May 20, 2015

Once again, I am writing late at night here in Avila so you will be getting more photos than stories! 

This morning we gathered in the chapel of CITeS for Mass (in Spanish) with Msgr. Carballo. The  lovely statue of Mary (above) is situated on one side of the altar.

We found our way through this lovely facility to the first meeting of the day following breakfast. 

The friars and nuns gathered to hear Fr. Carballo's presentation.

Sr. Jennifer Jones of Australia is below:

Msgr. Carballo (center) gave a wonderful talk about religious life followed by time for questions, which were challenging - especially from the Friars.  His answers included  lengthy illustrations about  Franciscan saints, history and stories. However, there were a few things shared about the Questionnaire, which has not yet been finalized.  Several times he asked for our prayers during this difficult period of transition at the Vatican both for himself and for our Pope Francis; pleading with us for understanding and patience. It is clear he is in a difficult position. I saw him on his way out of CITeS and thanked him for coming -  assuring him of the prayers of the sisters in the United States and Canada. 

Following lunch  I found my way through the maze of hallways to the small group discussion in the afternoon. Below, you will recognize (L to R) Fr. Luis, Fr. John Grennan and Fr. Michael McGoldrick of Ireland. Sr. Teresa Benedicta is taking a photo. 

Above (L to R) Fr. Daniel Chowing, Fr. Jude, ?, Fr. Jeremiah Fitzpatrick (Ireland) and Fr. Steven Watson. Not in the photo: Fr. Bonaventure, Fr. Dick (Holland) and Sr. Lucia (Holland). We had a great sharing about what we had heard during the previous 2 days - from the nuns and Msgr. Carballo. Many of the nuns expressed a desire for strengthening our relationship  with our Friars through greater mutuality and collaboration. They are delighted with this and want to be more attentive to how they can facilitate this happening.
Following our small groups we met all together one last time in the full assembly for a follow-up discussion. 

Above: (L to R) seated: Sr. Paula (Columbia), Sr. Cristina  (Portugal) and Sr. Monica (Argentina)

At the end of the day, the nuns gathered with Fr. Rafal to discuss what we want to do tomorrow. We decided to work together again - at least for the whole morning, taking advantage of the time we have together. In the afternoon some have expressed a desire to visit the monasteries of St. Joseph's and the Incarnation. As I have already been to both, I may do something different. Stay tuned! 

These lovely images above are in the chapel and express the mystery of God.

Sr. Ann Francoise from the Holy Land is below. Because she was present for the canonization of  St. Mary of Jesus Crucified, she was late to the meeting. As you can see - she exudes joy - and for good reason! 

Amen! Alleluia! 

Good Night, Sisters!!

Claire

Dear Sisters,

It is 11:30pm in Avila and the walls of the city are lit up. I feel tonight they are lit up for the Carmelite nuns who presented at the General Chapter today. I am so proud of our nuns! I think it's quite possible that St. Teresa is too! :)
Mass was celebrated by the Friars of the French-speaking region today. Lovely to hear the language! After Mass, Fr. Rafal gave us the scheduled order of presentations. Lucia and I were scheduled to speak just before lunch. Alleluia! I didn't want to wait all day. I quickly made copies of the statistics for our Associations and with that - all was ready.

After breakfast we went to the meeting room, learned how to plug into the simultaneous translation channels corresponding with our language and got settled. Fr. Saverio spoke to the assembly about the importance of this day of listening to the nuns and Fr. Rafal introduced Sr. Elena from Spain to begin. We all began looking at each other when, after 15 minutes, Sr. Elena had not even begun to speak about the 3 themes! We were wondering, "Well, did we all get a different letter?" Then finally! "Our response to the first theme..." Sr. Cristina from Portugal followed. Both presentations had good content but took altogether over an HOUR - twice the allotted time! We were wondering if we'd still be there the next morning! Nada te turbe. Sr. Bendina (Africa) got us back on track with a 10 minute report of the 3 themes. After that Sr. Ann Marie of Mauritius, Sr. Jennifer from Australia and Sr. Angela from Indonesia. By the time for the break - we were only 7 minutes past schedule. The French sisters were next: Sr. Christine and Sr. Anne-Franciose, followed by Sr. Lucia and myself. Our segment finished 7 minutes early. It's a good way to get compliments from the friars. :)
Truthfully, I had many compliments on our presentation:  "Brief, clear, fair to all views." My delivery was measured, deliberate - as we had been asked to do for the translators. Afterwards the French translator ran up to me thanking me over and over...he said, "You were a dream for a translator! You were slow enough. I could get every word!" So thanks be to God, Sisters, you were heard!

