MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF
THE ASSOCIATION OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL

PLACE & DATE
Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, Paris, 30-31 January 2006

PARTICIPANTS
1. Fr. Gregory Gay, C.M., Director General
2. Fr. Benjamín Romo, C.M., International Coordinator
3. Fr. Manuel Ginete, C.M., Delegate for the Vincentian Family
4. Fr. Henry Grodecki, C.M.
5. Fr. Janusz Zwolinski, C.M.
6. Sr. Blanca Libia Tamayo, H.C., Councilor delegate
7. Sr. Marie Yonide Midy, H.C.
8. Martha Leticia Tapia
9. Olimpia Freire de Almeida Ruano
10. Luís Alfonso Rodríguez Norato

BEGINNING OF THE MEETING

Fr. Benjamín who chaired the meeting, began with a prayer to commend to the Lord the work we were about to do. He welcomed all the participants, noting the presence of both the former and the new members of the Council in addition to the assistance of Fr. Manuel , the Delegate for the Vincentian Family, who was present for some of our meeting. He also introduced Sr. Blanca Libia Tamayo, H.C. who will also be part of the Coordinating Council of the AMM, representing the Daughters of Charity.

He asked Luís Alfonso Rodríguez, to serve as secretary, with the help of Olimpia Freire. They both agreed to serve.

A REVIEW OF THE TASKS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COORDINATOR.

We reviewed the functions and the work of the International Coordinator of the AMM (document 1attached), and some corrections and additions were made:

• We clarified the process for presenting the National Statutes for approval was clarified. They ought to be submitted first to the International Coordinator for his corrections, then the corrected copy will be sent to the International Office of the Vincentian Family, the approved documents would be sent back from Rome to the respective country. A copy of the document would go to the International Coordinator and another would remain in the files of the Office of the Vincentian Family.
  
  
• We will add at the end of the document that the International Council counts on the value of two lay people on it.

REVIEW OF THE TASKS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL

We reviewed the functions and the work of the International Council of the AMM (document 2 attached), and we made some corrections and additions.

• We edited #3 to read: “To produce and offer formation materials proper to the AMM to countries.”
  
  
• We expanded #5 to read: “To follow the proposed lines of action in the final document of the AMM (Rome, 2005), and to encourage the creation and application of plans of formation in each country.”

COMMITMENTS OF THE FINAL DOCUMENT ROME 2005

We began a review of the Document starting from “Our Journey” and making some corrections and agreements:

• In #A5, “manifestado” is changed to “manifestando” (It already reads this way in the English version of the Document. –ed.)
  
  
• In #A6, change “sociedad local” to “Church” and add at the end “sociedad en general”. (The English version should read “local Church and the society at large”. –ed.)
  
  
• It was agreed to continue working during the coming years on the delegation of governing responsibilities to the laity, with regard to the definition from the First General Assembly of the AMM until 2009 and the implications for governing that this would have had by then.
  
  
• With regard to the theme of the apostolate (C.1) there was a general proposal to do a catechesis on the theme of the new poverties.
  
  
• Sr. Blanca proposed to do a catechesis about prayer that comes from the Word together with another on the theme of prayer and the apostolate, which Fr. Benjamín was in favor of adding to C.1.1. as an elaboration. The date proposed for the presentation of this work would be April 2006.
  
  
• In #C.1.4. in order to respond to the new poverties, catechesis would be given a boost by basing it on publications such as those of the A.I.C.
  
  
• We proposed to bring together information of the apostolates and the service projects of each country, adding this to the information received at the Encuentro in Rome 2005. This would continue to promote the areas of common service to the poor, with an attitude of collaboration among all the Vincentian groups.
  
  
• We proposed that the schema for evaluation of the A.I.C. for 2007 be used in #C.1.5.
  
