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These are some of the words that surfaced to capture the spirit of our Chapter 2008 whose theme was theme grew from that call of St. Francis, “In the name of the Lord, let’s go!” Having chosen not to dissolve or reconfigure in order to embrace our future, how fitting that our 2008 Chapter Commitment statement begins with “Called to conversion and transformation…”! It is the work that lies before us. Our world and earth aches for it!
Our 2008 General Chapter, held in the Chapel of The Canticle in Clinton from July 18 through July 23, was the culmination of four years of planning and preparation. It used the process of the “U Theory” with its insights about profound change and deep transformation. [Adapted from Presence: An Exploration of Profound Change in People, Organizations and Society. Senge, Scharmer, Jaworski, Flower. Doubleday, 2005. and Theory U: Leading from the Emerging Future., Scharmer. Society for Organizational Learning, Inc., 2007.] As we began our dialogue about options for the future, little did we realize the depth and breadth of what lay before us! What started out as a search for structures now encompasses our entire lives. As we took a long, loving look at the real and observed the events that are unfolding within and around us, we realized that the journey is not only one for our Clinton Franciscan family. It is a journey into the future of religious life itself. Indeed, the fierceness of now concerns the future of the whole human family and, perhaps, Earth herself. Our journey of now is also one with the entire Franciscan family: to deepen our roots and to re-discover for our day peacemaking at the heart of our charism. It is both an individual and communal journey into enfleshing our corporate mission, encompassing our entire lives.
Like its last two predecessors, Chapter 2008 comprised 56 duly elected voting delegates (Sisters / fully vowed members of the congregation) as well as 50 non-voting participants
It included 15 non-voting, full-time members/participants: Sisters, Novices, Sojourners and Associates who had participated for two years in all preparatory meetings and who sat with the Sisters and joined in their discussions before votes were taken. There were also 15 non-voting, part-time members/participants - Sisters, Sojourners and Associates who, for various reasons, were not able to do all the preparatory work nor attend all sessions of the Chapter, but who joined in the discussions whenever possible. Supportive members/participants included 20 more Sisters and Associates whose special prayer intentions during the time of preparation and of Chapter were for the success of Chapter. Many also joined in the discussions during the meetings. In all, 106 of the 148 members and associates of the congregation participated actively in the Chapter process. The Commitment Statement was accepted by the Chapter delegates and was also affirmed by all participants. It was presented to the newly elected leadership along with a companion document: THEMES FOR SPECIFIC ACTIONS – Specific steps enunciated by the Chapter for enacting the Commitment Statement. The Chapter also elected new leadership to guide the life of the congregation and implement the Commitment Statement. Before voting, the Chapter chose to increase the number of Sisters on the leadership council from a President and four councilors, to a President and five councilors.
Elected to four-year terms were: President, Janice Cebula OSF (re-elected) First Councilor/Vice President, Anne Martin Phelan OSF Second Councilor, Mary Smith OSF Third Councilor, Ida Green OSF Fourth Councilor, Ruth Cox OSF (re-elected) |
PEACE
& JUSTICE - CHAPTER 2008
- COMMITMENT STATEMENT -
SPONSORSHIP - ADVOCATING ISSUES
- CORTONA
GALLERY/LECTURE
