May 2009 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter

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

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LCWR Update May 2009 page 1

Inside this issue:

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(continued on page 3)

May 2009

Donations Sought for LCWR AssemblyScholarship Fund

Order New Occasional Papers

Exhibit Grand Opening Set for May 16

R

epresentativesof the Leader-ship Conferenceof Women Reli-

gious and two charitablegiving organizations,Foundations and DonorsInterested in CatholicActivities (FADICA) andSC Ministry Foundation,gathered in New Orleansthis April to meet withthe eight women religiouscongregations that havebeen the focus of the NewOrleans Recovery Project.

LCWR executive directorJane Burke, SSND; formerexecutive director Car-ole Shinnick, SSND; andSuzanne Hall, SNDdeN,coordinator of the LCWR fundraising efforts for theNew Orleans Recovery Project, represented the confer-ence.

Leaders of the eight congregations and their ministriesshared stories of how the project, which raised morethan $7 million, impacted their ability to bring backtheir ministries, which have been widely consideredfundamental in rebuilding New Orleans.

Suzanne Hall reported to the group that they and theirministries were responsible for bringing families backto the city.

Every person I talked to about the recovery of NewOrleans said, If it werent for the sisters here, therewould be no New Orleans, Suzanne noted.

Faith & Resilience

Become Hallmarks of the New Orleans Recovery ProjectThe congregations haverebuilt high schools,childcare developmentcenters, and motherhous-

es, in some cases start-ing from the scraps leftbehind after the storm. Inother cases, they begannew programs that re-spond to needs broughton by of HurricaneKatrina such as increaseddepression. The BywaterProject of the Marianitesof the Holy Cross helpsneighbors in emergency

financial situations,which are more commonnow. Members of anothercongregation, the Sistersof St. Teresa, are work-

ing with an increasing immigrant population in NewOrleans.

Education, healthcare, and housing still remain con-cerns of the women religious. Here in New Orleansone of our great disparities is housing for the elderly,

Leaders of some of the eight congregations involved in the NewOrleans Recovery Project recently hosted a dinner of gratitudeand celebration for the continued efforts to rebuild the city.Pictured left to right, top row: Suellen Tennyson, MSC; GinaGeraci, STJ; Isabel Ordono, STJ; Eva Regina Martin, SSF;

Mary Reilly, SNDdeN; Suzanne Hall, SNDdeN. Bottom row:Angeline Magro, OP; Suzanne Brauer, OP; Maureen Maxfield(SC Ministry Foundation), and Sally Duffy, SC (SC MinistryFoundation).


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LCWR Update May 2009 page 2Fr t LCWR Pridncy

by Mary Whited, CPPS LCWR Past President

Let Our Stories Be Told

These are unprecedented times forus, leaders and women religious,who strive to respond to recentVatican initiatives that affect

women religious across the UnitedStates. Many feelings well up and swirlaround our attempts to find ways torespond to what has come as a surprise.Regional gatherings and circles of quietprayer ground and center us. Togetherwe create a safe context for discerninghow best to respond to the events that

unfold even as I write this column.

The agendas of the April visits of our presidency andexecutive director in Rome indicate that our conversa-tions with Vatican officials are more than casual. Theyare significant as we seek to explore the whys, thewherefores, and the what ifs that rankle in ourminds and hearts. In our preparation for these conver-sations, J Lora, Marlene, Jane, and I expressed a desireto listen carefully and non-defensively to concerns thatare expressed. What can we learn? How can we, as

leaders of our conference, speak from our integrity andthe legitimate power entrusted to us? Can we probe

the deeper questions that underlie concerns and can wehighlight common ground? We bring to the conversa-tions our collective wisdom, insights that have beengleaned from our members, and the experience of beingvowed ecclesial women. Even more, we bring a deepcaring for you, the members of our Leadership Confer-ence.

Prayer and mutual encouragement are essential as we,leaders of LCWR, and you, leaders of your congrega-

Prar n u ncragm ri s w, leadrs LCWR,

n , leadrs r cngregis, cvrt th

b cnucng t pt ti.

tions, converse with those who willbe conducting the apostolic visitation.How we approach this task can hope-fully stir new understandings of and in-sights into what it means to be ecclesialwomen religious at a time when mul-tiple expressions of apostolic religiouslife are so apparent.