  
• For #C.2. a discussion began with some sharing. Sr. Blanca spoke of the good results in Colombia that came from integrating vocation work with youth work. Also Fr. Benjamín spoke of the example of youth work developed in Mexico with the PAJUVI: Vincentian Youth Easter, which is an event which invites youth who are not in any group to live the experience of Easter in a Vincentian sense. This helps them to know the branches of the Vincentian Family and the possibility of belonging to one of them. This creates the possibility of a new catechesis while it invites the youth to participate in a dynamic Association, opening ourselves to them in the apostolate, sharing the charism and inviting them to times of prayer. This also provides an opportunity to get to know the experiences of youth in the AMM Bulletin by creating a section for this purpose.
  
  
• In #C.3 on formation, we reaffirmed that the content of the pastoral plan ought to contain these elements: spiritual life, formation, service-apostolate and the relationship of the Vincentian Family.
  
  
• In #C.4 on communication we agreed to publish a Bulletin every four months, beginning with the first edition in April. We should also stay in at least monthly contact with the countries and groups, boosting communication within the AMM.
  
  
• In #D.1 We agreed to put in the next news bulletin complete information about the cost and how to obtain the official AMM insignia which was approved at the AMM Encuentro 2005 and is being made by Spain.
  

PROPOSALS TO THE DIRECTOR GENERAL

• The first of the points of the proposals has already been sent to the Visitors and Visitatrices in their respective countries.
  
  
• With respect to the Regional Encounters, these are difficult to hold because of the costs involved. We propose to hold them about in regions such as Central America where the distances are short and to strengthen the Local Encounters and participation of all the groups in them.
  
  
• With respect to point 3, we make it clear that the Spiritual Headquarters of the A.M.M. is Paris, in the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity, the place where the Association got its start. The Administrative Headquarters will be in the place of residence of the International Coordinator, which at present is in Mexico City. We also set the place and date of the next International Encounter. Using the occasion of the First Centenary of the Approval of the Association by the Holy See, we have decided that it will be held in Paris during the week of 16-20 November, 2009. We contemplate the possibility of having, in place of the Encounter, the First General Assembly of the A.M.M., which would consider a review of the International Statutes during this event. Sister Blanca was asked to reserve space at the Motherhouse of the Daughters of Charity for this date. Fr. Gregory Gay, C.M. will speak with the Superior of the Motherhouse of the Congregation of the mission.
  
  
• The ties with the Vincentian Family continue to be strengthened more and more through communication, collaboration in projects and in times of formation in common.
  
  
• It is proposed that 27 November, or a date near it, be set aside for holding activities from which funds are collected for the support of the activities of the International Council. The Director General will write a letter to the National Councils of the Association in May in which he will announce this activity.
  
  
• We thought that in the future a delegate from Africa be named to help with the preparation of the International Event of 2009. At this moment we do see a real possibility of naming an African as a member of the Coordinating Council.
  
• Inasmuch as we already value the presence of Luis Alfonso Rodriguez as a young member of the Coordinating council, the participation of youth in the 2009 event will depend a great deal on each country and on its time.

Distribution of Countries

The distribution of countries among the members of the Council for communication and animation was determined:

Fr. Henry Grodecki, C.M.: Austria, Germany, Ireland, Slovakia, Greece, the Philippines, Indonesia, India Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Nigeria, Eritrea, Uganda, Australia, USA (Midwest), USA (Eastern).

Olimpia Freire de Almeida: Haiti, Slovenia, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Croatia, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Ukraine, Lebanon, Cameroon, Congo, Angola, Benin, Madagascar, Mozambique, Central African Republic, Brazil.

Luis Alfonso Rodriguez Norato: Chile, Colombia, Perú, Venezuela, Argentina, Bolivia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, México, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Cuba, el Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panamá, Guatemala.

Fr. Benjamín Romo, C.M.: Hungary and Vietnam.

The AMM Bulletin

Fr. Shelby began this with a trimestral publication of the Bulletin, asking for participants at the first Encounter in Rome 2001. The proposed content of the next Bulletins is: topic for reflection, news and activities, a section for youth, witnesses, special projects and apostolates. It needs to be made attractive and lively and in three annual editions. Luis Alfonso Rodriguez will be in charge of the final form of the bulletin. It will be published quarterly.

