Challenges and Graces of New Beginnings

Change and transitions are always a challenge, but we know that they are also moments of grace. But it is up to us to be aware of the graces received!. One of the graces received by each of us on the new General Council were those sisters and friends who helped us prepare to come to Rome. The General House Community, including the former General Council, were new sources of grace waiting to welcome us and to help familiarize us with our new ministry and new home.

Sisters Lorraine, Susan, Luiza, and Marianne patiently and thoroughly executed the transition meeting days with inspiring moments of shared prayer and reflective sharing of necessary information about the current ‘state of the house’ of our congregation. The Council has been reading and discussing the 2009 Annual Reports from our Provinces, Regions and Missions. This has helped us to better come to know and appreciate the realities and passions of our sisters in responding to the call of mission at every stage of life. We hold these “journeys” through our congregation as sacred and look forward to being present in each of these Provinces, Regions and Missions as our term unfolds.

My hope is that as we work together to create an atmosphere of trust, respect, freedom and candor, we as a team will be able to more fully live the call of the General Chapter to facilitate greater partnerships at all levels of the congregation. As we move through the Passion and into the light of the Resurrection, may we always be grateful for each other’s witness of faithful love lived fully.

By S. Sally M. Hodgdon (Superior General)