcomed us with great trust and confi-dence. But what I liked best was to find a friend who re-ceived us into their home one night with open arms. I enjoyed a lot with my new friends and they participated in all the prayers. This is very much condensed – we did many other things during the mission. The person I got to know were very good and understanding and I’m grateful to them for the time they devoted to us. Thank you.

MelinaOn our first day of mission at San Luis we visited five fami-lies. To reach their homes we had to pass through different

roads and surmount certain ob-stacles but we finally arrived there. The peoples’ reception of us was truly wonderful; they were all willing to listen to us. The children of some families were quite shy but they still wel-comed us; even their watch-dogs welcomed us… Some families could not attend and we promised to come back an-other time. The people of San Luis were very humble and industrious, supplying their own needs from their farms. They raised ani-mals and they plant fruit trees and vegetables, which they sell in town where they also pur-chase what they cannot pro-duce. They are firm believers al-though many are unlettered. Being unable to read, they “read” with even greater care the message we brought them. In all the homes we spoke a lot to the people, but much more, we tried to get close to them and opened our hearts and ears to them that we may better understand their joys and sor-rows…

Climbing the hill We went with great enthusiasm to the hill as a fairly big group and soon the faster ones went ahead. We climbed a rather difficult road and on the way met a family we needed to visit. The road was blocked by a big rock and the boys (Ariel, Os-valdo, Maxi, Luis, Seba and

MISSIONS...

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Maxi O.) offered to remove it. We then followed the road to-gether with them but more slowly as we were not prepared for such a long walk. Many thoughts passed through our minds during the walk, as well as questions we would hear later. When at last we reached the house, we spoke with the fam-ily head, Don Valentin. Later when we suggested pray-ing to the Virgin, we got a sur-prise: Don Valentin gathered his entire family, the children stopped playing and arranged a little altar with all their little statues of the saints before which we prayed. We then walked to the house of Don Humano but circum-stances prevented us from reaching it. We believe, though, that in this experience, the most important was our in-tention to get there.

As a group we grew a lot and we noticed the companionship among us and the strength we gained as young men and women which helped us to con-tinue in the mission. We came from the mission full of joy. Luis Liendro, Hna Marta, Maximillano Ochoa and Eliana Roncaglia The mission opened on Satur-day with a mass. The same day we were lodged at the Gregorio Velez School in Yacochuya. We had a prayer service the next day and then spent time preparing the tasks for Monday and Tuesday. On Monday the mission to Yacochuya officially started with a shared prayer on the Word of God and related to the leaflet regarding the Eucha-rist. We invited all to participate in the sharings, both children and adults. They were all well-

disposed, including Senora Dorotea Cabezas who ac-cepted our presence and par-ticipated in the prayers even though she did not belong to our religion. On Wednesday at 7 a.m. four of our men (Maximiliano, Sebastian, Ariel and Osvaldo) Left for Chuscha and stayed there 8 hours until Duraznito in the house of Dominga Condori. The way was long because we now knew the swollen river

MISSIONS... (Continued from page 8)

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crossing and had to go further down to avoid it. Dominga was very busy when we arrived , as she was late preparing the cheese. She went out to tend to the goats. Nevertheless, she took care of us very well. One of her cousins had just died when we got there so she asked us to say the rosary for the repose of his soul. In our conversation with Senora Dominga we were able to re-solve some of her doubts. The next morning at 5 am we proceeded to the house of San-tos Sandoval. We climbed the top of one hill and hoped to

Visit

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www.buonpastoreint.org

for Webwork , the documents of the Spirituality Center, and the events at the

Mother House.

climb the other one but the way was so difficult because of the fog so we returned after two hours of walking. Ariel, Osvaldo and Daniel To share the story of this mis-sion is a most gratifying experi-ence: each one could bring her life-experience and at the same time, learn that the faith and hope so deeply-rooted in the families we visited could strengthen our spirit. It showed us that it is possible to maintain a firm faith despite the adversi-ties of daily life. The diversity of personalities in our Mission Family as regards, age, sex, or spiritual formation was no obstacle to living to-gether, nor to achieving the tasks, since each one placed whatever he or she was capa-ble of at the service of the oth-ers. The message “The Eucharist: Food of life for the Family” and the missionary zeal which filled our hearts impelled us to en-ter each home surmounting all our fatigue, the distances cov-ered, and our own natural char-acteristics. We also lived out the extraordi-nary power of prayer which united each one of us to the others, asking for all our spiri-tual and material needs.

