Same Roots...

Same Sap...

Ancud, Chile

The local community welcomed 15 students of La Immaculada Institute wishing to form a JASMIC group. They are accompanied by Rosario Lu jan, a Bolivian ASMIC and lay missionary, member of the local community. For each one it is a joy and a reason for hope to bear witness to what keeps us living. Sr. Manuels Velasquez, Sr. Monique Larouche and Irene Romero were happy to share with those young Associates on our spirituality and on what keeps us living.

After spending three months in Ancud, Rosario Lujan gave this witness about her missionary experience : "I dreamt of being a servant of Jesus, without however being sure of hearing his call; now that I live with these simple people who welcomed me from the very first moment, I feel truly called to live here. Jesus lives in me and has graced me with gifts. The main gift has been the ability to love gratuitously the young people I teach and the elderly whom I occasionally help. The second gift is that of forgiveness; aside from the beautiful and good part of mission, there is the intercultural living together. It is a challenge that helps me to grow spiritually and to assume my personal shortcomings for which the Lord alone can compensate. I feel good because the Lord has called me to be his servant and graced me with moments that are invaluable."

Joliette, Canada

Once again, thanks to all the arts and crafts items made by our sisters, the bazaar organized by the ASMIC attracted a large number of people. The proceeds of the sales will be given to support the commitment of two lay missionaries in Bolivia. Many people come to this bazaar in search of bargains; there is clothing and all sorts of items. Sr. Liliane Pelletier and Sr. Léontine Lang rented a table and the proceeds of their sales will be sent to Haiti and Malawi. Sr. Lorraine Laflamme, for her part, made some lovely arrangements of artificial flowers which she sold for the project in Bolivia. The sisters of the house took turns serving the visitors.

Koriyama, Japan

Annual outing of the ASMIC of Koriyama and, as usual, the MIC were invited to join them as well as Mrs. Louise Roy, niece of our Sisters Jeanne and Marguerite Roy, currently on a visit in Japan. They went to the parish of Sukagawa, which has very few Christians. After lunch, they gathered at the church where Fr. Masashi Takahashi celebrated the Eucharist for them. Including the 10 parishioners present, the congregation numbered approximately 30 people. The Mass was followed by refreshments prepared by the ASMIC and by a very lively sharing during which a mention of gratitude was addressed to the MIC for the spiritual assistance offered to the sick of Sukagawa after the war. Two ASMIC natives of Sukagawa were present at this gathering. The purpose of the visit - to befriend our Christian neighbours - was fully realized, and at the end of the afternoon, everyone left promising to meet again.

Philippines

In Kasiglahan, on June 12, the anniversary of Philippine Independence, the ASMIC of the HOPE group and Sr. Guadalupe Sempio initiated a fund-raising drive in order to assist 45 undernourished children between 2 and 12 years old. This day was chosen to symbolize the liberation from hunger of those poor children, many of whom are bursary recipients of the Magnificat Foundation. The project started with only 20,000 pesos. Since then, donations have been pouring in, solicited or otherwise, and they cover the expenses for the entire school year and beyond for each pupil. What great generosity!