Inter-Congregational Collaboration for the Care of Elderly Sisters: An In-Person Workshop on Principles and Planning in Rome

On Friday, July 10, 2026, The Anna Trust Foundation hosted an in-person workshop in Rome focusing on inter-congregational collaboration, its challenges and opportunities.

To anchor this dialogue, The Anna Trust Foundation convened seven sisters from different parts of the world, each recognized as a leader experienced in creating and leading inter-congregational collaborative projects for meeting the needs of elderly sisters. During the workshop, key themes such as visionary leadership, the importance of deep listening, and the development of participatory processes across different cultures were explored as essential tools for navigating this shared journey.

The growing importance of this theme cannot be understated: around the world, collaboration among religious congregations is shifting from a mere logistical necessity to a deeply prophetic and strategic choice. By uniting their forces, sharing resources, and bridging their unique charisms, congregations are already seeing significant fruits globally, enabling them to revitalize their communities, navigate modern complexities, and ensure a sustainable future for their ministries.

Looking forward to sharing the concrete outcomes and lessons learned from this meeting, our goal is to provide religious congregations with a valuable resource and a practical reference for planning and developing their own collaborative initiatives.

The workshop was enriched by the active participation and valuable insights of:

Sr. Dorothy Chongo, Little Servants of Mary Immaculate (LSMI), Centre for Catholic Sisters Wellness Elderly Care Network, Zambia

Sr. Judith Dieterle, Sisters of St. Louis (SSL), Los Angeles Sisters Aging Well Network, United States

Sr. Christine Gebel, Our Lady's Missionaries (OLM), Presentation Manor, Canada

Sr. Agnes Wamuyu Ngure, Franciscan Elizabethan Sisters (FES), Care for Aging Sisters Association, Kenya

Sr. Brenda Hernández Valdes, Hijas de María Inmaculada de Guadalupe (HMIG), Development and Healthcare for Women Religious, Mexico

Sr. Patricia Wolf, Religious Sisters of Mercy (RSM), Marian Woods, United States