Marcelo, Maria Angelina and Eugenia

Faced with the psychological and sexual violence suffered by the women either from their husbands, or other persons in the place where they work in the city, the community of sis-ters and lay collaborators in León, Guanajuato, of the Prov-ince of Mexico, founded the Human R ights Center , “Agustina Rivas”. This center forms part of the Rose Virginie Pelletier Educational Project and is a program established in the light of the charism. mission and spirituality of the Congre-gation, following in the foot-steps of SJE and SME. The principal objectives we hope to accomplish are the following: - that women be helped to

clarify their situations of con-flict, personal and family problems and to help them find solutions to these, recog-nizing their rights and dignity as persons and the mission they have in the family, in the church and in society. For this, we organize workshops for human development giv-ing attention to the psycho-logical. Psychology work-shops for children and ado-lescents are given and for the women there is group reflection on the gospel.

- that medical attention be also

given in this same project when requested.

- that children and adolescents

with psychological problems be given attention, therapy and medical service.

- that skills training workshops

be given to the women in managing the kitchen, pastry shop, basic accounting, sew-ing and weaving – these last two are productive and has formed groups.

- that their academic primary,

secondary school education, which has also helped men, be continued.

All these efforts are geared to-wards helping the women obtain well-paying jobs.

Province of Mexico

Human Rights Center “Agustina Rivas”

Delegates to the Provincial Chapter in Mexico and members of the Congregational Leadership Team. Sr.Alejandra Aguilar was reelected Provincial leader.

Provincial Chapter in Mexico

March 1-8, 2006

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We are Soledad, Ma. Elena, and Teresita, Lay Associates of the Good Shepherd in Mexico. We wish to share our apostolic experience in the Prison Minis-try with women, childen and youth at the Queretaro Peniten-tiary.

There are 20 persons in the Prison Ministry, three of whom are Good Shepherd Lay Affili-ates, and we work in three cen-ters (Centro de Rehabilitation Social or CERESOS), which operate in the entire country.

Our program consists of catechet-ical instruction on Thursdays the Eucharist on Saturdays and annual retreats, one before Holy Week and another before Advent. We provide special catechesis when there are baptisms or First Com-munions.

We live the significant events of the Church every year such as Lent, Easter, Advent and Christ-mas, with the persons in prison .

Recently, we founded an I.A.P. Maximilian Kolbe which will func-tion as a transition home. It will provide shelter for the youth and

others released from prison who have no families. The goal is to help them re-integrate in society, find jobs and accredit the studies they have undergone while inside the prison. We have also provided a section for family members who come to visit the prisoners and have nowhere to stay. This situa-tion often causes them to give up visiting their relatives in prison. We have completed the legal transactions for this project and are now trying to get ourselves quali-fied. It is more complicated than

Province of Mexico

Lay Associates of Mexico

Red America Latina (REAL) Continental Meeting in Lima, Peru The province leaders of Latin America and the Congregational Leadership Team had their meeting in Peru March 22-28, 2006. A meeting of formators in the region was also held.

we had imagined but with God’s help and the aid of persons who wish to unite with us, we will suc-ceed.

Having encountered the Good Shepherd on our way, learned the life of St. Mary Euphrasia and the charism of the congregation as well as deepening our discernment and knowing the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, have changed our life for the good of our families and the welfare of the women in prison. Please remember us in your prayers and accept the greetings of: Teresita, Soledad and Ma. Elena

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What will be remembered for long as Pakistan’s “earthquake year” has ended, but the suffer-ing and pain it caused will con-tinue for years to come. The 2005 October earthquake, which killed more than 73,000 people, flattened buildings and wounded the earth that sup-ported them, remains an unfin-ished event for many.

