EXPOSURE IN PAYATAS

By Sr. Elis Marie

Payatas is a place in Quezon City where garbage is deposited. Conservative estimates show that about 10 tones of garbage from the Metro manila are deposited there every day. Thousands of families have built make-up houses and considered Payatas their rightful place. People there collect from the garbage whatever they can recycle or re-use, sell these and make money out of garbage.

We, the participants of the program of 'Cadre Training on Leadership in 2014-2015, on 19th-22nd January 2015 held the exposure in Payatas. We departed from Vincentian Hills Seminary, where we stayed at 08.30 am and arrived at  Payatas church at 10:30 am. On the way our hearts filled with questions. How is the Payatas situation? Where will we live? What jobs will we do? picking up garbage? sell in the market? or ...?  Our hearts were full of questions about what will happen during our stay in Payatas.

 

Personally I prepared my heart in prayer that my presence may be a blessing to my adopted family who live in the surrounding environment and I believed that God provide the best to my adopted family. I expressed that prayer every time before exposure.

Upon being in Payatas, we were welcomed by Father Emilio (CM) and several people including our adopted families. Father Emilio gave a brief information about Payatas and we were handed over to our adopted families. We stayed in those families and there were ten of them.

 

I lived in the area Violago in the family Leony Neneng Vallente but Usually called Mrs. Neneng. She is 56 years old. She is a widow with one son. The whole time she has is only to serve God and others. Mrs. Neneng is a simple person, faithful, prayerful, grateful, active in the environment and the church, in solidarity with the little people, and love to share with those who are poor and marginalized.

Through this exposure I learned a lot from a mother whose life just rely on God. She never complained. She spoke only of gratitude and love to God and Mother Mary. Thank God for this precious experience. Through them I can learn the real meaning of life.

 

 

THE DIFFERENCES ARE BEAUTIFUL

By Sr. Zita Yuniarti

“We live in a religious family connected with one another in community. We want to support one another, so that each one can respond to her own calling.” (Const. p. 25 n. 1)

Sr. Zita and Sr. Priscilla , "we are in the same spirit"

At the time I tried to sense these words, I realize that they contain consequences. One of it is that differences are there. At one side, there is the same goal in responding to God’s calling, but at the other hand, there are many different ways from each of us on how expressing our own calling. Our characteristics, our backgrounds, our human race and so on actually give big influence of responding to God’s calling. It challenges us on how to deal with the differences, and discover the beauty of them, in the reality that sometimes they potentially make a bit conflicts in building community life. 

How to interpret the meaning of togetherness properly, so we are able to create a conducive atmosphere to recognize that each of us is unique, we are completely different of each other. We do not need to be envious or jealous because of this reality. If there is something unexpected happen in community life, even any conflicts, the most significant key to change the conditions is how to “do something”, even it is a little something. It is a better way to always ask to myself, “what can I do in this situation?” instead of grumbling in unexpected conditions, complaining on bad things, blaming/wronging others, comparing myself with others, etc. Briefly, the changes we expect can be done as

So let us start it from ourselves to take initiative changing our own mind and thoughts. We begin opening widely our eyes, ears, and heart to “something new, something excited” in the midst of diversity and by then we’ll make the difference. By keep trying this kind of spiritual exercise day by day, gradually we are growing in sense of staying in our “core energy”. The more we are grounded in “my core/my inner being”, the more we stronger we are” in facing many experiences and challenges.

People have different ways in thinking, doing the works, building relationship, suggesting ideas, expressing their feelings/emotions, and so on.  When we are able to be respectful person, even appreciative one, it would be good contribution to our community life, as there is enough room/space for each other growing in the way they are, and realizing that everyone still want to grow.

It is challenging, how to deal with these kind of differences. In fact, sometimes we need to put off our own wisdom to be wiser after learning something different from others. We may be going through other pathways to find better destination out. We face many choices to discern and discover what better among the good ones, even the best among the better. Above all, as far as we open our whole being, and live our life with love, surely we will find the beauty of the differences. Therefore, we dare to say that “different is beautiful”.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LEADERSHIP?

by Sr. Cecil Marie, SOL

In the midst of the trend society who are hungry for ambition, power, popularity and wants to appear always good, we are invited to contemplate "what the meaning of leadership is". It is interesting that the common goals of training on leadership is to develop everyone becomes a mature and integrated person who has strong vision as religious woman of Sisters of Our Lady. Therefore, leaders are not primarily in religious role, function, or a particular position in a congregation, but a person who has a religious quality of life as religious woman of Sisters of Our Lady. Based on the my experiences and reflections for three weeks attending in the ITL process, an author inspires me because he found two important points that are needed to be internalized in developing the quality of personal life and mission.

