The 2021 Congregational Chapter of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd will begin this September 16, (5 p.m. Philippine Time) with Phase 1, the Chapter of Affairs.
Theme of the Congregational Chapter is "Drawn by Love, Passionate for Justice."
Due to the pandemic Covid-19 and the restrictions to travel, the Congregational Chapter previously scheduled June-July 2021 at the Mother House in Angers, France, will be held via Zoom, with delegates and guests representing the various units -- provinces, district and sectors-- of the congregation.
The Province of Philippines-Japan will be represented by Sr. M. Susan Montano, province leader, the two apostolic sisters elected during the 2020 Province Chapter-- Sr. M. Genoveva Dumay and Sr. Ma. Arabella Balingao.
Contemplative sisters elected during the Province Chapter who should have attended and elected their representatives to the Congregational Chapter during the Congregational Assembly of Contentemplative Sisters (CACS) will also attend the Chapter of Affairs. they are: Sr. Lilly Sorop, Sr. Ronafel de Leon, Sr. Imelda Fuentes and Sr. Roselle Pascua.
Sr. Ma. Ananita Borbon, chair of the Congregational Chapter Planning Committee (CCPC) and her team have been busy preparing the apsotolic, contemplative sisters and partners in mission for this sacred event in the congregation, held every six years.
"The congregational chapter is a collegial assembly and the highest authority within the congregation. Representtaive of the congregation, it is a sign of unity and an expression of the participation and interest of all the members in the progress of our mission. It is a spiritual event, a time of corporate reflection and conversion. By promoting renewal in the spirit of our charism, the chapter safeguards our heritage and is a source of life and inspiration for the entire congregation. " (Constitutions, 16)
According to Sr. Ananita, as the Chapter of Affairs starts today, (5 p.m. Philippine Time) 2 1/2 hours will be devoted for the first session, then one hour break, and followed by another 2 1/2 hours session.
The schedule of the Congregational Chapter has been divided into Phase I (Chapter of Affairs), Cross Congregational Zoom which is open for all, CACS and Phase II (Chapter of Elections). Click Chapter Schedule to enlarge the image
The Inter Continental Assemblies (ICA) in Asia Pacific and other regions that were scheduled before the Congregational Chapter were also held visa Zoom in 2020.
The Congregational Leadership Team, elected during the 30th Congregational Chapter in 2015, the first chapter after the 2014 Unification of the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity and Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, submitted the CLT Report to the congregation and feedback from communities were discussed by sisters and partners in mission. The CLT Report covered three sections: 1. Spirituality, Formation and Leadership, 2. Joyful and Inclusive Communities for Mission, 3. Mission Effectiveness.
Updates regarding the Congregational Chapter 2021 will be available in the congregational website and Facebook page (Good Shepherd Rome) through Sr. Monique Tarabeh and the Communications Team.
Sr. M. Cielo Matuloy, province secretary and her team will also send some updates when necessary.
Related Article: Congregational Chapters