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Good Shepherd News

Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd

GSN 284 October 2015

Tribute to Susan Chia

Message of Sr. Brigid Lawlor on behalf of the CLT

Celebration of life of Sr. Susan Chia - October 7, 2015

First and foremost, our love, sympathy and prayers go out to Susan’s family, especially her mother, sisters and brothers; to Sr. Joan Lopez and all our sisters and lay mission partners in the Province of Singapore/Malaysia and be-yond to the Asia Pacific Circle and the whole congregation. Susan brought her many gifts and talents to the CLT. When we think of her, the first thing that comes to mind after her sheepish smile and dancing eyes was her passion for formation at all levels. How creative she was with her for-mation committee and especially with Elaine when leading the sessions for formators, lead-ership teams, and other gatherings. Of course we all learned how to make the Chi-nese New Year salad – Singapore style! And we all learned how the “little Chinese sister” did fundraising by coercion methods! Susan was strong on developing cultural aware-ness in herself and with others. She grew in a deep appreciation of our unity in diversity in the congregation. On one of her visits to a Unit with many elderly sisters, the sisters appreciated her zeal and en-thusiasm for the mission and especially for the new foundation in Kolwesi, Congo. However, they said to her – “what can we do we are too old? Susan responded: “that is true but you can love – love until the end of your life.” The conver-sation then took on more energy. Our dear friend Susan certainly lived a life of love and it is that love which continues to inspire us. In a similar way, during the European Leader-ship Sessions, the participants told her “We, in Europe have many limitations.” Her response

was that she had limitations too. She took her chemotherapy tablets out of her pocket (which she called her new BFF – best friend forever) and she said: “I too don’t know how long my life will be, but I am here.”

WHAT IS INSIDE Tribute to Sr. Susan Chia

Fountain of Life – Children’s Center receives an award Province of East Asia—Thailand

Page 1-3 Sharing experience : Learning English in the

Spirit of Mission The Outgoing and Incoming CLT Meet for the First

Time Page 4-7

The Federation of Bishop Conference (FABC ) Of-fice of Consecrated Life Visited Good Shepherd

Fountain of Life Women Center Patttaya Thailand

2015 Formators’ Session -Philippines Partnership and Formation

Page 7-11

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Message of Sr. Brigid Lawlor on behalf of the CLT - Celebration of life of Sr. Susan Chia

We, as a CLT, had the joy of being with Susan for our last two sessions of council and for the Congre-gational Chapter. In addition to being our link person for Formation and the International Justice and Peace Office, she assisted with the work in the Mission Development Office and the Chapter Planning Committee. What an impact she made in all of these areas.

She was our visionary and our artist.

As you can tell from the examples above, she lived the words of Philip Pinto, cfc., a person who in-spired her. He says: “Transformational leadership is a way of being leaders arising out of the depths of the wisdom within each of us, a wisdom that allows others the space and opportunity to trans-form their own lives. The only leadership that is worth the name is spiritual leadership.”

We are immensely grateful for having been on the team with Susan who in her wisdom inspired transformational leadership through her challenging questions like “Where are you”?” and “What are we going to do?

While we know that she is with Jesus, Good Shepherd - Christ, Our Light, we will all miss her very much. We find consolation in the words of Meister Eck-hart: “Truly, it is in the darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sor-row, then this light is nearest of all to us.”

One sister in hearing the news of Susan’s death said: “She is now the Super No-va that she encouraged us to become!” May she be united with Blessed Maria Droste to whom she prayed, and intercede for us to our Shepherd God.

