COMBINED COMMITTEES MEETING March 15, 2014 Chairperson: Jeanne Mc Gorry CSJ, Office of Spirituality of the Congregation Facilitator: Mary Ragan PhD, LCSW, Director, Trinity Counseling Center from the Psychotherapy & Spirituality Institute WELCOME was given by Jeanne Mc Gorry in which she stressed that our aim is to become more as one. The questions were posed: How can we do this more intentionally? and How can we live and act as one with all our neighbors? PRAYER was led by Joan Gallagher CSJ We seek the Holy Oneness of Life Our journey of life is a path in God, not to God INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY Mary Ragan invited the members to take an overview of what s going on in the committees and then ask what s the next step? The video, Overview Effect was used as the springboard for the day s presentations and discussion. The original intent of the astronauts in this video was to go to the moon. However, they were so overwhelmed by the beauty of the earth, this awesome fragile planet, that they returned with a greater appreciation of the earth and the resolve that we must work together to preserve it. RESPONSES TO THE VIDEO vulnerability all as one larger than life stardust acting as one the only separations are human-made our place in the universe unity and oneness of all life leads to ecstasy How do we deal with issues of oneness, of boundaries? PRESENTATION OF COMMITTEES In preparation for this meeting each committee took an overview of the work of their committee and made the following presentations. VOCATION/ FORMATION A. Where are we coming from? Working with high school students CSJ Club Mission Possible Describing the life of the Sisters Activities of leadership groups in schools
Overnights in Brentwood Explanation of our charism Listening to Sisters stories Program in the Hamptons Getting girls involved with Sisters Reconnect Day showing the DVD on the Maxims (Srs. Of St. Joseph, St. Augustine, FL) Reflecting on the maxim: interpret all things in the most favorable sense brought out deep discussions among student (Don t be judgmental; give the benefit of the doubt, etc.) B. Moving forward In the past, the focus was on increasing our numbers. Why are we talking about vocation? What is the Mission? What is religious life today? Our founding was radical only cloistered communities existed at the time Apostolic religious life Our founding began in small groups around mission ; life style was developed later How are we reaching out to other cultures? Are we willing to expand by admitting persons from other cultures? How do we define the word vocation? How do we define religious life? What are the needs of our world? Religious Life is at the crossroads. What has been is a good starting point to do some shifting. JUSTICE/ NON-VIOLENT The presentation was made in a prayerful, poetic setting using Where Many Rivers Meet by David Whyte and the inscription on the Statue of Liberty: Give me your tired and your poor The Story of the Non-Violence Group Began 30 years ago Initially concerned with gun violence, drugs, NASA document militarizing space Examining the violence in our own hearts One year of preparation to take the vow of non-violence; joined Pax Christi Tried to infiltrate non-violence within the Congregation
The Story of Immigration and Trafficking During the past 2 years: Blocking doorways Resisting arrest Public advocacy Encouraging the Congregation to have a public voice against injustice Sought to bring children and young people out of slavery of sex trafficking Joined New York Coalition of Religious Congregations Involved in Lifeways and the Polaris Project Trained student leaders for action around the Super Bowl and events that become ground for sex trafficking NOT ON OUR TURF Provided and attended educational programs which raised consciousness and action High tea afternoons to bring message to schools and parishes Postcards, letters, visits to legislators Daily prayers for just, compassionate and comprehensive immigration reform Staying aware through NETWORK, SOJOURNERS, and WORLD NEWS Sign at the entrance to our Brentwood property: The Sisters of St. Joseph stand for just laws for all immigrants. The Federation Justice Story A meeting in St. Louis showed that every Congregation was concerned with Immigration, Trafficking, and Being one with the earth Emerging in us feeling free because we are all doing it. We are streams in the river Connecting with CSJs all across the globe Network websites help us to become one Through the Federation we are becoming one more and more TECHNOLOGY Presented a video on the evolution of communication through technology and ended with the question What does it all mean? We have technology to truly be dear neighbors across the planet We have the responsibility to use technology in a deeper, clearer way The Internet creates close ties providing possibilities of expanding the mission on a global scale Being literate and facile in the use of computers can make us more productive Many possibilities we still do not know
Consider how technology influences your spiritual life By using technology our charism can be spread into a widening community without needing physical proximity Technology can provide a rich heritage of spiritual insights and modern spiritual thinking Committee is willing to help others to be comfortable in the use of technology and see it as a valuable tool. WHOLE LIVING Have given sessions to 250 people Next month (April) will sponsor a wellness day Goal: to have Sisters start to take better care of themselves Assess needs of Sisters LITURGY Main goal is to plan celebrations and rituals Jubilees feedback from family It was a lifetime experience. Installation of leadership- sense of continuity; prayer, singing, joy Funerals take back the funeral the President welcomes the congregation, blesses the body, incenses the body Lay people are grateful to be included in the ritual Music not a performance but meant to engage us in oneness, we raise our voices as one Changes in Sacred heart Chapel Sisters in the convent are very grateful for the changes because they can participate more fully in liturgies. EARTH MATTERS Symphony of Science Ecology Committee began with Chris Mulready and became Earth Matters Recognized earth as a subject Relationships of 2-legged, 4-legged, winged, creatures of the sea, fauna, flora, soil Food industry is working havoc on our bodies Organic garden the rhythm of life is respected Recognize a disconnect between people and the environment Pachamama Labyrinth Why do we do it? We have a deep hope that we may know that all is one. Giving children meaningful experience of earth; living with care Honey bees are in peril Adopt a tree program All is one and Earth Matters!
