Financial concerns
Today's small group discussions focused on finances. Putting a light spin on a serious theme, groups were identified not by letter or number but by currency, such as the "yen group," "euro," "rupee," "rand" and "dollar." Reporting on their discussions in plenary, concerns about common funds, transparency, sharing of resources, budgeting, and living appropriately to the lifestyle of an area in which one ministers were frequently noted.
As said last week during the discussion of the general treasurer's report, the sharing of finances isn't simply a way to pay the bills but a way of life for religious. The ideas of transparency, sharing, and living within appropriate means must be emphasized in formation and then frequently revisited throughout an SCJ's lifetime -- not only individually but as a community.
Several groups endorsed the "1% concept" as a useful funding method. The financial sharing that already goes on between provinces, or through the General Curia, was also supported. There was a call for communities to seek income-producing work, as well as cultivate other financial resources such as benefactors and investments. "We need to seek a balance between pastoral work that may need financial assistance and work that can help to support our communities," said one group.
Good formation of treasurers was also a repeated concept, as was the need for greater standardization of financial accounting. Expert assistance should be sought when appropriate. Treasurers need to see themselves as animators, not simply administrators.
There was acknowledgement that autonomy, or financial self-sufficiency, may not be possible for some entities. However, it was stressed that there are many that could work toward self-sufficiency in their daily living, or perhaps in their formation programs. Outside funding could then be sought for extraordinary expenses.
Resources should be consolidated when possible, such as is already being done with formation in many areas. Students get a better global view of the congregation when they study internationally, and combined formation programs are a way to minimize expenses and personnel demands. Common projects, in general, should be promoted.
A three-year plan would help entities better prepare for their needs.
Following the group reports the floor was opened to individual responses. Although many financial issues were discussed in the groups, individual responses primarily focused on individualism and what it means to live in poverty. There was a frequent call for SCJs to live more simply, especially when living among the poor and marginalized.
"Even when we live simply we have security," said one delegate. As an SCJ, a man always has a place to live, the opportunity for education and work. He always has health care. He always has food. "We must align our lifestyles with those among whom we live and work knowing that even when we do so, we still have the comfort of security."
The vow of poverty, said another, is difficult to live in a consistent way. "It's always easy to find an excuse as to why we should live a certain way, why we should have something." It is not that SCJs shouldn't have "things" but that they should reflect on the question of what is needed and what is simply wanted. This struggle isn't limited to just one culture or one age group, it's a continual struggle for most people, especially those with comfortable means.
Members of the community need to call each other to accountability so that they can work together to live simply. Clear structures are needed to help members of the community be accountable.
These individual thoughts, as well as the statements from the group discussion, will continue to be incorporated into the on-going work of the chapter.
Entity reports
Today's entity reports were from Chile and Venezuela.
Fr. Julien Braun of Chile reported that one of the province's greatest challenges at this moment is its diminishing numbers, and the lack of SCJs in the 45-65-year-old age range. There are young SCJs, but most are not ready to take up significant leadership roles, such as formation. To address this, Chile collaborates with other entities in formation.
Province priorities include formation, youth ministry, education, mission animation, parish ministry and a program for those with substance abuse problems. Because of its decreasing size, Chile is looking at changing its status from that of a province to being a region or district. "There are challenges, but there is a great willingness among the membership to do what is needed and participate fully in the province," said Fr. Julien. He said that in the end, this is the province's best "advertisement" for religious life -- a happy, healthy, fraternal community attracts those discerning a vocation.
Fr. Jesus Garcia, superior of Venezuela, noted the history of his region. The congregation first came to the country in 1953 with the arrival of SCJs from Spain. Although Venezuela became a region in 2003, it is still quite dependent "upon our mother, Spain," said Fr. Jesus. Its membership is very young -- the average age is 44. And while there are only 30 SCJs in the country, there is already a missionary and collaborative spirit. One of the region's members is ministering in Argentina, and there is collaboration in formation with Chile and Spain.
The region's ministries include seven parishes, a technical school and three health clinics for the poor. One of its challenges is one that the country as a whole faces: strong political divisions that have led to violence. "In such an atmosphere we are called to be promoters of reconciliation."
Future challenges are the development of on-going formation, financial self-sufficiency, and an expansion of youth work on the university level.
Project updates
The chapter received information on three congregational efforts. The first, Angola, was presented earlier in the chapter during reports on the entities. Future plans call for the establishment of a third community in the region. Work is to include social ministries, a printing press and a computer workshop. The bishop has asked the SCJs to focus on work with youth. Already the SCJs meet with groups of young people. Although the congregation's presence in the country is still very new, there are four candidates and it is anticipated that there will be a novice in 2010. The primary focus of the community in the near future will be formation, which will be done collaboratively with other entities.
There is also construction and renovation underway (war left many areas of the country in ruins) but it was noted that the costs are increasingly expensive because of the difficulty in obtaining materials. The SCJs in Angola are grateful for the generosity of other entities. It is hoped that Angola can work toward self-financing in daily needs through teaching income, farming and other sources.
Fr. Antonio Panteghini briefly informed the chapter about possibilities in Chad. A bishop there learned that some of the early baptisms in the country had been performed by members of the Priests of the Sacred Heart. He contacted Bishop Virginio Bressanelli when he was superior general and asked if the community would be open to returning to the country. The superior general suggested that the bishop contact the closest SCJ entity to the country, Cameroon. However, there was some miscommunication and the bishop didn't have the appropriate contact information for the SCJs there. Back in Rome several years later he returned to the Generalate and again suggested that the SCJs go to Chad. Through e-mail, he was able to contact the community in Cameroon to begin initial dialogue.
The Cameroon Province is willing to respond to the bishop, perhaps with a presence in the border area of Chad and Cameroon. However, Fr. Panteghini said that pursuit of the mission is dependent on the input of the chapter. He noted that a new mission such as this would have to be an international mission of the congregation and he hoped that other entities could be involved.
The topic will be revisited later in the chapter.
The last project presented was China. Fr. Ornelas emphasized that there are no plans in place for an SCJ presence in China, but that some initial research is being done regarding the possibility. The Church has made an appeal for a stronger presence in China and the SCJs already have significant interaction with the Chinese community in Indonesia.
Fr. Jerry Sheehy has visited the country twice. Possibilities for an SCJ presence could include teaching and workshops, as well as language study. Several members of the congregation have offered to go to China. Fr. General believes that an SCJ presence in the country, even a minor one, is worth further discussion.
Administrative tasks
Before ending their day the chapter approved the minutes from May 25 and 26, and Fr. Marek Stoklosa gave an introduction to the work that will be done in the following week on the Constitutions and General Directory.
