I should like to express first of all my profound gratitude for all that has become already a reality and for the slow but steady discovery of the lay vocation and mission in the Church today .

    There are new relationships of genuine mutuality and autonomy between Religious Congregations and the Laity today which are invigorating for consecrated life, for the Church and the world. A Religious Life or Congregation that is sufficient unto itself is no longer appropriate for these times. This religious life or Congregation that lives “enclosed” in its proper charism, in its own tradition, in its works, in its apostolic movements, in its own associations of laity, in its vocational pastoral activity, in its internal research – we believe that such religious life is no longer possible because it would no longer be faithful to its foundational dynamism that is part of its being: to live in the world, decentred from itself.

    We recognize that at this point in our history, there is evidence of a movement of the Spirit calling us to new ways of imaging and living the charism of our Congregation. There is a new energy as people respond to the charism in a variety of ways. The urgent needs of our time impel us as a Congregation to travel with those whom God is calling in new ways to recognize the charism in themselves. ASOLC are called to be bold, to be courageous, to take risks in honouring and nurturing the charism alive in the hearts of many lay people.

    As a Congregational Leader, I believe strongly that our Congregation has a ‘window of opportunity’ at this time in history to be changed gradually by our Lay Associates, to be given a chance to have our Congregational charism blossom in a new way, to have our particular spirituality – Augustinian, Marian, Missionary spirituality— shared, lived and developed by our lay partners and to have new communities and ministries challenged to be inclusive, diverse and honouring of difference...all for the sake of the new frontiers of God’s mission and the Reign of God in the fractured world of our time. There is an opportunity also through the charism of our Congregation to strengthen and support our Lay Associates so that it is woven into the new spirituality of life and hope for all.

    Empowerment is one of the most important characteristics of servant leadership.  Thus, we, ASOLC empower our AOSA (Lay Associates of the Augustinian Sisters of Our Lady of Consolation) so that they may become our more effective partners. There is no servant leadership where there is no sharing of power. Empowering people, with the best interest of those served in mind, is at the heart of servant leadership. Empowerment is entrusting power to others, really giving it away; and involves effective listening, making people feel significant, putting emphasis on teamwork, and valuing of love and equality. In addition, servant leaders also empower by teaching and developing people.

    The idea of empowerment and servant leadership go hand in hand, in that servant leadership puts an emphasis on service, a wholistic approach to work, personal development, and shared decision-making. Empowering followers is a major goal of servant leaders, who desire to create many leaders at all levels.

    Theological beliefs around the call to holiness and assumptions around ‘belonging’ are gradually changing within the Congregation and among the laity, including our Lay Associates. For example, our theology in both Sisters and Laity has moved from believing that Religious Life is the ‘state of perfection’ to realizing that there is a whole range of opportunities in which to pursue Christian holiness. Also the OSA Charism is now being seen at the centre rather than the ASOLC at the centre with all lay people seen in the ‘helping-role’. We are gradually recognizing that our OSA Charism is in/with lay people too and may be expressed through lay groups in a variety of ways. All of us are viewing the gospel through the lens of the charism which inspires and supports us to live this call to discipleship.

    The rise of the new ecclesial movements possibly intimate features of the new way that the “charism-atic impulse” is breaking into the world at this time. Whilst these new movements are not without their problems and difficulties, there are two features of them worth considering: Many of the new movements are
•    inclusive of many states of life – single, married, clerical, religious
•    one does not have to leave what one is doing to live the particular charism.

    The idea of our AOSA with new images that we explore can focus on our shared charism and spirit. It allows for different levels of belonging, for a variety of independent ways beyond the Religious Institute, its associations and affiliations. AOSA can hold all these groups in relationship around the shared charism. It may even be possible for our AOSA to include members of other faiths and religious who experience the charism as similar to their own spirit.

    There is no doubt that this journey continues to be fraught with issues and challenges that have to be worked through separately and together as ASOLC Religious and Lay AOSA.

    To our Lay Associates – do continue to help us grow with you in this evolving partnership in mission.  We are grateful for your appropriation of the charism of our ASOLC heritage, for the tremendous talents and skills you bring to our work together, and for your exemplary service to ASOLC ministry.  We owe our deepest gratitude and pledge of support.
I believe that God’s mission today will be truly enhanced if our ASOLC congregation will give considerable energy and focus to recognizing this ‘sign of the times’ breaking through within our midst. It reminds me of the sand within the oyster gradually forming a pearl within its environment. Indeed, ‘see, God is doing a new deed’ in our midst.