Chapter 2010

Day 21- 25 Aug

Day 20 - 24 Aug

Day 19 - 23 Aug

Day 18 - 22 Aug

Day 17 - 21 Aug

Day 15 - 19 Aug

Day 14 - 18 Aug

Day 12-16 Aug

Day 10-14 Aug

Day 9-13 Aug

Day 8-12 Aug

Day 6

Day 5

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2- Day of Reflection

Opening of Chapter

Invitation

Day 21 - 25th Aug

So we come to the end of our Chapter.

Unfortunately more sad news reached us today.  Sr. Jean King of the California Region died in the early hours of this morning.  On receiving the news we had a short period of prayer and sang the "Salve Regina" together.

Our Mandate from the Chapter was agreed.  It is as follows:

In living and working together, the members of the General Chapter 2010 have been graced with an experience of deep communion with each other- an experience rooted in God's compassion, in shared vulnerability and in truth.

We invite our newly elected General Team and all the sisters of the Congregation to strive to live and work in  a relationship of profound communion with each other.

In prayerful solidarity, and mindful of our need for on-going formation we mandate the General Team to work in collaboration with Regions/Province to encourage and support in us:

• Attitudes of reverence and deep compassion that move us to act for liberation of the vulnerable and exploited.
• A re-awakening of our intimate relationship within the whole web of creation.
• A re-claiming of the richness of our Constitutions in the light of our Congregational Purpose.

Then we spent time in our Regional/Province groups to explore how to bring back the experience of Chapter to our sisters.  The many ideas from the discussion were fed back to the whole gathering giving us even more.

It was announced that the newly elected General team will take office on Feb 10th 2011, until then the current team continue.  The final business of Chapter was concluded with the agreement and signing of the minutes.

The Eucharist and closing ritual was led by the "Peace in Christ" team, with Fr. Martin Delaney as Celebrant. As part of this the out-going team presented symbols of leadership to the newly elected team. (At the sign of peace Fr. Martin tried to call us to order because it was so long and enthusiastic!)  At the end of mass Sr. Linda Webb formally declared the chapter closed.

Chris Kelly

All that remained was to thank our facilitators, secretaries, translators, Centre staff and the sisters of the Irish region for all the hospitality.

From the communications team, over and out.

 

Day 20 - 24th Aug
Today is the penultimate day of our Chapter here in Emmaus, Swords.  After our reflections we had our Gospel sharing on John1:45-51 for the feast of St. Bartholomew (Nathaniel).  Some of our reflections were:

• Prejudice and the need to go beyond it was a clear message
• Philip and Nathaniel recognised Jesus because they knew their history and the Law. We need to know our Congregation history and Constitutions.
• We need to invite people to meet Jesus.
• Nathaniel was changed by his experience. Are we going to go home changed or stay as we are?
• We need to pray for the gift to accept and trust each other; we can't do it alone.

• Philip took Nathaniel to Jesus and then moved away.

At morning coffee break we received the sad news that Sr. Adeodata's mother had died a few hours earlier in Uganda.  We changed the timetable and took time to remember her  and Sr. Joan O'Donoghue whose burial was taking place at about the same time in Kerry.  Sr. Adeodata will be flying home early tomorrow accompanied by Sr. Pascazia.

This afternoon we returned to the work of the Chapter. Srs. Kathleen Clancy and Maureen Fitzgerald presented a simple financial statement showing basically the balance of each Region/Province at the end of 2009.

The Echo Committee who had been working on formulating the Mandate presented a draft to us and we had the opportunity to make suggestions.  On the whole it was well received but a few alterations were suggested so it will be re-presented tomorrow morning.

 
Srs. Nuala, Linda, Anna-Mary Helen, Maureen, Pat (Associate) and Anastasia, The Echo Committee

Tomorrow we return for the final time to the business of Chapter which will include agreeing the mandate and minutes.  Chapter will end with a closing ritual and Eucharist in the afternoon.

 

Day 19 - 23 Aug.

Greetings to all on our 19th day of Chapter; nearly there now!

Last night Sr. Agnès Charles updated us all on the project to preserve and digitalise the writings of our Founder, Canon Constant William van Crombrugghe.  Hopefully we will all have access to these via a website.  Thank you Agnès and Alice for all your hard work on the project.

We also had a presentation from Srs. Anna-Mary, Adeodata and Pascazia about the progress of the new Coloma School in Uganda. Please look at the New School page under Africa on the website. Well done everybody and thank you to all those who have contributed. 

