June 2004 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter

8/9/2019 June 2004 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter

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LCWR Update -- June 2004 -- page 1

Update

Inside this issue:

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6

10

June 2004

LCWR-CMSM Joint Assembly

Assembly Scholarship Information

An LCWR Connection toBrown vs. the Board of Education

A Publication of the

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Annually, a joint delegation from the Conferenceof Major Superiors of Men and the LeadershipConference of Women Religious travels to Rome

to visit various offices at the Vatican for purposesof accountability and communication. This years visits tookplace during the week of April 19. Some of the offices werevisited jointly with CMSM, while others were visited sepa-rately by each delegation. The four LCWR delegates were:Constance Phelps, SCL (president); Mary Ann Zollmann, BVM(past president); Christine Vladimiroff, OSB (vice-president);and Carole Shinnick, SSND (executive director).

Prior to leaving for Rome, the LCWR national office had col-lected materials provided by LCWR member congregationsillustrating innovative approaches to traditional ministries,especially healthcare and education. More than 70 institutionssent packets of materials and the office sent two Fed Ex boxesof them to Rome for distribution during the visits.

Highlights from the week can be found on pages 2 through 4.

LCWR-CMSM DelegationVisits Vatican Offices

Christine Vladimiroff, OSB; ConstancePhelps, SCL; and Mary Ann Zollmann,

BVM at St. Peter Square.

Mary Ann Zollmann, BVM; Constance Phelps, SCL;Christine Vladimiroff, OSB; and Carole Shinnick,

SSND meet with Javier Cardinal Lozano Barragn,president of the

Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care


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From the LCWR Presidency

by Constance Phelps, SCL -- LCWR President

Rome is still fresh in my mind.

It was a cool Roman April this yearwith a bit of rain several days. Usually, theLCWR and the CMSM delegations visit inMay. However, anticipating the InterAmericanConference in Brazil in May (postponed until2005), we scheduled our trip in April. SoMary Ann, Christine, Carole and I, alongwith the five CMSM officers, ventured alongthe cobblestoned streets to the Vatican officessometimes jointly, more often separately. We

shared prayer and liturgy, and enjoyed mealsat small Roman trattatorias.

We prepared well prior to our visit, consulting with others,contextualizing our presentation with documents, andclearly outlining what we wanted to share. As we met witheach Vatican Congregation or Council, -- relating the fidelityof US women religious in ministry, sharing innovative

approaches to healthcare delivery and education, namingour continuing challenges and struggles, revealing how ourcongregational charisms saturate our ministries, and givingan overview of conference activities in the past year -- I wasmoved, proud and pleased.While information and facts about the areas and/or issueswe presented were clear and evident, it was the relating, the

communicating and the sharing with the various dicasterymembers that elicited this response in me. As we eachspoke, I had a renewed realization of how vibrant and vitalwomen religious are in our Church.

Yet, I was, simultaneously, struck with the truth of theHaitian proverb: One sees from where one stands.How can it be otherwise considering how we are formedand informed by culture? Thus in retrospect, I am morekeenly aware of how crucial this annual face to face visitto the Vatican is. This contact provides us not only theopportunity to communicate, but also to continue to build

Rome, Fresh in My Mind

Bishop Wilton Gregory, USCCB President, and ConstancePhelps, SCL relax outside a restaurant after members of CMSM,LCWR, and the presidency and the general secretary of USCCBenjoyed lunch together during their visits in Rome.

This contact provides us not only the opportunity tocommunicate, but also to continue to build relationships, to

touch the human in one another, to let us assert who we arefrom our experiences and cultures -- and in our own words.

relationships, to touch the human in one

another, to let us assert who we are fromour experiences and cultures -- and in ourown words. We listen to one another; hearone another from where we, respectively,stand. Hopefully, such contact provides adeeper insight and meaning into the livedreality of women religious in the UnitedStates.

That Sundays Gospel told of the threeaffirmations of Peters love for Jesus.

