2017

During Chapter, a meeting held every five years, a new directional statement was established, clarifying the congregation’s vision for the future and commitment to engaging their passion and strength in continued work for justice, peace and compassion. The leadership team called those gathered to look into the future and consider where Dubuque Presentation Sisters are called to live radical hospitality.

Sister Carmen Hernandez states, “My hope is that we will move our direction and commitments into action and this, without a doubt, will mean we will need to take risks, make mistakes and let go of fears and of what has become familiar to us. Isn’t that what our foundress, Nano Nagle did? We continue to seek the most life-giving way forward as we risk radical hospitality, a hospitality emanating from the deepest part of our being in kinship with Earth and all people. With radical and root coming from the same word, we are called to look to Nano, and the characteristics of her risking as she planted the roots of her challenging ministry in Ireland 150 years ago. We will only be richer and deeper by extending ourselves to a world out there which cries out daily for our help. Whatever we decide to do, let’s do it. And let’s do it together.”