IBVM newsletter in English. News from the he Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Spain, our schools, our spirituality and our concerns.

1. Nº3
December, 2011
CONECTA
CJs AND IBVMs, TOGETHER IN THE
GENERAL CONGREGATION
On the 2nd October, all participants In the General Congregation there
gathered for the Official Opening of were religious women from all the
the General Congregation that had CJ’s provinces (India, Argentina,
place in the Basilica of Loyola, in Korea, Mongolia, Rumania, Zimba-
Guipúzcoa (Spain). A great place for bwe, Bangalore, Brazil, Hungary,
some days of interchanging ideas, Slovakia, Ukraine, Italy, United
dialogue, reflection and sharing ex- Kingdom, Nepal, Chile, Cuba…) and
INSTITUTO DE LA BIENAVENTURADA VIRGEN MARÍA
periences. also a few representatives from the
CONFER GENERAL ASSEMBLY Pág. 4
LOOKING BACK TO OUR VISIT TO GUAYAQUIL Pág. 5
EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD YOUTH DAY Pág. 6
FAREWELL PARTY FOR ’SEVILLA ACOGE’ Pág. 11
NEWS FROM OUR SCHOOLS Pág. 12

2. GENERAL CONGREGATION
IBVM Institute. visiting and relax. As well,
During the gathering, which ended it was a great moment for
on the 2nd November, different meeting new people and
topics were treated, like mission greeting old friends.
and identity–; collaboration with Finally, on the 23st Octo-
others, especially with the laity; ber, the CJ celebrated the
collaboration with the IBVM; for- election of the new Gen-
mation, spirituality; Integrity of eral Superior.
Creation; listening to the Word of Sr. M. Jane Livesey
God; being prophetic and the life- CJ, from the English
style. Province. S, was elected
During nearly four weeks, there as the new General Supe-
were meetings, reflection, debates rior for the next nine
and a lot of work, but also some years. We wish her all Sr. M. Jane Livesey was elected as the new
the best for her new General Superior of the CJs for the next nine years.
time for enjoying the landscape,
From le to right: Stella Lecanda, Sandra Perret (General Consultor, IBVM, Australia), Pilar González Cano, Frances Orchard
(former Vicar General and recently named Provincial in the English Province, CJ) and Isabel Gortázar (Provincial in Spanish
Province), during the General Congrega on of Congrega o Jesu, celebrated in the Basilica of Loyola, in October.
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3. OPENING OF THE CONGREGATION
Blanca Bergareche was one
of the IBVMs presents in the
Opening ceremony. She told
us how it was:
“On the 3rd October, day of
St. Francisco Javier, Ana
Garrigues, Mª Ángeles, Flora
Magro, Milagrosa, Pilar, Ma-
ri Carmen and myself went to
Loyola for the inauguration
of the General Congregation
of Congregatio Jesu.
We gathered with the others
outside of the Loyola Santu-
ary. Most of them were
dressed in regional suits and
they had flags representing
all the countries where the
CJ’s are present. We went in
quietly, carrying a flag, as a
symbol of the presence of
Mary Ward. During the
Mass, we were talked about
the intuition of Mary Ward
about “taking the same than
the Company” and the Call to
an universal mission as col-
laborators of God’s Kingdom.
Each of us had the opportuni-
ty to meet again with lots of
friends and the privilege to
know new people and differ-
ent missions. We really wish
IBVMs and CJs, together during the Opening Ceremony. It was a me for friendship
and pray for them to be open
and all the sisters enjoyed their stay and the fact of being with old and new friends.
to the action of the Spirit in
these days and fell the ‘call to offer
hope’ (motto of the Congregation),
wherever the Spirit lead to them.
Blanca Bergareche
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4. CONFER GENERAL ASSEMBLY
minded the importance of the Religious life in the
The IBVM took part in the General Assembly of
Church.
Confer (Spanish Conference of Religious) in which
there were two
During the meeting, there were different presentations.
main topics: Reli-
One of them, by Juan Carlos Martos, CMF, talked about
gious life and
the Pastoral vocation in our days, reminding that “God
Pastoral Voca-
is still calling”, and assuring that “it’s not time for pessi-
tion.
mism, but for hope”.
