Testimonials
It stretches minds and hearts…
“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.”
Joanne Brazinski
OSF USA
TT inspired wonder and awe at God’s love…
“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.”
Donna Quinlan
Congregation of St. Joseph, Canada
Deep listening and heartfelt empathy…
“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)”
Irene Ellis
Prioress of the Sparkill Dominicans, USA
TT has led us to a deeper connection…
“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.”
Mary Franzmann
Presentation Sisters, Queensland, Australia
There is a freedom to express myself…
“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.”
— 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.”
Mai Finlay & Ann Lynch
Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Jesus & Mary – Suaimhneas Day Retreat Centre, Ireland
Lifting us into a joy beyond words…
“The coming year will be Chapter Preparation time for us. Our September 2025 Chapter will see newness in our leadership model based on conversations we’ve begun in recent months. It is not by chance that “Thresholds of Transformation” has helped us to imagine and prepare for these coming changes, both in the brilliant teachings and in the ongoing experience of speaking from the heart in our small groups. The Rituals created a deep experience of unity, lifting us into a joy beyond words, a glimpse of our oneness with the love at the heart of the Universe.”
Anne Kathleen McLoughlin
Grey Sisters of Pembroke, Canada
TT has helped our relationships…
“Thresholds of Transformation gave us the insight to see with another lens. It clarified the ‘why’ behind certain actions of people so that we could see the larger picture and perhaps not react in a way that we might have before Thresholds of Transformation. The Pathway on Holons has really remained with us and is quite recognizable in many situations. In this way, we think Thresholds of Transformation has helped our relationships”.
Chris Crowe & Cynthia Kearney
Sisters of Our Lady of the Missions, New Zealand
They found the experience positive and enriching…
Luisa Orbegos, an Affiliate for the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, served as a Group Coordinator for Thresholds of Transformation. Her group consisted of 25 participants, five sisters and 20 Affiliates from five different countries all who spoke Spanish. Luisa shared, “Despite the diverse countries, mindsets and traditions, they all engaged and found the experience positive and enriching.”
Luisa Orbegoso
Affiliate: Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary – Vancour, CA, Peru, Nicaragua, Columbia, Mexico & California
TT has uplifted my self-esteem…
“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.”
Sister Agnes Motake
Sisters of the Holy Name of Jesus & Mary, Lesotho, Africa
Encouraged me to look at my capacity for transformation
“I have been stretched in my understanding that all of life is energy and connected. This connection encouraged me to look at my own innate capacity for transformation as I acknowledge my vulnerabilities, my assumptions, beliefs and behaviours. I am grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me and our Congregation to walk this way into our unknown future. This process has the potential to support us on our transformational journey to contribute to the world.”
Member of the Presentation Sisters, Queensland
I resonated very much with the TT program…
“For years I have studied through Science, Philosophy and Spirituality that the continued evolution of the outward, inward, individual and collective realities of creation leads to maturation and ultimate fulfillment of all that exists. The TT program in my opinion touched on all these dimensions. All I can say is that I resonated very much with the TT program and would recommend it to others. I think because of my background I found a confirmation and true relevance to our times in this program and it spoke to me and I’m sure to others.”
Mary Vandersteen
Congregation of St Joseph, Canada
They are learning together as a community…
“The Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission invited sisters from several surrounding congregations to engage in Thresholds of Transformation. She shared that, “they find the content enriching, holistic and the sharing among themselves is deep.” She further noted, “that for the first time in a long time, they are learning together as a community.” Participants range from 31 to 99 with the group’s average age being 86.”
Sandra Stewart
Sisters of Our Lady of the Mission, Winnipeg, Canada
Wonderfully rich and memorable journey…
“We would like to send our warmest gratitude to each of you and your Team that brought us this wonderfully rich and memorable journey over this past year! Each Gathering brought us closer to one another and to our Creator God. We are planning our journey forward to engage in the co-creative process with God to put love’s transformative reality into our daily living.”
Carol Selek & Pathway Group
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus & Mary, California
I thank God for this!
“Thresholds of Transformation reminded me of the gift of my consecration and the call to be a life bearer till my last breath, beginning with the young women aspiring to be members of our congregation, my Sisters in community and the women, girls and children at the margins of our society. I began to view things differently. I learned to be patient, and more inclusive. I learned to trust the Sisters we were making the journey together. There are moments I had to just observe more and speak less yet remaining connected with everyone and everything around me. I learned to go deeper in myself and get in touch with the source of life, God who is present in created beauty, daily situations, and events of life. This is one of the gifts of transformation which has helped me to relate better with everyone, thus becoming more life-giving in my daily life. I thank God for this!”
Sister Bernadett Kalondu
Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, Kenya, Africa
TT taught me compassion…
“Five novices in their early 20’s shared the following about Thresholds of Transformation.
— I learned that if my heart is not at home, I can’t help others feel at home.
— Anything is possible when I see with new eyes.
— It strengthened my understanding of God and Nature.
— We can be ourselves and honor diversity.
— The Thresholds of Transformation sessions taught me compassion.
