News from Visitation Province
A meeting of Holy Angels and St. Theresa’s group was held at Dianne’s home on November 21, 2021. Opening Prayer, “Lord, Give me a Big Heart Today” was read by Lorrette. The Prayer Service “Congregation de Notre-Dame – Celebrating Our Internationality Together for the Life of the World” was presented by Doreen, Genevieve and Patrick. The Closing video Prayer was to St. Francis Assisi ending our meeting.
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!
Just a gentle reminder for Sr. Joan Mahoney’s talk via Zoom on December 1st, 2021 at 8-9 pm Atlantic Time. Sr. Joan Mahoney, CND, was a Coordinator of Associate Relationship in Blessed Sacrament Province (USA) from 2010-2020. She is the first speaker to be part of the 40th Anniversary of Associate Relationship celebrations.
By now you also received from the 40th Anniversary of Associate Relationship Planning Committee many resources such as, a Prayer, Prayer Service, 40 Social Justice Actions and important dates we can use to celebrate as we seek to extend the heritage of Marguerite Bourgeoys. The prayer service – Transforming Love-Written in every heart – is an invitation to look at both our identity and our mission, from Marguerite’s desire and dream to our present-day mission as carriers of Marguerite’s charism.
Throughout Visitation Province there will be many celebrations observing the 40th Anniversary of Associate Relationship. In Visitation Province East, a Mass for Shut-Ins will be aired on January 9th 2022 honouring the Feast Day of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and the 40th Anniversary of Associate Relationship. A Benediction Celebration has been tentatively booked for August 25th 2022 at the Fortress of Louisbourg, Cape Breton, NS. More information on this event will follow in the New Year.
So, you see the Congregation de Notre-Dame Associate Relationship has a lot to celebrate going forward!
Reminders
Mass for Shut-Ins to honor the Feast Day of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and the 40th Anniversary of Association Relationship will be taped at Our Lady of Fatima Church Sydney River, N.S. on December 18th. The viewing of this mass will be aired on CTV Mass for Shut-Ins January 9, 2022.
We wanted to share this beautiful, thoughtful email which we have received from Associate Dorena of PEI. It is so meaningful and eloquently written we wanted to resend it.
IN APPRECIATION
Quite some time has passed since the CND Provincial and General Chapters took place. I was so impressed with everything that I want to share how I felt and still feel. A word of appreciation to all who made the Chapters happen. Even though it was difficult not to meet in person, zooming certainly connected us as an international community, sisters and associates. What touched me deeply, not being directly involved, was the generous invitation to participate in various and meaningful ways. Truly, a remarkable, informative experience! It was rewarding and exciting to actually see and listen to sisters from eight countries. These were wonderful intercultural experiences. The daily updates, videos, prayers, beautiful images of Congregation de Notre-Dame provinces truly energized me. The joyfulness and sincerity of their singing connected me to the land of our Congregation de Notre-Dame beginnings and in a real way to St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and her love of simplicity. I felt a real connection through prayer… prayer for those bearing the responsibility to discern and to make responsible decisions.
Thank you, to the Coordinating Commission members and to all who assisted them. Thank you to Sister Susan Kidd for DJ Kidd's Culture presentations. Super! The theme, "Together for the Life of the World" challenges each one of us to remain loyal to the charism and mission of our foundress, St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, to carry out the Gospel message of light and hope through genuine service to our sisters and brothers everywhere. In closing, a huge thank you, merci, to Sister Agnes Campbell and members of the outgoing General Leadership Team and to members of the Provincial Leadership Team. You served us well. Congratulations to Sister Ona Bessette and our present General Leadership Team and to Sister Rebecca McKenna and the new Provincial Leadership Team. May your journey bring wonderful blessings. I am blessed and proud to be a Congregation de Notre-Dame associate and grateful to those associates who shared their time and talents taking on a leadership role during both Chapters. "Jubilate Deo omnis terra Servite Domino in laetitia, Alleluia, Alleluia, in laetitia." With a grateful heart,
Dorena
On Thursday, November 25th, 2021, Associates and Sisters gathered at the Pastoral Centre in River Ryan, NS, to hear Sr. Eileen Roach present her third session on Laudato Si’. We all were very excited to hear how Sr. Eileen brought into context the Spirituality of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and the teachings of the Pope’s encyclical. Pope Francis calls for an ecological conversion, a conversion that brings blessings to our wonderful world, a world created by God for all His creation to live in harmony. The teachings of Laudato Si’ and the General and Provincial Chapters inspire us to be committed to the ongoing care for our Common Home. As Sisters and Associates of the Congregation de Notre Dame we carry a desire within our hearts to make changes for a better world. Sr. Eileen reminded us to live by the examples of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and Pope Francis. St. Marguerite Bourgeoys wanted us to flourish in this world. We are to honor, respect and protect our Common Home and take concrete action. We need to embrace a profound change of heart-a transformation of consciousness. We must not ignore the cries of our Common Home and the cries of the wounded people. As we live out the General Chapter Orientation and the Visitation Province Orientation Statement-Elements of Deepening, we realize there is more work to be done as we continue our journey of transformation. Sr. Eileen said we are to be intentional about our actions. Knowing the facts is not enough. Fear is real and it will paralyze us if we let it. We must act to make things better. The Congregation is calling us to be beacons of hope-Fierce Hope!
In closing the session, Sr. Eileen invited us to renew our commitment by reciting together the Visitation Province Elements of Deepening 2021-2025.
On November 5th, Dianne met with Sister Mary Cecelia MacDonald. Also, a few stories were shared with Sisters Joanne MacFarlane, Anne Maureen Cleary, and Ann Marie McDougall.
Sister Margaret MacDonell and Dianne chat about Holy Angels High School in the 60s. Margaret will be celebrating a milestone year in 2022, 75 years of professed glory.
In 1975, Mother Teresa was the recipient of the St. F.X. University award. Prior to receiving this award she visited the Congregation of Notre Dame Holy Angels Convent in Sydney, N.S. While in Sydney Mother Teresa wished to visit a sick woman who came from a town where she was born. Our wonderful Sister Catherine MacEachern accompanied Mother Teresa to visit this woman in Whitney Pier. The connection to a saint is a source of pride for many including the Sisters of the Congregation de Notre-Dame of Holy Angels and especially Sister Catherine MacEachern.