Forwarding the Legacy of MISSION
The Conference of Presentation Sisters began in the 1950s as a way for the Presidents of each Presentation Congregation in North America to share ideas. For 50 years, the Conference filled this supportive role for the leaders of congregations.
In the early 2000s, however, the Presidents recognized a need to expand their group and looked at new ways of collaborating in mission. From the early part of that decade, the group evolved to include additional leaders on each Congregational Leadership Team. In September 2005, this group also initiated the sponsorship of a collaborative ministry in New Orleans. One of the most significant experiences during this time was the 2006 Convergence that brought over 400 Sisters and lay associates together for a historic gathering in St. Paul, MN. This event allowed Sisters and associates to meet and share their experiences.
Since that 2006 Convergence, there have been several smaller events and projects, but none as big as the Gathering of Presentation People that was held in Sioux Falls, SD in September 2022. The planning team, which began its work in 2019, included a mix of Sisters, associates and employees working together on all aspects of the gathering. This was the first time that Presentation Sisters were joined in full participation by associates, employees and other partners in mission.
As COVID-19 pushed the event from 2020 to 2022, the Conference hosted several Zoom interactions for Presentation People to get to know one another and prepare for when they could finally be together to share in dreaming for the future. While together in Sioux Falls, participants shared in prayer, reflection, small group sharing, large group conversation and future planning. Individuals also took part in service projects and had an opportunity to get to know one another better and enjoy some fun during evening social events.
For some, the event offered an opportunity to meet in person those they had gotten to know virtually through these Zoom events. For others, it was a new experience of thinking beyond their local congregation to who we are as a Presentation People. For all, it offered a new and deeper perspective of what it is to be
a Presentation Person, to carry the charism of the congregations into the future … lay women and men together with vowed women religious.
Aberdeen Cojourner Coordinator Carrie Hansen shares, “The dreaming about what the future could look like, while appreciating our individual and shared history, was powerful.”
On the final day of the Gathering, participants organized into several groups to address the dreams that were voiced during the event. Groups were energized as they gathered together, sharing ideas to shape these dreams and build a collaborative future. Even though attendees were from throughout the US and Canada, there was a sense of community. Geographical locations may have been different, but all shared a similar history, charism and mission.
Aberdeen Presentation Sister Lynn Marie Welbig summed up how the 2022 Gathering of Presentation People helped to expand her idea of Presentation People and our interconnectedness, saying, “The enthusiasm and Nano’s spirit, especially as it is manifested in our Presentation People, was so inspiring! The legacy lives on!”
Online Learning Course
To widen the tent even further, an online learning course has been created, offering participants an opportunity to grow in their understanding of the mission and ministry of the Presentation Sisters and in their role in carrying it into the future. Made possible through a grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, this project provides online classes through the Presentation Sisters Conference website. Online learners can register for classes in the areas of foundress Nano Nagle, history, spirituality, justice, Presentation connection and Mission. Each six-week class includes learning activities such as readings, videos, sharing through discussion forums and a Zoom conversation with other online learners.
Three class sessions will be offered in 2023 and courses are continually being developed by Presentation People across the Conference and added to the online platform. To learn more, visit pbvmconference.org and go to the PBVM People tab for online learning information.