U.S./Toronto Regional Chapter 2025
Monday, October 20 – Saturday, October 25
“We believe we will be stronger and more effective together than alone.”
U.S./Toronto Region Vision Statement
Click here for the full Vision Statement
This is an exciting time in the life of the Congregation Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd as the three provinces of Central South, Mid-North America and New York/Toronto come together to form the U.S./Toronto Region. We recognize and celebrate this historic time at our first Regional Chapter. It is also a time to elect the leaders who, with the sisters and partners-in-mission, will bring Good Shepherd into the future.
Shepherds Together: A Historic Chapter for the U.S./Toronto Region
Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd
It is a time of renewal, unity and courageous new beginnings for the sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd (OLCGS). At the first U.S./Toronto Region Chapter: Shepherds Together, Loving with God’s Great Heart in St. Louis on October 20-25, the sisters officially came together as the U.S./Toronto Region and elected the leadership who will guide them forward. The Congregational Leadership Team, sister delegates, and partners-in-mission witnessed this spirit-filled event, both in person and via livestream.
A Journey Toward Oneness: Becoming a Region
The new OLCGS U.S./Toronto Region brings together the provinces of Central South, New York/Toronto, and Mid-North America in shared mission and faith. Collaboration among these provinces has been intentional for nearly a decade. Formally, a 2021 Congregational Acts of Chapter Directive called provinces across the congregation to form regions—new structures of governance designed to draw strength from shared abundance, deepen unity, and sustain the mission into the future.
Sr. Clare Nolan says, “There is still much we will be doing to live into ourselves in this regional way. Nevertheless, a completion recognizes that it is time to begin new goals, look outward with new processes in new ways.”
It was a process of deep listening—to one another, to the Spirit, and to the evolving needs of mission and ministry. Through widespread engagement, sisters and partners-in-mission helped shape a shared vision for the region’s future. From this engagement, the region’s core values emerged: belonging, inclusivity, communication, care, and personal responsibility.
Sr. Beth Garciano reflects on the inclusivity of our process of becoming a region: To foster inclusivity, we warmly welcome diverse perspectives, cultivating an environment where every voice is not just heard but celebrated. We welcome each member, at the ‘table of plenty,’ regardless of their abilities, capacities, or backgrounds, who deserves a rightful spot. Our shared journey not only strengthens our unity but also deepens our connection and boosts our engagement in our mission. Together, we truly hold greater power than any single province.
Leadership, Service and Love: The First U.S./Toronto Regional Leadership
Dedicated to prayerful discernment and election of leadership for the new region, sisters gathered with gratitude and hope as they participated in this historic process.
The assembly first voted to elect the new Regional Leader, a role central to guiding and nurturing the life of the region. Following this, the sisters elected the Regional Leadership Team, which includes one contemplative sister and three apostolic sisters. The team will serve alongside the Regional Leader to shepherd the mission and vision of the region for the next four years.
Sr. Maureen McGowan was elected as the first regional leader. A proud native New Yorker, Sr. Maureen made her final vows in 1973 and currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. She has served as province leader for the New York/Toronto Province since 2016, following decades of dedicated ministry in leadership formation.
Sr. Jude Ellen Golumbieski, who was elected as the contemplative councilor, resides in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania.
The three apostolic councilors, elected for the leadership team, are Sister Gayle Lwanga Crumbley, Martha Patricia Escobar and Mary Carol McClenon. Sr. Gayle Lwanga currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio. Sr. Martha Patricia serves in leadership ministries in Green Bay, Wisconsin and Sr. Mary Carol currently serves on the Mid-North America Province Leadership Team in St. Louis.
The elections reflected the Spirit’s guidance, the shared commitment of the sisters, and the collaborative spirit that has shaped the region from its beginning.
A Time of Unity, Reflection, and Vision: Chapter of Affairs
The first days of the Regional Chapter of Affairs were filled with joy, gratitude, and hope as sisters, delegates, and partners-in-mission gathered to celebrate a new beginning as one Region.
Partner-in-Mission Janet Jones says, “In a time of regional restructuring and program transitions, I’m grateful for the chance to help shape the forward vision. As a partner-in-mission, I’m humbled to know that the Good Shepherd Sisters see our shared calling as vital and that together, we shepherd the mission into the future.”
The Gathering began with a song and dance of blessing for all who were present. Following this, Sisters Madeleine Munday, Maureen McGowan, and Francisca Aguillón, leaders of the former provinces, each poured a stream of colored sand into a heart-shaped vessel. As the colors blended, they formed a vivid symbol of unity, diversity, and love; each distinct, yet inseparable within the heart of one region.
Sr. Joan Lopez, Congregational Leader, invited everyone to stay attentive to the Spirit and to reflect on what it means to live as one region—rooted in love, justice, tenderness, and intercultural unity.
Through small-group sharing and prayer, participants expressed hopes for the future: caring for the Earth, deepening relationships, nurturing new vocations, and celebrating diversity as a gift.
The day concluded with a meditation led by Tom Casey, Director of Regional Administration, who reflected on the image of a vineyard—reminding everyone that planting is only the beginning.
On the second day, in her keynote, Sr. Mary Pellegrino, CSJ, reflected on “dangerous memory,” a concept drawn from theologian Johann Metz—the kind of remembering that challenges and transforms. She invited participants to consider how they are living in dangerous memories today, amid the divisions and struggles of our world—from polarization in the United States to conflict and suffering around the globe. Drawing on examples from Scripture and Good Shepherd history, she highlighted women like Esther, St. Mary Euphrasia, and Madame Madeleine Lamy, who confronted injustice and risked comfort to respond boldly to the needs of their times. Her call resonated throughout the day: “In these dangerous times, let’s all make dangerous memories.”
A panel of engagement shared the ongoing work of regional Work Groups, including Resources, Mission, Living Communion, as well as Vocation and Formation. Novice Theresa Nguyen offered a heartfelt reflection on her formation journey.
The afternoon focused on affirming the Region’s Vision Statement, led by Sr. Madeleine Munday. By unanimous vote, delegates affirmed: “Together, we are Shepherds.”
Partner-in-Mission Judy Lambeth reflected on the Shepherds Together logo, seeing in its open heart a symbol of hope and God’s ever-widening love. The day concluded in prayer, recommitting participants to the shared mission and sacred work of tending this new Region.
“I came away from Chapter with a deep sense of belonging, energized and uplifted,” says partner-in-mission Julie McGovern. “The days were filled with many graces, special encounters, emotional moments, and inspiring messages and images … Shepherds Together!”
Stronger Together: A Vision for the Region
Click here for the Vision Statement
As we continue to grow in unity, we are guided by the Region’s Vision Statement, our call to action for the next four years. “Drawn by love, passionate for justice, and impelled by our zeal for God’s mission,” we are called to collaborate as sisters and partners-in-mission for the generativity of our mission and charism and to foster a universal culture of justice. “By tending to all of this, we believe we will be stronger and more effective together than alone.”
The new Regional Leader Sr. Maureen is inspired by the words of the regional vision statement, “Drawn by love, passionate for justice, and impelled by our zeal for God’s mission, we are joining our lives, our voices, and our abundant resources for just such a time as this.” She says, “Sisters and partners-in-mission are committed to bringing the regional vision statement to life as we move forward – together.”
“We are the Region,” said Sr. Barbara Beasley. “It’s thriving is in the hands of each one of us.”