This year, for the first time and because of health concerns and travel restrictions due to COVID-19, the Daughters of Charity Province of St. Louise held an all-virtual Zoom Video Meeting for its Provincial Assembly.

Prior to the opening of the Assembly, two new Councillors were installed—Sisters Ellen LaCapria and Sister Denise LaRock. Through the wonders of Zoom, Sister Marie Raw, General Councillor, could join the Installation from the Daughters’ Motherhouse in Paris.

Later, Sister Catherine Mary (Katie) Norris opened the Assembly. Sister Katie, along with the Provincial Director, Councillors and Sister Joanne Hanrahan, SSND, facilitator, all were stationed together in the Provincial Office’s largest conference room. Set up as a min-television news studio, the Assembly was hosted from this “hub”. For the Installation of Councillors and celebration of the Liturgy, as many as 240 sisters joined the Zoom Video Meeting. At other times, only the voting delegates (127) were present.

For weeks leading up to the virtual Assembly, Daughters participated in practice Zoom Video Meetings as well as practice voting sessions—all in an effort to put the new technology behind them and the Assembly business in front of them.