Friday: Newsflash .... We are One Congregation!

The following recommendation came before the Chapter this afternoon:

We, the Delegates of the 21st Congregation Chapter of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace, affirm the movement of the Congregation as a whole and of the Chapter participants toward becoming a Congregation-without-Provinces. We hereby decide to be a Congregation-without-provinces.

We understand that, with this decision, the Congregation is moving into a period of experimentation regarding governance that will allow for further participation and development in planning for the future direction of our Congregation.

The recommendation first came to a vote (by show of hands) of the Chapter Body. There were 131 yes votes, a unanimous vote.

The recommendation then came to the delegates. There were 38 yes votes, also a unaimous vote.

The Chapter Room then erupted into a round of applause and an extended period of celebration and hugs.