The 25th Provincial Chapter of the Province of Saint Ann took place at the Bethany Center in Lutz, Florida, from Monday, October 22, through Friday, October 26, 2018. Religious from throughout the USA came together to spend time in prayer, dialogue, and discernment around the theme The Gift of Self Born of the Eucharist.
The Very Rev. Anthony Schueller, SSS, Provincial Superior, said in his report, “We meet in Chapter as a Province in the 150th anniversary year of the transitus of our Founder. His death, coming just three years after his gift of self during the Great Retreat of Rome, was the definitive surrender of his life to God in imitation of the Lord Jesus’ paschal mystery. The Rule of Life reminds us that we are called to live the Passover of Jesus daily, giving our lives to a mystery greater than self.”
“Central to our leadership in these years has been the conviction that we are all called to ‘a life molded by the Eucharist,’ that the encounter with Christ in the sacrament of his love is life- changing and empowering, and that our Eucharistic vocation is worth offering every ounce of our energy and love, both individually and collectively.”
Each morning of the Chapter begins with the Liturgy of the Hours and shared adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Each day’s deliberations ended with the celebration of Mass, a relaxing dinner, and a free evening. The retreat center’s property lent itself to leisurely walks around the lakes and spontaneous gatherings on porches and in the gathering spaces of the “cottages” that housed the chapter members.
Much of the work of the chapter centered on our Eucharistic mission. Prior to arriving in Florida, each Blessed Sacrament Community was asked to read various reports on the topics and to begin surfacing ideas.
On Thursday, October 25, 2018, elections for new province leadership occupied the morning hours and were followed by another day-and-a-half of discussions.
Elected to leadership positions were, Father Anthony Schueller SSS (Provincial Superior), Father Robert Stark SSS (Provincial Treasurer), Father John Keenan SSS (Consultor), Father Thomas Smithson SSS (Consultor), and Father John Thomas Lane SSS (Consultor). Their term is for four years.
Pictured (L-R): Fr. Thomas Smithson, Fr. John Thomas Lane, Very Rev. Anthony Schueller (Provincial Superior), Fr. Robert Stark (Provincial Treasurer), and Fr. John Keenan
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