LCWR 2013 Assembly - Tweets from Joshua McElwee of National Catholic Reporter
In chronological order, beginning with earliest, from @joshjmac . It's worth joining Twitter.com just to follow him there.
August 13:
Assembly of 800 US #nuns opening now in Orlando. Women gathered from around country, likely will consider response to #Vatican criticism.
#Nuns open assembly with loud orchestral music and images of the cosmos being shown on five separate projector screens.
825 #nuns gathered in Orlando begin with meditation on “The Word was made flesh and dwells among us" -- focus on scriptural.
825 #nuns in Orlando sit at over 100 tables, mixed by different regions, orders. Singing for God to "Enflame our Hearts"
Projectors now showing images of the various saints who founded orders of US #nuns.: Men, women, young, old.
825 #nuns in Orlando singing: "We are standing on the shoulders of those before us..."
Reading to 825 #nuns in Orlando: “Women of conscience are made, not born. They are formed by the realities of life."
Leader of some 50,000 US #nuns tells gathering in Orlando: “We know that the decisions facing us are enormous."
Franciscan Sr. Florence Deacon says assembly of 800 nuns, facing #Vatican critique, must "view religious life in our faith."
One US sister addressing 800 in Orlando: “Our members, like Pope Francis are great companions of the poor.”
Official from Orlando diocese, priest, tells #nuns: “I know you have had some difficult time lately" -- says many "proud" of them.
Ambassador from #Vatican, Archbishop Vigano about to address 825 US #nuns in Orlando. Not sure last time that happened.
Ambassador from #Vatican to US tells #nuns facing #Vatican criticism: You are "so full of joy and the desire to serve the Lord.”
#Vatican ambassador quotes @Pontifex to 800 US nuns facing #Vatican critique. Tells them to keep eyes on the Cross.
Archbishop Sartain of Seattle now to address 800 US #nuns facing #Vatican critique. Sartain essentially holds overseer role of group.
Archbishop appointed by #Vatican, Sartain of Seattle, to oversee US #nuns tells assembly he is "here as your brother and friend.”
Archbishop Sartain calls #Vatican task on him "very personal" because of all the sisters he has known in ministry, as friends.
Sartain says he has developed "friendship" with leaders of #LCWR as they have been deciding how to respond to #Vatican
Sartain says that while he and #LCWR leaders have had "very significant conversations" over #Vatican they have also had "humorous" ones.
800 #nuns switch now to prayer. “We are here … hopeful, steadfastly believing that you will come, dear Spirit."
800 #nuns pray: "We are tinder and flint, graced, grounded, and free awaiting the new spark of your Spirit."
800 US sisters reflect now in table groups on what grounds them, and the graces they bring from their sisters.
At meeting of 800 US #nuns , focus switches to sex trafficking -- org #LCWR worked with has been awarded by FBI for its work.
August 14:
825 US #nuns are meeting now for 2nd day in Orlando. Among them are 2 #Vatican archbishops. Sisters dealing with #Vatican criticism.
Preparing for keynote address, 825 #nuns pray, singing: "Jesus, led us, purify us, transform us.”
Sisters' prayer involves repeated reciting of phrase: "We are in the right place." "The place where kindness and truth meet."
Prayer involves specific mention of Christ, spirit: “In everything, let us be the same as Christ Jesus," the 825 sisters pray.
825 US sisters pause to reflect on Chinese character for self-emptying love. “Gaze upon the Lord, gaze upon his face," says singer.
Sisters prayer also involves hand-motions -- gestures representing openness, peace.
825 sisters prayer continues: “Deep within us, shared among us, may we ever keep the mind and heart of Jesus Christ.”
825 sisters now prepare fo keynote of Franciscan Sr. Ilia Delio, noted theologian, on "Religious Life on the Edge of the Universe."
825 sisters extend hands over Sr. Delio, praying: “May the blessing of God be upon you; may God be all you know.”
Sr. Delio talking about cosmology and theology: “To see how those two work together to form a whole consciousness of being."
Our report on 1st night of #LCWR : #Vatican ambassador to US tells 825 US sisters how "joyful" he is to see them.
A lot of focus during Sr. Delio's address on classical Plato, Aristotle. Wonder if this is aimed at #Vatican archbishops present.
Sr. Delio wraps up keynote to 825 US nuns, heavy focus on classical, Greek metaphysics before moving to new cosmos theorie
825 US nuns break into table conversations: “Who are you as leaders? And what is your work at this time?” #Vatican reps among them.
