FINAL REPORT FROM THE GENERAL CHAPTER

DAY 13. 20th September 2017

Today is the Feast of St. Matthew, a traditional day for the taking of vows in the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart. We gave thanks for the commitment of our brothers who celebrated their profession in religious life. We began our prayer reflecting on the call of St. Matthew.

The rest of the morning was spent approving the documents of the General Chapter. There was a great sense of accomplishment in the work carried out. We approved a number of documents that will form the foundation of our vision and mission for the future. These include:
• Initial and Ongoing Formation
• Laity
• Integrity in Ministry
• Protection of Minors
• Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation
• Restructuring
• Communication and Evangelisation

The Superior General will write a short communication next week that will encapsulate the spirit of the Chapter and will introduce you to the new General Council team. A more profound letter that will be sent out in anticipation of December 8th.

Fr. Abzalón Alvarado MSC thanked all the participants for their hard work. He then declared the XXV General Chapter of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart closed.

There will be a closing Mass and celebratory meal tomorrow night in Lungotevere Prati, the MSC church in the centre of Rome.

Thanks for all the prayers over the course of the last three weeks and in anticipation of the General Chapter. Now the work really begins!

With thanks to Alan Neville for the daily summaries.

And Roy O'Neill who worked in the Secretariate of the Chapter adds:

The Chapter finished today and I handed over the usb with the minutes and the statements so my job is done. Out tonight with all the Australians who are here to thank John Mulrooney for his time as Provincial and to welcome Chris McPhee to the job. the baton was passed on at the moment of the declaration of the end of the Chapter.