Maryknoll Affiliates as Prophetic Voices
The May 2009 Southeast Regional Conference for Maryknoll Affiliates, Being Prophetic Voices in Mission, inspired us to recommit ourselves to mission and to the Maryknoll Affiliates. Not only did the attendees enjoy this meeting, but we also felt enriched by our diversity of ethnicities, geographic origins, and Christian affiliations. Regional Coordinators and Board members and the Affiliate Board were able to use this conference as their first joint meeting; it included people from around the U.S. as well as Fr. Jim Madden MM, the interim Regional Coordinator from Peru. Maryknoll Sister Rebecca Nyaki MM, originally from Tanzania, and Maryknoll Sister candidate Hyun Jung Kim from Korea, both now working in North Carolina, participated in the conference, along with Ursuline Sisters from Wilmington.
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| “Candle station” where participants were to light a candle and invite God’s light into their life and into our world. |
The Fr. Price Chapter in Wilmington, N.C., which organized and hosted the conference this May with warm southern hospitality, is ecumenical and racially diverse, itself. Their mission with HIV/AIDS in the Coastal AIDS Resource Effort (CARE) organization in Wilmington illustrates that mission does not need to be in other countries. The Hispanic dancers, musicians and singers who entertained us also showed that other cultures can be in our midst, offering much richness as well as needing our outreach. We enjoyed the opportunity to share faith and joy of service with them.
In contrast to the moving talks and liturgies during the two-day conference, the seven Life Reflection Stations during the conference provided a time of silent reflection on the generous love of God. At these stations, water, candles, seeds, and prayers helped us to see ourselves with a new perspective. After visiting each station in silence, we continued our reflections during a walk on the adjacent Topsail Beach. Fr. Jack Sullivan MM reminded us, “God always and everywhere reveals Self in whatever is available."
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| Four Pillars of the Maryknoll Affiliates |
In addition to the glorious beach outdoors, the meeting room was beautifully decorated with flowers. On the altar was a painting of Father Thomas Frederick Price, who was born in Wilmington, North Carolina and worked many years in that state before co-founding the Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers. In front of the altar Gabriella (Gaye) Hieb, conference chair, had arranged four large, white pillars topped with the words of the four Pillars of the Maryknoll Affiliates: Spirituality, Community, Global Vision, and Action. Cut paper banners by a Wilmington artist framed the altar.
In our discussions, we recognized that as Maryknoll Affiliates we connect with members of Maryknoll. We also affiliate with the charism or essence of the Maryknoll mission and spirit.
While we discussed evolving Affiliate organizational structures and how to work together, we agreed to strive to keep a fluidity and dynamism, allowing Chapters and Regions to function with great freedom in expressing the Maryknoll charism and their missions. Indeed, the process of calling forth and selecting new Regional Coordinators is currently left to each region to develop for itself.
In addition to our recommitment to mission, we carried home with us another creative expression from the conference—a bejeweled cross. Fr. Price Chapter Affiliate Karen Pray led us in making a cross with wires and sparkling beads. She commented that the colors of the beads could represent our different gifts or our struggles, and while we twisted the wires into a shape of a cross, she reminded us that our lives may also not follow a straight path. The path of the Maryknoll Affiliates may not be clear or straight, but it will sparkle as we strive to see the face of Christ in all those we meet.
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| Mary Ryan-Hotchkiss and Manny Hotchkiss with their wire and bead crosses. |
Look here for more information and pictures from the conference.
