From right to left, Sr. Gréard Ventura, Emile Kimembe, M.Afr., Michel Ouedraogo, M.Afr., and Prosper Harelimana, M.Afr. “Pastoral Cycle Methodology and Systemic Transformation” was the theme of the third day of our training session. Lev 19:33-34, Luke 24:18-35, Pope Francis’ message on the occasion of the 110th Day of Refugees and Migrants and his recent statements on the new migration policy of the United States have laid the foundations and guided the reflections of the day.
As the theme of the day indicates, the various speakers of the day had the objective of helping us understand the methodologies of the pastoral cycle. Various panellists, representing different institutions, accompanied us. The RMWG (Refugees and Migrants Working Group Working Group), the Advisor of the Research and Reflection Section of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Secretary of the Scalabrini Foundation, a JRS (Jesuit Refugee Service) executive and a session focused on the butterfly diagram helped us to dissect the methodologies of the pastoral cycle.
All these sharing sessions have introduced us to the method of SEE (becoming aware of the realities of the world), ANALYZE / JUDGE (why is this situation happening?) and ACT (What would Jesus have done? What concrete action should be taken? What does the Bible teach me about such a situation? How do the teachings of the Church enlighten me in the face of such a challenge? How does the charism of my religious institute guide me in the face of such a problem? What do my convictions as a man or woman of faith tell me in the face of such a situation?
In essence, the purpose of the day’s teaching was to help us make the connection between the methodology of the pastoral cycle and our ministerial experiences. To do this, the group work that concluded the day’s session consisted of rereading some of our pastoral experiences and seeing how we have integrated (perhaps without knowing it) the methodology of the pastoral cycle.
By: Michel Ouedraogo, M.Afr.
