July 2007 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter

8/9/2019 July 2007 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter

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LCWR Update July 2007 page 1

Inside this issue:

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July 2007

LCWR Regions Actively Oppose Human Trafficking

LCWR Executive Committee Meets in Preparation

for the LCWR Assembly

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LCWR Hires New Associate Director

Dont miss the opportunity to explore the new frontiers of religious life at the LCWR assembly, August 1 - 4

Work is progressing on Pioneers, Poets & Proph-ets: Catholic Sisters in America, the museumexhibit project sponsored by LCWR. In May

the LCWR History Committee met with Mellissa Berryof Design Island and reviewed the first design draftof the exhibit. The draft includes a floor plan and anoverview of the look, feel, and purpose of each sectionof the exhibit as well as ideas on appropriate artifacts toillustrate the stories that will be told. The artifact infor-mation is based on the digital images and descriptionssupplied by congregations of women religious acrossthe country. Elements from the design draft can be seenon page 4.

A representative from Lord Cultural Resources, MariaPiacente, also joined the history committee at its meet-ing in St. Louis. Lord will be working with LCWR andDesign Island in securing suitable venues for the exhibitin museums throughout the US.

LCWR members will be kept updated on the design ofthe exhibit and on the fundraising efforts as the confer-ence works towards its $3 million goal.

Museum exhibit floor plan


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LCWR Update July 2007 page 2Fr t LCWR Pridncy

A Roadmap for an Unknown Futureby Mary Dacey, SSJ LCWR President

Despite the heat and the humid-ity, our motherhouse chapelwas filled with family mem-bers, friends, associates, and

many, many sisters. They had gatheredto celebrate the first vow ceremonyof our newest member. The air couldbarely contain the anticipation and theexcitement of those gathered. For manyof us it was a reminder our own vowsmade long ago or more recently. Gracewas in abundance.

Forty years ago at my first vows theweather was just as hot and sticky. The ceremony wasjust as inspirational. The motherhouse chapel was justas full. Only the numbers were different, dramatically

different. Then there were 90 young women makingfirst vows, one sister sponsor for each and two closefamily members in attendance.

The similarity and the difference between these twoscenes are compelling. In her brief time in religious life,this young novice, like the rest of our newer members,has had a big fuss made over her but has not enjoyedthe companionship of many peers. The members ofour congregation are delighted and energized by thenew life that she brings and take every opportunity tolet her know what a gift she is. We older members, onthe other hand, enjoyed considerably less fuss and alot more companionship in our formative years. Andthough we knew that we were a gift to the congrega-tion, we were probably more concerned with measuringup to our older members, of which there were many. Inany event, our future seemed secure. As I watched this

I u t lng ut I ca r

s t b r str.

As I atce ts ung maprnunc r ws,

I ndre a t fuurul hol fr r.

young woman pronounce her vows, Iwondered what the future would holdfor her. And I wondered what she waswondering as she faced the crowd ofpredominantly graying members.

Like so many other congregations, wehave tried to prepare for the future. Wehave assessed healthcare programs andmade financial projections. We haveengaged in planning around housing,properties, and our sponsored works.

We have dealt with diminishment andaging and the diverse needs of those

moving from full-time ministry to retirement. Throughit all we have tried to focus on our mission and thetransformation to which we are called by these times.And yet, with all these plansso much depends uponhope.

I know the hope that carries me. I know that God callsme to something that I cannot see clearly but that Iknow with certainty. I believe that I can embrace thiscall not in spite of diminishment and loss, but becauseof them. Yet, I wonder what hope carries her? Whatcalls her and keeps her? To what does she cling? And,what does she expect from and of me? What is thelegacy that I can give to her?

I suppose in the long run the most I can offer is to beher sister. To be and to live the relationship that she

described in her thank you to the congregation. Thankyou for the countless hourswalking with me, nurtur-ing me, hearing me, companioning me, living with me,challenging me, teaching me, loving me.

Not a bad roadmap for an unknown future.


