Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R., planning General Chapter
TORONTO -- The Franciscan Sisters, T.O.R., at 369 Little Church Road, Toronto, are in the throes of planning for their fourth General Chapter that begins May 27 and continues through June 10.
In a news release, Sister Jean Daugherty, T.O.R., explained that "a General Chapter is kind of like a big family meeting or a papal conclave without the white smoke. It consists of a series of meetings in which representatives of a whole religious community come together to discuss the central aspects of their way of life, make big decisions and elect new leadership of the community.
"Our community holds a General Chapter every six years, and the representatives, or delegates, are sisters who have made their perpetual profession (final vows) in our community," she added.
"The General Chapter is a time of renewal and an honest search for God's will as we move into the future. Every religious community is founded with a unique gift for the church and for the world; this gift is called a charism," she continued.
"So, in our meetings, we reflect upon how well we are living out aspects of our community charisms, as well as our Franciscan spirituality, and mission (how we make known God's merciful love)," the release notes.
"One example of a decision made at our 2003 General Chapter was to open a house in Gaming, Austria, where Franciscan University of Steubenville has a study-abroad program for their students.
"The mission in Gaming enables us to connect with our T.O.R. friars in ministry and respond to the T.O.R. Minister General's request for mission outreach to Eastern Europe. Our presence there also is a means to help students make the most of their time there through offering spiritual direction, scripture groups and other ministries," Daugherty explains in the release.
"The General Chapter not only affects the religious community but also the whole church and even the whole world, according to Cardinal Pironio in an article on General Chapters that appeared in L'Osservatore Romano, Sept. 16, 1976. In their deliberations, the chapter delegates must keep in mind a question put forth by Cardinal Pironio, 'What does God ask of us at this moment in the church?' This is the same as asking, 'What do men and women ask of us today?'" In this way, all of the members of the church are brought into a General Chapter; it is an event in and for the church," the release continues.
"A General Chapter is not only about solving problems within the religious institute, it also is concerned about interpreting the signs of the times. Cardinal Pironio invites religious communities to ask questions like, 'Who are the poor today? What does evangelization mean in the church today?' God offers salvation to all people, but many have yet to be evangelized. Our community must also discern the role we have to play in bringing the Gospel to the world today," the release adds.
The Franciscan Sisters are part of the Diocese of Steubenville. Bishop Jeffrey Monforton will be presiding on the day they elect their new leadership. "Some of our diocesan priests will be celebrating the daily Masses during our General Chapter, and we need all in the diocese to accompany the chapter with prayer and celebration, joy and hope, and the expectation of conversion and new life," Daugherty notes in the release.
"With the interior renewal of a religious community, the church is enriched spiritually, and the world experiences the fruits," she continued
"As we seek the mind and heart of God in preparation for our 2020 General Chapter, we humbly ask for your support in prayer that our chapter may be a deep work of the Holy Spirit and be life changing for us and for the whole church."