viernes, 29 de abril de 2016

Mensaje del Superior General sobre la situación de Venezuela

Muy querido Hermanos,

Reciban un fraternal saludo en el Señor a quien suplicamos de forma especial por nuestros hermanos de Venezuela.

Ciertamente el mundo ha sido impactado con la noticia de los terremotos recientes en Ecuador y en Japón. En particular, hemos estado pendientes de los Eudistas de Ecuador; gracias al Señor, todos están bien y tomando iniciativas para ayudar en la grave emergencia que están viviendo. La reconstrucción de las zonas afectadas tomará varios años y poco a poco se volverá a la normalidad con la ayuda del Señor y la solidaridad del mundo. Los acompañamos con nuestras oraciones, afecto y solidaridad.

De otra parte, seguramente están Ustedes enterados de las gravísimas dificultades sociales, políticas, económicas, sanitarias… que está viviendo Venezuela. Es algo verdaderamente lamentable y cada día la situación se degrada más y más. Nuestros hermanos Eudistas sobreviven y están dando la batalla en la lucha cotidiana de forma ejemplar y con una inmensa solidaridad como FAMILIA EUDISTA! Nos unimos de corazón con los Eudistas de Venezuela que están pasado un momento muy complejo y amargo. Nos solidarizamos con sus propias familias de sangre para quienes es también muy difícil la situación.

Como habíamos pensado realizar el Consejo de Congregación en Venezuela, les envío esta nota para orar y para reflexionar qué podemos hacer por nuestros hermanos que están viviendo semejante situación. Acaba de salir el siguiente comunicado de la Conferencia Episcopal de Venezuela, que es bastante ilustrativo de lo que sucede. Gracia por su lectura.

Al P. Provincial, Humberto Hernández, a todos los Eudistas, incorporados, asociados y candidatos, les hacemos llegar nuestra solidaridad y afecto. Los animamos a seguir firmes en la fe, tal como lo haría nuestro Padre Juan Eudes, siempre abogando por las causas de los más débiles.

Unidos en Un solo Corazón, en Jesús y María,



Camilo, cjm



jueves, 28 de abril de 2016

Préparation de la célébration de l'anniversaire du 150e anniversaire de la mort d'Amélie Fristel

Nous nous préparons à célébrer le 150e anniversaire de la mort de Soeur Amélie Fristel, fondateur de la Congrégation des Sacrés Cœurs de Jésus et de Marie, pourquoi, le 14 de chaque mois, nous allons partager un message lié à la sœur Amélie ou son travail jusqu'au 16 Octobre de cette année que l'événement a lieu.

Les traits distinctifs de la famille des Saints Cœurs apparaissent clairement dans son histoire et dans la personnalité de la fondatrice Amélie Fristel :

  • humilité personnelle et communautaire
  • soumission filiale à l’Église
  • ardeur à faire connaître Jésus Christ et sa sainte Mère
  • charité fraternelle qui fasse de toutes les sœurs les membres d’une même famille, le tout vécu dans la simplicité



Pascua de santa María Eufrasia Pelletier

Fundadora del congregación Nuestra Señora de la Caridad del Buen Pastor

Hoy hermanas y partners a quienes alcanza la misión del Buen Pastor celebramos la vida, vocación y celo apostólico de santa María Eufrasia. Todos/as no sólo agradecemos y hacemos memoria de esta extraordinaria mujer visionaria, arriesgada y enamorada del proyecto de Jesucristo: Que todos/as tengan Vida en Abundancia.

Antes de morir María Eufrasia dice a las hermanas: Les dejo como herencia el amor a la cruz y el celo por la salvación de las personas”. Estas mismas palabras son para nosotros/as hoy, nos sentimos con la responsabilidad de hacer fecunda la misión del Buen Pastor.
La “Obra Santa” está en nuestras manos, que nuestra tierna y buena madre Eufrasia interceda por nosotros/as, anime nuestro celo apostólico para ser signos y medio de encuentro con el amor del Buen Pastor cuyo amor todo lo invade, salva, restaura y dignifica.
instrumentos de reconciliación.

¡Gran Dios! ¿Qué hacemos en este mundo y para qué estamos en él, si no es para contribuir a la salvación de nuestros hermanos/as? (Santa María Eufrasia)
He aquí nuestra vocación: la salvación de nuestros hermanos/as, que tanto a ellos, como nosotros podamos experimentar misericordia, amor preferencial, cuidado, ternura y alegría del Pastor Bueno.

Oh Dios, tu que concediste a santa María Eufrasia
la gracia de seguir las huellas del Buen Pastor;
te pedimos que, podamos vivir en fidelidad y fecundidad
nuestra vocación y ser consumidas por la compasión de Cristo Buen Pastor.

Hna. Carolina Madariaga M.




Concert "La valse de l'Empereur"

Venez découvrir mardi 10 mai ou jeudi 12 mai prochain l'interprétation audacieuse et originale par le Choeur Bonsaï de la célèbre "Valse de l'Empereur" de Johann Strauss.
L'Odéon de Saint Jean Hulst accueillera très prochainement un nouveau spectacle de Sylvain Audinovski, chef d'Orchestre, des frères Jarry au violencelle et piano et du Choeur Bonsaï : mardi 10 mai ou jeudi 12 mai à à 20h30 - 26 rue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny à Versailles.