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LCWR Update July 2007 page 3LCWR Hires New Associate Directorfor Business and Finance

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CWR is pleased to an-nounce that Pat Cor-

mack, SCSC has beenhired as the new associatedirector for business andfinance. Pat is a member ofthe Sisters of Mercy of theHoly Cross from Merrill,Wisconsin.

Having recently completedher term as provincial, Patbrings with her experiencein formation work, as well as service in a wide variety

of diocesan positions including chancellor of the dioceseof Great Falls-Billings, Montana; director of the Institutefor Ministry in Gaylord, Michigan; and coordinator oflay development for the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

She holds graduate degrees in religious education fromSt. John University in Collegeville, Minnesota and inorganizational development from Loyola University inChicago.

Pat will be present at the LCWR assembly in KansasCity, where she will be working with Eleanor Granger,OSF. At the close of the assembly, Eleanor will completeher six-year term on the LCWR staff.

LCWR Executive Committee Meets

in New Jersey

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he members of the Executive Committee met fromMay 23 to 26 in Harvey Cedars, New Jersey. TheSisters of Charity of Convent Station, New Jersey

hosted the meeting at their retreat and conference centeron the Jersey Shore. Although the committee workedhard, the setting offered many opportunities for relax-ing as well.

The meeting focused on preparing for the upcomingassembly and included a conference call with MaryMollison, CSA who will be the assembly facilitator.The presidency reported on the April trip to Romeand a variety of other meetings including the MarchInterAmerican meeting in Montreal and the board

meeting for the Center for the Study of Religious Life.

Additional reports include an update on the FADICA-LCWR initiative with the sisters in New Orleans, thehistory exhibit project, and the prospectus on severalprograms planned for the coming year.

As always, Maryann Summa OP, the LCWR treasurerpresented a financial report to the executive committeeand prepared for her annual report to the members atthe 2007 assembly.

The May meeting is one of two face-to-face meetings ofthe Executive Committee. The other meeting occurs inNovember in conjunction with the meeting of the USbishops conference. All other business throughout theyear is addressed during three scheduled conferencecalls in January, March and July as well as by e-mailconsultation as needed.

Members of the executivecommittee meet in NJ: (left)Maureen Shaughnessy, SC;

Margaret Mayce, OP; andMary Whited, CPPS (right)Maryann Summa, OP and

Mary Dacey, SSJ.

Present but not pictured were:Bea Eichten, OSF;

Jeanne Bessette, OSF; andCarole Shinnick, SSND


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LCWR Update July 2007 page 4The artworks below are some of the pieces produced by DesignIsland as a first draft of the overall look of the museum exhibit onthe contributions of Catholic sisters to US history and culture.


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LCWR Update July 2007 page 5LCWR Represented at DCInterfaith Convocation

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CWR presidentMary Dacey, SSJ

represented the con-ference at the second In-terfaith Convocation onHunger held on June 11at Washingtons Nation-al Cathedral. Organizedby Bread for the Worldand sponsored by theInterfaith Anti-HungerCoordinators, the eventbrought together leadersof Roman Catholic; or-thodox, evangelical, and ecumenical Protestant denomi-nations; Buddhist; Hindu; Sikh; Muslim; and Jewishtraditions; and other faith groups to call on PresidentBush and congress to renew their commitment to endhunger. Nearly 1000 people attended.

Mary, who co-led the commitment prayer that closedthe service, noted, Hunger and poverty are not iso-lated issues. Rather, they are deeply connected to thevalues we espouse and the simple choices we makeeach day. It is the responsibility of all of us to work for

right relationships in all places and for all peoples always remembering that it is God who gathers us andGod who compels us to sow seeds of justice that willproduce bread for the world.

