Leaders of Hope

What does leadership call of us today?

“...live in right relationship by being true to yourself even when counter to long-standing tradition; do not be afraid to love until it hurts; admit that nothing can be done alone; follow the lead of your soul.” --Mary Ann Zollmann, BVM

What is stirring in religious life today?

“...with the complexity of the planet and its many problems, leaders and leadership in religious life are challenged to remain in processes of permanent formation (and transformation) that correspond to real, current situations.” --Griselda Martinez Morales, CSJ

New E-Book from the Leadership Collaborative

We need to talk!

This sentiment was heard over the past few years from sisters under 65. It was not just from one group or region of the world. It emerged in conversations with sisters from countries in Africa, Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific - from everywhere!

What is stirring?

Pope Francis and others have said we are in a “change of era.” The change is not about the number of religious in the world, nor about diminishment. Change is happening to how we will function within religious life... We are in it together. Yet, how?

Envisioning

Perhaps the change of era we are experiencing is a restructuring our mindsets, oriented toward the wisdoms of those pushed to the margins. We invite you to think about your congregation, organization, ministry, and local community as you reflect on the words and sentiments in Leaders of Hope.

Leadership isn't about us.
Legacy isn't about us.

In January 2024, over 350 Catholic sisters from around the world gathered in Chicago and connected virtually for Hope-Esperanza, an inaugural gathering for sisters under 65 to build bridges of hope for the current and future realities of religious life. It was clear that something happened among the sisters who gathered for Hope-Esperanza: we experienced the reality of the global sisterhood, found hope in a community of peers, and held space for the future to unfold.

What also became clear was the need to articulate how we view leadership, religious life, and our many systems and institutions, and name how we see this change.

Leaders of Hope, a collection of 13 essays from Hope-Esperanza participants, is a direct result of that need. The book brings together reflections about integrating our experiences of new life as Catholic sisters. This collection emerged over the past year through much contemplation and collaboration as the writers put into words our individual and collective understandings of religious life today. The essays offer a variety of perspectives about our lives as Catholic sisters and allow space to explore what is now and what is to come.

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I would like to receive the free Leaders of Hope e-book!

The Leadership Collaborative is committed to fostering transformational leadership for religious life and the gospel mission, now and into the future. We do this by creating materials like Leaders of Hope and offering programs like HOPE 2025 and our Collaborative Leadership Development Program (CLDP).

We invite you to become a part of our mission by prayerfully considering a contribution to the Leadership Collaborative in support of projects like Leaders of Hope. Your support allows us to us to continue to offer transformational materials and programs for the Catholic leaders of today and tomorrow. Every donation receives a 150% match by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation for the ongoing sustainability of this ministry.

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