News from Visitation Province
Happy birthday!
Sisters Monica McKenna and Violet Belair were visiting the Mother House when the Covid-19 restrictions around travel came into effect. Consequently, their visit was extended … for a few months! May 31st was not only the Feast of the Visitation and Pentecost, but it was also Sister Violet's 90th birthday. The Mother House Community celebrated all aspects of this great day.
Happy 90th birthday Violet!
Celebration
On May 31st a celebration of the Feast of the Visitation was held at the CND Health Center. During the celebration we recognized our Jubilarians, Sr. Catherine MacPhee [85 years professed], Sr. Mary Edna Levangie [80 years professed], Sr. Éléonore Vautour and Sr. Camille Campbell [70 years professed].
The sisters were happy to join with the rest of the province in recognizing our Visitation Feast Day. Following the celebration lobster was enjoyed by all.
Arlene Rutledge, coordinator
Visitation Pentecost greetings from Ottawa. We gathered on Sunday May 31st to celebrate and renew. Bill Fehlner, Sister Nina Glinski, and Jacquie Fehlner led the prayer in a virtual circle by Zoom. Congratulations were extended to Sisters Bernie O'Neill and Clara Nasello on their 60th anniversary of religious life. Someone said Marguerite Bourgeoys arrived in Canada in a plague-ridden ship and we, living in a time of pandemic, felt a special connection to her. Despite the vagaries of meeting by Zoom it was a joy to see each other. We send wishes for a happy summer to each and every one.
Rosemary Murray, Area Rep
55-ish And Under 2020 Retreat
This retreat is some of the fruit realized from a Canada-wide gathering of vocation and formation directors several years ago. While the focus has been those under 55 years of age, the circle has widened to include others. Through its evolution, it welcomes religious women and men to pray together. I share this here so we all know, can pray and some may choose to participate.
The 55-ish And Under 2020 Retreat has been changed to a virtual event that will take place through Zoom.
The retreat will be end of day Monday July 27 to end of day Thursday July 30. Precise times will be determined later and will depend on where people are situated in Canada or elsewhere because of different time zones.
Participants will be invited to listen to a pre-recorded presentation by our facilitators, Sr. Bernadette O’Reilly, NDS and Fr. Larry Gillick, SJ, on their own during the day. They would have time for individual meditation and prayer followed by a Zoom gathering later in the day. The facilitators will be present at that virtual gathering. Zoom offers the possibility of breakout rooms for smaller group sharing and coming back to the bigger group for plenary time. There will also be time for praying together during this late day gathering.
The cost of the retreat is $100. This will cover costs for the facilitators and a tech support person, so that all participants can be fully present.
Those interested in participating, please email Sr. Celine Belliveau NDSC at celbel2@hotmail.com for registration form.
Susan Kidd, CND
Visitation – Pentecost, 2020
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.” Well, in a way, a new way. Eighty or so sisters and associates, on 74 computers/devices, coming from two countries and two Congrégation de Notre-Dame Provinces, were together. We were sharing insights and Visitation reflections, prayer, song, renewal of vows and promises, small group discussion and an opportunity to meet new CND connections! It was a new and positive experience. The gathering was planned and organized by the Blessed Sacrament Sustainability Leadership Committee: Carole Lombardi, Regina T. Smith, Catherine Holmquist, Anna Rowley and Karen Volpe. We continue to rejoice in the creative ways that are tried and shared to bring us together and keep us united.
Eleanor McCloskey, CND
Gifts of the Spirit
Pentecost is such a beautiful and bountiful feast in our Church! We are reminded how the Spirit gifts us, and sends us forth, hopeful, courageous and full of zeal. The official “list” of gifts doesn’t mention the word “imagination,” but surely that is a gift we are seeing all around us? Right now, students, teachers and parents are planning how to celebrate graduation this year. Weddings are happening with a limited number of guests and not-the-usual party patterns. Reception may be music from someone’s car radio and the bride and groom (only) get to dance in the street. Birthday parties may be a parade past someone’s house, a homemade video greeting, or a basket of cards and wishes delivered. We watch on-line liturgy, at whatever convenient times, because we can’t go to church. We wave at people we meet and offer a “virtual hug.” Musicians, unable to earn with their gigs and play dates are playing for us anyway. We are social beings and even in enforced isolation, we need to celebrate; it’s the gift of imagination that helps us find new ways to communicate. We all know things will never be quite the same. We could put energy and time into adapting to a new future, or we could use imagination in designing a future. We could ask “What if we try….?” or “What else might work?” All shall be well. (Julian of Norwich)
The Wellness and Health Resource Team
Visitation – Pentecost- Birthday
As Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame we had so many reasons to celebrate – together apart – this Sunday – Feasts of the Visitation and of Pentecost, two mysteries that inspired Marguerite and her mission and her legacy so dear to each of us (expressed so movingly by Sister Agnes Campbell in her Visitation circular).
In Kingston, we were blessed to have yet a third reason to celebrate – Denise Berube’s 70th birthday! What a WOW weekend overflowing with meaning. Each of us in our ‘apartment homes’ prayed and renewed our vows first. Then to Denise’s surprise and delight, Kingston CND’s who were free to be out and about with their cars, did a drive by, tooting horns as they circled our home here on Parkway. Pat Arsenault’s car had balloons flowing out the window with ‘70’s’ on them, revealing the secret to our neighbours as the cars approached. We so enjoyed seeing one another after all this time… even with our new hairdos! Our neighbours along our street and some on balconies had a chance to see how we are Community! Marijke took photos to help make this Covid 19 Wow weekend all the more memorable!
Rosemary Brosseau, CND