Sharing from Perry Inso, rc

Part of the Reflections from the Young Sisters Meeting

Two things stayed with me after the Young Sisters’ Meeting:

1. The process that was used.

It is said that one of the basic human needs is to understand and to be understood. I believe that listening and being listened to is the best way to achieve this. This was my experience during the meeting. The process that was employed allowed us to really listen to ourselves and with one another. First, the groupings: home group, work group, and passion group. These facilitated our different encounters. We did not only bump into one another, we really spent time listening to where each one was coming from and the dreams and desires. I sensed a great longing to really connect with each one despite the language difficulty. For me this was life giving. I really felt we were one body. Second, the articulation of the goals at the beginning, and the surfacing of values we want to live as we gather together were also very helpful for me. These made me more attentive to what has been going on. Furthermore, I was also challenged to live out the values that were expressed. No wonder then that at the end of the meeting the statement that came out was that of great love for the Congregation and the desire to say yes to life and hope in the midst of diminishment. Finally, the times of prayer and reflection every after a task also helped me listen and understand what were asked of us. The process that was employed allowed me to listen deeply, make choices and help me let go of my preference for the good of the body. Listening and being listened to were indeed of great help.

2. Paragraphs 6 and 69 of our Constitutions.

“…Impelled by love of Christ and concern for a world in need of this message, ‘salvation and life are in Christ’, we give ourselves with all our strength to making the Gospel known so that it may become a source of life for everyone. #6” “The joy of a community depends on all the sisters’ acceptance of the demands of common life for the sake of that love which consists in sharing what we are and what we have (Sp. Ex. 231) This is the meaning of having all things in common. The quality of our community life is reflected in our apostolic works. #69” These stayed with me because in each group that I was with, these were always quoted. Looking at the statement that we have made, it seemed to re-echo what paragraphs 6 and 69 is about. There is a strong desire to strengthen what we have done to face our diminishment through refounding. It is indeed a call to life and hope. I believe that the quality of community life will be a counter-culture to a world so caught up in individualism. This too will give witness how it is to be in solidarity with others in sharing what we are and what we have locally and internationally. I am challenged to be more accountable and to be more available not just with ministry but with my sisters as well.

This also stayed with me because I felt that we all are going through the same struggle: how it is to live in community and be sisters to one another. At the same time it affirms the value of community living.

The Young Sisters’ Meeting made me see the Cenacle as one international apostolic discerning body. It is possible because everyone listened and was listened to. At the same time there was a readiness to let go of one’s preference for the good of the body.