CARRYING A TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS

Under the general theme “Graceful Transition” Fr James Kulwa Shimbala (SMA) took us through several topics: ADDICTION AWARENESS PREVENTION; SIGNATURE STRENGTHS; AND GRIEF, LOSS AND STRESS MANAGEMENT. This helped us to once more become more aware of our strengths and weaknesses and that as human beings we carry a treasure in earthen vessels.

Fr. James Kulwa, SMA giving the session on Addiction

Given that addiction is a condition that reduces joy, and that it can affect any of us at any time in our lives, we are called to be vigilant and work to prevent or seek treatment when needed. This applies to each one of us but can also be useful in our ministry to save souls.

While going through the Signature Strengths module, with the help of a simple test, we managed to identify our signature strengths and appreciated our giftedness and its origin since we were born. Signature Strengths are qualities, different story from talents that we possess. Operating from the point of view of these strongholds we can be more efficient, productive and happier.

A short exercise helped each one of to become aware of and befriend the fact that we may be at the beginning of the second half of life. At this stage we face more vividly existential human conditions (Suffering, death, freedom, lack of default meaning in life and ministry and the aloneness). In all these our consolation is that our fruitfulness comes from our brokenness and powerlessness so that out of us the Power of the Holy Spirit can be sent gracefully to others.

We are glad to have learned how to “fall upward” Transforming our aloneness into uniqueness, discover that aloneness can lead to “Joy” one can love aloneness when he/she likes the person he/she is. We really need to be friends to ourselves, or else we may want to oblige people to remove our loneliness. For a graceful transition, there is also need to develop a healthy self esteem. After lots of serious inner work, we enjoyed our community outing to Bagamoyo, an historical site of the first Missionaries entry point into East Africa, also where slaves were taken to Zanzibar by sea going into the unknown.

In the days that followed we went on with graceful transition exercises that lead us to be in touch with our deeper selves: Joys and sorrows, hopes and disillusions, our strengths and fragility as well as moments when we have been a source of healing and support for others. As a group we emphatically supported each other in order help one another to move towards healing and wholeness through our lives and ministry.

Sr. Hortência Filipe Sizalande (MSOLA)

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