Mission of the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Castres

 

Congregation of French origin, founded in Castres, south of France the December 8, 1836 by Emilie of Villeneuve.

 

Emilie, was born in Toulouse, France on march 9, 1811 and died in Castres on October 2, 1854, victim of the epidemic cholera.

From an early age she lived in the castle of Hauterive, near Castres. As a young woman she felt an irresistible attraction to put her life in the service of the poorest desiring to be the sister of Charity.

However, her spiritual directors, sensing a person with a special charisma, guided to found the Congregation. With two more sisters undertakes a small welcoming educational work, with a motherly heart, youth in the French working class.

The Congregation, with joys and challenges sees the growing number of her sisters and their expansionextends outside of France. In 1848 Emilie sends first missionaries in Senegal, Gambia and Gabon

Many years later, in 1903, the sisters are forced to relocate from France to Spain and head. Then go to Latin America in 1904 and more recently (1998) are present in Asia

John Paul II recognized the heroic virtues of the Founding Emilie de Villeneuve in 1991. And in 1995, a miracle the healing of a young woman named Binta, Sierra Leone, attributed to the intercession of the Servant of God enabled his beatification in Castres on July 5, 2009.

Congregation of Pontifical Right, has as its main axis of the Centrality Spirituality in God and the poor. Mary Immaculate is also a reference inspiring woman who lived a full discipleship of Jesus.

Common life, Spirituality and Mission are three important aspects that characterize the sisters Blues, aswell known.

The sisters, plus the votes of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience, take a fourth vow is to devote himself fully to the cause of the people, especially the most needy. The appeal of Emilie de Villeneuve who calls us to "go there without hesitation where the voice of the poor they call us" is a must for every Sister Blue.

In 2004, a new male branch of the Congregation begins in the neighborhood of Redoubt, on the outskirts of Asunción, with three young men of different nationalities: Chazarreta Andrés (Argentina) Ramón Gómez (Paraguay), Frederick Basaldua (Mexican). The mission of the Blues Brothers, shared with the laity, consists in acting pastoral catechesis, missionary childhood, youth, celebrations and leadership training. And also a performance of social care for life with health and alternative income generation projects with women in the neighborhood.

The congregation currently has 585 members distributed in 120 communities located in 15 countries. This year of 2011 was held over two foundations: one in Haiti, one in Burkina Faso

 

Mission
Currently, Sisters and lay people (as) working in different area of Mission: Social, Evangelization, Education and Health

Based on the methodology that all our actions are educators, sisters seeking to capitalize on the potential of people, recognizing in each actor and as subjects of their own development. His presence is respectfulapproach, care and enhance the lives of people, and that society excludes them, not allowing to have adignified and happy life.

 

In the social area Congregation works with children, adolescents and youth in the prevention of human trafficking, violence and sexual abuse and prostitution. Welcome these children in shelter homes and daycare and work in the slums and poor neighborhoods.

The professionalization of the young so that you can place in their vocation, find a feeling of life and gainfinancial independence is a priority. Also working with young people in rural areas through income generating projects providing financial assistance to the family budget.

They are present with people with disabilities and HIV (AIDS), minority groups suffering exclusion through their sexuality.

Women as mothers, educators and social workers multipliers are accompanied by Sisters Blues through meetings rescue their self-esteem, rights and responsibilities, health care, domestic violence prevention, family educational projects, etc.. Microcredit projects help in the generation of income, reconciling work and family care acquired a political conscience rights.

More than ten thousand students (as) are enrolled in formal education in our various colleges.Comprehensive education that inspires Charisma Sisters Blues have the student as the focus of their actions motivating him to develop their full potential to place itself at the service of society. The families of these students also are monitored through constant meetings and the formation of ethical and religious values.

In health the Sisters have a wide range. Work on prevention through alternative health, Bio-Energy. These treatments cheap and easy to access, contribute to the overall health of people, due to the personal attention, dialogue and listening. These are aspects that we consider important to the person valuing and recognizing their needs in the most deprived of basic health conditions.
They are also in clinics, hospitals, enabling a call to the basic health needs.

Pastoral communities in Ecclesial the sisters accompany children in catechesis for forming the human and Christian values, preparing them for the sacraments. Participate in leadership training groups or withcouples, liturgy, marriage preparation, etc..