In the coming weeks and months, as weengage in these initiatives, let us trustthe maturity that has been growing

within and among us. It is a maturityreflected in our care for the poor, our sensitivity tocreation, awareness of the global common good, andthe hope of engaging with conflict in reconciling ways.It is a maturity that is evidenced in the ways we pray- together and alone. We have come to see that religiouslife is not a problem to be solved but rather a mystery tobe lived - fully and wholeheartedly.

This May we will celebrate the opening of a historyexhibit which depicts so beautifully the stories that

have brought congregations of women religious ofthe United States to this point in time. Especially now,when the very meaning of our lives seems to be calledinto question, let us continue to trust the Spirit ofGod and the processes that have been unfolding in usthroughout the years. Women & Spirit: Catholic Sistersin America is more than a history-on-display. Women& Spirit is a reality in each of us who seeks to follow inthe footsteps of those women religious who have paved

the way before us. In the coming weeks and months, letour stories be told. Let the truth be known about whowe have become and what brings us to this moment intime.

H w roac ts tk c hpfly r

ndrtnngs n igts t es t b cli wm iis m l ris

pt iis f r r.


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(continued from page 1)

explained Eva Regina Martin, SSF.

Suellen Tennyson, MSC also noted an increased need

for more quality educators. It is something we need tolook at, she said, and other leaders, especially from thecongregations high schools, agreed.

Camille Ann Campbell, O. Carm is president at Mt.Carmel Academy. One of the things she and others seeas vitally important is responding to the immigrantpopulation. We have a 5-year Spanish program at ourschool now, she says, so there can be those who canwelcome the Hispanic immigrants. This is especiallyimportant for healthcare.

Congregations also pointed out the need to be pres-ent in the community and to continue to be a sign ofpresence, hope, and encouragement for others to getreestablished again.

The multi-million dollar fundraising effort is a collab-orative project between the LCWR and FADICA and in-volved the support of organizations including CatholicCharities USA and SC Ministry Foundation.

New Orleans Recovery Project

The sisters in New Orleans honored some of those involvedwith the fundraising effort that has helped raise $7.2 millionfor their congregations and ministries. Pictured left to right:Loretta ODonnell (SC Ministry Foundation), MaureenMaxfield (SC Ministry Foundation), Carole Schinnick,SSND (former LCWR executive director), Frank Butler(FADICA), Suzanne Hall, SNDdeN (LCWR recovery projectcoordinator), Sally Duffy (SC Ministry Foundation), andJane Burke, SSND (LCWR executive director).

2009 LCWR Assembly

New Orleans, Louisiana

Pre-Assembly Tours of Sites Impacted by

Hurricane Katrina

August 11 morning

Opening of AssemblyAugust 11 7:00 PM

Closing of Assembly

August 14 9:00 PM

Travel Home

August 15

Women of Spirit:Creating in Chaos

Registration forms will be sent online


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LCWR Update May 2009 page 4Donations Sought for LCWR AssemblyScholarship Fund

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ach year LCWR receives requests for scholarshipassistance from communities who cannot afford to

attend the assembly. The scholarship fund consistsof donations made by member congregations as well asthe money received from the LCWR cartridge recyclingprogram (see article to right).

LCWR is seeking donations for this fund. Although theconference recognizes that this request comes in dif-ficult economic times, there are critical issues facing allUS women religious leaders, as well as the conferenceas a whole. It is particularly important this year that asmany leaders as possible attend this assembly.

Donations may be sent to:LCWR Scholarship Fund8808 Cameron StreetSilver Spring, MD 20910

Checks should be made payable to LCWR, with Schol-arship Fund written on the memo line.

Help Build the Assembly Scholarship

Fund by Recycling Cartridges

LCWR works in conjunction with a nationalcartridge recycling program in an effort to protectthe environment and support LCWR members

who need financial assistance to attend the annualassembly.

