Futuring Leadership Team

FLT Updates

• March 4, 2022 - Futuring Dominicans Open Space Night and Conversations

  

  What are the potential next steps for developing a vision with the Cohort?  Some vital initial steps have been completed. The DSC secured a generous grant from the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) to fund the futuring project. Regular channels of communication between the FLT and the DSC executive committee, DSC leadership, DSC membership at large and the Under 70 Cohort have been established. Affinity groups on topics of interest and building an accessible database are well underway.  The next step is to plan for cross congregational futuring conversations within the DSC.

  There is a common sense of urgency about this next step as some congregations have already begun to move in a direction of commissary or fulfillment of mission. We all seek to co-create a preferred future, so that these uncertain times do not undermine our ability to choose. There is a strong shared commitment among members of the Cohort to ensuring the Dominican charism endures as it evolves. A bold question that was asked on the Open Space Night is what the charism will look like if there are no congregations of vowed religious women.

  We know that economics in the global market will have an impact on the future of individual congregations and the Dominican Order worldwide. Some of those factors are alarming to say the least.  Whatever happens in the future we want our way of life to include service, prayer together, community (however defined) and study. Whether or not the road ahead is leading to unity via a kind of merger or cooperative union, honest, open, and caring relationships across congregations and beyond are vital to fostering realistic hope for the future. 

  One aspect of the conversation that needs compassionate listening and respectful dialogue is what we see happening or not happening with our congregational associates. Governance structures for the future also need discussion. Seeking a common theological stance and shared understanding of vowed Dominican life are also important parts of the conversation.  his month the FLT is drafting a process for opening up these futuring conversations with the Under 70 Cohort in late spring.  Ideas from the DSC leadership and members at large are welcome at futuring-leadership-team@googlegroups.com.

  Your Sisters,

  Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)

• March 1, 2022

  Dear Dominicans,

   

  The Omicron surge has loosened its hold, and all of us are looking forward to the post pandemic era.  We have experienced the truth of being “one body in Christ” in a very real way, sharing in one another’s suffering, and waiting together in hope for return of brighter days.  In late January the Futuring Leadership Team (FLT) met to pray, to share glimpses into the reality of our lives, and to consider a plan for engaging the whole Cohort in boldly and thoughtfully entering the general futuring conversation. 

   

  The Database project is moving forward faster than any of us imagined. We are finalizing the fields this month and will work on the design of the dashboard and layout of individual Sisters’ pages next month. A survey was sent to ascertain what applications members are currently paying to use and if there is interest in purchasing a group license for the whole Cohort. Analysis of the results showed significant interest (55%) in a group license for a Zoom account.  About 25% were interested in group licenses for Adobe Pro, Adobe Photoshop, and Dropbox.  

  Members of the Cohort who were interested in joining an affinity group, met Feb 15th for an “Open Space” night.  Nine sets of conveners floated their ideas and gathered those interested to set a direction. Energy emulated from the conversations and clarity emerged for the direction of each group.  A common desire for authentic Dominican life and mission permeated each of the topics. For Cohort members who were not able to attend but want to join a group, the conveners will be sending out invitations to the entire cohort to join their next meeting.  We look forward to seeing how this evolves and where it may lead in our futuring efforts. 

  Please add futuring_dominicans@googlegroups.com to your contact list so emails do not go to spam. When a particular place or issue is calling for an inter-congregational response, all are encouraged to communicate it using this group email.  The FLT plans to develop a private page on the DSC website where creative new opportunities can be promoted, and affinity groups that are ongoing can report on their progress. Look for more about that in future updates.

  Peace and blessings,

  Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)

• January 18, 2022

  Dear Dominicans,

  Since our last update a broad spectrum of designs for Affinity Groups has begun to emerge. Justice, Care for Creation and Immigration (Ana Gonzalez); Four Pillars with a Twist or Play, Pray and Act (Jeanne Shary); Low Carbon Footprint (Corinne Sanders); Return to Our Founding Dominican Charism (Christina Atienza & Abby Newton); Outreach to Young Adults (Mary Soher and Beth Murphy); Inter-congregational Community and Ministry (Donna Moses and Cathy Murray); and Welcoming New Members to the Order (June Fitzgerald). 

  In the near future the FLT will sketch out plans for an “Affinity Night,” a virtual open space, for the entire Cohort to see what is happening and sample these offerings. Some groups are ready to begin or wanting help to shape a group.  The Affinity Night will be an opportunity to get involved in whatever topic gives you passion.  Look for an invitation in your inbox soon!

