Continuation of the “Mission of the family”

Friday, May 15, 2009:

The day of the Liturgy is animated by the Fidelity Group members.

The fidelity group members (Connie, Burns, Chandar, Jiji and Jer)

Fr. Chico is presiding the celebration.

Our gathering started with the Holy Eucharistic Celebration. The Mass is presided by Fr. Chico. Sr. Connie shared her faith and reflection in the context of Mission and Family, integrating the story of the foundation the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Family – her congregation. Her sharing brought us closer in understanding the family ministry in word and deed. Fr. Chico broke the bread for us. Br. Burns led us with devotion hymns, while Fr. Emmy, Sr. M, Br. Shant and Sr. France offered the prayers of the faithful representing an idol of family.

The Opening Prayer before the session starts

Our continuing module on Mission and Family with Dr. Jose de Mesa took on the metaphor of dance.  He said that Marriage is a dance. We all know that dance is an art. Masterpieces of an art don’t just happen. He substantiated this message with a video clip of handicapped persons’ ballet performance. We can see the hard work, planning, dedication, and love from the dancing partners. This leads us to believe that the family is a work of art that God has commissioned to each of us.

The Mission of the Family provides a road map for the journey through insights on the Holy Family of Nazareth; by seeking God’s call to serve Him. Many at times family ministry is seen as ‘problem centered approach.’ But Dr. Jose says that it is ‘blessing centered approach.’

Saturday, May 16, 2009:

The liturgy and the opening prayer were animated by the coordinators (Sr. Pat, Sr. Dom, Sr. Jerome, Burn and Eking) who are representatives of the five integration groups.

Coordinators (standing: Sr. Jerome, Sr. Pat, Sr. Dom and Sitting: Eking and Bro. Burns), sacristan: Bro. Rani, Presider: Fr. Giulio and Musician: Sr. Roselle

 The day started with the creative liturgy was prepared by the sisters from Myanmar. The liturgy started with a welcome ritual from the sisters, they put wristbands as a sign of welcome and friendship bonding to all the participants. The Eucharist was so solemn and memorable because of the creativity done during the offertory. They offered different kind of fruits, incense sticks, the bread and the wine. After the recessional, the final blessing followed by throwing flower while dancing as a blessing. 

Flowers of blessiings being received after the Mass

For the prayer service, which started the session in the morning, the group led the community into prayer by having a “mantra” in Burmese language, “Shitchen Shee Thaw niya, Thaki piya Shedee”, which means “When is love here, God is here.” While singing the mantra the participants poured water into the plants as a symbol of nourishment for them through the good virtues and values of the family. The plants symbolized the family/community. And it ended with a prayer of the family led by Eking, the coordinator of creativity group.

The opening prayer before the sessio begins

 

Symbolically pouring water to the plant

During the session today Dr. Jose de Mesa gave us reflection pointers for the group discussion. 

EXPERIENCES OF FAMILY LIFE AS THEMES

 

1. EXPERIENCE OF BEING WELCOMED.
2. EXPERIENCE OF BEING AFFIRMED.
3. EXPERIENCE OF SHARING.
4. EXPERIENCE OF BEING INTIMATE.
5. EXPERIENCE OF LEADERSHIP.
6. EXPERIENCE OF BEING FORGIVEN.
7. EXPERIENCE OF BEING STRENGTHENED WHEN FEELING DOWN.
   

   Sr. Celz is sharing her group' story.

After the group discussions each one of the group member shared to us all their own story of family life. It is really enriching for us to hear their stories in order to reflect over the values that are existing in our families. At end of the session with our greatful hearts we thanked our resource person Dr. Jose de Mesa by giving a ‘token of love’ on behalf of the Euntes community and the participants. At the end we loved to take a picture with Dr. Jose.