Summary from the Drafting Commission: 23 october

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Mass was celebrated in the Retreat House Chapel; the principal celebrant was Fr Michael Ogweno.

The first session in the aula began with a prayer-reflection on the theme of Solidarity and Mission, prepared by the students of the STIP (Passionist Inter-provincial Student Community).

Fr Luis Alberto Cano chaired the session. He began by asking the Synod if they wished to extend the right to vote to the three invited guests: Fr Antony Sikhalele Mdhuli (Regional Vicar, MATAF), Fr Moisés Ríos (Regional Vicar, PAC) and Fr Michael Ogweno (Co-ordinator, CPA). All agreed.

The General Econome, Fr Battista Ramponi, gave a written report on the income and expenditure of the General Curia and also of the Saints John and Paul Community for 2007, 2008, 2009 and the first half of 2010. He also gave similar information regarding the Formation Fund, the Solidarity Fund and funds administered by the Generalate on behalf of other entities. In his comments on the report, Fr Battista raised the question of a Congregational Common Fund, which he had proposed at the last General Chapter, as an aid to the General Administration which, until the present, is resourced solely by contributions from the provinces.

The Passionist presence at United Nations

Fr. Kevin Dance - who is our delegate at the NGO Passionists International, spoke to the assembly about the activities that we are undertaking at UN. After recall his personal "adventures" during the difficult times of the beginning of the project, he described the working dynamics of the organizations that are now operating in that area; he explained to the Synod not only the motivations that led us to begin our presence in that particular context, but also the actual contribution of our work there and how we are influencing the UN dynamics.

The Report of the General Secretary for Solidarity and Mission

P. Jesus Maria Aristin, General Secretary for Solidarity and the Missions, updated the synod members with his report about the activities recently undertaken by his office. He underlined the importance for supporting the development of local JPIC initiatives, that do require the engagement of more Passionists that specific area. Then Fr. Jesús reaffirmed – as was already stated at the pre-synodal workshop - that our engagement in JPIC is an expression of our charism, therefore it is an important aspect of our mission.

Holy Mass: homily for October 23rd

29th Saturday of Ordinary Time
Gospel of Luke 13,1-9

When some people arrive to tell Jesus of the tragedy and misfortune that befell some Galileans and sort of suggested that they were more sinners than the rest of the Galileans, Jesus takes the opportunity to refute that kind of a mentality; a mentality that is not totally alien to us. It is common for us to think that when everything is going on well; when we have everything we need and have stocked enough for the foreseeable future, it is because of our hard work and better planning.

That the good life is a reward from God for something good we did just as misfortune is a punishment for something bad. We often then keep away from those who seem to move from one disaster to another; some times out of fear that their misfortune can come to us; that they can taint or contaminate us. And while we sometimes feel sorry and pity them, we do not really identify ourselves with them. We suspect that their tragedy, misfortune, pain and sufferings is caused by something wrong they did or failed to do.

Jesus tells his listeners as he tells us today, that misfortune, tragedy and sufferings are no sign of greater sins in those who suffer them. We all share a basic similarity with those who suffer in any way. Everyone, says Jesus, is a sinner and therefore in need of repentance. Unless you repent, you will all perish as they did! Disaster, accidents and sufferings are not inflicted on people by God as a punishment for sins. The God of Jesus Christ, our Father, is intrinsically a God of love, who is merciful and generous to all his people including those we would want to categorize as sinners. His mercy and generosity towards us, is an invitation to us, to in turn be merciful and generous with one another.

No one should look at his gifts, resources and think he deserved better than the other, or look upon anyone who does not have as being punished for something he did or failed to do. Whatever life and prosperity anyone has is to be understood, seen and received as a complete gift, given by God simply because God has chosen to do so, out of his generosity and not because anybody deserved better than the other. God cares for all and he demands that we do the same for one another. Unless you repent you will all perish as they did!

Solidarity with Fr. Mario Bartolini: letter of General Father

Dear father Mario, we’re sending you this letter from Rome where we’re in the midst of our Passionist General Synod at our General House of Saints John and Paul. The Synod is being attended by our Superior General and his Council and all the Provincial and Vice-Provincial Superiors and Regional Vicars who reside in some 60 different countries around the world, amongst them Perú.

At the end of the first day’s session, during which we dealt with the theme of Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation, we would like to send you our brotherly greetings and encourage you to continue with your mission and maintain your peace of mind and serenity in the midst of all that is happening to you. We have been following events from some time back and we have always appreciated the work you did together with Father Pio Zarrabe Garro, C.P., now passed away, in defense of the peasants’ land in the Amazon region of Perú, where you are serving loyally as a parish priest.

We are fully aware of the legal problems you are involved in as a consequence of your efforts in defense of small landowners in Barranquita where you minister. Small parcels of land which are nevertheless are all that the people of your flock possess and which they work in order to feed and clothe their families, including their aged parents.