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VIVA VOCEVIVA VOCE Bunclody’s Celebrations for Marie Madeleine’s AnniversaryBunclody’s Celebrations for Marie Madeleine’s Anniversary

This was a truly wonderful Year for us in F.C.J. Bunclody School and Community as

we celebrated together this special Anniversary. I would like to share some of the ways

in which we marked Marie Madeleine’s Anniversary:

• On September 21st, Madame d’Houët’s birthday, the Principal, Sr. Madeleine Ryan, fcJ, began the Jubilee

celebrations in F.C.J. Secondary School, Bunclody, when she spoke to the school community about Marie

Madeleine and the Anniversary Celebrations

• A Jubilee page was put up on the school web site

• The Jubilee Calendar was distributed to Staff, Senior Prefects, Meitheal Leaders [school anti-bullying

programme] & past pupils

• Sr. Gabriela Lungu, nov fcJ, visited the school in February and spoke to classes about the life of the Foundress

• A large Jubilee commemorative sign was erected at the front entrance of the school

• In February over 100 entries were sent to Paris for the Jubilee Bookmark competition

• An Exhibition on the life of the Foundress and the F.C.J. Society has been on display in the school’s Front Hall

since the end of March

• An Art Exhibition of the Bookmarks was held in April

• The cover of the Easter edition of the school Newsletter, “The Inside Story”, included an illustration of

Madame d’Houët. The newsletter had articles on the F.C.J. Commemorative Calendar and Sr. Gabi’s visit and

a quiz on Marie Madeleine’s life

• A Newsletter was compiled on the life of the Foundress, from the Society Newsletters, and sent to all the

students' families

• A Prayer with a picture of Marie Madeleine was given to all public examination students in May

• Mass was celebrated in the parish church in Bunclody on May 21st during which Marie Madeleine was

mentioned in prayers and the theme of courage and confidence was included in the readings, reflections etc.

In the week of April 5th

• Each class watched a PowerPoint presentation “Marie Madeleine d’Houët – A Woman For Our Time”,

prepared by Sr. Gerardine Curran, fcJ

• Projects on O.V.M.’s life were displayed in the R.E. Room

• Each class held a Prayer Service, prepared by Sr. Geraldine Lennon, fcJ, (past pupil)

• 72 students travelled to Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, for the April 5th Eucharistic Celebration Before they

left for Paris, the 4th Years watched a PowerPoint presentation on Marie Madeleine’s room in Rue de la Santé

and of the Museum, prepared by Sr.Gerardine Curran, fcJ

• An article on the Jubilee appeared on the front page of the Bunclody Parish Newsletter At Masses in the

Church of the Most Holy Trinity, Bunclody, on April 5th & 6th, the Parish priest spoke of the Celebrations,

congratulated the Sisters and wished them well in their work

Edition 3 July 2008Edition 3 July 2008

Gerardine Curran fcJ

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News from the NovitiateNews from the Novitiate Dear Sisters,

During the month of March, we,

novices, spent a week with the

Ignatian inter-Novitiate group. The

theme for the week was: “Committed

to Apostolic Religious Life”. We

had been invited to prepare some

input and speak on essential elements

of apostolic religious life, based on

experiences lived-out during the

novitiate, that are important points of

reference when making a commitment

to this kind of life. I would like to

share with you, two of these points:

• As you well know, a ‘founding’

experience for the Society of the Faithful

Companions of Jesus, is that of Marie-

Madeleine, on hearing the words of Jesus from

the Crucifix: “I thirst”. By the way she lived,

Marie-Madeleine tried to respond to the thirst of

Jesus, in those with whom she came into con-

tact, the people of her time. The words: “I

thirst” are also fundamental to my vocation. As

I reflected on these words, I realized that I, too,

had been given this same desire to respond to

the thirst of the people of today: showing

compassion to those in need, sensitivity and

discretion towards those who are weak, ‘the

little ones’, the forgotten, those who lack the

strength to cry out: “I need you”.

• The Consciousness Examen and time for

reflection helped me to discover in myself the

qualities and attitudes that Marie Madeleine felt

were essential for each member of the Society.

What is important for me is that I recognize

what I have in common with Faithful

Companions of Jesus, that I am conscious that

the same desires and attitudes of the Foundress

and which she asked of her sisters, live on in me.