— I can leave the past (especially difficult situations) and live the future.”
— I learned that if my heart is not at home, I can’t help others feel at home.
— Anything is possible when I see with new eyes.
— It strengthened my understanding of God and Nature.
— We can be ourselves and honor diversity.
— The Thresholds of Transformation sessions taught me compassion.
— I can leave the past (especially difficult situations) and live the future.”
Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary, Lesotho, Africa
Able to intertwine science and spirituality…
“It has been a wonderful journey for the nine of us who participated. What I appreciated most was how you were able to intertwine science and spirituality providing us with such a holistic approach to our experience of the Holy One, the Christ”.
Pauline Maheux
Ursuline Sisters of Chatham, Ontario
TT is invaluable for Leaders in our time…
“The process of Thresholds of Transformation for us as Leaders has challenged us in our deep listening, and presence to our world, and the world story of our community members, in whatever season they are in. Non-judgemental presence has been the call as we engage in conversations that reveal a truth that can hurt, and a longing that can heal. Transformation that begins within me, is worthwhile beyond any budget. Thresholds for Transformation is invaluable for Leaders in our time.”
RNDM New Zealand
TT has given us new ways of relating…
“TT was offered to us at just the right time. Our Congregation is embarking on an outward journey to fulfillment/completion through the Emerging Futures (EFCL) process and TT has nourished our inward journey – our personal transformation. TT has deepened our connection and relationship with each other. 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.”
PBVM Queensland, Australia
“As a Ritual Leader it has been a gift to experience the richness, the depth of spirituality, the beautiful images of Creation, the music instrumental / songs and the enrichment of the Bridges Resources. The process of the personal to the global and to our particular way of life in religious community living took it to a deeper level. The small group bonding and sharing helped that we do live close to one another.”
OSU, USA
“In the role of Group Leader and a Councilor, I feel empowered through the process of TT to offer our Sisters an experience that is honest, authentic, challenging to self and a gift. It requires of me time to engage with the process, to adapt the materials to suit our Sisters and at the same time ensure what is offered remains true to the intention of the authors. Personally, the synchronicity that emerges when the concepts, words, images and experiences used in the TT process with what I read and hear and engage with, is profound.”
PVBM Queensland, Australia
“Wow, this pathway sure had a lot to offer and I found it very relevant to what we are experiencing as a congregation at this moment in time as we move forward in diminishment. Really wish I could send it to our CLT and say “Watch this” as it reflects a style of leadership we are definitely trying to embrace. And it is one I will want to return to in light of our own journey at this time.”
CSJ, California, USA
“We had thought-provoking conversations which bonded the group. It truly has been a blessing to share with each other across the four Federations.”
Benedictines, USA
“What an amazing amount of wisdom, creativity and knowledge. This is all very deep and powerful. I felt I was on retreat yesterday while I was engaged in this pathway on the spirituality of the heart.”
Sisters of Providence, Kingston, California, USA
“TT has unveiled yearnings. It is user-friendly, and each Pathway builds on the other.”
RNDM, New Zealand
A real transformation and conversion…
“Being the first gathering, I didn’t know how much time we would need to take. The more we continued, the more I realized that this journey isn’t a joke, but a real transformation and conversion. A call for patience. The process of the personal to the global and to our particular way of life in religious community living took it to a deeper level. The small group bonding and sharing helped that we do live close to one another.”
RGS, Kenya, Africa
The prayer experiences were well planned…
“Thresholds of Transformation has been a grace-filled experience for me. The excellent presentations, rituals, songs and resources in each Pathway followed an insightful progression. As Ritual Leader, the prayer experiences were well planned, followed the theme of the Pathway, and were very meaningful for our group.”
OSU Louisville, Kentucky, USA
TT provides a moment of renewal…
“The experience of TT is renewing and gives energy. It will increase and strengthen our search, partnership, and consciousness. TT updates and provides a moment of renewal to us as individuals in the Mission, Charism and Spirit. It is a big support to a congregation.”
RGS Kenya, Africa
“TT worked even with the geographic spread, age, and capacity.”
“TT has touched into a longing in community and in each other. It also attuned us to a larger world.”
“TT has touched into a longing in community and in each other. It also attuned us to a larger world.”
ISMAPNG, Australia
“The overall program/materials are wonderful. Feels like I’m just beginning… contemplative and a felt sense of the presence of the Holy One.”
OSU, USA
“The content is done in a very spiritual way leading me to really get in touch with how connected we all are to everything that moves and breathes leading me to a commitment to seek to be more responsible/productive in the way I co-exist with the rest of life.”
RGS, Kenya, Africa
“Saw changes in trust happening in the group. Stories are being shared due to the process that were created.”
ISMAPNG, Australia
“In the beginning there were a lot of technical challenges and an attitude to get through the videos. They soon agreed to needing more contemplative time. The members became more confident leading to them speaking and engaging more in the group.”
ISMAPNG, Australia
“Thresholds of Transformation is a powerful tool for getting in touch with self and others. We are becoming gentler with each other by walking together.”
RGS, Kenya, Africa