Provincial Sr. Pietrina Raccuglia, MSC opened the conference by welcoming everyone with a reaffirmation of Sr. Patricia’s message. She acknowledged the severity of the times in which the Cabrini leaders gathered for this conference. Global economic and health crises, war, genocide, and financial insecurities, both personal and institutional, marked the burdens borne by all who were present. Yet, citing Mother Foundress Frances Cabrini, Sr. Pietrina encouraged all to maintain a sense of optimism by trusting in God. She thanked the Missionary Sisters and Cabrinian leaders present for their “steadfastness and heroism” in carrying out the mission of Jesus “in a loving, caring and ethical way.”

Why gather?

The Provincial Leadership felt it was vital and necessary to gather all of their organizational leaders so that together, Sisters and laity, could come to a “deeper understanding of the Cabrini Charism, reflect on the new Missionary Vision and the recommendations and conclusions of the General Chapter.” Sr. Pietrina asked those assembled – from Africa, Australia, the United States, the many geographic entities of the Stella Maris Province - to help the MSCs “re-imagine charity.”

As a mandate of the General Chapter of 2008, an Institute wide strategic plan will be formulated. All those who were present at the conference will be instrumental in bringing such a plan to fruition.

During the course of the conference, the participants were asked to join the Missionary Sisters in beginning to “develop new forms of charity that are creative and imaginative, that will be more effective today in our different social and cultural contexts and our new spaces of missionary involvement.” (General Chapter conclusions p. 15)

Reimagining Charity (.pdf) / (.ppt) Cabrini Strategic Plan (.pdf) / (.ppt) Structure Decision Making (.pdf) / (.ppt) Force Field Analysis (.pdf) / (.ppt)

Foundational Principles

To provide a strong foundation for the work of the conference and for the planning that is to take place in the months and years ahead, Missionary Sisters Diane Dalle Molle and Barbara Staley shared a Powerpoint presentation that spoke to charism, vision and call. They defined charism as a grace; “a particular manifestation of God given to an individual or group for the good of the world.” They described the Cabrinian Charism as “passionate, risk taking, bold, flexible, clinging firmly to hope, loving the poor and the voiceless and willing to make God’s love incarnate day after day.” The Cabrinian charism, they went on to explain, “is based on a personal relationship with Jesus and in warm human relationships.”

At the inception of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, God gave tremendous graces to Frances Cabrini in order to root the foundation of the Institute. Today, the Cabrinian people are called to be people who see the need in the world and respond by being bearers of Christ’s love in this time and place to all those in need. We are continually called to be in, what Srs. Diane and Barbara termed, “a charismatic moment.” They cited flexibility and mobility as the gifts of charismatic moments. Charismatic moments are further characterized by fluidity – leaders are called to recognize and weigh the charismatic moments along with demands of institutional moments. They cautioned that survival can become more important than service and it is in these moments that Cabrinian leaders should ask themselves, ‘is the charismatic vision of the Institute still alive?’

Sisters Barbara and Diane cited the challenges to which the Cabrinian Institute is called to respond:

• The cry of the poor and excluded
• The suffering of children and elders at risk
• The disintegration of the family and youth who are searching
• The tragedy of so many immigrants and refugees
• The exploitation of women and human trafficking

As the Cabrinian Community we are called to do what others will not or cannot do; we are called to put ourselves at the margins of society and to offer life where life is most threatened. In doing this, the Holy Spirit moves us to do what needs to be done. This is about justice.

The Sisters focused on the various works of the Stella Maris Province and implored the Cabrinian leaders to ask the question, how are we, in our works, being affected by the charism?

What is the call to Cabrini Leadership?

In all of our works, Cabrini leaders are called to co-responsibility and to HOPE which comes from a living, daily relationship with God. We are faith-based organizations. This is what sets us apart! Sisters Barbara and Diane reminded Cabrinian leaders to “seek and discern what is the greater good” in the Christian, Catholic and Cabrinian context. In doing so, Cabrinian leaders are called to be creative and imaginative, and to base all planning on the Conclusions of the 2008 General Chapter and the Cabrini Missionary Identity. Each leader was asked to re-imagine charity and to display a “passionate and intelligent love for today’s world.”

