15th Meeting of the Executive Committee of the
Association
« Laity of the Chevalier Family in
October 27-28 2007 LYON (
Participants:
Rita Cleuren (Belgium), Marie-Blanche Cordonier (Switzerland), Louis Joly (France), Mimi van Poppel (The Netherlands), Sœur Stephani Orlowski (Germany), Nick Harnan (Cor Novum), Jérôme Pongi, Lay representative in Congo
Excused: Sue Kimberley (
We start the meeting after saying a prayer.
We are happy to
welcome Jérôme Pongi, Lay representative in
1.
APPROVAL OF THE REPORT OF THE MEETING APRIL 21-22 2007 at ISSOUDUN
- Rita will ask Father Jose Maria Alvares to have this report translated into Spanish.
2.
DISCUSSION ON THE ISSOUDUN CONGRESS
a) Rita :
- This was the very first time that the Lay, were considered equal partners by the Professed…We got the feeling of belonging to one great family.
- The mission became clearer.
- Re-discovery of Father Chevalier who underwent a slow transformation. We learned a lot about the lives of Mother Marie-Louise Hartzer and Father Hubert Linckens.
- Beautiful and moving wake at the basilica
- Panel chairman Nick
- We were happy to welcome Father Germaan Van Muylder
- Meeting of the Lay and the interested Professed to discuss the reality of the International Coordinating Team. We came to the conclusion that it would be better to put in order things on a provincial level first before installing continental Coordinating teams!
-
Important meeting between the
lay and Father Mark (MSC), Sister
Rosalia (FDNSC) and Sister Tess (MSC Sister).
b) Nick :
- Cordial and warm atmosphere. For the very first time, the Lay were able to do their fair share!
c) Stephani :
- Presentation: location – region – history to finish with the spirituality of our days…
- Focus on our identity and on the development of the three branches
- Importance of the book « Father Chevalier’s path of life », a true pilgrimage
- Beautiful pilgrimage at the end of the session: Issoudun – Paray-le-Monial – Mont Ste-Odile – Wissembourg (M.-Louise Hartzer). A commemorative plate was unveiled. Warm and cordial welcome.
-
On February 22, 2008 a ceremony
commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of Sister
Marie-Louise will be held in Thuin (
d) Mimi :
- Although she only stayed 1 week, she felt a strong unity which gave her the courage to go on…
-
Warm contact with one Sister
coming from
- Mentioned the Benin Group: strong difference between the NDSC Fraternity and the Lay.
e) Jérôme :
- 2nd time for him at Issoudun; the first time he attended the Cuskelly Congress where there was no Lay participation whatsoever. This time, however, an entire morning was reserved for three Lay speakers.
- Father Chevalier’s spirituality has to be “lived in everyday life”…it is more than a mere devotion.
- Thanks to his 12 years in the Congo Fraternity, he has come to a better understanding of a lot of things!
-
Profound debates, especially
the one with Sister Merle (the
- Story of Sister Marie-Louise Hartzer (who became sister after being a Lay); The Professed need to work with the Lay, they need each other!
3.
INTERNATIONAL MEETING IN THE
November, 15-24 2008
a)
Reading of the report on the visit to
- Objectives : change « debate on the creation of continental teams” into provincial teams.
- In 2008, The International Coordinating team will need a follow-up. Indeed, in case there are no continental coordinating teams, who is going to start up the groups after the meeting in Santo-Domingo?
- It is crucial to have all the names of the representatives or delegates of every continent! This enables us to stay in touch!
- Jérôme and Mimi think it is up to us to continue the work that has already been done.
- Louis, on the other hand, thinks that we may not generalize the fact that it is too early to create continental coordinating teams! On the contrary, this can push us to take action!
-
Both the
-
Beware of the mosquito bites!
-
Every delegation will have to bring its own (national) flag
b)
Programme of the meeting:
- It would be good to have some sort of daily and precise schedule for more cohesion…: conference (maximum 30 minutes) + reflection/contemplation time + sharing time (debate)
- It is important that the conferences be limited in time and speeches! In order not to strain the translators.
-
“Day of…”: every continent will
be given the opportunity to present itself and its activities. “How can we be
Heart of God…in
- The continent organising the “Day”, will also provide Morning Prayer and organise Mass.
- Conference by Norma: “Place of the Lay of the Chevalier Family within the world and Church”
- Excursion and beach: ”at what time on Wednesday 19.11.08?”
- Debate on the Charter: every day after the presentation of the Continents. The Charter and the questionnaires will be sent to all participants.
- Name: suggestion “Lay of the Jules Chevalier Family in the world”, in accordance with the Charter. Afterwards, the provinces will be free to make their own choice.
- Provide some information on Father Chevalier – M. Hartzer – P. Linckens
- Conference of Father Dario the first day: “Father Chevalier’s vision on Laity throughout the world!”
- Meeting with Cor Novum: “How can we benefit from it, what are the needs…”
- Presentation of the Tri-Generalats.
- Start up a small Internet team for the organisation.
-
Send an invitation to the new
Bishop (msc) of the
c)
Budget : cfr. The project of Louis
-
Average price:
300 euros ; travelling expenses excl.
- Fund for those who are not able to pay their participation? (cfr. Letter of Louis on the “Alain de Boismenu Friends”), patronage?
- Father Mark MacDonald will prepare a letter to send to possible sponsors.
-
Father Mark will contact Father
Andrés and the Lay of the
- Father Mark will send us a copy of a similar letter sent by Cor Novum.
- Rita will ask Father Andrés to contact Louis to discuss the financial aspects.
- Who is going to centralize the registrations? When do we expect payment? (how: cash, credit card, cheques?)
- Not mentioned on the budget are the costs for the excursions on the spot and the travelling expenses of the speakers…
d)
Pre-registration + Presentation of the meeting: cfr. Project of
Louis (not yet definite)
- Letter to the Lay representatives and to the Provincials
- Put together everything that has to do with “Life” (charter – name – continental teams )
-
Spiritual deepening
- Exchange with Cor Novum – the Generalats
- Rita will ask the 3 Generalats to send us the names of the provinces with active Lay.
- All correspondence will be treated by Louis, Father Andrès and Rita.
- Rita will ask Father Andrès the number of beds available :120 or 150?
- Translators/interpreters
- * Nick will contact Father John Coffin
- * We already have Sister Clara and Father Aloma
- * Has Father Andrés contacted others?
e) Plan
for day by Father Nick
* Welcoming speech
* check with the interpreters/translators
* General and practical information
* prayer (15 min.)
* conference
* introduction and presentation of the speaker
* presentation (30 min) (cf : note by Gerardine)
* (the text (in one of the 3 languages) will have to be sent to the secretariat prior to the meeting !)
* 5 minutes to process/absorb the information
* discussion in small language groups (15 to 20 min)
* discussion in plenary assembly (30 min)
4° FINANCIAL
QUESTIONS
- Louis presents the financial report by the end of October 2007
-
A special account has been
opened for the International Meeting “Santo Domingo 2008”. Starting capital:
the 10.000 Euro gift of the Lay Council of the France/Swiss Lay. This gift has
enabled us to cover the expenses Rita and Jozefa Meys (Belgian Lay) have made
for their trip to
5° NEXT MEETING:
February 16 - 17 2008 in Lyon (The