Sisters of St. Joseph of Medaille
General Chapter 2002
Westerfield Center – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Day 5 - February 11

The final day of the Chapter began in the assembly room with Morning Prayer and a plea for the Holy Spirit to continue to guide us through the election process.

Sister Kathy McCluskey, facilitator, led the group through a guided meditation on the two attitudes we need for the task of discernment before ballots would be cast – the attitudes of freedom and openness. She then asked us to select a prayer partner with whom we would pray and share our discernment before beginning the small group conversations.

Once the discernment process was completed, the tellers – Sisters Celeste, Jeanne and Joy – distributed the ballots and the seventy-seven delegates cast their votes.

Each election of a councilor was completed on the first ballot taken and in the following order:
Sister Eleanor Bernstein, Sister Anne Meridier and Sister Caroline Benken. The delegates elected Sister Eleanor as vice-president. All three of the councilors were then asked to step forward for the ritual which included their being covered with the lace shawl sent to the Chapter by the Sisters in France.

Sister Lucy then announced the formal closing of Chapter 2002. All the participants then gathered for a group photo and for the closing Eucharistic celebration. Presider for the Eucharist was longtime friend of the Sisters, Father Bill Greene. Homilist was Sister Judith Brun. At the close of the Eucharistic Liturgy Sister Lucy, assisted by Sisters Maria and Mary Ann, installed the new team.

The final event of the evening was a closing banquet of celebration and expression of deep appreciation to all who helped in the producing of this Chapter event and, especially, to the current team of Sisters Lucy, Maria, Mary Ann and Caroline.