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ISSUE

YEAR2007

VOLUME

Sisters

focus

Sisters of notre dame de Namur

Making known God’s goodness

This series is complied from the = Constitutions and Directory of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur (1= 989)—an international congregation of religious women serving on five= continents.

Mission

We recognize the call of God in a g= rowing consciousness throughout the world of the dignity and value of each = person, race, and nation, and of the ways in which society, in its values, = structures, and systems, denies this dignity.

This call of God, heard through the= signs of the times, challenges us to continual conversion, personal and co= mmunal, because we share responsibility for the divisions within society.

We therefore strive to awaken in ou= rselves and in those with whom we work a conscience which recognizes sin in= its individual and social manifestations. We commit ourselves to that acti= on for justice which makes real and credible the message of the Gospel.

&nbs= p; &= nbsp; (= Constitutions #15-22)

A Priestly People

All of the baptized share in Chr= ist’s priesthood. This participation is called the “common prie= sthood of all the faithful.” Their works, prayers, activities of fami= ly and married life, apostolic endeavors, relaxation, and even the sufferin= gs and setbacks of life can become spiritual offerings pleasing to God when= united to the sacrifice of Christ. Such acts of God’s people become = forms of divine worship that by his design sanctify the world. (Adapted fro= m the U= nited States Catholic Catechism for Adults, p. 117)

Questions or Comments: ASKanSND= @SNDdeN.org

National Vocation Team, Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur,

30 Jeffreys Neck Road, Ipswich, MA 01938-1308 (978) 380-1571

As gospel women we are all called to be = holy regardless of our state of life. These reflection questions are offere= d as a guide for your discernment.

· How do you proclaim Jesus Christ and participate in= his liberating mission?

· How does your life “embrace” Jesus’ lib= erating mission?

· Who are “the poor” in your life? How does you= r life reach out to them?

· How do you minister to your neighbors, family and co-work= ers?

· How have you recognized God’s power and presence ac= ting in the history and peoples of our times?

· Have you become aware of common “values, structures= , and systems” that deny human dignity?

· Are you willing to commit yourself to that action for jus= tice which makes real and credible the message of the Gospel?

Food for thought

wh= at is an

ec= clesial community?

The word “ecclesial” means = “church.” Our word church is based on both the Greek word ekklesia and the Hebrew word qahal, which mean the gathering of the community. It was first= applied to the people of Israel, whom God called into existence. The churc= h was planned and formed by God, who called together into one those who acc= epted the Gospel.

The Church is a visible society and a spirit= ual community; she is a hierarchical institution and the Body of Christ; sh= e is an earthly Church and one filled with heavenly treasures. Hence the Ch= urch is a complex reality that has human and divine elements.

The reality of the mystery of the Church is = expressed in a variety of ways as follows:

· A sacram= ent of salvation

· People o= f God

· Body of = Christ

· Bride of= Christ

· Temple o= f the Holy Spirit

· Communio= n

Through the needs of our world, God= summons us as an ecclesial community to proclaim Jesus Christ and to parti= cipate in his liberating mission.

We embrace this mission and seek th= at life in abundance which he promised to all: full communion with Go= d, liberation from sin and its consequences, community rooted in justice, l= ove, and simplicity.

In fidelity to Julie’s prefer= ence for the poor in the most abandoned places, we choose to stand with poo= r people as they struggle for adequate means for human life and dignity.

We value the focus on education in = our congregational tradition and give special attention to the educational = dimension of our mission, which we carry out through a diversity of ministr= ies among people at all levels of society.

We endeavor to discern the power an= d presence of God acting in the history and peoples of our times. Our disce= rnment is rooted in the word of God, the teachings of the Church, our congr= egational tradition, and the voices of the poor.