July 15, 2006
Mount St. Joseph Motherhouse

Following are summaries, highlights, quotes and photos from Saturday, July 15, of the Gathering.

Questions used in the Reflection Circle discussions for all five Focus Groups are the same.

• Do these Action Steps invite us, personally & congregationally, into meeting our grace?
• Are you energized or not energized by these Action Steps? Please say more.
• Do you have hesitation or concern about any of these Action Steps? Please say more.
• Do you have ideas about other possible Action Steps?

Earth Focus Group Presentation

The Earth Focus Group treated us to a beautiful and reflective visual presentation of the beauty of God’s creation, and a call to “Touch the Earth with Tenderness” by reducing our “footprint” on its resources to a sustainable level.

Quotes following the Earth Presentation:

“The presentation on the earth gave us new appreciation for God’s creation. The viewing was a relief from the spoken word yet we could read the comments on the screen.” (Gail Shymanski, former SC)

“It was awesome! My connection with Elizabeth is her reverence for Holy Nature. We have so much to share and I hope we continue to share our grounds & the gifts we have been given.” (S. Marty Dermody)

“Wonderful! I was held captive by it. The pictures helped present the information. It affirmed my respect for the earth. We are doing the right thing by honoring her & I hope she will remain healthy for generations to come.” (S. Ruth Ann Rody)

Community Focus Committee Presentation

A dialogue between Mary Michel Fischer and Grace Ann Gratsch explained the Action Steps implementing the Community Focus Goals. Karen Hawver led the singing of “Community” between explanations and during the dance led by Jean Patrice Harrington and Shirley Dix to pull Members and the Gathering in linked arms. Mary Ann Donovan cited Constitutions’ passages that tied Charism and Community

Quotes following the Community Presentation

“Uplifting, energizing! Makes you want to go out and live that way! (S. Regina Tevis)

“The presentation expressed how serious, yet how caring and playful community can be and is.” (S. Martha Glockner)

“I’m looking forward to the reflection booklet and to the total community retreat! (S. Joan Patrice Flynn)

“Fantastic morning to spend together in community! The earth presentation was solid and beautiful—the community presentation was profound and playful.” (S. Kay Tardiff)

“I am always amazed at the way the Spirit opens us to new ideas and insights. The dialogue is such a gifted moment. I am also envisioning every home with a ‘refrigerator community song’.” (S. Roslyn Hafertepe)

“Our circle was very lively, interested in material and honest. Agreement and disagreement came easily. That was supportive for clarifying small changes we saw necessary and we were able to affirm the other things readily.” (S. Rose Marie Hewitt)

“Our discussion reinforced the idea that to further the goal of nuturing ‘the relational & interdependent aspects of communal living’ is & must be the responsibility of every SC.” (Lawrence Ann Scheidler)

“As we leave here with myriad action steps to address can we find one – just one – that we can do well and have a positive effect on us as a Family of Charity & those whose lives we touch? (S. Marge Kloos)

The Aim of the Membership Focus Group presentation was to inspire, challenge and set us on fire! Four dramatic vignettes did this:

• A retired sister volunteering at Our Daily Bread invited a volunteer (we need more men around--applause!) to explore the Associate in Mission Relationship by talking together and by visiting our Website
• A college classmate questioned a "searcher"..."have you ever considered being a Sister of Charity"...response "thanks for asking me. It seems a peer recognizing the signs was helpful to the "searcher"
• A Sister of Charity had a second chance to respond to and invite a young college student Habitat for Humanity volunteer who was hesitatingly inquiring about Sister's vocation and her own. Sister invited her to finish painting, have lunch and chat--asking any questions she might have---and no pressure
• Two Sisters of Charity and two Associates explored and explained the possibility of Temporary Membership as well as the Associate in Volunteer Ministry Program--since 1995, we have had over 20 Associates in Volunteer Ministry. It was also suggested that we revisit and perhaps revitalize the Associate in Community relationship.

We were exhorted through St. Vincent de Paul to "be inventive into infinity."

As Josetta Marie Chu, Victoria Anyanmu, Associate Viola Elizondo, Anita Maroun, and Dorothy Ann Blatnica called us to Multicultural Membership, they reflect with us and challenged us to "reflect the face of the Church" by 2010.

"From here, what do we say?" was the question echoing in our hearts as we moved to the reflection groups.

Quotes after Membership Presentation

“Drama and dialogue made the Membership presentation quite interesting. It raised my awareness that our Associates spread the charity charism in places where we cannot be, as well as the importance of inviting others – all for the sake of the mission!” (S. Patricia Hill)

“Membership is dependent on us to personally invite, involve, and to encourage both membership for individuals to our vowed life and associates to our Community. It’s the question of how specifically???” (S. Cheryl Ann Grenier)

“And today what will you do to “invite the next generation!” (S. Mary Kormanec)

“I found the ‘Inviting the Next Generation’ skits delightful, creative and most of all Pressing! How clearly I was reminded of my responsibility!!! ‘Time to be a membership maven!” (S. Marie Pauline Skalski)

“In the whole state of Florida, there are only 3 SCs. Young people here have no role models of what a sister is like.” (Associate Linda Wolfertz)

“There is a group of students at Seton H.S. that meet weekly for prayer and Bible study. When I asked one of them if she thought she might have a religious vocation, she said, “What’s that?” (S. Thomas More)

“Where are we with the new immigrants? One source of vocations that we are overlooking totally are those vocations that come from the poor.” (S. Christine Rody)

“Are we missing an opportunity in the immigrant Church or among the working class and poor? Many immigrants are Catholic, but they are less educated. If they see in us only an image of well-educated administrators and CEOs, they may run in the other direction.” (S. Barb Bush)

"A new sense of communion with the earth must enter our minds in order to sustain it and us." (S. Ann Mojzisik in Bedford)

"Touch the earth with gentleness and we'll create anew!" (S. Dorothy Macey in Bedford)

"I am happy that I am on the 'journey' with this community. The Community presentation was not only engaging but meaningful. Bravo!" (S. Stephen Ann O'Malley in Bedford)

Hope you've had a good day. I know that I have. I cannot believe how awesome it is to see so many Sisters and Associates engaged in this process. The energizing bunny has nothing on us! (S. Marie Tessmer, in Bedford)

Quotes after the Panamanian Dancers

"The uniformity of the steps is beautiful. They are peaceful dances. It is like a cycle of faith with the beautiful smile on their faces.”
(S. Victoria Anyanwu)

”I like teaching the children when they're young. Dancing like this keeps family life from being lost.” (S. Imelda Sekerak)

”They were wonderful. They look like they are very disciplined.” (S. Lucia Mao)

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Morning Prayer

 

Photos from the Earth Committee Presentation

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Photos from the Community Committee Presentation

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Photos from the Membership Committee Presentation

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Panamanian Dancers

 

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