The Chapter did not begin with us. Let it not end with us.

Shelley Lawrence rscj 

We seem to have arrived at a different moment in the Chapter. Fewer people have time to gather socially. The corridors and gathering places seem empty at night.  Most people are off in small groups, late into the night, putting what we hope are the finishing touches on the fruits of our five weeks of dialogue and discernment before documents go for a final writing then approval.

We are also aware that we are in the last week of the Chapter and much talk centers around returning home. We were reminded last evening in a wonderful homily given by Cath Lloyd that maybe there are calls we still need to hear, things we need to say, have healed or reconciled and “not to leave just yet.” During our morning prayer today, we did again what we had done so very many times throughout this Chapter – to song, we walked around the room looking into the eyes of the other acknowledging the gift that she is and the gift of her call. Eyes reveal so much more as a result of our experience and our lives lived together. We have tried to listen deeply, to hear the reality of the other and the context from which she comes. We have tried to be open to new understandings. We have struggled (and suffered) at times in trying to communicate without a common language in order to make ourselves, our realities known and understood. And clearly, we have loved. This morning was again different. The facilitators had difficulty in getting us to leave the prayer section of the room to return to the work section of the room. There was much to affirm in the other. There were more hugs to give, more words to say, and more time needed to gaze into the eyes of the other.  It was clear, we haven’t left just yet! On many levels, there is still much to do and in a deeper sense, I hope we never leave! What could I possibly mean by that?

In the depths of my heart, I do not believe this is a Chapter that can or will end. It will close, the work will be done, but it will not end. On Wednesday we will all leave here, but my prayer is that the essence of this Chapter will go on. I pray that the way we have lived here - our ways of  dialoguing, praying and sharing life will be lived with our Provinces, our Associates, our colleagues and collaborators, through our networks and those with whom we have yet to meet. I pray that all in the Sacred Heart families and networks around the world will find themselves, their hopes and desires in what will come from this Chapter. I pray that new and stronger directions will be taken from what began in the Provinces, came to this international table that we call Chapter and now we give back to you. The Chapter did not begin with us. Let it not end with us.