The Council of Women Religious

Council of Religious
Minutes of the Meeting on Aug. 24th, 2007

A. Opening prayer lead by Bishop Burbidge

B. Present … Bishop Burbidge, Srs. Barbara Marie, Lois, Mary Therese, Joan, Joanne, Shirley, Mary Ann, Gerry, Mary Jean

    Excused: Msgr. Jerry Sherba

C. Areas of discussion …

·        New administrative structure and the service of Msgr. Jerry as Ex. Staff member who will be working directly with the Council.

·        Appointment of the new deans and their role

·        Bishop would like to be present at two Council meetings a year.

D. Area of concern and questions raised …

·        Can the “sisters” be represented in some way at deanary meetings

·        Could deanary meetings follow a similar pattern in all deaneries

·        Could the diocese find a way to make needs and opportunities for women religious known to Religious Communities of women as other diocese do

·        How can Women Religious be a part of the Holy Hours for vocations which will now be held on a deanary level?

·        Decision to move the Reception following the Jubilee Mass to the Clarion because of handicap accessibility

Might we find a way to publically acknowledge the sisters who leave the the diocese              

E. Discussion regarding “Annual Meeting” of sisters and the Bishop

·        2007 … Sept. 15th …. Place: Cardinal Gibbons High School

                   Mass at 10 a.m. in the Chapel … Feast of the Day …Our Lady of Sorrows; Sr. Janet will prepare music; Sr. Shirley was invited to give a reflection after communion on the founder of their   community who will be being Beatified as the time we meet for Mass.  Intention for the Mass will be Sr. Mary Blaise Semple

                  Discussion following the Mass in the cafeteria …

                        …Sisters are invited to…”highlight for the me the blessings and challenges of their particular ministries. I ask for suggested “solutions” and/or “responses” to the challenges based on            their Community, Congregation or individual experience.”

                  Lunch catered by Casa Carbone

·         2008 … an overnight September 19th and 20th(Friday to Saturday) at the North Raleigh Hilton; dinner at 6p.m. with the meeting room available for the evening to enable sisters to spend time together.             Saturday morning gathering for Mass, sharing and lunch with the Bishop at Our Lady of Lourdes. We are working to make this an event that would be free for all sisters.

F. New leadership ….

o       A thank you gift was presented to Mary Ann and Barbara Marie for leading us through the “interim”.

o       Leadership Team for the next two years will be…

           Co-chairs: Sr. Joan Jurski, and Sr. Barbara Marie Cady

           Secretary/Treasurer: Sr. Mary Jean

    G. Other news and notes ….

o       Sr. Peter Mekel has also left the diocese; a gift will be sent.

o       All info for the NC Catholics article on the Jubilarians has been submitted Sr. Lois personally interviewed each of the Jubilarians. We are grateful for her willingness to assume this responsibility.

     H. Next meeting …. Thursday, October 11th, 1-3p.m. at the Catholic Center