Formation for the Advisors of the VMY in Central America 2012

As a result of the request from the Daughters of Charity in Central America we decided to offer a formation workshop to the advisors of the Vincentian Marian Youth in Guatemala and Panama.  These workshops were held in March and were directed by Argelys Vega (International Councilor for the Americas) and Pavol Noga, CM (International Sub-director of the Vincentian Marian Youth Association).

Guatemala (March 8-11, 2012)

This workshop was held in the Provincial House of the Daughters of Charity in Guatemala.  The participants included:  twenty-five Sisters including the seminary Sisters of the Province, Sister Linda Griselda (Provincial Consultor and Central American representative), as well as the national advisor from Guatemala, five Vincentian seminarians and five lay advisors from Guatemala and Nicaragua.

Details about the workshop

The workshop began on Thursday evening with a welcoming of the participants followed by a meal.  Then, after some group dynamics, the objective and the aims of the gathering were explained.

The first morning was dedicated to a series of reflections on the context in which the Virgin’s apparitions to Catherine Laboure occurred.  After each reflection the participants were invited to engage in some personal reflection.

During the afternoon there was an opportunity for sharing, for personal testimony from the Sisters and for dialogue.  After the evening meal the day concluded with Eucharistic adoration.

The following day we dealt with some specific themes that included the following presentations: youth, a new mission territory; the origin and the present reality of the Vincentian Marian Youth Association; personal accompaniment of the members of the VMY; the role of the advisor in the VMY … after each presentation the participants were given questions to discuss in groups.  The responses were then presented in a plenary session.

After the evening meal there was a plenary session that examined the present situation of the advisors in their respective countries.  This session was characterized by great sincerity as the advisors spoke about their ministry with the young men and women (the positive aspects of this ministry as well as the challenges).  There was much interest on the part of the Sisters in initiating and renewing their collaboration with the Vincentian Marian Youth.

The following morning there was a presentation on the theme: give something of yourself as did Mary … The participants were invited to draw up concrete lines of action in order to enliven their ministry with the Vincentian Marian Youth in their respective communities.

The workshop concluded with a Mass in which the participants were given a cross as a sign of their commitment to work on behalf of the VMY and were then sent forth.

Panama – March 15-16, 2012

Participants: fifteen Sisters from Panama and Costa Rica, Sisters Linda Griselda (Provincial Consultor) and four lay persons.

Place: Hogar Monerry in Chorrillo, a district of the capital, Panama City.

This workshop was conducted in the form of a retreat.  The morning of the 15^th was dedicated to reflection and in the afternoon there was a presentation of two themes.  The following day (March 16^th) the other themes were presented.

While we were in Panama we met with the National Council to deal with matters that were pending and also discussed the preparations for CENMEX.

With this workshop we concluded this time of formation for the advisors in Central America.  It was obvious that the participants were very concerned about this matter of formation.  We want to thank the Daughter of Charity in Central America for their constant support and we hope that these workshops produce visible results in each country where the advisors are ministering.  We also hope that we can give new life to the Virgin’s request to work for and with young men and women.

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