But the mission is mainly to youths from providing leisure time, meetings for reflection and sharing of life,listening to their problems and concerns, vocational guidance and personalized support.

We highlight the great work of Sisters in various Pastoral. In Brazil, Sr. Vera Lucia Altoé is coordinating National Pastoral. Sr Rosangela Maria Altoé also coordinates internationally the same Ministry. Sr. Therese Kunem that through a project implemented intercongregational the Pastoral in East Timor, the Philippines is now deploying. This ministry has been recognized by the Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, as infant mortality and poverty are very large in this country. More than 100 volunteer actors (those) are already working in different parishes of the Philippines.

Throughout the mission of the Sisters Blues, shaft Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation Spiritualitypermeates our actions and the desire to care for and protect our planet for everyone to have more life.

The Blues Sisters do not work alone, but always with others (as) who wish to build bridges of solidarity,justice and rights of all people, as well as our document says the last general chapter of 2008, "challenged /by the challenges of this TIME, we want to make our commitment to the mission a priority in the service oflife, based on the paradigm of the relationship, which becomes humanizing encounter with the fragile littleambiguous, from our being the "apprentices" in which the Master puts in tune with the charismatic heritagethat comes from Emilie, recreating icons educators (res), Samaritans and pilgrims (the) "

Data of the Congregation:

Name: Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Castres.
Nickname: Blues Sisters
Founding Date: December 8, 1836 in Castres, France
General Headquarters: Via Vincenzo Viara Ricci, 24
00168 - Rome - Italy
Phone: 06.30.518.63
Site: www.cic-castres.org
Superior General: Nuria Bayo Blasco (nuriabayo@cic-castres.org)

 

 

 

VOCATIONAL AND PASTORAL JOURNEY IN

SRI LANKA

ARRIVAL OF PRIYANGIKA- January 6th, 2013. She came a few days ahead of Sr.Therese Elizabeth in order to organize some schools and parishes in the diocese of Chilaw, Sri Lanka. She was able get 1000 brochures printed with the assistance of Fr. Shanil Jayawardena OMI.

ARRIVAL OF SR.THERESE ELIZABETH- January 11th, 2013. In all the places mentioned below Sr. Elizabeth spoke about the Congregation and its mission while Priyangika translated into Sinhala.

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO THE DIOCESE OF CHILAW-

The diocese of Chilaw is situated in the northwest of Sri Lanka, about 80 kilometers north of Colombo, the capital. It is predominantly a Catholic area with a considerable percentage of Buddhists, Muslims and Hindus as well. The diocese which is situated along the costal belt has a large population of fishermen who earn their living through the sea and the lagoon. The main cultivation of the area is coconut and it can boast of very many large coconut estates too.

11TH OF JANUARY-

Visit to St. Anthony’s Church, Nainamadama. We met all the Sunday school students from age 14 to 17. This was our first effort in search of vocations in the island nation. 

                                         

12TH OF JANUARY-

Visit to the Church of the Holy Family, Rajakadaluwa. There too we met all the Sunday school students from age 14 to 17 with the help of Fr. Chaminda the parish priest, who is related to Priyangika.

                                            

In the afternoon, we visited Subashini, a candidate who is seriously interested in joining the Congregation. She was recommended to Priyangika by Fr. Nalin, a professor in the National Seminary, Kandy, Sri Lanka. Sr.Therese Elizabeth was able to talk to her parents as well and get their consent to bring her to the Philippines to start her Journey.    

                                         

In the evening we visited St. Sebastian’s Church, Navadankulama and met the students and teachers of Sunday school. Later in the day we participated in the silver jubilee celebration of Infant Jesus Church, Karuwalagaswewa, with the invitation of the parish priest.

13th OF JANUARY-

Rest Day. We spent the day with the family of Priyangika.

14TH OF JANUARY-

We went on a pilgrimage to “Supuwath Arana” (House of Good News), a popular retreat centre in the country. The whole family of Priyangika joined the journey and all enjoyed the company of one another.

                                         

15TH OF JANUARY-

We paid a courtesy visit to Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis, the Bishop of Chilaw. He welcomed us warmly and appreciated our presence and our mission, while extending his fullest support to all our work in Sri Lanka. In the afternoon Fr. Shanil was invited to have lunch with us as an appreciation of his support given to us.