These two examples are points of reference for

me as I prepare to commit myself to apostolic

religious life and more particularly to life as a

Faithful Companion of Jesus. During this jubilee

year, let us thank God for what He accomplished

in the life of Marie-Madeleine. Let us ask too,

for that interior freedom, availability and spirit

of ‘letting–go and letting God’, allowing

ourselves to be transformed by the Spirit. Let us

work, too, for the accomplishment of God’s Will

in our lives, today.

Cornelia Vîrgă novice fcJ.

The Syro Phoenician WomanThe Syro Phoenician Woman She’d heard he was passing through town. It was the talk at the well. People said he was a holy man, wise … and a healer. It was the first thing she thought. Would he heal her daughter, could he? It was all she thought of nowadays: her beautiful daughter, her strong, clever child. Now not able to walk, hardly able to breathe. It had happened so quickly. And every time she looked at her, it broke her heart. So, could he heal her? She went in to see her and started telling her the local news … chatting about nothing. Could he? She made a quick decision – she would ask. She

bent down and kissed her daughter’s forehead. “I’ll be back soon … maybe with a gift.” She grabbed her cloak and went out. On her way into town doubts almost overwhelmed her. What if he had already moved on? What if he wouldn’t see her? What if he thought this foreigner, this gentile, this woman had no business talking to him at all. She hurried on, butterflies fluttering in her stomach, a determined look on her face. He was in a house having a meal, they said. In she walked. A lot of heads turned, a few astonished glances. She had to do it now before she lost her nerve. She blurted out: “Rabbi, please could you cure my child?” she hadn’t meant to say it like that. She heard the intake of breath from the ones gathered round him, but her eyes were fixed on him – determined, scared, hopeful eyes. He was younger than she had expected. His face wise, kind. He looked at her a little bit strangely. “It is not right that the dogs should eat what is meant for the children.” Her heart sank, he was not going to listen. And then her daughter’s face came to her. Her daughter – happy, smiling, running … And she did something she had never done before: she argued with a man. “But the dogs too eat from the crumbs that fall from the children’s table.” Another … sharper … intake of breath from the crowd. All was silent now. His eyes softened. He looked at her in admiration, understanding, … love? “Yes, you are right. Go. Your daughter is cured.” She knew it was true. She felt the heaviness in her heart lift. She knelt in front of him and was about to kiss his feet, when he bent down, pulled her up and said, “Go, she will need you.” She ran, skipped home … and there she was healed, whole, waiting for her.

( Written during a temporary professed meeting in Gumley House, London,

Saturday 25th April 2008. Inspired by Mark 7:24-30)

Submitted by MaryAnne Francalanza fcJ

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HAPPINESS IS A CHOICEHAPPINESS IS A CHOICE The 92 year-old, petite, well poised lady, moved to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years, recently passed

away, making the move necessary. Arriving at the nursing home, she smiled when told her room was ready.

As she walked to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room. "I love it", she said with enthusiasm

like an eight year old having just been given a puppy. "Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room....just wait."

"That doesn't have anything to do with it", she said. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I

like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged; it is how I arrange my mind. I already decided

to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice. I can spend the day in bed recounting

the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that

do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored

away - just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account –.you withdraw from it what you have put in ".

So my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. FREE YOUR HEART FROM HATRED.

2. FREE YOUR MIND FROM WORRIES.

3. LIVE SIMPLY.

4. GIVE MORE.

5. EXPECT LESS.

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do

not think of myself as old. I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would think about it.

OLD AGE, I DECIDED IS A GIFT.

I am now, probably for the first time in my life the person I have always wanted to be. So the answer is, I like being

older. It has set me free.

Submitted by Josephine Dempsey fcJ

BEATITUDES FOR NURTURING VOCATIONS IN THE FAMILYBEATITUDES FOR NURTURING VOCATIONS IN THE FAMILY

Blessed are the children of parents who…

1.Witness love for their spouse, their children, their neighbour, and the world.

2.Talk freely about the presence of God in the joys and sorrows of their lives.

3.Remind their children that they are loved by God and have been given gifts to serve others.

4.Lead their family in prayer.

5.Speak positively about priests, religious sisters and brothers.

6.Participate in lay ministries and activities of their parish community.

7.Encourage their children to be open to the possibility of priesthood and religious life, as well as

marriage.