This morning, as usual we had our overnight reflections and faith sharing on Matt 23:13-22.  It was amazing how much it had to say to us.  For instance;

• We need a balance between head and heart.
• We are all hypocrites!
• Don't complicate things
• We can block each other
• What is the most important thing?

• If you go to the ends of the Earth you will find traces of God.  If you go to the depths of yourself you will find God.

We then set ourselves to the work of the day which was to sharpen and refine what came through yesterday, to get to the key areas that the congregation and the General Team need to attend to in order to take forward the Purpose Statement.  In other words, to work towards formulating the Chapter Mandate. We again went into groups and fed back to the main body.  The enthusiasm and unity of yesterday was still alive.  The Echo Committee have been delegated to bring it together and present it to the Chapter tomorrow.  We'll let you know the result.

In the afternoon, several proposals were put before the Chapter, discussed and voted on.

We finished the work of the day with a beautiful prayer based on the image of the potter prepared by the Africa Province.

This evening there was a presentation from Seamus O'Gorman from Misean Cara, an agency responsible for allocating Irish Government funding to missionary organisations.  We are very grateful for the funding various projects of the DMJs in Africa have already received and for Seamus's helpful information about new procedures for applications.

Tomorrow we continue the business of chapter.  Please keep up the prayers and stay tuned!

 

Day 18- 22nd Aug

Here we are again at the end of the 18th day of Chapter. The end is in sight!
Today we focussed on beginning work on the implementation of the Congregational Purpose in the light
of our experience and a deeper understanding of God's compassion flowing in us. We began as usual
with overnight reflections and faith-sharing. Some reflections from our sharing on Luke 13:22-30 were

• What is the narrow gate for us as DMJ today?
• Jesus did not deviate from his purpose.
• One has to shed something to go through a narrow gate, be uncluttered.
• Change is painful.
• "It is a time to put our lives where words have been."
• We are challenged to move from our heads to our hearts.

We then split into groups to reflect on the bullet points in the Congregation Purpose with questions to
start us off. Each group took a single bullet point so they were all covered by at least two groups. The
questions were:
1. How am I being called personally to respond to this aspect of the purpose?
2. What is blocking me responding?
3. What has to change amongst us as a Congregation to live this aspect of the purpose
fully?
4. What is blocking us changing?
5. How is the input from Fr. Enda McDonagh informing us?
The fruit of each group's sharing was fed back into the whole assembly. What was shared from each
group was heard with great respect and impacted deeply on each one. We were asked "What do you
sense is the change that is trying to happen?" The response was that the experience both in the small
and large groups seemed to have had a transformative effect and left us with an almost tangible sense
of our oneness.

Sr. Martina
                                   Sr. Hedwig
                                   Pat Monson (associate), Sr. Nora McCarthy

There is much more work to do. Tonight we will hear presentations about the archives project and
Coloma School Uganda. Tomorrow we will continue to work on the mandate emerging from our
Purpose.

Day 17 - 21st Aug

Once again greetings to each one from Chapter. You who are ill are in our prayers and masses.  Today we remember in particular Adeodata's mother who is seriously ill.

Late last night we welcomed our sisters back from Sr. Joan O'Donoghue's funeral in England.  Around 800 attended the church in New Addington about 400 were at the funeral mass in Emmaus Chapel.  This was a truly very touching witness to Joan's life of love and compassion.

To our Open Evening yesterday; when we were all gathered there was approximately 80 present, imagine the noise! A sense of family was tangible when DMJs, Associates, former DMJs and friends prayed together, mingled together, shared memories and hopes and laughed together.  It was simply great.

Thanks go to all you who pray for us and keep candles lighting.  Your prayerful participation in Chapter is surely felt.  Thanks to the many who were willing to take on the ministry of leadership of the Congregation.  The preparations for elections took place in a silent, prayerful setting in the Chapter room where there was also space for consultation.  Thank you to Kate Creedon, Josephine Beebwa, Anna-Mary Mukamwezi and Annette Lawrence who accepted this ministry for the next five years.  Each one accepted the ministry in "faith and trust with the support of all". 

In the afternoon Fr. Enda McDonagh gave a reflection centred around the compassionate love of God while making profound connections with our Congregational Purpose.  We ended the day with the celebration of the Eucharist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, a word about yesterday's outing to Knowth and Dowth.  A trip to these pre-Christian burial grounds was appreciated and enjoyed by many.

