In January my Congregation made a difficult decision to close our convent at the end of June. The conversations and discernment that preceded this decision left me with a sense of peace but also sadness. In 1930 our sisters arrived at Our Lady of Pompeii Church in Greenwich Village (Manhattan). The parish started nearly forty years earlier and with a new church built, it was time for a school.
Did you ever notice that the words listen and silent have the same letters? I find this interesting. In order to really listen, I need to be truly silent. As an extrovert, this is not easy. When I listen, I tend to think about how I will respond. I want to be a better listener. In fact, my word for 2020 is listen. Every January for the past few years, I have chosen a word as a focal point. There is certainly a lot to listen to this year. At times, there is too much to listen to and I have to discern what is helpful and what is not.
Nsukka, which is a town I grew up in, is a university town with an international flair. It is located in the Eastern part of Nigeria in Enugu state. Growing up, my family and I worshipped at St. Peter’s Chaplaincy within the University. At a typical liturgy, you would find people from America, Asia and Europe affiliated with the university.
During this time, when we have been affected by a global pandemic, COVID-19, that have infected more than 8 million people around the world, we, in the US, have been impacted by a second global pandemic, systemic racism.
Giving Voice participants, save the date for our Cultural Diversity & Inclusion Encuentro Oct 22-24. Registration opens late July.
Giving Voice participant Sister Julia Walsh, FSPA, received a Leadership Initiatives Scholarship from Giving Voice, and with the funds began her very own podcast!
We are excited to share that Giving Voice sisters have formed a new Development Committee, which will serve the organization in developing strategies for ongoing financial sustainability.
This year's Life Commitment Program has been reconfigured as a virtual experience of connection and community, faith and prayer, learning and dialogue. The same components that have made the program so good all these years will be integrated into the online format.
When we started our Lenten Season, on February 26th, little did I/we know the transformation I/we would experience. What began for me as a hospital chaplain, touching hundreds of foreheads with the signing of the cross on Ash Wednesday, ended with me not being able to touch even the people I live with and love.
Introducing Giving Voice's newest Core Team member, Erin McDonald, CSJ! Learn more about how Erin first got involved with Giving Voice, and her hopes for the future.