News from Visitation Province
Welcome Joyce Cindy Djamen!
Vocation Animator for Margurite Bourgeoys and Visitation Provinces
Joyce began her contract on February 28th and sends us the following message:
Dear CND Sisters and Associates,
I am honoured to be the new Vocation Animator for the Congregation in Canada. I am a woman who has been a teacher and a counsellor for students in the past. I deeply care about the Unity of the Church, Charity and Justice. Using the gifts I received from our Lord Jesus-Christ, I will do my best to help the Vocation Committee, the sisters and associates to pursue the mission of Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys. Thank you in advance for your prayers as I will do the same.
Sue Kidd, CND for the Canadian CND Vocation Committee
Woodstock NB Gathering
As we learn more about our local Indigenous families, then Woodstock associates invited local elder, Carole Polchies, from the Woodstock First Nation to their most recent meeting. Carole told us about her experiences at the Indian Day School on the Woodstock First Nation. She also shared about growing up in a family of nine children. Carole is the second person from the righ in the photo.
Marjorie Allison-Ross, Associate
Montreal Gathering
The recent meeting of the Montreal associates on March 2, was hosted by the sisters at deSève.
Charles Taker did a marvelous retreat presentation entitled ‘Tending the Fire with St. Brigid of Kildare.’ For most of us, this was a wonderful introduction to one of Ireland’s patron saints. We may have known the name but never really knew her story. Brigid became a nun and later started St. Brigid’s monastery for both men and women in Kildare, where she was abbess. She lived a life of compassion, generosity, inclusivity, equality, stewardship of the earth, faith, and leadership that empowered others. She is the patron of farmers, artists, poets, midwives, and children born into difficult circumstances. Her life was one of extravagant generosity much like our own St. Marguerite. Her feast day is now a public holiday in Ireland. Charles also produced a beautiful booklet to accompany his presentation, a great remembrance of time well spent together.
Carl Madigan, AssociateToronto Gathering
Toronto Gathering
“Hello Again! Hard to Believe It Has Been So Long. How Are You?”
On March 3, eighteen sisters, associates, and friends from Toronto and Beyond enjoyed a grace-filled afternoon at Presentation Manor in Scarborough. For this first in-person gathering in Toronto since lockdown, it was wonderful to be together while still being able to include four others virtually. Blessed with lively conversation and many joyful interactions, we were able to reconnect, share stories, prayer, song, and homemade treats. We are excited and grateful that we have been invited to continue using this locale for our meetings each month on the first Sunday. Many things needed to be recovered, discovered, and organized as we transitioned back. Special thanks go out to Sr. Mary Jane Leonard, who facilitated our connection with Presentation Manor; Karen Volpe, whose equipment and expertise enabled us to offer the hybrid model; those who made sure our hospitality table was well supplied; and to Anna Rowley, whose Lenten letter to associates inspired our short reflection on the image of the seed. It was truly a team effort and a great success.
Ann Gotfryd, Associate, on behalf of the Toronto and Beyond Planning Team
Podcast Recommendation: Playful and Prayerful with Elizabeth Johnson CSJ.
This February 27 interview with Sisters Erin and Colleen is part of their Beyond the Habit podcast series. In the firs 7-minutes Erin and Colleen share their own experiences followed by an interesting conversation with Elizabeth sprinkled with good humour. She shares the roots of her vocation as Sister of St. Joseph, her journey of becoming a theologian including the obstacles she encountered as one of the first academic female theologians and how she learned to maintain her integrity and channel righteous anger in positive ways. They also talk about her new book, Come Have Breakfast. You can access the podcast at Beyond the Habit Podcast
Kathy Kelly, Associate
International Women’s Day is March 8 with a theme of “Invest in women: Accelerate progress”
Deyanira Cordoba, is one of many coffee-growing women of Tablón de Gómez, in the Nariño region of Colombia. As part of a UN Women project, she has learned about her economic rights, bodily autonomy and more.
For more information see International Women’s Day | United Nations
Kathy Kelly, Associate
Movie Recommendation
Cabrini begins in Canadian theatres on March 8. The movie is a biographical drama focused on Saint Francesca Saverio Cabrini MSC and six other sisters during their time of working with the poor including Italian immigrants in NYC at the request of the Pope in the late 19th century. It captures the resistances on many fronts she encountered in establishing their ministry. The movie has received very good reviews. You can view more about it and see the Trailer at Cabrini (2024) | Official Website | In Theaters March 8, 2024.
Kathy Kelly, Associate