THE LAITY STRAND See, I am doing a new deed. (Isaiah 43,19)
Sister Katrina Brill, RSJ, Congregational Leader of the Central Josephites in Australia and New Zealand,
spoke at the UISG Plenary (Rome May 2007)
about the laity being part of "the new spirituality of life and hope for all".
She situated the address in the context of Australia/New Zealand, with examples and insights being drawn
from belonging to an Australian Order founded
by Blessed Mary MacKillop and Rev. Julian Tenison-Woods ...
the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart commonly known as "Josephites".
She said: "I will present this 'laity strand' in terms of the challenges and opportunities it brings to our Congregations at this time to enhance the reign of God and God's mission through the sharing of the charisms of each of our Orders. The charisms are recognised in and by 'the laity' so that the ecclesial community is alive with the fullness of God's Spirit.
Within the address, she said:
"As a Congregational Leader I believe strongly that our Congregations have a 'window of opportunity' at this time in history
to be changed gradually by the lay movement,
to be given a chance to have our Congregational charisms blossom in a new way,
to have our particular spiritualties shared, lived and developed by lay groups and
to have new communities and ministries challenged to be inclusive, diverse and honouring of difference ...
all for the sake of the new frontiers of God's mission and the Reign of God in the fractured world of our time.
"There is an opportunity also through the charisms of each of our Congregations to strengthen and support the 'laity strand' so that it is woven into the new spirituality of life and hope for all.
"As Congregations I believe we need to continue, simultaneously, to release the belief that we have to be sufficient unto ourselves and to walk compellingly with those whom God is calling in new ways to recognise the charism in themselves. If our Congregations really believe this then it will be reflected in our energies and our structures."
At the CRA Assembly, Sr Katrina Brill RSJ with other Josephites ...
seated in front row from left: Noelene Quinane RSJ (Leader, Goulburn), Ann Neven RSJ (Provincial, New Zealand), Anne Tuck RSJ (Provincial, Victoria)
standing, from left: Patricia Egan RSJ (Leader, Lochinvar), Jill Dance SSJ (Leader, Tasmania), Margaret Robertson RSJ (Provincial, Queensland), Mary Cresp RSJ (Congregational Leader, Sisters of Perpetual Adoration), Katrina Brill RSJ (Congregational Leader, North Sydney), Christine Rowan RSJ (Provincial, South Australia).
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