Volume III Issue No.3 May-June 2015

Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Casa Santo Spirito, 00163 Via dei Bevilacqua 60, Rome Italy

“Wherever the stream flows, it will bring life.” (Ez. 47:9c) Volume III Issue No.3 May-June 2015

Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, Casa Santo Spirito, 00163 Via dei Bevilacqua 60, Rome Italy

“Wherever the stream flows, it will bring life.” (Ez. 47:9c)

by : Sr. Marissa Piramide, OSB

Sr. Adelaida Ygrubay, OSB, the Prioress of the Manila Priory, welcomed Prioress General Mother Angela Strobel, OSB and her council, the 25 formators representing 12 priories and two from the Generalate District for the International Formators’ Meeting (IFM) held at St. Scholastica’s Center of Spirituality, Tagaytay, Philippines from June 1-20. They listened to, reflected on, and learned a lot from conferences, workshops and other forms of presentations such as:

The Opening Address by M. Angela Strobel, OSB Consecrated Life and Mission by Fr. Antonio Per-nia, the former General Superior of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD). St. Hildegard of Bingen and her Spirituality by Mother Irene Dabalus, OSB St. Benedict and Other Benedictines and their

Legacy of Care and Reverence for Creation by Sr. Angelica Leviste, OSB, Manila Priory.

Sand Play Therapy by Sr. Isaac Yang, OSB, Seoul Priory. Psycho-Spiritual Integration by Eva K. Galvey of Emmaus Center in the Philippines Congress for Formators of Consecrated Life, a report by Sr. Antoinette Adelman, OSB .

They reviewed the section on formation of the General Chapter Documents from 1988-2012 and the Unfolding God’s Gift, the formation manual that was done in the last International Formators’ Meeting in Norfolk in 2009. They visited the new Manila Priory House in Tagaytay, and some of the local com-munities and institutions. They attended the (continued on page 2)

IFM Participants with the M. Angela (seated 3rd from left), the Generalate and Sr. Adelaida (seated 2nd from right)

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The liturgical celebrations with songs and prayers in different languages plus the liturgical dances were sources of unity, joy, and mutual inspiration and animation. Below are some insights gathered from the participants: “Charism of internationality is beautiful but can be demanding on the different priories. We need readiness and generosity to respond .” “Mutual understanding was achieved.” “Personally it was an intense spiritual jour-ney and I am very grateful for this experience.” “ I felt joy on the ideas of collaboration in the Euro-cas (Priories of Europe and the Americas) and the support of the Generalate.”

the closing celebration of the 90th year of Bene-dictine presence at St. Scholastica’s Academy, San Fernando where Sr. Rebecca Maglalang, the superior of the community, welcomed them amid cheers and dances performed by the stu-dents and teachers.

They had time to go to places and insti-tutions that showed them the history and cul-ture of the Filipino people. There had also op-portunities for exposure into the social condi-tions of the city of Manila. There were times for recreation such as the evening video or slide shows about the dif-ferent priories and regions; the evening socials; an afternoon outing to see Taal Volcano, the smallest volcano in the world, and finally the cultural night to cap the three-week IFM.

SAN FERNANDO

by: Sr. M. Rosalina R. Fajardo, OSB In response to Pope Francis’ call to find new approaches to evangelize, the Association of Benedictine Schools (ABS)-High School Commis-sion of the Manila Priory organized the first Ben-edictine Educators’ Congress held at the Holy Family Academy , Angeles City on May 25-26. Themed “The Benedictine Educators and New Evangelization,” the convention was partici-pated in by around 250 administrators and facul-ty members of nine (9) Benedictine schools. They shared and gained new expressions and in-sights on how to generate energies to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ with renewed enthusi-asm to the 21st century learners and families. Education is the most effective tool for evangelizing and bringing Christ to the youth to discover, live the good news of Jesus and share them with others.

