Summer 2007, Volume 50, Number 2

Drawn Beyond: Community Days 2007
by Jessi Beck, PBVM

What draws you beyond? How are we being drawn beyond into the unfolding mystery of God’s dream for our world and for this Presentation community? These are the questions that stirred in the minds and hearts of Presentation sisters and associates during the annual Community Days gathering July 19-22, 2007.

The days were full of meaningful conversations and prayer in preparation for Chapter of Affairs and Elections to be held in December 2007. Participants were lead through a creative process of conversations around the topics of earth sustainability, new forms of leadership, church, interdependent living, retirement, modes of living PBVM charism, contemplative dimension, immigration and futuring with others. Times of contemplative prayer interspersed the days, because it is in listening to the voice of God within that leads us to active ministry.

Reports were given by the finance committee and leadership team and the process of discerning the next leadership team was begun. As with any Presentation gathering, there was a lot of laughter, connecting with friends and celebrating life together. As a closing to the weekend, sisters were commissioned into ministry for the year. The leadership team gave each sister a colored, glass star as a visual symbol of the mission and challenged her with the words, “Lead others to justice.”

Top to Bottom:L to R: Sister Kevin Cummings and Associate Becky Searcy; Sisters Marilou Irons and Jeanette McCarthy; Sisters Gina Foletta, Catherine Wingert and Ann Jackson; Sisters Annette Kestel and Rosalyn Ulfers; Sisters Marge Healy and Carrie Link