LTA 2021 Profile Booklet EN

Valiant Women on Mission Les femmes vaillantes en mission Mosali oa Mohale thomong

SNJM Leadership Teams Assembly | April 2021 | Online | Profiles

Questions for Reflection As we reflect on Leadership together and the future of religious life: 1. What is one gift that you bring to our Team of Teams as we begin a new journey together?

2. What call did you hear in our congregation and world that led you to say “Yes” to leadership at this time?

COVER IMAGES, clockwise from top left: 1. Kenyan environmental activist Wangarĩ Muta Maathai 2. Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai 3. Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg 4. Portrait of Mother Marie-Rose by Carisima Dabrowska 5. American women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth 6. First Nations female elder, Yukon Territories, Canada 7. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota

Lesotho

Back row: Angelina Tlali, Rosa Mokhali, Mary Matobo Front row: Christina Mohlomi, Laurentina Motseki

Mary Matobo 1. I bring along the gift of joy, knowing that without a joy our work could be somehow challenging, therefore Whatever the obstacles we may encounter, the joy will definitely bring about positive attitude towards the situation or matter. It will also give us courage to implement our plans which are congregational plans.

2. I heard the call of serving my fellow sisters, working collaboratively with the team members of the Lesotho province and other provinces. I was not sure whether it was a good idea to say “yes’’ at the time. After much reflection and the encouragement of others, I decided that it was the will of God to ‘let it be’ even though I did not fully understand what this “yes” would mean. It may be that I have talents of which I am not aware. If they are realized, I will do my best to strengthen them and serve the needs of our time. I am most grateful to have this opportunity to be one of the members of the team of teams and to share my gifts with you.

Christina Mohlomi 1. I bring a gift of cooperation and in our team. This will enable us to achieve our goals. When we are cooperative, we will be able to share ideas and easily find a way forward together.

Each member will have a clear picture of what needs to be done and roles will be clarified.

Cooperation will improve our skills of communication. We will know not only how to communicate the vision, but also how to encourage, listen and understand different points of view. Moreover cooperation will bring openness and trust, decision making will be done cooperatively. We will also end up bonding and supporting each other.

Lastly, cooperation will assist us to answer the challenges of the present time as we are living in a rapidly changing world. It will also enable us to respond in time to the needs of all those affected by corona virus pandemic. We will be able to collectively continue raising awareness on human trafficking, immigration and environment.

2. I felt called to inspire other people especially in this time of COVID 19 where people are panicking, feeling lost and dying alone. I also realized that there is a continuing disintegrating relationships among families and communities in general due to rapidly growing technology, I therefore said yes to leadership in order to bring balance between technology use and ability to build relationships among people.

Rosa Mokhali 1. I bring a gift of creativity and unity to our team. This becomes possible when there is an understanding amongst members accepting each other by acknowledging the gifts that each one of us bring. My ability to listen will help me form meaningful relationships and offer support where needed. When we are united we will be able to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit Who will inspire our openness to new ways of living our charism and restore love and justice to the world in these challenging times.

2. I said yes to the leadership because I am aware that there is an increasing need for justice. There is loss of hope due to disasters caused by climate change and pandemics such as covid 19. I felt called to restore hope and support those who are affected and encourage partnerships both locally and internationally in order to address these challenges. I also felt a need to encourage collaboration with other congregations because in unity we will find strength.

Laurentina Motseki 1. One gift that I bring to our Team of Teams is SERVICE my reason is among the gifts i have I enjoy serving with love and freedom with all my heart without being asked wherever is needed, I like sharing my dreams or ideas with my team to be with me and invite their suggestions then I continue together with them, since openness is my character.

2. The call I hear in our congregation is Collaboration and the world that let me say yes is, we are living together as family, our Charism is source of collaboration in our Ministries where we have to serve the disadvantaged and the needy, Therefore we have to open our hearts, our minds and our will to be able to fulfil our call successfully. We need to share ideas as a congregation on Mission especially to deal with different challenges of our times where the entire word is suffering and we have to assist fully, people lost their jobs, they are starving and sick spiritually and physically so we have to assist according to their needs. That’s where or how our YES has to be in actions.

