Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Releasing the Charism for Mission
7:00 - 8:30 Breakfast in dining room
7:30 Optional Liturgy in Anacon room
9:00 Morning prayer in Chapter room
Continuing process to Release the Charism for Mission
1:00 Lunch - Leisure
3:00 Continue morning work
5:30 Overview of Wednesday, Closing Mantra
6:00 Supper
7:00 Talent Show
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Saturday: Goldilocks, the Clump and Polarities
On Saturday, August 2nd, the Chapter considered the proposal for the election of new leaders recommended by the Chapter Planning Committee. Specifically, the proposal would:
The "clump"
Facilitator Joyce DeShano remarked that the proposal “contains some hidden generosity” in terms of the women who have agreed to “put their lives on hold.” Our current elected leaders who have agreed to continue serving until new Congregational leadership is in place were then invited on the stage and blessed by the Chapter body in a spirit of gratitude.
The rest of the day was devoted to the question of who would attend the January Chapter session: only those required (delegates, alternates, nominees who are not delegates, and staff) or those required plus 10 sisters and 2 associates from each region chosen by lottery. Several values and questions were raised in our discussions, including the values of inclusion and participation, the financial cost and carbon footprint of bringing people to New Jersey, the importance of a participatory CSG process prior to January, and the possibility of video-conferencing. The Chapter body was fairly split on the issue in our first two leanings,
with these various values held in tension.
Jean shared some thoughts with us on “polarity management,” as a framework for reflection when you are caught “betwixt and between” two competing values. We then took a third leaning, and it was clear that there was movement towards continuing the Chapter for Elections in January with only the required attendees. In a formal vote, the delegates unanimously decided that only the required attendees - again, delegates, alternates, nominees, and staff - will gather at the January session. Joyce suggested that we share with those at home that we “truly tried to discern this issue and spent a lot of time on the question.” The process for surfacing names, sharing information about potential Congregational leaders, and receiving comments from all in the Congregation will be designed in Gathering Two of the Chapter, August 5-8.
- extend the terms of the current leaders to May 1, 2009
- reconvene the Chapter in January 2009
- set the date of transition for May 1, 2009
The "clump"
Facilitator Joyce DeShano remarked that the proposal “contains some hidden generosity” in terms of the women who have agreed to “put their lives on hold.” Our current elected leaders who have agreed to continue serving until new Congregational leadership is in place were then invited on the stage and blessed by the Chapter body in a spirit of gratitude.
The rest of the day was devoted to the question of who would attend the January Chapter session: only those required (delegates, alternates, nominees who are not delegates, and staff) or those required plus 10 sisters and 2 associates from each region chosen by lottery. Several values and questions were raised in our discussions, including the values of inclusion and participation, the financial cost and carbon footprint of bringing people to New Jersey, the importance of a participatory CSG process prior to January, and the possibility of video-conferencing. The Chapter body was fairly split on the issue in our first two leanings,
with these various values held in tension.
Jean shared some thoughts with us on “polarity management,” as a framework for reflection when you are caught “betwixt and between” two competing values. We then took a third leaning, and it was clear that there was movement towards continuing the Chapter for Elections in January with only the required attendees. In a formal vote, the delegates unanimously decided that only the required attendees - again, delegates, alternates, nominees, and staff - will gather at the January session. Joyce suggested that we share with those at home that we “truly tried to discern this issue and spent a lot of time on the question.” The process for surfacing names, sharing information about potential Congregational leaders, and receiving comments from all in the Congregation will be designed in Gathering Two of the Chapter, August 5-8.
Saturday: Peggy O'Neill, SC Accepts Peacemaker Award
On the last day of Gathering One, Saturday, August 2nd, we continued to work hard, but we also put on our party clothes to have our formal portrait taken, we shared a beautiful Eucharist and we celebrated in a banquet, highlighted by the presentation of the Peacemaker Award to Peggy O’Neill, a Sister of Charity who has been accompanying the people of Suchitoto, El Salvador, for more than 20 years.