The immediate worry of all those who moved to help the survivors was to fend the cold and put their lives together again. The nation responded with unprecedented zeal and generosity came to the aid of the sufferers. Help came in the form of tents, other shelters, building materials, good, clothes and beddings. Most of the local and foreign non-governmental organizations, preferred to reach the suffering directly. It was encouraging to see people from all over the world and of all faiths and ide-ologies come to Pakistan’s help.

In the early stages, access to the affected areas was a main problem that kept us away form the survi-vors. We were able to send dry rations, beddings and medical sup-plies through the local NGOs and we kept on working with them since the government place relief and rehabilitation under the Army’s control. At present, over 260,000 quake victims are living in more than 150 camps both in North Western Fron-tier Province of Pakistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir. Now since the Winter season is coming to an end the earthquake zone is preparing itself for the launch of rehabilitation work. The main concerns of the people living in camps, concerning their return, are the availability of land, road rehabilitation, shelter, drinking water and food in their villages. March 10, 2006 has been declared by the Government as the begin-ning of the closure of camps hous-ing the quake survivors, while

March 31 is the deadline for the completion of the closure of camps. Yet there are continuous after shocks, more than 1, 750, have left the remaining buildings and structures unstable. The tragedy overwhelmed Paki-stan, but by the beginning of Spring several of the camp in-mates had started returning to their places of origin to rebuild their lives. The most commonly wit-nessed trend is that male members of a family go back to their village to asses the situation and start re-building before they take back with them the remaining members of the family. But for the families that went though the seven minutes that played havoc with their lives, it will take a long time to get over the memories of the catastrophe.

We the Good Shepherd sisters in

Pakistan are grateful to all the members of our Good Shepherd family who showed concern, shared our grief and anxiety and helped generously so that we can reach out to the survivors without hesitation.

Sr. Doreen Epitawela

Province of Medellin

IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD

Words are not enough to thank the Lord, who on this day in the 21st century which is full of tempting of-fers to our youths, awa-kened the vocation of the young. Leidy Johana Briceño Sala-zar. She made her first profesión of vows on February 8 in San Fer-nando's community, Ville de Cali Valle.

That date, fixed for those who are making their profesión vows in the community the Good Shepherd is doubly significant as Fr. Diego Os-pina who presided over the Eucha-rist recounted: to have the Virgin Mary as model of fidelity and obe-dience is not only a privilege but also a challenge. “She, a naza-rean”, Fr. Ospina continued, “extends her hand to accompany you, to walk with you to tell you as you take the way of roses, but also of thorns. Mary will always help you and she will accompany you to follow Jesus the Good Shep-

herd..."

Let us accompany Leidy Johana in her desire to follow the Good Shepherd and pray that her testi-mony of life may inspire many youths to commit themselves in the building of the Kingdom of God through our Congregation. Martha Lucía Arcila

Sr. Leidy Johana (left) and Sr. Ligia Usma, provincial of the Province of Medellin.

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Province of Sri Lanka/Pakistan

Pakistan’s earthquake: Earthly blow, enduring pain

The question of refugees and the illegals, those without docu-ments, is more and more pro-nounced in Belgium; these peo-ple with their children live poorly each day.

We are challenged by the situa-tion of these people who are undocumented, without lodging and without income and we do what we can to help them. We find the strength to help them because of our knowledge of the situations that they live. We support them, because they are excluded and marginalized.

In Belgium we work with differ-ent non profit organizations (ASBL) and non government organizations (NGOs) to ac-company these people.

"The Tree of Life" (L’Arbe de Vie) ASBL. It is a day nursery for children between 1 month and 4 years, whose mothers need time to follow courses, to have treatment, to look for work… 90% of these mothers are emigrants.

This project is oriented toward the future of children. We want to give them something that will strengthen them for the future. We also work in the domain of the education of parents to lis-ten to them, to give them cour-age so their children evolve positively. The joy of those who discover that a better future is possible for them, is for us most rewarding.

All become possible, for exam-ple:

Jean is 17 months. He arrived in the nursery at the age of 7 months. His early days at L’Arbe de Vie were difficult. He lived for several months in a humid cellar with his parents who were political refugees. His father had been hospital-ized for one month and his mother went alone to assume formalities with the Office of foreigners. We welcomed Jean in order to help his mother to

go through this difficult time. Since then, the horizon bright-ened little by little and Jean ar-rived at our home one morning with a big smile.

