New from Visitation Province
March 4th – World Day of Prayer
Christians around the world, united on the same day, the first Friday of March, come together to pray for issues affecting especially the lives of women and children. Each year, since the 1920’s, a different country prepares the service and shares resources. This year, women from England, Wales and Northern Ireland have written and Canadian women have made adaptations. The theme is “For I know the Plans I have for You …Plans to Prosper you and not to Harm you, Plans to give you Hope and a Future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). This (55-minute) virtual service is free at wicc.org.
The video is beautiful; it’s been posted for awhile, but today, would be a perfect day to watch it if we have not already done so. It opens with a liturgical dance. Women from different provinces share brief stories, a candle is lighted and we all pray a response. Linnea Good (musician who composed How then Shall I Live, which we use often) is part of the program. Today, or someday, try to find time to join these women who pray for hope for everyone.
Eleanor McCloskey, CND
International Women’s Day Tuesday, March 8th
This day is a global event to (1) celebrate with women and girls – their social, political, economic and cultural achievements; (2) take notice of progress made towards gender equality, and; (3) to be aware of the work that remains to be done. International Women’s Day began in 1911 on a day when over a million women and men attended public events showing their support. In our time, in many, many countries, the day is marked as one of unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy and action.
Women in the Church
Five Tuesdays in Lent from 7 to 8:30 pm through Glastonbury Abbey in MA. They are free although donations are welcomed and note you have to register for each session separately. You can find more details here.
Kathy Kelly, Associate
Book recommendation
Talking to Canadians, a memoir by Rick Mercer. (Doubleday Canada; 2021). This book is as funny as the man himself, the guy we have watched for years on CBC; 22 Minutes, The Mercer Report and emcee on award shows. In these pages, we learn a bit more about his childhood and youthful adventures described as only he can make us see the scenes and meet the people involved. He’s smart, he’s sharp; he’s funny, honest, creative, spontaneous. He’s driven, at times, to achieve; and he’s unbelievably successful in projects he went into quite blindly. Rick jumps off these pages and “tells” us his story.
Eleanor McCloskey, CND