Visitation Province East Newsletter
Zoom Retreat with Sister Lorraine Caza, CND
Saturday, May 29th, 2021, via zoom, Sr. Lorraine Caza, CND, presented a Mini-Retreat to Sisters and Associates of Visitation Province. Theresa MacNeil, VP East Co-Coordinator welcomed the participants to this retreat and Dianne MacAskill opened with the General Chapter prayer 2021 Together for the Life of the World. Alexa Smith, Associate, introduced Sr. Lorraine Caza. The retreat was an inspiring presentation which focused on: WHAT IF WE REASSESS OUR FULL YEAR OF COVID-19 EXPERIENCE?
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED? WHAT ARE WE GRATEFUL FOR? HAVE WE ANY REGRETS?
Sister Loraine Caza ended her retreat inviting each one to write their own personal Magnificat. She shared a Magnificat written by Jacqueline Fehlner, Coordinator VP Central. We were blessed to have Associate Dolores MacGillivary share a Magnificat she wrote and shared. Prior to the retreat ending the Sisters and Associates in attendance renewed their Vows/Commitments. Sr. Connie MacIsaac read the Vows for the Congregation de Notre-Dame sisters who were present while Theresa MacNeil led the Associates in their commitment. The concluding prayer was read by Associate Karen Volpe. Sister Connie MacIsaac expressed heartfelt appreciation to Sr. Lorraine for giving of her time and leaving us with a most memorable experience. The 400th Anniversary song “Let Us Hurry on the Way”, was played to end this retreat.
ARCAN
Atlantic Religious Congregations Associate Network met on Apr 16 and 17, 2021 with Theresa and I attending along with 7 other Congregations. ARCAN emerged in the hearts of two CND Members in 2002 in Pictou, N.S. Sr. Alma MacLellan and Associate Peg Madigan have organized this relationship. This vibrant network will be celebrating 20 years in 2022. Theresa MacNeil will be serving on the Organization Committee. I encourage you to check out their blog
www.arcantheleadingedge.blogspot.ca
Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation
Monica Lambton Coordinator JPIC (Justice Peace and Integrity of Creation) leaves her position in June and is relocating to Vancouver, B.C. We are very grateful for the resourceful information and workshops she has initiated. The Coordinators and Sister Maureen MacIsaac met with Monica in May to review our future initiatives. Although Monica will be relocating she did provide our Coordinators with HOPE that many of these important projects will continue. The objective of her presentation was to identify the key pieces of JPIC work that were developed with the intention that they be on-going. The Project water is a forever project. It will never stop until everyone has the “right to clean water”. Decolonization and Anti Racism issues will continue as we dig through our history books and look at how we can make amends for some of our wrong doings with our First Nation community. Fossil fuels issues are transitioning and although this is not a new topic it does affect our environment. Talking about Climate change and our earth and supporting Pope Francis’ “Laudato Si and “Fratelli Tutti” Encyclical initiatives need to continue. It was recommended Congregation de Notre-Dame Associates take further concrete action on only one or two issues of great concern e.g. education and awareness of injustices to our earth, blanket exercise, climate action (Care of our Common Home) and joining together with faith and inter-faith groups to be stronger in these urgent concerns. Our support to these great causes can transform ourselves and others.
June 11: World Day of Prayer for Priests
Worldpriest invites you to join the rest of Canada and the world in the 12th Worldpriest Annual Global Rosary Relay for the Sanctification of Priests on Friday, June 11, 2021 (Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus). On this day, please pray the rosary and unite in prayer with the rest of the world for our Beloved Priests. You’re welcome to pray individually or as a group from your home or local Church. The Worldpriest Annual Global Rosary Relay for Priests is organized and coordinated by Worldpriest. www.worldpriest.com
DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE
Thank you for your support for the just concluded Share Lent campaign, Share Love Share Lent. Your donations are truly appreciated as it will keep our 83 projects across Africa, Middle East, Latin America and ASIA alive! I invite you to consider being a MONTHLY DONOR. Your monthly contribution ensures our partners can support marginalized communities in their search for justice and adapt to new challenges like COVID-19.
Visit devp.org/shareyearround to join the Share Year -Round program, or check out the Share Year-Round Brochure for more information.
Thank you in advance!
NACAR
After 25 years of faithful stewardship of NACAR’s mission, the NACAR Board of Directors affirmed the decision to begin the process toward the dissolution of the corporation effective June 30, 2022. For many years, they have worked to meet the challenge of limited human and financial resources. They have consistently communicated their concerns, listened for the voice of God, and have now discerned that God is calling them to let go and to accept that this form of independent structure no longer serves the current reality. Theresa and I and other Sisters and Associates have attended their NACAR Workshops, their Newsletters and other invaluable information has been shared with our Associates. This is a profound loss to our Spiritual community. Theresa and I were fortunate to attend the final Workshop May 18th, 19th, and 20th with host Sister Carol Zinn on the topic of Charism Carriers: Embracing the Call to Leadership.