This past week, the IHM Motherhouse in Monroe hummed with activity and voices as almost 300 Sisters and Associates gathered for a new Assembly, that is, the Constitutionally required semi-annual gathering meant to discuss, discern and decide. Part of the excitement revolves around changes approved last year, which transformed the congregation’s governing structure.
This gathering offers, for the first time, full participation of all vowed sisters in decision-making, replacing former governance by a single General Superior or elected delegates representing the whole.
Sister Maxine Kollasch, IHM, President, shares:
The congregation faces new challenges and opportunities as its responsibilities, missions and membership evolve. Embracing a future unknown is a mystery and an adventure and the journey has begun.
Who are we? Why are we here? How do we live out our mission?
These are questions answered in The Rule, first written for the Sisters by IHM co-founder Father Louis Gillet in 1845. Written in French and based on his Redemptorist background, it outlined everything from first prayers in the morning to which patron saints watch over the congregation. Also called the Constitution, this document continues today to set the parameters and purpose for which the Sisters live. Big and small changes have been made over the years. In 1920, the Sisters received final approval to function as a Pontifical congregation, giving them greater freedom in determining their own future. Times of greatest change also came out of Second Vatican Council as well as the growth of the congregation itself and expansion of its work in the 1960s. However, any changes to the Constitutions still must be approved by Rome. That’s why this year, with Rome’s approval letter just received, a new printing of the Constitutions, the first in 40 years, will be given to each vowed Sister during Assembly. It will continue to shape life and mission for years to come. To trace the evolution of how the congregation has been governed for 180 years, click here to see each stage of leadership, starting with Mother Theresa Maxis Duchemin in 1845 through today’s President, Sister Maxine Kollasch.
What Assembly means
- Assembly is first and foremost about community, coming together, deepening our bonds, listening to stories and honoring our individual and collective wisdom. The journey of Assembly is an invitation to become one whole beloved community.
- Sisters and Associates come from near and far to gather for a respectful exchange of ideas, inclusive decision-making and celebration. There are three ways to contribute, each tailored to individual preferences. Participants must be “fully prepared, fully present and fully engaged,” for the entire four-day proceedings, according to a description spelled out in the congregation’s Constitutions. This year, 99 professed Sisters and 30 Associates are registered Participants. Other roles, also defined in the Constitutions, include Observers who attend and participate as they are able, and Prayer Partners who provide spiritual petitions for success.
- The Assembly reviews and establishes major congregational policies that empower members to live out the Chapter Direction, which remains the inspiration and compass for being and becoming Christ’s liberating mission.
- Assembly is a process and a journey to learn and experiment with new ways of being together, punctuated by intentional moments of thinking, doing and discerning about our lives and mission.
- Sisters and associates believe it is a privilege to walk together during the journey.
“The IHM’s are discerning the Spirit of God. We seek to model the sustained dialogue and listening that are essential to the world.”
It’s called Assembly and, indeed, it is.
Sisters and Associates come from near and far to gather for a respectful exchange of ideas, inclusive decision-making and celebration.
The Oct. 8-11 meetings offer three ways to contribute based on each person’s preference. Participants must be “fully prepared, fully present and fully engaged,” for the entire four-day proceedings, according to a description spelled out in the congregation’s Constitutions. This year, 99 professed Sisters and 30 Associates are registered Participants. Other roles, also defined in the Constitutions, are Observers who attend and participate as they are able and Prayer Partners who provide the spiritual petitions for success. In all, 299 Sisters and Associates are registered.
In anticipation of things getting under way, registrants were asked what they hope people in the outside world would understand about the importance of Assembly.
Sister Evie Craig said, “The IHMs are discerning the Spirit of God. We seek to model the sustained dialogue and listening that are essential to the world.”
Associate Liz Lyons-Hudson, who is coming from England, shares, “I’m looking forward to meeting up with people in person instead of Zoom. I’m interested in how we will move forward and looking towards how, as an associate, I can be part of our future.”
Check out the video below to see our global role call!!!