First, simplicity and humility are necessary to release the  sense of superiority as the oldest participant and be equal with others, be led by young sisters which has the first time in leading, accept our self-limitations and dare to ask her who is younger than me. This is the meaning of being simple and humble, like the life of Jesus himself. As God, he became human, and found in human form He died on the cross. Even though He was cheered as the king entered Jerusalem, He does not ride a horse, but a donkey. It signs that the quality of someone’s life appears from his simple words, attitudes, and actions but meaningful, neither at the good word beauty, wealth nor position.

Second, reducing and changing habits that weaken religious life as well as managing barriers to become a mature and integrated person as religious woman of Sister of Our Lady.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD LEADERSHIP

by Sr. Priscilla, SOL

In leadership we encounter different characteristics. Below are some of them.

Listening and availability

Leaders should be present to their sisters/people not only physically but with their whole being. They have motivation to listen actively to their people; they also pay attention to what remains unspoken.

Empathy

A leader should understand and share the feelings with others. Community members are entitled to respect and appreciate for their personal development. Actually a leader should not make herself the measure of judging others but should take them as they are.

Awareness

Leaders need general awareness more especially self awareness so as to understand their people.

Foresight

This characteristic enables a leader to learn about the past and achieve a better understanding about the current reality. 

In conclusion religious leaders should contribute to an even widening web of compassionate relationship towards a space circle of love and compassionate.

HISTORY OF LIFE

By.Sr. Elis Marie

Twenty-seven of August 2014

It’s a meaningful day for us

when we were together

entering a new community.

Indonesia and Malawi
merge into one
the differences we lunge
our unity is our purpose
how these days we've been through
we count the seconds up missed days

Sometimes we over ride our darkness
face some difficulties
get scourge because of language
evocative our deepening
Patience is really needed
the loyalty challenges us
our commitment is on the togetherness
faith is our hope

Internationality is the common goal
the spirituality is the strength
togetherness is the supporter
awaiting each other is the rhythm

RECOLLECTION DAY

10^th September was our first ITL community recollection day.  It was led by Fr. Henk Bloem.  The theme was based on Matthew 25:14-30 concerning self trust, self awareness and belief in yourself.  It was opened with a short prayer from Psalm 42 – 43.  There after, we had a moment of personal reflection which led us to tea and coffee time.  Soon after break, we had interactive activities as a way of deepening trust and teamwork such as; balloon (two sisters walking together while holding a balloon together tightly using foreheads), giving through (5 sisters standing in one line following one another and pouring a cup of water to each other at the back without looking behind with trust that the other will receive it also in a cup) and carrying together (two sisters carrying together a cup full of water on a piece of cloth, with trust that in togetherness will manage). 

Indeed trust and teamwork are essential elements of leadership. Afternoon hours were full of total silence till we closed the recollection with the Holy Mass started with the penitential service.  First reading was taken from a Text of Marrianne Williamson and gospel reading from Mark 4: 35 – 41.

What a wonderful day!

DON'T BE AFRAID

by  Sr. Linda, SOL

God, I'm so precious in your eyes

You believe in giving talent

That conviction made ​​me bold and confident

Not to change the world

But as gratitude,

as trusted.

Don’t be afraid,

Because deepest fear is when I made ​​a size

and to be decisive

for all decisions

In fact, God only asked

that my life shine

shine for the people around me.

Such as children at play,

be free like them.

They create joy for others

because there is joy

Away from fear,

If I am free,

I will make the people around me to be free,

because there was

the glory of God shines.

ITL AND ME

By : Sr. Rita 

At the first time I heard about ITL (International Training Leadership), it spontaneously made me getting stomachache and headache. I imagined that there will so many challenges along that time. Suddenly, it made me closing my eyes and being silent.

No. I believe in God. He himself takes me to be here. He holds my hands to new place where I will be educated by many kind of experiences. Everyday I will always be faced by many problems and I have to try believing in Him and being silence with Jesus Christ and observing all with “a new glasses”.

Lord has called me. He has prepared everything I need especially great faith. Surely I believe in  Him who will always help me for ever and ever. First of all, The Lord teaches me in being a good listener, respecting the differences and also having mutual respect, being here not for “pride competition” but gradually for building myself to be loyal. I will try and try again.

ITL is not a monster that scares me but I’ll experience that ITL is a place where I am able to improve myself. It is like a dessert where saves life and prosperous. The only one word can say is thanksgiving. Thank You Lord, thank You Jesus Christ and thank you my beloved sisters who belief and support me so that I may join on this occasion.

WHO AM I...