Submitted by Geraldine Lennon fcJ

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A touch of humourA touch of humour

The fundamental question – WHY ? One doesn’t often have

the chance in these frenetic times to ask oneself the true questions: and yet?

Why can you order a pizza more quickly than you can get an

ambulance?

Why is there parking for the handicapped outside the skating

rink?

Why is lemon juice made from artificial flavours and washing-up

liquid made from fresh lemons?

(and why does the washed crockery sparkle?)

You know the indestructible black boxes they have in planes?

Well, why do they not make the whole plane out of this same

material?

If flying is supposed to be so safe, why is the airport called the

‘terminal’?

Why do we wash our bath-towels: are we not supposed to be

clean when we use them to dry ourselves?

Why do kamikaze pilots wear helmets?

When you strangle a Smurf what colour does it become?

How come the notices saying ‘It is forbidden to walk on the

grass’ get to the middle of the lawn?

Why did stupid Noah not kill the two mosquitoes ?

Do the employers of Lipton have a coffee-break too?

I want to buy a new boomerang: how do I get rid of the old one?

Why do places that are open 24 hours a day have locks and bolts?

Now that you have smiled, at least once, pass it on!

We all need to smile every day…..

(Extracts from an anonymous text found in

a catholic periodical)

Jeanne Marie de Corlieu fcJ

LOOKING BACK ON THE LOOKING BACK ON THE

IGNATIAN INTERIGNATIAN INTER--NOVITIATENOVITIATE

Formation and work will continue in our

novitiate but we are about to look back and

reflect on the Ignatian Inter-novitiate of 2006-

2008.

Here are a few topics we have worked

on together.

*Listening: October 2006

*The retreat in Vanosc in December 2006

( preparation for 30 days):

*30 day retreat in Lalouvesc in: January

2007

*Looking back on the first experience:

May 2007

*Mission : Sept. 2007

*Obedience for mission : October 2007

*Experience of doing a course of study on

the Confessions of Saint Augustine. February

2008.

*Commitment to apostolic religious life:

March 2008.

*Discernment retreat in March 2008

*and the last meeting ...the Spiritual

Exercises and Mission in April 2008.

I was in a ‘young’ group (13 novices

from female Ignatian congregations and six

Jesuits). During our time together someone

‘changed direction’. In a way, we have been

lucky to have stayed together as a group until

now. That has helped us support one another in

our desire to remain faithful to the end.

I met nice, capable people who had

studied different subjects (the sciences, law,

history, computer studies). They were good

conversationalists, lively and on a human level

very good people.

Each time we met I felt deep joy in seeing every-

one again. During our courses, our conversations,

and our apostolic experiences it has been to-

gether that we have grown and produced fruits, I

hope…60%, 80 maybe more? Human and spiri-

tual growth, clearly and deeply visible in others

but which I am not so conscious of in myself,

gives me the chance to ask myself: How have I

grown?

If I take out my notes from the courses attended I

can certainly remember key ideas, nourishing

words, something practical which has remained.

But there is something which attracts me more. I

have an impression that with this group we have

spent more time in silent prayer than in formal

courses, and perhaps they were our most

important times.

Will the 30 days and the discernment retreat

remain landmarks for us, a source of courage and

confidence, a source for fidelity in the future?

Perhaps for each of us they are a form of support not expressed.

Is that perhaps a good sign that we have already entered the

dynamic of the Spiritual Exercises? And we need to be very

grateful to Rita for this Ignatian work. If I weigh up the Ignatian

Inter-novitiate, I thank God for one thing which I have

understood and accepted with peace. It is no longer necessarily

Ignatius with his Spiritual Exercises who is asking me to live in

interior freedom and not be centred on myself but God himself

who has made me feel the need to live personally out of this inner

ideal.

Gabriela Lungu novice fcJ

+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

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FCJ CENTRE, BrusselsFCJ CENTRE, Brussels

For the past two and a half years we have been busily en-

gaged in developing all aspects of the Centre.

WITH WHOM DO WE WORK? We work with the constantly changing anglophone and

more stable francophone communities of Brussels and

beyond - parish groups, ecumenical groups, non-church

affiliated groups and other ‘Seekers’ of meaning in their

lives. We also work with a number of Religious

Congregations for whom we offer workshops and facilitate

Chapters. Where possible and as time permits, we

collaborate with other groups working in the field of

evangelization in Brussels.