Participants of the Benedictine Educators’ Congress

Front: M. Angela, Sr. Lumen Gloria Dungca Back: Sr. Salete da Rocha , Sr. Caridad Choi, Sr. Rebecca

P a g e 3 V o l u m e I I I , I s s u e 3

By: Sr. Carol Ann Clark, OSB

After the four weeks of inspiring confer-ences, retreat pilgrimages and tours in Rome, the International Weeks of Encounter participants went to the Motherhouse in Tutzing, Germany. This last week in Tutzing was “icing on the cake.” Even through the rain and cold on the outside, their hearts were warmed. The sisters, and the tours all brought them so very close to their roots as Missionary Benedictine Sisters; along with the Procura and Haus St. Benedikt, the Motherhouse and Bernried.

The visit to St. Ottilien was very informa-tive and, wonder of wonders, much of the old has been kept and enhanced by the new. They were able to enjoy lunch and entertainment by Father Archabbot, Dom Wolfgang Öxler on guitar, and Fr. Otto, the tour guide, on violin. A trip to the gravesite of Fr. Andreas Amrhein was most memo-rable.

They traveled by bus to the Alps. They were given a tour to the baroque and rococo or-namented churches, especially the Abbey at Ettal.

This last week in Tutzing and Bernried showed them the true meaning of “wherever the stream flows it bring life”. They felt new life while there, with the Sister’s generosity and care, the Liturgy and Divine Office, the Pentecost Vigil, and Holy Mass at the Parish.

May God bless all the Sisters who gave them hospitality and their Benedictine spirit.

“… Hodu l’Adonai,ki tov!” “Give thanks to the Lord, He is good” Ps. 107:1

Participants with Sr. Ruth Schönenberger, Tutzing Prioress

THREE NEW STATIONS FORMED OLINDA. The Pri-ory closed the community in Mal-hada di Pedras, Ba-hia and opened in the same diocese a community in La-goa Real City on March 22. The major reason was to answer the request of the local bishop to minister in a par-ish without a resident priest. The sisters are involved in the formation of leaders, training of catechists, bible sharing and building of basic Christian communities. The mission field consists of service in the main church and 37 chapels in the rural areas.

There are three sisters assigned in this new commu-nity. They live in a rented house and hopefully the parishioners will take care that a house will be con- structed for them.

by: Sr. Vania Maria Toscano, OSB

SEOUL. On April 30, 2013 three sis-ters started the Jeju community upon the invita-tion of Bishop Kang Peter of Jeju diocese. The Sand

Play Therapy Cen-ter was blessed on January 15, 2014. The sisters work with great zeal for evangelization of the seminarians, prisoners and people with psycho-logical problems. The sisters’ apostolic work has been suc-cessful and appreciated very much by the peo-ple. Therefore, sisters asked for one more sister to join them. After two years of experiment, this community was raised to a juridical station on May 22, 2015. (Continue to page 6)

Lagoa Real Community

Jeju Community

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WENGEL SISTERS Sr. Rufina Sr. Angela +1969 +1994 Sorocaba

ROTH SISTERS Sr. Birgitta Sr. Ositha Sr. Edigna +1964 +1994 + 1991 Sorocaba Manila

JAEGER SISTERS Sr. Hilwara, Sr. Emmanuela +1994 +1933 Sorocaba

STREIF SISTERS 1. Sr. Marana - Peramiho for 51 years; died in HB/Tutzing in 1982; 2. Sr. Libania—Wonsan for 16 years, died in Tutzing in 1983; 3. Sr. Justiniana– Tutzing, died in 1968

MEET THE

1 3 2

SCHUSTER SISTERS

Sr. Adelhelma Sr. Sixtina +1973 +1988 Olinda

WOLFSTEINER SISTERS

Sr. Rufina Sr. Eduarda +1934 +1944 Manila

FEEDING CENTERS 1-2. Omega Center in Shambu 3. Sr. Leoni Care Center in Tsumeb 4-5. Work with Church Organizations

