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Many Charisms, One Spirit, One Call
The IHM Sisters Leadership Team is at the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR) 70th Anniversary Gathering this week in Orlando, Florida, joining women religious from across the country for prayer, learning, reflection and conversation.
For seventy years, LCWR has walked alongside women religious as they have responded to the changing needs of the world with faith, courage and hope. This anniversary is more than a celebration—it is an historic encounter, bringing together women and men religious from Canada, the United States and Latin America for a first-of-its-kind gathering across the Americas.
Rooted in prayer, contemplation and the Conversation in the Spirit process, participants are listening deeply to one another’s stories, wisdom, hopes and questions as they reflect on the vocation of religious life. Through personal witness, profound dialogue, and communal reflection, they are discovering how many charisms remain united by one Spirit and one call.
As the IHM Leadership Team journeys with religious communities from across the Americas, they are not simply reflecting on seventy years of grace — they are helping shape the future of religious life, carrying home renewed vision, deeper communion and a shared commitment to God’s mission in our world.
The days here at the annual LCWR Assembly are wonderful! Many inspiring presentations followed by small-group synodal Conversations in the Spirit.Truly listening deeply to someone is an expression of love and a form of hospitality. How different our world might be if we adopted a spaciousness of heart. Remember that it gives God joy to love you.
-Kathy Onderbeke, IHM