Monday, January 28

Yesterday was a full day of presentations and the “work” of the gathering. In the morning we reflected on the book “Sudden Spring.” Liliana Kopp, one of the founders of this community, wrote the book as a record of her vision and plan for SFCC. 

The afternoon was spent doing the business of the community. Any major change to the community structure is first presented in our publication ALL-TO-ALL so everyone can read, reflect and discuss locally what is being proposed internationally. Our annual meeting is the place to hear the thinking of EVERYONE. We never “vote” on a change. It is reached through a well-honed “consensus process.” Sometimes it gets messy, but in the end you know the Holy Spirit was alive and well in our midst.

Before we left for Mass we learned of the bombing of a Cathedral in the southern part of the Philippines. While it did not directly affect Manila, several of the sisters live and work in that area and know people who are experiencing loss. We brought them with us as we celebrated the final liturgy of the gathering. Attached is a picture in the Chapel of San Juan de Dios Hospital.