825 sisters break for lunch -- after, will consider how Jesus Christ fits into new cosmos story: “Evolution requires patience.”
825 Catholic sisters return to annual meeting, focusing "on the God of evolution" and how new cosmology has changed theology.
Sr. Delio tells 825 #nuns : “God who is deeply immersed in a love affair with the beloved, the creation which flows out of him."
Sister to 825 others: “The greatest poverty in our own milleu is loneliness, is people feeling that no one cares for them.”
Sister addressing 825 others: Catholic church has "lost sense of a viable doctrine of creation.” Need to recognize God creates today.
Sr. Delio: “This is a God of newness because love is always new.”
August 15:
Our story on #LCWR keynote yesterday: Theologian tells 800 sisters to 'evolve,' not to 'grip tighter.' http://ncronline.org/news/sisters-stories/lcwr-keynote-sisters-must-evolve-consider-universe-story …
MT @NCRTomFox: #LCWR keynote speaker Sr. Delio seen having breakfast with Archbishop Sartain, #Vatican overseer. http://ncronline.org/news/sisters-stories/lcwr-keynote-sisters-must-evolve-consider-universe-story#.Ugzjlh4zu64.twitter …
Preaching to 825 nuns, Archbishop appointed by #Vatican to oversee them spoke of Mary's submission to God. http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-overseer-preaches-lcwr-marys-submission-god …
#Vatican overseer of US nuns preparing to address them. MT @NCRTomFox: Archbishop Sartain minutes before #LCWR. pic.twitter.com/KkExEeIZPQ
Archbp Sartain, #Vatican appointed overseer of US #nuns about to address 825. Meeting is closed, with locked doors, guards posted.
Sartain, #Vatican oversee of US #nuns, expected to speak for 30 minutes b/f taking questions. No recording allowed.
Unclear how many times Sartain, #Vatican overseer, has met with #LCWR leadership. Address may be first time hearing from him at length.
Organizer for #LCWR tells me they make mic operators sign confidentiality agreements, do not use wireless mics in case of bugging.
Organizer for #LCWR : "Even our IT conferences are not this secure."
From outside room where #LCWR is meeting (beyond guards) you can hear Sartain's voice booming through room. Still speaker at 28 min mark.
MT @NCRTomFox: #LCWR photo of closed and guarded assembly hall -- with Archbishop Sartain talking inside. pic.twitter.com/eQ4dds60KG
Archbishop Sartain at 32 minute mark speaking to US nuns, who #Vatican has appointed him to oversee.
Song on convention speakers as Sartain, #Vatican overseer, speaks to US nuns: Carol King's "I can feel the earth move under my feet."
At minute 36, Sartain still speaking to US nuns. Voice echoes into convention hall, which is now playing "Blinded by the Light."
Sisters in convention hall now heard clapping, presumably Sartain has finished remarks.
By my count, Archbishop Sartain spoke for 37 minutes. Scheduled by #LCWR for 30. Unclear what will follow, possibly questions from sisters.
Security guards tells us #LCWR hired a separate security firm to post people at convention center doors to prevent entry.
My @NCRonline story on US nuns meeting with #Vatican overseer: #LCWR meets with Sartain under lock, with guards http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/lcwr-meets-vatican-overseer-under-lock-guards …
August 16:
My @NCRonline report on closed session b/t US sisters and #Vatican overseer: Frustrating event, sisters say. #LCWR http://ncronline.org/news/sisters-stories/sartain-offers-lcwr-few-details-some-sisters-say …
Sisters: meeting w/ #Vatican overseer offered few details of how to move forward or of #Vatican concerns.
Sisters also elected former #Vatican official as their next leader, perhaps in attempt at outreach. #LCWR http://ncronline.org/news/sisters-stories/sartain-offers-lcwr-few-details-some-sisters-say …
At meeting of 825 sisters, their president Sr. Florence Deacon is giving annual address. #Vatican archbishop listening.
Deacon reiterating that #LCWR wants to conduct dialogue with #Vatican with respect and "deep prayer."
Deacon says #LCWR sisters are "weaving together" different roles, visions of church.
Deacon mentions it is her 50th anniversary as a sister, part of class of 1963. Means she entered right on cusp of church reforms.
Deacon leading history lesson on church's understanding of members -- laity's only role used to be to follow pastor.
Quotes Pope Paul VI: "Women, make it your task to bring the spirit of the Council into institutions."
Deacon's talk is becoming a crash course in Vatican II docs. Wonder if meant for Archbishop Sartain's ears.