La volonté de Sylvain Audinovski étant de relier musique classique et musique Pop, nous vous proposons 1h30 de musique surprenante, amusante et de qualité. Vous y retrouverez Queen et Freddy Mercury côtoyant Bach ou Rachmaninov à la Valse de L’Empereur.

Nous serions très heureux de vous y retrouver en famille ainsi qu'avec vos amis.

Pour la réservation des places (plein tarif 15€, tarif réduit 10€ pour les mineurs et les personnels de St jean), envoyez un mail à production@ensemblebonsaï.com ou téléphonez au 06 48 36 27 32.

Nous vous attendons nombreux !




Little Sisters Receive Notre Dame’s Evangelium Vitae Award

Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of Fort Wayne-South Bend with the Little Sisters (front row: Prof. O Carter Snead; back row: Ryan Madison, Associate Director of the Center for Ethics and Culture.)On April 9th Mother Loraine Marie Clare, provincial of our Baltimore province, received Notre Read more about the award here. or here.
Dame University’s Center for Ethics and Culture Evangelium Vitae Award.

The following are Mother Loraine’s remarks after receiving the medal.

Good Evening Bishop Rhoades,

Professor Carter Snead, Director of the Center for Ethics and Culture,

Members of the Center’s Executive Advisory Committee,

The University of Notre Dame

Priests, Religious, Friends and Benefactors:

Thank you for your presence and a special thank you to our Residents, without whom we would not be here.
It is no secret that we, Little Sisters of the Poor, recently walked down the white marble steps of the Supreme Court of the United States after presenting our case hoping to protect our Religious Freedom and the right to remain faithful to the teachings of the Church, most especially those teachings that uphold the sanctity of human life.

Although this is a situation with many challenges — ones we could never have envisioned — it has brought us to a new level of faith and trust in God’s Providence over us. We have received many graces and an outpouring of love and support and have worked with some incredible people on our legal team, for which we will be forever grateful.

Tonight, we Little Sisters are honored to receive the Evangelium Vitae Award. I am very aware that each and every person in this room is deeply committed to the protection of life. Your presence gives witness to the respect and dignity of which each human person is worthy. Our society, now more than ever, needs witnesses to the truth that every human person, at each stage of life, is made in the image and likeness of God and therefore is deserving of their “Right to Life”!
The existence of an award such as the Evangelium Vitae is an opportunity for all of us to stop, reflect,
and celebrate the meaning of the gift of life. I am grateful to be here along with many other Little Sisters of the Poor. We need occasions like this evening which help us witness to the two greatest gifts that our Heavenly Father could possibly give us; life here on earth, and the gift of eternal life that His Son, Jesus merited for us by becoming one of us.

Everyone here this evening has strong convictions for the sanctity of life and has embraced this commitment as the people of God.

I would like to reflect on our common commitment to the Gospel of Life in this “Year of Mercy,” proclaimed by our Holy Father who encourages us to gaze even more attentively on mercy so that we may become a more effective sign of the Father’s action in our lives.”

There are two aspects to mercy from the Holy Father that I find meaningful and would like to share with you. Mercy is a “divine attitude which embraces” and it is “God’s identity card.”

Together let us just ponder a minute what this expression could mean for each of us.

What is our identity card? How during this Year of Mercy do we embrace others? How can our gaze reflect the tenderness of God to others, whoever the “other” may be for us in our everyday life?

As Little Sisters of the Poor, we take a fourth vow of hospitality to care for the elderly poor, regardless of race or religion, receiving them as Christ, offering them a home, caring for them as our family and as sisting them with dignity until God calls them home to himself.

Our Rule of Life tells us that our consecrated hospitality is, in the midst of the world, a witness to the mercy of the Father and the compassionate love of the Heart of Jesus.

I am very grateful to God for the many opportunities that our vocation offers us to be instruments of his mercy in our charism of hospitality.

O. Carter SneadFor me personally my vow of hospitality is keenly felt when I care for the sick and the dying, assuring that they are clean and comfortable, that their sheets are fresh, creating an environment where the experience of death for our Residents and families is one of a dignified and prayerful preparation.

I feel that we are almost securing them a place in heaven in case they can’t make it there on their own. One never knows the state of a soul, and while much of our work is providing good health care for the elderly, their spiritual needs are also a priority for us.

It can be our actions, however so small, that will win hearts over even when we least expect it. If I may I would like to tell you a story how this became very real for me in my own vocation.

I was the local superior in one of our homes, and a new Resident, (we will give him the name of John
just for this story) moved into the apartments. I don’t think he was ever accepted very well by his peers and at a young age he enlisted in the army, became very fluent in foreign languages, and never came back to live in the USA. He remained single and was hired to teach English to businessmen in another country.

Well, John came to visit his brother in the states and while here he fell and broke his hip. After his rehab John’s brother convinced him to stay in the United States, thus he needed a home. His brother and sister-in-law brought him to us and after a short visit he moved into the home.

John had been somewhat rejected by society, yet there was an innocence about him and the Little Sisters and Residents in the home just accepted him for who he was.

After a while I was transferred to Baltimore to become Provincial and about a year after my leaving that home we gave hospitality to a family who knew of John’s story and his family. It was recounted to me that John’s brother, who initially brought him to the home and after many years being away from the Church, returned to the sacraments because of the witness of love and acceptance by the Residents and Little Sisters for his brother John.

