Thy Kingdom Come!
Over the past few years, the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi have been discerning the possibility of opening a new community in the North American Territory according to their strategic plan. Calgary, San Jose, New York, and Louisiana were some of the main localities explored and who requested and proposed for the consecrated women to come to their locality.
A national team visited these locations, gathering data from each location in order to be able to provide information for the territorial and general government to reach a decision. After considering many variables: i.e. opportunities for ministry, relationship with the local Church, and financial sustainability, RC Louisiana was chosen as the next foundation for the Consecrated Women.
Lorianne MacDonnell and Maria Knuth from our Cincinnati Community were asked to begin visiting Louisiana this year, to prepare the groundwork for the future community. They visit monthly, supporting youth and adult ministries: youth retreats, ECYD team leader trainings, women’s silent retreats, spiritual direction etc. Their main goals are to build relationships there with the different ecclesial institutions and dioceses, to set up all of the administrative skeleton needed for a community to be operational and to begin sharing the life and mission of Regnum Christi with the four localities there.
They met with the archbishop of New Orleans and pastors of local parishes in conversations for collaboration with the local Church. With the help of Regnum Christi members there, they are working towards buying a house and obtaining household needs for the new community. Archbishop Aymond gave canonical permission in early March to establish the community and the general director of the Consecrated Women canonically approved the community on March 19, 2021. There will be four consecrated women founding the community there: Becci Sheptock, Margie Lademan, Maria Knuth and Lorianne MacDonnell. The main focus for the community there will be youth and young adult (with a focus on college age and vocational accompaniment) and the formation and accompaniment of ECYD and Regnum Christi Formators. They will be supporting the four localities of Louisiana: New Orleans, North Shore, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.
Their move and the establishment of the community of Consecrated Women is this summer of 2021. While we love and will certainly miss both Lorianne and Maria in our locality, we are proud of them for being the ones asked to launch the new Louisiana community. Please keep them and the next steps they need to take over the next few months in your prayers!