Thursday, June 10
Sister Joan Campbell, CSM, welcomed leaders and Federation Formation Team members to the third session of the Sisters of Charity Federation leadership meeting at noon Eastern time. Sister Pat Kozak, CSJ, facilitator, offered an opening prayer.
Next was a report by Sister Grace Hartzog, SC (Seton Hill), federation executive director, and Sister Catherine Mary Norris, DC (Province of St. Louise), president of the federation board. Together they presented how the federation has responded to challenges and opportunities in recent years. Through a slide show, “Stone Soup with Charity,” Sisters Katie and Grace shared an overview of federation events and initiatives in the past 10 years, including the Assembly of the Whole, Seton Writings Project, and Charity Moving Forward. Short videos prepared by federation communicators and archivists were shown.
The House of Charity (HOC) was featured as the federation’s first collaborative ministry. The core community at HOC – Sisters Monica Gundler, SC (Cincinnati); Peg Johnson, SCL; Vivien Linkhauer, SC (Seton Hill); and Patty Huffman, DC (Province of St. Louise) discussed the successes and challenges of the past year through a videorecorded conversation.
The meeting participants spent some time in breakout sessions to discuss what they had heard, and to reflect on the questions: “What areas of federation life give me energy? What challenges and opportunities raise questions or concerns for the federation?”
After the break, the Federation Formation Team members – Sisters Melissa Camardo, SCL; Nancy Gerth, SCN; Helene Allain, NDSC; Regina Hlavac, DC (Province of St. Louise); Tracy Kemme, SC (Cincinnati); Christine Kunze, SCN; and Mary Jo Stein, DC (Province of St. Louise) – were introduced. Sisters Melissa and Nancy presented on a new collaborative approach to vocation and formation. Leaders had the opportunity to ask clarifying questions, then the group moved into breakout rooms for discussion and reflection.
After the breakouts, the group continued its discussion, and leaders were invited to share their thoughts with the whole.
The Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth offered a video performance from Irish singer Carmel Boyle as an evening entertainment option.
