News from the Canadian CND Vocation Committee
Photo: Preparatory Committee: Kaitlyn Lightfoot (Nova Scotia), Arleen Dsouza (Alberta), Sahaza Rasolonjatovo (Montreal), Sue Kidd, Josephine Badali and Violaine Paradis. Here, accompanied by Patricia Leahy for translation!
On behalf of the Canadian CND Vocation Committee, I have some news to share with you.
With a few young people who participated with us in various activities (Zoom and See Retreat/Retraite “Zoom et vois,” Stir/Remuer), we have considered and imagined two synodal meetings to hold with young adults. Our goal? To give the opportunity to young adults to share on synodal questions and get their reflections and voices to Rome!
If you have not seen them yet, here are links to the videos made in collaboration with young people to promote these meetings:
In English: https://youtu.be/9Z_8filRG30, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pwud5h_rtKI
In French: https://youtu.be/ca3Yg4KdDk0, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0OaIdKnuZk
The meeting on March 20 was wonderful! Eight young adults joined us from Nova Scotia, the United States, Alberta, Ontario via Montreal… The questions we used for small group discussions were: Journeying together as a Church, who seems to be included, who seems to be excluded? Whose dreams might we benefit from hearing? En cheminant ensemble en tant qu’Église, qui semble être inclus? Qui semble être exclu? Quels sont les rêves que nous aurions intérêt à entendre?
The sharing took place in the form of “spiritual conversation,” giving an important space to silence, to listening to one another and to listening to the Holy Spirit as well, what the Spirit says to each one of us and to us as a small group.
We are preparing for the second meeting that will be held on April 10, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. (EDT) on Zoom. This time, we will share on the question: What would you like to share with Pope Francis about your dreams for our world and our Church? Qu’aimeriez-vous partager avec le pape François au sujet de vos rêves pour notre monde et notre Église?
Furthermore, upon hearing the good news that a committee of CND Sisters from across our provinces and regions has been formed in preparation for WYD/JMJ in Lisbon in 2023, the Canadian CND Vocation Committee is filled with gratitude to the Congregation. It will be a beautiful sign of presence with young people and also a sign that we are indeed “Together for the Life of the World!”
Our committee met on March 26 by Zoom. These meetings are always full of life, welcoming and a sharing of our realities and those of the young people with whom we journey. We are an ongoing committee since there are departures but arrivals as well. Yes, since the formation of the committee, our sisters Sheila, Becky, Andrée and Marie have left us; however, Karen Kelly, Lorraine Hénault and Jacqueline Beaulac have joined us. We are delighted to journey together, across screens and oceans. All this to be signs of God’s Love and Hope for our world and especially for the young people to whom God sends us.