                  

16TH OF JANUARY-

Visit to the government school, Mundel, where Priyangika studied until her high school. Young girls of the age 15 to 18 participated in our campaign. They showed their keen interest to know our congregation.The principle was very welcoming.

                                                

17TH OF JANUARY-

Visit to Holy Family Convent, Marawila. We extend a special thanks to the Holy Family nuns as they were very welcoming and supportive. There was a huge response from the students after they heard the talks of Sr. Therese Elizabeth and Priyangika.

                                            

In the afternoon we were invited to the school of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Kadayamattai. They were still very young but we were able to plant the seed of vocation in the hearts of many.

18TH OF JANUARY-

Visit to the Holy Family Convent, Wennappuwa. It was a privilege to be able to talk to the students there, as it is one of the leading Catholic girls’ schools in the diocese. We spoke to the most seniors and many responded positively.

                                                  

In the afternoon we went to St. Bernadette’s School, Chilaw. The special feature is that it is a school taught in Tamil, the language of the Tamil community.

19TH OF JANUARY-

Rest Day. Subashini, the candidate whom we met, came to Priyangika’s home to meet Sr. Elizabeth with her documents. They had a friendly chat with each other, while discussing the future arrangements of her new step.

20TH OF JANUARY-

We went to St. Mary’s Cathedral, Chilaw for a special Eucharistic Celebration. We were invited to join the welcoming of Archbishop Nicholas Thevanin, the Archbishop of Guatemala, who first heard the Lord’s call while serving in the French embassy in Sri Lanka.

                                     

After that we spoke to the Sunday school children in the age group of 16-17.

21ST OF JANUARY-

We accompanied Subashini to the embassy in Colombo to work out the visa process.

22ND OF JANUARY-

Rest Day. The day of preparation for the departure. Sr.Therese Elizabeth visited a family of one of the boy who like to join the seminary.

      








 
 
 
Mission for Vocation Campan in Sirilanke by Therese Elisabeth Thiare and The Novice Priyangika fernando

 

                                                                                                                                                                                  

A SPECIAL THANKS…

We thank our Almighty God for His abundant grace showered upon us throughout our stay in Sri Lanka. We also experienced the loving care and guidance of Mary our Mother and the powerful intercession of our Foundress Bl. Emilie de Villeneuve.

We also thank all the priest and the Sisters who help us to do our vocation journey more beautiful by their prayers and support.

We remember with gratitude the parents, the brother and the sister in law of Priyangika who extended their fullest corporation in order to make our stay a fruitful and a happy one. They accommodate us very well . We wish that our visit to Sri Lanka may become a fruitful investment to our Congregation in the future.


Rev. Sr. Therese Elizabeth and Priyangika Fernando

Mission Manila by Anne Beatriz Faye General Consulor

 

Thursday, October 25, 2012: Pope Pius XII Catholic Center

I spent the day with Terezinha Kunen, national leader of the Pastoral Care For Children is headquartered in recent months Pius XII Catholic Center in Manila.

Every day she goes to follow the eight dioceses that have already joined the program. Having long been started in the Diocese of Daet, PCC is well integrated into the general pastoral of the Church in the Philippines thanks to the dynamism of Terezinha always effective.

Today, it is recognized by the Episcopal Conference of the Philippines. In addition to meeting the training of leaders, the activities have increased with the integration of alternative Herbal medicines.

The poor, the favorites of Emilie are the primary beneficiaries of the mission of our sisters here in the Philippines. Having no permanent secretary, Terezinha is obliged to accumulate work. This sometimes makes heavy the mission.

 

A day at the base with the community Montalban
We spent the day with Therese Elisabeth Thiaré and five leader in Montalban Pastoral care for Child. We are an hour driving away from Manila community.

This is a new area where They transferred the people who were living under the bridge. The GOVERNOR built small houses for accommodate them.

Some have found their joy in having a shelter for their families, others have preferred to leave in streets selling their houses for a small fee. Sister Theresa Elizabeth goes to meet the families to assist them in their new lifestyle. Children (there are many) should learn to live with others and especially to go to school. And the parents to find the balance of the family . Poverty is high because most work in the garbage dump which is next. The program accompanies the CPC in the little things of life to the health and well-being of children. With the five basics activities: health, Nutrition, citizenship, Evangelization and Education.