Closing Ceremony

Under the beautiful blue sky of Alter do Chao, and to the accompaniment of the musicians of Our Lady of Saude (Health) church, the SMIC's gathered for their last time in this little village for the Closing Ceremony of the 2010 General Chapter.
Our presider for the Mass was the bishop of Santarem, Bishop Esmeraldo Barreto de Farias. In his homily he spoke of how God is the first missionary, having come to visit us. We in turn, are called to "visit" others and to proclaim the good news to them. SMIC has done this magnificently across lands and seas reaching out from Santarem to Germany, USA, Namibia, Angola, Taiwan, China, Philippines, Vietnam, Salvador and Belem! During the mass, Bishop asked for volunteers to share what touched them the most during the Chapter. Sr. Janice Jolin spoke on the unity as an international congregation that the SMIC's share with each other, and for mission. Sr. Livramento spoke of the concerns over ecology and other needs of the world that arose in discussions, and the commitment the congregation has to work for the good of all. Bishop even recorded their responses! :)

Here are a few other views higlighting the different parts of the mass. From the beginning of mass, to the presentation of the decisions of the Chapter from Sr. Veronica to Sr. Livramento (introduced by Sr. Ana Angelica and Sr. Janis Kordan as translator), to the presentations from the provincials to the outgoing and incoming GLT.

After anointing the Chapter delegates, to go forth and continue to share God's blessings, Sr. Livramento invited the Chapter observers to step forward and be anointed as well. *Note, the design on the banner was created by multi-talented

Sr. Wandeleira (Belem Province)!

From Sr. Veronica's closing words (translated by Sr. Janis Jordan: the "Exhortation and Blessing" of St. Francis-

"Let the Sisters be always mindful that they should desire one thing alone, namely, the Spirit of God at work within them. Always obedient to the Church and firmly established in the Catholic faith, let them live according to the poverty, the humility and the holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, which they have solemnly promised to observe."

Presentation of the Gospels by the Namibian Sisters.