From October 13 – 18, 2024, Missionary Sisters and lay leaders of the Guadalupe Province gathered in Newark, NJ for the annual Province Assembly. They were joined this year by MSCGeneral Superior Sr. Maria Eliane Azevedo da Silva and General Councilor Sr. Gilda Mercedes Mendoza Argueta, MSC.
In her remarks, Sr. Eliane reflected upon our life’s purpose; that Mother Cabrini always contemplated the life of Christ. Our charism is a gift of the Holy Spirit to Mother Cabrini, cultivated in love, that is about doing, transforming, and transmitting hope. For this, we have an inspiring vision of walking in solidarity and communion in diversity.
The Assembly proceedings – facilitated by Sr. Imma De Stefanis, RSCJ, PhD, and Sr. Reyna Gonzalez, RSCJ from Sherpa Consulting – addressed the topics of mission and governance through the presentations of Sr. Arlene Van Dusen, MSC, Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC, and canon lawyer Sr. Sharon Euart, RSM, Esq. and civil attorney Christopher Fusco, Esq. John DiMucci, Director of Sponsorship and Mission Services for the Sisters of Charity, provided insights into different models of governance for religious orders.
Updates on vocation ministry and the shrines and spiritual ministries – from an international and province perspective – were shared. Additionally, reports from the Cabrini Lay Missionaries, Immigration Commission, Global Health Commission, UNANIMA, as well as progress reports from the working groups on Mission Integration and On-Going Formation, which were established at the 2022 Assembly, were provided.
Sr. Diane Olmstead, MSC, Provincial, offered an overview of the Guadalupe Province ministries and all that has transpired in recent months and years.
During the days that the Missionary Sisters gathered among themselves, Sr. Mary Pat Garvin, RSM, PhD presented a workshop on Mission: The Never-Ending Story.
During the Assembly, Fr. Tom Faiola, OFM, Cap., Fr. John Lager, OFM, Cap., and Fr. Ron Galt were presiders at the various days’ liturgies.
As with any Cabrinian gathering, there was time for fun, good conversation, and a dinner social, as well.