At the invitation of the General Council, we came together from the 6 Provinces of the Congregation for a meeting at Paris (Rue d’Arras). It was a special time of awareness of belonging to a Body: the Congregation.

We were an international community called together to reflect on several topics related to our mission, both local and international.

Our time together began with a time of prolonged shared prayer, a sharing which was simple and profound between persons who were at ease with one another .

This cordial atmosphere of confidence and truth was felt in all our reflections and sharings in which there were often more questions than answers. However, in them all, it was apparent that we sought to listen and try to find the best way forward for today and the future with regard to the particular realities / situations of our Provinces.

The sharings were intense and rich, sometimes long, but always there was a touch of humour and the desire to better understand and respond to our present realities.

We leave these few days, enriched by our being together and by the generous participation of each one.

A special “thank you” ro our sisters of the General Council for their careful preparation and animation of the meeting.

(Teresa McMenamin)