The award and a check for $5000, given in recognition of an outstanding contribution to peacemaking in the spirit of Margaret Anna Cusack, was presented in Spanish by Terry Donohue (with help from Amalia Camacho on the translations). “Peggy embodies a commitment to peacemaking,” she said, citing her untiring work to create the Centro Arte para la Paz in Suchitoto as a place of healing to nurture the culture of peace among people who have suffered so much from war.
Peggy has long collaborated with CSJPs, from Margaret Jane Kling and Andrea Nenzel in the 1980s to Eleanor Gilmore today, and many in the room had met her during the two Congregational Experiences she and Eleanor led or during a PazSalud brigade.
In accepting her award, Peggy shared with us some wonderful stories from her time in El Salvador. Once in the war years she was with a group that had to hide out overnight. She found herself with two women, one a mother with a young child who had brought along a stack of tortillas. No one else had any food. Peggy told the mother she should save the tortillas for the child, but the mother said no. “Tonight we share the bread,” she said, “tomorrow we will share hunger.” Those shared tortillas were Eucharist, said Peggy, and that spirit of courage and giving is why she hopes to spend the rest of her life with the people of El Salvador. Congratulations, Peggy, y gracias!
Peggy, Lelia Walsh & Laurette Bergin
Peggy & Eleanor Gilmore
The award and a check for $5000, given in recognition of an outstanding contribution to peacemaking in the spirit of Margaret Anna Cusack, was presented in Spanish by Terry Donohue (with help from Amalia Camacho on the translations). “Peggy embodies a commitment to peacemaking,” she said, citing her untiring work to create the Centro Arte para la Paz in Suchitoto as a place of healing to nurture the culture of peace among people who have suffered so much from war.
Peggy has long collaborated with CSJPs, from Margaret Jane Kling and Andrea Nenzel in the 1980s to Eleanor Gilmore today, and many in the room had met her during the two Congregational Experiences she and Eleanor led or during a PazSalud brigade.
In accepting her award, Peggy shared with us some wonderful stories from her time in El Salvador. Once in the war years she was with a group that had to hide out overnight. She found herself with two women, one a mother with a young child who had brought along a stack of tortillas. No one else had any food. Peggy told the mother she should save the tortillas for the child, but the mother said no. “Tonight we share the bread,” she said, “tomorrow we will share hunger.” Those shared tortillas were Eucharist, said Peggy, and that spirit of courage and giving is why she hopes to spend the rest of her life with the people of El Salvador. Congratulations, Peggy, y gracias!
Peggy, Lelia Walsh & Laurette Bergin
Peggy & Eleanor GilmoreSaturday: A View from the Tent at Oakwood
This morning the grass appears grey with the glint of moisture from overnight rain, the trees around this green square are still and silent except for a slight quiver in the topmost leaves. This early, the birds are singing, but there is little evident movement from them as if they are reluctant to intrude on the awakening beauty of the day.
Behind me, Oakwood Hall, our dorm, is already alive to the new day - early comings and goings, the fragrant aroma of freshly-brewed coffee and the quiet purr of a Trasna Transport Trolley waiting for its first passengers. I am surrounded by tranquility as I let my eyes follow the patterns made by the ever-brightening sun on the building across from me. In a few places my eyes are assaulted by the fire-red glow in the windows of Redwood Hall, then as I move my eyes to the front of the building I see the five saplings closest to me - they are bursting with life and vibrant energy. Because there are so many older trees around, the young trees remind me that we, too, are in the process of unfolding, of becoming, growing stronger now that we have realized our deep-felt hope of being a Congregation without Provinces.
