FRANKLIN, Wis. — Assumption Province here and St. John the Baptist in Cincinnati, Ohio, have begun joint meetings on a restructuring plan and possible establishment of a new province.
The two provinces have already established an Interprovincial Discernment Committee, which has met twice. The committee is also keeping Sacred Heart and Our Lady of Guadalupe Provinces informed, as all four provinces could be affected.
In August, the Definitorium of Assumption Province met with their counterparts of St. John the Baptist Province to discuss the restructuring resolution that was passed at Chapters of both provinces.
The provinces were charged by the Chapters to develop a discernment process to decide on the possible establishment of a new province, according to an article in the Sept. 20 edition of the Provincial Newsletter of Assumption Province.
At the annual joint meeting, held Sept. 12 to 13 in St. Louis, Mo., the Definitoria of all four provinces affirmed their desire to maintain collaboration, although they said they were not all in agreement on the restructuring, according to the Provincial Newsletter.
The Definitoria did agree, however, to re-establish the Interprovincial Collaboration Committee. It will include one representative from each province.
The group also discussed current collaborative efforts, including a shared novitiate and post-novitiate programs, interprovincial retreats, and other projects.
The next meeting takes place Oct. 15 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago.
In May 2010, a joint All Province Assembly will be held, according to Assumption’s newsletter.