March 2009 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter

8/9/2019 March 2009 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter

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LCWR Update March 2009 page 1

Inside this issue:

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(continued on page 3)

March 2009

Update on Women & Spirit Exhibit

Cartridge Recycling for LCWR

Plan Now for the 2009 LCWR Assembly

LCWR National Board Explores Critical MattersFacing the Conference and Religious Life

A

t their recent meeting, members of the LCWRnational board discussed several of the most im-portant questions facing the conference and itsmembers. Held at Marywood Retreat Center in

Jacksonville, Florida from February 15-19, the gatheringwas scheduled in conjunction with the board meeting ofthe Conference of Major Superiors of Men and includedsome joint sessions, as well as daily prayer and liturgytogether.

LCWR Shared Futures ProcessDonna Fyffe of Community Works, Inc. attended theboard meeting to facilitate the work on the conferencesshared futures process. The board reviewed all thefeedback collected from both the 2008 assembly andfall regional meetings and discussed emerging trends

regarding the needs of leaders as religious life movesinto the future.

A committee from the board and staff will be namedto consider the ideas provided by members as well asthose that surfaced from the board meeting and draft aplan for LCWR. The plan will be submitted to the mem-bership for feedback.

The board also reviewed the LCWR Call for 2004-2009and noted its continued relevance for these times. The

board voted to reaffirm the document and use it as acontinued guide for reflection on religious life leader-ship in US culture today.

The LCWR Call is on the LCWR website at www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/lcwrcall.htmand is also availableas a PDF document at www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/LCWR%20Call%20-%20web.pdf.

Apostolic VisitationDonna Fyffe also facilitated the boards discussion onthe recently announced apostolic visitation of insti-tutes of women religious in the United States by theVaticans Congregation for Institutes of ConsecratedLife and Societies of Apostolic Life. The letter, sent from

LCWR board meets in Jacksonville, Florida
http://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/lcwrcall.htmhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/lcwrcall.htmhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/lcwrcall.htmhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/lcwrcall.htmhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/LCWR%20Call%20-%20web.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/LCWR%20Call%20-%20web.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/LCWR%20Call%20-%20web.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/LCWR%20Call%20-%20web.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/LCWR%20Call%20-%20web.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwraboutus/lcwrcall.htm


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From th LCWR Pridency

by Marlene Weisenbeck, FSPA LCWR President-Elect

Faithful Presence

Through the liturgical year, wetraverse the mystical reality of theWord Incarnate, the baptism ofJesus, and ordinary time. Slowly

now lento -- we move through thestories of the death of Jesus, a season forsoul-reflection.

Why did Jesus need to be baptized? Inbaptism Jesus expressed his total soli-darity with the human race. He wantedto identify with us as a fellow human

being. What happened in the baptism ofJesus was the Fathers total confirmationof the mission of Jesus for the work hewas about to begin. Jesus was missioned in his bap-tism and confirmed in a Pentecost experience at oneand the same time. This identification would ultimatelyhave its dramatic culmination when Jesus died on thecross, executed with two convicted criminals.

Our baptism is not an isolated ritual, but primarily adaily embodiment of our identity with the human raceand its summons for covenanting in right relationships.United with others in the community of Gods people,we envision ourselves as salt for the earth, a city on ahill, a candle radiating in the surrounding darkness.

In our own journey of baptism, confirmation, andpassion, we share in the successes of our sisters andbrothers, delight in their dreams, and groan with theirstruggles. We move forward with relentless intention ofmaking our lives extraordinary, not because we wish tobe known as a featured story, but because our lives arethe story of an invitation to creative abandon, bound-

less passion, and deep joy. In John 10:10 Jesus wishesfor us life to the full. In this fullness we live in a spiritu-ality that sustains disruption, ominous dark roads, andstrange knocks on our doors.

Like first-time missionaries we want to fly on the wingsof the dawn; we want to do a lot. Sometimes throughthe persecution of others, at other times throughrealization of our own inadequacy, the death of ourfirst fervor becomes real for us. In these experiences we

come to understand that what we haveto offer is not nearly as important aswhat we have the ability to receive. Pres-ence was my ministry,Jesus said in thegarden. Just stay with me. In the stayingwe find our mission through a tenderrevelation about availability. Charism,we learn, is the faith shock we encounterat the gap between the reality we abidein and the belief we hold. We can sleepbecause we are not overwhelmed byfear of the future.

