COMMUNITY OF CASAL DE CAMBRA-PORTUGAL

Sr. Angela Furian, SSpS
Sr. Iracema Cassarotto, SSpS,

Sr. Ma. Delia, SSpS

FEATURE: Medals of Merit for the SSpS community in Casal de Cambra, Portugal

by Sr. Maria Delia, SSpS and Sr. Ma. Mendes, SSpS

As a community, we strive to respond relevantly to mission demands through our direct involvement with the people. Primarily, as a witness to our being consecrated women missionaries, we live close to the people, facilitating their access to possibilities to make their lives better. We become the “voice of the voiceless” and the “bridge” between the poor and the public agencies that are responsible for assistance in health and medication, home feeding, documentation, social security, jobs and others.We try to gain knowledge of and give a deeper value for the different cultures and ways of life of the people, promoting their integration in the community. The concrete sign of growth in the community as a result of the Sisters’ ministry is the existence of the “Groups of Catechesis of Children and Youth.” The Viola’s Groups serve to initiate liturgies that reveal the new meaning they have for their lives- lives once left vulnerable to drugs and other dangers. This is a result of the good formation given to the Catechists and the youth. Their families also collaborated in information dissemination and fund-raising activities to build a Center of Socio-Pastoral Support beside a small chapel in the community. All these took place from 1996 to the present.

On June 29, 2008, we celebrated Holy Mass on the occasion of the Beatification of Bl. Josepha. On this same day, our community of Casal de Cambra, received the gold medal of merit from the Municipal Government of Sintra. At the same time, Sister Angela Furian also received the silver medal, given by the same municipality. These medals are clear testimonies of the relevant presence of the Sisters in the Municipal Urban District of Casal de Cambra.

We wish to share with the readers, not only this beautiful news but also the significance of our presence in this community. The interview was done by Fr. António Leite, SVD, Rector of Provincial House of Lisbon Portugal.

What do these medals mean for the Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit present in Casal de Cambra?
¨ We were surprised with this decision of the Municipality of Sintra. We never hoped to receive such recognition, but we see it as a sign of the credibility and the commitment of the Congregation to the families reallocated in this urbanization process. For us, it is an incentive always to be more available for this service, to be close to the needy and suffering through our missionary presence.We know that Sr. Angela was there at the start of your presence in Casal de Cambra.

When did you arrive to this place, and what made you take the challenge of being present in this urbanization process?¨

We started our mission here in the month of June 1996. Our coming was due to Fr. Valentim, SVD. We responded to the express desire of the Municipality of Sintra for the presence of a Religious Community in this urbanized area - integrating in the Special Program of Relocation (P.E.R.). Sr. Pompeya Martinez, who recently passed away, and I made the procedures for this foundation with the conviction that we were responding to the challenge that was part of our mission.Thus passed years and today, you, Sister, continue with the same characteristic smile.

Could you speak to us about how you “conquered the hearts” of so many people who share with you their daily joys and difficulties?¨

Sr. Pompeya, who began the realization of the project, stayed for some months. Then, other Sisters came - Hermelinda, Maria José and Maria de Lourdes. All of them did very good work. Being in contact with the families, they felt that the parents wanted primarily, catechetical classes for their children. We should note, however, that the Chapel of Santa Marta was only finished in July of 1999. Only then was space available for the activities of the Sisters. The daily Eucharistic celebration was also made possible for the people of this part of Casal de Cambra. All these activities helped in the integration of the two parties. The Sisters who came afterwards went to other areas. They came complete with needed skills for their apostolates. In this way, Sr. Maria Lourdes was able to form a Group called Viola. Today, this group, composed of other lay people, animates the Christian community's celebrations. With Sr. Delia’s arrival, a small group was formed called Catholic Labor Youth (JOC). The journey continues until today - in unhurried and patient service through my missionary presence and that of Sr. Iracema.

What challenges do you see today in the midst of the people?¨

Up to now, all of the activities with the children, adolescents, adults and elderly have been held in the small chapel and in the small sacristy. But we have good news! Starting in the month of September, the Municipality of Sintra will give us a space in one of the buildings. This will provide ample room to assist the groups and each person better. With this possibility, we hope to reach out to people who have not yet come.Lastly, the medals were received on the day that Mother Josepha, one of your co-foundresses, was beatified in Holland.

