Filling in the Blanks

After two glorious days’ vacation (swimming, horse races, sight-seeing, sleeping late) we convened as Gathering II, a somewhat smaller group of 111 Sisters and Associates, to fill in the blanks from the broad outlines of our Gathering I agreements.

We began with a historic reflection on how we have released the charism since the 2002 Chapter. Then in quiet reflection and table sharing, we gathered preferences for the Congregation’s action focus for 2008 - 2014. The preferences were gathered and grouped,
discussion in the group as a whole fleshed out the preferences and one major focus point emerged for our work over the next six years:

• Care of the Earth, recognizing a connection between climate change and issues of poverty.

As previously named in Gathering I, contemplative nonviolence will be the framework for our lives together as Congregation.

Two groups of “wisdom weavers” worked on the details of these potential Chapter Acts and, on Wednesday morning, turned the work over to writers.

Meanwhile the remaining group brainstormed about areas that will need attention as we become a Congregation without Provinces: Congregation gatherings; communication and technology; and caring for one another.

Suzanne Golas, Maureen Boggins, Charlotte Davenport and Terry Moran
work on the Care of the Earth statement.