Provincial Assembly Focus: “Bringing Peace to the World”

The first session of the U.S. Province’s 13th Provincial Assembly Cycle got underway on Wednesday, June 17, following an opening Mass celebrated by Father Bill Burkert. The theme of this year’s assembly was “Bringing Peace to the World.”

The highlight of Wednesday’s morning session was the Province Finance Committee report, presented by committee member Sister Marlene Neises and Province Finance Director Carrie Hamer. Wednesday’s afternoon session began with Sisters Maureen McCarthy, Barbara Kraemer, and Maureen Jerkowski presenting the province’s revised initial and ongoing formation plan. Sisters Mary Ann Meyer, Kathy Chuston, and Sylvia Leonardi then offered a report on the work of the Sowing Seeds group, which is focused on supporting the province in the implementation of the formation plan. 

The International Leadership Team offered a summary report about the 2026 General Assembly held in Germany. U.S. Province delegates shared their impressions and takeaways from the work of that gathering.

Much of the work on June 18 focused on the Government Committee’s reports and discussions related to electing a new leadership team in spring 2027 and how a future regional structure might operate. 

On June 19, following a report from the Associate Relationship team, delegates approved both the formation plan and the discernment timeline for the spring leadership election. Participants also engaged in discussion about how the U.S. Province might best implement the new Congregational Direction. Assembly delegates completed elections to these committees and groups:

• Province Government Committee: Sisters Elaine Hirschenberger, Jo Ann Miller, Jane Elyse Russell, Cathy Ryan, and Judeen Schulte.
• Province Finance Committee: Sisters Helen Butzler, Marlene Neises, and Joann Riesterer.
• Interim Corporate Members/Consultative Group: Sisters Kathy Chuston, Mary Diez, Rose Hacker, Joneen Keuler, Barbara Kraemer, Beth Schmitz, and Nancy Sell.