He participates in group activi-ties. His courageous mother attends a training to be a beautician and the father at-tends French language courses. They live in a small flat. The mother told us, " we have a window finally!” The storm of their arrival in Belgium finally lulls. Tomorrow their lives will be brighter.

The “Olivier” offers social and legal services for refugees. It has been created in 1990 by the Society of Vincent the Paul. Several professionals and vol-unteers offer food, clothing and legal help.

Sister Pascale tells us: my work at the Olivier consists in wel-coming people who want to meet someone from the social service, or the legal service. I answer the phone, and two days a week, I distribute bread.

It is therefore a daily and direct contact with them, and it is not easy to accompany them be-cause there are so many needs while our means are limited. One cannot always answer to their demands, but we give at-tention to make them feel wel-come. Sometimes, the refu-gees have been treated in a brutal manner in government offices and elsewhere. For us, it is important that they know and experience something dif-ferent. Many tell it to us with recognition. Every person is listened to with all the time that is necessary and in general in his or her language or with an interpreter.

I know that our work is a drop of water in the sea but I am happy to be able to contribute to the well-being of those wounded people who have to leave their countries for various reasons and had to live some very difficult situations.

The Church of St. Boniface

Faced with more stringent rules to avail of political asylum, more than 130 people— women and children, have taken refuge at the church of Saint Boniface since October 19, 2005. They risked expul-sion in an arbitrary way at all times and feel the great dan-ger. We assure them of spiritual, moral and psychological sup-port. At the time of the meeting a lady who has been in Bel-gium for 7 years and has two children ages 6 and 3 years told us: we occupy Saint - Boni-face church in Ixelles since Oc-tober 19, 2005, to denounce the repressive politics of which we are victims. The govern-ment treats us as if we repre-sented a danger for the na-tional security, whereas we came to Belgium merely in the hope of a better future. Today we live in fear of being arrested and expelled by force and re-turned to the country that we left.

The vicar of Saint Boniface parish expressed in an open letter to the Secretary of the Interior: I am the Vicar of the parish of Saint Boniface in Ix-elles, where ' people without documents’ stay. I allowed them to find shelter in the church for the moment other-wise they will suffer more: inter-vention of policemen in Cen-ters, expulsion even before the answer the help of the Council of state comes, expulsion of squatters of Liége… Three

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Province of France- Belgium

In solidarity with the migrants

(Continued on page 14)

Analysis of “political situation” in Bolivia Bolivia ended the year 2005 with national elections which resulted in long-term transfor-mation of the country. January began with an air of hope and change. This change can be felt in the ceremony of transmission of the mandate of the new presi-dent Evo Morales Ayma. The first was held in historic Ti-wanacu where the indigenous leaders and movements of the continent offered Evo Morales gifts that were signs of hope in the new era that is coming . The second award on January 22 was that of the Republican-Liberal Order at the Congreso de la Nación. His speech was full of emotion. At the end, Evo Morales thanked the people for their confidence in him. Finally, on the same day, Evo Morales thanked the people and received the popular man-date at the Square of Heroes –San Francisco. It is in this con-text that we were present at the ceremony on January 23 where the new leaders - Ministers of the government and the Pre-fects of the different depart-ments received their mandate. Many of them have wide ex-perience in union work and in the area of human rights. A number of them are of Aymará-Quechua origins. Since December 18, Bolivia has changed. It has suffered a – “political earthquake” which has profoundly shaken the foundation of an exclusive and even colonial society. New faces, new methodologies, known symbols surround us.

