FLCN Professionals Meet at Motherhouse

MERIDEN (10-15-2005) - Lay professionals who hold critical positions in the services of the Franciscan Life Center Network and Sisters who direct the services met together for a retreat at the motherhouse center the weekend of October 14-15, 2005. The meeting provided an opportunity for employees and members of advisory boards to meet others from various parts of the country and to gain an overview of the many services offered by the Franciscan Life Center Network. Time was also given to reflections on Franciscan spirituality, the common basis of the programs.

Mother Shaun Vergauwen, Mother General, welcomed the group and in her opening address, shared the historical development of the Network as a typically Franciscan process of growth. Mother Rosemae Pender, Mother Foundress of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, joined with Mother Shaun in presenting insights on "The Founding Call to Rebuild the Church." Other presentations focused on touchstones of Franciscan spirituality. Presenters included Sister Barbara Johnson, Sister Suzanne Gross, Brother Rufino Grealy, Sister Kieran Foley, Sister Frances Zajac, Brother Leo Maneri, Madelyn Lankton and Mother Miriam Seiferman.

Sisters offered tours of the Franciscan Life Center campus, the motherhouse and its chapel, gardens and cemetery. The Franciscan Brothers invited the group to visit their chapel and to see the work-in-process on the "Brother Angelo memorial garden."

Participants represented the following:

Franciscan Montessori Earth School, Portland, Oregon
Franciscan Cre-Act School, Pocatello, Idaho
Franciscan Counseling Center, Pocatello, Idaho
John S. Duss Memorial Music Conservatory, Duluth, Minnesota
Franciscan Life Process Center, Lowell, Michigan
Franciscan Life Center, Meriden, Connecticut
Pro-Life Ministry of the Archdiocese of Hartford at Franciscan Life Center, Meriden, Connecticut
Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care, Meriden, Connecticut
Synergic Systems, Meriden, Connecticut
Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist
Franciscan Brothers of the Eucharist

Brother Leo Maneri introduced the group to the on-site high and low ropes adventure course and demonstrated elements for training in teamwork and leadership. The group tried out one of the activities (above) as a teamwork experience.