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Assembly 2007 - BangaloreDay 8 - 21 November
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Conscious of our identity as Presentation women, we listen deeply to the cry of the earth heard most loudly in the cry of those made poor and are moved to attend with urgency to the woundedness of our global community. In these critical times, it is imperative that we find ways to ensure that human dignity is everywhere upheld and honoured and that we name, challenge, and seek to change the systems and lifestyles in which we are complicit and which contribute to the present extremes of wealth and poverty and the degradation of the earth. Therefore, we will address the root causes of poverty, especially by confronting personal and corporate greed which exploit earth, her peoples, and the whole community of life. |
Assembly participants spent some time discussing how they could
communicate to their Sisters, Associates, and co-workers the passion
for IPA and its mission that they had experienced at the Assembly.
The final ritual called us to be women of the light and included the planting
of a mango tree in the beautiful grounds of the Ecumenical Christian Centre with
a sign that says:
Our Sacred Trust
“We declare our responsibility
to the greater community of life
and to the future generations.”
Earth Charter
International Presentation Association
2007
The Assembly concluded with a multicultural event – a joyful celebration of the cultural diversity of the Assembly participants.
Reflections by Participants:
Sheila Quonoey, Wagga, Australia: “Being
in India for Presentation Day was a wonderful experience. Greeting
each other, receiving a floral emblem, celebration Eucharist in
a rich and colourful way. Reaching our decisions, satisfying all
voices felt great – a deep sense of union.”
Ruth Coleman, New Zealand: “The day began with resounding
greetings of ‘Happy Feast Day’, ‘Happy Presentation Day’ and
I felt a great surge of joy swelling up in me as for the first time this global
group of Presentation women celebrated Presentation Day together. This joy continued
through the liturgy especially during the sharing of our founding stories and
Nanos of today. A huge sense of pride when ‘courage’ (seemingly
unanimous) resounded through the chapel. This sense of courage and the challenges
that lie ahead was further reinforced with the acceptance of the goals and the
final commitment of ‘Light’ to carry us on our way culminating in
the planting of the tree left one feeling elated and thankful for this wonderful
experience though I know this just the beginning calling one to ‘go one
pace beyond’.”
Julianna Purcell, South East Province, Ireland: “Greeting everyone for Presentation Day had such a rich flavour that the essence of our international reality will linger with each of us long into our future at home. Our gathering for Mass in such a beautifully prepared sacred space followed simple things like each of choosing a flower to take in with us took on a whole new meaning when we were invited to share our prayer with one other person next to us, our flowers representing our prayer were gathered and taken up in the offertory procession and after Mass used to decorate our Assembly Hall connecting our Mass to the rest of the day.
Moving to the rhythm of the Magnificat with such simple and significant gestures is another tangible way that the experience of the Assembly can be spread by each of us in our time and place. Each of our culture's formal expression in our celebrating Eucharist together and like all rich nourishment needs to be held in our hearts and pondered on into the future.
Formalizing the work of the Assembly was also a very significant moment. Experiencing this for the first time was profound and humbling, reaching into the part of me, that I hope will give rise to action; the naming that first step for me in my own environment and carrying it through until it becomes a global reality.”
Anna Manyonga, Zimbabwe: Presentation Day was
a fitting climax and end to the IPA Assembly. I send positive energy
to all the Presentation women, Associates, and co-workers on this
our special day. It has been a wonderful experience here at Bangalore
in India where the day was celebrated by Presentation women from
all over the world. The tone of the day for me was set by the joyful
celebration of the Eucharist that marked that start of the day.
The words from the hymn by Liam Lawton which we used for the meditation
song after communion expresses it accurately for me: ‘There’s
a time to be grateful for moments so blessed.’ Indeed this
has been a blessed moment, a blessed day. In the spirit of such
a joyful celebration we went into the session where under the guidance
of Nano and Mary, our mother, and under the gentle direction of
Renee, the facilitator, we formalized our directions for IPA Assembly
2007. The closing ritual could not have been any better. The ritual
of lights and the planting of the mango tree were so symbolic.
It spoke to me of the life of IPA and the planting of IPA decisions
in our hearts. Then the multicultural event was so joyful. It was
great to experience such talent among us. We had great fun and
really enjoyed ourselves. It was such a great honor for me to be
one of the MCs. Then the evening meal was so delicious as befitting
such an important day for us.
All I can say is as the morning reflection said, this was such a blessed day for the international Presentation family. One of the Sisters asked me if I missed the Sisters at home and my response to her was ‘I wish they could all be here to experience this blessed day.’”
Joy Peterson, Dubuque, USA: “‘We proclaim that there is an unquenchable fire shining within each person… that it cannot be contained.’ As we celebrated the Presentation Day liturgy, approved the Assembly goals, and prayed the closing ritual these lines summarized for me what I was feeling and sensing in the gathering. The closing day sends us forth to celebrate our heritage and live our commitments to confront injustice through our IPA mission. The beautiful fire lamps we each carried from the Assembly wonderfully reflected the passion and enthusiasm we garnered from these days.”
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© International Presentation Association