However, behind this transfor-mation, of slow colonial decon-struction, we hope to see pro-found social change in public politics. Monica Mendizal, pastoral worker, Center for Women in Bolivia An invitation to a change of mentality, structures, life style “With creative fidelity conse-crated life invites us to live with courage the audacity ,the crea-tivity and the sanctity of our founders as a response to the signs of the times in the world today.” Felt called by this invitation to implement the orientation of the Chapter, our Sisters in Bo-livia has started a process of searching, of opening of dis-cerning , of finding new ways - in other words, there is the will towards personal and commu-nitarian renewal that keeps alive the spirit of St. Mary Eu-phrasia and at the same time revitalizes our mission. In 2003, we initiated a process with the Province of Chile. Our dream is to achieve ways and means of integration, collabo-ration through concrete and definite participation towards a dynamic life and mission for a

better commitment to the poor of Bolivia-Chile and of the world. With a positive and hopeful look to the future, both provincial councils have been reflecting and discerning on possible steps to implement this. We are on the way to-wards unification by 2007, God willing. We reflected and analyzed on how to simplify structures which no longer respond to our times. As a result we came up with the document “HAREMOS RUTA” which have been sent to the Leadership Team. In it, we asked that we be permitted to experiment on a new style of leadership that would make our congregation more dynamic and deeply faithful to our charism and in tune with the exigencies of today. The Spirit of the Lord that “makes all things new and who is always with us” has enlight-ened and has permitted us to enter into the spiritual dynamic of “littleness” (Aquilino Bocos). It is this way when we arrive at a transcendental moment for this little sheepfold in Latin America.

S. Myriam Vallejos, RBP, Bolivia

News from Bolivia

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Pres. Evo Morales

Save Water!

March 22 World Water Day

Province of Egypt/Sudan

CENTER FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN DIFFICULTY The Center, opened in 2000, is located in Naziet Ghattas, about 20 km. from Minia. Five sisters serve the girls and women with moral problems in this center. Our apostolate is quiet difficult not because of the severity of their cases but be-cause we live in an Islamic state with laws proper to their country, which are very de-manding. It is therefore almost in secret that we exercise our apostolate to liberate these women from the social stigma that ties a noose around their necks.

Recruitment

The girls and women come from different backgrounds: · Some are just out of

prison due to petty theft or drug use and need to be rehabilitated.

· Others have long been in prostitution and desire to get our of it

· The youngest ones are

run-aways from home and family who are often picked up by bands of rob-bers and sold into prostitu-tion.

In general, they are brought to us by social workers, by priests who know their parents or by friends who want to help them get out of the dead-end situa-tion of their lives. When they come to the center, they find security, knowing that no one wishes them ill. On the con-trary, it is a refuge, a shelter.

The Accompaniment

The reeducation program is carried out in an enclosed mi-lieu. It is somewhat like a boarding school with a flexible program and lifestyle. The ac-companiment is provided by the sisters; we live with them

constantly. A priest comes regularly for catechism classes, and once a week a mass in our oratory gathers together the girls and the community of sis-ters. Twice a week, two priests come to minister to their spiri-tual needs. A psychologist also follows up each resident regu-larly, with satisfactory results.

Work

Work is a “saving grace” for the women. We try to give them the work that they enjoy. Besides, they also get wages for good output and work well done. The center offers skills training ac-cording to each one’s capacity and aptitude: cutting and sew-ing, crochet, home arts, handi-work and embroidery. Some

take literacy classes, while oth-ers learn to use the computer. Sometimes they attend ses-sions on hairdressing, silk-screening or designing on pa-pyrus, etc.

Outings and excursions give them much enjoyment. The young people love to celebrate birthdays, engagements, wed-dings and religious feasts, es-pecially Christmas and Easter.

We have expanded our aposto-late to three other villages around Naziet Ghattas: Ezbet Mehanni where we do pastoral work with the women; Fekreya, where one sister goes to the hospital, conducts Sunday school and the Legion of Mary, plus visiting families and handi-capped children. Finally, in Nag el Deck for parish work and catechism.

Friends of the Good Shepherd

We are helped by friends who come regularly to give their time and help the girls. The young women profit much from those relationships with our friends: they learn how to con-verse and develop a better sa-voir faire. Our friends also help us to visit the women who have left the center and help them to find employment. Sr. Marie Madeleine Kozman

Handicrafts made by women

15

Good Shepherd News Special thanks to the following Sisters for the translation:

Karla Bernabé, Evelina Coronel, Magdalena Franciscus, Charlotte Gill, Odile Laugier,Gilma María Muñoz, Adriana Perez, Digna María

Rivas, Mary James Wilson and Ms. Claire Alessandri

2006

Good Shepherd News

While each unit is encouraged to send articles anytime during the year, we have planned that there

are specific issues when each unit is asked to submit an article so

that at the end of the year all the units have been part of the Good

Shepherd News. Please send arti-cles by the 5th of each month.