More news - than lots of photos to follow.

I must confess - I missed a little of the afternoon presentations. A deadly hour to expect us to be alert through 8 more presentations! But I heard MOST. I did ask Fr. Rafal if he could possibly send each of us translations of the texts in our languages. He said "that's a good idea." I think that means he'll do it. I will share them with the Coordinators.
I did not exactly take a poll regarding the international commission of nuns but I think the bottom line is that most of the nuns feel the discussion about an IC led them (as it did us) to see the need to build up regional relationships. We are not saying 'no' to an IC - just "not now."  I believe this is wise. And the nuns are glad the idea was presented to us because it is moving us further in imagining our future.
Many of the reports included reference to updating the Nun's Constitutions.
At the end of all our presentations Fr. Rafal gave a summary of the individual reports he had received from nuns around the world. We were saddened that one group suggested splitting the Order of nuns into 3 parts: 1990 Constitutions, 1991 Constitutions and Revised Constitutions reflecting a possible future re-writing more in keeping with the reality of our time.
Following all the presentations I presented Fr. Saverio (on his way out of the hall) with our card/offering - explaining that the enclosed check was 'fake' - that we had already arranged for a direct deposit. He was truly, truly delighted and thanked many times! Both Fr. Saverio and Fr. Rafal are very happy that our 4 Associations have collaborated in this way - and in our presentation - for the General Chapter.
AB Carballo is here now. Tomorrow we will listen to him in the morning and ask questions. In the afternoon we hope for open dialogue with the Friars in the assembly. On Friday the nuns will spend the day together for follow-up - probably with Fr. Rafal - and Saturday we depart.

I will follow now with photos - LOTS of photos - to introduce the nuns who presented.

Fr. General's introduction of the day with the nuns

Left: Sr. Elena (Spain), Right: Sr. Cristina (Portugal)

Left: Sr. Bendina (Africa) Right: Sr. Anne Marie (Mauritius)

Left to right: Sr. Christine (France), Sr. Anne Francoise (Holy Land), Fr. Rafal, Sr. Lucia (Holland), Moi

Sr. Lucia and Claire...giving our report!

With my American brothers after the report: Fr. Jude and Fr. Daniel

Presenting our card and offering to Fr. Saverio

Our grateful Superior General

Sr. Angela & Anne Marie, Fr. Rafal, ? (German) and Fr. Ramiro - CA Province!

It seemed like it would be fun to end this historic day with a fun photo...This is one of our OCD brothers who works at CITeS and has this pet parrot who whistles around the hallways all day long. And now that my report is given, I'm going to whistle all the way to bed! 

Love to each of you, dear Sisters! Thank you for allowing me to be here and for trusting me to present on your behalf! It is a privilege and joy! 

Sr. Claire

Dear Sisters,

Today all of us will make our presentations. Guess who woke up late?! So this is going to be very brief!
Yesterday we worked from 9am until 9pm. It was only dinner than stopped us! Our time with each other is so valuable we wanted to listen to each other for as long as possible. Fr. Rafal was an excellent moderator and translator. I don't know how he did it...translating in 3 languages, none of them his own (Polish): English, Italian and Spanish. Several of the nuns here speak 3 or 4 languages as well.
We do not know what order we will speak in yet. I will find out when I go to CITeS and since the cars for us are waiting downstairs I must run! A few photos below...

You are all here with me in Spirit! I feel the support of your love and prayers and hope to represent you well as I make a presentation on behalf of all the English-speaking sisters of the USA/Canada region.

