30 de abril de 2018

Newsfrief JPIC Rome - Boletín JPIC Roma / UISG y USG


Newsbrief​ is​ a publication which aims at presenting the work done by the JPIC networks​ of consecrated life not only​ in Rome​ but also at a global level. ​T​he ​JPIC ​Promoters groups and  the individual working groups ​animates consecrated men and women to arrive at a greater awareness, clearer analysis and more effective action in the area of justice and peace and integrity of creation​.​
In this issue we give witness that we are sensitive to current challenges such as attention to the youth, food security and agriculture, human mobility and trafficking in human persons, consumerist world and peace building. Our attitude is one of contemplation and action endeavoring the experience of connectedness and oneness with God and all of his creation.

Thanks for all you are doing to make this world a better place!


Mininoticias es una publicación que tiene como objetivo presentar el trabajo realizado por las redes de JPIC en la vida consagrada no solo en Roma, sino también a nivel mundial. Los grupos de Promotores JPIC y los grupos de trabajo individuales animan a los consagrados y consagradas a llegar a una mayor conciencia, un análisis más claro y una acción más efectiva en el área de la justicia, la paz y la integridad de la creación. En este número ofrecemos el testimonio de nuestra sensibilidad ante las problemáticas actuales relativas a la juventud, la seguridad alimentaria y la agricultura, la movilidad humana y la trata de personas humanas, el consumismo y la construcción de la paz. En nuestra actitud conjugamos la contemplación y la acción, procurando vivir la experiencia de la unidad y la interrelación con Dios y con toda la creación. 

¡Gracias por todo sus trabajos para hacer de este mundo un lugar mejor!

 

25 de abril de 2018

Cruzando Fronteras - Crossing Frontiers - Connecting Humanity

Sr. Rosie Nicholson RJM , USA Province, shares with us her experience...

This is a summary of a very inspiring week, April 8 - 14, 2018 in San Antonio and McAllen, Texas participating in Cruzando Fronteras - Crossing Frontiers - Connecting Humanity.  The Popular Education Network of the RSCJ's (Religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) in collaboration with ARISE (A Resource in Serving Equality) and MACC (Mexican American Catholic College) provided us with several speakers and experiences to deepen our knowledge of the current realities of migration, immigration and human trafficking across country borders throughout our world as well as within US state borders.  Our very full days began at 8:30 AM (at least for those of us who don't eat breakfast) and continued to about 8:30 PM when we arrived back at our base locations.  

We began in San Antonio at MACC. The 'ice breaker' where we met one another in a circle and had to introduce our new acquaintance to the group was a challenging  experience as a few people knew only English, some of us could share in English and Spanish to varying degrees, and some knew only Spanish. As we shared we each took up a different colored ribbon which at the completion of our introductions formed a web connecting all of us.  We certainly got a taste of how an immigrant feels upon entering a new environment, struggling with language barriers, being a minority yet in the end feeling our connectedness through this visible image of the colorful web we had formed in the process. At all locations we were provided with headsets for translations throughout each presentation.  It is difficult to say just how many of us participated as when we were at both locations many of the ARISE members were with us either in person or via live video from McAllen as well as other people from parts of South America.  They also had an opportunity to share in our discussions.  I had the opportunity to meet Nilza, RJM from Boliva.
Thanks be to God she was very patient with my Spanish. Although she is not involved with immigrants she is very much aware of the situations near the border with Chili and other existing problems.
Although we began with topics on Integration & Interculturality, Contextualization of Migration in the US which included an analysis of the national context of migration and its political, economic, social and educational implications, government's migration policies we soon got to experience the local context of life near the border through the eyes of actual migrants and the four ARISE groups working with the people to understand their needs, finding agencies to assist with the current needs and empowering the people to become actively involved in leadership roles resolving issues and needs and even in creating centers and participating in community building. 
The energy, determination, joy and love with which ARISE embraces their community of immigrants as well as each of us was in itself a moving and hope-filled experience.  We had the opportunity to visit each of their four centers, learn of their ways of first listening to the needs of the people and building community, meet individuals in their colonias and encounter local agencies who provide services. 
Our days were mixed with presentations, small group discussions, relaxed encounters during meals, visits to the colonias and moments for reflections.  

One very moving experience was when we drove to the border and walked a mile to the border fence, only a mile short of the Rio Grand itself on a hot and dusty trail littered with empty water bottles, pieces of clothing and bags.  We took time to share along the way as well as time of prayerful silence for those who are desperate enough to walk this way in hopes of a better life and especially for those who perished seeking peace, justice and freedom.  Two sisters picked up two ladders that migrants brought across the river to enable them to climb over the border fence and were now just lying next to the fence. The sisters placed them in the form of a cross. A very powerful image!  Some of these images and experiences resonated with what I have encountered at our Mexican/San Diego area border with the Border Angels and Interfaith groups as well as my moments in the desert seeing what immigrants face there when coyotes abandon them.

Having this experience during the Easter season added to its personal impact on me.  For me, this was a moment of experiencing and being Eucharist to one another and embracing our local and global communities.  Celebrating our different cultures, going beyond our languages, appreciating our many colors, looking out for one another, praying as one, breaking bread together, seeing and coming to know one another with the eyes of the heart were priceless gifts for which I am very grateful.  


The photo of fresh dog prints in the moist dirt gave us chills as we know the Border Patrol
and their dog were looking for migrants very recently.
I hope to become more involved in this ministry with immigrants... Thank you for inviting me to participate in this conference.  I hope to use what I have experienced in my ministry.  God bless each of you very specially.
Gratefully,
Rosie, rjm


4 de abril de 2018

Caring for Mother Earth, Marol, India

The Students of St. John the Evangelist High School, Marol took a turn to plant the saplings on the school grounds and organized a rally in the locality holding placards and raising slogans on nurturing nature, caring for mother earth...



3 de abril de 2018

International Women's Day, Gothdada - India





Sr.Julie Parmar had organized the International Women’s Day  celebration on the 4th March, 2018 at Seva Niketan, Gothdada.






The theme of the celebration was: The Role of a woman in the Family and in the Society"

The women from different villages like Gothada, Lasudra, Anjesar, Bhadarva, Muval, Zaveripur and other villages were gathered in our convent school compound in the afternoon. Sr.Nirmala Paul – the principal of the Jesus and Mary Girls’ High school Vadodara was the chief guest. Mrs.Hasumati  the newly elected Sarpanch of Paswa village, Fr.Duarte from our parish, Sr.Nayna and the sisters of the community of Gothada also many other invited guest were present. Hasumatiben was felicitated with the flowers and shawl. Fr.Duarte presented her a book from the parish.
The programme began with the prayer dance prepared by the women of Gothada village. The small skit was presented by the women of Lasundra village on the saving of the girl child in the family. Which was followed by the kawali giving the message that everyone will have their turn to become what the others are so not to give trouble to the daughters. The women of Bhadarva village did the garba giving importance to women. Sr.Nirmala , the chief guest gave a short speech highlighting the importance of the women in the family and in the society. Without a woman the family in incomplete. It a woman to cares for the children and sees all the other need of the family. It is she who keeps the family together. The society will be good if the family is good so let us respect every woman and give the credit which she deserves.
Mariamben the retired teacher of our Seva Niketan School was the announcer. She did it very well with many insights.
 Then we had game for the women. All of them took  part. Then also dance very joyfully. The prizes were given to the winners.The women were indeed empowered and encouraged not to consider themselves with low self esteem. They all were very happy carrying the message of hope with them. They were served the delicious snacks at the end of the programme. All were very happy. The celebration ended with excitement and joy.