Here is the suggested schedule:

January COR Commission, Committee for the Planning of the General Chapter,

RIMOA meeting, other News

February Japan, Portugal/Angola, Malta,

Recife, Chile

March Argentina/Uruguay, Sri Lanka/

Pakistan, France/Belgium, Bolivia

April Egypt/Sudan, Netherlands, Bo-

gota, Mid North America

May Australia/Aotearoa/NZ, Mozambique,

Medellin, Great Britain, Kenya, Belo Horizonte

June

East Asia, South Africa, Paraguay, Central America

July

India, Senegal, Germany, Lebanon/Syria

August

Indonesia, Ireland/Ethiopia, Peru

September Philippines, Les Isles, Italy, New York

October

China District, Spain, Ecuador

November Singapore/Malaysia, Hungary,

Venezuela

December Canada, Austria/Switzerland/

Republique Tcheque, CLT

Invitation

Please send articles, photos with cap-tions

for Good Shepherd News to:

REGINA KUIZON Casa Generalizia,

Suore del Buon Pastore Via Raffaello Sardiello 20

00165 Roma, Italia Email: ginargs@buonpastoreint.org

BELGIUM... (Continued from page 12)

months ago these " illegals ", of different nationalities were in the church. Certainly, they have not had a hunger strike (in spite of the desire of some) neither did they resort to " blackmail ". I was not in favor of any: in win-ter, it is very cold in this im-mense church, which we have difficulty to keep warm. But this is nothing since these people are determined. They showed these during the past three months when they lived in very difficult conditions: heating, sanitation, supplies. I am evi-dently coming from the human point of view. You represent the law. But I remember a speech: " The law is made for the per-son, and not the person for the law.” Evidently, it is from the Gospel.

How do we solve these prob-lems?

To begin with, we believe that in the countries of the North life is easy and people hope to benefit from that. In Belgium the number of claimants is very big, and as in other countries, the government cannot satisfy all demands. On February 15, a demonstration was organized in Antwerp, the bishop was in the crowd. On that same day, a law was issued allowing the regularization of people who have been here for three or five years, but that had not ex-hausted all their resourses.

Moreover, getting no response to their demands on February 22, 27 they began to stage a hunger strike at the church Saint Bonidace.

Catholic Community of Spanish Language (CCLE)

It is a sector of the National Service for the Pastoral Care of

Migrants, that exists in Belgium in different languages.

The Catholic Spanish Commu-nity lwelcomes people coming from the " Hispanic " world. We form part of this organization and we come with the immi-grant women and their families without papers and without lodging.

The testimony of a Latin woman helped us to under-stand the suffering that they live. Hilda, 23 years, has been raped at 16 years by her father, she escaped from their house and worked as a cleaning woman to pay for her accounting studies. She came to Belgium. Here, she found the opportunity to work for an aged and sick woman for 3 years. She fell in love with a boy who was very kind to her for one year. But gradually this one dragged her into prostitution. After 2 months, then she looked for shel-ter in a parish where she received help. Currently, Hilda has a permit to stay and works as a nurse. She sends help to her mother and her two sisters.

Hilda is not the only one to have left her country. Her brother went to Spain where he also fought for his regularization. Unfortunately, during the time that he was without papers, he became depressed. In the beginning of January 2006, he jumped from the eighth floor of a building. The Spanish police con-sidered his case a suicide.

Hilda did all that was necessary so that her brother's body could be sent back to their country.

It was very hard to be in such a situation much more so when one is alone in a foreign country. One has then really needs much sup-port.

We do everything so that we can help those who are in need. Evi-dently, it is only a drop of water in the sea. The crop is abundant but workers are few.

María Lourdes Orihuela E. Brussels, Belgium

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