Mary Mother of Holy Hope
Our day began with a community Eucharist at which Fr. Raffaele led us in a celebration in honour of Mary, Mother of Holy Hope, Patroness of our Congregation.
Later, as we assembled at our tables, we began Morning Prayer reflecting on the call to solitude that so inspired St. Paul and which lead our monasteries to be called “Retreats”.
Session 1
Br Tony opened the session by leading us in a reflection on the Chapter Prayer. The Chapter then took up again the discussions on the Future of the Vicariate, in particular the Status of the Vicariate –should the juridical status change. We spent the session examining the advantages and the disadvantages of such a change. Fr General spoke of the experience of other Provinces whose vicariates had also reverted to more direct leadership by Provincial authority.
Session 2 After the coffee break, The Chapter decided it was ready for a first formal vote on the proposal and its preamble which reads: The 26th Chapter recognizes the importance of the present moment and wishes to make a real and tangible commitment to the growth of our Charism and our mission and presence in PNG. In order to do this and to enable the growth of Passionist Religous life in PNG we propose that the Chapter make some fundamental decisions regarding the direction and future of our mission.
A formal vote was taken and the proposal that the juridical status of the Passionist presence in Papua New Guinea be changed from that of Vicariate to Mission was passed unanimously
The Chapter then began discussion on the next two sections of the “Vicariate” proposals, one concerning the Scope of the works of the Passionists in Papua New Guinea, and the other on the Formation of future candidates in Papua New Guinea. We recognized that after the previous vote there was a new scope for thinking about our presence in PNG. So, after reports back from each of the tables, these matters were referred to the original writing committee to massage into proposals to be brought back to the Chapter.
After a short break, Br. Tony then invited us to share how we were feeling after such an important and significant decision. After many had spoken, Fr. Denis spoke in thanks for the work of the three Regional Vicars and their councils –those of Fr. Joachim, Fr. Tony and Fr. Philip. In particular as Provincial he took this occasion to thank Fr. Philip for his ministry to his brothers and the people of Papua New Guinea. Fr. General spoke in praise of the work of the men in Papua New Guinea.
Fr Ottaviano said:
I also want to say something to all of you. Four years ago I visited the vicariate of PNG for two weeks and was very impressed by the missionary work being done by the Province. I also went into the bush with Jerome on the small plane, and I was so impressed, it has been the mission that has most impressed me in the whole congregation. It’s not only for this occasion that I say this, I have said this also at the last Chapter.
A great job has been done by all and despite the fact years have past and you have left some places, people still remember you so much. What you have done is so rooted in the word of God in the people, and that is also the name of your vicariate. And thank you for all the works you have done there, the Senta Bilong Helpim, the airstrips, the workshops.
And now there is this change, but don’t look at it as a defeat but as a possibility of life. Sometimes life suggests strategies and ways that we don’t understand but they are the ways to continue life, and I am sure this is a strategy of life as when you prune a tree. In the Gospel of John the parable of the vine and the branches, we are pruning this tree so it can bear more fruit. When you prune a tree it seems dead, but in spring life explodes. We should look at this moment as winter waiting the new life of spring.
The sharing and the unanimous vote is a sign of a great fraternity and a great compassion and understanding. And this shows you are willing to continue this mission, asking for help but not delegating this mission to others. I wish to give all of you a blessing. I will give it in Latin as the first four missionaries to PNG may also have received it:
As we spent time in silent prayer, Fr. Philip carried the Papua New Guinean Crucifix to each table and then back to the Payer space
Session 3
This session and the next were devoted to Collaboration with our Passionist Family. Joining us at the Chapter were representatives from our various communities and co workers - Maree Metcalfe (Passionist Family Groups); Dennis Cougle (Volunteer and Province Finance Committee member); Miriam Bennett (Passionist Companions); Sr Jasmine Lawrence (Passionist Sisters); Maria Kirkwood (Province Formation Commission member); Vince Molloy (Volunteer Financial Officer, Holy Cross Community); Catherine Tredrea (Senior Staff Member, many years standing); Mary Leask (Parish Council, St Brigid’s).
Maria, Cathy, Sr.Jasmine and Vince spoke of their experience with the Passionists, what they had learned of us and how working with us had changed and developed over the years. In tables we discussed the two questions:
What has been positive, ‘life giving’ in my experience of collaboration within the whole Passionist family?
What needs to be further developed in regard to collaboration among the professed Passionists, members of Passionist Family and those engaged in Passionist ministries?
Session 4
During this session we gave feedback on the second of the questions and listened with great interest to the responses of our guests and fellow “Passionists”. These included
We need to hear from you what it is you want from us as your collaborators, in an obvious and explicit way, we need the guidance of a vision of what you want
Formation ~ there are many ways of being involved, each appealing to a diff person, but they need to be broad and creative
Induction and orientation programs for our paid employees and vluneers should include a lay person, not only a professed
Be not afraid to allow us to be collaborators, continue to allow us to be co-creators
Policies need to be developed to allow lay people to participate in a way which is fair and just for lay people and for Passionists
Many lay people have their formation stopped at a young age, so the idea of ongoing development and education ends for them, but there is a great hunger for it, and lay people can be your co-creators in this
We want to learn to be like you, so we can continue even without a Passionist physically present, as has happened in many parishes
The session ended with community prayer.
