“Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us?” Journeying through the XXVI General Chapter at Phase III
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May 1, 2023Much like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we as a Congregation have been shaped and reshaped by the events and circumstances of our times, both internally with our reflections and dynamics on our life together, but also on how we have been called into mission following in the footsteps of our Redeemer. Eventually we come to a place, where, in our reflections and sharing, we open ourselves up to the presence of the Redeemer who walks alongside us, walks before us, and who also beckons us to follow, even when we don’t easily recognize him.
In this Eastertime, we are invited with courage and openness to the Spirit to be a people and a Congregation that is renewed and sent forth in the midst of our world, entrusted with the Good News of Plentiful Redemption.
The North American Phase III meeting of the General Chapter began on April 16 at San Alfonso Retreat Centre in Long Branch, NJ. Delegations consisting of the Ordinary Provincial Councils, Vocals, who were voted by the Redemptorists to represent the broader community, Lay Partners in Mission from across the five provinces and vice-province in North America gathered to continue the journey of the XXVI General Chapter which began one year ago in Long Branch with Phase I, and in the fall of 2022 in Rome, for Phase II. This third gathering seeks to take the Message of the General Chapter, and the Decisions and Directives that came from Phase II, to create a strategic plan for implementation throughout the Conference of North America.
he five key areas of reflection and planning focused around the following themes: Redemptorist Identity, Redemptorist Mission, Redemptorist Consecrated Life, Formation for Mission, and Leadership for Mission. From our reflection on these themes, this phase of our Chapter was able to provide concrete actions and plans that will guide the work of our Conference and the restructuring of mission that will shape the mission and life of the Redemptorists and our lay partners-in-mission in new and dynamic ways.
Being mindful of the experiences of restructuring that have already taken place in our conference – the creation of the Province of Canada, as well as the welcoming of the Province of Mexico to the Conference of North America, we appreciate the call and commitment of the Redemptorists to bring new collaborative mission possibilities, avenues for ongoing formation for all of our members, as well as nurturing the leadership potential and co-responsibility of all our members.
The resulting Strategic Plan will consist of a series of concrete strategies that provide the areas for implementation for all Redemptorists and lay partners-in-mission that will shape our life together as a Conference, but also as members of local communities called to renew and reimagine our life and mission together in many practical ways.
The delegation continued to meet as the Conference Assembly, looking at the strategies and common projects within the Conference of North America. These include Ignite Ministry for the entire Conference, based in the Province of Canada, Ministry on the Border of Mexico and the United States, based in the Province of Mexico, and an evangelization project in Trinidad and Tobago, based in the Province of Baltimore. The Assembly was updated on the Secretariat for Partners in Mission for the Conference and how we call our lay partners into both collaboration and in mission together with Redemptorists.
Having begun our new sexennium, the Assembly has been asked to submit three names to the General Government in Rome of those who are being nominated for our next Conference Coordinator. This new term will begin at the end of 2023.
As our time in New Jersey drew to a close, it was clear to the members of the Province of Canada that new life and hope have emerged from our meetings for both the Congregation as a whole, and also for our Conference, and in particular for the continued journey for the Province of Canada, reflective of our common journey as we continue to become one.