HOW DO WE WORK? We work by listening to and responding to needs.

By listening we can offer some programmed events that we

know ‘will fly’. We also respond to requests tailored to

meet the specific needs of particular groups.

Some examples of programmed events: Retreats – short retreats in the FCJ Centre and

elsewhere. Residential retreats – for example we

hire out a Jesuit Retreat Centre in Namur each

year.

Workshops – Prayer and Discernment for Mission

workshops, Leadership workshops, Coaching,

Enneagram etc

Contextual Bible Study

Lent and Advent Retreat in Daily Life

‘Couples Enrichment Programme’

Christian Classics Book Club

Public lectures: we engage professors from the

Louvain University for these events. All such

conferences have ‘Adult Faith Development’ as

their main focus.

Some examples of tailored events: These would include some of the following:

Retreats and Workshops.

Facilitation in a variety of contexts.

We work with others in the organization and delivery of

some of the above e.g. The Christian Classics Book Club,

the ‘Couples Enrichment Programme’.

One of the exciting new developments on the horizon for us

at the moment is the launching of a’ Think Tank’ on

‘Global challenge’ here at our FCJ Centre. The title of the

first event is “Confronting the Challenge of a 450 parts per

Million CO2 World”. A group of highly qualified experts

will lead this ‘Think Tank’. Through our involvement with

this group we will be collaborating with a non-profit

making organization whose sole purpose is to influence

world politics in all that pertains to ‘Care of the Planet’.

Your prayers for the success of this venture would be

greatly appreciated.

We had the great pleasure of welcoming Catherine Bibby

FCJ before Christmas when she shared her cake decorating

We are looking forward to welcoming other FCJs

from the Network as opportunities arise and in particu-

lar Margarita Byron FCJ on 20th April when she will

present ‘The Cosmic Walk.’

We hope the above gives you some idea of the

multi-faceted nature of our mission here in Brussels.

Know that we are deeply grateful for your prayerful

support and would love to hear form you should you

know of people who are coming to, or have come to

Brussels to work in the EU or the international

business world. As you can see ‘contacts’ are of the

essence over here !!!!

Margaret Quirke and Joan McGeough. fcJ

Peter's TwentyPeter's Twenty--Fifth BirthdayFifth Birthday

Coming downstairs this morning

the first impression

he'd forgotten to turn off the light

last night.

No, it was the sun itself

he'd left on

from inside himself.

Mary Melvin Geoghegan

Submitted by Mary O’ Neill fcJ

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FOCOLARE AND CHIARA LUBICHFOCOLARE AND CHIARA LUBICH

Since I keep in contact with the spirituality of the Focolare Movement, I feel it appropriate that I write a small tribute

to a great lay foundress of the 20th Century – Chiara Lubich who died in the Gemelli Hospital, Rome, on March

14th 2008 at the age of 88. Born on the 22nd January 1920, in Trent in Northern Italy, Chiara Lubich’s early years were marked by severe

economic, social and cultural difficulties. Her father became unemployed due to a collapse in his business and also

because of his unflinching stance against Fascism. Her family had to move to a much poorer quarter of her native

city. The Second World War saw many of Chiara’s youthful ideas crumble. Her ambition for university studies in

philosophy had to be abandoned. During the war she worked as a teacher and it was her discovery of the Gospel at

this time that gradually developed into a new spirituality based on unity and

universal brotherhood. “That all may be one.” These words from Jesus’ priestly

prayer at the last supper had a profound effect on her. Chiara would have been in her twenties when WW2 was devastating Europe. Her

beloved Trent was badly hit. It was very easy to lose heart. However, Chiara took

refuge in the Gospel. Every month she and her friends would choose a brief

inspirational quotation from the New Testament such as “Behold the Handmaid of

the Lord, be it done unto me according to your word.” They would promise to take

this special quotation into their hearts and to live by it in their daily lives and work.

