Sisters in the Area of Asia gathered in Sarasvita Retreat Centre for their annual Area Assembly, which this year was a follow up to the FCJ General Chapter.
It was with great joy that we began the prayer that opened our Area Assembly on December 29th. We processed into the hall at Sarasvita for the first day of our six-day meeting. As we danced around the hall singing Alleluia Raise the Gospel (Bernadette Farrell), we knew in our hearts that the Assembly was going to be a success. We listened to the warm welcome of our Area Leader, Afra fcJ, followed by sharing of our hope and desires, as well as our wish to receive from this Assembly.
The whole of the first day was given to reviewing how we had been preparing for the General Chapter and all that happened during the time it was in session. Every sister expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the reports and the hard work of all the capitulars. We ended the day by spending time together in a light-hearted way by taking part in a social activity.
On the second day of the meeting, we had the great joy of receiving the Chapter Decree: Give me a drink… John 4. We took turns to read each part of the Decree and spent time exploring its general meaning.
By day three we were more than ready for our scheduled day out. We spent the morning in Grojokan Watu Purbo, a semi man-made waterfall, just about 40 minutes away from Sarasvita. Some of us spent the time in the water and others by the edge of it. We enjoyed drinks and snacks and some great conversations.
We gave the whole of the fourth day to deepening our understanding of the Chapter Decree and the Acts of Chapter and to work on an Area-wide strategy that for the next two years. As day five dawned it was time to move our plans from Area-wide to our local context and to work on how the Chapter Decree can be lived out in each community. Each community then presented its plans for the next two years. The plans vary but most communities make a commitment to work for vocation, opening the community especially, for young women. The day ended with a ritual in which each community made a public commitment to live out the Chapter Decree.
We closed the Assembly with a beautiful final prayer during which we also gave thanks for and blessed Sisters Afra and Clare, who will shortly be leaving the Area of Asia as they have been elected General Assistants by the Chapter.
The afternoon formed a very special time of engagement and sharing with our Companions in Mission across Asia both in person and on-line. The hybrid session went extremely well. For those in Yogyakarta we had the great joy of celebrating Eucharist for the Feast of the Holy Name. During the Eucharist it was deeply touching to witness the CiM renewing their commitment and the FCJs renewing their vows. We then had the great joy of enjoying a delicious celebratory meal together. Spending several hours in the company of our CiM was truly a great way to close our Assembly.
