After one month enjoying their apostolic experience serving in the Guest House in Ecce Homo, Lucia and Nancy began another new experience being involved with the English Program of the CBF (Centre of Biblical Formation). The emphasis of the CBF Program is placed on: a study of the Bible through the text and excursions to explore the Land; a deeper understanding of Jesus and his heritage; and Christian roots as found in Jewish traditions which shaped the religious experience of Jesus, and later, the church. The CBF English Program was from June 3rd until July 3rd. Sr. Maureen and Sr. Iuliana from Rumania coordinated it. We (Lucia and Nancy) were interns of the program; each one was part of the Program for two weeks. During this time, we helped with the organization of the program and we had the amazing experience of sharing with people from Australia, India, Vietnam, Brazil, Thailand, Korea and Philippines. Most of them were priests, some religious brothers and sisters, and teachers and principals of schools. The program consisted mainly in …

Dear Sisters and Brothers Our small community, now of three sisters Sr. Juliana, Sr. Colette and Sr. Ivone continue living and serving in the Novitiate house and the garden, the guesthouse and through volunteer work also at the St. Louis Hospice. The work at the hospital provides care for the dying, including Jews, Muslims, Christians, Israelis and Palestinians. It is also helping refugees. The Novices who served their apostolic Ministry in Ecce Homo for the last two months are ready now to go to Egypt for their three months experience. Ecce Homo has provided them with the experience of serving in a variety of ways in the guesthouse and as interns in the biblical program with Sr. Maureen. The novices in Poland have written the following: “Our Poland experience has been a very fruitful experience. We have visited many places, the opportunity to know the history and the life in Krakau, meeting some sisters – Sr. Anne McNally and her niece Patricia from Australia and Sr. Michele. We have enjoyed many Polish dishes and visited …

After our 1st temporary commitment last January 20, 2016, Joey and I went back to Philippines. Our community in Manila welcome us with joy. We had celebration together with our friends and family. Before setting out for my apostolate I went home to be with my family and friends. I was happy to be home after two years. I enjoyed my time with my family, friends and relatives.

The Holy week we spent from Thursday to Easter Monday at Ecce Homo, with ConnecSion and the other sisters, celebrating Easter in the city where all the significant events happened. The month of April ended with goodbyes: Andréa and Maria left for Cracow, Poland, for their first Mission assignment during the Apostolic year, to “Go and proclaim.” At the beginning of May, Lucia and Nancy left the Novitiate community for their first Mission commitment in Ecce Homo. ConnecSion finished at the end of April with the sharing of Charism projects by novices and young sisters. They were outstanding presentations, shared with real joy. Then some sisters of the ConecSion group left for their home countries; others returned to their commitment at Ecce Homo. On the 20th of January we celebrated, with special events, the 175th anniversary of the apparition to Fr. Mary and so we continued our learning about Fr. Mary in four sessions at the beginning of May. The first was at Ratisbonne, with Br. Elio leading us in a study of texts and …

I appreciate the opportunity to consider the many gifts that God has given to me and the nourishing experiences I had in Jerusalem. I am happy that I am back in my community after my two-year Novitiate Formation in Jerusalem. Now, I am challenged to bring out the best in me and to use opportunities to apply what I have learned in my novitiate formation.

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a warrior who gives victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:14.17 My first year as a sister of the Congregation of “Notre Dame de Sion” has been unique and meaningful. I have experienced some fantastic realities which have taught me to love God and my Congregation more.