The Council of Women Religious

Council of Religious

Minutes of Aug. 12^th Meeting

1.       Opening Prayer … Sr. Joan

2.       Attendance … Srs. Joan, Barbara Marie, Margaret, Lois, Shirley, Mary Therese, Mary Ann, Gerry, Mary Jean.   Excused: Sr. Joanna                            

3.       Response of the Sisters to the death of Mr. Burbidge ….. $100 donation to the Home Mission Fund.  Sr. Shirley will send a card.                           

4.       Vocation Prayers for Women …

a)      A monthly date is on Diocesan Calendar … sponsored by the Vocation Office

… more details when we know more about it

b)      We have surfaced the name of 9 Women Religious who are native Carolinians serving throughout the U.S.

c)       Sr. Mary Therese has a sample Prayer Card for Vocations that we will consider

d)      Sr. Joanna has not yet contacted Sr. Margaret Harig (see last minutes)

e)      Other suggestions: do something in conjunction with the Youth Convention, Search Retreats, etc.        

f)       More discussion at the next meeting since we needed time to work on the September overnight and gathering with the Bishop

5.       National Religious Retirement Collection

a)      A question has arisen at the Diocesan Level regarding the poster … Sr. Barbara Marie and Sr. Joan will follow up on this; more details at the September gathering

b)      After 10 years of service as Coordinator of this Collection, Sr. Mary Jean has asked to be relieved of this; Council will make recommendations to the Bishop at the next meeting for a replacement beginning with the 2009 Collection.

The Council, speaking in the name of all the religious in the Diocese, thanked Sr. Mary Jean for her dedication and long service to the National Retirement Fund Campaign in the Diocese.  We are grateful for all she did to coordinate the campaign.

6.       September Overnight …

a)      Only 2 sisters are not coming … Sr. Damian and Sr. Carol May

b)      Details for the evening were discussed and Council Members will complete all needed arrangement.

7.       Jubilee ’09 …

a)      Celebrants …. Sr. Anne Heath(40), Sr. Carol Loughney(50), Sr. Marion McGillicuddy(60)Sr. Gerry Megel(60).  We are checking to see if any of the IHM sisters are Jubilarians in 2009.

b)      Saturday, February 7 … 11a.m. liturgy at Cathedral; reception to follow at the Clarion Hotel.

c)       Sr. Lois is working on the article for the NC Catholic

d)      More work will be done on this at the November meeting

8.       New member ship … an invitation will be part of the overnight welcome packet.  We have asked and Sr. Mary Agnes Ryan, IHM has agreed to become part of Council.

9.       Next meeting … Thursday, November 6! 12:30 lunch followed by 1-3p.m. meeting.