How will your community be remembered?

How will your community be remembered?

by Tammy Townsend Denny, TI Executive Director
​Last week, I attended the Communicators for Women Religious (CWR) conference in Cincinnati. The conference was an opportunity to learn about current trends in communication in the Catholic Church, especially as the communication relates to women and the Church.

Our opening keynote speaker was Sr. Norma Pimentel, MJ, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, who shared about how we can become agents of unity in our society today. Sr. Norma was named to the 2020 TIME magazine list of the 100 most influential people in the world. (You can watch a 2019 presentation from Sr. Norma here.)  

Theresians International also hosted an exhibitors table, sharing Theresian information with nearly 120 attendees, most of whom had never heard of Theresians.

During dinner one evening, a Catholic sister seated at my table heard that I worked for Theresians International.

“I know Theresians,” she said.

Surprised, after spending the last several days giving my elevator pitch about who we are, I asked her where she had encountered Theresians.

“In Florida,” she said. “I was asked to do a presentation for one of their communities several years ago.” (The Theresian communities in Florida have since disbanded.

Sister Carol Stovall, SSJ, (pictured on the right with me) was my gentle reminder that our presence and legacy continues, even in places where our communities no longer meet.

This week, I challenge you to reflect on how your Theresian community is building a legacy. How will your community be remembered?

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