News

NDS Mediterranean Assembly 2016

161117_assembly_nds_med_001On Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th of November for the first time in the Congregation, Sisters from Gemenos, Egypt, Australia, Canada, Ecce Homo, Ein Karem, and also the Contemplative Sisters joined us to get connected by WebEx for the Regional Assembly.

This was a very new experience for everybody, however, all of us were opened and patient during the whole process learning how to use this tool designed for online meeting, conferencing and videoconferencing applications.

During the two days we prayed, reflected, discerned, discussed and shared our opinions and thoughts about the 26th General Chapter document. Some of the questions that we answered in groups were: “What our general impression of the document were, what challenges we found, what the calls from the Chapter were more specifically for the Region, my Community and individually?”

After that, we got together using WebEx to share what each group had talked. Even though at the beginning we were not used to put into practice this technology, little by little we felt more comfortable using it. This was an enriching experience since we could see, hear and talk to each other and this was really helpful for some Sisters who cannot attend the assembly when it is carried out in a different country where they live.

We ended the assembly talking about the positives experiences of using WebEx and what aspects need to be improved. We hope that we will continue using this technology not only for our assemblies but also for future formations or talks.

We are very thankful with all the Sisters who work hard to make this assembly come true and also the Sisters from the different countries who were very responsible to joined us in this new way of being together.

The last prayer of the assembly was this amazing quote also included in the 26th General Chapter document:161117_assembly_nds_med_002

“Together, let us go forward, relying on the strength of our God and trusting in God’s presence, knowing that the jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail”
1 Kings 17,14

Nancy Mena Fernandez NDS, Novice
Congregational Novitiate Ein Karem, Jerusalem