Good morning to all!
We began the session by viewing various images that led us into prayer. This was followed by a video about the ministry at the United Nations/
The minutes from yesterday’s session was read and approved.
The delegates then met in continental groups in order to accomplish the work of the morning.
The delegates then viewed a video about “systemic change” … a virtual retreat and a time for personal reflection. Father Giuseppe then requested the delegates to provide him with some information: [1] how many individuals will be present for dinner, July 9th?
How many individuals will be present for lunch on Sunday, July 10th? How many individuals would like to visit the General Curia? How many individuals would like to visit Assist? Please place you name on the sign-up sheets for the various activities.
English speaking group (#1): the members responded to the questions about the future of our Congregation … spoke about dreams and the young missionaries spoke about the manner in which they saw people living out their commitment in the Congregation: commitment to the poor, community life, service on behalf of the poor. There is a desire for the missionaries to live together as good friends. Our objective ought to be that of reaching out to the peripheries. It was also noted that the young missionaries are inspired by Saint Vincent.
English speaking group (#2): renew our identity and form the members so that they are able to fulfill their responsibilities. Attention should be given to human formation so that we can strengthen our community life and minister with joy. There is a need to be attentive to the needs of the poor, to be effective leaders, to maintain a balance between ministry, prayer and community. Promote the vocation of the missionary Brother.
English speaking group #3: a decalogue of priorities … it was clear that we ought to cultivate our Vincentian vocation.
English speaking group #4: the document that we studied emphasizes the need for a balance between service on behalf of the poor and community life. We ought to be known as missionaries who reach out and evangelize the poor. At the same time, we must be attentive to the need to work as members of team, to collaborate. Initial formation programs and on-going formation programs should be focused on the above referenced areas of our life together. Indeed, we are destined to be formators of men and women who will engage in the process of evangelization,
Spanish speaking group #1: The element that was highlight by the young missionaries was that of the poor … the poor are indeed our priority and it is good that those in the stage of initial formation are clear about this priority and also about the need to live together with others in community. There is a lack of a prophetic presence … our identity needs to be revitalized … a lack of focus on Jesus Christ and this needs to be highlighted.
Spanish speaking group #2: called to be creative … how to communicate our charism to the world so that it is loved. Our prophetic understanding involves recognizing the presence of Christ in the poor. We dream of a Congregation that is more empathetic, that is able to listen … we are concerned about mediocrity.
Spanish speaking group #3: the dreams that have been communicated to us are lacking in Vincentian identity. What are the suppositions? How do we recover our identity with thee poor … deepen our understanding of the missionary endeavor … there are personal problems with individuals … we need individuals who have greater competency in ministering on behalf of the poor, greater commitment in community living and we are concerned about the vocational question: identity, witness and vocation.
Spanish speaking group #4: The results draw our attention to the crisis of identity with regard to Christ who calls the poor … the poor, formation and community. We are aware of the fact that an integral formation is necessary as well as a formation that is shared and that leads to a commitment. With regard to community life there is a need to look at this from a new perspective … community for the mission. Three elements that can help us focus our identity: an incarnational spirituality, Vincentian witness and am appropriate lifestyle.
French speaking group #1: identify present day poverty … we have to distinguish between many different matters … lack of systemic change … we have to form priests but not in a diocesan manner because we are not diocesan priests … we need a formation that forms individuals and also need to revitalize our lifestyle … need to better our community life and our fraternity.
French speaking group #2: our attention was drawn to the dreams of the young missionaries … nearness to the poor … origin of one’s vocation … focus on formation, charity, ongoing formation, formation of formators, formation for life. The third axis is to intensify charity in our community life … to be witness missionaries … we have to interpret this as a work of analysis.
Thanks to those who have shared.