By Sr. Divina P. SPM

It’s kind a question that requires a lot of time to answer. Why? Since each person does not really know him/herself well. The consequences are possibly people would feel as inferior people, has no confidence, jealousy, low self-esteem, pride and so on.

We may think and ask ourselves: Who am I? There must be something more we  can gain inside within us.

Every human is unique.

We need to see ourselves in advance with what we are real, others do not see in ourselves and we must be honest  with ourselves about the values, weaknesses, and strengths that we have. After seeing all of us from small portraits to date, the memories, life stories, the success or the sorrow of rejection of family or friends even the most painful failures in life, then we are able to  understand ourselves more better. After seeing our self-portrait we must restore our true identity and keep making positive self-image.

Develop your own potential

 Notes on human-centered events in the past and present and will move to the future. Are we sure of our identity? Who we are sure to be? This question is one of the basic emotional attitude about yourself. If we are never sure of our identity, even deny our own existence, there will variety of negative feelings will arise, such as: feelings of worthlessness, loneliness, and fear that continues to bother. However, if we understand who we are and accept the identity, then the positive feelings and safe stopping in our hearts. Accomplishment that we achieved by developing the abilities themselves are part of indetifying ourselves. Unfortunately wedge emotion, conflict, anxiety often prevent us to develop ourselves and our identity. Feelings of inadequacy are the biggest obstacles in developing themselves.  So thought of failure is due to inability. When they are not. Change the way we view ourselves to be positive. Maybe there are a lot of bitterness that we experience, but let's take a self-portrait when we feel happy and appreciated. Is not it better to make our people feel calm and safe?

THE FOUNDATION OF COMMUNITY LIFE

By Sr. Anselma, SOL

"We have heard the call of Jesus.

We want to orient our lives to this good news.” 

This vocation brings us into this unity. It is a heart which experiences God's love personally. There is a healing, new life and joy. That is a longing of every human.

Like a house which requires a strong foundation, indeed when it is raining, or flood, hurricane, it is never be collapse. ITL Community is a kind of sweet home that we want to build up.

"UNITY" is the first foundation build up among us. The other materials we use to build unity are: our hearts which are called and moved to response God’s calling, the same Spirit is the spirituality we live as Sister S.O.L of Amersfoort, great love and sense of belonging of the Congregation, the spirit of self-emptying and humility, strong faith, self commitment, and  internationality.

Hopefully, by building our togetherness and sisterhood, we are able to capture God’s blessings that God always provides and pours out through His abundant graces.

WHO AM I

By. Sr. Delia, SOL

Who am I?

Body, Mind, Soul

Communal being

Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Size, shape, colour

Genetics

Emotions

Attitudes, habits, 
behaviours

Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Self introspection

Feedback

Events

Johari’s window

Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Original, Good, Unique

God’s image

Who Am I?

Who Am I?

Family tree

Permanence

Culture, Values

Who Am I?

SERVING

I am among you as one who serves. Namely to see and to show the meaning of human being according God”s eyes,  not our own eyes is usually  opposite God’s.  The call of Jesus to us is to direct our life to His good news.

"Serving" invites us to always be ready to bear. Bear joy and bear the pain experienced by their partners. A phrase which I listen to that "when I do not have a shelter  I feel alone, bear this pain alone, bear this burden alone, and was not able to". Many voices are heard as an expression of the views of fellow eyes and sip the flavor.  People look at the existing spontaneous eye in front and at the tip of the tongue tastes flavors.  So to speak.

I was try contemplate about it. Who would think and want to see more in the eyes, and who wants to feel the sense of a deeper taste? What if it is comfortable and into it thinking there a process in it? Who really understands? The person who is truly present and alive in it, and follow a process that truly understand. Involved in the process of creating and directing. Sensitivity and acuity in seeing who is behind the eyes, and feel what is behind the expression of words. Give meaning to the existence of a process and values ​​championed. “Serving”,  living the function of leadership is how to build a mental change. How to invite people to really present where I am today, understand what to do, there is a willingness to share skills and abilities, build of  mental  mutually cultivate, foster responsibility, a sense of belonging,  ability to cooperate, human relationships of  healthy, foster creativity,  effectiveness  work and visionary. How to train sensitivity and acuity to understand and grasp the meaning. Think that sometimes limited to just a mentality, but we were told to assume that you're not a "runner". It is a process of finding what is the essential  way in this life to bring new society.

Serving means ready present and included in the process of building mentality. How to direct the life of the members toward our Lord’s good news. Serving present as a mother to feel happiness, pain and fatigue. Listen, give hope, distribute  of strength and love, direct  heart and mind to find what is valuable and essential in life. To shows the meaning of human in the  God’s eyes  that every human is precious.

