|
December 2005
US Federation of Sisters of St. Joseph - Annual Assembly
2005
In mid-November on behalf of the Canadian Federation, Sisters
Patricia Hogan and Veronica O’Reilly attended our United
States Sisters’ Annual Assembly (a few years ago they
abandoned a formal Board structure in favour of an assembly
model of Federation leadership). To their ongoing theme “That
All May be One” they added the sub-title of “Touching
a Finger to the Flame.” Their Federation business as
such was integrated into the overall theme which was itself
furthered by two stunningly good presentations on Chapter
17 of John’s gospel. The presenter was Barbara Rowe,
Religious of the Sacred Heart, biblical scholar and professor
at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Reflectors included
Carol Zinn, Marcia Allen, and Paula Drass (Baden.) Built into
their process was an evaluation, after six-years’ implementation,
of the directive “That we be and act as one”. Like
us they included among their concerns ongoing support of the
International Centre at LePuy, financial status, committee
reporting, and added an update on the common novitiate. Phyllis
Manda of the New Orleans Médaille congregation spoke
of their recent experience of Hurricane Katrina and expressed
her gratitude for the generosity of all the congregations
which have helped them in any way.
Our meetings were held in Nazareth, Kentucky, on the 300-acre
property of the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. These are
a local group, founded in 1812, and they grew significantly
with houses across the state and a huge Motherhouse, Academy,
Novitiate, and College on the grounds. Nazareth is very close
to Thomas Merton’s Gethsemane but our circumstances did
not allow for a visit. Nonetheless we strolled among the hills
that were no doubt familiar to him and trusted that his spirit
remained somehow near us.
Back to What's New | News
Archive
|