The General As-
Next day, Rosa Ruíz, sister ‘claretiana”, exposed the re-
sembly took place
search done by the Reflection Team of the Young Pasto-
on Madrid, on
ral Area, explaining how Congregations can work to
the 15, 16 and
attract young people and provoke in them the Discover-
17th November,
ing and Calling of God.
and the meeting
began with an
Eucharist, presid- Finally, four young religious, men and women, shared
ed by the papal their vocational experiences and explained how they see
Nuncio, Monse- the Pastoral Vocation, providing new ideas and a very
ñor Renzo enriching vision to the Assembly.
Fratini, who re-
AFRICA EUROPE FAITH AND JUSTICE NETWORK
Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network is a Faith- gathered with the representation of the religious con-
based International Network present in AFRICA gregations in Roma, the Executive Committee in Rome,
and EUROPE, established in 1988. AEFJN pro- a member of the Commission based in Brussels, and
motes economic justice between the European Un- two speakers coming from Ireland: Tom Campbell and
ion and sub-Saharan Africa so that Africa may look Patrick Marren.
forward to a better future. We defend the rights of
Africa in topics like Food Sovereignty, climate In the presentation entitled: “Lobbing for justice in the
change, water, arms trafficking… extraction of row materials and natural resources n
Africa”, the speakers explained that we are living a
The General Secretary of the AEFJN is in Brussels, new colonization of the African continent, as it hap-
but there are 13 branches (called ANTENNAE be- pened on the XIX century. Even worst, because now it’s
cause one of their roles is to receive and transmit not only the European countries, but also Asia and
information and ideas), based in: Barcelona, North America. This is the reason why the AEFJN is
France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Madrid, Malta, working to help Africa to look for its own development,
Denmark, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, and Unit- improve its own industry and take control of its own
ed Kingdom. commerce.
This antennae gather once a month in order to in- If your are interested in this issue, you can find all the
form about the work that each team is doing. In information on the website: www.aefjn.com
Madrid, where the IBVM is having an active partici-
pation, there are three work-groups: Food Sover-
eignty, Arms trafficking and Medicines.
This year, María López de Haro was in the General
Assembly, celebrated in Rome. She told us her ex-
perience: “On November, 11th, we celebrated the
General Assembly of the AEFJN in Rome. Usually,
is Carmen, member of the Council, the person who
goes to this meeting, but this time it was me, be-
cause she was in a meeting with L&P in Casa Lore-
to. For me, it was an opportunity to know closely
this organization in which I know the Spanish
Province has a very active role. In the meeting we
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5. LOOKING BACK TO OUR VISIT TO GUAYAQUIL
Our first introduction to Ecuador was a front page pho- specifically of the part of Guayaquil where Louise, Isa-
tograph in a newspaper handed out as we boarded a bel and Macarena live and minister, and the lens of 400
plane for Guayaquil showing journalists wearing masks years of IBVM.
or with their mouths taped over. No, it wasn’t a health
scare, it was a protest by journalists at a law being de- We were six of us from Peru, Irene Reynolds, Mercedes
bated in the parliament, a law which, according to the Ocharan, Ann O’Connell, Deepa Biswas, Pilar Nores
protesters, would curb the freedom of the press and the Comeca and Mary Elizabeth Kirke. Our enjoyment and
right to free speech. ‘Oops,’ I thought, ‘doesn’t sound delight were tangible at the time and expressed in so
good for President Correa. Not another dictator in the many ways; and again, this evening, almost two weeks
making, surely!.’ later, I asked each one to tell me, what impacted her
most in the visit to Guayaquil. Here is a sampler of our
The welcome we received at the airport from Isabel, responses:
Louise, Macarena, Victoria, Cecilia and Maria José
quickly banished such gloomy thoughts and from that Irene: For me it was two things especially, one, the
moment we were led into a delightful celebration of our Amistad, the friendship: Meeting and spending time
unity in who we are and how we are with people. In our with sisters I have known for 50 years, two of whom I
few days together we looked through one lens and then taught as children; and two, that it was the first Latin
another, the lens of the reality of Ecuador today, and America IBVM meeting. I want to thank the Spanish
It was a deligh ul celebra on of unity. Maybe the best way to end the 400 Years of Mary Ward.
