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SFP VOICES JUNE 2010
Vol. VI, No.5 © |
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HEALING THE WOUNDS OF CHRIST Dear Sisters, Associates and Friends, Peace and all good during (extra)Ordinary time! This issue raises up the wounds of the community of life to God for healing and illuminates the many and varied ways we are responding as a Congregation.
We are grateful to our Sisters and Associate across our Areas who communicate their hope and joy as they express the charism of Blessed Frances in and through their ministry in this June VOICES! United as your sister, Marilyn Trowbridge, sfp |
Human Trafficking: Another Wound of Christ
 The session’s theme |
 Sister Anne Claire, SFP working with her group |
 All participants |
sr. Anne Claire Kabore, sfp
The experience that comes with Sisters from West Africa (Benin, Guinea-Conakry, Mali and Senegal) concerning the struggle against human trafficking, especially the trade of women and children, is very deep and nurtured by the experiences of the people in charge of the International Organization for Migrations (IOM) who came from Rome and Senegal. This experience urged me to take to heart yet another wound of Christ.
The trade of children in this region is encouraged by the exploitation of natural resources where child labor is heavily used (plantations and mining). Their work and life conditions are very difficult. The children work extremely long days for very little pay (if any).
There is also the persistence of some traditional practices, such as, entrusting children to someone. These customs are more and more motivated by economic interests for the parents and for the marabouts (religious leaders) with no advantages for the children, for example, the migration of the talibés (young students of marabouts) especially to Senegal. They come from neighboring countries, particularly from Guinea Bissau. This kind of migration is also expanding to other countries.
 Mr. Stefano and Sister Josephine from Rome |
 Reflection Group |
Uniting and Expressing our Charisms
With the encouragement of Sister Tiziana Merletti and the Sisters of my Area, I participated along with the Sisters of the above mentioned countries in the creation of a network against human trafficking. The network’s headquarters is here in Senegal and its name is: Hand in Hand. This name signifies that it is together, by uniting our strengths and with our different charisms, that we must give to the human person their fundamental dignity.
This network for struggling against human trade, which is comprised of women religious from West Africa has a very special vision. We, women religious of Africa, are sensitive to the magnitude of the human trade phenomenon globally and we want to get together “hand in hand” to eliminate this injustice. While acting this way in the name of the Christ and in collaboration with other people who work for this same goal, we want to defend human dignity.
I am convinced that Happiness consists in having been given by GOD the eyes to see the CHRIST'S presence in people, especially in the poor and the despised. I echo this in the ministry I do as an expression of our charism in the way I serve people – with joy and conviction.
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“If we don’t care for the people, land, air, water and all the gifts that the Lord has given us, no form of life is possible, not even human life.”
sr. Tiziana Longhitano, sfp
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Today there is a more sophisticated awareness of the connection between nature and the quality of human life. In the past few years, our environmental consciousness has grown because of the consequences of the indiscriminate abuse of nature. The repercussions on human health have sharpened the awareness of many people thus creating the basis for a holistic education of the individual. The ecology of the individual will become part of communal and personal learning.
Faced with the emergence of environmental thinking and the various environmental problems, scientific and cultural resources offer a helpful contribution. Even theology offers input because to transform and improve the environment, human beings need to respect the purpose of the cosmos in and of itself and must conform to it so that the changes being made are not excessive or out of place.
Interconnections with the Environment and Health
I carry out my ministry in a multi-cultural environment that is quite varied. In my experience, I realize that awareness of environmental issues is not equally communicated in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Not all my students, who come from various places on the five continents, are aware of environmental problems. As soon as we start talking about them -- at university conferences, gatherings and films – they have very different experiences to share. They realize that behind many social issues there are environmental situations connected to water, climate, and land and that such issues often affect human health. One of my students returned home a few months ago to Guinea Bissau (near Senegal) with the intention of starting an environmental reflection circle to help his people better understand how to manage water, land, and protect themselves from illness.
The Earth is the Great Wounded One
Mother Frances’ healing charism is to be entrusted to everyone. Thus, besides the well-known Principle of Responsibility (Jonas), I also teach the Principle of Care to the students who take my courses. If we don’t care for the people, land, air, water and all the gifts that the Lord has given us, no form of life is possible, not even human life. Pius XII, addressing a group of farmers in 1946, talked about the earth as something that is alive, “. . . it is the great wounded one, the great sick one. Bending over her, not as a slave bound to work it, but as a doctor at the patient’s bedside, the farmer cares for her with love”(1). In those years, those who cared for the land were usually farmers, both in Europe and in other parts of the world. The land had been wounded by the war and needed to be rebuilt with patience. Those words were only sparks of wisdom and cannot be considered as having shaped an environmental culture expressed in action and handed down through the generations. Environmental awareness was still asleep during those years. Today things are different. Much can be done.
