At a Congress for the first time!
Herewith we are sending the comments
about the expectations of the congress.
Pilar SERRANO, consecrated Secular
I already participated in the 2002 Family Congress. As member of the preparation team, I feel enthusiasm, hope, joy and some anxiety.
Enthusiasm: because it is a special time for the whole Family.
Hope: that the Congress will bring us closer and lead us to be witnesses and a GIFT for the world.
Joy: because it is an event which makes us love and live the unity of the Family.
Anxiety: because, with the other members of the preparation team, we are responsible for the smooth running of the Congress.
My hope is that this Congress will really help us to grow as Family, bring us closer together, renew us and help us to be a GIFT for a changing world. At the end of this second stage I hope that the inter-vocational bonds may be stronger and wherever there is a member of the Family, we can feel the presence of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles’ Family.
Paul Matakon, Priest Associate
To arrive in Martillac and participate for the first time in the assembly of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles’ Family plunges me into a feeling of joy… the joy of belonging to a Family that is beyond blood relationship, the joy of being a fully integrated member, sharing together the desire for unity, the Communion for which the Good Father gave his life. To feel that we are brothers and sisters in the same family beyond boundaries and cultures… how beautiful!
I Paul, a simple Priest lost in the mountains of the extreme North of the Cameroon, to find myself in the footsteps of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles was a dream that has become a reality. To be in the place where the Good Father lived and is buried, is very touching.
May the second stage of the Congress of the family give a new thrust, a new dynamism which pushes us forward to embark on the work of bringing about communion which the world so much needs today. May the Congress open us to new means and ways which will continually help us to be family within the world by the living witness of our life, so that we will be a light for the universe even if it is only a spark!
It’s a joy to see Martillac and the renewed Spirituality Centre. I have the grace to see it after 13 years, when I was present for the Missionary Session 1999. Now I am here as a missionary in Rwanda and I have the joy of meeting members of the five vocations of the Family.
My expectations of the second stage of the Congress: I desire …
To be present as the voice of the two communities in Rwanda, to bear witness “to living as Family on mission, a gift for a changing world”, concretely in Rwanda.
To listen to the witness of the other participants from the four corners of the earth, how they live the charism in their milieu, how they share it and by what means. How they confront the changes in this world and try to collaborate with other organisations and vocations in the universal Church to stand against injustice, war, exploitation etc.
To look for light and receive new inspirations. In this world of intense change, what can we do so that our charism is dynamic and that we remain prophetic and mystical people able to respond to the new needs and to God’s call.In this Congress, to hear how to go forward with zeal and detachment without being taken up by the objectives of the multi-nationals, the media, the powerful of this world, consumerism, etc.
I can really say that it is my first time to participate in a Congress of the Family in Martillac, so I feel very happy and grateful to God and the Holy Family for this wonderful occasion to take part in this important event.
My expectations are numerous, among them: the enthusiasm to know the place where our Good Father lived, to meet my brothers and sisters from other continents who live the Charism of Pierre Bienvenu Noailles; especially to have the experience of our spirituality of Communion with the different vocations and in particular with the Associates of other countries and languages.
Sr. Rishmala- Contemplative
I feel happy to be a member of the P.B.N Family, living and promoting communion.
It gives great joy and inspires me with enthusiasm that we are able to seek together and move forward together in building up the Family.
I desire that this congress will bring about tremendous vitality to the Family and make it more visible, and will give support in the fulfillment of its mission in the church.
I found the preparatory work quite interesting and I entered into this process with great earnestness especially because this is my first experience, participating at a Congress of the Family.
United with you all in prayers and best wishes and God’s blessings from all of us.
Karachi Community
Pakistan
Vos commentaires nous rendent tres proches de vous les participants -es. Comme la sève
D’une vigne , le charisme de notre Fondateur nous pousse en avant , merci à tous-tes les participants-tes, votre enthousiasme est contagieux.