8th Meeting of the International Coordination

of the LAY MSC of the Chevalier Family

November 22-23, 2003 in MIRIBEL (France)

 

Present:
Sister Theresa MOLCHANOW, Rita CLEUREN, Marie-Blanche CORDONIER, Angeles FONDEVILA, Sister Sthephani ORLOWSKI, Louis JOLY, Sue KIMBERLEY, Mimi VAN POPPEL.
 
Excused:
Father Mark MACDONALD (hospitalised).

 

With our special thanks to Odile THOLLIN who helped us with the translations and to Nadette JOLY, Danièle PAROISSE and Béatrice FERREIRA for their hospitable welcome and confortable facilities.

 

  1. WORD OF WELCOME AND OPENING PRAYER BY LOUIS
Louis welcomes Sister Theresa who’s taking the place of Sister Suzanne during this weekend. She reads the messages of Father Michael CURRAN and Sister Suzanne after which we read a text taken from the Anthology of Father Chevalier (22.11).

 

  1. APPROVAL OF THE REPORT OF THE MEETING OF MARCH 1-2 2003 IN ISSOUDUN.
Under §1.b, the English word “vow” is replaced by “comittment”

 

  1. EXCHANGING INFORMATION
SPAIN
No considerable changes; the options chosen have not been changed.The Valencia group slightly differs from the other Spanish groups, due to its absence at the Issoudun meeting.

 

THE NETHERLANDS
 The MSC Fathers will sell their house in Tilburg and will move to another town. On December 8, a new member will take a comitment.
 
BELGIUM
In September, October and November, there were a lot of activities. New comitments in December.There is, however, some bad news: the Beernem retreat center will have to be sold, due to the decreasing number of young MSC Religious. Both MSC Lay and Religious are looking for a new location.
 
GERMANY
 Since the 2003 Issoudun meeting, there have already been two new meetings. This group does not only consist of Catholics, they share their way of living and believing.
 
ENGLAND
A close collaboration between the 3 MSC Religious and the Lay in order to establish a closer group of Lay MSC. Unfortunately, there have been no new members up till now. An information programme on the MSC Lay groups has been prepared and sent to six parish fathers for approval. The retreat center (5 Lay) has been redecorated thanks to the province support. The collaborating members are helped in their spiritual development.
 
FRANCE/SWITSERLAND
No great changes, they continue their activities of the MSC Fraternity and the Alain de Boismenu Community.Renewal of the Lay Council: Véronique DENIS will replace Louis JOLY as a co-ordinator. The new Council has the following objectives:

  1. Co-ordinating and inspiring the current situation of the Lay in the French/Suisse Province.
  2. Introducing common themes for the News letters and the weekends.
  3. Organising weekends for the 16 and 18 year olds.
  4. Organising a meeting once a year.
The choice of the European Co-ordination representatives: Louis JOLY and Marie-Blanche CORDONNIER.
 
 SLOVAKIA
Evaluation of their meeting that took place on Missionary Sunday (e-mail of Father Frank)
 
QUEBEC
Update of the statutes. We have not received this update on time, so it is not possible to discuss it now. Renewal on Lay level with Father Gérard HAMEL. The group has done some efforts to animate the Center of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. High number of new groups, among which one group of youngsters.
 
AUSTRALIA
Good information flow.
 
INDONESIA
Message of Milly KARMILA
 
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The group connected with the Sisters, is growing considerably and has celebrated its 11th anniversary. The relationship with the MSC Fathers is not always optimal. The Lay, on the other hand, are doing their outmost best to promote the group. These groups are in no way connected to one house. There are local meetings, next to common meetings that are held every year and reflection days. The formation is the same everywhere. The Newsletter consists of a spiritual reflection and a news part.Sister Theresa suggests to spread the spiritual reflection in the News letters all over the world.
 
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Collaboration between the four congregations: MSC Sisters – MSC Fathers – Daughters and another Sister congregation. The Lay groups consist of men and women and discuss themes on devotion for the Sacred Heart and for Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.
 
  1. EVALUATION OF THE EUROPEAN MEETING “ISSOUDUN 2003”

a)     Rita

-         the first meeting of the European continent was indeed very enriching. We have had the opportunity to share our experiences and to strengthen one another.