By Sr. Anselma

THE SPIRITUALITY OF LEADERSHIP

By Sr. Rita

The long journey of my life

starts with one step

and the courage to keep

moving, step by step

and I tried to take

another step again

Preparation for the better

in the future

is starting to act and think is good for today

Now I have seen the light

The light that shines and the more clearly

He followed every my step

The light is the deepest side of my inner space

so that I felt so valuable personal

This is my initial step to understand the meaning of leadership

Leadership is simple

Since the beginning of love, Love is in Jesus

He is always an example

and love me

Every day and every time

Jesus is the model of leadership

because I met a wonderful

private

where there is unity, simplicity, listening, togetherness,

strong in principle, friendly, 

giving space to each person

individually  to boldly develop talents and skills, 

appreciate any words were      spoken, although very simple

and the first is AND ATTITUDE OF SERVICE

Jesus did not just say

but rather on the action and with strong faith

Now the only one that I want

LIVING TOGETHER JESUS

the real LEADER

I AM OK... YOU ARE OK ???

By Sr. Linda

In a relationship, have we asked, if I'm OK and you're OK?

If this becomes part of our lives, then we can be a communications consultant, both for myself and others. Because the core of human relationships is, I'm OK and YOU OK.

One time, I pondered and asked myself, why each discuss ideas, me and a friend arguing frequently, so the conversation becomes stagnant, even we have to postpone the talks to make a decision, when in fact it can be completed at that time.

But when we talk about things related to feelings, we can talk for hours and feel comfortable.

What exactly is the dominant situation in us when arguing?

I'm trying to remember the incident at the time and finally made ​​a conclusion, that in fact we portray ourselves as parents (parent ego). Parents who dominate, control, follow the standards and rules to become tighter. When this character appears, then there is tension.

In interpersonal communication, there are 3 stages of ego, that is:

Parent Ego - characterized by dominating, over protective and loving, assertive and critical. This is illustrated by those who set the standards and rules for others.

Adult Ego - In this attack the problem rationally minded the cold. In the adult state information gathered, carefully analyze it, generate alternatives, and make a logical choice.

Child Ego - subject and accordingly, lawless, emotional, fun, or rebellious. Characterization by a very immature behavior.

In building relationships and communication, we need to recognize the role of each person before making a judgment, whether the parent ego, ego adult, or child ego. By understanding the roles, relationships and communications I am getting better. I'm OK and you're OK.

A TEAM WORK

A team work is apart of every day life, weather in the community or at work, we are often expected to be a functional part of performing team, having a strong team will benefit any organization or a congregation and will led to make success. Based on our training a team building means knowing each other better among the members of the team in order to work together harmoniously to achieve common goal. How ever the reason to have a team work is that, effective leaders are able to manage relation ship within others and create positive outcomes and they can achieve more than they can do individually, to add on that the effective leadership require a good team both among the leaders of the congregation whom they lead.

In order to get the expected result of team building each member knows better and able to develop the personally mutual trust among the members of the team and growing in the sense of responsibility instead of blaming each other.

 By. Sr. Pricilla Mauya

THREE STAR OF OUR CONGREGATION

By Sr. Delia

"We call ourselves Sisters of Our Lady" (Const p.15 par 1). Our Congregation is a religious institute which devotes its life to prophetic / apostolate work of the Church. We devote ourselves to the Lord or our neighbours who are created as the image of God through our service to the Church and the people. In order to devote ourselves to the Lord, every member is invited to be aware of the three stars of our congregation. 

The first star is our purpose as Sisters of Our Lady. Our purpose is to build 'a new society' in which the full equality of people is central. This new society can be described in three ways as  new heaven and new earth (Rev 21:1), home in which human beings will be recognized as sisters and brothers (Rev 21:3) and kingdom of God and His mercy, justice and peace Const p.17 par 2). In addition to this, Rev 21: 1-3 describe new society as Holy city, new Jerusalem and home of God. In this new society we gear our community life with full of happiness, joy, justice, charity, inner freedom, no more suffering, slavery and oppression.

The second star is vision. 'we have heard the call of Jesus. We want to orient our lives to his good news' (Const p.15 par 2), that is; in God's eyes  everyone is meaningful. Hence the vision of our congregation is the realization of the good news of the Lord that everyone is  precious, glorious, valuable, worthy enough and meaningful. In this, all members of the congregation are encouraged to acquire the fruits of the Holy Spirit such as; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, trustfulness, gentleness and self control (Gal 5:22-23).

The third star is mission. Our mission is to serve God in our selves and in others. Through this we find the kingdom of God; that is mercy, justice and peace and thats  new society where people are recognized as brothers and sisters.