A letter from the New Direction Committee

Our first in-person meeting for 2025 of the New Direction Committee (NDC) was held at the Generalate in Rome from February 18-23. A highlight of our work together was an analysis and review of the six-monthly reports from the Units. The open and honest analysis of the local situations provided in these reports is crucial to the ongoing forward movement of the Congregation. Once again at this meeting, we found specific examples from the Units and future Regions of their creative continuation of the journey.

This in-person meeting followed our first online meeting of the year last month on January 8. Representing each of the Circles of the Congregation, in this meeting committee members shared updates on recent events and progress within their Circles as part of the ongoing implementation of the New Governance Structure. Encouragingly, these updates showcased significant positive developments across all Circles.

Facilitator Maureen Jenkins invited us to reflect on the question: “Looking back at 2024, how has the Congregation transformed?”

Our shared insights highlighted a profound shift in how we have moved within the Congregation:

• From reactive to proactive: A global mindset focused on proactive engagement.
• From fear to responsibility: A growing sense of accountability for governance within the Calls to Action.
• From fear to trust: Building trust in the process, embracing change with openness and joy.
• Listening and clarity: Greater attentiveness to each other and a clearer understanding of our shared purpose.
• Creative action: Units acknowledge challenges coupled with innovative solutions.
• Unity: A stronger sense of being one Congregation.
• Inclusive leadership: Leadership that fosters inclusion and participation among sisters and partners-in-mission, prioritizing relationships.
• Community life as communion: Moving from externals practices to a deeper reality of communal living.
• The contemplative dimension: Moving into the light, integral to the ongoing development of the Contemplative Sisters.
• Peaceful integration of new governance structures: Implementation of new governance structures within the Universal Call to Justice is creating integration in a harmonious way.
• Ongoing formation: Formation programs are increasingly inclusive of sisters and partners-in-mission, though questions remain about fully embracing the participation of mission partners.

Needless to say, this year-end review brought great joy, enthusiasm, and appreciation for the work that the whole Congregation is doing on our Call to Action for a New Governance Structure.

As we move into 2025, several key initiatives will continue:

• Circle Implementation Teams: These teams play a critical role in supporting the Circles, including developing resources that can be shared across the Congregation.
• Best Practice sessions: These sessions have received positive feedback, fostering a culture of mutual learning. Future topics may include:
  • Steps and processes leading to Regional Chapters
  • Roles, composition, and purpose of Extended Leadership Teams
  • Cross-border Formation Houses
  • Integrating the Congregational Offices
  • Exploring the richness of interculturality
  • Implementing a global culture of justice in ministries today

Following these recent meeting, we continue to be impressed with the depth of work that each Unit is doing, the seriousness of the reflections and the opportunities that you have created for interaction within and among the Units – thank you!

United in the Holy Work,
The New Direction Committee

Sr. Brigid Lawlor, Sr. Brigitte Ndione, Sr. Daisy Alvarez Juarez, Sr. Fatima Coelho Pires, Sr. Johanna Yong, Sr. Pamela Molony, Sr. Teresa Acosta, Willa Mowe