In preparation for the 10th Province Chapter, East Asia Province held it pre-chapter gathering at Provincialate of Salesian of Don Bosco, Anisakhan, Pyin Oo Lwin, Myanmar from 8th – 13th December 2019 with the theme “Integrated life, Drawn by Love, Passionate for Justice”.
A total of 92 Good Shepherd Sisters from the three sectors (Vietnam, Thai and Myanmar) and 2 Lay partners-in-mission from Myanmar joyfully participated. The event was blessed by the skilled facilitation of Ms. Jill McCorquodale and Sr. Maria Dipal, rgs and the presence of our Congregational link person Sr. Josita Corera.
From the beginning of the pre-Chapter, the participants were called to enter into a deep listening with open mind, open heart and open will. After having created one discerning body, the facilitators helped the participants to work on the task of the pre-chapter. Everyone agreed to participate fully creating a circular model of being together.
The presentation of the province interim report led everyone not only to celebrate the achievements during past five years but most importantly, to embrace the challenges which surfaced from the reports. The challenges that the province faced during the past years, in fact, paved ways for the Province to identify future priorities and directions. Among all the priorities, the participants courageously identified one top priority as “restructuring of the Province” to be a more life-giving way for the mission effectiveness in East Asia region and beyond.
In solidarity with the people celebrating “16 day activism against violence against women and children,” the Justice and peace contact persons arranged a short program with prayer on 10th December. A day of outing to “National Kandawgyi Botanical Gardens and to the National Landmark,” re-energized the participants by connecting once again with nature and enjoying beautiful landscapes and appreciating God’s wonderful creation. As an expression of our cultural richness of East Asia Province, a cultural show was also organized with colorful traditional costumes and beautiful songs. On this joyful occasion, the participants were joined by the girls from Good Shepherd Vocational Training Center in Mandalay who performed beautiful Myanmar traditional dances.
We the Good Shepherd partners-in-mission from East Asia Province would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our facilitators Ms. Jill McCorquodale and Sr. Maria Dipal, RGS for their generous heart and wonderful facilitation and Sr. Josita Corera, link Councillor throughout the pre-chapter. Our gratitude also goes to Salaesian community for their generosity and great hospitality.
East Asia Province will hold its Province Chapter on 4th -12th May 2020.
Good Shepherd Sisters Myanmar