No one was doing anything extraordinary. The Little Sisters — simply living our vow of hospitality as family with our Residents, being kind and accepting — brought about a significant change in someone’s life. By overcoming our human tendencies to push people away and make the effort to be present to them, we become witnesses of God’s love and it bears fruit when we least expect it.
Pope Francis is making it easy for us to make deposits into our identity card. This Year of Mercy offers many opportunities to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy and Jesus’ words are the core message of the Year of Mercy:

“Then the King will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you? And when did we see you sick and in prison and visit you? And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.”

Jesus was all about life and living it in love for the Father. His example of feeding the hungry and healing the sick during his short time on this earth speaks for itself; it speaks of life. Some may not always have the opportunity to physically give someone a drink, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the imprisoned or bury the dead. So let us not forget the spiritual works of mercy: to counsel the doubtful, instruct the ignorant, admonish sinners, comfort the afflicted, forgive offences, bear patiently those who do us ill, and pray for the living and the dead.

So how can we, in our everyday lives, give a simple witness to God’s mercy in meaningful ways?

There is in each human person a freedom and an inherent instinct to reverence life, but sometimes indifference blinds us to the truth about the sacredness of life and the love and tolerance we should have for others.

St. Francis of Assisi said to his new Religious Community: Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words!”

There are some simple yet significant ways to be effective witnesses of mercy and to share in the sufferings of others. When we cast a gaze of love, God’s gaze of love upon our brothers and sisters by being cheerful with others, smiling when we don’t want to, listening when we feel we don’t have the time, being present when we want to be somewhere else, suppressing our judgments of others and being open to them in our everyday lives we give the witness that Sr. Francis of Assisi preached. These gestures of mercy say to someone, “I respect you, your life has worth as a person.”
Mother Loraine with Ryan Madison and O. Carter Snead.
Pope Paul VI said something very similar in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Nuntiandi: “Modern man listens more willingly to witnesses than to teachers and if he does listen to teachers it is because they are witnesses.”

I ask myself as we continue to work through our present situation, how can I be a witness to mercy, especially towards those who have a different belief system than I? How, in this milieu, can I show acceptance and respect for others while also witnessing to the truth, even though at times my efforts seem to fall on deaf ears? For this good to be accomplished, prayer is essential.

One of the members of Women Speak for Themselves wrote to us after our day at the Supreme Court. She says of the religious sisters who were there outside in support: “Our rally would not have been the success it was without the magnificent participation of the Sisters!”

“Their gracious movements throughout the crowd, handing out cookies (even to those who opposed them), speaking patiently with curious passers-by, even joining in an occasional cheer or chant was like a benediction on the day. It was incredible, and speaking for us and many of our friends, it was a kind of spiritual renewal which focused us as we headed into the Easter Triduum!”

We reach our highest potential when we give of ourselves and put others first. Not all take a vow of hospitality, but all are called to extend mercy which witnesses to each one’s dignity. Pope Francis says of hospitality: The rule of hospitality has always been sacred in the simplest of Christian families.

The Church would not exist without true charity in service to others. It is at the heart of her very nature. And since we are Church, the living body of Christ, we have inherited a serious responsibility to assure that all those in need have the opportunity to see what Christ’s love is about: what it means, what it entails and where is leads.

It is the means to the end, a channel through which we draw others into the life for which we were made. To quote from Pope Benedict’s encyclical, Deus Caritas Est: “We contribute to a better world only by personally doing good now, with full commitment and wherever we have the opportunity” (#31).

Many of you know that our Holy Father visited our Home in D.C. this past September. He encouraged us in our mission of Hospitality and spoke to us from his heart saying that whatever we do for our elderly Residents even the smallest gesture we do for Jesus, and that one day we will have a big surprise waiting for us in heaven!

To conclude, I would be remiss this evening while at Notre Dame University — this great institution named after our Blessed Mother and worthy of our attention — not to invoke her in some way and make her present to us as we celebrate the sacredness of life together.

Therefore, I would like to close with the words of Pope Francis as our thoughts now turn to our Mother of Mercy.

“No one has penetrated the profound mystery of the Incarnation like Mary. Her entire life was patterned after the presence of mercy made flesh. The Mother of the Crucified and Risen One has entered the sanctuary of divine mercy because she participated intimately in the mystery of His love.

“May the sweetness of her countenance watch over us in the Holy Year, so that all of us may rediscover the joy of God’s tenderness.”

Once again, thank you all for being here and celebrating this honor with us and the opportunity for the Little Sisters of the Poor to witness with you to the sacredness of life while at the same time joining our efforts and commitment for this important moral cause.





miércoles, 27 de abril de 2016

La continua apuesta de UNIMINUTO por la transformación social de Colombia

De izquierda a derecha: Marelen Castillo, Vicerrectora General Académica UNIMINUTO y Rectora UVD; padre Diego Jaramillo, Presidente Organización El Minuto de Dios y Leonidas López, Rector General UNIMINUTO.

 Bogotá D.C., abril 20 de 2016. La Corporación Universitaria Minuto de Dios realizó la ceremonia Lanzamiento Maestrías UNIMINUTO, planteadas a partir del desarrollo del Panel de Transformación Social. El evento contó con la participación del fotoperiodista Jesús Abad Colorado, decanos de la Institución como panelistas, bajo la moderación de Jessica de la Peña, presentadora de Noticias RCN.

