News from Visitation Province
Jubilee Celebration in Kingston
On Saturday, November 23rd, the CND Sisters of Kingston gathered to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Sister Ann Marie Fortin. Sister Ann Marie rose to the occasion for this special celebration! The occasion was enhanced by the presence of two of her grateful, former music students from Notre Dame High School, Toronto. Jenny and Annette led us in a series of songs that had been taught to them by Sister Ann Marie and spoke of her influence on their careers in music. They also honoured the presence of their former Math teacher, Sister Mary Meagher. The afternoon finished with refreshments.
Rosemary Shannon, CND
Provincial Leadership Team (PLT) Visit to Toronto
Many significant moments marked the PLT visit to Toronto.
It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas for the PLT when invited to Santa’s Workshop at Our Lady of Lourdes parish in downtown Toronto. Leader Elf, Frances Cresswell, CND, had organized countless toys into carefully and precisely labeled boxes: girl, age 3; boy, age 8-11; everyone, socks…Proud helper-elves, Margaret Paterson, CND and Karen, associate, toured us around the grey, cramped, stoney cellar which was filled with those boxes and with love to be shared with 450 children. Each child will receive a toy appropriate to their age; some gifts are trendy too, like Taylor Swift bracelets. What delight! As the pastor observed, ‘Sister Frances has a dream and she makes it come true.’ Margaret Paterson, CND, invited us to visit Good Shepherd Ministries. Beginning in the chapel, Corliss, our enthusiastic guide, brought us to the dining area, the clothing room, laundry facilities… She spoke of the regular routines of feeding 900 people each day, while offering shelter beds for 128 people, and support services including limited housing for those struggling with addictions. Corliss thanked Margaret for her loyal and invaluable volunteer ministry there. Good Shepherd exemplifies the Spirit of Christmas daily. It was a privilege to visit there.
Eileen Power, CND
Blanket Exercise in Halifax
As part of the Blanket Exercises being held across Visitation Province, CND sisters, associates, family and members of Holy Apostles Parish attended the Halifax KAIROS Blanket Exercise on November 25th at St Marguerite Bourgeoys Church, Tantallon, NS.
Teresa and Adam, our Indigenous facilitators, led us through a participatory and visceral experience of the impacts of 500 years of colonization on Indigenous Peoples. As we stood on our blankets, representing Turtle Island, and gradually experienced our language, our culture, our spirituality, our access to water, each other and our identity being forcefully taken away, we felt and expressed our despair, defiance, anger, fear and hopelessness. Teresa, who is Mi’kmaq, shared her personal wisdom and story as we journeyed. Her grandmother was a Residential School survivor, and her children including Teresa’s mother, were part of the Sixties Scoop. One story that has stayed with me was that her grandmother showed her children where to hide when the black car drove through their neighbourhood looking for Indigenous children to ‘scoop up.’
Whether the participants attended the Blanket Exercise for the first time or previously, we all experienced a deeper understanding of the historical wrongs inflicted on Indigenous Peoples by a colonizing culture. As Teresa closed our healing circle, she left us with the thought that while we can’t do anything about the past, we now understand our colonial history, and our responsibility lies in how we will act within this knowing …
Heather Rousselle, Associate for JPIC Committee
Monthly Tea and Talk in Sydney NS
November’s Tea and Talk at Holy Redeemer Convent in Sydney, NS had the largest group of women since the beginning in 2023. Studies show that 15% of women have felt alone or experienced loneliness in their lifetime. This tea gives women a sense of belonging and is so appreciated by those in attendance. Sr. Agnes Campbell has decided to host the Tea and Talk in December with a different twist: a Sing Song! Hopefully this will get women in the spirit of CHRISTmas.
Dianne MacAskill, Associate Coordinator