The women in the passion narrativesclaimed a public missionary role. Mary

of Bethany anointed the head and feet of Jesus, wip-ing them with her hair (Mark 14: 3-9; John 12: 1-8). Sherecognized who Jesus was and what his mission wouldultimately require of him. She was a prophet chosen byGod to anoint Gods chosen one for this mission. The

fragrance of her perfume was symbolic of spreading themessage of Jesus throughout the Gentile world. Oc-curring in the context of a meal, the anointing of Jesusbody had Eucharistic overtones. Jesus said: whereverthe good news is proclaimed in the whole world, what she hasdone will be told in remembrance of her (Mark 14: 9).

Women followed Jesus to Jerusalem and were presentat his crucifixion because they recognized his mission.They were faithful disciples dedicated to continuingthat mission. His mothers faith did not depend on mir-acles and signs but on her belief in Jesus, her Son. Faithrequires staying with, remaining with Jesus. Faithfulpresence at the moment of crucifixion turns into joyfulawareness at the resurrection. It is a commitment to anexcessive willingness to believe in and taste the future.

... our v ar th story a vtaio

t creav abano,ounl pio,an d j.


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(continued from page 1)

Cardinal Franc Rod, CM, prefect of the Vatican con-gregation, also announced the appointment of MotherClare Millea, superior general of the Apostles of theSacred Heart of Jesus, to serve as the apostolic visitator.

Acknowledging the serious nature of a visitation of all

institutes of US apostolic women religious, the boarddevoted considerable time to discussion of the visitationand the best ways in which LCWR could be a supportand resource to its members during its duration. At theconclusion of the meeting, the board sent a letter to allmembers stating in part:

We were surprised by the news of an apostolic visita-tion and, along with you, await further informationfrom the Congregation for Institutes of Con-secrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Liferegarding the scope, process and hoped for

outcomes of the visitation. With additionalinformation we can better determine how ourparticipation in the visitation can be beneficial toUS religious life, the church and the world.

We also seek understanding of how the visita-tion will augment the significant discernmentand study processes already inherent in ourreligious life. Our serious commitment to intenseprayer and reflection, as well as to processes of

learning and analysis, have long served to make womenreligious keenly aware of our individual, communaland ecclesial strengths and challenges. As women reli-gious well know, any opportunity that calls for greaterreflection on our lives can be an occasion for the cel-ebration of achievements and an examination of areasfor growth. We hope that the visitation can offer thattype of experience.

We are aware that the unanticipated news of the visita-tion has evoked a variety of responses in women reli-gious, has generated many questions on what the visita-tion might involve and has prompted deliberations onhow best to proceed with it. Within the next few weeks,the LCWR national office will alert you to resourcesthat you may wish to consider regarding your participa-tion in the apostolic visitation. We will also build timeinto the LCWR spring regional meetings for discussion

of the visitation and ask that you bring your insights tothese gatherings. In the meantime, we encourage you toreflect on the stories of heroic service and creative fidel-ity of your own members, as well as on the questionsand challenges before us as we continuously seek to livereligious life with depth and meaning in a pluralisticand rapidly changing culture.

Preparation for the apostolic visitation deserves yourtime and careful thought. You may also wish to con-sider ways of consciously bringing the visitation to yourprayer and contemplation in the time ahead, particu-

larly as we begin the season of Lent.

The board also posted a public statement regarding theapostolic visitation on the LCWR website at www.lcwr.org/lcwrpressreleases/publicstatements/Statement2-20-09.pdf

LCWR National Board Explores Critical

Matters

Region 1 chair Dorothy Scesmy, PBVM and LCWR treasur-er Pam Chiesa, PBVM review questions addressed throughthe shared futures process

Donna Fyffe (standing) leads the board through a discussion of theshared futures feedback.

(continued on page 4)
http://www.lcwr.org/lcwrpressreleases/publicstatements/Statement2-20-09.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwrpressreleases/publicstatements/Statement2-20-09.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwrpressreleases/publicstatements/Statement2-20-09.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwrpressreleases/publicstatements/Statement2-20-09.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwrpressreleases/publicstatements/Statement2-20-09.pdf


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LCWR AssembliesThe board gratefully acknowledged the participation ofa significant number of LCWR members who com-pleted the online evaluation of the 2008 LCWR-CMSM

assembly. The board, the 2009 assembly planningcommittee, and the staff found the feedback from themembers invaluable for planning future assemblies.

Mary Jo Nelson, OLVM, facilitator of the 2009 LCWRassembly, joined the board as an observer as it workedthrough some of the topics that will be addressed at theassembly.

