News from Visitation Province
“O Most holy Virgin, look upon this smallest company of your servants who have consecrated themselves to the service of God under your leadership.” (Writings of Marguerite Bourgeoys, p.2)
“In this Advent season—this season of awaiting and pondering the coming of God in Christ—let us light a candle for Mary. And let us, in our own hearts, dare to believe the impossible by surrendering ourselves to God, courageously cooperating with God’s creative, pregnant power—in us, for us, and through us. If we do, then we, like Mary, will become pregnant with holy aliveness…
Activate: Start each day this week putting Mary’s prayer of commitment and surrender, “Let it be to me according to your will,” into your own words. Let this be a week of presenting your life to God so that “holy aliveness” grows in you.” (Brian D. McLaren)
Joan Lewis, CND with the Spirituality Committee
Answering God’s Call: A Scripture – Based Journey for Older Adults by Barbara Lee (Loyola Press, 2021).
This little gem of a book reminds us that God’s call for us doesn’t end when we retire. Many biblical saints were in their later years before God called them to the adventures for which we know them: leadership, new life, transformation, healing. Their lives demonstrate that true callings are discerned not simply through reason and circumstance but also through self-knowledge and conversation with God. In Answering God's Call, spiritual
director Barbara Lee uses Scripture-focused prayer to help readers connect with some of our elder saints and consider what God reveals to us through their lives. A great read for anyone seeking some adventure!
Maureen Baldwin, CND
“Here’s some good news: the antidote to the mental stress many experience this time of year is also really good for the planet: a Christmas centered around love, joy and simplicity means less unwanted stuff, less trash and fewer emissions (not to mention fewer bills).” (from Green Ideas, by Carl Duivenvoorden, Canadian climate activist).
This is a good time of year, and a good year, to reflect on what’s really important in our lives, what we really value, and let a joyful Christmas just unfold.
Eleanor McCloskey, CND for the JPIC Core Committee