The sun, rising above the corder of Redwood Hall, suddenly touches the top of the telegraph pole on Cedar Avenue and I’m totally entranced by the spidery cobwebs between the wires, all sparkling with a thousand diamonds, sending lasers of red, blue, green, purple into the surrounding trees. Surely the beauty of Creation is surrounding me this early morning. Thank you, God!
by Eileen Byrne
Behind me, Oakwood Hall, our dorm, is already alive to the new day - early comings and goings, the fragrant aroma of freshly-brewed coffee and the quiet purr of a Trasna Transport Trolley waiting for its first passengers. I am surrounded by tranquility as I let my eyes follow the patterns made by the ever-brightening sun on the building across from me. In a few places my eyes are assaulted by the fire-red glow in the windows of Redwood Hall, then as I move my eyes to the front of the building I see the five saplings closest to me - they are bursting with life and vibrant energy. Because there are so many older trees around, the young trees remind me that we, too, are in the process of unfolding, of becoming, growing stronger now that we have realized our deep-felt hope of being a Congregation without Provinces.
The sun, rising above the corder of Redwood Hall, suddenly touches the top of the telegraph pole on Cedar Avenue and I’m totally entranced by the spidery cobwebs between the wires, all sparkling with a thousand diamonds, sending lasers of red, blue, green, purple into the surrounding trees. Surely the beauty of Creation is surrounding me this early morning. Thank you, God!
by Eileen Byrne
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Schedule for Monday (August 4)
Note: We will be posting the schedule for the Chapter each day one day early.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Proposed Free Day
Monday, August 4, 2008
Proposed Free Day
Video: Lest We Forget
For our opening prayer Thursday morning, we watched a video showing the face of each Sister and Associate who has died since the last Chapter. The video was prepared by our Communications Director Paulette Krick. The images and accompanying music, “standing on the shoulders of those who’ve gone before,” brought tears to many faces in our meeting room. You can watch the video below:
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Schedule for Sunday (August 3)
Note: We will be posting the schedule for the Chapter each day one day early.
Proposed Free Day
Proposed Free Day
Pictures: Group Photo
We gathered Saturday morning for a group photo that will be used as the cover for our 125th Anniversary Calendar.
Saturday: Blessing Our Leaders
Our facilitator, Joyce DeShano, noted that the proposal we just voted on "contains some hidden generosity" in terms of the women who have agreed to "put their lives on hold" an additional four months. Sheila & Terry then invited the members of the Congregation Council and Province Teams to join them on the stage. The entire Chapter Body then blessed them in love and gratitude, with Alexandra Kovats leading us in a beautiful blessing dance. Watch the video below.
Saturday: Newsflash on Proposal Vote
The following recommendation came before the Chapter late this morning:
The recommendation then came to the delegates. There were 38 yes votes, also a unanimous vote.
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 to approve the proposal on a timeline for elected leaders. This proposal includes:The recommendation first came to a vote (by show of hands) of the Chapter Body. There were 128 yes votes, a unanimous vote.
- extend the terms of the current leaders to May 1, 2009
- reconvene the Chapter in January 2009
- date of transition would be May 1, 2009
The recommendation then came to the delegates. There were 38 yes votes, also a unanimous vote.
Saturday: Timeline Proposal
On Saturday morning we took time to read the latest version of document titled, "A Proposal to the Members for a timeline for Election of New Leaders." We then spent time in another "Italian Piazza" style conversation and large group discussion on the proposal. You can download a PDF copy of the proposal here.
Friday: Chapter votes to become “A Congregation without Provinces”!
Today, August 1, 2008, Chapter participants voted unanimously to become a Congregation without Provinces, a vote that was officially ratified by the unanimous YES of Chapter Delegates. After the moment of decision, the Chapter joined in singing “The Summons” (“Will you but come and follow me if I but call your name?”) and then, weeping and grinning, we enveloped each other in a CSJP group hug.
We began the day in prayer with a beautiful musical setting of the Chapter Prayer by Rosalie McQuaide. Facilitator Joyce DeShano led us through the long background of the proposals before us. Then we held what Jean Alvarez called an Italian Town Meeting, moving from group to group to hear each others’ thinking. Coming back to the whole, we listened to comments, took a first leaning, and voted.