Sr Brigid Lawlor

“To my dear sister, you were my inspiration, my coach and through your selfless examples you raise me up to more that I can be , Oh, how you love the poor and the innocents and how you devoted your life for them and touched many lives! You are in-deed our inspiration! We love you so much and will miss you dearly. Today you share new life with the Lord! Your memory will forever be etched in our heart. Till we meet again in our eternal home.” Elizabeth Chia

Singapore

“How can I say something about a friend with whom I have shared a journey of learning, growth, inspiration dreams for the future and a deep personal friendship? Susan’s passion, her focus and actions were about calling forth others to take part in God’s mission to the poorest. Every one could contrib-ute. Her vision was broad and inclusive. Her desire that young members of the Congregation be fired by the Gospel call has led to a holistic mission centered for-mation. She touched many and welcomed all to the table. Her prophetic voice has prodded and nudged us forward to hear God calling us from the Margins. Susan as you enter into the great Mystery of Love, stay with us on the journey.”

Sr. Elaine Basinger, rgs

New York

“Tenderly we treasure the past with Memories that will al-ways last. Your love for Jesus the Good Shepherd, the tasks you undertook with love upheld. Your love, your concern for our province Sri Lanka /Pakistan. The encouragement and support we always received…. No need for words, we ‘ll never forget.” Sr. Francine Muthugala and Mission partners

Sri Lanka /Pakistan

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On the 5th of June 2015 – our lay partner Ms Wannee Kedkeaw re-ceived an award from Mr. Prayuth Chan-ocha – the Prime Minister of Thailand for the work done by the Fountain of Life Children’s Center to combat trafficking with children in the Mekong Region.

The Mekong Region has long been identified as a human trafficking ‘hotspot.’

I console myself with the belief that Susan will continue to inspire us and support us in for-warding the mission. We will never forget her and all she has meant to us and so many others especially the poor. We give thanks for Susan’s Leadership and en-couragement. She will be missed. I feel blessed to have known Susan

Sr. Ellen Kelly rgs

New York

I am deeply sad, I lost a friend and a great unique partner in mission. She will be remem-bered in our hearts and in our daily work to bring the mission forward, she’ll be a model of commitment and passion. I hope we can find a way to pay her a tribute she deserves. I told my girls how much she had loved them, particularly Tea, she was deeply touched and we’ll go say a prayer together for her”. Cristina Duranti Rome

Susan, In the shade of the light you remain Your eyes casting life uncertainties your spirit abounds in the shadow play your bond of life flickering Accepting your fading being My heart grieves, My spirit downcast my being prays, My souls longs……

...The realm of new light beckons God’s merciful and loving refuge Embrace the warmth and shine bright Bask in God’s everlasting peace for now Your spirit lives true My heart will rejoice, My spirit will be lifted My being blessed, my soul will proclaim As our mission partnership journey continues… in oneness Poem by Chin Poh Choo Mission Partner Malaysia

Fountain of Life – Children’s Center receives an award Province of East Asia—Thailand

Ms Wanee and Sisters Jiemjit and Piyachat, left With the Governor of the Chonburi Province to sign

the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)

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Today Thursday the 29th of October 2015, the outgoing and incoming leadership teams held their first meeting in the Generalate Rome. Dan-iella Persia was present for the Spanish lan-guage as well as Yvette Arnold the Congrega-tional Secretary. They began by an opening ritu-al which was quite deep and full of zeal and this ritual was conducted by Sr Armelle Dehennault. In the beginning of the celebration, each partici-pant was invited to light a small candle and place it in the centerpiece while they remem-bered their country they left or the units which they have accompanied over the years. Sister Armelle then reminded the participants that all of them are a small part of the universe; they came with their own story to now begin a new story and that in a certain way they represent the world. Then followed the opening hymn “This One Sto-ry” by Kathy Sherman, csj . A time was given for silence to hold in their heart what the sisters have left (Incoming Team) : Their family, relatives, communities, provinces, and their countries, while the out-going Team held what they are going to leave that has been part of their 6 or 12 years congre-gational service. Sister Brigid Lawlor addressed the sisters and in her message she spoke about the world. From now the Team will have a global view of the Congregation. She added: “You need to enter into their world, to know what they need, what their hopes are, and what their joys are and this is a big adjustment. We wish to give you this world to remind you to be their world. For those of us who have had six or twelve years on the Team, we take a different challenge of that full and rich experience of knowing the world of the Good Shepherd in a different way. We are going from the large to the small, and our chal-

