Mission into the Future What’s beyond the Wheat Fields

The call to live the Mission This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA The call to live the Mission This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Exploring the concept of Mission What is our understanding of mission and vison? What is the source of our mission? What do we need to remember and be challenged to as we go into the future together ?

What is a Mission ? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Mission you will do as an organization (ministry) to fulfill The Mission Statement says in some detail what you will do as an organization (ministry) to fulfill your Vision. Every organization or group has a stated Mission and Vision.

What is a Vision ? Your vision will express what you hope to accomplish (e.g. We will become a leader in quality Catholic education in our area). (e.g. We will strive to offer the best quality of healthcare to our patients.)

What do you think about this mission statement ? - to refresh the world in mind , body, and spirit - to inspire moments of optimism and happiness through our brands and actions - to create value and make a difference They also state that their values in carrying our their mission include: Leadership, collaboration, integrity, accountability, commitment in heart and mind, diversity, and quality

What about this mission ? Through a community of volunteers our health center provides quality, whole-person healthcare in a Christ- centered environment to our underserved neighbors. …in our time, God has given us the talents and resources to minister specifically to physical needs. In caring for the body we seek opportunities to minister to the … spiritual needs of individuals.

Mission Statement of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Sisters of Notre Dame, women with hearts as wide as the world, make known God’s goodness and love with and among people living in poverty, through a Gospel way of life, community, and prayer. Continuing a strong educational tradition, we take our stand with people living in poverty, especially women and children, in the most abandoned places. Each of us commits her one and only life to work with others to create justice and peace for all.

What else is necessary to deepen this formation in the Mission and Charism ? This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

The Source

Why are we on this journey ?

Rooted in Scripture Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God with Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength. Take to heart these words that I enjoin on you today…” Deut.6:4-6

We have been given a Call One of the scribes,… asked him, ”Which is the first of all the commandments?” Jesus replied, “ The first is this, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these…” MK.12:28-31

And a Mission The scribe said to him, “ Well said ,Teacher. You are right in saying, He is the one and there is no other. And to love him with all your heart, and your neighbor as yourself. It is worth more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered with understanding, he said to him, “ You are not far from the kingdom of God.” MK: 12:32-34

“…What must I do to inherit eternal life?” In the context of your ministry, how do you demonstrate your love of God ? How do you identify your neighbor? How do we love God and love our neighbor through the charism of St. Julie so as to manifest in our time as she did in hers, how good is the Good God ?

Together into the Future This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Three Considerations for the Future 1. Leadership 2. Take to Heart these Words 3. Have a Holy Memory and Faithful Action

LEADERSHIP

Partnership and Integration Upon all the Laity, therefore, rests the noble duty of working to extend the divine plan of salvation to all… of each epoch and in every land. Consequently, may every opportunity be given so that, according to their abilities and the needs of the times, they may zealously participate in the saving work of the Church.” ( Lumen Gentium ch.4 par.33)

Leaders inspire Vision and Collaboration “As partners in ministry, dedicated men and women ( along with their religious sponsors) are constructing models of sponsorship ushering the ministry into the future.” CHA: Toward a Theology of Healthcare Sponsorship

“ Take to Heart these Words ” “…Therefore, you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength Take to heart these words which I enjoin on you today…” ( Deut.6:4-6)

Holy Memory and Faithful Action

Holy Memory “ The mighty One has done great things for [ us] and holy is his name” Lk.1:49 One way that we maintain our memory is by re-telling our story. We need to nourish the story and repeat it over and over in what we do as well as what we say because we have taken the story of Julie to heart. What marvelous things, God has done for {us.}

Faithful Action In handing on the charism and the heritage, each successive leader, mentor, teacher, caregiver will have to recognize that the future may well bring different ways of carrying out our ministry, but the story retells itself in every situation . Ministry formation is necessary and essential to deepen the mission that Jesus has given us through the charism of Julie Billiart. Keep in mind that immersing others in the mission is not the same as leadership formation.

Faithful Action Leaders will have to possess the qualities of discerning decisions that are consistent with the values of our Mission and this will require not only skills in leadership and empowerment, but also the leader must lead by word and example.

It is about the Questions Knowing how to navigate the future will be more about the questions that we ask and not always about the answers we give. It will be about forming a cohesive team that understands and lives the heart of the mission and loves the ministry. As well as, those who understand the need to grow in a living of the call to mission.

Summary Take to Heart the message Have a Holy Memory Faithful Action Ask the discerning questions Make decisions that are rooted in an understanding and love of the Mission

This will bring A Future Full of Hope

Questions