HERMANAS MISSIONERAS DE LA SOCIEDAD DE MARIA
PROVINCIA DE AMERICA LATINA
PROVINCIAL CHAPTER, 17 - 24 FEBRUARY 2008
COMMUNICATION III
25 February 2008
Dear Sisters,
At the beginning of the Chapter we each planted a grain of corn to symbolize our hope for the fruits of
our work during the coming week. Well, we rejoiced as the tiny green shoots began to appear - signs
of our hope as Chapter deliberations are blessed with life.
Friday, as on each day of the Chapter, we met to share Lectio Divina in small groups. Beginning the
day with God’s word to us and ending it with the Eucharist with Fr. Larry Duffy, sm, presiding has
given us perspective and strength.
We began our work of the day reviewing points of consensus concerning our proposals and
recommendations on the Marist Spirit, Mission, Community, Finances, Formation and Vocation
Promotion and Instruments of Divine Mercy. Later, we discussed the Postulata that was directed to
the chapter body.
Saturday’s Chapter work began with the election of two delegates to the General Chapter. After a
special morning prayer invoking the Holy Spirit’s presence, Sr. Soana Talia’uli guided us through the
process. We are happy to announce that the two sisters elected as delegates to the General Chapter
are:
Sr. Margaret Walsh and Sr. Pauline Gresham
Substitutes, should the need arise, were elected. They are:
For Sr. Kathleen Ruck:
Viviana Kidamasi
For Sr. Margaret Walsh:
Marie Kampororo
For Sr. Pauline Gresham:
Lita Manukula
After finishing the session on the election of Chapter delegates and thanking each one of our sisters
elected for accepting, we moved on to the Celebration of Sr. Mary Pedro Conway’s Golden Jubilee.
The Jubilee Mass was a time to give thanks for God’s faithfulness to Sr. Pedro over these 50 years
and to celebrate her life and dedication to Mission here in Peru. The liturgy was simple and joyful as
Sr. Pedro wanted it. Three Marist Brothers joined us for Mass and a wonderful dinner afterward.
Stories and lots of laughter were shared over the delicious meal prepared for us by the cooks at
Marist Villa. Brother Ornelio topped off the dessert with some of their herbal liqueur made on the
premises with 32 herbs, so he informed us.
On Sunday, our last day of Chapter, business was finalized and Sr. Kathleen gave a sketch of what
had happened during the last week. She spoke of our journey and the gift of having the Chapter open
to all the sisters in the province so that all would feel part of and responsible for the decisions taken.
Sr. Kathleen expressed her thanks to Sr. Soana, the secretaries, Fr. Larry and each delegate who
helped to make the Chapter a success.
We had a lovely closing Mass and noontime meal at Villa Marista. One disappointment was that due
to heavy rains higher up in the valley that caused a landslide in town, our Marist Laity group from Lima
were not able to join us as planned. Fortunately by 2:30 the road was cleared and we were able to
make the two hour trek back to Lima.
At 10:30 p.m. that same night, Sr. Monica Mo’a, a newly professed sister from Samoa arrived at the
airport in Lima to begin her mission in the America Latina Province. Another sign of hope added to
that of the Chapter.
United in thanksgiving,
Sisters Michelle and Connie