News from Visitation Province
Running Down a Dream: A Memoir by Candy Palmater (Harper Collins Pub. 2022). Candy finished writing her story shortly before she died, December 25, 2021. She was 53.
What a woman! What a story!
Candy came from Dalhousie, a town in rural New Brunswick. A shy child, she became an inspiring professional speaker on issues of love and kindness, self- acceptance, Indigenous rights, queer rights, embracing our failures and believing in ourselves. “Candy always wanted people to know that every one of us is unique, is perfect the way we were made — even when we are told otherwise. (Denise Tompkins, Candy’s widow and manager).
Candy worked in radio and television, starred in five successful seasons of her own national TV show, held government jobs, and was always open to her “next dream.” She described herself as a Mi’kmaw lawyer-turned-comedian. Her family, parents and siblings, supported her lovingly though her doubts, her mistakes, her hard times and her continued pursuit of an elusive dream.
Eleanor McCloskey, CND
Some great news, Bill C-226 the National Strategy on Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice Act has passed in the house and is moving on to the Senate! This is a big step for both environmental and racial justice in Canada and it has been campaigned for by KAIROS as well as many other justice and environmental organizations. Just one of the ways we see Laudato Si and the idea of connection between issues of justice and climate.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gaek26BD1Akf3TZUbAhl_8hdYgn362eKi1dGAUB9Av4/edit?
Ruva Gwekwerere, JPIC Coordinator
Sister Nathalie Becquart, XMCJ, at the Vatican’s Office on the Synod (to whom many have forwarded their input, not trusting some other channels) gave a talk, March 28th at Fordham University. Her topic was, “Women and Youth, the Driving Force of Synodality.” When asked about her unprecedented authority to vote at the October 2023 Synod, she quoted Pope Francis’ interview (two weeks ago) where he said everyone at the Synod will vote. She emphasized that our
Church needs to embrace the realities of this century and needs to pray together before discussing or condemning or deciding. Sister Nathalie looks confidently to a church that receives and respects the gifts of everyone. “Our greatest lever”, she said, “is to expect to live and grow in a Synodal Church.” (From Rita Houlihan, in Future Church Weekend Bulletin, April 1, 2023).
Eleanor McCloskey, CND