Thank you to the General Council
July 10, 2007

Chapter members and staff came together in the Chapter Room.

Patricia Connor (WAP) explained that at this moment in the Chapter, as we were coming to a better understanding of the boundaries to be crossed and before we started the process of discernment leading to the elections, it was appropriate to express our heart-felt thanks and tremendous gratitude to the General Council for their service to the Institute and the Provinces.

Patricia Connor (WAP)

In the name of the Institute, the provincial and regional superiors thanked the members of the General Council for their service and dedication to the Institute.

Rosamond Blanchet (EAP) and Maria Flora Dunguza (Moz) thanked Margaret Fielding, who had accompanied the Eastern American Province and the Region of Mozambique.

“The Region of Mozambique is present here to thank you, bringing our memory of the friendship and loving care of your calm and attentive accompaniment. We are grateful for your listening, untiring presence, for your witness of a spirit of faith and zeal, along with your open smile. Thank you – and we want you to know that we shall always remember you. An “abraço” from each of us in the Region of Mozambique.”

“Margaret, we are deeply grateful to you for accompanying the Eastern American Province and have appreciated your loving and gentle presence among us. We thank you for friendships formed and your listening heart and ears. For your love, gentle presence, friendship and deep listening we give thanks.”

Rosamond Blanchet (EAP), Margaret Fielding (GC),Maria Flora Dunguza (Moz.)

Magnificat, Magnificat, Magnificat Anima Mea Dominum!

Terezinha Cecchin (B) and Barbara Bailey (NEP) thanked Maria Teresa Morgadinha, who had accompanied the Brazilian and Northern European Provinces.

“Dear Maria Teresa, You accompanied the Northern European and Brazilian provinces. We want to thank you for the gift of your joy; your interest in knowing us well and of accompanying the life of these two realities in the smallest details. This shows that, in fact, not only did you read our minutes, our reports, all the material that we sent you, but you read them with your heart and not only with your eyes. Our thanks come also from our hearts. And for our Provinces, we add our gratitude for the challenge and encouragement that you gave us.”

Barbara Bailey, Maria Teresa Morgadinha (GC), Terezinha Cecchin (B)

Magnificat, Magnificat, Magnificat Anima Mea Dominum!

Patricia Connor (WAP) thanked Veronica Brand, who had accompanied the Western American Province.

“We give you thanks, Veronica, for the encouragement and support you have given to all of us, especially for your being with us in the Western American Province during significant moments in the life of the Province. for the challenge you have given us all by your words and example, and by your enlightening presentations, which have helped us to understand more clearly the impact of globalization on all peoples and especially those without a voice and most in need of justice. for your strong commitment to and passion for the neediest among us for your tremendous, unfailing generosity in giving of yourself without counting the cost in serving our Institute. We are enormously grateful.”

Patricia Connor (WAP), Veronica Brand (GC)

Magnificat, Magnificat, Magnificat Anima Mea Dominum!

Maria Teresa Nogueira (P) thanked Olga Georgina, who had accompanied the Portuguese Province.

“In the name of the Portuguese Province, and also of the Institute, I thank you Olga for your presence in the General Council. We thank you for your way of being in Mission, your openness to internationality, and your dedication to serving the well being of the Institute. We thank you in a special way for manner in which you accompanied Initial Formation and animated the reflection on the steps leading to the International Novitiate. We thank you for your involvement in the life and mission of the Portuguese Province, in the interest, support, encouragement, and witness of joy and faith that you transmitted to us.”

Maria Teresa Nogueira (P), Olga Georgina (GC)

Magnificat, Magnificat, Magnificat Anima Mea Dominum!

Lelia O’Shea (Z) thanked Catherine Dolan, who had accompanied the Zambezi Region.

“We thank you, Catherine, for your strong and gentle leadership of the Institute. You have called us to fidelity to gospel values and to the vison of Gailhac. You have mirrored for us how to work collaboratively and you have been able to call forth the gifts of each one. You have rejoiced with us in our successes and stood by us in our moments of difficulties. Above all, you have listened and shared your wisdom in simplicity. For all you have been to all of us in the Institute, we thank you. A special word of thanks, Catherine, for your accompaniment of the Zambezi Region. Obrigada, thank you, twalunha, ta tendai.”

 

Catherine Dolan (GC), Lelia O’Shea (Z)

Magnificat, Magnificat, Magnificat Anima Mea Dominum!

Everyone stood with hands outstretched, as Barbara Bailey (NEP) and Maria Flora Dunguzaa (Moz) led us in prayer.

“We invite you to come into the centre to receive our blessing. Margaret, Teresa, Veronica, Olga, Catherine. Several years ago you left your provinces to live and work together and to serve the Institute as women without boundaries. We thank God for your journeying with one another as a team and your accompanying of all the Institute. Our love and gratitude go with you as we send you forth on the next stage of your journeys. May God companion you all of your days.”

Margaret Fielding, Maria Teresa Morgadinha, Veronica Brand, Olga Georgina, Barbara Bailey (NEP), Maria Flora Dunguza (Moz)

 

Magnificat, Magnificat, Magnificat Anima Mea Dominum!

 

© 2007 RSCM / RSHM