A Time for Harvesting extends over the whole history of the Institute. In fact, since its foundation in 1902, it has never ceased producing fruits in the Church and in the world. Many of these fruits will never be brought to light because they have the taste and the colour of day-to-day life.

The mission today, such as that lived by the M.I.C., offers a rich diversity according to events, perceived calls, new needs and personal talents. It is very difficult to draw up a complete inventory. A quick look at the different countries in which we have become integrated will give an idea of the new forms of involvement at the service of people and groups in search of human and spiritual growth. In this rapid tour, it is important to remember what has already been mentioned briefly in A Time for Growth and which still remains.

PHILIPPINES

While keeping education as a priority, the M.I.C. of the Philippines constantly work with tribal aborigines and the most destitute of the society. They also reach out to the leaders of tomorrow by participating in University Campus Ministry aiming at faith integration as well as social transformation. This transformation is also pursued by participating in certain movements such as Integrity Circles that promote moral values in the society or the International Coalition for Transparency which is searching for a common ground of cooperation between business, civil society and the government, so as to work together to eradicate corruption.

Several of our Filipino Sisters are part of international missionary teams working abroad, particularly in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malawi, Zambia, Cuba, Peru, Bolivia and in Canada.

JAPAN

Despite their dwindling numbers, our Sisters in Japan took up the challenge of a new insertion in Gyoda, in the diocese of Urawa. According to the Japan Catholic News of September 2000, foreigners presently represent 70% of the population of this diocese. Their days are fully occupied in helping immigrants, giving retreats to youths, catechesis to children and adults, giving English courses and participating in various meetings, by contacts and services to empower this Christian community to be increasingly lively and dynamic.

A Japanese M.I.C., who went on mission to the Philippines for a few years, is now a public relations agent at the Embassy of the Philippines in Tokyo. Her presence and her action facilitate communication between the Japanese immigration personnel and the Filipino workers.

HONG KONG S.A.R.

Besides the big schools of Tak Oi and Good Hope, various social and pastoral activities are carried out. Two M.I.C. live in Mainland China where they foster human and Christian values through their professional commitment in the field of education. Others visit the leprosarium located near Wan Fau in order to bring comfort and joy to the sick.

TAIWAN

An M.I.C. in Taiwan participates in the formation of Women Religious in China by giving them conferences on spirituality and prayer and workshops on religions life. In Taiwan itself, support given to women and children victims of violence is among the priorities. Immigrants, particularly Filipino factory workers, receive special attention.

Two M.I.C. now live among the Atayals, one of the nine groups of the Island's aborigines. In their pastoral service, they express their deep solidarity with these people who struggle to preserve their ethnic identity.

HAITI

In Haiti, the M.I.C. help the people keep hope alive in the midst of numerous difficulties. By their multiple forms of service, they pursue, as a priority, the holistic education of persons so as to contribute to the building of a better future. The last insertion in Dubuisson, with the country folk of a remote area, is a real challenge because our schools, dispensaries, mission awareness work, accompanying those awakened to a special calling as well as other apostolic commitments already require a lot of time and personnel.

CUBA

Havana, Colón and Los Palacios are the three cities from which the M.I.C. spread out for pastoral services both at the diocesan and national levels. During Lent and especially during Holy Week, they go out to those places that cannot count on the presence of a priest, in order to live the high points of the liturgical year with these Christian communities. They are also deeply involved in the formation of youth groups and their facilitators by giving them retreats, preparing the World Youth Day, celebrating Pascua juvenil which is a big yearly rally of young Christians of all dioceses, by trainee workshops, by individual accompaniment, etc.

A School for Parents has been organized by an M.I.C. with the cooperation of a team of lay persons. The participants receive a human, spiritual and social formation which helps them in their personal life and in their role as parents. They can also develop their artistic talents. Special attention is given to couples so as to strengthen their commitment.

By visiting prisoners and sustaining their families, the Sisters become close to these suffering people and grasp their immediate needs to be satisfied : food, clothing, solitude, etc. It is a Gospel way that makes Christ's attitude visible today and opens hearts to a message of love.

MALAWI and ZAMBIA

Our Sisters are working hard to spread the Youth Alive movement whose objective is to change the mentality and behaviour of the people in the domain of sexuality in order to counter the spreading of AIDS. In this educational process, the young people teach other youths how to live a happy life now and prepare themselves for the future. The fight against AIDS is also carried out at our rural Hospital at Kanyanga. In both countries and in connection with the dioceses and non-government organisations, a joint effort between missionaries and the laity aims at prevention through community education, home-based care and orphan support. Working for the Promotion of Women and fostering the human and spiritual maturity of the leaders of tomorrow always remain priorities for the development of these countries and of the Church in Africa.

MADAGASCAR

The fact that religions sects are becoming increasingly numerous in this country gave rise, among convinced Christians, to the desire to deepen and educate their faith. Through schools, educational psychology for teachers, groups of faith-sharing, youth movements and mission awareness programmes, the M.I.C. try to respond to this need in an ever-expanding Church. An M.I.C. also manages a Centre for Adult Continuing Education with a team of lay people. Their teaching is based on Christian Psychology. They give conferences and workshops to various groups of adults, in seminaries and convents, to teachers and other professionals, to parents and couples. The Centre has recently been affiliated to the Catholic University of Antananarivo.

PERU, BOLIVIA, CHILE

What is new in these countries? Our missionaries have just moved into a poor suburban area of Cochabamba, so as to get involved in the pastoral service of the district. This house is also the home of our South American postulants, which means that the young women from Peru, Bolivia and Chile who wish to become M.I.C. begin their formation to religions missionary life there.

Besides our commitment to prison ministry for women prisoners, we have opened a centre for the children of these prisoners so that these children have the chance to study, play and develop their talents elsewhere than in a prison cell. In Bolivia, if the father is imprisoned, the whole family goes to jail and lives in the same small crowded cell.

CANADA

In Canada's multiethnic and pluralistic society, the needs and places of involvement are numerous. That explains why we find M.I.C. in various ministries and services : teaching in Universities, French courses to new immigrants, a centre for immigrants, catechesis to catechumens, participation in parish and diocesan pastoral ministry, individual counselling and group sessions for human and spiritual growth, youth ministry, volunteer service for the elderly, home visits to the poor, etc.

Certain professional commitments sometimes come from external sources : from Vietnam where groups of women, business managers, request management training; from Lebanon, a request for help in organizing health services in a small hospital at Deir El-Ahmar. Two lay missionaries are presently participating with an M.I.C. in this project.

SPECIAL MISSION

Missioners till the end of their life, our elderly sisters remain keenly interested in the work carried out in various countries. A spiritual strength emanates from their life of prayer to sustain the dynamism of the Institute and open hearts to the Gospel.