The Intra Congregational Vocations and Formation Team which was formed 3 years ago to look at the future of our formation programmes, report on their recent annual meeting in the U.S.A.
The Intra Congregational Vocations and Formation Team meeting took place in Leavenworth, Kansas from 6th – 11th November 2011.
Sisters had the opportunity to experience the hospitality of the California/Venezuela Region prior to these dates.
Each day we gathered for prayer which reflected the cultures and traditional peoples of the various countries represented in the group.
Our facilitator was Sister Constance Phelps SCL, a Sister of Charity of Leavenworth, who led us each day in a full programme of attentive listening, reflection, open discussion and writing.
Our meeting included in-depth study of the responses to the Reflection and Review Questions distributed around the congregation last Advent, in the light of the Kasisi Document, with a particular focus on the responses from those engaged in formation at every level. This enabled us to identify specific elements to be incorporated into the process for those sisters preparing for final commitment in our congregation.
The group has expanded this year to include the novice directors from Zambia and Nigeria. The presence of those engaged directly in the formation process greatly enriched our discussion and learning.
Those present were Sisters Patricia Lenihan, General Leadership Team; Theresa Helena Muzeta, Winfreda Chileshe and Geraldine Hamukale from Zambia; Justina Nelson, Brid Greville and Elizabeth Onyekigwe from Nigeria; Ann Marie McGeever from Ireland; Jacinta Boland from the England/Scotland Province; Kathleen Bryant from California/Venezuela Region and Linda Ferrington and Libbey Byrne from our sister Congregation in Australia.
The following week the group attended the Religious Formation Conference, Prophetic Religious Life: If not now, When? in Kansas City, Missouri and returned home with new insights and ideas.
We are very grateful for the hospitality of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth – the retreat house is place of beauty and tranquility. Our informal times together in the evenings were opportunities to share, relax and enjoy each other’s company.
