Press Release
Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ
Conclude Their 3rd General Chapter
“Press on in His Footprints” was the
theme of the Third General Chapter held by the Charismatic Franciscan
religious community of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, in Prayer
Town, Texas. A General Chapter is a periodic gathering of a religious
community aimed at preserving the charism of the institute and its
proper renewal, as well as electing its governing body. From January 14
-18, the DLJC final professed Sisters met for this purpose. On Friday
morning, January 18, Most Rev. John W. Yanta, Apostolic Administrator of
the diocese of Amarillo, Texas, Rev. John Keane, SA, and Rev. Ronald
Matthews, their Chaplain, concelebrated Mass for the Sisters. After the
Mass, Bishop Yanta presided over the election of the Superior General,
and Father Keane, a Franciscan Friar of the Atonement, was also present.
The members of the General Council were elected in the afternoon.
Mother Lucy Lukasiewicz, originally from
Nebraska, was elected for a second term as the Superior General of the
congregation, and the members of the General Council include the Vicar
General Sister Juliana Gapasin, and councilors Sister Bernadette
Beamsley, Sister Rita D’Souza, and Sister Cecilia Bushnell.
The General Council, which at present is
a multi-cultural group, aids the Superior General in making decision
that affect the whole institute. Sister Juliana Gapasin, originally from
the Philippines, has served at the mission houses that the Sisters used
to have in Lubbock, Texas, and Alexandria, Louisiana; and her most
recent assignment at the Motherhouse was as Vocations Directress. Sister
Bernadette Beamsley, originally from Omaha, Nebraska, via Chicago,
Illinois, was Superior General before Mother Lucy’s election in 2002,
and presently is the Formation Directress of novices. She has been
re-elected to the Council along with Sister Rita D’Souza for her second
full term. Sister Rita, originally from India, has worked for the last
few years in setting up the DLJC development office, along with Sister
Cecilia Bushnell, who also was elected to the Council. Sister Cecilia is
originally from New Mexico, and was Sister Bernadette’s Vicar General
from 1996-2000.
The
Disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ wish to thank all those who have
supported them in so many ways. The Third General Chapter has certainly
been a grace-filled time of renewal and inspiration; a time to hear
God’s call as a community and a re-starting point to, with ever-greater
zeal, “press on in His footprints. |