Angelina Tlali 1. I am willing to share my ability to support others through attentive listening and understanding others’ perception of the current situation of the SNJM community and other religious communities. This gift will enable us to realize our dream together and to continue sharing the spirit and gifts that we inherited from our foundresses. I also bring my gift of openness and ability to let go of the usual and familiar and embrace an unfolding “unknown” in terms of the governance and future of the congregation.

I am also inclined towards promoting the identity and dignity of the human person especially the needy and the disadvantaged. I feel challenged by the homeless, orphans and immigrants especially at this era of Corona virus pandemic which has especially devastated the education system not only in my country but also throughout the world.

2. Reflecting on the existing challenge of the declining numbers of the SNJM congregation, I felt called to say yes to leadership in order to give hope and support to both the elderly and younger members in community. I recognize the continuing injustices and gender inequality in our society, which challenges me daily to be a positive influence and encourage collaboration among members not only of my congregation but also other communities and partners to successfully address these challenges.

In addition, I noticed that the prevailing COVID 19 pandemic has caused panic and loss of hope among many people, I therefore said yes to leadership in order to bring hope and peace to those who are affected both through an example and verbally.

Manitoba

Susan Wikeem (canonical purposes), Lorraine St-Hilaire, Edith Grenier

Edith Grenier 1. As we begin a new journey together, I come with the experience of having worked with several different teams.

Having some knowledge of where we have been helps me to see that some changes are necessary. I am not a person of vision but I do bring good judgment.

2. We are a small province and we don’t have many people who are willing or able to take leadership roles. I felt that I was able to serve in that capacity at this time.

Lorraine St-Hilaire 1. I bring experience in leadership and a fairly good knowledge of the congregation. I have visited wonderful ministries and seen the passion of our sisters. I have participated in every General Chapters since 1986. I understand financial management and I have assumed some provincial leadership in that area. I was provincial in

Manitoba when we sold our biggest house with infirmary and made new arrangements for the health care of our sisters and living accommodations for our senior years.

I understand issues related to the passing on of ministries to a Public Juridic Person. I also know my limits and weaknesses and can defer to others more gifted in many areas.

2. Responding to needs of aging sisters is a meaningful ministry for me. I feel I can help respond to physical and mental health needs along with our nurses as we access many services available in our province. I believe that living together with other congregations in our senior years enriches our lives in many ways.

The passing on of the legacy of St. Mary’s Academy to a lay board within the Diocese has also been an important part of this mandate.

When I accepted the renewal of the mandate as provincial, our team had just endorsed Balmoral House, which grew out of the House of Peace for newcomer women (immigrants and refugees). The House of Peace is a beautiful welcoming ministry within our province and I want to help assure its future. It is a concrete way of living out our General Chapter commitment to welcome immigrants and refugees and to build inclusive communities.

Quebec

Claudette Bastien, Denise Riel, Lisette Boulé

Claudette Bastien 1. My gift: A commitment to justice: in the SNJM Justice and Peace Network (32 years). In this way I got to know several sisters from Canada, the Missions Sector, the United States and Lesotho. Participation in the writing of our three Corporate Stands.

At the Québec Province level, I have been a member of the Justice and Peace Committee since 1992. I also participated in the Comité Eau Secours, which advocates for responsible water management in the Province of Quebec.

I also participated in CATHII, Committee of Action against Human Trafficking Internally and Internationally, for 16 years.

My participation in the Ecumenical Justice, Peace and Ecology Network (ROJEP) has also opened my heart and mind to the understanding of other religions.

Community involvement: in the Provincial Council of Ville-Marie in the 1990s and in its Provincial Chapter in the 1980s.

