ACS EASTERN REGION NEWSLETTER
December 2003

Dear Sisters,
Listening to a talk on the Mysticism of Motherhood, this verse of a song that was played stood out for me to share with you as 1 was struggling to get a few words on paper for our newsletter. My prayer for each of you at this Advent/Christmas/New Year:

Time is for new birth in your lives. -
God beyond all words, all creation tells your story;
You have shaken with our laughter; you have trembled with our tears.
All around us we have known you, all creation lives to hold you.
In our living and our dying we are bringing you to birth.

Just about two months ago, eighteen of the Eastern Region with Deborah Gephardt gathered for our Regional Meeting in New Windsor, NY.
At St. Joseph's center and retreat house we were most graciously welcomed by one of the Presentation Sisters. One by one, the arrival started. Greetings, hugs continued as we got directed and settle in our rooms, making ourselves at home until supper time.
The first evening Sr. Donald oriented the group through guided meditation on the Trinity Icon. Then there were some practical points about the schedule. Our meeting space was very large and we met in the center of the room for our conferences using the side tables for books for sale, papers and other articles for the taking. And, of course, a snack table! This was our private space for the next few days.

Everyone was looking forward to the days with sr. Donald Corcoran, o.s.b. cam. And Katharine Le Mee. Jo had worked out a flowing agenda with the two speakers weaving in and out the conferences on Inwardness and Healing/The Hologram and Reflexology. After Mass and a midday break, we came back to "Healing our Culture and "An Octave of Life, Liturgy and Spiritual Growth". After each of the conferences there was time for reflection and dialogue and questions. Saturday evening we went into business, directives and guidelines for elections. We had about five new members present. At the election Debbie Gephardt took the role of process person- The whole process was done in our usual prayerful atmosphere with attention to the calling of the Holy Spirit.

The results of the elections are: Coordinator - Sr. Joan Bourne, o.c.d.; 1st Delegate - Elizabeth Niedermeyer; 2 nd Delegate - Sr. Eleanor Berret, o.s.f. of Allegany; Alternate Delegate and Treasurer - Sr. Aletha Maher, o.c.d.

And so we had some celebration of the new team and many expressions of gratitude and admiration of those who served so well these past couple of years. At our president Deb's direction, Jo Balsamo will remain on the National Team until after the 2004 National Meeting.

Sunday morning we had 9:00 a. m. Mass and a leisurely time for Lectio Divina. There was also time for healing modalities for anyone who signed up for them. Margaret Marty, Liz and Katharine were available. After dinner we returned to Conference #5, "Care of Soul: Another Look"; then, Conference #6 "More on Healing and Practice" with dialogue and questions. After supper the whole membership gathered for a group healing. One by one we prayed over each other quietly for the most part. This was a very powerful session. Then we had some more fun or there were small groups talking and sharing about the days' input.

On Monday morning Mass was at 8:00 a. m. After breakfast there was a final conference by Sr. Donald, "Entering the Marketplace with Bliss Bestowing Hands". Then, we said our goodbyes and went our separate directions until later.

A CHALLENGE AND INVITATION

As Gert said in her editorial in the last ACS national newsletter, "The gauntlet has been thrown down, please share your own reflections on the ACS mission statement!" After the holiday season or even in some quiet moments now, see Vol. 77, Aug. 2003, National Newsletter and share with either the National Newsletter or with the Regional Newsletter, "The Flame". The challenge is to take the time to reflect on why you belong to this organization. The invitation is to share your reflections with the rest of ACS. The Mission Statement, in case you can't find it among your papers, is:

We, the Association of Contemplative Sisters, exist to foster and support the contemplative journey of our members. Rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition and inspired by the courage and prophetic vision of the women who formed the Association, we live in a diversity of ways a life of prayer. We affirm the contemplative dimension of all women and men and support its development. Through our faithfulness to the movement of the Spirit within and through action congruent with each one's call, we are a contemplative presence in our broken yet redeemed world, cooperating in the healing and transforming mission of Jesus Christ.