Throughout the year, LCWR member congregations,their sponsored works, and many other organizationssend their used ink cartridges to Empties4cash, acompany that pays up to $4.00 for each empty inkjetcartridge sent. The company provides free supplies andfree shipping, and there is no cost to participate. Moneyreceived by LCWR from Empties4cash is placed in theLCWR scholarship fund.

Anyone interested in participating in this effort canreceive directions and free supplies by contacting CarolGlidden [email protected] or by calling 301-588-4955. Participants must provide a contact name, e-mail,phone number, and address.

Catholic Coalition on Climate ChangeLaunches Catholic Climate Covenant

On April 21, the eve of Earth Day, the CatholicCoalition on Climate Change, of which LCWR isa member, held a webcast to announce the cov-

enant initiative which asks Catholics, Who Is UnderYour Carbon Footprint? The covenant brings togethercalls for action to protect people who are poor and tocare for Gods creation by urging Catholic individuals,families, parishes, schools, hospitals, and others to takethe St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor. Asa coalition partner and endorser of the covenant, LCWRhas signed the pledge and has urged member congre-

gations to both take the pledge and to disseminate theinformation to associates, sponsored ministries, co-workers, and others. Many LCWR congregations haveled the way on actions incorporated into the pledge andare now invited to be part of this covenant campaign.To view the mailer that was sent to every Catholic par-ish in the US seewww.catholicsandclimatechange.org ,right column.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/http://www.catholicsandclimatechange.org/mailto:[email protected]


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Upcoming Showings

Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminalin the Cincinnati History MuseumCincinnati, OhioMay 16 - August 30, 2009

The Womens Museum: An Institute for the FutureDallas, TexasSeptember - December 2009

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

Grand Opening of Exhibit Set for May 16

The long-anticipated opening of Women & Spirit:Catholic Sisters in America will take place on Satur-day, May 16 at the Cincinnati Museum Center. The

exhibit will run at this first location until August 30.

The Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati have offered hos-pitality at their motherhouse for women religious whoplan to attend the exhibit throughout the summermonths. Space is limited. More information can be ob-tained by contacting [email protected]. Additional information about directions to the

Cincinnati Museum Center, admission costs, and morecan be found on the LCWR website at www.lcwr.org/what%27snew/exfacts.doc.

LCWR recently secured a fourth venue for the exhibitin Dallas. Negotiations are underway with many othermuseums across the country with plans in place to runthe exhibit through the end of 2012.

The exhibit website is growing rapidly with manymore materials now available for marketing purposes,including a behind-the-scenes look at the exhibit, withinterviews with members of the LCWR History Com-mittee (www.womenandspirit.org/webOne/index.php?www=sp_detail&id=61&navigation_main_id=68).

Educational materials will also be made available soonon the website. The materials will be suitable for usein public as well as parochial K-12 schools and will belinked to national and state standards in history andsocial sciences. Materials will focus on the biographiesof Catholic sisters and their many accomplishments aswell as understanding the context of their contributions

and their ongoing impact on our lives today.

Visit www.womenandspirit.org
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.lcwr.org/what%27snew/exfacts.dochttp://www.lcwr.org/what%27snew/exfacts.dochttp://www.lcwr.org/what%27snew/exfacts.dochttp://www.womenandspirit.org/webOne/index.php?www=sp_detail&id=61&navigation_main_id=68http://www.womenandspirit.org/webOne/index.php?www=sp_detail&id=61&navigation_main_id=68http://www.womenandspirit.org/webOne/index.php?www=sp_detail&id=61&navigation_main_id=68http://www.womenandspirit.org/http://www.womenandspirit.org/http://www.womenandspirit.org/webOne/index.php?www=sp_detail&id=61&navigation_main_id=68http://www.lcwr.org/what%27snew/exfacts.docmailto:[email protected]


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LCWR Participates in HealthcareMeetings

The National Coalition of Catholic Health Care Min-istry (NCCHCM) meeting was held in Washington,DC on March 24 with all members present, repre-

senting CHA, USCCB, LCWR, CMSWR and CatholicCharities. The major agenda item was a review of the1987 document, Catholic Health Ministry: A New Visionfor a New Century, to assess the degree to which boththe vision and proposed strategies have been achieved.Members also discussed what new vision elements andstrategies are called for at this time. While most of thegoals in the document are now the work of CHA, theNCcHCM will focus on the purpose of being a forum

for building relationships among the members bymeans of engaging in conversations around significanttopics impacting health care, especially to anticipateand explore emerging issues.

