Sister Marion Sheridan, CSM, welcomes federation leaders to Parkland Antigonish, a retired living residence that is home to several Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish.

Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish Theresa Parker, CSM, and Catherine MacGillivray, CSM, led the prayer for the third day of the SC Federation leadership meeting. Following prayer, facilitor Sister Pat Kozak, CSJ, presented a recap of decisions made the previous day.

• Online retreats: A committee would be needed to plan a handful of one-day retreats over the course of a year. We will need an assessment tool to evaluate the program and to see if there is interest in longer retreats. Assistance with IT will also be needed.
• Assembly of the Whole: The concept of the event fits with our evolving sense of federation. The event could be an opportunity for multiple groups to gather (communicators, archivists, justice promoters).
• Response to vocation/formation piece: Leaders heard the challenges/needs presented. What is leadership “buy-in” for collaborative vocation/formation program in terms of relationship building, time, budget? Also, CCFP is undergoing an evaluation by a consultant. These results will help inform any decisions.

Sister Melissa Camardo, SCL, presented the report from the Shared Governance Think Tank. She shared that from what we are hearing from LCWR and CRC, there is clearly a need, and now is the time to dive in and explore these questions. Some of the members of the Think Tank would be willing to continue as part of the group and take time to look into this.

Leaders then had time to talk in their teams at tables for five minutes. Then leaders were asked to share their responses in the whole.

Leadership teams were then asked to share what came out of their conversations from yesterday now that they had time to reflect overnight. One person from each team took turns speaking at the mic.

Sister Grace also made an announcement that there will be a gathering of federation members during this year’s LCWR assembly Aug. 8-11 in Dallas, Texas.

After lunch, the group traveled by bus and cars to the Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish Bethany property, where they toured Bethany Centennial Garden, visited the home of the retired sisters (Parkland Antigonish), and saw the congregation’s administrative offices and archives.

The group returned to StFX, where the sisters celebrated Mass with the Most Rev. Wayne Kirkpatrick, bishop of the Diocese of Antigonish, presiding. The evening featured a banquet supper (with lobster) and musical entertainment. Sister Grace thanked the Sisters of St. Martha of Antigonish and their staff.