9th International Coordination of the LAY MSC of
the Chevalier Family
November
26-28, 2004 in MIRIBEL (France)
Present :
Rita CLEUREN, (Belgium) ; Angeles FONDEVILA, (Spain) ; Louis JOLY,
(France) ; Sue KIMBERLEY, (England) ; Father Mark MACDONALD, (Cor
Novum) ; Odile PIGNAT (in stead of Marie-Blanche CORDONIER,
Switzerland) ; Mimi VAN POPPEL (Holland).
Excused: Sister Suzanne
Absent: Sister Stéphanie for
Germany.
With our special thanks
to Odile THOLLIN and Father MACDONALD who both helped us with the translations
and to Nadette JOLY and Cécile JOLY for their hospitable welcome and comfortable
facilities. Cécile was willing to replace our loyal member, Danièle PAROISSE
who is recovering from a traffic accident.
Friday
November 26: 18.00h
Word of welcome by
Louis. He reads the messages of Sister Thérésa and Marie-Blanche who both wish
us a successful and pleasant meeting.
Prayer on the Scripture of the Day
Lc 21, 29-33
Adopted unanimously with special
thanks to Marie-Blanche.
SPAIN
a. One associated Lay
passed away in July
b. Some associated Lay,
helped by the MSC, have prepared an important text that will be submitted for
approval to the Provincial. After approval, the text will be passed on to us.
c. Thanks to MSC, Sue is
taking up a spiritual formation which will enable her to work in the reflection
Centre.
|
February 14-15 |
Weekend organised for young Families at “Open Heart” Beernem; Theme
“Valentine-alternative”. |
|
March 19, 20 and 21 |
MSC Symposium in Beernem on the occasion of the 150th MSC anniversary
“Spirituality of the Heart” organised by the three MSC Branches of the
Chevalier Family; with speakers both from Flanders and Holland. |
|
August 23 -27 |
Chapter of the MSC Religious in Beernem. Two Lay MSC attended the
Chapter as “observers”. It is important to know that both MSC Religious and
Lay feel the need to meet, to support each other…in particular, those who
live alone or who do parish work. |
|
August 29 |
“Thank You” Day in Beernem at the “Open Heart” closure. Thankful and
joyful for all the good things which will enable us to go on TOGETHER. The Lay MSC moved to a new home in Herent (Germaan Van Muylder). |
|
September 26 |
Annual MSC Meeting Day in Asse. Theme “Heart in the World: 150th
anniversary”. Els De Temmerman informed us about the child soldiers. |
|
October 8, 9 and 10 |
Weekend for young families in Vaalbeek. Theme “Can Mary come to visit
us”? This was our first meeting in a “strange” house. |
|
December 3, 4 and 5 |
Commitment Weekend in Opwijk. Theme “To live from, be moved by, pray
with Psalms!” led by Mieke Deconinck, Lay MSC. Annual commitments. |
|
December 8 |
Closing celebration of 150 years of MSC in Borgerhout. 10 Lay MSC and 10 Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. |
The Steering Committee gathers
every three months.
The five smaller groups gather every month in the MSC Houses.
Newsletter “Did you know?” is published every three months.
Lay participation in the MSC Commissions “Spirituality”, “Justice and
Peace” and “Media”.
Formation activities planned for
2005
|
March 5 and 6 |
Weekend for young families in Vaalbeek |
|
March 11, 12 and 13 |
Weekend in Holland (Tilburg). Theme “Human Dignity” |
|
July 1, 2 and 3 |
Reflection days for the Lay MSC in Malle. Theme “How can Lay MSC be
“fire places”? |
|
July 11-22 |
Trip to Norway. |
a. Several meetings were
organised around December 8, on the occasion of the 150th
anniversary of MSC
b. A meeting day will be
organised for youngsters, elderly and MSC Members.
c. An exhibition will be
organised by the Lay.
d. A joined celebration in
Sittard, with the two Arnhem Lay (there are only two members left in Arnhem).
e. As there are no MSC
left in their parish, they no longer have a meeting place; they have found
another place in another parish.
f.
Arnhem has kept its House which has become not only the meeting place for
all members, but also for other people. They celebrated “50 years of Mission”
in their country.
g. A Booklet will be
published four times a year.
h. Three evening meetings
on the theme “How to meditate?”
i.
The Netherlands have about 30 associated Lay.
