(Page
10 of Vol. 30-5)
September, 1987
Soundings Volume10, Number1
CSJ Justice and
By Patricia Lambert, CSJ
During the warm and
not so warm days of summer, many of us could be found in front of television
screens, caught up in the fascination of the testimony of a variety of people
about their involvement in the events of the Iran/Contra scandal. We learned
that the basement of the White House had been the place where shredders were in
action and much vital information was destroyed. Here at the Motherhouse,
during the same time period, another very different type of basement operation
was taking place. In the rear of the building, overlooking the back of the
Mount, slowly but surely, a small apartment area was being transformed into the
CSJ Justice and
This effort
represented the realization of a dream of a pre-Chapter Issue Working group who
perceived the need for a
The implementation
process began with the Council seeking descriptions of the role of the office
and the direction from various committees already involved in various issue
areas. RNR, the Direct Action committee, and the Issue Working groups held
individual meetings and shared ideas. One member of each group then came
together with the Council membership to develop a composite process for
selection and role description. An invitation was extended to the community for
persons to apply for the position of director. After participating in a process
which included submitting a formal application, having an interview with a
selection committee and discernment with Sister Roberta Marie, my appointment
as Director was announced to the community on March 19 at the liturgy in honor
of
On more than a few occasions since the appointment, I have wondered at my temerity in accepting the challenge of attempting to design a way to address the multitude of needs which are crying to be met. Each day brings phone calls, mail, etc., asking for assistance, either monetary or through some kind of direct involvement. Each issue area is of primary importance to those involved and the challenge to absorb the information and attempt to make determination of where and how we can become informed and/or involved is hard at times. As a follower of Christ, each of us must accept the fact that we cannot ignore what is going on in the world; the daily paper, TV, and radio present a never ending challenge to respond to human needs.
One long range goal of the office is to seek to find ways to be in touch with and of service to community membership with a summary of information and suggestions for some form of action about some of these issue areas. Equally important will be a concerted effort to connect with existing groups who are already involved in dealing with the issues which are of great concern to us, as a congregation pledged to our longstanding commitment to become women of reconciliation.
To accomplish the above I plan to seek ongoing advice and assistance through the creation of an Advisory Board of people who are already involved in some way in these areas of concern. It will include people from both within and outside the congregation.
Another effort which is certainly important is to establish contact with already existing congregational groups in order to facilitate networking in planning calendars, etc. Each group will continue to determine its own agenda, but the hope is that we can communicate with one another about future plans, Soundings articles, etc.
Information update
sheets will be sent with Soundings
when there is need to do so. These would consist of some brief background information
on an issue which is of immediate concern; some suggestions about kinds of
actions we can take ourselves or ask others to take with us; the names and
addresses of persons to be contacted. Enclosed with this issue, for example, is
a list of our
Several things have been abundantly clear to me after nearly two months in this new ministry. The first is the clear signal which I have received of interest, support, and concern as well as offers of assistance from congregational members. The second is that getting it all together and in motion is going to take time.
As a result of the
Catholic Connection making its resources of materials, furnishings, etc.,
available to us, the donations of some office desks by Bob McMillan, SJ, of the
Immaculate Conception Rectory in
Another concern is my awareness of the need to be in constant touch with reliable sources of information. It has been abundantly clear to me in the past that media coverage is inadequate in terms of correct perspective and information. Outside reading, workshops, but most of all, my personal involvement in several groups will hopefully enable a more faithful and effective stewardship.
Please feel free to visit the office at any time or to call for assistance (789-5832). Just drive around the back of the Motherhouse, ring the bell near the kitchen supply entrance, and you will receive a warm welcome and an invitation to visit the quarters.
I welcome suggestions. I don’t guarantee that all of them can be implemented, but I want to know your concerns. With time and effort will be made to make a response. There is a poster on the office wall which I read many times in the course of the day: May you have faith in your dreams and in yourself to bring them to life. I constantly remind myself that with God’s help and your prayers, part of the dream can become a reality.