The spring meeting of the trustees of the CatholicHealth Association (CHA) is traditionally held inWashington, DC in order to incorporate a legislative/advocacy workshop into the board meeting. Guestswho addressed the trustees on April 3 regarding topicsrelated to healthcare reform and the federal budgetincluded John Podesta, Center for American Progress;

Russ Sullivan, aide to Senator Max Baucus; John Ebelar,aide to Representative Henry Waxman; and KerryWeens, former director of the Centers for Medicaid andMedicare Services (CMS), who addressed the potentialimpact on Medicare and Medicaid if healthcare reformis not enacted.

OrderLCWR Occasional Papers byJune 8

US women religious are facing many critical chal-lenges today, some of which will be addressed atthe August LCWR assembly in New Orleans. The

Summer 2009 issue of Occasional Papers will providematerial for reflecting on some of these challenges aswell as what is called for today as women religiousnavigate through the often chaotic and murky watersof these times. This issue, which focuses on the 2009LCWR assembly theme, Women of Spirit: Creating in

Chaos, will include:

An Interview with Donna M. Fyffe, founder of Com-munityWorks, Inc.A process consultant with expertise in communitybuilding, leadership development and cultural change,Donna M. Fyffe speaks of the challenges of religious lifeleadership at a time when much of what is known aboutthe life is changing and while the new has not quite yetemerged.

An Interview with Dr. Carolyn Woo, Dean of the Men-

doza College of Business at the University of NotreDameDr. Carolyn Woo helps US women religious situate theeconomic challenges their congregations currently facein the broader context of national and global econom-ics. She addresses such matters as transforming oureconomic systems, examining our values, rethinking theinstitutions of society, and the possible roles US womenreligious can play as the world works through this dif-ficult time.

Reflections from Leaders and Financial Officers ofCongregations of Women ReligiousReligious who have been working with congregationalleadership as well as financial issues offer insights onliving and praying through these times.

Learning from Our Legacy

before them who faced challenges with passion and ac-complished astounding deeds?

Questions for further personal and communal reflectionare provided with these articles as well.

The order form (which must be submitted with a checkby June 8) is available on the LCWR website atwww.lcwr.org/lcwrpublications/OPordersSummer09.pdf

As the exhibit Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in Americaopens, what can women religious leaders today learnfrom the lives of the women religious who have gone
http://www.lcwr.org/lcwrpublications/OPordersSummer09.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwrpublications/OPordersSummer09.pdfhttp://www.lcwr.org/lcwrpublications/OPordersSummer09.pdf


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LCWR Update May 2009 page 7JFI Encourages Remembrance ofPostville Raid on May 12

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ay 12, 2009 marks the first anniversary of theImmigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE)raid at the Agriprocessors Inc. plant in the small

town of Postville, Iowa, formerly known as Home-town to the World. Justice for Immigrants (JFI) joinsthe Interfaith Immigration Coalition (IIC) and the faithcommunity of Postville in bringing to national attentionthe devastating effects of raids on communities acrossthe US. Faith communities are encouraged to plan someremembrance event to act in solidarity with the nearly400 workers who were detained as a result of the raidand with their families who continue to struggle.

The Archdiocese of Dubuque has set up a website to

help people familiarize themselves with the raid, itsimpact on the community, and the churchs response:www.arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/PostvilleRelief/. The prayerservice taking place in Postville can also be found onthis site and can be modified for other local events.LCWR members are encouraged to remember Postvilleon May 12.

JFI also held a successful Ohio Convening from March26 to 28 for 140 people from several states, and will holda Colorado Convening on May 19 and 20. Informationcan be found on the JFI website: www.justiceforimmi-

grants.org.

