This is the 6th day of our Chapter of Application and the cold weather has not relented. In fact, the temperature was 20 degrees centigrade. Isn’t it soooo cold? We were all wearing jackets to fend off the coldness the whole day.
Our beloved Fr. Giovanni Gentilin, FdCC, celebrated the Eucharist. He warmed our hearts as we listened to his inspiring homily, inviting the Sisters to be “masayang Kristiyano” – to smile always and to be positive. With our soul fired up and after a delightful breakfast, we are more than ready to battle the challenges of fine tuning our work on this our last day.
The opening prayer, led by Sr. Cynthia, invited us to welcome the Presence, the New Wine who is Jesus in and around us. The video recap of yesterday’s event elicited roars of laughter as the Sisters saw how “coordinated” they were during the unfreezer.
The highlight of the day was the presentation and approval of the final draft of the proposed Chapter Resolutions and Provincial Statutes. We were very much engaged and enthusiastic. Every word and phrase count to speak fittingly to our identity as women of the Word loving without measure. It was a joy for us to take active part in this special journey of the Province. A call to renewal.
Having listened intently to the recurring voices and stirrings of the heart of the Sisters during these five days of the Chapter, the visionary Dreamers’ group of sisters who was tasked to craft the Vision-Mission for the Province in the next six years, presented their proposal. Every one held their breath in suspense. What could be the catchy and dynamic vision they have formulated. Lo and behold! This is our Vision: “WOMEN OF LOVING RELATIONSHIPS: Widening their \’Tent\’ in fulfilling the dream of St. Magdalene of Canossa”. With contagious smile of satisfaction at the half day’s output, we went down for lunch.
The discernment mode in re-working the proposed Statutes, continued in the afternoon. There was another suspense coming. Another group of Sisters was tasked to compose a letter to the Sisters of the Province about the highlights of the Chapter. With intent listening, the Sisters eagerly agreed to the message shared to the Sisters. Everything was done. It was time to be in silence to deepen all the deliberations and discern once more. In our adoration we took time to listen and be attuned to the will of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to pass the Resolutions and Statutes proposed. We praise God for all that have been accomplished through us.
May our journey be not in vain…may we follow the Light…….so as to discover the long sought One, always waiting to be found. LET’S GO! BECOME WOMEN OF THE WORD: LOVING WITHOUT MEASURE.