Thus came into being what is now known the world over as the “Word of Life”. Today, each month, the

commentary on the Word of Life is translated into eighty different languages throughout the five continents. Until

very recently, Chiara herself used to write the commentary. This pioneering group soon gave themselves the name

“Focolare” meaning hearth, describing the warmth and enthusiasm of her little community. In 1948, Chiara met Igino Giordani, a father of a family, a well known author and founding member of the Christian

Democratic party. He saw in her a 20th Century Catherine of Siena whose ideas would influence not only the church

but also political, social, artistic and cultural fields. Chiara considered him as her co-founder. Over time the foundress came in contact with Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs, as well as people with no

religious belief. Attracted by her spirit of dialogue, many of these have become involved in the movement’s social and

cultural projects. Chiara helped to bring about a reassessment in the church of the importance of lay people, a return to

scripture and a focus on unity – directions later espoused by Vatican 2. “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”

“Love will suggest to you how you can help others whom you meet on life’s journey.”

“If you cannot pray always you can love always.”

“Whatsoever you do to the least of mine you do to me.” Chiara saw love as a lived reality leading to unity.

Worldwide, there are about 140,000 members who live the celibate life in communities while another two million are

connected through its prayer groups, ecumenical and interfaith meetings. It embraces all – young, elderly, well off,

less well off, all faiths or none, all nationalities, families, priests, religious. There’s a welcome for everybody. It’s

important, also, to mention that Mary, Mother of God, is its model. That is why the big conference meetings are

known as Mariopoli.

Last summer, 2007, I and a friend had the privilege of attending a very special Mariopolis in Trent, Italy. It was

organised around the life of Chiara and was held in a purposely built Focolare Centre. Chiara herself supervised the

building of this great house built on the side of a mountain, in a very picturesque spot about six miles from Trent. As well as praying and reflecting, we visited many of the places in Trent connected with Chiara, spending a very

precious time in the wood to which the family had to flee to escape the bombs. Recreational trips were also organised for us, including one to Verona and a day trip to the Dolomite Mountains.

Trento or Trenit, as we know it so well, will forever be special for me because of my being part of Mariopolis 2007

and because of my visits to places connected with a great lay apostle – Chiara Lubich.

Marie Hayes fcJ

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Easter ReflectionsEaster Reflections We buried Sr Katherine Curtin on March

17th who was 77 and the youngest Sister in

Maryville. It was with a heavy heart and a

sense of desolation that I went through Holy

Thursday and the Holy Week ceremonies.

However, I have to acknowledge a rise in

spirit, call it consolation, when I got some

notification on Facebook from FCJs.

As I am reflecting on where I met God and felt His presence

breathing new life I have to record an article I read in "The

Word" a magazine published by the Divine Word

Missionaries. This interview with Dr. Andrew O’Connell was

entitled "A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats" He met the late Pope John Paul 11 who, he says, was the

greatest influence on his level of enthusiasm for the faith and

vocations. Now 30, this Kerryman earned his Doctorate in

Chemistry in 2003 in University College Cork. He was an

engineer with Intel Corporation. The job was challenging and

rewarding but one evening after work he thought "is this how I

want to spend the last day of my life?" Within a few weeks he

was working with the Presentation Brothers as

Communications Director. Andrew acknowledges the influence of his aging Grandmother

in Tralee where he grew up. He noted the comforting role faith

played in her declining years. He began to consider how

people of an older generation, though they might have had less

educational opportunities, were in fact grappling, in their own

way, with lofty philosophical and theological questions

As a young Catholic his experience of the church was positive.

His Secondary School Principal, Sr. Bernadette Costello, a

Mercy Sister, told them "You guys are as good as anyone in

the country – in the world". In his parish the priests were

cooperative and welcoming. So there was no sense of living in

the dark shadow of the church. Andrew acknowledges there

are people who are angry at and disappointed with the church.

However, he says he wants to live in an Ireland “where we

have women and men who have devoted their entire lives to

the service of God. Such people, by making this choice, are

witnesses to the very existence of God.” He goes on to say he is concerned about a “theology being

spun which says that the fall in the number of religious is the

work of the Holy Spirit and thus we must go with the flow.”

Andrew maintains that “there are guys out there, but we need

to go to meet them.” How to do it? The real

secret of their work he believes is having

people working full time at it. “If a small

congregation (the Presentation Brothers

are less than a 100 globally) can engage

dynamically in the area of vocations, evan-

gelization and faith formation that should

be a sign of hope to other congregations,

big and small.”