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6. LOOKING BACK TO OUR VISIT TO GUAYAQUIL
Province for making all this possible. more.
Deepa: The sense of community in a larger group, all Mercedes: The capacity for organization and the wel-
of us together, I loved that. There they were, all of come we received. Learning about the sisters’ work and
them, Isabel, Louise, Macarena, Victoria, Cecilia and how close they have become so close to the people in
Maria José waiting for us at the airport. And the way the short time they have been in Guayaquil. The Mass
they organized everything for us in spite of their work on the Sunday afternoon celebrating our 400 years was
commitments was impressive. It was great to see their a beautiful celebration with Cecilia, Victoria and Pilar
courage and how much they have achieved in the short sharing what Mary Ward meant to them.
time they have been there.
Ann: I loved the guided tour of the ecological Park
“Mee ng of the Sisters in La n America” for the Closing of the IV Centenary of Mary Ward in the five con nents.
Pilar: For me it was the recorrido, the tour of the are- which showed us four different tropical eco systems,
as where they live and work, meeting the children of wet forest, dry forest, the mangrove swamp and a small
the Refugio, learning about the work of Hogar de Cris- farming area with its house of reeds. The colonial style
to and Fe y Alegría. The meals in the sisters’ house house with its actors and actresses telling us about
were a real celebration. Along with these, the talk about their lives allowed us a peep at history. The drive
the economic, social, education and political reality of around the areas where the sisters live and work gave
Ecuador from Lucho Tabara helped us understand us a bird’s eye view of the extent and depths of their
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7. LOOKING BACK TO OUR VISIT TO GUAYAQUIL
ministries. And to meet Gabi again, with whom I had with us, and the lovely mealtimes we shared. Lucho’s
previously worked closely, was a delight. Lucho’s talk was a great help and it threw a new light on that
presentation was excellent. Heartfelt thanks to each front page photo of journalists with facemasks that we
The celebra on ended up with an Eucharist, celebrated in the new Capilla of María de Nazaret, and was presided by our
friend Tomás Serrano, SJ, director of Fe y Alegría (Faith and Happiness) in Guayaquil. As you can see in the pictures, the
decora on was wonderful and the Church was full of people of all ages.
one for such thoughtful preparations and warm wel- had seen on our flight. The dispute with the press isn’t
come. quite what it seems nor does it point to a dictator in
the making. The journalists are protesting against a
Mary Elizabeth: For me I was delighted to learn proposed law requiring them to check the veracity of
something about another Latin American country their copy before going to press. It doesn’t sound like a
and to see our sisters on mission there. Yes, the park bad idea at all, does it?
was a special treat, as was, of course, the boat trip on
the river estuary on the evening of our arrival. The Mary Elizabeth Kirke
balmy night couldn’t have been more in contrast with
the chill, damp Lima we had left behind a few hours
before. I was touched by the time the sisters spent
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8. “OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD YOUTH DAY IN MADRID”
Two pupils from Loreto Swords Schools (Ireland) tell us their experience during the WYD in Madrid
Katie Lynch and Meabh Grogan programme beginning with an opening mass by the
Pope in the centre of Madrid. During these 4 days we
Loreto College Swords stayed in a Loreto school in El Soto with Loreto boys
(Given as the Homily at the Opening School Mass) and girls from Spain and England. Each day we at-
tended work shops which included video making, the
life and teachings of Mary ward, Justice and Peace,
We were privileged to have travelled to Madrid for equality issues and music and dance. In our works
World Youth Day in August of this year along with six shops we worked along side people of many different
fellow Swords students and other Loreto students cultures and these were definitely one of the high-
from around Ireland including Loreto Kilkenny, lights!