At meeting of 825 sisters, preparing to honor former #LCWR president Sr. Pat Farrell. Farrell led react to #Vatican critique.
August 13:
Assembly of 800 US #nuns opening now in Orlando. Women gathered from around country, likely will consider response to #Vatican criticism.
#Nuns open assembly with loud orchestral music and images of the cosmos being shown on five separate projector screens.
825 #nuns gathered in Orlando begin with meditation on “The Word was made flesh and dwells among us" -- focus on scriptural.
825 #nuns in Orlando sit at over 100 tables, mixed by different regions, orders. Singing for God to "Enflame our Hearts"
Projectors now showing images of the various saints who founded orders of US #nuns.: Men, women, young, old.
825 #nuns in Orlando singing: "We are standing on the shoulders of those before us..."
Reading to 825 #nuns in Orlando: “Women of conscience are made, not born. They are formed by the realities of life."
Leader of some 50,000 US #nuns tells gathering in Orlando: “We know that the decisions facing us are enormous."
Franciscan Sr. Florence Deacon says assembly of 800 nuns, facing #Vatican critique, must "view religious life in our faith."
One US sister addressing 800 in Orlando: “Our members, like Pope Francis are great companions of the poor.”
Official from Orlando diocese, priest, tells #nuns: “I know you have had some difficult time lately" -- says many "proud" of them.
Ambassador from #Vatican, Archbishop Vigano about to address 825 US #nuns in Orlando. Not sure last time that happened.
Ambassador from #Vatican to US tells #nuns facing #Vatican criticism: You are "so full of joy and the desire to serve the Lord.”
#Vatican ambassador quotes @Pontifex to 800 US nuns facing #Vatican critique. Tells them to keep eyes on the Cross.
Archbishop Sartain of Seattle now to address 800 US #nuns facing #Vatican critique. Sartain essentially holds overseer role of group.
Archbishop appointed by #Vatican, Sartain of Seattle, to oversee US #nuns tells assembly he is "here as your brother and friend.”
Archbishop Sartain calls #Vatican task on him "very personal" because of all the sisters he has known in ministry, as friends.
Sartain says he has developed "friendship" with leaders of #LCWR as they have been deciding how to respond to #Vatican
Sartain says that while he and #LCWR leaders have had "very significant conversations" over #Vatican they have also had "humorous" ones.
800 #nuns switch now to prayer. “We are here … hopeful, steadfastly believing that you will come, dear Spirit."
800 #nuns pray: "We are tinder and flint, graced, grounded, and free awaiting the new spark of your Spirit."
800 US sisters reflect now in table groups on what grounds them, and the graces they bring from their sisters.
At meeting of 800 US #nuns , focus switches to sex trafficking -- org #LCWR worked with has been awarded by FBI for its work.
August 14:
825 US #nuns are meeting now for 2nd day in Orlando. Among them are 2 #Vatican archbishops. Sisters dealing with #Vatican criticism.
Preparing for keynote address, 825 #nuns pray, singing: "Jesus, led us, purify us, transform us.”
Sisters' prayer involves repeated reciting of phrase: "We are in the right place." "The place where kindness and truth meet."
Prayer involves specific mention of Christ, spirit: “In everything, let us be the same as Christ Jesus," the 825 sisters pray.
825 US sisters pause to reflect on Chinese character for self-emptying love. “Gaze upon the Lord, gaze upon his face," says singer.
Sisters prayer also involves hand-motions -- gestures representing openness, peace.
825 sisters prayer continues: “Deep within us, shared among us, may we ever keep the mind and heart of Jesus Christ.”
825 sisters now prepare fo keynote of Franciscan Sr. Ilia Delio, noted theologian, on "Religious Life on the Edge of the Universe."
825 sisters extend hands over Sr. Delio, praying: “May the blessing of God be upon you; may God be all you know.”
Sr. Delio talking about cosmology and theology: “To see how those two work together to form a whole consciousness of being."
Our report on 1st night of #LCWR : #Vatican ambassador to US tells 825 US sisters how "joyful" he is to see them.
A lot of focus during Sr. Delio's address on classical Plato, Aristotle. Wonder if this is aimed at #Vatican archbishops present.
Sr. Delio wraps up keynote to 825 US nuns, heavy focus on classical, Greek metaphysics before moving to new cosmos theorie
825 US nuns break into table conversations: “Who are you as leaders? And what is your work at this time?” #Vatican reps among them.
825 sisters break for lunch -- after, will consider how Jesus Christ fits into new cosmos story: “Evolution requires patience.”
