Thursday evening, Sisters of Charity Federation members, associates, staff, and guests representing fourteen congregations gathered in Chicago, Ill., for the first-ever Assembly of the Whole. Sister Grace Hartzog, executive director, welcomed the 550 participants! Sister Grace shared the history of the federation through stories and photos. Included were photos from 1947 through 2017. Sister Grace then thanked all who helped to make the dream of the Assembly of the Whole a reality.
Facilitator Sister Pat Kozak, CSJ, joined Sister Grace at the podium. Together they explained that assembly reflector Sister Sujita Kallupurakkathu, SND, will be unable to join the attendees in person. For the first time in her many, many years of traveling for her ministry, Sister Sujita’s passport has been held. Without it, she cannot travel out of India. Through the wonder of technology and Sister Sujita’s desire to be present, she will be joining the Assembly via videotaped Zoom videoconference recordings!
The opening ritual included a procession of the congregations. Sisters from each congregation carried a colored banner along with their congregational logo banners. Together, they were posted and woven together on the large, front dais. It was beautiful to behold! Then, as part of the Opening Ritual, attendees each shared their “hopes” for the assembly and tied together their own, individual colored ribbons—another weaving together of unstoppable charity.
At the conclusion of the ritual, all were invited to a social.
You may view the sessions of the Assembly of the Whole at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2zXpIvKTqI
Photos will be posted throughout the assembly.
www.sistersofcharityfederation.org