News from Visitation Province (Canada)
World Day of Prayer for the Sick
February 11th was the celebration of the World Day of Prayer for the Sick. The Congregation de Notre-Dame sisters of Mary of Peace as well as the sisters who are residents of Bon Secours Residence received the anointing of the sick during the daily Mass. Bishop James Wingle and the other two chaplains concelebrated the Mass and anointed the sisters present in the Chapel and also those in their rooms. The Mass was moving and the care with which the sacrament was administered to the sisters was a witness of the deep faith of each sister. The Mass was followed by lunch in the dining rooms on each floor. A prayerful atmosphere was evident as the head and hands of each sister was anointed with the oil of the sick.
Donna Kelly, CND
Kingston Couple Creates New Fund in Honour of Marguerite Bourgeoys
Alice Gazeley, CND Associate and her husband Ray are very familiar with the struggle of the homeless and those in our community with limited incomes. Alice and Ray have volunteered thousands of hours with agencies committed to providing affordable housing for people in need. With assistance and guidance from Community Foundation for Kingston & Area (CFKA), the Gazeleys have created the Marguerite Bourgeoys Housing Fund in honour of the 400th anniversary of her birth. The fund is the fruition of their commitment to the belief that all people in our community should have a place to call home. This fund is meant to “support innovative ways to address housing issues and provide greater access to truly affordable housing,” in Kingston and area. Donations can be made to Marguerite Bourgeoys Housing Fund. (Article adapted from WAVE, February CFKA newsletter). Kudos to Alice and Ray for this outreach to the peripheries here in Kingston.
Eleanor Monahan, CND
Celebration!
On Sunday, February 16th, Jacqueline Fehlner and Karen Volpe facilitated a gathering of Ottawa associates and sisters. A video of Sister Carol Zinn speaking about Associate Relationship was presented and discussed. Conversation centred around calling, charism and commitment. This was followed by a Candle Prayer Service. At the end, on behalf of Ottawa associates and sisters, Kathy Kelly presented Karen with a gift to say thank-you for all she has done as area co-coordinator for the past six years. During the meal afterwards, some very funny tales were told. There was much laughter and joy in the group gathered.
Rosemary Murray, associate
Support for the Wet'suwet'en Nation
After 2015, our hopes were raised with the ambitious commitments Canada made regarding reducing carbon emissions in the Paris Accord and by the Canadian government officially adopting the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As a nation, we are now at a crossroads between what we have professed to support and what is happening with our long-term economic projects. We can see this crisis being played out in the current stand-off with the Hereditary Chiefs of the Wet'suwet'en Nation and their supporters. Many people are wanting to know how we can support the Wet'suwet'en Nation and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Our commitment in the Corporate Stance on Climate Change (we promised to support the government in reaching their carbon reduction target) and our Chapter Orientation on Caring for our Common Home and Going to the Peripheries all lead us to insert our voice in the situation and to express our solidarity however we can.
Monica Lambton, JPIC Coordinator & the JPIC Core Committee