FRANCE/SWITZERLAND
a. The Lay Council
organised one weekend in Sion for a celebration for all members.
b. Due to the closure of
the Alain de Boismenu Centre, France has lost a number of members. There’s
still a Fraternity responsible for the Friday afternoon Adoration and the
support to the Bethanie House run by Louise Belval.
c. Recent difficulties:
severe accident of Danièle and the health problems of a few other members.
d. The Lay Council
maintains the contacts between the MSC Fraternity and the Alain de Boismenu
Community by means of a common newsletter published every month.
e. The number of members
of the MSC Fraternity, which was founded at Christmas 1972 in Switzerland, has
considerably decreased: one Fraternity in Valais consisting of 10 members, one
in Geneva counting 4 members. Ray of hope: in Aigle, a group of 6 members has
been started up thanks to the charisma of Agnès; another group of 4 started up
in Paris. Once a month we come together to exchange our experiences presented
by the theme of the letter, spiritual sharing during mass and fraternal dinner.
These meetings encourage us to live our common device: “To be Heart of God here
on earth”. Still, due to the great distances between the members, we do not
have a common task.
OTHER
COUNTRIES
The MSC group of Quebec has organised formation sessions
for several groups.
Louis has equally received news
from Australia: a booklet on the
charisma of Father Chevalier and the Lay (in English)
Canada: booklets made by the
Lay “Following Jesus’ footsteps”
Brazil (e-mail information by
Norma)
New address: nsalgado@pfe.microlink.com.br
a. The great distances, the
lack of finances and the fact that only few people have internet access makes
it hard to work in Brazil!
b. Still, there’s a clear
enthusiasm and dynamism during the meetings and the activities of the
Fraternities.
c. 6 communities in Rio de
Janeiro
d. 4 communities in the
State of Rio de Janeiro
e. 2 communities in the
State of Minas Gerais.
f.
Every three months, there’s a meeting with the communities of the State of
Rio de Janeiro.
g. Sometimes a person of
Sao Paulo takes part in the meeting.
h. Four times a year, the
community of Norma takes part in a catechism course (both for adults and
youngsters); during the weekend.
i.
Between 60 and 90 persons followed the course on the “First communion”.
Amongst them, 28 MSC Lay that took up each a number of tasks.
j.
In Rio, the community of Norma is equally involved in another youngster
community
k. In October 2004, the
MSC Lay organised a National Congress on the occasion of the MSC anniversary
(300 participants with 150 Lay). Father Michael Curran and Father Joaquin
Herrerea also took part in the Congress.
SLOVAKIA
a. A small calendar with
pictures taken during the activities was published by the MSC Lay.
b. On December 4, a few
MSC Lay have expressed their vows.
c. Louis JOLY received
some photographs.
Saturday,
November 27, 04
Prayer: Scripture of the Day: Lc
21-34-36
The agenda will be changed: Item 3
will be treated at the 2006 International meeting.
1. As Lay associated to
a religious Congregation and/or religious congregations, we all belong to the Prophetic dimension of Church, the
so-called charismatic dimension. Church has its own hierarchic dimension:
bishops, priests, religious…Church organises, controls and takes the decisions…
The prophetic dimension
is a reminder of the Church’s true mission: spreading the Gospel outside the
Church (ex. The mighty Pope Innocent II, becomes H. Franciscan with his love
for poverty).
Fathers belong to both
dimensions, but often tend to forget their prophetic dimension.
Our prophetic role, as
a participant to the MSC Charisma is to spread God’s word: showing Christ’s
true face to the world through gospel: the blessed heart of Jesus.
2. Spirituality of the
Heart: our spirituality comes from the very depths of our hearts; we need to go
back to these very depths.