Having it proclaimed in the shadow ofSt. Peters Basilica was significant for me.Our shared reflection was enriched by the setting and richin meaning. Meaning that reminded me of our integrity,meaning that reminded me of the communities thatstand with us. Yes, it was a moment when all of you, ourmembers, were very present to us.I left Rome understanding, anew and with greater depth,that there is nothing that we do, or can do, which will lessenGods love for us; likewise, there is nothing that we do, orcan do, which will increase Gods love for us. For Gods

love endures forever.

Yes, Rome is still fresh in my mind.


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Christine Vladimiroff, OSB; Sharon Holland, IHM; Constance Phelps, SCL;and Mary Ann Zollmann, BVM

CICLSAL LCWR visited with the membersof the Congregation for Institutes of Conse-crated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life andengaged in conversation with Archbishop Nestiand members of the congregations staff on twodocuments developed by this office: StartingAfresh from Christ andMutuae Relationes. At thisoffice, the delegation was invited to offer someinput for the congregations ad limina visitswith the US bishops. Later in the week, theLCWR members enjoyed a delightful lunch withSharon Holland, IHM, from the office.

Vatican AmbassadorCMSM andLCWR visited Ambassador to the Vatican, JamesNicholson, and had a lively and informative ex-change with the ambassador and his aides aboutUS foreign policy. This was the second year formeeting with Ambassador Nicholson who isvery active in Rome and internationally in de-veloping educational and preventive programsaddressing worldwide trafficking of persons.

Visits toVatican Offices

Health Care The LCWR delegation met with Javier Cardinal Lo-zano Barragn at the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care. Theagenda included a conversation with the cardinal on the complexitiesof healthcare in the United States as well as his own interest in AIDS inAfrica. The group shared many of the materials sent by LCWR mem-bers emphasizing creative expressions of healthcare ministries carriedon by LCWR member congregations.

Congregation forthe Doctrine of theFaith The LCWR delegatesmet with four members ofthe Congregation for theDoctrine of the faith, includ-ing Archbishop AngeloAmato, SDB and Promoter ofJustice, Monsignor CharlesScicluna. The meeting was

both cordial and engaging.Information and conversa-tion flowed freely.

The LCWR delegation met with members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: (left toright) Monsignor Charles Brown, Monsignor Charles Scicluna, Archbishop Angelo Amato, SDB;and Rev. J. Augustine DiNoia, OP


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Catholic Education LCWR Delegates met withnewly-appointed Archbishop J. Michael Miller, CSB at theCongregation for Catholic Education. As former president

of St. Thomas University in Houston, Archbishop Miller, aCanadian, is well aware of trends and challenges to Catholiceducation. The visit was dynamic, informative and engag-ing. The Archbishop and one of the staff, Father Zani, weremost interested in the samples of educational innovationsthat LCWR brought to the meeting.

Visits toVatican Offices

UISG The LCWR members wentto the offices of UISG for a two-hour visit with Anne Munley, IHM,former LCWR president, and withnewly-appointed UISG General Secretary, M. Victoria Gz. de Castejn,RSCJ. Anne is currently servingas director of programs and socialministry for the UISG. Anne andVictoria shared about the May ple-nary session of UISG and the No-

vember Congress on Religious Lifejointly sponsored with the Union ofSuperiors General (USG.)

Mary Ann Zollmann, BVM;

UISG staff membersAnne Munley, IHM and M.

Victoria Gz. de Castejn, RSCJ;Constance Phelps, SCL; andChristine Vladimiroff, OSB

The meeting with members ofgeneral councils at the generalateof the School Sisters of NotreDame

General Council Members The week of visitsended with a meeting of sisters from general councils inRome whose congregation includes United States members.

The gathering was hosted by the School Sisters of NotreDame at their generalate on Via Aurelia outside Rome.

In reviewing the week and reflecting on the visits,the LCWR delegates felt strongly that the face-to-face encounters each spring provide a valuableopportunity for persons in the Vatican to hear andsee how religious women in the United States liveand serve, and for persons in the various offices tocommunicateinformation and express their views.


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LCWR-CMSM AssemblyNo Longer Bystanders:

Creating Peace in Violent Times

WHO: All LCWR and CMSM national members

WHERE: Forth Worth, Texas

WHEN: August 19 -- 22, 2004

WHY: To pray, converse and be educated about one ofthe most critical matters of these times -- the devastatingviolence plaguing the world. What role can women andmen religious leaders play in creating peace and bringinghope to a world crying for reconciliation?