LCWR Participates in Pax ChristiUSAs Anti-Racism Workshop

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n response to Pax Christis invitation to a numberof its partner organizations, LCWR associate direc-tor Marie Lucey, OSF participated in an anti-racism

workshop May 17-19 conducted by Crossroads Minis-try, An Interfaith and Community Based Anti-RacismTraining Organization. Other organizations participat-ing included CMSM, NETWORK, the Mexican Ameri-can Cultural Center, Campaign for Human Develop-ment, Catholic Relief Services, Maryknoll Office forGlobal Concerns, National Asian Pacific Catholic Orga-nizations, National Black Sisters Conference, TekawithaConference, and several LCWR member congregations.

Anyone who has taken part in a Crossroads Ministryworkshop knows that it is intense and challenging, es-pecially for those enjoying white privilege. Near theend of the program, participants were asked to identifywhere they thought their respective organization layalong a continuum of becoming an anti-racist multi-

cultural institution between the poles of exclusive andfully inclusive. Many (including LCWRs representa-tive) situated their organization midway along the con-tinuum, between symbolic change and identity change.Each organization now has to answer for itself: do wewant to become a fully inclusive, anti-racist organiza-tion, and, if so, how do we plan to get there?

Many LCWR Regions Actively AddressHuman Trafficking

In response to a quick, informal survey, most LCWRregions reported varying degrees of involvementwith the issue of human trafficking, from beginning

an education process to providing hospitality to womenwho are trafficked. Twenty-one congregations havetaken a corporate stand on the issue, and several othersare in process. This survey was included in the LCWRreport during the meeting of the Coalition of CatholicOrganizations Against Human Trafficking on June 5,2007.

The guest speaker at the coalition meeting was Rob-ert J. Moossy, new director of the Human TraffickingProtection Unit at the US Department of Justice, whoprovided a description of the work of this special unit.As a prosecutor of traffickers, Mr. Moossy describedthe phases of a trafficking case, which usually takes upto two years from the initial investigation to trial, andprovided examples of recent disturbing cases. Since2001, 286 of the 404 defendants prosecuted by the CivilRights Division of the Department of Justice and US At-torneys offices, in trafficking-related cases, have beencharged with or pled guilty to violating statutes under

the TVPA (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) of 2000,which is up for reauthorization this year. The TVPAprovides funds only for those already victimized, notfor prevention, and is being reviewed for areas of bothsupport and concern.

Fr. Don Woznicki of New Ethos, provided an update onthe Lionsgate film, Trade, to be released on September7, 2007 and on the Faith in Action companion/studyguide which is in process.


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LCWR Update July 2007 page 6Comprehensive Immigration BillFighting for its Life

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any LCWR members have been calling theirsenators at each stage of the immigration bills

struggle in the Senate during the past month.Obstructionists seem to have won the day, but MajorityLeader Harry Reid projected a return to the bill, and onJune 8, Bishop Gerald Barnes of San Bernardino, chairof the USCCBs Committee on Migration, called on theSenate to return to a consideration of comprehensiveimmigration reform legislation as soon as possible.Our nation cannot afford to wait to resolve this impor-tant humanitarian issue, declared Bishop Barnes.

During the Justice for Immigrants Core Group meetingon June 13, members were advised to inform their con-

stituents that the bill may return to the Senate floor be-fore July 4, so calls to Senators before then were stronglyurged insisting that the confidentiality provisions arerestored and family reunification areas improved. Theseprovisions are essential to the position of the USCCB.

LCWRSigns On

On May 30, the LCWR national office staff gath-ered to spend the day evaluating their work as astaff and planning for the coming year.

Kathy Galleher, PhD joined the staff for part of theday as a follow-up to her presentation at the office inSeptember on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and itsapplication to the workplace. In addition to discuss-

ing individual Myers-Briggs typologies and how thesetypes might interact in a work environment, Kathyprovided information on the staffs composite profile(INFJ).

In recent weeks, LCWR has signed on to the followingletters and statement:

End Oil Aid letter to Representatives urging them tocosponsor HR 1886, the End Oil Aid Act which wouldlimit US-funded international financial institutions andexport development agencies from subsidizing the oiland gas industrys overseas operations. LCWR agrees

with the implications of this act for alleviating povertyand addressing climate change.

