The Spirit Will Not Be Stopped: Living Creatively into What Is Emerging.
The Winter 2027 issue of the Occasional Papers, the journal of LCWR, invites readers into a powerful exploration of the theme, The Spirit Will Not Be Stopped: Living Creatively into What Is Emerging Across religious life, something new is taking shape. Congregations are exploring new forms of leadership and governance, creating collaborative structures, reimagining the use of land and buildings, and finding new ways to carry their mission and charism into the future. This issue looks at these changes through the lens of creativity, spirituality, and discernment.
The stories and reflections in this issue invite us to see creativity as something deeply connected to the movement of the Spirit. They offer examples of women religious responding to change with courage and imagination, while remaining grounded in the values and spirituality that have shaped their lives and communities.
The issue explores questions that many congregations are facing today: What becomes possible when we allow the Spirit to lead us beyond familiar structures? How might collaboration open new possibilities for leadership and governance? How can decisions about property and land continue to express mission and values? And how might emerging tools, including artificial intelligence, support creativity while calling us to thoughtful discernment?
Through spiritual reflections, stories, and practical examples, this issue offers a glimpse into the many ways religious life is finding creative paths forward. The responses are not all the same, nor should they be. Each emerges from a particular history, charism, and context, yet together they reveal a religious life that continues to listen, discern, create, and respond.
Copies of this issue are available for $7.00 plus postage, with discounts offered on orders of 10 or more. Although you will be receiving your own copy of Occasional Papers, you may want to consider ordering additional copies for your members, staff, associates, or others who may be interested.
Orders must be received by December 2. Orders will be mailed in January.
Annual subscriptions are also available for $20 and can be a meaningful gift for others.
Questions about orders or subscriptions may be directed to Faye Homed at fhomed@lcwr.org or call 301-588-4955.
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