News from Visitation Province
Members of the Marguerite Bourgeoys Bursary committee were most grateful to have the opportunity to gather at de Sève residence for the first time in over two years. During our three-day meeting and more, we delighted in the warm welcome and care of each one in the community.
Participating in the ministry to those who yearn to make the world a kinder place and who need financial help to realize their dream of study is a blessing. We are also grateful to each of you for your prayer.
Sisters Mildred Chabassol, Phyllis Gallant, Maura McGrath, Donna McInnis & Eileen McQuaid
Petition
Some time ago, I may well have reached out to you asking for support of the Parliamentary Petition e-3828 which calls on the Canadian Government to sign and ratify the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. As a member of the Hiroshima Nagasaki Day Coalition, I was involved in this Petition being brought to Parliament. There have been almost 1000 signatures up to now, but we are hoping we can surpass 1000, and move close to 2000.
If the world needed any further proof of the great need to eliminate nuclear weapons, the greatest threat to humanity along with Climate Change, the war in Ukraine has certainly underlined it. The Canadian Government is reluctant to sign the Treaty, and we hope to send a strong message of just how many Canadians see the Treaty as critical to our ongoing survival
Please distribute this message to all of your networks, communities, family, friends, and urge them to sign the Treaty if they have not already done so. https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Sign/e-3828 Thank you so very much for your support.
In the hope of Peace, Mary-Ellen Francoeur, SOS / Rebecca McKenna, CND
World Youth Day 2023 – Lisbon, Portugal
Our Canadian Congregation de Notre-Dame Vocation Committee has been asking about WYD 2023 for several months and on May 3, 12 Sisters from across the congregation met by Zoom to dream about how we CND Sisters can be involved. Some of us remembered WYD 2002 in Toronto with Congregation de Notre-Dame water bottles, tattoos and hats. World Youth Day began in 1986 with the dream of Pope John Paul II to bring together the youth of the church for hope and inspiration. Lisbon 2023 will be the 16th international gathering. The pandemic, economic crisis and now a war in Europe are impacting planning. What is happening in your dioceses? Please reach out to your diocesan youth directors and parish staff to see how we can help.
Sister Sue Kidd for the Canadian Congregation de Notre-Dame Vocation Committee
CTV Mass For Shut-Ins, 11:30 am Atlantic time, will be special on Sunday, May 29th, 2022. We will be celebrating the Feast of the Visitation and our 40th Anniversary of Associate Relationship. Father Bill Burke will be the celebrant and the Congregation de Notre-Dame Sisters will provide the music ministry. Sister Gwen O'Neil and Associate Winnie Odo will be lectors. Following Mass, Associates will gather for food and visitation. In the spirit of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, Dianne MacAskill and Theresa Ann MacNeil
Movie Recommendation
The Rose Maker (French with English sub-titles) is an entertaining dramedy about the plight of an independent rose grower, Eve, who is on the verge of bankruptcy. Her secretary, Vera, hires three people from a prisoner rehabilitation program to help and learn horticultural skills. There are many humorous moments although the challenges of working together and the personal life decisions each must make are also part of the movie.
Kathy Kelly, Associate
Book Recommendation
Recently, Novalis advertised a book sale. One of the offerings was Prayers of Boundless Compassion, by Joyce Rupp. (2018, 102 pages, $14.00). This small book follows the usual patterns we know from this author: contemporary prayers, short reflective exercises, scripture quotes, blessings and invitations to keep moving into our spiritual journey. Its pages are inspiration for personal prayer time or group sharing. Father James Martin, sj, maintains “Joyce Rupp is one of the best Christian spiritual guides writing today.”
Eleanor McCloskey, CND