The Union Our Lady of Charity will hold their congregational chapter from August 18-September 4, 2013 at the Good Shepherd Motherhouse in Angers, France. Theme of the 2014 Chapter is, "Embracing our Fragile and Beautiful World in Reconciliation and Hope."
Photo: Good Shepherd Motherhouse in Angers, France.
Sr. Angela Fahy, Congregational Leader of the Union of Our Lady of Charity and her team will lead the opening rites. Sr. Angela was first elected in 2001 and reelected in 2007 during the chapter held in Carrollton, Ohio, USA.
During the 2007 Chapter, Sister Brigid, along with Sister Armelle from our team, Sr. Marie Pierre Pernot (Provincial of France/Belgium and Sr. Yvette Arnold (at that time Provincial of the New York Province) attended for several lays the OLC Chapter. They engaged in a process of sharing stories about St. Mary Euphrasia and the early history of the Good Shepherd Sisters. Sister Brigid also presented a powerpont on Global Awareness which depicted Good Shepherd in recent years. Sr. Janice Rushman and Sr. Carol McClenon, both from the Province of Mid North America, served as facilitator and secretary of the chapter.
At the 2009 Congregational Chapter, the Congregational Leadership Team of the OLC and the Province Leadership Team of OLC France, were in Angers for several days to attend the Chapter. The RGS-OLC Journey of Enrichment was also launched earlier and a Process Planning Committee was tasked to engage the sisters of the two congregations in dialogue and study of the history, charism and spirituality of both congregations.
File Photo: Sr. Brigid Lawlor and Sr. Angela Fahy with the statues of St. John Eudes and St. Mary Euphrasia.
In June 2013, Sr. Brigid and the CLT wrote to the Good Shepherd Sisters, " We asked ourselves: "Where are we now on the Journey of Enrichment?" We invite you to join us in reflecting on this question.
Enriched by our shared journey of collaboration and all the input on history, spirituality and charism, the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity have been in a discernment process this past year, asking themselves whether or not they want to have a juridical relationship with us. Each sister has reflected on "where she is" with this question and is sending back information to their Chapter planners. At the Chapter, it is their goal to come up with a decision. Depending on their decision, there could be a request for us to consider. Therefore, this calls us to be open and prepared if a response is required from us. "
... From September 1-4, the CLT will attend the OLC Chapter in Angers. After that, we will engage in a reflection to think out the next best steps for us, depending on the recommendation that they make to us.
May St. Mary Euphrasia, a daughter of St. John Eudes, truly intercede for us at this time of movement towards decision-making. May it become a source of hope for each one of us, and may our fragile and beautiful world feel our compassionate embrace."
During these days of OLC chapter, let us be united with them in prayers, asking the intercession of St. Mary Euphrasia, our foundress and St. John Eudes, whose feast is on August 19 and who founded the OLC in 1641, and the Eudists in 1643.