Sisters in the Area of the Americas gathered for their Assembly following the FCJ General Chapter.
Two Post Chapter Meetings were held in the Area of the Americas, one in the West and one in the East, with three capitulars facilitating in each place.
On December 9-10, thirteen sisters gathered in the FCJ Christian Life Centre in Calgary. On December 13-14, nine sisters gathered in the ‘Peace Barn’ on the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary campus near Johnston, Rhode Island.
We began on the first evening in each place with a lovely meal and social time together. In the East, this was held in the Johnston community residence, where we were joined by Cindy, a good friend of the sisters. During the evening, we gave out the single pages describing each Area which had been presented at Chapter, and the booklet of three questions which the Companions in Mission had shared with us. A presentation of photographs from the General Chapter helped us to bring to mind all the people who had been involved and to see the environment in which it took place.
The next day we began with an Opening Prayer and then watched a clip from The Chosen, Jesus meeting the Samaritan woman at the well from John 4:1-30, and we reflected on what Jesus might want from us today if he were to ask us for a drink.
A very brief summary of the General Council’s presentation to Chapter was given by Judith, including the photos of sisters who had died since the last Chapter, and ending with the song Meet me at the well.
Since sisters had received the Area descriptions the night before, we were all asked to share what we had noticed in them about life throughout the whole Society.
The sisters were then reminded of all the work they had done personally and in groups, emerging matters of importance for the Chapter. These matters of importance were further refined by the capitulars and the Chapter Planning Committee. All this work and subsequent discernment at Chapter led to the Chapter document “Give me a drink…” John 4, which was distributed to the sisters. Personal time was given to reading and then we shared first impressions, thoughts etc., emphasizing the conversation between Jesus and us individually and as a Society. After this, the capitulars led us through reflecting on each
of the sections in turn.
In the section on governance, we spent time looking at how the new model of governance agreed by the Chapter would work in the Area of the Americas, what would be our hopes and expectations, as well as what would be our own contribution. We then distributed the booklet of the Acts of the Chapter and discussed other recommendations made by the General Chapter.
A beautiful Closing Prayer brought our meeting to an end and we celebrated together with a delicious meal.
Read more about our General Chapter 2025 and about the Chapter Decree: “Give me a drink…” John 4.
