by Sisters Lydia and Brigitte

Mission partners in the District of the Islands had the honor of welcoming Congregational Leader Sr. Joan Marie Lopez and three members of the Congregational Leadership Team, Sisters Josita Corera, Yolanda Sanchez, and Marie Françoise Mestry for the District Assembly, which took place at the beginning of December.

In advance of the assembly, the CLT met with the leaders of each community at meetings held in Madagascar.

The assembly, which was held in Mauritius, brought together sisters and partners-in-mission from the three islands of the district (Madagascar, Mauritius, and Reunion Island) for two days of sessions held at the Foyer de Charité Notre Dame de l’Unité in Souillac.

This oasis of spiritual retreat provided a setting conducive to sharing and reflection where intense moments of communion, dialogue, and learning, marked by a spirit of fraternity and collaboration, were experienced.

Speaking to the young professed sisters, Sr. Joan Marie Lopez said: “You are witnesses of God’s joy, so I encourage you to be in the joy that is a reflection of God’s love and his presence.” And speaking to the partners-in-mission, she said, “Never keep love to ourselves. Share the love and joy you receive here for each and every one you meet.”

One of the highlights of the rich program of sharing and training was the input from the CLT on our Call to Action to a Universal Culture of Justice – input which followed on from sessions that the CLT had provided in Madagascar some days before.

Following the sessions, one sister spoke of how “You can’t be just to others without being just to yourself. Justice starts with how I take care of myself.” While another sister shared: “I become aware every day of the use of water to unite myself with people who don’t have it.”

A partner-in-mission spoke of how they “live this justice by becoming aware of my professional attitude in front of my students; I always try to be joyful to show them God’s mercy.”

The CLT’s reflections enriched our commitment to live and witness the values of justice within ourselves and in our various ministries.

On the third day, participants set out to relax by the sea, where we enjoyed each other’s company and strengthened our bonds in a more informal setting.

On the final day, participants visited the capital city of Mauritius, Port Louis, and some of the local Good Shepherd ministries – most impactful of which was the visit to the Foyer for young girls in vulnerable situations and the sisters’ community in Beau Bassin, on the west of the island.

We are deeply grateful to the members of the CLT for their presence, their listening, and their encouragement. All participants – sisters and partners-in-mission – expressed their gratitude for the visit, which was a real source of inspiration and renewal for everyone involved.

Our hope is that these moments lived together continue to strengthen our commitment to bear fruit in our respective missions and nourish our zeal to live our charism fully in a spirit of unity and service.