Thresholds of Transformation – Personal, Communal, Systemic Transformation

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Personal, Communal, Systemic Transformation

WELCOME

Contributing to an evolving new world order of integral ecology
as prophetically articulated in Laudato Si.

Thresholds of Transformation

For more resources in support of Laudato Si, please
visit our sister site at Emmaus Productions.

Music, video and reflective process resources
NOW AVAILABLE on our sister site!

We invite you to watch our welcome video below.

Choose the language you would like by clicking the video’s Closed Captions button

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About Us

During the recent pandemic, it happened that three gifted, creative women from different parts of the world found themselves working together with an international congregation.

This collaboration challenged each of them, personally and professionally, bringing them to an intrinsic threshold moment amidst a world in crisis.

Crossing this transforming threshold united these women in a dream and passion to contribute in some way to the evolving new world order.

Their dream and passion gave birth to Thresholds of Transformation!

Donna Fyffe

Hilary Musgrave

Monica Brown

Testimonials

Joanne Brazinski
—OSF USA

“Thresholds of Transformation is more than a program; it is an ongoing conversion experience. I found that it challenged me to incarnate the values of Laudato Si’. Through information, videos, poetry, personal reflection and dialogue, it is a formative experience. It provides the opportunity to see, hear and experience what Pope Francis proposes – an ecological conversion. It stretches minds and hearts, providing a group with new vocabulary to reflect on one’s own choices and behavior. The experience offers the opportunity to listen more deeply and to embrace the mystery of the sacred encountered daily.”

Irene Ellis
—Prioress of the Sparkill Dominicans, USA

“95 of us, sisters and associates, are currently participating in the communal process that is Thresholds of Transformation. Thresholds, which was introduced during Assembly 2023, is a program grounded in the message of Laudato Si. It is proving to be an experience steeped in prayer, learning, community, and dialogue with the power to open us to each other through deep listening and heartfelt empathy. This communal process is ‘strengthening the bonds of our shared life through prayer and contemplation, honest dialogue, and care for one another.’ (Direction Statement 2022)”

Donna Quinlan
—Congregation of St. Joseph, Canada

“In my 82 years I think I had become familiar with the old universe story that no longer filled me with excitement and energy about our God. TT told the new universe story using language which inspired wonder and awe at God’s great love alive and active in the universe. This re-ignited, flared into a flame within me an ancient longing that had grown dim. With this new light I choose new authors and spend more reflective time. I listen to the sound of birds differently and express awe and wonder at our God’s creation.”

Mary Franzmann
—Presentation Sisters, Queensland, Australia

“From my perspective as Congregation Leader, I have found the ever-deepening journey of transformation has had a marked impact on both our individual and communal living. Each Pathway, of which there are 7, has led us to a deeper connection with each other and provided a common language in our conversations. It has provided us with a common language in terms of sharing and reflecting on our spirituality and given us new ways of relating to each other. TT was offered to us at just the right time. Our Congregation was embarking on an outward journey to fulfilment/ completion through the Emerging Futures (EFCL) process and TT has nourished our inward journey- our personal transformation. Personal transformation is essential if communal transformation is to happen.”

Read all Testimonials

Mai Finlay & Ann Lynch
—Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus & Mary -Suaimhneas Day Retreat Centre, Ireland

“12 Sisters from four different Congregations from Ireland, the United Kingdom and Pakistan participated in TT. They shared the following:
> For the first time, I feel a deep sense of resonance, and I’m beginning to understand that the universe story does make sense in our Christian story.
> It’s challenging me to be more wholehearted in my daily living…not to get stuck in ‘death in life’.
> The input is challenging and inspirational. The process is bringing me back to a more reflective and conscious way of living.
> Sharing this process with people from four different congregations is helpful and life giving and so enriching.
> There are no preconceived ideas about what each sister might say or what their experience is. There is a freedom to express myself with acceptance.”

Sister Agnes Motake
—Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus & Mary, Lesotho, Africa

“It is through TT that I have begun to break out of my comfort zone. It is by the help of TT that I am able to approach and lead other people which I was not able to do in the previous years because of my shyness or lack of self-confidence. Thresholds of Transformation has uplifted my self-esteem and encouraged me. It has helped me to deepen my relationship with God and other people.”

