Leadership Area

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Sr. M. Gabriele Lüdenbach FCJM, Sr. M. Alexandra Völzke FCJM, Sr. M. Angela Benoit FCJM,
Sr. M. Johanna Harke FCJM, and Sr. M. Hiltrud Wacker FCJM (from left to right).

GERMANY

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path,” was the theme of the German Provincial Chapter which took place from March 19-27, 2023 at the motherhouse in Salzkotten. They were accompanied by Prof. Dr. Beate Kowalski, Professor of Exegesis and New Testament Theology at TU Dortmund and Dr. Georg Beirer. The General Board of FCJM, Sr. M. Magdalena Schmitz FCJM and Sr. M. Mariana Mutiu FCJM (member of the General Council) were also present in the Chapter. A total of 20 FCJM sisters were involved as members of the Chapter.

On Friday, March 24, 2023, the new Provincial Council was also elected to assume office for the period 2023-2027. Below are the names of the Provincial Councils:

  1. Sr. M. Angela Benoit FCJM (Provincial Superior)
  2. Sr. M. Johanna Harke FCJM (Vice-Provincial)
  3. Sr. M. Hiltrud Wacker FCJM (Provincial Councillor)
  4. Sr. M. Gabriele Lüdenbach FCJM (Provincial Councillor)
  5. Sr. M. Alexandra Völzke FCJM (Provincial Councillor)

Sr. M. Gabriele Lüdenbach FCJM, Sr. M. Alexandra Völzke FCJM, Sr. M. Angela Benoit FCJM,
Sr. M. Johanna Harke FCJM, and Sr. M. Hiltrud Wacker FCJM

FRANCE

The General Council of the DPU, Sr. M. Magdalena Schmitz and Sr. M. Mariana Muțiu visited the sector of France from November 25 to December 3, 2023. They held an Assembly with the sisters from November 30, 2023 with the theme “From Francis de sales.” On the occasion, the sisters were present to pray together, share spiritual depth, and sisterly love. They also elected three sisters to be leaders in the French sector for the period 2023 to 2027 namely:

  1. Sr. M. Timothée Mellinger FCJM (Sector Superior)
  2. Mrs. Dominique Knecht FCJM (Vice Sector Superior)
  3. Mrs. Brigitte Mathis FCJM (Sector Member)

Sr. M. Toby Bonny FCJM, Sr. Mary Lou Wirtz FCJM, and Sr. M. Glenna Czachor FCJM (from left to right)

UNITED STATES

The FCJM in the United States, known as the Franciscan Sisters of Wheaton, held a regional assembly from September 20 to 24 at the Motherhouse (OLA) with the theme “Open Hearts, Open Doors”. The General Councilor, Sr. M. Magdalena Schmitz FCJM and Sr. M. Mariana Muțiu were present to lead the assemblies. Assemblies consisted of the Sisters, covenant companions, and staff at Wheaton.

Then, they summarized all the hopes and visions for the future gathered and developed. With the help of the Holy Spirit, the discernment process went forward culminating in the formation of the new Regional Leadership Team (RLT), the reflection process of the General Council and the official appointment during the Eucharistic Celebration on Sunday, September 24, 2023.

The following three sisters are elected to carry out their duties for the period 2023-2026:

  1. Sr. Mary Lou Wirtz FCJM (Regional Superior)
  2. Sr. M. Glenna Czachor FCJM (Member)
  3. Sr. M. Toby Bonny FCJM (Member)

Sr. M. Magdalena Schmitz FCJM, Sr. M. Auxiline Bergen FCJM, Mr. Cees Backer, Sr. M. Simone van Rooijen FCJM, and Mrs. Mariette van Wit (from left to right)

THE NETHERLANDS

On May 21-31, 2023, a Regional Assembly took place in the Netherlands. In deep prayer and sharing experiences to enrich each other, the FCJM General Council, Sr. M. Magdalena Schmitz and Sr. M. Evifania Sinaga, were present to lead the meeting attended by the sisters of the Dutch Region. Thanks to the presence of the Holy Spirit, a new Dutch Region Superior was elected for the period 2023 to 2025. Here are their names:

  1. Sr. M. Auxiline Bergen FCJM (Regional Superior)
  2. Mrs. Astrid Roggen (President/Regional Council Chairperson)
  3. Sr. M. Simone van Rooijen FCJM (Regional Councillor)
  4. Mr. Cees Backer (Regional Council Advisor responsible for financial aspects)
  5. Mrs. Mariette van Wit (Regional Councilor)

Sr. M. Agnes Tambunan FCJM, Sr. M. Lusiana Sianturi FCJM, Sr. M. Theodosia Tinambunan FCJM, Sr. M. Lydia Simbolon FCJM, and Sr. M. Emiliana Situmorang FCJM (from left to right)

INDONESIA

The Indonesian Province held its Ninth Chapter on October 16-22, 2022, with the theme “You are the light of the world.” Preceding this, they held a Pre-Chapter on September 16-20, 2022. The chapter went smoothly, the FCJM General Council, Sr. M. Magdalena Schmitz FCJM and Sr. M. Evifania Sinaga FCJM General Councilor) present to lead and organize the Chapter. For seven days the capitulars seriously engaged in the Chapter program covering prayers, conferences, discussions, and sharing related to the life of the FCJM sisters. After discerning the needs and future development of FCJM, the Chapter participants also elected the new Provincial Council for the term 2022 – 2026. Here are their names:

  1. Sr. M. Theodosia Tinambunan FCJM (Provincial)
  2. Sr. M. Lydia Simbolon FCJM (Vice Provincial)
  3. Sr. M. Agnes Tambunan FCJM (Councilor)
  4. Sr. M. Lusiana Sianturi FCJM (Councilor)
  5. Sr. M. Emiliana Situmorang FCJM (Councilor)

Sr. M. Theresiana Sihaloho FCJM

EAST TIMOR

The newly elected Indonesian Province Council in October 2022 officially appointed Sr. M. Theresiana Haloho FCJM as the Delegate in Timor Leste. The handover ceremony with the previous Delegate, Sr. M. Blandina Mahulae FCJM was held on January 22, 2023, at the Clara Pfander Ailok Laran Community, Dili. Meanwhile, the official letter of handover was signed on January 18, 2023, at the Clara Pfander Ailok Laran Community, Dili. Sr. M. Theresiana was a member of the Council in the previous period. Therefore, the role of leadership is no surprise to her.

Sr. M. Ivone de Freitas Barbosa FCJM, Sr. M. Aleunice Sousa de Lima FCJM,
and Sr. M. Gesiane Rosana Paixão Souza FCJM (from left to right)

BRAZIL

The sisters in Brazil held an Assembly at the Paz e Alegria Novitiate, in Urumanduba/Santarém from February 10 to 13, 2024. For four days, Sr. M. Madgalena Schmitz FCJM and Sr. M. Mariana Muțiu FCJM, delegates of the FCJM General Council, led the Assembly. They prayed together, reflected, and shared spiritual experiences. With the theme “Fraternity and Social Friendship” and the motto “We are all brothers and sisters.” (Mt 23,8), the Assembly went well and smoothly.

The sisters were filled with the Holy Spirit thinking about the future of the FCJM Congregation especially in Brazil. At the same time, they elected a new Regional Leadership Team for the term 2024 to 2028. They are:

  1. Sr. M. Aleunice Sousa de Lima FCJM (Regional Superior)
  2. Sr. M. Ivone de Freitas Barbosa FCJM (Member )
  3. Sr. M. Gesiane Rosana Paixão Souza FCJM (Member)