The “vocation crisis”, he says, like so many other

commentators, is the effect of aggressive secular-

ism, post modern confusion and the inability of the

Church in Ireland to come to terms with these reali-

ties. There is also a crisis of commitment. In 1986,

56 percent of 25-29 year-olds were married accord-

ing to Irish census figures. In 2006 that figure fell

to 18 percent. This then, is the context in which to

view the decline in religious vocations.

Simply attributing the decline in religious vocations

to the Holy Spirit is lethal, he believes; it breeds

pessimism about the future which leads to fatalism.

“When we are lift boats in terms of vocations

ministry, we are also lifting people in their own

faith and hope for the future.” Who knows what

seed will be sown by making an Easter resolution

to invite someone to consider religious life?

Our local free “Limerick Post” published an article

by one of my past pupils. The banner heading was

“Sisters listening to ‘dying out’ tune for the last 25

years.” The article refers to Sr. Therese Larkin, a

current vocations director, who chooses to go on

quietly working and believing in a future yet

unknown while surrounded by numbers and

statistics clearly suggesting “crisis.” Therese says

“I enjoy what I do and would encourage any young

woman feeling God's call in her heart to risk a

glance our way.” You've guessed right! This was

part of an advertisement for a Vocation weekend to

be held in Cork in early April and interested

Limerick women were being invited to attend.

Therese admits that the work of

vocations promotion at a time of

downsizing can be a tricky one.

“Our numbers will be small in

the future and life will be

different but I look forward to

the challenges. In recent years

we have had 10 serious

enquirers and two of these are

currently in initial formation.”

As well as the greetings and contacts I have had

and not yet replied to from my FCJ Sisters on

facebook.com, I am encouraged by the previous

writers. As we begin this year of Vocation April

13th 2008 - May 3rd 2009, I hope that Katherine

Curtin fcJ, once a team member of Unison, now

known as Vocations Ireland, will chat with Marie

Madeleine in this special year and help us on our

journey in promoting the Society in Ireland.

Phyllis Halpin FCJ

8

A quoi songesA quoi songes--tu, vieil hommetu, vieil homme ??

Je songe aux jours heureux de ma première enfance

Depuis nos lits bien chauds, nous écoutions ravis

Le merle familier claironner le réveil.

Le coq de la basse-cour, pour n’être pas en reste

Lui lançait le défi de son cocorico.

Une poule, puis une autre : enfin toutes ensemble ;

Chantaient à plusieurs voix la louange de Dieu.

Nous allions au concert que donnaient les abeilles

Dans les épines blanches et les poiriers fleuris.

Je rêve aux Paradis perdus; au riches reposoirs

Décorés sans compter d’arômes, de lilas

De roses par brassées; en hommage à Marie

Dont l’image bénie, nous l’aurions bien juré,

S’animait d’un sourire pour nous remercier.

Je pense, tout attendri, à mon grand désespoir

Quand ma main maladroite, croyant les caresser

Ecrasait dans leur nid les merveilleux œufs bleus

De la grive musicienne.

Pour ma consolation, les noix et les noisettes

Jonchaient en abondance les allées du jardin :

Après le déjeuner, nous courrions au verger.

Le bruyante déroute de dizaines d’oiseaux ;

Laissant là leur festin, saluait notre arrivée.

A chacun de nos pas une nuée d’insectes

Jaillissant sous nos pieds, s’éparpillait dans l’air

Brassant en s’envolant les plus riches parfums

De la prune dorée que le soleil éclate,

De la belle pomme blanche, généreuse, douce et tendre

Que la fête de Jean annonce chaque année.

Oublierai-je jamais les merveilleux Noëls

Les mille feux des cierges, les harmonies sacrées,

Le petit enfant Dieu si pauvre et démuni,

Si généreux pourtant de jouets et de grâces ;

Le bébé souriant qui a fait d’une étable

Un coin de Paradis.

Je pense à la merveille que la vieille Marianne

A trouvé dans un chou,

Incroyable bonheur que cette jolie poupée

Soit ma petite sœur !

Charles de la Villetanet

94 ans

MMMMerci, chers collaborateurs, chers amis,

AAAA chacun de vous revient cette joie :

RRRRegarder les fruits de ce Jubilé

IIIInternational, spiritual,… « Lutéçois »…

EEEEt je ne sais comment vous dire MERCI !