What if we Sisters and Associates were the ones called to keep environmental awareness alive in our people?
[Photography by Sr. Tiziana Longhitano)
Pius XII, Ad agrorum cultores ob conventum Confoederationis nationalis italicae Romae coadunatos, November 15 1946, in AAS 38, 434.
Healing our Children: Sister Arleen Bourquin is Honored
“As a Franciscan Sister of the Poor, she sees her ministry with CASA as one of standing with and speaking out for God's little ones...”
Submitted by Associate Leah Curtin
 Left to right: Judge Anthony Capizzi, Gold Star Award recipient Sr. Arleen Bourquin, and Judge Nick Kuntz |
On May 27 at the 22nd Annual CASA Volunteer Recognition Program, Sister Arleen Bourquin received the Gold Star Award for her work with the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program. CASA was created in 1977 to make sure the abuse and neglect of these children originally suffered at home does not continue at the hands of the system. As trained advocates, CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to be a voice for these children in court.
When CASA's program director introduced Sr. Arleen, she said: "Sr. Arleen is a Voice for the Voiceless. This GAL (Guardian ad litem) joined CASA in 2007. During her time with us, she has served six families and fifteen children. As a Franciscan Sister of the Poor, she sees her ministry with CASA as one of standing with and speaking out for God's little ones, the ones who have no voice because of their age or their fears.
She is a strong advocate for children, yet easily develops a rapport with them and the adults involved. For example, when a mother was in need of clothing for her four young children, this CASA GAL was able to make that happen. She has a deep love for children, believes they need to be protected and wants to do whatever she can to make life better for them. Congratulations to Arleen Bourquin on receiving the Gold Star Award and thank you for all that you do.
Congratulations, Sister Arleen!
“Love one another as I have loved you.” (John 13: 34)
 “Love one Another as I have Loved You.” Sr. Daniel Marie Meade, Sr. Maria Lucia Barbosa de Oliveira, and Sr. Maria Helena Carvalho (Brazil CCA) with the Jataí Associates. Elizabete de Fátima Câmara is seated in the center. Associate Miguel da Costa Câmara, husband of Elizabete, is standing at her right. |
Associate Elizabete de Fátima Bette Câmara
… He has fallen on the side of the road!
… His clothes are torn! He was humiliated, violated!
… His wounds are open!!
… He is at the mercy of fate!
… Oh, my... He was robbed! He lost the most important things he carried!
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As we hear these phrases, perhaps we are reminded of some news headlines – they sound so violent. . . or we may be reminded of Christ and his wounds. . . perhaps of the parable of the Good Samaritan.
No, dear sisters and brothers, we are not talking about the man in the Bible story. We are talking about our world, which is today so hurt, with open wounds. These wounds are the result of violence, intolerance, selfishness and prejudice. We stand witness to all persons around the world whose rights to life, dignity, health care, work, education have been denied.
The Good Samaritan, as he saw that poor man lying on the side of the road, beaten and needing help, was not motivated by selfishness or prejudice. Quite the contrary, he acted like a Christian today should: oblivious to the fact that the fallen man was a stranger, he decided to do good without discriminating.
Another person of total dedication was Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who spent her life healing the wounds of the sick, in the flesh and in their souls. That woman left us an example of selfishness, in humble service to others.
And what about us, who call ourselves Christians, what are we doing to heal the wounds of the world? Are we acting like the Good Samaritan? Are we following Mother Teresa’s example? Are we living as Jesus taught us?
We are called to Active Compassion
We all are well aware that the world is disfigured, hurt and left to its fate with open wounds. And it is not a new reality that humanity is more corroded by greed, indifference, selfishness and ultimately, by war. What is new, perhaps, is that we believe we can stay inactive in the face of so many problems. What is new is the acknowledgment that we are not practicing what the Son of God taught us to do: “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13: 34).
This is the greatest of all commandments that grounds our Christian duty: our love! Loving without prejudice, unconditionally, without second thoughts. The world is hurting and longing for our mercy! This compassionate love, as our great teacher Jesus Christ well clarified when telling his disciples the Good Samaritan parable, is rooted in caring and needs to be set in motion to heal the wounds of all humanity: “There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends” (John 15: 13).
May our love be the remedy that will make our world a better place! May we see all creatures as our brothers and sisters! Onward! Let us reach out to everyone with compassion!
Copyright 2010 Franciscan Sisters of the Poor