The Outgoing and Incoming CLT Meet for the First Time

lenge is to not inflict the experience of our world that we have experienced into their world and to find ways in which our wisdom will help our own world grow, so we have a challenge as well as we transition.” Sister Brigid invited the outgoing Team to offer each new member a crystal world as a symbol of their new mission to the whole world. This was followed by a blessing and invocation from the earth. The participants faced the North, East South and West directions as they said the blessing. Sr Teresa Pomar proclaimed the word of God (John 6:16-21) and time was given for sharing in small groups and in plenary. To conclude the celebration each one took the symbol of the Spirit as it was done at the Chapter and placed it on a tree as they listened and sang to the song: Spirit of God…Fill the earth, bring it to birth and blow where you will.” Website

MFM

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SHARING EXPERIENCE : LEARNING ENGLISH

IN THE SPIRIT OF MISSION Sr Theresia Anita, RGS – Indonesia Province

It was a blessing for four of us from Indonesia to get the opportunity to learn English in a program : Learn English in An International Community in Singapore. This course was followed by fourteen sisters and two lay partners from six countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Vietnam and Myanmar. The program was held from June 20 until July 27, 2015, and we were the first group in this program. For five weeks we stayed in Restful Waters, Nallur Road 25 united in the same spirit of the Good Shepherd. Living in an international community became the first experience for some of us. The challenges we faced at the beginning of this program was to adjust to the tight schedule of activities and the different accents of each participant in speaking English. But we tried to understand each other by sharing experiences, study and support. We learned to love and experience love one another even though we had never met before. More than that we learned to listen to the voice of God in every process that goes through all the activities that we followed. In all activities we were very impressed with the

way the lay mission partners worked. Since the

time of our arrival, they welcomed us so warmly

and excited to provide everything that we needed

for study.

They also worked so generously with mutual

cooperation. We were greatly helped because

the program was very well-organized. We

were also impressed with the equality be-

tween the sisters and lay partners. Their

spirit and joy supported us to have the same

spirit to study and do our best.

Studying grammar was the hardest of all

but enjoyable experienced in the process of

learning and our creative teachers make us

continue to experience the excitement.

Through role play and drama , we learned to

practice speaking English. Similarly, when

we visited some of the ministries such in

Marymount Convent, School Student Care

and Good Shepherd, Good Shepherd Con-

vent Kindergarten, Kindergarten Mary-

mount (MKG), DAWN (Developing All

Women in the New era), Good Shepherd

Centre (GSC), Marymount Centre and

Ahuva Good Shepherd, we were challenged

to speak in English.

It was also emphasized that the purpose of

this program was not simply to learn Eng-

lish but to be better able to master English

language so that the people whom we serve

will benefit from it.

Preparing Birthday Party Meal

From left to right, Indonesian delegates: Sisters Yohana, Theresia, Yasinta and Irmina

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SHARING EXPERIENCE : LEARNING ENGLISH IN

THE SPIRIT OF MISSION

Sr Theresia Anita, RGS – Indonesia Province

In each place we visited, we were greeted

with joy by the staff, students, as well as all

those who are in this ministry. Through this

visit we also learned how to manage the

ministry in a professional way and how to

build equal partnership between the sisters

and lay in the mission. This program helps

us to have courage and confidence to speak

English. We truly experienced the spirit of

partnership and co-responsibility as a team

in developing the mission. By visiting the

ministries we understood the importance of

involving many partners in managing minis-

tries professionally.

We were also given the opportunity to visit

several tourist attractions such as the Sin-

gapore Botanical Gardens, Zoological Gar-

dens, Gardens by the Bay, National Muse-

um. The other different experience was

when we joined the Peace Walk on Saturday

night. We walked along the street to greet

the women engaged in prostitution, distrib-

uted chocolates and snacks and gave time

for those who wanted to share their story

and we also prayed for them.