MMMMarie Madeleine Victoire de Bengy,

AAAAu blason audacieux par sa devise

DDDDirecte : « Bien faire et laisser dire »,

EEEExhorte à vivre une confiance acquise.

LLLLà se trouve l’héritage FCJ !

EEEEn 1781 naquit Victoire,

IIIIncroyable petite fille, sœur aînée,

NNNNoble épouse, puis veuve et mère,

EEEEt enfin fondatrice et consacrée.

VVVVie remplie d’exigence et d’amour :

IIIInvités…, respirez cet héritage !

CCCCompagnons de Jésus à notre tour,

TTTTrouvons, durant notre pèlerinage,

OOOOui, la force de se donner sans retour.

IIIInimaginable ce Jubilé,

RRRRendons grâce au Seigneur, qu’IL soit loué !

EEEEncore MERCI… pour toute votre énergie.

Le 05 avril 2008, Charles CayrelLe 05 avril 2008, Charles CayrelLe 05 avril 2008, Charles CayrelLe 05 avril 2008, Charles Cayrel Notre Dame de France, ParisNotre Dame de France, ParisNotre Dame de France, ParisNotre Dame de France, Paris

Submitted by Marie Antoinette de la Villetanet fcJ

his younger sister

9

THE PROPHETIC ROLE OTHE PROPHETIC ROLE OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS INF WOMEN RELIGIOUS IN

THE FIGHT AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONSTHE FIGHT AGAINST TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ..

BUILDING A NETWORKBUILDING A NETWORK

ROME 14ROME 14--20. 2007.20. 2007.

I had the great privilege of attending this seminar in Rome in October and of giving a report on the situation of

trafficking here in Romania. We were 33 sisters representing 26 countries from around the world, all of whom were

involved in one way or another in counter-trafficking.

In her opening address, Sr. Camilla Burns SND de Namur, encouraged all present in these words:

“You are not only bringing the Good News of Jesus to the poor and marginalized,

You are disempowering one of the largest networks of crime in the world.

Trafficking is a network and the fight against trafficking in persons must be a network”.

Sr. Camilla spoke of the number of women in the Bible who were migrants or marginalized for one reason or another.

She dwelt especially on the stories of Ruth and Thee Woman at the Well, challenging us to accompany women who

are suffering trauma and feel alienated…

“Wherever you go, I shall go too”.

In turn, Sr. Eugenia Bonnetti cm, representing USMI, well-known promoter of counter-trafficking and organizer of

this Seminar, reminded us that in His message for the 93rd World Day of Migration in November 2006, Pope

Benedict XXVI stated that immigration and exploitation are acquiring an ever more ‘feminine’ face, and that it is

urgent for us to know how to read the signs of the times. ‘Migration’ which leads, in some cases, to exploitation and

slavery, even to the sexual industry”. Sr. Eugenia recalled that 80% of the people who live in conditions of absolute

poverty and almost two-thirds of the 850.000.000 illiterate adults in the world are Women…. “The trade in persons,

particularly of women and minors, has become a powerful, global business producing an annual income of

8-12 billion dollars, just a little less than the arms and drugs trade”.

Some ways in which we can be more effective in combating international trafficking were defined as:

• Joining efforts with Governments, NGOs, Caritas, religious and faith-based organizations working in the field

of counter-trafficking, • Developing stronger ties with other religious and with Church representatives in our countries, • Collaborating between countries of origin and countries of destination • Continuing to inform and educate young people on the risks of ‘going abroad’ without adequate preparation,

- using film where appropriate –.

• Involving priests and male religious in our groups.

Two of the many phrases that stay with me from these five days are:

1. ‘Today, we can truly speak of a new continent… a continent on the move’,

2. ‘ Sisters have taught in schools, have nursed in hospitals, but - TODAY - the most critical

work that we can do is to prevent trafficking…

I returned to Bucharest with a name, a face and a contact-sister in each of:

- the 8 countries of Western Europe, represented at the seminar, mostly countries of destination.

- the 6 countries of Eastern Europe, countries of origin, due to Poverty and the call of the West.

I felt enriched and challenged at the prospect of networking, not only at a local and

European level but in helping form a world-wide Network in our world today.

Mary Murphy FCJ and I are members of ‘Pro Demnitatea Femeii’, a group of sisters

here in Romania involved in this combat, and I was happy to hear that both Lorenza

Magagnin (Belgium) and Mary Kelly FCJ (Canada) are to take part in the next

Conference on Trafficking, sponsored by UISG in Rome: June 2-6, 2008.

