Mission Effectiveness Scores Another Success!!

This year’s Mission Effectiveness group had more men, more French people, and more Canadians than in previous years. However, each participant’s commitment to carry on the mission and charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph was as intense as past groups. Sr. Dolores Clerico (Philadelphia—USA) has given this program over the past 13 years, and she continues to marvel at the quality and seriousness of the lay people who come to the program.

Sr. Dolores

"Each year I come away from the Mission Effectiveness experience hopeful, grateful and energized, said Sr. Dolores. “The commitment to live and work in ways that are unifying is so much bigger than the sisters. What a privilege it is for me to witness how God is moving in the hearts of our friends and colleagues around the world!"

 
Group discussions were lively and profound as participants shared their thoughts and reflections on their part in the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph. 

Luna (India) and Lisa (USA)

Taking time to write about their understanding of the mission is a common exercise in the program. The value of sharing with people from different countries provides a quality of experience that expands each participant's horizons.
 

Suganya (India) and Alison (USA)

Sr. Simone meets with Sr. Anne (USA-Peru) and Monique and Bernard (France) in one session.











The Canadians all worked for the same health care system, Catholic Health Care Sponsors of Ontario, and knew each others' names, but they hadn't met until they came to Le Puy. Jean Phillippe and Alain of France (third and fourth from right) joined the Canadians (Donna, Ben on left with John on right) for this session.

The Mission Effectiveness program offers a pilgrimage for lay partners in mission and provides an immersion experience into the original spirit and global dimension of the charism and spiritual tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph. It invites people who are associated with the ministries founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph as administrators, staff persons, board members, and supporters. It will be offered again in 2020.

The week had been an intense and powerful experience and the sharings were honest, sincere, and heart-felt. Participants were largely confirmed in their own work as they realized they were a part of the legacy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. They were clearly determined to continue the mission of the sisters. 

For the closing ritual, each person was invited to light a candle signifying their presence and then to touch the water, a sign of the presence of God. They then expressed their commitment to being one with God and others in expanding unity in our world. 

Good-byes are always difficult after such a warm and loving week together. However, participants made new friends, new memories, and new commitments to their own lives and missions as associates, friends, and supporters of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

 
Jeffrey and Sr. Anne rode together to the Lyon airport. The early risers began their journeys home at 5:30 a.m.



 




John spent 3 days on the Camino. He started out at 6:30 a.m. to make it in time for the Cathedral Mass for pilgrims at 7 a.m. While this was a "test-run," he plans to walk the entire 900-mile Camino very soon.