At the heart of every vocation is the recognition of our dignity and the ideal that caring for each other is caring for God. We are bound by a common Creator, a loving God who asks all of us to be that love for others . . .
Each of us embodies the love of God in our time and place. Silences, action, mistakes, missteps, distractions, choices, attitudes, are all included in our path to holiness. The whole of our life, all the ups and downs, emerge as our reflection of Jesus Christ in the world today. By Sister Peggy Ryan, O.P. commenting on Pope Francis’ Gaudete Et Ex sultate, Rejoice and be Glad.
Question for reflection:
How do I embody the love of God today with the people living and working in my current context?
Rebecca McKenna, CND with members of the Vocation/Formation Committee
Meeting on Eradication of Poverty: On Monday, November 25th, I along with approximately 100 other people had the opportunity to attend a public meeting to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the All – Party Resolution in the House of Commons to eradicate child poverty in Canada by the year 2000. The title of this meeting was: “Good Jobs For All: Fighting Poverty with A Job Guarantee.” Our guest speaker (by Skype) was Pavlina Tcherneva PH.D. Associate Professor of the Economics Program, Brad College, and research Scholar at Levy Economics Institute, Annandale - on Hudson, New York.
On Friday, November 15, Bon Secours Residence had a prayer service for Internationality 2019. The liturgy was taken from the one prepared by the novices and sisters of Cameroon. During the intercessions, a sister held up the flag of that country as we joined in a prayer for the people in that region of the world. Sr. Elizabeth Schratz from Mary of Peace community held the Japanese flag as we prayed for the needs of that country.
Donna Kelly, CND
As we celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Marguerite Bourgeoys’ birth, there have been different events and activities around the world to mark this milestone. One of these activities initiated by the English-speaking CND associates was a Pilgrimage to Troyes to “Walk in the Footsteps of Marguerite” in her hometown from September 17 - 23. The associates asked me to lead them on this venture and I was more than happy to do so. It was both an honor and a privilege to be part of this event. I would like to share some reflections on the pilgrimage.
Introduction: In this prayer service, we are focusing on how Mary is blessed by her call, her response and birth of Jesus. We are inspired by the September Associate Retreat that Kathleen Deignan led on Marguerite’s Beatitudes. Marguerite understood that Mary is a blessing in our lives and she blesses us with the gifts we need this Advent. We are suggesting some songs but you may wish to choose others.
On Saturday, November 9th Miramichi Associates Gail McKibbon and Frances Connell travelled to Saint-Louis-de-Kent to present eight prayer shawls to the Sisters of the Congregation de Notre-Dame who live there.
The Prayer Shawl Ministry was founded in St. Mary’s Parish, Miramichi almost ten years ago by Gail McKibbon. Sister Marie St.Coeur and Associate Carmel Doyle have been with the group since its beginning. [Photo: Frances Connell with the Sisters wearing their new prayer shawls.]
Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today. It remains largely unreported because of the stigma and shame surrounding it. November 25th will begin a multi-year effort from the United Nations aimed at preventing and eliminating violence against women and girls. We could watch for events in support of this work. We could maybe be a bit more awake and aware of the violence around us, in language and in everyday behaviour.
In 2015 Pope Francis made us aware of the need to protect the environment in his encyclical “Laudato Si.” His message has stirred Development & Peace to choose “For Our Common Home” as its’ theme for the next two years. You can “Defend the Defenders” by signing a solidarity letter addressed to two communities threatened by ‘mining and logging’ in Brazil, or you may want to take the intergenerational pledge by visiting the D & P website and choose your own personal commitment for taking better care of our Earth.
Learn more at https://www.devp.org/en/education/fall2019/materials
Christ of the Celts: The Healing of Creation by J. Philip Newell is a much appreciated little volume that fits in very well with the creation focused prayers and reflections we are finding in our circles these times.
Newell says: “Many of us have known a love of Christ and a love of the unfolding earth in our lives. Most of us have not known how to hold the two together.” Maybe, today, we are more aware and more appreciative?
This book helped me become more acquainted with Teilhard de Chardin and his efforts to “move” Church thinking. Teilhard died unknown but 50 years later his memory was celebrated at the United Nations and more readers and thinkers are using his inspiration.
The Congrégation de Notre-Dame, Visitation Province Office of Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) is committed to social and ecological justice and peace. This is their 2019 report to the Congregation.
