PROVIDENCE

tunities and blessings — the greatest
being getting to know and love our
sisters at a level I might never have
had before. Blessings on our wonderful
new Leadership Team,” says
Sr. Pauline.
In recognition of their Leadership,
the outgoing Council members
recieved a generous token of appreciation
from the congregation.
In addition to the election, the 66
Sisters gathered at Chapter also
examined the congregation’s
direction for the future.
See Directional Statements - right.
“Chapter is a sacred time, a holy
time, a time of renewed friendship
and sisterhood, a time of examining
and planning, a time of questioning
and dreaming, a time both of doubt
and delight, a time of some anxiety
and fear, of challenges and hopes,”
said outgoing General Superior
Pauline Lally during her opening
address.
Despite advancing age and
diminishing numbers, Sr. Pauline
believes the future is bright.
“Women get bolder as they get
older. Being smaller has potential
for being more intimate in our
own relationships which sustains
us. Relations are so necessary
now, perhaps even more so, than
our works, as the strong, large
labour force of the Church, once
were,” said Sr. Pauline.
The Chapter’s unifying resolution
was reached with direction
from two experienced facilitators,
Sr. Barbara Valuckas and Sr.
Jeannette Blatz. Through small,
group discussions, the congregation
reached a consensus.
Chapter
This year’s
Chapter theme
and logo
Creating Our Future
was featured prominently
during the weeklong event.
The outgoing and incoming Leadership Teams with Archbishop Brendan O’Brien after
the Installation Mass on Sunday, June 19th. l to r: Sisters Dianne McNamara,
Una Byrne, Monica Whalen, Frances O’Brien, Archbishop Brendan O’Brien,
Sandra Shannon, Gayle Desarmia, and Pauline Lally.
14
Chapter 2011 -
Directional Statement I
Faithful to our charism, mission and
spirituality, we, Sisters of Providence of St.
Vincent de Paul, commit ourselves to take
significant steps to foster
revitalization of our congregation
for the mission:
• by embracing both new
members and alternate forms of
commitment;
• by adopting structures and attitudes
that enhance relationships among ourselves
and with others;
• by being “educated in love by prayer”
(St. Vincent de Paul) which invites us to
engage in regular faith sharing among
ourselves and with others.
Directional Statement II
We, Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent
de Paul, adopt the following guiding
principles in the use and divestment of
our land and buildings both in the short
and long term planning.
• To be faithful to our charism, mission
and spirituality;
• To share our land and buildings
with others;
•To network with others;
•To maintain the integrity of the land;
•To keep a focus on the needs of the poor
and creation.
Definition: Integrity of the land means the land
has life, purpose, beauty and sacredness which
calls us to use all land with respect and reverence
and to be as ecologically sensitive as
possible because it is a gift of the Creator.