This year, we are also celebrating the Pauline Year. Do all these events have some connections?¨

When I was on the way to the awarding ceremony of these medals, I thought that at that same hour the Holy Door in the Basilica of St. Paul in Rome was being opened, as well as Mother Josepha's Beatification in Steyl (Holland), close to the house where our Congregation was born. At that precise moment, I felt a confirmation, a humble certainty, that God really wants us to be here in this place. In the light of St. Paul's example as the great announcer of Jesus Christ's Gospel, of the Centennial Year of St. Arnold and St. Joseph, and in joy and gratitude for Mother Josepha’s beatification, I can only utter this humble prayer: “Father, May Your Kingdom! Make us humble and docile instruments of your peace! Transform us with Your Spirit so that we can say, with St. Paul: It is not I who live but Christ who lives in me.” I live in the certainty that Love impels us.

Portugal: A Formative Relationship of Give and Take

Sr. Maria Mendes (center with scarf) and the CFC members.

The Couples for Christ (CFC) was first initiated by 16 couples in Manila, Philippines in June 1981. After twenty-four years, the CFC was granted recognition by the Holy See (Vatican). CFC came to Portugal through the instrumentality of an SVD priest in Lisbon in October 13, 2001. While Sr. Remedios Socorro Aunzo, SSpS, a Filipina sister, was here to learn the Portuguese language, she was the one who accompanied the group in their spiritual formation. She has since left for East Timor. The group asked for another sister to take her place. I was given the assignment to journey with them. Every first Sunday of the month we have a spiritual formation session. Included in their Christian Life program is regular confession. I have asked an SVD priest to be their confessor.

The celebration of the Holy Eucharist is also central to their formation. Hence, every first Sunday, they sing the Mass songs in English and every third Sunday, they sing Portuguese Mass songs. This helps them a bit with their language difficulty. Sundays are always celebrated together, sharing food, faith and life stories. They also reach out to others, especially the poor by raising funds to provide shelter for the less fortunate and for scholarships for poor children.
Their life and mission reveal to me their faith in Jesus, ever present in their life. I learn many things from them. Their witnessing to their faith challenges me to grow deeper in my own spiritual life and mission as an SSpS.

Sr. Maria Mendes, SSpS

Portugal: The Parish is a place for vocations (2006)

These past days,we had several activities to participate in. One of them was a National Forum forVocation Animators in Fatima on October 27 to 28, 2006. It was organized by the Episcopal Commission on Vocations and Ministries.
The theme of the gathering was: “The Parisha place for vocations”.
The speaker was no less that Fr. Amadeu Cencini, a Canossian priest, who came all
the way from Italy to give this weekend formation seminar. He works as a professor in
the Gregorian University as well as the Salesian University in Rome. He talked about the Vocational Pedagogy in the parish, the Dynamics of Faith, Vocation Ministry and the Vocational Paths. I had the opportunity to participate on Saturday which was dedicated to the topic presentedby Fr. Cencini. It was a very enriching day for me as he talked about the Vocation Ministry, its scope and its challenges. He shared his own experiences that can also give valuable lessons in this particular mission.

There were 300 participants coming from different dioceses and Institutes of Consecrated Life in Portugal. This was one opportunity for all of us to share about our activities, difficulties and hopes, and a venue for mutual exchange between the Diocesan Vocation Secretariat and the Vocation Ministry /Services of the different Consecrated Life Institutes regarding the Vocation ministry in general, and the complementarities and articulation of their respective programs and services. Held in an atmosphere of prayer and reflection, this forum affirmed the increasing interest and the inspiring dynamism of the different sectors and services of the Vocation Ministry. Fr. Cencini further stressed the importance of true conviction: Either a parish is a parish that promotes vocations or it is not a parish at all. He is aware that the parish today is challenged by the ills of mass media, threats to the spirit of community and even distortion of its identity. It is then important that the parish rediscovers its true identity – not in the structure nor in its services but as a community of believers who are called by God to be mediators of God’s call for each one. Often times, we feel that many are called but those who are called lack the joy and courage to be messages and animators of God’s call in others. This is not a crisis in vocation but a crisis in the culture of vocation brought about by the absence or the silence of vocation animators. He further clarified that each believer is a vocation animator. He advised for an end to the clerical monopoly of assuming vocation animation and proposed an opening to the wealth and plurality of all vocations that can be found in the parish. In the parish, the missionary dynamism is found in each person who lives happily his/her personal vocation/charism.

