In a complex society, marked by the rapidity of change, fragmentation and contradiction, we are called to live a relational strategy aimed at energising all to express the prophetic fruitfulness of the Charism (Cf. RIC. Pg.151).

As members of the Provincial Team, entrusted with the task of coordination ‘in’ and ‘for’ the communion supporting the Provincial Council, gathered at Kodambakkam for our first meeting at the start of this academic year 2013-14. We were happy to have our dear Mother Provincial and her Council with us. Sr.Arul Mary lead us into prayer and helped us to experience the joy of belonging to God’s own family and to assume with renewed vigour our responsibility to build a home for our homeless young and women of our world. It was very striking, during prayer moment, to listen to the voice of the young people and their understanding of what is a home – home is a place where one experiences warmth of human love, acceptance and freedom. After the prayer moment Sr.Josephine Rani Susai, the General coordinator, welcomed our Mother Provincial, Councillors and the Team members both FMAs and the laity. She narrated to us a short story – of a husband who forgave his careless wife whose son died consuming a medicine meant for adult – highlighting the need for forgiveness and magnanimity to build a home overcoming the tendency to blame one another.  She then invited our Mother Provincial to inspire us with her reflection. At the very start she welcomed the new team members Sr.Sampooranam Rayappan as VIDES coordinator, Mr.Amalraj from Puliadithammam for VIDES, Mrs.Brittula from Chennai for Women Group coordination. She expressed her thanks to Sr.Kulandai Teresa for the service rendered in the past years as a Team member. Mother Provincial thanked all the members for their contribution towards the success of World Gratitude Day. She exhorted us to lead a coherent life, witnessing community life so that we may become a home that evangelizes with and for the young people of today. She spoke to us with the zeal of a mother to evangelize ourselves first, to become ‘good news’ for the world.

Then we went into sector vice groups and presented the plan for the year after a short break we divided ourselves into 3 different groups and studied the document ‘Youth Ministry Series n.7/2013’ on “Educating to Gratuitousness and journey to volunteering as educational strategy”. We gathered again after the lunch break and shared with the entire group the action plan drawn in different groups. It was decided that we send the action plan to the communities. Around 3.00 pm. we went into groups again and studied the Preparatory Document. It was significant in as much as the lay collaborators were involved in the study of the document. We shared in the general assembly all that we discussed in our groups so that everyone came to know in synthesis what is in the document. After this, Mother Provincial exhorted us to organize well the meetings and be faithful to the time frame and to facilitate better participation of the sisters in all the initiatives taken by the Province. Sr.Josephine Rani then thanked our Mother Provincial, the sisters of the council and the team members. Sr.Alphonse Yettukuri, the vice Provincial, thanked Sr.Josephine Rani Susai for having organized well the day’s programme and appreciated her for her enthusiasm and commitment. The meeting was ended singing the hymn of thanksgiving to the Lord. Mother Provincial offered to each one of us a key chain and a chocolate as a token of her love and appreciation for each one of us. How beautiful it is to promote a culture of encounter!

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