Offer the Best of Yourself

2021 Congregational Assembly of Contemplative Sisters (CACS)

As you are aware, our Congregation is unique in being an apostolic community with a part of the membership living a contemplative life in various provinces – a life style that is very different than that of the apostolic members. As the Congregational Chapter is the highest form of government and the Contemplatives form part of the Chapter delegation, it is vital that both groups have the ability to present issues that impact their life.

^{Some of the participants at the opening day of the international CACS}

Conducting an international Congregational Assembly of the Contemplative Sisters (CACS) enables them to address any issues related to their life that they wish to have addressed at Chapter and also to elect their delegates to the Chapter.This process began today as more than 100 people from across the globe virtually connected. This included 78 delegates and ex-officio participants, 15 invited guests and a support staff including the facilitator, Janice Rushman (left) and the prayer/ritual leaders, Monica Brown and Hilary Musgrave, members of the planning committee, secretarial staff, interpreters, and communication team. All participants were online at the same time which for some, meant beginning as early as 3:00 AM, as late as 9:00 PM or any hour in between since our Provinces are located in 72 countries across the five continents, with different time zones.

Officially opening the Assembly, Sister Susana Franco (right), first councilor, challenged participants to look more deeply into the essentials of contemplative life and to be the "Creators of a New Now" as it is a new dawn of contemplative life. She also reminded participants that St. Mary Euphrasia, with boldness and trust in God, was not afraid to found the contemplative community and embarked into deep waters to support the mission of the Congregation. Now is the dawn of a new day!

The themes of Letting God Love You – the Pathway to Transformation and New Wine – New Wineskins were addressed in a contemplative, prayerful spirit as participants prepared to go deeper into their reflections and sharing with one another. Frequently, a statement by Pope Francis was cited: “Unless you offer the best of yourself, the world will never be different”. A spirit of prayer and hopefulness permeated the day.

Monday, November 01, 2021