 Be it resolved that we, the Premonstratensian Fathers and Brothers of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, WI, assembled in Chapter, wish to express our support and appreciation for the women religious of the United States. We are convinced that the women religious of this country, in the spirit and example of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, have continued to contribute significantly and selflessly to the mission of the Church and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ since the founding of this country. In a real sense, they have served in many ways as the backbone of the Church in the United States. They have been involved in education at all levels, and the care of orphans, the sick and street people.
The members of our Order have benefited in many and significant ways from the ministry of women religious, and have served in cooperation with a number of them in our ministries. Women religious have taught us in elementary and secondary schools, as well as in colleges and graduate schools. They have served with us in parish ministries, e. g. religious education, sacramental preparation, parish visitation, and have nursed us in hospitals and nursing homes. Women religious have served as spiritual directors for some or our men and for clients who come to our Norbertine Center for Spirituality. Women religious have offered spiritual conferences, classes and updated religious education classes for clients at our Spirituality Center and elsewhere. They have served faithfully on committees and boards in our educational institutions, and in service projects. Women religious have served us as retreat directors. Our members have had the privilege of celebrating the Eucharist and the Sacrament of Reconciliation, as well as leading retreats and days of recollection in a number of convents, not only in the Diocese of Green Bay, but also throughout the country.
 The example of the prayerful and dedicated lives of women religious has been a shining example, witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus. Their willingness to follow faithfully the charism of their founders, to adapt to the decisions of the Second Vatican Council, and to minister to God’s faithful, often with little financial recompense, is a shining light in the darkness of the world which so often denies or ignores the Gospel of Christ. Reflecting the awareness of the role of women in society, they have made us, as well as the Church at large, more aware of the role of women in the Church.
We add our prayers and hopes to the many other supporters of American women religious, and strongly and publicly express our support, appreciation and admiration for their lives and ministry, praying that God will protect and reward them for their dedicated service and example. |