Theresa Symons as Good Shepherd execu-

tive director of Services in Singapore/ Ma-

laysia gave us input about People on the

Move.

It really expanded our horizons and chal-

lenged us to become more sensitive to look

at human trafficking issues in our country.

Sr. Joan and Sr. Susan Chia challenged us

to be more aware of the needs of the future

and the importance of English language pro-

ficiency.

At the end of the program each participant

was given the opportunity to present their

hopes, plans and their commitment to real-

ize the spirit of equality with lay partners in

the mission and how to invite them to be in-

volved in the mission as staff, volunteers

and donors.

We thank the Lord because He called us to

broaden our vision through learning experi-

ences in the program. We would like to

thank to Congregational Leadership Team

for their support, and the Province leader

of Singapore/Malaysia who had set up this

program for us.

For all mission partners : sisters, staff,

teachers and volunteers, thank you for your

love and your generosity. For the Province

Leadership team of Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri

Lanka, Pakistan, Vietnam and Myanmar,

thank you for your trust and the opportunity

given to us to learn English in an interna-

tional community. We hope that this pro-

gram will continue so that many mission

partners will receive the benefit of improv-

ing English language skills. We were also

invited to take risks through study.

Participants of different countries in their study group

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2015 Formators’ Session 26th August to 30th September Philippines Partnership and Formation

The Asia-Pacific Formation Core Team or-

ganized another Formators’ Session which

was held in Maryridge, Tagaytay City, Phil-

ippines from 26th August to 30th September

2015. The goal of the Formators’ Session

was to enable the new formation teams to

draw up the Unit formation plans in the

light of the 2014 Congregation Formation

Guidelines.

Fifty eight (58) participants attended the

whole program, including six (6) sisters

from Kenya and the Isles. The Unit Leaders

(APC and Kenya) were present from 24th to 29th September 2015. The participation of sis-ters from another region is a step forward in the co-learning of the holistic model as it offers op-portunity for a dialogue of culture and heightens

the consciousness of our internationality. In keeping with the call of the congregation, we widened our circle as we included seventeen (17) lay mission partners and twelve (12) sisters involved in the formation of partners in the Units for a four day session on ‘Formation and Part-nership’. This provided opportunities for co-learning and dialogue on the area of formation as well as explored how we can share resources be-yond borders to bring about mutual enrichment and greater collaboration.

In the next pages is a sharing of our experi-

ence with our lay Mission Partners.

The FABC – office of Consecrated Life met at the Redemptorist Center in Pattaya Thailand from the 20th – 25th July 2015 to study the theme Con-secrated Life at the Service of New Evangeliza-tion in Asia. There were 101 delegates representing 17 coun-tries of Asia. Sr. Michelle was one of the dele-gates. They seriously considered Pope Francis’ call to “wake up the world” through communion and the mission and three characteristics of a Church engaged in New Evangelization: To be a Church of joy and mercy To be a Church which is poor and for the poor To be an Open Church The delegates visited the Pattaya Orphanage – the School for the differently-abled persons and the Good Shepherd – Fountain of Life Center for Marginalized women. Sr. Piyachat the director of the Center explained the goals and objectives of the center. Province of East Asia

