CND Associate Relationship Visitation East Newsletter
The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8 is usually the day that many schools and homeschooling families use as a pivotal feast to mark the beginning of their school year. And what can be more universally appealing (especially to children) than celebrating a birthday? This is one of the three birthdays celebrated in the Liturgical Year: Jesus on December 25, St. John the Baptist on June 24, and the Blessed Virgin Mary on September 8. All three persons came into this world without Original Sin. The feast on this date has been celebrated by the Roman Church. Saint Augustine described the birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary as an event of cosmic and historic significance, and an appropriate prelude to the birth of Jesus Christ. “She is the flower of the field from whom bloomed the precious lily of the valley,” he said.
It was a graced gift from God and Marguerite when the New Victoria Associate group met to put flesh on our Mission and Vision statement when as “Sisters and Associates” we gathered at Simeon’s Restaurant on August 29th to live “visitation”! We were with our elders as long time Associates Marilyn and Marg were with us. Our group leader is the youngest among us, she is also our eldest associate, and made her commitment on January 13, 1992.
We took advantage of the moment by celebrating her upcoming birthday on September 16th. We will soon begin our 2022 – 2023 year with a gathering at the home of Winnie, a visit to Parkland for our monthly rosary service with the other Cape Breton Associates on Wednesday September 21st and then Liturgy of the Word and Rosary at the Maple Hill Manor on September 29th. We all feel that as a faith community we aren’t as welcoming as we can be so a group of us will attend the next liturgy meeting of our Parish of Saint Leonard Church to offer to form a hospitality ministry, hopefully this will be accepted by our Pastoral Council. As a group we are beginning to see a very busy September.
Submitted by the New Victoria Associates
40th Congregation de Notre-Dame Associate Relationship Celebration Transforming Love, Written in Every Heart Fortress of Louisbourg August 25, 2022
We are happy to share with you some of the photos from our amazing day in Cape Breton. The smiles under the masks of the Congregation de Notre-Dame Sisters and Associates indicated this was a joyous occasion. COVID restrictions had kept the Sisters and Associates at a distance but that all changed on August 25th. A special thank you to Father Bill Burke, who was the celebrant for the Benediction, the Congregation de Notre-Dame Sisters Parkland Choir, the opening prayer Transforming Love, Written in Every heart read by Anna, Coordinator Central Office of Associate Relationship, the Land Acknowledgement read by Marjorie from N.B., the formal Welcome by Sister Rebecca McKenna Provincial Leadership team, Sister Marijke Gerretsen from the Leadership Team placed a floral bouquet on the altar and led us in a moment of silence for the deceased Associates, our deceased Sisters were remembered and honoured by the laying of wreath by Associates Winnie and Patrick and Angela for setting up the Associate display and Lorette for volunteering at the Exhibit. We were honoured to have two Congregation de Notre-Dame Japanese sisters join us for this milestone occasion. Alexa was acknowledged as being a 40 year pioneer of the Associate Relationship and our beloved Joan 91 year old Halifax Associate who joined us on this occasion. Much appreciation to the Executive staff of the Fortress of Louisbourg for providing transportation, opening their facilities to us, the delicious lunch and the 18th century Latin choir to entertain us.
The celebration closed with the singing of the Magnificat! For certain Saint Marguerite was smiling from above.