The Web Page

We are mindful the great help the AMM of Perryville has rendered by assuming all of the costs for the functioning of the web page. We need to promote it in all the countries where the AMM exists. Also the address needs to appear on all our official documents.

Translations are indispensable for the promotion of all the documents we put together. Thanks are due to the office of the JMV in Spain and Sister Marie Yonide, D.C.

A list was put together of possible collaborators who could help with future needs. We will speak with them about the possibility of helping us:

• Spanish to English: Fr. Henry Grodecki, C.M.; the JMV team in Talpa; Fr. Orlando Escobar, C.M., at the Seminary in Camarillo, CA.
• Spanish to Portuguese: Olimpia Freire.
• Spanish or English to French: Yasmine Cajuste of the JMV in Madrid; Sister Marie Yonide, D.C., Sister Teresa Sano, D.C.
• English to Spanish: Doris Cstillo, Guadalupe Herrera, Rocio del Pilar Garcia V., member of the AMM in Peru.

We propose to get the help of the volunteers of the United Nations for translation on the page www.netaid.org

Finances

There is a bank account with the consignatory possibilities in places all over the world.

Fr. Gregory Gay, C.M. informed us of the creation of a capital fund for groups which have the Superior General of the Congregation of the Mission as their Director General. This fund will be able to used five years from now which will have added interest by then.

A listing of the yearly record of donations from each country was given to each of the members of the
Council and we were reminded of the commitment of a contribution from all the countries to share in the annual fixed quota with a minimum rate of one cent of a dollar for each active member of the A.M.M. A correction was made in the contribution from Colombia which was 50 euros for a total of 80 members.

There was a clarification about sending in each country’s contribution, which should be done to the Provincial Econome of the Congregation who would inform the Econome of the General Curia, and also the Coordinator of the A.M.M. This system has the advantage of saving bank taxes of transferring money.

Finally, there is a general balance of existing resources of about $1000.

The Secretary of the A.M.M.

Fr. Benjamín spoke about the functions of the secretary which requires time and dedication and how he has received the great help of Martha Leticia Tapia. On the other hand, the Visitatrix having been consulted, there is the possibility of a response from a Daughter of Charity of the Province of Mexico to help in this role.

Report on the International Meeting of the Vincentian Family

During 27,28 and 29 January there was held the annual International Meeting of the Vincentian Family, with the A.I.C., J.M.V., S.S.V.P., M.I.S.E.V.I., A.M.M., Religious of St. Vincent de Paul, the Daughters of Charity and the Congregation of the Mission.

At the meeting Martha presented a report on behalf of the A.M.M. concerning its activities during 2005 and particularly the Encuentro of the past October in Rome.

In a general way we were informed of the activities for the victims of the Tsunami and of malaria. Various other news was given on themes treated during this annual meeting.

Representatives to the International Vincentian Family

Up to now Martha has represented the A.M.M. in these International Encounters of the Vincentian Family. It was decided that Olimpia Freire be the representative of the Association for the International Vincentian Family and Luis Alfonso Rodriguez be part of the Latin American Council of the Vincentian Family. The next Latin American Encounter will be 12-18 February in Bogota. The International Vincentian Family will meet in Rome 2-4 February 2007. We agreed to inform the A.M.M. throughout the world of these representatives.

Date and Place of the Next Meeting
It will happen 21-22 April 2007 in Mexico City, D.F., Mexico

Final Evaluation

We ended the meeting by evaluating our work about which we were very pleased and satisfied by the work we had done and for the good attitude among us.

We conclude with a prayer en which we placed, at “the foot of this altar” of the Chapel of the Apparitions of the Virgin, our plans and projects for the A.M.M. throughout the world.

LUIS ALFONSO RODRÍGUEZ NORATO ---Secretary

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