The Federation of Bishop Conference (FABC ) Office of Consecrated Life Visited Good Shepherd Fountain of Life Women Center

in Pattaya, Thailand

Delegates at the meeting representing 17 countries of Asia

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Formators session

Partnership and Formation

We widened our circle as we welcomed with great joy and excitement the twenty nine mis-sion partners (seventeen lay and twelve sisters) from Asia Pacific. Josita Corera and Elaine Basinger reminded us that partnership was part of our beginnings. Lay mission partners in the persons of Madeline Lamy, Count de Neuville and Countess D’Andigne were very much part of our founding vision and the growth of the Con-gregation from the time of our founders. Elaine recalled that St. John Eudes and St. Mary Euphrasia followed God’s movement in their hearts as they moved out of the familiar to risk for mission. Today, the same vision is alive, vi-brant and evolving. She encouraged us to be midwives to one another in the process of birth-ing something new, to reflect on what was not enough and what was the more that we were being asked, particularly in the area of partner-ship. In the stories of Jane Kendi (Congo), Patricia Barasik (Malaysia), Susan Montano (Philippines) and Anastasia Sunarni (Indonesia), we wit-nessed the Spirit at work as they shared how mission partners contributed to the growth of the mission. The presentation of the different units on their growth process of mission partnership enabled us to see that we were in different levels of de-velopment. While some Units are just beginning, others have already made good progress. Our

diversity became an opportunity for co-learning as we gained insights from one another’s experi-ence and took note of what could be applicable to our Unit.

We were challenged by Singapore Malaysia’s move to change structures of governance in 2006 to effect mission partnership for mission sustainability in the light of aging and diminish-ment of sisters. This has brought about vibran-cy and expansion in mission. On the other hand, with the absence of voca-tions to religious life, Australia New Zealand de-veloped a vibrant partnership to ensure the continuity of the Good Shepherd mission. We were also happy to note the crossing of borders within the region in sharing of resources on partnership.

Mission Partners

at the session

Sisters and lay

Good Shepherd

Sisters Maryridge Philippines

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Formators session

Partnership and Formation

The conversation of Chin Poh Choo and Helena Vytailingam of their experience in Malaysia revealed the joys and struggles brought about by the change in structures undertaken by the Unit. Their de-sire for the mission to be vibrant and effective enabled them to face the challenge of changing the hi-erarchical mindset in the sisters, staff and the Church. The strength of their present partnership is founded on a relationship of equals and the development of friendship as they worked together for mission. Noelene White took us on a “journey to partnership” as she traced the key steps taken by mission partners in the development of partnership for mission in the Asia Pacific region since 2003. Teresa Symons clarified that now, the term mission partners includes Good Shepherd sisters and lay people working in our ministries in different levels of engagement whether as a paid staff or as a volun-teer. The focus of partnership and co-responsibility is the development of the Good Shepherd mis-sion. This calls for a shift in our mindset: from hierarchical to participative model, from “we” and “they” to “us” and “ours”.

Noelene White, Trish Carroll y Gendrie Klein-Breteler

Left Chin Poh Choo and Helena Vytailingam Theresa Symons

“The laity must no longer be viewed

as ‘collaborators’ but truly recognized

as ‘Co-responsible’ for church’s being

and action.”

Pope Benedict XVI

We identified the following changes necessary for co-responsibility to be a reality:

There has to be a shift of mind set among the mission partners, both sisters and lay. The need for the sisters to let go and to create an environment of trust. We must move from “knowing everything” to an attitude of “learning”. The need to be more inclusive in our relationships. Mission is to be at the center not the sisters. The need of the lay to grow in their sense of belonging and ownership of the mission.

A change of heart.

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Formators session—Partnership and Formation

In the sharing on the experience of the mission partners in the Congregational Chapter, we appreciated the impact of their presence in the direction the Congregation has taken for the coming years. Their passion for mission en-riched the sisters as they experienced the beauty of one-ness, co-learning and collaboration for the mission. It was a significant moment of shaping the future of the Good Shepherd mission together. There is now a directive for the “Leadership Team to establish an international working group to pursue the full engagement of part-ners.” Australia New Zealand’s sharing of resource materials such as the Good Shepherd Credo which identified our core values (reconciliation, the value of each person, jus-tice, zeal, audacity), their Good Shepherd Mission Office Programs and Mission Integration Framework enriched us. We were inspired to dream for the growth and for-mation of mission partners to keep alive and vibrant the Good Shepherd Mission. In our units, we prepared action plans to ensure that the Good Shepherd charism, values and heritage remain at the heart of mission; and to develop formation, education and leadership programs which equip people to work in a partnership for mission.