825 Catholic sisters return to annual meeting, focusing "on the God of evolution" and how new cosmology has changed theology.
Sr. Delio tells 825 #nuns : “God who is deeply immersed in a love affair with the beloved, the creation which flows out of him."
Sister to 825 others: “The greatest poverty in our own milleu is loneliness, is people feeling that no one cares for them.”
Sister addressing 825 others: Catholic church has "lost sense of a viable doctrine of creation.” Need to recognize God creates today.
Sr. Delio: “This is a God of newness because love is always new.”
August 15:
Our story on #LCWR keynote yesterday: Theologian tells 800 sisters to 'evolve,' not to 'grip tighter.' http://ncronline.org/news/sisters-stories/lcwr-keynote-sisters-must-evolve-consider-universe-story …
MT @NCRTomFox: #LCWR keynote speaker Sr. Delio seen having breakfast with Archbishop Sartain, #Vatican overseer. http://ncronline.org/news/sisters-stories/lcwr-keynote-sisters-must-evolve-consider-universe-story#.Ugzjlh4zu64.twitter …
Preaching to 825 nuns, Archbishop appointed by #Vatican to oversee them spoke of Mary's submission to God. http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/vatican-overseer-preaches-lcwr-marys-submission-god …
#Vatican overseer of US nuns preparing to address them. MT @NCRTomFox: Archbishop Sartain minutes before #LCWR. pic.twitter.com/KkExEeIZPQ
Archbp Sartain, #Vatican appointed overseer of US #nuns about to address 825. Meeting is closed, with locked doors, guards posted.
Sartain, #Vatican oversee of US #nuns, expected to speak for 30 minutes b/f taking questions. No recording allowed.
Unclear how many times Sartain, #Vatican overseer, has met with #LCWR leadership. Address may be first time hearing from him at length.
Organizer for #LCWR tells me they make mic operators sign confidentiality agreements, do not use wireless mics in case of bugging.
Organizer for #LCWR : "Even our IT conferences are not this secure."
From outside room where #LCWR is meeting (beyond guards) you can hear Sartain's voice booming through room. Still speaker at 28 min mark.
MT @NCRTomFox: #LCWR photo of closed and guarded assembly hall -- with Archbishop Sartain talking inside. pic.twitter.com/eQ4dds60KG
Archbishop Sartain at 32 minute mark speaking to US nuns, who #Vatican has appointed him to oversee.
Song on convention speakers as Sartain, #Vatican overseer, speaks to US nuns: Carol King's "I can feel the earth move under my feet."
At minute 36, Sartain still speaking to US nuns. Voice echoes into convention hall, which is now playing "Blinded by the Light."
Sisters in convention hall now heard clapping, presumably Sartain has finished remarks.
By my count, Archbishop Sartain spoke for 37 minutes. Scheduled by #LCWR for 30. Unclear what will follow, possibly questions from sisters.
Security guards tells us #LCWR hired a separate security firm to post people at convention center doors to prevent entry.
My @NCRonline story on US nuns meeting with #Vatican overseer: #LCWR meets with Sartain under lock, with guards http://ncronline.org/blogs/ncr-today/lcwr-meets-vatican-overseer-under-lock-guards …
August 16:
My @NCRonline report on closed session b/t US sisters and #Vatican overseer: Frustrating event, sisters say. #LCWR http://ncronline.org/news/sisters-stories/sartain-offers-lcwr-few-details-some-sisters-say …
Sisters: meeting w/ #Vatican overseer offered few details of how to move forward or of #Vatican concerns.
Sisters also elected former #Vatican official as their next leader, perhaps in attempt at outreach. #LCWR http://ncronline.org/news/sisters-stories/sartain-offers-lcwr-few-details-some-sisters-say …
At meeting of 825 sisters, their president Sr. Florence Deacon is giving annual address. #Vatican archbishop listening.
Deacon reiterating that #LCWR wants to conduct dialogue with #Vatican with respect and "deep prayer."
Deacon says #LCWR sisters are "weaving together" different roles, visions of church.
Deacon mentions it is her 50th anniversary as a sister, part of class of 1963. Means she entered right on cusp of church reforms.
Deacon leading history lesson on church's understanding of members -- laity's only role used to be to follow pastor.
Quotes Pope Paul VI: "Women, make it your task to bring the spirit of the Council into institutions."
Deacon's talk is becoming a crash course in Vatican II docs. Wonder if meant for Archbishop Sartain's ears.
At meeting of 825 sisters, preparing to honor former #LCWR president Sr. Pat Farrell. Farrell led react to #Vatican critique.