Guest Post: Sister Carol Ann Prenger, SSND

This weekend's post is a reflection from Sister Carol Ann Prenger, SSND, whose tenure on her Provincial Council comes to an end this Saturday. Not only is it a powerful statement about the nature and importance of community life for consecrated religious, it is also a beautiful insight in to the spiritual reality of her experience of leadership. Grab a cup of tea and take the time to prayerfully read her thoughts below!

Community Life Through the Lens of Leadership

During these last days of this “term of office” on the inaugural Council for the Central Pacific Province, I reflect on the meaning of leadership – what it has been for me and us, and what it may be for future leadership. It is a broad scope – bigger than I ever could have imagined. It is “big” because it concerns the lives of our precious Sisters who have given and continue to give of themselves for the Mission as SSND through community, ministry and prayer. We are 2 North American Provinces; we are international and we are “affected and challenged by the many divisions in our world and church today and by the social, economic and ecological crises of our times”. (Directional Statement) Personally, it has been a world of opportunities and human experiences: to laugh, to cry, to plan for the future, to collaborate within the team, with staff, Sisters, committees, departments, ministries. It has been being one-with individuals, communities, and the larger congregation. It has offered challenges and accompaniment, sensitivity and risk taking. 

I ponder how leadership is different from any other Sister’s call to ministry. Each of us has the same “mandate”, but there are different ways of being called to live it out.  Our constitution lays out a framework for Provincial Council. Within this leadership there are responsibilities and decisions to be made, ability and necessity of having a broader view/perspective and service of the whole. 

Leadership has involved mutual trust of the team with whom I have worked as well as with the Sisters and staff throughout the province and beyond. It also has involved being entrusted with precious lives and stories and realities of our sisters as well as the future of our religious life. It has been collaboration with other provinces and cultures within SSND as well as other congregations (LCWR). 

SSND leadership has been a privilege and a grace for me. I say “privilege” because it has been an awesome responsibility and honor to accompany, challenge and work with our sisters in this capacity. It has been a “grace” because only with the grace of God have I been able to respond to the personal and magnificent tasks to which I have been called. 

By its very nature community leadership is administrative – there are tasks above and beyond what the majority of Sisters may “know” because of confidentiality and the greater good. The team has been responsible for the implementation of General Chapter decisions, setting the direction of the province and that of initial formation. Together we have been charged with the acceptance and admittance of those in formation. After personal and communal discernment followed by dialogue with Council, Sisters have been missioned. For me, another inspiring responsibility of the Council has been visitation with Sisters in their homes or ministries. This has facilitated getting to know Sisters personally, uniting the province. Responding to legal and canonical aspects of religious/provincial life has been another serious duty of this type of leadership. 

For the most part, my experience in provincial leadership has been joy amidst the challenges. Because it has supported relationship as well as unity (in diversity), the love I/we share has brought to fruition our Gospel values. Only with care,concern and love of our Sisters and broader congregation, Church and world can the primary responsibility of the Council,which is spiritual, be fulfilled.

I am grateful to God for the initial call to leadership through my Sisters. I have often been told that I and the rest of the team have been prayed for daily by name. At this time of transition to a new team, I offer my daily prayer for each Sister on the Council, and for our province and international community. What an awesome task is before them! I offer my trust and support to them as so many have trusted and supported me. 

Carol Ann Prenger, SSND 

Provincial Councilor 

Central Pacific Province 

2011 - 2015