Sr. Eileen Roach present her third session on Laudato Si’

Thursday, November 25th, 2021, Associates and Sisters gathered at the Pastoral Centre in River Ryan, NS, to hear Sr. Eileen Roach present her third session on Laudato Si’. We were all very excited to hear how Sr. Eileen brought into context the Spirituality of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and the teachings of the Pope’s encyclical. Pope Francis calls for an ecological conversion, a conversion that brings blessings to our wonderful world, a world created by God for all His creation to live in harmony. The teachings of Laudato Si’ and the General and Provincial Chapters inspire us to be committed to the ongoing care for our Common Home.

As Sisters and Associates of the Congregation of Notre Dame we carry a desire within our hearts to make changes for a better world. Sr. Eileen reminded us to live by the examples of St. Marguerite Bourgeoys and Pope Francis. St. Marguerite Bourgeoys wanted us to flourish in this world. We are to honor, respect and protect our Common Home and take concrete action. We need to embrace a profound change of heart-a transformation of consciousness. We must not ignore the cries of our Common Home and the cries of the wounded people.

As we live out the General Chapter Orientation and the Visitation Province Orientation Statement-Elements of Deepening, we realize there is more work to be done as we continue our journey of transformation. Sr. Eileen said we are to be intentional about our actions. Knowing the facts is not enough. Fear is real and it will paralyze us if we let it. We must act to make things better. The Congregation is calling us to be beacons of Hope-Fierce Hope!

In closing the session, Sr. Eileen invited us to renew our commitment by reciting together the Visitation Province Elements of Deepening 2021-2025.