Un total de cuatro maestrías fueron presentadas en este lanzamiento, ellas fueron: Comunicación, Desarrollo y Cambio Social, por Amparo Cadavid Bringe, decana de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Comunicación; Gerencia Social, por Andrés Felipe Ortiz Zamora, decano de la Facultad de Ciencias Empresariales; Innovaciones Sociales en Educación, por Francisco Perea Mosquera, decano de la Facultad de Educación; Paz, Desarrollo y Ciudadanía, planteada por su propio director, Carlos Eduardo Martínez.

El padre Diego Jaramillo Cuartas, Presidente de la Organización El Minuto de Dios y Leonidas López Herrán, Rector General UNIMINUTO, realizaron la apertura del evento recalcando la continua apuesta de la Institución por trabajar en la transformación social de la sociedad y tener a disposición estas maestrías al servicio social de país.

Jesús Abad Colorado, invitado especial.Jessica de la Peña, Francisco Perea,Andrés Ortíz, Amparo Cadavid, Carlos Martínez y Jesús Abad.

El Panel inició con la intervención de Jesús Abad, quien realizó una muestra de su trabajo enfocado en los derechos humanos y el conflicto armado colombiano. Posteriormente, uno a uno fueron integrándose los panelistas de las maestrías quienes explicaron de qué manera estos estudios le aportarán a la transformación social del país. También se realizó la presentación de las experiencias de los Colegios Minuto de Dios alrededor de la Cátedra de Paz.

Una vez finalizada la ceremonia, los asistentes interesados en ingresar a los programas presentados, tenían la posibilidad de acceder a un 100% de descuento en el valor de su inscripción. Esta opción estuvo únicamente disponible para el 19 de abril.





Vitraux et rénovation

La maison de retraite (EHPAD) Paradis à Espaly-Saint-Marcel a été ouverte en 1985 par les Frères du Sacré-Cœur. Sa chapelle avait besoin d’une rénovation et des vitraux y ont été installés. L’inauguration a eu lieu le 17 avril.

La restauration a principalement consisté à refaire les peintures et à reprendre la sonorisation. Mais le plus marquant est l’installation des vitraux créés par Brehed Kaeppelin. Conçus dès l’origine en lien avec les sculptures de Dominique Kaeppelin (La Résurrection et la Vierge Marie), leur fabrication et leur installation avaient été laissé en suspend. C’est maintenant chose faite grâce au soutien de la Fondation Paradis, propriétaire des lieux.

Mgr Crepy a présidé l’Eucharistie dimanche 17 avril pour inaugurer cette chapelle restaurée. Il y était entouré des prêtres qui résident ou interviennent dans la Maison, de la communauté des frères du Sacré-Cœur, et des autres résidents. Un représentant du supérieur général, le provincial, le président de la Fondation Paradis M. Jean-Paul Laval, un frère résident et le Fr. Jean Bonnet, supérieur de la communauté, ont pris la parole. À noter que Mgr Crepy a remis au Fr. Bonnet la médaille de la reconnaissance diocésaine.

Photos :
- Michel Ramousse
- Fondation Paradis






Preparation for the anniversary celebration of the 150th anniversary of the death of Amélie Fristel

We prepare ourselves to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the death of sister Amélie Fristel, founder of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, so, each month every fourteen day we will share a related message about sister Amélie or his work until 16th October this year when this event will be held.

Her religious family has been faithful to the spiritual heritage of their founder:

  • Personal and communitarian humility
  • Filial submission to the Church
  • The big desire of having communion with Jesus Christ and His Holy Mother
  • Fraternal charity that unites each member of this family, in life of simplicity






Invitan a ciclo de conferencias sobre el matrimonio

La primera se realizará el próximo sábado 30 de abril en las instalaciones de la Casa Eudes.

Con el fin de apoyar a la comunidad de Casa Eudes que atiende a niñas y adolescentes hijas de madres y padres solteros, este mes de abril iniciará un ciclo de conferencias enfocadas a la familia.

La hermana Teresa Fernández, superiora de la Casa Eudes informó que las conferencias serán impartidas por Eduardo y Patricia Sanabria, mentores con certificación en atención a parejas, quienes en esta primera etapa hablarán sobre el matrimonio.

Las ponencias se presentarán mensualmente en las instalaciones de Casa Eudes (ubicada en Avenida Manuel Gómez Morín 8009 interior 5) y se pedirá un donativo es de 100 pesos por conferencia. Los participantes podrán acudir ya sea a las 9 de la mañana o a las 6 de la tarde.

Entre los temas que se presentarán están: “Matrimonio a prueba de divorcio”, “El perdón en la pareja”, “Las 5 necesidades de amor de las parejas”.

También “Venciendo los obstáculos para la felicidad en la pareja” y “Pareja exitosa”.

Eduardo Sanabria dijo que con sus presentaciones buscan educar a las parejas sobre la vivencia del matrimonio y así prevenir conflictos o hasta divorcios. Ello con base en la experiencia que han tenido en el taller “Sanando la pérdida de la pareja”, en el que llegaron a preguntarse qué se debe hacer para evitar un divorcio.

“Invitamos a toda la población para que vayan y reciban esta información, son bienvenidos. Esperamos que sea provechoso y de pasada apoyamos a las hermanas de Casa Eudes”, dijo.

