July 1 - Fifth Day - afternoon

The Financial Report

Veronica Brand presented the Report on the use of resources for mission since the 2001 General Chapter.

Veronica Brand

Veronica explained that this Report was not just about numbers and bank accounts, but about the way we used our financial resources to sustain the life of the Institute and to support the commitments we had made at the last General Chapter.

She noted that our finances are becoming more complex. In addition to the General Level and the Provinces and Regions, we also have Institute Level programmes. The Institute supports programmes and projects that involve sisters from each of the provinces and regions, enabling us to respond to our Chapter commitments as one Body.

Veronica took us through the Financial Report page by page explaining terminology, figures, graphs, and trends.

At the end of Veronica’s presentation, we were encouraged to take some time during the coffee break to look at the displays concerning the finances of the individual provinces.

Lelia O'Shea (Z)

When we returned to the room we had time for questions and clarification. Veronica said that she hoped that the Chapter members had noticed some of the differences among the provinces.

She pointed out that the finances of the Institute and the Provinces/Regions are affected by the political and economic situations within a country, and can change as those conditions change.

Veronica also explained that at the treasurers’ meeting there had been a clear recognition that we need a more comprehensive way to sustain the general administration and the programs administered through the General Level.

We concluded the two days of reports from the General Council with Mass and supper at the new Generalate.

Mass was celebrated by Father Mario Laurenti, the pastor of the parish in which our Generalate is located. (We are one of 16 religious communities in the parish.)

Father Mario Laurenti

After a delicious supper in the spacious garden, we toured our new building, visiting the Archives, oratory, community room, meeting rooms, bedrooms and offices, and also admiring the sunset from the many balconies.

© 2007 RSCM / RSHM