The Council of Women Religious

Council of Religious

Minutes of Meeting on Jan. 10, 2008

Opening Prayer: Sr. Joan

Attendance:

     Present …Srs. Joan, Lois, Mary Therese, Margaret, Joanna, Gerry,

                        Shirley, Mary Jean

         Guests: Sr. Theresine and Maxine

     Excused: Sr. Barbara Marie

A. Review of duties for the Jubilee Celebration and a thank you to Sr. Lois

        for obtaining the info for the NC Catholics article

B. Religious Retirement Collection …

·        Sister Mary Jean reported that we need to adjust our approach to contact with the pastors. The lead time to the collection this year was short and as a result Sisters were unable to volunteer for talks. Further discussion on this topic will take place at the next meeting.   Sisters were asked to submit pictures of retirees from their communities with dates and times of ministry in North Carolina.

C. Diocesan Pilgrimage

·        The Council will sponsor some sisters to the diocesan Pilgrimage in April.

·        All Sisters are invited to submit a request by Jan. 21. An e-mail will be sent.

·        The number of Sisters who can be sponsored depends on their option choice for the pilgrimage.

·        Sisters will need to register individually. The registration form is on the diocesan web site.

D. September 19-20 Sisters Gathering

 Over-night get-together

·        Sister Gerry volunteered to work on an invitation for this event

·        It was suggested that we discuss how we might structure the time with the Bishop to cover a diverse set of ideas.

·        This will be a topic for the May meeting.

E. Discussion of Immigration Issues and How Sisters can be more involved.

Actions Taken:

Sr. Joan will assemble a packet of information  about the immigrant rights and responsibilities and send it to all Sisters .

(Materials will be shown to Mauricio

     Castro , NC Latino Coalition for any additional materials.)

·        We will take up the issue again at the next meeting to find ways to learn what help Sisters working with immigrants might like since this is stressful and sometimes a lonely work, especially in the light of ICE raids. This could also be a topic at our meeting at the September evening.

·        Sr. Lois will talk to Sue Gilbertson (Piedmont Deanery Catholic Charities) and Maurice about what has been done and what needs to be done and report back at the next meeting.

F. Vocation Holy Hour Discussion…. Sisters’ Version

• How can we go about inviting women for prayer and introducing them to sisters.

• Think about the following questions for the next meeting..

           Who?  Why? What for?

·        Perhaps we could involve “A Place for Women to Gather”?

·        Perhaps we could involve the discussion around justice issues?

G.  G. Sr. Joanna was asked to plan a prayer and reflection afternoon for the Council members at their House of Spirituality.

H. Sr. Joan will follow up with the diocesan Human Resources person if available diocesan positions are being sent to the Religious Communities of Sisters serving in the Diocese .

Meeting ended with prayer led by Sister Shirley.

I. Next meeting … April 3rd – 3-5p.m. followed by dinner out