2. Call for partnership to feel part of a larger community and share our SNJM Mission.

Lisette Boulé 1. I am a generally reserved person but able to sense the atmosphere of a group and adapt myself to it. My participation is collaborative and I think quite realistic. I always have at heart to keeping abreast of the needs of my province and my community by participating in various ways since I returned from a significant experience in Brazil in 1977. As an art teacher at Durocher-St-Lambert College, I have accompanied, in extracurricular activities, groups of mission-justice projects for several years. I also prepared a group for the World Youth Days in Brazil and accompanied two teams of our students during the Justice Forums of the congregation.

As a member of Quebec, I have been part of Table de Concertation du Québec (Collaboration Group of Québec, GCQ) on many occasions, and currently on the PLT. I have had the privilege of participating in many chapters as a committee member (e.g. newspaper, liturgy) or as a delegate.

2. At this time, the leadership crisis speaks to me. Since challenges provoke creativity, I feel the need to participate in the search for the new with others. To preserve the SNJM Spirit, the sharing of the mission, that of our cultural, social, ecclesial and material heritage. While we are less and less engaged in “doing,” I feel the need to preserve our collective heritage, even more so, in the service of today’s world, conscious of its needs for justice and the environmental and social causes that flow from it.

Denise Riel 1. Gifts and experiences: My knowledge of the Congregation through my commitments: [ Leadership at the General and Provincial levels [ Participation in many General Chapters and the CCC, [ Participation in different committees at the General and Provincial levels.

My experiences of leadership, collaboration and partnership in my ministries: [ Leadership (Leader of an organization, Coordinator of alternative church communities) [ Work and collaboration with other communities, with lay people [ Partnership with local organizations [ Commitments in the Church My qualities: [ Open to cultural diversity (cultures and languages) [ Sprit of discernment in the face of new situation [ Ability to set and achieve objectives [ Ability to question, to discern [ Ability to plan and coordinate [ Active participation in meetings [ Courage in the face of difficult situations and changes

2. The calls: [ Focus on the future of the congregation and of Quebec, especially on governance, taking into account the particular realities of the different provinces [ Evaluate the possibilities of emphasizing collaboration and partnerships with religious communities and laity for mission [ Take the opportunity offered by the redefinition of the CRC’s identity and mission and consider new forms of partnership with religious communities [ Keep our values, our mission alive [ Keep our Sisters on mission through today’s major issues: integral ecology, climate change, human migration, human trafficking, water, etc. [ Develop interdependence among ourselves and with others [ Be involved with the transmission of our heritage, both tangible and intangible.

U.S.-Ontario

Top clockwise: Maureen Delaney, Diane Enos, Marcia Frideger, Carol Higgins, Linda Patrick, Mary Slater

Maureen Delaney 1. A gift I bring is my enthusiasm for Mission. As we re-configure and talk about religious life in the future, I look forward to being in community and working on justice issues with other sisters or ministry partners in a local geographic area or across the Congregation.

2. I had a very strong call from Sisters in the U.S.-Ontario Province to keep my name in for provincial leadership. It was very humbling to have many people say what these gifts and talents are and how they are needed for this time in our Province.

I know religious life as we knew it is in transition. Talking about the charism of religious life, joining with other religious men and women and other ministry partners to form community and work together on justice issues and spreading the gospel gives me energy and hope.

Diane Enos 1. I frequently can recognize underlying patterns and issues and I am realistically hopeful about the future of religious life.

2. I heard a call to recognize and maximize unique possibilities for positive change that may emerge out of the crisis and chaos we are living.

Marcia Frideger 1. In addition to my experience on the 2011-2015 USON Province Leadership Team, I bring the gift of knowledge of organizations and organizational change from my academic studies and teaching.

2. The call I heard from the Sisters to leave my name in for leadership included a desire to move our Province and Congregation forward into a new future as religious life unfolds.

Carol Higgins 1. I bring the gift of openness to the possibilities we will create together.

2. Our congregation has always been an evolving organization, so the changes we face in the coming years are part of our on-going tradition of embracing change. However, the changes we face today are different as they require us to let go of many of our ideas about ourselves as a congregation and about our place in the world, a world which is facing big issues: Covid, racism, economic injustice, and the environmental crisis.

