Union of Our Lady of Charity

Chapter of the Union of Our Lady of Charity

Carrollton – 2007

10th, 11th and 12th July


At the half-way point in our Chapter the time came to look back on what we had achieved so far and from then on initiate a new stage. The day started with Sister Angela reviewing what we had done on previous days. She picked up the idea of weaving again to help us see how all the meetings and exchanges of recent days had helped to weave a tapestry to which a few different coloured threads still had to be added.

And that is precisely what we did in our interest groups for the rest of the day. It was fascinating work, but it became tough when we had to report back to the other groups, since it is by no means easy to enter into the thoughts of others.

Thankfully, the 12th was a free day. Some people decided to stay at home, a small group went to visit Wheeling and the majority went on a coach outing to the region where the Amish community live. The Amish are a branch of the Anabaptists who emigrated to the United States from German-speaking Switzerland at the end of the 17th Century. They have maintained a simple, non-violent way of life, even though they may seem to be a relic of past.

With renewed strength, all the delegates got back to work, firstly in their interest groups. At the start of the afternoon session, each group reported back to the Chapter the fruits of their reflection and sharing. 7 subjects with their corresponding guidelines have been broached for the coming 6 years: internationality and communication, relations with the NAU and the Good Shepherd, authority and leadership, formation for life , towards a new understanding of the vows, our spiritual heritage and collaboration with the mission locally and in a network.

At the end of the afternoon we started discernment with a view to electing the congregational leader and subsequently her team. In our prayers we welcomed all the messages from the sisters, brothers and members of the great Eudist family who have given us so much support through their prayers.



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