Last week I had the immense privilege to join with 65 Good Shepherd Sisters and 10 other Mission Partners to participate in the month long Intercontinental Assembly of the Americas. The participants were all representative of Countries across South, Central and North America. I met some truly amazing women (and a few good men) who energetically engaged in study and dialogue (I mean DIALOGUE!) about the risks they need to take for Mission.....their mission. These meetings are in preparation for next year's International Meetings in June. This is a called their general chapter where every six years the sisters determine new leadership for the congregation which operates in 72 countries; they will also determine how they will choose to live out their spiritual and active participation in ways to live their lives of extraordinary commitment and will make adjustments in their governance.
Equally and perhaps most importantly, the Sisters make determinations about future directions in their embrace of the mission of Good Shepherd and how they should live their commitment to furthering the great work of compassion, service of the poor, reconciliation and advocacy for those who lives leave them on the margins of society. Throw in many moments for spiritual reflection and prayer and the recipe for inspiration is complete.
In Quito I met many really fine leaders with an abundance of courage, sensitivity and competence. I also met a people who love to celebrate and party as passionately as they bring love and healing to the world. I met younger sisters, some who could easily be my daughters, who humbled me with their insight, bravery and integrity of soul in their singular desire to serve the world. If they are a sampling of the rest of this international group, the future is indeed hopeful and in good hands.
I also met a sampling of mission partners....lay folks like you and me. Folks who are professionally trained and equally passionate about the core mission and values of Good Shepherd. They are a formidable group of leaders who are committed to support the rest of us to embody those core values in the way we work and view the world both professionally and personally. Their voice, their input and their insights were sought throughout the week and their input will also be represented at the general chapter meetings next year.
These experiences, this dialogue could easily be the start of something really new and challenging for everyone....or they could be the world's best kept secret! Let's not stop here! Let's keep the conversation going. Like to know more? Let me know. I have nothing to hide from my wondrous experience in Quito, Equador!
No comments:
Post a Comment