2022 May Bridging Connection

FROM THE OFFICE DIRECTOR

Easter is a beautiful season of new life! Nature captivates my heart as it reflects the fulfillment of Revelation, "See I am making all things new!" How many people entered the Catholic Church during the Easter vigil! How many little children have welcomed Jesus into their hearts for the first time in the past weeks! How many man and women have taken final vows or the step of ordination to the priesthood! As the 49th anniversary of my first holy communion approaches, I am not unaware of the newness of life Jesus continues to bring forth in me.

This Saturday, men I taught one seminary class to will be ordained diocesan priests. How many of them were taught and shaped by men and women religious before me through our schools and religious institutions? In this Body of Christ, we are the hands and feet of Christ, gently ushering others closer to the experience of His personal love. May that same love touch each one of you that you may experience how He is making all things new! Maria

Every two years, Giving Voice hosts a National Gathering to give opportunities for Catholic Sisters under age 50 to build relationships and provide a space to dream together. The pandemic required us to put our gathering on hold last year, so we are incredibly excited to announce our first National Gathering in three years! The theme of our 2022 gathering is Stir into Flame the Gift of Global Sisterhood. During this four days gathering we hope to share our lives, our hearts, and our dreams for our shared future together as women religious.

When: July 14-17, 2022.
Registration is from 1-3pm, program beginning at 4pm on the 14th. Plan to stay until 1:30pm on Sunday.

Where: Oblate Renewal Center - San Antonio, TX

Vocations Ministry is a Gift

Sr. Nicole Trahan, FMI

Vocations ministry is both a joy and a challenge. Sometimes in equal parts and sometimes it varies. Either way, though, it is a gift.

I’ve been involved with vocations work unofficially since I entered religious life in 2005. As someone in her early 30s who worked in college campus ministry, conversations about discernment and vocations were ever present. Students were interested in what led to my decision to enter religious life, curious about what my daily life was like, and how to discern. There were easy connections that allowed me to invite students into our home for prayer, meals, movie nights, and get to know you events. And although I didn’t see this as vocations ministry, per se, at the time, I recognize now that it was.

Because of this background and easy connection through campus ministry, it was natural that the Sisters asked me to consider official vocations ministry following my profession of final vows in 2013. This has continued since then, even though I am no longer in college campus ministry, but in high school ministry.

Many things have changed since I entered religious life in 2005. Young people are faced with different pressures, distractions, and challenges. Our society and culture are vastly different now than in 2005. Therefore, vocations ministry has had to adapt and change to meet these challenges. And at times, this is challenging for those of us engaged in this ministry.

Through it all, the joy is still present. Young people are still exploring how God is calling them to serve our world that is in such need. Young people are asking the tough questions and listening deeply to the Spirit stirring within. My role in this is to walk with them and help them sort through what all this could mean for them. And that is a gift.

Laudato Si’ Week is May 22-29. It marks the seventh anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the care of creation. The goal of this week is to unite Catholics across the globe to listen and respond to the cry of creation. Archbishop Schnurr has announced that the Archdiocese of Cincinnati will be joining the platform as an official partner.

Visit the website to learn more about this week and how you can get involved. There is a program of events, and communities are encouraged to organize events and share them on the Laudato Si’ Week events page .

IMAR MEETS AGAIN

On March 24, more than 30 health care providers and staff for facilities serving aging consecrated religious gathered to glean from the wisdom of Br. Wayne Fitzpatrick, MM as he spoke about Meeting God in Times of Transition and Change. After two years of not being able to meet, the day was heartily welcomed by all and the room was bursting!

Many participants expressed an interest in learning more about dementia-related support. A free on-demand video series called Walking Together: Making Our Way Along the Dementia Path has been made available by by NRRO-affiliated consultant Dayna Larson-Hurst, a nationally certified Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care Practitioner Trainer. She has helped numerous religious congregations to implement person-directed care, particularly for those living with dementia. The series offers a holistic approach to care that supports the individual with dementia as well as community members and partners who are providing care. Each of the five virtual workshops explores a different aspect of dementia care—from understanding how dementia impacts the brain to the importance of providing dementia sufferers with opportunities for meaningful engagement and activities.

CWR’s annual conference will return to Cincinnati in 2022! The conference will be held September 27-30 at the Summit Hotel. The theme for this year’s conference is “Centered in Cincinnati, Uniting for the Heart of the Mission.”

Our conference keynote speaker is Sr. Norma Pimentel. Sr. Norma is a Missionary of Jesus and serves as Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley. In 2020, Sr. Norma was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people.

CWR returns to Cincinnati this year after previously holding its conference in the city in 2008. The Summit Hotel is located just north of the Ohio River in Cincinnati’s Madisonville neighborhood. From thought provoking works of art to chef-curated dining experiences, the Summit is designed to engage and inspire guests.

Additional conference details – including speaker announcements and registration information – will be shared in the coming weeks.

Non-members may apply for a day pass. Learn more here.