The Congregational Gathering, June 2018

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After the May 3 meeting of the Implementing our 2014 Chapter Mandate Steering Committee, the program, process, and agenda for the Congregational Gathering in late June are in its final stages. The Gathering will open on Monday, June 25 at St Joseph’s at Baulkham Hills and conclude on Friday, June 28.

These are the five key themes to help guide the process: Refounding our Congregation, Margins/Crossing Thresholds, Ecological Conversion, Celebrating Life/Living as Religious Women, and Revising Our Constitutions.

The Steering Committee continued to be attentive to the “Together … Weaving” commitment of the Sisters made through supportive prayers, and the symbolic weaving of the fabrics of our life together as Sisters of Charity, and the expressed commitment to support and participate in “the process of considering the 2014 Chapter Mandate.”

Through conversations, contemplative dialogue circles, emails/phone calls, and Sr Kathleen Bryant’s presentation – Drawing Sisters to Celebration of Life and Religious living – and for some who were able to attend Sr Pat Farrell’s seminar Contemplation and Transformation, we have endeavoured “to gather … the wisdom of our sisters … weave our hopes and dreams … towards a transformative visioning as a refounding process.”

In the final stages of the Gathering preparation, it is the hope of the Steering Committee for all of us is that:

  • We come together to honour and reverence the gift that each of us IS.
  • And to take time to be present, to listen, to pray, with openness,
  • and where healing and newness may spring.

We invite our Sisters, to join in praying this prayer which began our April/May 2017 State Meetings

Together, we are invited in a holy place of leaving and moving forward now.
This threshold holds both gladness and grief, mercy and hope.

May we hold what is dear to us – may we meet them again.
May what is past be moved along, or be finished for us.
May we look back with gratitude of heart and notice places of growth.
May we forget and let go of some places of hurt.
May we be ready to move into the liminal spaces
of unknowing and unfamiliarity with gentleness and compassion.

This will take our time and space, patience, and attentiveness,
solitude, prayer and togetherness.
May we step across the threshold with courage.
May we tenderly accept that this is our journey now.

We are grateful to you Holy One,
Three in One, Communion of Love.
Glory to you forever. Amen.

THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
When we have so much to praise the Lord for, we must not complain.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
True affection is to rejoice in the happiness of our dear ones. Never allow a sentiment of resentment to enter into our hearts.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Pray, reflect and consult – and may the divine spirit direct all to God’s greater glory.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
May our dear Lord Jesus fill your hearts with His own love. Amen!
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
We must have patience with others as He has patience with us.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Under every difficulty try to pray fervently.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
We have much to thank Him for, even for those little drawbacks on our comforts and conveniences.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Do pray that justice may be accomplished in peace and that truth may prevail.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
Go on now as steadily as you can, relying on the Divine assistance and fear not.
THE WISDOM OF MARY AIKENHEAD
What we do ought to be done well.

The Sisters of Charity acknowledge the First Peoples and traditional custodians of this land where we live. We respect, value and honour their history, culture and spirituality. We are committed to standing in solidarity and to actively working for justice, peace and harmony in this land.

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