In addition to the keynote presentation by CokieRoberts, other events of this assembly will include a

pre-assembly tour of areas severely impacted by Hur-ricane Katrina, recognition of the success of the LCWR-FADICA project to assist women religious in NewOrleans, discussion of the LCWR shared futures plan,and a presentation by NRVC and CARA on the resultsof their study on religious vocations. More informationon each of these events will be forthcoming.

LCWR Membership DuesDiscussion of the LCWR financial report included alook at the membership dues structure. In order toaccurately project the impact of congregation mergerson LCWRs financial future, more data is needed fromcongregations who anticipate a merger in the nextfew years. The LCWR national office will be contact-ing members in the near future to ask for assistance ingathering this data.

LCWR Public Statements

(continued from page 3)

LCWR National Board The board reviewed the conferences policy on makingpublic statements in the name of LCWR on nationaland international political, social or ecclesial policies orpractices. In order to continue making LCWRs publicvoice as effective as possible, the board and staff willmodify some of the criteria and practices currently in

place for issuing statements.

LCWR Spring Regional MeetingsThe board suggested several agenda items for consider-ation at the LCWR spring regional meetings includingthe apostolic visitation, implementation of the 2008assembly resolution, review of the proposed 2009 as-sembly resolution, the LCWR shared futures process,the LCWR dues structure, and the nomination processfor LCWR officers.

Collaboration with CMSMThe LCWR and CMSM boards met jointly twice duringthe week. Much of the agenda focused on discussionof the apostolic visitation, the annual trip taken by theLCWR and CMSM officers to various Vatican dicaster-ies scheduled this year for April, the Women & Spirit:Catholic Sisters in America exhibit, the InterAmericanCommittee, and the Cameron Street building fund.

Discussion also took place on the various ways in whichLCWR and CMSM effectively collaborate. Both groupsacknowledged that the joint meetings of the two boards

and executive committees as well as the joint annualtrip to the Vatican are particularly helpful ways of col-laborating. Discussion also took place on whether thetwo conferences should plan other conjoint assemblies.This question was referred to the the two executivecommittees for a decision.

The LCWR and CMSM boards met jointly twiceduring the week, and shared prayer and liturgydaily.

To keep updated on the apostolic visitation,

LCWR members are encouraged periodically tovisit the website established by the

Congregation for Institutes of ConsecratedLife and Societies of Apostolic Life:www.apostolicvisitation.org.
http://www.apostolicvisitation.org/http://www.apostolicvisitation.org/


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Updates on Women & Spirit ExhibitOngoing Work on the Exhibit

Work continues to complete Women & Spirit:

Catholic Sisters in America for its debut inCincinnati in May. Efforts include:

Finalizing the exhibit scriptFilming of women religious across the United Statesfor various video projections in the exhibitCollection of artifacts being loaned by congrega-tions throughout the countryDevelopment of supportive educational materialsFormation of local marketing and public relationscommittees in each area where the exhibit will showDevelopment and execution of national marketing

and public relations plansContinued search for additional museusm venuesPlanning for the May 15 opening event

The LCWR History Committee will be working withSeruto & Company in Pasadena during the final weekof February to review the construction of the exhibit,critique videos, and orchestrate other aspects of theproject.

One of the nine-foot

exhibit panelscurrently under

construction

A film crew traveled to the

ministry sites of severalwomen religious for video

shoots. Shown with LCWRmember Pat Kelly, SSJ (left)at her congregations moth-

erhouse in Chestnut Hill,Pennsylvania are: Brad

Gorton; Mellissa Berry;Cameron Roberts;

Annmarie Sanders, IHM;and Tim Steinouer

The crew filmed acouncil meeting of the

Sisters of St. Joseph,as well as an interviewwith Mary Dacey, SSJ

who will narrate theintroductory video

for the exhibit

Below: The crew filmedSimone Campbell, SSS(right) in DC during a

lobbying visit withOhio Congresswoman

Marcy Kaptur

Upcoming Showings

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminalin the Cincinnati History Museum

Cincinnati, OhioMay 15, 2009 - September 7, 2009

Smithsonian-International Galleryin the Dillon Ripley CenterWashington, DCJanuary - April 2010Mississippi River MuseumDubuque, IowaFebruary - April 2011


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Women of Spirit:Creating in Chaos2009 LCWR Assembly

New Orleans, Louisiana

Pre-Assembly Tours of Sites Impacted byHurricane Katrina

August 11-- morning

Opening of AssemblyAugust 11 -- 7:00 PM

Closing of AssemblyAugust 14 -- 9:00 PM

Travel Home

August 15

Midwiving a Vibrant Future

2009 LCWR Reflection Book

Orders for the 2009 LCWR reflection book, which runsfrom May 31 to July 22 will be shipped in April.

