The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth - Duquesne University "Leadership in Mission" Program

LEADERSHIP IN MISSION PROJECT, 2008-2010
PROGRAM IN COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP FOR WOMEN RELIGIOUS

Women religious from around the world are going back to school to improve their skills in community leadership and management.

Sisters from selected religious congregations, especially those serving in developing countries, will live in residence at the Generalate of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth in Rome, while undertaking study at the Rome campus of Duquesne University. The main campus of Duquesne University, founded by the Spiritan Fathers is located in Pittsburgh, U.S.A. The innovative program, leading to a Master of Science in Community Leadership, with a concentration on Leadership in Mission, was developed by the Leadership in Mission Project Management Board, acting under the aegis of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, in collaboration with Duquesne University, after consultation with sisters worldwide. The 2-year, three session residential course, will be taught in English by an international faculty in Rome. Students will also be required to complete two courses in their own countries. The goal of the program is to provide the sisters with content that is practical and appropriate for the situations they face in their home countries, to orientate them to the Church within a global setting and to build a worldwide network of consecrated women for the expansion of Jesus' mission. Residential Session 1 was held in 2008; the remaining two residentials will be held in Rome, Italy in 2009 and 2010 at the Generalate of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth.

Globally and locally, religious congregations and individual sisters are faced today with great challenges: world conflicts, the ever-growing chasm between rich and poor, freedom of religion or lack of it, tensions between a culture of death and life; the importance of people over profit. This program is a wonderful opportunity to integrate spiritual formation with professional preparation to enable women of faith to be leaders in Christ's mission, in service, in society and in the wider community.

The sisters enrolled in the program are from: Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Uganda, U.S.A. and Vietnam. They have a minimum of five years of experience in apostolic work such as education, formation, health care, social work, pastoral activities or congregational leadership. They speak a total of 26 languages.

Part of the program educational costs is covered by grants from European foundations. The Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth are contributing the use of their facilities and Duquesne University is heavily discounting the tuition fees to enable women religious to participate in this in the program. Each participating congregation is required to contribute 2,900 Euros for each of the remaining two residential sessions; some congregations are experiencing great difficulty in meeting this requirement because of the poverty in the areas in which the Sisters serve the Church.

Persons of good will are invited to become support partners, assisting the student Sisters with their prayers, encouragement and financial support. For further information about the program and ways in which one can offer support, please contact:

Sisters Miriam Joseph Mikol
Chairperson of the Leadership in Mission Project Management Board
Via Nazareth, 400
00166, Rome, Italy

Email: smjm@romelink.org
Tel. (39) 06.624.0929 ext 610
Fax (39) 06.624.1295