From 1st until 8th December 2018, we conduct the provincial Chapter of the ‘Mother of Providence’ province in Porto Alegre/RS, Brazil. This process began with the opening of the chapter year on 9 December 2017, at the conclusion of the celebration to the 175 years of the Congregation of the Sisters of Divine Providence. On this occasion, we were invited to be aware that we are all Chapter Delegates. At the same time, we should have the steps of discernment in mind: to evaluate the steps made, to analyze them, to pray over them, to be ready for dialogue and to go out.
During the course of the year, we received many prayer-impulses in our communities that helped us. What moved us very much was the theme: "With Jesus, to a prophetic defense of life" and the appeal: "Get up and come out!" Appreciated was also the evaluation of the last five years, taking into account the decisions of the founding-chapter of the ‘Mother of Providence’ province. We could propose names for the delegates of the chapter, we had two preliminary chapter-meetings and developed possible designs for the future.
In this chapter now, we will focus on the steps for the coming five years.
At the opening of this provincial chapter, Sr. Inês Pretto said, among others: "With Jesus and as Jesus did (it), we disposition ourselves in an attitude of listening and of dialogue, of confidence and responsibility, of self-emptying and of discernment. Thus, we want to enter into this new moment... May the Spirit of God orientate ourselves, carrying / support us and encourage us on our being-on-the-way! Therefore, I declare the first provincial chapter of the ‘Mother of Providence’ province as opened."
We ask for prayer from our friends, fellow-sisters, and the Christian Laity. Thank you!
On behalf of the communication team,
Sr. Maria Helena Lorscheiter