Beaufort and Bray. For those who may not know
what World Youth Day is; it is a gathering of millions
of young people from all over the world to celebrate In the evening we would travel into Madrid for the
our faith. World Youth Day was started by Pope John main celebrations with the Pope. These included Sta-
Paul II in 1985 and is celebrated at a week-long inter- tions of the Cross through the streets of Madrid and
national level every two to three years at different the all night vigil with the Pope. The vigil was an
locations throughout the world. It was celebrated in amazing and unique experience, especially when the
Sydney Australia in 2008, in Madrid in 2011 and in sheer force of the hurricane winds blew the Pope’s
2013 it will be celebrated in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. hat off and a spectacular thunder and lightning storm
made the night sky light up in a way none of us had
WYD is open to all young people and is a fantastic seen before. At that time we saw the force, the com-
opportunity to experience first hand the love that plexity and the beauty of God’s world right before us.
God has for each and every one of us. It was amazing It was definitely an experience we will never forget.
that everyone at WYD spoke different languages, had People danced and sang all night long and we had a
different cul-
tures and fam-
ily back-
grounds but
the one thing
we all had in
common was
our commit-
ment to God
and serving
others. It was
a great way to
deepen our
faith but also
to meet thou-
sands of other
young people
sharing the
same ambi-
tions and in-
terests as us.
Although we
were there for
nearly two
weeks the
main WYD
celebrations
were spread All the Young people came together in the streets of Madrid, wai ng for the arrival of the
over a 4 day Pope. It was a very hot day, but nobody wanted to lose this opportunity to see the Holy Father.
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9. “OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD YOUTH DAY IN MADRID”
chance to meet some amazing and interesting people, most positive experience we have ever had in our
people that we would never have had an opportunity young lives.
to meet before. We also saw the Pope drive by us on a
few occasions which was a surreal experience!
Not only did we fully participate in the WYD pro-
gramme but we also got a chance to experience the
The Irish pupils stayed a few days in our House of Spirituality in Cercedilla (North Madrid). They enjoyed the
good weather, the Nature and some relaxing days. And, as we can see, they didn’t forget their flag!.
The atmosphere on the streets of Madrid and indeed Spanish culture when we went on day trips to Sego-
at the Loreto School was incredible and none of us via, the home of the most significant and best-
will ever forget the feeling: the singing, cheering, preserved ancient monuments left on the Iberian
dancing everywhere we turned, the crowded trains Peninsula, and to El Escorial the burial place of the
full of excited pilgrims all dancing and singing. We Spanish Royal family and also into Madrid for some
even had sing-offs with other groups of pilgrims on of the amazing shopping it has to offer. We got to ex-
the trains! The joy that radiated from each person perience the culture, food and the history of these
there was spectacular. We speak on behalf of all the places in a depth that would not have been on offer to
girls when we say it was the most influential and us if we did not go on the trip. We even had time to
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10. “OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD YOUTH DAY IN MADRID”
rest and relax by the pool. During this time we had We find it amazing how being a part of a communi-
a chance to get to know the other Loreto girls and ty like Loreto can make you feel like you are part of
to reflect on our expe- a wider family and network of people. Even though
riences. It has been we were sleeping in a school hall, a thousand miles
said that “something away from Ireland and staying with students that
as powerful and we never met before, we still felt so welcome and so
unique as world youth “We find it amazing at home with our Loreto Family.
day can light a fire how being a part of a
within us that will community like Loreto
have a hold on in good We would like to conclude by saying if you have
stead for all our lives.” can make you feel like
never been to a World Youth Day or would have
It centres us and gives you are part of a wider never considered going, someday give it a try. It is a
us a fresh perspective family and network of small investment that will reap huge rewards and
on life in which no people” benefits for the rest of your lives and can have a
challenge or burden in powerful influence on the lives of others around
life is too big for us to you. For it is events like these that help us live out
take on. the vision of Mary Ward to be:
We would like to thank
especially Sr. Kathleen McLennan for making this
experience possible and who along with our Reli- "Seekers of truth and Doers of Justice"
gion teacher Ms. Sheelan and Sr. Phil looked after
us with more love and compassion than we could
have ever thought possible.
Now you can also join us in Facebook.
