Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 29 – July 4, 2024
Susan M Kumnick – Global Network Coordinator
Participants from 19 schools representing 6 countries and representatives of the RSHM Institute answered the invitation to “advance into deeper waters” at the Global Network of RSHM Schools meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Whether we arrived from near or far, we were all warmly welcomed by Sister Maria Helena Morra, the RSHM Area Leader, Amaro França, Head of the host school, and the other members of the Conference planning team with open arms, just like Christ the Redeemer who watches over this dynamic and culturally diverse city.
We received a special video message from Sister Margaret Fielding, the RSHM Institute Leader, who reminded us of three important signs that invite each member of the RSHM family to a deeper reflection of who we are and what we’re called to do: 1) the new RSHM logo that conveys love, care, openness, and connection to our contemporary world, 2) the theme for the 2025 RSHM General Chapter, inviting us to examine how we as educators, people of faith and hope, endeavor to form young people who will make a difference, and 3) the image of Christ the Redeemer with arms outstretched, calling each of us to embrace and care for the other, especially those on the margins of society and the whole of creation, our common home.
Our General Conference theme began with the words, “Advance into deeper waters…”, so it was only fitting that our hotel was located right on Copacabana Beach. If anyone had been thinking of hitting the beach instead of attending our Conference sessions at the school, God saved us from temptation by sending rain to Rio for the first days of our meeting.
The conference theme, “Advance into deeper waters, educate with hope, acting prophetically in favor of humanity and creation” was organized in such a way that each day’s sessions highlighted a different part of the theme. And what inspiring and thought-provoking sessions they were, from Francisco Orofino’s comparison of spirituality to fishing in his interpretation of Christ’s call to the Apostles to become fishers of men, to Sister Maria Helena’s explanation of the historical understanding of “shepherd”, Gailhac’s spiritual experience of the Good Shepherd, and the significance for us today of Christ’s model of commitment, trust, tenderness, and care. To the authentic examples of those who are creating hope through education for refugees in Rio and Malawi, indigenous children in the Amazon region, and the “invisibles” who collect everything that society discards in Belo Horizonte, to a prophetic and changing education of students in our schools in Brazil and Portugal through participation in diverse and progressive mission formation programs.
This visit to Rio de Janeiro wouldn’t have been complete without some memorable spiritual, cultural, and artistic experiences. One unexpected event that we’ll all remember took place during the Welcome Dinner when Sister Maria Helena joined the colorful, rhythmic, scantily clad Samba dancers and expertly demonstrated her “Carioca” heritage. At Mass on Sunday, the Global Network of RSHM Schools received a special message and blessing from Rio de Janeiro’s Cardinal, Orani Joāo Tempesta. After morning prayer in the Chapel one morning, the Commissioning Ceremony took place to thank the departing members of the Coordinating Committee and welcome three new members. Other experiences that complimented our Conference theme included time with students from the host school who took us on tours of the campus and offered artistic presentations, as well as our visits to the Museum of Tomorrow, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Christ the Redeemer monument. Our Closing Dinner was a Brazilian “churrasco” experience presenting us with unending, delicious, sizzling cuts of meat carved right in front of us, a joyful celebration of our gift of internationality and the spirit of friendship and unity shared by members of the Global Network of RSHM Schools. Thank you, Brazil, for giving the modern day shepherds of our Global Network schools so much to think about, pray for, and take back to their school communities!