Tomorrow  we will be continuing with "our own compassionate story" and, in the evening there will be information sessions about Coloma school, Uganda and the DMJ archives project.

 

Day 15- 19th Aug

Alleluia! We have a new Superior General, Sr. Kate Creedon.

We have also agreed on the process for the election of councillors and made nominations.  Elections will take place on Saturday.

Tomorrow is a free day.  Some delegates are returning to England for the funeral of Sr. Joan O'Donoghue.  We hold them and all, Sr. Joan's family and friends in our prayers.

Some of us will be visiting Knowth and Dowth and then meeting with Sisters, Associates and friends here at Emmaus.  We look forward to seeing some of you then.

Please continue to pray that the Holy Spirit will guide those who are nominated as they discern, and be with us for the elections on Saturday.

Day 14 - 18th Aug

Greetings to each one of you from Chapter, particularly to those of you who are ill.  We are praying especially for Sr. Jean King who is very ill and for all those mentioned last week.

 

Sr. Brenda Dolphin RSM

 

                                       

                 

                                         Sr. Jean King dmj

Yesterday Sr. Brenda Dolphin RSM led us through a powerful day of reflection on the theme of leadership.  It was a very valuable part of the Chapter, challenging and prayerful.

Back to work today when the main thrust has been to discern the structure of our General Leadership and the process of election. 
Sr. Elizabeth Cotter's interventions were particularly valuable and helpful in clarifying the possibilities within Canon Law.

The following structure was accepted unanimously:
That the structure of the General Leadership be
1, The Superior General elected by this Chapter.
2, Three General Councillors elected by this General Chapter
3, That the General Leadership be full-time and resident together.

In our discussion around leadership and membership the emphasis was on trust, delegation, dialogue and co-responsibility.

We have decided the process for election of the Superior General and made nominations this evening.  We would ask your prayers for the wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we discern tonight and begin the elections tomorrow.

Day 12- 16th Aug

Hello from Swords on this 12th day of our meetings. Today, after listening to our CVC news the Irish region led us in a powerful spiritual ritual of transition from where we have been to where we are going; exactly what we needed to begin discerning the leadership structure.

 

Today was spent in reflecting on the structure of our Congregational Leadership. Sr. Elisabeth Cotter (Loreto sister) was available as a resource person with expertise in Canon Law.  Also present was Sr. Brenda Dolphin (Sister of Mercy) who will be leading us in a day of reflection tomorrow.

Sr. Linda Webb referred us the research paper we had received earlier. We were also referred to the relevant desiderata on leadership. We then went into groups to discuss our preferred structure and our rationale, bearing in mind that the congregational leadership is responsible for ensuring the memory, vision and Charism of the Congregation and the implementation of our Statement of Purpose.  In the feedback there were many suggestions but similarities were beginning to emerge.

This afternoon we worked in groups to give a deeper reflection on what was coming out of our morning's work. A group consisting of Srs., Margaret Eason, Annette Lawrence, and Felicé Wright and Mark Mantey (associate) was asked to listen to the feedback and discern what was emerging.
There was consensus on the following:

• 4 resident members living together whose primary role is fulltime ministry to the Congregation
• They should not be elected for specific tasks or because of geographical location. They should be trusted to decide where they live and the organization of roles and tasks.
• The 2 languages are very important but the bilingual issue should be addressed after election
• The new General Team should avail of facilitation at an early stage
• Extended General Council and General Finance Commission roles should be increased and links with the General Team strengthened
• The whole Congregation needs to exercise co-responsibility

There was not consensus on the process of election...yet.  We will continue the discernment on Leadership tomorrow with a day of reflection and then on Wednesday the structure and election process will be decided. 
Please pray with us tomorrow and we will give another update on Wednesday 18th August.

 

Day 10

Greetings from Chapter at the end of an arduous day. 

We heard from England the sad news of the death of Phil Wilkinson.  Our prayers and sympathies go to Anne and all the family.

 

 

The task for today was to discern and formulate the Congregation statement of purpose.  This took the whole long day!!  The process continued from yesterday with reflections on the two versions we had formulated.  Then after faith sharing a group of four was chosen to listen to the discussion of the whole group and to formulate a statement from the essence of this.  While they worked, the rest of us supported them in prayer. The group was Srs. Helen Lane, Nuala Briody, Kate Creedon and Anna-Mary Mukamwezi.

