0. Introduction
“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same
function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one
another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if
prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches in his
teaching.” (Romans 12: 4 – 7)
We recognize with joy that the Spirit leads us and makes us feel that the charism of
Charity made Hospitality with which Blessed Maria Rafols and Venerable Juan Bonal
shared their lives to the people of God and it is also given to other persons of different
states of life and calls them to live it in communion as charismatic family.
It is a new form of fraternal sharing and collaborating, both religious and laity united, in
esteem and mutual respect of the specific vocation of each one, which is different but
at the same time complementary, which favors and helps to carry out an authentic
exchange of gifts for a reciprocal enrichment, thus to construct, fraternally united, the
Kingdom of God in the world. Together, religious and laity will know to develop better
the great richness of our Charism offering to the Church and to the world a testimony of
communion and fraternity, witnessing with joy and transparency , the face of God,
who is our Father, and calls all of us to become part of his family.
“Today many institutions have come to the conclusion that their Charism can be shared
with the laity. The laity is therefore invited to share more intensely in the spirituality and
mission of these Institutes. We may say that, in the light of certain historical
experiences such as those of the Secular or Third Orders, ‘a new chapter, rich in hope,
has begun in the history of relations between consecrated persons and the laity.’’ VC
54
1. Foundation (with the definition of St. Anne’s Family and who are the
members).
“Now there are varieties of gift, but the same spirit; and there are varieties of service,
but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who
activates all of them in everyone.” 1Cor 12:4-7
The charismatic gift which we have received from the Spirit has been granted to other
people who, in diverse ways, are in communion with the Congregation, forming with it
the Saint Anne’s Family (SAF). (Cons 9)
St. Anne’s Family is a family of the children of God who through their service and
collaboration with Sisters, bring all diversity into one and strengthen the mission of the
Universal Church by offering themselves genuinely and generously. Therefore it’s an
invitation of the Spirit to the members of St. Anne’s Family to share the Spirit and
Charism of the congregation of Sisters of Charity of St. Anne.
SAF should be inclusive, not exclusive. Those who aspire to be members could be of any
age, sex, religion, language, caste etc. The underlining quality is Love of God which
should translate into love of neighbour. The spark ignited in the members must become
a blazing fire of love for others because God loves us.
“For what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit one’s soul?” Mk 8: 36
2. Characteristics (Traits) of the Laity of St. Anne’s Family
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Have sound moral and value system in one's lives by leading and setting an
exemplary life
Willingness to undergo formation at all levels...human, moral, spiritual, emotional
and psychological.
Available to all without any bias with sincere commitment.
Readiness to take risk by practicing hospitality.
Spirit of team work and unity.
Acceptance of one’s own limitations and team’s successes and failures.
Practice of simplicity, humility, patience and hard work.
Use fair means in all situations.
Giving of oneself without any expectation.
Be flexible and broad minded.
Be responsible to the work that is assigned.
Being dynamic, creative and innovative.
Trust in the Congregation and the members of St. Anne’s Family.
Identify one-self with our Founders and carry out their legacy.
Explicit Proclamation of God’s message and Evangelization.
Ignite the spark of Charity that SCSA has as its Universal Charity.
Nourishing oneself with the Word of God and daily prayers.
3. Criteria of belongingness (being clear that it is a personal option).
SAF lay members are those who feel one with the community, but are unable to
participate actively in its life and projects but are willing to give their collaboration
through means of economical help, participation in sporadic activities and other
events.(relatives and friends of the Religious, benefactors, friends of the local
communities, alumni of our institutions, occasional collaborators, staff…)
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Willingness to live the charism of the Congregation.
Love for the poor and active participation in uplifting the needy with profound
understanding and compassion.
Having a feeling of family and share with the Sisters the mission which will facilitate
working together.
Open to face the new challenges without being discouraged or disappointed.
Sense of patience and perseverance.
Giving joyful witness of being SAF to the society.
Willing to undergo formation to build the common House of Hospitality and Charity
where we have a common language and structure.
Possessing enthusiasm and creative imagination to answer to ‘the new poverties’ of
today.
Promoting preservation and respect for life not only for human person but of all
living creatures as well
Adopting eco-friendly life style, being responsible in the use of resources, respecting
and caring for the Mother Earth.
Pooling the efforts with an attitude of collaboration and interchange of gifts in order
to make this world a better place.
Assuming the Kingdom values in their life and have coherence in their personal,
family, social and ecclesial life.
Reciprocal relationship between the individual member of SAF and the Congregation.
Admitting the people of other faith if they are willing to be part of SAF and
collaborate with us.
A policy to be followed in admitting to SAF:
Keeping in mind adequate time and formation required; following the Jesus' method to
Nathanael, Andrew and James. 'Come and see’. Jn 1: 46.
