Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity Community Director Sister Natalie Binversie, OSF, convoked our General Chapter on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. We share apart of this official announcement.
We are all in this journey of deepening our Franciscan call and mission in the world. These past days the Delegates and Alternates began the more immediate preparations for Chapter. While we are grateful for Francis’ final words to us, “I have done what was mine to do, may Christ teach you what is yours to do,” we know his words call us to the responsibility that is ours in praying for blessings on the work of the Chapter.
According to our Constitutions, the primary purpose of the General Chapter is:
a. to protect the intention of the foundresses concerning the nature, purpose, spirit and character of the Congregation ratified by the Holy See, as well as wholesome traditions of the Congregation, all of which constitute its patrimony;
b. to promote suitable renewal in accord with this patrimony;
c. to elect the Community Director and her Council;
d. to treat major business matters;
e. to publish norms which all are bound to obey.
With the deliberative vote of the Council, as Community Director, I formally convoke the 2019 General Chapter of Elections and Affairs of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. The Chapter will convene at the Motherhouse, Holy Family Convent, Manitowoc, Wisconsin on Monday, June 17, 2019. It will be preceded by a Day of Prayer and Recollection on Sunday, June 16.
United in prayer and support, we ask that from December 8, 2019 until the close of Chapter, all members of the Community participate in the following…May our Blessed Mother, on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, intercede for us that our 2019 General Chapter will be pleasing to her Son, Jesus.
Note: Sister Natalie asked that we remember the intention of the Chapter at Morning or Evening Prayer in the intercessions. Each local mission will have a monthly Mass offered for the intention of the Chapter from December 8 to June 2019. Each local community will also pray together daily a special General Chapter prayer. Individually and communally all are to spend prayer time before the Blessed Sacrament asking for the graces needed to “Pray with Faith. Listen with Hope. Respond in Love and Trust.”
