Chronicle GA 2010

Chronicle – Day I

August 1, 2010

Today is August 1st, and it is also the first day of the III General Assembly of VMY, we thank our Creator for this new day that has begun. There is no better way to thank our Creator that brought us here, to this beautiful Portuguese country, tan with a Eucharist animated by the countries of Mozambique and Brazil.

The Visitatrix of the Daughters of Charity from Portugal, Sr. Berta Carrico, directs the assembly with words full of hope, but also reminds us of the invitation to walk in our search for sanctity especially in this jubilee year. Fr. Jose Alves CM, visitor of the Province of Portugal did not stay far behind, in the same manner greeted all the participants and reminded us that we are in a Marian country.

After some protocol, it doesn’t do us any harm to carry out some work and we start off establishing that there is a quorum. Our International President calls out every participant from every country that has the full right to vote, we admit that some of last name gave here some trouble pronunciating.

We can’t forget the explanation of our logo for the III General Assembly and in giving thanks to VMY of Guatemala for this gift. Now that we are thanking people, if there is anybody we have to thank, we would like to thank the members of the National Council of Portugal for all the work they have realized and continue to do for the benefit of this meeting. We thank the translators for their work, which sometimes they have to carry out like roadrunners in translating more than one assembly member. If you have participated in an Assembly, we remind you how tedious this first part is, without taking away any importance, in between other presentation of the commissions, presentation and approval of the Directory. We then vote, our scrutarinaries that are the two youngest members of the assembly begin to count. Even in being only 53 members with the right to vote, things became complicated and our arms became tired holding our hands up high for such a long time. In the end we did it, and the document was approved without any difficulty.

We continue to a strong subject in this first day of the Assembly. The repost come and go, Report about the reality of the International Council and Secretariat, which Yasmine gave. Later on the Report about the Reality of the Association, which two of our council members presented. There was a lack of time for the work in groups and we decided to share in the auditorium about the reports that were presented.

The afternoon was dedicated to workshops, which Bro. Francisco Berbegal, Dorys and Denise and Fr. Abdo each lead. Each workshop was very interesting and very useful.

As we finished this first day, the assembly received the Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon, Mons. Joaquim Mendes. After a delicious dinner, a little African dancing entertained us and prepared us for a much deserved rest. Tomorrow will be another day and we must live it joyfully!

Chronicle – Day II

August 2, 2010

We began the day with the celebration of the  Eucharist  presided over by the National Advisor of the Vincentian Marian Youth of Venezuela and coordinated by Mexico and Venezuela. After mass we went to breakfast. The recently arrived delegates from Honduras, Cuba and Mexico were presented. With the arrival of these new participants, the makeup of the General Assembly was finalized: there are 38 countries present with 157 participants, 58 of whom have the right to vote.

The minutes of the previous day were read. We received a beautiful note from Eritrea. Today Fr. Ramzi from Lebanon was with us to present the theme: Mary, Rooted in Christ. We could not let the morning go by without working in groups. After a well deserved lunch, the afternoon session began at 3:00 with today´s workshops.

Fr. Pavol Noga and Dorys Castillo presented the financial report.

The remainder of the afternoon was well used with meetings by continent which dealt with the reality we are facing and living after the III General Assembly. Shortly after dinner we all met in the chapel for a beautiful Marian celebration. And so we ended the day with the hope of living tomorrow with the same or greater energy than today.

Chronicle – Day III

August 3, 2010

During today’s morning, we had an unusual Eucharist with the purpose of more joyful celebration, especially made for youth.  Later, we went to auditory hall to initiate the day with the Reading and approbation of the yesterday’s acts.

We had a talk named “Saint Vincent and Saint Louise rooted in Christ” by Sister Mª Ángeles Infante in which she explained us how Saint Vincent and Saint Louise lived their relation with GOD, after that we continue with working in language groups, where we reflect and speak about how to make that we youth can become much closer to GOD.

Than we arrived to the one of the most expected parts of the dayJ, the lunch.

After lunch, was proceeded to carry out the workshops where we were divided by language, each working group with different language.

After the workshops we proceed to make the presentation of the candidates for the members of the International Council where we could see a video of each candidate who presented us his/her intentions to be elected as President of the International Council.

Today was a day of family, because different members of our Vincentian Family joined us. Our General Mother joined and attended different activities carried out during the day.

Moving to the folkloric night where our friends from South America introduced us a little bit of their traditions.

Chronicle – Day IV

August 4, 2010

We prayed Lauds in different languages.

After seeing yesterday’s experience in photos, we listened the minutes of the previous day by the Secretary.

We had a rich discussion of important issues. Father Gregory read the names of the candidates for International President.

There was a question about what are the International Council and Secretariat functions. Yasmine explained that the Statutes define each function. So the article 17 defines the role of the International Council, article 20 defines work of International President and article 23 defines the function of the International Secretariat. Yasmine launches an inquiry for the dialogue: What do you expect of the International Council and International Secretariat? Other questions arise up, like how to have in the groups of children those who start and they are not baptized. Can they be members? Lebanon resolved it: they are catechumens, so they can be there until they receive the sacraments, then they will be full members.

Father Pavol presents the postulates. The postulate suggested by Spain refers to the votes of the Advisors, affecting the revision of the Statutes. There is a good debate with positions for and against. Mexico presents a concern that has also came out these days, formation and the appointment of a formation team to promote it, because it is considered important. None of the postulates has been approved.

In the afternoon, Father Gregory made us a moment of reflection and discernment; let us be guided by the Spirit, opening us to his presence, to see what the will of God. The Holy Spirit can transform us internally, through prayer in harmony with the Spirit.

Then we elected the President Yasmine Cajuste. When they asked if she agreed she said that yes because she saw that it was the will of God. Then we congratulated the President for accepting. We moved to the chapel to celebrate the Eucharist with this intention.

After dinner, we shared a moment of celebration with performances from different countries of Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

Chronicle – Day V

August 5, 2010

After the prayer of Lauds and photos of yesterday we had among us a very dear person in VMY, Eva Villar who come to share with us the day. The talk entitled Vincentians rooted in Christ.

She based her talk on four major points, four convictions: the first is based on Matthew 25, since the Christian must choose Christ and also opt for the poor, because in them we find the Son of God. To be of Jesus Christ is to opt for the poor, but to opt for the poor, we have to be of Jesus Christ. We all know people rooted in Christ.

We have an obligation to find our mission in the world. To what God calls us in the world?

Be happy with the choices we make. We can be wrong; we have to be aware of it. But we must be happy with the option we take. To be Christian is to choose Jesus Christ, to be of Jesus Christ, feeling happy with this option.

Then we revised the Final Document of the Assembly. Proposal of Yasmine that the Central Committee finishes drafting of this document was accepted.

To finish the session we took the official photo of the participants outside where all the flags of different countries were hanged up.

In the afternoon, we proceed to the election of International Councilors, reading the articles alluding to the subject. The elected members of VMY that will be part of the International Council are following:

Argelys Vega (Panama)

Ghislain Auguste Atemezing (Cameron)

Karmen Kunc (Slovenia)

Anh Thu Nguyen Thi (Vietnam)

Than the International President asked them whether they accept it, and all responded yes. We made a big applause.

In the evening we had the Eucharist. After reading the minutes and a few warm words of International President to the Councilors that came out to begin their work we completed the Assembly by signing of the minutes.