Dear Brothers and Sisters,

 

There has been some photos of our early time as a community distributed this weekend that has generated some discussion and thoughts about how to organize and present this material as part of our history.  Br. Steven Joseph is our archivist and has accumulated a large volume of material and there is a lot of oral history available from long term members. But, I am breaking my personal rule about emails on Sunday to ask that work on our history be put on a back burner for a while.  Here is some information you need to know that may help you understand why I ask for this work to be delayed.

 

1. The finance committee is completing the process of transferring financial management to our new treasurer. They are organizing the community's first detailed financial review of our records. And, they are finishing our pledge drive and taking care of our budget and investments.

 

2. Formation: Our Dean of Formation, Br. Chrysostom, has implemented education sessions for people in formation via Zoom. Working with the formation guides, the programs are being reviewed and updated. The program for the Annually vowed is also being strengthened and re-focused

 

3; We created a worship committee let by Sr. Martha earlier this year.  They will be recommending new virtual services as well as services for convocation.

 

4 We have a new communications work group who will restart a couple of print media programs for the community.  Sr. Mary Francis has already re-started the weekly prayer list.

 

5. A large working group has been started to develop a five year plan for spiritual growth and support, personal support for members, out reach to the greater church, and financial planning and development.

 

This is an a mbitious range of projects and many of our members are involved in more than one of them. Most of this work is expected to be completed by the Spring 2022 and ready for either council and/or chapter review and vote.

 

So my point is, that developing a program to organize and collate our history and create and accessible program for our members is a huge project.  I don't want to overburden people by doing this on top of all the other work that is being done.  And each of us need to balance this work with our required time with God. So please let's just put it aside for now and then in the short to intermediate time frame create a plan for your history.

 

Thanks for listening,

Abbot David