Collaborative Leadership Development Program

Sister Mary Bordelon completed the Collaborative Leadership Development Program (CLDP) on December 13, 2015 in company of Sisters from all over the US, from Guam, Puerto Rico, France, India, and South America. “This forward-thinking integrative process with a multi-cultural perspective, is designed to prepare women religious, associates, and co-members with the skills, knowledge and confidence to assume leadership positions in community and ministry. It blends relational and contemplative practices, while fostering self-growth and spiritual development through prayerful study and interaction, online webinars and circle meetings, mentoring and coaching.”

The program instills skills for conflict-resolution, strategic planning, systems thinking, dialogue and feedback. Its multi-congregational, multi-national approach broadens awareness of sustainability and social justice in our changing church and global society.

The CLDP is designed to Inspire, Challenge and Connect through…

• SPIRITUALITY … through scripture, contemplation, reflection, charism-sharing and relationship-building
• SELF-AWARENESS and DISCOVERY … through self-care, confidence-building, self-assessment, coaching & mentoring opportunities
• BEHAVIORAL SKILL-BUILDING for LEADERSHIP … through dialogue, feedback skills, conflict-resolution, strategic planning, systems thinking, creativity
• MINISTRY LEADERSHIP … leading in times of change, challenge, emerging questions, global awareness, and care for the Earth

Sister Mary shared that she learned a lot about not making assumptions, and how to change the assumptions we make, how to be creative rather than to react to things, women in Scripture, Canon Law and religious life, and many other topics.
The participants are required to make a ten minute presentation to demonstrate their learnings about leadership. Sister Mary prepared and shared a PowerPoint presentation on her contribution to the immigration issue. She tutors girls from Seton Home, San Antonio, Texas, which takes in unwed mothers, many from other countries, who are just learning English. In summary, Sister Mary states, “It was quite an experience.”