News from Blessed Sacrament Province

On Saturday, March 26, Karen, a Congregation of Notre-Dame friend, and Associates Ann, Kate and Susan attended a vigil that was held at the Rhode Island State House – "Rhode Island STAND WITH UKRAINE". Multiple sponsors and partners organized this vigil asking for Russian President Vladimir Putin to lay down arms and to give Ukrainians a voice. Donations were made to UNICEF's Ukrainian children's fund.

All our hearts are surely broken at the thought of what the people of Ukraine are suffering, and we continue to pray for them with all our hearts. We also hoped to assist them in concrete ways and learned of a congregation of Sisters founded in Ukraine whose members are working with refugees there and in Poland. The provincial of the Sister Servants of Mary Immaculate in the U.S., Sister Eliane Ilnitski, wrote:

At this time the easiest and the more efficient way to donate is monetary, which can be used to buy the specific medical supplies and medicine requested by our sisters or sending the money directly to them for the use of shelter, transportation or other needs of our refugees. https://donorbox.org/my-donation-to-pilgrimage-2020. All donations will be sent to our Provinces in Ukraine and Poland.

We are happy that our province could make a donation to these Sisters.

We were happy to accept the Donation Committee’s recommendations for:

• Academy of Benedict the African, Chicago IL for 8 lab tables for STEM
• Children's Community School, Waterbury CT for license for STAR 360 Assessment software + paper and printing of results
• Hearts of Hope Youth Ministry, Kankakee IL for food, activities, facilitators for camp
• Las Senoras De Santa Maria de la Asuncion for job placement and job readiness training for immigrant women on Staten Island. Compensation for Coordinator
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, Waterbury CT "Choose Love" books made by each child
• Reinbow Riding Ltd, Shrewsbury VT for Therapeutic horsemanship program for at-risk children, 2 Instructors
• St. Thomas the Apostle School, Chicago IL for laptops for teachers
• Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish, Murphy ND for Parish vegetable garden
• St Joseph Parenting Ctr, Stamford CT for Women's Circle Support Program, support case managers and team leader
• Good Shephard Catholic School, Oklahoma City OK for Music Therapist
• Catholic Academy of Waterbury, Waterbury CT for 4-season flower garden
• St Ann School, Chicago IL for flexible seating for middle school students
• JaamRek, Providence RI for emergency shelter expenses

We also approved a donation to the NETWORK Endowment Fund; in their request they had expressed gratitude for the contributions of Srs. Mary Caplice and Nancy Roach to the beginnings of their organization.

ASSOCIATE NEWS– Maria Vazquez and Donna Wuhrer

In January of 2022, Guadalupe, Associate from Kankakee, IL decided to do a retreat for her parish. She did not know if anyone would show up considering the COVID-19 pandemic. As she was looking for inspiration for the theme, she recalled a retreat led by Sr. Mary MacIsaac, CND a couple of years ago before she became an Associate.

Sr. Mary gave the candidates a book by Sr. Louise Finn, CND, “Called to Compassion – A Retreat with Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys.” This was in Spanish. They followed the retreat for seven days. She remembered the peace it brought her and wanting to learn more about St. Marguerite Bourgeoys. As she recalled those days, it inspired her to retrieve her book invite anyone from her parish to attend. The first week she did the retreat only 4 people showed up. A couple of days after the first day of the retreat, she received several calls from other members of the parish that expressed an interest in attending the retreat. More people showed up the next time. For Guadalupe, the retreat was a way of inviting others to learn more about St. Marguerite. In Kankakee, IL the history of the Congregation de Notre-Dame Sisters lingers, and it just needs a small spark to fan the flames of interest in St. Marguerite Bourgeoys.

“Better Together” in Congregation de Notre-Dame Mission

There is always joy when two or more people share the Visitation. Some Congregation de Notre-Dame Associates and Sister Mary Ann Rossi are experiencing this every Thursday. It began with Sister Sally Norcross who realized that Mary Ann Rossi was looking for some volunteer ministry. Sally has contact with former CND Eileen F. whose niece coordinates resident serviced at THE MARVIN, an independent living site in Norwalk. She was eager to offer the people there some religious activities! GREAT–but how would MAR get there and back now that she is not driving? The answer: the CND Associates’ “uber” service. Each Thursday a CND Associate picks up MAR and together they go to THE MARVIN. It is a short 7-minute drive. The next week a different Associate acts as a driver. We have been well-received as we lead the residents in the Rosary, offer a service of the WORD and the EUCHARIST … and of course VISIT! We share prayer and faith with one another and with the small group of residents. We believe that Mary and Marguerite are there with us!

The Villa community celebrates Sr. Simone Camire’s 90th birthday.

Congratulations, Simone!!