Notice to All Participants in theLCWR Cartridge Recycling Program

LCWR has been notified by the cartridge recycling com-pany, Empties4Cash, that it no longer will be acceptinglarge laser toner cartridges. Please do not send these asa part of your cartridge recycling shipment as they costextra to ship and could take away from the return fundsused for LCWR scholarships. A rule of thumb to use

when sending in your ink cartridges is that they shouldfit in the palm of your hand.

For a complete list of acceptable cartridges, go to www.empties4cash.com.
http://www.empties4cash.com/http://www.empties4cash.com/http://www.empties4cash.com/http://www.empties4cash.com/http://www.empties4cash.com/


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CHA Board Begins Vision 2020 Process

In response to a Catholic Health Association boarddirective to staff to lead a new long-range visioningprocess for Catholic health ministry in the United

States, members of the board, together with staff andparticipating observers (USCCB and LCWR), began thisprocess during the February 4-6, 2009 board meeting.In preparation for the meeting, all were asked to readthe 1988 vision titled Catholic Health Ministry: A NewVision for a New Century, developed by a wide rangeof persons engaged in the ministry, including severalLCWR members. The board identified key elementsto be contained in Vision 2020, and provided input onwho should be involved in the process going forward.

In its advocacy efforts, CHA reported satisfaction with

the passage of SCHIP, and has been working to assureinclusion of certain important items in the stimulusbill, including: $87 billion in state Medicaid relief, themoratorium on seven Medicaid regulations, $19 billionin Health IT, and $21 billion to help 6.5 million unem-ployed workers retain health coverage. (All of thesewere retained in the final conference agreement.)

Faithful Security Strategizes for

Ratification of Test Ban Treaty

D

uring a special meeting on February 12, 2009,members of Faithful Security: The National

Religious Partnership on the Nuclear WeaponsDanger met to determine how to engage religious com-munities to work for US Ratification of the Comprehen-sive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), given a new moment andnew congress in Washington, DC. The CTBT has a longhistory, beginning with Indias Nehru, and in the USwith Adlai Stevenson, President Eisenhower, and Presi-dent Clinton, none of whom were able to secure senateapproval for US ratification. While 180 countries havesigned the CTBT, and 140 have ratified it, including allUS allies, the US has resisted ratification. Staff memberswho work on the Hill believe that ratification is now

possible, though it will be a hard struggle to achieve 67Senate votes, i.e., two-thirds of the senate.

As one of the partners, LCWR will participate in effortsto engage key Republicans in the senate whose votesare essential, beginning with Senator Lugar of Indiana.

Catholics in Alliance Engage JudiciaryOfficial on Human Trafficking

In a February 11, 2009 conference call, members ofCatholics in Alliance for the Common Good hostedLou de Baca, Counsel to the House Committee on

the Judiciary, to discuss slavery/trafficking issues inthe 111th Congress. Mr. de Baca works for chairmanJohn Conyers, who is committed to addressing humantrafficking and involuntary servitude as well as im-migration reform. Participants on the call expressedparticular concern about raids and detention centers.A few members of the alliance who work with humantrafficking and immigration issues, including LCWR,

gave an overview of the work in which their membersare engaged.

In March CSRL members will be receiving the centersnewest publication, Whats a Leader To Do?: A Casebookfor Leaders of Religious Institutes.

This book is the outgrowth of the centers three in-terdisciplinary forums on The Individual and the

Common Good. It presents nine scenarios based oncontemporary situations in religious institutes andresponses to each from both panel members with exper-tise in different fields and participants in the forums.

Congregations who are not members of CSRL will beable to purchase copies of the book through the Nation-al Coalition for Church Vocations (NCCV), [email protected].
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Upcoming LCWR Dates

LCWR New Leader WorkshopThe Retreat Center at St. Johns

Plymouth, MichiganMarch 19 22, 2009

LCWR AssemblyNew Orleans, LouisianaAugust 11 15, 2009

LCWR Leading from Within RetreatRedemptorist Renewal Center

Tucson, ArizonaJanuary 17 22, 2010

LCWR New Leader WorkshopThe Retreat Center at St. JohnsPlymouth, Michigan

March 11 14, 2010

LCWR AssemblyDallas, Texas

August 10 14, 2010

LCWR AssemblyGarden Grove, California

August 9 13, 2011

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

Editor: Annmarie Sanders, IHM

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

Update
http://www.lcwr.org/http://www.lcwr.org/

Documents

March 2009 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter