On Saturday, Nov. 13, Bishop Joseph A. Galante met with over 100 sisters of various religious congregations serving in the Camden Diocese.
Held at Holy Family Parish in Sewell, the day began with a Mass for the feast of Mother Frances Cabrini, followed by a breakfast. After a brief introduction by Sister Mary J. McGarrity, IHM, the bishop’s Delegate for Women Religious, Bishop Galante addressed the sisters.
During his remarks, Bishop Galante shared his vision of re-evangelization for the diocese, mentioning that the church merger process of the past few years is, first and foremost, to revitalize the faith experience of those in the Camden Diocese.
Bishop Galante also recognized the value and contributions of the sisters, and he asked the various congregations to go back to their roots, and rediscover their charism, and how it is to be lived out today. In noting that a charism is the way each religious institute responds to the Gospel, he mentioned that what attracts others to a certain religious community is that they, as well, have received this charism, and are animated by it to do God’s work.
During a question and answer session, some of the topics brought up for discussion included the need for more attention to supporting vocations to religious life; the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops’ backing of proposed immigration reform legislation; and the reality of religious life, and the acculturation needed by some communities who minister in the United States. The importance of Lifelong Formation, and the effectiveness of the Catholic parish school in the re-evangelization of families, also prompted an extended conversation.
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