The parish is the place where the Voice of God is heard. It offers the opportunity to grow in faith and with the community of believers and thus grow in the discovery of one’s own unique vocation. In this way, the priests, the consecrated people, the parents, the educators, the teachers and the catechists are private vocation animators that have the responsibility as elder guides to the younger members of the community.

Mary, in whose shrine we had gathered, gave us a concrete model of total readiness to say yes to God’s plan. Hence, through her intercession, we pray that more vocations may be fostered for the service of the Church and for the life of the world.

Sr. Maria Mendes, SSpS
Missionaries Holy Spirit Sisters of Region Spain/Portugal ( 2006)

RESOLOTION

Inter-religious Dialogue as a Necessity
in our Migrant Ministry
I Introduction
We, the members of JPIC Coordinators of SSpS and SVD, recognize the dialogue between Christians and Muslims as an important contribution in the process of creating peace in our world. We want to apply this dialogue especially in our migrant ministry.
Both congregations have a long tradition in encountering various cultures and religions. This has been enriching for us and for the universal church as well. Referring to Prophetical Dialogue as a priority of our common mission we commit ourselves to continue this good tradition.
II Catholic Position
We refer to the teaching of the Catholic Church in regard to Christian-Muslim relationship in the actual situation
a) Nostra Aetate and Lumen Gentium
b) Reply to the Letter from 138 representatives of all Muslims denominations
c) Writings on socio-political issues in Europe

III Conditions for Inter-religious Dialogue with Muslims
Dialogue is not easy. It is important to recognize the necessary conditions which are implied for it to be fruitful. Here are some:
Mutual Respect
The differences must be respected. Mutual respect is one of the most important attitudes in dialogue.
Prudence and Love (Veritas et caritas)
This is the attitude exhorted by Nostra Aetate. It means to examine the tenet of other faiths in the light of one’s own faith, to discern the good from the bad. On the other hand, dialogue requires true love.
A balanced attitude
One should be neither ingenuous nor hypercritical, or suspicious. It is absolutely necessary to have an open mind and a welcoming spirit. There must be impartiality, and a real desire to find a just solution, one which will be acceptable to all parties.
Solid convictions
Openness is not opposed to being rooted in one’s own convictions. On the contrary, this rootedness allows one to be open without fearing loss of identity. It can facilitate an understanding of others’ convictions and values.
Openness to truth
Truth is generally not just on one side. Dialogue will help overcome prejudices which prevent truth from being recognized.
Dialogue with Muslims on an ecumenical level
It should not only be the Catholics who seek the dialogue with Muslims.
Dialogue has been presented as the most appropriate method for resolving conflicts. Conflicts, however, especially when they are violent, make dialogue, understanding and acceptance extremely difficult. Perhaps dialogue is to be seen less as a cure and more in the order of prevention.
Our witness to our belief and our love is our part of inter-religious dialogue. It is the witness of our faith that God is Love and in the Spirit of Love we find our neighbour (men, women, and children). Our hospitality will be a sign of our love for God and for our neighbour. We believe that the poorest human beings in the globalised world are the neighbours for us Christians.

Catedral of Slovakia

Holy Spirit Sisters in Slovakian Province

Our Slovakian Sisters SSpS have opened a kindergarten there and are slowly winning the confidence of the people. The work of the Sisters among them appeared “very missionary” to us and was a sign of hope in rather hopeless surroundings.
Then, we paid a visit to a rehabilitation centre for people addicted to drugs, alcohol and gambling, where one of our SVD-Brothers belongs to the staff. There, one could already perceive what can be achieved when people with problems are accepted and helped in the spirit of Christ.

Day Out

One afternoon was in part used for sightseeing in the lovely old town of Nitra.
But the second half of it was dedicated to visiting a housing project for Roma-people and other unsheltered persons, far outside the town. In a way, even if children and adults welcomed us cheerfully, it was a depressing experience to meet these people and see the conditions they live in without prospects for improvment. The Vice-Mayor of the Town accompanied us and explained the efforts the town council is making for a better future.