News From Visitation East Associates
Feast of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary Tuesday May 31, 2022
On April 24th at Theresa’s home, Holy Angels and St. Theresa’s group held their monthly meeting. The meeting commenced by reading the Elements of Deepening 2021-2025. The highlight of this day was the Ritual of Welcome for our newest journeying candidate Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a parishioner of St. Theresa’s parish. She is a Eucharist Minister, altar server and she brings many gifts to the Associate Relationship.
Dianne presented Elizabeth with a journal and the Marguerite Bourgeoys’ book: “Brave Beginnings”. Reflection was shared on the book “The Seed that Became a Garden”. Our group joined together wishing Dianne a Happy Birthday.
It is with great joy that we share with you plans for the 40th Anniversary of Associate Relationship and its theme, “Transforming love – Written in every heart”.
Let the Celebrations begin!
A Benediction Celebration has been tentatively booked for Thursday, August 25th, 2022 at the Fortress of Louisbourg, Cape Breton, NS. More information on this event will follow. The Congregation de Notre-Dame Associate Relationship has a lot to celebrate going forward.
In celebration of the Feast of the Visitation May 31 and the 40th Anniversary of Associate Relationship, a Mass for Shut-Ins to honour the Congregation de Notre-Dame Sisters and Associates will be taped at our Lady of Fatima Church, Sydney River, N.S. on May 21, 2022 at 10 a.m. The viewing will be on CTV Mass for Shut-Ins May 29, 2022. Celebrant will be Father Bill Burke. This mass can also be viewed on the Diocese of Antigonish You Tube channel.
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
Thank You! From Development and Peace:
For the past few weeks you have patiently listened to and gave your attention to learn about the problems that our neighbours face in the Global South, thank you! On Solidarity Sunday/Share Lent you opened your hearts wide to provide Development & Peace Caritas Canada with financial assistance to help ease the burdens they face on a day-to-day basis. It may have been a signature on the petitions offered, your heart and your ear or a monetary gift, please know that each and every gesture was received with grateful hearts. Because of the miles that separate us, they are not able to express gratitude, it is my graced gift to do so on their behalf. To the Parishioners of the Diocese of Antigonish, our Bishop Wayne Joseph, priests and deacons, we express a huge thank you for your generous hearts and support. – Winnie Odo, Diocese of Antigonish Diocesan Council Core Members
Theresa, along with other Development and Peace members, met with MP, Jaime Battiste on April 13, 2022 to encourage him to sign a D&P petition, pledging as a Member of Parliament, he supports the establishment of a law that requires companies to prevent human rights abuse and environmental harm overseas and that includes real consequences for companies that fail to take adequate steps to prevent harm. We asked that this petition be presented in the House of Commons.
Below is a beautiful thank you we received….
“Good morning, Imagine my surprise and joy when yesterday, March 19th I received your Jubilee card and beautiful message. According to the postage you mailed it on January 1st!
Our Associates have always been close to my heart. My first meeting with members was years ago in Woodstock, NB; over the years, I have remained in contact with them. Our Associates in Cameroon are active reaching out to others in the real spirit of Visitation. Unfortunately, our socio-political situation here in Kumbo has caused many of our active members to seek refuge in Francophone areas to send their children to school or for security reasons. Our older members are now house bound. I visit them regularly and bring them Holy Communion.
I read about how our Associate members throughout the Congregation carry out an amazing life giving apostolate. Your commitment is truly inspiring. Alana and Carmel have visited us in Cameroon, and they have never forgotten us!
My years have been filled with peace and joy, and the grace to live among our Cameroonian people. May God bless each of you! With gratitude,
Sister Cecile Buote, CND.
Associates in Visitation Province East described their experience as they journeyed to becoming an Associate.
Theresa and I hope you enjoy reading their stories. We thank Lorette from the New Victoria group in Cape Breton, N.S. and Rita and Roger of the Riverview N.B. group. They have been Associates since 2017.
My name is Lorette, I am married to Charlie and we have two wonderful sons and one grandson. I am 74 years old. I direct a choir at St. Leonard’s Parish in New Waterford and my husband and brother are my musicians. I help out at St. Vincent DePaul society and I love to play tarbish.
I made my first commitment on May 31st 2017 at the home of Gerald and Winnie with the New Victoria Associates. My mother had been one of the first Associates in that group.
I had heard about Associate Relationship from my mother but I didn’t really know a lot about it.
I was invited to join the New Victoria group by Winnie and I took my formation journey with Winnie and Gerald. The highlight of my initial journey, other than being part of this amazing group, was going to Parkland and saying the rosary with the Sisters and, also going to the Maplehill Manor and saying the rosary and having a prayer service with the residents. I loved the whole notion of “visitation;” visitation was something I was seeking at that time.
The Associate Relationship has enhanced my life because when I retired from running a small options home for seniors who were no longer able to take care of themselves, I wanted to volunteer my time at senior homes but didn’t feel comfortable on my own.
This group has given me a wonderful opportunity to do just that.
Roger & Rita
We both grew up in Roman Catholic families. Our education included some years of being taught by religious sisters. I, Rita, trained to be a nurse with religious sisters in a Roman Catholic hospital while Roger received his engineering degree at a public university. We raised four children and were actively involved in religious education as teachers and also involved in community service.
We were introduced to associate relationship by friends who were already associates. Our first commitment took place on May 28th, 2017 with Sr. Eileen McQuaid. We became members of the Riverview/Moncton Associates. During our formation journey we learned about the life of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys as well as the mission of the Congregation de Notre-Dame sisters and associates in present day society. Our lives were enhanced by being part of an associate group with strong faith. The group is supportive of its members, our community, and many community projects both individually and as part of organizations. Being part of the associates provided us the opportunity to participate in prayerful meetings. Also we were able to attend special associate events in Mabou, NS and Saint-Louis-de-Kent, NB. These events gave us an opportunity for reflection on deepening our commitment . Our lives were enhanced by meeting people from other associate groups. These events gave us an opportunity to explore the joys, beauty, and creativity of our world. Being part of an associates group has made us more aware that the sacred community includes ourselves. It has also shown us ways in which we can go to the peripheries and live inter culturally. The associate relationship has reinforced our baptismal call to live Jesus’ mission of service through Justice, Love and Compassion in today's world.