This is our sacred time! It is a new moment of history for us and for those for whom we have the responsibility to generate and pass on this legacy.

We have come to co-create new historic moments yet to be experienced! Why? In order to “be communion” for the life and future of our mission! We have come to engage with one another as we listen to our realities, in order to build our congregational future! This communion holds new moments of searching together as to where the Spirit might be leading us! It is a blessing that we begin this experience of communion on this Feast of Corpus Christi. Today, we are the living history! We have come here to make history. The ritual ended with the song We Come Rejoicing, as the participants processed from the Chapel to the Meeting Room. Then we will risk and wonder at our daring, run and marvel at our speed, build and stand in awe at the beauty of our building for it is God’s dream we dream, God’s house we build, God’s caring we witness, God’s love we share. We commit ourselves to take off our shoes, to journey together as a covenant community with a little patience, a little humor, some small courage and a listening heart, trusting that God will do the rest. Then the sisters said the prayer of commitment. We then had a moment of silence and Sister Brigid Lawlor declared open the 30 th Congregational Chapter. Each one placed the plant on the logo designed in the chapel.Ī liturgical dance followed called Take Off Your Shoes (Jan Novotka) performed by the sisters from RIMOA. They were followed by the sisters, each receiving a flowering plant, and all processed to the main chapel. Ellen Kelly then continued with the Roll Call. John Eudes, From a letter to the Ladies of Mercy of Rouen, July 19, 1642) It is the same for you - your sun is a single heart.” (St. May God preserve and enkindle in your hearts ever more and more this fire of Divine union and love… Look at the universe, there is only one sun which warms and unifies it. “How happy we are to have you around us, to witness the affectionate charity, the peace, the spirit of union reigning among you… Union is, in fact, your defense and your support, and by the strength it gives you, you will extend your branches far and wide.

The liturgy began by the song “ Energized by the Spirit, we risk together for mission” (composed by Sr Edith Olaguer, Contemplative) followed by a reading taken from the conferences of St. The sisters gathered outside near the statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the front garden. Sunday, 7 th June 2015 – Opening of the 30 th Congregational Chapterġ1:15 am Opening Address – Brigid Lawlor, Congregational LeaderĢ:00 pm Gathering the Discerning Communityģ:15 pm Gathering the Discerning Community (continued)

Ritual of the shepherd