Later in the day we were able to agree quickly that the first elected member of the new Congregational Leadership Team (CLT) will be Congregation Leader, that the Team will name one member as Assistant Congregation Leader and that the Team will choose the location of the Congregation office. More discussion was needed to set the size of the CLT at 5. A new proposal surfaced, to name an Associate to the Team for non-canonical matters, but the group agreed that this was not the time to make such a decision. At the end of this long, emotional day, we rejoiced that we had made our decisions in such peace and joy in the presence of the Spirit.
The delegates vote.
Alexandra Kovats and
Gladys Hughes celebrate.
We began the day in prayer with a beautiful musical setting of the Chapter Prayer by Rosalie McQuaide. Facilitator Joyce DeShano led us through the long background of the proposals before us. Then we held what Jean Alvarez called an Italian Town Meeting, moving from group to group to hear each others’ thinking. Coming back to the whole, we listened to comments, took a first leaning, and voted.
Later in the day we were able to agree quickly that the first elected member of the new Congregational Leadership Team (CLT) will be Congregation Leader, that the Team will name one member as Assistant Congregation Leader and that the Team will choose the location of the Congregation office. More discussion was needed to set the size of the CLT at 5. A new proposal surfaced, to name an Associate to the Team for non-canonical matters, but the group agreed that this was not the time to make such a decision. At the end of this long, emotional day, we rejoiced that we had made our decisions in such peace and joy in the presence of the Spirit.
The delegates vote.
Alexandra Kovats andGladys Hughes celebrate.
Friday: Our Chapter Staff Keeps Us Happy
All the beautiful liturgies, power point presentations, meticulously prepared documents, and excellent processes don’t just happen: they happen because of the talent and dedication of our wonderful Chapter staff. We thought you might like to know a little more about them!
Jean Alvarez, co-facilitator, is familiar to all of us from the three Chapters she and Nancy Conway, CSJ guided us through. Jean says that she has been drawn back to us again and again by her sense of connectedness to us and our charism. Since Nancy’s election to leadership of her own Congregation, Jean has set up the Lake Erie Brain Performance Institute with a colleague. We wish her life and light in this exciting venture.
Joyce DeShano, Terry Donohue and Jean Alvarez confer over plans.
Paulette Krick, Congregation Communications Director, has been a Sister of Charity of Leaveanworth for 34 years. She was the first Congregation Communications Director both for her own community and for us. Paulette enjoys movies, loves hiking, the outdoors, and playing guitar. She also loves biking, though a recent separation from her bike led to her working full time through this Chapter from a wheelchair.
Jan Linley, Congregation Office Manager, is providing her usual calm and cheerful presence in the midst of our storm of activities. Jan worked for us when Suzanne Golas was Congregation Leader and returned happily to help Sheila and Terry keep the Congregation organized. In her spare time, Jan is writing a book, she loves cats, and she is an expert Staples shopper.
Mary Ann Mulzet, Liturgy Coordinator, is a Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill). She works with Chapters, Conferences and national events in music and liturgy. Mary Ann recently returned from Lyon, France, where her Congregation celebrated their 200th Anniversary. Mary Ann finds our Chapter challenging and energizing; she likes being with us as we move toward the future.
Jean Alvarez, co-facilitator, is familiar to all of us from the three Chapters she and Nancy Conway, CSJ guided us through. Jean says that she has been drawn back to us again and again by her sense of connectedness to us and our charism. Since Nancy’s election to leadership of her own Congregation, Jean has set up the Lake Erie Brain Performance Institute with a colleague. We wish her life and light in this exciting venture.
Joyce DeShano, Terry Donohue and Jean Alvarez confer over plans.Joyce DeShano, Chapter Faciltator, is a Sister of St. Joseph (CSJ) of Cleveland, OH. Before becoming a full-time facilitator, Joyce spent 30 years in health care and administration. She loves her present ministry of walking with Congregations. Joyce relaxes with cooking (she is a gourmet cook and even carries a cook-book or two around with her!). Joyce says children are her spiritual guides: she is a very loving aunt.
