Other Collaborative Efforts
Emerging Convergence: Archives
At left: San Francisco Presentation Sisters' Archivist Chris Doan.
Sharing ideas and talents, the San Francisco Presentation Sisters have hosted archivists from Presentation congregations in New Windsor, Dubuque and San Francisco over the past few years. Many of you know or have heard of San Francisco's archivist Chris Doan, who was instrumental in including Presentation Sister artifacts in the recent Women & Spirit: Catholic Sisters in America exhibit. She has shared her knowledge and expertise with many groups and was happy to host archivists from other Presentation congregations over the past few years.
According to Chris, "Presentation archives document and preserve original and unique historical materials about the Presentation Sister experience. This amounts to approximately 180 years worth of archives collectively, throughout North America. I valued the opportunity to connect with other Presentation communities and share my knowledge and professional training. My hope is to maintain a relationship with my fellow archivists to allow for future collaboration opportunities. It is important for us to know we are there for each other in times of “archival need,” and to represent our value to the communities we serve in a united way."
Recently Kathleen Daly, who is relatively new to the Aberdeen archives, and Aberdeen archivist Sister Lois Ann Sargent visited San Francisco to learn more about their archives.
 Kathleen says, "Chris gave us a mini course on the policies and procedures of the San Francisco archives. Sister Lois Ann wanted me to tour the San Francisco archives because Chris is also a lay woman and has transitioned well into managing a convent's religious archives.The trip was both informative and enjoyable. Not only did we learn Chris’s exceptional system, but the Sisters at the San Francisco Convent were very gracious hosts. We also had the pleasure of Sister Judith Guevara taking us out to tour the beautiful city of San Francisco."
At right: Kathleen Daly of Aberdeen's archives.
Discernment of Additional Collaborative Ministry
At the June 2011 Conference of Presentation Sisters Leadership Meeting the foundation was laid for exploration of an additional collaborative ministry of the Conference. Several leaders have been working on a committee to assess interest in and feasibility of a collaborative ministry centered on eco-spirituality.
UPDATED MARCH 2012:
After many conference calls and communication to congregations, the committee of Sisters Antonio Heaphy (Union), Sharon Fagan (Newfoundland), Pam Donelan (Aberdeen) and Stephanie Still (San Francisco) have invited the five sisters from three communities who have expressed interested in this ministry to a discerment May 4-6, 2012, in Dubuque. This discernment will include more exploration of eco-spirituality and a common vision for this ministry. Sister Stephanie Still will be sharing more from this process and discernment with leaders at the June 2012 Conference Leadership Meeting. Please pray for all of those involved in discernment and those on the committee who are leading the conversation about this potential collaborative ministry.
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