General Chapter Set for October 7-12, 2022
What is a General Chapter?
In accord with our constitutions, every five years the Presentation community holds a General Chapter. This is an important time in the life of a religious congregation. It is a special meeting preceded by nearly a year and a half of planning, prayer, reflection and serious listening to God and to each other.
A General Chapter has two distinct parts:
The Chapter of Affairs determines the direction and focus of the community’s energies, resources and actions in light of the Gospel and the charism of our foundress, Nano Nagle, at this time in our history.
The Chapter of Elections elects a new leadership team to carry out the vision discerned by the community. Newly-elected leaders will be installed in April 2023.
How does the Presentation community prepare for Chapter?
The Chapter Preparations Committee is established to work with a facilitator and the total community. For well over a year, the committee gathers the wisdom of the sisters and associates and designs a discernment process for the election of delegates, the nomination and election of the congregational leadership team and all other aspects of chapter preparation.
What are options for participation?
As they are able, associates and sisters contribute to the chapter through prayer, study, observing and engaging in meaningful conversations, participating in Zoom gatherings and perhaps taking part in discussions during the General Chapter. Together they look at the crying needs of the world and ask hard questions: What needs doing? How do we choose to live out the mission at this time in our history? What are our next steps as we carry these concerns into the future?
Only sisters are elected by the community to the chapter. They are referred to as delegates and have voting power. Their responsibilities include participating fully in all tasks related to the process, carefully studying all materials and attending all meetings. Following the lead of the Chapter Preparations Committee and the facilitator, they vote on significant business and on the election of the leadership team.
What are the outcomes of the Chapter?
1. A chapter formally approves and proclaims the direction statement that unites us and forms and informs our living and doing for the next five years.
2. A chapter formally elects the leadership team tasked with helping the community live out the direction statement and the shepherding of the community through their ministry.
As the Presentation Sisters plan for this chapter, they want to take a realistic look at their present reality, to consider the needs of the world around them, to reflect on the life of Nano Nagle as she lived the good news of Jesus and to listen to the Spirit who resides in their midst. They carry the gifts of a heritage lived by Mother Vincent Hennessy, who came from Ireland in 1874 with three young women to bring the gospel to Iowa. They also stand on the shoulders of Presentation people throughout the world. Please remember them in your prayers as they prepare for their General Chapter in the days to come.