Paulette Krick, Congregation Communications Director, has been a Sister of Charity of Leaveanworth for 34 years. She was the first Congregation Communications Director both for her own community and for us. Paulette enjoys movies, loves hiking, the outdoors, and playing guitar. She also loves biking, though a recent separation from her bike led to her working full time through this Chapter from a wheelchair.
Jan Linley, Congregation Office Manager, is providing her usual calm and cheerful presence in the midst of our storm of activities. Jan worked for us when Suzanne Golas was Congregation Leader and returned happily to help Sheila and Terry keep the Congregation organized. In her spare time, Jan is writing a book, she loves cats, and she is an expert Staples shopper.
Mary Ann Mulzet, Liturgy Coordinator, is a Sister of St. Joseph of Philadelphia (Chestnut Hill). She works with Chapters, Conferences and national events in music and liturgy. Mary Ann recently returned from Lyon, France, where her Congregation celebrated their 200th Anniversary. Mary Ann finds our Chapter challenging and energizing; she likes being with us as we move toward the future.Schedule for Saturday (August 2)
Note: We will be posting the schedule for the Chapter each day one day early.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Proposal on Timeline
7:00 - 8:30 Breakfast (Dining Room)
9:00 Morning Prayer (Anacon Room)
9:45 Proposal I on Timeline
Break (30 min)
1:00 Lunch/Leisure (Dining areas)
3:00 Continue morning work
Break (30 min)
5:00 Eucharistic Liturgy
6:00 Celebrative Dinner/Peacemaker Award
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Proposal on Timeline
7:00 - 8:30 Breakfast (Dining Room)
9:00 Morning Prayer (Anacon Room)
9:45 Proposal I on Timeline
Break (30 min)
1:00 Lunch/Leisure (Dining areas)
3:00 Continue morning work
Break (30 min)
5:00 Eucharistic Liturgy
6:00 Celebrative Dinner/Peacemaker Award
Friday: Our Home Away From Home
Monmouth University has been our home morning, noon and night this week. We have enjoyed the wonderful service of the dining hall staff, the friendly smiles of passers by and the beautifully manicured gardens. All in all, we have felt very welcomed.
You might find yourself wondering about this place – just as they are surely wondering about those Sisters of St. Joseph of “The” Peace (as the digital welcome sign says!).
Monmouth College was founded during the Depression in 1933 to provide higher education to those local students who could not afford to go away to college. In 1995, Monmouth was granted university status by the State of New Jersey. Today Monmouth offers 29 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs on a small personal scale – the average class size is only 21 students. Students come from near and far, with students from 23 states and 31 foreign countries.
In 1993 Dr. Rebecca Stafford became the first female President of Monmouth, a post she held for 10 years. The student center where we have been meeting is named after her.
Martin Luther King spoke at Monmouth in 1966. The focus of his speech was that we had “come a long, long way; but ... that we still have a long, long way to go…” (was he talking about Trasna?).
In 1981, the building which has been host to our lovely evening concerts, Wilson Hall, became the home of Daddy Warbucks in the movie Annie. When Annie first enters the opulent mansion, she says “I think I’m gonna like it here,” a feeling which each of us most likely shares.
The formal gardens of Wilson Hall, a Beaux Arts castle
built by Woolworth President Hubert Parson.
Suzanne Golas makes a selection
from the well-stocked salad bar.
Mary Ann Wallen, Sue Vadas and Laurette Bergin
enjoy the variety of good cooking offered in the dining room.
You might find yourself wondering about this place – just as they are surely wondering about those Sisters of St. Joseph of “The” Peace (as the digital welcome sign says!).
Monmouth College was founded during the Depression in 1933 to provide higher education to those local students who could not afford to go away to college. In 1995, Monmouth was granted university status by the State of New Jersey. Today Monmouth offers 29 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs on a small personal scale – the average class size is only 21 students. Students come from near and far, with students from 23 states and 31 foreign countries.