Sisters Pietrina Raccuglia and Diane Olmstead provided a detailed context for the work that lies ahead. All of the work of the Institute is about the good of others. The authority and governance of the Institute comes through the universal church which calls us to mission; gives guidance and direction and identifies issues through documents that speak to our reality now.

Sisters Pietrina and Diane reviewed the governance structures of the MSC Institute and the Stella Maris Province along with the decision making processes which take place at each level of governance. These structures and processes in turn affect the organizational life of each of our Cabrinian ministries.

So, within these constructs, how do we begin? Where do we as the Institute want to be by 2014? How do we formulate our goals?

Who is leading the way?

The General Council, the Provincials and Regional Superiors and the Strategic Planning Committee along with every member of the Institute – Sisters and laity – will assist in moving us forward. We have as a major objective “a shared, common mission” throughout the Institute, sharing resources and priorities with Sisters and laity. This common purpose will be expressed through:

• Scripture
• Lived Missionary Experience
• Apostolic Religious Life – Constitutions
• Cabrinian Missionary Identity
• Chapter Conclusions
• Theological Reflection

All strategic planning should be undertaken in an environment of prayer and discernment. Such qualities as flexibility, boldness and collaboration along with culturally sensitive and respectful attitudes are delineated as desired hallmarks of the process.

Essential elements of the strategic planning process will include:

• Integration of issues central to the life and purpose of the Institute
• Realistic future goals that are in alignment with the Cabrinian vision
• Doable realistic steps for goal accomplishment

All members of the Cabrinian community must ask themselves:

• What new directions must be taken?
  
• What radical changes are we called to make?
• What type of leadership, formation and preparation is necessary?

Sr. Pietrina appealed to the assembled Cabrinian leaders to bring this news back to their organizations and to get their constituents “on board.” Everyone will have a voice in the discussion. She asked the leaders to look at their individual core mission and to ask themselves as a Cabrinian organization, “in what ways does your Core Mission reflect on the New Missionary Vision and the Chapter Conclusions? A work sheet was provided for each Cabrinian Work in order to perform its own assessment and develop its own plan. This is to be returned to the Provincial Office by September 1, 2009.

A Convivial Evening

At the invitation of Cabrini Eldercare CEO Pat Krasnausky, following a fruitful day of meetings, the Cabrinian leaders traveled the short distance from Tarrytown to the St. Cabrini Nursing Home (SCNH) in Dobbs Ferry where the SCNH staff members were on hand to greet the visitors and conduct tours of the newly renovated St. Cabrini Nursing Home facility. SCNH staffers offered insights into the various departments and operations of the nursing home and then proudly toured the visitors through the magnificent new and brightly renovated structures. With the Hudson River serving as a sparkling backdrop, the Cabrinian leaders took in the magnificent water views that are showcased throughout the building. All commented on how fortunate the residents will be to live amidst such natural beauty.

Following a convivial reception at St. Cabrini Nursing Home, the group traveled the down the winding roads of Dobbs Ferry to enjoy a festive dinner at the Half Moon restaurant as the guests of Cabrini Eldercare. Cabrinian camaraderie and fun was enjoyed by all.

Present Realities and Renewed Missionary Vision

Having spent day one of the conference revisiting the charism and the call to mission, on the second day, Cabrinian leaders gathered early in the morning for mass celebrated by Fr. Edwin Robinson of St. Cabrini Nursing Home.

In the first session on Tuesday morning, facilitator Sandy Fox O’Hara led the group in a “force field analysis” of the external and internal forces which promote or impede the flow of unmet needs in their areas of ministry specialty. Cabrinian leaders gathered with their ministry colleagues for the purpose of this practical exercise.

In the afternoon session, Pat Krasnausky, a member of the Leadership Conference Planning Committee, invited representatives of the various Cabrinian organizations to share the outcomes of their force field analysis with all those assembled. Heads nodded and notes were quickly taken as the leaders shared those factors which affect the ability of their organizations to be able to respond to unmet needs.

After two days of uplifting and inspiring presentations, and earnest and productive discussions, the conference came to a close with a Powerpoint reflection created by Sr. Arlene Van Dusen and the missioning of Sr. Sharon Casey to Australia.

Sr. Pietrina thanked all leaders for the gift of their presence, reminded them of the “homework” to be done and exhorted all to remain hopeful, and confident in God’s love for them as they carry out the mission of Jesus.