From Argentina Vicky Nagel and her two sons Lihueel and Hector were chosen and sponsored to participate in this international event, they sent us the following response on their return to Argentina:

We left Argentina to come to Ireland with lots of expectations and fears. It was Lihueel’s and Hector’s first flight, we had little English and we doubted that we would be good representatives at this international meeting of families.

We were lovingly received at the airport by Sisters Elisabeth and Caitriona. Sr Liz had booked our accommodation and our participation at the Congress, so, everything was ready for us, even to the tiniest detail.

We have brought back from Ireland :
• The special moments we lived with the Sisters and with the Dennis family from South Africa, John, Kelly, Dayna and Gizelle.
• The trips with Srs. Elisabeth, Caitriona and Liz
• The scenery and the green landscape so typical of Ireland
• The learnings from the workshops we chose to attend:
Lectio Divino in the home,
Dignity and Security in a digital era
The vocation of a leader in the workplace,
The transmission of faith from one generation to the next,
The role of grandparents,
Trafficking of people,
Sport, faith and family,
The development and testimony of leadership and women,
Accompanying human fragility
The family that prays together.

The presence of Pope Francis in the festival of families and the Mass in the Phoenix Park also touched our heats and fed our minds and spirits.
It was very emotional to meet Sisters Sheila, Mary and Kathleen in St. Mary’s in Cabra and share news of our communities with them while recalling past lived experiences. It was good to feel the affection that exists between us despite the distance.
Our eyes and souls are filled with images of Cabra and its history.

The grace of being able to meet our dear friend Bro. Jim and bring him the love and gratitude of the communities where he ministered was indeed very special.

We got great joy from sharing as family, we laughed a lot and learned how to manage in English! It was an unforgettable experience; the climate, the scenery which we enjoyed, the humanity of the people and the friendship with the Dennis family will remain with us forever.

Thank you to all of the Sisters, those in Argentina who accompanied and supported us prior to our visit and all those who embraced us through their loving care in Ireland. We never felt alone.

The challenge and commitment now for us as family is to multiply all we have learned, firstly, in our own large family and later in all of the spaces where we participate.

We thank the Congregation of Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of the Rosary and Saint Catherine of Siena, Cabra for all we have received, for the affection, attention to detail and so much more, so that we could feel at home and be free to get around and relate to so many others.

May God bless you.
May God guard you in the palm of his hand.
May Dominic guide you on your way.
May Saints Rose and Martin de Porres
journey with you.
My the Virgin cover you with her mantle.

With sincere thanks and every blessing,

Vicky, Lihueel and Hector.