In 1993 Dr. Rebecca Stafford became the first female President of Monmouth, a post she held for 10 years. The student center where we have been meeting is named after her.
Martin Luther King spoke at Monmouth in 1966. The focus of his speech was that we had “come a long, long way; but ... that we still have a long, long way to go…” (was he talking about Trasna?).
In 1981, the building which has been host to our lovely evening concerts, Wilson Hall, became the home of Daddy Warbucks in the movie Annie. When Annie first enters the opulent mansion, she says “I think I’m gonna like it here,” a feeling which each of us most likely shares.
The formal gardens of Wilson Hall, a Beaux Arts castle
built by Woolworth President Hubert Parson.
Suzanne Golas makes a selection
from the well-stocked salad bar.
Mary Ann Wallen, Sue Vadas and Laurette Berginenjoy the variety of good cooking offered in the dining room.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Friday: Newsflash .... We are One Congregation!
The following recommendation came before the Chapter this afternoon:
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.
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.
Friday: Congregation Without Provinces Proposal
On Friday morning we took time to read the latest version of document titled, "A Proposal to the Members for How Governance Functions in the Congregation-without-Provinces." We then spent time in table discussions and an "Italian Piazza" style conversation on the proposal. You can download a PDF copy of the proposal document here.
Music: Chapter Prayer Song
During our Friday morning prayer, we sang a song written by Rosalie McQuaide, CSJP based on our Chapter prayer. Listen to the song in the video below (warning, the lighting is not good in the video, but you can hear the song just fine!).
Video: Where "Annie" was filmed
1981, Monmouth University’s ornate and historic Wilson Hall became the setting for the opulent mansion of Oliver Warbucks in the John Houston film Annie.Monmouth University's Website has a video clip shows the wonder and awe experienced by Annie as she arrived at the manor for the very first time. Watch it here.
Thursday: Releasing the Charism
On Thursday, heads and hearts enriched by the words of Sheila Lemieux, Nancy Sylvester and John Dear, we began the work of mapping the path for the next six years. For our opening prayer, we watched a video showing the face of each Sister and Associate who has died since the last Chapter. The images and accompanying music, “standing on the shoulders of those who’ve gone before,” brought tears to many faces in our meeting room.
Chapter Facilitator Joyce DeShano and co-facilitator Jean Alvarez introduced the work of the day, to collaborate toward naming a focus for the work and prayer of the Congregation over the next six years. We gathered suggestions in table groups, then were asked to move to a different table with different people where we listed possible areas for focus or themes.While we had lunch, Joyce and Jean worked on grouping and sorting the papers presented by the tables. In the afternoon session they told us “from the summaries of the small table groups, it is evident that the two strands of focus from Chapter 2002, Rivers of Peace and Well of Integrity, have evolved into a braided, integrated whole at the Crossing Place.”
From their first presentation and further discussion by the participants, we reached consensus on the major Congregation focus for the next six years:
We are committed to deepening our contemplative commitment to non-violence. The specific language and approach remain to be worked out; it will most likely include a combination of study, prayer and action for non-violence.
Jean and Joyce next asked the group whether one or more specific issues for action should also be adopted by the Chapter, in addition to this overall Congregation focus. There was general agreement that we should look for one issue as a focus for action, especially during our 125th anniversary celebration.
The Chapter will work later on selecting the specific issue.
Thursday: That First Chapter
Do you remember your first Chapter experience? For some, it may have been the 1984 Chapter, which was marked by that electric moment when Margaret Byrne was acclaimed as Congregation Leader. For those experiencing Chapter for the first time at this moment of Trasna, what has the experience been like so far?
Connie Fraser was invigorated by Nancy Sylvester and John Dear and excited for the rest of the Chapter. “I am very confident that this wise and learned group of women will make the right choices,” she said.
Chero Chuma has been having a great time meeting sisters and associates from the UK who she had only interacted with via e-mail before. She also felt personally challenged by Nancy’s presentation to “be compassionate and accept my fears in a different way.”
