“An unintentional life accepts everything and does nothing. An intentional life embraces only the things that will add to the mission of significance.” These are the words of Author John C. Maxwell, quoted from his book Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters.
The words also echo the sentiments of Socrates that an unexamined life is not worth living. Catholic Sisters at the just concluded workshop of South Sudan Sisters Association (SSSA), used these words to reflect on the quality of life in the communities in which they live and work as experienced today.
Jesuit priest Fr. John Baptist challenged the Sisters to not only reflect about their current community experiences, but to look back and reflect on their formation experience, especially as lived in the Novitiate. He encouraged the Sisters to live consciously and ensure that their vocation is lived with intentionality and purpose.
The Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa is in its third year of living the 2024 Plenary Assembly theme of transformative formation for authentic living of religious life in this region and beyond in the contemporary world. ACWECA, under the leadership of the Coordinator of Leadership for Mission Program, Sr. Grace Yangi, organized this workshop as part of the ongoing formation of religious women to ensure that they continue to be authentic witnesses to the gospel values in their mission. Sr. Grace encouraged the Sisters to take advantage of the programs which are meant to empower them in their mission
Thirty-two Sisters from five Catholic dioceses representing the South Sudan Sisters Association, (SSSA) sisterhood had 4 good days of sharing and accompanying each other as they renewed their resolve to build their communities which are the centres of encounter with one another and with Jesus Christ, their spouse.
The Sisters had moments to share very beautiful and not so beautiful moments they have had in their experience of living community. Medical Mission Sister Lina Siabhana flew from Adjumani in Northern Uganda to take the Sisters through sessions of mental health, safeguarding and community living. In a session dubbed homelessness in religious life, Sr. Lina warned against situations where Sisters may feel out of place in religious communities. She led them through a process of appreciating and reaffirming their communities as homes where one is known, accepted, can grow and can struggle without fear. The beauty of community living is in the fact that this is the sacred place where fraternal living is experienced. This is where feet are washed, service is offered, and energy is renewed for mission.
ACWECA Secretary General, Sr. Bridgita Samba said that the motto of ACWECA was to leave no Sister behind and that solidarity with one another in the region was important. She presented ACWECA, its vision, mission and strategic direction to the Sisters and explained the programs and connection of the Sisters to ACWECA and other national, regional and even global Church structures. Sr. Leonidah of ACWECA shared on the need for sustainability for ACWECA Members and encouraged the members to support each other especially in resource mobilisation for the mission.
Speaking at the end of the 4 day workshop, a member of the SSSA, Sr. Joyce, appreciated the planning of the workshop and its professional execution. Sr. Joyce told the gathering that she felt encouraged and empowered to go back and continue with the mission of serving society. She thanked ACWECA who she said, recognized that SSSA needed to know, understand and fully take part in all ACWECA programs in order to promote the vision and mission of ACWECA in the country.
Fr. John Baptist congratulated the Sisters for the great work happening in their various apostolate, saying that he had been enriched by the general and particular encounters with the Sisters. He promised to keep the Sisters in his prayers and requested for the Sisters prayers for him too, while encouraging the Sisters to utilise the knowledge and skills during the workshop.
Sr. Lina on her part thanked the SSSA for the trust placed on her and colleague facilitator Fr, JB. She appreciated the mix of participants of all ages, seniors and younger Sisters and the wisdom and wealth of experience in the team. Chairperson of SSSA and Superior general of the Sacred Heart Sisters, Sr. Felista Humwara, Thanked the duo of facilitators, Sr. Lina and Fr. JB for their input. She had accolades for the participants for the courage to re-walk the steps of their religious life journey from formation. She alluded to the symbolic planting of trees at the end of the workshop: A pointer to a future full of hope for religious life in the country. The workshop had mentored and moulded the sisters for their mission. She extended a request to ACWECA to expand all their projects such as SBVP, SCORE-ECD and Synodality to South Sudan.