ASSEMBLY HIGHLIGHTS:

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mary Robinson, former Presi-dent of Ireland and former United Nations High Com-missioner for Human Rights

Ten Break-out Sessions on timely topics with outstand-ing presenters

Joint Presidential Address by Constance Phelps, SCLand Ronald D. Witherup, SS

Public Witness Event against the Death Penalty

LCWR Gathering -- Sunday, August 22

All LCWR members should have received an assemblyregistration brochure in the mail.

Please contact the LCWR national office if you have notyet received yours.

LCWR Panelists

KathleenSchmittgens, SSND

Linda Tan, OSF

Kathleen Reid, ASC Suzanne Moore, MM

PanelPresentation

Fourwomenreligiousleader

swhohave

createdpeaceinviolentsitua

tions

Moderator:CamilleDArienz

o,RSM

RitualofHealingandRe

conciliation

InputfromLCWRPresid

ent

ConstancePhelps,SCL

LCWRBusinessMeeting

LCWRBanquet

TransferofLeadership

PresentationoftheLCWRO

utstanding

LeadershipAwardtoTheresa

Kane,RSM


6/12


First Phase of Nomination ProcessComplete

The regional liaisons of the LCWR Nomination andElection Committee completed the first phase of thenomination process for the offices of LCWR vice

president and secretary at the spring regional meetings. Thenational office is grateful to the committee members andliaisons for all the process preparations and for encouragingmembers to consider the office for which they were nomi-nated.

Nominees have until May 24 to discern whether to continuein the next phase of the election process. If more than threemembers are on the slate, a run off ballot will take place inJune. Ardis Cloutier, OSF, who will assume the responsibili-ties of committee chair in August, will facilitate the election

process at the assembly.

Partial Scholarships Available forLCWR-CMSM Assembly

For the third year, LCWR is able to offer partial schol-arships to attend the assembly in Fort Worth, Texas,No Longer Bystanders: Creating Peace in Violent Times.

The conference is aware that some members may find it dif-ficult to manage the full cost of attending the assembly andmay welcome some financial assistance. At the same time,other members are able to donate to the assembly scholar-ship fund.

In 2002 and again in 2003, approximately 20 sisters wereable to attend the assembly who otherwise would not havebeen able to participate. To say that these women have beengrateful is an understatement. Here are some excerpts fromnotes from last years recipients.

What a gift to have received from the scholarship fund I wontforget the generous folks out there who make this possible.

You will never know how much this means to me to attend theLCWR Assembly. It has been a beacon of hope for me as I movethrough membership losses at this time.

I am very grateful to LCWR for the financial support to attendthe assembly in Detroit. It is such an honor to be part of theUniversal Church and to experience the power of being one bodyin Christ.

Anyone who would like to attend the assembly in FortWorth and is interested in exploring the possibility of be-ing partially financed by the scholarship fund, is asked tocontact Carole Shinnick, SSND, LCWR executive director at301-588-4955, or at [email protected] before July 1, 2004.

The scholarship fund can be applied to the costs of registra-tion and hotel expenses, as well as to assistance with ad-ditional LCWR membership (which may be necessary sincethe assembly is only open to LCWR members).

Some priority will be given to persons and congregationswho have never received funding, but in fact, all decisionswill be made on a congregation-by-congregation basis.

The assembly is a major opportunity for ongoing formationin the ministry of leadership, as well as a chance to be withothers who share that ministry. Anyone is most welcome tocall for additional information.

Did you know?

50LCWR members were nominated forvice president

43LCWR members were nominated forsecretary

Information about candidates will be posted on

the website. A World Merge message will notify

members when this information is available.

All members are asked to come prepared to

vote at the August assembly.


7/12


LCWR Members Participate in UISG Plenary

Many LCWR members were

among the nearly 800 leadersof congregations of womenreligious who met in Rome in May for theplenary of the International Union of Su-periors General. Coming from from morethan 70 countries and five continents, theparticipants pledged to work for recon-ciliation on all levels of life. Recognizingthe extreme violence afflicting the world,the leaders, who represent approximatelyone million members of Catholic religiousinstitutes, proclaimed that no more im-

portant mission exists at this time than thework of reconciliation.

