Council of Women Religious

Minutes for November 6 Meeting

*Opening Prayer ….. Sr. Mary Therese

*Attendance: Srs. Mary Joan, Barbara Marie, Shirley, Mary Agnes, Lois, Gerry, Mary Therese, Mary Jean

*Excused: Srs. Mary Ann, Margaret, Joanna

*Discussion of Meeting of Bishop Burbidge, Msgr. Sherba, Joan and Barbara Marie

Restructuring of the Council of Women Religious Diocese of Raleigh

       Bishop shared his vision of how he envisions the Council of Women Religious to function in the diocese as well as its position within the diocesan structure. His affirmation of the Council was evident. He hoped that the Council would be productive and energizing. To do this there needs to be a restructuring. He suggested that we use the model of the Priest’s Council structure. Msgr. Shared   this model with the group.

            To accomplish these goals the Council will focus on:

                        Election of membership

                        Format of meetings

                        Agenda creation

                        Calendar

                        Standing Committees

            Regarding elections the Bishop suggested that he would affirm those elected with a letter of affirmation. Copies would be sent to the Sister’s Pastor or Ministerial Leader. This letter would also be sent to the Congregational Leader of the Sister.

            At this time, all present members of the Council will be eligible for election. The new              model will be functioning in 2009.

            The meeting met the needs of answering the questions: “What is the Council of              Religious position in the diocese? What is the relationship of the Bishop and the Council of Priests to the Council of Religious?”

*Work on revision of the “Bylaws of the Council” to fit the new vision … when this is         completed a copy will be sent to all the sisters.

*Evaluation of the September overnight ….

Evaluation of September Overnight 2008

   Number of responses: 19

     a)      Information we provided you in preparation for our time together?               

      Very fine; very clear; good; sufficient; gave a focus to our gathering; very helpful; well done.

b) Room and hotel accommodations?

Good, great, wonderful, superb, comfortable and convenient; food superb Use of a loud carpet cleaner in the hall until 10:30 was annoying.

c) Our Friday evening gathering?

Good; gave us a chance to see the different perspectives among us; felt a great spirit between us; great and open discussion; worked well with the small groups; inclusive of everyone; good questions; it helped to prepare and focus us for the meeting with the Bishop; invigoration; filled me with hope and joy to hear all we are doing and what our hopes are.

 d) Our conversation with the Bishop?

Good; thought there was a sincerity on his part to listen; saw growth in that sisters felt free to express their real thoughts; it remains to be seen what he will do with what he heard; I thought the sisters were clear, honest and respectful; I think he is surrounded by a group of priests who are not always portraying his sentiments but rather their own; I left the meeting a little hopeful that perhaps he can live into his words, but still very cautious; many other sisters don’t have any opportunity to sit down with their bishop at all; potentially productive.

e) Favorite?

Hearing each other’s stories; meeting with bishop; chance to share time together; actually getting to meet the sisters and have time to learn a little about them.

f) Other suggestions and comments?

• Gathering time from 5 to 6

• Some FUN things to do together, not just work

• Choose a hotel that has breakfast

• It was a beautiful blessing for us

• Start earlier in the day

• Sitting around after the meal and relaxing and sharing

• Have sisters bring a bottle of wine for the tables (not permitted by hotel)

• Breakfast, lunch and service at Lourdes was wonderful.

 *Planning for Jubilee ….

            Invitations – design, print, send to Jubilarians(25 each), to Bishop and diocesan personnel, to sisters ….Mary Jean, Shirley Liturgy – planning, coordination with diocese, jubilarians, and music director at Cathedral …. Mary Agnes printing of program … Mary Jean Reception at Clarion …. Mary Jean Corsages and flowers …. Director at Cathedral, Mary Jean Gifts … Barbara Marie Publicity in NC Catholic … Lois

*Interim activities …. things that we did “between meetings”

            Sent $100 to Bishop Gossman for his favorite charity on the occasion of his anniversary

            Sent flowers for the wake of Mrs. Bethea

            Sent $100 in memory of Sr. Mary Ellen Kilday to her community

            Sent $100 in memory of Sr. Marie Therese Bugge to her community - had a Mass said at Holy Family Hillsborough

            Welcomed the Sisters in Calabash (ministering in Shalotte)

            Added Sr. Jeanne Morgan to our list of Jubilarians

*Summary of “what we have learned from the immigration raids” will be prepared by Sr. Lois for the next meeting and then distributed to all the sisters.

*Calendar dates for 2009 … meeting date: 01/08, 04/08, 08/13 and 11/5

*Election committee …. Joan and Shirley … will prepare materials for the January meeting.

                        Send invitations in January

                        Get names and send out slate for election (Jan-April)

                        Council elects a Chair at the April meeting.

             *Important Date Information from Bishop Burbidge via Brad Watkins…

The Jubilee in 2009 is set for Feb. 7^th.

                  In 2010 it will be Feb. 20^th because of a conflict for the Bishop.

                  Otherwise, it will be the first Saturday in February.

                  The Sisters’ Appreciation Day will be September 26, 2009.

                  It will always be the last Saturday of September.

The Jubilee for 2009 is set.

                   In 2010 it will be Feb. 20 because of a conflict. Otherwise it will be the first Saturday in February from then on. The Sisters’ Appreciation will be the last Saturday of September. So in 2009 it will be September 26 and each last September Saturday from then on.