Los boletos para las conferencias están a la venta en las librerías de las parroquias Nuestra Señora de la Paz, El Señor de la Misericordia y La Sagrada Familia

Ciclo de conferencias sobre la familia

Sábado 30 de abril. Matrimonio a prueba de divorcio

Sábado 21 de mayo. El perdón en la pareja

Sábado 18 de junio. Las 5 necesidades de amor de las parejas

Sábado 13 de agosto. Venciendo los obstáculos para la felicidad

Sábado 22 de septiembre. Pareja exitosa





Housing and humanity: A holistic vision is required

by Clare Nolan

Recently my attention has been drawn away (thankfully) from national political campaigns and (mercifully) from ISIS atrocities. Unexpectedly, while visiting Kenya, I was pulled toward an awareness of housing.

I've never worked in housing ministry and I often take housing for granted, even as I always feel grateful to return to my own home after time away. My joy is not only in retuning to home "where my heart is" but also in returning to a secure, warm, shelter with running water, ventilation, and much else that goes with middle-class housing in a country such as the United States.

Recent exposure to housing varieties across Kenya opened to me a glimpse into hierarchies of housing that seem to be yet another indication of the looming and growing disparities we have created between human beings. It leaves a sinking feeling with the obvious question, "what to do?"

The most degraded housing I saw was in Western Kenya, in the Kipsongo "slum" near Kitale. Internally displaced tribal peoples with pastoral traditions have migrated in past decades, as prolonged drought in the north and west has killed animal herds and caused famine. The displaced people have settled (squatted) on land that serves as a garbage dump for the town of Kitale. Arriving people constructed shelter out of paper and plastic found in piles of waste underfoot. The beehive shaped structures are about 10 feet in diameter at the base, with entrance openings 3 or 4 feet high and no other ventilation, save the leaks and cracks through plastic layers.


The Sisters of Good Shepherd came in 2008, upon invitation of the bishop, to provide various social supports. The "slum" is now called the Kispongo "community," removing a pejorative label on a place people call home. Still, people continue to live in substandard homes, with government taking virtually no responsibility for relocation assistance, employment support, or permanent stability. Communities remain socially isolated, scorned and feared by long-established residents; they remain largely without skills or hope.

Some settlements have improved. The sisters took me to a community where there has been some upgrading, where most paper and plastic shelters have been replaced with rectangular walls of mud and animal dung, fortified with sticks. They have rusted pieces of tin for roofs, held down by large rocks. At least there was a roof; the rainy season arrives forcefully here. At least there were window openings; heat is oppressive. But the windows have no closure against the rain — back to scrap plastics!

The pride these families took in their upgraded housing was dismal comfort to me as I imagined the dangers of nightfall and cold ground. But I found some solace in the circular shape and thatch roofs of a few of the mud-stick houses, evocative of traditional homes for which, undoubtedly, hearts still yearn. I felt a resilient spirit at work in a people with endurance and some kind of desire for their children and community. In fact, in this improved community children have access to day care operated by the sisters; some have entered and passed primary classes, defying and surpassing the norm of tradition by which older herd-keeping generations have no experience with, or value for, formal schooling. While real, such improvements are slow since the various settlements encompass thousands of persons, and the sisters are only two.

I left Kitale, a long car ride back to Nairobi. I noticed, as I had not on the trip going to Kitale, levels
of housing that typify a range of social differences. Going there, it all seemed like stark poverty to me. However, after being in Kitale, I was able to perceive divergent housing wealth on the return trip.

Close to towns and makeshift street markets, the houses were small structures of makeshift bricks loosely piled but able to withstand weather, with scrap tin roofs nailed down. As we approached small cities with more visible schools and shops, the homes were of substantial well-laid brick, with stable roofs of metal alloy sheets, intended for permanence. Finally, as we came into the wealthier suburbs of Nairobi (where many religious institutions have their headquarters and novitiates) we saw large two-story homes, brightly painted, some concrete construction as well as brick, with shiny roofs of painted metal or clay tiles. These homes were difficult to see as they had high walls around them topped by barbed wire, with security guards at gated entrances.

I think this panoramic parade of housing across Kenya could be replicated across the globe. It is a parade of shame where children sleep on dirt floors, and progress consists of mud and sticks while people continue without sanitation, safety, or protection from vermin.

Catholic social teaching has always taught that housing — decent, safe, and affordable — is a human right. Bishops' conferences and Catholic Charities have consistently advocated for governments to form public policy that implements secure housing for all.

I can imagine Pope Francis speaking directly to the residents of Kipsongo rather than to the United Nations when he spoke of a "relentless process of exclusion." How might the community, living on top of a garbage dump, hear these words from the pope's address in September 2015? "Economic and social exclusion is . . . a grave offense against human rights. . . . The poorest are those who suffer most . . . . they are cast off by society, forced to live off what is discarded and suffer unjustly from the abuse of the environment. They are part of today's widespread and quietly growing 'culture of waste'."


In the civil society arena there has been a global movement in the past decade to ensure universal "Social Protection Floors," housing being among the essential basics upon which any human dignity can be built. This is now reinforced in U.N. Sustainable Development Goal #11, the first target of which is to "ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums." This target never stands alone. It is girded about by 16 goals that include food security, resilient infrastructure, sustainable production and consumption, and natural resource conservation, to name a few. Just as each goal cannot stand alone, neither can communities of humanity stand alone; we are in this together and I cannot be complacent in my own comfort when brothers and sisters are suffering so.