-         two preparatory meetings with Cor Novum would have been very useful

-         One week is indeed too short, but to have a meeting that lasts longer would be impossible to organise. It is therefore essential to thoroughly prepare the reunion.

-         It is a pity that there was not enough time left to sing together.

b)     Mimi

-         a very enthusiastic Dutch group

-         It was indeed an enriching week, yet there was the feeling that the organisation was not well prepared. We need more preparatory meetings.

-         There was not enough time left to discuss the statutes. A lot of questions are left unanswered.

c)      Angeles

-         very good meeting for those who came to Issoudun for the first time. They had the opportunity to discover the basilica and to get to know Father Chevalier.

-         It is clear that formation is needed and useful!

-         Opportunity to compare one’s own experience of the Charisma with the experience of the other participants

d)     Marie-Blanche

-         The presence in the hall enhanced the exchange of useful information

-         Celebrations: very intense

-         Generosity of other countries

-         Preparation should have been more intense

-         Suggestion to have a one week meeting: from Sunday night to Saturday

e)     Sue

-         The discussion of the Statutes should be put at the beginning of the meeting (people are to tired at the end).

f)        Sister Stephanie

-         It is essential that spirituality be discussed: the way Nick HARNAN talked about the subject, appealed to her.

-         Not enough time to discuss the text of the three Generalats: it would be nice to spend more time on this text in the future.

g)     Louis

-         large gap between the text of the three generalats and the current situation of the Lay of the French/Suisse province. This text should be discussed within the own Lay reality before discussing it with the congregations!

 

Sister Theresa suggests talking about this text at the December meeting of the three generalats, in order to enable them to give us some instructions on how to read and use it!

 

Sister Stephanie asks a question about the autonomy and independence of the Lay with regard to the congregations.

 

  1. STATUTES

a)     At Father Michael CURRAN’s request, the draft of the statutes will be presented to Father DOSSMAN in Rome who’s an expert in canon law. Article 7 is the only article needing an adjustment.

b)     The remarks made by Hannie and by the Dutch participants have been discussed with M. LEPINE; the necessary adjustments will be taken up in the final text.

c)      Social seat: at Provincial Daniel AUGUIE’s request, we received the following answer: “To have the social seat in Issoudun or Indre, would indeed not be very sensible”. This answer does not lead us anywhere! The question will be asked to the three Generalats: Sister Theresa will discuss it during the December meeting. Louis, on the other hand, will have to contact Sister Suzanne to lend her the further details.

d)     After the Sunday morning talk, we agreed on the following conclusions:

 

  1. CONCLUSION

a)     Impossible to install the “Association” today

b)     Louis will send the report of our discussions to Sister Suzanne. In the report, he will make clear that Issoudun remains the most favourable location for the social seat. The question will be asked to the 3 Generalats.

c)      The definition of the Statutes still needs to be studied in depth on the basis of the remarks of the Dutch participants. The text will be drawn up in French. Translations will follow.

d)     Once the address of the social seat has been determined, a constituent assembly for the Association will be proposed.

 

  1. ANSWERS TO THE REMARKS OF THE NETHERLANDS

p.1: Nomination: no decision just yet
p.1: Preface: with only the previous history and an introduction to the Statutes. The MSC Fraternity is quoted here because it is the soul unity with a legal personality with Statutes deposited in Rome
Art.1: the undersigned (cf. art.6)
Art. 2: the spirituality of the Chevalier Family is maintained! “Loyal to its Founder’s charisma”
Art. 6: a representative of the Formation and Spirituality Center of Cor Novum
Art. 7: add: - dismissal (cfr. Adjustment of Father DOSSMAN)
Art. 9: Support Committee: to install a Committee that can lend a financial support and that can help finding voluntary workers for the organisation of the activities
Art. 10: meaning: in absentia of the president, the most competent person will preside the meeting
Art. 12: All members = all members of the “Association” (Committee)
 

  1. WEBSITE
Needs to be adjusted to the current situation.The E-group should work regularly; otherwise it will be shut down.

 

                        NEXT MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION

March 27 – 28      MADRID