The struggle for words and meaning continued in the full group throughout the afternoon until finally, just before 6pm the following was accepted by a large majority.
 

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

In a world dominated by the abuse of power and wealth, we, the Daughters of Mary and Joseph, are called to be women immersed in the compassionate love of God.

The transformative power of God's compassion forges in us a new consciousness, propelling us to claim a prophetic stance:

• By living in deep communion with each other
• In becoming catalysts for the empowerment of those disempowered within our society
• In caring for our endangered planet

in a spirit of reverence, courage and joy.

Tomorrow is a free day.  We wish you a happy feast of the Assumption of Our Lady.

We will be back again on Monday when we will move on to the implications of our Purpose for our leadership structure.  We continue to count on your prayers.

Day 9 - 13th August

Greetings to each and every one of you from Chapter on this Friday the 13th of August, day 9 of our deliberations.  Special greetings and prayers for Sr. Simone, Sr. Marie-Emée, Phil Wilkinson, Anne and family, Sr. Adeodata's mother and all who are ill.

Our task today was to discern the purpose of the Congregation.  It was a day's work ... and it's not over yet!  The process was as follows:
1. Faith Sharing - Messages coming through to us from today's Gospel were union, belonging, oneness and equality.
2. Interactive input - Understanding the Congregation as a living, breathing organism where purpose is a flexible boundary (See Diagrams - Click here).  Lack of purpose leads to loss of meaning.  Loss of meaning leads to loss of direction, depression etc.  Absence of purpose leads to anxiety, blame and negativity.
Purpose gives meaning, it motivates and it unifies.

A DMJ purpose needs to:

• Unify us as a Congregation
• Motivate us
• Connect with what we do in every region
• Give equality to every member and therefore be defined by membership, not role or task.
• Be reviewed regularly as the context changes
• Actively respond to what is happening on the ground (within and without the Congregation)

Ponder these.

 

3. Seven groups of six each formulated the purpose of the congregation (so we had 7 purposes for one Congregation!).  Out of these came the repeated words or phrases:
Communion, interdependence, respect for each person and for creation, collaboration, faith, rooted in Christ, prayer, contemplation, consecrated, transformed... just to give you a flavour.

4. Following discussion on these one member of each of the seven groups volunteered (or was volunteered!) to form two groups who then worked on formulating 2 purpose statements from the seven and the discussion.  The rest of the Chapter prayed while this was done.

The power of prayer was felt.  We would like to thank you for your presence in prayer with us.  Please keep it up.

Tomorrow we will complete the work on purpose.

 

Day 8 - 12 Aug

Here we are again, after a day of rest when many of us visited Glendalough, a monastic city and St. Kevin's cell.

Our day, today, began as usual with the current news from our CVC broadcasting team.  We also had news of DMJ family members in need of prayer.  Please join us in praying for Sr. Simone Vandensteene, Sr. Adeodata's mother, and Phil Wilkinson, an Associate, who are all very ill.

Sr. Simone Vandensteene  Sr. Adeodata Ahimbisibwe            Phil Wilkinson

After the faith-sharing sessions we divided into groups with the question: "What is now emerging from Chapter?"
In general this is what came up:

• A search for direction
• Internationality - How do we support each other?
                   - The need to reflect Internationality in formation.
• The tension of needs between the young, the old and ministry.
•  The need to look at whether we are a federation of Regions or ONE Congregation?

 

This led to further discussion this afternoon about "What does it mean to be ONE Congregation now?"   Collaboration, interdependence and internationality were emphasised and discussed at length.  There was a challenge to change attitudes and deepen relationships. At the end of the session the facilitator posed a question: "Are regional needs seen as the concern of the whole Congregation?"

The day ended with evening prayer led by the English Region.  To read the story of the artist which we reflected on click here.

Tomorrow we hope to look at the congregation purpose.

Day 6

As we begin each day, we are kept informed about the happenings of the outside world through our very own CVC broadcast station.  Our reporters work through the night to bring us the latest news.

Mark Mantey, Sr. Clarisse Nirere and Sr. Mary Mortz
  CVC News Team

Sr. Cathleen Clancy, Mrs. Julia Lau, Sr. Maureen Fitzgerald
  Finance Team

Today, our agenda brought us to the General Treasurers' Report.  To set the tone for further discussions we spent time reflecting on Constitutions 135-139 on Stewardship and the Gospel of Luke  chapters 12, 16, 18 and 21 as our Scriptural basis.  It was good to remind ourselves that it is from God that we learn to be true stewards of all that has been given to us.  All is gift! 