I feel called to leadership because I believe this process of transformation is an opportunity for Mission in ways we have not yet begun to understand. If we can move through the coming years with deep spirituality, integrity, open-heartedness, a willingness to take risks, to embrace new partnerships, to let go of control—and do this all with grace and dignity—image how our spirit will touch the lives of others and impact the world.

Linda Patrick 1. I bring my gifts of an open heart and mind to deepen my knowledge of the various cultures and perspectives that make up our Congregation. Understanding and valuing the contributions of each culture in our Congregation strengthens us for wherever our journey takes us.

2. The quote of Marie-Rose “Since we tread along the same path, let us extend a hand to one another to help surmount the difficulties that present themselves.” permeates our Congregation. From working alongside others who are committed to care for the most vulnerable where we live and minister, to speaking out for justice, to healing the Earth, to walking with our aging sister, we extend a hand to others to help the difficulties that arise. My “yes” to leadership is to do what I can to ensure we live this call.

Mary Slater 1. I bring my ability to listen and to ask practical questions.

2. Now more than ever we need sisters to be involved in the life of our community. I listened to the call from the sisters and believe that my gifts would be helpful on our province leadership team.

Congregational Leadership Team

Mary Ellen Holohan, Kathleen Ross, Lorna Cooney, Linda Haydock

Lorna Cooney 1. One gift I bring to our Team of Teams is a creative energy based on the gifts God has given me that sustain the belief I have in the action of the Spirit in each person and in the call of our Congregation in the world today and tomorrow. This gift includes my willingness to work hard and to steadfastly stay the course when the road is challenging. I believe that together we can do more than we can alone and I am often very amazed how creativity and newness are sparked in this way. I bring a broad experience in leadership, both congregationally and provincially through the years.

2. In 2016, I heard the call to continued service at the Congregational level, especially in spirituality and charism, following eight years at the Charism Office. Having experienced unforgettable times of rich community prayer and deep sharing in the 17 pilgrimage retreats across the Congregation, I recognized that the heartbeat of our Congregation is truly the heritage and charism of MarieRose. Congregational leadership calls forth that same promotion of living our charism in the world today, in the broader context of the charism of religious life. As a bilingual and bi-cultural Anglophone Quebecer, I bring to Congregational leadership some gifts, insights and experiences that can serve at times as a bridge.

Linda Haydock 1. One gift I bring is a creative energy for bringing a vision, dream or possibility into practical reality in the midst of uncertain times and an unknown future that has potential for SNJMs and our world.

2. I experienced a call from our sisters around the congregation to bring my experience of collaborative ministry and commitment to peace and justice to congregational leadership. I heard the call and a commitment from our community to participate in shaping the evolution of religious life for the future. I experienced a call from God to give and share, in full measure, the gifts I have received because of all the opportunities I have had as an SNJM. I believe in being on fire in our mission.

Mary Ellen Holohan 1. There are many unknowns as we continue to evolve our SNJM congregation. I have had many previous experiences of working with ministry colleagues on actualizing a dream and encountering closed doors. Each time, an unexpected door has opened that generated new life. I bring a conviction that our charism will live on but will be lived in a radically different way. We are called now to continue to open new doors and invite others in through our doors.

2. When I responded to the call to be a delegate at our 2016 General Chapter I had recently completed 10 years in province leadership. I was exploring where to focus my energies next. A call of the Chapter was to simplify our congregational administrative structures in order to facilitate our capacity to reply to the calls of the 21st

century. With my previous experiences in leadership that had given me opportunities to know our sisters around the world I experienced a call to be part of a mobile CLT launching a nimbler leadership mode and lessening our administrative responsibilities.

Kathleen Ross 1. I bring a deep appreciation for the variety of gifts that our sisters in province and congregational leadership have, and my willingness to listen supportively as each one shares openly and transparently 2. I have served on the congregational leadership team for the past seven years, and continue to feel a call to energize SNJMs in living out our commitments to the full development of human persons especially those who are impoverished or disadvantaged.

Leadership Teams Assembly April 2021