The UISG Campaign 'Sowing Hope for the Planet' has connected with more than 400 congregations inviting them to share together regarding the goal of bringing the message of the Laudato Si’ Encyclical Letter to life. Last May many Superior Generals gathered in Rome where a video was presented on the actions of several Congregations. Sr. Agnes Campbell was there and told us how proud she was to see the name of the Congregation de Notre-Dame on the video. At the presentation of the social justice mosaic at the mother house last May, Sr. Agnes remarked that the whole project is even more significant for her now that she is aware of the meaning behind the mosaic. The video is available in eight languages. It is wonderful to see the many and varied actions from around the world, and exciting to see that we are not the only community with an artistic contribution. New things are happening!
You can watch the English version here - the Congregation de Notre-Dame content is at the minute 9.21s: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QkAlquwbJI&feature=youtu.be
Ottawa celebrates Marguerite's 400th: On November 2nd over 120 gathered at St. Paul's University for a morning with Kathleen Deignan, CND to listen, participate and reflect on the theme, "Daring to Dream a New World into Being," followed by lunch. Using examples from Marguerite Bourgeoys's life we were each challenged to carry on this dream both now and into the future.
Kathy Kelly, Ottawa associate
From Our Leadership Team
Itinerancy is a fundamental disposition of the heart, a posture of readiness for God’s compelling claim on our lives for mission.
Some things simply come to an end: . . . our work, living situations, life itself. There is no choice but to let go and to move forward into the unknown.
But itinerancy of the heart is chosen, cultivated. It is not an automatic posture, given the human tendency to settle into the familiar. But it is a virtue long honored in religious life. Inner itinerancy keeps us appropriately dislodged for outer movement towards the God who is coming to us from the future.
These words from “Celebrating Itinerancy” by Pat Farrell, OSF (from LCWR Update, May 2013) inspired and challenged us during our November 2-3 meeting. We invite you to bring them to your reflection and prayer as well.
November is a month of remembrance and gratitude, from the start of the month with All Saints Day and All Souls Day to the end of the month with Thanksgiving Day. We remember with gratitude those we love who have died, and whom we believe are with God in eternal life.
Twelve years ago, the then Pope Benedict XVI wrote a letter, an encyclical, Spe Salve, which is Latin for “In Hope We Are Saved.” This letter to all the people of God still stands as a masterpiece of consolation for any who have lost a loved one in death, and for any who have lost someone with whom they were angry and never reconciled. Death is hard in both realities.
On November 2 over 120 gathered at St. Paul's University for a morning with Kathleen Deignan CND to listen, participate and reflect on the theme, "Daring to Dream a New World into Being" followed by lunch.
Using examples from Marguerite's life we were each challenged to carry on this dream both now and into the future.
Celebrating the 400th Anniversary of Marguerite Bourgeoys in the East Kootenay’s
Cranbrook associates and a number of parishioners enjoyed an evening presentation by Sr. Norma Gallant, CND. Sr. Norma journeyed from Trail to be with us and she spoke lovingly and passionately about the life and history of Marguerite all the way from Troyes, France to the present-day reality of our time and place in Western Canada. Of interest to everyone was the call of Marguerite Bourgeoys to go where she was needed often in the face of institutional opposition. The call of the Sisters of the Congregation de Notre-Dame to go to the peripheries today is the same call that Marguerite heard and responded to in her time. The role of the associates and their relationship to the call and mission of the larger Congregation de Notre-Dame was shared and celebrated as well.
God of all seasons, God of Autumn,
as you transform the earth,
transform us by your Spirit.
Our Commitment to Interculturality...
We believe that God desires us to live with others in ways that are respectful and mutually empowering.
These are the principles of interculturality that guide our way forward:
• Build a home where all can feel comfortable and accepted
• Learn to appreciate and celebrate our many differences
• Develop an inclusive model of thinking that takes into consideration the many different truths that we hold
Our commitment to interculturality requires that we live a path of constant conversion.
(Adapted text, Newer Members, Chofu, Japan – 2019)
October 17 was the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Thousands of people representing over 100 groups across Canada marked the day by calling on the federal government to take immediate action on this ongoing violation of human rights. As part of the Dignity for All campaign, CHEW ON THIS! my friend Patricia Power and I stood on street corners in downtown Charlottetown handing out brown paper bags to passers-by. The bags contained a snack, a fridge magnet reading CHEW ON THIS! and a post card to be signed and mailed to the Office of the Prime Minister. The message to government was simple: " The country is watching. It's time to show the millions of people in Canada living in poverty that their government cares about them." The supporters of Dignity for All are asking the Prime Minister Trudeau and new government that in the first 90 days, a real commitment be shown to a poverty-free Canada by choosing effective human rights policies and making poverty a budget priority.
St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, Sydney, NS
Following the presentation people came forward to touch, pray or just be in the presence of the relic of St. Marguerite which was removed from the altar for this night only. (This ritual was repeated at St. Marguerite Bourgeoys Parish, Tantallon, NS.)