Decrees of church and society seem to say the right things, but a connection to the reality of people is too often lost.

The challenge is to understand that the web of human indignities including poverty, unsanitary or no
water, meager access to health care, lack of employment, substandard or no education, and disregard for tribal traditions are thoroughly interconnected. A holistic vision is required.

Personally I am called to make the link between lack of housing and the trafficking of women, between inadequate shelter and woeful education, between mental vulnerability and environmental wreckage, between women's empowerment and no place to bathe. But just to define this is not to answer anything.

My hope is that shared awareness can strengthen efforts, can impel fluid movement across areas of expertise, can support partnerships and hold complex interrelationships at the center of all work towards sustainability and human dignity.

[Sr. Clare Nolan is the International Justice Training Coordinator for the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, an international woman’s religious congregation that is involved in providing social services in about 70 counties, with a particular focus on women and girls in vulnerable situations.]






1er mai

Les révolutionnaires ont voulu fêter le travail.
En 1793, Fabre d’Eglantine en avait fixé la date.
Mais ce fut sans suite.

Par contre, la grève générale du 1er mai 1886 aux U. S. A.
a véritablement lancé la journée internationale des travailleurs.
Son but était d’obtenir la journée de 8 heures (soit 48 heures par semaine).
Le 20 juillet 1889, la IIème internationale socialiste en proposa la date
et, dans le monde entier, elle fut mise en œuvre le 1er mai 1890.

Les temps ont changé…Mais le 1er mai est toujours férié.
L’Eglise en a fait une fête de saint Joseph artisan,
comme pour dire : ce n’est pas le travail qu’il faut fêter ;
Il est nécessaire, certes, mais il est ce que l’on en fait.
Ce qu’il faut fêter, ce sont les travailleurs :
Ils contribuent à la vie et à la création du monde.

Les temps ont changé.
L’organisation, le numérique changent le travail…
Mais les travailleurs demeurent !
Certains –surtout parmi les jeunes- sont au chômage.

Le 1er mai retentit comme un appel…
Un appel à inventer une société où le travail serait possible.
Pour tous.

Monseigneur Michel Dubost
Evêque d’Evry – Corbeil-Essonnes
Le 24 avril 2016




martes, 26 de abril de 2016

Preparación para la celebración del aniversario de los 150 años de la muerte de Amélie Fristel

Nos preparamos para celebrar el aniversario número 150 de la muerte de la hermana Amélie Fristel, fundadora de la Congregación de los Sagrados Corazones de Jesús y de María, motivo por el cual, los días 14 de cada mes compartiremos un mensaje alusivo a la hermana Amélie o a su obra hasta llegar al 16 de octubre del presente año que se celebra dicho acontecimiento.

Las características distintivas de la familia de los Sagrados Corazones se ven claramente en su historia y la personalidad de su fundadora:

  • La humildad personal y comunitaria
  • La sumisión filial a la Iglesia
  • El ardor de comunicarse con Jesucristo y su santa Madre
  • La caridad fraterna que hace de todas las hermanas miembros de una familia, todas viviendo en la sencillez



Parish Work Day May 21st

Feed the Hungry - The May 21st challenge – It’s Epic!! Did you know that the U.S. Letter Carrier’s Association is the oldest union in the nation having been founded by Civil War veterans in 1889? Did you know that each year for the last 24 years the Letter Carriers have organized the Stamp Out Hunger food drive, the nation’s largest food drive?

Here in the San Fernando Valley the MEND food bank receives a great deal of the food collected by the carriers during the food drive and it all needs to be sorted. That’s why we need you on May 21, when the St. John Eudes parish community will go to MEND to help. While we have had a good turn-out this past year at each of our monthly service days, we need everyone who can volunteer to help on this day. We will meet in the lobby at 10 a.m. and be there until 1:00 p.m.

If you are interested please call:

Mary Ann Cummins Prager at 818-294-8806 or email her at: maprager@StJohnEudes.org to RSVP.
All are welcome, including children over the age of 8.

MEND is located at 10641 N. San Fernando Road in Pacoima. It will be busy that day so plan to come early for nearby parking.




Cinquième dimanche de Pâques

24 avril 2016

Actes 14, 21b-27

Psaume 145 (144)

Apocalypse 21, 1-5a

Jean 13, 31-33a.34-35

L’Evangile de ce dimanche a un mot central dans chacune de ses deux parties.- Le mot central de la 1ère partie est le mot GLOIRE.

«Quand Judas est sorti, Jésus dit : «« Maintenant, le Fils de l'homme reçoit de Dieu la gloire, et ainsi Dieu montre sa gloire en lui. Si le Fils montre la gloire de Dieu,32Dieu montrera lui-même la gloire du Fils et il va bientôt la montrer.»(vv31-32). C’est une manière ancienne, juive, de parler. Elle veut dire la correspondance des relations entre le Père et le Fils ou, mieux encore, leur unité fondamentale. (Saint Jean l’a exprimé en d’autres formules : « qui m’a vu, a vu le Père ». « Moi et le Père, Nous sommes un ».)Dire que « le Fils de l’Homme reçoit de Dieu la gloire et ainsi Dieu montre sa gloire en lui,» c’est dire que le Fils est le reflet , l'image, le portrait du Père.

