Union of Our Lady of Charity

Union of Our Lady of Charity Chapter - Carrollton

Monday 02 July

Following presentation of the International Union´s Provinces and Regions, the whole day was given over in a very concrete manner to “ weaving the future together” evoked by the banner presented during the previous evening’s Eucharist.

The Province of France began. The sisters described ¨the Union´s journey in France¨
From 2001 to 2001 in the form of a four stage conversion process: rereading the story, belonging to an apostolic body, openness to the Good Shepherd, globalisation of women´s needs. Despite ageing and diminished active energy, zeal for mission has evoked fresh energy. It is above all in collaboration with the Good Shepherd that these new mission faces are embodied. This is in response to the needs of immigrant women: e.g. the Association “Champs de Booz” and the Roubaix community.

The Province of England has also sought in its own context to carry out the Orientations of the 2001 General Chapter of the Union, and to adapt to new mission needs, particularly through collaboration with others: e.g. in attending to people in prostitution in Birmingham (Anawim) and in London.
At their different meetings, the sisters dealt with various themes such as the search for God and mission, relationship to our planet, quality of life, a spirituality for the few...
The group of Associates is evolving.

The Region of Spain celebrates the 150th anniversary of its foundation in 2007! This is an occasion for rereading its history, underlining the entire journey travelled through the years. The sisters are few, but they have grown in the sense of community, putting an end to differences of status among them, differences that history can explain, but which no longer have meaning. They have also developed their collaboration with the laity for the sake of the mission with youth whom they welcome in Bilbao and San Sebastian. They are involved with these partners in a process which should enable them to assure that the social services offered, be continued in the spirit of Our lady of Charity.

The Province of Mexico. This large country is gowing at a great rate, and the province is also developing. The sisters have reflected both on leadership structures and on the Province´s institutions (educative centres), aiming to respond in a more adequate way to the needs of both people and society. New social realities demand increasing openness and courageous commitment to promote respect for life, justice and dignity. Each of the 9 communities lives the mission, be it in welcoming young people residentially, or with people in prison or in prostitution. A new formation plan has also been worked on, to provide candidates with better preparation for responsible commitment. Vocation ministry now devotes greater importance to accompanying the young girl before her entry into the Congregation.

The Region of Ireland. The sisters are few in number, and are totally concentrated in the city of Dublin. The Region has begun to experience a new form of leadership, lived
as “a regional community” in which each one is called to participate according to her possibilities. This demands much communication, regular evaluation and ongoing accompaniment. With the Good Shepherd, the Region continues its involvement in Ruhama, accompanying persons in prostitution, and also with other congregations in taking significant action against the treatment of women. The aim is to conscientize the largest possible number of people, including politicians, and to offer lodging to women seeking refuge. The Region is likewise strongly committed at the level of ethical investment.

The day ended with the Region of Italy. The sisters in Italy have, for a long time, been open to welcoming immigrant women, especially single mothers. The present influx of migrants raises new problems, to which the sisters are attentive. They try to offer a personal meeting to those they welcome in Rome or Loreto, respecting the many existing differences They also seek to offer them the means of gradually gaining greatr autonomy (life in small apartments). They work in collaboration with the laity and other congregations. They live in hope, while means remain fragile.

Tuesday 03 July

The day was organised to enable the sisters of the International and of the North American Unions to get better acquainted and to begin exploring together ways forward for the future.
The methodology proposed was that of Appreciative Inquiry, allowing attention to be focussed on what is positive and what gives life, convinced that hopes and dreams enable reality to be transformed.
In groups of twos, one sister from each Union, personal experiences were shared, and later taken further in small language groups. This allowed key values to be highlighted, values capable of gathering us together.
On that basis, we dreamed of a common future, and of concrete steps to be taken in order to reach it!
If you had been moving among us during this day, you would certainly have felt an energy current vibrating!



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