I discard the old narrative- we are not dying, we are
transforming ourselves and it is happening in ways I did not necessarily
expect. When I look out of the corner of
my eyes at the periphery on the horizon I seen amazing things happening and
they do begin to paint a picture of deeper communion.
Three words come to me when I imagine us in 2030: flexible,
collaborative, and engaged.
 |
| Sr. Marcia Allen at LCWR |
TRENDS software indicates that maybe we will be 6
congregations in 2030. I don’t know
about that but what I believe strongly is that we will find a way as a
Federation to support each other as our numbers of consecrated religious
decline but our focus on and commitment to the charism and the mission
continues to expand. It may be that we
have covenant relationships or mergers but what I imagine is that we will
create new structures that enable us collaboratively manage the day to day in
an effective way while innovating new ways to engage with those who join us as
agrégées, associates, friends, partners in mission, and consecrated religious
to see the big picture. I cannot imagine
being a Sister of St Joseph without these powerful alliances with the women and
men who also claim our charism. The
flexibility to invent what we need to move into the future will be the hallmark
of our collaborative style.
Speaking of collaboration, I imagine us forging new
collaborations with people we do not yet know about issues that have not yet
emerged. Where we are needed, we will
put our energy and focus. No longer do we need to be the leaders and have our
name on everything we touch. However, where
we chose to spend our time our energy, resources, and zeal will be felt.
 |
| Sr. Mary Pellegrino delivers her Presidential Address at LCWR |
International relationships are an essential element of our
life in communion. As we are smaller, we
will know each other including our Sisters of St. Joseph around the world. The US needs us to hold a global view and be
able to speak with credibility about issues such as caring for the earth,
global poverty, and emerging spiritualties.
We are stronger in all these areas when our global vision is formed
through genuine relationships especially with those from the global south.
Jean Pierre Medaille S.J. left us the legacy of the two
trinities, the maxims and the 6 virtues. These can only really be understood as
mystical documents. Through our ongoing contemplation
of these initial documents and our reading of the signs of the times, we will
be able to communally discern a future together with all our partners.
