Assembly 2007 - Bangalore

Day 5 - 18 November

The fifth day of the Assembly began with prayer under the trees prepared by the Sisters from Africa.

In the morning the Sisters from Fargo and from Queensland shared their Congregations’ symbols. Some time was then spent reflecting on the learnings from the previous day’s field experiences and sharing those in the whole group.

After the morning tea break Devinder Sharma, an Indian journalist, writer, thinker, and agricultural scientist, spoke to the group about the politics of food and agriculture. He spoke about the scourge of hunger, the displacement of people caused by the migrations of farmers from rural to urban areas, the suicide of Indian farmers and the global agricultural and trade policies and practices that keep so many people hungry.

In the afternoon prayer was led by the Sisters from Latin America. Sisters from Western Australia and the United States Province of the Union shared their symbols.

The participants were given an opportunity for journaling and dialogue on the difference that their experience in India and at the IPA Assembly will make in their lives.

The participants unanimously affirmed their commitment to IPA and its mission in a simple ritual.

At 5.00pm the participants celebrated a Eucharist in the form of an Indian liturgy. This was followed by a cultural performance presented by the National Biblical Catechetical Liturgical Centre.

Reflections by Participants:

Mary Bruggy, Lismore, Australia: “The young dancers who shared their talents at the Mass were later joined by others who delighted us with a fest of Biblical stories and Indian culture. Each day of the Assembly has been a unique and rich experience and it’s a privilege to be here!”

Pam Chiesa, San Francisco, USA: “I was very moved by the African Sunrise morning prayer. As we sat beneath sun-dappled trees and blessed the earth, I looked around the circle at all Nano’s daughters from around the world and felt a profound intersection of past, present and future Presentation dreams. We do, indeed, walk one!”

Selma George, Peru, Latin America: “The gathering ritual of the day led us to remember our ancestors and our interdependence and inter-connectedness to the earth and all of creation. Stories are powerful means to keep alive the values and relationship in every human community. As I gather the stories of today, what comes to my mind is ‘the Quilt Weaver’.

                        We need new stories for our time
                        Even new story tellers.
                        We need new myths, magic and mystery
                        We need to find new spaces for our imaginations
Gathering subjugated-knowledge, seeking ancient wisdom, listening to the many voices from the margins, speaking, listening to the many more unspoken
            Remembering our roots
            Knowing our wisdoms
            Written on the barks of trees
            Woven on the insides of our skins
            Searching for the river beneath the river
            Of paths yet to be found
            Of ancient ways; of new ways,
            Of forgotten and future ways
            Listening to the earth.
Listening to woman as she weaves into her quilt worlds of wisdom, creating new meanings, new metaphors, keeping children warm, making the depths of old wisdoms visible.
            Listening to the song of the wind
            Listening for the stories – stop listening and
            weave into the fabric of life.

Gleanings from our field visit emerged as a pool of shared experiences and from there a pool of shared meaning, which I carry home with conviction and courage, with passion and strong faith in the power of women to make a difference, to transform lives and living communities.

Mr Devinder Sharma, a journalist and an agricultural scientist, shared his wisdom, knowledge and his pioneering efforts in exposing the plight of the Indian farmers. He challenged us to look critically at our developmental systems, treaties and conventions.

Nano was alive and present with us and with great joy we welcomed the unanimous affirmation of our strong belief in the mission of IPA and its future.

The Catechetical and Liturgical Centre brought light and joy to us by the beautiful dances they performed and the meaningful Indian rite liturgy.”

Go to Day 6

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