This afternoon the General Team presented their report.  Their presentation has certainly left open the door for discussions on the structure, time-frame etc of the next General Team.

Srs. Kate Creedon and Linda Webb  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Srs. Sheila Moloney, Josie Beebwa and

Donatilla Nyirarwanga

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The General Team with facilitators John Rafferty and Mary Kearney       

 

 

 

 

The Mandala created by the Team

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow we have a free day (Alleluia!).  Many of us will be off to Glendalough.
We'll be back with another report on Thursday 12th when we will be looking at the purpose of the Congregation.

Day 5

Greetings from Chapter on this the fifth day of our meeting, the day of official reports from each Region.  The day began as usual with feedback from reflection on yesterday's work.  This was followed by reflection and sharing on today's Gospel.  Did you have insights from today's Gospel?  Ireland began the roll-out of presentations followed by California, Africa, Belgium and England.  Each Region presented its report in a creative way, ranging through the humorous, the theatrical, reflective and meditative to entertaining.  Each report was deeply honest, informative and real.

Ireland

California

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Africa

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Belgium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

England

 

Themes of congregational connectedness, collaboration, interdependence and hospitality came through very strongly.  Also each regions prayerfulness and living of the charism and inspiration of our Founder was shown to be a reality.  Challenging truths emerged, were conveyed and expressed.  Overall there was sense of gratitude for what was, what is and what will be.

 

Copies of the reports are already available on the website.

 

Tomorrow's agenda includes the report from the General Team, Finance and Stewardship.

Day 4

Greetings from the Chapter at the end of day 4.  There have been many different experiences brought into today.  After our feedback on our overnight reflections and the faith sharing we were invited to visit the different countries where DMJs are present.  As we shared our stories and experiences of the countries we became more aware of the realities of those in different contexts from ourselves.  We became aware that our sisters are responding to the call of the people they serve even in difficult situations. There is life and zeal everywhere but we are thinly spread.  We are left with the question: "What is emerging for us as a congregation?"
 

In the afternoon the General Team shared the story of their experience over the past five years.  They shared with great simplicity and humility, leaving us with questions about the leadership structure for the future.

 

 

We also had an unexpected visit from our founder (in the person of Sr. Agnes Charles) and the opportunity to ask questions.  The role-play, although a bit artificial, was a worthwhile exercise.  The founder gave the only answer possible, which was that WE are responsible for moving forward  with simplicity, joy and courage.

 

 

 

From the faith-sharing there were a few thoughts:

 

• Do not be afraid.
• Leadership is the responsibility of each DMJ
• Are we ready to make a shift in mentality?

Tomorrow we will hear the official reports from each country.  Again we invite you to pray with us, reflecting on the Gospel of the day and what it is saying to us as a congregation.

We also lit candles to remember Sr. Joan O'Donoghue who died recently and her family and friends who mourn her loss. 

 

 

Day 3

This morning was a time for taking our place fully as participants in Chapter.  We began with faith sharing on the Gospel of the day (Matt. 17:14-20) and on the theme and aim of the chapter.

Theme of Chapter:  DMJ's - Instruments of Mercy; Let God's Compassion Flow

Aim of Chapter:

• Provide space and time for participants to come together to pray, share and grow in knowledge, love and faith with each other in order to deepen our passion for Christ and the world.
• Affirm, celebrate and review the life and mission of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph in the light of our purpose, charism and constitutions.
• Vision new horizons for the congregation in the light of our ongoing circles of conversation.
• Deepen communication, collaboration and implementation of Chapter across the congregation.

All in the present global reality of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph in the world today.

Sr. Margaret Eason and Sr. Anna Mary Mukamwezi          Sr. Anatasia Asiimwe and Sr. Nuala Briody

Some of the thoughts expressed were:

• We need to acknowledge our own brokenness
• The importance of the fact that we are an International congregation
• Hope and faith are rooted in Christ
• We need to let go of fear and have courage
• This Chapter is about our role now into the future.

The sharing was profound, honest and difficult to convey.

In the afternoon we tried to map the reality of the congregation in the global context.  The seemingly chaotic diagram produced shows the influences on us and our influence on society.
 

