Conversation on Contemplative Circles at Assembly

by Sister Liz Bickar

This opening agenda item of our Congregational Assembly in Boston set the tone for the entire duration. We have been engaging in Contemplative Circles on the three principal social issues of climate crisis, systemic racism and the cries of the poor almost since the end of the last General Chapter. Following the direction set by the Chapter, most Sisters and Associates committed themselves to one or more circles and met regularly via Zoom to explore the meaning of these issues which entail social sin.

What does this issue mean to me? To us? To the Church and to the body politic? We explored and discussed, and we attentively and lovingly listened to one another to discover what all of us felt and thought. Then it came time for the Assembly, and we realized that we had only touched the surface of the problem.

The Assembly provided a forum for delving deeper. The format for this was highly creative. The co-chairs of the groups were asked to share their thoughts and then to engage in conversation with one another around these two questions:

What are we coming to see more clearly in this process?
How is the work of your circle connecting with the work of the other circles?

So on to the stage in the International Ballroom of the Hilton Hotel Logan Airport came the six co-chairs of the three circles: Sisters Katherine McGrath and Mary Beth Moore (Cries of the Poor), Sisters Marie Sorenson and Evelyn Williams, graciously sitting in for Sister Joan O’Keefe (Systemic Racism) and Sisters Margaret Coppenrath and Gertie Jocksch (Climate Crisis).  

Sisters Katherine and Mary Beth explored how to see, judge and act on behalf of the poor, doing this work together in the context of our own vulnerability. The cries of the poor, which we heard from the mouth of Vincent de Paul, are louder than ever. As we take responsibility for our own role in the plight of the poor, we recognize that we are all one and that we are called to identify with our poverty-stricken sisters and brothers.

For many years Sisters Gertie and Margaret have been calling us to greater awareness of the plight of our planet. Indeed, they spoke from the heart, reminding us of our role in the crisis and challenging us to participate in giving life to those who will make the earth their home in generations to come.

As the microphone was passed to Sisters Marie and Evelyn, we learned from them how much awareness we gained in our circles. White privilege is an infection which is not easily remedied, as it impacts our words and actions regarding black, brown and indigenous people. We are challenged to keep the conversation going as we face the enormity of this blight on our collective and individual consciences. 

Listening to the conversation, we came to realize how these issues are interconnected. Our charism draws us to the heart of things, to direct action and to advocacy. We are called to Give Joyful Witness to Love even when it’s difficult to know what to do

Exit stage: on come Sister Cathy Stare and Associate Ronnie Collins MacDonald on racism, Sister Anne Harvey and Associate Elena Miranda on climate, and Sisters Helen Danahy and Sheila Conley on the cries of the poor. Their conversations brought us deeper. As we listened to their exchange, we heard the call to sit with the pain of the poor and underprivileged with empathy and with an awareness of a call to action. Elena touched us with mention of the new light of her life, her grandson Louie. Will he be left with a bruised and damaged earth in which to live? We are called to listen and reach out, all the while keeping our hearts open to the transforming love of God as we move from the solitary “I” to the solidarity of “we.”  

What a blessing it is to have one another for support and challenge! What a way to begin our days together! The tone had been set; the thoughts and insights had been shared. It was now time for our work to begin.

Completion Committee Presentation

by Sister Kati Hamm

Is it any wonder that talking about Completion of the Congregation is so challenging? We come from a culture where forever is a good thing. Think of “forever and ever” repeated in the Hallelujah Chorus or all the stories that end with Happily Ever After. During this Assembly we had the opportunity to hear about the work of the Completion Committee. At Chapter 2020 we committed “to plan for the eventual completion of our congregation all the while giving joyful witness with every breath.” This was not a new concept, however actually signing on to it was daunting. But it is work that must be done. How much better if it can be done with an optimistic spirit. 

As the presentation unfolded, the connections of the Gospel Call, the Chapter Call and individual and communal insights were identified as guides in our deliberations. Although we recognize that we are in early stages, the feelings of many at the Assembly were gratitude that we have begun the process and that we are coming to greater clarity about what it might entail. The fact that we are looking at this now while we have enough members and energy to consider the way forward is a wise step.

Many other congregations of women religious are in a similar position. Some have already taken the steps that will enable them to continue their mission until their ultimate fulfillment. We are lucky to have on this Completion Process team people of varied ages and experience. Among them are women who have worked closely with other congregations in their roles in their respective dioceses. Some approaches to this task were described: Mergers, Convenant Relationships and Amalgamation. Besides describing what each involves, congregations who have chosen one of these paths were identified. All of them took many years to accomplish their goal and for some congregations this will not be the final phase of their transition. “Putting a face” on what some of our choices might look like made it clearer.

We are blessed to have the privilege of planning for the future. We recognize that letting go and moving on are part of what every person, family, institution and community goes through many times in their lives. One of our Associates at the Assembly reminded us that not everyone is lucky enough to plan for the future and that is a privilege. In her own case, the letting go required an openness to the process, to gratitude, to living life more fully.

One point that was emphasized is that this work is not just that of the committee but of all of us. Planning together doesn’t take away the sadness, but it helps that we have experience in trusting in providence, that we are committed to the challenge and that we recognize that something new and with potential for good is happening.

A familiar gospel story, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, reminded us of how the disciples began their journey home with hearts downcast. When a stranger approached and asked what was on their minds, they talked about the tragic happenings in Jerusalem and how their hopes were dashed. This conversation with the Stranger on the Road and breaking bread together brought clarity about the situation. The disciples returned to Jerusalem with hope in their hearts, and enthusiasm for what was next! Like the disciples, we expect through this completion process to grow into a deeper faith, a wider vision and more generous hearts both communally and personally. Together, we will continue to see more clearly and proceed in this process peacefully and deliberately. This intention is something to which we can commit while giving joyful witness to love with every breath.