Although the Pre-Chapter Assembly was zoomed in on, the two days went incredibly smoothly. “It has offered us the possibility of seeing that it is possible to have important meetings virtually”.
The inputs, sharing, group work and ice-breaker dynamics helped us to build sense of belonging trust, and communion. A video full of “wisdom” was part of the prayer as well as the Scripture passage from 1 Cor 12, which was an invitation to unity and communion. Making room for silence, personal reflection and group sharing helped us to first assimilate the information and then share what was moving within us. “It has been a different and unique assembly indeed!
The facilitators made enjoyable our staying together while deepening the Modules. We are grateful to the commissions, both at general and local level, which worked very hard to put together all the information, fruit of our reflections as GIP America. “There is an attitude of openness to learn about the Circumscriptions that form the GIP America as we might soon engage in a process of unification”. “We are focus and it is amazing to see how the GIP is presented with a big picture about who we are in the GIP America”.
We are all aware of the number of sisters of the Congregation/GIP, their age, culture and preparation. Therefore, we will plan for the future not based on our dreams, desires or individual capacities but rather based on reality, putting the whole picture in front of us. “We all know that there will be many challenges as well as resistances and fears, but we trust that the Spirit of the Lord will show us the way how the transformation will take place in our communities and Circumscriptions”. “I am hopeful that we will continue to work together based on the reality of our Congregation”.
In the coming days, we will continue to listen to each other with respect and appreciation in the same enthusiastic and open spirit as we have been doing so far, freely expressing our hopes, fears and concerns about reconfiguration. I feel that we are walking towards reconfiguration!
Group of Sisters participating in the Pre-Chapter Assembly on Zoom
