The Coordinating Committee of the Global Network schedules one in-person planning meeting each year. At Sister Margaret’s and the RSHM Institute Leadership Council’s invitation, the Committee members and I traveled to “Bella Roma” for a meeting with them from February 6 – 9. We were very “warmly” welcomed by all our friends at the Generalate, in spite of the central heating system being out of service, and accomplished much work during our days together. We also walked and meditated with Sister Ana Luisa following the footsteps of Gailhac and the first RSHM Sisters who came to Rome, had meetings on the campuses of our two schools in Rome, and, on our last morning in Rome, visited St. Peter’s Basilica and walked through the bronze doors.
The first order of business for the Committee was to review the draft for our Heads’ Encounter (spiritual formation meeting) that will be hosted by Headmistress Margaret Giblin and Marymount International School in London at the end of June. The Encounter theme, “Pilgrims of Hope”, links us in special ways to Pope Francis’ Jubilee Year theme as well as to the inspiring 2025 RSHM Chapter theme at a time when so many in our world need Hope. The Heads’ Encounter will include presentations that expand on this theme with personal and shared reflection time on what it means for each of us to be a pilgrim walking toward deeper spirituality, and a day-long guided experience at Aylesford Priory in Kent, a Carmelite center of peace and welcome since medieval times.
Another important topic for the Committee included a meeting with Sarah Gallagher, Head of Marymount International School in Rome, who summarized for us the results of the Global Network strategic plan surveys and highlighted seven possible goals for its future that will be shared with and prioritized by our member school communities. The Global Network has a Mission statement that springs from the RSHM Mission, but now the Coordinating Committee will begin work on creating a Vision statement for the Network.
During our meeting with the ILC, each Coordinating Committee member reported on what is happening in the schools in her area, including recent and upcoming leadership changes, enrollment fluctuations, connections between schools for student exchanges, sports festivals, Model United Nations conferences, social service projects, etc., and other items of interest. Jacqui Landry, the Committee representative from the USA, shared her firsthand experience of the recent fires in California that directly affected a number of families at Marymount Los Angeles and Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary School. Please keep these schools and their communities in your prayers. Jacqui also described the work she is doing as Global Network Mentor to guide a growing number of new Heads in their role as spiritual leaders and in their connection to our RSHM history, mission, and charism.
During the second part of the Committee’s meeting with the Institute Leadership Council, Sisters Ana Luisa, Sipiwe, Monica, and Paré described what is taking place in the areas of Spirituality and Heritage, JPIC, the RSHM NGO at the UN, and the 50th Anniversary reflection of the 1975 Chapter that we Global Network lay leaders have been invited to attend on February 22. Sister Margaret described the year of reflection and discernment leading up to the Chapter as the RSHM Institute addresses the BIG question, “Where is God calling us now?”. This was the perfect moment for the Coordinating Committee to thank the Sisters for all that they mean to us and to our school communities, and to present Sister Margaret and the ILC members with the 2024 version of the Global Network map.
The welcome, sharing, openness, and spirit that we Coordinating Committee members experienced during our days with the Sisters at the Generalate, including Sister Rosario, was a powerful time of renewal, communion, and joy. May God guide our steps and may the Founders and RSHM Sisters on whose shoulders we stand light our way as we walk together toward all that awaits us in the future.
Susan M Kumnick, Coordinator of the Global Network of RSHM Schools
