News from Visitation Province
To mark the 170th anniversary of the CSJ's arrival in Toronto, October 7, 1851, Visitation Province sent flowers to the CSJ Residence (at 2 O'Connor) where CND Sisters Denise Burns, Marie Landers, Helen Frechette and Élise Corriveau live. Here is a photo of Sister Élise, in the chapel with the lovely arrangement.
Eileen Power, CND
CNWE- New Plans–New Voices
In a recent webinar, Heather Eaton traced the growth and of ecotheology/ecospirituality in our church. She spoke of the interest and participation of feminist groups that have helped promote the language and ideas that are now more familiar since Laudato Sí. One group, now forty years old in Canada, with members of varying calls and strengths, is CNWE – Catholic Network for Women’s Equality. (See cnwe.org).
In the past couple of years CNWE undertook a reorganization process. We didn’t name it synodal but the pattern and process very much resembled that kind of working together for change. A Transition Team prepared well, and all-member meetings helped us share ideas of how we might improve and move forward in our networking model. Our planning sessions were positive and hopeful; we are enthusiastic about trying a new structure. Our new model reflects a gentle feminine plan for moving forward. We have local circles (geographic) and Energy Circles (interest groups). Email connections and ZOOMS have furthered our communications and strengthened our bonding, coast to coast and beyond. Our excellent OC (organizing circle) is looking forward to enthusiastic participation in our next all-member gathering on November 20.
Eleanor McCloskey, CND
Reverse Advent Calendar
Mary Jo Jaques, a journeying associate with St. Theresa's Group in Sydney,NS, shares The Reverse Advent Calendar concept.
What it is: Store-bought Advent calendars count down the days to Christmas by providing a small piece of chocolate each day. The Reverse Advent Calendar invites a contribution each day to the local food bank.
How it works: Parishes, catechism classes, or families and individuals at home, are asked to set-up a box or basket. Starting December 1, a non-perishable food item per day is placed inside. By Christmas Eve, 24 food items will have been collected for your local food bank.
Suggestions for how your Parish can assist: Promote the Reverse Calendar at Masses and in your bulletins. A sample notice:
Join us from home in setting-up a Reverse Advent Calendar: place a non-perishable food item into a box or basket each day Dec. 1-24 for donations to our Foodbank. Arrange for drop-off or pick-up before Christmas Eve. This will help stock local Foodbank shelves while offering a means of service for youth, their parishes and families during this pandemic time. Please share your photos if you participate.
Theresa Ann MacNeil, associate
Looking to the Laity is the topic for “Conversations for our Time” series at St. Basil’s Parish, Ottawa, this Sunday, November 14, at 2:30 pm ET. Anne Louise Mahoney who edited this recent book will join four parishioners in a conversation on how lay women and lay men are ready to share their gifts with the Church to continue Christ's mission. You can find the Zoom link here.
(Just a note that because of technical issues Eva Solomon, CSJ’s conversation scheduled for October 31 has been rescheduled to January).
Kathy Kelly, associate