Intercommunity Meetings 2025

During the month of October 2025, we, the Shepherdess Sisters of the Jesus the Good Shepherd Province, based in Caxias do Sul/RS, joyfully experienced three inter-community meetings marked by prayer, fraternal fellowship, and pastoral reflection. These meetings, part of our ongoing formation in preparation for the mission, took place on October 6th and 7th in Londrina/PR and, subsequently, on October 18th and 26th in Caxias do Sul. They were attended and coordinated by the Provincial Government team and encouraged the participation of all communities, strengthening the bonds of communion and the feeling of belonging to the same mission.

These were days of listening, dialogue, and sharing, in which we concretely experienced walking together, an essential characteristic of our charism. In each meeting, we renewed our desire to be communities that live and witness communion, collaborating so that the face of the Good Shepherd may become visible among the people.

In the initial prayer, we allowed ourselves to be inspired and enlightened by the Word of Ephesians 2:14-16: “Christ is our peace, who has made the two groups one.” Through the puzzle activity, we were invited to assemble together the face of Jesus, a symbol of the unity that is born in diversity. Each piece placed reminded us that only united can we manifest the true face of Christ, for in isolation we do not express the fullness of His love. This experience led us to recognize that communion is not the absence of differences, but the art of integrating diverse gifts and paths around the same center: Jesus Christ. Similarly, in the Church's mission there is a diversity of gifts and perspectives, but only in unity can Christ be revealed in a world full of divisions and extremism.

Next, we reflected and shared on the previously studied theme, both personally and communally, on "Models of Church and Religious Fundamentalism to Accompany the Path of Evangelization." Based on personal and communal reflection, we recognized the challenges of the present time, marked by extremism, polarization, and divisions, which affect both society and the life of the Church.

As religious consecrated to communion, we feel the urgency to read the signs of the times in the light of the Gospel, discerning God's action in the complex realities of today's world. In a context where so many consciences are influenced by misinformation and fake news, we are invited to help people awaken to the truth, strengthen critical thinking, and promote relationships that generate trust, dialogue, and reconciliation. We recognize that, often, power is exercised through the manipulation of consciences. Therefore, we reaffirm our commitment to living and witnessing the charism of communion, building bridges where the world insists on erecting walls. We want to be a presence that unites, heals, and reconciles—living signs of Christ's pastoral love.

In each meeting, we experienced an atmosphere of fraternity and simple joy, which helped us deepen the sharing of life and mission. Each sister, with her words and testimony, contributed to the growth of the group and the strengthening of our pastoral identity. More than a time of study, the meetings became moments of community discernment, in which listening and prayer helped us recognize the presence of God, who continues to guide our history.

At the conclusion of each meeting, we raise our gratitude for the opportunity to meet and grow together. We return to our communities renewed in faith, hope, and pastoral commitment, eager to continue revealing the face of the Good Shepherd in the various contexts in which we live and serve, being a presence that unites, listens, and sows peace in today's world.

Sr. Maria Brendali Costa and Sr. Suzimara B. de Almeida, sjbp