Sheila recalled the powerful Trasna theme for us and noted that, "We have chosen to walk together into that which we cannot see. We chose as one body to embrace the unknown road believing that we are being led by God's spirit."
"The invitation before us at this Election session of the 21st Congregation Chapter is to discover how and where the Spirit of God is leading us today as we select the leadership who will embrace and shepherd us through unknown paths as well as challenge us for Mission during the next six years."
Sheila thanked the eight nominees "who have demonstrated by their lives and ministries a passion for the Mission of the charism."
Sheila and Terry did the roll call of the delegates. Nominees were called forth.
Joyce DeShano recalled highlights from the summer Chapter and then reviewed the basic components of communal discernment. Ann Rutan, Chairperson of the Chapter Planning Committee, recalled the decision of the Chapter this summer to become a Congregation-without-Provinces. She also highlighted the two Seeds of Peace: 1) Growing in Nonviolence and 2) Care of Creation and Climate Change. She reminded the delegates of the Qualities for Elected Leadership agreed upon at the Chapter this summer.
Sheila reviewed the Chapter Procedures that were approved in August and reminded delegates that election of the leadership team would take place by absolute majority.
Each nominee responded to the four questions below. Included also are brief summaries of some of their responses.
As you reflect on the decisions of the Chapter, including the decision to become a congregation without provinces:
What two primary challenges will this place on the newly elected team?
- Remain open to possibility; invite participation in substantive, meaningful ways, leaving no one behind
- Strike balance between time and energy of nuts and bolts of structure with inspiring to act on Seeds of Peace
- Create adequate communication-foster feedback
- How we care for another
- Furtherance of living our mission, of Seeds of Peace
- Call forth to greater interdependence
- Creation of a leadership team that will work well together
- Commitment to contemplative stance requires tremendous ongoing discipline
- To make this serious new moment, almost a re-founding, a moment of life in the Congregation
- Releasing the charism, Seeds of Peace in the world
- Inviting connections within the Congregation
- Re-engage the excitement and spirit of Chapter that led to the decisions and the Seeds of Peace
What part of the unfolding responsibilities for the new team do you find absorb the greatest part of your reflection and discernment?
- Congregation-without-Provinces decision means making major changes in how we do things day-to-day and in light of economic and environmental realities in the world today
- We must find new ways to invite and incorporate new members in this new moment
- How do we keep our hearts and minds engaged with one another to lead us to new possibilities we haven't visualized yet?
- There are many unknowns now and for the next 6 years and beyond. Having patience as we move forward knowing we will not have all the answers
- There is no blueprint, but our founders did not have one; trust that it can be broken down into steps and that answers will reveal themselves
- Potential for development of relationships internally and externally.
- The reality of our diminishment does not diminish our mission, our spirit.
- Technology needs to be brought up to speed so it can be more of a tool, an asset.
- This is about all of us, emerging stronger, more vibrant, more attractive to other people committed to doing good things.
What do you hope for from the leadership of the membership achieving the decisions of Chapter?
- All Sisters and Associates will be active participants in this change.
- Call to faithfulness, listening, hearing, doing
- Decisions of Chapter are the responsibility of all members
- Leadership resides in the heart of its members; deepest hope is full engagement of all
- Hope to maintain momentum, work is just starting
- Release charism far and wide
- Keep alive the Spirit of the 21st General Chapter-increased love, care and concern, mutual respect
What else is in your heart and mind that you want to speak to?
- Willing to do whatever God calls me to
- "We face the future with gratitude and hope." Good things lie ahead.
- Open to serving in leadership, but also more than willing to serve the Congregation in any way
- Hopeful, confident, excited
- We are on the threshold of a new moment; part of the whole, of something bigger we can align with.
- Our Chapter Acts are so relevant and needed in our world today.
- Deep belief that grace of office goes to elected leadership and those in membership. Whoever is elected, the team will work.
- Conflicting feelings of hope, joy, energy, opportunity and challenges, pain of realities that will be part of leadership
- Honored to be invited and part of the process
Delegates shared heartfelt gratitude, awe and love to the nominees for their willingness, their honesty, their courage and their strength. Each nominee brings different gifts. All are highly valued and respected.
There was time for Mass and for quiet table sharing and reflection.
The delegates will have the first small group session with nominees this evening.
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