The Sisters in Formation and Vocation ministries as well as the Leadership Team, gathered in Houston, Texas, for our biennial international meeting from November 26 to 30, 2023. The theme for our international meetings was: “The Emmaus Walk: Recognizing Jesus on the Vocation and Formation Journey.” All the Sisters in formation and vocation ministries/team members were physically present.
Africa Region: Sisters Annunciata Kavinya Kisuva, Edith Wasike Bulubisi, Justina Nzula Mutiso, and Rose Nyambura Githuka.
Central America Region: Sisters Ernestina Mejia Chavez, Maria Magdalena Rodriguez Ortiz, Maria Ubalda Romero Ramirez and Vilma Ramos.
United States Region: Sisters Deenan Hubbard, Ethel Puno, Helena Adaku Ogbuji, Ita Harnett, and Kim Xuan Nguyen.
Leadership Team: Sisters Betty Campos Arias, Celeste Trahan, Joyce Susan Njeri Mbataru, KimPhuong Tran, and Ricca Dimalibot.
The meeting began with Solemn Vespers on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at 4:30 p.m. on the Solemnity of Christ the King. Sr. Celeste Trahan, Congregational Leader, officiated the evening vespers. In her opening remarks, Sr. Celeste welcomed and thanked the attendees for their ministries, which are essential for the Congregation. She urged us to continue to journey more compassionately with the younger Sisters in their different formative stages. She reiterated the importance of these two ministries (Vocation and Formation) as the foundation for the congregation’s future. After the vespers, we enjoyed a festive dinner at the Villa dining room with many Sisters present.
During the meetings, we had excellent speakers and relevant topics for formation and vocation ministries. On Monday, November 27, Fr. William Jarema (Mercy Center, Colorado) spoke on “Incarnational Spirituality: Nourishing our Spiritual, Mental, and Emotional Life.” He stressed the need for self-care of those in ministries and for us to become more balanced spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and psychologically. We are encouraged to fall in love with what we do and to begin each day with our cup full of compassion to use!
The Sisters in Formation and Vocation ministries as well as the Leadership Team, gathered in Houston, Texas, for our biennial international meeting from November 26 to 30, 2023.
On Tuesday, November 28, Sr. Rose Pacatte (Daughters of St. Paul) shared around: “Reimagining Consecrated Life in Our Changing and Digital World.” Sr. Rose took us through the challenges and benefits of the digital age. We pondered these questions: What are the best practices for digital control and addiction? Do we have plans for a digital culture? What are the implications of the digital age for religious life? Are we aware of the Church’s stance on technological advancement? What kinds of stories do we tell on our website? How do we use stories to bring people to Jesus? She encouraged us to play an active role in shaping the world’s future through social media. We do that by updating our website, telling stories so people can return to the website to be enriched, using the internet for outreach and evangelical/spiritual services, creating an online spiritual community, enhancing lifelong learning, and empowering others through digital platforms. She finally advised us to have balanced online and offline aspects of life. These two talks were opened to all the CCVI Sisters. Some Sisters were physically present, while others joined through Zoom.
Sr. Mary Pat Garvin (Sisters of Mercy of the Americas) presented on: “Walking the Road to Emmaus: Accompanying as Jesus Accompanied,” on Wednesday, November 29. Sister Mary Pat reminded us that the women in formation are the main actors on the journey, and they need to take the initiative. We are only to “listen with the ear of our hearts,” as Jesus did. The model Jesus used to accompany the disciples to Emmaus was that Jesus joined them, walked with them, talked with them, and empowered them to become better disciples to spread the Good News. Just as Jesus noticed the facial expressions, tone of voice, and emotions of the disciples, formators and vocation animators are to listen deeply with compassion and walk side by side with those in formation.
The meeting ended on Thursday, November 30, 2023, with a sharing around the issues that concern formation and vocation ministries. In the evening, we were treated to a festive dinner at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen, Houston, by the Leadership Team. We thank all our Sisters for praying for vocations to our Congregation. May God continue to bring laborers into His vineyard!
Praised be the Incarnate Word—Forever!