We noticed many similarities in what impacts on us despite the different contexts.  We feel that we are both in the world and of the world. It is the way we see the world that will affect how we are in the world.  The questions we are left with are:  "What do we want to bring to the world as a congregation?  What is Christ wanting us to be and to do?"

Each day will begin with prayer and faith sharing on the Gospel of the day, reflecting on what the Gospel is saying to us in the context of the Chapter.  You might like to pray with us in this way.

Tomorrow we will look more closely at the stories of the different regions and our Conversations so far.

Day 2 - Day of Reflection

Today was a day of prayer led by the "Peace in Christ" Retreat Team: Sr. Margaret Moloney dmj, Fr. Martin Delaney and Chris Kelly.  Fr. Liam Lawton also blessed us with his presence and his music.

In the morning, through reflection and ritual we prayerfully celebrated the growth of the congregation.  Each region brought cloths of different colours, symbolising our unity in diversity, and water to represent the flow of God's compassion.
 

 

At the end of the morning we came together for a prayer of thanksgiving.  We each offered candles in remembrance of places and ministries where we have experienced God's compassion.

 

 

The day culminated in a profound celebration of the Eucharist. Click here to download and read Fr. Martin's homily.

Tomorrow we will be looking at the theme and aim of the chapter and sharing the current reality of the Daughters of Mary and Joseph as an international congregation.

Opening of Chapter 5 August 2010

This evening the Chapter was opened with prayer and an introduction from Sr. Linda Webb, the present Superior General.   To read Sr. Linda's opening address click here.

Tomorrow is a day of reflection. Please join us in prayer.

May 12, 2010

Dear Associate Members and Sisters,

Greetings of love and peace to you from our recently concluded April GT Meeting.   The closure of airspace due to the volcanic ash from Iceland had its impact on our meeting preventing us from physically meeting for a time. However, through email and Skype conference calls we were able to continue our planning towards Chapter 2010. The experience surely brought home to us very realistically, just how interconnected we are with each other and with our planet.

With this letter, we are inviting you, all the sisters in the Irish Region and any sister or Associate Member who is in Ireland on August 20th to join with us that evening, at Emmaus Conference Centre, Dublin for a special celebration of our rich heritage as a Congregation.  This celebration will be held from 4.30 pm - 8.00 pm and will include prayer and a celebratory meal together.

The Conference Centre needs to know, ahead of time, the number of those who will join us for the evening meal. If you anticipate being able to participate with us it is of vital importance that you contact us via email (fmgrome@yahoo.co.uk)  or fax (39 06 6990164) no later than June 30th 2010

We look forward to hearing form you and to welcoming you on August 20th.
We thank you for your continued prayer and support for us and the whole congregation as we all continue our journey towards chapter 2010.

With an assurance of our love and prayer

Linda, Kate, Dona, Sheila, Josie

 

  

Dear Associates and Friends,

Greetings of love and peace to each of you.

On July 31 2009 with joy and anticipation we announced that our Congregational Conversation, our General Chapter would be held August 5 - 26 2010. We shared with you, the theme and the aim of this special Congregational meeting.

Daily, as we continue to prepare and move closer to this event, we are aware that we need the support and prayer of all our extended family of associates and friends so that we as Congregation may truly allow God's compassion to flow, enabling us to discover together afresh how we are being called by God to live the gift of compassion that God has given to us in the world of these challenging times.

We are therefore inviting you to join us, as Congregation, on March 6, 2010, the anniversary of the foundation of the Congregation, to pray in particular for our Chapter. We suggest that we use one of the prayers that our founder, Constant W. Van Crombrugghe, prayed in his own lifetime. The prayer is as follows:

Where shall I turn O Lord when I can no longer see you,

Who are the light and the way, the beginning and the end of my existence?

 

If I keep my gaze steadfastly fixed on you I shall never stray far.

In the overwhelming darkness of life's journey

I have but to put all my faith and trust in You, O my God.

 

You alone do I seek.

You alone do I see reflected in all creation.

The fulfillment of your holy will is my sole desire.

Even when pre-occupied with the innumerable cares of my daily life

I am still united with you.

Did you but cease to look on me with love,

I should be unable to concern myself even with these earthly matters

And I would sink back into my very nothingness.

O Lord, always assist me with your saving grace.

Thank you for your participation with us in this way. We invite you to keep contact with us through our website, http://www.daughtersofmaryandjoseph.org// especially during the time of our Chapter, for m