As Religious of the Sacred Heart we do not stand outside our national culture and institutions, which at their best hold out the promise of equality and opportunity for all, and at their worst perpetuate poverty, violence, racism, sexism, and educational inequity. We know we often share in the prejudices and choices that our culture promotes. We also discover, however, within the most negative forces, our call to be women who seek to heal division and create communion. Moreover, the Catholic Church in the United States has a long tradition of work for justice and concern for the poor. In recent times we have been particularly challenged by the pastoral letters of our Bishops on social justice, peace, racism, the economy, and most recently on the environment. While we know that we alone can neither change the course of poverty, racism, sexism, and violence in our country, nor redress the inequities of American education, we know, too, that we have gifts and resources to bring to this endeavor.

• Our charism and philosophy of education have touched the lives of thousands of women and men. We recognize, however, that we do not yet know how best to orient our educational vision, skills, and resources in service of those who are materially disadvantaged.
  

• Our educational vision has been deeply enriched by those who have been working with minorities and the oppressed for years. We recognize, however, that we are just beginning to find ways to let their experience educate and transform us all.
  

• Love for and commitment to young people has always marked our educational mission. We recognize, however, that we could play a more significant part in helping young people who are poor gain access to the education they need.
  

• We have struggled to live in solidarity with the poor for many years. We recognize, however, that a more radical transformation of our lives is necessary if we are to be truly in communion with the marginalized in our society.
  

• We have sought to collaborate with and empower the disempowered. We recognize, however, that we need to let them challenge our understandings of power and collaboration if we are to avoid promoting and sustaining the status quo.
  

• Though we are few, working in diverse ministries, we have the capacity and will to make a difference. We recognize, however, that unless our lives and actions are consistent with our words, we diminish this capacity.

The process of shaping Province priorities and developing a plan to carry them out is for us a sacred journey, for these priorities express our faithful decision not to accept the dividedness of our country and world, but to become in truth women who build communion. Naming the priorities and living them out is a profound act of membership. It is as a community that we seek wisdom to direct our energies in renewed fidelity to God’s call. Aware of a growing yet fragile sense that we know what is asked of us, we seek, too, the generosity and strength to choose the way with joy and even a bit of excitement. A unique opportunity invites us now. Another will not come soon.