The second day started with a water ritual
with water being poured into a common glass by representatives from different
regions symbolizing our oneness followed by a song invoking the Spirit to
continue to blow into the chapter.
Sr. Linda, RC invited the chapter delegates
to bring to the chapter the comments and reactions of their local communities
after they read the Provincial’ Report. This led to a very animated conversation which touched on the needs of
returning missionaries, strategies for vocation ministry, internationality
experience’s impact, infirmary concerns, community evaluations, process of
opening and closing of communities and ministries.
Sr. Amelia David presented the Treasurer’s
Report in the afternoon sharing her experience of joy as she witnessed God’s
generosity and the unity among us in the past years. She ended her report with the challenge we
face in the light of growing medical expenses. The report which detailed the various funds, the sources and expenses,
was warmly accepted by the chapter delegates. Discussions followed regarding the St. Mary Euphrasia Scholarship Fund,
challenge of creatively investing the funds instead of putting them in the bank,
monitoring of funds by a committee to ensure check and balance, ethical
investments and update on idle lands.
The lay mission partners joined the sisters
in the evening for a sharing of Sr. Brigid on our varied ministries all over
the world particularly on the new foundations in Burkina Faso, Cuba and
Congo. It led to a widening of vision as
she challenged us with the words of St. Mary Euphrasia, “We need a daily
experience of universal zeal which makes us available to every person and every
country.”