General Chapter -- 18th English Report

The following is a summary of the activities of the 20th General Chapter on Friday, June 6. Those reading these summaries are reminded that for the next week, the chapter will continue to maintain a web page at: http://www.scj.org

This will be the last report on the General Chapter via e-mail. We hope that it has been a useful tool to help you be a part of the proceedings. As noted earlier, comments on the e-mail reports and the web page should be sent to Fr. Tom Cassidy, general councilor, at: tomc@scj.org

Those wishing to contact Mary Gorski can do so at mgiornal@scj.org until June 12, and after that at mgorski@execpc.com

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With the bulk of the chapter's work done, the atmosphere in the final session was relaxed. The General Curia led the morning prayer.

Minutes from Thursday's sessions were read and approved. Fr. Claudio Siebenaler proposed that the final set of minutes be reviewed by the council, since the chapter would no longer be in session. Delegates agreed with this.

Fr. Emilio Ciarrocchi, general treasurer, spoke briefly about chapter costs. He drafted a preliminary list of expenses for the chapter and noted that Fr. Siebenaler had a detailed list of those expenses if anyone wanted to see it. In the past, provinces have made contributions to offset the costs and he invited them do so again.

He also noted that at the end of June the money from the General Aid Fund will be distributed. Some provinces and regions will receive less than what they requested because there were not enough funds to cover each proposal.

A delegate from the Spanish Province was then asked to briefly update the delegates on the upcoming missionary endeavor in Ecuador. The South American country is very special to the congregation because it was the first place where Fr. Dehon sent his missionaries. Now, 100 years after the congregation was expelled from the country, the Spanish Province re-opens the foundation. "It is not just sentimental reasons that bring us back," said the delegate, "but there is a great need there." They will begin their ministry on the Pacific coast.

The floor was then given to Fr. Umberto Chiarello, who read a draft of a letter which was to be sent to the congregation with the materials from the chapter. In it, he stated that the delegates had lived the spirit of "We the Congregation" during the chapter. Many differences were found among them, yet there was unity in the many similarities the delegates realized in each other. The delegates now have a better awareness of the international character of the congregation. He also expressed the gratitude members of the chapter felt toward the congregation. Throughout the proceedings, the chapter received letters, faxes, e-mail and other communication in which SCJs voiced their support for the members and the work of the chapter. Fr. Chiarello thanked in a special way the elderly and sick, who kept the chapter in their prayers throughout the past month.

In closing, he said that the chapter presents a plan for the congregation's future. He stressed that the plan is not complete, but that it is an outline. Together, the congregation can work to develop it into something concrete.

Following Fr. Chiarello's presentation, the delegates looked at a revised copy of "An Apostolic Global Plan for the Congregation" which took into account the suggestions made by the delegates on Thursday. Those who drafted the document reminded the chapter that what they were presenting was a provisional text.

While most were very happy with the document, there was one concern shared many -- the new title of the "plan." Again, it was stressed that since the document is provincial, so to is the title. However, Fr. Bressanelli suggested that it be changed to "We the Congregation in Service of Mission." By a show of hands, the chapter agreed to the use of this title. After the provinces have given input, the document, as well as the title, can be further defined.

Following this discussion, Fr. John Czyzynski of the U.S. Province took a few minutes to talk about the ESL (English as a Second Language) program in the United States. He said that the program has been an excellent experience for the province as well as the congregation as a whole. Fr. Czyzynski asked that provincial and regional superiors let him know if they have questions about it, or if there are ways in which the program could be better adapted to their schedules and/or needs.

One delegate suggested that the U.S. Province and the British-Irish Province collaborate in some way because both are now offering English programs. "It would be good to find a way in which they could work together and not compete," he said.

Another emphasized the importance of learning a second language -- especially English. However, he also reminded the English-only speakers that they too would benefit by learning another language.

CLOSING COMMENTS

Fr. Bressanelli then took the floor to make a few closing comments. He thanked God for all that was shared by and lived together with the delegates. He felt a strong sense of fraternity, even during times of tension and diversity. The work done during these days is the development of something that has been growing in the congregation and will continue to grow. The prayers and support of the whole congregation were felt during the chapter and he was grateful for that.

He thanked the delegates for their work, as well as those who served in support roles to the chapter. Fr. Bressanelli thanked in a special way Fr. Adrian Borst, who completes his second term on the council. He noted the work of all of the general councilors and thanked in a special way Fr. Thomas Cassidy, who is the only councilor of the original four who joins the new administration. Fr. Bressanelli remembered Fr. Claudio Siebenaler, who will soon complete his service as general secretary, and Fr. Bernard Rosinski, who has served as director of curia services.

There were many others he remembered, including all of the curia staff. Each had a vital role and he was grateful to them. He also thanked the community of Roma I for their support.

And finally, he thanked all those who helped prepare and implement the chapter -- the moderators, the preparatory committee, the group leaders and secretaries, the synthesis groups, the recording secretaries, those who assisted with liturgies, the jounalists and the translators. He was grateful to all for their service.

The chapter proceedings came to an end. Soon after, the delegates, joined by the Roma I community and others, celebrated feast of the Sacred Heart with a closing mass.

Mary Gorski
mgiornal@scj.org
Rome, Italy