Community Days: In Our Own Words
From left: Srs. Jeanne Flanagan, Marce Connolly, Mary Alice Neylon, Roslyn Snyder, Julia Reardon, Mary Woods, Janice Costello, Catherine Rita Palmisano, and Helen Dailey
From left: Srs. Jo Ann Timmerman, Ann Henkel, Christine Walcott, Mary Ellen O’Grady, Deb Bomyea, Carol Artery, and Julia Mohr
From left: Srs. Dorothea Snaer, Betsy Pawlicki, Elaine LaCanne, Clare Wagner, Christine Walcott, and Laurie Brink
by Christina Araujo, OP
It was Friday afternoon. I sat enthralled. Around me were swirling images as group after group presented its dream for our Congregation’s future―new life, renewed contemplation, new models of community, collaboration, commitment to justice, care for our heritage, renewed mission thrust addressing contemporary needs using contemporary tools. Like so many planets in orbit, the metaphors floated by, held in place by the invisible―but very real―energy of relationship, joyful, respectful, caring, human relationship. In the midst of it all I sensed the energy moving us outward, enlarging our space, calling forth newness. Yes, creation continues.
by Winifred Morgan, OP
The event’s organization and preparation made the significant investment of time, money, and energy worthwhile. The prayer and music, the celebrations reminded me of the way our Sisters gift us with their talents. But these days represent far more than an emotional high. We were moving beyond stances that we have fallen into and were willing to speak hard truths to one another. So I left the Mound tired but with a sense of hope and gratitude that we didn’t just repeat unexamined positions.
by Dorothea Snaer, OP
The highlights of Community Days, of course, were the preaching and music of the celebration liturgies of St. Dominic, reception, and profession. We always sing as if we had been together for years, not separated at our ministries. At the meetings we proved our ability to discuss, to connect dreams and ideas, to create a visual way of expressing what we talked about. Our facilitators Sallie [Lee], Ada Jo [Mann], and Jen [Hetzel Silbert] helped us to discuss in various ways, to share, and to arrive at clearer ideas. A highlight of the sharing of ideas and next steps was when the facilitators gave us a list of topics and said, “Are these the topics you wish to discuss tomorrow?” and so many of us said, “No.” We were invited to turn in the topic we wanted discussed. The topics were then clustered and announced, and we were asked if our desired topic had been included. Again we had the opportunity to voice what was still needed. When each Sister gravitated toward a topic, it was evident that the alternative proposal work would not be left out of our discussion. The large number of Sisters choosing the topics of ecospirituality, simple life, models of community life, and sustainability showed where the majority of interest lies. It was suggested that an integration committee be formed to help us with future congregation work on these topics.
by Judy Jewison, OP
Our conversations were dynamic, insightful, and inspirational. We connected at the heart, sang from the bottom of our souls, and joyfully celebrated and embraced the diversity of our beings―together. I am reminded of the elements that characterize healthy living systems and look forward to having many more “conversations that matter” as we create our future to strengthen who we “be,” what we “do,” and how we align our resources to sustain our Earth―our mission.
by Jeanne Flanagan, OP
Remaining in Jesus, abiding in Jesus through love of one another is what our life together in community is about. This kind of love . . . will be the source of your joy―but it will not be without cost. It is precisely for love like this that you―that we―have been called, have been chosen. . . . All of us have known through experience that the gifts and challenges of community life change each time one of us moves to a new ministry and enters the life of the Sisters in that place. The dynamics change―perhaps subtly―perhaps rather dramatically―but change they do. Everyone in the community is affected, and we hear again the Lord’s new commandment: “Abide in me as I abide in you. Love one another as I have loved you.” [Excerpt from novitiate reception ceremony]
by Patricia Mulcahey, OP
Different from the many times we have gathered with our Sisters in Chapters and assemblies, this gathering is deeper in focus. We haven’t come to talk about needed changes in our Constitution, or governance structures, or the future of the Mound. We have come to share with each other what means most to us about our life, what priorities we want as part of our future. And so trusting that God is with us, just as God was present with the Emmaus disciples, we have these days to converse. Challenged to deepen our understandings rather than add to our documents, we have the opportunity to share with each other what means most to us. . . . Our prayer for these days is that God will transfigure us with burning hearts and deeper understandings, just as the Emmaus disciples were transfigured with burning hearts and deeper understandings. [Excerpt from opening reflection]