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Leadership Conference of Women Religious marks 50 years

Barb Kane, left, seated with Sister Rosemary Riesberg was the FSPA collaborative leader honoree at the LCWR jubilee celebration.

Women religious have consistently and quietly been working for the common good in the United States for well over 100 years. Early on they founded and staffed orphanages, hospitals, universities, elementary and secondary schools. Today they offer shelter to abused women and children, minister to the elderly and teach English to immigrants. They work and pray collaboratively with people from all walks of life who are seeking justice, hope and a spiritual life. Blazing these societal trails has shaped their distinct style of leadership.

The collaborative leadership model of women religious has been nurtured for the past 50 years by the Leadership Conference of Women Religious (LCWR). Historically LCWR has provided resources and support to Catholic sisters who assumed leadership positions in their orders. This year, congregations throughout the country are celebrating the jubilee of the founding of LCWR.

The FSPA joined with six other Iowa congregations to sponsor a regional conference on women's leadership in Cedar Rapids on Jan. 28, as a way to commemorate the anniversary of LCWR.

A primary intention of the seven congregations was to foster women's leadership for the future. Thus, the conference had a dual purpose, acknowledging the collaborative leadership style of women religious while simultaneously encouraging collaborative leadership among lay women. Seven Iowa women who are collaborative leaders in their communities were honored. Also, every Catholic sister who attended the conference invited a lay woman as her companion.

Rita Nakashima Brock was the keynote speaker for the event. She is the co-director of Faith Voices for the Common Good, an award-winning author and respected international scholar in religion. Brock advanced the premise that love must be grounded in the ethics of nonviolence, not in self-sacrifice. She said that focusing love on self-sacrifice, rather than mutuality, generosity and care for others tends to confuse love with accepting violence. Linking her defined attributes of love with the collaborative leadership style of women religious, she suggested that women's leadership role in the church is one of valuing the "unexpected continuities of ordinary life."

The seven Iowa women who were honored as community leaders are:

Cheryl Faries, Waterloo, founder of Empowerment Group for Women, a program that helps struggling women get back on their feet and encourages involvement in community life. She is also a leader in the Neighborhood Coalition, working to improve living situations on Waterloo's eastside. Sisters of Mercy, Cedar Rapids, honoree.

Billie Greenwood, Dubuque, co-director of the associate program for the Sisters of the Presentation, and dedicated to justice and peace. She directs the congregation's Immersion Trip program, is a member of the Hope House Catholic worker community, and involved in justice work in Latin America. Presentation Sisters, Dubuque, honoree.

Jo Anne Horstmann, Lost Nation, central U.S. regional coordinator for L'Arche, an international organization that provides community life for people with and without developmental disabilities. She oversees L'Arche communities in five locations and was the community leader of the Clinton L'Arche for 12 years. Sisters of Sr. Francis, Clinton, honoree.

Sue Hostert, Bernard, administrator of the Mount Carmel Continuing Care Retirement Community, where she leads the staff in providing services to more than 225 sisters in independent living, assisted living and skilled care. A 25-year employee of the BVM congregation, she has served in a variety of administrative positions. BVM Sisters, Dubuque, honoree.

Barbara Kane, Cedar Rapids, project leader with Community Circle of Care and coordinator for Catholic parishes in a Network of Faith, which enlists faith groups to provide hygiene and cleaning supplies for the city's emergency shelters. She is also an active member of her parish. Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, La Crosse, honoree.

Jeri Leinen, Davenport, co-founder of Senior Iowans, Inc., and president/CEO of the Center for Active Seniors, Inc., the most successful, well-known and respected organization in the Quad City area for senior citizens, who themselves are called forth to take a leadership role in their own well-being. Sisters of Humility, Davenport, honoree.

Susie Paloma, Des Moines, co-founder and director of the Des Moines Area Catholic Social Action Coalition and coordinator of the Des Moines Area JustFaith process. She is currently president of The Bridge, an ecumenical effort of downtown churches, and chair of Compassion in Action, an emergency assistance program. Sisters of St. Francis, Dubuque, honoree.

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