During the plenary the participantsreflected on the contemporary contexts ofviolence in which their members live andwork. At the conclusion of the gathering,the leaders committed themselves and themembers of their institutes to a number ofefforts to promote reconciliation.

LCWR associate member Geraldine MacCarthy, SHCJ (left)presents a draft of the UISG declaration to the plenary.

LCWR associate member Rosemary Howarth,SSND (second from left) greets one of the twosisters from Iraq who addressed the plenary. Rose-mary was later elected UISG vice-president.

LCWR member Suzanne Moore, MM (left) with her tablemembers.

LCWR member Olive Bordelon,CCVI presents a synthesis oftable reports at the plenary.

Beatrice Eichten, OSF; Mary Ann Weise-mann-Mills, OP; and Jane Morrisey, SSJpresent symbols of reconciliation from their

UISG constellation.


8/12


LCWR Signs On for Justice

LCWR presidency and/or staff have recently signedon to letters addressing five different justice issues. On April 28, 2004, a letter urging Congress to cut

funding for new nuclear weapons was sent to all Houseand Senate offices. Initiated by the Friends Committeeon National Legislation, the letter was signed by anumber of religious leaders including Carole Shinnick,SSND, LCWR executive director.

President Constance Phelps, SCL, joined other leaderswho signed a letter to President Bush from Churchesfor Middle East Peace expressing concerns aboutobstruction of the work of Christians in the Holy Land.This letter, signed on April 29, 2004, followed a similarletter written by Bishop Wilton Gregory on April 13urging the President to address these concerns withPrime Minister Sharon of Israel.

From June 2-10, leaders of the G-8, the worlds 8 mostpowerful nations, will meet in Sea Island, Georgia fortheir annual summit, the first meeting in the UnitedStates since 1997. A letter from religious leaders to theG-8 calling for cancellation of debts of impoverishednations will be delivered by Jubilee USA during themeeting. LCWR is a signer in the names of ConstancePhelps, president, Carole Shinnick, executive director,

and Marie Lucey, OSF, associate director for socialmission.

LCWR joined many organizations concerned about theU.S-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)in signing a letter to members of Congress in the UnitedStates and Central America urging opposition to theagreement in its present form. The signature appears asthe LCWR Office of Social Mission.

The Undocumented Alien Emergency MedicalAssistance Amendment of 2004 (H.R. 3722) engenderedstrong opposition from both immigration andhealthcare organizations. Sponsored by Rep. DanaRohrabacher (R-CA), the bill required hospital workersto collect certain data on undocumented individualsand provide this information to the Department ofHomeland Security. LCWR added its signature to thoseof 64 national organizations, including the USCCB,Catholic Charities, and CHA, and more than 200 stateand local organizations who signed a letter to SpeakerDennis Hastert urging that the proposal not moveforward. Justice wonin a 331-88 vote (with 24 no

votes). Those who made calls are encouraged to thanktheir legislators if they voted No.

LCWR Members Support Statementon Abuse of Iraqi Prisoners

The LCWR office has received many positive responsesto the May 7, 2004 statement drafted by staff inconsultation with the LCWR executive committee,mailed to President Bush and Secretary of State DonaldRumsfeld, and released to media outlets. Responsesoverwhelmingly expressed confirmation of and gratitudefor the statement. Many responses indicated appreciationfor the perspective of collective responsibility andquestioning of our cultural values rather than placing theburden of guilt solely on a few individuals. Members,associates, and subscribers, as well as justice and peace

contact persons, were encouraged to use the statement asthe basis for their own statements or letters to governmentleaders and the media.

LCWR Represented at SpringMeetings of Partner Organizations

Jubilee USA Network, April 20

The work of jubilee for cancellation of debt for

impoverished countries was in high gear this spring. Themeeting on April 20 featured a panel of Jubilee Southmembers from Malawi, Argentina, and the Philippines,all of whom named in their concerns the privatization ofwater. During an all-day prayer vigil the next day outsidethe World Bank, 11,000 Unhappy 60th Birthday Cards weredelivered, many of which came from LCWR congregationalmembers. Jubilee is now gearing up for the June G-8summit in Sea Island, Georgia, where there will be a protestcalling for debt cancellation and letters from religiousleaders will be delivered.

