Sr Roxanne Schares, New Associate Executive Secretary

27/09/2024

News

Sr Roxanne Schares, SSND begins her new ministry with UISG as an Associate Executive Secretary.

She writes:

I am Sister Roxanne Schares, a member of the School Sisters of Notre Dame.
Recently, I completed my ministry as general superior of the congregation (2018-2024) and as a member of the Executive Board of UISG. In September 2021, I was appointed and continue to serve as a member of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Originally from the United States with degrees in education and spirituality/theology, I ministered as a high school teacher for several years in the USA and then lived and ministered in East Africa for 27 years. During these years in Africa, I worked in the areas of education, initial and ongoing formation. For ten years, my ministry was with refugees in camps and urban settings in pastoral-social ministry and in education throughout Africa with the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).

From 2007 to 2015, I served in Rome as our congregation’s international coordinator for justice, peace, and integrity of creation, animating our International Shalom Network, connecting sisters, associates, and partners in mission in more than 30 countries. I had the wonderful opportunity of collaborating with a number of groups, including the USG/UISG JPIC Commission and Promoters, Africa Europe Faith and Justice Network (AEFJN), JRS, SEDOS, and Solidarity with South Sudan.

As I begin ministry as an Associate Executive Secretary, I am aware of and grateful for the enormous and invaluable contribution the UISG has made to women religious throughout the world over the years. I look forward to our ongoing efforts to deepen our global sisterhood, expand networking and collaboration, and witness to the charismatic identity of consecrated life. As we apostolic women religious journey together into the future may we nurture a hope that transforms us and our Church and world.

23/10/2024

Mary Pat Garvin, RSM

Roxanne, Greetings! Thank you for your willingness to become the new Associate Executive Secretary for UISG. For many years (back to the late 1990's) I have had the wonderful opportunity to contribute in a small way to UISG -- in particularly, with the formation program for new vocation and formation ministers. Back in the 1990's/early 2000's it was coordinated by Sr. Barbara. If my memory is correct she was a SND. I was living in Rome at the time teaching and also had the chance to teach some courses at "Regina Mundi" and contributed to the formators program way back then. When Sr. Pat began anew the Programme for the Preparation of Formators, I was happy to contribute to helping design the program and now return each May to teach in the program. I love working with women religious from around the globe. And....I think I am correct that the Sisters in Bridgeport, Conn. living at Watermark -- are members of your congregation. At the beginning of October I was there for about 5 days offering a guided retreat to your Sisters. It was a wonderful experience and Sr. John Vianney was a great help. Hopefully we will meet in person in May when I come to Rome ---- but, I think that I am teaching the exact week of the UISG Plennary. Hum...maybe we will not meet. That meeting is so influencial, as I am sure you know. I had the wondrful experinece of being one of the keynote speakers back in 2013. Blessings on all you are involved in at this time. Thanks again! Sincerely, Mary Pat Garvin, RSM

29/09/2024

Rosana Lazaga

Dearest Sr. Roxanne, thank you for your generosity in accepting this ministry. Thank you for the wonderful vision for UISG "to deepen our global sisterhood, expand networking and collaboration, and witness to the charismatic identity of consecrated life". God bless you and the team in UISG.

28/09/2024

Sr. Walburga Ballhausen CPS

Dear Roxanne, congratulations and God- abundant blessing to your new ministry as an Associate Executive Secretary of UISG. Your worldwide experience and networking as Religious will be a valuable contribution to continue your journey as apostolic woman religious at the UISG. We support you with our prayer and collaboration as you work, in your own words, " to deepen our global sisterhood, expand networking and collaboration, and witness to the charismatic identity of consecrated life". Thank you for your commitment! Walburga CPS and the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood CPS

28/09/2024

Louanna Sciubba SNDdeN

I read the words GLOBAL SISTERHOOD it brought tears- this is what is new to our call … so grateful. Blessings to you in your service to all of us. I hope technology helps us to meet up together.

27/09/2024

John Joslin

I look forward to reading and hearing more about the work and agendas of the joint programs of the USIG.

27/09/2024

Sister DeSales Tonero, SCC

Congratulations, Sr. Roxanne. I remember you from my time in Rome and know you will bring much experience to the UISG as you serve as the Associate Executive Secretary.

27/09/2024

Joan Mumaw, ihm

Congratulations, Roxanne. You are a gift to all who are members of UISG. You bring so much experience to this new ministry. I am so glad to see you appointed to this position. Blessings in the months ahead. Joan ihm

27/09/2024

Cecilia Mzumara mic

Thank you Sr. Roxanne for your availability and generosity to offer your services to UISG as Associate Secretary.Be assured of our prayer as you give hope to consecrated life in the church and in the world of today!

27/09/2024

Franca Zonta

Grazie, carissima Sr. Roxanne, per la tua disponibilità ad assumere questo servizio. Ti siamo molto riconoscenti. Un grande grazie a Sr. Pat che ha speso tante energie e tanta competenza per la vita consacrata. Siamo fiere e grate di essere state così ben rappresentate. E continueremo ad esserlo con Roxanne. Buona missione! E un grandissimo abbraccio ad entrambe!

27/09/2024

sister Marjolein Bruinen

Dear Sister Roxanne, I warmly welcome you and wish you God's richest blessing for your new mission. I hope, one day, to be able to greet you! Heartfelt greetings, sister Marjolein Bruinen OP secretary general of UCESM (Union of Conferences of major superiors in Europe)