3. Our spirituality is
a spirituality of Incarnation. We know that we always feel the desire to be
close to the ones we love. The more love we feel, the greater desire we feel to
be close to that person. We know very well that God loves us for he has done
everything to live amongst us. And the LORD said, I
have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard
their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 8
And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians…”
(Ex.3.7s.) “I will be with my people and they will be my people”. He is a God
that wants to live with us. Jesus’ Incarnation is something dynamic. All his
life, he has become more and more human. He has accepted all human limitations,
our weaknesses, until His death which is the most difficult part of being a
human being…All this because He wants to be with us, to love us forever…
4. In Church, we are
often losing this spirituality of the Heart. Sometimes we are far away from
this spirituality…Here are some texts showing us this spirituality:
-
the Good Villain: “Remember me…for today we will be together in Paradise…”
-
The Good shepherd who left everything behind to look for the lost sheep;
took it on his shoulders…
-
The Good Samaritan…
5. Questions: “How do I
see Jesus?” Vision of the blessed Heart of Jesus, of the Good shepherd, the
Good Samaritan? “Do I live the Incarnation?:
desire to be together with, compassion, obedience till death, not a servile
obedience, but obedience out of love. What
inspires me? Where does my spiritual energy come from?
Reflection on the text
“The Lay Branch of Father Chevalier” by Father Curran, based on the text of the
three Generalates: What advice would you give to a father who wants to start up
a group of Lay associates?”
Animated discussion, a
lot of good advice showing that the situation is far from being easy…the road
is long to “safeguard the specific lay characteristics of the movement, without
becoming too elitist or being left out”.
Note: At the moment the Alain de Boismenu Centre was closed,
Louis was asked to draw up statutes for the creation of an association. This
has been done with the help of a jurist from Lyon and an expert in Lay
associations with religious congregations, M Lépine. During the first meeting
of the Lay Coordination, these statutes have been changed. Father Curran
suggested to present them to a jurist in canon law: Father Dossman. The
Coordination has gathered all changes. This latest version has to be adopted
today. Afterwards, the text can be transmitted to the three Generalates.
The French text is
legally correct. The English version has been checked by a jurist; the Spanish
text was translated by Father José, but has not yet been checked by a jurist.
PREAMBLE: Remark: some people
are not happy with the omission of the word “Heart”. But as this text is merely
legal and the word appears in the Charter, the Preamble is adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE 1: the Association is an
association governed by the French law. All religious associations are governed
by the law dated July1st 1901.
The word ASSOCIATION is left out:
text: “An association is created governed by the law dated July 1st
1901 and named “Laity of the Chevalier Family in Europe”. The modified article
1 is adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE 2: adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE 3: The list of “means”,
should it be in order of importance? It is best to take up as much as possible
in order not to restrict the association. Priorities can differ in each
country. Adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE 4: During the meeting in Issoudun in 2003, it was
decided to establish the seat of the association in Issoudun, but the
Provincial did not agree with this proposal. Rome was asked to give its advice
and proposed the following “Eglise du Mas-Rillier-Miribel (01700).
Mgr Bagnard, Bishop of
Belley-Ars, accepted the proposal.
Although this solution
does not seem to be a durable or normal solution, it does allow us to begin our
activities! And then there is the phrase: “The seat may be transferred at any
time, by simple decision of the Executive Committee”. Adopted unanimously.
ARTICLES 5 and 6: adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE 7: the meaning of the 3rd
term should be asked to Father Dossman: “withdrawal of the authority to act as
representative by the bodies represented” (the person involved is asked to give
account within a delay of 15 days). Checking with Father Dossman whether this
term should be formulated otherwise or be explained in detail. The article with
the introduced changes will be adopted
unanimously.
ARTICLES
8 and 9: adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE
10:
Phrase “…or falling this, the most diligent member of the Executive Committee…”
the adjective “diligent” is indeed a problem. Can it not be changed into “ the
member of the Committee replacing him…”
3rd § “…addressed to
the– add “Association’s” – members”
fifteen days before the date of the meeting.
The modified article is adopted unanimously.
ARTICLES
11 and 12: “having consulted the three generalates” is added: adopted
unanimously.
ARTICLE
13: “for
a second term” is added: adopted
unanimously.
ARTICLE
14:
same remark as for the word “diligent”: to be checked with M. Lépine; “Having consulted the three generalates”
is added. The article is adopted
unanimously.
ARTICLES
15 and 16: adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE
17:
all outgoing members may stand for reappointment, but no more than five terms. adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE
18:
correction: “all payment and all income”: adopted
unanimously.
ARTICLE
19:
correction “all resource which are not prohibited”: adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE
20: adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE
21:
correction: “having consulted the three generalates”: adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE
22:
the article and its modification “to one or more other Associations of the Chevalier Family” is adopted unanimously.
ARTICLE
23:
the verb “can” was replaced by “has to”: adopted
unanimously.