CHA Board Meeting, April 21

A major emphasis during the past year has been workingfor access to health care for all. A related focus has beento address the question, access to what? The task forceformed to envision a future health care delivery systemdelivered a report and offered recommendations beginningwith assessment of current practices within Catholic healthcare facilities, including accountability systems.

(continued on page 9)


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Also on the agenda was Pope John Pauls Allocutionon Nutrition and Hydration for Patients in a PersistentVegetative State. Members received an analysis comparingchurch teaching until now with the papal allocution, whichseems to represent a shift in the churchs approach. Untilthere is greater understanding of the intent of the Popesallocution, Catholic facilities are encouraged to continueto follow the USCCBs Ethical and Religious Directivesfor Catholic Health Care Services as interpreted by thediocesan bishop.

Members received a copy of the revised Evolving Theology

of Sponsorship, which will undergo further revision beforebeing presented for further dialog to LCWR healthcareleaders preceding the joint assembly in August.

Coalition of Catholic Organizations Against HumanTrafficking, April 22

Formed in June 2002 and staffed by the USCCBsMigration and Refugee Services, the Coalition of CatholicOrganzations Against Human Trafficking is composed oforganizations and religious congregations committed to the

elimination of human trafficking, a form of modern slaveryfor sexual and economic purposes. This meeting featuredtwo speakers: the director of Women in Developmentof the US Agency for International Development, andthe co-director of the Protection Project, Johns HopkinsUniversity School of Advanced International Studies. Bothpresentations evoked spirited dialogue.

The members also reviewed a draft of a Framework forCommunications Plan. The plan will be refined for theSeptember meeting.

LCWR members attending the UISG meeting in Romehad the opportunity to obtain an excellent informationand workshop kit prepared by the Working Group onTrafficking in Women and Children for USG/UISGmembers.

NETWORK Board Meeting, April 29 May 2Network CONNECTIONs new, colorful appearance,beginning with the May/June 2004 issue, is symbolicof its continuing work on organizational transitionand transformation. After receiving the analysis and

recommendations of a consultant, board members and staffengaged in productive dialogue at their meeting.

Staff members also gave reports on election activitiesand the membership survey in addition to providinghighlights of their lobbying activities. The NETWORKEducation Program (NEP) has prepared a very practicaland usable website resource on Election 2004, Where dothe Presidential Candidates Stand on the Issues? (www.networklobby.org). Committees comprised of both boardmembers and staff met to identify issues and prepare workplans which were presented to the total group.

NETWORK is in the search process for a nationalcoordinator. The job description is available on thewebsite. While the position will be open to women otherthan women religious, qualified and interested sisters areencouraged to apply.

LCWR is represented at these meetings by Marie Lucey,OSF, associate director for social mission.

Participation in 2005 LCWRDelegations Encouraged

Some LCWR regions discussed participation in theMexico and El Salvador delegations during theirspring meeting. Since then, region chairs receivedan electronic flier for the February 19-26, 2005 delegation,Faith and Globalization in Mexico. Chairs were asked toforward the flier to members of their region with a requestfor interested members to contact Marie Lucey, OSF for anapplication ([email protected]). This delegation should

be firmed up by October. Further information about theEl Salvador delegation will be provided at the fall regionmeetings.

LCWR Represented at SpringMeetings of Partner Organizations

(continued from page 8)
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10/12


In 1944, Connies older

sister, Patsy, was ofkindergarten age. ThePolk School, three blocksfrom the Phelps home,was a whites-only schooland Patsy had to attendBuchanan, the African-American school severalblocks away. Polk, theelementary school Mr.Mallory attended, wasnot segregated untilthe 20th century. Thus,he found it doublyirritating to pass his almamater as he took hisgranddaughter to schooldaily. So, he approached the Topeka School Board andproposed that Patsy attend Polk, the closer school. And theBoard of Education answered in the affirmative.

