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Council of Religious
Minutes of the March 26th Meeting
A. Present:
Srs. Barbara Marie, Joan, Mary Therese, Margaret, Shirley, Mary Jean
B. Excused: Srs.
Joanna, Gerry, Mary Ann
C. Opening
prayer … lead by Sr. Mary Jean in honor of the Feast of the Annunciation
D. Jubilee
Evaluation …. many positive notes and comments about the liturgy, choir, reception, addition of music at the
reception, gifts for the Jubilarians, publicity in the NC Catholics, and most of all the address given by Sr. Lois (many have shared
this with other sisters in their community).
Areas of concern:
…seeming need to begin the reception with prayer by the Bishop
…failure of the editor of the NC Catholics to take a picture of
the entire group of Jubilarians with the Bishop
… need for information on the Jubilarians to be available to the editor of the NC Catholics by August (we will
ask Sr. Gerry if she would consider interviewing the Jubilarians and getting their pictures. (Sister offered to do
this kind of work for us when she was at the last meeting.)
…. number of communications necessary to get the liturgy plan approved
…lack of access to the reception and to restrooms for anyone who is wheelchair bound …. this was a major
discussion because it is a matter of LAW and not just
convenience; we came to two suggestions for Sr. Barbara Marie
to take to the Bishop when she meets with him after
Easter:
1) Liturgy at the Cathedral, simple reception (in
keeping with our lifestyle at the Clarion after the liturgy (this would
require additional cost even if kept simple)…unless
Cathedral can make the school hall accessible for
wheelchair bound.
2) Move the Liturgy somewhere else in the
diocese which would have wheelchair accessibility. This
would require more logistical work since the pattern for
the celebration is part of the working knowledge of the
Cathedral staff.
E. Jubilee
2008 …. the date is Feb. 2, 2008 …. at Sacred Heart Cathedral
pending previous discussion with the Bishop. At present it appears
that there are only two Jubilarians … both 50 years …
Sr. Attracta Kelly and Sr. Edna English
F. Holy Hour
for Vocations … suggestion raised that the PLACE of the
Holy Hour might be rotated through the different deaneries and
not just at the Cathedral in the Raleigh Deanary. It was also recommended that we ask if a consecrated religious woman might
have a part in the Holy Hour, if the prayers are for vocations to
diocesan priesthood and orders of men AND women. It was also
suggested that the format of the Holy Hours be made known and
that its length be somewhat curtailed considering the time it
begins and the travel time of attendees.
G. “Day with
the Bishop” …. the date presented was Sept. 15th. It is
apparent that that will eliminate several sisters because of already
scheduled events (Justice and Peace Office & Holy Cross Sisters).
Barbara Marie will discuss the possibility of changing the date
with the Bishop.
Suggestion was raised that we consider making this an “overnight”
event to allow the sisters to have time to spend with each other …
e.g. arrive Friday late afternoon, dinner together and time to
spend with each other; Sat. Mass and gathering with Bishop,
close with lunch. Sr. Mary Jean will investigate the cost of doing this prior to Sr. Barbara Marie’s meeting with the
Bishop.
Sr. Mary Jean noted a message from the Diocesan Staff with said
that money for this event to be held annually will become part of
the Council of Religious Budget beginning in 2007-2008.
H. As far as
we know, the following sisters will be leaving the Diocese at the
end of this year: Sr. Susan Armbruster, IHM
Sr. Mary Ellen Coyne, IHM
Sr. Helen Marie Kling, DC
Sr. Margaret Mary Scally,
DC
Sr. Joan Warner, DC
We do
not know if any new sisters will be coming to the diocese.
Sr.
Mary Leahy, FCJ has joined Sr. Joanna Walsh in Durham for at
least the next 2 years.
I. Religious
Retirement Collection …. the total send to the National
Office was $210, 671. 64. This was an increase of 4% over 2005.
Sister Mary Jean will be meeting with the Bishop to look at the
overall picture and whether any changes should be make.
HELP! Sr. Mary Jean would like to create a Religious Retirement
Poster that is reflective of our diocese. Send her any
pictures you have or can get of Sisters who have served in our
diocese who are now retired. A PRIZE WILL BE OFFERED TO
THOSE COMMUNITIES WHO RESPOND!!
J. New
project to be considered in more detail at the next meeting ….
INSERT sheet for the NC Catholics about 4 times a year that will
highlight the work of the sisters …. many of the activities mentioned by Sr. Lois in her reflection. This will help the people of
the
diocese to come to know us better.
K. Leadership
for Council …. since the present chairs have served for years
we would like to look to new leadership to begin in October of
2007. Joan and Mary Jean expressed a willingness. We will
consider our options at the next meeting.
L. Next
meeting …. Monday, May 14th 3-5 Followed by dinner…. Joan
will make reservations for dinner.
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