PHOTO: BSPA Prioress General Dawn Annette Mills, OSB and Vocation Director Sister Maria Victoria Cutaia, OSB participated in the 55 & Under gathering of Benedictine Sisters in July at Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing Immaculate Monastery in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Developing collaborative projects to address the future was the focus of the second of three planned conferences for younger members of Benedictine religious life.
“Our Emergent Monastic Future” is the overall theme for a series of 55 & Under gatherings of Benedictine Sisters from around the United States and Mexico. The most recent meeting took place July 21-23 and was hosted by the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing Immaculate Monastery in Norfolk, Nebraska.
Representing the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration were Prioress General Sister Dawn Annette Mills, OSB and Vocation Director Sister Maria Victoria Cutaia, OSB, who served as chair of the event.
Three meetings over the course of three years are centered on a process of collaboration and planning for the future. The focus of the second meeting was “Companions on the Journey: Building Bridges of Hope.”
“We based our first gathering on the need for the building of relationships and collaborative energy within groups of women from diverse monasteries and ministries,” Sister Maria Victoria said. “Our second gathering - in continuation of the forward momentum established from the initial gathering - was focused intently on developing collaborative inter-community projects.”
Presenter Benedictine Sister Lynn Marie McKenzie, OSB of the Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, Alabama, gave an excellent presentation on collaboration.
“Throughout her presentation, she provided us with helpful questions that we discussed at our tables,” Sister Maria Victoria said. “She noted that St. Benedict didn’t use the word “collaboration” in the Rule, but many parts of the Rule do refer to how we need to work together to achieve our goals.” |