However, Dr. and Mrs. Phelps had reservations about Patsyswitching schools. For one thing, they planned to send both

children to parochial schools, so Patsy would be leaving thepublic school system at the end of the year. And they wereconcerned about her being the only African-American childin an all white school. In the end, Patsy stayed at Buchananfor the remainder of the year.

Mr. Mallory, however, continued to focus on the issue ofsegregated public schools. He worked closely with familieswilling to risk becoming plaintiffs in the case, and broughtthe suit against the Board of Education of Topeka. Becausehe himself no longer had children in the school system, hewas not one of the families named in the suit. The NAACP

working as overall organizer eventually brought foursimilar litigants from other parts of the country to createthe class action suit now known as Brown vs. the Board ofEducation. The rest, as they say, is history.

Although there is a great deal LCWR owes Constance,on this 50th anniversary of Brown, we pay tribute to theindomitable spirit of her grandfather, for his belief in thepower of the ordinary citizen, and for helping to open theway for countless children black and white who benefitfrom the richness of a diverse educational environment forall.

On May 17, 2004, the United States observed the

50th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Courtdecision, Brown vs. the Board of Education. Theruling written by Chief Justice Earl Warren in 1954

stated: We conclude that in the field of public educationthe doctrine of separate but equal has no place. Separateeducational facilities are inherently unequal. Therefore,we hold that the plaintiffs and others similarly situated forwhom the actions have been brought are, by reason of thesegregation complained of, deprived of the equal protectionof the laws guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment.

The impact of this ruling cannot be underestimated inthe history of the United States. Not only did it makeschool segregation illegal, but inaugurated the civil rightsmovement itself. While through the years, particularly inthe 1960s, women religious have participated in the civilrghts movement, one LCWR member was uniquely andpersonally involved in progress towards the Brown decision,our current president, Constance Phelps, SCL.

Connie, the younger of two girls, grew up in Topeka,Kansas. Her maternal grandfather, William Mallory, wasa deep believer in the average citizen making use of the

democratic process to bring about change. Mr. Mallory waswell known to persons in the Topeka government. Almost

annually, he brought tolawmakers proposals forlegislation, all of whichrelated to civil rights.He was responsible forintegrating the TopekaFire Department,where the practice ofsegregation took theform of two differentfire departments -white firefighters torespond to fires in whitepeoples homes, andblack firefighters to fireswhere blacks resided.Mr. Mallorys last tripto legislators with aproposal took place whenhe was 90.

A Tribute to William Mallory,

Civil Rights Advocate and Grandfather of Constance Phelps, SCLby Carole Shinnick, SSND

Mr. and Mrs. William Mallory

Constance Phelps (left) and her sister,Patsy


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Update is an official publication of the Leadership Confer-ence of Women Religious published monthly and distrib-uted to members nationally.

Editor: Annmarie Sanders, IHM

8808 Cameron Street -- Silver Spring, MD 20910Phone: 301-588-4955 Fax: 301-587-4575E-mail: [email protected]. Website:www.lcwr.org

Carole Shinnick, SSND

From the LCWR Executive Director

The cicadas are out. This is a not-so-welcome event that occurs every 17

years in the Middle Atlantic States.Since 1987 these bulbous creatures

have been gestating underground, and - asif they had all gotten a simultaneous e-mailmessage saying, NOW! - they are poppingout all over.

Cicadas are fat, winged, and red-eyed.They are not lovely to look at. And theyare plentiful on our sidewalks these days.Walking on a recent morning I carefully

focused on the cicadas, not wanting to step on them. Someyoungsters waiting for a school bus, however, were lesssensitive to the creatures. Squish! Splat! Yuck!Gross! One well-placed sneaker stomp and a cicada washistory.

The truth is that I was focusing so hard on the cicadas togive my mind and heart a rest from the horrible imagesthat had flooded our TV screens and newspapers. It hadbeen a numbing week. Nothing could have prepared usfor the hooded figures and piles of prisoners abused by US

Creating Peace in Violent Times

personnel in Baghdad. We groped to express our horrorand our sadness but the words sounded hollow. We shookour heads. We hid our faces in our hands. We sputtered

with anger and shame. We struggled to make sense out ofthe senseless. Although government and Pentagon officialsquickly attributed the abuse to the actions of a few badapples we knew better we all knew better.

