The fourth day opened with a prayer service prepared by the Brazilian Province "Celebrating the Dynamism of Life." We experienced this dynamism as we listened to the reports form the provinces and regions of the seeds planted by our sisters in different parts of world.

Financial Report

On this final day of "Getting to Know the Institute," Veronica Brand gave the Financial Report of the Institute. She began with a short reflection on the miracle of loaves and fishes, pointing out that the real miracle was in the sharing that took place. The more that was shared, the more there was in the basket to be shared.

A summary of some of the main points of her presentation is posted on the web site.

She concluded by raising several questions for the chapter members to consider. How do we look together at ways in which we can better share our financial resources to promote the mission of the Institute? As an international congregation in a world of globalization, how do we find ways of exercising co-responsibility for our resources–financial and otherwise–in order to ensure good stewardship of our resources? Considering the financial dependence of the two regions, is there some way we could, as an Institute, look toward the possibility of capital sharing as a means of valuing and promoting interdependence throughout the Institute? In the context of globalization, in what way are we called to choose limits to promote life at this time?

Province Reports

In the afternoon, everyone met in chapel where the Brazilian Province sharing wall is located. Marina Queiroz, the Brazilian Provincial, spoke about the province-wide planning process initiated as a result of the 1994 Provincial Chapter mandate. This process led to publication of a formal document outlining the priorities of the province: formation and community life, ministry with the excluded; collaboration with lay colleagues in ministry, and the education and formation of youth.

Partnerships with other religious congregations in Brazil have been created as a way of responding to the increasing social, economic, and political challenges in Brazil. Social programs for children, youth and adults as well as initiatives with marginalized women have been undertaken. RSHM schools are at the service of the poorest of the poor, through projects such as literacy training for adults and children. Great attention has been given to sharing our charism and spirit with lay colleagues and the lay people invited to the Provincial Chapter requested a closer sharing of RSHM life and spirit. The sisters see their role as one of forming citizens with a critical consciousness, individuals who assume responsibility for creating a more just society.

Marina explained that every gathering in Brazil is a "festa." To illustrate this everyone was given a balloon, to be filled with our dreams, shared, and then burst so that our hopes and dreams would be freed to become a reality.

What have we learned?

During one of the large group sessions, Jean Alvarez asked the chapter members to spend a few minutes sharing what they had learned from the province sharings.

Strong faith and zeal are evident in each province and region; all are working for justice for the less fortunate. We are an incredibly diverse Institute and still experience unity. However we must be careful not to let a search for unity overpower our diversity. There is a real effort to incarnate the Mission Statement. The life, vigor, and openness seen in our older sisters inspires us with gratitude. There is a common desire to look at our roots, and everyone was struck by the joyful Jubilee celebrations in each province and region.

This concluded the First Phase of the Chapter: Getting to Know the Institute. That evening everyone was invited to Marymount, Nomentana to celebrate Golden Jubilees.

The next day, Sunday, June 1 was a free day.