The Maryknoll Sisters Mission Institute

During the Joint Meeting of the Affiliate Board and Regional Coordinators, Sr. Pet Donovan MM was invited in to talk with us about the Mission Institute.  Peg filled us in on something several of us already knew – The Maryknoll Mission Institute is a unique and incredibly valuable find for anyone who would like to get an in-depth look at global mission, spirituality, theology and so much else.  Peg also pointed out that there is a scholarship available for any Affiliate who requests it to attend.

To learn more about programs for the upcoming programs, go the website at: https://www.maryknollsisters.org/mission-institute/missioninstitute/

State of the Heart - Affiliate Joint Meeting - November, 2019 

Dear Affiliates,

The Forum beckons us once again!

Affiliate Board members and Regional Coordinators once again gathered together in the Forum, the home of the Maryknoll Sisters Mission Institute in Ossining, NY.  We return to this place each year.  In a way, it beckons us.  The spirit present in this space draws us to it.  For us, the Forum is the locus where the four pillars come together to help guide us in our discernment.  It is here we come together to pray, to share, to dialogue and to be one with all Affiliates.

I am writing to share with you my reflections on some of the more important highlights of our gathering.

The focus of this meeting by design was largely a look at ourselves, the leadership of the Affiliates, Board members and Regional Coordinators together, but in the context of our relationship with the Affiliate movement.  As the Affiliate leaders, we are called to “discern how to best guide the Affiliate movement.”  Please repeat that and take some time to ponder it.  Put yourself in my or in another leadership position.  What does this statement mean to you?  What would you do if you had this responsibility?  These were some of questions I asked those of us gathered to ponder. 

The Affiliates are in no way, shape or form a hierarchical organization in the way that most organizations are; typically visualized in the shape of a pyramid.  But the Affiliates have no head.  I and other Board members are not the head.  Bob Short, as the current Executive Coordinator is not the head.  We, individually or collectively hold no authority over any Affiliate or Chapter.  We instead are called to be servant-leaders.  So, what does that mean?  In simple terms, it means we flip the pyramid upside-down.  It means we serve and support the Affiliate movement.  It does sound simple enough on the face of it.  But again, I ask you to put yourself in my or any leadership position and think about this more deeply.  How would you do this?  What would this look like?

Throughout the duration of this meeting, I had the great pleasure of talking with many Sisters and other people during our very limited free time and at meals, and I can’t tell you how many times it was expressed to me how they wouldn’t want my “job!”  Hmm, what do I do with that?  Interestingly, I read just very recently that to be a servant can be a thankless job, full of ungracious demands and humbling circumstances.  Perhaps their expressions to me reflected this understanding of servant-leader and their perception of the difficulties/challenges this position faces. 

“The work of leaders involves hearing and identifying the long notes which play out in daily life, and which point to what is happening at a deeper level, resulting in a discerned response.”

This quote from Sr. Patricia Murray, IBVM is from the recent LCWR conference.  It struck me as very relevant for Affiliate leadership, and so I shared and reflected upon it at our joint meeting.  It served somewhat as an outline for our meeting, as well.  This quote identifies three very important tasks for us–to listen, to discern and to respond.  For me the most important and what must be foundational to the other two is listening; listening through engagement and dialogue.  If we are not doing this, then on what basis can we even consider making decisions or taking action that appropriately and effectively support of the Affiliates?  Wouldn’t you agree that those of us with the responsibility to guide, serve and support the Affiliates must have a pretty good awareness and understanding of the movement, including what is happening in it–the long notes?  And likely the best way to do this is through engagement and dialogue between Affiliates and leadership, right? 