We are already 145 friends
Nº3 INSTITUTO DE LA BIENAVENTURADA VIRGEN MARÍA

11. Imagination, creativity Farewell party for
and real practice ‘Sevilla Acoge”
XIV Congress European Society of Women
Ten years working with immigrants
in Theological Research
Elena and me went to Salamanca for the XIV Congress
of the European Society of Women in Theological Re- For ten years the Association Sevilla Acoge has been tak-
search. This year, the subject was: “Feminist theology: ing care of immigrants in the former Internship of Cas-
listening, understanding and giving answer in a secular tilleja (Sevilla). Now, they are moving into two new hous-
and plural world”. es, financed by the Institute.
It was on the 25th November when the farewell party
took place. It was a day for a mutual gratitude, after ten
years working together. It was a day for giving thanks to
all the people that has been helping the association, and
specially it was a time for being together.
For a decade, this association has taken care of men and
women who have found in “Sevilla Acoge” not only a
home to stay, but also a place that helps them to look for
a job, to get education, to organize celebrations like the
Lamb Celebration (typical for Muslims)… It was people
from India, Morocco, Russia, Bolivia… some of then were
sleeping on the streets; others came directly from the
hospital, some of them had to fight to keep their chil-
In words of her president, it was a time of “deep re- dren… There are hundreds of stories that we will never
spect for diversity and opening to understand the reali- forget.
ty of the others, being conscious that each of us have
something specific that cannot be replaced by anyone
else. Each one of our attitudes, each thinking, each
omission, has a double aspect: the individuality and
the community in which I am”.
There were different workshops, presentations, en-
counters and rituals accompanied by Art and Music
from Eastern countries. At the same time, we celebrat-
ed the 25 Anniversary of the Col-lectiu de Dones en l’E-
glésia, Women and Theology Madrid, European Foro of
Women, and the European Association of Theologian
Women.
It was a rainbow open to imagination, creativity and real
practice for a wide range of women thinking and
reflecting together in this secular and plurar
world that we live in.
The European Society of Women in Theological Re-
search (ESWTR) is a network of women involved in
academic research in the areas of theology and reli-
gious studies. The Society hosts a European conference
every two years to discuss relevant themes in feminist
theology. Between conferences, women meet at nation-
al or regional levels and continue to work together in
subject groups.
Blanca Bergareche
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12. NEWS FROM OUR SCHOOLS
MEETING WITH THE
CO-EDUCATION PLAN
NEW TEACHERS
The meeting had place on the 25-24th November, in This year we are starting to implement the Coeduca-
Castilleja de la Cuesta (Sevilla), Spain. tion Plan in all our schools in Spain. This new chal-
lenge is an answer to the General Congregation
During the gathering, we welcomed the new teachers
2006, in which we were called to “face up the power
and some members of the IBVM explained and shared
abuse, especially in matters related to Women, in the
with them the charisma of Mary Ward.
Church and in the World”.
Between the speakers, we had Isabel Gortázar, Josefina
We are very proud of this initiative because we are
de Miguel and María José Muguerza, all of them IBVM
convinced that this action fits perfectly with the com-
religious; Juan Rueda, in charge of the pedagogic area;
promise that all Provinces have with women’s em-
and Javier de la Morena, responsible of Pastoral in one
powerment.
of our schools.
The idea is to develop this Coeducation Plan through
what we call “key competences”. This way, we make
sure of the participation of all areas and subjects, as
well as the whole teaching staff, pupils and families.
In order to take the right way, we will count with the
advice of Javier M. Valle, an specialist in Education
from the University (Universidad Autónoma de Ma-
drid).
In fact, the project has already started: last July we
made initial formation to the Directive Team and
now we’ll do the same with the teachers. As well, we
will do a diagnosis of every school, having into ac-
count the particular situation of each one.
We will keep you update with the Schools’ progress.
Each of them explained their experience working in
IBVM schools and the
vision and charisma
of Mary Ward to the
new teachers.
During this two days,
there was time for
working in groups,
personal reflection
and collective talking.
It was a weekend for
getting to know each
other and sharing ex-
periences. An excel-
lent preparation for
the coming year!.
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