USA Region News
We Sisters of Mary Reparatrix in the U.S.A. are members of an international community of women religious, rooted in the love of Christ, led by the Sprit, who manifest the tender love of God and seek to bring healing to a broken world.
In September 2020 we shared with our readers that we had begun a search for a Lay Collaborator for SMR USA Region members. We did this because we, like many other religious congregations of women, our international congregation, Sisters of Mary Reparatrix, including our United States Region, though vibrant and committed, is becoming older and fewer in number. To meet the needs of our members and the Region itself, we created a new statute to guide our governance which includes a new position for a Lay Collaborator and an International Collaborator.
We are very pleased to share that our search led to an adjustment of our original plan. Last month we hired a part-time Lay Collaborator, Connie Fitzgerald, and also engaged a Consultant, Dorothy Ritter.
Left to right: Ann Kasparek, Dorothy Ritter, Veronica Blake, Connie Fitzgerald
These women will work closely with our Region Leadership Team, Sister Veronica Blake and Sister Ann Kasparek. The Lay Collaborator responsibilties will be both pastoral and administrative and will be developed and determined as life unfolds. The Consultant will be assisting the Lay Collaborator, especially with medical or pastoral issues.
Several months ago, Sister Julie Buckley from Ireland who is a member of SMR Congregational Leadership Team, was appointed to serve as our International Collaborator. She will participate in Region Zoom conversations as much as possible and collaborate with our Region Leadership Team as needed.
Please pray with us that this ‘new beginning’ will allow us to continue to live that our to the best of our abilities in the years ahead.