At the Celebration Mass on Sunday (11/10/19) of the Affiliate Joint Meeting of the Board and Regional Coordinators, Co-founder of the Affiliate movement, Sister Ellen McDonald MM gave the homily. Those of us who were lucky enough to be there couldn't help but feel that this was a special moment in our history.  Ellen's homily follows: 

  When I was invited to give today’s reflection, I mistakenly thought it was for the closing liturgy of the Affiliate Board and Regionals Meeting this weekend, that is, with Fr. Russ and the Affiliates who are here.  Only later did I understand that this Sunday’s community liturgy was the “closing liturgy” being referred to.  However, I had agreed because of the reference to the Affiliates and that had not changed.  The Affiliates have been and are a great learning vehicle in my life.  Struggling with a homily for and with them was sure to be another learning experience.  I also express my gratitude to them by taking seriously my prayer ministry assignment which is the Affiliates. 

             Going now to today’s readings, it is safe to say that the pre-Advent scripture texts  we just heard are all about eschatology – the last things, as we say.  Not an easy topic to talk about!  So I began by looking for connections among the readings.  Certainly in both the texts from 2nd Maccabees and from Luke’s Gospel, the theme of resurrection is prominent.  While I hold a firm belief in the resurrection, I am not sure I can say much more about it.  The question put to Jesus about the resurrection highlights the fact that it is not easy to get our mind around this topic.   Jesus’ response that God is the God of the living, not of the dead, is not an immediate help for a questioning mind.  No doubt a spiritual director would tell me to let go of my human way of thinking and let God be God. 

            The theme of afterlife continues in the psalm, beginning with the words, “when your glory comes, Lord.”  And part of the reason Paul was writing to the Thessalonians was because some of the believers there were not working because they thought the Lord’s coming was imminent.  They were distorting the normal development of Christian life.

             My preference in all this was to recognize the pre-Advent texts as calling us, among other things, to go back to thinking about our personal “bigger” vision:  what are we willing to live for?  perhaps willing to die for? (as our own Sister-martyr, Ita Ford, wrote to her niece.)   I felt myself drawn to this letter of Paul’s, said to be the oldest writing of the Christian Testament.  Paul had been rejected by the Jews in Philippi when he dared to direct his preaching to the so-called “pagans” in Thessalonia.  There he succeeds in forming a community.  However, after three months a riot breaks out and Paul is forced again to flee the area.  His big concern now is what is going to happen to these recent converts to whom he had taught the mere basics of Christian life?  With this background, I discovered an interest in reading both letters to the Thessalonians and wondering why they are given such prominence at this time in our Liturgical year.  (Last week we heard from 2 Thess l, this week from 2:2, and next week will be 2:3.) I also had the unholy thought that neither Jim Madden nor I ever had three months to spend with any newly founded Affiliate Chapter! 

Below is a beautiful letter of support from newly installed Cardinal Ramazzini.  It tell us something about the Cardinal and the commitment of the  members of Guatemala Chapter.  This is a translation from the Spanish.  Some of the formatting could not be carried over to this site.

 Guatemala of the Assumption, October 2019

We celebrate and are in solidarity with you through your struggle, Monsignor Álvaro Ramazzini

"If I say that I love God, I have to prove it through love of neighbor and this love means fighting for justice." Bishop Ramazzini

 The Guatemalan Chapter of Maryknoll Affiliates, linked to the Maryknoll Affiliates Movement based in the United States and one of the four entities that make up the Maryknoll family, along with priests and brothers, sisters and lay missionaries; today we embrace a hope that celebrates life and strengthens our faith by receiving the news that on October 5, Monsignor (Bishop) Ramazzini was elevated to the College of Cardinals of the Catholic Church.

 Thank you, Monsignor, for your defense of the territory and for the defense of those who in this country are invisible to the powerful. Thank you for accompanying the social justice struggle in a country where it is difficult for us to find the pieces of the justice puzzle. Thank you for fighting for the rights of those who do not live, but who survive in this land where power does not assume their history.

 We recognize that his studies of Theology in Italy, being appointed Bishop of San Marcos and later of Huehuetenango - far from separating him from reality, motivated him to tour the area and, by becoming aware of the amount of impoverished people, he developing a social pastoral that responds to hunger, lack of education, employment and health; and, promotes the defense of the human rights of native peoples, peasants and migrants. His journey did not stop and he created the Peace and Ecology Commission of the diocese of San Marcos, from where the water quality of the rivers and births around the Marlin mine is monitored.