Love and gratitude! Claire

Ascension Sunday - May 18

With perfect weather the nuns and friars boarded a bus for a day of visiting the monasteries of Medina del Campo (St. Teresa's 2nd Foundation),  Fontiveros (where John of the Cross was born) and Segovia - where John + lived and is buried. It was wonderful to be in these historic places and be welcomed by the sisters in Medina and the Friars in Segovia! For me, Segovia was the most special. The monastery is surrounded by wildflowers, fields where sheep were grazing and lovely, expansive views from the places where John would have prayed in a hermitage overlooking all this. We were saying to each other - anyone in this gorgeous setting could write poetry! Truly, there is a gentleness and expansive beauty that opens the heart. Yet, John's poetic expression also took place in the darkness of a prison cell...
By the time we returned to CITeS last night, the last sisters had arrived. Today all 18 nuns will meet for the first time with Fr. Rafal to begin our dialogue. I am looking forward to it! The 2 main languages are Spanish and English. We shall see how we can manage this with all 18 of us. Love to all!

The inner courtyard in Segovia. 

Medina del Campo

In the courtyard - you can see the original cloister walk still!

Segovia - the chapel. The Blessed Sacrament is in the center. The effect is lovely.

The lecturn in Segovia

May 16 - St. Simon Stock

A beautiful day in Avila! It's about a 15 minute walk between the seminary where the nuns are staying and CITeS. From CITeS to the 'old' city inside the walls of Avila is another 15 minutes. With all this - we are getting plenty of fresh air and exercise! As the nuns gather the excitement builds - seeing old friends and meeting new friends - laughing and beginning our exchange of thoughts through the haze of jet lag. We all walked to the 'old' city yesterday to visit the San Jose monastery and so many other things! Sr. Christine was the only one among us who spoke Spanish. She is worn out helping us!
Those of us who had already arrived attended Mass at CITeS with the Friars. It happened to be the 'English-speaking day' for liturgy. Lucky for us! Fr. Daniel Chowning celebrated the Mass and Fr. Jude gave the homily. The Friars are wonderfully welcoming.
Today (17) is Ascension Sunday. The nuns have been invited on an outing with our Friars to Segovia and Medina. At one of these places we will celebrate Mass together.
I slept very well last night and was so tired I forgot to set my alarm (!) so now I must end as the sisters are gathering for our outing and wondering where this crazy American sister is!
Love to all!!!

Avila landscape

Lots of wild flowers!

Meeting room at CITeS where we will give our presentations (above)

Fr. Daniel Chowning (left) and  Fr. Rafal (right)...both of them gracious brothers as always!  

The nuns arriving! The gentleman in the middle has a sister in the Carmel of Valladolid.

Below...the walls of Avila at night. Photo taken from my room at the seminary.

Arrived in Madrid at 8:15am. Didn't sleep a wink! :)

Met Sr. Jennifer Jones of Australia just out of customs. We arrived a day early to rest. Ha! We spent the whole day walking around Avila inside the walls with Fr. Gregory Homeing, OCD of Australia. Had a wonderful time. And it wasn't hard to stay awake!















Fr. Daniel Chowning arranged for Antonio (below) to drive us to Avila. God bless him. Didn't speak a word of English but he knew where he was going!

Avila, here we come!

At the first sight of the walls of Avila - I gasped! The impact of connection with Teresa is incredible!
This photo is the view from my room at the seminary where the 18 nuns are staying.

Stork nests on top of the old church steeples in 'old' Avila.
I love hearing the new bird songs here!

I took more photos from the 'old' city but am having trouble uploading them. Stay tuned...


Sr. Jennifer and I will join the Friars at CITeS for Mass tomorrow morning at 8am.

For now - great gratitude - a good night's sleep - and blessings and love to all of you!
Sr. Claire

Dear Sisters,
Iberia Airlines is about to transport me to the country of St. Teresa! Remembering you in my prayers as I begin this journey. The plane is already boarding!
If all goes well I will see a man on the other side of the custom's area in Madrid who will have a big sign reading CITeS! Stay tuned for more updates...
Thank you for your loving messages and prayers!

On the wings of the Spirit,
Sr. Claire