LCWR/CMSM Justice CommitteesMeet in Washington, DC

M

embers of the LCWR Global Concerns Com-mittee and the CMSM Justice & Peace Com-

mittee held their annual meeting on April 16in Washington to share activities and explore areasof collaboration. A major item of discussion was theimplementation of the 2009 joint resolution on cli-mate change. CMSM members were impressed withthe implementation responses received to date fromLCWR regions and plan to canvass their members onways they have acted on the joint resolution. Membersconsidered how these doable activities might be sharedwith others.

The justice committees keep in touch with activities

of Religious at the UN (RUN) and with the Justice,Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission inRome by means of their meeting minutes and reports.One current item of concern is the May 15-19, 2009Study Week of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences onTransgenic Plants for Food Security in the Context ofDevelopment, which features speakers who promotetransgenic plants, i.e., genetically modified organisms(GMOs). Pro-GMO studies are often financed by thepowerful lobby of agro-industries whose motivationis most likely control of food production rather thangenuine concern for poor countries such as those foundon the African continent where small farmers have haddisastrous experience with GMO crops. Many lettershave been written to the Pontifical Academy urging adiversity of speakers, including these small farmers,in order to come to more balanced conclusions andrecommendations.
http://www.arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/PostvilleRelief/http://www.arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/PostvilleRelief/http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/http://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/http://www.arch.pvt.k12.ia.us/PostvilleRelief/


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LCWR Update May 2009 page 8Upcoming LCWR Dates

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. Johns

Plymouth, MichiganMarch 11 14, 2010

LCWR AssemblyDallas, TexasAugust 10 14, 2010

LCWR Leading from Within RetreatSan Pedro Spiritual Retreat Center

Winter Park, FLJanuary 16 23, 2011

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

Leaders Invited to AnnualCommunications Conference

The National Communicators Network for WomenReligious will host its 15th annual conference Octo-ber 69 in San Francisco, California. Presentations

and breakout sessions will focus on the theme Build-ing Bridges.

Sandra Schneiders, IHM, professor of New TestamentStudies and Christian Spirituality at the Jesuit School ofTheology in Berkeley, will be the opening speaker at theconference. Joann Heinritz, CSJ, will speak on the spiri-tuality of communications. Workshops will focus on

managing digital photos, blogging, special event plan-ning, and the practical use of emerging technologiessuch as online social networking. NCNWR memberswill also showcase exemplary communications projects(as judged by their peers) during the Best Practicessession.

Congregational leaders are encouraged to attend. Theconference schedule and registration form are availableonline atwww.ncnwr.orgConference.

NCNWR is a professional organization of personnel re-sponsible for communications within religious congre-gations of women. Their mission is to be a network ofprofessional support and education for members whopromote understanding of women religious, enhancetheir image and advance their mission. NCNWR is alsoa resource to organizations serving women religious.Congregational leaders are invited to join as associ-ate members. More information can be found at www.ncnwr.org.
http://www.lcwr.org/http://www.ncnwr.org/http://www.ncnwr.org/http://www.ncnwr.org/http://www.ncnwr.org/http://www.ncnwr.org/http://www.ncnwr.org/http://www.ncnwr.org/http://www.lcwr.org/http://www.ncnwr.org/http://www.ncnwr.org/


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KINDLING Goes Electronic

KINDLING, CSRLs publication highlighting an aspectof religious life, has gone electronic.

The focus of the next issue is on special religious lifelibrary and archive collections. It will be distributedto CSRL members by e-mail just as the LCWR historyexhibit, Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America, is

opening in Cincinnati. The exhibit showcases well theimportance and richness of congregational archives.

Past issues of KINDLING are available on CSRLs web-page at www.religious-life.org/newsletters/index.html.

Inventory Sale in May

Watch the CSRL webpage for its publication inventorysale in May. All CSRL members will get information onthe sale by e-mail.
http://www.religious-life.org/newsletters/index.htmlhttp://www.religious-life.org/newsletters/index.htmlhttp://www.religious-life.org/newsletters/index.html

Documents

May 2009 Leadership Conference of Women Religious Newsletter