ATLANTIC FEDERATION SPRING GATHERING
The Earth Charter and Our CSSJ Charism 2004
Mont Marie, Holyoke, MA - Inspired and challenged to recognize the power of our CSSJ relationships - centered on a mission of active and inclusive love for all creation, membership and leadership of the CSSJ Atlantic Federation discovered the fire in our midst. For three days at the end of March, more than 90 women responded to the invitation to gather in Holyoke, Massachusetts - sisters from Brentwood, Boston, Hartford, Philadelphia, Springfield, St. Augustine, and Winslow - to ponder, share, and reflect on "The Universe Story and Our Story/ Mission of Unity and Reconciliation." Although part of the process was dedicated to building relationships among the participants, we were also called upon to deepen our response to a very tangible reality: As we, the Atlantic Region of the Federation, "be and act more as one," how can we live our mission of unity and reconciliation consciously aware that this mission pulses at the heart of the Universe?
Our initial gathering focused us in prayerful attention to our shared charism as well as on a quote from Jesuit priest/scientist, Teilhard de Chardin: "In the beginning was Power, intelligent, loving energizing. In the beginning was the Word, supremely capable of mastering and molding whatever might come into being in the world of matter. In the beginning there was not cold and darkness: there was Fire."
Throughout the time together we also reflected on our mission in light of The Earth Charter and its values and principles for a sustainable future: "Who are we? We are human beings…We are part of a community of relationship…it has taken over four billion years to grow us. We are part of the purpose of our Earth and are committed to realizing and completing it…" Preamble for a Charter for the Earth.
We were led through the Universe Story by Kathleen Duffy, SSJ/Philadelphia, a physicist who helped us to see the universe with wonder and awe, and Jane Morrissey, SSJ/Springfield, a linguist who gave expression to the connections of the story in and among us. Throughout our days together, a series of reflection questions shaped the process and drew us into the future. Among those questions were:
* Throughout history, our sisters have worked in communion with others for the good of others. Is this not the lace of our lives?
* How can we be fire individually and together?
* As our universe expands, we struggle with our church becoming more exclusive as we become more inclusive. How do we use the Universe Story as a model?
* If everything is already one, how can we articulate our mission in a way that recognizes that?
* How is God calling us to "tend the holy" in our lives - in our neighborhood - in all of God's beloved creation?
* What if our charism of unity and reconciliation is at the Heart of the Universe? How do we grow toward global spirituality, cosmic consciousness?
* How do we allow ourselves to let go and evolve?
As we moved with the process, break-out sessions allowed individuals to name and gather around issues of interest/passion/ministry such as social justice, global ecology, "greening" of congregational properties, and Bearers of the Tradition Institute:our heritage/spirituality. It was an opportunity to learn from each other, seek ways in which our congregations could collaborate on these issues, and thus, "be and act more as one.
May our closing prayer be on our lips and in our hearts as we wrestle with the questions: O Creator of the Universe, continue to nourish us, inspire us and call us, that we may help to make your oneness a reality in our day. AMEN
CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS ARTICLE:
Judy Fay, CSJ
Joanne Gallagher, CSJ
Kathy Hickey, CSJ
Peggy Nichols, CSJ
Participants
Boston, Massachusetts
Brentwood, New York
Chestnut Hill, Pennsylvania
Winslow, Maine
Springfield, Massachusetts
St. Augustine, Florida
West Hartford, Connecticut
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