  Members of the Database Development group met with ZenaComp and had a very productive session. The Adrian data has now been removed and the branding of the database as Dominican Sisters Conference has begun. The core subgroup is exploring the database itself and early next month we will begin clarifying questions and menu choices. We believe the process for creating a usable relational database will take less time than originally anticipated and hope to have it up and functioning by the summer. We are testing and comparing apps to support our ongoing collaboration.  

  The Inter-Congregational Community affinity group conveners received an invitation from Janice Brown and Nancyann Turner to help form a Multi-OP-Congregation House in a safe neighborhood in Detroit, across the street from Gesu Church-staffed by the Jesuits. The location is near the University of Detroit and the Marygrove Conservancy and there are many other options for outreach ministry to the poor nearby.  If you or someone you know is interested, get in touch with one of them by February 15 to begin the conversation and planning. 

  As we move into the new reality of 2022, may we continue to inspire and motivate one another in the charism and preaching mission of the Dominican Order. 

  Peace,

  Sisters Pat Magee (Hope), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), Kathleen Tait (Springfield), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Donna Moses (Mission San Jose), and Carol Dempsey (Caldwell)

• November 23, 2021

  The Futuring Leadership Team (FLT) met with the Executive Committee of the Dominican Sisters Conference and Congregational Leaders at the DSC Annual Elected Leaders Meeting in Columbus, OH, and generated ideas for initiating conversations on the future with the Under 70 Cohort. 

  In early November over 130 from the Under 70 Cohort participated in two Zoom meetings to engage in proactive thinking about the future amid the uncertainties of a post-pandemic world.  The Futuring Leadership Team gave an overview of their mission and presented initial plans to develop a common database and convene affinity groups on topics of interest. Sisters in the Cohort agreed to actively engage the conversation about our shared future NOW from a narrative of abundance and explore the question of how to come together in a more concerted way as one Dominican family.

  In the coming days members of the Cohort will meet to further the discussion of affinity groups, database development, and the future of the Dominican Order in the United States and worldwide.

• DSC Futuring Leadership Team Set to Start July 1

  Transition Ritual is in Planning Stages

  June 7, 2021 —   For quite a long time, among the members of the Dominican Sisters Conference, (DSC) there has been a desire, to find a common way to embrace the future of Dominican Life and Mission in the United States.  Through the work of the OP Sisterhood Futuring Task Force, that pathway has been made more clear and real.  Their work has led to the creation of a new younger cohort of leaders who are being asked to serve as a catalyst for conversation and engagement about the future with sisters under 70 across congregational boundaries.

  On July 1, 2021, the DSC Futuring Leadership Team will begin a three-year term. 

  The new Futuring Leadership Team includes Sisters Carol Dempsey (Caldwell), Pat Magee (Hope), Donna Maria Moses (Mission San Jose), Mai-dung Nguyen (Peace), Lorraine Reaume (Adrian), and Kathleen Tait (Springfield).  They will be working with Mary Ellen O’Grady, OP (Sinsinawa) Interim Director of DSC, and Anne Lythgoe, (Peace) President of the DSC Executive Committee.

  The team is the result of the innovative work of the Futuring Task Force, who led a three-year process of discernment and planning.  Their vision includes the transmission of the “treasure of Dominican Charism into the future by enhancing the quality of vowed life for those who have joined our congregations in recent years and by supporting them in mission and common life.” 

  Reflecting on this process, Toni Harris OP (Sinsinawa), Task Force Co-Chair along with Michaela Connolly OP (Blauvelt), commented, “Our Task Force came together in 2018 because we believed then — as now — that assuring our Dominican life and mission into the future requires our conscious and deliberate effort, trusting as always in our Providential God.”

  You can learn more about the evolution of the OP Sisterhood Task Force and its role in the Dominican Sisters Conference by viewing this presentation from Sr. Rebecca Ann Gemma, OP (Springfield).

  A central focus of the Futuring Leadership Team is to engage those under 70, in inter-congregational conversations about how common dreams and aspirations for a shared future might become reality.  “This is no small task” Anne said. It is formidable, but I’d rather think that this new leadership group is being asked to take a set of first steps to engage younger members in critical conversations about topics they have already identified and how they see the evolution of their own congregations in light of the realities we all share.” 
  
  A wide range of topics in affinity groups was identified through a survey conducted by the task force last fall. Some of these include inter-congregational living and houses of Holy Preaching, building relationships, justice work, theological study, care of creation, associates, and anti-racism. A database of under 70 sisters is also being called for to promote networking among members.

  When the DSC Futuring Leadership Team begins its work officially on July 1, 2021, the Sisterhood Task Force will conclude its work. A virtual celebration of this transition is being planned for some time in July.  Details will be forthcoming.