Feed-back on World Youth Day 2008

Preparation In Indonesia :  Indonesia – Philippines – India Collaboration
By Beth, rscj novice from the Philippines 

Front: Era, Cilla; 2nd row: Beth, Tri, Tencia; 3rd row: Diana, rscj, Intan

It was a big surprise for us, religious of the Sacred Heart in the Indonesian Area  when in February we received a very generous offer from our Australia-New Zealand's sisters to sponsor 6 persons to attend the MAGiS ’08 and World Youth Day ’08 in Sydney. The community agreed to send the three of us in initial formation : Beth (novice from the Philipppines), Era (Indonesian novice) and Tencia (postulant from East Timor, now novice); and to find three other young women from the community’s friends. Cilla, Intan and Tri were chosen. Preparations started right away. English classes were given by Sr. Murph and Sr. Sally. The Area also invited Sr. Ambuja from India to give intensive classes in English. She came in May and immediately started teaching the group. It was not only learning English but the course was really geared towards the trip to Australia and the possible experiences we will have during Magis and WYD. Sr. Ambuja also facilitated a study of Australia particularly Sydney and the indigenous Australians. We learned about the Stolen Generations and watched the film “Rabbit-Proof Fence”. Not only did we gain information about the indigenous peoples but were also led to reflect on their sufferings. It was a big joy for everybody when news came that we were assigned to be with indigenous Australian kids for our Magis Experiment. Sr. Ambuja also gave the whole group a recollection before our departure. And so we left Jakarta filled with excitement and spirit to share our faith to the world’s youth!