ARTICLE
24: adopted unanimously.
After having received the further
explanations of M. Lépine and Father Dossman, the final statutes adopted by the
International MSC Lay of the Chevalier Family on November 27, will be sent to
all members present, to Sister Suzanne and to the three Generalates which have
their meeting in January 2005.
After this hard work, we are happy
to celebrate mass with Louise, together with the people living in her Centre.
We have dinner with them and we go for a walk in the beautiful medieval city of
Pérouges.
Sunday
November 28 2004
INTERNATIONAL
MEETING IN 2006?
Spain: agrees with the
proposal, but the meeting should not be organised in August. The 1999 meeting
was very profound. We discussed important themes as formation and spirituality.
The
Netherlands: ok, but it is rather expensive. Often the same people that are
interested. It is hard to stay focussed one week.
Belgium: it is important to
have international meetings, to create a “family feeling”. Still, there must be
other things we can do with the other continents…establishing better
relationships with them. Also financial problem.
England: it is good to have
international meetings. Still our group is too small and there are people
unable to travel. Maybe we can wait a little bit longer; still 18 months to go…
Cor Novum: it is a pity that
there are no other groups in the other continents. It would be good to look for
leaders on each continent as soon as possible! Issoudun would be suitable, but
the Dominican Republic can also host a large number of people!
Switzerland: it is hard to decide
in the name of the Swiss Representative, since she has never participated in a
great event. Still, the Swiss that were present at the 1999 meeting were very
enthusiastic!
France: it is very important
to come together in these days!
If we agree to have the next
meeting in 2006, the preparation should start as soon as possible! In 1995, we
asked to establish intercontinental relations. The meeting in 2006 would enable
us to have a continental coordination.
Location: Issoudun, Brazil or
Santo-Domingo? Norma suggested Santo-Domingo that has a lot of experience in
organising great events.
Rita and Louis will contact all
our correspondents; they will call Norma to check with her whether St-Domingo
will be able to organise an international meeting in 2006. A copy of the letter
will be sent to the three Generalates and the Provincials.
Suggestions:
·
Spirituality and formation
·
Charter and continental coordinations
·
Relationship between the different countries
CONTACTS
WITH THE OTHER CONTINTAL COMMITTEES
There are no contacts for the
moment. It is advisable to contact all persons we know via the Internet, every
two months.
MAILS:
-
difficult for the translations
-
update of the data: the addresses change all the time
-
a lot of messages are not passed on. No responses
-
the provincials will be asked to transmit the name of the persons
responsible for each country.
-
Rita will try again to maintain personal contacts.
INTERNET
SITE
Our subscription should
be renewed. There are some difficulties in the connection between the sites of
Rome and the France/Swiss Province. They are not really up to date. We have
asked to change the name of the Alain de Boismenu Centre, but we haven’t
received any response.
Cor Novum is asked to
continue the formation for the 2nd year. We know that Quebec,
Slovakia, the Netherlands and South Africa were very enthusiastic about the
course of the 1st year.
The three Generalates
all have their own media group. Father Mac Donald will discuss the Internet
site issue with the three Generalates. We should find a Lay volunteer, a person
who has worked in the computer business. Mimi will contact someone she knows: a
teacher who speaks several languages and who will be able to manage the site.
The person can work at any place,
but should be able to stay in close contact with Cor Novum and the Coordination
in order to know which texts should be put on the site.
FINANCIAL
SITUATION
Louis presented the accounts: the
International Council has a budget of €11.874,78. The budget of the
France/Swiss Council: € 20.177,45? The accounts are adopted unanimously. We thank Louis for his work!
Every country should have a closer
look at its financial situation. The funds should be used for formation and
meetings. Do not forget that a meeting such as this one costs 2.000 à 3.000
euro, all depending on transport expenses, food and the rental price of the
location.
Suggestions:
·
Each country covers the travelling expenses of its members
·
Each country makes a contribution. How much?
·
Ask for a contribution to the three Generalates?
·
Ask for a contribution to people who understand our spirituality?
·
…
VARIOUS
·
Next meeting in England?
·
Warm thanks to Louis and Nadette.
NEXT MEETING: June 10-12 2005 in
Miribel. If M. Lépine has the time for us on Saturday, we would start our
meeting on Saturday. Otherwise we start on Friday.
Vouvry, December 27 2007
Odile Pignat