1 2 3

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In Tutzing Priory our Commission for Integrity of Creation was implemented in 2007. Since then many steps have been undertaken. This year in March the annual meeting of the Ecumenical Environment Forum was held

in Tutzing. Twenty religious from various male and female communities and committed employees of ecclesiastical institutions came together for exchange and information. With them were several sisters from our communi-ties in Bernried and Tutzing. The focus this year was: “Our Lifestyle and Global Fairness / Justice.” This meeting and exchange inspired , persuaded and encouraged us to continue on our path. Due to globalization we experience the whole world is coalescing in different ways. Furthermore we realize that our acting (or not acting!) has a great influence on other people all around the world and the coming generations. Therefore we strive for an ongo-ing shaping of awareness concerning our life-style and how it influences the environment and global justice. Our Missionary-Benedictine spirituali-ty and mission are realized in the proclama-tion of the gospel and in the care for the peo-ple. Proclamation/evangelization lives on the loving tenor towards creation, towards fellow human beings and towards God. If we want to live our mission truly and if we take our love and care for the people se-riously we have to act and shape our life in such a way that on the one hand the living en-vironment is maintained livable for future generations and that on the other hand we do not keep our living standard at the expense of others. Any environmental awareness and act-ing has to be rooted regionally with a global focus. We can start within our own commu-nities while taking into account issues like use of energy and climate change, our lifestyle, Fairtrade and organic food, advocacy work

concerning social justice and peace and many more. In Tutzing the Commission for Integrity of Creation has been initiating several projects during the last years like:

Striving for a careful use of resources (energy, transport, paper, waste separation...)

Trying to buy regional, sea-sonal food and prefer organic products

Preferring Fair Trade prod-ucts

Using of groceries that cannot be sold anymore

Training and information ses-sions

Repairing instead of throwing away, re-use, exchange, share, rent instead of new acquisition ... our great community pro-vides us with many opportunities to use cloth-ing, utensils, electrical appliances, etc. effec-tively and on a long-term basis. We try to live a counter-model to the throw-away mentality.

Our commitment for social justice: for the One World : Volunteer work in “One

World Shop” in Tutzing; advocacy work in campaigns of Misereor, in the commission

“Mission Justice Peace” of the Regional Committee of Catho-lics; in the NAD (Netzwerk Afri-ka Deutschland) i.e. German Africa-Network.

in our country: Help for needy persons; doctor for homeless people; support of BISS, an or-

ganization for people "on the margins of our society;" implementation of a “Social Family Fund” for financial support of families; accom-modation of minor refugees in the House Bir-gitta; work with and for refugees / asylum seekers

Somebody said: “You cannot change the oth-ers, you can just change yourself – and thereby you will change the world!” – so we try to continue our path. We have been experiencing lots of encouragement on our way, but it is still a long way to go and we still need courage and trust in God.

OUR LIFESTYLE AND GLOBAL JUSTICE by: Sr. Katharina Rohrmann, OSB

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Sr. Julia Campos, 83, died in Sorocaba on May 10. Oblate Usabella Mary Thennapilly, 83, died in Rajkot, India on May 23. Sr. Helmtrudis Aigner, 94, died in Tutzing on May 30

Daegu Fatima Hospital was awarded the Most Ex-cellent Hospice Care Hospital by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on March 12.

Three Communities… (from page 3) Sr. Teresa Kim and Sr. Petro Shin are working at the Sand Play Therapy Center while Sr. Evangeline Kim is involved in the Jeju dio-cese apostolate for the seminarians and prison-ers. Likewise, she takes care of the business af-fairs of the vocation office. May God be glori-fied for the sisters’ work of evangelization. by: Sr. Rose Marie Hwang, OSB

DAEGU. Archbishop Thaddeus Cho Hwan-Kil of Daegu blessed on May 29 the new buildings in Sasudong which consists of the Haeseong Kindergarten, Benedict Spirituality Center, Fatima Home and Scholastica House which is for the elderly sisters . The St. Scholastica community has 28 sisters. The plan to build the Elderly Sisters Home was passed during the 17th Daegu Priory Chapter in June 1998. Due to various reasons the plan was postponed. The issue was brought up again at the 20th Daegu Priory Chapter in July 2003 and finally all the new buildings were completed .

Sr. Mary John Mananzan gave a talk on “Theology of Consecrated Life in Asia” at a symposium on Theology and Theologies on Consecrated Life held at the Claretianum University, Rome on May 14. Sr. Cresenciana

Sr. Adela

June 26—Sr. Cresenciana Chilimbo from Angola to Manila June 29—Sr. Adela Toh from Seoul to Nairobi