Photos: Mark Oski, Sace Coeur, Melbourne, Australia

After an energizing Asian- Australasian regional conference for Sacred Heart Principals in Mumbai last year it was decided that a similar opportunity should be offered for teachers. Sr Anila Verghese, principal of Sophia College, again graciously accepted the challenge of hosting the event and shepherded the preparation. On January 1, 2006 an enthusiastic group of teachers gathered to spend nine days together experiencing, exploring, and planning around the theme: Education in a Multi-Religious, Multi-Cultural and Globalized World.

The thirty four teachers came from Sacred Heart Schools in Japan (Obayashi, Tokyo, Sapporo), Taipei, Korea, Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney), New Zealand, United States (Seattle) and India (Mumbai, Haregaon). Our first days were spent on the Sophia Campus where we received excellent input on a variety of topics.

• Education, Globalization and the Millenium Development Goals  Dr. Vibhuti Patel
• Sacred Heart Spirituality and Educational Principles Sr. Anila Verghese RSCJ
• Crisis of Meaning in a Multi-Religious, Multi-Cultural and Globalized World Ms Victoria Boulter
• Gender Constructs in a Multi-Religious Multi-Cultural and Globalized World Sr. Ananda Amritmahal RSCJ 

Sharing on Major Indian / Asian / World  Religions

• Hinduism  Mrs. Rama Rajagopalakrishna
• Jainism / Buddhism (Vipassana)  Mr. Jayantilal Shah
• Zoroastrianism  Mrs. Pervine Bhujwala
• Sikhism  Mrs. Suzie Bajaj
• Islam  Sr. Gerardette Philip, Dr. Zaibun Jasdanwalla
  

This sharing was enriched by visits to the different places of worship. Our group also had the chance to visit Mani Bhavan, the Gandhi Memorial Centre. Daily we had the opportunity to practice Yoga and Tai Chi.

In group discussion we picked up the issues and concerns raised by the presenters and decided on strategies to be used in our educational institutions. (A Vision Statement follows this article.)

While on the campus at Sophia we able to visit the different schools - Sophia College, Sophia Polytechnic, Sadahna School, and the Nursery School. When we returned to Mumbai, we were also able to visit Little Flower of Jesus School as well as make a brief visit to the homes of some of their students. Our hostesses at Sophia also ensured that we were able to sample delicious regional cuisine and treated us to a marvelous cultural program. Great fun was had as we volunteered for ‘mehendi’, sari draping and turban wrapping.

January 5th our group set off for Pune, Haregaon and Bhokar. In Pune Sr. Livi Rodrigues RSCJ spoke to us about Development Work in a Globalized World.  In Bokar we were able to see the popular education work carried out at the Centre where Sr Daphne Sequeira, RSCJ, coordinates the Women’s Programs. During our days on the road we also had the joy of visiting St. Clare’s School, and the Haregaon School and the village.

We left Mumbai with our horizons broadened. For these days we were gifted by all those we met and grew in our understanding of unity and diversity. It was so affirming to see how similar Sacred Heart educators are in their commitment to live out the vision of St. Madeleine Sophie. Within our group there is a sense of responsibility to share our experiences and insights with others back in our school communities. Our gratitude goes to our wonderful RSCJ hosts who went out of their way to make us feel “at home”. Everywhere we went we were greeted with incredible hospitality.

Vision Statement

We, the delegates to the Conference, accept the fundamental approach to spirituality as offered by the Conference: this entails the acknowledgement of three essentially interconnecting modes of spirituality. Firstly, that we are called to Wisdom; secondly, to articulate that wisdom through Devotion, ethical application and our common humanity; and, thirdly, to accept our personal vocation to realise actively that Wisdom in our personal lives.

Thus, we have identified in our response the following commitment to these three essential interconnecting modes of spirituality.

We are called to accept this wisdom for all fellow human beings, and recognise this Wisdom as found in each of their lives. Therefore, we are people of empathy, appreciative of the universal Truth, broad in our understanding, having integrity, humility and self-knowledge. This Truth invites us to share a common purpose as Sacred Heart Educators, living lives which are reflective and pro-active.

We are to make real this Truth in the lives of people.   We will articulate this Truth through devotion and celebration which is made pertinent in the Eucharist and made real through our actions.  We celebrate the richness and diversity of our common humanity through lived values, hospitality and warmth, affirming and exploring differences, genuine sharing and generosity of spirit.

We accept personal responsibility for our own development of spirituality. We humbly receive the guidance of all other humans and the particular cultural contexts in which our spirituality is made authentic. This personal journey is one of sacrifice which acknowledges the needs of others. This journey is also creative and life giving, as gifts made real through the pierced hearts of Jesus and Mary.

Consequently,

We have discerned the following issues which challenge us as educators of the Sacred Heart in the Asian Pacific Region:

A need for greater acceptance of the many cultures within our region.

The rise of ideas opposed to religious values, Fundamentalism and Consumerism, particularly in education.

Maintaining the Vision of Madeleine Sophie Barat in relation to the education of both rich and poor.

The development of common Social Justice Goals and Programmes.

A need for effective communication within the region.

A need to develop an identity for the Region using the language of the Heart.

A need to develop the spirituality of the students within multi-faith contexts.

Therefore,

We offer the following proposals

That all member networks develop a Regional consciousness and fellowship using the language of the Heart.

That all member networks ensure the priority of education for values and social justice.

That all member networks provide means by which the original vision of Madeleine Sophie Barat in relation to the education of both rich and poor is realised.

That all member networks share resources and processes by which common goals of Social Justice are achieved.

That all member networks have effective communication links with each other.

That all member networks commit to increasing the spiritual life of their students utilising the resources and processes of the Region.

In order for these proposals to become effective we suggest the following general strategies:

A website for the Region for both staff and students.

Student/staff exchange programmes.

A Regional Journal on Spirituality.

Formation of a Regional Committee comprising of a representative from each Network.

Visits from members of the Society of the Sacred Heart which are funded by schools/networks of the region to address specific issues of spirituality.

Provision for an adequate budget and resourcing of regional initiatives.

Communicating social justice initiatives within the Regional networks with a primary focus on the needs of the Region.

To collaborate more effectively with the Sophia Commission in Rome and other initiatives for social justice within the Society of the Sacred Heart.

To ensure the professional development of staff in areas pertaining to Sacred Heart Spirituality among the members of Regional networks.