The images held a reflection of ourselves, and we sawwhat is so hard to acknowledge: we have become a violentnation. We live, work and play in a culture of violence.Violence is so commonplace that it almost seems normal.Our sports are violent. Our language is violent. Ourchildrens music is violent. Our entertainment is violent.Our driving is violent.

Update

I am so grateful that we will gatherin August in Fort Worth.

I need to be with you - others who also believe in trying tocreate peace in these violent times.

As a nation we threaten or actually useviolence to coerce other nations to cooperate

with us. Violence, it seems, is oftencondoned and regularly licensed. We arepreoccupied with national security and justifyimprisonment of detainees without legalcounsel or hearings, thus doing violence tosome of our own founding principles.

Im not sure I have ever felt so helpless,so ashamed of my county, or so powerlessto effect change. Persons in government,

who launched this regrettable war, seem

impervious to criticism, challenge, or protest. All ourletters, statements, and marches feel like so much popcornthrown against a concrete wall. Words that once mademe proud to be an American and to tear up when I sangAmerica the Beautiful now ring hollow. I feel homeless inmy own country.

So thats why I was paying such careful attention to thecicadas to distract myself and to avoid adding even onemilligram of violence to our hurting world. I guess, too,that was why I found the school childrens glee in cicada-squashing oddly alarming. And perhaps that was why I

found myself singing, Christ, be our light, shine in hearts,shine through the darkness

I am so grateful that we will gather in August in Fort WorthI need to be with you - others who also believe in trying tocreate peace in these violent times. I look forward to ourtime together.
http://www.lcwr.org/http://www.lcwr.org/http://www.lcwr.org/


12/12


Legal Resource Center for ReligiousAnnounces New Developments

Lynn Jarrell, OSU, has accepted the new position ofassociate director in canon law at the Legal ResourceCenter for Religious. Lynn is presently teachingat the seminary in San Francisco. She will complete hercontract there and, after taking a mini-sabbatical, will bejoining the staff of LRCR at the beginning of January 2005.In another development, LRCR has convened a task forceto explore the development of a new subscriber resourceon government programs. The group met on March 24 inat the LRCR office in Silver Spring, MD. Experts gatheredto discuss the most effective way to provide assistance toreligious communities who participate in these programs.Work has begun on the planned resource which will besomewhat like the LRCR Taxes Notebook and will helpreligious institutes in their efforts to take advantage of a

CRSL Publishes

Reflections from Facilitators

In July members of CSRL will receive a complimentarycopy of a booklet with the reflections of women andmen who facilitate chapters, assemblies and otherlarge gatherings of religious. The facilitators are sharingthe signs of hope and areas of concern they see in religiouscongregations today. Additional copies will be available forpurchase at the joint LCWR-CMSM assembly in Fort Worthin August.

CRSL Calendar

January 6-8, 2005Conducting a Cultural Audit Workshop

Mercy Center in Burlingame, CA

Spring 2005Religious Leadership Forum

Dubuque, IA

June 2005

Conducting a Cultural Audit WorkshopCatholic Theological Union in Chicago

Upcoming LCWR Dates

LCWR--CMSM Joint AssemblyFort Worth, Texas

August 19 -- 22, 2004

LCWR Leading from Within RetreatWinter Park, Florida

January 16-21, 2005

LCWR Delegation to MexicoFebruary 19-26, 2005

LCWR New Leader WorkshopPassionist Retreat Center

Riverdale, NYMarch 17-19, 2005

LCWR AssemblyAnaheim, California

August 19 -- 23, 2005

LCWR-CMSM Delegation to El SalvadorNovember 30 -- December 6, 2005

LCWR AssemblyAtlanta, Georgia

August 18 -- 22, 2006

broad range of government programs, (e.g. SS, Medicare,SSI, Medicaid, QMB, SLMB, public housing). The resourcewill be print, and web-based, and will have various levels ofdetail: introductory, advanced, troubleshooting, referencesto more detailed materials for each level, articles explainingnuances for religious.

From the

Center for the Study of

Religious Life

Documents

June 2004 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter