Posted by: Ginger Hedstrom, Justice Associate
The Federation Event is truly global and intergenerational. More than 850 Sisters of St. Joseph and associates are here from the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
At my table is a young woman who will be a senior in high school and is a guest of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia. She is one in a group of about 12 young women attending. Our learnings are many. Imagine, in 2011 she attends high school with a total of 40 others and is growing up on a five generation family farm. And, she is very happy to be here. We sang happy birthday yesterday to an 83 year old Sister of St. Joseph from Philadelphia. She may not be the eldest among us!
DVDs of the major presentations by, Meg Wheatly, Catherine Nerney, SSJ, PhD and Joan Lescinski, CSJ, PhD will be available to all congregations.
An associate from England went to the microphone yesterday and said, "I had no idea I was part of such a big family."
From the stage yesterday, participants from outside the United States (including those working outside the United States) introduced themselves, their congregation, and nation. Kathy McClusky, outgoing executive director of the CSSJ Federation, on behalf of the entire Federation addressed our Japanese sisters assuring them of our ongoing prayers and support.
Over lunch yesterday, the Justice and Peace Coordinators met with Patty Johnson, CSJ, incoming executive director of the Federation, Joe, her associate and Griselda Martinez-Morales, SSJ, CSSJ NGO Representative to the United Nations to further our work for global justice and peace.
The session this morning is focused exclusively on human trafficking!
We are immersed in "Zeal for healing the neighborhood of God's sacred universe." We are working hard (it is too hot to play outside), the energy is palpable and I am privileged to be among the great "swarm of bees" that is the Sisters of St. Joseph gathered here from around the world, including many from St. Paul.
