Thank you so much for your participation in our Pre-Chapter meeting on October 1. It was a grace-filled day.

After each meeting, a general overview and summary of the meeting content will be communicated in a Constant Contact with additional information available for your review. Before reading through this communication, an important aspect to highlight from our recent Pre-Chapter meeting is the information presented regarding Big Picture Conversations. As stated in the hand-out circulated regarding the difference between Big Picture Conversations and Proposals (refer to the attached), “Big picture

conversations are really communal discernment opportunities. These are

conversations that focus on ‘that which matters most’ to a community, and about which there is a clear desire for more time to engage in meaningful and deeper dialogue.” This method provides for each Sister to play a part in communicating the deeper desires for our community life, engagement, and mission.

What may become content in these Big Picture Conversations formerly may have been written in the format of a proposal. As stated in our meeting, any proposal submitted since our last Chapter will be considered during our Chapter of Affairs. In Faithful Witness it states that all professed can submit proposals for consideration at the time of Chapter. However, for Chapter 2023 the format for this process has changed.

Every Sister will still be able to articulate in Big Picture Conversations that which may have been previously a singular written proposal. This format provides for a greater context for wider consideration and aligns with our desire for communal discernment. The input gleaned from these communal conversations serves the same purpose as proposals and allows for the opportunity for greater clarity of intent for what a particular consideration may mean for us Congregationally moving forward.

As you know from previous communications, there are various teams that will be working throughout the time of Pre-Chapter and Chapter to ensure that our days run efficiently, and to help us capture the essence of each meeting. We are so grateful to these Sisters for their willingness to serve in this capacity.

Thank you, Sisters for your continued high level of engagement in this very sacred work of Congregational discernment.

Gratefully,

The Sisters of the Chapter Planning Committee