Visitation Central Associates Newsletter
Sister Marijke Gerretsen, CND, is part of the Congregational Leadership Team including the role of liaison with the Central Committee for Associate Relationship. Sister Marijke shared her personal history of Associate Relationship in Japan, Troyes, Canada, and Central America.
Associate Relationship was initiated by Sister Louise Côté beginning in French Canada in 1981 with an idea to provide an alternative to religious life like extern models in the 17th century. Associates added to the treasury of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame by sisters learning the concerns of lay persons while providing mutual support to Congrégation de Notre-Dame sisters in the ministry of sharing the spirit of Marguerite Bourgeoys. Together sisters and associates were already sharing life for a better world.
Initially the focus was on single women although quickly the need to open the door to married women and men, couples, and priests.
In January 1982, Associates were established in English Canada.
The 2022 Visitation Province Calendar recognized associates celebrating 40 years in May. Initial associates from 1982 who had passed were remembered in the November calendar photo.
In 1990, Associate Relationship was initiated in Japan, where Sister Marijke ministered for 42 years. Sisters of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame teach in schools in Japan where Christians are a minority. In Tokyo, a city of 21 million citizens, there are 7 or 8 different parishes. Japanese associates support parish work, provide a retreat day for Catholics yearly and working to carry out activities independently as access to sisters limited. A group of Fukushima associates has a most amazing annual outreach to a remote Catholic region of Thailand called “Winds of Asia”. If a priest is part of the group, Mass is celebrated and is the only one for the year.
In Canada, Sister Marijke shared her experience of associate relationship. Sharing of what associate relationship means in one’s life is the way to share its value as sisters’ visibility in community is decreasing. Associates are called to enlarge the tent and broaden the future to promote mutuality and collaboration.
In 2019, Sister Marijke along with another sister led a group of associates on a pilgrimage to Troyes, France the birthplace of Marguerite Bourgeoys. When the group of associates and the two sisters in the Paris airport, there was an instant connection of journeying together in the footstep of Marguerite.
October 2022 was the 60th anniversary of Congrégation de Notre-Dame presence in Honduras. Sister Marijke was present for the celebrations. In July 2022 Sister Marijke had visited Central America with one day in Guatemala. Amidst extreme poverty, everyone has a cell phone. Communication is constant with WhatsApp. Participation of associates is phenomenal. Medical care is promoted by associates with the use of natural remedies. Sisters and associates live close to the people of the countries.
In closing, Sister Marijke encouraged coordinators to continue down the path of living out the charism of Visitation-Pentecost with presence, partnerships, with the orientations in mutuality and collaboration “Together for the Life of the World”.
The coordinators were blessed and grateful for Sister Marijke and her presentation.
Spiritual Input Session
Sister Maureen Baldwin opened the Coordinators semi-annual meeting on October 21, 2022 with a Prayer, a song “Worth Fighting For “by Emily Hearn, Psalm 107, a blessing and group reflections. She allowed the Coordinators to record her spiritual presentation on “Finding Home through the Ignatian Spirituality Project. She works with women who have experienced addiction, trauma and homelessness. She has been an advocate since 2015 with an Ignatius Spirituality Project set up in Toronto. The ISP is closely connected to the charism and mission of the Congrégation de Notre-Dame and St. Marguerite Bourgeoys their foundress.
The Ignatian Spirituality Project invites people recovering from homelessness and addiction to experience God's love, hope and healing through a spiritual community that transforms their lives. The ISP retreat that is offered now in Cobourg ,Ontario at the Villa Saint Joseph Ecology and Spirituality Centre and is for women who have been clean for 3 months known as a (“sweet spot”), and who are ready to transform their lives. This Centre is a sacred safe place for these marginalized women to feel accepted and to share their experiences without judgement. They are encouraged to be open to the other.
This weekend retreat is free. Food, lodging, transportation are provided for the participants. There are follow up session. Weekend retreat themes may include: recovering our story, fear and trust, healing of memories, time in nature and experiences of prayer. Prayer during the weekend includes attitudes and practices that create hope and transformation.
Sister Maureen spoke of the five movements used in this weekend retreat: Openness to heal, Spiritual healing, Moving from fear to trust, Courage to embrace and Moving toward -Hope. This ISP fosters hope of new life for women and men who are living on the margins of society. The retreat is not a 12-step retreat but incorporates 12-step spirituality which echoes Ignatian Spirituality. It is a deep listening non- judgmental retreat.
The Canadian model is being planned for 5 other areas in Canada, Montreal, Nova Scotia, Ottawa/Kingston, Calgary and Vancouver. The retreat leaders participate in a circle as an equal and also share. They are a network of volunteers building relationships with one another and creating welcoming spaces for everyone. We should not forget that our life is connected to others who need our strength and support- for they are also part of us and loved by God- it impacts all of us. Thank you Sister Maureen, continue your excellent Advocacy and educating Canadians on Ignatian Spirituality Project.
JPIC (Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation) Committee Report
JPIC’s Work with ongoing education on the impact of colonization on Indigenous Peoples
The book “Listening to Indigenous Voices” has been delivered to all the sisters and associates who expressed an interest in using this book as an educational tool. Various areas have already begun to work with the book. An online group, from across the province, has meet for four sessions. We are so grateful to the Indigenous Elders who have been able to meet with us.