24 November –Ana Maria’s Birthday. “Happy Birthday” in different languages was sung by the Capitulants: another new “Zoom” experience! Catherine Pilenthiran’s birthday and Delphine Nguezia’s feast-day were also remembered.
After the Opening Prayer, Matthieu recalled the previous day’s work and brought the Capitulants to focus on the orientations for this second day.
The Election of the Superior General was scheduled for November 27, therefore the work of the oncoming days would be a discernment process directed mainly towards choosing potential members for the next General Leadership Team.
In preparation for this task, the Capitulants were instructed to recall the key elements of the work already done pre-Chapter, to reflect on and discern the main issues that the whole body and what the new GLT needs to prioritise over the next 6 years.
Explaining the purpose of reviewing these issues, the facilitator specified the necessity to choose Sisters who can help to lead the Institute towards the path that we are discerning for the future.
He gave three questions to orient the reflection:
- What are the main issues for the next 6 years
- What competencies will be required for the members of the future General Team
- What are the profiles of the Sisters who could be part of the future team
With this explanation, the Sisters were sent to small groups for their reflection and sharing.
Fruits of their reflection:
Issues for the next 6 years:
- Formation – integral and life long, offer intercultural experience, evaluate international/intercultural novitiates, attention to Pastoral care of vocations
- Accompaniment – not only initial but also till the end of life
- Formation of personnel – in different areas, preparing for continuation
- Structures– Administering of general pooling of the Institute, financial sustainability, Finances for Mission; revise the mission of the Centre of Spirituality in Martillac, Vicariate structure; dynamic structure for PBN Family – strengthen 5 vocations.
- Empower members in relation to - Climate change, the destruction of Planet.
Competence and Profile:
- Sisters with a sense of belonging to the Family, team spirit, ability to communicate, having a global vision of the Institute, Church, world; capacity to listen and discern, effective communication, ability to use new technology, flexibility, openness to the reality, readiness to bring change, and courage to take risks, willing to learn, able to manage complex situations, persons with hope and dynamism;
- Those with good health, rooted in their culture and open to the diversity of others, passion for mission, open to learn new languages, with some experience of leadership, merciful and gentle, with wisdom.
After listening to some the sharing of some of the group, Matthieu commented that it is not possible to expect any one Sister to have all the requirements expressed; “each one will have her limits!”. He invited them to remember not to be too idealistic it while they entered into reflection and discernment.
Time was then given to some General Leadership Team members to share their lived experiences as to how the team works. Sisters Kumudinie Dassanayake , Ana Maria Alcalde and Malinie Jayamanne spoke about their experience.
Some points from their sharing:
- The 2014 General Chapter voted to have four Apostolic councillors instead of five, considering the decreasing numbers in the Institute and the need to encourage more participation at local level.
- The Focus was on animation to empower local leadership teams. With this aim, an Online Leadership Program for an extended group was organized; this made a positive impact towards participative leadership.
- The tasks were demanding. Sometimes council matters coming from the Units had to be expedited within a short time period or with short notice; in general, the GLT took very little time to rest and relax personally or as a community.
- Some issues took much time to discern together and “compensation” could not always be avoided.
- Community prayer was always a strength
Malinie Jayamanne also shared some elements of her experience of living her role as General Bursar, pointing out that she joined the GLT two years after the others had begun the mandate.
- As General Bursar, her task has been demanding with many matters to attend to, including administrative tasks in the Generalate itself. so being part of the Council and taking part in the meetings was heavy. There is a need for well-trained Sisters to assist and support the General Bursar’s role.
After listening, time was given to the Capitulants to express their views, comments and feelings.
Matthieu concluded the day inviting the Capitulants to allow to play in their minds overnight what they had heard during the day, especially the experiences of the General Leadership Team. He asked them to be open to the Spirit and keep pondering on the following question:
“Which Sisters could be part of the next General Leadership Team as Superior General or as Councillors?”