Rome Journal 3

Council of the Congregation

Rome

February 13 - March 6, 2022

Sister Clare Superior General Report

On February 17th, we began the day with Sr. Clare giving the Superior General’s Report to the Council.  

The purpose of this report is to render an account from a general perspective, on several aspects of the life of the Congregation since the General Chapter of 2018.  

Our General  Council was mandated by the 2018 General Chapter to ensure the implementation of:

The Chapter Priorities, in the Congregation

The Revision of the Constitutions

The Restructuring of the Mother House and Congregation

 

And to reflect on a variety of topics: Formation, Development, Communication, Canonical visits

Sister Clare Stanley, General Superior

giving her Report

Implementation of the Chapter Priorities in the Congregation

The many ways in which the provinces have taken the path to affirm the Chapter call

To be credible witnesses and rejoice in the Lord

To be Missionary Disciples, and Go Forth

To go Forward Together

While the Global Pandemic did disturb many of the plans, there was communication between and among Provinces in reflecting on these Chapter Priorities and the questionnaire used for the reflection for the Province, Vice-Province and Region (these are often referred to as “entities”) was developed.

In many provinces collaborative efforts in the areas of ministry and formation

have been implemented.

There were many challenges and with the opportunities provided, provinces

made themselves available to the calls/needs of other provinces and the

Generalate.  There are still multiple challenges some being—issues related to 

aging; lack of personnel, which effects community life; financial concerns; 

political situations; polarization; uncertainty about the future.

Revision of the Constitutions

The entire Congregation has been involved in a two year process responding to the changes, additions to the existing constitutions.  

Now the Leadership Council will be giving 3 long afternoons and 2 full days for discussions on the synthesis we all received in preparation for this gathering.

Restructuring

The Mother House - The two year project has begun!  Our deep gratitude to the Provinces and generous donors who have made the first stage possible.. this is a

huge undertaking of time, energy and finances to house our General Council and Administration, Community, ministry and welcoming space with the congregational museum.

The Congregation -  This restructuring is a process rather than a completed project.  The on-going communication between entities (Provinces, Vice-Provinces, Regions) creates closer links between entities; support for Provinces; and to review structures of Provinces, Vice-Provinces and Regions.

Formation

So essential to the future of the Congregation!  There are various processes for formation (inter-provincial Novitiates, the formation of Novices in different provinces, the community experience in other Provinces).  

The importance of the on-going formation for each sister in the Congregation and formation for ministries within the Congregation.

Sister Clare Stanley, General Superior, concluded her report by reflecting on what it means to be a Missionary in the Congregation today, our Cor Unum et Anima Una, fidelity to the charism of  Anne-Marie Javouhey the example of Mary and St. Joseph

“let us discern (during this Council of the Congregation)

let us listen …let us look for ways that challenge us…

in order to fix our gaze, our heart and all our efforts,

on the mission that God has entrusted to us throughout the world.”

Congregational Statistics

Following Sister Clare’s Report, Sister Joan Van der Zyden gave a really interesting presentation of the Statistics of the Congregation. Comparing the statistics of 2017 to 2021.

The number of Sisters in the congregation from 2017 to 2021 have gone up in Asia, Africa and the Indian Ocean; and the number of Sisters have gone down in Europe, The Americas and in Oceania.  Go to the Congregational Website to see the Provinces in these areas of the world.

These reports from around the world highlight the diversity of language, culture, traditions, community living and ministries.  They also unite us in the ‘Cor Unum et Anima Mea’ , One Heart and One Mind, of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny as together they fulfill the mission entrusted to them as Missionary Disciples in a New World. 

Sometimes there is great sorrow shared as well as  much laughter, inspiration, challenges, collaboration a and wonderful storytelling as the Sisters, Affiliates, Associates and Collaborators in the mission share in their provinces, vice-provinces and regions, live today the 2018 Chapter Priorities:

To be credible witnesses and rejoice in the Lord

To be Missionary Disciples, and Go Forth

To go Forward Together

Provincials of Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas

And Oceania giving their reports

Thank you, Sisters  for your leadership and service of your Provinces, Vice-Provinces and Regions and for your accounting of the mission entrusted to the congregation and for ‘doing a little good’  wherever we find ourselves around the world.