Bangalore, November 13 -15, 2019:  JPIC members from the three congregations of Lyon, Annecy and Chambery came together at Ananda Sadan – Provincial House of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Lyon at Bangalore. The Core Team members Roja Mani – Lyon, Dorothy Beck – Chambery and Anita – Annecy (though not present for the meeting) in consultation with the Provincials organised this three-day gathering for 33 sisters from the three congregations who are responsible for JPIC in their respective provinces.

S. Cecily Saveriyar the Provincial of the Lyon sisters of St. Joseph’s province welcomed the participants and addressed the gathering. S. Cecily expressed her concerns regarding the follow up of this program at the LAC level in India. She has not experienced a regular follow up of LAC programs in India. At the same time, she has seen a lot of sharing, and common programs at the General Leadership teams among the three congregations. She said that we will be more effective if we stand together as one LAC family and raise our voices against the injustice, violence and other issues in and around India and the world. Sisters Dorothy Beck CSJ, Roja Mani SJL, Ramya SJA and Padma SJA presented the sessions on JPIC and Laudato si.

On the second day S. Barbara Bozak CSJ coordinator of the UN presence of Congregations of St. Joseph – chief administrator explained to the group at length about the UN and the functioning of NGOs. She also explained how the Congregations of St. Joseph is an NGO in General Consultative Status with ECOSOC at the UN. Barbara explained to the group how Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) can be achieved in the world through the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN (17 goals to transform our world). It was also a concern of Barbara that Lyon, Annecy and Chambery congregations are not yet working together as one effective body for justice and peace issues in India. “More effective when we are a larger group,” said Barbara.

Every participant shared with Barbara and the whole group how each one is involved in JPIC work through their current ministries. This sharing gave Barbara a clear picture of the work we do at different levels in the three congregations. As always, the Lyon-Annecy-Chambery gathering brought more closeness between the three congregations and we look forward to becoming a strong LAC body of St. Joseph’s as in India.

S. Navya Neelamvilail CSJ