News from Visitation Province (Canada)
Thanks to Monica!
The JPIC (Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation) Core Committee organized a Zoom thank you for Monica Lambton, our coordinator for many years, as she moves on. (Karen Volpe’s skillful assistance is gratefully acknowledged, and we actually succeeded in keeping this event a surprise for Monica!)
More than 70 participants, from connections inside and outside the CND signed in. A slide show prepared by Teresa McKerral helped us remember many of the visitations, journeys, adventures, experiences, shared projects and fun times throughout the years Monica has been among us. We know that in JPIC, we have been guided and mentored, encouraged and informed by someone who walks the talk, a leader who loves and follows Marguerite right beside all of us sisters and associates. Sister Maura McGrath proposed a toast, and Carol Douglas introduced a Blessing Song, Monica Brown’s Pilgrim Blessing to send off our coach with gratitude and many good wishes!
Eleanor McCloskey, CND, for JPIC
Sydney Visits
On June 17th an outdoor garden visit took place with Sisters Bernadine Burke and Anne Maureen Cleary at the MacGillivray Health Park. Dianne MacAskill, Theresa Ann MacNeil and Patrick Iannetti were so happy to chat with our Sisters and see they are in good health and happy to be once again enjoying visitors. The birds were chirping and the garden was in full bloom. The staff at MacGillivray Health Park were very obliging. We thank God for the gift of our Congregation de Notre-Dame Sisters.
Associates Dianne MacAskill and Theresa Ann MacNeil
Catholic Network for Women’s Equality
For over 30 years, members of the Catholic Network for Women’s Equality (CNWE) have shared and promoted a faithful commitment. Since 1988 our focus has shifted from working for equality in our church to include equality for women in all aspects of society. We seek to promote values of inclusivity, creativity, celebration, compassion, solidarity, collaboration and dialogue. In recent months, we have been meeting and studying new ways of moving ahead, embracing a more obvious networking model, as we say in our name. On Sunday, June 20, some 50 members met in our AGM, voting that we retain our status as an incorporated group and work out a plan to organize and communicate more through autonomous local circles, energy circles, rather than relying on our National Work Group to “lead” us. This adaptation in our governance and maintenance will take time, input, energy, passion and growth from all of us. We are keen!
Eleanor McCloskey, CND
Call to Holiness
‘What would it take for you to risk crossing the Oceans you need to cross in your own life?’ In a video presentation on the Call to Holiness, a series sponsored by Fr Wilson Andrade, CSC, pastor of St. Ann Parish, Toronto, Sister Maureen Baldwin referred to the reflection of Pope Francis on the Call to Holiness and applied it to the life of Marguerite Bourgeoys, the Congregation of Notre Dame and her own vocation story.
To watch the video click here. Thank you for this informative and thought-provoking message, Maureen!
The Toronto 400th Committee