OLSH AUSTRALIAN ASSEMBLY
Congratulations to the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart on three wonderful and prayerful days of communal discernment, at their Provincial Assembly held in Sydney, 24th – 26th July, 2017. The clear evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit drawing each member into places of ‘deep listening’ led to a palpable unity in the richness of their diversity.
Present at the Assembly were about 50 Sisters, with the remainder of the province prayerfully holding the Assembly in their communities and places of ministry. Sr. Anne Derwin rsj tenderly and skilfully facilitated the preparation phases and the Assembly gathering. Fr. Chris Chaplin msc attended as chaplain.
Sr. Carmel Smith fdnsc prepared a beautiful assembly candle, while Sr. Elaine Troy fdnsc created a stunning floral centre-piece that reflected the province’s heritage.
The Provincial Council members were heartily thanked for the prayerfulness of the assembly and the organisation that went in to it. The Provincial, Sr. Tess Ward fdnsc spoke beautifully of the centrality of Jesus in the assembly of the sisters and how that had enabled such a rich, unifying experience.
The preparation all the sisters put into the presentations, table-sharing, prayerful reflection and communal discernment was admirable. Their creativity was very evident and many of their symbols, paintings and poems adorned the Assembly table in front of the statue of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart and assembly candle.
The younger sisters under 65 years of age, brought to the Assembly some very worthwhile contributions, which the gathering found most encouraging. In response the sisters were united in their blessing of these younger sisters and their enthusiasm for the mission of Jules Chevalier. At the Eucharistic liturgy on the second afternoon the younger sisters came together and linked hands and all the remaining participants placed their hands upon them in some minutes of silent blessing. A beautiful gesture of solidarity and affirmation.
A significant blessing and missioning took place at the final Eucharist of the Assembly when Sr. Tess handed the mission cross to Sr. Huyen Nguyen fdnsc who has been appointed to the mission in Vietnam.
Photos and story Chris Chaplin msc