C’est donc au moment précis où Judas part dans la nuit (v.30) pour renier Jésus que lui, Jésus, accomplit sa mission d’être le reflet ,le portrait- l'image du Père. C'est à cet instant précis que commence la passion du Christ. Il a dit lui-même que « maintenant »,(v.31) à partir de cette minute là, il reçoit la gloire de Dieu. Et Dieu montre sa gloire en lui. La gloire de Dieu et de son Fils rayonne tout au long de la Passion, et éclate au matin de Pâques.

C’est bien l’heure de la gloire de Jésus parce que le Fils trahi, abandonné de tous, persécuté par tous, persévère, Lui seul contre tous, à n’être qu’amour, bienveillance et pardon. Il révèle aux hommes et femmes jusqu’où va l’amour du Père, c’est-à-dire jusqu’à l’infini, sans limites.

- Le mot central de la 2e partie est le mot "NOUVEAU" .

Jésus parle d’un commandement nouveau: « Aimez-vous les uns les autres ». Le commandement était déjà présent dans la tradition juive qui recommandait l’amitié et le service mutuel. Ce qui est neuf, c’est de demander un amour qui s’étend jusqu’aux ennemis.

L’Evangile ne cesse de nous demander de bâtir un monde fraternel. Et la raison en est simple : c’est parce que Dieu est Amour, parce que Dieu n’est qu’Amour. « Aimez-vous les uns les autres comme je vous ai aimés » dit Jésus,(v.34) c’est-à-dire le même Esprit qui est Celui du Père en même temps que Celui du Fils. Tant que cela n’est pas réalisé, ni en voie de l’être, nous fermons au monde le chemin vers Dieu.

On voit donc que dans notre évangile d’aujourd’hui les deux parties, la gloire et le commandement nouveau de l’amour, vont ensemble. Jésus dit: maintenant je vais révéler au monde jusqu’où va l’amour du Père et maintenant je vous donne un commandement nouveau, une mission neuve : c’est d’aimer de la même manière.

Un mot de l'Apocalypse...

La nouveauté, nous la trouvons aussi dans l’Apocalypse,(2ème lecture)ce livre étrange rempli de visions et de symboles. Il n’est pas fait pour nous faire rêver. Il entretient en nous la certitude de la victoire finale du Christ sur toutes les puissances du mal. Les premiers chrétiens le lisaient pour y trouver le réconfort dont ils avaient besoin sous la persécution. Quand nous le lisons, nous y cherchons le même réconfort au milieu des épreuves de ce monde et de ce temps.

« J’ai vu un ciel nouveau et une terre nouvelle. Alors Celui qui siégeait sur le trône déclara : Voici que Je fais toutes choses nouvelles ». La grande nouveauté dont il s’agit, c’est que Dieu se fait proche des humains totalement et de façon définitive.

- Dieu se fait proche en envoyant Son Fils parmi nous.

- Il n'y a pas d'obstacles qui puissent empêcher Dieu d'être proche. « Je donnerai gratuitement à celui qui a soif l’eau de la source de vie ».(Apoc 21,6)

Telle est la certitude que le livre de l’Apocalypse veut solidement planter en nous, pour nous rendre capables de témoigner que Dieu nous comblera, surtout auprès de ceux et celles que les épreuves amènent au découragement et au désespoir.

Il se faite proche dans cette eucharistie par sa Parole qui nous réconforte et par le Pain de Vie que nous allons recevoir et qui nous donne la force de continuer la route!





Festa de Nossa Senhora Aparecida dia 13 de maio





Ordenación Diaconal José Rafael Hernández Gallegos, cjm

 
El pasado 12 de marzo del presente la Provincia de Colombia ha sido bendecida con la ordenación de un nuevo diácono de origen mexicano: José Rafael Hernández Gallegos, quien realizó sus estudios en la Casa de Formación Eudista “Ave Cor” en la Ciudad de México; y actualmente se encuentra en actividad pastoral en Colombia.

El día 12 de marzo, el joven José Rafael fue ordenado diácono por Monseñor Jairo Jaramillo, Arzobispo de Barranquilla en la parroquia del Espíritu Santo de esta misma ciudad.


El nuevo diácono fue acompañado por los hermanos de comunidad, sus familiares, amigos, asociados eudistas, así como las Hermanas del Buen Pastor y representantes de la familia eudista. Nos regocijamos con este nuevo servidor de la Iglesia y pedimos al Espíritu Santo que lo llene de sus carismas y dones para que pueda ejercer con “audacia e intrepidez” su ministerio diaconal.

El diácono José Rafael ejercerá su ministerio en el Seminario Valmaría, acompañando a los jóvenes filósofos; así como a los jóvenes que tienen la inquietud por la vida sacerdotal eudista.






lunes, 25 de abril de 2016

Exhortation Amoris Laetitia : Discussion avec Mgr d’Ornellas

Mardi 12 avril, lors de notre rencontre communautaire hebdomadaire, Monseigneur d’Ornellas est venu nous partager les fruits de sa première lecture de la toute nouvelle exhortation apostolique Amoris Laetitia du pape François.

