The Australian Province in solidaruty with the Laity of the Chevalier Family Gathering this weekend at St Mary's Towers.
Laity of the Chevalier Family include:
- Formal Lay MSC/OLSH/ MSC Sisters (i.e. those individuals who have been approved by provincial administrations)
- MSC/OLSH School students, teachers and alumni
- MSC/OLSH/MSC Sisters Parish members
- MSC/OLSH/MSC Sisters Missions
- Heartworks and MSC/OLSH youth outreach
- Individuals and other groups who identify with the Lay Chevalier Family and who are recognised by others as such
The inclusion of the last group is particularly important as it recognises that the this is not an organisation with a formal membership structure. Rather it is a worldwide family who try to live their lives through a spirituality of the heart.
They are people who:
- Are not pessimists nor naïve optimists
- Understand the times and don’t just condemn them
- Believe in compassion not fear
- Believe in salvation for all not condemnation
- See the hand of God in the times in which they live
- Believe that love is the only way
- Are not soft and sentimental
- Are willing to challenge yet comfort
- Are courageous yet humble
- Are hopeful yet not blind
- Are strong and determined
They believe in a love that is:
Faithful
Generous
Compassionate
Tender
Merciful
The gift of a religious charism is never for the members of a religious institute alone. It has always been the Spirit’s gift to the wider church. Religious are not simply welcoming lay “associates” in order to maintain their ministries in the face of decline in their membership, but because they want to share the gift of the Spirit which they possess, the gift of their founding charism, with others.
