News from Visitation Province (Canada)
World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life: 25 years ago, Pope St. John Paul II called for consecrated life to be recognized and promoted throughout the universal church. This is celebrated on February 2. At Andrews of Charlottetown, we observed the day with a special prayer service in which we thanked God for having called us and prayed for the hurting people on the peripheries, as well as for our sisters. This was followed by a social hour which included refreshments and sharing of community life stories.
Réjeanne Bourque, CND
Sister Cécile Buote writes from Cameroon: I continue to be well. COVID is not affecting us too much; our problem is the socio-political situation. For the 5th year, schools have not opened. I can’t really describe what war is like. Life is very difficult for our people; I continue to admire their courage, resilience, deep faith and hope for a resolution to the conflict. It is almost a miracle our Internet service continues to be very good. I keep in touch with family. Waiting to see what summer brings!
Love from Cécile, CND
Black History Month: February is Black History Month. Events and publicity serve to remind us of the legacy of Black Canadians and their communities. The theme for this year is The Future Is Now. A list of notable Black individuals who have contributed to Canada’s history and heritage is a lengthy one. It includes Viola Desmond, Donovan Bailey, The Right Honorable Michaëlle Jean, Governor-General of Canada, 2005-2010, Willie O’Ree, Harriet Tubman, Measha Brueggergosman, The Honourable Jean Augustine, and many more.
Eleanor McCloskey, CND
ESPACIO DAY: Each month during the Winter and Spring, Barat Spirituality Centre (Halifax) will offer an online/in-person ESPACIO day. Each day will begin with prayer, followed by a reflection and then quiet space (‘espacio’) until early afternoon when the group will meet to gather the graces of the day. The first Espacio Day will be Saturday, February 13th. The day will begin at 10 AM and finish by 3 PM AST.
During this time of Covid-19, with the need to maintain social distancing, we are able to receive 8 persons at Barat Spirituality Centre with the opportunity for others to join via Zoom.
Spiritual Accompaniment will be available both online or in-person for those who wish. Facilitators for these gatherings will be: Barbara McVeigh, Donna Dolan, and Anne Marie Conn.
Please email Barat Spirituality Centre at baratspirituality@gmail.com to register. You can also send a message via the website— www.baratspirituality.org/contact-us or call 902-456-6112.
Please indicate your preference for online or in-person when registering.
Alexa Smith, Associate
Book Recommendations
Since I am always on the lookout for something nourishing and informative to read, I would like to share these titles. I found these books timely and helpful and I offer them for you as possibilities.
BRAIDING SWEETGRASS by Robin Wall Kimmerer. A gentle, beautifully written view of the natural world as a place of abundance. "A Hymn of Love to the World." (2014)
DO BETTER by Rachel Ricketts.
Spiritual Activism for Fighting and Healing from White Supremacy. (2021)
I would be happy to hear of others. (2021)
Bernadette O’Neill, CND