North Haledon (United States of America). From 21 to 23 March 2025, 25 Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, Temporary Professed of the NAC Interprovincial Conference, coming from different communities in the United States and Canada, met at North Haledon, near the see of the SEC Province, for a formation weekend
Before the formation weekend, many of them had participated in an evening of adoration for young people in the Diocese of Brooklyn (NY), where Sister Jessica Castillo, FMA, shared her testimony with the young people present.
Saturday 22 March, Sister Katie Flanagan and Sister Christina Chong led a workshop on the Theology of the body, deepened by Saint John Paul II through a cycle of catechesis that explores human sexuality and the gift that every person is called to be. Sister Katie and Sister Christina introduced the Theology of the body through the perspective of the vocation to consecrated life. The theme was deepened with moments of prayer and reflection, as well as with sharing experiences lived in class and working with young people.
Sunday 23, The sisters concluded their formation weekend with a practical workshop, during which they developed lesson plans on the Theology of the body adapted to the different apostolic realities of the NAC, ranging from a retreat for middle schools, focused on the goodness of the body, short lessons for second-graders on how to welcome your body as a gift from God. The young FMA then prayed a special Rosary on the theme of the Theology of the body and participated in a final presentation where this theme was seen from the perspective of Salesian life and the Marian dimension.
Throughout the weekend, the Provincial of Mary Immaculata Province (SUO), Sister Thuy Huong, President of the NAC Conference, and Sister Colleen Clair, Provincial of Saint Joseph Province (SEC), made themselves available for personal meetings with the young Sisters. The group also had a meeting with the Bishop of Brooklyn, Msgr. Robert John Brennan.
The weekend ended with adoration and an expression of gratitude for all those who helped make this time of formation so rich and meaningful.
Da FMA anziana, dico un “brave” dal cuore. La nostra missione è grande. Voi operate, noi ci mettiamo la preghiera; andate avanti con gioia, entusiasmo, sicure nell’azione dello Spirito, con Voi. Dall’Italia, la preghiera!