Blessed Are the Peacemakers Statement sent to Presi-dent Bush prior to his meeting with Pope Benedict XVI.Also issued as a press release, the statement initiated byNETWORK and Catholics in Alliance for the CommonGood, calls on the president to heed the words of theHoly Father on the Iraq war as a moral and humanitar-ian crisis.

LCWR National Office StaffEvaluation and Planning Day

(Standing) Marie Lucey, OSF; Marianne Benson; AnnmarieSanders, IHM; Honora L. Precourt; Carol Crowder; CarolGlidden; Eleanor Granger, OSF (Seated) Carole Shinnick,SSND and Kathy Galleher

Updates on issues signed onto last month:

Letter of 27 national organizations to Senate Armed

Services Committee urging denial of funding for theReliable Replacement Warhead (RRW): outcome a vic-tory funding denied.

Letter to President Bush urging him to work with G8partners in support of urgent action to address criti-cal links between global warming and global poverty:due to the presidents resistance to specific goals andactions, outcome a mere general commitment by the G8countries to address global warming.


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Now I Become MyselfFr t LCWR Exuv Drer

Carole Shinnick, SSND

Now I become myself. Its takenTime, many years and places;

I have been dissolved and shaken,Worn other peoples faces1

Perhaps you have seen him, too. Hisname is Paul Potts. He is a cell phonesalesman from Cardiff, Wales whoappeared on the overseas TV show,

Britains Got Talent. If you havent seenthe video clip of his performance whichhas appeared repeatedly on television shows and newsin the United States, it is well worth watching. If youwould like to see it, this hyperlink will take you to thefour-minute segment: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA&mode=related&search

In the piece, you will see Paul, tieless and dressed ina rumpled suit, looking clearly shy and nervous. Oneof the judges asks him, Paul, what are you here fortoday? Struggling to appear confident, he says that heis there to sing opera. The three judges glance at eachother barely concealing their belief that they are about

to be painfully bored. The notoriously caustic leadjudge, Simon Cowell, nods resignedly to Paul and saysOK. Ready when you are. With that, Paul gathers allhis courage and begins. His voice is strong a pure,rich tenor. He sings the well-known aria popularizedby Luciano Pavarotti, Puccinis Nessun Dorma fromTurandot. The audience, the judges are absolutely gob-smacked by Pauls performance.

When I first saw this clip on Good Morning, America Isimply wept. It wasnt just his singing that touchedme it was Paul himself. In an interview just beforegoing on the show, Paul admits that he has alwaysstruggled with self-confidence. Then he appears on thestage. He looks like someone who has come to expectdisappointment, perhaps even ridicule. Maybe he even

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notices the knowing look exchanged bythe judges just before he performs. But

in addition to looking scared, Paul alsoseems to have decided that this is hislifes critical moment one that willdetermine if he will forever sell phones,or he will become the person he hasalways known he could be. WatchingPaul sing is like watching the birth ofa long overdue and rather fragile new

person.

Parker Palmer the outstanding Quaker spiritualauthor - has written a gem of a book entitled: Let YourLife Speak: Listening to the Voice of Vocation.2 In it,he tellsmovingly of his struggle to claim his true self, his reallife. He says that, [As a young person]I lined up theloftiest goals I could find and set out to achieve them.The results were rarely admirable, often laughable, andsometimes grotesqueas must be the case when onelives from the outside in, not the inside out. For theremainder of the book he offers the reader the storyof his painful journey through clinical depression, adark and unwelcome search that led him to his ownauthentic voice.

