Elections to Leadership

In  the first week of July 2006, thirty of our sisters from around the world gathered at Domis Pacis, Assisi to attend our General Chapter held every five years. For three weeks the sisters reflected on our life and its different expressions in various parts of the world. Sister Elaine Morzone, an Australian from Queensland, who taught at Mt Alvernia, Kedron and served in mission in Aitape (PNG) as Formator and Provincial Minister, was re-elected for a second term as General Minister of the Institute. During the Chapter a mandate was formulated and this will be our guide and inspiration for the next five years.

During the first weekend of November 2006 Sister Elaine was in Australia when a contingent of Australian sisters gathered at Mercy Place, Bardon to elect new leadership for the Australian Governance Circle.

Sister Maureen Andrews was chosen as Congregational Leader for the Australian Governance Circle and Sister Pauline Robinson as her Assistant.

On 8 December in a simple ceremony at Kedron, Sister Catherine White formally handed over to Sr Maureen symbols of the leadership she was to assume on that day.

On this joyful occasion the following blessing was read over Sisters Maureen and Pauline by the assembled sisters.

May the God who sings in your heart, open the ears of your heart
to hear the melody of God’s own song singing within you.

May you remember often that you are but an instrument
in the hands of the Creator
whose breath creates wondrous music in the concert of love.

May you sing God’s praise with the intention of your hearts.
May you seek God in stillness and not lose God in busyness;
As you yearn for fullness, may you not miss God in emptiness.
May you sing to God in gladness and sing too in your sorrow.
May you find joy in the planting as in the harvest.

May God open your mind and your heart
to hear the song of love and compassion,
the melody of peace and reconciliation
that is yours to sing
today and every day. Amen.

(adapted from Joyce Rupp)

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