Mary Ragan (Facilitator) Reaction to the presentations: The breath, depth and attention to the wider world shown in the presentations are an amazing demonstration of who you are. (Approximate quote) The Sisters were asked to give a word or phrase to sum up the day: Gratitude Faithfulness Passion Giftedness No outsiders Take back the church Awareness of the whole *What needs to be attended to now? *How can we partner more with our co-ministers regarding those needs? *Focus on the interdependence of the committees, of our co-ministers, of each one of us moving forward into our preferred future. Discussion in Large Group What did you hear in your small group discussion? Respectfully submitted, Joan Hroncich CSJ Start a land ethic committee, protect green space (develop the land ethic that would inform our decisions) Networking with others, include associates to more meetings not just prechapter/chapter mtgs. Work out of new cosmology Coordinate events Continue efforts to educate ourselves around issues, i.e., LGBT. (at conclusion of last chapter it was expressed we need to address the LGBT community.honest conversations about being pro-choice, reproductive health what is our comfort zone to talk out loud about such issues) Need to engage in conversations that are difficult and remain non-judgmental, if not what is the threat? Our relationship to the church in regard to some of these issues? Larger issues related to communication and the importance of everyone having access to the same materials; need for ongoing continuing education re: technology Desire to present to the congregation at large what happened here - energy included
CSJ website with calendar of events, mtgs., etc. Commit to changing our comfort zone in regard to meetings; Skype, live stream. Invite/include co-ministers to this info How to move beyond our (CSJ community) culture to be more inclusive of other cultures who are present at a mtg. or gathering Use other locations as centers other than Brentwood Sharing our life is a priority and learning from others as well Enlarge the circle, associates, other cultures, using other forms of press Accept invitations from others as well as invite Need to give expression to our position in regard to other communities; Muslim, LGBTQ What are the implications of that going forward? Not Catholic enough Given what you ve heard today, what are the next steps for your committee between now and next February? Conversation exploring issues of sexuality, reproductive rights & see how that conversation goes across committees (provide materials to committees to assist in informing a conversation; i.e., Margaret Farley s book Just Love) What is happening in our committees that may be construed as not Catholic enough or in conflict with the institutional Church Have a more multi-cultural presence among us A line of communication that would get the message(s) out there Commit to our own spiritual, intellectual growth & development Intentional planning/collaboration among the committees Coordinating committee will evaluate its own structure and relation to committee work How do we broaden committee membership? Committee to work on a Land Ethic Continue to investigate micro financing as an over arching way that our committees can work on together Earthmatters Non-violence
Justice Act with other congregations when there is a resolution regarding issues with corporations impacting the environment, peoples (how do we inform the congregation as a whole as to this process, what s going on) Liturgy Get names of priests who would be friendly to us and communicate with them prior to events. Vocation/Formation Broaden scope as to how we define vocation, how do we pass on the mission & the Charism Involve school groups getting more involved in the work of the congregation Technology Whole Living While helping others improve and be conscious of their health, be more tolerant and loving of one another What will you need to do that? Respectfully submitted Joan M. Gallagher CSJ Closing Ritual- led by Karen Burke CSJ We Are One Light After each statement of commitment a candle was lit as a sign of our oneness with the Congregation: In our day we must come together as one to address: The challenges of global change The challenges of peace between and within nations and ethnic groups To renew our dysfunctional political system The needs of the poor To ensure that all people enjoy basic human rights To put into practice the radical loving vision of Jesus Christ To direct our power and passion to creating life where there is death To use communication as a means of embracing all people Closing Song: We Are One Body (Spanish and English)