The Council of Women Religious

Council of Religious Special Meeting

March 25, 2008-03-27

Opening Prayer: Sr. Joanna Walsh

Attendance: Bishop Michael Burbidge (present for parts a, b, c), Rev. Ned Schlesinger (present for part a), Russ Elmayan (present for part e), Srs. Margaret Gallagher, Gerry Megel, Joan Jurski, Barbara Marie Cady, Joanna Walsh, Lois McGillivary, Mary Ann Czaja, Mary Therese Brown, Shirley Simpson, Mary Jean Korejwo, Attracta Kelly, Mary Margaret Weber

Topics Presented by the Bishop:

a)     Promotion of Vocations …

--Holy Hour for Vocations … during the first year they were designed especially for families to pray for vocations: during the second year, after receiving several suggestions, they we moved to the deaneries and a dinner was added before the Holy Hours to which area pastors were encouraged to invite a young man they thought might have a vocation to the priesthood; third year plan has not yet been set.

--Fr. Ned explained the rationale that the Diocesan Office of Vocations operates on and what is being done to promote vocations to the diocesan priesthood ….this includes, at present, a discernment group that meets monthly

--Question raised was: How can the Offices help facilitate promotion of vocations to the consecrated life? The office personnel has no expertise in this area and does not know who to refer women to.

--A first answer was … the use of our website which includes information on all the communities of sisters serving in the diocese; as well as vocation discernment questions; and contact information.

--The Council will look to the following: finding a liaison to the Office of Vocations: and determine how we would like to promote vocations discernment with young women … and how the Office can assist us in this endeavor.

b)    Jubilee Celebration …

--Bishop sees this as an important way to liftup consecrated life; and sees the reflection by a Sisters as important in this event. He hopes the publicity in the NC Catholic and on the website gives further witness to consecrated life.

--Sisters Attracta and Mary Margaret raised important issues particularly connected with this years’ celebration …

    …expectation that the Jubilarians should be responsible for preparation of the liturgy

    ….difficulty of getting approval of the liturgy even though it was prepared by two sisters, Sr. Mary Margaret and Sr. Janet, who are both fully accredited liturgists, and then the hurt caused by changing the approved plan the night before the Mass with no consultation

    …the Council responded to the first issue by offering to look at a committee from Council to prepare the liturgy and inviting the Jubilarians to be part of that group

   …the Bishop responded to the second issue with an apology, saying that the situation is compounded now by the lack of a Director of Worship, and by indicating there was a breakdown in communication in evidence here

   ….issue also raised of if it needs to be at the Cathedral; answer … no! but this has been the preference of the Jubilarians and the choir and staff at Cathedral are always very accommodating

c)     Other announcements by the Bishop …

--prayers for Msgr. Sherba

--5 IHM (Immaculata) Sisters will be coming to the diocese July 1 to serve as Diocesan Director of Catechesis, 2 in Hispanic Ministry, 1 in education, and 1 in a parish

-- Bishop Burbidge is now a member of he NCCB Committee for Clergy, Consecrated Life, and Vocations and would appreciate any input for the National Meeting

d)    Announcements of “happenings” between this meeting and the last …

--Council is supporting financially the following for the Diocesan Pilgrimage: Sr. Joanna and Sr. Mary, Sr. Lois, Sr. Mary Ann and a companion

--Council sent a check for $100 in memory of John Carbone to Our Lady of Lourdes School. Maria House(Casa Carbone), his daughter has always been very generous to the sisters

--at present we know of two Jubilarians for Feb. 7, 2009 .. Sr. Anne Heath, 40; and Sr. Carol Loughney, 50.

--the original cost of $2650 quoted for the reception was for food only; final cost was $3380.80. Will be about the same for 2009.  There were many positive comments about the reception and it’s handicap accessibility. Council needs to discuss a few changes before the contract is finalized for 2009.

…the Religious Retirement Collection total was $201,467.60, this is down about $9000 from last year. Council was discuss some possible changes at the next meeting. We have pictures for a new poster for 2008.

--Council approved a letter and reservation form, created by Sr. Gerry for the September overnight gathering of the sisters.

e)     Diocesan Budget … Russ Elmayan

         …Russ presented an overview with new areas of the budget being considered. The budget is not yet approved because it is not a balanced budget yet.

         …Religious Stipend for 2008-2009 will increase 3%

_____________Items to be dealt with at the next meeting on May 15^th. This meeting will open with lunch at 11:30. Members will be notified of the place; followed by a working meeting at the Catholic Center.

A.   September gathering …

Reservations …. Sr. Mary Jean

Meeting and Greeting

Planning for the evening after dinner

Liturgy for Saturday morning at Lourdes

Conversation with the Bishop

Coordination with Lourdes for seating for conversation and lunch

B.    Vocations to Consecrated Life

Liaison to the Office of Vocations

How do We want to promote vocations to consecrated life

How can the Office support us