Frank McCann shared that he is still learning what it means to be an associate - building relationships and making connections. “This is my fourth conference in two weeks,”
he added, “but this one is the most personally fulfilling and focused.”
Lois Jablonski said that as an associate, she feels very included. “I feel like we’re able to make a statement along with the sisters about releasing our charism.”
Dorothy Verna has “enjoyed meeting the sisters and associates from all 3 provinces, spending time and conversing with them.” Susan Francois echoed this sentiment. “I am in awe at the timing of this Chapter in my own journey,” she added, “What a wonderful capstone for my two year congregation experience of the first congregation novitiate. I feel very blessed.”
Connie Fraser was invigorated by Nancy Sylvester and John Dear and excited for the rest of the Chapter. “I am very confident that this wise and learned group of women will make the right choices,” she said.
Chero Chuma has been having a great time meeting sisters and associates from the UK who she had only interacted with via e-mail before. She also felt personally challenged by Nancy’s presentation to “be compassionate and accept my fears in a different way.”
Frank McCann shared that he is still learning what it means to be an associate - building relationships and making connections. “This is my fourth conference in two weeks,”
he added, “but this one is the most personally fulfilling and focused.”
Lois Jablonski said that as an associate, she feels very included. “I feel like we’re able to make a statement along with the sisters about releasing our charism.”
Dorothy Verna has “enjoyed meeting the sisters and associates from all 3 provinces, spending time and conversing with them.” Susan Francois echoed this sentiment. “I am in awe at the timing of this Chapter in my own journey,” she added, “What a wonderful capstone for my two year congregation experience of the first congregation novitiate. I feel very blessed.”
Thursday: Associates Meet and Greet
The 29 Associates attending the 2008 Chapter met for lunch on Wednesday, and found the “meet and greet” opportunity exciting. Our reporter met with Audrey Kettell, Lorraine Casey, Kathy Allard, and Mary Thelwell, who said that it was great to put names to faces, to enjoy lunch together and to have their picture taken. For some it was a chance to meet up with some of the friends they had made at the last Chapter in London or on one or other of the Congregation Programs of the past two years, and, for Audrey, a welcome return to the joy she experienced when she visited both US Provinces some years ago. All four associates spoke about how comfortable they are with each other, how freely they can talk (even more freely than with their friends who are not CSJP associates) and how exciting it is to feel so close.They are incredibly appreciative of the inclusion and acceptance they feel in relation to all of the CSJP community. The associates new to Chapter are really experiencing the wonder and surprise of having an opportunity to reflect, to know the power and effectiveness of contemplation – and to realize this is something they will take home with them.
There is a feeling that this is a different Chapter from 2002, with a different tempo, free and exciting – this may be due to the fact that we are all wide-eyed and wondering where
we are going!
Schedule for Friday (August 1)
Note: We will be posting the schedule for the Chapter each day one day early.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Proposal on Congregation-Without-Provinces
7:00 - 8:30 Breakfast (Dining Room)
9:00 Morning Prayer (Anacon Room)
9:45 Becoming a Congregation-without-provinces
Break (30 min)
1:00 Lunch/Leisure (Dining areas)
3:00 Continue morning work
Break (30 min)
5:45 Overview - Announcements
6:00 Supper
Friday, August 1, 2008
Proposal on Congregation-Without-Provinces
7:00 - 8:30 Breakfast (Dining Room)
9:00 Morning Prayer (Anacon Room)
9:45 Becoming a Congregation-without-provinces
Break (30 min)
1:00 Lunch/Leisure (Dining areas)
3:00 Continue morning work
Break (30 min)
5:45 Overview - Announcements
6:00 Supper
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday: Introducing our Process
Thursday morning, Jean Alvarez introduced our process focusing on the question of "What are the footprints we want to leave over the next six years." We then spent our morning in two table group discussion sessions. Watch and Listen to Jean's introduction below ... we'll have more information here later about our day.
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