Arteaga (Mexico). From 3 to 7 September 2024, at Mary Help of Christians Spirituality Center in Arteaga, Coahuila, of Mother of the Church Province (MMO), the Seminar “For a generative animation” was held for the CIMAC Interprovincial Conference of Mexico, West Indies, and Central America, the penultimate of the six-year program.
The Provincials, the Provincial Councilors, and those responsible for the different Sectors of the MMO, MME, ANT, HAI, CAR, CAM Provinces gathered in the presence of Mother Chiara Cazzuola, of the Vicar, Sister María del Rosario García Ribas and some General Councilors of the Sectors: Sister Nilza Fatíma de Moraes (Formation), Sister Leslie Sándigo (Salesian Family), Sister Ruth del Pilar Mora (Missions), Sister Maria Ausilia De Siena (Social Communication), Sister Ena Veralís Bolaños (Administration), Sister Phyllis Neves (Visiting Councilor), who animated the Seminar.
All the moments of the Seminar, as well as the methodology provided, favored the good progress of the meeting, alternating presentations and work with prayer times in the light of the Word of God, through lectio divina led by Sister Maria Ko according to the theme of the day: Authority, Synodality, Generativity.
The charismatic word of the Mother illuminated every aspect of the reflection, helping the participants to make the service of animation and government as Provincial Councils concrete in daily life. Each day was enriched by the presence of an expert speaker on the theme of the day, starting with Fr. Pascual Chávez Villanueva, Rector Major emeritus who, through video, deepened the concept of authority by basing it on the Word of God and nourishing it with Salesian tradition.
The second day was enriched by the presence of Sister María de los Dolores Palencia Gómez, from the Congregation of Saint Joseph of Lyon and participant in the Synod on Synodality, who with great experience and wisdom introduced the group to the journey of the universal Church, especially the Latin American Church, focusing on synodality. Her intervention was profound and rich in hope, with the invitation to walk together with the whole Church and with the people of God, overcoming difficulties.
Prof. Bernardo Toro, Colombian, on the third day deepened the theme “Care, paradigm of the new civilization, element for a new vision of the world”, showing that the culture of care becomes a reality when we consider the person in his/her dignity and take care of creation, a daily commitment to guarantee a habitable world for future generations.
The Seminar was also characterized by sharing in small groups, where the Sisters fraternally discussed their hopes, labors, experiences, and joys, always closely accompanied by the General Councilors. The dynamics, in addition to contributing to a sensitization on the themes, ‘shed light’ on concrete ways of conversion and co-responsible commitment in animation and governance in a synodal style, always in fidelity to the Charism.
The time dedicated to sharing work between sectors was really ‘unprecedented’. It was a space to ‘listen’, know and/ or recognize, share, value, thank. It is necessary to express special thanks to those who guarantee the life of the Institute in every Sector and to those who collaborate in the care of unity and fidelity to the charism.
A uniqueness of the meeting was the presence of the Novices of the Novitiates of the Interprovincial Novitiate St. Mary Domenica Mazzarello of CIMAC, together with the Formator, Sister Verónica Gutiérrez, and the Assistant, Sister Luz Aurora García, who made themselves available for various services, in addition to sharing their talents in moments of prayer and fraternity.
Fr. José Luis Plascencia Moncayo, Salesian of Don Bosco of the MEG Province, also offered his fraternal presence and spiritual contribution, celebrating the Eucharist and the sacrament of Reconciliation. On 5 September, the Eucharist was animated by the songs of the girls from Casa Familia Pepita de Valle Arizpe in Saltillo, Coahuila who, together with some teenagers from the Instituto de Valle Arizpe, an FMA school, organized a party for everyone.
The 33 participants expressed their gratitude for the living example of “a presence that generates life” in the simple and fraternal closeness of Mother Chiara and the Councilors present, as well as Sister Runita Borja, through video, in sharing by Sectors. In each of them, they heard and received God’s blessing.
The Seminar was a profound experience of fraternity, sharing, and formation, to live with joy and co-responsibility the service of animation and government, in awareness of the journey of conversion initiated at a personal level – as Province and as CIMAC – to make the presence of the FMA more significant, more synodal, and, above all, to sow life in the Communities and among the young people.
Photos: Flickr FMA
