THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
OF PHILADELPHIA
COUNCIL SHARING
December 2016 Meeting
COUNCIL MEETING
PRAYER
Sister Kathryn Dougherty led the group in contemplative prayer based on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
MINUTES
The minutes of the November 15 and 16, 2016 council meeting were approved.
MISSIONING LOG
The missioning log for December 2016 was approved as circulated.
INHERITANCES
Sister Ruth Bernadette O’Connor reported that there were two inheritances. The sisters requested and received approval for the inheritances to be distributed according to their requests.
ASSISI HOUSE
Sister Maureen Roe, RSM, has resigned her position as administrative assistant. We are grateful for Maureen’s years of service. We are currently advertising for her replacement. A clinical social worker was hired by Mercy LIFE who will be available for counseling for the sister residents.
On December 8 the senior staff baked cookies in the country kitchens to share with the sisters and staff. Sisters enjoyed the party with Christmas caroling and a contest as to which senior staff wore the “ugliest” Christmas sweater.
Members of the foundation held the drawing of the names for the sister sellers of the raffle chances at Assisi House. This was followed by an ice cream treat from the foundation.
Many sisters enjoy doing puzzles. Some have been laminated for hanging. A small section outside the PT area and the dining room will display one puzzle picture at a time. Check it out when you visit Assisi House.
Sisters have opportunities to volunteer their time. Some were Santa’s helpers—wrapping gifts and writing cards. Others participate in the “buddy system”to help orient new sister arrivals. Still otherswill be volunteers at Fair Acres in January.
CHARISM OFFICE UPDATES
Sister Florence Hee shared updates from the charism office. The charism anagram (posted on the Resource page of OSFConnect) will be the theme in 2017 for sharing our charism with coworkers. Various activities will occur throughout the year. Florence also shared how social media is impacting how our charism information reaches a wider audience. The charism office will be supporting Sister Kathleen Moffatt with her “Gift Given” program that will be offered at OLA on February 4 and 12 or March 9 from 1-4 P.M.
THANK YOU FOR DR. ROSALIE MIRENDA
To thank Dr. Rosalie Mirenda for her 20 years as president of Neumann University and 43 years as a member of the university community, we will have a Mass of Thanksgiving followed by dinner March 23, 2017, at 5 P.M. Dr. Mirenda’s familyand the VP’s will be invited. An invitation to all the sisters will be posted on OSFConnect and mailed in February.
PREPARATION FOR PLANNING DAYS IN SEA ISLE
The days for our planning time in Sea Isle in February were discussed. We will begin with a retreat day—taking time for reflection, prayer, and faith sharing. Subsequent days will include reviewing our goals, a discussion of visitations conducted and those to follow after the assembly, further discussion on area chapters, our mid-term report to the congregation, and the long-range sustainability plan. Other topics to be considered could be added at the January meeting.
CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE GLEN
We prepared the entertainment for the upcoming Christmas party for all workers at OLA scheduled for December 16, 2016. We will have a sing-a-long with slightly altered Christmas carols.
INPUT FROM LEADERSHIP/REPS MEETING
The feedback from the questions shared at the leadership/reps meeting last month and the evaluations of the meeting were discussed.In reading through the input, we also listened to the prophetic voice. We highlighted and synthesized the following:
- Keep ACs but call some to regroup;
- Firm up ACs, regarding both numbers and responsibilities;
- ACs connect us to each other yet sometimes they are more task oriented due to deadlines;
- ACs could become base groups and regional meetings added as consensus groups;
- Create regional groups and elect regional representatives;
- Include companion and former members in ACs.
Given our smaller numbers and our rising median age, we know that there is a need to restructure. This material will be further refined and brought back to the leadership/reps meeting in April.
FRANCISCAN VOLUNTEERS
Sara Marks received another grant of $35,000 for the volunteer program from the Catholic Volunteer Network. Those who met the volunteers at the leadership/reps meeting were impressed with the three young women. It was suggested that a short video of the volunteers be posted on OSFConnect in the New Year so that all sisters might see who they are. All sisters in the area are welcome to invite the volunteers to their houses for lunch, dinner, or a visit. St. Leo Parish, Tacoma, will again be the sight of the summer week-long volunteer immersion experience. Volunteers pay their travel and a stipend for the week for the L’HoneyProject which it runs with the L’Arche community.
CORPORATION MEETING
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the November 17, 2016 corporation meeting were approved.
DISCUSSIONS ON CSR RESTRICTED LIST
Sister Nora Nash attended the corporation meeting to discuss the updated Corporate Social Responsibility restricted list. This could involve changing some of the international managers. Further research will take place regarding this issue.
MARKET UPDATE
Mrs. Sharon Laydon reported that while the market experienced volatility in October, it recovered in November and December. Sharon commended the good job that sisters and administrative departments did last fiscal year in holding expenses when the market was down. Spending was $200,000 less than the previous year which helps to maximize investments for the future.
DESIGNATION OF FOUNDATION UNRESTRICTED FUNDS FOR FOURTH QUARTER 2016
The foundation received $40,000 of unrestricted funds in the quarter ended September 30, 2016. These were distributed to sponsored and individual sisters’ ministries.
PRESENTATION OF INTERNAL FINANCIALSTATEMENTS FY SEPTEMBER 30, 2016
Sharon Laydon reviewed the key highlights of the financial statements for the Administrative Accounts, RCT, and foundation for the six months ended September 30, 2016.
UPDATE ON ST. JOSEPH COUNSELING CENTER PROPERTY
St. Joseph Family Center is now in the hands of a realtor. There is great interest in the property from a number of institutions. Our goal is to sell to someone compatible with our mission and the history of St. Joseph’s as a children’s home and counseling center.
LONG-RANGE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN
Sharon updated the corporation on the progress of the long-range sustainability plan that will be presented at the June assembly.
Meeting summarized by Sister Kathryn Dougherty, OSF
Council Sharing Minutes
December 12 & 14, 2016
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