Palmer identifies seductive expectations of others asone of the obstacles to discovering our true selves.Family, teachers, neighbors, friends, critics, spiritualdirectors, church authorities the list is endless. Someof those people may even seem to expect failure. Myguess is that Paul Potts had plenty of those people inhis life. Like May Sarton, he seems to be someone who

has been dissolved and shaken. Nevertheless beforemillions of people on a British TV talent show he sangwith a new-found voice, Now I become myself. Whatabout you? What about us? What song do we need tosing?________________________1May Sarton, Now I Become Myself2Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening to the Voice ofVocation (Jossey-Bass, Inc., San Francisco, 2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA&mode=related&searchhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA&mode=related&searchhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA&mode=related&searchhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA&mode=related&search


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RFC Appoints New Executive Director

The Religious Formation Conference is pleased toannounce the appointment of Violet Grennan, mfic,as its next executive director, effective January 1,

2008. She comes with extensive educational and pasto-ral experience, most recently serving in Rome as inter-national vice president for her community, the Mission-ary Franciscan Sisters. She will follow the leadership ofJanet Mock, CSJ, who has served RFC for 10 years.Violet will be introduced at RFCs national congress inPittsburgh in November.

Upcoming LCWR Dates

LCWR AssemblyKansas City, MissouriAugust 1 5, 2007

LCWR Leading from Within RetreatRedemptorist Renewal Center

Tucson, ArizonaJanuary 20 25, 2008

LCWR New Leader WorkshopThe Retreat Center at St. Johns

Plymouth, MichiganMarch 13 16, 2008

LCWR-CMSM Joint AssemblyDenver, ColoradoAugust 1 4, 2008

LCWR Leading from Within RetreatFranciscan Center

Tampa, FloridaJanuary 12 16, 2009

LCWR New Leader WorkshopThe Retreat Center at St. Johns

Plymouth, Michigan

March 19 22, 2009

LCWR AssemblyNew Orleans, LouisianaAugust 11 15, 2009

Update is an official publication of the LeadershipConference of Women Religious published monthly anddistributed to members nationally

Editor: Annmarie Sanders, IHM8808 Cameron Street Silver Spring, MD 20910Phone: 301-588-4955 Fax: [email protected] www.lcwr.org

Update

From theCenter for the Study of

Religious Life

Cultural Audit Workshop offers Frameworksto Practical Application

Using the Cultural Audit workshop is being heldAugust 16-18, 2007 in Chicago at Catholic TheologicalUnion. The Center for the Study of Religious Life devel-oped the workshop to assist congregations in using thecultural audit tool. The workshop, presented by FrancesCunningham, OSF and Gary Riebe-Estrella, SVD, willprovide a language to discuss features of culture andits impact on religious communities. It will also assistgroups in exploring their internal cultures. The present-

ers will suggest uses for the components of the tool invarious situations.

For further information, see http://www.religious-life.org/programs/cu_workshop.html. Registration formsare available at www.religious-life.org/pdfs/CTUWrk-shpRegis21507.pdf.
http://www.lcwr.org/http://www.religious-life.org/pdfs/CTUWrkshpRegis21507.pdfhttp://www.religious-life.org/pdfs/CTUWrkshpRegis21507.pdfhttp://www.religious-life.org/pdfs/CTUWrkshpRegis21507.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/http://www.religious-life.org/pdfs/CTUWrkshpRegis21507.pdf


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MEMBERSHIP ISSUES:CANONICAL, CIVIL & PSYCHOLOGICAL

September 11-13, 2007Sheraton Greater Cincinnati Airport

Faculty:Lynn Jarrell, OSU, JCD

Donna Markham, OP, Ph.D.Daniel Ward, OSB, JD, JCL

CIVIL & CANON LAW 301:ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES

September 13-14, 2007Sheraton Greater Cincinnati Airport

Faculty:Lynn Jarrell, OSU

Daniel Ward, OSB, JD, JCL

RECONFIGURATION:BEST PRACTICES

CIVILLY, CANONICALLY, CULTURALLY

February 11-13, 2008Hilton San Antonio Airport

Faculty:Janet Fleischhacker, CSJ

Stephen Glodek, SMLynn Jarrell, OSU, JCDMark MacDougall, JD

Mary Reichert, JDDaniel Ward, OSB, JD, JCL

See www.lrcr.orgfor more details

Legal Resource Center for Religious Workshops
http://www.lrcr.org/http://www.lrcr.org/http://www.lrcr.org/http://www.lrcr.org/

July 2007 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter

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