Transforming Grace’ Group shares ……

Numerical No. 13 is commonly known as the unlucky number. But it was the other way around for the 13 of us, the Transforming Grace Group, who had the golden opportunity to gather together from 1^st to 3^rd October 2024 at the Pallotine Animation Centre, Nagpur, Central India. We were warmly welcomed by Fr. James Thomas SAC, the Director and other Fathers for a time of refreshing renewal in the midst of the lush, green enchanting paradise!

The highlights of the first day were: the well-prepared Liturgy, the Opening Prayer led by Sr. Flavia, Words of Welcome by Sr. Veena and the meaningful and energizing sessions conducted by Fr. James, the resource person of the day.

The points that Father emphasized were: Living gracefully should be our concern … ‘I am attractive as long as I am graceful’… so how can we move to that graceful state? The examples given were of Martha and Mary and the Israelites Story with their change of perspective once they settled in the Promised Land. Gratitude is the one quality that is required, so look back with gratitude to see the providential hand of God in our lives. What makes us grateful is an attitude of gratitude.

An exercise was given for this: What incident in your life you are eternally grateful for? After sharing with one sister, we had an open sharing in the group.

Fr. James spoke about the human mind which is very tricky. The mind has to be reconciled with the hurt feelings and unfilled desires, then it will be reconciled. Using the iceberg analogy, he spoke about the unconscious mind and the need for healing of memories. He talked about Joseph in the OT and the forgiveness he extended to his brothers. ‘You intended evil for me but God changed them into good’ he said. The negatives in our life can become pathways to positivity. Reflecting on Lk. 24/ the two disciples returning to Emmaus, gloomy and sad, running away… Jesus enters into their conversation from another perspective.

The next exercise was to recall any painful experience or memory… you become the messiah and look at it from another perspective, interpret if from the angle of your benefit and that of others. After first sharing with one person some shared in the larger group as well. Father said, ‘You become your savior, your messiah. You become the master of your emotions and gracefully face the challenges in your life’.

We were asked to identify three of our qualities which we want others to remember us for. We were asked to choose three persons who knew us well and after they shared about our qualities, each one disclosed what she wrote for herself. It was a very affirming exercise.

The next exercise was to write down three achievements for which we want to be remembered. We chose two companions who shared freely what they thought our achievements were, after which each one shared. 

All these exercises made us feel contented with who we are and helped us to concentrate on our achievements and what God has done in our lives. A few tips for developing a spirituality for our age group was also given which we found very simple, useful and practical.

On the second day Sr. Flavia gave an input on the Spiritual dimension of life where she emphasized two important points:

Core Grace: ‘I am loved by God, I am precious’ - believe wholeheartedly in a loving God. 

Core Sin: I deny that God loves me. I feel like an orphan.

Do the Home Coming Exercise and make positive changes in our core belief.

Sister also explained the Emmaus Experience where the two disciples almost denied that God loved them. Through the Scriptures and the Sacrament of the Eucharist Jesus puts them back to Jerusalem… i.e. to sufferings in their own lives.  Engaging in Emmaus Walk should therefore be a time for sharing our deep-down brokenness and our God experience.

Sr Frances Regis’ input was on the Human dimension of life. According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs we should achieve Self-Actualisation and move to the higher level of Self-Transcendence… it is a time in our lives when we should be living confidently in God’s unfailing love… a time to stop measuring up and begin accepting the transforming power of God’s grace.   We cannot go back to undo what went wrong in the past but we can go forward to find possibilities of doing things better.

Sister stressed on the fact that it is a time for SANTOSH – Contentment! … a time to watch things move, be formed and reformed- grow straight or wild- and not interfere. Develop a let-go attitude! It’s a time to keep in peace the creative urge, to mature into humbleness the desire to plan, to achieve.

To add to these enriching input sessions, we had the joy of visiting our sisters in all the nine communities of Kamptee and Nagpur. Everywhere we were welcomed warmly in very creative ways. There was great joy, enthusiasm and happiness on the faces of the young and senior members. The sisters’ hospitality was remarkable. We are very grateful to Srs. Lorraine Delaney and Philo Pichappilly for co-ordinating our visits and making arrangements for our transportation. Memories linger on!

We thank our Provincial, the Ongoing Formation Team and our Group’s Core Team, very especially Sr. Dorothy Beck, for enabling and facilitating this Gathering which has renewed and enthused us from deep within.

 

 Sr. Sunita

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