Le pape ne change pas la doctrine de l’Eglise sur la famille, mais il redit les choses sous la lumière de l’amour ; c’est dans la nature même de l’amour que se trouve le désir de l’enfant et l’indissolubilité. La doctrine chrétienne est confirmée par l’expérience que nous faisons de l’amour véritable. Dans cette encyclique, le pape ne donne pas de directive mais une multitude d’attentions pastorales à avoir ; il ne donne pas de réponse mais nous invite à être créatifs pour accueillir chaque situation et l’accompagner avec la charité et la miséricorde du Christ.

Enfin, Monseigneur nous a invité à ne pas être de vieux garçons incapables de prêcher sur la famille mais il nous a invité à vivre la charité fraternelle au sein de notre famille, la communauté du séminaire, car « la qualité de la charité fraternelle dans un séminaire dira la qualité de la pastorale vis-à-vis des familles ».

Adrien, le 18 avril 2016




Annual Retreat: Participating in the Mission of the Spirit

March 30-April 4, 2016 was the second retreat given by Fr. Hermes LarrySabud, SM on the overall theme: “Participating in the Mission of the Spirit” to the Good Shepherd Sisters, this time in our Seminar House, Cebu.

There were a total of thirty-six retreatants, from our communities in Mindanao-Visayas plus two Sisters from Luzon with lay women, Marites Uy, blood sister of our Sister John Pasion and Evelyn Sigue, our aspirant.
He gave one talk each day with the overall broken down as follows: Day One: The Spirit acts in context of Prayer; Day Two: The Spirit leads us to Contemplation; Day 3: The Spirit leads us to Kenosis; Day 4: The Spirit leads us to Dialogue; Day 5: The Spirit leads us to Love and Day 6: The Spirit leads us to Harmony. Father Larry is quite an accomplished guitarist, playing his compositions for our opening prayer each day.

And at the close of our retreat after our supper, he gave a mini concert of his compositions and other familiar songs. It was a retreat well-received by all the participants. The tributes shared during the concluding Mass highlighted the appreciation for a deeper knowledge, understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in the Trinity and in our daily lives as consecrated religious women.





Mesc da Paróquia São João Eudes comemora Páscoa


Com uma Missa, promovida pela Pastoral dos Condomínios da Capela Divina Misericórdia, na residência dos ministros extraordinários da Sagrada Comunhão Alda e Augusto, o MESC de São João Eudes celebrou sua Páscoa com a presença dos ministros das capelas da Paróquia;.

A Missa celebrada pelo padre Juan Carlos contou com a participação dos ministros nas leituras e nas preces.

Após a Missa, os ministros se reuniram para uma alegre conversa.







Provincia de Ecuador informa sobre el estado de sus comunidades

Hna. Clemencia Rivera, Animadora Provincial de Ecuador, nos envía una carta comunicando sobre el terremoto de ese país.

Muy queridas Hermanas:

Gracias de todo corazón por todas sus manifestaciones de solidaridad que nos alientan en estos momentos de dolor junto al pueblo sufriente a causa del terremoto de este sábado 16 de abril, dejando cientos de muertos, desaparecidos y miles de heridos.

Nuestras hermanas de las Comunidades de la costa que trabajan en estas zonas del desastre natural, que por la misericordia de Dios no sufrieron daños personales, se mantienen junto a las familias que perdieron a sus seres queridos para llevarles consuelo y fortaleza.

El espíritu de solidaridad tanto a nivel nacional como internacional fortalece nuestra fe en el Dios de la Vida y de la esperanza. Confiamos en el amor compasivo de Jesús Buen Pastor que seguirá conduciendo y acompañando a nuestro pueblo en la restauración de sus vidas.

A nombre de la Provincia de Ecuador, gracias y bendiciones.

Con cariño.


Clemencia Rivera
Animadora Provincial




Retraites de Confirmation de Saint Jean Hulst

La semaine avant les vacances de printemps, plus de deux cents collégiens de 3ème sont partis en retraite de confirmation répartis en onze lieux (Douvres La Délivrande, Juay-Mondaye, Montligeon, Dax, Ligugé, Abbaye de la ste Croix à Poitiers, St Benoît sur Loire, Nevers, La Roche du Theil, Bec Hellouin, Pontmain).

Plusieurs ont été animées par des pères Eudistes (Laurent Tournier, Pierre-Henri Desprairies, Sylva Compagny, Bernard Héraut).

La diversité des lieux ouvre sur des propositions spirituelles différentes, que ce soit autour d’un témoin de la foi comme st Vincent de Paul, st Jean Eudes, st Benoît, ou par ce qui est vécu sur le lieu comme Juay-Mondaye et la liturgie.









À Pontmain, c’est avec Marie que nous avons cheminé durant ces trois jours. En janvier 1870, alors que les Prusses sont aux portes de Laval, à quelques kilomètres, La Vierge Marie apparaît à quatre enfants, invitant à la prière et à la conversion.

En mettant nos pas dans ceux de Marie, elle qui a fait confiance au Seigneur, elle qui a fait l’expérience de la miséricorde de Dieu et l’a chanté dans son Magnificat, les jeunes ont médité sur la mère du Sauveur comme figure exemplaire par son témoignage d’une foi simple, audacieuse, ouverte.

 






Le samedi 28 mai à l’église Notre-Dame de Versailles, tous recevront le sacrement de la confirmation. Tous ont vécu en ces retraites grâces et encouragements afin de poursuivre la route avec Jésus, l’envoyé du Père.

P Bernard Héraut (eudiste)