During the last week of February, 140 Sisters of Bon Secours assembled for their first congregation-wide meeting to plan for their future. Sisters from the U.S., France, Ireland, Great Britain, Peru and Tanzania met in Marriottsville, Md., Feb. 26 ? 28 to prepare to centralize governance of the congregations' five provinces, a move that is to take place after September 2009.

"This enabled us to get to know one another and gain insights about where we're going in the process," said Sr. Alice Talone, CBS, president of the U.S. Sisters of Bon Secours. "It was an opportunity for us to nurture our relationships, listen to one another in new ways, ask questions and support one another."

The gathering, she said, is the latest step toward removing provincial boundaries for the international congregation and establishing a single governance structure and leadership team. The sisters decided in 2004 to centralize governance, and they will choose their headquarters location and leaders in a year and a half.

Sr. Talone said that with fewer women in religious life today, it is not uncommon for communities to merge in this way. There are 300 Sisters of Bon Secours worldwide. Most of the active sisters attended the February meeting. "This really is a way of revitalizing our mission," Sr. Talone said of the reorganization. "Having governance centralized in one location rather than with the provinces will free people up to be faithful witnesses to the gospel message of Jesus."

In 2004, the congregation set up nine committees, called circles, through which groups of sisters are studying various aspects of centralization. Among the areas of focus are governance, stewardship, peace and justice, and sponsorship. The circle focused on international ministry has commissioned four Sisters of Bon Secours to undertake AIDS/HIV mission work in Tzaneen, South Africa.

Sr. Talone said the gathering set a nice tone for the coming changes. "The meeting was spirit-filled," she said. "We made big steps, and people are going back home more hope-filled than ever."