Preparing

action

plans

By

Units

Concrete action plans pertaining to what can be done by us personally in our workplace and those that need to be presented to the Province Leadership Team were identified. We noted common ele-ments when we shared our dreams, the highlights of which are: To conduct echo of this session in the Unit for a better understanding of mission partnership To have a partnership core team in the Unit, with sisters and lay in equal number To formulate common vision, mission and core values of the Good Shepherd To change structures, giving attention to what is relevant and life giving for the mission. The role

of the PLT is crucial in this area. To set aside a day to celebrate Good Shepherd Mission Partnership Common formation for sisters and lay on spirituality, capacity building and leadership training To invest resources for formation and leadership training for both lay and sisters and to share

resources across the borders To produce resource materials adapted to our respective contexts and languages Setting up of mission effectiveness office, developing new programs Strengthening of linkages and networks for sharing of resources

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Through the session with our mission partners, the some-thing new that God was asking of us became clear. Our worldview in interrelationships and networking in order to bring about a new approach for partnership for mission has widened. The mandala painting on co-responsibility (which has at the core our spirituality, philosophy, values, spirit and passion for the mission) beautifully symbolizes our oneness. Energized by the Spirit, we Mission Partners will work together in co-responsibility and risk for mission.

Formators session

Partnership and Formation

You can read the full report of the Formator’session on the website … Click here PDF Copies for the four weeks are available also on the same link. New Core Team: Salomi Cruz (Singapore/Malaysia) as coordinator, Florence Soe (East Asia), Fransiska Wahyuni (Indonesia), Mariam Ku-langra (Central East India/Nepal), Imelda Fuentes (CGS), and the new members: Maria Placida (Northeast Asia), Susan Montano (Philippines), Anne Marie Fernandes (South West India) and Roshanti Ranwatte (Sri Lanka).

Calendar 2015

Good Shepherd News

While each unit is encouraged to send articles anytime during the year, we have planned that there are specific editions when each unit is asked to submit an article

so that at the end of the year all the units have been part of Good She-

pherd News. Please send articles on or

before the 5th of each month. Here is the suggested schedule:

January Commissions, CLT,

Bolivia/Chile, Indonesia February

Argentina/Uruguay, Lebanon/ Syria, Mexico Occidente, South Africa

March Europe BFMN Bel-

gium/France/Magyarorsza g, Nether-lands,Mid-North America,

Egypt/Sudan April

Philippines, Portugal, Peru, Australia -Aoteraoa-N. Zealand

May Spain, Angola/Mozambique, ColomboVe ne zolana/Cuba

June Central America, Mexico Norte,

Northeast Asia July

East Asia, West Africa , ( Se ne gal Burkina Faso) The Isles,

August Italia/Malta , Singapore/

Malaysia, Deutschland/Albania September

New York, Canada French and English region

Ecuador, Kenya October

Sudeste de America Latina, Sri Lanka/ Pakistan, Central South US

November Japan, Great Britain,

O sterreich/Schweiz/Czech Rep December

South West India/Central East India/Nepal, Ireland,Congo/Kenya

Message on the occasion of the unification of the English Region and the Province of Great Britain

September 24, 2015

Good Shepherd News Special thanks to the following for the translations

and proof reading Claire Alessandri , Generalate; Adriana Pere z, Marie He le ne Halligon, Claudine Fargeix, BFMN; Narcisa Vivanco, Ecuador;

Karla Bernabe, Se ne gal, Yolanda Sanchez, Colombia; Ana Maria Quiroz Central South US; Nicole Bastien, Canada;

Angela Leon, Spain; Marle ne Etienne Coret, Michel Ferrer, France

Read More ….My Good Shepherd

Mission Story by Sr Susan Chia