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The Grace of Transformation

Theme Song for Thresholds of Transformation

You may wish to take some quiet time to ponder some of the wisdom and insights that inspire Thresholds of Transformation and to listen to our theme song.

Inspirational Quotes

Please scroll through these quotes and images to see the visual representation of our Inspiration for Thresholds of Transformation.

Slide 1

“Deep in our DNA we belong to the stars, the trees, and the galaxies. Deep within we long for unity because, at the most fundamental level, we are already one. We belong to one another because
we have the same source of love, the love that flows through the trees is the same love
that flows through my being…
We are deeply connected in this flow of love.”
Illia Delio

Slide 2

“If we want to change the world,
then first our hearts must change.”
Pope Francis

Slide 3

“The cosmological powers of this Universe are coursing through us moment by moment. To become aware of these powers is to touch the source of life.”
Brian Swimme

Slide 4

“Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows how to speak to them, whoever knows how to listen to them, can learn the truth.”
Herman Hesse

Slide 5

“You cannot find your soul with your mind, you must use your heart.
You must know what you are feeling.
If you don’t know what you are feeling, you will create unconsciously.”
Gary Zukav

Slide 6

“ If we want greater clarity in our purpose or deeper and more meaningful spiritual lives, vulnerability is the path.”
Brené Brown

Slide 7

“We have the capacity to make choices that will evolve us, both personally and as a species. We have the capacity to engage in the management of the whale-sized issues that confront us, most of our own making. We have the capacity to cooperate with the unfolding of the universe, a process driven by grace, which invites us to be co-creators.”
Judy Cannato

Personal, Communal, Systemic Transformation

Slide 8

“In the tapestry of life, we are all connected. Each one of us is a gift to those around us, helping each other be who we are, weaving a perfect picture together.”
Sandra Day O’Connor

Slide 9

“Self -transcendence is a capacity that the universe and its creatures have within themselves to become. It belongs to the creature, but it is not due to the creature. It springs from the imminent creative presence of God, enabling the creature not only to exist, but to become what is new.”
Denis Edwards

Slide 10

“To be in the world non-violently means learning to hold the tension of opposites, trusting that the tension itself will pull our hearts and minds open to a third way of thinking and acting…We must learn to hold the tension between the reality of the moment and the possibility that something better might emerge.”
Parker Palmer

Slide 11

“There is almost a sensual longing for communion with others who have a large vision. The immense fulfillment of the friendship between those engaged in furthering the evolution of consciousness has a quality impossible to describe.”
Teilhard de Chardin

Slide 12

“We are in the process of losing the beauty and wonder of a gracious world designed in some manner as the place where the meeting of the divine and the human can be achieved in its full expression, a place suitable for the divine indwelling. Will we have the energy and the will to restore this world?”
Thomas Berry

Slide 13

“No longer do we look up into the heavens to find God out there somewhere. The loving divine heart that we long for is pulsing in tune and time with our own heart. Everything, every person, every moment is a possible revelation of God’s beauty. For this to happen we must be our truest selves.”
Daniel O’Leary

More Information

For more information about Thresholds of Transformation, we invite you to read this brochure.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may also wish to view this short 6-minute video reflection on the mysterious culture of trees.

We have chosen the metaphor of trees to capture the journey of Thresholds of Transformation because in an extraordinary way, trees model many of the dynamics of the personal, communal and systemic aspects of our lives.

Viewing this video may help you appreciate the metaphor of trees for our Thresholds of Transformation journey.

Choose the language you would like by clicking the video’s Closed Captions button

To make the video play fullscreen, click this button at the bottom right of the video.
Press ESC to exit full-screen mode.

Collaborators

This Thresholds of Transformation journey has been made possible with the support and assistance of our many contributors.

Their contributions have varied from generous donations of time, through to financial contributions and even support.

Become a Collaborator

Would you like to be a part of this wonderful endeavour?

READ MORE >>>

Interest & Contact

Phone Australia

+61 (0)494 148 487

Expressions of Interest

Complete our short online form

Send an Email

welcome@thresholdsoftransformation.org

Launch Announcement of Thresholds of Transformation

Emmaus is delighted to announce the global launch of Thresholds of Transformation on February 1, 2023 in English, Spanish and French.

Learn more about how your congregation can be a part of a global movement of religious women making a world of difference.