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VINEYARD VISIONARIES: REGIONAL SYMPOSIUM 2024
The Regional Symposium gathered 100 sisters and invited partners-in-mission for a time of belonging to the mission and to one another. The experience was an opportunity to connect with mission partners (sisters and lay) from across the region, to delve deeper into the vision and values of our forming region, to discover the ways the mission is expressed today, and to reimagine OLCGS into the future.
DAY ONE | MON., OCT. 28
The symposium opened Monday evening with great energy as 100 sisters and partners-in-mission were energized by one another, deepening relationships and making new connections. The prayer, led by Sister Carol Pregno, called the group to contemplate the themes vineyards represent in the context of building the new region including abundance, renewal, diligence, patience, and transformation. These values are reflected in our Regional Vision Statement, which was read to the participants. “We live the symbolic vineyard values and beyond as we are fully engaged in God’s Vineyard.,” Sr. Carol said. “This is who we are, this is what we do.” Participants were invited to share grapes at the tables, celebrating the fruit of the vineyard. The table blessing is prayer for continued fruitfulness, uniting the hopes and dreams of all in the feast to come.
Links
- Video: Welcome and opening prayer
- Resource: Table Blessing Card
DAY TWO | TUES., OCT. 29
The day began with prayer from a global perspective. Sister Elish McPartland brought us into the larger Good Shepherd family with a video containing photos from all the countries around the world where we have a presence. We dove deeper into the global perspective through Sr. Mary Pellegrino’s keynote. She spoke about the “vinedressers” who oversee the propagation, planting, pruning, and tending of grape vines in a vineyard. Modern-day vinedressers cultivate grapes through the grape’s DNA, creating something new from what has been. Sr. Mary connected this to the Good Shepherd foundations, grounding the emerging realities of our new region and beyond. She described the “soil conditions” of our Good Shepherd vineyards (regions) around the globe, sharing their current realities and challenges and how the mission that binds us is being lived in response. The afternoon brought the participants together in a visioning activity using “Oui Si” image cards, a game that uses close-ups of images to challenge the limitations of our vision and call us to use creativity to see what is and what can be. At our Mass to close the day, Sister Barbara Beasley spoke to the “economy” of God’s kingdom and how the mercy and love we give to the world is returned so we can continue to serve in Jesus’ name.
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DAY THREE | WED., OCT. 30
The day began with a prayer of gratitude lead by Sr. Barbara Beasley. The highlight of the day was the panel discussion with the Circle of Province Leaders, sharing information and answering questions regarding the newly-forming region. Then our Plante Moran facilitators, Jerry Gumbleton and Erin George, provided information about the “why” of forming the region and the “how” of the process, including engaging sister and partners-in-mission in the Work Groups: Living Communion, Mission and Resource. The “why” and “how” of this process come together in the Values Reflection Tool, presented by Sr. Mary Pellegrino and Anna Sklut. This daily reflection is a way to involve all in the vision and values of the region in daily life and work. The event ended with energy as Sister Carol Pregno led the participants in a dance of “Ubuntu,” (I am because we are).
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Resources