FIC LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP & CON-CON – OCTOBER, 2019

REPORT FOR DAY 3.

Today’s activities started with a reflective prayer service led by the Provincial Council of Ghana in the CB Sisters’ Chapel. The theme for the prayer service was on exemplary leadership.This was followed by our usual breakfast at 8:00am Dutch time.

The first session of the day’s program began at 9:00am. This session was introduced by the General Superior, Br. Augustine Kubdaar. The main document we reflected on was Service to Authority and Obedience. He set the ball rolling by touching on the origin of the document, the meaning of our call to be religious and a path of liberation just to mention a few. His introductory presentation left most participants nodding their heads in agreement to the content of the presentation on Service to Authority and Obedience.

The second session of the day was facilitated by Br. Raphael Besigrinee. His presentation dovetailed into the introductory presentation of the General Superior on Service to Authority and Obedience. He highlighted the question “what do you seek”, particularly as religious?. As found in the Gospel, ‘it is your face oh Lord that I seek’ as contained in (Ps 27:8). This implies that ‘it is in seeking God that we come to know God’s will’. He indicated that, the Will of God among others is a ‘Divine Will’, which is to Love God above all things and our neighbour as ourselves.

Obedience he said “is an attentive listening to the call of the moment”. Religious obedience has to do with listening to an authority without preconceived ideas. The Superiors are meant to accompany their fellow brothers on ongoing formation and to serve them. The authority of the religious superiors must be characterized by the spirit of service “not to be served but to serve” (Mk. 10:45).

After his presentation, participants went into a reflective session. We later met in Provincial Groups to have a group reflection/discussion on the presentation given in the morning by Br Raphael on “Service to Authority and Obedience”. Lunch was served at 12:30hrs followed by a short rest. We returned to the plenary session at 15:00hrs where the Provincial Groups presented their reflections on the questions that were posed by the facilitator. The Provincial Groups came out with some deep and practical insights into the subject matter (Service to Authority and Obedience) to enrich the discussions on the theme stated earlier.

The sharing of the fruits of the plenary reflections led us into our evening Eucharistic celebration after supper at 17:30hrs.  Our usual recreation was at 21hrs. This officially ended at 22:00hrs and brought the day’s activities to a close.

Compiled by Br. Clement Aabezane Naapire (Ghana Province)