25 OCTOBER, 2006
"I received news that I am going to Africa to Mali - Bamako - in the first week of January 2007.
I am learning much from the sisters here [in Paris]. I help clean the Refectory and to do the dishes after all the meals. The sisters here are all elderly; There are three who are in their 90s and 10 in their 80s. The rest of the five are a little younger. There is one junior.
In these days they are preparing their community project. I too attend the meetings. All the sisters young and old participate. Each day I thank God our Father for showering me with His gifts and I keep asking Him to open my eyes to see His hand at work, in the beauty of human life and to cherish the gifts that surround me, to share His blessings with others and to experience the joy of life in His presence.
I went around to the hostel here. There are about 140 girls of 38 nationalities. Can you beat that ? The majority are French of course but there others from Spain, Portugal, England, China, Korea, Nepal, Latin America etc. I had no difficulty communicating with them as many know English. I sit for awhile at the parlour and greet the girls as they return back and give them their room keys and thus practice a bit of French.
This house is huge like Regina Pacis and old and in the centre of Paris. The rooms of the girls are beautiful, furnished with a bed, cupboards, writing desk, fridge, washing basin. Only the shower and toilet is outside. Some girls stay in a single room and they have all the facilities for them alone while others stay in pairs or threes or fours or fives. Where five share a room, they pay a bit less and also help the sisters to take care of the parlour.
They have many activities like classes in music, dance, theatre etc and it is taught by those among them who know more. They also have a prayer group which meets weekly. They have a small, smug oratory on one of the floors. They have classes for the immigrant workers thrice a week and the hostelites volunteer to teach free of cost.
I had shared about India with them on MISSION Sunday and after that two girls, Osana from Romania and Maria from Spain, showed interest in visiting India and doing some voluntary work there in the month of July or August.
I end now with much love,
Sr. Margaret Correa.
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YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Vincenta Maria Social Services Society
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