Let’s form a worldwide FCJ network in this field of education, as Marie-Madeleine

would surely have done, were she alive today.

Maeve Shannon fcJ

10

WHAT NEXT? MOVING ON… WE’LL MEET AGAIN WHAT NEXT? MOVING ON… WE’LL MEET AGAIN ….…. This question, frequently asked across the Network of late, took on new meaning as some journeyed North, April 29

th 2007, from

the San Mauro gathering.

The development of the answer went something like this:

In the meantime:

Twist to the tale: Mary and Marie Annick were in separate coaches on their train so when the order came to disembark, they were apart… and

hundreds of people were surging from one train to the other (which was already full!)

The story of the coffee revealed the inherent goodness of human kind! Anouska having been wished ‘Courage!’ by the bar tender, set off with five

(lidless) coffees, on a paper plate. Realizing her plight, passengers handed the coffee along over heads, with Anouska following behind. Where

Beatrice was, as the crowded train went through a long tunnel a child, already suffering from claustrophobia, panicked and everyone rallied

round…

Once the coffees had been distributed, Anouska squatted on the floor. Courtesy of Villa Speranza, we all had identical, large, white, plastic bags

containing food and drink… and if the rest of the world had been interested in our reunion, they were fascinated by the similarity of our supplies!

We for our part were glad that there were six bananas and apples to one orange…

We reached Paris, around 5.30 p.m. without any passport controls, but armed now with stamped addressed envelopes given out for the formal

complaints and re-imbursement. 9.30 pm Paris phoned Nantes – no answer. Where were they?

2.40 pm Mary and Marie Annick reached Chambery – and had another cup of coffee since the next train was

for Lyon at 3.21. Since they had time, Marie Annick went to change the tickets since all connections had been lost!

To their consternation, they discovered they had been given tickets to Angers.

When Marie Annick went back, she was given First Class tickets…

4.45 They reached Lyon having had a very comfortable journey!

4.55 The train reached Saumur the connection for Nantes. – and stopped!

The news was that a train was on fire at Angers (on the line to Nantes)…

10.00 They reached Nantes and took a taxi…

10.15 pm They reached home – 15 hours and 15 minutes after they set out!

Mary Campion fcJ April 2007

7 a.m.

Mary Costello and Marie Annick Guillouche left Villa Speranza – indeed full of hope! Destination: Nantes

8.11 At Porta Susa they boarded a TGV from Milan en route to Lyon

8.30 In the middle of nowhere the train stopped

Eventually They were told there was a problem with the locomotive and there would be a delay of (possibly) 30 minutes.

Fifty minutes late they were still there.

Eventually They set off for Oulx – where as Marie Annick says, they ‘sat forever’.

10.40 The four novices, Mary Campion, and Beatrice Molyneux, en route for Paris, also on TGV left Porta Susa

11.35 They reached Oulx – and an unscheduled stop

11.45 Imagine the surprise of the five when who appeared in the aisle, swept along by the general force, but Mary;

imagine the surprise and relief of Mary to see someone she knew! Four of the five were round the same

table so she was pulled into the group – the arm between the seats was put up and three, Claire, Cornelia

and Gabi, sat in the space for two. Anouska meanwhile went looking for (fighting through for) coffee… and

the rest realised that Marie Annick was not with us…

12 noon Marie Annick seen on the platform, looking anxiously for Mary. Gabi struggled through to the door – pulled

first her bag and then Marie Annick onto the train platform where the two embraced fervently!

Again

‘eventually’

Anouska arrived with four coffees… having bought five but given one to Beatrice whose seat was in a

different coach!

12.25 The train (TGV!) left Oulx…very, very full

12.35 It was announced that those from the ‘earlier’ train were to get off at Modane… Initially they were told to

go to Chambéry but in the event, a train was sent from Lyon for them.

12.50 We reached Modane and parted company with promises to phone that evening – the Nantes party from a

hotel if that had become necessary!

1.10 The broken train was towed past – with a marked lack of ‘grande vitesse’

1.25 The Paris train left having had to wait for the other to go ahead

3.00 ‘Complaint Slips’ were distributed throughout the train

3.42 The TGV picked up TGV speed