4. Ways of participation and commitment.
The SAF is destined towards participation in the divine life, through personal
participation in and through the mission of SCSA, which results in a deep and lasting
service to the humanity, “since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this
ministry”.( 2 Cor4:1)
“It is therefore necessary to inspire in all the faithful a true longing for holiness, a deep
desire for conversion and personal renewal in a context of ever more intense prayer and
of solidarity with one’s neigbour, especially the most poor.” (VC 39)
The following points could help us in different ways to participate in a more effective
and tangible manner:
 Witnessing God’s love through the Charism of Charity
 Being compassionate and merciful to our brothers and sisters who have less in life.
 Willingness to work as a family
 Collaborating in the ministries and fields of the Congregation
 Sharing the responsibilities and Charism of the Congregation in various activities
such as:
 Formation
 Home visits
 Social outreach programs
 Gift giving
 Medical camps, attending the sick and suffering
 Visiting the prisoners, elderly, orphans, blind, deaf and dumb, differently
abled (physically and mentally challenged), the poor…
 Special attention to girl child education and women empowerment, thus motivate
them to be self-sufficient and self-reliant.
 Visiting the families and friends of SAF especially at the time of demise (death) or
any other calamities specially those who don't have any one.
 As children of God attend and visit religious and other denomination
activities/ceremonies, without hurting any religious traditions or rituals.
 Being generous and available, sharing the talents, resources, effort, time and
giftedness.
 Readiness to work in team and to take responsibilities.
 Willingness to make a change for better in the place wherever we are through our
life and service.
 Respect and accept each other irrespective of differences (social, economic, religion,
region…)
 Both religious and laity to work in team for the exercise of co-responsibility.
 Cordial ways of interaction
 Purity of intention when we offer help
 Practice of hospitality up to the point of Heroism
 Coherence between Love and justice (treat everyone equally)
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Expressing the love of God in a radical way starting from one´s own families,
neighbourhood, work place, parish and society at large.
Praying for all those who are in need specially SAF, well-wishers, benefactors…
Deepening the Word of God and of the Congregation
Working hand in hand with the Church’s mission and program.
5. Criteria of functioning (channels of relationships and communication and
of structures. It is essential that a joint commission exists)
The following outline could help the SAF to function smoothly and effectively:
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To have regular meeting- once a month in local level and if possible once a year at
province level.
These meetings give an occasion to exchange ideas and to grow as a group.
To promote spiritual, social, cultural, human and intellectual interaction among its
members.
Channels of Relationship and Communications (WhatsApp, twitter, mass media,
video Conferences, internet, tele Communication, website … )
SAF participate with the local religious communities: Congregational feasts, prayer
meetings, important events and the Liturgical seasons of the year.
Short-term and long-term planning. Monthly/yearly planning. (Formation, projects,
commitments, celebrations…)
SAF receives specific responsibilities in the activities of the Congregation.
To organize the Retreat/ Recollection ( once - twice a year)
To collect a monthly love offering, fund raising through various activities and these
proceeds will be used for the social outreach programs.
As children of God attend and visit religious and other denomination
activities/ceremonies, without hurting any religious traditions or rituals.
Enhance congregational knowledge by studying life and mission of the founders,
first sisters and expansion of the congregation.
Provide books/articles/handouts etc… to SAF to interiorize the life and mission of
the founders and congregation.
Create homely atmosphere where one feels free to express and clarify issues.
To arrange for an outing (picnic) once a year.
Evaluation – yearly.
SAF Structures:
Local Unit: (For eight or more members)
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President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Provincial Level:
 Provincial
 Provincial Councilor in charge of SAF
 Team members: Provincial Councilor in charge of SAF, sisters and lay members
*SAF team at Provincial level are in charge of Zones (states, districts, countries, islands)
who help the Coordinator.
General Level:
 Superior General and General Councilors
 General Councilor in charge of SAF
 Team Members: General Councilor in charge of SAF and Provincial Councilors in charge
of SAF
6. Glossary
Charism: an extraordinary gift granted by God to work for the expansion of His Kingdom.
Charity- benevolent goodwill towards love of humanity.
Community: a group of religious men/women who live together to fulfill the same mission of
the community, congregation and Church at large.
Diverse - made up of people or things that are different from each other
Inclusive – Refers to people of all walks of life irrespective of their gender, faith, caste...
Laity - the people of a religion who are not priests, ministers, etc.
Lay - a person apart from the congregation yet who willingly share the mission and Charism of
the Congregation.
Medical Camp/Mission - health services rendered voluntarily by a group of medical experts to
the community
Mission - a set of tasks that fulfils a purpose or duty.
New poverties – the hardships and struggles which people experience due to the modern
technology, globalization and other related issues
SAF – St. Anne’s Family
Shared Mission - Gathering of religious and laity who work hand in hand to carry out the legacy
of our Holy Founders.
7. Bibliography
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The Holy Bible
Vatican Council II New Revised Edition 1995
Vita Consecrata
Constitutions of SCSA
Plan of Formation with St. Anne’s Family – 2008
Minutes of the XXVIII of the General Chapter 2013
Conclusions of the Chapter (XXVIII General Chapter)
New ways of being Hospitality (Working Document – 2006)