Mission Alive! – September 6-13

Diversity was certainly evident during the first week in September as 22 participants gathered at the Centre for the annual Mission Alive! Program. Participants were from Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Denmark, UK-Japan, and the USA. Formerly called Mission Effectiveness, the program offers a pilgrimage for lay partners in mission and provides an immersion experience into the original spirit and global dimension of the charism and spiritual tradition of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The week-long experience offered a series of presentations, interactive participation, prayer, and visits to historic sites in Le Puy-en-Velay. A day trip to Lyon was also included. Sr. Dolores Clerico is a Philadelphia Sister of Saint Joseph (USA) with ministry experience in the academic, parish, diocesan, and congregational arenas. She is a frequent speaker, workshop presenter, and retreat facilitator for sisters, associates, and partners in mission throughout the United States and annually at the International Centre. Sr. Simone Saugues (Institute-France) served as the English-French translator while Sr. Joana Mendes (Rochester- Brazil SSJ) served as English- Portuguese translator. The Centre was bursting at the seams to accommodate all the participants. We especially want to thank Sr. Marie- Paule Rascle at the St. Maurice convent for housing six of the Brazilian participants.